The Good Shepherd - December 31, 2019

Flash back to Zone Conference (last week) There are 3 zones in Hungary and a total of about 80 missionaries. There were 53 baptisms in Hungary last year!

I can't believe it's the beginning of another exciting year! I will be a missionary every single day of the next year! 

The day after Christmas, we had a "Return and Report" meeting at the mission home. Every new missionary in my MTC group and our trainers had a meeting to assess our progress and learn from our leaders. Every meeting with President and Sister Hettinger is inspiring and we left feeling ready to conquer the world! Or at least the streets of Hungary :) During the meeting, Sister Hettinger emphasized the difference between spepherds and hirelings (John 10:11-15). There are a lot of insights in these verses! 

This is a great street :) The mission home is down the sidewalk on the right! 

This week we helped a ward family unpack into a new home with the other Pest sister missionaries. I helped unbox and organize tons of Hungarian books of every shape and size--old, new, classics, informational, journals, etc. It was so cool to think that there is a whole culture literature that no one else in the world really knows about. 

That's how I feel about so many aspects of living and serving in Hungary. These streets and people and homes and churches and buildings have so much history behind them, and I wish I could learn about it all! It's fun to learn bits and pieces here and there, and to gain an appreciation for everything they have gone through. It also helps me be more sympathetic when people are not very open to our message. They have good hearts though and work hard. 

We had a lesson with a new friend, Brigitta, this week about the Plan of Salvation. Every time we teach a lesson, I just feel so grateful that we know these truths and can share them with others! As we taught about the premortal life and the Spirit World, we shared scriptures from the Book of Mormon and President Uchtdorf's talk "You're Great Adventure". Brigitta had wonderful questions and was so open to learning. I hope that she continues to progress! 

Sister Christensen finished her mission today! She's been serving in the Pest ward with Robertson nővér and we are so sad to see her leave. Kellmer nővér and I stayed at their apartment last night, and helped her catch a taxi at 3:30 am for the airport. Today we helped clean their apartment for the next transfer and did some fun wandering looking for 2020 calenders. It's been a fun preparation day as a trio! 

The transfer calls came this morning, and Sister Turnin from Finland will be serving in Pest with Sister Robertson! It will be another exciting transfer as I continue training in Pest with Kellmer nővér--a good place with good people. 

Boldog Új évet kívánok! Happy New Year everyone! 

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér

Csendes éj 🌟(Silent Night) - December 26, 2019

Boldog Karácsonyt! Merry Christmas!

“Lo, in the Silent Night a child to God is born,

And all is brought again that ere was lost or torn.

Could but thy soul, o man, become a Silent Night!

God would be born in thee and set all things aright.”

Thank you, Mama, for the nativity advent calendar! Every night I added one piece and added the baby Jesus last night, just in time for Christmas Eve. In Hungary, the Christ Child brings the gifts the evening of December 24th and all the children dress up as shepherds and wisemen and go door to door singing, similar to Halloween in America. What a sweet reminder of the true meaning of Christmas! 

Blue Skies and Happy Smiles - December 16, 2019

We had a beautiful blue sky day last Tuesday and it felt so good! I think I had forgotten how beautiful a bright blue sky is. Most days are cloudy, foggy, or smoggy, but on our morning run that day, I looked up and knew it would be a good day 😊

FEF (YSA) with two new friends. We wrapped boxes of chocolate for volunteers at a local animal shelter.

That being said, the next day we woke up to rain so decided to do 'bus finding' instead of normal street finding. We chose a bus and hopped on! Kellmer nővér sat in the seat behind me, so we both had an open seat next to us. Pretty soon, a nice Hungarian grandpa sat down next to me. At first my heart dropped a little because most Hungarian grandpa's are pretty stubborn and set in their ways. Regardless, I turned to him as he sat down and said, "Jó napot! Hogy vagy?" (Good day! How are you?) He turned to me with a big smile and started speaking Hungarian I didn't understand. I did understand (thank goodness!) his questions about my accent and why I was in Hungary, etc. But later Kellmer nővér told me that he had turned to me so surprised at first and asked how we knew each other and I guess just assumed we were already friends from somewhere :) Isn't that so cute? I invited him to the special Christmas sacrament meeting on December 22nd, then we jumped off that bus to catch another and start another conversation. The adventures you have on a mission :) 

Kellmer nővér and I wrapping 40 Book of Mormons for our district Christmas finding activity. 

I also found out this week that I've been pronouncing 'hálás' (grateful) the wrong way, so in my prayers I've been saying 'I am a fish, The Book of Mormon' or 'I am a fish, my family', instead of 'I'm grateful for The Book or Mormon and my family'. Whoops... Thank goodness I was corrected haha!

We love our crock pot and warm soup 😋

Linh is still doing so well. We met with her randomly last night and asked if we could stop by for a minute. We ended up teaching her about dispensations, apostasy, prophets, priesthood power, and so much more! In the MTC we only practiced these lessons in Hungarian, so I was nervous to teach in English. I was suddenly SO grateful for the time I spent reading Preach My Gospel and taking notes and paying attention in Seminary and Mission Prep (thank you brother Kohler)! "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need" (PMG xi). As we talked about the Atonement, Linh shared her Buddhist beliefs about reincarnation and how in each suffering in life is for transgressions of past lives. However, as we compared the two beliefs, she said, "Ya, I definitely prefer what you are saying!" I still am so in awe about how someone can literally come from ground zero, and gain a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only something true can cause a change like that! The Savior strengthens, enables, redeems, and guides us every day and in every situation. 

District finding activity! We talked to so many people about Light the World and by the end had given out 50 wrapped Book of Mormons. 

Boldog Karácsonyt 🌲

The Giver - December 9, 2019

Sziasztok! 

I hope you're all doing well and starting to catch the Christmas spirit! A fun thing about Hungary is that since they don't celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas time has been in full swing ever since I arrived. Seeing decorations, Christmas markets, and old snowy streets reminds me of Elder Holland talk from the Oct 2019 General Conference. I hope we always remember the meaning behind the hustle and bustle. This is such a special time to celebrate that sacred night. The prophecies were true! The Christ Child really was born and God really had provided a Savior for the whole world. 

Légy a világ villágossága is also in full swing! There are so many unique ways to share information about Light The World. This week we tried a few different approaches and they all turned out so well. For our családi este (family night) activity with the ward we made gift bags with Milka bars, gloves, and Légy a világ villágossága card. The best part was that the Sebők family came! They hadn't been to church in a while and were such a wonderful addition to our night of service. 

🍀Power of a Zöldi 🍀 - November 26, 2019

Emma's trainer, Sister Candide Kellmer, is the niece of our good friends, Mike and Cindy Neider. What a miracle! Cindy told us to watch for Sister Kellmer when Emma arrived. What a tender mercy to have her be Emma's trainer! Such a small wonderful world.

Sister Kellmer shared the following email with us about training Sister Francis:

Szia szia szia!

First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you for all the sweet emails and prayers in my behalf! I received so much good advice and encouragement about training! I promise to use all of the tips I received :)

I have absolutely no idea where to start because this past little while has been absolutely amazing!

It's funny to me because I have to admit that when President Hettinger called me and said I would be a trainer, I just about cried😂

I haven't had a senior companion since my own training and I thought I needed one to help me grow in the language, missionary work, etc. I was also super nervous because I thought I would be doing everything on my own AND, I really just want to be a good trainer! 

Of course I was excited, too! And had I known what this first week of training would look like, I would've jumped for joy! 

My new companion is Francis nővér  from Kaysville, Utah! We clicked since day one and she is a literal angel😇

Zöldie vagyok! - November 25, 2019

Sziasztok! 

I wish I could wrap up every experience from the past week and a half in a little box and send it to you. I´ll do my best in this short email...

As our plane took off, I felt so excited but also a little twinge of nervousness. From that point forward, everything would be so new. After a 2 hour layover in Amsterdam, and another 2 hour flight, Budapest was in sight! We first flew over green fields, then red roofs and buildings. I felt a little emotional seeing Hungary for the first time and prayed in my heart that I may do what the Lord has asked of me here.

This painting hangs in the mission home of the France Paris Mission. Lora Romney sent it to me.

An elder across the aisle said, "We're home." I still can't believe it! 

Budapest is split by the Danube river--the mission home is on the Buda side and I will serve on the PEST (Pesht) side!!! My trainer is Kellmer nővér, one of the most upbeat, kind, patient people I've ever met. She's been especially kind in my adjustment to every new aspect of missionary life.

Sister Francis nover En Route to Hungary - November 19, 2019

Sister Francis flew to Hungary on Monday, November 18, 2019.

Up until she turned in her MTC phone early that morning, she uploaded a few final pics to us from the MTC.

All 14 missionaries from her MTC district left the Missionary Training Center early that morning, at 7:45am, and caught the bus to the Frontrunner station. Sam went to the bus stop hoping to catch a glimpse of them. He said farewell to Emma and gave her a quick hug. Sam cried as he said goodbye, but he reported that Emma didn't seem sad at all. She was so excited to go to Hungary! We're grateful for the quick picture he caught of her and her companion with their luggage before they boarded the bus.

Hálás vagyok! (I am grateful!) - November 13, 2019

Temple trip as a district. Hungarian's currently travel to the Freiberg Germany Temple, but one will be built in Budapest soon!

Szia!

Wow, it has been a fantastic final week of the MTC. We depart for Hungary next Monday morning! 

Where my MTC experience started! 

The highlights of this week were not anything big or grand. Rather, small and simple moments were the most memorable. Allen nővér and I have been reading A Mormon Könyve (The Book of Mormon). We read it together every morning before we exercise, after meals, during breaks in class, and while walking the halls of T-2 floor 5. Some of my favorite memories of the MTC are from fun moments of trying to figure out a sentence, walking and walking and walking the halls as we read, or feeling the Spirit testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon even though we don't understand everything. On Monday morning, we read 3 Nephi 11 when the Savior appears to the Nephites and invites them to feel the prints of the nails in His hands and feet. The gospel is true in every language, and I'm grateful the Hungarians can read these beautiful truths. 

