Feburary 05, 2008

Hi Everybody!!! Right now I'm in Buc, getting ready for transfers. I don't have muchtime, so I'll try my hardest to update you all the best I can.As far as the Branch, we got to say goodbye to the members we were closewith. We got transfer calls & Sora Montague & I closed our Apartment.There aren't going to be sisters in Oradea next transfer. They mighteven make it a two-man city. So that's that. In Fast & Testimony Mtg onSunday, all 6 of us missionaries bore our testimonies & the whole Branchwas balling like babies!!! We left on a good note. I couldn't ask formore.So, we're in Buc now. It's nice to take a break from all the drama & bearound the missionaries for awhile. We all went to Hard RockCafe-Bucharest this morning. Felt like we were back in the states.Transfers are on Wed. So, I'll keep y'all posted. I got all your emails.Thanks for all your love & support. I REALLY need it right now!!! lol... Love you guys!!!-Sora Betham P.S. My addy here in Romania is:Sora Saolo BethamSos. Pipera Nr. 4 Et.7Sector 2COD: 014254BucharestROMANIA

Janurary 07, 2008

Ciao Stoc!!!
Okay, so I haven't heard from any of you for awhile...so I've been
reading your letters from WAY BAC WHEN...& I freaking MISS YOU GUYS SO
MUCH!!! you have no idea.
Real talk, I've been really struggling. This past week has been the
hardest yet. Right when I thought I was making way with the language, it
went AU LEAGA!!! it was so frustrating that I couldn't say anything,
couldn't understand anything, couldn't DO anything!!! then all the
members got on my nerves...& my comp was being so IRRITz...& we had to
walk all over the city cuz we didn't have "abonamente" which are like
bus passes...& then this one day I was really just frustrated cuz we had
no investigators, & no one on the streets would give us the time of
day...we walked through this park...& this lil FIAPOKO kid in front of
us lit a firecracker & threw it on the floor...we didn't see him do
it...& it popped RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!!! man, I was pissed already, & he
just made it 10 times worse!!! i wanted to rush him & deck him in the
face!!! so, he does it again...& i run to get it to throw it back at
him, but it popped before I got to it...man, i was so heated!!! i turned
around & looked at my comp. & she was like WHOA!!! the rest of the day I
just was so mad at everything & everyone...the next day I thought more
about it & realized how stupid I looked.
I thought about my calling as a missionary & thought of what the Savior
would have done. I know that's so cliche, but it's so true. I've been
studying about it this past week. I realized that I've been trying to do
things on my own. I've been relying on what I think I know, rather than
relying on the Lord for His help. There I go being FIAPOKO
again...lol...but really...I reacted to that boy the way MAN reacts
rather than trying to do as the LORD would. There's a scripture about it
somewhere in D&C 105 or 106 or something like that. I'll find it & give
it to you guys next week. But anyways, I want you all to look at your
own lives & seek ways that we can improve...looking to the Savior's
perfect example...& patterning our lives after His.
I love you all & hope that you are all doing well. Things are getting
better now. I'm opening up to my comp alot more, & she's helping me to
be better every day. She's tight like that.
I hope you guys all had a good New Year's. Remember to read your
scriptures & say your prayers...VA IUBESC PE VOI TOT!!!
SORA BETHAM.

December 25, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS EREBODY!!!
Wow, Christmas is already here!!! I can't believe how fast time is
going...okay, so I'm sure I'll talk to most of you guys in the next
couple of dayz...
But, here's a video I made with Sora Montague. Our wannabe Romanian
Christmas Carol!!! LOL...
http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n8/betham72/mish-ORADEA/?action=view&
current=100_0988.flv
OHkay, AHrite...I hope you all have a Merry Christmas & a Happy New
Year!!! I LOVE YOU GUYz!!!
***SORA BETHAM***

