"Hey look guys! I'm from the Philippines! P.S. Please ignore the iron."
"This is K and the adorable/terrifying 'shark' she made in art class."
Monday, September 29, 2014
Real Life and Insane Hair
"This is real life."
"We were just driving along when all of a sudden I spotted someone who was far away from his marshland home."
"None of us had any idea that Elder Burgess was so talented until this showed up at our District Meeting. Yes, clearly my hair is as insane as ever..."
A Box Full of Blessings
Hello hello hello!
Well guess what folks.....? This weekend is GENERAL CONFERENCE! For those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about, General Conference happens twice a year in our church, held in Utah and broadcast all over the world. During this conference, we are able to hear the prophet, apostles, and other leaders in our church speak on various gospel topics. And it's pretty much the best thing on planet earth. So if you have any questions about life, anything that is on your mind, or you are simply interested in watching and listening, go to LDS.org on Saturday and Sunday and you can watch it yourself! And the best way to watch is by writing down a question or two first. I promise you that every question that you have will be answered. Because God loves you and knows you and He speaks to us through His chosen servants. It's as simple as that :)
To put things into perspective, this is the Superbowl for us missionaries. (And really it's way more important and amazing, but you get the idea).
So basically, I am one happy camper.
This week had its ups and downs, just like every other week. But I'm loving every second!
I mostly sent pictures this week, so forgive my lack of words. Library computers are rather slow. But better than no computers at all!
I love you all so much. As we are coming into fall, I think about all of the wonderful traditions of family and friends that I so took for granted. So coming from a missionary who is not with hers right now, would you do me a favor and tell your family that you love them today? Maybe even give them a hug if you can.
And last thing:
To paraphrase Elder Uchtdorf's remarks from the general women's meeting Saturday night:
Sometimes we think that God requires too much of us. He has too many commandments and too many rules. And He has a box full of blessings locked up in a cloud somewhere that He is waiting to pour down on us until we are perfect. In reality, God is ALWAYS raining blessings on us. It is our sin, our doubt, etc. that become umbrellas that we open above our heads, blocking those blessings. So let us close our umbrellas and dance in the rain.
Sister Szilagyi
Well guess what folks.....? This weekend is GENERAL CONFERENCE! For those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about, General Conference happens twice a year in our church, held in Utah and broadcast all over the world. During this conference, we are able to hear the prophet, apostles, and other leaders in our church speak on various gospel topics. And it's pretty much the best thing on planet earth. So if you have any questions about life, anything that is on your mind, or you are simply interested in watching and listening, go to LDS.org on Saturday and Sunday and you can watch it yourself! And the best way to watch is by writing down a question or two first. I promise you that every question that you have will be answered. Because God loves you and knows you and He speaks to us through His chosen servants. It's as simple as that :)
To put things into perspective, this is the Superbowl for us missionaries. (And really it's way more important and amazing, but you get the idea).
So basically, I am one happy camper.
This week had its ups and downs, just like every other week. But I'm loving every second!
I mostly sent pictures this week, so forgive my lack of words. Library computers are rather slow. But better than no computers at all!
I love you all so much. As we are coming into fall, I think about all of the wonderful traditions of family and friends that I so took for granted. So coming from a missionary who is not with hers right now, would you do me a favor and tell your family that you love them today? Maybe even give them a hug if you can.
And last thing:
To paraphrase Elder Uchtdorf's remarks from the general women's meeting Saturday night:
Sometimes we think that God requires too much of us. He has too many commandments and too many rules. And He has a box full of blessings locked up in a cloud somewhere that He is waiting to pour down on us until we are perfect. In reality, God is ALWAYS raining blessings on us. It is our sin, our doubt, etc. that become umbrellas that we open above our heads, blocking those blessings. So let us close our umbrellas and dance in the rain.
Sister Szilagyi
The Best Feeling
"Friends don't let friends die without Jesus"
Yepp. Grovetown, GA. Where we have church signs like that and license plates that read "WISEGOD" and bumper stickers that read: "This girl loves boots, guns, and Jesus."
What's new this side of the Mississippi? Well, it's actually cooling down, which is such a blessing. Those poor elders on bikes. It's been staying in the 80's, beautiful and sunny, with a slight breeze. Pretty perfect.
Weeks are flying by. Last night I had this horrible dream where I thought that I was going to a meeting, but I was actually going to the airport to go home. And I was so upset because I kept telling people that I wasn't ready to leave and my 18 months weren't up yet. Then the missionary next to me said, "Sister Szilagyi, yes they are," and counted them with me. And I realized that they were right. And I was so sad. Hopefully that made sense.
The point is, that I am irrationally stressed about my time running out, and having to go home, even though I have months and months left.
I love my mission. Have I mentioned that lately?
Miracles continue to occur. I have felt changes in my own heart this week, that I have been so thankful for. I have felt the power of prayer and have felt moments of inspiration where I know God is listening to me and that He loves me. And that is the best feeling in the world.
- This week, we stopped my a less-active members' house who told us that every time she has a major exam or something stressful at work coming up, we always show up at her door.
- We met with K and her sister D, the adorable 11 and 15 year old Filipina girls. During one of our lessons, we gave them a pamphlet that explained the Plan of Salvation and invited them to write down any questions they had and then read the pamphlet. We came back and were able to teach K. This 11 year old girl had written down her questions, filling up two pieces of notebook paper and had carefully written her answers beneath each one. She opened her pamphlet and showed us how she had highlighted all of the things she loved and the little notes she had written. She told us that after she had read it, she had had the best day and didn't know why but she had just been smiling and smiling. She said "I know that book is true!" We then went through her questions and the lesson, and during this explained to her that before she came to this earth, she had lived with Heavenly Father and had chosen His plan to come to earth. K sat there and then leaned forward and asked, "Does that mean I said Yes??" We told her that it did and she sat there with a biggest smile on her face. This little being is one of the sweetest, brightest, children that I have ever met. And I love her with all of my heart.
Often times, as we get older, I think that we get in our own way. We have distractions and desires that are not in line with His will for us. Because of this, we can get in the way of feeling the Spirit. Children have the most beautiful and simplistic way of reminding us of what really matters.
I love you all. Take some time and go talk with a child today. They will amaze you.
Sister Szilagyi
Yepp. Grovetown, GA. Where we have church signs like that and license plates that read "WISEGOD" and bumper stickers that read: "This girl loves boots, guns, and Jesus."
What's new this side of the Mississippi? Well, it's actually cooling down, which is such a blessing. Those poor elders on bikes. It's been staying in the 80's, beautiful and sunny, with a slight breeze. Pretty perfect.
Weeks are flying by. Last night I had this horrible dream where I thought that I was going to a meeting, but I was actually going to the airport to go home. And I was so upset because I kept telling people that I wasn't ready to leave and my 18 months weren't up yet. Then the missionary next to me said, "Sister Szilagyi, yes they are," and counted them with me. And I realized that they were right. And I was so sad. Hopefully that made sense.
The point is, that I am irrationally stressed about my time running out, and having to go home, even though I have months and months left.
I love my mission. Have I mentioned that lately?
Miracles continue to occur. I have felt changes in my own heart this week, that I have been so thankful for. I have felt the power of prayer and have felt moments of inspiration where I know God is listening to me and that He loves me. And that is the best feeling in the world.
- This week, we stopped my a less-active members' house who told us that every time she has a major exam or something stressful at work coming up, we always show up at her door.
