tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73524318341560288742024-03-13T04:04:23.099-06:00Megan's 18 Months in Hungary Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452605987713236098noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-51491868892156102712014-07-22T09:32:00.000-06:002014-07-22T09:32:15.970-06:00Week 68: Day 546: An Eventful Last Week! See You In Two Days!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
July 22, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
Well... this is super weird... It's been a weird week overall, actually. I didn't think my last week would be very eventful, but I've learned on my mission that life never quite goes the way we plan for it... haha! I'll probably keep this pretty short, since I'll be home in like two days and then I can't talk to everyone myself, but I'll give you a run down on my week...<br />
<br />
Tuesday... I pretty much thought I was going to die. Haha! Here I was, feeling sorry for poor little Carter (my nephew) who's sick at home with Katie and thinking about how throwing up multiple times doesn't sound fun, especially in this heat........ Yeah. Starting about lunch time I started feeling not so great, but I refused to stay home, because I didn't really think it was that bad and I only had one more week left as a missionary... not the best idea. We decided against tracting, in case I actually did throw up and then there wouldn't be anywhere for me to go, so we streeted down to a main road where we would be taking our bus in a while for a program and English Class. By the time we made it there, I was shaking so badly that I thought I was going to pass out, so we just stopped at the bus stop and waited for it to pass. Any time I moved, I literally thought I was going to pass out. Finally, the bus came and I stood up to get on... not a good idea. Ha. The nearest thing around me was grass.... Let's just say, I have never thrown up in front of that many people in my whole life... on a busy street, beside a stopped bus full of people... But then at least I felt better, and we had a program in 20 minutes with someone new and so the elders came and picked us up (since we had obviously missed the bus...). Made it through that program, but by the end I was feeling not so great again, so I laid in another room/threw up again while Sister Schnoor taught English Class and then the elders drove us home again. We went into the shop right by our apartment to buy some Sprite and Sister Schnoor was asking me about something right as I was buying my Sprite and I was just like Sister Schnoor... I'm going to throw up. So she just was like GO! And she said the lady was super surprised to see her standing there in my place when she turned around to give me my change... hahahaha. Anyway, it was a long night and I literally couldn't even keep liquid down. The next day I was planning on going back out to work, but I couldn't stay standing for longer than about 5 minutes without nearly passing out, so that day was not the most effective, unfortunately... But hey, at least I got it all out of my system before I have to get on an airplane! haha I'm still not really sure what it was, but I think I ate something bad... The mission nurse said it could just be a little bug... all the Hungarians are telling me it was the heat... I don't know about that one... I've never heard of anyone getting THAT sick because of a little sun..... haha!<br />
<br />
The rest of that week was pretty normal... Missionary work and such, working on Memory books like crazy during meal times and at night... It's actually been fun; I have all these random memories from different times in my mission flooding back. My favorite to do was Elder Bennett's from the Christmas/New Year's transfer…and Sister Dinehart's from last transfer...haha we had a lot of good times.<br />
<br />
I've remembered again why I never say goodbye to people... It's the worst... mostly just because I feel really awkward, especially when people are crying and I don't know what to say or do. Even worse now as a missionary, because if it's a guy then I can't even really like hug them and it's just overall awkwardness. Funny, because I've left places a lot in my life, but I still can't do goodbyes... just "see-ya-laters" and I'm just not really the crying type, especially not in public. Speaking of... a guy in the branch was taking the transfer super hard and crying at church on Sunday and then he went up to Sister Schnoor and was just like "Why isn't Sister Butterfield crying?! Isn't she sad?!" Hahaha. But really, I am more sad than I am happy, it just still hasn't really hit me. I think I'll just be sitting at home lost in the sauce and still not really realize that I'm not in Hungary anymore and that this part in my life (my mission) is actually over...<br />
<br />
Yesterday was interesting. Somehow we had double booked our evening programs, because one family invited us over, but said Tuesday would probably be good too, but we settled on Monday, but then another family invited us over for the same time and that was the only time they could, so we told them we'd reschedule the first one. But, when I called to reschedule, they said it had to be that time and that we HAVE to come, so then we called the other ones back... and it was a long, confusing process, but basically both family's refused to let us cancel or reschedule for another day and then both live super far away, so it was just a really hectic time, but it was really fun. (:<br />
<br />
Then... we got transfer calls today and they're taking sisters out of like 5 different cities and replacing a couple of them with elders, because almost all the sister are in trios now... So... we're actually getting white-washed out by two elders... which makes our job a lot harder, because now we won't fit in the car with all of our luggage and the elders.. and we have to leave our apartment super clean and ready for them... and I still have a memory book to finish, but I think I'll just have to do that one at home or something... and Sister Schnoor's doing what I did in my second transfer! (: She's going to Debrecen! (: I'm excited for her, but she'll also be in a trio with an older sister and a new greenie.... so pretty much how we all were when I was a greenie... it should be interesting for all of them.<br />
<br />
Basically, I'm just all up in the clouds right now and I can't figure out if I'm happy or sad or if this is reality or where I am right now... I'm excited for tomorrow, because by then all the packing and goodbyes will be out of the way and we just kind of have a free day.. We got an email from President telling us about the plan for the day. We'll go up in the morning and I get my new comp for the day... Sister Broadhead! And we're free until 2, because the two of us have interviews from 2-2:50 and then he told us we are free until 5:30 "to say good-bye to members/investigators/missionaries/etc." so... that's what we'll be doing. Then at 6ish we have dinner and everything after that is still a mystery... We just know that from that point on, we won't be able to be contacted, because we'll have a group dinner, testimony meet and "other activities," I think just sight-seeing and stuff. Then we'll go have a giant sleepover at the mission home and we leave for the airport early the next morning, because our flight leaves at like 8 am... and then.... I'll see some of you!! Crazy...<br />
<br />
To quote a great missionary, "And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some. We can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many...Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we...blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land." -Ammon. I wouldn't trade this last year and a half and the chance to serve God for anything. I can't believe that so much time has already gone by, but my whole life has changed because of it. God knows us so well and he's always watching out for us, knowing what we need most to help us grow, whether it be blessings, or trials, or new experiences and journeys. I'm just moving on to my next one now and hopefully I'll love it just as much as this one. (: It's hard to explain the thoughts of a dying missionary, apprehension and worry and excitement and sadness and happiness and reminiscing, but not really FEAR because I know that because of Christ it'll all somehow be okay in the end and I'll be happy, no matter how it works out, because God's plan is perfect for me and I'll just keep running along, trying to do my part.<br />
<br />
Well, that's enough of my rambling. I will talk to you all in a few days. I'll probably spend my plane ride trying to come up with my homecoming talk for Sunday because uh.... I haven't even had time to start. Oops. Love you all and see you on the flip side!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z6mk4i40g3hvL6MdxZ40Uc8_3wEGwfIwv_LguS4xpNspdM51VP3St4z0MyvCxqyCeOPkgBWm-E0RVWSfaw28b-F1S8PlpWbTKZznRBPVrQXlEd8d6Z9ka_uDpBB2lQrv9XWYGE9Jvgs/s1600/DSCN5661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z6mk4i40g3hvL6MdxZ40Uc8_3wEGwfIwv_LguS4xpNspdM51VP3St4z0MyvCxqyCeOPkgBWm-E0RVWSfaw28b-F1S8PlpWbTKZznRBPVrQXlEd8d6Z9ka_uDpBB2lQrv9XWYGE9Jvgs/s1600/DSCN5661.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our branch mission leader and his family! I like them a lot. (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrDlyJZBlJ04ahMzcXJk7KHwZEt9xnzaeLKwzc6pU4GCLouwp9G4s3PKfa-lGUhdizfGEWLgL153AkXfkvmz4erU1YFwhbJLomszKMq2FvqA8Jy6lQhqxyNorSoAaTIr-rvpFRSHwt2Q/s1600/DSCN5666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrDlyJZBlJ04ahMzcXJk7KHwZEt9xnzaeLKwzc6pU4GCLouwp9G4s3PKfa-lGUhdizfGEWLgL153AkXfkvmz4erU1YFwhbJLomszKMq2FvqA8Jy6lQhqxyNorSoAaTIr-rvpFRSHwt2Q/s1600/DSCN5666.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flora! (the one leaving on her mission in October to England!) She told me on Sunday that she thinks there's someone specific here (in Hungary, not Duna) she thinks I should marry.. then we can hang out again when she comes back from her mission. Hahaha. She said she's been thinking about it all for awhile and wanted to tell me her idea earlier, but she waited until my last Sunday when I'm "almost not a missionary" anymore. Hahaha she's my favorite.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqsqId3RKx6i2uTdnwhBPfkbH93IFi-6FDfwQjQwTFymk6oHzNbvm2gauifRh2aw9h1WofNWI1tXdLQtYdDV4aTpD-ZWHz2MUccXuTkt581wpBXkrieOka5FJ785a84yivoPxZLxpn4E/s1600/DSCN5670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqsqId3RKx6i2uTdnwhBPfkbH93IFi-6FDfwQjQwTFymk6oHzNbvm2gauifRh2aw9h1WofNWI1tXdLQtYdDV4aTpD-ZWHz2MUccXuTkt581wpBXkrieOka5FJ785a84yivoPxZLxpn4E/s1600/DSCN5670.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fati! My last time teaching her in YWs. :(</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5pIcCN06RK4BLA9nn8nHyvLjXZN7JGBJ6j2bKrNNPc4V8goY0sY0cykKMP7vvRGmdByiU86diC0t1iXh6Jno0DBmULF3Vn2P7if4BgW-vr-volPUUA0jxOxjmtS-WzMQo_OB39icyKc/s1600/DSCN5673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5pIcCN06RK4BLA9nn8nHyvLjXZN7JGBJ6j2bKrNNPc4V8goY0sY0cykKMP7vvRGmdByiU86diC0t1iXh6Jno0DBmULF3Vn2P7if4BgW-vr-volPUUA0jxOxjmtS-WzMQo_OB39icyKc/s1600/DSCN5673.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Viki! She lived in Buda when I was serving there last year, but now she leaves here in Duna, so it was nice to always have a familiar face at church. (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Qw_SRHmP3iqaPGAR1NJD5Mq0tdjMIxfZhwCjFcQ2Pqws_1wBXCc-fgFrAbj1klLWz-ztUjBdIciAKB6UjBj0xkHI8jglc8Da1fwYYBn7jjkYU4kj_R3NJTgAXG65_QvQ-pJDfF6UTYQ/s1600/DSCN5674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Qw_SRHmP3iqaPGAR1NJD5Mq0tdjMIxfZhwCjFcQ2Pqws_1wBXCc-fgFrAbj1klLWz-ztUjBdIciAKB6UjBj0xkHI8jglc8Da1fwYYBn7jjkYU4kj_R3NJTgAXG65_QvQ-pJDfF6UTYQ/s1600/DSCN5674.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our investigators and her mom at one of the programs last night! (: She's my favorite and SO funny. I die whenever we meet with her. She's really pushing for me to move back to Hungary... (her son is the one that predicted our futures/husbands and everything)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTwVbTUBX7Z0xHCMegJE6aLGIi14K__jwVZ1yytsLJYukkvqNgcCSuX-vDXEicU6iUVxuHB2i4ngGosjWLMq2BbfarvucaVECWwMPVHLoJVrk_euu6xBVHGKdPazs65-RHrs7BjaC1GQ/s1600/DSCN5683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTwVbTUBX7Z0xHCMegJE6aLGIi14K__jwVZ1yytsLJYukkvqNgcCSuX-vDXEicU6iUVxuHB2i4ngGosjWLMq2BbfarvucaVECWwMPVHLoJVrk_euu6xBVHGKdPazs65-RHrs7BjaC1GQ/s1600/DSCN5683.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another member family here and their nieces! I like them too. (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-85328357562950423372014-07-20T21:48:00.001-06:002014-07-20T21:48:53.784-06:00Week 67: Day 538 Almost Home!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
July 14, 2014<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
I have to be honest... I considered not writing a group email, because well... you'll be able to hear everything from me in just over a week. So weird. My chain is getting very short. It's been an interesting week. It's been good, but it has prepared me to go home. haha last week you could probably tell that I wasn't necessarily super excited about coming home.. I'm still sad to leave, but I'm ready leave too. It's a strange feeling to know that I'll be home in 10 days, especially when I look at my to-do list. For some reason, missionaries have this great habit of giving their memory books to dying missionaries RIGHT before they're going home... (memory books are kind of like scrapbooks, but you do entries in missionaries' books if you served with them or around them, etc. with tons of pictures and such) anyway. I have 10 days and still have 5 left to do, plus letters for people and members, not to mention packing and the normal missionary day-to-day life... It's been nice though, because it keeps me super busy and I don't have any time to think about anything.<br />
<br />
