November 11th

So, ya. I'm being transferred to Szolnok. Which is way exciting and awesome, but wow, I'm really going to miss Eger. Its what I've come to know here in Hungary. I love the place, I love the people, I love the branch members, the investigators. I think its time to move onto a new adventure though.

This last week has been absolutely, crazilly awesome. Just tons of great work. Continuing to meet with people who are growing closer to Christ, and finding more. Fun stuff. The highlight would probably be Gábor (aka, Teddy Bear man) who decided to follow Christ and be baptized, the date set is Jan. 4th. Its way exciting! He is the first person that I have found that has gotten a baptism date, the other two, Lili, and Dori, were both found before I got here to Eger. Gábor is way cool and has a sweet teddy bear collection, yes its true. In the picture I sent I'm holding my favorite one of his. He actually used to have tons and tons and tons of teddy bears and almost set the Guiness world record for largest teddy bear collection, but then gave away a ton. He's not weird or anything, that might make him sound really strange, but he is a normal person, a way cool normal person who likes teddy bears. And who is also going to get baptized. He said he wants to see faith in Christ and its effects more in his life.

Its so much joy being a missionary. Doing good, and seeing how what we get to teach and do blesses others. I want to quote something from Our Search for Happiness which I have been reading recently."Many of our missionaries begin their missions thinking they are going to repay Heavenly Father for His goodness toward them by serving Him for 18 months or two years." The author then talks about how we can never repay our Heavenly Father and how immensly blessed missionaries and their families are for their service. Which is true, but this quote made me think about something else. How, as a missionary, ya Im serving the Lord, but really, at the bottom of it, I dont view it as serving so much as having the incredible opportunity to get to be a part of all of this. Heavenly Father has given me this awesome opportunity to do all that I am able to be doing, to see how the gospel blesses others. Myself, I cant really help these people. I cant confidently walk into the house of a man whose wife committed suicide. I cant help a couple who seem perfectly happy to find more. I cant help people change their lives for the best, or bless people with peace and true joy. I cant give people eternal answers. But the power of the Holy Ghost and the gospel can, and I get to be an instrument for that. Its a blessing.

2 Ne. 28: 30 "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." Both parts are really good, I think we hear the first part a lot, but the second part is important too and makes me think of Christ's parable of the talents. 

Just some awesome experiences this last week and I don't have time to say them all, so Ill just say, the Book of Mormon answers our questions.

I'm being transferred to Szolnok! Its way exciting and although I love it here, I kind of feel like its time to move on. I will be serving with Elder Shuck! I have heard a little about Elder Shuck and he honestly sounds way cool, I don't know how, but I guess I keep getting awesome companions. We are actually re-opening a new companionship that had been closed down for a short time, so both of us are new. There is another Elder companionship and a Sis. companionship and senior comp. there already, but both of us in our companionship will be new so it'll be a tough and good challenge for us to kind of start from scratch. I hear the branch in Szolnok is way cool though and its actually 3 hours long and to my understanding in the process of trying to turn into a ward.

Puttonék are doing great. And Lili's baptism is this weekend. Which ya, means I'm gonna miss it. BUT, we can probably get permission from Pres. Smith to visit Eger and see the baptism because Elder Smith served in Eger recently and taught her awhile ago, so that'll be way awesome and exciting.

WHICH brings up an important note. IF we get permission to travel to Eger for the baptism then our PDay will be that day, which would be this Saturday, so there's a chance I will email again this coming Sat. and not get to email next Monday, so if you want me to see your emails email me earlier.

 

Best wishes and love to everyone!

Sok szeretettel!
Elder Shoop