- We met with K and her sister D, the adorable 11 and 15 year old Filipina girls. During one of our lessons, we gave them a pamphlet that explained the Plan of Salvation and invited them to write down any questions they had and then read the pamphlet. We came back and were able to teach K. This 11 year old girl had written down her questions, filling up two pieces of notebook paper and had carefully written her answers beneath each one. She opened her pamphlet and showed us how she had highlighted all of the things she loved and the little notes she had written. She told us that after she had read it, she had had the best day and didn't know why but she had just been smiling and smiling. She said "I know that book is true!" We then went through her questions and the lesson, and during this explained to her that before she came to this earth, she had lived with Heavenly Father and had chosen His plan to come to earth. K sat there and then leaned forward and asked, "Does that mean I said Yes??" We told her that it did and she sat there with a biggest smile on her face. This little being is one of the sweetest, brightest, children that I have ever met. And I love her with all of my heart.
Often times, as we get older, I think that we get in our own way. We have distractions and desires that are not in line with His will for us. Because of this, we can get in the way of feeling the Spirit. Children have the most beautiful and simplistic way of reminding us of what really matters.
I love you all. Take some time and go talk with a child today. They will amaze you.
Sister Szilagyi
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Zone Leaders and Chocolate Chip Stories
"Elder Tracey, Sister Arrieta, Elder Kobbah, and me. Sorry about the awkward cropping, whoever took this picture cut off poor Elder Barrera who just got his visa and is off to Brazil!"
"My lovely companion and our zone leaders, Elder Yeager and Elder Tracey"
"The one and only L (his mom is the one who feeds all six of us missionaries every Wed & he is the one from the chocolate chip story that I wrote about a couple weeks back). The cuteness is overwhelming sometimes..."
Sleeping in a Trailer
Hello y'all!
I would like to start off with a story: Once upon a time, you go to Walmart to go grocery shopping. You are walking along with your companion, doing your shopping thing, when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a window. And you realize, with sudden horror, that you have made the most grievous of mistakes. You did that one thing that you are never supposed to do.
You wore a navy blue shirt and tan skirt to Walmart.
And to make things worse, you are also wearing a name tag.
"No ma'am, I can't help you find the Twinkies, but would you like to sit down and talk about how we can find Christ?"
Struggles.
Anyway, it was a great week, with many miracles. Another transfer is here and I am very relieved and excited to be with Sister Arrieta for another transfer. We are committed to go above and beyond what we have previously done, because we both think we have so much more we can/need to accomplish. And we are excited and ready to work!
Just a few of the miracles I've seen lately:
We were able to have a family attend church this Sunday for the first time, and they loved it. This family is composed of a couple and their four kids, all of which are very good friends with a number of families in our ward. They have had Mormon friends for years, and it wasn't until recently, that the wife approached her good friend, and asked her if they weren't "missing out on something" by not being a part of the Mormon church. This great friend set up a time for Sis Arrieta and I to go help her paint some rooms in her house. They had tried three years ago to introduce them to the elders and evidently that dinner was pretty awkward haha... But one painting adventure led to two, which led to three, and teaching the Restoration and Plan of Salvation, and answering so many questions. They are definitely still hesitant, what with both of their families being very strong Baptists, but they love what we teach and how we live. The other day when we were at their house, the mom told us that from what she could see, our church truly tries to function as "the body of Christ." And she likes that. We are very excited for them.
We also experienced a miracle or two (or more) on exchanges this week. Exchanges are when we swap missionary companions for the day, and as sister training leaders, it is our job to organize these exchanges. So on Wednesday-Thursday, Sister Arrieta and I went on exchanges with Sister Applegate and Sister Taylor who are serving in Waynesboro. I went to Waynesboro with Sister Taylor and enjoyed sleeping in a trailer in the middle of Georgian farmland, and was lucky that I didn't have to experience the mice that have taken residence in their trailer for myself. Meanwhile, Sister Arrieta was here in Grovetown, and while knocking, met a Filipino family that had just moved here! Not only that, but they live on the exact same street as one of the Filipino families in our ward! Heavenly Father is the best. So there I was, Saturday night, sitting in a typical family room in south Georgia, listening to the gospel being taught and discussed in Tagalog. And I tried to smile and add things best I could when I could pick up on some of the Spanish vocabulary. (Which is limited to 2 years of Junior High Spanish, mind you.) But it was truly beautiful and an amazing example to me of how God is always in control, and has a plan for each of us.
