FROM CHRISTMAS DAY, 2015:

It was SO amazing to skype with you all! Definitely the BEST Christmas gift.  After skyping you guys, we played some card games with the Elders in the branch house, then went home and made some American brownies which we ate with vanilla ice cream. DIVINE. Now my comps are skyping at different members' houses. 

 

This Christmas week was crazy and wonderful:

We extended a baptismal date for L. for January 25th. He said yes! I really hope it can all work out... we'll see. I'm a little worried for the law of tithing, which seems like it would be hard for him. L. actually brought one of his friends to one of our programs! And then his friend came to Church and was like "that was the most beautiful mass I've ever been to!" haha!  So one more hurrah for investigators that give you referrals.

we taught Szabolcs and he was so sweet. He was like "I have a question, it's kind of weird.... I love my dog a lot. Will I be able to see him in Heaven?" It was so sweet. We were like "Honestly, we don't know for sure, but I really think so!" 

We did more caroling finding! I got to play the violin too!  So fun.

On Tuesday, we ate at a member's and I literally thought I was going to die from so. much. Food: fish soup, fruit soup, stuffed cabbage, pork chops, pörkölt over potatoes, and chocolate cake. Ya. He just kept bringing out plates and plates. 

 

Yesterday was one of the best Christmas Eves ever! We went to a member’s house and it was SO fun! We ate fish soup and this Hungarian version of cordon blue and played a bunch of games, it was so great. 

Sunday was also really great. We had a Christmas concert thing with missionaries and some ward members singing Christmas songs, and it was really beautiful. I looked out at Z. in the congregation and saw her crying, it was a really, really touching moment. We sang Csendes Ej (silent night) as our last song with the congregation, and i just looked around at all the branch members and Z. and L. and felt so much love. 

Christmas Zone conference was wonderful. We had a white elephant exchange and watched a slideshow of the mission, so that was super fun. The trainings were excellent, with the zone leaders giving this really good training about humility. I have been so humbled during my mission - trying to speak this language, to teach this people, or to even get people to listen to me. But it's made me trust in God so much, more than I ever have in my life. And he has helped me more than I deserve, constantly turning my weaknesses into strengths. 

I just want you all to know how grateful I am for the Savior Jesus Christ. I know he lives, and that God truly sent His Son for us because He loves us. Jesus Christ truly is the greatest gift. I have loved being able to show the Churche’s video to my investigators, and especially to be able to bear my testimony of the Savior so much this season. I love him, and I love you all. kellemes ünnepeket. 

FROM DEC 30:

Transfer news:  I'M STAYING IN SZEGED!!!! Phew! With Sister E.... and Sister C. is leaving. I was SOOO scared that I would have to leave Szeged and I did NOT want that! So I am SO happy I'm staying here! Especially because lately, our work has just really started to move forward. I thought it was going to be hard to do things after Christmas, and to an extent it is because a lot of people can't meet yet. BUT we have just been finding tons of people which is super cool! Basically I haven't really gone tracting in Szeged yet because streeting has been working so well here. The other day, we basically just streeted for  4 hours straight, which was FREEZING cuz it SNOWED (woohoo!) but also super successful. So that was good. Honestly, Christmas was hard to be without you guys, but it felt so good to be at such a kind member’s house on Christmas. And even though it felt good to have a little break,  it felt even better to just be a missionary again! The past few days, we've just been pumpin’ out work and it's what really makes me so happy! I don't know how to explain it.... talking to people on the street for 4 hours in the bitter Hungarian cold of winter doesn't seem like it would bring someone that much joy... but it does to me. It was so cute—I met this lady and she spoke perfect English, and we talked about Cathedrals and how beautiful they are, and she just had this cute little voice that sounded like Snow White. We bonded over our love for Notre Dame and Prague and all that good stuff. So there you go - art history DOES pay off! Haha! Hopefully you hear more about her in the future... we should be meeting soon! The only dumb thing is that Hungarian phone numbers are so unreliable and people don't pay for their phones sometimes, so it can be really hard to get a hold of people :( but, you know, faith. 

