Little Heartbreakers

Another exciting week in Valdosta, GA! There are just so many amazing people in this world, it's wonderful. I am so lucky to work alongside so many of them. Weeks are blurring together now, so it's hard to remember when awesome events happen, but I'll do my best to relay to y'all the exciting bits. (Which is hard because all of missionary work is exciting!) Anywho, we had some great stuff happen this week. Miss B had been MIA for a couple days, but we finally got a hold of her and she was so happy to see us. She'd been having a really hard time, especially facing her addiction, but she's been staying so strong. And she was able to come to a baptism this week. She said she loved it, and really wants to be a member of our church. She's just the best, I love her so much. In my studies, I've been focusing on the Atonement and what that really means for us as individuals. I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ has worked wonders in my own life, but it's amazing to see the Atonement work in the lives of the people that we teach. So many of them are struggling with things that I cannot even begin to imagine, and no matter what the difficulty is, the Atonement covers it. It's remarkable. The peace and happiness that this gospel brings is like no other drug, entertainment, or pass time. It is perfect.

So, we've been spending quite a lot of time at this one particular apartment complex, because we have quite a few investigators that all live there. Basically, the whole complex knows us. Especially the kids. And oh boy, are they cute. These are the same kids that ran up to me and asked if I could give them hugs because they were "so cold." Stop. Little heartbreakers, every one of them. We have one group of kids that are particularly fond of Sister Waddoups and I. And they are all under the age of 6, just to be clear. But they recognize our car, and every time we drive in, they run up to our car and H usually opens the door for one of us. We've both been asked if we could be their girlfriends, to which we told them that we could not, but we could definitely be their friends. The other day, I taught C and H how to tie their shoes. They are always trying to sneak hugs and grab our hands. They are little buggers, but they are stinkin' adorable. So if you're wondering how the love life is, I have 5 and 6 year old boys blowing kisses to our car a few times a week. Classic.

Let's talk about Miss S. She lives in the same apartments as our admirers live at, and we ran into her one day as we were leaving another appointment. We saw an old woman attempting to get out of her car/bring her groceries in, and we offered to help her. She readily agreed and told us "Follow me inside babehs, and come on in. I know y'all are gonna share the word." We followed her inside and then listened to Miss S testify on every point of essential doctrine that we teach, as well as quote scriptures to back up every point. It was awesome. She's 73, and has major health problems, but amazing faith in her Lord, Jesus Christ. We've met with her a few times now, and she's just lovely.

I would love to give you a quick snapshot of what it looks like when we're walking around the streets of Quitman (a small town to the west of Valdosta). Walking on those old streets of Quitman feels like you're on a movie set. Streets full of the most gorgeous, huge old houses with double doors and porches, and white picket fences, on double-wide streets, lined by trees that could tell some stories, which are dripping in swaying spanish moss. When the sun is filtering through those trees, it is the most beautiful thing. Makes your soul feel light and bright.

Now for an update on E and the crew. Oh goodness. I cannot even express how much I love them. We went over this week to teach them the Word of Wisdom, and they were all sitting around a fire in the back, smoking and drinking, so we thought it best to reschedule the lesson to the next day. However, when we arrived the following day, we walked in to pretty much the same situation. However, we felt like we should still teach them the lesson. So that we did. For those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about, the "Word of Wisdom" is basically a health code that Heavenly Father has asked us to keep in order to keep our bodies happy and healthy. And it is crucial because our bodies and our spirits are intertwined. The physical affects the spiritual. Anywho, we taught the lesson, and although we were afraid that they were going to be pretty upset, they all reacted very positively. A talked about how our bodies are temples, and Heavenly Father wants us to take care of these gifts that He has given us. So the lesson went surprisingly well, and there I was, thinking it couldn't get any better. I was so very wrong. All of a sudden, Miss E whips out her ELECTRIC GUITAR, plugs it into her amp, tells O to "Quick, go grab your drums!" And they start jamming. It was probably the best thing I've ever experienced. This couple, both nearly 80 years old, just killing it. And it was the good stuff too, real bluesy and jazzy and all sorts of fantastic. Everyone in the room was laughing at me because I was smiling so hard and clearly enjoying myself. They thought that it was hoot that this little white girl loved their music so much. But man, if that wasn't just the best thing ever. Afterwards, Miss E just laughed and said, "Bet ya didn't think I could do that, did ya?" She also told us that we were angels without "swings" this week. So you can't get much better than that.

This entire week, I've felt like I was on a spiritual high. I can only describe it as feeling so happy and hopeful that you feel almost outside of yourself, like you're floating. It's like no other feeling. On Friday, we had zone training in Douglas and it was mission changing for me, seriously. I had been feeling pretty disheartened with myself because I knew I could do better, be bolder. And it was all about being bold and exactly what I needed to hear. As a result, over the last few days, there have been so many more people that have decided to be baptized in our zone. We are the Tifton bold lions. We have truth, and we're here to tell everyone we meet about that truth. I mean, I lived with my Heavenly Father 21 years ago, and He knew me and loved me, just as He knows and loves me now. I don't know what you were doing 21 years ago, but I was living with GOD! If that isn't life-changing and perspective-changing, I don't know what is. Every decision I make, every action I take, is dependent upon the knowledge that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally. And I am doing whatever I can in this life so that I can live again with Him some day. And it makes me so very happy. I love you all. Remember who you are.

Sister Szilagyi

Dirt Roads in Backwoods

Hello hello hello my dearest family and friends,

There is so much I want to talk about this week and I have hardly any time to do so... So, once again, I apologize for how disjointed this is going to be, but here it goes:

First, let's discuss the weather, shall we? 70 degress, 40 degrees, sunny, pouring, and how 'bout a tornado warning? All in one week. We are always kept on our toes, that's for sure. My favorite quote of the week was brought to you by Elder H: "We gotta go! Or else we're going to be sucked up by a tornado, and I don't want to teach the gospel in Oz!" I have a wonderful picture of the day when we were forced to stay inside for a couple hours because of a tornado warning. And driving/walking along dirt roads in backwoods Georgia after a rain storm? Akin to Mario Cart/the obstacle courses from the show "Wipe Out". Oh, and don't forget this is all being done in a skirt. Fun times are had by all. Despite the tumultuous weather, the work has been far from it. We were able to meet and teach so many fantastic people this week. Oh, and we have a change in the roommate situation! Sister W was transferred to the Augusta zone, and in her replace we gained.... drum roll please....... Sister T!!! The coolest, biggest tom boy, most hilarious, absolutely wonderful person who you will ever meet. And did I mention that she is Samoan/Tongan? Which makes her that much cooler. Because everyone just loves Polynesian missionaries, that's just a fact of life. Every night we go to bed and she tells us that she loves our faces. And let me tell you, I love hers.

Let me try to do some catching up here.. E and the crew are doing so wonderfully. Yesterday, six of them made it to church! Seeing E and O walk in in their matching red outfits (E in her red church hat and dress, and O in his red striped suit), with four others behind them? Man, I don't think I have ever been happier. Especially because Sister Waddoups and I were both speaking in church. And let me tell you, there is nothing better than standing at the pulpit and hearing E softly saying "Amen! Amen!" in response to your talk. Man, they are the best. Each time we go over to E's to teach, there are new people (recently added to the group are C and G, whose nickname is Peanut). And Peanut has the most awesome white soul patch. Wow, did I mention how much I love these people?

This week, we were able to go to the baptism of J, one of the guys the elders have been teaching. J is 23, and seriously one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Last Sunday, during testimony meeting, he got up and bore one of the most amazing, pure, testimonies I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. He talked about how he has studied every religion under the sun, and been searching for a long time, and that he's never experienced one that felt this right. He also talked about how there is opposition in all things, especially when you are trying to do the right thing. Satan does not want you to come closer to Christ, and he will do everything in his power to prevent that from happening. And wow, after his testimony, the flood gates opened. And the most amazing testimony meeting ever occurred! Everyone that got up after J talked about how the gospel of Jesus Christ, and His church, are not for perfect people. This is the place for wounded souls and the care center for the people that want to be a little better each day. It was remarkable. And the Spirit was so strong.

This week we also met L and her family. We have been able to teach them twice, and there is not a lot much cuter than little children repeating out loud the first chapter of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. The cuteness of these kids are overwhelming. It's hard because I want to kidnap them all and take them home and hug them forever... but for some reason that is not allowed.

I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve the wonderful people of Southern Georgia. There is so much goodness in this world. And paraphrasing words given by our wise prophet, Thomas S. Monson: Sadness and suffering are universal, but so are happiness and joy. Instead of focusing on the sadness and suffering in the world this week, I urge you to look for the happiness and joy. I love you all. I love this gospel, and the perfect joy that is found in following Jesus Christ and His example. Oh, and smile. You are a beautiful child of God.

Sister Szilagyi

Raucous, Joyful, Inspirational

Hello my lovely family and friends. I have been thinking about how I was going to start this email, and the only thing I can say is: This week has been one of the most absolutely, positively most amazing weeks of my entire life. I cannot even hope to capture all of the blessings and miracles that happened to Valdosta, GA this week, but I'm going to do my best. I apologize in advance for any disjointedness...

Remember B, who we met outside her house and she invited us in? That woman really is a ray of sunshine. Well, it seems like every time we drive by her place, the Lord leads her outside. We have been able to meet with her and pray with her, and this week she called us and told us to visit her friend who was in the hospital. It meant a lot to us that she trusted us enough to go bring some peace to her friend that was suffering. Sister Waddoups and I actually made two trips to the hospital that day because we are also attempting to work with cancer patients as clergy who will talk to people in crisis. I'm really hoping that will work out.

We met the most amazing people this week. Descriptions follow:

After teaching and visiting with a very sweet old man with no teeth, we ran into the most interesting character. He was leaning against his house in an army jacket and clutching his walking stick. We went over to talk to him and quickly caught on that he was quite the eloquent and articulate man. He promptly began telling us his life story, which, if it is true, is the most amazing life story I have ever heard. He is an MIT graduate (he took the entry test because he went to keep his friend company), an undercover police officer, artist, photographer, journalist, IBM student, US army draft pick, Wall Street expert, and all around luckiest guy in the world. One of the most entertaining conversations I've had in my life.

This paragraph is going to be about the wonderful, amazing E. Where to begin? Miss E is a feisty 76 year-old woman, who lives in the most elaborately, knick-knacky decorated house, and is the epitome of a Christian woman. Woweewowwow. This woman takes in homeless people off the street, washes them up, cleans their clothes, feeds them (both with food and with scripture), and houses them. There a people living in every corner of that house. The only way I can describe her house is a gypsy, antique-roadshow, fake flower-covered, curtains on every door, rugs on every floor, and knick-knacks on every single surface masterpiece. There is a not a square inch of that woman's house that is not being used. When we first met E, she told us that we needed to come back later and she'd have people to talk to us. What we came back to was nothing short of a miracle. The first time we taught at Miss E's, we walked into her house and were directed to a room where there sat 7 people, arranged in chairs along every wall, waiting to be taught. What then proceeded was the most raucous, joyful, inspirational, "Praise the Lord!" lesson that I have ever had the pleasure of being in. On multiple occasions, we had people jumping up and down, raising their hands and I have never heard "Amen!", "Preach it!", and "Hallelujah!" said so many times in that short amount of time. It was wonderful. And I can see the appeal of being a Baptist preacher, I really can. I mean on more than one occasion, Sis. Waddoups and I had a man fanning our faces with a pamphlet. With all the hoopla, one would think that there would be no spirit, but in the moments of sincere testimony, I heard some of the most amazing stories. All brought about by the power of God. One man had been in jail and learned to read by reading and studying his Bible. It was a lesson never to be forgotten. And when we came back a few days later, we were nervous that this was just a one time thing. However, when we returned, we found people once again gathered in our small room (new people were there as well), with the pamphlets we had left perfectly aligned on the coffee table in the middle of the room. Anthony, one of the men we had met the week previously, was sitting with his pamphlet open, and told me that he had opened to this page because "Last week, y'all said we would be talking about the Book of Mormon. So I opened to the right page. They said that you wouldn't come, but I knew you would." What followed was a less lively, more spiritual version of the first lesson, and we were able to sit and read out of the Book of Mormon. We gave out seven Books of Mormon. And then the kicker: at the end of the lesson, Miss E essentially called everyone to repentance and told them, "These girls have been called here by God! I know that what they are saying is true. Because I am listening with my heart, and not with my ears. And if we say we are going to go to church with these young girls, we are going to go! That man up there ain't nothing to mess with!" One man started to say something off topic, and she cut him off and said, "Don't let Satan distract you! You listen here, these girls come exactly when they say we will, and when we promise to do something, we're gonna do it, you hear me?" She then quickly organized a carpool with everyone there, and come next week, you may hear about how we had 10 new visitors at church. Man, you couldn't make this stuff up. She is just the best. And two of the people, including Miss E, are preparing for baptism. So many miracles.

Another one of the amazing people we met is B. She is a recovering drug addict of 2 months, and is just recently in an apartment after being homeless for a long time. The elders found her when they were knocking and she told them that she had been waiting for missionaries to come back. She said that missionaries used to visit her neighbor all of the time, and she had wanted to meet with them as well. In the approximately 30 seconds the elders talked to her, B said she wanted to be baptized. And the elders introduced us to her the next day. Our first lesson with B went very well, and she loved everything we taught her. She said she wanted to be at church, but didn't have a ride. So she gave us her number so that we could call her when we found her a ride. We organized a ride for her, but then couldn't get a hold of her, so we decided to stop by. She said multiple times, "I knew you'd come, I knew you'd come tell me." And the following Sunday? In walked B. Sunday was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I have never experienced a more inspiring testimony meeting, Sunday school class, or relief society class. We could not have planned a more perfect Sunday. Every class and every word said was exactly what B needed to hear. And she absolutely loved it. At the end of church, she was hugging everyone and just so happy. This is the kind of change the gospel of Jesus Christ can have in a person's life. And this was only after one Sunday and one lesson.

My blog is named "Many Mighty Miracles" because I knew that when I was going to be out here in Southern Georgia, I would experience many. I had no idea truly how many. Or with what power. The hand of God is so evident everywhere I look. Heavenly Father is truly aware of us. Of our deepest desires, and deepest fears. He knows that we can accomplish anything through faith in Him and His son. And it is so. I have been out for six weeks. Only six weeks. And I can say to you with confidence: believe in miracles, I have already seen so many.

I love this work. I love this gospel. If it were not true, it would not so perfectly heal everyone's wounds. It would not be the perfect balm for everyone's souls. As was so perfectly said in church on Sunday, we are not a religion or church for perfect people. We are a hospital for wounded souls, and tired minds. And for those that are not quite so weary, we are a clinic to improve and grow. Everyone can be a little better. Every day we can choose to be a better version of ourselves. One iota better than the man or woman we were the day before. So this year, who do you choose to be?

Much love,
Sister Szilagyi