Week 65: What An Awesome Week!

We got to be in Budapest for 3 days this week! Monday for Pday, Tuesday and Wednesday for mission conference. 

Mission conference was AWESOME. It included a massive streeting scavenger hunt with our district, gingerbread house, building, nativities, hot chocolate with the Ruckers and a Christmas story, caroling as an entire mission around Budapest, and lots of spiritual fulfillment! This is also the last time I will see many of these missionaries before coming home and so it was a sweet time to reflect and feel love for these people I will be friends with for the rest of my life. 

The Ruckers💓Best Mission Presidents Ever!

Just for a quick overview, the scavenger hunt took us all around Budapest. We had to get pictures in front of the parliment building, the big Christmas trees in front of the Basiclica, Déák Ferenc square and even the Ronald Reagan statue. We also had to pass out more than 100 fliers inviting people to the Facebook pages and to come to church. We had to talk to someone who's birthday it was, give away a plan of salvation pamphlet, and many other challenges. Our district leader wanted to be the first to finish and we really went for it. I think we definitely won 

For the gingerbread houses, every district made what they thought the Hungary temple will look like. Ours was surely the most accurate

Biggest takeaways from the Christmas conference, was again about trusting God! I know I have been focusing on that theme for the past couple weeks but it keeps coming up! I remembered the importance of doing good even if you don't receive praise for it. Even if you don't post it on Facebook. Even if it can't be recorded in area book. God sees your good deeds. Trust that you actually have the capacity to be a light to people! Even if they don't act grateful. I think sometimes we are held back thinking that what we have to offer is not good enough. Maybe we think we will be annoying or bothersome or even under appreciated. But God has commanded us to let's our lights shine. So we have to trust that he will work with what we have to offer. 

Seeing Sister Danneman again!

Some other miracles this week: 

-our relief society party! There were 3 inactive members there and one friend!!! What a blessing. We made crafts, sang, had treats and we shared a special spiritual message. 

-Meeting with our friend"N" online and having our member Kati join!! Our member was very bold with her which I think she definitely needed. Members members members! They are the BEST

Elder Caine was able to get this Nativity Set. They only sell them in his city.

Meeting up with Elder Caine from my High School

Creating Christmas Cards

Christmas Markets in Eger, Hungary

For a final thought,

You may call me dramatic but I truly cried for the wellbeing of our friends this week. I want them to see the importance of our message. Many of them are extremely busy with work and school and cannot meet.. I related to Nephi in this chapter when he says.. 

"But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

   4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal." 

   Ahh I LOVE his honest writing. It is so relatable. The scriptures help me to adjust my focus. These writings inspire me to keep moving forward. This week I was so greatful for the Book of Mormon. As I finished it for the third time on my mission, I had conformation that it is true and from God. Many times I try so hard to get others to read it. It is wonderful to feel the joy of it for myself and find comfort it's pages.