SERVING ERD

Elder and Sister Peterson in front of the office building where the Erd Church is located.

 Erd is a suburb of Budapest without the hustle and bustle of the city.  It is about 30 minutes by car if the traffic is good or a 16 minute train ride. The branch house is located down town on the 2nd floor of an office building. We see about 30 people out to church each week.  On Thursday we usually go over to the branch house to help with english classes in the evening.

With the Erd missionaries waiting for the train after teaching a program.

Klara and sister Peterson about to board the train for Erd

I was asked by the Erd Relief Society to write some articles for their magazine.   We are writing on such things as our favorite scripture, and why it is,  how did we feel when we got our call to Hungary,  or what is our favorite place to visit so far.  This last week I reported on what new eating place we have found lately.  We went over to Pest, on the east side of the Danube river and found the Belgian Waffle House.   It was a real treat that I highly recommend. It is located at 51 Vaci utca,  one of the most famous walking streets in Budapest.

 We have been going with the  missionaries to visit Loci and his mother Margit to teach the discussions.  We love visiting with them in their home.  It is a Hungarian tradition to offer food when company comes over.  One night Lacy brought out a 90 cm Pizza for us and the missionaries.  I have never seen a pizza this big in my life.  Hungarians really enjoy their pizza.

Elder Tuttle, Elder and Sister Peterson, Laci, Elder Santander and Margit

I think the four of us can handle this!

We heard that Erd had a unique park that we needed to visit.  It is called Memento Park.  This is the resting place of a lot of the old Russian and Communist era statues.  We drove out there this week with Elder and Sister Simkins to see what it was like.  Very interesting but kind of a somber place when you think of the things that went on in that time period.  We are so thankful that the people of Hungary have the freedom now to choose their religion and govern themselves.  Because of that freedom we feel it a privilege to be called here on a mission. Our message from our Savior is to teach faith, hope and happiness to everyone we can.  We have seen the gospel help so many people as we have worked with the missionaries here.

Boy do we feel small.

As we get ready for the holiday season we have been asked by President Szabadkai to study a different attribute of Christ every week leading up to Christmas.  This week we have been studying about hope.  Our scripture for the week is Moroni 7:41 "And what is it that ye shall hope for?  Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise." 

YSA HALLOWEEN WEEKEND EVENT

Our stake YSA committee organized and put on a wonderful Halloween party. We had a group of about 45 who came from many parts of the country. Friday evening we enjoyed games, food, and  dance instruction before the evening dance.  Saturday we had an early morning breakfast followed by a devotional.  We then did a service project where we put together 200 food kits for the immigrants. A great time was had by all who attended.  It is always fun to see these YSA kick up their heals and have a good time.  This night they truly did.  We enjoyed the evening right along with them.  Who could ask for a better calling than to help these YSA with their activities.  Since the  YSA floor is right below the mission home, we warned the mission president that it might be a little noisy for him.  I think we scared him away because he decided to go out of town for the weekend.

A good portion of our group poising for a group picture.

Elder Peterson and Adri painting our photo booth.

Enjoying a good meal.

Renewing old aquaintances.

One serious boy and four happy girls

 

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Elder's can never get enough food.

A captivated audience

A human obstacle course is a little tricky to maneuver around.

Sanyi, Adri and Timi

Panni  and Elder and Sister Peterson

Elder and Sisters Simkins, our wonderful chaperones enjoyed the party as much as our YSA

An early morning smile from Zoli

Spiders, I mean deviled eggs for anyone?  Good job, Zolt!

Early morning breakfast after a short night of sleep.

Saturday morning service project.  We assembled 200 food kits for the immigrants.

SENIOR CONFERENCE--FAREWELL TO TWO MORE SENIOR COUPLES

We had our quarterly "Senior Conference" this past week. It is always such a wonderful experience when all the couples serving in Hungary come to the Mission home in Budapest.  We enjoy hearing about all of the missionary experiences they are having in their particular city where they serve. This time Elder and Sister Jensen and Elder and Sister Bailey shared their tearful 'good-by' testimonies.  They have been amazing missionaries here and great friends to us. It has been such a blessing to us to have been able to serve with them.  They both leave on December 15th.

