Dieting

Weather in Hungary has been pretty nice this past week. I formally apologize to you guys for telling you I would send the letters last week. The truth is... theyre on my desk. But ill send them today. I think.

This week I saw little miracles everyday. Wednesday was a long day of tracting. One building we didnt even get in we just got told to go away on the intercom by all 44 apartments hah. Most people are nice about it, they just say "Nem Kosz Nem Kosz" and start to laugh. Then there are always the exceptions hahah but I dont ponder too much on what they say. But anyways after a lot of NI's (not interested) we knocked on the 3rd floor of a 10 story and Ágnes answered the door she looked pretty worn down and was about 30 years old. I went through our little shpeel "We represent the Church of Jesus Christ and would love to share a messsage" sort of deal and then she said Id love to hear it. And hah we froze I think my companion forgot our message for a second but then after a 15 incredibly awkward sentences we asked her some questions talked about the A Mormon Konvye (The book of mormon) She accepted the book and continued to express how incredibly grateful we came at that time that day. I already love her a lot and hope she will continue to be open and learn more.

Wednesday we met with a few recent converts and then Xania an incredible member of the branch invited us to her home for a quick dinner. (She went to BYU a while back married an american and had a girl but her husband died and she came back to hungary married a catholic man and had 2 more boys and is now holding this branch together!) She has a really strong testimony and MADE US TACOS! Mexican food is so good.

OUR 1 investigator became a Progressing investigator this week when he built up enough courage to come to Sacrament! We had a fantastic sacrament meeting and afterwards were so excited to hear what he had to say but all he said was how disruptive Xanias 2 year old was hah. Im sure he'll come around with time.

We didnt get any new investigators this week but were able to give away 8 books of mormon the past 6 days. Its incredible to be able to feel the spirit so strong while you share a testimony of Jesus Christ on the street for 90 seconds. I will try and take advantage of every moment during every day. I know its gonna fly by.

I love you all and miss you lots. One thing I learned this week is about obedience. I was reading an article by a sister missionary who had served in Hungary and a general authority came and he asked her why do you think they made the age change? She responded so that more people would go. But he said the lords work will roll on no matter what-- they made the age change so that there would be stronger marriages. When you go out on a mission and are obedient and change-- your standards change, your perspective changes, and you change a lot (if youre striving to be obedient) and when you return home you look for people that share your same standards and are able to cope with difficult situaltions better. So theres that I just thought that was intersting. I hope it makes sense I probably messed it up more than I messed my side of my head last week when I tried to cut my own hair hah.

Opps I forgot to even mention the subject line. This week my comp and I arnt eating bread or sugar. The nénis at the pekseg know my name (granted its on my chest) but of course.. they call me milk teeth. So no more pastries or sweet milk. for an entire week.

I love you all.

be good and do good

Sok Szeretettel,

Elder Hughes

they call me milk teeth here

sziasztok,

 

I miss you all a lot. But I love hungarians more and more everyday. all the nénis here call me milk teeth because I have white (in contrast to them) huge teeth. I swear I dont think any of them have called me by my actual name yet... Also youre reading from the new szombathely ward organist hahah. Its as bad as it sounds. I learned how to play sunday before they called me and practiced last night during game night. pedals are a challenge but like me, hungarians are pretty tone deaf as a whole so it ends up working out.

 

So many miracles this week. Our third companion left. We cleaned. and cleaned. and cleaned the  next day so that was good. I gave myself a haircut which was the worst decision I have made thusfar in my life and I have several bald spots but then again no one actually looks at me except for my milk teeth. They seriously just sit and stare at my teeth. It was uncomfortable at first but now as long as their listening to my message Im perfectly fine with it!

 

But back to the miracles... we go tracting everyday. Because to be short in writing. We have no investigators here (we were both whitewashed in). And after 4 days of getting doors shut and my teeth stared at we started to see some great miracles. One day after lots of prayers we decided to tract a pretty scary looking 10 story. I was seriously debating taking the stairs to the top when I got in the tiny communist elevator. But we got more success than Ive seen then past two weeks. 5 FAMILYS told us to come back at a specific other time and one SUPER old man (who we had to shout into her ear that was already so close it was basically touching my lips) heard our lesson and accepted a book of mormon. Hungarians have a hard time accepting book of mormons because they always think they need to pay us for them. But after we told this man lazslo for the 8th time this book was free and it was a gift he finally settled parting with us his favorite trinket coin thing that he placed in my companions pocket and it had the pope on one side and the vatican on the other haha.

 

One family we tracted into the dad answered and told us he wasnt interested but then the daughter who is 23 years old and spoke PERFECT english jumped us and begged her parents to let us come in and talk. MIRACLE! She told us last night she had come accross the prepared to serve videos by hungarian missionaries randomly last night and watched them. MIRACLE! and they talked with us for 45 minutes and accepted a Book of Mormon. miracle! (Not to mention we only got let into the building because a confused néni thought we were her grandsons) MIRACLE! Hah! God answers prayers. And im so grateful for all your prayers.

