Waters of Mormon - May 25, 2020

Szeged in wind and rain :) 

Sometimes the Lord literally performs miracles. And when they happen, they seem too good to be true!

Two people that Tyler nővér taught in past cities were baptized this weekend. One was held over Zoom, so we joined the call to watch the opening hymn, prayer, talk, and ordinance. We could just join for a few minutes, then moved to the other side of the room to call our friend for his lesson. A few minutes into the lesson, he suddenly urgently said that he had to go. He hung up and we just sat in shock for a second. Then we walked back to the computers where the baptism was playing RIGHT as Ruben sat down to receive the Holy Ghost! It was such perfect timing I could hardly believe it. It was a tender mercy for Tyler nővér that we could watch the rest of his baptismal service. 

Gutenberg utca, where the branch house is.

We also had a 'chicken soup miracle' yesterday. After my mission, I'd love to explain it in person because it was so special. I just know that God is aware of our circumstances, especially as we give everything we can to His work and His children. God really is our loving Heavenly Father. 

"They Are Mine" Mosiah 26:18 - May 18, 2020

Evening run along the Tisza

Hello hello!

Restrictions are easing and this week we can start meeting in person with people in the church with masks or in a park. It's been exactly 2 months of quarentine and it looks like we're coming over the hill. Let's hope! 

This week our lesson with Andrew was a miracle in a few ways. He hadn't texted us back all morning but we still called him on schedule to see if he'd answer. And he did! Then as we started, I said we'd be reading in Mosiah 23. I had meant to say Mosiah 24, but as we started reading, the verses in chapter 23 were also really good. It led into a conversation about prophets and priesthood keys. We talked about how God calls prophets to lead His people. We invited him to pray and ask if President Nelson is God's prophet on the Earth.

"Could We Have Supposed" - May 11, 2020

Happy Mothers Day to my wonderful mother! I love you, Mama! 

President and Sister Hettinger drove to Szeged yesterday so that we could partake of the Sacrament. Sisters Freeman and Mudrow, Sister Tyler and I, and Bonnie gathered in the chapel when they arrived. We all sat in spread apart chairs, and President Hettinger wore gloves as he prepared the bread and water. We sang "Upon the Cross of Calvary" while he started breaking the bread. He blessed the bread, and brought us each our own small plate and piece of bread. After everyone had recieved theirs, we sat quietly for about 5 minutes before he blessed the water and brought us each a small cup. It felt so peaceful and quiet as we all sat and pondered and partook of the Sacrament. It's been about 2 months since I was last able to in Kispest, and I felt filled with emotion and gratitude for an opportunity. We finished the short service with "Press, Forward Saints" before a quick goodbye as they left for Budapest. I'm so grateful they would drive down to Szeged, and especially for the opportunity to have the Sacrament again. 

We posted our first ad! Tyler nővér and I watched trainings from the Alpine German Mission who've piloted this for about 2 years and pretty much perfected the process. We've been experimenting with creating and posting vlogs (short intors to missionaries and what we do) and are doing a mission wide training tomorrow morning to announce it to the mission!

Look Up - May 4, 2020

Will I ever NOT say, "What a week!?" at the beginning of a weekly email? I'm starting to wonder...

So here we go, what a week!

We recieved a referral for a Hungarian speaker living in Romania. We met over Messenger video and asked our branch president to join the lesson Mari elnök. This new friend has been looking for religion and came across the church's Facebook page, requested to meet with missionaries, and learned a ton about the church from the posts. By the time we taught the Restoration, he already knew most of it! He then joined the Sunday church call and texted us after about all the things he learned. It's amazing how these experiences seem to just fall into your lap sometimes. We're excited for our next lesson with him about Eternal families and God's plan for us. He has a wife, 5 kids, and a few grandkids! 

Look Up - Monday, May 4, 2020

 Will I ever NOT say, "What a week!?" at the beginning of a weekly email? I'm starting to wonder... 

So here we go, what a week!

We recieved a referral for a Hungarian speaker living in Romania. We met over Messenger video and asked our branch president to join the lesson Mari elnök. This new friend has been looking for religion and came across the church's Facebook page, requested to meet with missionaries, and learned a ton about the church from the posts. By the time we taught the Restoration, he already knew most of it! He then joined the Sunday church call and texted us after about all the things he learned. It's amazing how these experiences seem to just fall into your lap sometimes. We're excited for our next lesson with him about Eternal families and God's plan for us. He has a wife, 5 kids, and a few grandkids! 

Another highlight lesson was with our friend Andrew. Two young adult church members joined also for our discussion about the priesthood. They both shared experiences and testimonies with Andrew and the Spirit was so strong. It's one thing to tell people that God's power is one the earth today. It's another thing to share that even they can qualify to recieve it if they live worthily! Andrew has been progressing very slowly for the past few sets of missionaries who've taught him in Szeged, but he's starting to develop daily prayer and Book of Mormon habits. Most of our friends are medical students and are so stressed about exams right now (which go on for like 2 months!). We're trying to keep frequent contact with them in fun ways like little videos, songs, etc. and meet with them as often as they can. 'Tis the finals season! 

A few other highlights:

-We filmed our first 'vlog'--a short ad/introduction to missionaries and the church. It was pretty short and sweet about how sometimes we can feel stuck in life, but we know God helps us find a way out, and that we'd love to share how He can! 

-I translated Relief Society for Sister Knowlton. I understand probably 50-60% of conversations so it was a little fun... Atleast I could translate the general ideas of it for her!

-I love learning from my companions talents. Arps nővér taught me the harmonica, and Tyler nővér does beautiful pencil drawings! A few nights a week we sit together and we draw together.

-Tyler nővér and I made a honey carrot cake for some ward members and friends. She is a great cook! 

-We were super busy getting things ready for a new technology approach our mission will be taking soon. Exciting times! 

Bonnie is doing well, and so are the Knowltons. Everyone is getting a little stir crazy, though. Szeged lightened restrictions today so people are returning to work (with masks), but we'll continue work indoors for now. 

Also, yesterday was Mother's Day in Hungary, so Boldog Anyák Napját!

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér 

Pictures:

Our little (someday) flowers we water every day

The carrot cake! 

Beautiful Szeged