CHRISTMAS IN EGER

Here we are in beautiful, foggy Eger for Christmas.  We moved here just ten days ago and it already feels like our home away from home.  Our apartment is very cozy and we live in the middle of all the cobblestone walking streets.  We don't have to venture out very far to get something to eat or just see the beautiful sights.  Another good thing is we are only about 50 steps from the Branch house.

Merry Christmas hung over the street by our house.

Church in the main square with a 30ft Christmas tree brought in from the mountains near by.

Selfie from our favorite pékség.  

Taking advantage of that mistletoe.  

View of the minaret from the Castle hill on a typical winter foggy day.

For those that brave the cold, lunch still served on the streets.

Beautiful, festive streets as people come to the main square for the festival.

Our advent countdown to Christmas.  Twenty-five gifts from our Heavenly Father that we find in the scriptures.

One of the greatest gifts to give!

Creative nativity on our street in Budapest.

Our Christmas tree and a special nativity from family.

Elder Peterson, Elder Larsen and Elder Lawrence showing off their Christmas 'socks'.

This Christmas was very memorable, one we will not soon forget.  It has been fun to experience the Christmas traditions they have here in Hungary.  There are some traditions that we would even like to adopt and use when we are home.

We enjoyed our Christmas breakfast and dinner with the Elders.  They were able to Skype with their families from our apartment. This brought back fond memories for the times we were able to talk to our missionaries at Christmas time.   Amazingly, we were able to FaceTime with each of our children and their families over these past few days.

There are many gifts we receive from our loving Heavenly Father. The Christmas season gives us an opportunity to reflect on them in a special way while we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  One of the greatest gifts we can receive in this turmoil filled world is the gift of 'PEACE'

  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  (John 14:27)

OUR LAST WEEK IN BUDAPEST

Our last week in Budapest was busy hosting all five missions zones for their Christmas Zone Conferences.  We were asked by Sister Szabadkai to assist her in the many tasks that were needed to help the missionaries feel a little 'Christmas Spirit'.  We set up, served, and cleaned up the wonderful lunch that was provided.  Each evening Sister Szabadkai prepared the famous Hungarian 'Stuffed Cabbage'  for the next days lunch.  Every morning of the conference there were 2 hours of training with the zone, followed by a wonderful meal.  After lunch the Christmas fun began with traditions shared, missionary video clips, white elephant gift exchange, and homemade ornaments hung on the tree.  The office missionaries along with the AP' missionaries and President and Sister Szabadkai presented a traditional Hungarian play.  All this was concluded with a visit from 'Santa', where gifts were shared.  Part of the surprise for each of us missionaries was 'movie tickets' to see "The Little Prince" that afternoon.  President Szabadkai has a great love for this story and the principles that it teaches.

Sister Peterson and Sister Simkins serving up the "Stuffed Cabbage"

Elder and Sister Simkins, Elder Craig, Elder King, Elder Watson and Elder Priest preparing for the Hungarian play.

Sister Sabadkai , wonderful mission mom and Hungarian cook!!

Our 'special' Santa, aka Elder Watson. 

Our 'lovable' elves, Elder Priest, Elder Craig, and Elder King

This busy week also included some sad goodbyes as well.

Elder Anderson's Dad and sister came to pick him up from his mission.  He was a great missionary and we will  miss him

Elder Tuttle is returning home to California. Another wonderful missionary.

Sister Hafen and Sister Levanen are not going anywhere, but we are leaving them.  Our wonderful Sister Trainers 

We are always looking for a special place to try out here in Budapest.  One of our YSA works at the 'Donut Library'.  She convinced us that we needed to come and see it.  It did not disappoint.  We usually are not big donut fans but this Christmas special donut was amazing.  Coconut cream filled with lightly sprinkled coconut on top with a marzipan candy cane,  Actually we went for the hot chocolate.  It was the best.  It was thick and creamy, like drinking fine chocolate.  

Donuts and Hot Chocolate, what a treat!!

Sharing our Hot Chocolate!

Sister Peterson and Luca Szabadkai, our wonderful YSA,  

The past 11 months has been such a memorable experience.  We hope as you have read our blog you can see how we have loved our experiences here.  Every experience has been an opportunity for us to grow and stretch in order to progress. We are sad to leave our friends and mission associates here but we know we will be meeting more friends in the city of Eger.  This past Thursday and Friday evening we spent cleaning the apartment and packing the car for our departure.  As we drove out of Budapest we looked at each other and said "This is much harder than we thought ."  Knowing that we will be back in Budapest for some YSA activities is some consolation.  We are glad that YSA mentoring is still be part of our responsibilities.  

