Wild boars and ferrets.

This week went by way too quick and brought this transfer to an end as well. I don't have much time but I'll tell some highlights. First off I'm staying in Szolnok and I couldnt be happier. This branch has become a replacement family that I have trouble communicating with and I'm so grateful I can further our relationships and the work here for the next nine weeks. Baird Elder will finish the last week of his mission with me then leave and I will get a new companion tomorrow. I'M EXCITED. There's no better way to get to know a person then by living with them 24/7 as you teach people about Christ's gospel in Hungarian hah. 

Highlights:

I have called every person the missionaries in our area have met with since 2008 the past three weeks which has really helped with my language skills and I have learned a lot of bad words as well. It's always scary to start but for some reason I always finish laughing at some ridiculous excuse I've been told or something along those lines. But I did set up a few lessons from all those calls which was the POINT! And I'm so grateful I did. On Tuesday we met with Andras who met with the missionaries in 2008. He's old and grew up in the time that religion was looked down upon and forbidden. He doesnt feel comfortable with talking to God but after persuasion let us offer a prayer before we left. He's pretty great and used to be a traveling water polo professional. Also, he cooked us Wild Boar that his brother-in-law shot. We ate it with bread and chocolate. Hungarians are so healthy-- also the boar was delicious.

Maria is a less-active weve been trying to meet with the entire time I've been here. And we finally came up with a time, so friday we took our Mission leader and went to her home. We had never seen her and were a little nervous which I think is normal since we meet lots of interesting people every day. She answered the door wearing a shirt with a women in her swimsuit on it and holding a ferret in her hand. It threw me off and I thought we had just gotten ourselves into the longest hour but it turned out to be one of the best lessons I've been in on my mission. When we meet with less actives we usually are dealing with people who were offended by someone but it was refreshing to meet with Maria because she wasn't, in fact she loved hearing about who was still there and promised to come next sunday! She also explained her daughter the exact way Mr Fox explains his son Ash...." Shes just.... different." (hand signals and all). 

Last wednesday I talked to this bácsi on the street and had a good conversation. I gave him a Book of Mormon and he told me  how lonely he feels ever since his wife died. I switched numbers with him and called him a few days later. He remembered us (MIRACLE) and told me he'd like to meet! I asked for his address and after at least 12 times of him mumbling some long Hungarian street name I told him about our branch house and he agreed to come to church. Then sunday during the sacrament HE CAME! (MIRACLE) The members here are incredible and all introduced themselves and invited him to the other meetings. We'll meet with him this week. I'm so grateful to be here and to be able to meet these people and help them. The gospel can change your life if you let it. I think too many of us (me included) dont realize that God will help us in all areas of our lives He sees fit. We must turn to him, ask him, wait patiently, and accept his will.

I love you

Hughes Elder

We played tennis this morning on clay! 

And I took some pictures with some of the members since I was getting quite accustomed to leaving after just one transfer and didnt think of this in Debrecen or Szombathely.

My week through pictures.

We had interviews in Kecskemént and I didnt have much time so I didnt get a picture with the Szabadkais but I did have a fantastic interview with President Szabadkai (all in Hungarian (lots of mistakes but still hungarian)) not to brag but I am very happy and so grateful for all the prayers that have been offered on my account. Thank you. We met a few of the people Baird Elder taught when he served there and I talked to some random Aussies. They were so proud to tell me that the one on the left is the only non-member volunteer at the Family History Center in Brisbane. It was fun to hear them talk about all the missionaries and the tricks they try to play on them and then hear them rant about how all missionaries are from Utah.

