Christmas in Georgia

"Me eating a giant rice crispy treat..."

"Elder D and Elder H (elders in our district) in their Christmas best"

"Yes, that stop sign says, 'Stop. Hammer time.'"

"We gave the elders christmas ties. From left to right: Elder H's is a child's clip on tie. Elder G's plays music. And Elder C's has dancing reindeer playing musical instruments on it. Good Will is full of treasures."

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas... and Sister Waddoups and Sister Szilagyi were terrified because they had three Christmas dinners scheduled. THREE. You'll all be glad to hear that we didn't explode, but it was a close call. It could have gone either way. This Christmas was a bit different than normal, but absolutely wonderful. Caroling was my favorite part of the season, without a doubt. Raise your hand if you wish you could sing at everyone's door all year long? Me, I just raised my hand. Anyway, we had some wonderful caroling experiences such as knocking on the door of a Presbyterian Christmas party, where they gathered all of their guests around the door and made us sing multiple songs. One adorable little old lady gave me hug and said that we had just made her night. It was magical. And we did some mini-celebrating as a district as well. We did a white elephant exchange, and I ended up with a men's XL christmas t-shirt with reindeer on it, who are drinking... root beer? Yeah, the elders didn't catch that one. It was hilarious. Fun times were had by all.

This week I was a bit of a sicko. I think they call it "The Black Plague". Just kidding, but I was slightly under the weather. However, I am on the mend now so no need to fear. Many miracles happened around this beautiful time of year and here are a few of them:

We went to visit a woman that had been visited by previous missionaries, but there was no answer. We began to walk back to the car, when I felt like we should knock on her neighbor's door. I almost ignored the feeling, but as I looked at his front door, I felt a little happy feeling in my heart, so I told Sis. Waddoups that we should knock on it. We went over, and right inside his house, sat T fixing his radio. He's a 60-something year old man, and he was sitting there behind his screen door, just working away. We knocked and as he looked up, Sis. Waddoups asked him what he was doing. That simple question was all it took for him to open up, and we spent the next 20 minutes talking about religion, his beliefs, and ours. We found out that he had visited our church with his son in the past, and we're headed back to his place this week.

Another experience happened later that evening as were trying to find streets to knock. It was about 8:00 PM and Sister Waddoups and I were plum tuckered out. We were both starting to feel sick, and knocking on random doors did not seem like our most fun activity at the moment. We drove down several streets, and finally found one that had a couple of lit houses. We stopped in front of one that was adorably decorated with a beautiful red M on the door. I said a little prayer to give me strength, and Sis. Waddoups and I approached the door. What subsequently followed was probably the best door experience that I've had. A lovely young couple answered the door and talked to us for a good while about faith, and we they told us that they were Methodist. We eventually gave them a card, with our phone number, and left. After knocking on the rest of the lit homes in the neighborhood, we were in our car, about to leave, when the man (who had made up one half of the lovely couple) came running out of his house towards us. He asked if we had some time, and could we come in and talk to them for a while? We were able to talk to them for a good long while, and hope to see them again soon.

A couple days later, we were visiting a woman from church, and as we drove into her apartment complex, we waved at a woman who was walking from her car. She waved back very excitedly and Sis Waddoups and I both looked at each other in surprise. No one waves at us that happily, it just doesn't happen. We got out of our car and she said, "Y'all from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? I love y'all!' And then slammed her door. We were rather perplexed. So after knocking on the woman's door who we came to see, and getting no answer, we knocked on the happy waver's door. Her son answered the door and invited us right in. We were quickly introduced to N, who we found out used to attend our church. Things that N said before we left: "I cannot believe that they are sending girls out here! Ooooheeee, I just can't believe it!" And "If I find our y'all are riding bikes, I'll run down to that church with a pitchfork!" As well as "Gurl, who has been feedin' you? You need a cheeseburger." She is a wonderful soul. And she gives out candy to all of the neighborhood children. As we were leaving, we noticed that we had about 8 kids crowded around the back of our car. I told them that, "Y'all better back up, cause I want you to live!" And one little boy looked at me and said, "I know you want us to live, y'all are the Jesus Christ people!" And one boy, who looked about 5 told me that I had "pretty hur." Which was just adorable. Man, those kids plum broke my heart. They just wanted some lovin'.

As we're headed into the new year, I have been thinking about how much my own life has changed in this past year.