This week was pretty missionary-like. haha, obviously. some tracting, programs, etc. and we got Cleaning checks out of the way. Hey, guess what! Remember before my mission (and in the MTC) when I stalked people's blog here and decided that there was a city that I reallyyy wanted to serve in and talked about going to it all the time…and then I never went there...? Well! Two weeks before the end of my mission, I finally got to go there! haha I have to be honest, after serving in places like Szeged and Debrecen, it really wasn't all that great, but it made me laugh that I finally got to go there for a Zone Training. So yeah... Friday was spent in good ol' Pécs! I remember when I was a greenie and there was another sister who got to go to Pécs with her trainer and I was super jealous that she got to serve there... but looking back, I'm really glad I went to Kispest and got the trainer that I did. (:<br />
<br />
Random comment... I heard Germany KILLED Brazil, 7-1. hahahahaha. That’s all I have to say. So sad. Argentina's still my favorite though. I wish I was coming home in time for that last game!<br />
<br />
People don't stop talking about the fact that I'm going home and always ask me how I feel and what my plans are for the future. To which I answer I don't know! And I don't know! haha At least some people are having fun with it all... We went to our branch mission leader’s house and they served us cake, but they asked me to do the honor of cutting the cakes and serving them, "to practice for my wedding." Hahaha I couldn't even be mad, but hey, it went smoothly and they approved of my skills. Then, a few days later we went to another members' house and they served us homemade pizza and stuff and had me serve it too. Then, one of the elders spilled his drink and I just cleaned it all up and served them all, while she watched me. And at the end, she just looked at me and said, "okay, You're ready to be a wife! You can go home" and proceeded to make comments about how I "mother" the elders and people around me... meh… I'm still not ready to be a mom, sorry.<br />
<br />
Those types of comments and experiences pretty much describe my life lately, but it's fine, I think it's funny. Other than that, nothing too interesting has happened. It's been raining all week and I ain't complaining! I will take rain over the heat any day for my last week here! I'm working my way through "F" in the Hungarian dictionary this week. I just find words I like or find useful and memorize them. For example, I found the word Fegyelem and it reminded me of something and made me smile, so I memorized it.<br />
<br />
I don't have much else for this week, but I'll try to send you a couple pictures. I will see you all next week hopefully and oh, hey, I won't be emailing until Tuesday... but then I'll see you right after that. Love you all! Have a fantastic last week without me! ;) Weird how people start writing me right before I'm about to go home, but... hey, I'm still excited to see all of you!!!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Mgan Butterifeld... the good news, is I obviously can't spell my own name or speak English anymore... *Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_CkSFFzDdPbsMluE6es0_s0mq5QcQ4Qrfv6b-6F961evy2tvSuDs9zy9AW92QwBJNGMMkLxEdJdrBStmHVeO3Is_DstF7ECnUAiqMok4wTACag_yVx02uMNKPXAgWBFIJpW5oqueTMs/s1600/DSC04792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_CkSFFzDdPbsMluE6es0_s0mq5QcQ4Qrfv6b-6F961evy2tvSuDs9zy9AW92QwBJNGMMkLxEdJdrBStmHVeO3Is_DstF7ECnUAiqMok4wTACag_yVx02uMNKPXAgWBFIJpW5oqueTMs/s1600/DSC04792.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We got caught in the rain... you can see the water running down the street in the background...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXX0VcyERZedFM4pwC1d7Ai10Psvvoedb1M-SBydMXbaVD6z7-jvm48EevtCOCdk0nHq6Au-bAvXT2rrRKBFZI3LXiiA_i5OKZYE8Q9mqgLwSoblmHLq8RPrLRY2A8lYSN6rxn_WnBVo/s1600/DSC04793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXX0VcyERZedFM4pwC1d7Ai10Psvvoedb1M-SBydMXbaVD6z7-jvm48EevtCOCdk0nHq6Au-bAvXT2rrRKBFZI3LXiiA_i5OKZYE8Q9mqgLwSoblmHLq8RPrLRY2A8lYSN6rxn_WnBVo/s1600/DSC04793.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were giant puddles and she thought the way I had to stand to ring and hold the door open was funny... haha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZZXQTTrMo0WZHusZ-PEt_GHPu94nnJliTge3zP7_Y4ifZXhFWlC8l7rmNRaO-pSj2mVgFDS_WEpeqaEJHmcPZH1cAi_yKYycTATYTnR-nQI0YDDKCbBchW3DOAIEKhd-aOPEtnYUyfk/s1600/DSCN5650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZZXQTTrMo0WZHusZ-PEt_GHPu94nnJliTge3zP7_Y4ifZXhFWlC8l7rmNRaO-pSj2mVgFDS_WEpeqaEJHmcPZH1cAi_yKYycTATYTnR-nQI0YDDKCbBchW3DOAIEKhd-aOPEtnYUyfk/s1600/DSCN5650.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our lunch in Pécs! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XykpwnO8JFFtslXm6Eiw4hyphenhyphenF8Gism5KbyBTxytPO7Tnu4i5SR9oS8Quo2rthCBilDK-rqXFiaLIQbAr_LvAXCUoN6uTBu11MALJcAxl3_Nth4JDm5OLDI8j9Yyd6CwVMHuBLIKGd0zU/s1600/DSCN5651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XykpwnO8JFFtslXm6Eiw4hyphenhyphenF8Gism5KbyBTxytPO7Tnu4i5SR9oS8Quo2rthCBilDK-rqXFiaLIQbAr_LvAXCUoN6uTBu11MALJcAxl3_Nth4JDm5OLDI8j9Yyd6CwVMHuBLIKGd0zU/s1600/DSCN5651.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-25097168656315311462014-07-11T22:59:00.000-06:002014-07-11T23:43:30.122-06:00Week 66: Day 531: Two Weeks Left!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
July 7, 2014<br />
<br />
Hellooo!<br />
<br />
First off, I just want to apologize in case I offended anyone with my letter last week... My point wasn't meant to be that America is awful. The US is a great country, and I love it! The point I had intended to make was just that I don't like being treated like royalty or super badly, just because of where I was born; I'm not any cooler or better than anyone else just because I have an American Passport. I don't want people to be talking to us as missionaries, just because they're interested in where we're from instead of the Gospel. But I love the United States, just like I love Hungary and Peru and a lot of other countries. Sorry if that came out wrong, I wasn't intending to be offensive! (:<br />
<br />
Hm…it's been an interesting week. I'll just say Monday, Tuesday and Sunday (yesterday) were good days and we'll leave it at that... hahah. Nah, but really, Tuesday was probably my favorite. That's when I saw Viki from Veszprém for lunch and we got to catch up and stuff (: Then later that night we had English Class at the branch house and then I got a lot of chocolate and it made me happy. (: Wednesday was good too, actually, cause I was still happy from the day before haha and then we had a whole day of tracting and got 4 let ins and then we had a program with one of my favorite investigators here. Her little daughter made us little sting necklaces while we were there and introduced us to her stuffed animals. haha super cute.<br />
<br />
Thursday night we went up to Pest for splits... I got to go with Sister Moffatt! It was funny, just cause neither of us are Sister Training Leaders or anything, so we were just like…meh... who leads? But it was fun. I'm glad I went with her, and I could finally get to know my mission "sister" (Sister Watts trained us both!). The night was interesting... All four of us slept at the same apartment, so it was just like a giant sleepover, which means tons of talking and everyone trying to figure secrets out and stuff... haha, we got a lot of questions about Duna and then a lot about Szeged... That was more interesting. Mostly, because this is the first time I'd seen Sister Maxfield since I served in Szeged and we served our transfer together RIGHT after she was a greenie there, so I heard a million and one stories about Szeged and the members and investigators, but I didn't really understand/remember/pay attention to a lot of it, because I had no idea what she was talking about. So it was interesting to talk about it and hear some stories that she told me.... I didn't do much talking, but I learned a lot of interesting things, now that I know everyone she was talking about...She offered to move back to Szeged with me if I end up going back there to the University...... hahaha. Splits are weird. I used to like them, now they just make me super tired. haha Mostly cause all three of them decided they were tired and within seconds they were all out and I just lied there forever, like always. haha The joys of being a dying missionary. Since about Thursday I've been in kind of a freak out/ panic state of mind... I counted it out and I don't think I've had any of my anxiety attacks since like January, which is a good 6 months, so it's about time... There's just a lot to figure out and I'm not quite ready for real life. But I'm still excited, mostly I'm just trying to think of all the things I'm excited for. Call me crazy, but probably top of my list (after the obvious family and friends and stuff) is going to the movie theater all the time again... and watching all the new movies that came out and all the old ones that I used to watch all the time…and food/restaurants there and playing card games with people who appreciate them. haha Speaking of old movies, yesterday a missionary brought up the movie Saturday's Warriors and it made me laugh, thinking back to how cheesy it is and when we were super young that was the movie our family watched every Sunday along with The Sound of Music.<br />
<br />
Anyway... super off track... back to splits... The next morning (on the 4th of July) we woke up and went over to the branch house for the morning workout with the elders there. We did Yoga and learned karate kicks…haha I added in the sound effects, of course. hahah then we split into teams and played soccer. (I don't know if you remember back to Székes on Christmas when Elder Hancey and I were creamed by Sister Broadhead and Elder Bennett in Dodgeball?) Well, Elder Hancey and my team (our two greenies) finally got our vengeance and beat the other team. hahah I just can't get competitive in sports.. oh well. Later on in the day we met back up for our lunch hour to have Hamburgers for the 4th. That day I was with Sister Moffatt and we had a really interesting day...She just barely got transferred to Pest last week, so she didn't really know her way around or who the investigators really are... I think Sister Maxfield just gave me some investigators so that I could deal with them and help her figure out to do with them... yeah... I don't think one of them was used to having someone so serious teaching them, cause I was not willing to put up with his rude or inappropriate comments. mehh. And one of their investigators had a foot fetish, I think? Because he started taking pictures of my feet and asking me if I could take off my shoes for him... what?! I have no idea... But.... needless to say, I was exhausted by the end of that day and I don't think I've ever been so happy to be back in Duna... hahaha<br />
<br />
Things are going well here... I'm just really sad that I have to leave so soon. I feel like I always get to areas and right when I feel like I finally am getting to know people and know how I can help in the branch more, I get taken out... We had Branch Council yesterday and holy cow, it was the best branch council I've ever been to on my mission. They know how it works here. It was cool to be able to help give input on things to work on and suggestions for callings for people and for activities for them to plan, but then it just made me ever more sad because I realized I won't even be here for any changes or activities or anything... I even stopped cutting links of my chain for a few days earlier in the week, because I was in denial that I actually have to go home. hahaha (:<br />
<br />
Since I'm leaving, and my companion is most likely staying here next transfer, I have switched our roles in the companionship. It'll make for an interesting couple weeks. haha Started yesterday, I handed over everything that I have, like the map, tracting book, etc., and instead of leading us, I am now being led. Mostly, the idea behind it is that I let her figure everything out without trying to take over, because if she does get lost or something then I'm there to figure out how to get back, because next transfer she won't even be able to call me for help. So that was interesting, we walked too far a few times and such, but I just calmly followed, waiting until she realized to see if she could figure out how to solve it. Responsibility is good for people, it's stressful on the mission sometimes, and so I'm trying to do things with/for her that I think would have helped me. There are so many new sister missionaries coming in and even more leaving with my group, that we have been warned that we need to prepare our greenies to be senior or co-senior by this coming transfer or the one after... So I'm just trying to give as much practice with responsibility possible, while she can still have the reassurance or confidence that I'm here if anything goes wrong. It's an interesting experience, but so far so good!<br />
<br />
Anyway…this has gotten super long, and I'll be back in two weeks and we can talk then anyway... haha Recommendation for the week: Read the July Liahona! It's actually super good. My favorites were the article on Perfectionism and the tips for parents raising YSA kids or something like that. The one on perfectionism is called something like Being Perfect in Christ and I read it this weekend right when I needed it. Mostly because I am a perfectionist myself, but also because I was starting to stress out about expectations that I know some people have on others, for example, when looking for someone to marry and it's just a lot when you know someone else's expectations are extremely high and they tend to be disappointed when they realize someone isn't as perfect as they might initially think, and I personally know that I am very far from perfect and have a lot of weaknesses. And of course, as a dying missionary, that's something I'll have to start dealing with at some point... But then I read that talk and it made me laugh. (: But it was actually really good!<br />
<br />