The next day we saw a miracle. We were tracting "family homes" (we usually save them for when we really need them cause its so nice to not be in 10 stories. We had been tracting for an hour and a half eating plums (its plum season) and other various fruits from the trees as we avoided the scary German Shepherds everyone seems to own in this wealthier neighborhood. Then of course right when we were about to go home (God tries our faith and patience) we knocked on Kata's door. She let us into her home and gave us some water. Then she listened to the entire restorations and asked great questions throughout our discussion. Her husband was tired and didnt participate but he listened as well. She told us we can come back and teach her some more and accepted a book of mormon! She is about 30 years old and married which is rare! She is a editor for the National new in Budapest and her hobby is figure skating. (I found that out after a TON of follow up questions since figure skating was one of the numerous words out of my vocabulary in Hungarian.) Everyone seems to be out of town these next coming weeks since school starts too and the holiday is coming to an end but after that the work will most defientely pick up.

We also had our first lesson with Ádám a religious 30 year old we met on the street last week! He speaks perfect english almost and we were able to answer some questions like "Where is God in the world today?" and "Why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to people who dont follow the teachings of Christ?" He has a tattoo on his arm of an acient american scene and I think I made one of the smoothest transitions from a tattoo to the Book of Mormon ever made. He will be on the border this next week but well meet the next week. (hes a soldier.

Later on we tracted into István who is 70 years old and loves animals. He kindly invited us in and was so excited to get a Book of Mormon when I asked if we could take a picture he asked me If he could hold up the Book of Mormon hah! He has two dogs and a psychopath feline. I think this picture really encapcilates my 6 months here.

We also got to clean the branch house with Sándor who just got baptised 2 months ago. And a break we took from tracting one day to play on a crazy teeter totter cause there were no kids around for the first time. It was all fun and games till Baird Elder fell off and was impaled by woodchips. 

Im grateful for the Lords tender mercies. Our work is picking up and I am begenning to love the Hungarians more than I thought was possible two months ago. I am even begenning to love the random homeless man who asks us for money every week. God loves all his children. I know that is true. Pray and plead for charity and come to know this eternal principle is true yourself.

-- 

Love,

Elder Hughes

the aussies and I

ward building in kecsKemént (WARD)

tracting pictures

István and I (hes wearing more clothes than most Hungarians right now)

Baird Elder before the incident

Sándor on his awesome little moped

Pioneer Day and Pedro

Shout out to Megan for reminding me that Pioneer day was this week! It is always fun to hear stories and think about the pioneers crossing the planes but this week I have been thinking about the pioneers here in Szolnok.

Ralph Emerson wrote: "It is easy in the world to live after the worlds opinion; it is easy in solitude  to live after our own; but the great man is he who is in the midst of the crowd and keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."

In Szolnok there are about 25 pioneers. If the Lord asked them to they would have a handcart and be on their way now but the Lord has given them other tasks and challenges. Their close relationship and acts of selfless service inspire me to become a pioneer myself. Whether its a member giving up three hours of their day to take a bus an hour into Szolnok from their house for a 30 minute lesson with an investigator and then take a bus home. Or us getting a call from a member telling us they can help any time all day and just to call them, Or them randomly calling us and inviting us over for a huge meal that was for sure a financial sacrifice-- they have set their priorities straight. Their families are the most important and then helping the Lord build his kingdom here on earth. We literally cannot do it without them. I love them so much and hope that I will never forget their examples of service and consecration.

In other news/miracles of the week we have:

Miracle- We ran into some latino mormons from UT and got to practice some spanish!

Miracle-- A progressing investigator that fell off the face of Szolnok was home when we knocked on her door and we got to teach her and she fed us 

rooster which was surprisingly good.

Miracle-- We had a great zone training who would have thought that your testimony could grow as you discussed Area Books. Not me. But it did. Also I love the Szabadkai's so much and I got Sister Szabadkais recipe for fruit soup!

Miracle-- We were able to teach about the Book of Mormon to a lady we helped serve last night. Less of a miracle-- she made us drink hot chocolate in her flat that was politely said too hot for hot chocolate.

