Hungary week 10

Hey everybody!

Sorry I missed writing last week, there was so much going on I didn't even have time to write! These past two weeks have been ones to remember though.

I think I mine as well start off with the bad news though. K, our investigator that was to be baptized this weekend, disappeared. She just didn't show up to program one day after seeing her just glowing with excitement. She won't pick up her phone and she missed her first English class in two months. When I realized that she was actually gone I couldn't help but break down. I have been here for two months and I just felt like I didn't have anything to show for it anymore. That is why Bowen elder is awesome. He helped me realize once again that I am giving my best and that is enough. That is all the Lord asks, give our heart and soul. Right after that moment of being down, Bowen elder and I got outside and placed two Books of Mormon.

Some more happy news is the members here in Veszprém are amazing! Bowen elder and I are having a hard time keeping up with their referrals and friends to teach. It is so wonderful to see these people so open to sharing the gospel! It is when members get involved when real missionary work starts happening. Along with that we have been really trying to find new investigators through our own efforts through talking to people on the streets, tabling which is when we set up a display in the middle of the city and talk to as many people as we can, and tracting which is when we knock doors.

These finding times are fantastic opportunities, but they are extremely hard when they are in large blocks of time. One day this last week we had 3 hours of streeting time at the end of the day, 5 pm to 8 pm. It was hard to go 2 1/2 hours without a single phone number or a real conversation. I then looked to Elder Bowen and promised him a Book of Mormon placed and a phone number before the end of the night. I then pointed to a kid in the distance and said, "It's him." The Lord blessed us that moment with what we were searching for.

During another one of these finding opportunities, we found ourselves in a more ghetto part of Veszprém, which isn't saying much because this is an extremely safe place. As we were walking next to a row of ten stories, we ran into a large group of drunk men. While amongst the men, we heard a man calling after us. As we looked around, we saw a man waving us over leaning against one of the ten stories. He then proceeded to mumble, "Who are you and why do you two look so official!" He then demanded us to come back later and teach him about the gospel. You have to love the mission.

I can often think back to growing up and wondering to myself what my mission will be, what it will do to me and what I will be able to do for other people. I look back and realize my mission is better than I could have dreamed. I'm not a perfect teacher, there is so many hard things I have had to go through, I have been rejected and laughed at, but these moments are what I will cherish for so long after I'm home. I will look back and remember K. I will laugh about the moment the 80 year old man answered the door completely naked. I will remember the way people laughed at me because of my funny clothes and my weird tag. I will think back to the good and the bad and I will love them both.

It's going to be good week this week. We have a goal to challenge all of our investigators to come to church and be baptized. Miracles are bound to happen I tell you!

Sok Szeretettel,
Nelson elder