DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN MISKOLC

We traveled out to Miskolc last weekend to attend their district conference.  We went with the Bagozzi's on Saturday so we could visit with the Bailey's, the senior couple assigned to that area.  We had a wonderful time seeing some of the sites around the city and then touring a 13 century castle, Diósgyőr-Lillafüred. The castle felt to us just like we were in a scene out of "Princess Bride".  We find that every where we go in Hungary it is rich in architecture and culture.

Art work outside of the Opera House made of bottle caps.

Here you will see Valorie with both the Bailey's and the Bagazzi's standing by a huge mural made with different colored bottle caps .  Opera and plays are a big part of Hungary so most every city has an arts center.  Big productions like Mama Mia and Wicked are very popular here.

Elder Bailey and Sister Peterson waiting at the train station in Miskolc

Diósgyőr Castle in Miskolc

Castle is full of period artifacts

Castle tower before it is restored.

View of the city from the guard tower.

Independence Day in Miskolc, March 15

Our church building in Miskolc

Decorative gates cover the roads to the alleyways. 

On Sunday we enjoyed a wonderful "district conference".  Elder Patrick Boutoille (an Area Seventy) presided at the conference.  Elder Boutoille is from France and was here despite the fact that he works at his "regular job" Monday through Friday- then spends most weekends traveling to countries like Hungary, to help lift and encourage the Saints.  How blessed we are to have such wonderful leaders that are so willing to help the work of the Lord move forward.

ZONE CONFERENCE

We enjoyed two wonderful days of zone conference with about 120 dedicated missionaries. We were blessed to have Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy as our visiting area authority. Elder Kearon started the meeting by personally shaking every missionary's hand and complimenting them in some way. He expressed to us how grateful he was for our service and that we had heeded the words of our prophet.
A great spirit was felt there through wonderful counsel and instruction from our leaders.
Elder Kearon reminded us all that when we were set apart we were given power and privileges to act as representatives of Jesus Christ. We talked about attributes of a successful missionary, and how we acquire them. A thought from Elder Kearon that was so powerful is, " In so many ways it is about you becoming the message." We were reminded of the message from the First Presidency in Preach My Gospel. "We challenge you to rise to a new level of commitment to assist our Father in Heaven in His glorious work." ( Preach My Gospel, pg. v)
It was a tender time for Elder Kearon as he had just gotten word that morning that his mother in law had passed away. We felt so blessed that under such hard circumstances he chose to spend the time with us.


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TRIP TO THE COUNTRY

This week we were able to go out of Budapest to meet with an investigator.  She lives in Mány, about a 45 minute trip by bus.  We went with 2 young missionaries out to meet her at her home.  This sister was a referral from a member friend who lives in another part of Hungary.  Last week she came into Budapest to meet with us and the elders.  She has been struggling for quite some time and has been looking for some answers.  As we got off the bus we had no idea where to go.  The elders called her to get directions to her home. She said she would meet us along the road.  We walked up one muddy road then another, still no sign of her. We called again and got more instructions.  After walking another 1/2 hour we were finally able to meet where she was waiting for us.  After that it was still another 1/2 hour walking  to her house.  She was so excited to think that we had come all this way to see her.  We felt bad that we could only spend a few minutes with her because we were out of time.  We had to go back and catch the bus to Budapest before dark.

The elders talked to her as we were walking and found out that she had been reading the Book of Mormon and she felt that it was true.  She showed the book to her cousin and had her read a passage in it.  After reading, her cousin looked up at her, with tears in her eyes and said, "This book is true."
They are such humble people and live in such humble circumstances but they are so grateful for what they do have. We loved seeing her again and hope she will recognize that the restored gospel can bless her life.

At the bus stop in Mány

Are we on the right road?

LEARNING THE LANGUAGE

 We are slowly learning bits and pieces of the Hungarian language, otherwise know as Magyarul. This is a language related to only one other language in Europe and that is Finish.  We know we won't be proficient in the language but we are trying to learn as much as we can.  We spend at least 30 minutes each morning reviewing and practicing words. We are also reading the Hungarian Book of Mormon (A Mormon Konyve) every night. Even though we can't understand much of what we are reading, it is helping us learn a few words and helps greatly with our pronunciation.
We have now learned to greet people as we see them either at church or in the stores. We can ask them how they are doing and even ask for a few things at the Pegseg (bakery) or the grocery store.  It is very frustrating to try to find something that you need and not be able to find someone to help you. So if we need to get something at the grocery store that haven't purchased before we google the item before we go to the store.  Then if we cannot locate it we can say "elnezest"(excuse me) to a clerk and then point to our word. That seems to help most times.

The weeks are getting busier as there are many more programs that the missionaries are asking us to assist with. Many of the investigators have been referred by their friends who have shared their testimonies with them.  They can see how the gospel has blessed their lives and they want to know more.  Of course we are happy to share our testimonies with them and to let them know what great truths we can add to what they already have in their life. There are eight elders and two sisters in our district that we serve with.  They are all so wonderful.  We love teaching with them.  Most Saturdays there are baptisms and we love attending them and feeling the spirit that is there.  This is a great work and we love serving in this capacity.
We can't say enough about this work and the importance of sharing the gospel.  We love it here and highly recommend this to any of you out there that would like to feel joy like you  have never felt before.  Come and serve with your companion, (there are many places and ways you can serve) and you will never regret that decision.  The Lord will bless you in ways you never thought possible.