Have a good week! Enjoy the AC for me, while I'm out here melting...<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
PS - Someone say happy birthday to Uncle Gary and Lindsey (Manning) for me this week if you happen to talk to them! (:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-77mhvyHgj4Csh0hufDXLMR0ggUtA4Q1TIQjG9CjZOG28LqEtsTaBLXKqDqHsiKtdGighS5XdfJDnOX8w7bUkMxBhTcRY6Xuyhrk3rGgLVve5wHz6-CjAfo6UJodeQUN4zPwyTj5qxU/s1600/DSCN5626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-77mhvyHgj4Csh0hufDXLMR0ggUtA4Q1TIQjG9CjZOG28LqEtsTaBLXKqDqHsiKtdGighS5XdfJDnOX8w7bUkMxBhTcRY6Xuyhrk3rGgLVve5wHz6-CjAfo6UJodeQUN4zPwyTj5qxU/s1600/DSCN5626.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Viki and Flóra (: (both going to the Manchester England Mission)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCazB5jbdQUlooxNXE86trNuN8gjaeQ1HNdKf4l9tPlT7FJN1z9_RTjvD-1VjKmzJIvLdIgSYlPRRvQkl_Rw05o0OCSUA339mx2Ze0CMXb-kMnTXhhHKhPt6yNaGuWgtg8Q6Q-6pKtFMs/s1600/DSCN5636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCazB5jbdQUlooxNXE86trNuN8gjaeQ1HNdKf4l9tPlT7FJN1z9_RTjvD-1VjKmzJIvLdIgSYlPRRvQkl_Rw05o0OCSUA339mx2Ze0CMXb-kMnTXhhHKhPt6yNaGuWgtg8Q6Q-6pKtFMs/s1600/DSCN5636.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">more chocolate... (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FxBJ30qk1XgzGeHHJyZVo3kDSO9zHmGxpEFm6Y7wa090rDWXjYCZb78mT1UotBdRhocKKUxxk-N_o5AOQRJKTHrEDvIT-7Cd4tMyLWRWVYlRLiRQH8Hv2mnjSnCK9fYjrKS3EJF5rlc/s1600/DSCN5639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FxBJ30qk1XgzGeHHJyZVo3kDSO9zHmGxpEFm6Y7wa090rDWXjYCZb78mT1UotBdRhocKKUxxk-N_o5AOQRJKTHrEDvIT-7Cd4tMyLWRWVYlRLiRQH8Hv2mnjSnCK9fYjrKS3EJF5rlc/s1600/DSCN5639.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the stranger programs on my mission.... on splits in Pest (notice the Patriotic outfit, Jenny haha)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgWMrgnQuhlNSMOSmzi2je7N1Yom_YayxHeP9eipvGj-FkofMm3Z7sYgJ-biFhX5G62_7miDaovl77Fag8yju_UG_0a2ni0SPq5dxYt4eNnrud-NG59rPLVDmtWGKu7RvatjgdxmDsLk/s1600/DSC04763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgWMrgnQuhlNSMOSmzi2je7N1Yom_YayxHeP9eipvGj-FkofMm3Z7sYgJ-biFhX5G62_7miDaovl77Fag8yju_UG_0a2ni0SPq5dxYt4eNnrud-NG59rPLVDmtWGKu7RvatjgdxmDsLk/s1600/DSC04763.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stealing Sister Schnoor's pictures again...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wH5Z6IFrKc-UaAsftdVxbgaDQGsdPb0SgxNHhxz479AC4Y9Npj5OQ5iMkJBSdIBvxRFqGPtpITyhZNAXSX8390WmtUu16oM7i_fnEIibsxwMnY6vF2Uvtmi2wLHAPQ_Vg7-RKHUogHo/s1600/DSC04766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wH5Z6IFrKc-UaAsftdVxbgaDQGsdPb0SgxNHhxz479AC4Y9Npj5OQ5iMkJBSdIBvxRFqGPtpITyhZNAXSX8390WmtUu16oM7i_fnEIibsxwMnY6vF2Uvtmi2wLHAPQ_Vg7-RKHUogHo/s1600/DSC04766.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A little girl in the branch here! she's so cute! (: She always sits with us in church!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq5do2ui8tuZ-zGE_f9a9NR-ghhHUFlj3QGigR8DRx0jH4MvzNJ6VJskPIjOuSavPTanp6bsuyO9W-vFOvNImuBAlcdxd-jCowbD6pwuwbgB7-WjEZAxo_IJojsudsHKqFlMW3x3NyvI/s1600/DSC04773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyq5do2ui8tuZ-zGE_f9a9NR-ghhHUFlj3QGigR8DRx0jH4MvzNJ6VJskPIjOuSavPTanp6bsuyO9W-vFOvNImuBAlcdxd-jCowbD6pwuwbgB7-WjEZAxo_IJojsudsHKqFlMW3x3NyvI/s1600/DSC04773.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A better quality picture of splits.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXQQqb02kfEhpYo_YeBzaKjjw6cPXnLkgGZ3fhbiFSBB3xGNxTjqXF8Y3kLLZ26-3SNmzCDqONW61EbNlXGWb0iSabGv_aUBOmoRVhPs7IHvppL05BwH3ywLDKiOelRirZjmOlM8S4fk/s1600/DSC04753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXQQqb02kfEhpYo_YeBzaKjjw6cPXnLkgGZ3fhbiFSBB3xGNxTjqXF8Y3kLLZ26-3SNmzCDqONW61EbNlXGWb0iSabGv_aUBOmoRVhPs7IHvppL05BwH3ywLDKiOelRirZjmOlM8S4fk/s1600/DSC04753.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found her creeper pictures of me...Haha I'll pass them on, because I think they're funny. She always laughs at the weird positions I sit in when I'm on the phone or just stressing out...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ6MJ1jZTSHJhQuBoFUIquCOF3sv57dQLurpV9VO-D-7YEEhTXiaX6n9Mfp8grSJQi85W2TWRN1CKRvEPXlIz45mYSqjYvnJGTs-0bZuJ2JB-mCkPRIuBi-987YdWSvyXxrKFrQ-lzBU/s1600/DSC04776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQ6MJ1jZTSHJhQuBoFUIquCOF3sv57dQLurpV9VO-D-7YEEhTXiaX6n9Mfp8grSJQi85W2TWRN1CKRvEPXlIz45mYSqjYvnJGTs-0bZuJ2JB-mCkPRIuBi-987YdWSvyXxrKFrQ-lzBU/s1600/DSC04776.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I fell asleep memorizing the dictionary.... haha somehow I can fall asleep when I'm not supposed to, but I can never fall asleep when I'm supposed to. Oh well.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNp9sOGEzqpkcTdRiwxxiBH5AjeS2Z3U14jy04PaZZ7f0-sQMCiokfHXyuCvFj5KIAAEXyDfYX1YgHVjko3FIoK92I4Sl8TB_h_veYpbPF4hGBcEpkELCBdCb6B06dU286ew3exzIAhc/s1600/DSC04778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNp9sOGEzqpkcTdRiwxxiBH5AjeS2Z3U14jy04PaZZ7f0-sQMCiokfHXyuCvFj5KIAAEXyDfYX1YgHVjko3FIoK92I4Sl8TB_h_veYpbPF4hGBcEpkELCBdCb6B06dU286ew3exzIAhc/s1600/DSC04778.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylEbKIee0Unu3nSPFNXj0CD3wrnTabpFpaMq01iYkOk-UCabYskgnTxMc8WyG9rc0xzwzF1m6HAmAfTyosnRqTyvGE7QWfaSwR0gv1qy_Ke3EHA-1-UgssCRFvboD61PDKJOD4KhBEoQ/s1600/DSCN5641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylEbKIee0Unu3nSPFNXj0CD3wrnTabpFpaMq01iYkOk-UCabYskgnTxMc8WyG9rc0xzwzF1m6HAmAfTyosnRqTyvGE7QWfaSwR0gv1qy_Ke3EHA-1-UgssCRFvboD61PDKJOD4KhBEoQ/s1600/DSCN5641.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At our 4th of July lunch on splits.. the other elders forgot about it and planned a program, so they couldnt come.. awkward. haha</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwGc3t6iJd9lb0oawzs4giZDx90Lu4pvaEzH05ko1phyQgqYr_3DRuId0P_f6WmvD7-4vIJJH_bunIxxjwK8zyxl6R11BHevRxqQZqixdQh1m6f-vBaCady5KwLnOqftlsKhTSn8gFt8/s1600/DSCN5643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwGc3t6iJd9lb0oawzs4giZDx90Lu4pvaEzH05ko1phyQgqYr_3DRuId0P_f6WmvD7-4vIJJH_bunIxxjwK8zyxl6R11BHevRxqQZqixdQh1m6f-vBaCady5KwLnOqftlsKhTSn8gFt8/s1600/DSCN5643.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Splits...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLblmX6JuOY42bYfDddJLv0GUTkqDFvuoOhQi5CD14Sj2iibsqd42C8VAKeG9rCyQC1zktpahi33OBT7gF2KX_psO6csMkFhULstcWRahs2C5lVNjg2BC7p-90mVKNb28oLgov4qtoeQ/s1600/DSCN5647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLblmX6JuOY42bYfDddJLv0GUTkqDFvuoOhQi5CD14Sj2iibsqd42C8VAKeG9rCyQC1zktpahi33OBT7gF2KX_psO6csMkFhULstcWRahs2C5lVNjg2BC7p-90mVKNb28oLgov4qtoeQ/s1600/DSCN5647.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I was really bored one day during lunch......</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-63901438890070023262014-07-07T00:07:00.000-06:002014-07-07T00:07:03.580-06:00Week 65: Day 524: Thoughts on the Temple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
June 30, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
Wow…for some reason it feels like it's been an eternity since last Monday... It was a long week, probably because I've just been thinking about the temple all week and really just wanted to be there.... haha. I'm super excited to go back to the temple, I've just been thinking about it all week, but especially last night, because I was talking to some missionaries in Szeged (they like to keep me up to date on EVERYTHING going on there since I've left...) and they were talking about how one of the YSA there went through the temple last week for the first time in prep for her mission and how cool it was to see her at church yesterday once she got back from Germany and how she was just like walking on clouds and it just gave me the chills remembering when I first went through and how it's crazy it's been over a year and a half since my first time and then thinking about how much I miss it and how that's really all that my goals in life connect to... I don't really care all that much/have any requirements about how many kids I have, where I raise them, what I name them, where I live (besides preferably not in Utah haha), I'm not stuck on any one major or job that I HAVE to have... I just want a husband I trust and a strong, happy family sealed in the temple. (:<br />
<br />
Reading the things Dad wrote me about some of his ancestors was super interesting. Sometimes I forget that side of our family has been in the church for that long that Joseph Smith was the one that taught and baptized him... so crazy to compare that, which was what I always knew as normal life, to what I experience here in Hungary, where it's the coolest thing to meet one of those few people here who have been a member for like 24 years maximum and it blows my mind that a few of them have been members since before I was even born. And then like how much people here appreciate the temple and how much they work to get to it, it's just so different from what you experience in Utah or even South America. I've learned a lot of good lessons from the people here and I love that feeling of devotion that I see in some people here.<br />
<br />
One thing I realized this week was how much I have missed doing RCLA work. Obviously, that's not our main focus here as missionaries, but we're still involved in it. I was pretty bummed that I couldn't do much last transfer, because... for example, if I had to say why I thought/felt I was sent to Veszprém or who I was meant to meet there, almost every reason would connect back to members that I met with a lot and helped bring back to church. To me, that was more fulfilling than most of the "missionary" work I did there with investigators. I love that branch. But anyway, I realized this week how much I missed it, because we've started doing more of that here in Duna and I love that part of missionary work!<br />
<br />
The week overall has been interesting... maybe rough is a good word? It was just super long and about half way through I realized I'm finally cracking. haha Sister Schnoor has seen a side of me that most people on my mission haven't seen, at least not in such an extreme. All of my strange sounds I make seem to be back haha and I have had more than a few OCD cleaning sprees, because I can't handle just sitting around the apartment at night or during meals... haha so... crazy me is coming out… or maybe just stressed out me... at least she gets entertainment from it... Other than that, it's been good. We've been trying to make everything more fun, to at least enjoy our time. So we've been teaching each other weird tricks haha and we practice dance moves while we tract (don't worry, not while they're watching us through the door...) So in that aspect, we've had more fun this week, or just learned to laugh at our own stupidity and my stress. We had a Greek Night branch party or something this week and had Gyros, so that was pretty fun. I had to teach the Spiritual Message for some reason, but it's all good haha, went well...<br />
<br />
Two new pet peeves that I learned I have this week... 1 - construction workers. Our part of the city is all under construction, so every time we come out of our building in the morning or have to go back in for meals, ALL (and I mean all) the construction workers stop there work and just stare, or try to yell things at us. If only I were a greenie again and couldn't understand strange things in Hungarian... I. Hate. It. I don't understand why some guys think that would make a girl feel good? Rather, it just makes me want to wear a giant paper bag over my whole body every time I have to walk past them. We've actually stopped going home all the time for lunch just because it's super annoying and they're doing construction by both our front and back doors now... 2 - When we talk to people and they think that "America" (AKA - the US) is the greatest thing ever. (Or the worst thing ever). okay, maybe it's just stereotypes that I don't like. But seriously, America's really not all that great... Yeah, maybe that's where I was born, but I don't feel like it's any better than any other place... there are still unhappy people there, still murders, robbers, poverty, drugs, and really anything else bad in the world... I'm glad that I didn't live for a long time, just because whenever we're tracting and having conversations with people and they start complaining and asking "it's not like that in America, right? Things like that don't happen in America, right? How much does this cost in America?" I can truthfully say, "I don't know! I actually grew up in SOUTH America and my companion doesn't know either, she's from Canada!" hahaha lately that's done the trick lately...<br />
<br />
We were in charge of Sunday School and Young Women's again yesterday, so I actually really enjoyed Sacrament Meeting yesterday, because it was my one chance to sit back and not have to do anything. haha (: My favorite part was the closing hymn... They announced what it was (Families Can Be Together Forever) and several members started complaining about how they weren't familiar with the song, so when we started singing it, not too many members sang along with us. But this little girl we always sit with recognized it from Primary and was just singing along with her cute little, innocent child singing voice and to me it was actually a really powerful moment to hear her singing it and it brought back so many memories of the past and made me think about the future. Then, when it ended, all the members who had complained were just like “Ohhh, that was a pretty song!” Haha it made me smile. (:<br />
<br />
