Well, I am two hours into consecration week and I am still alive!! Ha... but, seriously. I love Hungarian. Last week my companion and I had three days where we spoke just Hungarian. It is definitely really hard, but I love speaking it. I am so grateful that I have been able to learn so much and that I can grow. Naturally, speaking a new language is difficult, but with the Lord, it will happen. We started in the Celestial Room in the temple, and we will end in the Celestial Room in the temple. Kind of a nice way to start and end something I think. My favorite part about going to the temple is the BREAKFAST! I had been fasting, so I was so excited to eat, and when I got in line I realized that the man wouldn't understand a word that I said! So, instead of asking Motra Hoover, who is going to Albanian and can kind of figure out what I am saying, I just did it myself! The man that was helping me was so fun. I wanted hashbrowns, bacon, and a waffle. So, I said it in Hungarian and pointed. He then told me, remember this for next time--Hashbrowns and bacon. He said it really slow so I could understand, and then he asked me where I am from. When I said I was from Brigham City, oh. The look on his face was priceless. He looked stunned and confused and then some Elder behind me just said, she is only speaking her language. It was really sweet. And breakfast was delcious. He even made a smiley face on my waffle with whipped cream!!!
So, consecration week. I was really stressing about it, because it really is a great chance to grow and learn new things. A lot of people give things up and make sacrifices so they can focus more on the work. I had said in a previous letter that I was going to give up mail, but then I wondered, why? I realized I was just going to do it because everyone else was, and logically it just made sense. So, I really started to think about what I really wanted to get out of consecration week. Honestly, I just want to be a better missionary! So, I am going to apply myself better and use the time I have been given in the right ways. I know it will be a blessing, and it will be just what I need. It took me a week to come up with that. It was kind of stressful...
I loved the wonderful letters I got this week! I got mom's massive long email, which was perfect and precious. I loved the imaginery tour I got to go on! Dad, thanks so much for the words of wisdom. You have always been a constant example to me of what patience really is, and you encouragement is the best. Grandma, thanks for the email as well, I will be writing you a regular letter today. And, thanks to Caitlin Robbins! She sent me Elder Robbins most recent letters, and it was really great to hear from him and how things are going. Turns out in Mexico you can sleep on a hammock. What?! I doubt I will have anything like that in Hungary...
Oh. Dad. I was reading my scriptures, and I came across D&C 20:70. It says something like, you should bless infants in the Father's name. I had always remembered that was important to you, and I finally found the scripture that says it! Maybe you already knew... but now I have a scripture for it. Scripture's teach doctrine. I wish I was better versed in the scriptures... Definitely my biggest downfall. I also wanted to share Ether 6:7, something about conversion. I write down in my planner what I want to talk about... and I honestly have no idea what that scripture is talking about right now... but I obviously thought it was good enough to share.
Motra Hoover, Perkins nover, and I sang in Relief Society on Sunday! It was so incredible. When we auditioned we were told that we were a yes, but it didn't mean that we would get to sing or anything like that, it was just that we would be put in the stack of performers. That same day we each got a letter in the mail saying that we were going to be singing in Relief Society! It was so great! We had practiced a lot, and were soo nervous, but it was the most at peace feeling I have ever had when I was going to sing. I really felt the spirit, and I knew he was comforting me and helping me be my best. Lots of people thanked us for the song, and one sister told me that she had cried during it. Motra Hoover had recorded it, and we did fine, but I didn't think it was anything spectacular. Proof again--the Holy Ghost moves people. The spirit is what touches and changes people's lives. Not me. I am just the vessel that is used to take the gospel to God's children. I love being a missionary.
Oh. So, we leave in less than two weeks!! Here is my recommendation for mail. Don't know if it matters, but here are my thoughts. If any wants to send me a Dear Elder, don't send it after Thursday, Sept. 7, I think it is. They don't deliver any of those on the weekends, and we can't pick them up until Monday night... and hopefully we will be gone by then. The post office likes to forward letters to the missionaries, but since I am in Europe it is more expensive, so letters will be returned. That is something to think about. Oh. And... sorry siblings... but I can't remember anyone's phone number!! So, if I could just get those, maybe I can call everyone just to say hi from the airport. I am not really sure what the time will be like, but I would like to have everyone's information just in case I have the time. Wouldn't that be the nicest thing from me? I know, I am great :)
Steven B. Allen spoke to us at the Fireside on Sunday. He had different people stand up, and that was kind of cool. He had all of the sisters stand up, so I did. In our zone there is only 3 sisters now, and we are all in a companionship together, so we kind of cheered silently. Then he asked us to keep standing if our mother's had served missions, so I kept standing. There was a lot of sisters that sat down, but surprisingly still a lot were standing up. There are about 500 sisters here now, maybe less since August is almost over, but it is the record high! Anyways, there was maybe about 100 ish still standing at that point. He then asked the sisters to stay standing whose grandmothers had served, and I stayed standing. It was so cool. Probably 15 people were still standing. Maybe he wanted us to only stay standing if our grandmothers had served in their twenties, but heck, my grandma was a single proselyting sister, and that is the same thing to me. I am so grateful for all of the amazing women in my life that have set such great examples to me or the importance of missionary work. I love missionary work. I love my mission. I am absolutely terrified to go to Hungary, but I know without a shadow of a doubt, that God will me the strength that I need as long as I am doing what I need to. I realized I have had the desire to be a missionary my whole life, and now that I am here I am realizing my desire isn't to be a missionary, but to serve people. To love the people of Hungary. What a great thing.
Szeretlek!!!!!
Kennedy nover
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| Budapest, Hungary |
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