This Sunday, I was reminded that instead of coming up with resolutions, I should come up with real solutions. I am so grateful for this gospel for providing me with real solutions to a life that provides us with real questions and real difficulties. I love my Savior, and I love His work.

If you have a moment, I strongly suggest watching this puppy.

It's a wonderful New Year's video. You should watch it.

I love you all.
Sister Szilagyi

Our Infinite Potential

Merry Christmas from Southern Georgia!

Going Christmas caroling may feel ridiculous when it is 75 degrees outside, but if it keeps people from slamming the door on you, I'm all for it! This week, we've been Christmas caroling almost every day with the other sisters and elders and let me tell you, I'm having the time of my life. If I could sing on every door step, I would. So much better than talking, even though y'all know that I like that too.

All in all, this week has been an extremely merry one. Maybe it's the Christmas spirit, but we've been able to talk to so many amazing people this week.

Wonderful moments from this week:

-We were invited to a Christmas party at my very favorite house in Valdosta (I was so happy. We had knocked there once before and I remember thinking: "This is my dream house." And we actually got to go inside and meet so many kind people.)

-After teaching one lesson with A's cousin, B, she told us that she wanted to be baptized! We're so excited for B. And it'll be on Jan 1st, on her Grandpa's birthday. Can't think of a better way to start the new year.

-We were caroling this week at M's home (one of the member's who has had a stroke) and as we were outside, a few people passed us on the street and we didn't think much of it. Later that afternoon, as we were visiting some people, we stopped by a ladies' house who wasn't home. As we were getting out of the car, we noticed a woman walking out of her house. We almost didn't talk to her, but we decided to take the opportunity to speak with her. By the way, we call these encounters referrals from the Lord :) Anyway, we said hello and she recognized us. She had been one of the people that had passed us as were singing at M's. She said that she had locked herself out of her house, and was walking to a friend's when she passed us. As she walked by, she wondered why we had never stopped at her place and she hoped that she would. And there we were, standing in her front yard, and she was so happy to see us. We told her what church we were from and she told us her daughter is Mormon. She invited us inside and we found out that she had been to church with her daughter multiple times, and when we asked her if she had enjoyed it, she looked at me and said, "Did I enjoy it?? Did I ever!" She then asked us what time we were stopping by next to come study with her, and as we were about to leave, asked us to say a prayer with her. For all of those unaware, she basically walked us through every single step that we as missionaries try to include in a lesson. She's amazing. And the Lord perfectly prepared her, as well as us. When we covenant with the Lord that we will be at a certain place at a certain time, He is able to place people into our paths that we are supposed to meet. How grateful I am for His power in orchestrating His kingdom. This theme of meeting people at the perfect time happened again and again this week. We went to multiple people's houses looking for them, and instead met people that we were able to share the gospel with.

-One of my favorite moments from this week happened when we went over to the C's. I can't remember if I've mentioned them before, but they are an amazing family from Guatemala. The gang includes: Bro and Sis C, E (21), S (12), A (10), and Leo (24 in human years). Leo is an adorable basset hound. Their niece, E.D., was taught all of the lessons with previous missionaries, but she only speaks Spanish and she did not understand most of what they taught. So we decided to start from the beginning, and have Bro C translate. Never have I ever wanted to speak Spanish more than that lesson (I'm still bitter at you Mom and Dad who both speak Spanish!). Anywho, we taught the restoration and it went perfectly. At the end, I felt inspired to ask E.D. if she has already prayed about what we had been teaching her and she nodded and said, "Si." I asked her if she had received an answer to her prayers, and she told us that she had. It was when her new baby boy had been blessed. She said that in that moment, she knew that this was Christ's true church and the Book of Mormon was true. She is going to be baptized on the 11th of January. During our lesson, Sister C came and sat at the table. When we were talking about baptism, she told us her conversion story. It was beautiful. She was raised Catholic, and had known that her religion was the truth. However, she explained that she had never felt the Spirit, and didn't know what people were talking about when they said that they were "feeling" something at church. It wasn't until she went to her cousin's baptism that she felt something. As her cousin was getting into the water, she said she felt very warm and she began to cry. She said it scared her, and she didn't know what was going on. She kept crying, and finally gained enough composure to call the missionaries. When they answered, she asked if she could be baptized the next day. Their family is so wonderful. The spirit was so strong sitting at that dinner table that day.

