Wow! Its december already! I hope everyones thanksgiving was awesome and that no one got permanent damage from the ward turkey bowls. A little bit short on time today, sorry if the mail emails are getting shorter as I have been emailing Mom and Dad more recently, sorry, Mom and Dad get priority.
So, this week was charity, and wow has it been a charity focus for me. I have really found that as I think and study these topics God really helps me learn a lot about them. Heres a quick experience from yesterday, I think its awesome and it ties into charity so Ill share it.
Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting in the branch. I dont know if I have talked about this, but these branches are sometimes small, but super super close knit and the members all really are family to each other (for the most part). Atleast, in the 2 branches Ive been in so far. Also, Hungarians are very open and blunt, its awesome. So, during the meeting one of the men in the branch was baring his testimony and talked a bit about how everyone was family here and how everyone always had arms out reached. Then (while the man is still up there) one of the nénis (nay-nee, an old lady) in the congregation said that we should all stand up and give each other a hug. So we did. It was awesome! Not everyone stood up and gave a hug, and it seemed kind of funny to some the Hungarians too, but it was great. Just awesome. I love Hungary. These people are amazing, incredible people, theyre so nice! I really just love it here, it is a special place on this Earth.
And that is what its about. When we have charity, and really understand the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we can follow our Heavenly Father's will for us. It has been a strugle for me, and I have had to work and pray a lot recently. But when I have been able to focus on loving the people, that is when it goes well.
As usual, I have some scriptures. 1Ne 19:9 "And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of me." Christ set the perfect example of charity for us. He suffered everything for us, our sins and pains, and through it all he had perfect charity even for those that put him through it.
Ether 12: 27, 28, 35-37 are great too. We can and need to have charity despite our weakness.
The work has started to pick up a bit here in Szolnok, me and my companion are starting to be able to bless some more people I think. I passed my 6 month mark this last week, really crazy how time flies. Its been amazing and I have learned so much and experienced so many amazing incredible things. I am so greatful for this time I get to be a missionary and represent my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Today, later, well be celebrating thanksgiving American style. The senior couple here is awesome and is doing so much for it, they couldnt find a full turkey but they did find precut turkey, so atleast well have turkey. Im making my fudge (hopefully it turns out using the ingredients I found) and apple sauce.
I went on splits twice this last week. Once with Elder. Nabrotsky, who is a zone leader. You might remember that name, he is a great friend of mine here inthe field and we have a lot in common, he was my zone leader when I was in Eger and we have gone on splits together before. i was in Szeged for the splits, way awesome place we did a ton of great work. Then I went on splits with the other comp. here in Szolnok, I was with Elder Loveday who goes home soon, I learned a ton from him, hes great too.
There is a transfer this next week so Ill be emailing on Tuesday, itll be interesting to see what happens for transfers. The language is really starting to come I think. Me and Shuck Elder speak the language a ton together which is super useful, for example, when I started this paragraph I could only think of the Hungarian work for transfer and took a second or two to remember the English word, cool stuff.
I wish you and your families the best this next week. Christmas season is here, remember in the rush to take time for things that really matter.
Sok szeretettel
Elder Shoop
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