BRANCH FIESTA

We helped the branch plan an activity where both the members and the missionaries could invite their  friends to a special night of fun.  Our activities committee headed by Kristi, planned the theme around a Mexican Fiesta.  To create the atmosphere, we decided to make a few interesting decorations.  Two weeks before the party the branch got together for Családi Est (FHE) to make a piñata and a big green cactus center piece.  Something new always spices up our Családi Est.  The next week we got together again to do the decorating and painting of our paper-mache creations.  All the games and activities are planned to be fun for old and young. Now we have a few ingredients for a fun party.  The last 2 ingredients are the food and the people.  Sister Peterson along with others from the committee, made wonderful Mexican dishes.  We also had a variety of deserts and drinks.  We were so happy to have a great showing.  Many of our branch members, several families and many new friends came to our fiesta.  Everyone  loved the food and had a great time.  These kinds of activities build unity in a branch and helps the relationship between the members and the missionaries.  Eger is a wonderful branch and we are so thankful to be a part of it.

President Bákás,  Lili and Agi helping to make the piñata for our 'Branch Fiesta"

Elder Deitrich and Elder Peterson building the 'cactus' for the boli.

Elder Seamons and Andi preparing the tissue for the piñata.

Krizsti, our great Játék Est leader, showing us how it is done.

Janos is loving these crafts!

Zsuzsa and the finished Piñata

Elder Haws and Elder Robinson carefully hanging our Piñata.

Sister Peterson hoping there will be enough Taco Soup to feed  the hungry guest!

Making 'new friends', Daniella, Lili, Daniella's Mom, Kiti, and Agi

Kiti, Gabi and Janos enjoying the sutti

Janos and Elder Robinson showing their skills in the 'I want this cookie in my mouth' game

Zsomby, Éva, and Keve getting in on the fun too!

Elder Peterson displaying his skills as well.

Elder Robinson, David, Elder haws and former missionary, Eli Chambers

Feri, Virgina, Eszter, Ferenc enjoying the party

Virgina getting the first and last swing on the piñata.

Scrambling for the piñata goodies

Kati planted these beautiful flowers in front of our church.  We can't wait until they bloom!

 We enjoyed a wonderful European Regional Conference today, June 5, 2016. Some of our friends from the Fiesta party joined us for church. We received great counsel from our leaders.  One quote that stood out for us was.  Presiding Bishop, Gerald Causse said, "Understanding the eternal nature of the temple draws you to your family and understanding the eternal nature of the family draws us to the temple."

We are so grateful for our "eternal" family.  We feel blessed that we have this opportunity to share our knowledge and testimony of these great principles with the people here in eastern Europe.

ENJOYING THE SPRING IN EGER

Our favorite thing to do on P-day is spend time with our missionaries.  This past Monday it was Elder Robinson's birthday so we planned a special activity.  We took a bus ride to a beautiful little town about 60 minutes away. Szilvásvárad is known for its beautiful hiking trails, best trout in Hungary, waterfalls, and the training grounds for the famous Lipizzan stallions. It was a perfect day for an outing. The lush forest kept us cool enough as we enjoyed some of the beautiful walking trails.  The elders even had an opportunity to slide down the mountain in an alpine slide.

Elder Seamons, Elder Haws, Elder Deitrich, and Elder Robinson with Elder and Sister Peterson

We we amazed by the size of these leaves in the forest!

Photo moment!

Our fun loving elders whom we affectionately call our "sons", and they call us Dad and Mom!

Our activity would not be complete without ice cream from our favorite server, "Gabi"

Celebrating Elder Robinson's birthday with his choice of "Lemon Poppyseed Cake"

Sister Peterson's new passion, practicing the piano at the branch house.

Enjoying some good food with Kriszti and the missionaries.

Beautiful bike trail photo!

Helping Elder and Sister Lund celebrate 34 wonderful years of marriage!

Congratulations to Elder and Sister Lund!

DISTRICT FAMILY SPORTS DAY AT DEBRECEN

We traveled to Debrecen to help with the 'Family Sports Day', a couple of weeks ago. Our District includes the cities of Eger, Miskolc, Debrecen and Nyiregyháza. We were asked to provide a "gospel game" for the event. We created a Jeopardy game and the missionaries helped us translate it in to Hungarian. Everyone really enjoyed it. There were lost of crafts and games for the little ones, soccer, ping pong, basketball and even a 1/3 k run for those interested. The District provided a wonderful Hungarian lunch as well.  It was great to get out and go visit another city and enjoy branch members there.

In front of the Debrecen Chapel with Viktor, one of our YSA and the Branch President in Nyiregyháza 

Everyone enjoyed running a 1/3K on a track at a local soccer stadium.

Elder Peterson, feeling good completing the run

Ricsi, Elder Stephens, Alex Zwingly(former missionary here), Elder Ure, and(Unknown)

Sister Lund and President Pétercsek (Miskolc Branch), enjoying a ping pong match

District members, investigators and missionaries enjoy some good Hungarian Gouylas.

Gospel Jeopardy

We love the beautiful poppy fields this time of the year!

The Lord's invitation to seek our daily bread from our Heavenly Fathers hand speaks of a loving God,  who is aware of all of our needs, even the seemingly small ones.  He is desirous and anxious to bless each one of us.
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst..  "Verily, verily I say unto you.  He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. " I am the bread of life." ( John 6:35, 47-48)

HUNGARIAN CULTURE

We took an excursion with Elder and Sister Lund to an "Open Air " museum, near Szentendra.  It is literally a village that has been created by bringing in historical buildings from all over the country. They have created an atmosphere where you feel like you are living in the culture and traditions in the country of Hungary over there last two hundred years.  It was fascinating to see how they did their beautiful needle work, hand stamped fabric, dancing, cooking and farming.

Hungarian children doing the traditional wedding procession

Elder and Sister Peterson with Elder and Sister Lund