I don't really have much else... This week we're going on splits with the sisters in Pest... I was really excited for it, because Sister Clawson and I had planned to go together again and we planned it specifically on the 4th of July, since I'm missing my favorite family holiday at home for a second time... but... there were transfers last week and she got transferred to a new city for her last 4 weeks... so... now I'm not so excited. Haha I'm sure it'll be good either way. They don't know yet who's going with whom. Sister Moffatt is up there, who I don't really know at all and Sister Maxfield... so we'll see... hahah. I think we're having a little 4th of July lunch party with all the elders in Pest though, so that should be fun at least! haha Other than that, it'll just be a regular week, nothing too exciting, unfortunately. Oh! I lied; a member is coming to visit from Veszprém! She's staying with one of her friends from the branch here tonight and then we're going to go visit them tomorrow or something. I'm not really sure what's happening, but I'm excited to see her! I didn't know her super well when I was actually in Veszprém, but we've written every week since then and she's super cute and getting ready for her mission (: Oh, and one of my investigators from Szeged is here again, visiting her family who are members, so we're going over there tonight for a program! (: I just wish I could get visits from everyone before I go home... (: If only all my cities were closer together, then it wouldn't be so hard! haha Then it'd make time go faster too, because recently time has felt deathly long, for some reason.<br />
<br />
Hope you all have a good week! I'll send you some pictures really quickly and then we have to run to some programs.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDWr9l3tuz1H16hU7F2-ahRj7DeRPk4ol9Bp00Fhns2VEnmUAKupbfNgTrHuz-V1yRskphY6L1-yayDIq6HgmHye8piI-WCGBMQSlVvF-QDE3JhnKLeXX6N1lTm0ktzaSAetZnzdcvrk/s1600/DSC04737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDWr9l3tuz1H16hU7F2-ahRj7DeRPk4ol9Bp00Fhns2VEnmUAKupbfNgTrHuz-V1yRskphY6L1-yayDIq6HgmHye8piI-WCGBMQSlVvF-QDE3JhnKLeXX6N1lTm0ktzaSAetZnzdcvrk/s1600/DSC04737.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My chain is getting shorter!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzdHh3953-eHD1DVC-XnuG1ld3Bb7YpoJc5QAX6pZHrx8OkG8_pNCCdrTX_deSPlbvSdogEQnpR4Oci0XVMJWBYsEiD0vEyADEv92ooILclWy8-SLsJHEIxfc86fRy2X49uowD4wgpTY/s1600/DSC04740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzdHh3953-eHD1DVC-XnuG1ld3Bb7YpoJc5QAX6pZHrx8OkG8_pNCCdrTX_deSPlbvSdogEQnpR4Oci0XVMJWBYsEiD0vEyADEv92ooILclWy8-SLsJHEIxfc86fRy2X49uowD4wgpTY/s1600/DSC04740.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In case you were curious what some ten stories look like on the inside...I had no idea she was taking pictures...but this is where we ring to the apartments upstairs and try to get someone to let us in... haha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgAxEfeGLmiaJgIhiXjSfsErsBlC-kKPmj77Kt-2ld9rARfts5cWbOn6Y2Qmg6-arvSkR4vYVp5PcPYwKGl1Pcvjh9ZFs0_AQSukkU-xcn4XNbGtNKiGciyP2_nuWj4o1Rg3MXduHyQI/s1600/DSC04770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgAxEfeGLmiaJgIhiXjSfsErsBlC-kKPmj77Kt-2ld9rARfts5cWbOn6Y2Qmg6-arvSkR4vYVp5PcPYwKGl1Pcvjh9ZFs0_AQSukkU-xcn4XNbGtNKiGciyP2_nuWj4o1Rg3MXduHyQI/s1600/DSC04770.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A long story...but this tack went all the way into her hand and she made me pull it out...hahaha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy8keOptl0ohyI18c9zviRu0V8ffxPku-v9eORHpSabugQu-By9Xrwr9ykxX5CZNSng9MhmOnTn0X3F-J4JijgBOZJ221vDr2xiys9t3m6XZpLWTUQAQ_Mwi1fgg0U6pgGIydNzuNHqE/s1600/DSCN5615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy8keOptl0ohyI18c9zviRu0V8ffxPku-v9eORHpSabugQu-By9Xrwr9ykxX5CZNSng9MhmOnTn0X3F-J4JijgBOZJ221vDr2xiys9t3m6XZpLWTUQAQ_Mwi1fgg0U6pgGIydNzuNHqE/s1600/DSCN5615.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We re-decorated our bulletin board during one of my crazy cleaning sprees, using old signs and pictures other sisters had left and then our own. (: </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGz02aeJVUE_iHpcJ_guiVcC1TGvR-2lc7b1BZtcj_2kS2fS7N01YVmJ9tgBWe6Vc7qWOiDLLk4UALjfz6-Oz_piqCPAaYYn4ihcvWadB7ui8iha3z86s2_3jp2dE5ykG9XNXDTlv0dA4/s1600/DSCN5618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGz02aeJVUE_iHpcJ_guiVcC1TGvR-2lc7b1BZtcj_2kS2fS7N01YVmJ9tgBWe6Vc7qWOiDLLk4UALjfz6-Oz_piqCPAaYYn4ihcvWadB7ui8iha3z86s2_3jp2dE5ykG9XNXDTlv0dA4/s1600/DSCN5618.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A close-up of my half. (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvr10xQrG5uWBw7-UK-JkLYtGDKRzhFcAyDK5WzYah4D53N1MLtRrz_tdTxvgKm86rqZtKQ_680zyHRtT9yQBQ1fDQDZm-XgoJWgBwBtAIyBL96zEKw-MvTGiBWqHUq5nvJqyTOyHEfU/s1600/DSCN5623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvr10xQrG5uWBw7-UK-JkLYtGDKRzhFcAyDK5WzYah4D53N1MLtRrz_tdTxvgKm86rqZtKQ_680zyHRtT9yQBQ1fDQDZm-XgoJWgBwBtAIyBL96zEKw-MvTGiBWqHUq5nvJqyTOyHEfU/s1600/DSCN5623.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I finished puzzle number two at the beginning of the week, which is probably why all the cleaning sprees started, since I had nothing else to do.. haha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-104321922300149072014-06-29T19:28:00.000-06:002014-06-29T19:28:56.273-06:00Week 64: Day 517: Month 17!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
June 23, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
Happy 17 months... to me! (: This week went by pretty fast, and I'm not too sad about that either! It was kinda crazy with everything going on, so it wasn't too good for our work here... Like I said, we were in Buda last Sunday and Monday, but that meant we had to do emailing and shopping on Tuesday, which took a lot out of our day, and then we were in Buda all day Friday again for Zone Conferences. It was my group's last Zone Conference, so they made us all give our traditional "departing testimonies" and of course, I was first, since my last name starts with a B... There were only 5 sisters from our group at our meeting and Elder Seegmiller (not in our group, cause he's been here for 2 years, obviously) It was just super weird to be talking about my mission as if it's over and to be talking about going home, because I feel like I still have an eternity left. haha Oddly, I will be sleeping in my own bed at home exactly a month from tomorrow. Sometimes it sounds super short and other times it sounds like I still have a lot to go... depends on the day... or the hour... and my mood. haha but lately it sounds super short. I think it started to hit me after we all bore our testimonies and then the conference was over and everyone started running around telling us that they all need pictures with us, because this might be the last time they see us if they don't get transferred and all five of us just stood there in a circle, while it slowly hit/dawned on all of us, and then Sister Smith came over and started crying about us leaving and it was super cute, but just way too hectic of a day and of emotions. Don't worry, I didn't cry though. haha (: It was a pretty good training too, kind of different from our typical trainings, but I liked it. There was a picture of me in President's PowerPoint presentation from the baptism we had last transfer in Szeged... It made Sister Kovács and I laugh that he chose to put that one in there... (: haha oh well, it was a good picture at least! (: Probably my favorite departing testimony was Sister Fower's (my comp who opened Veszprém with me.. so like a year ago), who compared a mission to water skiing and not being able to ever stand up, so you're just getting dragged along, gulping water and feeling like your back is going to break and you're going to drown, but not being able to let go of the rope.... hahahaha. I almost died laughing. She tied it in pretty well, but yeah, that's kind of what a mission feels like a lot of the time.<br />
<br />
Anyway...that was probably the most interesting thing of the week…I think this week will probably go by pretty fast too... most of our investigators could only meet on the days last week when we weren't in Duna, so we couldn't meet with most of them. Luckily, we have a pretty good week set out for us. It'll be good, I feel like I haven't really gotten to know many members here, but all the sudden in one week, a lot of them set up to meet with us, so it'll be good. We're going over to the Branch President and Relief Society president's house tomorrow for dinner (same house... they're married. ha.) I'm excited for that one, I hear they have pretty interesting mission stories; he served here in Hungary and she served in the Baltic Sea mission, back when it was pretty dangerous. Plus, they both speak English perfectly. Literally, his accent sounds like he's from America, it's kinda crazy.<br />
<br />
That awkward moment in Sacrament Meeting when someone says "amen" as part of a quote, but no one was paying attention, so the whole congregation repeats "amen" after them, but the talk isn't actually over yet... hahaha. Yeah, that definitely happened last Sunday. It was good. I think only one of the elders and I noticed and it was super hard not to laugh out loud. It reminds me of some interesting talks, or testimonies, last transfer too and trying to stay serious. I've noticed on my mission that I'm actually really bad at keeping a straight face... and keeping my own secrets. haha the weird things you learn on a mission...<br />
<br />
Meeerrr, I wish there were a temple in Hungary! I miss it. I can't wait to go in 4 Saturdays... Hey! When, I put it like that, it actually doesn't sound so far away! Especially when you take in account that I haven't been to one in like 66 weeks... plus 9 weeks in the MTC... Holy cow. I've been gone for an eternity.<br />
<br />
Hey! Random fact! One of the guys that got his mission call on Tuesday here in Duna is going to the Kosak's mission in Berlin! If you happen to talk to President Kosak, let him know that I'm serving in the same city that his newest missionary is coming from! His sister is going to Manchester, which I think is super cool, cause that's where her best friend, Viki from Veszprém, is also going and they only leave like a month apart! I'm super jealous, because they all have temples in their missions that they can go to. Oh well. There are also two guys I know from Kispest waiting for their mission calls. Ah! It's so cool that so many people are going on missions now; it will be super good for Hungary! (: I LOVE HUNGARYYYY. I had that thought go through my mind so many times this week. I literally just love this country and the people in it and I wish I could just stay here after my mission and travel around and…hang out and stuff. (: oh well. one day.<br />
<br />
Mm…We have to run home to do weekly planning and stuff... but I will send you some pictures later today... I have so many from conference! Don't worry though, I won't send them all... Read “I Have Given You an Example”, by Richard G. Scott; it was my favorite talk I read this week! I like the part about the importance of trust; I don't think a lot of people realize how big of a part trust plays in people being successful and reaching their potential. I can see how it applies to so many different situations, like me as a missionary having more trust in my investigators to keep their commitments or do things, or as companions trusting each other, or as a mission president trusting their missionaries and how all of those have an effect on the performance of others and how much confidence they have in themselves to do that. Then, of course, you can apply it to normal life, in the circumstances of family members, parents and kids, in work with co-workers, with dating and friends, etc. Anyway, those are just some of my thoughts from Personal study this morning. (:<br />
<br />
Love you all! Have a good week and tell me about how everything goes this week and what your plans are for the next couple months, etc. (:<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFH0V8Ls5k3fVlBBDQXE8cVHUiGco3eE2lEBA0M8IAietq9xTe4-gSyBuhksui09EFCTZw5q68ivRKqec0zkTqm9KIqLroF0aTuiI_gGPKYER21MFJoEGLGZUaJag3QuQex1BDBKjGV4/s1600/DSCN5576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFH0V8Ls5k3fVlBBDQXE8cVHUiGco3eE2lEBA0M8IAietq9xTe4-gSyBuhksui09EFCTZw5q68ivRKqec0zkTqm9KIqLroF0aTuiI_gGPKYER21MFJoEGLGZUaJag3QuQex1BDBKjGV4/s1600/DSCN5576.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our comp goals is to do the splits... hahaha failing massively.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRGD4AcATKfb_y1SHk2OsONiCopQtZZTE8Cf6Po81ag7KjJDhoZsa9oA22hsNkIYzNGjf_rioSRr1TzjbHT9hTlRAsrnEXIQagIc02A1ZuEM6_arOWHqvU28eCDxAEe3pzmOV_qK9_h4/s1600/DSCN5583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRGD4AcATKfb_y1SHk2OsONiCopQtZZTE8Cf6Po81ag7KjJDhoZsa9oA22hsNkIYzNGjf_rioSRr1TzjbHT9hTlRAsrnEXIQagIc02A1ZuEM6_arOWHqvU28eCDxAEe3pzmOV_qK9_h4/s1600/DSCN5583.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The five of us going home.. throwin' it back to the MTC days...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB68ZGLlVka7YNIqQx2_ZB3D4_ZUjxm7FvsYaAX8Svk9bOgWtVzQ2Vz54Z2aMoe0ZDU3O9VbmJU-kGta-aU0VdjMoImczZeRjCzMnYgGKWw0dlfnn1rxvV7Tc5dD1w6VKmb2TOGpsuAI/s1600/DSCN5586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB68ZGLlVka7YNIqQx2_ZB3D4_ZUjxm7FvsYaAX8Svk9bOgWtVzQ2Vz54Z2aMoe0ZDU3O9VbmJU-kGta-aU0VdjMoImczZeRjCzMnYgGKWw0dlfnn1rxvV7Tc5dD1w6VKmb2TOGpsuAI/s1600/DSCN5586.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Kovács! (2 transfers ago) I miss her soo much, it's crazy. I don't think I've laughed as much in my whole laugh as I laughed in our transfer together. So sassy, but I love it. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBKzXbT-8_mAdw7l4qTlbmLtcg6BrSOkAMMVF-FFH-Ae-IR0M6cHKGBEz-JQf79rjIzAq0NthyphenhyphenbJMbYZ9r89tx_gMgcvroZC-lPBnOwJsIkB1-SmSX6Mqyw0-eoslgdRU6Z_FU7og4TM/s1600/DSCN5587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBKzXbT-8_mAdw7l4qTlbmLtcg6BrSOkAMMVF-FFH-Ae-IR0M6cHKGBEz-JQf79rjIzAq0NthyphenhyphenbJMbYZ9r89tx_gMgcvroZC-lPBnOwJsIkB1-SmSX6Mqyw0-eoslgdRU6Z_FU7og4TM/s1600/DSCN5587.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Fowers! (5 transfers ago) She's the one that bore her departing testimony about being dragged on water skis. hahaha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid-Y2Kxf3fsNq12OBzeGxHXdeW2MrHCf68ReYOtu_o3TqRUHpqSE8ryKiiUVmYfBo37Y9wY2b0KwRPQ53IO7eTe4_FxGgDcJhOqt8gW55P8OZhsTTH5ZuFwecqI4ModamSjAiZzKyaCA/s1600/DSCN5588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhid-Y2Kxf3fsNq12OBzeGxHXdeW2MrHCf68ReYOtu_o3TqRUHpqSE8ryKiiUVmYfBo37Y9wY2b0KwRPQ53IO7eTe4_FxGgDcJhOqt8gW55P8OZhsTTH5ZuFwecqI4ModamSjAiZzKyaCA/s1600/DSCN5588.