This week our conference focused on the welfare needs of the members in Hungary. Brother Matthew Mathias came from France to train us on how we can implement the program, "My Path to Self-Reliance. This program it not new to the members of the church, but it has just recently been released in the Hungarian language so the leadership here can now be trained.

Afterwards we all attended the dance production of the "The Lord of the Dance".  Many of you will recognize this as the "River Dancers" that is popular in the states.  It is an Irish musical and dance production. It was so amazing, we couldn't stop tapping our feet all night.

Elder and Sister Simpkins, Elder and Sister Peterson, Elder and Sister Jensen, President and Sister Szabadkai, Elder and Sister Bailey, Elder and Sister Lund, and Elder and Sister Oldham

Enjoying being together!

Always a lot of laughs when we are together!

 The next day October 23 was a huge national holiday here in Hungary. It commemorates the 59th anniversary of the Revolution of 1956, when Hungarians rose up against the Soviet ruled communist system.  It also commemorates the "Day of the Republic', as in 1989, after the fall of communism, Hungary was declared a republic on October the 23rd.

Enjoying the festivities at the Parliament

With Elder and Sister Lund, overlooking the Danube with Castle Hill backdrop

They always decorate with beautiful wreaths everywhere for the national holidays.

Elder Peterson standing with the statue of Imre Nagy, Hungarian leader at the time of the 1956 revolution.

CELEBRATING OUR 40TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IN HUNGARY

Saturday Oct. 10th, we were able to take a day trip to the northern border of Hungary where the beautiful city of  Esztergom lies next to the Danube.  The Basilica of Esztergom is the third largest church in Europe. Surounded by castle walls this is a mighty fortress for the protection of the city.  We have learned much about the people and history of Hungary by visiting the beautiful sights around us.  This is a very special day in our life, our 40th wedding anniversary, what a way to celebrate.

Enjoying the beautiful grounds of the Basilica with our friends, Elder and Sister Simkins

Looking over the Danube into Slovakia from the Basilica wall.

Beautiful church below from the Basilica wall.

Monument on the castle wall depicting the crowning of St. Istvan, 1000 AD

Elder and Sister Simkins and Elder and Sister Peterson on the bridge, half way across entering Slovakia.  (We stayed on the Hungarian side)

Through the mountain roads on the way to Esztergom.  So very beautiful and lush!

We are learning to ponderize our scriptures.  This week we share our scripture in Mosiah 5:7
"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters, for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for you say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and daughters."

JAM PARTY IN ERD

About a month ago our mission president gave us an assignment to attend the Erd branch each week and give the missionaries and members support.  This branch is located about a twenty minute train ride just south of Budapest. We have been warmly welcomed into the branch and have enjoyed getting to know the members and working closely with the missionaries.  On Friday we were invited as guests of honor to attend the "Jam Party".  This is an event held every year to share the 'homemade jams" of the season with others.  This is their  'thanksgiving' tradition to show the blessings of the harvest since they do not have a Thanksgiving holiday like we have in America.
After the jams and pastries were enjoyed the branch president announced that there was something else we were celebrating.  He then congratulated us on 40 years of marriage and they presented us with two gifts.  They had made an autumn picture that included a picture of the branch members and then gave us a beautiful Hungarian picture book, signed by the members.  We were totally surprised and grateful for their kindness. We will never forget this anniversary that we spent in Hungary.

What a wonderful surprise from the branch members, celebrating our 40th anniversary!

Yummy jams and pastries to celebrate the harvest season.

Some of our branch members enjoying the treats.

Elder Peterson with our Erd missionaries, Elder Tuttle in the front and Elder Santander, Sister Hafen and Sister Cribbs in the background.

Elder Santander showing us his tricks.

Sister Hafen and Sister Cribbs, beautiful smiles!

We enjoyed a wonderful General Conference with the members in Erd.  We feel so blessed to have heard wonderful words of counsel from our apostles and prophets.  We were excited to learn of the three new apostles that the Lord has chosen, Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Renland.  We look forward to hearing from them more. 
Our dear prophet, Thomas S Monson gave us this wonderful council on Sunday morning of the conference.  
"Throughout our lives we will need to nurture strong testimonies by studying the scriptures and by praying and by pondering the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When firmly planted, our testimonies of the gospel, of the Savior, of our Heavenly father will influence all that we do."