Senior Conference

This past week they held Senior Conference, which is held every three months.  All of the Senior couples come into Budapest from all over Hungary.  We had a wonderful time getting acquainted with each of them and hearing of their experiences where they serve.  We shared, we learned, we dined together, we played games and even went on a tour together. The second day of the conference we toured the "Hospital in the Rock".  This was made famous during the second World War where it was the safest place during the bombings in Budapest.  It was built in natural limestone caves under "Castle Hill". The hospital was built for sixty patients but at times housed more than six hundred wounded patients. It now has more than seventy wax figures depicting hospital scenes of World War 11.  It was an amazing sight to behold.

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Trip to the Hivatal

Bright and early Monday morning we loaded up the mission home van and headed for the Hivatal. (Government immigration building) to apply for residency. The office missionaries went with us to interpret. We also took the new sister missionaries who needed residence cards as well! We spent three hours in line to get the papers processed. Now we are official and can stay in the country for 18 months.



After the Hivatal, lunch with the young missionaries at Magic Burger.
Who knew that Hungarians could make such great burgers!
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Location:Hajnóczy József utca,Budapest,Hungary

Our First P Day

Despite the cold weather, we bundled up and took our 3+ mile walk through our section of the city.  We are located on the west side of the Danube river.  This side of the river is called Buda.  The east side of the river is called Pest.  We are trying really hard not to get lost since there are so many winding streets.  So far we have been able to find our way back home to our apartment.  Part of our walk took us through one of the many parks in this area.  Instead of children's playground equipment, they have installed workout equipment.  This park is brown this time of the year but we have heard that this place will transform overnight with beautiful flowers and trees come spring!

In the evening, we took the metro (subway) under the river to walk the famous plaza street, "Vaci Utca" (Vaci Street).  The plaza street is almost one mile long.  It became famous in the 1800's for its fashionable shopping!  Later that evening we enjoyed a wonderful Hungarian meal at the "Szareves Etterem", the oldest restaurant in Pest.  We topped off the evening with hot chocolate served in fine china mugs.  The best hot chocolate we have ever tasted, by far!

Along the "Vaci Utca", shopping plaza!

"Kiskiralylany Szobor" (little princess statue) The most photographed statue in Budapest.

Wonderful dinner with the Bagozzi's at the "Szareves Etterem"!

First week in the mission field

We really enjoyed our first week here in Budapest. The members and the young single adults that we work with are so friendly and wonderful. The city is filled with historic architecture and cultural heritage. This week we traveled to Debrecen and Erd on mission business. The country side is mostly flat with farm land mixed with forests. Not much green yet but that will change quickly come April.


Some of our young single adults. At family home evening.


Part of our activity was to make an original Hungarian dish. So far we are really enjoying the food here.


Moved into our apartment on Monday. This is the courtyard outside of our flat.


In order to get into our apartment there is a locked gate and three locks on the heavy wooden door.



Living room with hardwood floors and 12 foot ceiling.


Bedroom with mirrors covering closet doors.

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Arriving in Hungary

Our first look at Budapest as we flew in. We left SLC January 29th and arrived 15 hrs later which was the morning of January 30th.


The Mission President and his wife, Elder and Sister Smith, picked us up at the airport. This is the front of the LDS center in Buda. The city is divided in 2 parts by the Danube river. With Buda on the west bank and Pest on the east. This is where the Church building, the mission home office and the young single adult center is located. This is where Sister Peterson and I have been assigned to work. We will be directors of the Stake YSA program in this area.


This is the front of our new apartment. It is located just across the street from the mission home. However, we are staying in a hotel for a few days till the apartment is available.


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Location:Budapest, Hungary

Experiencing the MTC

Our experience at the MTC was the best ever. We studied preach my gospel and the art of sharing the gospel with others. We enjoyed our experience with 3 other couples called to our district. We have become very close friends and wish each other luck as we all go to serve in different parts of the world.



Elder and Sister Mecham, Colorado Springs, Military Relations mission, Elder and Sister Snow, Lyon France. Elder and Sister Stoddard, Vanuatu ( South Pacific islands) Education specialist. Elder and Sister Peterson, Budapest Hungary, YSA mentoring mission

Location:Provo, Utah

On the last day of our MTC stay we found our Hungarian missionaries leaving for Hungary two days before us.
We are looking forward to meeting them there in Hungary. Elder Dietrich (from Germany), Elder Winkle, Elder Nordberg (Montana), Elder Martindale (St. George), Sister Rankin, Sister Heath, Sister Layton, Sister Hafen,(Nevada)  Elder Priest (Arizona), Elder Winegar (California), Elder and Sister Peterson.

First day at the MTC

Today was our first day at the MTC. We had an orientation meeting and then met with the presidency of the MTC. They gave us some great words of wisdom and advice. They recognize the great sacrifice that we are making to leave our families and they gave us encouragement that the Lord will be with our family's while we are gone.

After we all had an opportunity to introduce ourselves and tell the group where we were called on our missions, president Burgess called one person to share a testimony and tell about their experience getting ready for the mission. Guess what, he called Steve out of the audience! Talk about getting your feet wet right away!

It was such an enjoyable and spiritual day. We loved rubbing shoulders with all of the missionaries and leaders there. We feel so blessed that the Lord has given us this opportunity to serve the people of Hungary!

Elder and Sister Peterson



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