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">AP Squire!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEH3yVa5M1Obe0LncUGjjIJDf3z1D4PN4ixm1AkB3CfjyhiF19rXcUgDeE-A47XqtjgIZXdnH87NPYfpPPo1vTUBxkZkHicF9jXVH7yKNPl7M0nITN-OghuMnLpQgllRQWxP6KsfxUp4/s1600/DSCN5592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEH3yVa5M1Obe0LncUGjjIJDf3z1D4PN4ixm1AkB3CfjyhiF19rXcUgDeE-A47XqtjgIZXdnH87NPYfpPPo1vTUBxkZkHicF9jXVH7yKNPl7M0nITN-OghuMnLpQgllRQWxP6KsfxUp4/s1600/DSCN5592.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Sexton! Throwing it back to the MTC again... 17 months ago. crazy.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tdjb7Sxc2m0ibfSGGkmwhyphenhyphen554PpmOYnRg9rXS3r4Slju4UyOM3cxoSdkssQ79j0DrJItTw5NQ5bAc0KIgWbORB1LlAqYWylLabEclXshR50j8tAt0DHy3vSZq546Ds5GJseaCm4r250/s1600/DSCN5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tdjb7Sxc2m0ibfSGGkmwhyphenhyphen554PpmOYnRg9rXS3r4Slju4UyOM3cxoSdkssQ79j0DrJItTw5NQ5bAc0KIgWbORB1LlAqYWylLabEclXshR50j8tAt0DHy3vSZq546Ds5GJseaCm4r250/s1600/DSCN5598.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Elder Cutler! I miss serving with this kid! (: </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1_McfmTOsC88unCB-PxOwV__yGMBbk4gJq_8pjbvGnYgAUEfrJ_jpPh3tPBKCyOWqY4KooLUgcfzLWHZQh8HzjIBrZfRE-M9B6dM-g5hkQAhPoYn8BsaQrgf5MwP24N6-kW6A1a3RwY/s1600/DSCN5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1_McfmTOsC88unCB-PxOwV__yGMBbk4gJq_8pjbvGnYgAUEfrJ_jpPh3tPBKCyOWqY4KooLUgcfzLWHZQh8HzjIBrZfRE-M9B6dM-g5hkQAhPoYn8BsaQrgf5MwP24N6-kW6A1a3RwY/s1600/DSCN5599.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Boys! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxMiDNg8jefM5OvplubX1LF6FFIpqsmVUXuIDWd0GdllVFeo9I4fl03INsQDZJ_7kWBs9Gnm1mLZSl5K8Ss5QNlDFijZXkRG6T-Xe1xrM1g72b99oiaLm9YqVYvWeXCOZzO6uikVIxmY/s1600/DSCN5601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxMiDNg8jefM5OvplubX1LF6FFIpqsmVUXuIDWd0GdllVFeo9I4fl03INsQDZJ_7kWBs9Gnm1mLZSl5K8Ss5QNlDFijZXkRG6T-Xe1xrM1g72b99oiaLm9YqVYvWeXCOZzO6uikVIxmY/s1600/DSCN5601.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Panni and Kriszti came and visited us after Zone Conference!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7qE2AzPaOZWJvwG0ZOQeGGdywVTW7NJhM2fCmb0ZTS-7SadkY9QXRWTlnPVfnUm1FSDz3PFOz8YZ-HWuKVq3U_bDOAClI7l0lujKUT2JtRM2KhpDAuSajenPD-akYg43DgYsK-Fkw-0/s1600/DSCN5603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7qE2AzPaOZWJvwG0ZOQeGGdywVTW7NJhM2fCmb0ZTS-7SadkY9QXRWTlnPVfnUm1FSDz3PFOz8YZ-HWuKVq3U_bDOAClI7l0lujKUT2JtRM2KhpDAuSajenPD-akYg43DgYsK-Fkw-0/s1600/DSCN5603.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Panni and Kriszti came and visited us after Zone Conference!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_N8HNio-ccrUe7UPt3Tw3fe7i0IM5BbyQirrN7lbF1UJ2EcyV5j_yQY_zo-e2eeQIAmavDvaNDDxQUuFaOPhEkO9ReT2VoxMw0qt-yexw5tMLdW76paXJnRuQ8_VTZ6PH2TrhV9q6E8/s1600/DSCN5614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_N8HNio-ccrUe7UPt3Tw3fe7i0IM5BbyQirrN7lbF1UJ2EcyV5j_yQY_zo-e2eeQIAmavDvaNDDxQUuFaOPhEkO9ReT2VoxMw0qt-yexw5tMLdW76paXJnRuQ8_VTZ6PH2TrhV9q6E8/s1600/DSCN5614.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is what Duna looks like nowadays. Everything's under construction right where we live... it's super great.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-56908621707546436772014-06-17T13:23:00.000-06:002014-06-17T13:23:06.745-06:00Week 63: Day 511: A Day In Buda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
June 17, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
I feel like I haven't emailed or seen anyone on this email list in ages! Time is super weird... We had a good week, nothing too crazy happened. Mostly the highlight was being in Buda yesterday. Honestly, I wasn't super looking forward to it all, but it was really good to see Sister Fresh. It was super funny, because they had all 6 of us Sisters split up into two rooms in the mission home, four beds in one room and two in the other, and they knew us so well that they planned to just have Sister Fresh and I in the room with two beds and everyone else slept in the other. Hahaha. But it was super nice, we just got to talk about life and training and the future and our apartment at home and all of our plans for next semester and stuff. Pretty much we had the whole day to ourselves, because our greenies had to leave at 7:30 am and they told us not to come pick them up until 2:30 pm. I don't think I've had that much freedom in a long time... We just wandered aimlessly around Buda because we're both exhausted and ready to go home and neither of us could think of anything that we wanted to do that sounded even remotely entertaining. Haha! It was probably super sad to see. We just ended up sitting and talking and then we met up with all the elders in the city for lunch and hung out with them for the rest of the time. We picked up our greenies and then they had some stuff they needed to buy, so we ended up going to the mall while waiting for our train. Bad idea. I still don't like shopping. Once Sister Fresh found what she was looking for, the two of us just ended up sitting on the little couches in the stores and laughing about how we felt like old people because we're tired and our companions still have so much energy to be running around doing things. All I need is to sleep for like 2 days solid and I'm sure I'll be back to normal. Haha!<br />
<br />
So...I've been a missionary for almost 17 months and somehow on Sunday I STILL managed to forget my name tag. I still don't understand how that happens. I think I've lost my mind, it's just gone. It's a good thing I haven't had any pre-going-home-breakdowns yet. I've noticed that my brain is doing that weird thing that it always did every time we moved countries, where it just like subconsciously starts to detach itself so that the change isn't all that hard. I don't know if that makes sense, I don't want to go super psychology, so I'll try to explain it... but just like I'm still here in body and I'm still doing everything, I'm just not like emotionally all in it, because my brain knows I'm leaving it in 5 week, so it starts to point out all the things that are bad to convince myself that I won't miss it and that I'm better off in the new situation, in this case - at home. It's super strange, now that I've had enough transfers in such a short amount of time that I have started to recognize things my brain does. Or maybe I'm just crazy? That's also possible.<br />
<br />
We had lots of funny conversations with people this week. Haha! We were teaching this lady that we meet with and then we got interrupted, because someone came over to talk to her about something, so she called her 19 year old son into the room to "keep us entertained" while she was talking to the lady...... yeah. It actually ended up being a super good conversation about gospel things by the end, but the beginning was super strange and we were all laughing super hard, because he decided he wanted to "foresee" or predict our future marriages for us..? (In English, because he's fluent) So he told Sister Schnoor that she would marry a blonde man, typical American, good at every sport, not Mormon etc. etc. and proceeded to describe his characteristics and attributes. Then, he went on to describe mine. According to him, my future husband will be European, a little taller than average, brown hair, athletic, super smart, but not Mormon and super into the whole Eastern point of view on religion and life and stuff... interesting predictions. Haha! He almost had both of us, until he told us that neither of them would be Mormon and that by the time we married them, we wouldn't be Mormon either. Haha! Then he lost us both. ;)<br />
<br />
Then, the next day, we met with our investigator on bap date (you know, the crazy old man that wrestled me). We had a super good program and helped him shell his peas at the end while we talked to him about things and we were all laughing super hard about something and then he turned to me and was just like Do you really have to go in July? But you're coming back later right? And I told him, that yeah, I will for sure be back in Hungary sometime, I just don't know when. And then he was like "but when you do, can you just stay here in Hungary?" and I just laughed and was like "I'll think about it..." and then he was like "Well, if you come back, I'll introduce you to some boys and maybe you can convert them." and I was just like "eh…I don't know about that…we'll see, János!" and then he was just like "or, haven't you met anyone here you would consider marrying? like you could find someone in your last city, Szeged, and stay there, but just as long as you come visit me!" and then I pretty much died laughing, but I promised him I would come back and visit him sometime. Definitely, the number one thing I will miss in Hungary are the people. I just love them so much, it's crazy.<br />
<br />
Well, I just realized that we have to run to catch our bus…We have English class and then two youth in the branch are opening their mission calls! I had more things to write about, but…maybe next week. I love you all! I hope you have a great week!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4kNRZdJn-o6-bEokOFuK6pJGqiURQHOumf45j_47lfuamtOVVHtphfQEIvYgrJRtoka-6IocDWWS5UhvCJ1T8DhsurjTvcigII2DJo1oAk_-7VXblBYKW8Qt7688FwbJBu1Myy6LPf0/s1600/DSCN5567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4kNRZdJn-o6-bEokOFuK6pJGqiURQHOumf45j_47lfuamtOVVHtphfQEIvYgrJRtoka-6IocDWWS5UhvCJ1T8DhsurjTvcigII2DJo1oAk_-7VXblBYKW8Qt7688FwbJBu1Myy6LPf0/s1600/DSCN5567.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My latest project, it helps keep my mind off things, especially since I ran out of all my Sudoku's in Szeged and haven't found any in Duna... ): Mostly, I took the picture for Dad, because it reminded me of him and us all doing puzzles while listening to General Conference and eating junk food. I miss those days. (: </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNcRCTti-Rv4MjbtVs_AJAdhauqOL9gXxVLpk2q1hd6n0467KUu2J1D78cOeaikobCfGv9kCPG-hoSEUUfoPO1TL-s_X2KK0wh0IJTevOIHr6F-cpGbzHlQUzv3j9OizMpN-BxPxu-g4/s1600/DSCN5571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNcRCTti-Rv4MjbtVs_AJAdhauqOL9gXxVLpk2q1hd6n0467KUu2J1D78cOeaikobCfGv9kCPG-hoSEUUfoPO1TL-s_X2KK0wh0IJTevOIHr6F-cpGbzHlQUzv3j9OizMpN-BxPxu-g4/s1600/DSCN5571.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">An exciting day, because the chain link can no longer reach the floor. This week we moved it to hang off something from the ceiling, instead of draping it over the door. Less than 37 days! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-14525962968464006612014-06-15T23:16:00.000-06:002014-06-16T15:02:30.795-06:00Week 62: Day 504: Tracting and Finding! Lots of Pictures!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
June 10, 2014<br />
<br />
Hellooo!<br />
<br />
I actually have a list of things to write about today. Mostly, it's been a week of tracting and finding, so I've had a lot of time to think and reflect on life and my mission and all that cheesy stuff. I realized that I had given myself about a week or two too long to feel sorry for myself about being thrown out to the middle of nowhere in Duna, the beautiful center of factories and 10-stories... (: haha! It's just cool to think about the progression of my mission and such. I might as well be happy out here and love it out here for the next 6 weeks. I've realized that I'm actually really grateful to experience "opening" a city again, now that I've reached the end of my mission and actually know what I'm doing. It leaves a lot better taste in my mouth, then if I had left after only opening Veszprém and how hard those two transfers were for me... Not that our work is going super well here, in terms of progressing investigators and all that jazz, but within three weeks, we've gotten like 16 new investigators or something, which is definitely more than I ever got in.. probably all 3 months in Veszprém put together. I love having reached the level in my teaching experience and in my testimony, that I feel like I can actually teach, preach and testify with power (obviously thanks to the Holy Ghost) and answer almost any strange question I've had thrown at me. Plus, Duna really isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. They kind of have a weird accent when they speak Hungarian, but they're really nice and so many people let us in! Plus, the few branch members that we've gotten to talk to are super funny and lot of them have been members for like 20+ years here, so that's cool. They used to have so many members here Duna, that there were actually two branches at one point. Also, I used to teach this girl who was living in Szeged to play handball and she was one of my favorites there, and now I get to meet with her family here in Duna! (Her parents and youngest brothers are new-ish members here and invite us and the elders over almost every week). So, when Saci's in town, I also get to see her, which is a nice piece of Szeged for me. hahah<br />
<br />
Speaking of tracting... haha Last week, we had somehow managed to get "Standard of Excellence" and that means that also get a phone call from the mission president's wife to congratulate us and to talk for a few minutes and it's super cute. Anyway, she started asking my companion what she thought about Hungary so far and about me as her trainer. Our phone is pretty loud and we were in the elevator, so I could hear pretty much everything she was saying, something along the lines of "Isn't she just one of our best missionaries? She's just so great at tracting, and teaching and the language, and.... tracting!" Sister Schnoor just looked at me and burst out laughing. It's kinda our joke. Just call me the queen of tracting and send me the the tracting central of Hungary for my dying transfer... Can't even be mad though, I like tracting.<br />
<br />
