"I Believe in Christ" - September 8, 2020

Hurrah for Israel! 

Halihó! 

Sister Hutchinson and I decided to learn "I Believe in Christ" as a piano duet together a few weeks ago. We bought the music and printed it out and were a little horrified when we saw the key signatures and key changes. Our goal is to learn it by the end of this next transfer! It is so fun to play and practice together. We will practice hard:) Hopefully it'll be on Facebook someday!

Miracle with Laura! 

I know Heavenly Father knows us and is aware of all of His children and their needs. I know this! There were a few special experiences this week when I was shockingly reminded of this. We tell this to people as missionaries all the time. I know it with my mind, but sometimes I need to believe it more with my heart. 

Final goodbyes. 

One was literally an hour ago! As we were crossing the street, a girl on the other side said timidly, "Are you Emma?" I looked at her for a few seconds and said, "Yes. Wait... Are you Laura??!" yes!! It was Laura who Tyler nővér and I texted for weeks and months in Szeged! She never wanted to meet or come to church but Tyler nővér never gave up on her. For some reason we just felt like it was worth just developing a really deep good relationship with her. We even did two of our Facebook Lives focusing specifically on what we thought she needed to hear that week. She watched both and I remember feeling so happy. We both moved away from Szeged without meeting her in person. She is a professional pianist and just got a job teaching in Kecskemét. What are the chances. She was very kind and quiet as we talked, and we offered to let her come to the branch house to practice on the pianos there. I literally can't believe it. She also asked about the church service and is interested in attending. Her heart is opening. I walked away feeling the most gratitude and love that I've ever felt inside of me and said the silent prayer I often say, "Heavenly Father, I thank Thee, I thank Thee, I thank Thee. Please don't let me forget this moment." Laura is elect. I can feel it. I hope she comes to feel it, too.

Helping Enikő move her things home before her mission. 

Daily exchange in Szeged: 

I served with Pyper nővér and we taught Ibolya and Bonnie, two of the miracle people in Szeged. Such a highlight of the week! 

Soccer with the sisters: We ran outside at lunch one day and played with Enikő, Sister Thompson, and Sister Bell. She has been doing online mtc at the church for the past 9 weeks and flew to England today! She is the happiest Hungarian I've ever met and we already miss her in Kecskemét. She will be an incredible Hungarian missionary in England. 

There's no way to wrap this week in a nutshell. I'm so sorry. Read my journal someday. 

In May, Elder Robert C. Gay gave a young adult devotional called "Choosing Righteous Desires". He shares his experience of meeting with a member of the Quorum of the 12 apostles about serving as a mission president. He and his wife were hesitant to accept because of all they were involved in with his job, callings, and their family. This quote has been on my mind throughout the ups and downs of the week: 

“You know, you really don’t get it. The Lord is calling you to save your life. You are either going to live your life by covenant or by convenience. There is never a convenient time to serve. This is a matter of faith. You either believe the Lord will bless your life with the blessings you need as you do His priorities or you don’t.”

The Kecskeméti nővérek. The 5 of us have had the best past 6 weeks. Kis nővér will be missed. 

The whole talk is powerful. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2020/05/12gay?lang=eng

This really is a matter of faith. Sometimes we just need to believe and keep going. I layed in bed a few nights ago with raw feet, shin splints, a sore back, and peeling hands from the bike handles but laughed with Hutchinson nővér, "We're also smiling so everything's okay." Heavenly Father is real. He really does love us. I know He is aware of our needs.

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér