How do you say "FUR" in Romanian?

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!

Scripture of the weeeeeeek = Romans 13:11-12. Sora Purtschert actually shared this with me this morning in comp study. FREAK YOU GUYS. I LOVE SORA P!!!!!! But also just really this scripture. Go open your Bible and read it. Or click on the link and read it RIGHT NOW!!

Being in Bucharest for the day was SO FUN! I ran into Sora Anderson and Elder Lemon from my MTC district! UH ALSO. BEST GELATO PLACE EVER. EMILIAS. YUM. And book heaven=the Carturesti by Piata Unirii. We will be going to both of these places when we come back family. 

OKAY AND THEN AFTER ANOTHER SLEEPER TRAIN I FINALLY GOT TO PICK UP SORA PURTSCHERT !!!!!!!!!! I LOVE HER !!!!!!!!!!! SHE IS THE BEST !!!!!!!!! This transfer is going to be so awesome. She's quickly becoming one of my very best friends. We have a good time together. 

For example. Let me explain my title today. Okay. So Sora P. is in her fourth transfer and I'm in my third. That means she's been in the country for 6 weeks more than I have. Which means that our Romanian? Yeah. It's still pretty new and rough. BUT we're getting by. Okay. So our first day in Arad (Wednesday) was full of contacting. We were just trying to talk to everyone. One girl at a tramvai stop was not having it. She did not want to talk to us. But we wanted to talk to her. So we kept talking to her hahahahhaha so. We're standing in front of Primaria where a bunch of little goods shops are set up for Christmas, and a bunch of the stuff has fur. But I don't know how to say the word fur, because why in the world would I need to know the word for fur?!?! SO. I'm talking to this girl. Basically having a one sided conversation. Then. I say, "Si deobice acest lucru are lucru cu mai mult 'fur'? Except I said fur with a Romanian accent . . . as in ENGLISH word fur in a Romanian way . . . She looked at me like I was a complete idiot. Turned around and didn't acknowledge us anymore. HAHHAHAHA ISNT THAT SO FUNNY HAHAHAHHAHAHA wow. So. Here we are. Sora P. and I. Tackling this town. With 7 months of Romanian between the two of us. Prayers would be appreciated. I still don't know how to say the word fur in Romanian hahaha

OKAY BUT actually. Our little knowledge is helping us. We are being bold. And learning a lot. Tender mercies and miracles LEFT AND RIGHT! 

I LOVE YOU ALL! Grateful for all of the love and support. I hope you know that I pray for you everyday! 

xoxox

Sora Idiart 

PS . . . sorry no pictures this week . . . Computer isn't working. Plus I only had 3 anyway, FORGIVE ME! 

I thought I wasn't being 'trained' anymore" a pun brought to you by Sora Stanley

HEY FAM WOOOOHOOOOO 

Can you believe I've been gone for 4 months? I cannot. Wowza! Time flies when you're having fun out here in vampire land! (Which to my disappointment isn't actually really a thing here...not even for fun. Oh well)

SOOOO I'm no longer a boboaca (Little Duckling or Newbie)....I am a real missionary. Training wheels off. BUUUUT I'm still staying in Arad <3333 oh happy day. YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE MY PEEPS! However....Sora Stanley has moved on to bigger and better things. Like being the new STL (Sister Training Leader) in Bucharest. Because of that, we rode another 15 hour sleeper train down to Bucharest last night (hence the subject line and pun)...So right now I'm in Buch. For the day. Then training (taking the train) back with another sister to Oradea, where I will drop her off and pick up my new companion....SORA PURSCHERT. YEET. It's going to be a crazy next few weeks. She's still relatively "young" in the mission aka she's been out a month longer than I have. We're both super stoked to really have to learn the language because we can't rely on someone with loads of experience. YEET. Pray for us. Hahah.

Scripture of the week! Helaman 6:34 - Ugh. Just really love the chapters before the birth and then Resurrection and coming of Christ to the Americas. Powerful stuff. BUT when I read this verse this week I fell in love. We have to GROW in knowledge and righteousness everyday! We can't get lazy. We have to always be trying to get better. That's the only way that we will improve and become more like out Father in Heaven. Man. The scriptures rock. 

