Sister Emma Rae Francis: How Firm a Foundation

This week has been a wonderful week in Pest, and we are seeing miracles daily. Sometimes big, sometimes small, but just as sweet every time.

Every week during training, my MTC group (the 12 elders and Sister Allen and I), Skype call with the AP's and President Hettinger to report on our weekly challenge and receive a new one. This week's challenge was to lead conversations about the Book of Mormon, and to invite all to read and pray about it, and then follow up. There is a little pamphlet we use called "The 21 -day Book of Mormon challenge" and we gave it to Brigitta, Linh, Ildiko, and a few other friends.

Each day, a Book of Mormon reference answers questions like "Is there a God? " or "Can we really be forgiven of our sins?" As I've studied these questions and scriptures this week, I have learned so much about the power of the Book of Mormon and why it is the keystone of our religion. In it are restored truths and teachings necessary for the world as we prepare for the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ.

Streeting with sisters visiting from Szeged before their Zone Conference

Come and See, Come and Feel, Come and Share. We invite everyone to church! On Saturday, we met a girl near Örs and had a wonderful conversation with her about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. She seemed eager to learn more and agreed to come to church with us the next day. So at 8:30 am on Sunday we waited at the bus stop for her and another investigator to walk with them to church. By 8:45 we realized neither were coming, so walked back to the church building, thinking none of our investigators would be at church. But as we walked up the stairs and looked through the glass door, guess who was standing there shining like an angel?? Linh!!! We couldn't believe it! We could. Not. Believe it.

It was a wonderful Sacrament meeting and Sunday School lesson taught by a Hungarian member in English about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. Although Linh leaves soon for Vietnam, it is a miracle that she could be in church one more time! I pray that she will remember what she's learned and how she's felt during her time investigating the church in Hungary.

The famous Széll Kálmán Tér; the mission home is a 5 min walk from this metro station
so we are here often.

Something that struck me differently this week about Lehi's vision is the description about the "Great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth" (1 Nephi 8:26). In comparison, the Tree of Life in Lehis words, had fruit that "Was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen" (verse 11). A tree can only produce fruit if it is nourished and supported by strong roots, whereas the great and spacious building didn't have any foundation. A foundation is critical. As a family, we often sing "How Firm A Foundation" so I've grown up hearing the words of this hymn often. A foundation built on Jesus Christ and His teachings will withstand "In ev'ry condition". The fruit of the Tree of Life is founded and grounded in Christ.

Zone Conference was on Friday, and was so amazing! Our Zone sits in a big circle of tables for trainings from the Hettingers, the APs, Zone leaders, and STLs. Everything taught was so good, and my favorite training was from Sister Hettinger. She shared scriptures from Hebrews and taught about the connection between faith and agency. When we use our agency by exercising faith in Christ, we have power. Our obedience to Christ shows our faith in Christ. That is how we recieve the power and blessings He has promised.