We've also had some super great programs lately! We taught L. tithing. I was pretty nervous for this program... but it went really well! We had a member present, and he did such a good job explaining what tithing is, why we have it, and the blessings we get from it. L. was really receptive! He was like "Ya, cuz you have to pay for the lights, for the floors, and the windows" and all this stuff. It was cute :) He said he would live the law of Tithing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh I love him. It's really amazing to see how much God has been helping L. prepare for baptism. Out of the blue, he told us that he left his girlfriend whom he had been living with, and he was going to have to find some place to live. And later he told us that someone called him to tell him that, when his mom dies, he gets her house! I know that is God helping him and I am so grateful for that. 

 

We also taught K. and B. They're a couple, and K.'s sister is a missionary in Washington, the only member in her family. It's cool how we found them... K.'s number was in our phone, so we called him and set up. The sad thing is, both of them will be leaving to live in Dublin, Ireland :( But, one of the other missionaries from this branch is actually serving in Dublin right now! So that would be super cool if they could meet still! Anyway, we teach them 1/2 English and 1/2 about the Gospel. For the Gospel part, we watched the Restoration video, and it's actually the first time I've showed it to an investigator. Anyway, I  felt the Spirit really strongly as we were watching it. After, I bore my testimony of how I know Joseph Smith is a true prophet. As I said those words, "I truly know Joseph Smith was a Prophet,” tears welled up in my eyes and I felt the Spirit strongly testifying of these things. I told them I know this because I prayed and REALLY wanted to know. And that they can know these things for themselves too, if they also pray with a sincere heart to know the truth, because God always answers to those who seek. And, I don't know, there was just something in their eyes that seemed like they also knew, too, that what I was saying was true. So that was a really great program, and, even though they will soon be in Ireland, I hope they can continue to meet with the missionaries there, and that they really WILL try to know for themselves. 

Also another miracle... our water heater got fixed!!!! so now we aren't freezing in our apartment! Woohoo! Haha! 

Finally, a really meaningful part of the week: we went to mass with one of the Elders’ investigators and it was really good! The priest gave a beautiful talk about loving each other. He told a story of a woman who was a teacher, and one of her young student’s mother died. The teacher realized she needed to then teach with love. The student grew up to be a very successful student and doctor, because of the example of the teacher. I really liked the hymns we sang, and at the end of the mass, the organist played what I'm pretty sure was a Handel sonata or something? I don't know what it's called, but it's a pretty famous organ piece. So as that was playing, we looked at all the stained glass and nativity poster, and afterward we met the Pastor, so that was just a really nice experience. It was also really touching to see all the nénis devoutly kneeling and saying the prayers and singing. It made me grateful that they love God so much and want to have a relationship with him. 

OH! Okay, you guys HAVE to look this up on youtube: Meglátjátok-e azt a csillagot           It's the video of the Christmas program that we did!! You can just skip to the parts of us... but watch it! Köszönöm :) 

I LOVE you guys, I LOVE missionary work, I LOVE Hungary, I LOVE Szeged, and I LOVE this Gospel! AND--- Oh my gosh!! The lady I met and talked about Cathedrals with JUST walked into the place where I'm emailing!!! Miracles. They happen people. 

FROM DEC 1:

My new city is SZEGED. Okay. I LOVE IT HERE. Szeged is incredibly beautiful! First of all, we have a new beautiful branch house on Gutenberg Utca and it's the prettiest thing ever. But as for the rest of the city... there are opera houses, theater houses, cathedrals, statues, rivers, towers, everything!! So, because I was the worst at taking pictures last transfer, I think copious amounts of Szeged pictures will likely ensue.But seriously, this place is gorgeous. ESPECIALLY because it's ALL SET UP FOR CHRISTMAS! We went tabling one night, and all the lights in the belváros (downtown square area) including the huge Christmas tree all lit up! I freaked out—haha, it was super pretty. Today, before emailing, we checked out a bunch of the little Christmas fair shops.  I'll be honest; I would totally not mind spending another Christmas in Hungary. :) 

I'll be honest some more and say that I actually have kind of missed Pápa! I didn't think I would, but I just knew everything there! Like, EVERYTHING. I could find my way around super easily, knew all the town drunks, and obviously I miss the branch members. But I do love it here! Just give me like a week or two more and I'll be obsessed with it! Also, there's more to eat here than just döner, which is also a good thing, haha. 