 

I did almost die twice this week when we were being fed by members-- both nénis. They got super offended when I said I was full and dished me up more and more and more and more. It was good at the start but I ate at least 5 whole potatoes both meals and left wanting to throw up and never eat again. Hungarians are great cooks and always have PLENTY of food for the missionaries. Theyre so kind.

 

Also they talk to their dogs like they are people. They talk with way more respect to their dogs then they do to us. Basically in summary-- grandma hughes should have been born in Hungary.

 

I love you all and pray for you daily. The only really frustrating thing ive noticed is member missionary work. Im pretty disappointed in myself before I left. I couldve been so much more actively involved. The missionaries cannot do it alone. And members testimonies can help strengthen investigators and members alike. Please share your testimony with others. Be a missionary. 

 

I love you all

Szeretetlek,

 

Hughes Elder

P.S pray that my stomach will be expanded when I eat with nénis hah SO. Much. FOOD

Dallin's address.

Hughes Elder 

Hungary Budapest Mission

Hajnoczy Jozsef utca 14

Budapest 1122

Hungary

Photo evidence.

The homes we tract all day. 

My first door. 

A church near my apartment. 

Communist monument of sorts. With my trainer in the middle.  

First letter from Hungary.

The Szabadkais are two of the kindest people I have ever met. They picked us up at the airport then drove us back to the mission home/office/branch house for buda. Right after we unloaded the bags two of the office missionaries came and grabbed me and Beans and told me I'd be teaching about faith in a lesson in 5 minutes! Within 10 minutes of me being in buda I was in an investigator lesson talking in probably some of the worst hungarian they've ever heard hah. I hope they understood at least a little but either way that got me on my toes hah.

 

Later that evening Sister Szabadkai made the most delicious food and sure my expectations were low because I've been in the Mtc for so long but it really was so good. I had 7 bowls of fruit soup THE BEST (legjobb) in hungarian. We shared our testimonies-- got interviews earlier and streeted with missionaries the rest of that afternoon. Later The Szabadkais took us on a walk to Buda Castle and it was one of the prettiest views ever. We read the dedicatory prazer for hungary and the spirit was really strong.

 

The next day we had the sorting hat meeting. Where we got our trainers. I lucked out-- and my prayers were answered. My trainer is Elder Heaps he has been in the country for 8 months so he's not professional at the language but he's exactly obedient and that is not as common as I would have wished hah. After the meeting we were off and managed to find and climb every staircase in Buda with our luggage in hand before we got on the train and headed to Szombathely (which directly translates to saturday place) I'm right on the austrian borders (about 15 minutes by car (which we dont have)) and there are mountains not too far away so it seems like home.

 

Until tomorrow we have a third companion who has been showing us around and helping us meet with all the eternal investigators he has racked up. Szombathely is so beautiful and the people here are surprisingly kind while rejecting us-- it means a lot haha. I have definitely had more doors slammed on me this week than anyone who has served in South America will ever have-- Sister Szabadkai always tells us whenever a door gets slammed in our face the missionaries in Brazil baptize someone hah.

 

I have really loved Alma 8:14-15. After alma has been rejected he starts getting down on himself but an angel appears and tells him to continue the work to lift up his head and rejoice for he is doing what God has commanded. It's sometimes hard when other don't accept this message that you know could change their lives or when you have companions that may not be as obedient as you'd like but it's important to Lift up your head and rejoice, keep Gods commandments, and remember Alma 17 verse 11 i believe (I cant fact check it) But be patient and be good examples.

 

This week has been great I'm so grateful for this opportunity I know that i'll grow and mature a lot. Thank you all for your prayers. I miss you lots and am so grateful for these kind of experiences that help us grow.

 

Be good

 

Love,

Hughes Elder

 

One funny thing that happened this week besides our branches kareoke party (that was as awesome as it sounds...) and my trainer tumbling down a metro escalator with three bags of luggage-- Is one day we were tracting haha I LOVE tracting its always the biggest surprise behind evey door...

 

This is what one old néní told us hah:

 

Me: Hi were representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ and we've brought a message about Jesus Christ.  If you have a minute we could share it with you

Néní: Um no no um i already have a church

Comp: Oh really we'd love to talk about it with you. What church?

Néní: Ummm I'm Mormon

-sheer confusion-

Comp:(after a minute making sure he heard her right) Oh we're Mormon, too!

Néní: (disssapointed her tactic she probably uses for jehovas witness missionaries had failed) Oh you are? Um well um i dont actually know. good afternoon

-door slammed-

 

love you all miss you tons

From the Mission President at 5:50 AM this morning

Brother and Sister Hughes 

 

      I am pleased to report that Elder Hughes  has arrived safely in Hungary!  Sister Szabadkai and I welcomed his group at the airport and found all the new missionaries excited and eager to begin their service in the Hungary Budapest Mission. We look forward to getting to know each of them personally and know we will love Elder  Hughes as deeply as we love all the missionaries in our care.

