THE JOY OF MISSIONARY SERVICE

The weeks don't get any better than this.  A busy week included work in the mission home office, discussions with the Elders and Sisters, bearing testimony with new friends, super activities with the YSA, then the week was caped off Saturday by attending a baptism of a close friend.  Sister Peterson and I have been the member present while Klara has been taught the gospel.  She was first contacted by the Elders while they were knocking on doors March 15th, just six weeks after we arrived here in Hungary.  As she learned about the restored church she wanted to know more and more.  She loved  the Book of Mormon and read it through in just a couple of weeks.  In fact her thirst for knowledge was so great that everything we brought her to read, she had read it completely by our next visit. She has been blessed with several spiritual experiences that have confirmed the truth of what she was being taught.  We were so happy when she told us that she wanted to be baptized despite her concerns what friends and family might think.  Klara is a retired school teacher and mother of 2, with 5 grand children. We know that she will be able to bless her family and the ward here in Budapest as she serves her Heavenly Father.

 The joy and love that comes from helping others find the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is what missionary service is all about.  We love serving the people of Hungary.

Klara with Elder and Sister Peterson before the baptism.

The Elders that taught Klara. Elder Heilein, Elder Robinson, and Elder Nyman.

Both Klara and a young man from the ward, Bercel, were baptized today.

After the baptism, we took the train to Klara's house where she fixed us all a great meal to celebrate a wonderful day.

"And moreover, I would desire that you should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual: and if they hold out faithful to the end they are recieved into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true: for the Lord God hath spoken it"   Mosiah 2:41

THE CULTURAL ARTS OF BUDAPEST

The past week we had an opportunity to tour the "State Opera House" in Budapest. It stands as one of the most beautiful Neo-Renaissance buildings in all of Europe.  It is considered to be one of the best opera houses in the world in terms of its acoustics and its horse-shoe auditorium seats 1200 people. We loved the beautiful paintings and gold painted arches and trims that covered the interior of the building.  We had an opportunity to hear a couple of opera numbers at the end of the tour.  The gentleman who sang to us is one of the landlords for one of our missionary apartments.

The reflection mirror at the top of the Kings entrance stairway.

King and Queens personal Opera Box

The grand staircase.

Zsolton, our Opera performer.

We were just out for an "after dinner stroll" when we came upon these dancers and musicians from Bulgaria performing in Varsmarty Ter.  We stopped and enjoyed the very catchy music.  We love this about the city of Budapest.  There is always some celebration or cultural event to enjoy.  Never a dull moment here

The weeks just seem to fly by with all there is to do.  We started our summer insitute classes this week.  Not as big of a turn out as we would like.  They have asked us to teach two of the classes in the next couple of months.  We had a service project on Saturday with the YSA.  We traveled by vilamos and then a train ride to the country to help a young family prepare a house they bought so they could move in.  The old paint on the walls needed to be scraped off.  The YSA's and I did that while Elder Peterson did some electrical things.  It was a great experience.  The family was very happy for the YSA's service and we loved helping them.

OUR JUGGLING ACT

Another wonderful and busy week in the mission field.
 It was a hot week as the temperature climbed above 90 degrees. Another excuse to get an ice cream cone. On those hot days you can find most everyone on the streets licking an ice cream.  We have to pace ourselves as to not over do. :):) The problem is you try another flavor and it becomes your new best flavor.
We had three very busy days in the office before the painters came in on Thursday and Friday. We took the opportunity on Thursday to drive out to Lake Balaton.  A beautiful lake on the western side of the country where most of the Hungarians take their summer vacation. The landscape was rolling green hills and turquoise blue water. There were plenty of quaint little villages and shops along the way.
Saturday we spent the day preparing for and enjoying the Seminary and Institute graduation.  They came from all over the country of Hungary to receive their recognitions.  Afterward we had a "Farewell Party" for President and Sister Smith and Elder and Sister Bagozzi hosted by the YSA.
That evening we took a beautiful stroll down "Vaci" street and across the Danube river to watched the lights of the city turn on.  We enjoyed watching all of the ships that traveled up and down the river.  What a beautiful sight and a perfect ending to a busy week.

A mausoleum in a cemetery totally covered in vines.

Hungarians love their flowers.

Love these shops that sell beautiful hand painted ceramics.

Impressive thatched roof cottage.

Over looking Lake Balaton.

Elder and Sister Bagozzi with Viki Demo, our former YSA leader 

Bishop Petercek and family with President and Sister Smith saying their goodbyes.

Some of the 2015 Seminary and Institute graduates, along with their teache

Watching the lights of the city turn on along the Danube river.

NO "ORDINARY" WEEK IN THE OFFICE

Our first week in the office training full time and it was a busy one.  For starters it was "transfer week".  We had 7 new missionaries come in from the MTC on Tuesday and 8 missionaries completed their missions on Wednesday.  In the middle of all of this 50 companionships were traded and sent to different areas.  Many comings and goings, reimbursements and mail delivers to deal with gave us a better idea of what the office work is all about.  We have four apartments to close this next week, 3 cars need to be sold, and paperwork for 2 new Branch Presidency needs to be done. Elder Peterson prepared over 100 congratulation letters to be sent out to missionaries and parents and leaders. The mission life, always learning something new.  We love the challenge and it gives us an opportunity to get better aquatinted with missionaries other than those who serve in our particular area.

Our first 4am trip to the airport to see off Elder Depallen and Elder Blackman. Wonderful missionaries who served faithfully for two years.

This weeks departing missionaries, another 4am trip to the airport.  We love  being there to help see them off.



Friday the office was closed because we were getting the floors finished so we took the opportunity to go to the country to see the Hortobogy National Park.  This is a wild life preserve for many animals that were traditional and used by Hungarians  for many centuries.  The Hortobagy plains are noted for open range land where these animals were plentaful during the 14, 15 and 16th centuries.  This area is about 2 hours east of Budapest.

Every village has a beautiful yellow church.  We saw this one on the way to Hortobagy. This one is located in the village of Besenyotelek.

 Another beautiful view of the well manicured church yard.

Hungarians love their baskets.  You can see them carrying them to the fruits and vegetable stands or the pekseg (Bakery).

The towns people believe that the storks bring good luck so they build a platform for the storks to build their nest on.  We see many of these in every little village.

We arrived at the "Hortobagy National Park", and enjoyed two hours on a horse drawn carriage ride through the countryside.  We saw plenty of water buffalo, cows, oxen, trained horses, pigs, and black sheep. it was interesting to learn about the traditions of how these animals were used to help the people of Hungary since the 14th century.

Hungarian gaucho leading his team of oxen.

Oxen were used to transport goods from eastern to western Europe from the 14th to the 18th century.

Water Buffalo, used in the 17th century to pull wagons.  Here you see them cooling off in the muddy water.  Because of their body makeup they need to be in the water every six hours to cool off.

Hungarian horseman showing off their well trained horses.

No mounting for this missionary with her tight skirt.

We loved our wagon ride through the country.

Traditional barn with a thatched roof.  We were impressed how well made it was.

The finale of our excursion was a Hungarian traditional skilled horse show.  It was amazing to watch  the synchronized five horse team do what they do with their standing rider,