SUNSET OVER THE DANUBE

Beautiful flowering tree next to Fisherman's Bastian

Parliament at sunset from Castle Hill

Mathias Church

One of the blessings of serving in this beautiful country is the closeness of such stunning views to enjoy on a Sunday evening walk.

ELIZABETH LOOKOUT

  On P-day, Elder Nyman and Elder Robinson invited us to go with them on a hike to visit the  Elizabeth Lookout (Erzsébet- kilátó) which is a historic lookout tower above the city of Budapest.  Built in 1911, at 526 meters, this hill is the highest point in Budapest.  We were able to view the green rolling hills of the countryside at a full 360 degrees.  After a twenty minute bus ride and a thirty minute beautiful hike we arrived. We hiked up 101 circular steps to the top of the tower.  From the top of the tower we were able to see mountain ranges in the distance that possibly exceeded beyond the country of Hungary.

Elder Peterson, Elder Nyman, Elder Robinson

Elizabeth Lookout Tower

Beautiful view of all of Budapest and beyond

Elder Nyman enjoying the view at the top of the tower

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Part of our adventure today included the Elders showing us how they "crack their whips".  It is a big Hungarian tradition and has been used in their country since the early Magyar tribes, 1000AD.
The elders are really good!  We found a clearing in the woods to do some practicing away from the crowds of people.  The whip when done correctly sounds like a gun shot so  it is not a good idea to be in the public.  Elder Peterson finally was able to "crack the whip" now he feels like "Indiana Jones".  Sister Peterson failed but plans to try again sometime soon.

GELLÉRT HILL

Skyline of Budapest from Gillért Hill

On a beautiful Easter Day- April 19, 1987- Russell M. Nelson, at the invitation of representatives of the Hungarian's People Republic, visited Budapest, Hungary.  The Hungarian government had invited representatives of the Church to Hungary in response to favorable publicity which had been received in connection with the dedication of the Freiburg, Germany Temple.  On that day, Elder Nelson and seven other individuals, climbed Gellért Hill to dedicate Hungary to the preaching of the Gospel.  Elder Nelson prayed that the Lord would "hasten the time when the land of Hungary would be opened to the preaching of the Gospel; so that missionaries and members might be able to enter Hungary and freely share the glad Gospel message."  He further prayed that "Events would open the way for the Gospel to be taught to the people of Hungary so that the people of Hungary might receive the light, knowledge and blessings the Gospel brings."  

Three years after Elder Nelson's dedicatory prayer, the Iron Curtain fell and political events occurred which have allowed the Church to receive full recognition by the Hungarian government.  The Hungary Budapest mission was formed in 1990.  There are about 5000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here in Hungary right now. The Church is still young here but growing stronger each year. We feel it is an honor and privilege to be a part of this great work.

Yesterday morning we were able to climb that same hill and enjoy the breath taking view overlooking the Danube river.  Spring blossoms are in full bloom and we are enjoying the fragrance of the fresh trees and flowers.   Spring in Budapest is truly something to behold.

Lookout point about 1/2 way up Gellért Hill

Erzsébet Bridge at the bottom of Gellért Hill

APRIL SENIOR CONFERENCE

We enjoyed a wonderful Senior conference this past week.  For seven of the twelve couples serving here in Hungary this was their final conference.  Each of the couples shared their testimonies and their feelings of what their mission has meant to them. Their lives will forever be changed and each of them expressed their gratitude for this experience. One sister expressed these sentiments: "It is not the places I went, nor the things I did, but the people that I have met that have changed my life."

Our final senior conference together

President and Sister Smith are one of the couples that will be leaving us. They have served a faithful mission and are going to be greatly missed by all of the missionaries as well as the people of Hungary.  They have seen a lot of growth during their three year service here.  Some of the highlights that they shared with us were: This year is the 25 anniversary of the church in Hungary. The growth of church continues here, thanks to the faithful members and the missionary service of our elders and sisters.  In the past three years 3 new chapels have been built in Hungary. Three new branches have been formed and now 3 additional branches have grown enough to be included into the stake. 300 missionaries have come and gone. We have a new stake president and the new mission president is a native Hungarian.  There are currently 124 missionaries serving here in Hungary up from 85 three years ago.