December 17, 2007

Ciao Stoc (wassup peeps),
Yes, I'm still alive & doing well. Oradea is beautiful during Christmas,
the lights & all that are up, & there's a huge Nativity thingy in the
middle of town. We had a fireside on Friday for Christmas, entitled
"Faith precedes the Miracle" or "Credinta precede Miracole." OMG, okay
so it was a musical fireside...Elder Rose was like the narrator...& we
talked about how Mary, Jospeh, the Wisemen, & the Lamanites all had
faith that Christ would come...& we had a song between each section...&
guess who had her debut solo...yup, SORA BETHAM!!! I sang Away in a
Manger & OMG, I hate that song now!!! lol...it was super funny though.
So anyways, I wrote this long email last week & the window closed before
I could send it out, so this won't be too long.
I hope that while you're all getting ready for Christmas that you
remember ME!!! and that you remember Christ & the real reason we
celebrate this holiday season. Make time to quietly & humbly thank Him
as a family & individually for all that He has done for us.
I love you all & miss you like CRAZY...so WRITE ME!!!
Cu drag,
Sora Betham...ORADEA'S FINEST!!!
p.s. This is the craziest lady in the branch. She has issues, so her
calling is to collect the Hymn books. So, right after you say amen, Sora
Filip like snatches it out of your hands...IT'S HILLARIOUS!!! WELCOME TO
ROMANIA!!!

December 03, 2007

Hi Mom!!!
I don't have a mass emails to foward this week, because I don't have
time to do it this week. But, I did upload a bunch of pics on my
PhotoBucket. So maybe next time I could just send it to WalMart, & you
could pick it up after work or something. I did recieve my package, so
tell all the AhFooks I said THANK YOU!!!
I'm also so excited that RJ (Roz Jr. hee,hee) is finally here & that
there weren't any problems. I saw the pictures, SHE'S SO CUTE!!! Send
them my love. Tell Gomery I'm still waiting to hear from him. Roz sent
me the pics from your Birthday, you all looked like you had fun. So, I'm
glad that they did that for you. YOU DESERVE IT!!! Don't worry, I didn't
forget, I'm working on sending a package soon.
So the way we get mail, is that you all send it to the Mission Office, &
when we have Zone Conference or Transfers every 6 weeks, they give it to
us. So, I'd rather email things through you, because YOU are the only
person I can email besides the Mission Prez.
I checked wellsfargo.com, and it looks like the Checking is running low,
so I transferred $50 from the Savings. I'm gonna use some from the
Credit Card for my Christmas Shopping okay??!! Not a lot, just $100 or
$200.
Anyways, the work is going really well. I forgot to tell you that alot
of members here are going in-active because they've been ofended by
something the Branch Prez. said or did. So, we've been visiting them to
bring them back to church. & I've been using the story about Uncle
Henry, & how our family had to forgive him for hurting us. & about Uncle
George's Hammer-Nail analogy. Alot of these families really felt the
Spirit, & I could tell it's helping them to get over the hurt through
the example of the Savior & his Atonement. These people love talking
about my family, & they all send their love.
Other business, I'll be on a train to Buc the night of Christmas, so I
need to call you sometime on Christmas Eve(which is our family tradition
anyways). So, let me know what time to call, & we can work something
out. I want to make sure everyone is home this time, so I can talk to
you all (since Roz & the kids will be there anyways).
Also, my district wants to eat Samoan food, so could you email me some
recipes of the dishes you know I like??!! I found this store with
coconut milk, but I haven't found any shoyu. Oh, and while we're talking
about Christmas, here's the beginning of my list (Note: it would be
smart to send my "Christmas Package" before Dec 25, because then it'll
be in Buc before I get there, & the office could give it to me then:)
-NOH mixes (ie:Lemon Chicken, BBQ Pork, etc)
-Custard & Gravy Powder
-Hello Panda(I finished them ALREADY)
-The LB15 Ward CookBook (I can't believe I forgot it!!!)
...that's all I can remember, but don't worry I'll finish this list next
week!!! lol...
Wow, this email is really long. My comp. is waiting for me, but know
that I love you ALL & hope that you're all doing good...
LOVE YOU
-Sora Betham.