Lots of miracles happened this week! But because this Thursday is Thanksgiving (#USA #FREEDOM #TURKEY #MASHEDPOTATOES!!!!!!!!!!!#YUM) I just want to say what I'm most grateful for this Thanksgiving:

My Savior, Redeemer, Counselor, older brother, and best friend: Jesus Christ. That guy. He's always there for me. When I'm having hard days and when I'm having easy days. You guys. HE LOVES YOU. He has sacrificed so much for you - even His life. The gratitude I feel for him, and for His message which He has allowed me to share with these special people here. Truly humbling. You guys won't even recognize me when I get home ;) hahaha J/K still the same old me. BUT REALLY OKAY. I know that Jesus Christ is your Savior. Because I know that He is mine. And He is ALWAYS there for you. Like I said, good days and bad days. He truly is our advocate. He knows and love you. Ugh. I wish you could feel how much He loves you....because I can feel it! 

And I'm really grateful for all of you who are supporting, loving, and encouraging me from thousands of miles away. Couldn't do it without you! Honestly. I love you all so much. Praying for everyone. Have a great Thanksgiving! Tell me 5 things you're grateful for next time you email me :) 

and.......EAT THE TURKEY LEG FOR ME. Keep the tradition alive hahahaha (silently crying B/C no turkey leg for me this year. But we gucci) (We Gucci means We're Good, in "Emma Lingo")

UGH I LOVE YOU ALL! Praying for you! 

Xoxo

Sora Idiart Xoxoxo

Just two sisters walking along Eftimie Murgu <3 love this mom of mine 

Don't leave me mom :'( 

District Conference aka SEEING MY HOMIES: SORA DUSIE AND ELDER TROTTIER. 

What a wonderful life. 

False advertising....You think you're getting a foot long chocolate Santa, 

when in reality....HE IS A ORTHODOX PRIEST.....Sneaky. Still tasted good. 

These  photos were taken by the Senior Missionary Couple last week.  Emma (Red Sweater) was put in charge of the Branch (congregation) Talent Show.  If you read their blog post at daysmission.blogspot.com you can read more info about it, but it seems to have been well attended and really fun.  They had a Taco Bar and one Elder taught everyone some line dancing.  I have to say, Emma takes after her Idiart/Nadauld Aunties in the Party Planning Department.  

The following Sunday was District Conference (like Stake Conference) and there were about 65 people in attendance at church.  The blondes in the front are the Mission President's wife and son.  You can see half of Emma  (green sweater) and her cute companion, Sora Stanley to the right of the blondes.  I just love to look at these sweet Romanian people, knowing who is friends with my girl warms my heart.

5 and 1/2 days = 132 hours.......... :-) remember this

Hey Fam!

The one hour I have for emailing always goes by SO FAST! BUT I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO! AND ALL YOUR EMAILS! I LOVE READING THEM! 

SCRIPTURE TIME YO. Alma 47:18. Honestly I think this is the most important verse of scripture....like ever. It tells us EXACTLY HOW SATAN WORKS! HE POISONS US BY DEGREES!!!! Little by little. Keep working hard to obey the commandments so that he doesn't trap you! SO IMPORTANT! I love you all. I'm praying for you all. You can do it. We all can! Rely on the Savior! 

Okay so my title.......funny story. That's how long it's been since I showered. AHHAHA ISN'T THAT GROSS!?!? BUT THANKFULLY our proprietor (land lord) finally came over today and fixed it. So tomorrow morning I will be showering. Blessed <333333 I'm very good now at washing my hair in the sink. Hahaha

BUT THIS WEEK WAS A MIRACLE WEEK!! I'M NOT KIDDING! We did a sister-mission wide fast last week to see miracles. Sora Stanley and I worked way hard to be exactly obedient (including actually doing a workout in the morning.....didn't enjoy it but hey. I will learn to obey with a happy heart in that area on day hahaha). So onto the miracles:

WE HAVE AN INVESTIGATOR. Remember our friend Rodica that we met on our train ride back from Zone Conference a few weeks ago? Well we met with her this past week and asked her if she would be interested in learning more about what we believe. AND SHE SAID YES! YEEEEEEEEEEET! Miracle. And serious. As always. Thank you for including me and Sora Stanley in your prayers! WE FEEL THEM! We're meeting again later this week with Rodica. SHE IS THE COOLEST. Also she uses the most beautiful Romanian ever. It's hard for me to understand her sometimes because she doesn't speak like everyone else. I LOVE IT. Ugh. Love her.

A month ago I was put in charge of planning a talent night for our branch. This past Saturday we had "Noapte Talentelor" AND IT WAS A HIT. We had way more people in attendance than we anticipated! One of our investigators (Mariana - wife of recent convert Ghiti) came and brought her entire family. It was super fun. I was stressed out of my mind, BUT IT WENT GREAT. And the branch really enjoyed it. Success! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures.....so.....yeah. Sorry. Hahaha my bad. 

