My beautiful humans.
This week. I magine that you are standing in the metro station in Budapest and one of the metros just comes in with the little burst of wind and then it stops for all the people to come out and then it rushes on out again.
That's what this week felt like.
Basically we have been trying to keep in daily contact with a few of our investigators and it has been the craziest. We have been meeting with them and making them treats and praaing with them and it has been amazing to see the little miracles with them. It is amazing.
This week we held Zone Training. Our beloved President and his wife came to the training and it went well. Everybody was super tight-up at the beginning, but by the end everyone was participating and having a great time.
We also went to Kecskemet this week to do a baptismal interview. It felt so weird to be in that city one last time. Going back to these cities is always so hard for me, because I will miss them so so so much. I realized then, that time is kond of merciless in the fact that things go on without you. But it was good to be back in a place I love. The people there are so stellar and so ready for baptism. I was happy.
Saturday there was a baptism for the Sisters. The lady is super great and they are super duper funny. I was laughing the whole time. The actual baptism was great and a lot of people were positively effected. It was great.
We had a program with one of our programs and basically she said, "The last time I came to a baptism, I felt so happy and I went home and realized I needed to forgive everyone and even though that day I was sick, I felt so happy. I know I need to be here. This is where my place is." She is going to be baptized on April 18th :)
This week one of our investigators took us out to lunch and tried to get the waitress to go on a date with him
ROFLROFL LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
I wish that I could explain to all of you how happy I am. How much all of this means to me. How many amazing experienced happen to us on a daily basis. How much I love these people. How sad I am that I am leaving, but how happy I am that these people are doing good.
I am a happy boy. I love Hungary. I love Szeged. I love Elder Whiting. I love all the people.
I am a happy boy.
Love, Neely Elder.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
3-16-15 Sprint!
Imagine me panting,
This week. This week we had P-Day, then Tuesday, then Wednesday, the Zone Conference with Elder Patrick Kearon from the Seventy on Thursday, then a special Mission Leadership Council with Elder Kearon on Friday, then a baptismal interview in Bekescsaba that night, then Saturday, then Sunday, then today.
I can't breathe.
But really, this week has been the greatest. It feels so good to be working hard and running from city to city and place to pace and house to house and yeah.
The Zone Conference was probably the greatest thing that could ever have happened. I got so many answers to my prayers and O learned so much from him. Here is my favorite quote from him from the conference:
"Thank you." x 7,489,376
It was a good time.
Right now, there are so many good things going on in our mission and our zone and our district and our companionship. Our investigators are on fire.
I know this is a lame email, but I will end with an experience from Sunday:
Church had just finished and one of our friends who had just got baptized was talking to the family history specialist to set up a time that they could start looking for her family members. My favorite couple were talked to by all of the branch members and we didn't have to worry who would sit by them or who would talk to them. Another one of our friends came to church for the first time and the branch took such good care of the that she left with a fixed smile on her face. Our other friend brought me all of his cigarettes and drop quit after a blessing from the last Branch President. In that moment, I realized that none of these people need me, but that they had truly been converted unto the Lord.
I am a happy boy :)
Love,
Elder Neely.
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| Pasta Pasta! |
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| My best friends at the Pasta place. |
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| President Kearon and us. You could say we're friends. LOL |
3-9-15
Dear all,
Life is crazy. Life is fast. Life requires me to send you all a very lame email. Sorrynotsorry.
I am trying to learn how to appreciate missionary life the ery best I can. Even though it is marha nehez, missionary life is my favorite. There are things that I cannnot explain very well.
Like when we have the suckiest day and we feel helpless and at the end of the day a very nice old woman decides to talk to us and let's us share with her our message.
Or when our investigator learns that to be baptized he needs to give up smoking and drinking and women and instead of saying no, saying that he has a lot of work to do.
When we get to visit a small little city and meet a member who wants to be a missionary so bad, that he goes streeting and tracting with them.
Having your investigators tell you that they truly want to be baptized for the right reason. Realizing that they are truly converted.
Giving missionaries hugs, because of the hardness of life.
The members banding together to help other members who have no support from home.
Getting asked so many questions about our religion, you get lost in the swirl.