November 11, 2007

Well, this week was Zone Conference. So on Wed night, we got on a train to go down to Buc. It was so FUN!!! It was another one of those SLEEPER TRAINS(see below)...so we got in Thurs morning & went straight to the chapel. Zone Conference was with Elder Kopishke from Germany. It was so good. He talked about how we can increase our faith, which I really needed. Then that night we went around Buc visiting members, & we met the craziest Romanian lady. She had this bright Barbie shirt & kept singing "I'm a Barbie girl..." man, she was too funny :). Then, we all met up again at the Gara or Train Station (below) & ate at McDonalds. I guess it's tradition. The trip was fun, the highlight of my week.
When we got back to Oradea on Fri, we had to prepare a Fireside for the members in our Branch. It's weird, they have Firesides on Fri to have contact with the members during the week. So anyways, the Fireside was about Covenants and their Importance. It was so tight. We talked about the Abrahaamic Covenant...Baptismal Covenants...& Temple Covenants. We ended with a slideshow of temples around the world. The members really liked it. I found out that Romania doesn't have a patriarch that speaks Romanian yet, so none of them have Patriarchal Blessings. Sad huh! Since I've been here, I have gained a better appreciation for the little things I take for granted. I'm not gonna lie, it's been hard. A couple of our investigators dropped us this past weekend, & it hurts to be rejected. It really does. Especially when you know they know it's true & pour your whole heart out to them when you testify...some people are just too scared to change their lives. Which is really hard. So, I encourage all of you to take advantage of what you have, because people in other parts of the world aren't so lucky!!! Well, I love you all & hope that you are all doing good. Take care...& WRITE ME!!!!
-Sora Betham.

