Hungary Week 26

Hello everyone,

Just another day in the life of a missionary. Today I am in Budapest so my companion can have his first interview with the mission president. I am sure it will be great day.

I am just loving Szombathely! It is such a pretty city. The people are so nice along with the branch. I am afraid I am going to get too chubby though! The church members here are so nice and they invite us over for feeding appointments so much. The thing about Hungarian eating appointments is that you eat A LOT. They cook in large portions and they often just dish the missionaries up and then watch us eat. Not like it is a bad thing, but I don't think it is the best for my waist line. It also doesn't help having daily contact with our investigator that works at the local bakery.

The investigators are so wonderful as well. We are working with a lot of prepared people. I just hope that I can do my part in helping them progress.

A great example is a family that the missionaries have been working with for a long time. The father has truly had his heart softened by the spirit. He has gone through so much and the trials just keep on coming. We were going to be able to baptize the two parents in the beginning of February after their marriage, but then the Father developed an infection in his foot prohibiting him from walking. The wedding has been postponed due to his surgery this week. We will now have to wait a few months to baptize him for the wound to heal. His debilitating infection has prevented him from attending church for the past two weeks, but he still makes sure that his wife and daughter always have a way to church. He is even being a missionary in his current state. He shared our message with his cousin and we are going to begin teaching his cousin along with his cousin's wife this week.

Work is going and we are picking it up faster and faster as the days go on. I have nothing but faith that with time, we will be able to help the Lord help Szombathely become a thriving home of missionary work. Life isn't easy, but I know with all the fiber of my being that it will be worth it. I couldn't be more grateful to be here and to be giving the greatest service I can give to my brothers and sisters.

Gould elder is still fantastic and we are already smiling!

Make this week wonderful!

Sok szeretettel,
Elder Jake Nelson

Hungary Week 25 -- a new area!

Hey everyone,

It has been an absolutely amazing, yet crazy past two weeks.  I left Veszprém, my first area, but the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to see many miracles before leaving.  I am also now serving with my MTC companion, Elder Jake Gould here in Szombathely.  I am just happier than ever, happier everyday.

Before leaving I had the opportunity to meet an amazing young kid.  This 19 year old kid I saw just roaming around the streets by the park one day.  He seemed kind of quiet, so Forsythe elder and I just started talking to him.  We offered him a Book of Mormon in which he not only accepted, but expressed how he was going to read it in entirety.  We met with him that weekend, things just went.  During that last week, Forsythe elder and I met up with him on the day of our branch farewell to Ács Flora, a branch member leaving for the Leads, England mission.  We taught him the gospel of Jesus Christ and challenged him to be baptized on the 22 of February, to which he accepted.  We stepped out of the room and introduced him to the branch and told them of his baptismal date to which they welcomed him with open arms.

I said goodbye to many members, friends and investigators.  One is going to stay close to me though.  As I went to say goodbye to a part member family and the cute 8 year old girl I have been teaching, the mother expressed how this little girl wanted me to come back and baptize her in March.  I just can't even begin to describe how grateful I am for the joy I was able to experience in the city of Veszprém.  There is no greater joy one can experience than when witnessing this gospel changing lives.

I moved farther west!  I am now in Szombathely, a big city on the border of Austria.  I am now with Gould elder, which is quite an experience because missionaries usually don't serve with their old companions.  He is absolutely hilarious too, we are going to just have too much fun.  I am so excited for this work as well.  I just walked into a city full of potential.  There is already two people on baptismal date in whom we are teaching and we have already had two more people in the past couple days express their desire for baptism.  
Things are going and Gould elder and I are just driven to do what the Lord wants for this area.  Miracles are coming and I am sure we are going to have some fun on the way. 

Have a great week everyone!

Sok szeretettel,
Elder Jake Nelson

Hungary Week 23

Hey everyone!

This week will be a little short due to time, but I still have much to tell, so I will try and be quick!

It has been a great beginning to the New Year.  My New Year's resolution/goal is a hefty one.  I have set out to read all scripture, including the Old Testament.  That is just the largest goal, but I am so excited.  I have already thrown myself into it and I have already began to feel the Lord blessing me for my studies and efforts.

That adorable little girl is now on baptismal date for March 23rd!  I am so happy for her.  We have been bringing her mother back to the church since September and now her mom is helping her towards baptism.  It is such a blessing to see the big miracles the Lord makes a little bit at a time.  They even committed themselves to read the entire Book of Mormon before the baptism!  I am just so grateful.

We also found a fantastic new investigator who not only met with us, but came to church this past Sunday for all three hours.  He has kind of had a hard life for a 19 year old kid and that is why I am so grateful we found him now.  We just found him on the street the other day, by "chance."  

So this may be my last week here in Veszprém.  It is so weird to think I may be transferred to another city considering the fact that I have spent the past 6 months here in this wonderful area.  I have been so blessed to see so many miracles.  I have been able to see this branch become a home and a shelter for the wonderful people of Veszprém.  I have been able to help break ground for Veszpéms very first branch house.  I have been able to see lives change and countenances lightened in Christ.  I have been so blessed and my heart is full.

Life is wonderful.

Sok szeretettel,
Elder Jake NelsonHun