Arches to Castle Hill

Our walk over Chain Bridge

FAT THURSDAY

Fat Thursday (Torkos Csutortok) is the first Thursday after Ash Wednesday here in Hungary. It is the final day to indulge your taste buds before fasting begins.  The event brings alive an old folk tradition of feasting to be rid of the leftovers from carnival season ( Farsang).  On this day you dine for 1/2 price at participating restaurants in Budapest and around the Country.  We were invited to go with President and Sister Smith, also Elder and Sister Bagozzi to one of the nice restaurants  of the Buda Castle district.  This restaurant, Halaszbastya Etterem, is on top of the castle wall and overlooks the Danube river.  At night we had a beautiful view of the river, bridges and the famous Parliament building.  Everything was lit up and magnificent.  We has a wonderful string quartet that played at our table upon our request.  It was wonderful.

                       

This week we got word from the Area Presidency that we will be attending the multi-Country YSA Conference held in July.  It will be held in Poiana, Brasov, Romania, in the heart of Transylvania at the top of the mountain's ski resort.  It is a beautiful area and our goal is to spiritually and emotionally feed and enrich our young adults in an atmosphere where they can connect with other like-minded young adults. We are looking to get about 40 YSAs from Hungary to attend.  It will be about an 8 hour bus ride from Budapest. Other countries invited to the conference are Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Moldova, Slovenia and Croatia.  We are really forward to this experience.

Friday we had our YSA activity.  The young missionaries came and gave a great spiritual thought and then we watched the movie "Flipped".  It was in Hungarian so Sister Peterson and I tried to get the story by their actions and body language.  We did pretty good and by the end of the movie I think we knew what the plot was.  We had a very good turnout for the activity. Later when we got home we watched the English version of the movie and really enjoyed it. 

Saturday  is our P-day so we went with the Bagozzi's out to Hero Square in Pest.  This is a famous area with monuments and statues dedicated to the founders of Hungary who came to this area about 896 AD.  There are also monuments to many of the leaders of Hungary down through the ages.  It was pretty cold and windy so we did not stay long but it was fun to see.  We also attended the Fish Festival down by Hero Square.  Lots of fun sights and foods to try.  The festival was held in an area with lots of unique buildings that looked like churches, castles, and fancy government buildings.

                                                     Elder and Sister Peterson at Hero's Square

We miss all of  our dear family and friends and wish each of you a great week.

Sok Szeretettel
Elder and Nover Peterson

Another wonderful week

We thought we would tell you a little about what we are doing. Every week brings a different adventure.  This morning we set out on our morning walk and picked a direction we would go. After 30 minutes we had climbed more than 300 stairs steps, leading us at the top of the hill over looking a beautiful part of Budapest. Such incredible architecture every where you go. It is so beautiful and spring isn't even here yet.  It has been an unusually warm winter.  This week it is suppose to get up to the 50's.  We are not complaining.
Monday morning we shop for FHE.  We serve dinner for about 17 very hungry young adults. A few of them come from a shelter so it is their meal for the day.  They read together from the Book of Mormon and then discuss how it can be applied in their lives, then have an activity which the YSA have planned themselves. There are usually games played afterwards, then they help clean up and we try to be headed home by 9:30.
Tuesday we are over here in the evenings to meet and greet for institute.  We then greet and visit for awhile after institute. We usually have a program (Discussion with the sisters or elders)that we help teach.  This is our very favorite part of what we do here.  We love to share with the people our testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ and how important families are in Heavenly Fathers plan.  The elders and sisters usually translate for us.  Sometimes the investigator knows a little english and that is nice.
Wednesdays are usually our lighter days and we enjoy a fun lunch and a sight to see.  (Actually we do lunches most days.  There is always someone inviting us for lunch and the food is great and not very expensive.
Thursdays we have district meetings with the young missionaries.  We usually have a Stake meeting to attend in the evening.  And then whenever the missionaries need us for a program we are there ready to go.
Friday is the day we have an evening activity for the YSA's.  We make treats for them and they plan the activity.  It is usually a late night but Saturday is P-Day.  On P-Day we have a lot of fun.  The office couple has been showing us the sights of Budapest.  We are loving it. It is becoming one of the most beautiful places we have ever been and it isn't even Spring yet.
Sunday's we attend the ward here in Buda.  We are getting to know the members. All the meetings are in Hungarian so the missionaries translate all three meetings for us. The spirit is so strong here with these members where most have only been members for less than two years, including the Bishop and one of his counselors.  They are such wonderful people and have such amazing conversion stories.
We feel like we are living the dream!  Spending all this time together while  serving the Lord!

Boldog Valentin-Napot

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Location:Hajnóczy József utca,Budapest,Hungary