November 19, 2007

I'm in ROMANIA!!!
So, Romania is absolutely AMAZAZING!!! There's nothing else like it!!!
So, the flight was really really long and uncomfortable, but I got alot of sleep in. We arrived in Buc at 1:30 & met with the AP's and President & Mama Ashby. The AP's took us around. OMG!!! Driving in Romania is sooooo CRAZY!!! They never signal and they drive over the tracks & the opposite side of the ROAD!!! The divider lines don't mean anything, I'm still wondering why they bother painting lines on the roads if they don't use them. I've seen 1 Suburban since I've been here!!! All the cars are tiny, little mini cars. The AP's are Elder Banu & Elder Spelck. Elder Banu is a Romanian from Brashov (get a map of Romania & learn the cities, or else you won't follow the rest of this letter:)) So, it was cool to have him take us around, cuz he actually knows what he's talking about. Man, he's a really crazy driver. He used to be a Taxi Driver, so he drove through like this park and down some stairs LIKE IT WAS NOTHING!!! lol. Crazy guy. We did some Notary stuff & then went back to the office. That night I went to the chapel to meet my temporary comp in Buc. At the chapel, I met Sora Puemaelotu. She's a senior Sister from NZ. She married a tongan guy, but she like tackled me she was so happy to see a Poly in Romania. I'm sad because she leaves next week to go home, but it was nice to talk to her. We taught English classes that nite & I spent the nite with Sora Andersen. Wed we met at Chismigiu Park where Romania was dedicated for missionary work. Man, it was so beautiful. I took a couple pics when I had the chance, but they could never do that place justice. Pres. Ashby read the Dedicatory Prayer & Elder Banu talked about Romanian history. He lived through communism, so it was so powerful to learn about these people and what they've been through. We had lunch and interviews with the Ashby's in their beautiful house. Then I met my bomb trainer Sora Montague. She's the bomb.com for real!!! We stayed their for awhile and relaxed, waiting for 1 more sister from the England MTC, then the AP's took us on another crazy ride through Buc to the train station.
I've been assigned to serve in ORADEA!!! It's this beautiful city on the border of Hungary. We took the NIGHT TRAIN that night from Buc. It was exactly like on Harry Potter!!! The train had 2 beds & we slept through the nite. We got here around 9 in the morning & the District Leaders Elder Abbott & Elder Miles met us at the Train Station. We got to our Apt. & got the chance to wash up & then headed over to their Apt. for District Mtg. Our Apt. is nice considering what other people have. Romanians make everything scented, which is one of my favorite things so far. Scented toilet paper (so SMART RIGHT??!!), scented notebooks (guess what you're getting for X-mas??!! :), scented pens, & so on... We get around by Taxi (they're so cheap), Tram-Vi, Bus, Subway (in Buc, it was so fun), & of course WE WALK!!! The buildings here are so beautiful, you should be so JEALOUS!!! lol...
I went to church yesterday which was so cool. The branch has about 20 active members. President Geambaşu & his wife are really young (like in their 20's), & they're both RM's so they know how to run things, & really keep things in order. Sora Geambaşu or "Iza", served Temple Square, so she loves Poly's. There's an Elder Williams whose Tongan from LA, serving here in Romania too!!! But he's in Buc now. Everyone here loved him, so now that I'm here they already kinda know where Samoa is & what Poly's are like.
The members here are CRAZY COOL!!! They're really loving and friendly, but thinking about it they have to be. It's really hard to be a member here, because alot of people think we're weird. Our chapel is like this little hall they call 'em "Villa's" which in comparison to the big spacious, blinging churches here seems smaller. But the SPIRIT (which is all that matters) is so STRONG here...& you can see it & feel it in the members & missionaries alike.
My Romanian is not as good as it could be, but I'm not scared to talk. I mean, I'm definitely scared, but I try not to let that stop me. I open my big mouth as much as I do at home, but then I let the spirit direct my thoughts, & it just comes. I'm sure I sound like a caveman, but that doesn't matter. I've learned that what's more important than what I say, is how I say it. It's an absolutely amazing feeling. Better than I ever expected. My companion has my back no matter what, & she picks up right when I need her to. It hasn't even been a week, & we click so well. She's from St. George & she's been out for about 9 months. The Elders are so tight!!! We have 4 of them in our District & they help us out so much. The food here is way different, but I like it. The stores are like Alpine Market, so it's nothing real crazy. Sorry I'm EXPLAINING MY LIFE, but I just really want you all to get a feel of what I'm going through & what it's like here.
I'm going to be honest & let you know that it's not easy. The sun hardly ever comes out, and the blocks are super dark and creepy, & its SO FRIGGIN COLD!!! But, these people really do need the gospel in their lives. It's really hard for alot of them to be happy, because life is so hard. So, I suck it up, & get out there. Alot of them aren't ready for the gospel, & treat us like crap...but it's nothing compared to what the Savior went through. And because he was so STRONG and ENDURED all those things, I put my faith in Him, & he takes care of me. I'm really not scared to walk through the dark alleys and dirty blocks, ONE because I wear double Garments (YES, it's that COLD!!!)...& TWO because HE IS ALWAYS WITH ME!!!! I carry pictures of my family & friends around to show the members & to remind me of how loved I truly am and how lucky I am that I have THAT!!! Not alot of people can say that, especially here. I want you all to know that I love you and miss you more than you know. It was so good to talk to you at the airport. I thought for sure I was gonna break down...but it helped so much to know that you're all doing good. Man, I hope & pray every night for you all. GO TO CHURCH, READ YOUR SCRIPTURES, PAY YOUR TITHING, BEAR YOUR TESTIMONY, LOVE ONE ANOTHER...because there are definitely people in the world who aren't so lucky to have the gospel in their lives. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Cu Dragoste,
Sora Betham.