Helping people rip up laminate from an apartment flood and seeing into their history and past.
Having a last minute program go through and actually being able to meet with them and teach their friend.
Realizing the members' opinions of missionaries have changed.
Having an inactive member come to church for the first time in seven years.
Seeing someone step into the waters of baptism ready and excited.
I can't tell you how much I love this.
Love,
Neely Elder.
Life is crazy. Life is fast. Life requires me to send you all a very lame email. Sorrynotsorry.
I am trying to learn how to appreciate missionary life the ery best I can. Even though it is marha nehez, missionary life is my favorite. There are things that I cannnot explain very well.
Like when we have the suckiest day and we feel helpless and at the end of the day a very nice old woman decides to talk to us and let's us share with her our message.
Or when our investigator learns that to be baptized he needs to give up smoking and drinking and women and instead of saying no, saying that he has a lot of work to do.
When we get to visit a small little city and meet a member who wants to be a missionary so bad, that he goes streeting and tracting with them.
Having your investigators tell you that they truly want to be baptized for the right reason. Realizing that they are truly converted.
Giving missionaries hugs, because of the hardness of life.
The members banding together to help other members who have no support from home.
Getting asked so many questions about our religion, you get lost in the swirl.
Helping people rip up laminate from an apartment flood and seeing into their history and past.
Having a last minute program go through and actually being able to meet with them and teach their friend.
Realizing the members' opinions of missionaries have changed.
Having an inactive member come to church for the first time in seven years.
Seeing someone step into the waters of baptism ready and excited.
I can't tell you how much I love this.
Love,
Neely Elder.
.JPG) |
| Service project after a flood. |
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| Baptism. |
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| We made bread. nbd. |
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
3-2-15 Enable: to make (someone or something) able to do or to be something
This week has been probably the most insane of my life. I know I say that every week, but it is getting crazier and crazier as time goes by.
We have absolutely 0 time to breathe or sigh. Or sleep for that matter. This week we went up to Budapest for interviews. It was so great. We seriously have the best mission President. He's great. We just talked. It was great.
This week we have been working with one of our investigators who will be baptized! The baptism is going to happen on the 7th of March, this Saturday! She is doing so well. In Sunday School she was asked to give the closing prayer and she said the sweetest prayer I have ever heard. It was so awesome.
Last week a woman came to us in tears asking us to help her fix her problems. She said that she didn't know what to do or where to go. We gave her a blessing, gave her some scriptures to read and told her that if she turned to the Lord, she would be okay. This week she came back with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. She said, "Ever since I left our program last week, I have felt a peace and comfort that is unbelievable. I have never been so calm and happy. I was able to put aside my problems and fears and able to sleep and move forward. I know that something you guys did helped me. What can I do to feel this way always?" You could say we were thrilled. She is doing awesome.
Another crazy experience of the week: We had finished a program with a couple we are teaching and we went home on the trolley. A man gets on at one stop and he is obviously acting weird. He comes up to us and starts just saying all sorts of hulyeseg. We get off the trolley, then he does as well. He goes in the other direction, so we think all is well. Then we look back and he is running at us. So I start freaking out and Elder Whiting is just like, "Be cool bro, I got this." When the guy gets close to us, Elder Whiting stops, turns around and says, "What do you want?" The guy says more crazy stuff and Elder Whiting says, "Turn around and walk away." And the man turned around and walked away. So, yeah. Elder Whiting is a Bad A and we were on all sorts of an adrenaline rush.
This week, we have also seen so many miracles. It is rather ridiculous, because I only wrote down maybe one or two, but there is so so so so so many. The Lord really does enable us to do things that we can't do on our own. And for that, I am very, very grateful.
I love you all. Keep doing good things!
Sok szeretettel,
Neely Elder.
We have absolutely 0 time to breathe or sigh. Or sleep for that matter. This week we went up to Budapest for interviews. It was so great. We seriously have the best mission President. He's great. We just talked. It was great.
This week we have been working with one of our investigators who will be baptized! The baptism is going to happen on the 7th of March, this Saturday! She is doing so well. In Sunday School she was asked to give the closing prayer and she said the sweetest prayer I have ever heard. It was so awesome.