Weird news-- We found out one of our 68yr old investigators is online dating "a man named Pedro (who is not Mexican according to her) from Texas" and she has to decide if she will move to America this week. YIKES. Were praying for her. Be safe on the internet-- there are a lot of "Pedros" out there I assume... and apparently now they know how to use google translate magyar so no one is safe.

I LOVE YOU

Hughes Elder

the ut family that spoke spanish to us!

the jews shoes on the danube

my kürtős kalács yum

Cast not away your confidence

The weather this week has been incredible. Its rained almost everyday and been cloudy and not hot probably in answer to all the missionaries in Hungarys prayers. I love clouds! The cool has made it much more enjoyable to tract now that it doesnt feel like a steam room whenever we go into a building, so thats how we spent a large portion of our week.

We also got to spend Saturday in Békéscsaba at a multi-branch activity. It was great to talk with members and missionaries and the Szabadkais as well. The minivan ride trip down to the activity with too many large members was not as fun but I think it made the activity better by contrast.

After lots of prayers we decided to give 2 of our investigators some time before meeting with them again since they both refuse to do the things that will help them progress since President Szabadkai has put a large emphasis on finding those who are prepared. In the times that we would have been meeting with these people we tracted and found 2 new investigators! Miracle!

We had a great lesson with Judit about the plan of salvation and I was somehow able to share my testimony of the Spirit world in hungarian (weird vocab) and hopefully it gave her some hope.

Elder Baird taught a great District Meeting about trusting in the Lord and moving forward with confidence. Based off one of my favorite talks: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/03/cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence?lang=eng  

In Hebrews 10: 35 it says " 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward." then in verse 36 it says " For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." I love this thought from President Uchtdorf "Patience is not passive recognation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with grace, courage, and faith. Ultimately patience means being firm and steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord every hour of everyday even when it is hard to do so."

This level of patience is unachievable on our own. Seek Gods help. He is anxiously waiting to send you His power. I know that is true because I have felt the influence in my life everyday ask for it. Be patient and move forward with confidence.

Szeretlek.

Hughes Elder

p.s I made a big peach cobbler and ate almost the entire thing by my self for breakfast. No regrets.

This is our fail making snickerdoodles for the less actives we visit. I discovered that you cannot put a baking sheet in your little people sized oven slanted (to fit more cookies on a bigger tray). pro to this disaster despite all the cons was that we had to eat them all!

while tracting in szolnok

Sister Szabadkai and I's 8th picture cause we were laughing in all the other ones and she closes her eyes when she laughs hah!

sok sok szeretettel,

Hughes Elder

Wake up

This week was quick.

Wednesday while tracting we had a drunk guy come out and yell at us then randomly ask us if we want cake (he had a little plate in his hands.) My comp said yes and got a huge bite shoved in his mouth-- I said no thank you (not taking into account the fact that he was drunk and didnt reallc care what I said.) and was surprised when a fork full of the strongest rum cake was stuffed into my mouth. This is why we try to tract around 1-6 so we avoid the drunks... sadly this was at noon. oh Hungarians.

Friday we had a fantastic lunch at one of the members home who lives about 45 minutes away by bus. They invited our investigator Judit which was really nice of them and we had a great lunch/lesson. The only problem was on the long bumpy bus ride whenever I would try to take a little nap Judit would slap my knee and tell me to "Wake up and look at how round the trees are!" or "Wake up look at how pretty the sunflower field is!" I thought shed eventually give up but she endured the whole way there, and back as well. I slept so good that night!

