Monday, August 31, 2020

#Őt Hallgasd - September 1, 2020

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The Knowltons did our apartment cleaning checks today and treated us all to lunch. 
 

What a great week! We went to Budapest for Zone Conference on Friday. I love going back to the same places I was at almost a year ago when I first came to Hungary and the places I first served. I love those streets and train stations and people. 


We got to know a few of the ward members better this week. Irma, a sweet néni, invited us over for lunch and we read from the Book of Mormon together, Zsolt treated us to ice cream one evening and shared about his conversion story, and we took peach bread to the Patai family and they sang all their favorite hymns for us. We are trying to reach out to all the members individually to get to know them better. So many wonderful members. 

As we sat with the Pataiék, their 9 year old daughter told us about her baptism that happened in March right as CoVid started. I had a picture of Autumn's baptism from last year tucked into my Preach My Gospel book so I pulled it out to show her my little sister on her baptism. Then after story time, they sang the cutest Hungarian song about how God loves all of His children. They cut fruit into a bowl for us, too. They are a wonderful family in this ward. The gospel turns lives around.  We made the peach bread for them because Zsolt had given us a big bag the night before. So much delicious fresh produce here! A fun tender mercy, too :)

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The Knowltons, Bonnie, Rebeka, and Levi from Szeged came to Kecskemét for Sacrament meeting. 


Zone Conference started beautifully on Friday with a training by President Rucker about being Christ's hands. Sister Rucker then taught about creativity + order and about how God is a God of order. Both President and Sister Rucker are very artistic--graphic design, video-editing, etc. Their weekly Come Follow Me FB live as a family is always so fun to watch. 

A few other highlights from this week! District musical number in zone conference, seeing Szegedi friends who came to Kecskemét church yesterday, apple palacsinta with Tardi Anna Tuesday morning, meeting with Brian Cordray and the Ruckers about media in our mission, serving lunch at the barátság központ with the other sisters... and so much more!

Happy Autumn Day tomorrow Nico :)

Love, 
Emma Rae
Francis nővér


BIGGEST miracle of the week! We are planning and creating #HearHim videos by Hungarian church members to post on FB. Soltis elder filmed and video edits them and they are GORGEOUS. He is so talented and the members testimonies are incredible. We are so so excited to share these on FB with everyone. It is amazing to see followed revelation come to fruition! First one coming tomorrow!

Sunday, August 23, 2020

"Íme, amilyen biztosan te élsz, ... van Isten" Alma 22:8 - August 24, 2020

 Hungarian word of the week: fesztivál !! :) This week was a celebration in Hungary and csak általában volt csodálatos nekem (just in general was really wonderful). There was a week-long festival in the city center so each evening after we finished work we went with Sisters Bell and Thompson to walk around, shop, eat Hungarian delicacies (AKA sausages, mustard, potatos, fagyi, and kürtös kalács). It was almost magical!


One evening as we sat eating fagyi, IBOLYA walked up to us and said hi (a kind lady I met in Szeged and taught!) It was nothing short of a tender mercy because ever since we met I have felt akin to her. We talked for a minute and took a picture together. I am so grateful that our paths crossed again in a completely different city. What are the chances? In our first in person lesson with her we planned to start with the English teaching portion, but as we started she said, "Actually, I'd rather just learn how to pray. Will you teach me?" Nincsenek véletlenek. There are no coincidences and I'm so grateful our paths crossed that evening. 

The Ruckers and two of their daughters came to the District Council in Kecskemét! They arrived with lots of Hungarian pastries and it brought a special spirit to the meeting. Afterwards I talked for a while with one of their daughters before having interviews with each of the Ruckers. They are a wonderful light in Hungary!

We sent a referral from the FB page to TANZANIA! We talked with two sisters serving in Tanzania on the phone, one of which has been serving for 23 months because of COVID. Sweet reminder that missionaries everywhere are incredible! 

This week I have been studying Book of Mormon references to Christ from the Topical Guide. I especially loved Mosiah 3:19, a verse that always reminds me of when my brother Sam served in Sweden. A year ago this week we were all together in the Bountiful Temple right after he finished serving his mission. I'm so grateful to be here helping Hungarians prepare for the temple, soon to be in Budapest. What a miracle! 

Have a wonderful week!

Love, 
Emma Rae
Francis nővér

Pictures:
Ibolya gyengéd irgalmassága
kürtös kalács at the fesztivál (chimney cake and the steam really did pour out of the top because it was so hot and fresh!) 
Famous Hungarian sheep dog breed
Bike ride with the other sisters
Festival pictures


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