"Nearer, My God, to Thee" - November 6, 2019

Sunday choir practice with the Albanian sisters

Jó reggelt a barátaim! (Good morning my friends!)

After 7 weeks in the MTC, Allen nővér and I concluded that it officially feels like home. We have seen the season's change twice (Summer, Fall, and Winter), and have met many wonderful missionaries. I'm so grateful for every second of my time here, learning, growing, and feeling the special spirit of this campus. 

Off to Samoa and New Zealand!

"Do Good Continually" Moroni 7:13 - October 30, 2019

"Beneath his watchful eye,

His Saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up

Shall guard his children well."

-How Gentle God's Commands Hymn 125

Heavenly Father's hand is bearing nature up beautifully on the MTC campus! And He is guarding His children well here. As I was praying last night and expressing gratitude for the day, I realized that I cannot deny that God is our loving Father in Heaven. Every single thing testifies of His divinity, especially the small things. I know Heavenly Father knows us individually because He has answered my prayers in simple yet profound ways this week. 

It has been a wonderful week at the MTC! Sister Allen and I constantly say that we are so lucky to be having all of these incredible experiences! Changing seasons, eye doctor field trip, STL responsibilities, devotionals, etc. It is a dream! We get the whole experience! 

"Be of Good Cheer" D&C 68:6 - October 23, 2019

Jó Reggelt! 

I hope you've all had a wonderful week at school, home, work, etc! This week at the MTC has been busy, but I have been consistently thankful for all of you. Thank you for the Mary Engelbreit calendar cards in the package last week--they made me so happy and I hung some above my bed! Thanks, Nico for the cute lego man! Allen nővér and I love it so much! 

We also hung up all of the fun fall decorations and put the baby pumpkin on our windowsill! It smells like fall and we love coming home each evening to our cozy room. 

"The tender mercies of the Lord..." 1 Nephi 1:20 - October 16, 2019

Jo napot!

"The air is cool and crisp and blue

And God is good and wise and true."

This phrase summarizes the week in a nutshell. I was constantly reminded of how loving our Heavenly Father is and I felt His guiding hand this week. 

Allen nővér and I started our Preparation Day particularly early today in an effort to make the most of this busy day! We exercised early this morning before going to the Provo Temple with our district. As I sat at the temple guess who walked down the hall?? Aunt Kathryn! It was so special to see her in the temple, and felt like it was a gentle hug from Heavenly Father. We did Initiatories for about 30 minutes then ate breakfast at the temple cafeteria. While waiting in line for our meal, we started a conversation with a nice grandpa and his daughter married a Hungarian! He was thrilled to meet Hungarian missionaries and we felt so happy too. For being such a small country, we sure make a lot of random connections to Hungary! 

"Mindenkit szeress" (Love One Another) - October 9, 2019

Sziasztok! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA! I love you! I hope you enjoyed our Hungarian rendition of 'Happy Birthday'! I love you!  

General Conference was the highlight of the week! We watched each session in the auditorium. The intermediate hymn "Let Us All Press On" was very powerful as 2000+ missionaries sang: "Fear not...for the Lord is on our side!" Every talk was excellent!

Allen nővér and I learned how to sign "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"! We made friends with a pair of ASL-speaking missionaries waiting in line for dinner one day. We love making new friends! We have also become great friends with the breakfast cashier worker. He has even learned some Hungarian!

"Line Upon Line" 2 Nephi 28:30 - October 2, 2019

Szia! 

I hope you've all had a great week! Congratulations on your baptism, Autumn! I thought about you ALL day on Saturday and I'm so happy for you! I love you! 

This week has been so exciting and fun! Allen nővér (we learned you don't capitalize the 'n' on nővér in Hungarian:) and I had some great learning experiences this week that will help us become better missionaries. The days we have the most language success are the days we set very specific goals, pray frequently, and dedicate all of our time to the Lord. We have literally seen miracles. 

One miracle we witnessed this week was on Saturday. We set our language goals for the day: to memorize 23 words, 6 'Extend an Invitation' phrases, and The First Vision. We knew these were close to impossible, but we prayed for the strength to accomplish them. Every place we walked, every break in class, and during every meal, we quizzed each other on the material. As we started the hour of language study that afternoon, we said another prayer. I don't know what happened, but for some reason, we were able to memorize and retain phrases from the First Vision so quickly! By the end of the hour, we recited it together in Hungarian. I felt so much gratitude and amazement that the Lord would bless us so directly and in such a real way. I testify that as we align our desire with His, He will give us strength beyond our own. Allen  nővér and I look forward to the day we will be able to share the First Vision with someone in Hungary. We will be ready!