November 08, 2007

ROMÂNIA SAU BUST!!!
Eu am PLANUL DE AVION meu!!! Sunt foarte entusiasmată şi frică în timpul la fel!!! MTCul a fost bine, dar este aceste timp...să FAC MUNCA!!!
ROMANIA OR BUST!!!
I have my FLIGHT PLANS!!! I'm so excited and scared at the same time!!! The MTC has been good, but it's that time...TO DO THE WORK!!!
The time is finally here to leave for Romania. We got our flight plans last Friday, and I was SO EXCITED!!! I'll be flying with Elder Horgmo & Elder Campbell next Monday at 8:30 am. We stop in New York City (JFK Airport) for 2 hours...then in Vienna, Austria for two hours...and finally in BUCHAREST, ROMANIA!!! We don't get in until 1:30 pm on TUESDAY!!! Crazy huh!!! LOL. Oh, and they made me the Travel Leader (of all people:)...so let's hope we don't miss our flight!!! LOL. I thought it was because I'm way bigger than the both of them...but I found out later that they do it alphabetically. SO MODED!!! LOL.
This week was really rough. I started to get really nervous and on Tuesday, our last discussion in the TRC, I CHOKED!!! The Romanian just wasn't coming like it used to. I knew everything I wanted to say, but I just couldn't say it! Ugh, it was so frustrating. I got really down on myself because it was our last TRC. But, Tuesday night, we had Devotional and the presiding Bishop & his wife spoke on FAITH vs. FEAR!!! Man, Heavenly Father really does know and bless us individually...Their talks just made me feel so much better. I'm still kind of nervous, but I know that if I excersize faith, that the Spirit will help me.
Anyways, I hope that you are all doing good. I haven't got any letters this week, but I'm sure you all are gonna write me in Romania right??!! LOL..Well, I'm not sure if I'll still be able to write like this when I get out there. But, I want you all to know that I miss & love you all VERY MUCH!!! ...and that I know that the Lord is watching over you while I'm gone. Say your prayers, read your scriptures, pay your Tithing...AND WRITE ME!!! LOL...
Cu Dragoste,


Sora Betham.

November 01, 2007

Să aveţi un HALLOWEEN BUN!!!
Sunt recuconscator pentru familile şi prieteni iubit!!! Voi mă faceţi pe mine să sunt MISIONARĂ BUN!!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! I am grateful for loving familiy and friends!!! You all help me to be a better MISSIONARY!!!
I recieved so many letters last week, which made me really HAPPY!!! I am always so excited to hear from all of you!!! Keep 'em coming!!! This past week was probablly the best one yet!!! My Romanian is getting a lot better. I know I say that every week, but I really AM getting better! :) The other day, I said the prayer, and afterwards our teacher said I sounded like a Romanian GIRL!!! Crazy Huh!!!
Then, on Tuesday I had the best conversation with Heather Cox from Albany Georgia in the Referral Center. She called in for a "Finding Faith in Christ" DVD. I took all her information down & then I just started talking to her about the Gospel. I started telling her about the First Vision when her baby started crying. I asked her how old her baby was & more about her life. She seemed so interested in the gospel, which is something I wasn't used to. Usually people just brush you off. But, she really wanted to know more! So I talked to her about the missionaries, and she ACCEPTED!!! I expressed how excited I was for her, I invited her to church, and she ACCEPTED!!! I couldn't believe it. The spirit was so STRONG!!! I left her with my testimony of the truthfullness of the gospel. Man, it was the best day, because later that night we had devotional...and ELDER BEDNAR was the SPEAKER!!!
If anyone had any doubts about the gospel, they would know just by being in the room, that it's TRUE!!! It was crazy how strong the spirit was. He talked about the 13 Articles of Faith, and how they are the answers to any doctrinal question!!! I never cried so much in DEVOTIONAL!!! But it got me thinking about my preperations to serve a mission. He talked about how so many missionaries ask him these wacky questions about the Book of Mormon and how we should be teaching with simplicity. I thought about how I wanted to know the deeper applications of the gospel. But I realized that, that's not my purpose! He challenged us to memorize the AofF if we haven't already and apply the SEQUENCE & CONTENT in our studies and in our lives. I extend this challenge to you all!!! I know that if we do this, Heavenly Father will bless us with a better knowledge of the gospel and help us to live these things in our lives!
I hope you are all having a good week. The MTC is still good, I'm not sick of it yet. I have a little over a week left & then I'm off to ROMĂNIA!!! I miss and love you all & hope that you are all going to church and reading your SCRIPTURES!!!
Cu Dragoste,

Sora Betham.