Last week a woman came to us in tears asking us to help her fix her problems. She said that she didn't know what to do or where to go. We gave her a blessing, gave her some scriptures to read and told her that if she turned to the Lord, she would be okay. This week she came back with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step. She said, "Ever since I left our program last week, I have felt a peace and comfort that is unbelievable. I have never been so calm and happy. I was able to put aside my problems and fears and able to sleep and move forward. I know that something you guys did helped me. What can I do to feel this way always?" You could say we were thrilled. She is doing awesome.
Another crazy experience of the week: We had finished a program with a couple we are teaching and we went home on the trolley. A man gets on at one stop and he is obviously acting weird. He comes up to us and starts just saying all sorts of hulyeseg. We get off the trolley, then he does as well. He goes in the other direction, so we think all is well. Then we look back and he is running at us. So I start freaking out and Elder Whiting is just like, "Be cool bro, I got this." When the guy gets close to us, Elder Whiting stops, turns around and says, "What do you want?" The guy says more crazy stuff and Elder Whiting says, "Turn around and walk away." And the man turned around and walked away. So, yeah. Elder Whiting is a Bad A and we were on all sorts of an adrenaline rush.
This week, we have also seen so many miracles. It is rather ridiculous, because I only wrote down maybe one or two, but there is so so so so so many. The Lord really does enable us to do things that we can't do on our own. And for that, I am very, very grateful.
I love you all. Keep doing good things!
Sok szeretettel,
Neely Elder.
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| Marmite. |
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| Elder Whiting's first frap! |
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| Sleepy Elder Whiting. |
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| Tracting Selfie! |
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
2-23-15 How will I have enough time??
Hi.
I am really begining to freak out a little bit about going home, but I am also forgetting about it for now and focusing on the work. Because at least that brings me peace and stuff.
My biggest concern this week is the same as most weeks: HOW WILL I HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO ALL OF THIS? But it will all work out. I hope. LOL.
It is so cool to see the hand of the Lord in our lives. I think that is something way important. When we constantly have spiritual experiences in our lives, that is how we keep our testimony ever-growing.
Tender mercies of this week. One of our investigators not being able to meet, but getting a haircut from her that led to a super good Gospel discussion. One of our investigators expressing her desire to get baptized. The members coming together to help her on the road to baptism. The member that was in the hospital getting better, despite all odds. An investigator coming out of nowhere asking us for help. Getting answers to my questions. It was pretty cool.
The other day, we had a little discussion while having companionship study. We read 2 Nephi 31:17 and it says that after we have entered the gate of baptism, then we receive the Holy Ghost and then we receive a remission of sins. We looked up what remission means and it has a four-pronged definition: 1. The process of remitting something. 2. Forgiving or pardoning. 3. To refrain from exacting or enforcing. 4. To give or gain relief. In English: It is a process. A process of receiving forgiveness and becoming perfect. So if we are baptized and we get the Holy Ghost, then we start this process and if we are in the process, we are doing okay.
Biggest challenge this week was when an investigator came in, sat down, told us how her mother is on the brink of death, how she had no job, had no life, did not know what to do and told us to tell her what to do. That was hard. That was hard.
Investigators are doing really well. They are all progressing towards baptism really really well. We are proud of then. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf. That means so so so much. It helps them so much. Thank you for that.
I love you so much! Have a great week!
Love
Neely Elder.
.JPG)
I am really begining to freak out a little bit about going home, but I am also forgetting about it for now and focusing on the work. Because at least that brings me peace and stuff.
My biggest concern this week is the same as most weeks: HOW WILL I HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO DO ALL OF THIS? But it will all work out. I hope. LOL.
It is so cool to see the hand of the Lord in our lives. I think that is something way important. When we constantly have spiritual experiences in our lives, that is how we keep our testimony ever-growing.
Tender mercies of this week. One of our investigators not being able to meet, but getting a haircut from her that led to a super good Gospel discussion. One of our investigators expressing her desire to get baptized. The members coming together to help her on the road to baptism. The member that was in the hospital getting better, despite all odds. An investigator coming out of nowhere asking us for help. Getting answers to my questions. It was pretty cool.