OKAY ANOTHER MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!! SORA STANCIU CAME TO CHURCH! She's still been really down lately - depression is the worst :( - and we weren't expecting her to come to church. BUT SHE DID! And she loved it! Praying with my entire heart that it will become a regular thing for her again. She is so sweet. I have so much love for her. UGH really I just have so much love for the entire branch. THESE PEOPLE. THEY HAVE MY HEART. 

Oh here is a NON miracle. In fact. It is the worst thing to ever happen. Today. It started snowing. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Winter has come. And I am not prepared. Zăpadă (snow) is a new swear word. Never say it around me. Hahaha. But really. It's getting flipping cold here. But actually the cold is good. Because then the bugs start to die. The bugs here are big. And scary. Remember that one that I caught and trapped?!?! They're all like that. Except sometimes bigger. Hahaha

OKAY ANYWAYS! YOU GUYS! I love you! And I pray for you every dang day! I know that living the gospel of Jesus Christ will make you happy. It will bring you true happiness now, and an eternal joy in the life to come. It is hard to do! BUT DANG IT IS SO WORTH IT! So worth it. 

Love you guys. So much. 

Sora Idiart 

My baking has not improved.....at all.

These were supposed to be Blondie Bars?!?! SOS pls help me

..........yeah. Very happy Sora Idiart hahaha

NOT HAPPY. But accepting it. At least it's not Finland or somewhere even colder..Hahahahaha

We waited outside in freezing cold weather for a tramvai that never came....

we ended up walking home for another half hour. 

My toes were frozen and slightly blue??? hahah just kidding,

I'm exaggerating. But it was DANG COLD. 

"I'm a Baba!" Sora Stanley upon trying her new scarf out.

Found this on a tramvai. hahahah love you beans. miss u! 

"Wait I'm a real Romanian now!" Sora Stanley upon trying on her other scarf 

and then having the brilliant idea to put her beanie on top. 

Hahah love her. (She wasn't happy I was taking a picture haha) 

Crossing train tracks at night is rlly scary but also rlly fun ??? I LOVE ARAD

(Sorry again!  This letter was written on 11/7.  
All the purple translations are my add ins. ~Sarah)

HELLO HELLO HELLO FROM ARADDDDDDDDD!

Can't flipping believe that it's already week 5 of the second transfer.........uh. Can I stay a bulboaca (girl duckling) forever? That'd be sweet. 

OKAY THIS PAST WEEK WAS WAYYYYY HARD BUT ALSO...MIRACLES?!?!? YA! 

First things first. Everyone. Click this link HERE and either read or listen to this speech. I've been reading it so much this week. I've found great comfort and strength. LITERALLY JESUS CHRIST LOVE YOU. AND ME. AND US. AND NOI TOȚI! (All of us!) How beautiful and comforting is that? So read it. If you're struggling, you'll feel our Savior's love. If you're not struggling, you'll feel our Savior's love. READ ON MY FRIENDS! 

SO! Really funny story. We (S. Stanley and I) were on a tramvai (train) Monday night. Pretty packed full of people. Sitting across from this older lady. Sora Stanley complimented her on her little ascot-y type scarf (Sora Stanley LOVES them so much. She has like 20. Wears one everyday lol so cute love my comp). The lady looks at us for a second kind of quizzical. Looks at our name tags. Looks back at our faces. Then says "Do you really like it?" and Sora Stanley replies "YES!". So then the lady takes it off and says "Then it's yours". She then keeps insisting that Sora Stanley take it if she really likes it. Says "God bless you both," kisses our cheeks (European air kiss thing that reminds me of all my frenchies. HOLLAAAA IF YOU'RE BASQUE haha), and gets off. !!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHHA !!!!!!!!!!!!! ISNT THAT AWESOME ?!?!??!??! ARENT ROMANIANS THE BEST?!?!??! HAHAHAHHAH I was laughing so hard when she got off. Really. I couldn't control myself. BUT THAT IS SO ROMANIAN!!!!!!!! They are so kind and giving and loving. Really. Even though mostly we see a hard and reserved exterior, THEY ARE GOLDEN! So now Sora Stanley has 21 little silky scarfs. (pic will be attached hahahah seriously. So much fun)

