Hello! This was a fine
week this week!
We had a very
interesting time last week after emailing. For our Pday on Tuesday, we went out
to play soccer and explore the town. We were not in our church clothes, but we
had a program at 6, and as the program approached, we had less and less time to
go back home, change, and go to meet our investigator. Once it dawned on me
that we didn't have enough time, I tried to cancel or postpone the appointment,
and she got really offended, so instead we just rode the tram back with her
(she lives around where we do) and invited a member who lives by and hung out
at a park and played cards and talked, haha. I don't know if we are allowed to
have lessons in shorts and t shirts, but we did this time, haha. But she was
sooo mad at us for a while.
Then Elder Driggs had
to pack, because he left to the Pest side! So on Wednesday, I got a new
companion named Elder Dellenbach! He is a super cool guy and loves to work
hard. He has been in the country since September, and came in with one
of my older companions, Elder Olsen (who I was with on Christmas). Although I
am pretty sad that Elder Driggs is gone, I love having Dellenbach around. And
the fact that he can actually speak the language is a plus, since I haven't
equally shared teaching a lesson since November, haha.
Balázs got his
baptismal interview done on Wednesday as well. He was super happy, and we were
able to plan out everything that he wants to happen at the service. I will be
giving a talk about the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and it will be my first talk
ever on my mission, so that is exciting!
On thursday, we ran
into 2 ladies of another faith. They were asking us what/how/when we celebrate
Easter and things like that. They were talking about how important the death of
Christ was, and they asked something like, "Do you celebrate His death or
probably just His resurrection?" We replied with something like, "Why
not both? His physical death saved us from our sins, but his resurrection saved
us from death..." And they were like, "Hmmm, good point. But his
death is more important because..." and we talked a little more, and were
all very nice and cordial with each other, but we kind of felt sad that they
only focus on death death death. I love that we believe in a risen Savior that
lives.
Our English class went
really well on thursday. We teach the high level class, and taught them card
lingo, and then taught them how to play BS. Some people don't really speak that
well, and didn't understand the rules... so it was funny trying to play haha.
Friday, we had a Zone
Training. There is a phrase that our mission president always says about
missionary work. "Catch the Vision!" Well, we have some smart alec
ZLs here, so they said that that is too casual. "It's too easy to justcatch the vision. We need to go for it! We need to Snatch the Vision!" So now we are striving for our "Snatch
Standard" goals.
Afterward, we had a
great few lessons, with a different member to each one! We taught Szilvia about
temples. It was hilarious because she can't keep on track with the lesson. We
tried to tactically bring it back. When she started going off about dating,
we'd say, "We know that dating is an important thing. It prepares us for
an eternal marriage in the temple!" Then she'd go off on how she believes
in guardian angels and how they help us. "Yes, guardian angels
help us out and watch out for us. Did you know that we can help them back in the temple!" We had a fun time with that one, haha
(I guess the members don't always help though).
Saturday was great. We
challenged a few of our investigators who are struggling for answers to fast
with us. One of them took us out to lunch, and even bought us ice cream! So
good. Then we held a big ward Easter Concert, which was very interesting. A few
of our investigators came and enjoyed it.
Then on Sunday, we met
with this guy named Zoli. He came up to me about a month ago and really wanted
to be baptized, but can never meet. And, he has apparently been meeting off and
on with missionaries for 8 years and knows nothing about the church. We taught
him the plan of salvation, and he put his hand over the terrestrial and was
adament that that was his place. After a while of getting frustrated, I told
him that if he wants to go there, he probably shouldn't bother meeting with us,
because this road only leads to celestial. Our sane friend explained that he
received an answer from God that he can do whatever he wants, and then he will
become a god and can party and chase women for the rest of eternity. My first
thought was, "What religion does this guy believe in? Is he a
Kolozsvárianist?" Then I told him to have fun in the telestial kingdom.
Then I felt bad
because while planning later that day, I was thinking about how he should
probably think differently if he wants to be baptized, my companion was
pondering how we can help him feel the Spirit and learn more about the point of
the Gospel. Oh, yeah... that stuff.
Church was sooo good!
Since our baptism on Saturday has yet to be planned, and the Ward Mission
Leader is not in town, and one of our (legit) investigators suddenly decided
that she wants to talk to the Bishop about baptism, and several investigators
came, and we had to talk to all of them, and let my new companion get to know
members, we were all over the place yesterday after sacrament, and pretty late
to sunday school, haha. But all of our investigators loved church, and 3 of
them fasted with us! They really want to gain answers to their prayers! It's
amazing when we promise someone that things will work out better when they do things
like that, and then after church, they tell you how much better everything
went! One of our investigators has been super busy and stressed lately, and has
only come to church twice in 9 months of investigating came to church and
fasted yesterday, and told us later that it was definitely worth it and things
were already getting better!
Then, at the end of
the day yesterday, we met with Balázs, who is getting baptized on Saturday. The
TV wasn't working very well, so we had to watch the Restoration in black and
white. We invited a member we didn't know very well and it went so good! We
related Balázs's story to Joseph Smith's. It was a really good program.
Then I practiced
cooking a new dish that I make at home sometimes. I have a few Hungarian foods
that are super delicious. Speaking of food, not too long ago, I found out my
departure plans for the end of the mission. I guess right now, the plan is for
us to come on the actual day of thanksgiving. How sweet would that be? I'd get
home around 4, and then we could have a big feast!!!
Other than that, I've
been doing really well. I hope that you guys are alright. Is there any news
with the house business? I heard that Jason might have to stay another 6 weeks
for technical difficulties. Here are some pictures of the last couple weeeks:
1. Birthday cake at
the stake president's house.
2. Watching Nacho
Libre at our favorite Mexican restaurant.
3. Gringos Amigos.
4. Elder Dellenbach.
He's like 2 months older than Jason.... that's sooo weirdddd!!!
5. All my sisters
dying!!! They're long gone now.
6. Taking advantage of
hula hoops we find in our apartment building.
7. The coolest
building in the world.
8. This one's for Aunt
Linda
9.
Watching the Restoration movie in black and white.
Love you all! Keep of
the good work with whatever you're doing!
Love,
Elder Young