I like my companions!! Sister C, as you know, and I had a religion class at BYU together, and she's really nice and a good missionary. I also really like Sister E- - she's from Salt Lake (East High) so we have a lot of mutual friends! It's cool because Sister E's dad is from Sweden, Carle's is from Scotland (or Ireland maybe?) and then all of our Mom's served missions, which is super cool. Trios are always a little more disorganized and crazy, but I like them. 

So. Angolora, English class, was super fun here with more people attending.  Also, Szeged is a college town! I'm actually emailing at the really cool University library as we speak! So there are TONS of young people, which is the opposite of Pápa - the city for retired old couples or really young children and FEW in between haha! Like I said, there is lots of art, statues, culture, and music here which I obviously love! I'm hoping one of these P-days we can go to an orchestra concert or art museum sometime. 

We also have investigators.. kinda cool, right? Haha! I really like our investigators!
There's L. who is this really funny, B., who came to the baptism, and I think he really liked it! He was there dressed all nice and just really excited to be there :)  The elders had a baptism on Saturday... the first baptism in the new branch house. It was really nice and the spirit was really strong. C. got baptized and I think he's like 20 or 21,super sweet and fluently speaks English. We, the missionaries, sang "Joseph Smith's first prayer" and the Spirit was so strong. I looked at how C. looked so happy :) He was sitting by his parents, who are not members, and just beaming. So sweet. N. also was at the baptism, and at church yesterday! All the branch members were really good about talking to everyone, which was super cool.

We had a program with our investigator Z., who is really close to baptism but is struggling with depression. C., a recent convert who is super awesome, came to our program and was really helpful. Z. asked what we can pray about, and C. was just like "anything!" and started giving examples of what we can pray about. Z. was so surprised, she was like "oh, I didn't know you could pray about anything!"

We also taught D., a girl whose mom is a really strong member, and she's really sweet, but I think, and really respect this, that she really wants to be a member for herself and not her mom. Church was good too; all the members are super sweet and nice. There's D.- - a Sister RM who went to Finland, a really cute family with little girls who played with my hair all during sacrament meeting, haha, and actually quite a good size group of priesthood holders! So that's cool - the mission correlation leader and branch president are both really young, but really nice and good at their jobs. I'm surprised at how many people know 'VanDenBerghe' is from Holland.

Also, remember B., the Christian girl from Pápa? Well, I really only talked to her about 2 times ever, but before I left, she gave the elders some gifts for me! She wrote me a suuuuuper sweet note and gave me a really cute Eiffel tower necklace and a handmade notebook! She is SO sweet! I'll never forget her!

I love Szeged and I lOVE MY MISSION!

FROM DEC 8:

Sziasztok!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS. Christmas finding should be fun! We already tried a little yesterday. We tried to go tracting with the Elders --- they would go around an apartment floor and knock on the doors, and then we would start singing carols. Ya... it did not work, haha! The first floor no one came out, the 2nd one person popped his head out and then shut the door, and then the 3rd some people said they were gonna call the cops on us if we didn't leave -_- So... we left and went caroling in the square by the Christmas tree, which was way better! It was actually really fun! And two of the elders went out talking to people... one lady was crying she was so touched by our singing! So that was really cool. AND I got to PLAY THE VIOLIN!! Elder N. has a reeeeeeaaaaallllllyyyy crappy violin some guy gave to him in Veszprém! But it was a violin none the less! So that was super fun. Hopefully we do more Christmas finding like that. 

Last week after emailing we went to the Dome Church... it's gorgeous (and free!)! It's super byzantine-style and just really pretty.... unfortunately a lot of stuff was covered up though because they're doing construction on it :/ look it up on google though! You guys'd like it. I love the Christmas market! So much cute Hungarian stuff! And, you wouldn't believe it considering I've been here in Hungary for almost 5 months... but i had my first lángos (fried dough with sour cream and cheese -- aka a heart attack waiting to happen haha.) So ya... i like Szeged ha! I think today we're going to go to the Egyptian museum! So that should be fun. 

