Little Glowball

Hello all you wonderful people!
The weeks here keep getting crazier & crazier, and better & better. Maybe that's just how missionary work goes... and I'm LOVING IT.

Some church signs for you lovely people:

"If you life's going to waste, let God recycle you"
AND
"Exposure to the Son prevents burning"

YES. So great. Let that second one sink in for a minute. Love these things.

What happened this week? Let me see...
-We taught a lesson to 4 Jehovah's witnesses... that was a fun one.
-A woman that we're teaching, named B, calls Sister de St. Jeor and I "Georgia and Sizzler"
-Everyone we talk about the atonement with? Yeah, it changes their lives. Seriously.

AND.... C decided to be baptized this Saturday!!! Oh man, let me tell you. I think that is the happiest that I've ever felt. Seriously. We were over at her house like usual, and she had just gone bowling with the YSA the night before and had had a great time. So, we are talking and I say: "C, I know you always joke around that you're going to be baptized on my last week in Valdosta, and you know about transfers and how they are 6 weeks long? Well, next week is week 6, and I have been in Valdosta for 5 months, and even though I'm training Sister de St. Jeor, there's a 50/50 chance I may be leaving... And C, if I'm not here to see you get baptized, I'm going to cry my eyes out."
To which she quickly responded: "Well you don't have to worry about that, because I'm getting baptized on Saturday."
And I freaked out, and I was so happy I thought I was going to pass out. And I hugged that girl so hard. I'm sending a picture so that you can see the moment. We had to take pictures.

So background on C: she's the one that we've been working with for a while now. She's the one that decided to push up her own baptismal date because she wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. She first met the missionaries 3 years ago, and we're the third set of missionaries to teach her. And boy oh boy, it's been a bumpy road. But so absolutely worth it. She stood up this Sunday in our very first YSA branch Sacrament meeting and Testimony meeting and bore her testimony. She stood up in front of our small group of about 15 (all sitting in the choir seats) and told us how she knew that this was the true church, the one that she's been looking for her whole life. And how much we've helped her. This week, she called me her "little glowball". I'm not sure what that means, but I think it means that I'm enthusiastic...? :) The point is, that I KNOW with every fiber of my being that one of the main reasons I was sent to Valdosta was to find C. And I know that she knows that. And I am just as happy as a clam. It doesn't get better than this people. Seriously. There is nothing that brings greater joy than being able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone, they accept it and want to learn everything, and they begin to change. They start talking about how they "feel different" and they are starting to lose their desire to send. And it's miraculous and only happens through Him. How very blessed I am.

As far as the new YSA branch, we are absolutely loving it! We are few but MIGHTY!! And there is so much work to be done here! We are blessed to have solid YSA's and solid recent converts that are excited about sharing the gospel and building up the branch. Tomorrow, Sister de St. Jeor and I are going to do a FHE lesson with the branch members about missionary work and brainstorming goals for what we want the branch to become and how we are going to work together to achieve those goals. We are blessed to have the wonderful support of President Robinson and his enthusiastic counselors, and I honestly cannot wait for the miracles. They have already begun.

No matter how difficult life seems to be, the atonement of Jesus Christ can relieve any pain, any insecurity, any hardship. And no matter what questions you have, about ANYTHING, your Heavenly Father can and will answer them. Pray today. Ask God a specific question. Take your question to the source of all truth and knowledge. Because when we ask specific questions, He gives us specific answers. Of this I can promise you. I love you all.

Sister Szilagyi

"C and I. ​I LOVE THIS GIRL."

Basket Case

This week I received emails from various friends who are on missions all over the world that began with the words: WHAT A WEEK.
And boy, I don't know what Heavenly Father was doing up there, but I guess we all had that kind of week, because WHAT A WEEK.

I'm not even quite sure where to begin... I guess I'll start off by saying that the two wards (congregations) that meet in Valdosta have been combined into one ward! And..... they created a Young Single Adult Branch! And guess which missionaries are assigned to that branch? Well, you're looking at them! (Well I guess you're looking at my words, and I guess only one half of the missionaries haha, but...) Sister de St. Jeor and I are officially the new YSA missionaries in Valdosta! President and Sister Cottle (my mission president and his wife) happened to stop by our ward on Sunday and witness all of the changes that were happening. The amazing part was that they had no idea this was going on, but had just felt like they should stop by our ward on the way up to Macon. Anyway, after sacrament meeting, we had a quick impromptu meeting with the 4 sets of missionaries. President told us that he had had no idea that this was going on and had no time to think about what the changes should be. And then he quickly turned to me and Sister de St. Jeor and told that we would be the new YSA missionaries. To which Sister Cottle said, "Wow! That's the fastest inspiration he's ever received!"

I have no idea what this really means for our missionary work, or how this is going to change my daily life, but I know things will change! But I am so excited, seriously excited! I have wanted to work in a Young Single Adult ward/branch since I started my mission, and I can't wait for many mighty miracles to come from this!

This week was a bit of a frustrating one with our current investigators... People just kept cancelling on us or no-showing us, and so I said, alright.... if y'all don't want to talk to us, we'll go find some people that do! So we spent most of the week talking to as many people as we could and sharing the message of Jesus Christ! And it actually ended up being pretty great! Because although you can't control others agency or actions, you CAN control your own. And I have the choice over what attitude I want to have, and how hard I am going to work, and that's that.

Some snapshots from my week:

-Church sign: "Don't give up, Moses was a basket case too" YES

-I bid $50 (of other people's money) on a scrumptious pound cake at the cake auction the ward had to raise money for Boy Scout Camp. And let me tell you, it was worth every penny. We've had it for pretty much every meal since. I promise I also eat fruits and vegetables.

-The song that my mom and I sang at my "farewell"? Well, it had been stuck in my head for over a week and I could not remember all of the lyrics, and it was driving me crazy. Well, guess who sent me a letter with all of the lyrics printed inside? The forever amazing Sister Tryon. Tender mercies. I love that woman.

-A family just moved into the ward whose mom grew up in Kirkland 1st Ward! We know the same people! So awesome. Her name is Sister Moore, and I can't remember her first name but I'll tell you next week if I remember...

-It is just a tad bit toasty/muggy down here.... I may or may not have sweated through my skirt the other day. Too much information? Maybe. The truth? Absolutely.

I love you all!
Smile, you are a beautiful child of God.

-Sister Szilagyi

Chickenpox Feet

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

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

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