This Christmas I felt myself, well a little bit like a Jehovah's Witness since we didn't do much to celebrate, but I weirdly enjoyed it and stopping people on the street asking them about their families and how Christ has effected their lives.
In Hungary they have a few traditions I love and one is Mikulás napja. It is when Santa comes to all the children. He drops off gifts, toys, and fills their shoes with candy because it doesnt occur to the Europeans that eating candy out of their shoes is very unsanitary. Especially unwrapped chocolates (this is the one problem I have with the holiday.) Thanks to this holiday though, Santa is almost completely separated from Christmas. It leaves families to enjoy each others company while indulging themselves in the incredibly and quite unbelievably stuffed fermented cabbage and fish stew that I am just positive is killing my tastebuds bite by bite (unfortunately this is an incredibly strong and old tradition that even though I asserted all my strength with a few members to stop/change it, I was unsucsessful.)
So we spent our Christmas attending church, caroling to less active member that didn't show up to church, and skyping. {Insert: I really am so sorry for being so awkward on skype. I dont know why its stressful for me probably becuase I love you all so much and I just have one hour to leave an impression But I wanted you to know I love you and feel pretty bad for not sharing a spiritual message since my testimony was not understandable to you guys!} But I love you and am already preparing for the next skype with better questions and trying to learn how to smile normally again since apparently my smile doesnt cut if for you guys anymore which is funny because the nénis cannot get enough of it.
1 miracle this week was that I got to go on exchanges in Szolnok! I love and miss that city and more than missing the ghetto city I miss the incredibly welcoming and loving people I spent so much time with in it. I was able to meet with Érnő and Éva, Aniko, and we got let in to a man's home and taught aout the Book of Mormon and taught him how we can change when we apply the Atonement into our lives.
Other than these two things our week was filled in unbearably awkward caroling experiences (ask mom or dad), #lightingtheworld/SZEGED, and looking up inactive members with the senior couple. (Seniors PLEASE serve mission, your cookies and cars are just priceless!)
I love you all and hope Hannah was less awkward to skype with. I leave you with these wonderful promises to missionaries found in Doctrine and Covenants. They have helped me while being meticulously railed on with hard questions by smart Hungarians, helping and trying to understand struggling missionaries, and being chased/yelled at/thrown objects at by drunk bácsis. The Lord stands beside us as we bear witness of his Son.
5 Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.
6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.
88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
Szeretlek és Boldog Uj Évet kivanok!
Hughes Elder
Pictures- Christmas weather,
Szerdi Elder making metal trees during lunch
Christmas conference
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