If we are living the way we should, we all can be used as instruments in His perfect hands. The scalpel never knows more than the doctor, but it is extremely important to the operation.
So this week, I challenge y'all to wake up each day and ask God what He wants you to do today. I promise you, you'll be amazed at what you can do.
I love you all.
Sister Szilagyi
I would like to start off with a story: Once upon a time, you go to Walmart to go grocery shopping. You are walking along with your companion, doing your shopping thing, when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a window. And you realize, with sudden horror, that you have made the most grievous of mistakes. You did that one thing that you are never supposed to do.
You wore a navy blue shirt and tan skirt to Walmart.
And to make things worse, you are also wearing a name tag.
"No ma'am, I can't help you find the Twinkies, but would you like to sit down and talk about how we can find Christ?"
Struggles.
Anyway, it was a great week, with many miracles. Another transfer is here and I am very relieved and excited to be with Sister Arrieta for another transfer. We are committed to go above and beyond what we have previously done, because we both think we have so much more we can/need to accomplish. And we are excited and ready to work!
Just a few of the miracles I've seen lately:
We were able to have a family attend church this Sunday for the first time, and they loved it. This family is composed of a couple and their four kids, all of which are very good friends with a number of families in our ward. They have had Mormon friends for years, and it wasn't until recently, that the wife approached her good friend, and asked her if they weren't "missing out on something" by not being a part of the Mormon church. This great friend set up a time for Sis Arrieta and I to go help her paint some rooms in her house. They had tried three years ago to introduce them to the elders and evidently that dinner was pretty awkward haha... But one painting adventure led to two, which led to three, and teaching the Restoration and Plan of Salvation, and answering so many questions. They are definitely still hesitant, what with both of their families being very strong Baptists, but they love what we teach and how we live. The other day when we were at their house, the mom told us that from what she could see, our church truly tries to function as "the body of Christ." And she likes that. We are very excited for them.
We also experienced a miracle or two (or more) on exchanges this week. Exchanges are when we swap missionary companions for the day, and as sister training leaders, it is our job to organize these exchanges. So on Wednesday-Thursday, Sister Arrieta and I went on exchanges with Sister Applegate and Sister Taylor who are serving in Waynesboro. I went to Waynesboro with Sister Taylor and enjoyed sleeping in a trailer in the middle of Georgian farmland, and was lucky that I didn't have to experience the mice that have taken residence in their trailer for myself. Meanwhile, Sister Arrieta was here in Grovetown, and while knocking, met a Filipino family that had just moved here! Not only that, but they live on the exact same street as one of the Filipino families in our ward! Heavenly Father is the best. So there I was, Saturday night, sitting in a typical family room in south Georgia, listening to the gospel being taught and discussed in Tagalog. And I tried to smile and add things best I could when I could pick up on some of the Spanish vocabulary. (Which is limited to 2 years of Junior High Spanish, mind you.) But it was truly beautiful and an amazing example to me of how God is always in control, and has a plan for each of us.
If we are living the way we should, we all can be used as instruments in His perfect hands. The scalpel never knows more than the doctor, but it is extremely important to the operation.
So this week, I challenge y'all to wake up each day and ask God what He wants you to do today. I promise you, you'll be amazed at what you can do.
I love you all.
Sister Szilagyi
BBQ and Ties
"District P-day in Harlem. Volleyball, BBQ, petting adorable horses..."
"On missions, you learn important skills: like learning how to tie a tie. I've been taught so many times, but you never remember a skill you don't practice!"
Drinking the Air
Hello beautiful people!
I am sitting at a computer in the library in Georgia, while rain is pouring down all around me. Rain that is warm like a shower. Rain that soaks you to the bone in approximately 2 seconds. Rain that is much appreciated when you go outside and it feels like you are drinking the air.