The week was really good! People are very open here. My companions call me the finding angel-- haha! I just came from Pápa, where we had to find all the time, so I can just go up to and talk to a bunch of people on the street like it's no big deal. But trust me, I did not get to that point without a LOT of awkward situations, haha! I really had to push myself to talk to people, and to not be afraid and just speak. Obviously my language is better now, but I really had to pray a lot and really work hard to be more natural about finding. I talked to a lady on the street who we met with this morning actually. She was really sweet and thought it was crazy how us young foreigners could understand her, could "get" an older person like herself. I also streeted this guy who actually CAME to our program that I set up (that shocked me out of my mind)… but he would NOT come in the branch house! He made us reschedule because he was super self-conscious about his muddy boots, haha! We were like " It's seriously FINE!" but he would not do it (the branch house is SUPER nice). 

Yesterday in fast and testimony meeting, it was so sweet. So we're teaching M's family (M is 11 and just got baptized). He has the really cute sisters that always play with my hair. Anyway, the Mom and Grandma LOVE everything - Church, The Book of Mormon, everything, but the Mom's living with her boyfriend :/ and the Grandma thinks she's too old to be baptized :/ Anyway, in Sacrament meeting, M gets up with his mom and starts telling this story, but he got really emotional! It was so sweet! So his mom finished it for him: she kept saying "Jesus Christ was with us" because they had left a ton of money on a train and when they went back to get the money, it was still there.

We taught L. the 2nd 1/2 of Jesus Christ's Gospel. He is actually really attentive to everything and I think he really understands. We talked about baptism, and I told him to think about baptism and pray about it. He was like "well I can't do it tonight or tomorrow" and then at the end of the lesson, I asked him what his assignment was this week and he was like "Keresztelő!" "Baptism!" Haha!  Also, his wife's friend and her daughter were there, and they came in during the last part of the lesson when we were talking about baptism. We thought they were going to think we were really weird or something, but they were super nice, and they were like "next time you meet with L, come to our house to do it!" So basically they just referred themselves, haha!  

Our other investigators are also cool!

-Z is super sweet and likes everything, and she had a bap date, but she's struggling with some personal issues.

-N comes to church a lot and I think he likes everything, but he can't get over the fact that he doesn't see angels like the people in the Book of Mormon. We talked a lot about faith with him, but he kept asking questions we had already answered. 

-S is a young guy who is really sweet. He said the sweetest prayer for our program, and asked God to bless everyone that they would have a great Christmas :)

FROM DEC 15:

I have been listening to Handel's "For Unto us a Child is Born" on repeat, and getting ready for Christmas!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOHOO-- I LOVE CHRISTMAS! and I get to SKYPE you guys NEXT WEEK!

So we did free hot chocolate finding this week. It was SO fun!! I want to do that more.  We got like 6 phone numbers out of it so that was cool! One lady was like "Hm, i'm gonna try and come to Church on Sunday... I haven't tried this church yet!" She didn't come... but I got her contact info so all is well. I also talked to these 2 people, and one of them was (supposedly) really impressed with my Hungarian, even to the point of telling me "Magyar vagy" over and over (which means "you're Hungarian") and the other one was like, "oh, wow, ya, you do speak really well!" so that was a confidence booster for sure! 

Last week wasn't too packed with stuff... but this week we got a bunch of programs lined up so hopefully they all work out! also, Zone Conference in Buda on Thursday! So ya, this week’s goin to be good!

The other day we went tracting in uj szeged (new szeged) and it was freezing and dark and misty, but actually kind of cool! We tracted this really nice guy who spoke perfect English and was like "I'm really glad you guys are here. We need people like you here. Our morals are so low, and we need people to be telling us how to live well. Thanks for being here!" so that was super cool. It made up for the lady who kicked us out of her building, that's for sure! 

We taught the M’s family about the word of wisdom. M is so ugyes! Just like totally on top of answering all the questions and why things like cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol are bad for us. After, he had us play a game where you stand in a circle and pass someone a balloon and then you have to say nice things about that person. :) so sweet. 

Okay, so, we had been planning on giving L a bap. date, and so we'd been thinking and praying a lot about it. I was praying about it, and the thought of "January 25" popped into my head. Sister C was looking at the calender and was like "hm, I think January 25 would be good!" So that was super cool that we had both thought of the same day! Unfortunately, we didn't get to meet L at all this week :/ he wouldn't answer his phone! Which is SO unlike him! I hope everything’s okay, and we're gonna go knock on his door if worse comes to worse, haha! 