Monday we saw a miracle! We had already tracted earlier in the day and had about an hour to fill before the end of the day (we usually walk through the park by the river and talk with people on benchs) but yesterday Baird Elder felt like we should tract some more (once again the risks he is taking with the drunk people are huge!). But I figured if he wanted to tract it was definetely the spirit growing that desire cause few other things can. We went to an area we havent tracted in and got into a building. The first 2 doors were bácsis who yelled at us and demanded we leave. So we left... that floor hehe. The next floor we were on guard and knocked on a door which was answered by a 50 year old women and her grand-daughter. I asked them if we could share a little message about Christ (usually an immidiate turn off here) and she told us Of course come in! (remember this is always a tense moment cause usually just crazy people let us in their homes.) But she wasnt crazy! MIRACLE! We talked about the Book of Mormon and when she finished she asked us some more questions and told us to teach her more. We taught the entire restoration (rare) and afterwards talked about eternal families which was so good for her to here. Were planning on meeting next week with her and so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord.

Ive realized the most important thing we can do is be obedient. Missionary or not our testimony/conversion can ONLY grow when we are obedient. Lots of missionaries get  dwon when they see other missionaries who dont seem as obedient get more "success". But Ive relized that what more can we want than to know that we are good with the Lord and that because we are doing ALL that we can do to keep his commandments or in other words to love him-- then he will use us unworthy children as his instruments to help his other children that have not been as blessed. Be obedient even though its hard. In this you can find safety and peace.

Nagyon szeretlek titeket.

Hughes Elder

-- 

Love,

Elder Hughes

fotók:

Our lunch with the Somogyiék

Baird Elder (my hero) trying to entertain Judit who was getting impatient as we waited for the bus.

Us picking up the sisters at the train station after President Szabadkai called us at 10:20 (thats why were in pijamas) telling us they missed the stop and were coming in late. So we got to escort them back to their apartment and suprisingly didnt see too many drunk people.

Belly full of cherries

Little things that made my week:

-Coming home from tracting right before we broke our fast we got an AIR CONDITIONED bus!

-We met a really kind couple whoe invited us back (BONUS tender mercy) they dont smoke and their apartment smells really good.

-We came across a store in Szeged while we were  on splits that sells A&W Root Beer (perfect timing right before 4th of July.

-Ice cream and waffle cones. And me finally learning how to say waffle cone in Hungarian.

Im so grateful for little things. This week was tough-- lots of member canceled last minute before our lessons and since we cant meet with women without a member present with us we had to cancel our lessons as well. But on the bright side that gave us more time to tract-- which sometimes brings success but always ensures comedic relief. Like Tuesday when we knocked on a door of an apartment that was blasting the "Macarena" on full volume. We never would have guessed a naked 80 year old néni would answer with a cigarette in her mouth. You just cant predict those moments sadly. If I could predict them I would most definetely avoid them that I know for sure (This néni was covering everything up luckily--  but still eye contact is e v e r y t h i n g.)

We taught Judit the Restoration again to solidify things before her baptism and make sure she understands everything. She pulled out her scriptures so excited to show us she read and I opened the Book of Mormon to find EVERY line the first 6 pages underlined. I asked her "Wow you really like the Book of Mormon dont you?" and she said "Yes I dont understand it all right now but I know its really important and I think Ill be able to understand it if I keep reading it." She has a lot of faith. And will soon have one of the most colorful copies of the Book of Mormon.

The highlight of the week was Saturday morning, we got to go to a members home who lives in a little village and do some yard work for her. My job was cutting down some cherry trees and wheelbarrowing them to a big pile. It was fantastic because there were so many cherries left on the trees and she told me to eat them all before I cut them down. So I did. It was great cause she had all the missionaries do work that grandma hughes would have had us do. I thought about her a lot that morning. Later for lunch Erika the member tried to drown us in 4 soups, It only made me sweat so much more. The worst part was that they were fantastic but we had to limit ourselves on each one cause we had no Idea how many were coming.

She made goulash, tejfől crumpli, a hungarian chili, and squash soup with meatballs. All foods grandma would have loved!

I am grateful for America. Family week looked so great! Im so grateful the knowledge we have of the plan of salvation and the opportunity I have to share that. The Lord blesses his missionaries and I wouldnt rather be anywhere else. D&C 68:5-6

sok sok szeretettel,

Hughes Elder

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!