As Christmas is approaching, I am continually reminded of the beauty of His atonement. And the beauty of seeing our brothers and sisters through His eyes. Through faith in Him and through accessing His atonement, we can accomplish anything. We can become better mothers, better fathers, better sisters, better brothers, better daughters, and better sons. Our Heavenly Father sees our infinite potential. And through faith in Him and His son, we can live up to that potential.

I'll leave you with a final thought that I had about faith this week: Why do we believe and accept the principle of gravity so readily, and not faith? We cannot see gravity, we see it's effects. We cannot see faith, we see it's effects. Why, then, does one principle or law carry more validity than the other? I urge y'all this week to look for the effects of faith this week. Look for the beautiful moments and beautiful people that God has placed into our lives. And notice how He is perfectly aware of your needs, your wants, and your heart. Take a moment to explore your own faith. And if you want to take a moment and explore mine, please visit www.mormon.org. And please don't hesitate to write to me and ask me any questions you have.

I love my Savior. And I love His gospel. Thank y'all for all of the good that you do, and the faith you possess. My prayers are with you always.

-Sister Szilagyi

So Very Very Sweet

Well, it's official. I am finally old enough that I actually forgot my own birthday. I never understood how people could just "forget" their birthdays, but now I get it. It wasn't until Sister W told me "Happy Birthday!" in the morning, that I actually remembered. And for most of the day, I kept forgetting. I've felt so loved this week though. Sister W made me delicious mint brownies, Sister R (the ward relief society president) gave me a beautiful basket full of goodies, and Elder H and Elder C baked me brownies and gave me a wonderful apple cinnamon candle with a bow tied around (courtesy of Elder H). In his words: "It was just so pretty!" I love those guys. They are just the best.

A super special thank you to all of the amazing people that sent me cards/packages: the Tryon's: Thank you so much for thinking of me! And thank you for your letters! The Burnham's: I love you two so much, and I'm waiting until Christmas to look inside the stocking. The Shield's: I loved your package so much. And my companion is making me wait until Christmas to look up the scriptures and open the presents, you guys are so wonderful! THANK YOU THANK YOU

This week was plum full of excitement. I have been praying for more opportunities to meet/talk to people. And for all of you who are unaware, be careful what you pray for, because Heavenly Father answers your prayers. I was able to experience many mighty miracles this week. On the way home from a baptism, a man was parked just inside the church parking lot because his car had broken down. The elders stopped to help him, and after talking with him for approximately 2 minutes, he wanted to be baptized. 2 minutes. Broken down in the church parking lot. Baptism. Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Some of the excitement includes: our car battery dying, which caused us to meet a lovely older man in his truck who gave us a jump. Locking our keys inside of the apartment with no phone, no bags, nothing, which caused us to meet the less active members who live above the elders and who lovingly gave us a ride to the church. And having our phone fall into a smoothie. Let me explain. We were driving, and I had set the phone on top of the middle arm rest. The car in front of us did some erratic movement, and Sis Waddoups made a sudden stop. Well that brand new phone slid right off into a cup of smoothie that was our breakfast. Just perfectly, plop. Struggles. It stopped working for a while, but after being put in rice and numerous prayers, it was fixed! A true Christmas miracle! And we are known as "the Smoothie Sisters." Yepp...

We've also been going Christmas caroling with the other elders and sisters... Have I mentioned how much I love dollar stores? That is where we acquired our festive accessories. And everyone loves a group of people singing them happy Christmas songs!

On Thursday, we were teaching the at the R's and E (A's younger sister) was there as well. As we were reviewing the Restoration lesson that E had missed, one of her cousins (who is 7, who had been at the first lesson asked if she could teach help teach. She had been pretty quiet and reserved when we were first teaching her, and I hadn't been sure how much she was understanding. However, during the lesson, she turned to me and said, "Remember how you told me that all of the people I meet are my brothers and sisters? Well I told that to my friends at school. I told them that we were all brothers and sisters." And throughout the lesson, she kept chiming in and repeating things I had said in that first lesson, word for word. I was struck by how much our simple lesson had affected her. And E wants to get baptized. How wonderful is that? Sitting at that kitchen table, surrounded by 5 young girls and Grandma R, all paying close attention to our words, I felt so amazingly blessed for the opportunity to teach simple truths and to be a missionary. There is no greater feeling than that, I assure you. Sweet is the work. So very very sweet.