As for our other investigators i told you about

-we gave N to the Elders, because he just hasn't really been progressing with us

-didn't meet with S this week

-we did get a few new investigators though, because we had to go through our phone and call everyone, so hopefully stuff works out with them, and also a bunch of the people we've found in the past few days. 

Gosh. I love this missionary life. Love you all!!

FROM NOV 11, 2014

I wasn't able to write yesterday because we had interviews with President S. in Buda. Oh, I love him. He seriously is so sweet and caring and really helped me feel like I am being a good missionary and doing the right things.

I am sure this will come as a shock to all of you.... we found another cute old couple! Haha! And, I know I say this every time, but these people are actually my favorite. They had an old translation of the Book of Mormon, so we brought them a new copy. They were SO sweet and

just the nicest people ever. Not super interested in the Church, but I think we might try and keep meeting with them because they are honestly some of the most Christlike, caring people I’ve met. They made this apple desert for us after only meeting us once in a let in, and they were just so incredibly nice. We showed them Temple Square on Google earth, and the wife thought it was so beautiful that it was all white. I happened to be wearing my Young Women's temple necklace too, so that was cool. They were like "come use our computer any time to write your families" haha-- it was adorable. The husband is super smart, and has written several of his own books about Catholicism in Pápa, and about the airforce in Pápa! So that was cool too! 

We have had actually some more really cool tabling things happen lately:

-One guy came up to us and took our cards but said he didn't believe in God and wasn't interested in talking to us. He started walking away, but then he came back and was like, "Sorry, don't be mad, I just wanted to come back and say that I felt something really strong in my heart just then.”

-At least 4 different women, as we stopped them and talked to them, got really emotional and almost started crying. Two women said they had a husband or mother in the hospital, and they were on the verge of tears telling about how they pray for them every night. Two other women got really emotional talking about how they believe in God and how they really know he's there. How, when other people aren't there for them, God is always there. And then one lady said she received a lot of spiritual strength

from us. It has been so cool to me to see that, even a 2 minute interaction with someone, they can really feel the Spirit, and I can just feel so much love for them as human beings, even if I don't even know them. 

 During the Christmas season, we are doing, as a mission, this "Character of Christ" activity. Every week, we are to work on and study the attributes of Christ (last week's was faith, and I talked a little bit about that in last week's letter). I thought I'd just share what I wrote to President this week about hope:

Thinking about and studying about hope has really helped me this week! I like to look at hope almost in this way: faith is BELIEVING that God knows what he's doing and will make everything work out as it should, and then doing the actions that you know are necessary to carry out your faith. And then hope is being HAPPY about that belief. It's about literally being happy and hopeful in your circumstances, BECAUSE of the faith that you put before you. It's not just about doing things because you know you're supposed to, but then being disappointed that maybe God's blessings aren't what we want-- it's about being pleased with the blessings the Lord HAS given and WILL give, and looking forward with (as the Scriptures call it), that "perfect brightness". I think hope, in that sense, really IS brightness, looking towards and carrying the literal light of the Gospel in our lives, and trying to give that light to those around us, despite whether or not they accept that light. I never really know what the difference between faith and hope was, honestly, but now I think I have a better understanding of the two. 

Also, There was a little festival thing going on by the Pápa castle with a bunch of different groups of folk dancers doing traditional Hungarian dances, so that was fun to see (if only from afar for like 3 minutes haha)

FROM NOV 17, 2014

Oh my goodness. Nov 21st... my 6th month mark of being a missionary!!  I never want this to end. I NEVER want to leave being a missionary in Hungary... the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life--The place and the people that I am literally obsessed with and can't imagine my life without. Next week, I will probably be transferred from Pápa. I have such mixed feelings about that… I have to say, it would be kind of nice to actually have investigators haha! But this branch is literally my favorite thing on this earth. The other day, A. just came up to us, and, in English said, "I love you Sisters!" and we gave her hugs. AHHH I can't think about leaving them; it kills me. I will NEVER forget this place!