The other day, we had a little discussion while having companionship study. We read 2 Nephi 31:17 and it says that after we have entered the gate of baptism, then we receive the Holy Ghost and then we receive a remission of sins. We looked up what remission means and it has a four-pronged definition: 1. The process of remitting something. 2. Forgiving or pardoning. 3. To refrain from exacting or enforcing. 4. To give or gain relief. In English: It is a process. A process of receiving forgiveness and becoming perfect. So if we are baptized and we get the Holy Ghost, then we start this process and if we are in the process, we are doing okay.
Biggest challenge this week was when an investigator came in, sat down, told us how her mother is on the brink of death, how she had no job, had no life, did not know what to do and told us to tell her what to do. That was hard. That was hard.
Investigators are doing really well. They are all progressing towards baptism really really well. We are proud of then. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf. That means so so so much. It helps them so much. Thank you for that.
I love you so much! Have a great week!
Love
Neely Elder.
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| Farsang!! |
2-16-15 Step.
Hi.
This week has felt like an eeetttteeerrrnnnniiiiitttyyy and a moment all at the same time. So many things happened and the whole week was filled with activities of some sort. So things were hopping.
Everyone here has been getting sick. We have given a member or two a blessing and we have made some get well treats and stuff for errbody. This illness has been racking people up the wiz-wang. And guess what? WE GOT IT TOO. Thank you. It has made these last few days the worst ever. But we are pushing through it, so that is okay.
This week we have been working with one of our investigators that we have met with since the first day I got here in Szeged. He has been having some struggles with getting his answer. So we first had a program with him, where we discussed the Holy Ghost and how we can recognize His promptings and stuff. Then in the second program, he was a lot more humble and quiet and accepted a baptismal date! We will be having a week with him from the 2nd of March until the 8th were we are dedicating him and us to this cause and on the 8th he will decide whether or not to get baptized on the 14th. Pretty cool, huh? We have a lot of faith for him, but please pray with us!
Outside of that, we had Zone Training. That was fun. Our Zone is super legit and everyone was so down to help us out and work with us. We had it all set up and everyone was so down to follow our goal and our training. It was fantastic. We are going to be seeing some insane miracles. We also ate pizza.
So this week has been good. And sick. But the theme of this week has been stepping. Stepping up. Taking the next step. I have been reading the Book of Daniel. And in that book, multiple times, him or his three friends always step in faith. Then they receive the blessings. Then they receive the witness and confirmation. They act in faith and then leave the rest up to the Lord.
I love you all. Peace and Blessings.
Neely Elder.
This week has felt like an eeetttteeerrrnnnniiiiitttyyy and a moment all at the same time. So many things happened and the whole week was filled with activities of some sort. So things were hopping.
Everyone here has been getting sick. We have given a member or two a blessing and we have made some get well treats and stuff for errbody. This illness has been racking people up the wiz-wang. And guess what? WE GOT IT TOO. Thank you. It has made these last few days the worst ever. But we are pushing through it, so that is okay.
This week we have been working with one of our investigators that we have met with since the first day I got here in Szeged. He has been having some struggles with getting his answer. So we first had a program with him, where we discussed the Holy Ghost and how we can recognize His promptings and stuff. Then in the second program, he was a lot more humble and quiet and accepted a baptismal date! We will be having a week with him from the 2nd of March until the 8th were we are dedicating him and us to this cause and on the 8th he will decide whether or not to get baptized on the 14th. Pretty cool, huh? We have a lot of faith for him, but please pray with us!
Outside of that, we had Zone Training. That was fun. Our Zone is super legit and everyone was so down to help us out and work with us. We had it all set up and everyone was so down to follow our goal and our training. It was fantastic. We are going to be seeing some insane miracles. We also ate pizza.
So this week has been good. And sick. But the theme of this week has been stepping. Stepping up. Taking the next step. I have been reading the Book of Daniel. And in that book, multiple times, him or his three friends always step in faith. Then they receive the blessings. Then they receive the witness and confirmation. They act in faith and then leave the rest up to the Lord.
I love you all. Peace and Blessings.
Neely Elder.
2-9-15
Hello...
