Dropping pounds

Im so grateful to hear the news about grandma. The gypsys on either side of me are definetely judging me cause I cried just a little but I cant comprehend how happy she is to be reunited with Brenda and Fent. Im also so grateful to see how much faith you all have. Youre incredible.

This week:

Hungary tied with portugal 3-3- and knocked them out of the Euro cup so they have been happy and more frequently drunk all week which makes finding much easier. (Last night they lost 4-0 so tracting should be fun tonight.)

I gave a Book of Mormon to a bácsi sunbatheing in a speedo in the part on a bench then before I left asked if I could take a picture with him, He replied "Instead.. how about no." I wished him a good day and awkwardly shuffled along. I shall get a picture with one before the end of the summer so you guys can really understand what Im talking about.

Its so humid and hot here. Especially with the Tisza right next to us. Ive started taking my garment top off when I get home rinsing it in cold water then wringing it out and putting it back it on if feels so good everytime. Also I have an internal battle with myself everytime I pass a splash pad since Im already soaking wet from my sweat-- so far I havent given in.

We walked into Judit our investigators home and before we sat down she told us she wants to be baptised this saturday (two days ago) in the tisza. It wouldnt have been a problem if a few seconds later I asked her to open up to a scripture in the Book of Mormon and she asked me what the Book is about again cause she forgot... HAH so we will start over from the begenning with her and have scheduled a date for her baptism at the end of july. Shes great. (However the sisters said they think she was drinking alcohol during relief society-- but like I said starting from the begenning should help!)

Friday we had Zone Conference and I dropped a lot of water weight with the priveledge of wearing a suit...

This week Ive been focusing on Gods Love. I realized that I have felt Gods love (charity) the overwhelming majority of the time through others. Its such a blessing that God entrusts us with HIS power if we only ask and desire. During tracting while ringing people doorbells I have tried to focus on how much God loves the person on the other side. This usually results in a very surprised person when they answer and see my huge smile and intimidatingly large teeth. They usually smile after the intial confusion and tell me to tell them why I am at their door. Of course they stop smiling or slam the door after I say Jesus Christ but I feel so much more satisfied with the hour I spent tracting and I hope everyday that I was able to convey Gods Love for them in those short moments. Focusing on how much He loves his children has strengthened my testimony. I know God knows his children. He loves them, And He expects us to do something with that incredible knowledge that we have been blessed with. 1 Nephi 11:16-17

I love you,

Hughes Elder

the main square

tisza

my companion being spiritual as we wait for the bus

fruity pebbles THANK YOU ROCHELLE!

Szolnak

I cant believe I forgot to tell you where I was going last week. Im in Szolnok. Its small and less pretty but it has the TISZA river and a plethora of néni's. So its so good. Also no one speaks english here so this will be good opportunity to learn Hungarian! 

We didnt have any time really to visit people before I left which was a little sad but Ill be sure to visit them again sometime. Transfers were so good and our entire group from the MTC was there! It was very good to see them all. My new companion is szuper szuper duper positive and will be good for me the next two months. He goes home at the end of this transfer so he speaks really well and is motivated to work hard this transfer!! We have 4 "progressing" investigators here all of which are nénis and one of them refuses to not give us slobbery puszi (kiss's on both cheeks) everytime we come in and leave her home. so thats not good. But the rest are pretty great. Another one always tells us she is part of the Man Party and tells us howmuch she adores us everytime we pause talking. Its pretty weird and uncomfortable haha but Im at least glad I can understand what shes saying. 

They are all great though-- I love meeting new people but especially members. Now that I can communicate with them on a 2nd graders level its been so fun to get to know them, laugh at their jokes because I mostly understand them, and awkwardly explain my jokes after they didnt understand them! The members here in Szolnok are incredible. It is a lot smaller branch about 25 people come every sunday but they are so willing to help. President Szabadkai has put a huge emphasis on Member Present lessons and the members here are so willing and available to come all the time. We have even gotten two calls from random members calling to see if we had any lessons they could help us with that day SO GREAT! Its so motivating to see their desire to grow the branch!

This scripture stood out to me this week "Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them." Enos writes this after he has felt the power of the atonement and his sins forgiven him. As we access the atonement and feel its powers our desires can actually be changed through God and because we have felt that heavenly power we will desire to share it with others. Use the atonement. Humbly ask God for a greater desire to use it daily and share your experience, joy, and change of heart with others. The Atonement is infinite, use in 24/7 for it never runs out. 

Szeretlek,

Hughes Elder

a nature hike for pday and our treat at district meeting

Cherry trees

I woke up thursday morning to texts from the sisters in our group both wishing us all happy 6 months. I dont know how they keep track but either way its crazy time has gone so fast. This week was busy we had Interviews and District Conference both in Miskolc so we got to spend lots of time on trains! We had some fantastic lessons with investigators. One in particular we were able to talk about the temple. Sealings and baptisms for the dead. It made Bogi so excited for the future when she can go as well. She went on a field trip this week and texted us she was eating carrots and drinking sprite while the rest of her class was vodkázni (the verb "to drink vodka") Hah she is awesome. When she came back she was talking with us and told us how all of her friends are so excited to turn 18 so they can drink and such.(I guess she meant drink legally since they already are drinking) but that she is way more excited to turn 18 in 5 months so that she can get baptized!

