Minden megeri - March 29, 2021

 Halihó! 

What a good week! On Saturday we took muffins to the Bauerék. We hadn't been able to get ahold of them so we just walked over hoping they would be home. And they were! He and his wife were outside playing with their little girls and we were able to talk for about ten minutes! I am always amazed when even after crazy unplanned days we are somehow in the right place at the right time. I am so grateful. It's also so cool to be a missionary and serve until the last day, knowing that even though I won't see the fruits of these efforts, these little ripples will keep going. I know that they will because Heavenly Father is aware of them--so much better than we are! 

We also had a special lesson with Iza and András. We had to let them know that the member they were closest to in the ward just passed away and they were so sad. The Spirit was strong as we talked about Jesus Christ and His resurrection, and how missionary work continues beyond the veil. Béla was such a good missionary, teacher, scholar, and friend to everyone. I know that Heavenly Father's plan for us is perfect. We need never fear or doubt because of Jesus Christ, we can be together forever with our families.

I love that this whole week we get to celebrate Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and Easter. This last week of my mission lines up exactly with Christ's final week and resurrection next Sunday. (And General Conference, too.) What a good week--it's like a gold mine of missionary opportunity! This week we are planning to meet with all of our friends atleast one more time. I know they'll keep doing well and I'm so grateful for each of them--Ágnes, Lilla, Alexandra, Gabriella, János. Oh how I will miss them. 

I love this work. I love this gospel. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father let's us be a tiny piece in the puzzle and feel His love for these people and places. Today on our pday we hiked up to Gellérts Hedge, where President Nelson dedicated Hungary almost 30 years ago. As we looked out across the whole city (we could even see where I started my mission and lived in training) I was filled with so much gratitude that someday there will be a temple here. I just can't even imagine a pure-white lighted house of the Lord standing here in this country. It will be such a beacon of hope! 

I love you, all. I love these Hungarians. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Hurrah for Israel! 

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér

Departing Testimony - March 26, 2021

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission.  I know that it is worth everything.  I knew I wanted to serve a mission when President Nelson spoke in 2018 about gathering Israel.  That is when I decided that it would be the most important thing in my life.   I know that Heavenly Father knows us individually.  He asks us to do the things that He knows will be a sacrifice for us so we can show our love for Him.  Though it all it doesn’t’ feel like a sacrifice.   I feel that it is such a privilege to be a missionary. I hope that we enjoy every day that we get to wear our missionary tags.  As a missionary we need to ‘hear Him’ and ‘talk with everyone’.  President Nelson said it is mentally rigorous to turn our thoughts to the Savior and to hear Him.  It is worth it.  We can share the gospel with everyone in such simple ways.  I will never forget Christmas.  We spent the whole day talking with everyone we could.  We had chocolate and pass along cards.  I know that small things will cause the flood.  I could see that through the video that Sister Rucker shared today.  I feel gratitude for the way that each of you have influenced me.  I know that the love that I feel for all of you is a gift from God. There is no other way that we can feel charity accept from God.  We can pray for it.  I am grateful that I was able to serve a mission and I hope that all of us who lives will continue to do the things we have been asked to do, to share the gospel and be representatives of Jesus Christ.

 

The Worth of Souls D&C 18:10 - March 22, 2021

 For some reason this email won't send! I've tried for the past 3 weeks so I'm sorry for the lack of contact. I love you all and I love this place so if I actually don't come home in a few weeks, you'll know why :) I'm sorry pictures won't attach. It makes Gmail crash.... 

Parker nővér is in Miskolc! I'm with Linford nővér! 

One miracle this month was on transfer day. Sister Van Wagoner updated me on néni we met with together and she showed me a picture of our first lesson with her and then her last lesson with Thompson nővér before they were transfered.her eyes are SO CHANGED. Literally, she has been filled with light. I want you to see the pictures so I'll send them to you in Messenger if you request them when you read this you can see her  :)The gospel really does change lives, doesn't it?

Also, I wrote a mission song. Watch for it on Facebook later this week. It's a surprise for the Ruckers during zone Conference this Thursday..

I hope Spring is coming beautifully to Kaysville, Japan, Provo, and wherever else you may be. Love and miss you all!

Love,

Emma Rae

Francis nővér

Akkor jó, akkor van - March 1, 2021

These past two weeks have been good in Érd. I love how many aspects of missionary work still surprise me. There are always new experiences, people, and corners to turn. Speaking of which, my companion is being transferred to Miskolc and I'll be serving with a new sister named Linford nővér from Herriman, Utah! Every companion is like a built in best friend and I'm excited to get to know Linford nővér, too 😊

Highlights from the past two weeks:

Ágnes (who we practice English with) got her DNA test results back and was SO excited to tell us. It's really cool to see Hungarians ancestry because she has pieces from all over but is mostly Asztanazi Jewish. I think a big part of the gathering of the lost tribes of Israel will happen in Eastern Europe. Sunday night we walked down the lane near us to go over and for Parker nővér to say goodbye. Family history is really opening her heart. She started meeting with the Érd sisters to practice English, but now we mostly talk about family history!

Do you remember Timi with cancer? She is still not doing well so we called her a few nights ago to see if she would be able to talk. She had gotten home from the hospital with the news that she can die at any time now. A member in the group chat joined, too, and it was a good conversation. My favorite part was when Parker nővér asked, "Timi, van hited Jézus Krisztusba?" Do you have faith in Jesus Christ? This question helped her won dad with cancer a few years ago. Timi said, "Ya, but it's pretty small." "It doesn't matter how big or small it is." "Oh really? Akkor jó. Akkor van." (Then good, I have faith.) Something about hearing that all in Hungarian over the phone brought us all such a feeling of peace. I wish you could've all felt it too. I know you can feel that same peace if you also have faith in Jesus Christ, no matter how big or small. I love Timi. It is a really special time to be in her life and I'm grateful for it. We just keep praying and loving. ❤️

Even though we didn't know Parker was leaving until Saturday, this week leading up to transfers couldn't have been more perfect. We talked to Melinda in person, Béla joined a lesson with Iza and András, we met with 2 investigators I still hadn't met yet, and we had a really cool district pday hike in a little village up north called Visegrád. All around, it was a good week and there's another transfer right around the corner! Happy March!🍀

Love, 

Emma Rae

Francis nővér

Pictures:

I'll just attach a bunch today about different random missionary moments :)

The street we walk down, dinner, member visits, saying goodbye to Agnes, district service day... The blurry one is with Iza and András--their nephew took it for us 😅