We had a pretty good week this week... Mostly we just... tracted. We have some investigators that we're meeting with pretty regularly. Hey, remember the story about the man who wrestled me? He's actually on bap date now! So, that's cool. He's super funny. We retaught him the Restoration this week and he just kept asking all these questions and wanting weird explanations and at the end he was just like, wow, you should be a tanitó néni! I had no idea that you had this much knowledge about these kinds of things, like religion and the Bible! uhh... sometimes I don't really understand what people think we do out here for 2 years or 18 months. That's all we do! hahaha<br />
<br />
Actually, I do have a random Bible question for anyone who has the answer... So I finished the New Testament last week and am now making my way through the Old Testament. There's a part in Genesis 9:20-27 about Canaan being cursed, but wasn't it Ham that saw Noah? And why was it that big of a problem? What in the world is it talking about?! I literally read it like 10 times and my companion has no idea either. Someone care to shed some light on that for us? Haha.<br />
<br />
It's super weird to think that in about 6 weeks, I'll be at home, just doing normal people things again. I can't decide if I'm happy about it or not. There are definitely some things and rules about missionary life that I won't miss, for selfish reasons... but... actually being a missionary? the people? the branches? the food? the language? Hungary? the culture? my companions and missionary friends? not having to plan my own future? Those things I will definitely miss... It's strange when I realize I'm using my last missionary planner and this is my last "full month," and when we plan bap dates for people, realizing that there's no way I'll be here next transfer with them. Life is weird. But conference talks help sometimes... (: My favorites were "The Strength to Endure" by Elder Maynes and "Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ" by Elder Richard G. Scott. Read them. (:<br />
<br />
We're splitting our email time in half again, but we have English at 6, so we'll be on earlier... at like 4, if any of you happen to be on. Love you all! Have a good week!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
PS: I forgot to mention a few things this morning... First off, sorry I didn't email yesterday. It's happened enough times that I'm sure you already guessed... it was a holiday here, which means everything shuts down! We went sightseeing at this statue park thing down by the river with the elders instead. I'll send you some pictures... That was our goal this week: to take a lot more pictures, since I've been failing majorly at it. I think we did a pretty good job this week!<br />
<br />
Also, next week I'm not sure when we'll be emailing exactly. We have to go up to Budapest this Sunday night, because Sister Schnoor has New Missionary Training stuff starting at like 7:30 the next morning... In other words, Sister Fresh and I are going on splits all day, with free range in Budapest! (:<br />
<br />
Other than that... don't mind the pictures if they're kinda gross. It's nasty hot over here. Hungarian summers are pretty much the worst thing ever, and it hasn't even hit July yet... I'm not really sure anymore if it's the heat or coming home that make it impossible to fall asleep for a few hours every night... haha. Speaking of home, I switched around some of my classes for next semester, because I'm working on getting my Associates by the end of winter... So I'll be taking American Heritage at the SLC center on Tuesday nights. Yuck. But, that means I can visit Katie and the new baby (and Rory and Carter haha) every Tuesday at least. (:<br />
<br />
okay... cool. Have a good week!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6X7fy7bRrmneXV8FRZHtjUwJL36XoeWIraCy-1XViKLgZ15GAxhYybQSNOk48t7XIb7GCoaAvYQrUuhJJHAOANtrtzxYrggH-TzgKvQ6R0lHQ3HMnYrgdufOQYS0FkjV7Q4DYvMmBglY/s1600/DSC04601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6X7fy7bRrmneXV8FRZHtjUwJL36XoeWIraCy-1XViKLgZ15GAxhYybQSNOk48t7XIb7GCoaAvYQrUuhJJHAOANtrtzxYrggH-TzgKvQ6R0lHQ3HMnYrgdufOQYS0FkjV7Q4DYvMmBglY/s1600/DSC04601.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In our elevator on one of our first days together...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYDrQ3KylDsAx_2GilY7j-tAIUVmpSdCtcGbL7pAJEYeMdlOh9ZQ2ihq4434AmOdBCIswBl-rm0Ub-NOswfRccGlbXggsYrYPCKinJm_LDjFiQmu9GUJE8aRWY2mVWrt5TgNgXynWtK0/s1600/DSC04643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYDrQ3KylDsAx_2GilY7j-tAIUVmpSdCtcGbL7pAJEYeMdlOh9ZQ2ihq4434AmOdBCIswBl-rm0Ub-NOswfRccGlbXggsYrYPCKinJm_LDjFiQmu9GUJE8aRWY2mVWrt5TgNgXynWtK0/s1600/DSC04643.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Schnoor's pictures from my fitting through the hole out to the roof. I had to go first. hahaha! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_J7dysxbX3hVwtWQHe5et9fZw1hDCgK0lkqyus1Ea2zlSKxaYzYRPX1MmvRh0FdXiXH1XQKO5o9zmvkMzRs5cVsdCOpT9PrziMJCal9Z1orjy15lEG9HXZ9AjwuPF1EMn_-R1-1UYxE/s1600/DSC04644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_J7dysxbX3hVwtWQHe5et9fZw1hDCgK0lkqyus1Ea2zlSKxaYzYRPX1MmvRh0FdXiXH1XQKO5o9zmvkMzRs5cVsdCOpT9PrziMJCal9Z1orjy15lEG9HXZ9AjwuPF1EMn_-R1-1UYxE/s1600/DSC04644.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUjZebp4V4nRl7qMQGdb9sne4QZ0sX0ZaB5KAau24FDQO7tqxf9P8nrItWWWHfb5pPTTpv0BqFwyeign6Qs3kzkTs1kr_Dd5QRHctRIN5unRJz_3TT3Daqj5_Pk33BqHA1zCljuDgcd8/s1600/DSC04652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUjZebp4V4nRl7qMQGdb9sne4QZ0sX0ZaB5KAau24FDQO7tqxf9P8nrItWWWHfb5pPTTpv0BqFwyeign6Qs3kzkTs1kr_Dd5QRHctRIN5unRJz_3TT3Daqj5_Pk33BqHA1zCljuDgcd8/s1600/DSC04652.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So much chocolate!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy17Xxa0lvMiWiUFasZK9CtNeyiIivflcRuIFu9lpAPMywwPwTWqyVZ-jWL-y8PBFU-ToraxtDLxNjjda0Oz4aMuh1Qk2D8sF66-3QpiY7FSkjRliDBtV3Wtfqnvfz8cm26hMnZlSBM2Q/s1600/DSC04661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy17Xxa0lvMiWiUFasZK9CtNeyiIivflcRuIFu9lpAPMywwPwTWqyVZ-jWL-y8PBFU-ToraxtDLxNjjda0Oz4aMuh1Qk2D8sF66-3QpiY7FSkjRliDBtV3Wtfqnvfz8cm26hMnZlSBM2Q/s1600/DSC04661.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She took a picture of me taking a picture? Haha! But this is the church that's super close to our house.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KMB0dmaITteqZa0cGAgY9VDrkjrCOfYSoDLaz3TcKHASBz4iji7ERtTqBUV41CZHBmvHVEYJvfAt38DZoGdnwziWBJ0soz8VkiW_gHxJpFRQVSEqUBw2TbZUXPjSm1yEuEqLZ1hRxkw/s1600/DSCN5478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KMB0dmaITteqZa0cGAgY9VDrkjrCOfYSoDLaz3TcKHASBz4iji7ERtTqBUV41CZHBmvHVEYJvfAt38DZoGdnwziWBJ0soz8VkiW_gHxJpFRQVSEqUBw2TbZUXPjSm1yEuEqLZ1hRxkw/s1600/DSCN5478.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunaújváros... it's split in the middle by this valley thing and we were walking on the other side towards the branch house... We live in the half of the city seen in the picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqDbHygpXOrRPC88NjO3khZ1N1rkkQOTYT1r5-U9w6spmJKfEDwek3uBv8rDrv6WJZ5eK_2Etb6XXB9JWJ1PnRvtxTYmyeo2xW5NvWEwCp5j4cl-cGpvJRfq90RSkS94whlR-caOKEQY/s1600/DSCN5485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqDbHygpXOrRPC88NjO3khZ1N1rkkQOTYT1r5-U9w6spmJKfEDwek3uBv8rDrv6WJZ5eK_2Etb6XXB9JWJ1PnRvtxTYmyeo2xW5NvWEwCp5j4cl-cGpvJRfq90RSkS94whlR-caOKEQY/s1600/DSCN5485.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One day we got bored of tracting, so we went exploring for a few minutes and found an opening to get on a roof... This is the picture we took from the roof: 10-stories galore.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTg8Fxgk8NDQMZIqSkmRlTjctfF7hZ7sPOd1nXbQ1xTwdgmu5c6E6CFFhOc9snxcSbSTKgZO6CWkjwBWPr8rfQ_Ka755yJaFZeJeoAd7UMQ8svdsng7mBeZRGwGgPJKdYos83IyqtSuI/s1600/DSCN5492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTg8Fxgk8NDQMZIqSkmRlTjctfF7hZ7sPOd1nXbQ1xTwdgmu5c6E6CFFhOc9snxcSbSTKgZO6CWkjwBWPr8rfQ_Ka755yJaFZeJeoAd7UMQ8svdsng7mBeZRGwGgPJKdYos83IyqtSuI/s1600/DSCN5492.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The super sketchy opening to the roof...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDrtlfd-87x9ooHAppl3T5zqca7GS2FoODnQSUgsppLRbnBDEJMjFN7aNYRgVVH8JQI1P0m8k_V1QzIwrvH-S6TRxA-ZoydAoo7jIPgPvvmbSk7aJVqKOoJCZ9_hPNXabHnwcGm7Ayls/s1600/DSCN5503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDrtlfd-87x9ooHAppl3T5zqca7GS2FoODnQSUgsppLRbnBDEJMjFN7aNYRgVVH8JQI1P0m8k_V1QzIwrvH-S6TRxA-ZoydAoo7jIPgPvvmbSk7aJVqKOoJCZ9_hPNXabHnwcGm7Ayls/s1600/DSCN5503.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> So. much. chocolate. I just keep collecting more and more somehow... Some of those I've had since Székes...haha</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a2K-FDhYHcm46jBVSdS6POsGLaRvrxG1M_17RPt4zOFG3-Dy3XJGGx7asDQP5yMnqaoj2ZwIz4kVZbCyxfUUm5Vv3zQjBm-wOGy4kB82JO2IrJ58GiffxPIkQHFBLT_ptzMeVeTpABc/s1600/DSCN5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a2K-FDhYHcm46jBVSdS6POsGLaRvrxG1M_17RPt4zOFG3-Dy3XJGGx7asDQP5yMnqaoj2ZwIz4kVZbCyxfUUm5Vv3zQjBm-wOGy4kB82JO2IrJ58GiffxPIkQHFBLT_ptzMeVeTpABc/s1600/DSCN5510.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">50 days! (Today I'll cut of 45... this was a few days ago)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qL0ATjDyGClD5nwxoPmET8b42xYaNHajSvVTIYqNdFNPMoJnbhFD1B4-HtqGY-8zrgoZe1_aHw9r5Dk7Dh8mHQ_5XGDp43Iu5ZwBBqi2yrA75fmtJC-ikSPJAxcJoMnRPARYwtpKfu0/s1600/DSCN5506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qL0ATjDyGClD5nwxoPmET8b42xYaNHajSvVTIYqNdFNPMoJnbhFD1B4-HtqGY-8zrgoZe1_aHw9r5Dk7Dh8mHQ_5XGDp43Iu5ZwBBqi2yrA75fmtJC-ikSPJAxcJoMnRPARYwtpKfu0/s1600/DSCN5506.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">we tried to get an action shot of my daily ritual of cutting off a chain link.. haha none of them really worked out...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCr3-Pj1bE_1PNGkm1yR3cdfpUmk5tKaeajHsvt1_vEoLe-ZlGrkbN3dm4BthKrNZgOFPFn1kAS7Ej6KxWnle5qGUrPPg6g6d07bdvBUTCkdioR0HARzkhI6vFA9Glbbmsp0Fon5LdYE/s1600/DSCN5518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCr3-Pj1bE_1PNGkm1yR3cdfpUmk5tKaeajHsvt1_vEoLe-ZlGrkbN3dm4BthKrNZgOFPFn1kAS7Ej6KxWnle5qGUrPPg6g6d07bdvBUTCkdioR0HARzkhI6vFA9Glbbmsp0Fon5LdYE/s1600/DSCN5518.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meet the elders. Sometimes you get a little tired of "traditional finding"and you have to mix it up...We drove out to some family houses with the elders and we each took one side of the road. haha They're pretty cool kids, we get alone real well. (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZx26tbve4brmKHef2M9GUV6ADgfOZcasEmL4nq80YqtzM__d5SPizVhfK19KnUzCpBBGDFHvj36-gvpKuN7plh3e5vTJX8PPmZhEtpeudJWNa8jSHPCLYqJhEPtVcDyLjvn_q-EZdpc/s1600/DSCN5537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZx26tbve4brmKHef2M9GUV6ADgfOZcasEmL4nq80YqtzM__d5SPizVhfK19KnUzCpBBGDFHvj36-gvpKuN7plh3e5vTJX8PPmZhEtpeudJWNa8jSHPCLYqJhEPtVcDyLjvn_q-EZdpc/s1600/DSCN5537.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So. hot. This is one of the statue things... </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rp5GZACb6r32eofS1jza9g7Q4UHCmzD51g_bA-UCh7FCR8XWv-8j1k_jfkaGUJscj2plnpfpGXK5wvMRsRaTHvIrcjfv4yudFDOfb6LDh5Ez4MzNAcYT8zz0Avv8kF7mRSE1lpLtJRQ/s1600/DSCN5552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Rp5GZACb6r32eofS1jza9g7Q4UHCmzD51g_bA-UCh7FCR8XWv-8j1k_jfkaGUJscj2plnpfpGXK5wvMRsRaTHvIrcjfv4yudFDOfb6LDh5Ez4MzNAcYT8zz0Avv8kF7mRSE1lpLtJRQ/s1600/DSCN5552.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes Duna is actually kinda pretty... and then you see another factory...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKP8Tf3bmu1MO5J0GBzKrLuxdvi1-SJwZHW6T7KfpJ1CMxOtYbVRUzxHjGOBlqDkdaWeEkFijS290YW1FVSlH4bHwENGgXYZP14NG7A7mQEn9pzxyZY1fya_znjTQEDOotgXZtaKF3P0/s1600/DSCN5555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKP8Tf3bmu1MO5J0GBzKrLuxdvi1-SJwZHW6T7KfpJ1CMxOtYbVRUzxHjGOBlqDkdaWeEkFijS290YW1FVSlH4bHwENGgXYZP14NG7A7mQEn9pzxyZY1fya_znjTQEDOotgXZtaKF3P0/s1600/DSCN5555.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The District. (smallest one I've ever been in. and I thought our Szeged district of 6 was tiny...) and a photo-bomber. That was a funny story actually. Interesting man.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-19126916021002721092014-06-04T22:43:00.001-06:002014-06-04T22:43:30.836-06:00Week 61: Day: 496 A Really Weird Week! Highlight -- 6 Programs In One Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
June 2, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey, hey!<br />
<br />
What's good over on that side of the world? It's weird, the closer I get to the day I'll be back there, the more confused I am about how I feel about it. I'm stoked for some things, obviously, like my privacy and seeing/being able to talk to everyone whenever I feel like, but I do not want to leave Hungary at all. It's like a roller coaster every day of not being able to make up my mind. The week went by pretty fast, but sometimes the days are brutally long, but they're really good at the same time... Hopefully, you're starting to understand my confusion by this really confusing explanation. hahaha. For example:<br />
<br />
Tuesday we had an alright day, some funny programs and we were enjoying ourselves, thinking I can do 8 weeks, no big deal… After a pretty unexpected phone call that night, I was just super thrown off and ready to be done again. haha I woke up the next morning in the same mood and all through personal study, was just thinking of ridiculous things and ideas. During comp study, Sister Schnoor and I were just bouncing ridiculous ideas around, like what would happen if I fell down the stairs while tracting and got sent home 8 weeks early, or get hit by a (slow) car and broke my leg. hahaha (Don't worry, we were just kidding. It sounds really dramatic right now, but at the time it was super funny). Anyway, that kind of describes my morning of my mind just jumping to any possible solution... We left the house to begin our day of tracting and what do you know? The three doors that opened all let us in! No doors in between answered and said no. I don't know about anywhere else, but here that never happens. By that time, it was time for lunch and then we had a program with someone else. After our program, we decided to go back and try the rest of that building and almost right away, a fourth person let us in. We had to leave after that for another program. So 6 programs in a day! It was actually a super cool experience for us after a really hard morning of wondering how to make it through the next 8 weeks of tracting and our minds just wandering to the future or the past. That was probably the highlight of our week.<br />