This week was a good week! On P-day we went bowling-- it was super fun! Sister B., one of the senior sisters,  is somehow a really good bowler and she would get strikes and just go CRAZY, jumping up and down waving her fists in the air. hahahahaha ohhh!!   I’m gonna miss her. She really wants to serve people so much, and she bought glasses for a girl in our branch. On Thursday, the Elders were on splits, so I had to teach medium English class by myself. I liked it though! I want to get good at teaching English, and help people learn English, not just do it because I have to. Friday, we had Zone training in Győr (aka the cutest city everrrr-- it was all decorated for Christmas and just looks so European and pretty). It was good,  about getting investigators to church! T. (B.’s son) and our less active K. came to church on Sunday.  After the training, we ate lunch on this really good boat restaurant! I don't care if I never serve in Győr.... I am coming back to that city! 

Sunday in Church, A., the branch president's little 3 year old that always goes up and gives him hugs during sacrament meeting, was being so funny! During Sacrament meeting, he had gotten all these pass along cards, and went up and down the rows, giving everyone a pass along card, haha! Then he went around again and took them all back! Oh it was so cute. 

More cool finding tapasztalatok (experiences):

-I tabled this lady who looked worn out and sad, and said that she had met with the missionaries before. She said she didn't feel like God had ever really helped her in her life, and just seemed like she was going to break down crying. She said she wants to meet with us, so hopefully I can meet with her before I leave and help her if I can. 

- I tabled a man who wasn't from Pápa but from Békéscsaba. He had also met with the missionaries. He told me about how he had seen the Joseph Smith movie and thought that it must have been really hard for Joseph Smith. We talked about how, even if God and Jesus Christ don't appear to us, as they did to Joseph Smith, we can still get answers to our prayers, and we can still know the truth from God. He said that he had seen us setting up our table, and wanted us to still be there when he came back so we could talk to him. He asked me "why don't you think people are talking to you? It's because they are afraid to act!" So that was really cool to kind of get some encouragement from a man on the street! Hopefully he decides to keep meeting with the missionaries in Békéscsaba. 

-We tracted a lady who was really lonely, and started crying, because her kids all lived outside of Hungary. She told us to come back without us even asking ;)

-I streeted a DUTCH girl!! She was super nice and I talked about Grandpa VDB :) that was kind of a cool little blessing, especially after it was his birthday recently.

- We met this SUPER cool, really religious girl (also tabling - she saw our poster and thought it was cool what we were doing) from the U.S.!! She's the sweetest thing, and  came bowling with us. She's really into her religious beliefs, and used to pass out Bibles that the company would get (her dad works for them here in Pápa). So we want to just really be friends with her right now, and not force anything on her--but seriously, she rocks!!

It's kind of a bummer that I found some cool people and will probably leave and not be able to teach them, but the fact that God let me find them before I left is a blessing in and of itself.  I have to say, to comment on Mom and Dad's emails about being resilient, My companion is really great when it comes to that! Because we weren't having success, she really tried to think of different things we could do, differently--more effective ways we could find, and they have been good! She thought of the "Book of Mormon and the Bible" tabling, and obviously that has been working out pretty well! So props to her on that among other things!

So as you guys already know, I am OBSESSED with being a missionary, I'm obsessed with Hungary, I'm obsessed with my branch, and I'm obsessed with this amazing Gospel, that makes people like you and me HAPPY and the best we can be, despite our setbacks and despite the stupid people or things that come into our lives. I'm also obsessed with every single one of you, I love you more than I could possibly try to describe. Annyira hálás vagyok értetek, és nagyon szeretlek beneteket. Jó hétet kivánok!

FROM NOV 25, 2014

OKAY. So transfers. I am going to SZEGED!!! (pronounced Seged) Apparently Szeged is the prettiest city in the whole mission!! Woohoo! My companions (yes, you read that right, companionS -- I'm in another trio) are Sister E. and Sister C. Sister Carle is the group below me, and we were in the same Book of Mormon class at BYU so I actually know her! She's super nice. Sister E. is older in the mission.  Honestly, I am SO stoked about this call!! I totally was not expecting it-- I thought I'd be going to Debrecen, but I am actually SO happy about it! I know everyone hates trios, but actually, I’ve had a good experience in a trio for my first transfer. There will be a mini transfer probably in January, in which we could all get split up, but ya. Seriously, I really think this transfer call could be an answer to my prayers! Obviously, I love Pápa a ton a ton a ton, and am going to be super sad to leave, but I am ready for this!! Thank you for your prayers--- Szeged here I come! Also, Elder K., my old Pápa Elder and super good friend is also going to Szeged! So I'm happy about that. Also, there's a new branch house in Szeged too! Okay, I'll stop, ha! 