Okay regarding my subject line. Hahaha. So one of our members, Sora Lidia, lives in a way sketch part of Arad. I think I've mentioned this before. You have to cross some train tracks to get to her apartment. In our Area Book it says in big bold letters "DO NOT GO TO ARADUL NOU WHEN IT IS DARK. NOT SAFE". It actually says that like everywhere in our apartment hahaha. So obviously S. Stanley and I went there last night past sun down. Hahaha it's starting to her dark here at like 6, and we had a dinner appointment with her and the elders. But the elders had already been in that area....so S. Stanley and I pretty much sprinted from the tramvai stop, across the train tracks (almost biffed it haha running in a skirt is uh not safe), and then sprinted through all the non-lit, creepy neighborhoods. I FELT SO ALIVE. I LOVED IT. But we won't be going back at night without taking a taxi/scheduling for a non-pitch black time haha. Don't worry. We were very much on our guard. And sprinting. So. Super safe, mom :) 

Okay. Charity. That is the Christ-like attribute that Sora Stanley and I decided to work on this week. AND MAN DID I FEEL IT. Every week we go visit a less active/recent convert (baptized two years ago) named Maria Stanciu. She is a sweet lady. LOVES missionaries. LOOOOOOOVES the gospel. Loves God and Jesus Christ. She has had a really hard past few years. Her teenage son was murdered three years ago. The killer was never charged. Really hard experience for her. The Plan of Salvation has helped her out TONS. But she suffers from some pretty nasty depression. This past week was a way hard week for her, because the beginning of November is the Romanian holiday to remember the dead. When we went to visit her, she wasn't her normal happy self. Earlier that day during comp study, Sora Stanley and I decided to share a message with her about the resurrection based off of the "Because of Him" film that the church came out with a little bit ago.  Click HERE if you haven't seen it.  As I sat next to her to show her it, I WAS SO OVERCOME WITH A LOVE FOR HER. I can't describe it. But sitting next to her I KNEW that Jesus Christ knows her. And that He was felt the pain she feels. And that because of Him, she WILL be able to see her son again. So everyone knows I'm a cry baby right? Hahahaha somethings never change. I cried practically the whole lesson. She told us about her son and his story. Cried. Sora Stanley testified of the resurrection. Cried. I testified of the Savior's love and support for her. Cried. She asked me to say the closing prayer.....THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN CRYING THE ENTIRE LESSON!!!!!!!!!!!......did it. Cried. But the Spirit was putting Romanian words into my mouth that I didn't know. By the end of my prayer everyone was crying. Hahhaa. The Spirit was SO TANGIBLE. So powerful. 

I LOVE SORA STANCIU. THIS LIFE IS HARD. PEOPLE SUFFER TERRIBLE AND HORRIBLE PAINS. WE GO THROUGH SOME REALLY HARD TRIALS. All of our trials are hard...for us! BUT GUESS WHAT MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY. We have a loving older brother. He sacrificed His life for us. He suffered for our pains and sufferings. I don't believe this...I KNOW THIS. I know it with all my heart. And how grateful I am for this truth. Let me tell you a secret. I hate rejection. I hate being rejected by these people OVER AND OVER AGAIN. It hurts. Really bad. But I KNOW that there are people suffering here in Romania. They need to know that Jesus Christ knows and loves them. And so I put on a big smile and keep knocking on doors and climbing flights of stairs. 

Missions are rough my dudes. I know I say this every week. But it's true. BUT THEY ARE SO WORTH IT. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. Keep the commandments and keep trying! YOU CAN DOOOOO IIIIIIIIIT (Nacho Libre voice). Praying for all of you. Thanks for the love, support, and prayers :)

xoxox

Sora Idiart 

VICTORY! Hahaha

Lady Bugs are black and red here.....IS THAT NORMAL?!?! 

FROST PEOPLE !!!!!!!! :(((((((( It is so cold. Hahha. 

But the nice thing about the cold is that there are no more mosquitoes. 

Those suckers are bad here. 

VISA BABYYYYYY. It's official. Staying here for a year and a half. 

Sad I couldn't smile in my visa pic.....look like a crazy killer. Lol. 

Dinner......when you don't have time to make food. Wasn't too bad hahah 

Just some cuties shopping on Preparation Day....HOLLA 

I just recieved a copy of this picture from the mission office!  It was taken my 2nd week in Romania, I met the Apostle Dieter F. Uchtdorf.  It's dope. Too bad I look silly hahahaha

GOOD MORNING ARAD

(This letter was sent on 10/31.  I'm so sorry I haven't been great about updating the blog! ~Sarah)

Hello wonderful family and friends who I love and miss! 

