OUR EASTER CELEBRATION

This week we enjoyed the Easter week.  For many of the Hungarians, this week was a very special one.  Churches held meetings and rang bells in memory of the events leading to the crucification and resurrection.  The clear egg hanging on the Easter bush represents the empty tomb.  Another interesting tradition is the spraying of the women with water or cologne.  The men and boys recite a  poem and then ask for permission to spray the girl.  In return the girl gives the boy a chocolate.  One of our friends taught Elder Peterson a poem to recite.  It goes as follows:

Zöld erdöben jártam

Kék ibolyát láttam

El akart hervadni

Szabad -e locsolni? 

I was in a green forest

I saw a blue violet

It wanted to wilt

May I spray you?

Interesting tradition, as Sister Peterson was sprayed several times on Sunday at church.
The Monday following Easter Sunday is a holiday as well.  They call it Easter Monday.  Most all the stores are closed but they have Festivals everywhere in the town squares where celebrations take place with traditional Hungarian music and dancing as well as the selling of food and handmade crafts. We took a P-day on Monday and traveled to Budapest where we met Daniel Nyman and his parents.  Elder Nyman was one of the AP's when we arrived here in Hungary and we served with him for about 6 months.  It was a wonderful experience as we were able to assist him in teaching Klára and Bertold and prepare them for their baptisms.
We meet the Nymans at the mission home and then hiked up to Geliert Hill, which over looks the beautiful city of Budapest and saw the place where Preident Russell M Nelson dedicated the land of Hungary for the preaching of the gospel.  We then walked over the bridge and walked down Vaci Utca to where the Easter Festival was.  We enjoyed a wonderful day with Daniel and loved meeting and spending time with his parents.

"Pussy Willow", a traditional dried flower to hang your Easter decorations from.

Our Eger missionaries enjoying 'Palacsintavar" after our district meeting.

Branch  members at 'Játék Est', coloring brown Easter eggs.

Pres. Békés, Elder Seamons, Elder Larson and Kriszti

Our Sunday Easter dinner guests, Elders Seamons, Bradshaw and Larson with Zsuzsa

You know spring is here when you see the Néni's filling their window boxes with flowers.

Daniel Nyman, a wonderful missionary whom we served with for 6 months returns with his parents, Mark and Sherri Nyman

Easter Monday celebration with the Nymans and other friends from the country at Varsmarty ter

"Our Savior experienced and suffered the fullness of all mortal challenges "according to the flesh" so he could know "according to the flesh", "how to succor" (which means relief and to give aide) his people according to their affirmatives".  He therefore knows our struggles, our heartaches, our temptations, and our sufferings, for he willing suffered it all,  (experienced) it all as it is an essential part of the Atonement. Because of the Atonement- it gives us strength to bear it all.  "The healing and strengthening power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is for all of us who will ask." 

  (Dallin Oakes, GC October 2015)
We are so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for each of us. Through the Atonement we have the opportunity to change and become more like our Savior and our Heavenly Father as we exercise our faith in His enabling power. We know he lives and that we all will live again.  For this gift we are so grateful. We are never alone in our trials, he stands by us and gives us the strength to endure. These blessings we are so grateful for as we celebrate this Easter season.