Tuesday, 16
October
We started our day with studies and a quick cleaning of
our apartment. We had to go shopping today as the stores were closed
yesterday. We met with an inactive family. They originally met the
Missionaries twenty years ago, and one of their daughters is currently serving
a Mission in Finland. After their program, Elder Nabrotzky and I played
and sang Hymns (including some patriotic ones) at the Branch House until
Angolora started. My miracle is that while it rained today, we were
greatly blessed with our weather yesterday at Sumeg. Yesterday's sunshine
was much brighter and warmer than all of last week or what any other day this week
is forecasted to be.
Wednesday, 17
October
Only one program today which was with K. We're starting
to progress finally. It's taken longer than usual, but we're finally
starting to understand one another better and be able to talk about the
gospel. Today we were even able to fit in the entire Plan of Salvation
from start to finish. One thing I've learned on my Mission is that most
people of other faiths believe that The Plan ends with the Spirit World.
Their belief is that after this earthlife comes the Resurrection, Judgement,
and then Spirit Paradise or Spirit Prison. With that picture in mind,
there would indeed be no way for those who died without knowledge, without
faith, without baptism, or without repentance could be saved. But our God
is more loving than that. Spirit Paradise is not "heaven," and
Spirit Prison is not "hell," and the judgement cometh not until
after every soul has been given opportunities to receive light and accept
Christ. Anyhow, jumping back to today, we were very happy about the
program. Our other would-have-been
program with a member dogged. So, we made calls instead. Lastly,
today's miracle: as we were riding back after being dogged, Elder Nabrotzky and
I were having a slightly pessimistic conversation about the work. As we
were talking, a member zoomed by on his bike shouting, "Remember… the Book
is blue, and the Church is true!" then took off. We don't know if he
knew what we were talking about when he shouted that, but we thought it was
funny enough to end our conversation.
Thursday, 18
October
This morning I spent planning out District Meeting.
I also tried calling Z again. We have been calling Z every week trying to
set up with her, but she has been in Gyor the past four weeks taking care of
her Mother. I would've loved to have gone to Zalaegerszeg to meet with
her every other week if we had had the chance.
We had four programs today. First, we met with B and D. We
talked about Alma 32 and read part of it together. B committed to read 3
Ne 11 and to come to church this week. Our second program was with Z.
It was mostly Gospel with little English. He read Mosiah 27 but was
confused by it, so we talked about it and committed him to read the prefaces. The third program was a referral arranged by
a member. We met with a man who, for the first 40 minutes, talked about
all his problems with the scriptures, with clergy, or any kind of organized
religion. It was impossible to get a word in and very contentious.
However, somehow, miraculously, I was able to gain everyone's attention and
read the Testimony of the 3 Witnesses, with it somehow remaining silent the
whole time I read. After, I talked of the millions of other witnesses of
the truthfulness of the gospel and added my own. That was the first time
I have ever used the Testimony of the 3 Witnesses in a lesson like that.
It would appear as though there is indeed a good reason why their testimony is
right after the Introduction in every single Book of Mormon. After that,
the entire spirit of the lesson changed. During the last 10 minutes, we
were able to give him a Book of Mormon, commit him to come to Church, and say a
closing prayer. After the closing prayer, he was crying. He asked
us why he felt the same as when his wife died. He described it feeling
like his heart was warm, but more than just his heart, but his whole chest, and
more than just warm, but he said a strange feeling. We told him it was
the Comforter, and it meant he was closer to God. What a great ending!
Our last program was with B. We had another feeding program. We
talked a lot about prayer and her son. I asked her when the last time he
heard her pray was, and then, when the last time was that he heard her pray
specifically about him. We also talked about his twelfth birthday coming
up this next week, and what we can do, and what we could ask other branch
members to help do, to get her son ready and worthy to receive the
priesthood. I plan on asking our branch leaders at church on
Sunday. In the evening, we finished our day with calls and updating
teaching records.
Friday, 19 October
Today we were the victims of a series of unusual
events. On our way over to District Meeting, my bike seat broke off.
Then we received two calls from a private number, but no one was on the other
side. After the second call, for the first time on my mission, someone
chased us down on a bike shouting, "Elnezest, elnezest! Mormonok! Mormonok
vagytok?" (translated to "Excuse me, excuse me! Mormons! Are
you Mormons?"). He said he was interested in meeting sometime and
had two nieces who would be interested in Angolora. After talking, he
crossed back to the other side of the road and took off. An interesting
miracle encounter. At District Meeting
we analyzed D&C 4 together. Afterwards we went to get my bike seat
fixed. On the way, we saw a Neni lying on the road who had fallen off her
bike. A man helped her up and she started walking home leaning on her
bike. Elder Nabrotzky and I hopped off our bikes and I asked if I could
help. She said "no" and kept walking a few steps then fell
forward, faceplanting it onto the asphalt. I called the ambulance, and
then handed the phone to someone nearby so they could better explain. We
remained with her until the ambulance and the police arrived. After we
got my seat fixed and then got dogged. We met with K, talked about peer
pressure, and then headed to Sopron. There we met with J and B, and I did
J's baptismal interview. Like B, she did great.
Saturday, 20
October
Back in Szombathely today. We had Fiatal Est in the
evening. This entry will mostly be scattered notes. For the first
time, today I had someone scream in my face "Christ is dead! He
died! Get it? Christ is dead!" It was quite disturbing
and something I never care to have happen again. My miracle today is that
this transfer Elder Nabrotzky and I achieved both our District and Zone goals.
Lastly, some thoughts about transfers. 36 hours until transfer
calls. I have 5 out of 15 left. I'm pretty sure I'm leaving and the
other three elders are staying. I've really enjoyed serving with Elder
Nabrotzky. I wouldn't mind staying here in Szombathely for a fourth transfer.
We'll see what happens.
Sunday, 21 October
Today at church I talked to a lot of the members.
It could possibly be the last time I see them. We went to the S's for
lunch today. Afterwards we did some studies, planning, and then had a
silly night with the other Elders. This morning I woke up with, and have
had since, an eye infection. It's annoying, but leads me to a miracle on
sight: glasses and contacts. It's nice to be able to see better most the
time rather than walk around blind.
NOTICE: This email
message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain
confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use,
disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended
recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of
the original message.
No comments:
Post a Comment