<br />
Oh! Weird story... I've been keeping this dream journal since like January, because I've had a lot of strange dreams on my mission, especially last transfer... and I was reading over it one morning and I found the weirdest thing! It was from February 28, so before I even went to Szeged, and it was super short, like two sentences. All it said was "got my transfer call to Duna with someone super young in the mission. Didn't find out that we were whitewashing until we got there and I was really not happy about it." I almost spit out what I was eating. hahaha So weird! I read it to Sister Schnoor and she pretty much freaked out and got the chills. haha. There ya go! She's decided my dreams are prophetical and that they're all going to come true. hahaha<br />
<br />
I honestly can't even remember what we did this week; it all just blurs into one thing that feels like it was ages ago. I just remember it was a really weird week... It's super hard to concentrate when you're this close to going home. That was my intent this week, to focus more on my mission and not the future. Either the Lord has a sense of humor or Satan is trying his hardest on me, because literally every morning I'd get up and study the scriptures with the intent of preparing for the day and literally EVERY day, the chapters I came across in the scriptures always had to do with marriage and families. I'm almost done with the New Testament and I swear every other chapter talks about husbands and wives respecting each other, etc. Even what I read in D&C always connected back. It was Fast Sunday yesterday, so I tried to use that for help. Started my fast and we went to a program with this guy from the Area Book. At the beginning we were all just getting to know each other and at the end of my little introduction, he just turns to me and is like: "Szerintem, férjhez kell menned itt Magyarországon!" (Pretty much telling me that he thinks I should get married). Thank you, random stranger, for that input on my life. hahaha Yesterday I'd had enough, so before breaking my fast, I pulled out a Conference Liahona from a couple years ago... bad idea. I opened it randomly to a talk-- All about marriage. Opened to another one? "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage..." Yeah...My companion thinks it's hilarious. haha at least someone's enjoying it. ;) It's just kind of our joke now; she likes telling me about all the people that sheknows that came home from missions and how long it took till they got married or how/where they met them. She wants me to start writing her cousin... haha. We've been trying to figure out, just for fun, what the rules are on getting engaged. Because we heard that if sisters get engaged to while they're on their missions, they get released honorably. Is that true? I mean, I've joked about it with a lot of companions, but no one actually knows if it's for real. haha. That was added to our list, next to fall down the stairs and break your leg. hahaha we sound like crazy people. But yeah, I figured you'd get a kick out of that week of personal study, coming from the girl who was not excited to get married anytime soon and not have kids for a long time after that... and then I served a mission. Huh. I think I've officially gone insane. 16 months is a long time.<br />
<br />
I know we had a lot of weird, funny things happen this week, but I can't even remember anymore. My brain is all over the place right now. I love Sister Schnoor though! She's super cute. My first Canadian companion! Oddly, only 4 of my 12 companions have actually been from Utah. haha Speaking of missions, there are two YSA (a brother and sister) in the branch here waiting to get their mission calls! I'm super excited for them! Also excited, because they said some YSA from other cities, like Veszprém, are coming to watch them open their calls and I'm stoked to see some of them! I wish there was Stake Conference or something before I leave so that I can see everyone from around Hungary before I leave. Oh well.<br />
<br />
My favorite conference talks I read this week (Don't worry - I chose ones that weren't about marriage to share with you), were "Followers of Christ" by Elder Gonzalez and "Your Four Minutes" by Bishop Stevenson. I thought that one was especially applicable to a mission, but I found it amusing because usually your mission feels like a whole lot longer than 4 minutes... Anyway, read them! Have a good week! I love you all and I'll be seeing you in 7 weeks. Crazy.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfEL1AL-1ESGxUDFGEB1xZ__26ON06o6-SrqonCAYHPac9rxFmRvbXjQbMa6N-bUuM2QKTpJ0J1n83gNrLKTN-cblae-mpRi_20DgZhzJ5scqJ4VCqPsBvj3LQgEUNBihOVVJvtn5NKw/s1600/DSCN5474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfEL1AL-1ESGxUDFGEB1xZ__26ON06o6-SrqonCAYHPac9rxFmRvbXjQbMa6N-bUuM2QKTpJ0J1n83gNrLKTN-cblae-mpRi_20DgZhzJ5scqJ4VCqPsBvj3LQgEUNBihOVVJvtn5NKw/s1600/DSCN5474.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The chin link count down till I go home. I promise it wasn't my idea! Elder Seegmiller (our ZL who's dying with me here in Duna) and I both made one as a joke. Haha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6jyq2iPYvHan41ED34z6NmjXCGRQlywT_MLr4WNdYNVwhpSmQUEdJ16o37nqbrkKEN2VCZbEaCdTs5axdmH6aTi4RQ0IIIi9Q07dmN_sc8lTVUAuye1shGT26bqIyFwGraqW2lfGcKQ/s1600/DSCN5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6jyq2iPYvHan41ED34z6NmjXCGRQlywT_MLr4WNdYNVwhpSmQUEdJ16o37nqbrkKEN2VCZbEaCdTs5axdmH6aTi4RQ0IIIi9Q07dmN_sc8lTVUAuye1shGT26bqIyFwGraqW2lfGcKQ/s1600/DSCN5477.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sister Schnoor and I and her first (not very good) pékség!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-91879842543770790952014-06-01T22:37:00.001-06:002014-06-01T22:40:37.720-06:00Week 60: Day 489: Exhaustion, 6 New Investigators, Wrestling!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
May 26, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
Sorry, I totally spaced on sending a group email this morning... but don't worry, I'll send a quick one now. All I have to say, is it's been a looong week. Holy cow. I don't think I've ever been so exhausted in my whole life. On our first morning together while we were getting ready, we were unpacking and I literally fell asleep laying across my suitcase. That sounds about like every morning since. I've fallen asleep partway through getting ready... Just a heads up, don't be surprised if I come home and sleep for 3 days straight in July. It's probably also because the day of transfers we had to wake up at like 4:45am to catch a 6am bus and then a 6:45am train to Budapest for my training meeting thing. Somehow, I woke up the next morning at 5:45 in panic, because I thought I had overslept on my first morning with a greenie. Nope, just read the clock wrong and it's super bright in our apartment in the mornings here...<br />
<br />
We've just been taking it a day at a time, cause I don't really know what I'm doing either. Haha. Awkward. But, we found 6 new investigators last weekend, so that's a start! Most of them might be a little off their rockers (since they’re all like 60 years old), but I'll take it for now. Haha! We have another week of tracting ahead of us and a few programs. Which reminds me: Strangest thing happened yesterday... We had a second program with this old man that used to meet with missionaries and he was telling us about how he used to play some sport for like 10 years, but I had never heard the word before. I repeated it and asked what it meant and he was just like, "What! They don't have that sport in America?!" and I was like "no, I'm sure they do, I'm just not familiar with that word! How do you play or what does it look like?" He stood up (I figured to go get a picture or something) and came right in front of me and was just like "You might want to finish eating your cookie first" so I ate it and asked if I should stand up. As soon as I stood up, I was immediately grabbed into his arms and lifted OFF the ground. Let me paint this picture for you: This is a 70 year old man, at least a head shorter than me and we were face-to-face. Yeah. Talk about awkward. So here I am, dangling in the air, and I can see my poor greenie sitting in the chair behind him looking at me with this face like "what am I supposed to do right now? is this allowed?" and laughing super hard. He put me down and I thought I was done. Nope. He literally jumped off the ground to get up high enough to grab me in a headlock... Then he grabbed my companion in a headlock and finally sat down. He also made a comment about how red my face turned. Seems like that’s been happening a lot lately. Probably because I was laughing so hard I was crying. Moral of the story? If anyone ever says birkózás, don't ask what it means; just assume that it means wrestling.<br />
<br />
We went to church for the first time here yesterday. Another interesting time. We got there and I had a book placed in my hands from someone in the branch presidency who told me, oh yeah, you're teaching Young Women's today! So...I taught YWs yesterday with a book I have never seen before in my life, and it definitely wasn't in English. Turns out, I'm also teaching Sunday School next week. Holla. All I have to say, is any trace of Szeged is definitely looong gone at this rate and I already miss it more than I can say. Yikes.<br />
<br />
Oh! I hit my 16 month mark last week and my 2 months left mark. So, the countdown has officially started. I didn't actually have one, but one of the two elders here is dying with me! So we're just bugging each other all the time with countdowns. Haha! I pointed out yesterday that we only have 8 churches left, so he pointed out that we only have 2 fast Sundays. It's kind of nice to serve around someone in the same position as me, because we just egg it on all the time. I think my greenie is more excited for me to go home than I even am; she just keeps asking about boys and my plans and thinks she'll get a wedding invite from some boy at BYU while she's still out here. Ha. We'll see. She's super cute though and super green. I had no idea what that meant until now. Sometimes I forget that things in Hungary are different than other places, probably just because it's like home to me now and I didn't really even grow up in the US, so that's not really normal life to me either. Meh. Things just aren't a big deal to me anymore here; it's all just normal life. Haha!<br />
<br />
Sorry, I was planning on taking lots of pictures and sending them for the blog, but I definitely failed at that and I don't have any for you this week... next week though, I promise! I have to run to some családi est thing with the elders... but until next week! Oh, and read "What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?" by Elder Robert C. Gay and "Where's the Pavilion?" by Elder Eyring. Both great talks! Got me through the week and kind of changed my perspective on the last few weeks of my mission and some changes I need to make. I just have to get the strength to make them and stick to them. That's all I have for now. Love you all! Have a good week!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-49547320977645328022014-05-22T22:26:00.000-06:002014-05-22T22:26:39.015-06:00Week 59: Day 483: Transferred Again! That's Right -- 7 cities in 9 transfers!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
May 20, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey...<br />
<br />
Well... we got transfer calls! Definitely a long week of waiting, since we knew everyone would be thrown for one with so many people coming in and leaving and so many new leaders needed. Turns out, I will be leaving to my SEVENTH city (7 cities in 9 transfers, in case anyone has lost track of the high count) tomorrow. I will be re-opening Dunaújváros with a greenie, so I have no idea who my companion will be yet. Sister Dinehart is also leaving, going to Kecskemét with the other Hungarian sister in our mission (if you go back and look at my email from last week, that was indeed my guess for her!). She's pretty much packed; I, on the other hand, have to go home and pack. I figured I was leaving, but I left that small speck of hope in my mind that I could still die here in Szeged.<br />
<br />
For other news, I'm currently in single digits for number of weeks left on my mission, and that's starting to feel about right. It rained here all week last week, but the sun is finally back out again! It'll be an adventure taking all 6 of our suitcases and bags up to Buda tomorrow and then taking mine and my greenie's back... hopefully we can get the ZL's cars... (: The advantage of serving with zone leaders.<br />
<br />
We had a really good week! Artur got confirmed in church yesterday! Csilla had her bap interview and passed, so the baptism will be on Sunday and obviously neither of us will be at it...awkward. We also bap challenged a mom and her son a couple days ago and they accepted! At this point the baptism is scheduled for August 3rd, so if we end up coming back then, maybe we can see some baptisms! (: We'll see!<br />
<br />
Well, that's about all I have for you all this week, sorry. I read a talk from conference that really hit me this week and I wanted to share it with you, it's "More than conquerors through Him that Loved Us" by Paul V. Johnson. Read it! Have a good week, and I'll talk to you next week... from Duna...<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-90729536896351291652014-05-20T02:10:00.000-06:002014-05-20T02:10:14.348-06:00Week 58: Day 475: Baptism Yesterday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
May 12, 2014<br />
<br />
Hello!<br />
<br />
