October 22nd

Seriously some way incredible stuff this last week. Hopefully Ill be able to write it all. And as always, thanks to all those sent me emails. So far on my mission I would say I have heard from everyone at least once a month, and generally much more than that. Its such a huge blessing I have that so many people don't have. I am so grateful and thankful to all of you for the time you take to let me know how you and your family is doing. I have the best family in the world, what else can I say :)

I have a goal to read through the entire Book of Mormon in Hungarian by the end of my 4th transfer (in about 20 weeks). About 4 pages every day in Hungarian. I don't understand much right now, but I get the main ideas I think and it really helps my Hungarian I think. When I read I read out loud to practice Hungarian pronunciations. I also try to also read where I'm at in Hungarian to help with my comprehension. Anyways, I'm in 2 Ne. ch.8 right now. 

I want to focus on some stuff from ch. 7. Verse 1 "Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother's  divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away." 

When we are searching for God in our lives, when we don't see the hand of His love, we need to remember that his is always there. He is always desiring to show us His love as our Heavenly Father. He hasnt cast us off. He is still there. He is still waiting. For His mercy "encircles them in the arms of safety" who "believe on his name". (Quotes from Alma 34:16 and 15).

This last Sunday was awesome. First off church was incredible. We had been having around 30 people in attendance, maybe less. This last Sunday there were 38, 8 of which were not members (yet). It was way fun and as I sat next to Bálint and Lili during the start of church I was just seriously so happy that all of these people were here to feel the spirit of Christ at church on His Holy day. It was the greatest.

Then we went to visit a man who has 9 kids whose wife recently committed suicide. Suicide is very common here in Hungary, in fact Hungary, I hear, has one of the highest rates of suicide. We taught them one lesson, then went back and were told that the wife had committed suicide. We felt like we should give them some time and then return and see if we could help and teach them. The dad let us in this last Sunday when we visited for the first time after finding out. 

It was such a powerful program. A program where it made anything hard or challenging about being a missionary worth it a million times over. I think you could really feel Gods love during the program as we were able to teach eternal truths and try to really connect and help this man in need. It was so powerful to see how much this gospel really can help and heal lives. We will go back this next Sunday probably.

Then on Sunday we found a less active member who we had been told about. She was just having a really rough time and seemed to be relying on the world for help instead of the Lord. We talked with her and helped her remember some things and then she said we could come back the next day (yesterday). She is very exciting to me because I think she knows that this gospel can give her true peace which is what she is seeking.

This work is so much fun! We have tons of lessons and are finding lots of people. But, we also have a lot of fun out side of that. Here is one thing we do every Sunday night from 8-9. The 4 of us Elders in Eger get together and make Hungarian pancakes (like flat American pancakes). Then we top them with tons of delicious different toppings. Jams, peanut butter and honey, delicious liquid chocolate stuff, etc. Good stuff.

I went on splits with Elder Sterri this last week. Elder Sterri got to Hungary when I did, so both of us are still very new at the language, which made the day lots of fun. I honestly thought we did a great job and were able to communicate, go finding, and have programs like normal. The language is super hard, but we are learning.

So this email is coming a day late, I'm way sorry, I should have told you last week. Whenever we have transfers we have emailing on Tuesdays. Transfers just recently switched from 6 to 9 weeks, so because of that for the next year there is going to be a mini transfer in between every 9 week transfer where only a few people are moved around so the missionaries who came in on 6 week transfers can go home on time. So, every couple weeks I will be emailing on Tuesdays. This week is a mini transfer and sadly Elder Sterri is moving to a different city. Im way good friends with Elder Sterri now. We have served not as companions but in the same city for my whole time in Hungary. He is awesome and Ill miss him.

I love you all and wish you all the best.

Sok szeretettel,

Elder Shoop