I am doing good. I am freaking out a little bit about the fact that I am going home in some 50+days, but I am doing good. These last few months have been so crazy. I have become a completely different person. There was a time that I decided that I wanted to change. Then the Lord helped me. He sent me to the best people in the world and they all helped me so much to change and become better.
Elder Whiting is the best companion I could have asked for. We are working so so so hard. I never knew I could be so in love with something. I love this place so much. This has become home. These streets and buildings and paths. These people. They go by and I love them. I will miss them. They have become my family. I never knew that my heart could be stretched to such limits.
The biggest challenge thus far this week was the one that it always is: myself. I have been learning that all problems basically stem from ourselves. We have our will and our pride and we always seem to focus on ourselves. When we overcome that and make our wills to match the will of God, then things start to work out. But, it is a process :) day by day we can get better. Please read the talk from last General Conference entitled "Free to Act for Themselves" by D. Todd Christofferson.
The biggest success this week. We have a couple that are going to be baptized. They have a son and we finally got him to sit in with us and have a discussion about prayer, so yay for improvement!
Our investigators are doing really, really good. They are progressing so well. We have four people that have decided to be baptized. Four. I wish I could explain in words how much that is. How crazy it is that these people are making this step. It is amazing.
Tender mercy of this week: On Tuesday one of our programs cancelled and that meant that we had to go tracting for a couple of hours in the night in the middle of the city. The people here hate that and people are usually very rude. But a young couple let us in and we talked about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon for like two hours. It was so great.
How have I seen the hand of the Lord in my life. This is such a huge thing. I have been doing this thing, where I write down my question that I have and then I go and study. The amount of answers I have received have been baffling. It is like He wants to make a point of being able to give me answers or something hahaha. It is great. It is also cool serving with Whiting Elder, that when we give all that we can give to Him, He just gives and gives and gives in return.
This next week we are having Zone Training and we have big plans for our Zone. I am so excited to see these people start to change and become better. I love these missionaries so much. They are good people and I am so proud of them.
Sorry that I have 0 pictures this week, I am working on it ;)
Love,
Levi (who, at the current time is also known as Neely Elder)
I am doing good. I am freaking out a little bit about the fact that I am going home in some 50+days, but I am doing good. These last few months have been so crazy. I have become a completely different person. There was a time that I decided that I wanted to change. Then the Lord helped me. He sent me to the best people in the world and they all helped me so much to change and become better.
Elder Whiting is the best companion I could have asked for. We are working so so so hard. I never knew I could be so in love with something. I love this place so much. This has become home. These streets and buildings and paths. These people. They go by and I love them. I will miss them. They have become my family. I never knew that my heart could be stretched to such limits.
The biggest challenge thus far this week was the one that it always is: myself. I have been learning that all problems basically stem from ourselves. We have our will and our pride and we always seem to focus on ourselves. When we overcome that and make our wills to match the will of God, then things start to work out. But, it is a process :) day by day we can get better. Please read the talk from last General Conference entitled "Free to Act for Themselves" by D. Todd Christofferson.
The biggest success this week. We have a couple that are going to be baptized. They have a son and we finally got him to sit in with us and have a discussion about prayer, so yay for improvement!
Our investigators are doing really, really good. They are progressing so well. We have four people that have decided to be baptized. Four. I wish I could explain in words how much that is. How crazy it is that these people are making this step. It is amazing.
Tender mercy of this week: On Tuesday one of our programs cancelled and that meant that we had to go tracting for a couple of hours in the night in the middle of the city. The people here hate that and people are usually very rude. But a young couple let us in and we talked about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon for like two hours. It was so great.
How have I seen the hand of the Lord in my life. This is such a huge thing. I have been doing this thing, where I write down my question that I have and then I go and study. The amount of answers I have received have been baffling. It is like He wants to make a point of being able to give me answers or something hahaha. It is great. It is also cool serving with Whiting Elder, that when we give all that we can give to Him, He just gives and gives and gives in return.
This next week we are having Zone Training and we have big plans for our Zone. I am so excited to see these people start to change and become better. I love these missionaries so much. They are good people and I am so proud of them.
Sorry that I have 0 pictures this week, I am working on it ;)
Love,
Levi (who, at the current time is also known as Neely Elder)
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