Week 23: Sümeg Castle and Exchanges!

Last week we were able to spend p-day at Sümeg castle! We took the train and showed up in this little town. It was rainy and a little foggy and in the distance you could see a castle on a hill.. so magical. There is a new senior couple (the Loughgrans) who joined who our mission from Huntington beach California, and they are awesome! They remind me so much of my parents. It's really fun to interact with adults who speak your language and want to help you with your problems, instead of the other way around! Haha. They're so awesome and it was really fun I spend the day with them. Before they came to Hungary, they had 0 language training! I can't imagine doing that.

This castle had so much to explore. It was built in the 1300s rebuilt and fortified as defense from the turks in the 15th century and restored in 1960 as now a tourist attraction! You could see the medieval prison, the secret passageways, high windows for defending the castle from, and the kings chamber at the very top! Such a fun day to explore and learn about more history. 

After the exploring , we wandered around in the freezing rain trying to find some food. We finally found a place to eat called Colorado Pizza. Overall an unforgettable Pday!

This week we also had our exchange! The split sister training leaders who are serving in Buda and pest came to our city! Sister Valgardson served in this area near the beginning of her mission, so she was able to introduce me to some of the people she had met when she was here, and we made some awesome connections! 

Some awesome miracles occur when you have 4 sisters in one tiny area all working hard! We ran into our friend B who we have been trying to set up with for weeks! The other pair of sisters ran into a member on the street who really needed someone to talk to about his problems. We also ran into Klaudia and Rikardo her family who are going through a really really hard time right now, and got to talk to them for a bit. Tender mercies! We also finally met with our newer convert Dora and our friend Z together!! Dora helped to answer a ton of her questions about baptisms and being a church member. So important for me to remember to trust God's timing on things. We also got to teach our friend A the Plan of Salvation this week. She told us that her friend wanted a book of Mormon as well, and if we by chance had one. We of course gave her one and she tried to pay is for it! We insisted it was free. So now she and he friend are both reading their book of Mormons together! 

A little update on the Ukraine and Russia situation, we are all safe and prepared for anything. As of now nothing has changed for me, a couple missionaries in Románia along the bolder have been transferred to the middle of the country. For now, all we can do is stay close to God invite the spirit into our lives, and keep working hard!!

I have really really loved studying the Old testament. Before studying these books, whenever I've seen the name Abraham or Isaac or Israel, I've kind of just skimmed over it. But after reading about Abraham and seeing his line and generations grow, and promises fulfilled, it reminds me of how closed off my perspective can be at times. I am reminded that God really does keep his promises! We just also have to do our part. 

In the Church today, you may hear about Israel in expressions like “The Gathering of Israel.” We sing about the “Redeemer of Israel,” the “Hope of Israel,” In these cases, we aren’t talking or singing only about the ancient kingdom of Israel or the modern nation called Israel. Rather, we are referring to those who have been gathered from the nations of the world into the Church of Jesus Christ. We are referring to people who persevere with God, who earnestly seek His blessings, and who, through baptism, have become His covenant people. 

After reading this, I re read my patriarchal blessing and found so much more meaning. God promises are JUST as real for me today as they were from those thousands of years ago. God promises safety, lasting joy, and purpose if we keep our covenants, and who doesn't want that?