Also, after district meeting this week, all of us missionaries went to Huddle House to eat lunch. Our waitress had a GRITS tattooed on her left forearm. Welcome to the South. I love it.
This week was a great one. We had 3 people come to church with us yesterday, which was pretty wonderful (five if you count little S who is almost 5, and A who is one month old). B and her daughter S came, and T and C, and their brand spankin' new adorable baby girl. Sidenote: never have I ever seen a young dad love his baby more than C loves A. It is the sweetest thing on planet earth.
Saturday night, we had stopped by to see T and C and invited them to come to church the next day with a question in mind. We told them that we promised that if they came with a question, that question would be answered. After Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, we went up to say hello to them (they were sitting in the back with A) and Sister Arrieta asked C about his question. He told her that his question had been answered in less than five minutes :)
That is what happens when something is true. You can have the utmost confidence in it because it is true. I know that Heavenly Father loves every single one of His children. And I know that this is His church. And because I know those things, I know that He will answer C's question when he comes to church. Just like He will answer all of our questions when we ask sincerely and have an open heart and mind.
I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love it with every fiber of my being.
Sister Szilagyi
P.S. Also, I have a few people that I call "best friend" and one of them is now engaged. So I wanted to wish my best friend, Alivia Burnham, congratulations. Kyle is one lucky guy :)
I am sitting at a computer in the library in Georgia, while rain is pouring down all around me. Rain that is warm like a shower. Rain that soaks you to the bone in approximately 2 seconds. Rain that is much appreciated when you go outside and it feels like you are drinking the air.
Also, after district meeting this week, all of us missionaries went to Huddle House to eat lunch. Our waitress had a GRITS tattooed on her left forearm. Welcome to the South. I love it.
This week was a great one. We had 3 people come to church with us yesterday, which was pretty wonderful (five if you count little S who is almost 5, and A who is one month old). B and her daughter S came, and T and C, and their brand spankin' new adorable baby girl. Sidenote: never have I ever seen a young dad love his baby more than C loves A. It is the sweetest thing on planet earth.
Saturday night, we had stopped by to see T and C and invited them to come to church the next day with a question in mind. We told them that we promised that if they came with a question, that question would be answered. After Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, we went up to say hello to them (they were sitting in the back with A) and Sister Arrieta asked C about his question. He told her that his question had been answered in less than five minutes :)
That is what happens when something is true. You can have the utmost confidence in it because it is true. I know that Heavenly Father loves every single one of His children. And I know that this is His church. And because I know those things, I know that He will answer C's question when he comes to church. Just like He will answer all of our questions when we ask sincerely and have an open heart and mind.
I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love it with every fiber of my being.
Sister Szilagyi
P.S. Also, I have a few people that I call "best friend" and one of them is now engaged. So I wanted to wish my best friend, Alivia Burnham, congratulations. Kyle is one lucky guy :)
Chickens and the Cutest Things
"Some of the Bryan children. Tell me this isn't the cutest thing you've ever seen."
"Speaking of the cutest things..."
"Please look at the chicken Sister Arrieta is holding. If looks (or chickens) could kill..."
Baptisms, Boots, and Bridles
"Elder Christensen, A, and Elder Nelson"
"Happy happy joy joy"
"I don't even know..."
"This is right next to where we live. Why shop anywhere else?"
A Bit of a Roller Coaster
Where to begin? This week was a bit of a roller coaster. Awesome moments. Moments where you want to throw up. Grateful moments. Moments where you just want to curl in a ball and cry. Elated moments. You get the idea. And that pretty much sums up missionary work. And I could probably end there.... but I won't.
