🍀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!