This week though.... It was a good last week here in lil ol Pápa-land. Let me start off by telling you of all the goodbye food extravaganzas of the week. Last Wed,  P. made us roko krumpli, the potatoe-egg-sausage dish that is killer good. Sunday,  we ate dinner in the Branch house with the Elders... they made tiltott paprikás... stuffed peppers (SO amazing.... I cannot WAIT to cook you guys Hungarian food when I get home). Monday, P. (my favorite little tiny old woman ever) made us these like rolled bacon fat things haha! They actually tasted really good, but it was basically like a cinnamon roll of fat... Oh Hungarians and their LOVE of pure FAT. And really good Sauerkraut. Monday night, the Bs made paprikás krumpli.... paprika potatoe stew stuff.... yum. And really good sauerkraut... Hungarians just do sauerkruat well. Church was good, and it was nice to say goodbye to everyone and get pictures and stuff! It was less sad than I thought because I fully intend on coming back here. The Elder's new investigator came to church and a bunch of people went up to him and were super nice to him-- it was awesome to see how involved they were in the work! Ahhh love em  to death. 

Other events of the week:

-L. had us over for suti, and he invited over his 2 neighbors who were super open to hearing about the Gospel and the Book of Mormon! It was really cool.

-Found a suuuuper nice young mom tracting 

-Streeted this way arányos néni who like instantly became our best friend and then we saw her again on the street and she was like "my aquantances! So good to see you, when are you coming to visit me?" :)

-Streeted another anányos néni who also became obsessed with us and gave us each a clementine :)

-I handed this guy a flier on his bike, and he just stopped and was like "what is this?" so we talked with him a bunch and got his info, he was super cool!

-We met with P., and she, through tears, talked about how she really believes that her Husband is accepting the Gospel in Heaven :) SO CUTE. Gosh I love her to death. 

-I.!! So, I guess this is something they say... and I believe it's true... your last programs in your cities are always the best. So, remember the lady who we gave the Book of Mormon to and she thanked us and was super nice? The lady I tabled and said she could see the goodness in my eyes? Well we met with her yesterday, and it was SUCH a good lesson! She was pretty much just asking the perfect questions! We talked a little about prophets, and she was like "do you feel the prophet has guided you in your life?" um... yes! And then we talked about the Book of Mormon and how we can receive answers from God... how we can receive the truth from God. She was like "Right, we have the holy spirit through our feelings. But we don't always get answers right when we pray, and we have to constantly ask for and live worthily of the Spirit". Then we showed her the picture of Moroni putting the plates in the earth, and she was like "Oh, ya he's Mormon's son, right? I read the Book of Moroni". She said that she thought the Book of Mormon was a gift from God, and that we were a gift from God for bringing it to her. So sweet. I told her I was probably leaving Pápa, and she said she would always remember me :) So that was a super great last lesson in Pápa. 

Honestly, it is kind of frustrating to feel like, my last 2-ish or so weeks here, I have found all these cool people, and meeting with I. and stuff RIGHT as I'm leaving. But I'm just grateful I got to find these people. Part of me does feel a little sad that I couldn't seem to bring Pápa any sort of success despite my 4 months being here. But I know I've done my work as a missionary, and I've done what I needed to do. I know God has helped me find these people, and whether or not they meet with us is up to their own free agency. But I've learned so much and grown so much as a person here in Pápa. I have become less selfish, and less concerned about what I want. I have been able to see people more as Christ would see them, and I have come to want this Gospel for each and every one of them. Overall, about 94 percent of the people I ever talked to rejected me. 3 percent of the people we maybe met once or tried to set up with, and that fell through, and then the other 3 percent of people is still up in the air. And these statistics may even be too optimistic. But, I know my work is not in vain, and everything that I have done here in Pápa has been what was supposed to happen. I really believe that. 

Love you guys more than I can say... and I am THANKFUL for each of you and thankful for this Gospel, and the fact that I can be a missionary... the BEST THING I'VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE!!! I'm thankful for Hungary, for Pápa, and for all my experiences thus far. Here's to everything the future holds!!

Sok, Sok, SOK Szeretettel,