Hi!
First of all, we got the transfer calls this morning. I will serve as branch president in Békéscsaba. My two companions are Elder Neumiller from Virginia and Elder Szuch from Idaho. Elder Neumiller has been in the mission for a year and came in Elders Harris's and Allred's group. Elder Szuch and I came together in the same group. I have only four transfers left in the eight months remaining in the mission, so I'm probably going to finish in Békéscsaba. Elder Allred will stay in Kecskemét, Elder Martin will be his companion.
Well, this new call was a big surprise for me. President Szabadkai called at around 8:20 a.m. when he normally starts his calls at around 7:00 a.m. for assistants, zone leaders, etc. and it's almost done by 8:00. Then the assistants call everyone else. So I was surprised to receive his call and I was even more surprised when he said that I was going to serve as a branch president. I did not get any hint before this transfer that something big like this would happen.
Showing posts with label Budapest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Budapest. Show all posts
Sunday, 3 September 2017
Saturday, 10 June 2017
Halfway Through My Mission: A Letter to Family and Friends
May 25, 2017 (letter originally sent by regular mail)
Dear Family and Friends,
One year. It's been a year since I've been serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's been a year of unforgettable experiences, little miracles, adventures, and learning.
I'm not much of a letter writer, but in this letter I'll attempt to tell you about some of the things I've learned and experienced on the mission. Hopefully this doesn't get too boring for you, but if it does, take a nap. I won't mind. And remember: this is just a hundredth part!
It seems like a long time ago that I left my family behind and boarded a plane to get to the MTC and the beautiful mountains of Utah. Time in the MTC just sped up and in three weeks I was done with the classroom study blocks and lessons, and was flying with my group to Hungary. There we were greeted by our mission president and his wife, and the Budapest missionaries—all of whom, by the way, knew that I was the elder Elder Gonzalez's brother (see the joke I made there!), but I of course was a greenie, didn't know who most of them were. Anyways, after a night in a hotel, I got my trainer and we headed up to my first city: Pécs.
Dear Family and Friends,
One year. It's been a year since I've been serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's been a year of unforgettable experiences, little miracles, adventures, and learning.
I'm not much of a letter writer, but in this letter I'll attempt to tell you about some of the things I've learned and experienced on the mission. Hopefully this doesn't get too boring for you, but if it does, take a nap. I won't mind. And remember: this is just a hundredth part!
It seems like a long time ago that I left my family behind and boarded a plane to get to the MTC and the beautiful mountains of Utah. Time in the MTC just sped up and in three weeks I was done with the classroom study blocks and lessons, and was flying with my group to Hungary. There we were greeted by our mission president and his wife, and the Budapest missionaries—all of whom, by the way, knew that I was the elder Elder Gonzalez's brother (see the joke I made there!), but I of course was a greenie, didn't know who most of them were. Anyways, after a night in a hotel, I got my trainer and we headed up to my first city: Pécs.
Friday, 2 June 2017
Week 6 in Kecskemét
Hi!
My mission is halfway done!!! It's unbelievable that one year has passed already. But time moves fast! This last year was very good. I feel that I have learned and developed a lot. My relationship with Heavenly Father has strengthened and my testimony has increased. I made many good friends and had great experiences. I have seen many little miracles and I know the second year will be even better! Actually, I wrote a letter that I just sent by regular mail today that is about these things, but the letter is longer, of course.
My mission is halfway done!!! It's unbelievable that one year has passed already. But time moves fast! This last year was very good. I feel that I have learned and developed a lot. My relationship with Heavenly Father has strengthened and my testimony has increased. I made many good friends and had great experiences. I have seen many little miracles and I know the second year will be even better! Actually, I wrote a letter that I just sent by regular mail today that is about these things, but the letter is longer, of course.
Friday, 27 January 2017
Week 6 in Kaposvár
Hello!
On Monday, during our P-Day, we visited an "escape room" called ParaCity. We were locked in a room for an hour and had to solve all kinds of codes, locks, and mysteries to free ourselves (which we succeeded at with plenty of time to spare!).
Elder Harris bought a board game called "Settlers of Catan" and we had a lot of fun playing with the other elders. I won the first two games. It's great that everything is in Hungarian!
On Monday, during our P-Day, we visited an "escape room" called ParaCity. We were locked in a room for an hour and had to solve all kinds of codes, locks, and mysteries to free ourselves (which we succeeded at with plenty of time to spare!).
Elder Harris bought a board game called "Settlers of Catan" and we had a lot of fun playing with the other elders. I won the first two games. It's great that everything is in Hungarian!
Monday, 12 December 2016
Week 12 in Buda
Hi,
Transfers are next week. I think it is more likely that I will stay here in the office. But transfers are always unpredictable, so we'll see.