     Within the next 24 hours Elder Hughes will be assigned to a proselyting area with a dedicated Senior Companion and Trainer that has been prayerfully selected to serve in this vital roll. Together they will participate in a brief training meeting at the mission office and then depart immediately to their designated area.

     Over the past several months, there has been much in the news about trouble and turmoil in many parts of the world. The recent terrorist attacks in Paris have put all of Europe on heightened alert. Under the direction of Church Headquarters and the European Area Presidency, we have taken and will continue to take measures to ensure that all of our missionaries are safe and kept from harm's way. At the present time, I can assure you that Hungary is secure and that our missionaries can safely perform the work they've been called to do.  

     Thank you for your sacrifice and support of these wonderful young people as they share the light of the Gospel and testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, with the people of Hungary.

 

     Szeretettel,

     Szabadkai elnök

     Hungary Budapest Mission

Utolsó Hét MTCben

The weeks fly by in the MTC. This week I tried to enjoy every moment of everyday. Lots of moments were easier to enjoy than others.

Monday Night: One of our three sisters in our district had to be rushed to the ER and found out she has a 7cm Sist in her Ovary and unless a miracle occurs she will have to go home and have surgery and recover for two months. There have been countless prayers for her offered this week and we've all grown closer than I thought was possible in 8 weeks. We held a district fast for her Sunday. Funny thing about that was that the food is getting so old that I actually went into the cafeteria to talk to our Branch Presidency while they ate and I went in super hungry and came out not hungry at all. I guess thats just what fruit loops and instant potatoes do to you after 8 weeks. They couldn't fit her in for a week so today is the day!

Tuesday: We had the opportunity to listen to Donald Hallstrom of the Seventy. He talked about how we need to become converted to the Lord not JUST the church and that we need to convert new members to the Lord and not JUST the church. He talked about how the only way to do that is to have or help others have a PERSONAL experience with Jesus Christ. Our branch president compared it to his experience with Elder Maxwell. He told us how he never could really read or listen or understand Elder Maxwells talks in General Conference. But once he was at a funeral and Elder Maxwell some reason came over and spoke with him for a few minutes. After that experience his complete perspective changed he read every single one of his talks, books, and devotionals he could find because of that one simple experience. He suggested that we ask Heavenly Father in Prayer two questions. 1. Are we okay? (Just figuring out where you are with your relationship. If theres anything you need to take care of.) 2. Am I on the path for exaltation? Exaltation is our goal. If we earnestly seek for a personal experience. Praying, Pondering, Reading we will have a experience through some form. And then we will become converted to the Lord. We will not need to become converted to every single new change or part of the Gospel. We will accept everything the Lord will reveal. And Life wont be easier because we will ALWAYS have trials but we will be able to get through them so much easier.

Wednesday: We had the opportunity to orient the 21 new Dutch and Albanian Missionaries. Their testimonies strengthened mine and it was so funny to see how scared they were. I know that sounds awful. But really they were terrified and overwhelmed I remember being them all too well. ONE out of the 17 Zustersand Motras that came in PLAYS THE PIANO! So now we both play in sacrament and our Hymn collection has been expanded!!

Thursday: We had our last lesson with one of our pretend investigators and it was surprisingly sad, but good. I studied a lot about faith and in result read a lot about Abinidi. Who is one of the best exercisers of faith I have read about. We also got to sit in on the Branch Presidencies orientation with the new missionaries. One of the Zusters from Northern Ireland bore a strong testimony of why shes here. She talked about how she came from a country where religion is used as a divider and used to break up families. She talked about her and her families conversion. Her Dad and his side of the family left and cut off complete contact with them when they were baptized 3-4 years ago. She talked about how that is not the role religion should play and that she wanted to help others who learn about this gospel that has brought her so much happiness (I was blown away by her faith) and then she told us about a miracle! that her Dad just called them last week before she left and she bore testimony about how God know us personally and loves us individually. How he softens peoples hearts when it is right and how grateful she is for this opportunity she has to serve and reap the blessings of serving a mission. (Keep in mind she is saying this all in a Irish accent hah that much cooler)

Friday: We had Skype TRC which is always much more humbling then it is uplifting hah! We skyped with a super nice Néni (old woman) for about 40 minutes and shared a message in our pretty terrible Hungarian about receiving revelation through scriptures study. At the end two missionaries showed up and basically all they told us was how cold it is there. That got us less excited to leave but luckily well get there half way through winter so It will warm up a few months in! We also got our flight plans which made leaving a lot more real.

Saturday & Sunday-- Were both so busy and full. Its funny because all the new missionaries have been complaining about how much free study time they have now and it took us all back to when we were saying the same thing and now it seems like we dont have nearly enough! Our teachers continue to amaze us-- they're the most patient college students Ive ever met hah. I dontreally like how I formatted this email at all so dont expect an organized letter like this ever again.

Pray and seek out a personal experience with Jesus Christ.

I love you all so much.

I pray for you daily.

 

--

Sok szeretettel,

Hughes Elder