First off, I want to thank those of you who have written me, supported me, loved me, and been there for me as I have begun this new adventure. I appreciate your thoughts, testimonies, prayers, and uplifting insights. How blessed I am to have you all in my life! And thank you for believing in me.
How has it been three weeks already? It feels as though I barely arrived and at the same time, it feels as though I've been here for an eternity! What wonderful experiences I have had these past few weeks, my mind has had a difficult time turning itself off at night. As I often say, I could do so much more if I didn’t have to sleep!
I love Hungarian!!! Learning a language is incredible! Not only are we learning the language of Hungarian, but the language of the Spirit as well. The Spirit of the Lord communicates to each of us in unique ways. It is incredibly important that we take the time to seek out and learn what language the Spirit uses to speak to each of us. I hope to be tri-lingual by the time I get home, not just bilingual! I love love LOVE reading the A Mormon Könyve ( the Book of Mormon, in Hungarian), and of course out loud! I plan to read it cover to cover as soon as possible! It IS so interesting the way that gospel messages are portrayed in other languages, as they don’t translate directly, and it creates new perspectives!
Tuesday night devotional, was about 10 ways to be a happy and successful missionary. It hit home for my district and I. It answered some of our individual questions. We had a district discussion after the devotional, which is one of my absolute favorite things we do throughout the week! Everyone shares what stood out to them, as well as their sweet and powerful testimonies. It is amazing how close we have come to each other, knowing that we can share anything with each other. This is something that many of them talked about in the end, how they know they can go to each other for strength, love, and support. McAffee Elder said the closing prayer and thanked God for each of us by name. That is a moment I will never forget, it caught me by surprise, and it was so powerful and touching. Hungary is lucky to be getting missionaries like the Elders and Sisters I have come to know.
One thing that stood out to me was that we need to be preparing to come home faithful and converted unto the Lord for our whole lives. We need to keep the good habits and ways of being we discover and develop on our missions. Also, all of the commitments and challenges we share with investigators and members, we need to be committed to living ourselves, and not just on the mission, but for life!! Ahhh I loveeeee the MTC!!
My Uncle Gavin shared this scripture with me.1 Cor 10:13, "God...will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." I love this! We do have such power! We need only realize it, as well as realize where it comes from, that being God. Everything we experience in this life is specially designed for our growth and development. D&C 122:7 "...all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."
The range of daily emotions, thoughts, experiences, and more, is huge. Time feels so different in the MTC; Fast and slow all at once! Each day seems to have it's own challenges, while simultaneously being filled with such Spirit and love. There are days with more struggles than others, but everyday is full of so many amazing experiences, and people I have grown to love with all my heart. Hmmm, well there have been some interesting experiences actually, like my filling falling out of my tooth while flossing.
The longer I am here, the more worldly cares fade away. Many times I wonder why I had the struggles I had before the MTC. The things that seemed to matter so much before, now seem so trivial, and it’s only been 3 weeks. I want to hold on to all that I have learned and will continue to learn as I serve. I don’t want to lose any of it when I come home. I want to build on it for the rest of my life. I want every experience I have to change me for the better. I want to give my will to our Father and be in His hands forever.
All my love!
Alger Nővér
Tyler Nővér sketches quite often, and is quite the artist! I love it!
These first two are sketches she did of me… ah so sweet of her, and so cute!
These are sketches of each of our Hungarian teachers, Hopwood Nővér, Durney Testvér, and Squire Testvér. Our amazing Elderek got everyone to sign cards for our beloved teachers, and this is how Tyler Nővér shows her appreciation.
This is a view of workers demolishing the SUPER old buildings right next to us.You can see my class in the window’s reflection heheh. We’re on the 5th floor of the oldest buildings currently in use. The elevator was super sketchy… it’d make loud noises and shake when in use. Yeahhh, it’s completely broken now and won’t be fixed for at least 4 weeks! Always keepin’ it interesting with the Hungarians heheh, fun stuff!
I love these flowers! I see them everyday when walking to and from class. The MTC is covered in flowers and plants, its beautiful (even though there’s construction going on everywhere haha).
This is a view of “Y” mountain from a little study area Tyler Nővér and I like to use in our old building. I love Utah’s mountains!
This is a nice view of the construction, mountains, and Provo Temple from another secret study spot my companion and I like. That pile of junk used to be a big 5 story building!
Ahhh, this painting is amazing.
It holds a special place in my heart as we have our own copy hanging in our family room at home. (:
Okay, so this is all during class this Tuesday when we were taking turns teaching an interested person in Hungarian. Those of us waiting for our turn were doing a unique mixture of studying and some form of pictionary heheh. It was great! Gibbons Elder was the star of the show with his out-of-this-world drawing skills.
I couldn’t help but join in… so I drew a hand turkey, yes, like from 1st grade.
Zirker Elder (our AMAZING district leader) had to join in on the drawing fun too!
Who knows what we drew on the whiteboard, that’s up to individual interpretation. We had too much fun! I think as time goes by, each day we’re more and more easily entertained hahah!
Tuesday was Robertson Nővér’s 20th birthday! She’s right in the middle on McCormick Nővér’s back. All of the Sisters on our floor of the residence sang happy birthday to her and had a mini celebration. Some of us were already in our pj’s heheh. It is honestly mind-blowing how incredibly loving and supportive our MTC family is. I love everyone with all of my heart!
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