Hungary for the Gospel in Montana: MTC Week 8

Okay, everyone buckle up, because this is going to be a bumpy ride!

The MTC is straight heaven. I am convinced that it is the closest thing to heaven other than the temple, or a Christ-centered home. My district and my teachers were literally heaven sent and none of this is a coincidence. We are all foreordained to serve where we were called. We have grown in our love for each other and the people of Hungary more than I ever thought possible. Each member of our district has played a crucial part in my growth and learning here at the MTC. I can’t imagine going through any of it without them. They have shown me a little taste of what the love of our Heavenly Father is like for each of us.

Here comes the juicy stuff…. I am now a solo Hungarian missionary. Which means that I am the only missionary in the MTC learning Hungarian. This past week or so has been VERY crazy with all that has happened. So August 19th was my district’s departure date, which is one week earlier than originally planned, because transfers somehow got messed up (not a coincidence, the Lord knows what he’s doing). I found out in the last week or so that I may be delayed for two weeks, for some health issues.

For most of that time, I had no idea if it was actually going to happen! It has been hanging over my head the entire time. Finally, on Friday of last week, I found out for sure that I was being delayed for two weeks. Believe me, it was so difficult to not be able to go out with my district, all the while not knowing one bit as to what would happen with me! I am a planner, and I love to mentally prepare myself for things. When there are schedule surprises, or I am in the dark as to what I can do to prepare or do my part, IT IS SO HARD.

Needless to say, there were some emotional moments during the course of the past week and a half. I have truly felt such peace throughout it all, despite all of the confusion. My district and all of the MTC faculty who have worked with me have been extremely supportive and compassionate. Honestly, I think they empathized with me more than I did for myself. I was working so hard to make sure I was doing what I could do (maybe even stressing about it, I know, it's crazy to imagine me worrying or stressing, huh), and I was so busy with everything else that I didn’t really have time to be down. I knew it was a bummer not to go out into the field with my district, but I don’t think staying was the biggest deal to me. I didn’t like being in the dark in regards to my future, and I wanted more than anything, not to be a burden or a hindrance to anyone else! I was worried about the poor souls that would be paired with me and have to be dragged along everywhere I needed to go for doctors and such. My branch president, the scheduling assistant, and many other MTC leadership were extremely helpful and loving in this crazy transition for me. They were the ones who had me tearing up with their sympathy, and I was trying to stay strong, ah!

Anywayyyyy, on Monday the 19th, I helped my district pack up and held doors for them as they left for the airport. They were all yelling out sweet things to me, and I later found letters from all of them to wish me the best and say goodbye (best district ever, those notes will always be precious to me). From that point, and continuing into the next few days, I was running back and forth across the MTC, going to appointments and meetings with different leaderships in an attempt to figure out what on earth was going to happen with me.

By the end of Monday, I was made companions with the branch’s Sister Training Leaders, Sister Issertell and Sister Oldham! They are a part of one of our German districts and THEY ARE AMAZING. So now I am a Sister Training Leader myself, and I get to share in the responsibilities! They have been such a help to me in the couple of days we’ve been together and so patient with all of the miscommunication we have had to deal with in regards to my situation. They ask me all the time how I am doing, and if I’m okay.

Honestly, I feel wonderful! I have felt brighter and more joyful than ever. I think it is a result of my need to truly rely on and trust in the Lord. I have been gaining a hope that even if I can’t see what comes out of all of this craziness, that there is a reason for it all. He has a plan for me and He really is guiding my every step.

We had a devotional last night by Elder David A. Bednar… the first apostle to come and speak to us in my nearly 9 weeks!!! (Sorry to all my Hungarian buddies that just left the day before!) So, I can’t remember if I have mentioned this, but on Sunday evenings, they used to have films play after the devotional, and I went to “The Character of Christ” by Elder Bednar every single time (until they changed it to district devotional review instead of films). So in total, I saw this talk by Elder Bednar six times! I wanted it drilled into my brain, hahah. So naturally, when I found out that he was our speaker, I was giddy!

He was incredibly personal and sincere throughout his talk. He stopped a few times to say things like “I’m not trying to capture your attention, I just want to talk with you” “I wish I could do this with you individually or in small groups” “This is for you, not the crowd, not everyone around you, just YOU.” From this, you can tell that what he was speaking about was terribly important to him. He started out by saying that, as apostles --the others and himself-- they are constantly seeking the Lord’s voice and guidance. He shared that the most asked question of the apostles is “How do I know if it’s just me or the Spirit?”. Sound familiar? I’ve shared this with you all before. He then shared stories from his own life where he or others didn’t realize they were being influenced by the Spirit. He shared the story of Nephi in the beginning of the Book of Mormon going to get the plates. He had to try three times before he was successful. Do you know why? Because it wasn't until the third attempt that he went in without a plan, and was entirely vulnerable to the guidance of the Lord. Here is what he wrote about that third try:

“And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do… Nevertheless I went forth” 1 Nephi 4:6-7

Elder Bednar then said “THAT IS HOW IT WORKS.” We are not aware of the Spirit’s constant companionship, and we don’t always know when we are used as the Lord’s instruments to answer prayers and do His work! Elder Bednar said that there is a reason that Nephi’s experience with this is at the beginning of the Book of Mormon. We need to hear it the most! Nephi didn’t stop to take time and understand every detail of the way the Spirit came to him or guided him. He didn’t hold himself back when He didn’t fully understand what he was to do. In fact, he WENT FORTH when he had NO IDEA what he was to do.

Here’s one of Nephi’s most famous quotes from 1 Nephi 3:7 “...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded...” SEE! It’s everywhere. Here’s the rest of the verse: “...for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”

The inspiration we are searching for comes as we act and GO FORTH. All we have to do is “Keep our covenants by remembering Christ always, keep His commandments, and be a good girl and a good boy.” as stated by Elder Bednar.

“Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss” (Doctrine and Covenants 80:3). We need to QUIT WORRYING about every little detail. Elder Bednar said “If your feet are moving, and you are pressing forward, you are doing it right!” Trust him, and even more so TRUST IN THE LORD.

This was the perfect message for me that night. I had been going through a lot of searching on the topic of the Holy Ghost and understanding it better --as I have shared with you previously-- and lately I have been dealing with a lot of confusion in regards to God’s plan for me, and what will come from my situation. I still don’t quite understand what the Lord has in store for me, but I have already experienced such love and support, and I can’t help but smile up at the heavens and know that He loves me as I am learning to trust Him more fully every day. I feel that this may even be a part of the reason that I needed to stay. I did need to hear Elder Bednar’s words, and I certainly needed to feel of his love, as well as Christ’s love through him. I just need to continue to GO FORTH despite my lack of understanding!

I challenge you all to STOP WORRYING (if you are), and TRUST in the Lord. Don’t get in the way by focusing on yourself. He will be on your right hand, and on you left. He will not leave you comfortless, He will come to you! As Elder Bednar stated; “BE GOOD, AND DO!”

I love you all, with my whole heart. Thank you for your prayers, support, love, messages and emails. So many of you knew just what I needed to hear. Thank you for listening to the Spirit and for reaching out to me. It means the world to me, and I have felt God's love through YOU.

Love,
Alger Nővér

PS
I am terribly sorry about not answering emails, it has been CRAZY, and I promise I love you still! I really really love hearing from you. (:

Our last weekend in the MTC together as a district!