And for a final thought: On Sunday, one of our lessons was all about Christ and the timeline of His life. Sometimes I feel a bit discouraged and upset with my own performance/success as a missionary. And I was struck with an overwhelming thought. Christ, the perfect teacher, faced an enormous amount of persecution and rejection. Who am I to believe that I deserve any better than He? Who am I to assume that the same wouldn't happen to me, one so much more inferior in every aspect. Even with His perfection, people have their agency. And what a difficult and beautiful part of the plan it is.

In the words of M. Russell Ballard: "Trust the Lord. He is the good shepherd. He knows His sheep. And His sheep know His voice." I love you all. Have a blessed and happy holiday season.

First Taste of Georgia

"Sister Kendall and I, driving to SLC airport, and I was carrying my alarm clock in my pocket. Cause I'm cool like that."

"Beauty"

"For the Burnhams"

"Beautiful dirt road"

"The poor Elders got bed bugs hahahaha"

"Sister Waddoups and I"

"SO close to Florida!"

"A true southern wreath- made of cotton plants"

"We just had to creepily take a picture of this through a window. It doesn't even need a caption."

Life is Beautiful

When you think of December, what comes to mind? Snow, caroling, hot chocolate, and warm blankets? How about shirtless men mowing their front lawns? Or turning on your air conditioning because you wake up sweating? No? Well that's Christmas time in Georgia folks. It's like nothing I've ever experienced. It's wonderful.

This week has been a bit of a challenge. Sis Waddoups and I spent a lottttt of time knocking on doors. And let me tell you, southern people are just so polite when they slam the door in your face. It's lovely. Pretty much all of our appointments cancelled on us this week. But that's okay, because we are not discouraged! Just getting plenty of exercise. Which is much needed around this time of the year. To put things into perspective, the highlight of the week was when Sister Waddoups and I both stepped in dog poop one night. BOTH of us. We were laughing until we were crying.

Despite the few setbacks, there were many wonderful moments. This week, Sister Waddoups and I were chosen to attend a special leadership training meeting in Macon. It was wonderful and much needed. What a morale boost. We felt very thankful and blessed that we were chosen to attend. The speaker was Bro Donaldson (who is from the missionary department, and who was the mission president over the missionaries in The District 2). He completely shook up how we are supposed to teach. Essentially, his message is that as missionaries we work too hard, talk way too much, and try to cram every bit of gospel knowledge that we have ever received into our poor investigators heads. Great stuff. And at this meeting/conference we able to attain our long lost box! A cell phone! Hallelujah! It was like Christmas day.

Oh, I have to tell y'all (yeah, I say y'all now) about the R’s. This family. Oh goodness, they are fantastic. Grandma R has a beautiful home outside of town, and most of her children and grandchildren live in the adjacent homes. None of her children attend church, but two of her grandchildren were just baptized. A and K. A is a rockstar. She has been out with the missionaries over 30 times, been going to church with her grandma for years, was the first kid in her family to be baptized, and she's only 16 years old. She is amazing. K is hilarious. She's 9 years old, super talkative, and spunky with a capital S. They both hug us whenever they see us. So much love. Grandma R buys food for us missionaries, and feeds us, and loves to come out and teach with us. A drives us around when we're low on miles and teaches with us as well. Their cousin sat in on the one lesson that we had this week and said she wants to be baptized. She's only 7, but turns 8 in March. We gave her her own Book of Mormon and she was so excited. What a wonderful moment. I just loving teaching kids, they are so open and willing to learn. And nice. And loving. Just an awesome family all around.

And as I read on one of the 6 million church reader boards here in Georgia: "Plan ahead, it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark." Go out and talk to someone today. Make someone smile. Go tell a little girl that she is a princess.

The Valdosta wards combined together and had a 3 night nativity exhibit at the church this week. Oh my lanta, did those ladies out do themselves. I mean the gym was absolutely stunning. It is already the most beautiful LDS church building I have ever seen, but wow was it amazing. 215 nativities in total, dozens of lit and decorated Christmas trees, just magical. And we had many people attend. One guy the elders have been teaching agreed on a baptism date at the event! SO wonderful.

Us four sisters and A in the middle at the Christmas nativity exhibit!

There are so many kind and supportive people in our ward, we are just so blessed. The bishop's wife is making us come up with a list of items that we need/want for our apartment, and giving us a huge box for Christmas. And we already know that we are going to be fed both Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Happy happy joy joy.

I love you all so much. Don't forget, you are a son or daughter of God. A son or daughter of a king. That makes you a prince or princess. We live in a real life fairy tale people. Life is beautiful.

Sister Szilagyi

Arrival in Valdosta

President Cottle, Sister Cottle, and Sister Szilagyi

Deep South

Hello from Valdosta, GA!

I am in the deep south folks. And I mean deeeeeeep. You can see Florida from my house. Just kidding, you can't. And I live in an apartment.

Sitting in Macon, waiting for my face to pop up next to a random sister missionary who will be my trainer and companion for at least the next six weeks was just a tad bit nerve-wrecking. But then I met Sister Waddoups. And let me tell you friends, she is a gem. And I'm not just saying that. She's wonderful. And we're the exact same person, it's terrifying, And awesome. She's from Concord, Mass, but her family is currently living in Australia, so she technically got called to a foreign mission haha. We live in an apartment with another pair of sister missionaries, including Sister J who was in my district in the MTC! So in total, it's 2 pairs of sisters missionaries, and 2 pairs of elders in our area. One set per ward. Anyway, we are loving it here. Sister Waddoups and I opened up a brand new area, so we both have no idea where anything is, don't know anyone, and have no clue what we're doing. So we're really relying on the Spirit. It's wonderful. We have actually had a variety of struggles this first week, including letting an elder, who was trying to be really helpful, carry one of our boxes to our truck. When we got to Valdosta, we realized that the box (which contained our cell phone, pamphlets, videos, everything important) was not there and was actually in Augusta. Which is on the opposite side of the mission. Of course. So we've been sharing a phone with the other sisters. He was really trying to be helpful, he was.

It's been actually surprisingly chilly here so far, like seeing your breath in the day time chilly, and Georgians were freaking out. The only reason people have been letting us in is because they think we're getting hypothermia. But that works for me. However, it is supposed to be 80 this week so.... yupp.

Our mission president and his wife are lovely. One of the first things he said to us was, "We're a singing district." I am so happy. 

Our area ranges from extremely large, beautiful homes, to trailers, so we have quite the demographic. The first night we went tracting, we got let into an apartment where we met D and her best friend C. D is absolutely hilarious. And is in charge of the "dance ministry" at her Baptist church. We asked her what that was and she thought for a moment, and eventually said, "something like bootleg ballet". Hahaha we were dying. C is a bit quieter, but they are both wonderful. They invited us to thanksgiving dinner at her grandma's house and we ended up stopping by for pie. Thanksgiving in Georgia. What a hoot. Let me tell you, a pair of little white missionary sisters have never been more out of place. Everyone there was just staring at us like,"Who invited these skinny white girls to our thanksgiving dinner?" I loved every second of it. And just for the record, sweet potato pie is simply scrumptious.

We actually had Thanksgiving lunch/dinner at Mama M's house. She is a slightly terrifying, mostly sassy, and all wonderful Columbian lady. So we obviously got along fabulously. She fed 6 missionaries plus her family, it was so nice of her. We've met so many wonderful people here. On one of our first days here, we were trying to find a place that could copy and enlarge a map of Valdosta for us that we could use to hang on our wall for planning. We eventually ended up at a very abandoned looking shop. There we met the wonderful D.A.. He blew up our map for us and then told us that it was on the house. We introduced ourselves and asked if he had ever met with the missionaries. He said, "No, but I ought to." I'll keep you updated on him. And I have to tell you about A. We found her in our area book and decided to pay a visit. She is a bit of an eccentric redneck crazy cat lady who has no upper teeth and loves Jesus. Crosses on every wall. And she snorts when she laughs. She's hilarious. And can't sit still even if her life depended on it. She's totally open and is reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. She's also trying to stop smoking, so we brought over grapefruit juice and cinnamon disks, which evidently taste awful mixed with cigarettes. She's coming to church this Sunday, I can't wait. We love her so much.

There is great need here and suchhhh great potential. I cannot wait for all of the amazing things that are going to happen in Valdosta. The Lord knows us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. His gospel can provide hope and peace that nothing else can provide. As the holiday season is upon us, I can't wait to focus all of my energy on Christ. And we get to Christmas carol! How wonderful is that?

I love you all, thank you for being a part of my life.
3 Nephi 5:13

Sister Szilagyi