News #1: Jackie's not getting baptized this week. She's having a rough time with some things, and has a few things to work on. But she stills loves us and we love her and it's only a matter of time :)
News #2: Elder Kopischke from the First Quorum of the Seventy came for his mission tour this week, and it was pretty wonderful. We were able to meet with half the mission on Thursday, where he basically opened up the meeting for questions and enlightened us all. And then on Friday, Sister Arrieta and I had the pleasure of attending a special Missionary Leadership Council as the Augusta Sister Training Leaders, where we were able to discuss what we had learned, how to apply those concepts in our areas, and ask him more questions. He's pretty wonderful and told me, in his charming German accent, that I reminded him of one of his favorite, more opinionated, sister missionaries that he worked with when he was a mission president. Which I'm taking as a compliment haha.
News #3: Andrew was baptized!!!! Now I know that he's not "technically" my investigator, but Sister Walker and I found him, and he asked me to speak at his baptism, so I'm adopting him okay? He's just so great. It was a beautiful baptism, and the spirit was extremely strong. The bishop asked several people to bare their testimonies after the baptism, including Andrew's aunt and cousin (who are the only other members in his family and who had flown here from California.) It was very special. I am continuously amazed at how perfectly Heavenly Father coordinates our lives as we act as instruments in His hands. Many tears were shed.
News #4: I held a chicken this week. Yes I did. Pictures to follow.
I love my mission. It may be amazingly difficult, but it is so very worth it. And it is amazingly joyful. This week I'm missing home just a tad. I wanted to give a shout out to all of my friends that are getting married/having children/living lives :) A special congrats to Aelish Wright: Y'all are adorable. And Ellen (Nielson) Kraus: My sources haven't sent me pictures yet but I bet y'all are adorable too :) And Spencer Calvert and Rachel (Chumley) Ivie: For both being rock stars and having twins.
I love you all. And hope all is well. Just remember what the pioneers sang: "All is well, all is well..." Do you really think all was well? Nope. It's all about attitude. So let's make a pact and focus our energies on the things we can control. And then let's all sing every day. Because singing makes everyone happy.
Big hugs,
Sister Szilagyi
News #1: Jackie's not getting baptized this week. She's having a rough time with some things, and has a few things to work on. But she stills loves us and we love her and it's only a matter of time :)
News #2: Elder Kopischke from the First Quorum of the Seventy came for his mission tour this week, and it was pretty wonderful. We were able to meet with half the mission on Thursday, where he basically opened up the meeting for questions and enlightened us all. And then on Friday, Sister Arrieta and I had the pleasure of attending a special Missionary Leadership Council as the Augusta Sister Training Leaders, where we were able to discuss what we had learned, how to apply those concepts in our areas, and ask him more questions. He's pretty wonderful and told me, in his charming German accent, that I reminded him of one of his favorite, more opinionated, sister missionaries that he worked with when he was a mission president. Which I'm taking as a compliment haha.
News #3: Andrew was baptized!!!! Now I know that he's not "technically" my investigator, but Sister Walker and I found him, and he asked me to speak at his baptism, so I'm adopting him okay? He's just so great. It was a beautiful baptism, and the spirit was extremely strong. The bishop asked several people to bare their testimonies after the baptism, including Andrew's aunt and cousin (who are the only other members in his family and who had flown here from California.) It was very special. I am continuously amazed at how perfectly Heavenly Father coordinates our lives as we act as instruments in His hands. Many tears were shed.
News #4: I held a chicken this week. Yes I did. Pictures to follow.
I love my mission. It may be amazingly difficult, but it is so very worth it. And it is amazingly joyful. This week I'm missing home just a tad. I wanted to give a shout out to all of my friends that are getting married/having children/living lives :) A special congrats to Aelish Wright: Y'all are adorable. And Ellen (Nielson) Kraus: My sources haven't sent me pictures yet but I bet y'all are adorable too :) And Spencer Calvert and Rachel (Chumley) Ivie: For both being rock stars and having twins.
I love you all. And hope all is well. Just remember what the pioneers sang: "All is well, all is well..." Do you really think all was well? Nope. It's all about attitude. So let's make a pact and focus our energies on the things we can control. And then let's all sing every day. Because singing makes everyone happy.
Big hugs,
Sister Szilagyi
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