January 25, 2015

Sorry I missed last week but wanted to get some more pictures.  This past week was good  We spoke down in Paphos which is on the western end of the island.  It is the smallest of the four main cities and had the smallest branch.  They and 17 there on Sunday and we had 3 sisters in RS.  In spite of the small numbers, the members or diligent and the spirit is great.

Here is a picture of where they meet:

Got another hair cut (a little short but it will grow right??).  We helped a member clean and paint his new apartment.  Honestly, the place should be be condemned but he was so grateful for it.  Said it was much much better than his last place.  It is so heartbreaking to see some the conditions these members live under.

We tried our first pizza and it was good or maybe it has just been a long time since we had had pizza!!!

This is our church building in downtown Nicosia.  We meet on the 3rd floor of the Eurobank building.

I came across this bunker on my walk the other morning.  It is left over from the war between Cyprus and Turkey in 1974.  Where we live was a strategic location and there are quite a few of these bunkers still around.  We have been studying a lot about the conflict.  Still strong feelings and no solution.

Also came upon this little fellow built on the side of a residential street.  Kind of strange.

Met this guy in the old city  We went there on Saturday.  The weather was beautiful and lots and lots of people where spending the day there.  

We also had numerous teaching appointments fall through, a big audit that isn't complete yet and today we taught a FHE lesson.   It is our first one and went really well.  We hope it helps our branch members as they are truly a little family here.

January 11, 2015

This past week went by so fast - I guess because we were pretty busy.  Lots of meetings and traveling.  We went down to Paphos for a senior couple meeting.   Ate dinner at a restaurant by the sea and near Aphrodite beach.  The weather was very cold so not much sightseeing took place.  WE actually have had our coldest weather yet - in the 30's and very wet.  Who knew they got so much rain here.


We had Zone Conference and interviews on Friday.  We always love those days because of the spiritual learning that takes place.  The highlight of the day was getting to view "Meet the Mormons" at the end  That was released just before we came out and we were the only ones who had seen it.  Again, we loved it.  It was touching to see the impact it had on our missionaries.  Many tears were shed.

As you can see, we are a small mission.  There are all the missionaries on the island of Cyprus  They have they same amount in Greece for a total of about 45 missionaries in all.  The work here is hard and they are all so dedicated.  We know seeds are being planted.  

Elder Jacobsen and Branch President Ivanov.  Doesn't he remind you of Brock's friend, Jared Lee?

Just had to put that one in.

This is Elder Jacobsen and Bro. Roy Panter.  Roy is quite the character.  He is from England and likes to give everybody a hard time.  His heart is in the right place though and always has a story to tell.  He and Bill get along great!

The pictures above are all from Larnaca.  We had time in between dropping off missionaries and picking up new ones  This city is on the coast and is beautiful.  Just and to put the last one in.  Like it says - they will make you a great deal!

A NEW YEAR!

Well, 2015 is here and it is going to be great.  We had a massive missionary transfer this past week and got four new missionaries in Nicosia.  It was hard to say goodbye to Sisters Hall & Huby and Elders Boyce and Deighton but we are excited to work with Sisters East & Mueller and Elders Martinez and Velasquez.

We had a mission activity on Jan. 1st that lasted the whole day.  We met at the church and played games, watched a movie "Ephraim's Rescue, watched a slide show of missionary pictures, had a scripture chase and talent show and ate lots of yummy food.  Needless to say we were very tired at the end of the day.

We are excited for the new year. Good things are a coming!  We look forward to much success in the work.  For those of you who know that I choose a new word each year, my word for this year is "listen."  Something that I am working hard at doing better.

Here are some pictures of last week:

Sis. Cheve, Sis. Huby, Elder(?) and Elder Olson

Getting the movie ready.

Tired!

They also had a talent show.  Didn't get a picture of the piano players but we have some fantastic musicians here.

Sis. Huby and Sis. Cheve sang "I Need Thee Every Hour" in three languages:  English, Greek and French.  It was beautiful!

Just a random shot Bill took.  Tired feet at the end of the day.

We are grateful for 2014 and all the good things that happened and can't wait to see what 2015 brings.  Wishing you all a Happy New Year!!