october 25, 2007

Buna Ziua!!!
Viaţa în MTCul este la fel trecut la fel trecut...mânca este la fel, plan este la fel...ESTE CE ESTE!!!
Life in the MTC is the same ol' same ol' thing...same food, same schedule...IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!...LOL...
My Romanian has been improving alot more these past couple weeks. We've been SYLing (Speak Your Language) alot more during meals and throughout the day. It's amazing how the spirit works once you OPEN YOUR MOUTH, and have a desire to learn.
This past Tuesday we had the Primary President & her husband come and speak to us at Devotional. They talked about how important it is to teach from the scriptures. She shared her experiences with children accross the world and how much they value the Book of Mormon. It's crazy. This one kid she met in Ghana was holding a Book of Mormon in Primary. She smiled at him, and said, "I see you have your Book of Mormon today?" He smiled back and told her that it was his turn to bring their families' scriptures to church and that their WHOLE family has to share that one set of scriptures. I almost started crying. I thought of how much I take for granted the Book of Mormon. I've been thinking and reading more since I've been on a mission. And this past week I decided that I'm going to finish it once through by the time I leave. Since I made that goal, I've been reading at least 20 pgs a day. It makes such a difference!!! I read today in Mosiah about Abinadai and about his testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have never felt so much power in the scriptures as I have in this past WEEK!!! I challenge all of you to read, and know for yourself of the wisdom and happiness we can experience when we read from the scriptures...SCRIPTURE POWER!!! (ugh, that was gay...LOL)
Other than that, the work has been good. We've been teaching this old Romanian lady named Viorica in the TRC. She's the best investigator because she answers every question right, and bears her testimony EVERYTIME!!! LOL..it's so funny. Our lessons are kind of slow because we've only taught in Romanian twice, but we're improving.
My companions are doing good too. Campbell (Canada) is more drama now, but I keep him in check! LOL..Horgmo (Norway) is so chill, he always tries to learn American slangs, and the other day, Sister Tuitavake showed him how to do "THIZZ FACE"!!! It was too funny!
There are more and more missionaries I know that come in the MTC every week. I met a lot of Polys so far. Sister Tuitavake and Elder Fiso are still here. I see them EVERYWHERE!!!
I'm doing good though, and I hope all of you are doing good too. I miss and love you all and am so grateful for all your letters and packages. KEEP THEM COMING!!!
Cu dragoste,

Sora Betham.

October 11, 2007

Buna Ziua Mama!!!
I recieved my Temple Dress, THANK YOU!!! Everyone comments me about it.
The temple experience is so POWERFUL, and I love going, because it
reminds me of YOU! Everytime I go into the dressing room, I can just see
you & your PINK IE AND BLACK T-SHIRT!!! LOL. I laugh to myself and
gratitude fills my heart. I will always remember how it felt that first
day I went through the temple, with you by my side. I am so grateful for
you MOM! I always share my testimony of my parents conversion to the
gospel. I remember when I was younger, you told me that the most
impotant thing you learned before baptism is that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER!
I have a testimony of that and I am so grateful for a loving and
supporting family. Today, I read about the "Fruits of our Labors" in Our
Search for Happiness. He talked about Matthew and how good trees bear
good fruits, & that bad trees are not capable of bearing the same good
fruit. And I thought about my parents and how I am a fruit of THEIR
labors. Your faith, testimony, and ALL your hard work is what brought me
here today. I am forever grateful to you & dad for all that you have
done for me. This debt or "TAB" is more than I could ever pay back. I
love you so much MOM & DAD!!! You are such an inspiration. Can you
please send me or have some one send me a family picture of ALL of us? I
only have the ones from the MTC, and Dad & Gomery aren't in any of them.
I really love this gospel and know with all my heart that it is true.
The MTC is an amazing place and I am so glad I chose to serve a mission.
My teachers and companions are amazing people and they all help me in
different ways to become a better missonary! My Romanion is coming along
slowly but surely. I can't wait to teach all of you! I hope everything
is going well at home. Send my love to Dad, Gomery, Leitu, & BABY!!! I
hope the ward is doing good as well. I challenge all of you to magnify
your callings and promise that the Lord will bless you for your
dilligence and faith in Him. I love you all and miss you so MUCH!!!
Te Iubesc,
SORA BETHAM.
P.S. If you have time and/or money, can you send some hello pandas and
some twisties, and whatever else you know I like!!! Ooh, and good nylons
(control top & maybe some knee highs)...I BUY NEW ONES EVERY
WEEK!!!MULTUMESC(thank you)!!!