It's getting FLIPPING COLD HERE. Getting out of bed at 6:30 is a serious struggle. But I do it. And try not to fall asleep again as I'm kneeling by my bed....haha BUT TENDER MERCY!!!!!!!!! Daylight savings happened on Sunday. So I got an extra hour of sleep :') except the elders texted us at 5:30 asking us what time it was...........even after we told them the night before during our district prayer that daylight savings was happening the next morning......elders..... Hahaha J/K they're cool. I forgave them :)

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK TIME! 

Alma 28:14 - Okay. Guys. This week. Possibly the hardest week of the mission. I was praying WAY hard all week to get my "flame" re-lit. And then I read this scripture. ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS OR WHAT?!?!??! The joy of the light of Christ. That's why I'm spending a year and half away from the people I love the most in this world. In a strange country (which sells really good bread but still). Learning a new language - WHICH IS WHIPPING MY BUTT HOLY COW. And trying to talk to people, who clearly don't really want anything to do with me and my name tag. BECAUSE THE JOY THAT JESUS CHRIST HAS BROUGHT TO MY LIFE IS WORTH WORKING IN THE LORD'S VINEYARD FOR. The light of Christ. So yes. This mission is really hard. This life is hard! No one has an easy life. If they do, it's because they're probably not doing everything they should be aka probably sinning?! You know?! But just because it's hard doesn't mean you can't be happy. You can find joy through the Savior. AND there are always little miracles happening. 

ONE OF WHICH: Zone Conference was on Wednesday.....SO I GOT TO SEE SORA DUSENBERRY AND ELDER TROTTIER !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately.....we arrived just on time. And we left early. Darn trains here in Romania. They're always 1-2 hours late hahahaha SOOOOOO I didn't get a picture with them :( BUT seeing their smiling faces and hearing how the work is going for them WAS AWESOME. Still love my MTC district with all my heart :) 

One thing I loved that President Ivory shared was D&C 88:34 and a quote that he told us."We ourselves become sanctified if we choose to respond to difficulty with obedience and if we consistently work hard to overcome our fears" aka our sins. WE NEED TO LET GO OF OUR SINS! Our sins are ease for us. They're comfortable. They're hard to let go! But we can through the Savior. Ether 12:27 :) put those weaknesses on that altar! 

ANOTHER MIRACLE: Meeting Rodica on the train from Cluj to Arad. Sora Stanley and I both really wanted to take President's counsel to really try to just befriend the people we meet. Not try to push an agenda on them. SO we tried. With Rodica. We got to know her. And were genuine. And interested in her and her life. She was with her mom. 96 YEARS OLD!!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! And! At the end of the train ride, we offered to help her with her bags - she had a ton and had to help her mom - AND SHE GAVE US HER NUMBER AND TOLD US TO CALL HER AND COME VISIT HER. WE DIDN'T EVEN ASK! SHE WILLINGLY GAVE IT TO US. President was right. Hahahaha DOPE. We're meeting with her later this week :) 

Okay also. There was a wine festival here in Arad this past weekend. Not super good for contacting (drunk Romanians are really hard to understand hahaha). BUT. THEY. SOLD. HUNGARIAN. COZONAC. I sobbed. It is so good. I'm tempted to cross the border and go to Hungary to get the recipe. I can't really describe it... Other that it smells like Disneyland and tastes like the fruit from the tree of life. Hahahaha

OKAY FAM THAT'S ALL I HAVE TIME FOR! Emailing time is always way to short. Blah. Love you all. Be safe in your travels (Josh, dad, grandma, grandpa, John, Amy, Briana, Mom, Erin, Ezra, and anyone else I forgot hehe)

I LOVE YOU ALL AND PRAY FOR YOU AND WOW! I can feel the support, prayers, and love all the way across the Atlantic and then some. HAVE A GREAT WEEK :)

xoxox

Sora Idiart 

CUTE CUTE CUTE SORA LIDIA made me and Sora Stanley aprons. 

And since I'm the chef (yes, shocking. I know) in this companionship. 

I wear mine all the time. Mwuahahah

Thanks to Sora Stanley's mom. Sour Gummi Bears. 

Sora Stanley and I have a slight obsession with Haribo Gummi Bears. 

They're so flipping good. Anyways. 

Sora Stanley set this up for me while I was in the shower. 

Comp unity. On FLEEEEEK (back if your Mama Healy haha)

MORE CHOCOLATE SAN(ORTHODOX PREIS)TAS. 

Hahaha no separation of church and state. Gotta love it ;)

With our friends, Sonya and Sorina Berlans of Santana (20 miles from Arad)