Train stop in Szentendre

Sisters at the town square

Wonderful companions carrying our shopping bags.

The second day of conference we took the train to small Serbian village, Szentendre.  Such a quaint and beautiful place.  We had been there once before but this time is was much prettier with all the trees and flowers in full bloom.  It helped to finally have the temperature up to 75 degrees that day.  It was the first day that the Elders could go without suit coats, and they were excited about that.  

Quaint little restaurant that served us the best blueberry soup!

Hungary is known for their "Fruit Soups".
This is their famous blueberry soup.

A night out at the "Opera House" in Budapest

As part of our senior conference we attended the Opera "Aida".  The opera was done in Italian with Hungarian subtitles above the stage. We studied the plot of the story before hand so we were not completely lost.  It was a wonderful culture experience and a great time was had by all.

HUNGARIAN WEDDING

Last week we attended our first Hungarian wedding. It is the law that all Hungarian weddings be performed by the government first. The government magistrate performed the wedding with some interesting traditions.  The couple sit on a bench in front of the magistrate while he or she reads the ceremony.  The couple each have a lighted candle and both together light a large candle on the podium.  The couple walk around to the front of the podium and sign their names in the official registry book.  The book is leather bound and about the size of an extra large family bible.
After the ceremony at the hivatal (government building), the couple can go to a church or other location to have a private ceremony if they like.

Hivatal in Old Buda where the wedding was performed.

OUR FIRST TRANSFER DAY EXPERIENCE

Change is always hard.  Every 9 weeks we see missionaries transfer from one place to another leaving friends and old companions. We see some missionaries come into the mission and others go home.  We were happy to hear we will not be transferred and will stay together as companions.  (one of the many benefits of being Sr. missionaries).  We were able to go the the train station in Budapest to meet all the transferring elders and sisters.  Since we are located in the center of the state, all companionships come the the station, make their companion swaps, then take the train back to their new areas.  Our assignment was to help make sure all their mail, which has come to the mission home, gets to them.  We had 8 extra large bags full of mail and packages to distribute.  The Keleti train station is huge and a very busy place.  I can't believe how ornate these European train stations are with beautiful art work and even statues in the windows.  The train station occupies a very prominent corner near the center of Budapest where the major thoroughfare splits and goes to either side of the station.  It looks awesome as you drive towards the station up the boulevard.  It was a cold and windy day but we enjoyed the experience despite being chilled to the bone.

This transfer we had 6 of our elders leave for home. We will miss them greatly. They are Elder Gaytan, Giacalone,  Richards, Neely, Ralph, and Godderidge.  There were also 2 Senior sisters who left us.  They are Sister Scherrer, and Borgstrom.  There were 7 new young elders and sisters that come  in from the MTC.  We are looking forward to getting to know them better.

Front of Keleti train station, Budapest

Mail call

Watching over the luggage while elders go to lunch

missionary luggage piled up waiting for departure

Our Buda  district before the transfer.  Love these missionaries! Elder Parkinson, Elder Gaytan, Elder Blackman, Elder Ady, Elder Cathcart, Elder Depallens, elder Nyman, Elder Anderson, Sister Dinehart, and Sister Naegle.

TOP TEN REASONS WHY WE KNOW IT IS SPRING

Tables come out onto the sidewalks

Flowers in the window boxes

Gelati stores open for business

Fruit and vegtable stands remove doors and windows

You can smell the famous "Chimney cakes" everywhere

Hungarians love to work in their gardens

Beautiful Magnolia trees

Flowers popping everywhere

Easter Festivals with Hungarian dancers

Water fountains springing up on Castle Hill