I have completely recovered from whatever I had last week and I feel good. On Wednesday we had our zone field day, so all the missionaries in Budapest had a day off. We played sports like volleyball, soccer, and ping pong, ate pizza, and watched Finding Dory. It was all really fun.
In the evening we sang again at the Széll Kálmán square and I think I gave out more than a hundred pass-along cards in an an hour and a half, so it was a success.
Transfers are next week. I think it is more likely that I will stay here in the office. But transfers are always unpredictable, so we'll see.
I have completely recovered from whatever I had last week and I feel good. On Wednesday we had our zone field day, so all the missionaries in Budapest had a day off. We played sports like volleyball, soccer, and ping pong, ate pizza, and watched Finding Dory. It was all really fun.
In the evening we sang again at the Széll Kálmán square and I think I gave out more than a hundred pass-along cards in an an hour and a half, so it was a success.
Tuesday, 6 December 2016
Week 11 in Buda
Hi everybody,
It’s almost Christmas!!!
First of all, my companion and I were ill over the weekend. We got some food poisoning but we are good to go now!
We had quite a few programs this week.
Last Sunday we found a new investigator. Tibor is his name and he is an older man who is very kind and wants to quit smoking. His wife passed away a couple of years ago. He said that he was going to come to church on Sunday and he came!
It’s almost Christmas!!!
First of all, my companion and I were ill over the weekend. We got some food poisoning but we are good to go now!
We had quite a few programs this week.
Last Sunday we found a new investigator. Tibor is his name and he is an older man who is very kind and wants to quit smoking. His wife passed away a couple of years ago. He said that he was going to come to church on Sunday and he came!
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Week 10 in Buda
Hi all,
On our P-day last week we went up to János-hill to the lookout tower there. The view was nice, although the sky was a bit cloudy. Then we took a ski lift to get back. It was a fun day.
On Sunday we went with a member to visit two people in the hospital and give them the sacrament. They were really grateful for it and it was a good service opportunity.
On Tuesday we visited the bishop’s home and that was very good. We talked about the Book of Mormon and challenged them to give away a copy with their testimonies written on it.
On our P-day last week we went up to János-hill to the lookout tower there. The view was nice, although the sky was a bit cloudy. Then we took a ski lift to get back. It was a fun day.
On Sunday we went with a member to visit two people in the hospital and give them the sacrament. They were really grateful for it and it was a good service opportunity.
On Tuesday we visited the bishop’s home and that was very good. We talked about the Book of Mormon and challenged them to give away a copy with their testimonies written on it.
Saturday, 19 November 2016
Week 9 in Buda
Hello hello!
This week in the office I focused a lot on landlords and apartment issues, translating a letter for one of the senior missionaries, doing the packets for the group of missionaries going home in December, and selecting pictures for the Christmas slide show.
Elder Nordberg goes home in December at the end of this transfer. He will end up serving 25 months in Hungary. I enjoy working also with Elder Römer and the Bagozzis in the office.
We had splits with the zone leaders. Elder Lawrence and I taught an investigator about prayer, and then for English class we taught the people about sports. While tracting, we met this cool French man with whom I exchanged a few French words and we explained to him our purpose as missionaries. Elder Lawrence spoke to him about baptism in a straightforward but natural way.
This week in the office I focused a lot on landlords and apartment issues, translating a letter for one of the senior missionaries, doing the packets for the group of missionaries going home in December, and selecting pictures for the Christmas slide show.
Elder Nordberg goes home in December at the end of this transfer. He will end up serving 25 months in Hungary. I enjoy working also with Elder Römer and the Bagozzis in the office.
We had splits with the zone leaders. Elder Lawrence and I taught an investigator about prayer, and then for English class we taught the people about sports. While tracting, we met this cool French man with whom I exchanged a few French words and we explained to him our purpose as missionaries. Elder Lawrence spoke to him about baptism in a straightforward but natural way.
Sunday, 13 November 2016
Week 8 in Buda
Hello!
There are some big changes in the office. Elder Römer, from Switzerland is now the new office elder replacing Elder Nordberg. Elder Römer came to Hungary one transfer before I did. He speaks Hungarian very well. Elder Nordberg is staying for about a week and then he finishes off his mission and goes home. The Simkins who are the missionary couple serving in the office are going to Eger for the rest of their mission, so now the Bagozzis (who are Canadians by the way) have come up here to Buda. They have served in Hungary twice before, also in the office.