As we have studied God's gifts of Christmas to us, we want to share this scripture with you:

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

We are so grateful for that peace that comes so freely as we seek it, from our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.  We pray that all of you will feel that peace today and forever.

 

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS WITH THE YSA

Santa makes a visit to our YSA in celebration of "Mikulas  Nap", or in other words "St. Nicolas Day".

Santa getting prepared for the party.

Panni, convincing Santa that she has been good."

Luca, "You know I have been good."

Zita," I have been trying really hard to be good."

Sister Peterson, "Don't I look like I have been good?"

  

Elder Peterson, "Just ask my wife."

Where is Timi???????

Enjoying a special dinner with our wonderful YSA

Saying our tearful goodbyes...for now

After serving the last eleven months here in Budapest we are going to experience what all the young missionaries experience.  We are being transferred! We have mixed feelings.  It will be hard to say goodbye to those we love here, but are looking forward to what the next assignment will bring. We will leave for the city of Eger on Friday, the week before Christmas to serve in the Branch there.

FAREWELL TO OUR 'ERD FRIENDS'

Today was an emotional day for us.  This was our last Sunday, for now, attending this branch. Just like the young elders and sisters it is hard to say goodbye to those you have grown to love, through serving.  The Erd branch will always hold a special place in our hearts that we will never forget.
 The primary today was visited by a special guest.  Santa dropped in to say Ho Ho Ho. He dropped off some little gift bags that would fit in their shoes.
On December 6th, the Hungarians celebrate 'Mikulás Nap', or "St Nicholas day".  The tradition is that Santa comes and puts candy and small toys in your shoes.  Or, if you have been bad you will get a stick in your shoe.  We like the idea that Santa Claus's coming is separate from December 25th.  On Christmas day we need to remember the birth of our Savior more.  In Hungary, angles or Christ brings the gifts on Christmas day.

These are some of our Erd Friends:

Györgyí, and Nora with the primary children

A visit from Santa on Mikulás day!

Anicó Kardos, the primary president

Nora with her two boys in the back row.

President Nemeth Toth, (counselor in the stake presidency) and his wife Emese

Janos, a counselor in the Branch Presidency

Róbert Fuglovics, a faithful member of the branch

Our Institute teacher Zoli Tar and his wife Gréta

Attila and Zita Kővesy and their children

Laci Papp, and his mother Margit

FHE with the Szobonya Family, Etus, Bodza, Csepke, Oliver, Áron, Bercel 

Our 'farewell lunch' on Saturday with our wonderful Erd missionaries.  We all love our American restaurant, "Johnny's Bistro". Elder Santander, Elder Tuttle, Sister Cribbs and Sister Hafen, with  Elder and Sister Simkins and Elder and Sister Peterson.

CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING IN HUNGARY

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with our missionary family and our YSA this past week.  Sister Peterson and Sister Simkins prepared as many Thanksgiving traditional dishes as possible. (Many items that we are accustomed to cannot be found here in Hungary). We will always cherish the memories we have of our Thanksgiving in Hungary.  In many ways we felt even more grateful than ever.  The blessings we have received this past year are immeasureable.

Thanksgiving dinner with the missionaries in our district as well as President and Sister Szabadkai

Sister Simkins and Sister Peterson serving up the festive feast.

Elder Craig, Elder Priest, Sister Nybo, Elder Watson and Sister Szabadkai.

Pies, pies and more pies!

Thanks for all of our kitchen help.


Friday Night Thanksgiving!

 Friday evening before our Institute program we enjoyed another wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with our YSA's.  For many it was their first American Thanksgiving meal.  They enjoyed all of the choices we had, even the pumpkin pie and candied yams, which was new to them.

Laci and Timi, our YSA, serving up our American tradition, and loving it!

YSA's, missionaries, investigator and visiting leaders from France made up our second Thanksgiving dinner this week.

Adri, Zita, Lavi, Elder Peterson, Panni and Luca enjoying each other.

Zsolt and Timi,

A celery stalk, our Thanksgiving miracle!  For two weeks we looked high and low for celery at all of the vegetable stands.  Finally we were told that you cannot get celery stalks here in Hungary.  They only sell the root.  Wondering how we would make stuffing without celery, we googled substitutes. On Thanksgiving morning Elder Peterson went to the fruits stands to find swiss chard or fennel instead.  Lo and behold look what he found.  Finally we would have real stuffing for Thanksgiving.

Black Friday advertisement found on the subway. This is the second year of Hungary adopting this American tradition.  If you study this billboard carefully you will learn 2 Hungarian words, BLACK and FRIDAY.