We watched meet the mormons with about 20 non-members/investigators after English class on thursday and it was so neat to be able to sit back and let others teach in Hungarian correct principles and not have to worry about them teaching false doctrine hah like going off about how God put lots of couples on the earth at the same time as Adam and Eve because he despising inbreeding haha (Investigator class on Sunday). 

Today was transfers morning and I found out that Im leaving Debrecen (funny cause my companion was all packed and we visited members all yesterday and I took pictures of them with him!). Im pretty sad to leave all these fantastic people but Im excited to meet new members and nénis! (Wish me luck with the nénis.. hopefully my "milk teeth" and "golden wheat field hair" will do the trick hah.) If theres one thing I am trying to learn how to do-- it is saying goodbye. Theres are just so many opportunities to practice itd be a shame not to master that skill. Im so grateful for the time I have had to be here, to meet these dedicated members, and serve with Elder Haroldsen Ive learned so much from him and at least trippled my Magyar vocab. 

I love Alma 17:10. They had such pure, simple faith in Jesus Christ our Savior. Throughout the begenning of the chapter they doubt and fear what is to come but right after the Lord comforts them and they humble themselves you dont hear them complain again. This is something I struggle with so much-- I forget so easily the blessings I have been given. Always keep Jesus Christ in your mind and thoughts. Seek for that comfort the Sons of Mosiah sought after and you will find it. Focus on that and never take the opportunity we have to feel it for granted. Im grateful for Jesus Christ, for his love, and his understanding. 

Szeretlek,
Hughes Elder


P.S Tracting is so much easier now because cherry trees are full and everywhere so we never get hungry!

P.P.S We got to go to one of our members wedding it was the best but when we were about to go into the ceremony a little old gypsy man came over to me and pointed at my name tag then followed us into the wedding and took pictures on his phone of it the ENTIRE hour in various distracting positions hahah. When the real photographer asked who he was here for (to try to get him to leave) he said "For both of them of course." Adventures.

The Baloghék-- best family in Hungary I love them so much.

Us with our ward pianist who tried to drown us in Paprikás Chirke.

Goodbye Ice cream with Bogi.

It's that time of year again

The sun has come out and is quickly burning up the earth here in Hungary. Which means two things 1. that my clothes are constantly wet and 2. that the nénis and bácsis are wearing significantly less clothes (bikinis and speedos) A L L the time. It always throws me off when they come out in their underwear/swimsuits and I forget all the Hungarian I knew which then again wasnt that much but still-- the secret Ive found is just really locking in on their eyes! haha. God Bless America.

This week we were able to visit Zsuzsa the lady that we tracted into around a month ago. She is around 45, is divorced, has a 17 year old son, and one of her legs doesn't really work or at least it is in a lot of pain constantly (She explained what was wrong in Hungarian so I know now as much as I knew before she explained it to me) She has always been a little closed off and Friday night when we went over to visit her we were both a little nervous. One of our investigators that was progressing very well had just told us she didn't need God in her life right now and that it was just going perfect and we were scared that might happen with Zsuzsa despite her many trials. But right as we walked in the door I felt at peace knowing that this is where we were supposed to be.

We challenged her to pray last week to know if the Book of Mormon was true and if our message was true and she asked us how we get answers to our prayers because she felt she could not recognize the answer God was giving her. As we bore our testimonies of the Holy Ghost and the power of prayer she closed her eyes and sat rather still for a little. Then with tears in her eyes she told us how that day when we came to her door she had been praying. Praying for help. And that every time we come over she feels the peace that we talk about. She told us how she wants a relationship with God and was certain that God sent us to her to help her. In her sweet humble closing prayer she REPENTED for not doing all she could to receive answers to her prayers and told God that she knows he is trying to answer her prayer. She prayed with a sincere heart and the most humility I have ever witnessed-- for God to forgive her and help her recognize the spirit.

I cant attiquitely describe this moment to you but It was one of the most sacred experiences I have witnessed. Here a 45 year old women whose husband had left her, has a son not making good decisions and addicted to smoking, and has a disability where everytime she walks it hurts and still has to do all on her own-- kneeled down to her Maker with us and begged Him for forgiveness. She is so prepared and I felt Gods love for her so strongly in that moment. I am so grateful for Zsuzsas inspiring example of Humility. 

Her example reminded me of this scripture in Alma 37:33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Im so grateful we can humble ourselves, repent, and withstand EVERY temptation through the power of the Atonement. I know this is true. 

Sok szeretettel,

Hughes Elder

Pictures from Elder Haroldsens dr appointment in Budapest will be included as well as me in old Hungarian clothes which a crazy néni who was trying to sell them to us told me I was wearing the womens vest. I was too scared of her to try on them mens too so we just left. So enjoy the picture of me in traditional Hungarian womens? clothing.