There are some big changes in the office. Elder Römer, from Switzerland is now the new office elder replacing Elder Nordberg. Elder Römer came to Hungary one transfer before I did. He speaks Hungarian very well. Elder Nordberg is staying for about a week and then he finishes off his mission and goes home. The Simkins who are the missionary couple serving in the office are going to Eger for the rest of their mission, so now the Bagozzis (who are Canadians by the way) have come up here to Buda. They have served in Hungary twice before, also in the office.
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Week 7 in Buda
Hi all,
This was an interesting week.
On Saturday we watched Meet the Mormons with the ward. The turnout wasn't the best, but it was a really good movie.
On Sunday the speakers for the sacrament meeting were very good. During the second and third hour of meetings I translated for a couple of English-speaking members. In the afternoon we went tracting and took a short hike in the Buda hills. It was mostly just regular forest, but the autumn colours were really nice. We also stumbled onto this cool big meadow/valley. The hike was about 5 km or so, not very long, but it was really fun.
This was an interesting week.
On Saturday we watched Meet the Mormons with the ward. The turnout wasn't the best, but it was a really good movie.
On Sunday the speakers for the sacrament meeting were very good. During the second and third hour of meetings I translated for a couple of English-speaking members. In the afternoon we went tracting and took a short hike in the Buda hills. It was mostly just regular forest, but the autumn colours were really nice. We also stumbled onto this cool big meadow/valley. The hike was about 5 km or so, not very long, but it was really fun.
Sunday, 30 October 2016
Week 6 in Buda
Hi,
Last Saturday, for our P-day, we climbed up Gellért Hill and enjoyed an awesome view of Budapest and the fall colours. Sunday was the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, so there were Hungarian flags all around the city.
We went to a hospital with a member on Wednesday to visit his aunt who had a broken leg. We talked with her and read some verses from the New Testament. It was a good service opportunity. Hospitals in Hungary are definitely much different from hospitals back home and this one was pretty old and low-tech.
Last Saturday, for our P-day, we climbed up Gellért Hill and enjoyed an awesome view of Budapest and the fall colours. Sunday was the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Revolution, so there were Hungarian flags all around the city.
We went to a hospital with a member on Wednesday to visit his aunt who had a broken leg. We talked with her and read some verses from the New Testament. It was a good service opportunity. Hospitals in Hungary are definitely much different from hospitals back home and this one was pretty old and low-tech.
Saturday, 22 October 2016
Week 5 in Buda
Bonjour tout le monde!
Before I write about this week, I am going to backtrack a bit and give some more details about the choir performance of the Southern Utah Heritage Choir in Budapest that I forgot to write about last time. There were lots of Americans in the audience who were members if the church and after the presentation, they and the performers treated us like heroes. They shook our hands, hugged us, took pictures, and asked us lots of questions. I think that I got more hugs that day, than all the other hugs I have gotten so far on my mission haha.
On Sunday we went to a city southwest of Budapest called Érd to visit my grandma and uncle. It was an awesome visit and it was great to see them.
Before I write about this week, I am going to backtrack a bit and give some more details about the choir performance of the Southern Utah Heritage Choir in Budapest that I forgot to write about last time. There were lots of Americans in the audience who were members if the church and after the presentation, they and the performers treated us like heroes. They shook our hands, hugged us, took pictures, and asked us lots of questions. I think that I got more hugs that day, than all the other hugs I have gotten so far on my mission haha.
On Sunday we went to a city southwest of Budapest called Érd to visit my grandma and uncle. It was an awesome visit and it was great to see them.
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Week 4 in Buda
Hi all,
In the office I continued the usual office duties like preparing welcome packets for incoming missionaries or letters for missionaries going home, baptismal records, managing referrals, talking with landlords, translating for the Simkins (senior missionary couple), and doing miscellaneous small tasks.
District meeting went well. We talked about charity and love, the Book of Mormon, and did role plays. We also gave RM (returned missionary) advice to Elder Evans which was fun and had pizza afterwards.
In the office I continued the usual office duties like preparing welcome packets for incoming missionaries or letters for missionaries going home, baptismal records, managing referrals, talking with landlords, translating for the Simkins (senior missionary couple), and doing miscellaneous small tasks.
District meeting went well. We talked about charity and love, the Book of Mormon, and did role plays. We also gave RM (returned missionary) advice to Elder Evans which was fun and had pizza afterwards.
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Week 3 in Buda
Hi,
This week was business as usual in the office. I mainly worked on making the packets for the incoming and departing missionaries. I also updated a ton of media referrals and called missionaries up who weren’t contacting theirs.
I really enjoyed General Conference. Before conference I wrote down a couple of questions and it was really neat when I received answers. My favourite talks were the ones given by President Nelson and Elder Yamashita. I liked how the messages were really direct and plain with a big focus on Jesus Christ. For district meeting our topic was conference and we did some role plays about prophets and apostles, and then had a discussion about what we liked in general conference.
