Egyek Tudunk Lenni - February 15, 2021

 

Boldog Bálint napját yesterday 😊🥰

We had a special Relief Society lesson with Sister Eubanks October 2020 talk about being unified. It was tender when our investigator (bed-ridden with bone cancer) shared some of her struggles right now. I'm amazed that she's willing to join church and Sunday School/Relief Society every week. She got a priesthood blessing last week and her cancer has actually only gotten worse since then. We are praying fervently for her to be able to turn the corner and are waiting with faith that she will somehow see a miracle. We love Timi so much. I hope we can meet her in person someday. Right now she lives with her parents in a small town far away so we're planning to get permission to visit her soon. We hope we can! She's one of the most special people I've met on my mission so far. ❤️

Another is our friend Ágnes! Last night for Valentine's Day and her birthday we made homemade bread (thank you Mama and Grandma Hunsaker!) and delivered it. She made little pogácsas (biscuits) for us and we were able to see her home and meet her husband. Guess what!? We found out that they met with missionaries 23 years ago in France! She sent us a picture of the pass-along card he gave her and after some quick Facebook finding, I discovered that that Elder is related to one of my high school friends, Sarah. What?! There are no coincidences! Ágnes and the elder are now texting again and we just know this is a step in the right direction for her and her husband. We love her so much. There's something in her you just don't see in most Hungarians we meet. It might take 23 more years but I know she recognizes something special here. I know it's true. 

A few days ago I felt washed with a wave of relief as we sat in a missionary meeting. It might sound silly but I felt like I really might be able to do it and finish serving my mission. And then I'll have done it! Wow. I've been a missionary for 455 days and I can now say that I  wouldn't trade any of this time for anything. I'm so grateful I can serve. I know this is the Lord's work, even way over here in Hungary--it's own little corner of the world. 

We had a special pday today that I've been hoping to do since being trained in Pest a year ago. There are about 50 bronzed shoes on the banks of the Danube in memorial of 1944-45 WWII victims. The specific story is quite sobering (write to me to find out more) and I actually got a little bit emotional as we walked a long and looked at them all. There were mom, dad, youth, and even baby shoes. I just felt overwhelmed with gratitude. Sometimes as a missionary you feel like you give so much, but I can't even compare my time in Hungary to what these Hungarian people have endured. This is a special place with blessed people. The future temple is evidence of it and I know it will bring such a light and hope to Hungary that is just a glimmer right now. The past 33 years of preaching the gospel have just been drops in the bucket. There is a flood coming! I love this place and these people. I'm so grateful for 50 more days to serve them. 

Until then, happy February! 

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér

Pictures: 

Filming a district video (to be posted March 16th:) with the new mission go-pro yay! P. S. We heard from Sweden that Facebook algorithms are being altered and effected by all the missionary posting, liking, ads, etc. Kind of cool, right?! 

The shoes on the Duna

It was so good to talk to Riah this morning!

Passing through one of the many factory towns near Budapest. +long-awaited sunshine

One of a few member visits this week! We somehow made cookies without sugar 😅 thank goodness for honey and cinnamon! 

Instructions for your Departure - February 8, 2021

We received instructions for Sister Francis to return to her new home in Okinawa, Japan after she finished her missionary service in Hungary. We knew it would take NOTHING LESS THAN A MIRACLE for her to make it safely home! 

Dear Sister Francis:

Below is information received this morning concerning your departure.  I wanted you to be aware of this in advance.  If you have any questions, please let me know~!

Thanks!  Sis. M

We have received information back on what will be required for Sister Francis to be able to enter Japan and rejoin her family at the conclusion of her mission in Hungary/Romania.  It does appear possible for her to be able to rejoin her family.

Some of the procedures are somewhat complex. If you have  questions, pls feel free to ask me.  We have a contact in the Travel Office in Japan who will be happy to communicate with the mission/missionary/family if needed.

Immigration requirements

• COVID test negative result with the test taken within 72 hours of departure to Japan – for details pls see https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page25e_000334.html
• U.S. military order copy with the missionary’s name on the order as a dependent (the scheme is called SOFA status)
• Valid U.S. passport
• Pledge – the attached file to be printed out, signed and carried

Quarantine requirements

• Another COVID test at the arrival airport in Japan (if positive, the passenger will be taken directly to a medical facility)
• No use of public transportation including trains/buses/flights
• 14-day self-quarantine
• Health reporting using SNS (LINE) – pls see the pledge attached
• Install government-created contact detector app. (COCOA) – pls see the pledge attached
• Keeping GPS on of your mobile device – pls see the pledge attached

Please let me know if I can assist you further on this.

Kind regards,

Scott Loveless

Elder A. Scott Loveless

Associate Area Legal Counsel

Sister Diana Mortensen

Hungary/România Mission Office

Mission Secretary

Rózsa február! - February 1, 2021

Yay! It's February! So many times this week I felt like I was back in my training a year ago. I can't believe it has been a whole year and that I'm back in/near Budapest again. I'm grateful for everything about the past year, and especially that it's this year! :)

The Ruckers are such good people. You can just tell that they are 100% good through and through. I am so impressed by their cheerfulness, diligence, and goodness. Ever since the first interview I had with them, I've felt their warmth and light fill Hungary. I know their family has to sacrifice a lot to be here. It reminds me of a YSA devotional that talks about living our lives by covenant or by convenience. I really recommend it. The Rucker's faith is so inspiring. 

Érd is so so good. I feel really blessed to serve here my last two transfers. I've been really surprised by the branch members and families. This branch has so many little kids! (about 10:) ) Parker nővér and I just really feel like this place is holy ground. Apparently the temple will be built between Érd and Budapest and we just need one more Melchizedek priesthood holder to have a ward. There is so much good to do here! I feel really grateful to have two more full-proselytizing transfers. Missionary work is just the best. The coolest part is that we visited four members this week, and 3/4 had nonmember family members we also met! What?? So I feel pretty optimistic about the push for member work. Basically, missionary work is missionary work and miracles will come if we're obedient to what we're asked to do. And we totally saw that this week. 

One evening as we were coming home to Érd from a small village by train, we tried to buy tickets at an automatic machine in the dark but it wasn't working... It started a conversation with a nearby fiú and he helped us figure out the machine. He is on a Budapest basketball team and was intrigued by why we were there. Who wouldn't be surprised by 2 American girls at a dark train station in the middle of Hungary in January? Let alone 2 that speak Hungarian--a language no body really has a reason to learn (unless they're sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ!!) We talked to him the whole way home and prayed right after we got off the train that we'll be able to teach him. There are so many people who would be so blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ! And it's not even that hard! The blessings are worth it! 

Goodbye blue January and hello pink February :) 

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér

Pictures:

I've attached a few pictures with members (Béla the gpa, Orsi who is so good at family history, and the little girl is Csila's daughter. Csilla means star.

An old turkish minaret was on the way to Béla's so we had to stop! It's from the 17th century and was all closed but so so cool. 

Purple lavender cheese! 

A few pictures of roads bc I love these old Hungarian country roads and fields. They've been here for ages. 

2 sisters came for a daily exchange. I got to serve with Sister Nielsen from Payson and we had the best time. She's a really good missionary. 

Making our apartment a home with these little lights and we moved a really big bookshelf!