Home Sweet Home ❤️ - February 24, 2020

Kispest is starting to feel like a home away from home. I love serving here, and especially love serving with Arps nővér. Who knew missionary work could be so fun!? In our broken Hungarian, we share stories as we tract, we try to find ways to make people laugh as we street contact, and she's even attempting to teach me how the play the harmonica :)

Our highlight lessons of the week were with 2 young men we met on the street--Dániel near Kálvin tér and Tamás on a bus.

Dániel: Didn't grow up in a religious family but believes there is some sort of bigger power or picture for our lives. Yes! During our lesson, he asked, "So how can I find out for myself this is true??" We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and promised him that prayer and study will lead to an answer. I know the Spirit will testify to him this is true if he's willing to read and pray sincerely.

Tamás: basically streeted us! He started talking to Arps nővér at the busz stop and asked a few questions. During the bus ride, he moved to sit by us and kept asking questions about what we believe and how he can find the truth. Our lesson with him later in the week was a little unexpected and not very planned, so we ended up sitting on concrete steps as it drizzled rain. However, truth is truth in clouds or sunshine, and the Spirit was so strong as we shared the story of the Restoration. 

I'm inspired by these 2 friends and their earnest seeking for truth. Whether they accept it today, tomorrow, or later in their lives, I know the Lord has been preparing them and will continue to guide them. I pray that they will have the courage to ask sincerely in prayer, and follow the quiet promptings to act. That's all it takes, really!

The first green buds of spring 

We spent most of our finding time in Csepel this week (a suburb in Budapest) streeting, knocking, studying Hungarian, and doing other online missionary efforts. Our area is an older part of Budapest and feels a little more humble. I think I'm preferring it to the bustle of big city life to be honest.

Dinner with the Molnár család (3 generations!) and Snow and Wilson nővérek

On one 45 minute bus ride to Csepel, I sat by a girl my age and started a simple conversation. 45 minutes later she finally took a breath because she hadn't stopped talking! She told me all about her work, school, and family. When my stop came, I had to quickly say goodbye and jump off the bus. But this phrase came to mind: "To be a missionary is to be a friend." That day Fruzsina just needed a listening ear, not a doctrinal discussion. That's probably what most people need! I'm so grateful the Heavenly Father allowed our paths to cross. 

I know this Jesus Christ's work. I'm so grateful to be a missionary right now in Hungary and know the Lord is taking care of my family! 

❤️🇯🇵❤️🇭🇺❤️🇺🇸❤️

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér 

The Vineyard - February 17, 2020

Új Lakás édes lakás 💛

Jó estét! 

On Wednesday morning, we packed up and and left Csertő utca on the red bus 80. It was so strange to leave and know we wouldn't be going back that evening. The good news is that Kispest is still in the same city, and we'll have Stake Conference and YSA activities at the Pest ward building. 

Goodbye Csertő utca and Kellmer nővér. Thank you for everything, Kellmer nővér! 

My new companion, Arps nővér, is from New Zealand! We met at the mission home in Buda, then traveled with our luggage to our new apartment in Kispest. The 1.5 hour commute took about 2.5 hours with our luggage, but we eventually made it to our new neighborhood. We live on the outskirts of town in a residential area of family houses. Our downstairs neighbors (a young family) greeted us and were so friendly. We live on the 3rd floor in a loft/log cabin style apartment. It is so cute! Our first few days have been full of streeting in different places to learn about our area, demographic, bus and train routes, etc. 

Kispesti nővérek! Wilson nővér, Snow nővér, and Arps nővér next to me. Jó lesz! 

On Thursday, we did weekly planning with the other Kispest sisters, Snow and Wilson Nővérek. Snow nővér has served here for a few months and filled us in on all we need to know about the investigators, ward, area, etc. On Saturday evening all four of us went to a lesson with Zsuzsa. Snow nővér and her previous companion have been teaching her, but will hand her over to us. She already has a baptismal date, and we're excited to get to know her better and help her prepare. 

Our new church building in Kispest

On our way to Angol Óra Thursday evening, we started talking to a young man on the Villamos. He shared that he believes in God but doesn't attend a church, so we invited him quickly as we got off at our stop. And on Sunday he came! He showed up in a white shirt, and was very attentive the whole meeting and during Sunday school. Then we gave him a Book of Mormon, shared a short explanation of it, and are planning to meet with him soon. I'm so amazed by that whole series of events, and pray that he will have a desire to learn more. 

There are so many things to learn about this new area :) But our first Ward Council was on Sunday morning and it calmed a lot of my worries. The Ward Council was so organized and productive and afterwards the Bishop met with us to explain more about the ward and area. This ward is completely Hungarian (Pest was half English, half Hungarian), and we met so many kind and friendly members. I'm excited to work in this ward with these members. And the talks were about the Spirit and prayer--perfect for our friend from the villamos! 

Another recent miracle of the week was tonight as we traveled home. On the bus, we sat down near a young women and I asked about a pin she was wearing. She shared about her college and job, then the conversation died down. I kept feeling like we needed to talk about why we're here as missionaries, and a split second later, she asked us why we are both here in Hungary. Imagine that! By the end of the bus ride, we'd shared about Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and a living Prophet. We hope she'll come to church. So much can happen if we simply open our mouths to share. Doesn't that just make you want to share the gospel with everyone? Try it! 

Boldog Bálint Napot this week, and Happy Happy Birthday Papa and Naomi!

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér 

"Weak Things Become Strong" Ether 12:27 - February 10, 2020

Thank you, Kellmer nővér for a wonderful time in Pest. We've learned and grown so much together and love these people! 

Kellmer nővér and I have both been asked to transfer to new assignments: She will serve in Szombathely with a new trainee! I'll be moving a few bus and metro stops to the west to serve in Kispest (little Pest) with Arps nővér!

Then and now: nyelvi with Marta--my first and last week's in training. 

This week we had a lesson with Bean, Linh's younger brother, about the Plan of Salvation. We used paper cutouts and explained about how we lived with God before we came to Earth and we can live with Him again. On Earth, He's given us tools to help us prepare to live with Him again: prayer, scriptures, family, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. To finish the lesson, we asked Bean to pray and in a beautifully simple and humble prayer, he prayed to Heavenly Father for the first time in his life! It reminded me of the quote by President Nelson, attached below. I invite you to read it and ponder how you can draw closer to our Father in Heaven. 

Moving some things to the mission home before we officially move out tomorrow. 

Another highlight of our week was streeting with Robertson and Turunen nővér. We street with them almost every day, so really tried to enjoy our last days serving all together in Pest. We've all become like sisters and I'm grateful they'll keep the work moving in this special Pest ward!

We had a nyelvi (grammer) lesson with Márta. She is a ward member and I met her my first week at another nyelvi lesson with her. It was amazing to compare this time with last time. She is so kind and patient and sweet. See the fun comparison picture below :) 

We love streeting on these streets. 

Pest has been a place of so many "firsts". My first lesson as a missionary was with Éva in the branch house. I first talked to someone in Hungarian on our red bus 81A on the way to Csertő utca. Our first morning run was along the water canal by our building. First snow storm, first Turo-rudi, first personal study, first companionship prayer by our door, etc. When I arrived I kept thinking, "How will this ever feel like home?" But know I know these streets, and busses, and people. In Pest, I've learned about the power of personal prayer. I've learned that the Lord works line upon line. And I've learned that with time, any place can become beautiful. 

A lesson with sweet Adri

Have a wonderful week! 

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér 

Trust in the Lord - February 3, 2020

Helping a new family move in. We cleaned with the other Pesti sisters!

Elder Christofferson and his wife in a recent YSA devotional gave a powerful invitation to fully commit to Christ. He says, "We can have complete trust in God and in His wondrous love and willingness to bless and sustain us." YES! 

His willingness to bless us is manifest every single day. 

Monday: Brigitta! As Kellmer nővér and I waited at the bus stop after preparation day hours ended, we practiced a song to sing to Brigitta. We hadn't heard from her in a while so thought it would be fun to surprise her with a song (thanks Mama♥️) Then as we walked from the bus stop towards her apartment, guess who called?? Brigitta! She asked if we were free to come over and pray with her. She was completely blown away that we would be there in 3 minutes. We sang "I am a Child of God" to her and scheduled a lesson for later in the week. We love Brigitta! (Stay tuned for another miracle later in the week with her!!) None of us could even comprehend all the random pieces that aligned that evening. God's plan for us is not so random after all. What a sweet beginning to another week of the Lord's work in Pest. 

Tuesday: We had a Spanish Book of Mormon with us to give to a new friend. That plan fell through but as we streeted near Nyugati, we ran into Dániel who we'd met 2 days earlier while streeting. He was visiting Hungary from Spain for only 3 days, so we quickly gave him the Spanish Book of Mormon and wished him well in his travels. Imagine randomly meeting the same stranger twice on 2 random street corners in crazy busy Budapest?! 

Wednesday: We met Anna on her morning walk as we walked to the church--a sweet néni walking with her shopping bag. She knew about the church because she'd traveled to Hawaii visited BYU Hawaii and seen the temple. She's also used Family Search! 

Aubrey (a YSA living in Hungary) helped us give a chapel tour to a new friend, Christopher, from South Africa. Aubrey submits her mission papers soon and is going to be an amazing missionary!

Thursday: Kellmer nővér Skypes her Opa in Germany every week to help the missionaries in Germany teach him the missionary lessons. Kellmer nővér helped me prepare before the lesson so I could offer the opening prayer. When I got this mission call to Hungary, I thought my years of German and Chinese wouldn't come in handy 😉

Friday: We ran into Vivien on the metro! She heard about the free English class and come the night before. Hopefully she comes again! 

Saturday: The sky was bright blue the entire day 😊😊😊

Sunday: Right before the Sacrament started, Kellmer nővér and I both simultaneously turned around to see Esztér and Bean walk into the back of the chapel. 5 minutes later, BRIGITTA walked through the doors! 3 of our friends at church! 

The Rubiks cube was invented in Hungary. The quote says, "There's always a solution, and not just one!"

Life is good because God is good. 

"And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ" (Moroni 10:18). 

My favorite hymn right now is "Hark All Ye Nations". I think it's my mission theme song. If you sing or listen to it in the next few days or weeks or months, just imagine two young missionaries singing in the starlight as we walk home after a good day 💛

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér