Sooo..... Remember how last week I said I had chickenpox feet because of mosquito bites? Yeah, well turns out they were/are chigger bites! Whoo hoo! And let me tell you, those are the itchiest things in the whole wide world. Mother, I stand corrected. She told me that I would get them, and I laughed it off. I wasn't laughing when I was knocked out due to the Benadryl I took to stop the swelling...
Other than the painful feet episode, things have been just dandy down here in the South! HAPPY BELATED EASTER! This has been truly the most meaningful and beautiful Easter season that I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying.
I have been overwhelmed with my love for my Savior this week and really coming to know Him. Actually know Him. And it's something I work on every day.
Some sad news: E and O told us that they're going on a spiritual adventure and following where the Lord is leading them, so we can't come over anymore because they'll be out and about. I have to admit, the call came as a bit of a shock because last Sunday, E got up, took me with her, got up on the stand in front of the congregation, and... proceeded to take off her jacket and PREACH. And I mean preach; she told everyone that she was gonna "Talk like a colored woman talks" and then told everyone how we had been sent to her from God, yelling into that microphone. Oh E, we will always be best friends, no matter what. She's so cool.
This week was a wonderful one. We were able to see many miracles and teach many lessons. We had a wonderful zone conference with many other missionaries where Sister Walker, Elder Gemmell (one of our zone leaders) and Elder Faleao (a crazy cool Samoan/Tongan with crazy cool musical gifts), and I sang a 4-part laid-back Jamaican style rendition of "Love is Spoken Here". Give me a song to sing, and people to jam with, and I am a happy camper.
This week, one of our investigators fell asleep as I was praying. It was maybe a 20 second prayer, and she's on the mature end of the age spectrum...
This week I was able to see a grown man on his knees, overcome with sorrow from sin. I was able to comfort another who said that he has been considering suicide and had prayed for someone to come help him. I was able to explain the nature of God, our Heavenly Father, to a couple who have had questions most of their lives, and here, finally, they were able to find answers in the true gospel of Jesus Christ. And I was able to witness the beautiful baptisms of both B and J. I have been overwhelmingly blessed with a wonderful companion, and an elder brother that I will forever be eternally indebted to. This Easter season has been one that I will never forget.
It is only through taking advantage of the atonement of Jesus Christ that we can overcome those feelings of sorrow, depression, anger, loss, resentment, guilt, and pain. And it takes effort on our part. And usually that effort hurts a little. Often it hurts a whole lot. But it is the only way to truly be happy. And for this knowledge I am so grateful. Here's another fantastic video for y'all to watch:
http://easter.mormon.org/
I love you all to the moon and back. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.
-Sister Szilagyi
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Baptisms and Family
"G and D :)"
"Their aunt is in purple, mom in pink. And do you see their grandfather's mustache? SO FANTASTIC."
It Changes Lives
Hello wonderful people!
This week has been full to the brim with miracles. I mean holy moly, it's hard to know where to begin.
First of all, Sister de St. Jeor rocks my socks. We spend pretty much laugh every other minute, it's fantastic. "Men are, that they might have joy!"
Some quick snapshots from my brain:
-Teaching J about the Book of Mormon and committing her to read and pray about it. We leave and walk up the street. We come back a while later, and there she is, sitting on her porch, cigarette in one hand, Book of Mormon in the other. And if that wasn't the happiest sight I ever did see. We'll go the Word of Wisdom soon. Baby steps.
-Making breakthroughs sitting on C's porch, discussing the will of God and eternal life.
-Having 25+ mosquito bites on my feet and legs.... Having your feet look like they have chicken pox. Awkward.
-FINALLY eating at the Smoking Pig. Pulled pork sandwich with their classic BBQ sauce, baked beans, and potato salad? Yes please.
-Spending many hours at a member's house digging up her dead lawn/laying new sod. Fantastic workout. And I'm pretty much an expert sod-layer now. Possible future career option...?
-Deciding to stop by D's late one night, and there she was sitting on her porch, chin on her railing, looking like the very personification of depression. After spending about 30-45 minutes discussing the future, and change, and almost leaving three times, D told us that she wanted to be baptized :) We offered her May 10th as a possible date, and she told us no, she wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. As she was looking at the calendar, and as we sat there in silence, letting her think, she told us, "April 26th. *pause* ...Yepp, April 26th." It was WONDERFUL. Wonderful. This has been a long time coming: multiple sets of missionaries, moves, changes, etc. I mean she wants to go to BYU people! Man, so excited for her.
-AND.... G and D got baptized!!! (see below for more details)
On Saturday, we were able to be part of the wonderfully special baptism of D and G (ages 13 and 10). Their mother has been less-active most of her life, and their father is inactive. We met their family almost by accident, but in the Lord's work, there are no accidents... And we've been working with them to prepare for baptism for the last month and a half-ish. Well Saturday was finally the big day. They were very excited and S (their mom) was clearly overwhelmed with emotion. A week or so before the baptism, we had convinced her to say the opening prayer at her children's baptism, and only moments before it was supposed to begin, she came up to us and said, "I can't say the opening prayer. I just can't." She explained how she was going to cry (she had tears in her eyes as we were talking) and she just didn't think she could do it. We reassured her and told her how much it would mean to her children if she said that prayer, and she agreed to try. After the opening hymn, she stood right up and started saying the prayer immediately. The tears came, and so did the Spirit. It was an amazing baptism. A few hours after everything was finished, we received this text message from her: "Thank y'all. The day was perfect. My heart is overflowing. Thanks for being a part of it all and for pushing me to say the opening prayer. I'm glad I done it. I love y'all. See y'all tomorrow :)"
This is why I'm a missionary. This is why this is the very best place I could be right now. This is why the gospel means so much to me. Because it changes lives. I love it.
I would like to conclude with a wonderful quote from Mother Theresa:
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, They may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."
And now, because we're thinking about being better people, click on this link: http://www.mormon.org/cecile
And watch the video.
She is the perfect example of not just reading that quote, but living it. Try it for yourself. I dare ya.
Sister Szilagyi
This week has been full to the brim with miracles. I mean holy moly, it's hard to know where to begin.
First of all, Sister de St. Jeor rocks my socks. We spend pretty much laugh every other minute, it's fantastic. "Men are, that they might have joy!"
Some quick snapshots from my brain:
-Teaching J about the Book of Mormon and committing her to read and pray about it. We leave and walk up the street. We come back a while later, and there she is, sitting on her porch, cigarette in one hand, Book of Mormon in the other. And if that wasn't the happiest sight I ever did see. We'll go the Word of Wisdom soon. Baby steps.
-Making breakthroughs sitting on C's porch, discussing the will of God and eternal life.
-Having 25+ mosquito bites on my feet and legs.... Having your feet look like they have chicken pox. Awkward.
-FINALLY eating at the Smoking Pig. Pulled pork sandwich with their classic BBQ sauce, baked beans, and potato salad? Yes please.
-Spending many hours at a member's house digging up her dead lawn/laying new sod. Fantastic workout. And I'm pretty much an expert sod-layer now. Possible future career option...?
-Deciding to stop by D's late one night, and there she was sitting on her porch, chin on her railing, looking like the very personification of depression. After spending about 30-45 minutes discussing the future, and change, and almost leaving three times, D told us that she wanted to be baptized :) We offered her May 10th as a possible date, and she told us no, she wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. As she was looking at the calendar, and as we sat there in silence, letting her think, she told us, "April 26th. *pause* ...Yepp, April 26th." It was WONDERFUL. Wonderful. This has been a long time coming: multiple sets of missionaries, moves, changes, etc. I mean she wants to go to BYU people! Man, so excited for her.
-AND.... G and D got baptized!!! (see below for more details)
On Saturday, we were able to be part of the wonderfully special baptism of D and G (ages 13 and 10). Their mother has been less-active most of her life, and their father is inactive. We met their family almost by accident, but in the Lord's work, there are no accidents... And we've been working with them to prepare for baptism for the last month and a half-ish. Well Saturday was finally the big day. They were very excited and S (their mom) was clearly overwhelmed with emotion. A week or so before the baptism, we had convinced her to say the opening prayer at her children's baptism, and only moments before it was supposed to begin, she came up to us and said, "I can't say the opening prayer. I just can't." She explained how she was going to cry (she had tears in her eyes as we were talking) and she just didn't think she could do it. We reassured her and told her how much it would mean to her children if she said that prayer, and she agreed to try. After the opening hymn, she stood right up and started saying the prayer immediately. The tears came, and so did the Spirit. It was an amazing baptism. A few hours after everything was finished, we received this text message from her: "Thank y'all. The day was perfect. My heart is overflowing. Thanks for being a part of it all and for pushing me to say the opening prayer. I'm glad I done it. I love y'all. See y'all tomorrow :)"
This is why I'm a missionary. This is why this is the very best place I could be right now. This is why the gospel means so much to me. Because it changes lives. I love it.
I would like to conclude with a wonderful quote from Mother Theresa:
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, They may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway."
And now, because we're thinking about being better people, click on this link: http://www.mormon.org/cecile
And watch the video.
She is the perfect example of not just reading that quote, but living it. Try it for yourself. I dare ya.
Sister Szilagyi
New Sisters and Pranks
"The new four-pack! Sister Walker, Sister Tevi, Sister Me, and Sister de St. Jeor"
"This is the final prank that the other sisters played on us before Sister Jeppson and Sister Waddoups left. No explanation necessary, really."
Down to My Very Core
Hello glorious family and friends!
Another week has come and gone, and I now get to spend my every moment with the wonderful.... Sister de St. Jeor! (Pronounced dee-st.-jore, rhyming with store)
She is simply lovely. How do I get this lucky? I'm not sure, but she is a gem. And she is from Centerville, UT! And grew up with my cousin, Seth! Super cool. She's 22, went to school at University of Utah, and recently got back from a trip to Uganda for humanitarian work. First Sister Waddoups, who had just gotten back from India, and now this. It is so cruel. I am insanely jealous of my companions. Anywho... she is majoring in health promotion and education, so she's going to change the world. She is always willing to work hard and try it all. Whenever she speaks, it is with such power and she brings a calming influence to every lesson we're in. And the Spirit is always felt. We're going to be best friends, I just know it.
Humidity and heat are coming... Every day, we feel it a bit more. And it feels a little bit like you're living in that tropical jungle exhibit at the zoo. Can't wait for summer haha! But the sun is wonderful and the world is bright and cheery.
Unfortunately, I don't have any new church signs for y'all because we mostly stayed in Valdosta this week, helping Sister de St. Jeor become acquainted with our fine city, and meeting investigators. We were able to experience so many miracles this week, it was unreal. Heavenly Father truly provides new missionaries with a remarkable amount of spiritual experiences/miracles in that first week. My theory is that this then carries the missionary through the tough times that will always come, such as days when every appointment cancels, doors are slammed in your face, and you feel like the world is against ya. But that first week/couple days are thrilling. And provide inspiration of what a mission CAN be like. Especially if we are being obedient and working as hard as we can. And I get to be along for the wonderful ride! How lucky am I?!
This week, we were able to meet some amazing people that are very interested in learning more about the church. I wanted to share one experience in particular with y'all. So on one of our first days together, I decided that Sister de St. Jeor really needed to experience knocking on doors, and she took it all head on! During this time, we met A, who is in his mid-late 20's and has luscious brown locks and a lovely red beard. He told us that he wasn't particularly religious himself, but that his wife was, and that we could stop by again. A few days later, we stopped by with one of our members who just recently returned from a mission (she's a rockstar, and I want to be her someday), and met A outside. Their cat had just had kittens, and he was focused on them, but he sent B, his wife, out to deal with us haha. At first, you could feel the tension in the air, and she did NOT want to talk to these three strange girls in skirts that were standing in her driveway. However, as time went on, and we talked to her more, her entire demeanor changed. She went from very defensive to asking us questions, and discussing some of her thoughts and desires regarding religion. It was such a testimony-building experience for me of how the Spirit is the true teacher. By all accounts, and using rational, logical thought, she should not have talked to us for longer than two minutes. We ended up talking to her for 30-40 minutes. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is watching people change as they start to feel the Spirit, and start to realize that there is something different about us. It is a beautiful thing.
I also wanted to share a moment with y'all that I thought would provide a little insight into my daily life. The following is a text message conversation between us and an investigator, who I shall call "C":
C: "Our hs almost cought on faire last night"
Us: "Oh my goodness, are y'all alright? What happened?"
C: "My dad having breathn problems the blew up"
Us: "The oxygen tank blew up??"
C: "The microwave"
Missionary work: never a dull moment.
I was a bit nervous about being a trainer, but I feel more comfortable and confident as a missionary than ever before. It's amazing; Heavenly Father has blessed me with an increased capacity for retaining information, remembering directions, being bold, and developing teaching skills. I feel increased power. I actually feel physically different. I am so blessed and amazingly grateful for this opportunity. This weekend was a special one. For those of you who don't know, every 6 months in our church, we hold a General Conference that is broadcast world wide. The prophet speaks, as well as apostles, and other men and women that hold positions of authority. They speak to us on a variety of topics, all inspiring, and sometimes life-altering. I loved being able to watch General Conference for the first time as a missionary. The time has never flown by so quickly. I would highly recommend everyone reading to check it out for yourself by going to www.lds.org and clicking on "The 184th Annual General Conference", which is at the top left of the page. Amazing stuff there people. Some notes I took:
-"In God's plan, there are no true endings, only ever-lasting beginnings."
-"Prayer doesn't change God, it changes you."
-"The gospel is not weight, it is wings."
-The gospel of Jesus Christ does not make our trials disappear, it increases our capacity to handle them, making our burdens lighter
-Be an agent who acts, not an object that is acted upon
-Whenever truth is revealed, there will always be efforts to oppose it
I love this gospel. It has changed my life. It has changed me, down to my very core.
I love you all.
Sister Szilagyi
Another week has come and gone, and I now get to spend my every moment with the wonderful.... Sister de St. Jeor! (Pronounced dee-st.-jore, rhyming with store)
She is simply lovely. How do I get this lucky? I'm not sure, but she is a gem. And she is from Centerville, UT! And grew up with my cousin, Seth! Super cool. She's 22, went to school at University of Utah, and recently got back from a trip to Uganda for humanitarian work. First Sister Waddoups, who had just gotten back from India, and now this. It is so cruel. I am insanely jealous of my companions. Anywho... she is majoring in health promotion and education, so she's going to change the world. She is always willing to work hard and try it all. Whenever she speaks, it is with such power and she brings a calming influence to every lesson we're in. And the Spirit is always felt. We're going to be best friends, I just know it.
Humidity and heat are coming... Every day, we feel it a bit more. And it feels a little bit like you're living in that tropical jungle exhibit at the zoo. Can't wait for summer haha! But the sun is wonderful and the world is bright and cheery.
Unfortunately, I don't have any new church signs for y'all because we mostly stayed in Valdosta this week, helping Sister de St. Jeor become acquainted with our fine city, and meeting investigators. We were able to experience so many miracles this week, it was unreal. Heavenly Father truly provides new missionaries with a remarkable amount of spiritual experiences/miracles in that first week. My theory is that this then carries the missionary through the tough times that will always come, such as days when every appointment cancels, doors are slammed in your face, and you feel like the world is against ya. But that first week/couple days are thrilling. And provide inspiration of what a mission CAN be like. Especially if we are being obedient and working as hard as we can. And I get to be along for the wonderful ride! How lucky am I?!
This week, we were able to meet some amazing people that are very interested in learning more about the church. I wanted to share one experience in particular with y'all. So on one of our first days together, I decided that Sister de St. Jeor really needed to experience knocking on doors, and she took it all head on! During this time, we met A, who is in his mid-late 20's and has luscious brown locks and a lovely red beard. He told us that he wasn't particularly religious himself, but that his wife was, and that we could stop by again. A few days later, we stopped by with one of our members who just recently returned from a mission (she's a rockstar, and I want to be her someday), and met A outside. Their cat had just had kittens, and he was focused on them, but he sent B, his wife, out to deal with us haha. At first, you could feel the tension in the air, and she did NOT want to talk to these three strange girls in skirts that were standing in her driveway. However, as time went on, and we talked to her more, her entire demeanor changed. She went from very defensive to asking us questions, and discussing some of her thoughts and desires regarding religion. It was such a testimony-building experience for me of how the Spirit is the true teacher. By all accounts, and using rational, logical thought, she should not have talked to us for longer than two minutes. We ended up talking to her for 30-40 minutes. One of my favorite parts of being a missionary is watching people change as they start to feel the Spirit, and start to realize that there is something different about us. It is a beautiful thing.
I also wanted to share a moment with y'all that I thought would provide a little insight into my daily life. The following is a text message conversation between us and an investigator, who I shall call "C":
C: "Our hs almost cought on faire last night"
Us: "Oh my goodness, are y'all alright? What happened?"
C: "My dad having breathn problems the blew up"
Us: "The oxygen tank blew up??"
C: "The microwave"
Missionary work: never a dull moment.
I was a bit nervous about being a trainer, but I feel more comfortable and confident as a missionary than ever before. It's amazing; Heavenly Father has blessed me with an increased capacity for retaining information, remembering directions, being bold, and developing teaching skills. I feel increased power. I actually feel physically different. I am so blessed and amazingly grateful for this opportunity. This weekend was a special one. For those of you who don't know, every 6 months in our church, we hold a General Conference that is broadcast world wide. The prophet speaks, as well as apostles, and other men and women that hold positions of authority. They speak to us on a variety of topics, all inspiring, and sometimes life-altering. I loved being able to watch General Conference for the first time as a missionary. The time has never flown by so quickly. I would highly recommend everyone reading to check it out for yourself by going to www.lds.org and clicking on "The 184th Annual General Conference", which is at the top left of the page. Amazing stuff there people. Some notes I took:
-"In God's plan, there are no true endings, only ever-lasting beginnings."
-"Prayer doesn't change God, it changes you."
-"The gospel is not weight, it is wings."
-The gospel of Jesus Christ does not make our trials disappear, it increases our capacity to handle them, making our burdens lighter
-Be an agent who acts, not an object that is acted upon
-Whenever truth is revealed, there will always be efforts to oppose it
I love this gospel. It has changed my life. It has changed me, down to my very core.
I love you all.
Sister Szilagyi
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
My Heart is Full
This is the end. Hold your breath and count to 10. I hope a few people got that reference. Because it's been stuck in my head for the past week. Maybe Heavenly Father's way of preparing me for the inevitable...
Sister Waddoups is being transferred :( And so is Sister Jeppson and Elder Hunsicker. Mucho sadness. But all good things must come to an end. And... all four sisters (Sister Waddoups, Sister Jeppson, Sister Tevi, and I) will be training! I have been praying to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and I hope this is it. I feel as though I have just barely finished training, but I will do my best to love the guts out of my brand-spankin' new companion. So next week, you will get the all of the info on her. She's going to be wonderful.
A few updates that I felt were terribly important:
I have ring/watch/shoe tan lines. Yupp. Happy April everybody!
I will miss Sister Jeppson pranking me every day, and her kindness, and her hugs.
I will miss Elder Hunsicker's wit and angel voice
I will miss Sister Waddoup's laugh and how much we have in common. My new companion better be an alto, or singing hymns every morning is going to be awkward...
Every day I am grateful that I do not have allergies. Knock on wood.
Sometimes people are suspicious of two white girls walking around the southside. By sometimes, I mean ALMOST ALWAYS.
But seriously, things are wonderful down here. The ward is wonderful, the people, and wonderful, the weather is wonderful, and I am one happy camper. D and G are still on track to be baptized on the 12th, and we're super excited. They are just the cutest things ever. I love them so much. This Sunday, D told us that he had finished the whole first chapter of 1 Nephi, in the Book of Mormon. He was super proud. Those kids are just super duper wonderful.
Also, we were able to watch the General Women's Broadcast Saturday night, and my oh my, was that just wonderful. It made me feel so overwhelming grateful for the amazing women in my life. Specifically my mother, my aunts, my teachers, and those of you who I call "Second Mom". I have been given a surplus of remarkable, strong, faithful, covenant-keeping women in my life that have been fantastic examples of who I want to be. I love you all so much. My heart is full, and I am so grateful to be part of this work.
Until next week,
Sister Szilagyi
Sister Waddoups is being transferred :( And so is Sister Jeppson and Elder Hunsicker. Mucho sadness. But all good things must come to an end. And... all four sisters (Sister Waddoups, Sister Jeppson, Sister Tevi, and I) will be training! I have been praying to be pushed out of my comfort zone, and I hope this is it. I feel as though I have just barely finished training, but I will do my best to love the guts out of my brand-spankin' new companion. So next week, you will get the all of the info on her. She's going to be wonderful.
A few updates that I felt were terribly important:
I have ring/watch/shoe tan lines. Yupp. Happy April everybody!
I will miss Sister Jeppson pranking me every day, and her kindness, and her hugs.
I will miss Elder Hunsicker's wit and angel voice
I will miss Sister Waddoup's laugh and how much we have in common. My new companion better be an alto, or singing hymns every morning is going to be awkward...
Every day I am grateful that I do not have allergies. Knock on wood.
Sometimes people are suspicious of two white girls walking around the southside. By sometimes, I mean ALMOST ALWAYS.
But seriously, things are wonderful down here. The ward is wonderful, the people, and wonderful, the weather is wonderful, and I am one happy camper. D and G are still on track to be baptized on the 12th, and we're super excited. They are just the cutest things ever. I love them so much. This Sunday, D told us that he had finished the whole first chapter of 1 Nephi, in the Book of Mormon. He was super proud. Those kids are just super duper wonderful.
Also, we were able to watch the General Women's Broadcast Saturday night, and my oh my, was that just wonderful. It made me feel so overwhelming grateful for the amazing women in my life. Specifically my mother, my aunts, my teachers, and those of you who I call "Second Mom". I have been given a surplus of remarkable, strong, faithful, covenant-keeping women in my life that have been fantastic examples of who I want to be. I love you all so much. My heart is full, and I am so grateful to be part of this work.
Until next week,
Sister Szilagyi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)