Changes

Saying good-bye is hard
Elder Muller and Elder V. 

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Hey, guys! It's been a week of food, companions, and changes in Limassol.

TUESDAY: We had an interesting lesson with a member about reincarnation and the footnotes in the scriptures. All I can say is read the Book of Mormon. If you are a member, or not a member, just read the book. If you do, your life will be better, you will be happier, and you will feel the power it brings into your life.

We had district meeting, and it went well. It was the last one for the lads. Sister Riser made amazing shepherd's pie, and I had three servings. I was going to write "no shame," but I was a little ashamed, lol. We saw L. and the kids and helped her with them. She had a problem with her tooth, so she couldn't really talk and was in a lot of pain. It was a good thing I bring good old American drugs with me everywhere! Ibuprofen works, lol. She also told us she is reading two pages of the Book of Mormon every day.

Greek class was fine. We went and picked up trash in the park by the boardwalk, and this little girl came up to me and asked really loudly what I was doing, haha. So, I responded really loudly so all the people around us could hear. Thirty seconds later, a pregnant mom with her son came up to me and asked me what I was doing there. I got to explain that I am with my church and was called by a prophet of God to serve the people here.  She wasn't freaked out and complimented my broken attempts at Greek, haha.

WEDNESDAY: We did service at the Red Cross and had a great time there with our friend. On our way home, Elder V. saw two guys cleaning out a garden (remember I am British, not) near the church (we live seven minutes from the church on foot), so we changed and went to help. They were great, and we helped clean up all the leaves and branches from the trees. We also met the mother of the guy who owns the house. She lives there with him, and she gave us soda. Her name in Greek means happiness.

We went and found a referral from Sri Lanka, but she doesn't speak any English or Greek. But, she now has a Book of Mormon. We had dinner in Sinhala with N., and the day ended.

THURSDAY: We went to a member's house and did family history in the morning with the Risers. She gave us koopepkia: vine leaves with rice and meat and stuff in side. [Editor's note: After some research, it seems like koopepkia is another name for dolmas.] It was sooooo good. We had a dinner appointment get pushed back, so we went finding around the neighborhood. We went and did what we do best...BETTING SHOP FINDING, BOOOOYS. We hit up the local megabet where all the Cypriot men are. You just walk in, and you can feel all of the eyes turn towards these two mugs in white shirts and ties. It was great! We asked about computers and stuff and just started talking to the guy at the desk, then another guy, and then another, and he asked us if we had any books in Greek: “Yes, sirree! I have a Book of Mormon right here for ya.” His wife likes to read apparently, lol.

Then, we had Sri Lankan curry, with "less" spice. I was still dying. And, I also couldn't see because it was dark, so I started eating a chicken head...I didn't finish once I realized that.

FRIDAY: We saw Y.! She is a Russian member here who has a 4.5-year-old son. They travel for almost two hours every Sunday to come to church. She gave us brownies and Magnum Double Raspberry bars. I'm putting that plug in there because they were really good, lol. She was great, and we talked about Family History. She loves the gospel and is so consecrated and amazing! We had some time before an appointment, so we went and spoke to some Cypriots about souvlakia! Then, we had dinner with a family. We went to go pick somebody up with the husband and take him somewhere. He started telling us all about the end of the world and the Bermuda triangle and fun stuff. If it is on YouTube, it is true, folks (just kidding). 

SATURDAY: We cleaned the church and had lunch with the Risers. They took us out, and I had fajitas. They were really good, lol. We even had ice cream afterwards. We had correlation meeting and spent some time with L. and C. saying goodbye. They are soooo mint. I love them so much. They wrote out a list for Elder V. It is of the first movies he needs to go and see, haha.

Then, we went with the bus to Larnaca. A member there picked us up and took us to his house where we ate watermelon and halloumi, then got to the baptism late, haha. The baptism was good, and our musical number was decent, but my voice had a small crack. We spent the night in Larnaca with the plan to catch the 7:30 bus in the morning.

SUNDAY: Woke up at 5:45 and got ready. As we were about to leave and walk to the bus stop, Elder Gunther (Senior Missionary Couple) called us and told us that he was going to drive us to the bus stop instead of making us walk for 40 minutes. He's a lad. :) We got the bus home and walked from the beach to the church with a member we met along the way, lol. We had lots of goodbyes at church, and then we went home, and Elder V. packed. We hadn't had time for him to pack at all, so he did it all in two hours. Then, we said goodbye, and Elder V. went with everybody to Larnaca. Elder S. stayed with me, and we had dinner at the Riser’s home. It was tacos, a lot of them. They're amazing. 

We're Back Boys!
They served in Nicosia for one transfer

MONDAY: The plumber came and fixed the washing machine! So, now we can do our laundry again. Poor Sister Riser has been doing it for us. We had a lesson with the member who likes reincarnation again. It went really, really, well. And, then Elder V.E. arrived, and Elder S. left. We went to an appointment with the Risers and turned in for the night.

Thanks guys!

Elder Müller

Elder V. and A.

Elder V. and A.

The Best Dinner Ever Cooked! And Good-bye Presents

The Best Dinner Ever Cooked! And Good-bye Presents

Elder Muller, Elder V. and C. and L.

Elder V. saying good-bye

Baptism!

Elder Muller with P.

Elder V. and member good-byes

Elder Viner and N.

Elder V. and  Sister Riser

Elder V. and Elder and Sister Riser

Packing Up - going home after 24 Months in Greece and Cyprus
Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

Packing in two hours!

Packing

Two transfers in Limassol
Elder V. and Elder Muller