Other than that, not too much happened. Here in the office, we don’t often go on wild adventures. But I do like it here. Monday will be Canadian Thanksgiving: we have nothing planned for that but I am sure we will eat something delicious that day.
All the best,
Elder Gonzalez
This week was business as usual in the office. I mainly worked on making the packets for the incoming and departing missionaries. I also updated a ton of media referrals and called missionaries up who weren’t contacting theirs.
I really enjoyed General Conference. Before conference I wrote down a couple of questions and it was really neat when I received answers. My favourite talks were the ones given by President Nelson and Elder Yamashita. I liked how the messages were really direct and plain with a big focus on Jesus Christ. For district meeting our topic was conference and we did some role plays about prophets and apostles, and then had a discussion about what we liked in general conference.
Other than that, not too much happened. Here in the office, we don’t often go on wild adventures. But I do like it here. Monday will be Canadian Thanksgiving: we have nothing planned for that but I am sure we will eat something delicious that day.
All the best,
Elder Gonzalez
Saturday, 1 October 2016
Week 2 in Buda
Hello!
It was another busy week at the office. We had zone training, so for three days every missionary in Hungary came up to Budapest. Elder Nordberg gave an excellent presentation about our work in the office. There will be a Book of Mormon challenge for the members in Hungary. This will help the missionary efforts in the country a lot. There is a member here in the Buda ward who is a great example to all. He always carries a copy of the Book of Mormon so that he can share the message of the Restoration with others.
I met my friend Dallas (aka Elder Leavitt) at the conference and he's doing great. It was really cool to see him. A police officer came to zone training and talked about bicycle safety. He made it a really entertaining presentation, especially when talking about all the exceptions and how Hungarians don't follow the traffic rules.
It was another busy week at the office. We had zone training, so for three days every missionary in Hungary came up to Budapest. Elder Nordberg gave an excellent presentation about our work in the office. There will be a Book of Mormon challenge for the members in Hungary. This will help the missionary efforts in the country a lot. There is a member here in the Buda ward who is a great example to all. He always carries a copy of the Book of Mormon so that he can share the message of the Restoration with others.
I met my friend Dallas (aka Elder Leavitt) at the conference and he's doing great. It was really cool to see him. A police officer came to zone training and talked about bicycle safety. He made it a really entertaining presentation, especially when talking about all the exceptions and how Hungarians don't follow the traffic rules.
Sunday, 25 September 2016
Week 1 in Buda
Greetings from Budapest!
This has been a busy week at the office working with Elders Orsen and Nordberg. There is a whole lot to do here. I am in charge of "birth and death packets" for missionaries coming to Hungary or going home, and I am also the referral manager, among other things. Elder Olsen taught me how to do everything but there is still a lot to do and learn. Work never runs out here. Elder Nordberg is in charge of all the registration of missionaries to their cities. The good thing about working in the office is that I am able to quickly get to know all the missionaries. And looking at all the mission stats is cool. I use Excel a lot and am doing some basic SQL (database programming language).
This has been a busy week at the office working with Elders Orsen and Nordberg. There is a whole lot to do here. I am in charge of "birth and death packets" for missionaries coming to Hungary or going home, and I am also the referral manager, among other things. Elder Olsen taught me how to do everything but there is still a lot to do and learn. Work never runs out here. Elder Nordberg is in charge of all the registration of missionaries to their cities. The good thing about working in the office is that I am able to quickly get to know all the missionaries. And looking at all the mission stats is cool. I use Excel a lot and am doing some basic SQL (database programming language).
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Week 14 in Pécs ... Going to Budapest
Hey!
This is going to be a quick email, but I am in Buda now in the mission office working as an office elder! President Szabadkai called on Wednesday about it, and it was really surprising. But I am glad that I get to serve in Budapest, and the office will be a lot of fun. In the last few days in Pécs we had some teachings, most of the programs fell through, unfortunately. But our work with less active members is going pretty well. I said my goodbyes on Friday and got on a train to Budapest Saturday morning. I traveled to Budapest by myself, so for 3 hours I went solo. Since Saturdays are p-days for the secretaries, I got another p-day today which is awesome!
This is going to be a quick email, but I am in Buda now in the mission office working as an office elder! President Szabadkai called on Wednesday about it, and it was really surprising. But I am glad that I get to serve in Budapest, and the office will be a lot of fun. In the last few days in Pécs we had some teachings, most of the programs fell through, unfortunately. But our work with less active members is going pretty well. I said my goodbyes on Friday and got on a train to Budapest Saturday morning. I traveled to Budapest by myself, so for 3 hours I went solo. Since Saturdays are p-days for the secretaries, I got another p-day today which is awesome!
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