I'm not really sure what to write you all about today, since we just Skyped yesterday... Mostly the highlight of our week (besides Skyping, of course) was the baptism yesterday! I'll have to send you all pictures of it. It all went smoothly. It's not so much the ceremony that I love about the whole thing, but more the investigators journey and what extreme changes I was able to watch and experience with him. I am so proud of him and amazed at how he has completely flipped his life around and literally become a new person. It's crazy what the Gospel does for people and the happiness that it brings to people who were otherwise extremely sad and alone. I'm excited for his future and the continued blessings the gospel will bring to him. The service itself was interesting. It was at a Seven Day Adventist church here in Szeged, because they have a font... It's a nice, quiet place, just strange to have a baptism in someone else's church... I'm excited for the branch house to be finished here, hopefully August!<br />
<br />
Other than that, we're just moving forward with our work. We met this super cute 20-year old girl while tracting (finally did some tracting here!) last week. We went back to visit her today and she's so adorable! Unfortunately, she's going home for the summer to a little village and can't meet until September, but holy cow! I have high hopes for this one! She was sooo excited to get the Book of Mormon and just kept saying how she can't wait to start reading it and read the whole thing! She was like, "I'm just so glad you two were here last time and that you're so normal! I was so excited that I told all my friends about you two and convinced them all that Mormons really aren't weird! I told my whole family about it too and my mom was really happy!" Ah! She's a missionary already! She said a couple of her friends already asked her if they could borrow her copy of the Book of Mormon when she finishes it. I told her that instead, we'd love to give them all copies! She said she'll talk to them all again and see if she can get us their addresses! So cool!<br />
<br />
Now we're just prepping for the transfer and for another baptism. We have a super solid investigator (she's pretty much already a member, minus the covenants. Haha) getting baptized on the Sunday after transfers, so that should be interesting to see who is here with her..... We both feel like we're leaving Szeged, but I'll let you know next week what happens. Speaking of, we'll be emailing on Tuesday next week because of transfer calls! Strange... it'll be my last transfer. You can check me on my guesses for transfers at this point: I go to Pécs or something and Sister Dinehart to... Kecskemét or she'll (re)open somewhere new with someone fairly young. We'll see, but now you can check me on my guesses. ;)<br />
<br />
This week I've been studying the Atonement every day in my personal study and I just wanted to share a quote that I found:<br />
<br />
"By this miraculous physical healing, the Savior confirmed to all of us this infinitely more powerful spiritual truth: the Son of Man forgives sins! He does not excuse us in our sins. He does not condone our return to past sins. But when we repent and obey His gospel, He forgives us.<br />
<br />
In this forgiveness we see the enabling and the redeeming power of the Atonement harmoniously and graciously applied. If we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the enabling power of His Atonement strengthens us in our moment of need, and His redeeming power sanctifies us as we “[put] off the natural man.” This brings hope to all, especially to those who feel that recurring human weakness is beyond the Savior’s willingness to help and to save."<br />
<br />
That's from Elder Craig A. Cardon's talk from last April. I liked it so I wrote the last part of it on a sticky note in my planner so that I can read it all the time. I think everyone has things that they struggle with and want to put off, but obviously that's easier said than done and sometimes it's a very long, painful process. But, we can know that He still wants to forgive us, no matter how many times we fall back into our weaknesses. Just know that you all have the strength to overcome whatever you are going through and this source of strength, help and forgiveness is available to all of you, all of the time, no matter what. I love you all!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSIYhKGTNIJfS_vvB7HT0T329XQAC1_MIsLLuGNuRP2TePueHCSU439d1o3DbM411bE3lRjMwKGzvipcy0aB8QG2gxShUxQjJ0FpNX303e535d71HtcrZmYLUkew_zdrY31Hevei5kQ8/s1600/DSCN5435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSIYhKGTNIJfS_vvB7HT0T329XQAC1_MIsLLuGNuRP2TePueHCSU439d1o3DbM411bE3lRjMwKGzvipcy0aB8QG2gxShUxQjJ0FpNX303e535d71HtcrZmYLUkew_zdrY31Hevei5kQ8/s1600/DSCN5435.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Us with Viki in front of the font in the Adventist church before the baptism.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dSpGmT2Wsha-buV107hGRvIg5SWQHlxulOpYzGgFUjy8s-_jy9W3qo2K8TlfWlxfRBsMwM5FrThvcNPiBuFpWlDtyJ-gBZWC4-rf6tCBW5-y35wlDBuQ1xWLag2DFwRpIz5dAs-uSmk/s1600/DSCN5441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dSpGmT2Wsha-buV107hGRvIg5SWQHlxulOpYzGgFUjy8s-_jy9W3qo2K8TlfWlxfRBsMwM5FrThvcNPiBuFpWlDtyJ-gBZWC4-rf6tCBW5-y35wlDBuQ1xWLag2DFwRpIz5dAs-uSmk/s1600/DSCN5441.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Artur, in the middle, is the one who got baptized and next to him is the branch president, President Szűcs, who baptized him. The little kid in the front is one of our other investigators, whom we teach with his mom and grandma. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-43553518332217098692014-05-11T21:24:00.000-06:002014-05-11T21:24:14.097-06:00Week 57: Day 468: Eight Branch Missionaries Called!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
May 5, 2014<br />
<br />
Hali!<br />
<br />
6 days and we get to Skype!!! It just hit me today! Hopefully our week will fly until then. I can't believe that I only have 11 weeks left on my mission. What? It sounds crazy short, seeing as I had like 78 or something to begin with, yet it also sounds so far away still. Time is the weirdest concept; I will never understand it. Speaking of, I was reading D&C 58 yesterday and came across this scripture that was perfect after the week I had:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that <sup>a</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">keepeth</a> my commandments, whether in life or in <sup>b</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">death</a>; and he that is<sup>c</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">faithful</a> in <sup>d</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">tribulation</a>, the <sup>e</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">reward</a> of the same is greater in the kingdom of
heaven.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="145cc0eb895b65b2_3"> </a>3 Ye cannot
behold with your natural <sup>a</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">eyes</a>, for the present time, the design of your God
concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the <sup>b</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">glory</a> which shall follow after much tribulation.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="145cc0eb895b65b2_4"> </a>4 For after
much <sup>a</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">tribulation</a> come the <sup>b</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">blessings</a>. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be <sup>c</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">crowned</a> with much <sup>d</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">glory</a>; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="145cc0eb895b65b2_5"> </a>5 Remember this,
which I tell you before, that you may <sup>a</sup><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58.2,3,4,5?lang=eng" target="_blank">lay</a> it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I just wanted to share that with ya'll. I actually shared it yesterday at a feeding program all of us missionaries had with our branch president and his mom for (Hungarian) Mother's Day. I really like the part in verse 3 about our "natural eyes" and how we really can’t see the plan of God or what is to come later, but we just need to last through our hard times and be obedient and then we can trust that it will all work out and we will be blessed more than we can imagine. Easier said than done. I'll be the first to admit that.<br />
<br />
Other than that, our week was interesting. It was a holiday on Thursday and we were in Budapest on Friday for interviews, so that whole day was wiped out. We had a decent number of dogs and had a pretty stressful week. Luckily, we made it through our very interesting interviews and came back and were able to throw ourselves back into our work fully and have a great weekend. On Sunday, eight branch missionaries were called, so now we are starting to work with them and help them learn the ropes! I'm stoked for this branch and its crazy progress. I've never seen anything like it and it's so cool! I just hope that I'm here next transfer to see it all through and to start using the new branch house that's almost finished, but I'm not so sure that I will be :/ We have 8 new sisters coming in two weeks and we've been told that this transfer will affect every single sister companionship and they'll have to open 4 cities (probably just re-open 3 that were closed temporarily 3 weeks ago) and have something like 13 sisters in leadership positions. So... it's going to be crazy and no one really knows what's happening yet.<br />
<br />
We had an interesting night... At about 1 am I woke up to my companion freaking out again about some cockroaches, but I was too exhausted to even get up and check, so I told her to either kill them or just close the door so that they can't come out of the kitchen. All I heard was her shriek, "Oh no! They're coming towards us!" and then she slammed all the lights off and jumped back in bed... I fell back asleep pretty quickly, but started dreaming that I had cockroaches crawling all over me and then that my comp told me I had 5 in my bed with me. So at about 2:30, I couldn't take it anymore... I got a flashlight and put on some shoes and went for 'em. Ugh. They had come out of the kitchen and were in the hallway around (on) all of our shoes and a few had crawled into the bathroom and into our living room (lost those ones). It probably would have been really funny to see. I had the phone (for its flashlight) in one hand (because the lights scare them away) and a shoe in the other and I was just going crazy on them. I only freaked out when I lifted a shoe up and three went scurrying in opposite directions and I didn't know which one to go for... hahaha. One got stuck on its back and was hiding behind something that the show wouldn't fit through, so I frantically looked around for anything before it could flip back over and run away.... The only thing I could find was hairspray. Yep, I sprayed a cockroach with hairspray. Then I ran into the kitchen to find some kind of chemical that would actually kill it. I'll send a picture of some of them that I killed last night. Some of them were in too many pieces to salvage and other ones got squished on the carpet, so they aren't in the picture...Long story short, I killed them all single-handedly and then got back in bed just before 3 and of course, I couldn't sleep. So I just lay in bed until at least 5, just tossing and turning and thinking about life until I finally drifted off. Let's just say, the morning was pretty rough and I'm exhausted. I think it's about time I come home, this whole coming home thing is starting to take its toll on my eating and sleeping patterns the last couple of weeks. But...I love it out here, so I'm not complaining! Life just needs to pause for 11 weeks and I can deal with it later. (:<br />
<br />
I have to run, but we're finishing emailing tonight again, before out program. Let me know if you're online. Love you all! Have a good week!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPutwYLJDmTxlAd4udv1Mi9hgC1BwSLqN7bdaNT5GdAgGGe8S345P7RFkzMlHG7R2xB-fhIjD7R_iUJ9JV1sMwCB314Ay5oZYzk6TE5B_8NH_0_YfJEzKQASXqyIFYwoJD87UD6jhuCw/s1600/P1010910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPutwYLJDmTxlAd4udv1Mi9hgC1BwSLqN7bdaNT5GdAgGGe8S345P7RFkzMlHG7R2xB-fhIjD7R_iUJ9JV1sMwCB314Ay5oZYzk6TE5B_8NH_0_YfJEzKQASXqyIFYwoJD87UD6jhuCw/s1600/P1010910.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At dinner a few p-days ago.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV74szWPbDu5Fxl7Fc2coaewD73txqj87E8N-tVTujxWJjgK5BzoWlItVlunBcduwmUJLMLwRDzhlu05WDB6n3Vd8_Kv-JovfVJ4-Ysmqldq9ZuMMujQXBPlfRuRj39rwfSdauaOclPVg/s1600/P1010995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV74szWPbDu5Fxl7Fc2coaewD73txqj87E8N-tVTujxWJjgK5BzoWlItVlunBcduwmUJLMLwRDzhlu05WDB6n3Vd8_Kv-JovfVJ4-Ysmqldq9ZuMMujQXBPlfRuRj39rwfSdauaOclPVg/s1600/P1010995.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dinner last night at the branch president and his mom's apartment. I may or may not be sitting on her lap. Don't question it. Probably one of the best meals I've had on my mission though. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRHJlcTAdDzJRlSI6cG612KgQCMDCi_Ls5DBPXauAsjMKAwN1wfG3Au85iHEGk7l_u6ZIGo3XeQeguRWqjfMGFKoRovS96bqFpveSZ4ydmp-ZYGL15ofF7KYkn3EjzlbgLKQ8DU4pPXk/s1600/DSCN5425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRHJlcTAdDzJRlSI6cG612KgQCMDCi_Ls5DBPXauAsjMKAwN1wfG3Au85iHEGk7l_u6ZIGo3XeQeguRWqjfMGFKoRovS96bqFpveSZ4ydmp-ZYGL15ofF7KYkn3EjzlbgLKQ8DU4pPXk/s1600/DSCN5425.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Viki just got her mission call to the Washington Spokane Mission, leaving September 9th! She'll be in the MTC with Nate!</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2mszPW17SH5tfcALr2EYmf0xDGsF9shAyr3gW1gEbiwOxhF6BCAk7c4INHaFzGk2ukJJ1F0BJnO8PfG8dJ8dzO5hiHZODEbl8OlsldMmRuXNcVQkaQguPhPqYcm5KGgVabg2oq2p5qc/s1600/DSCN5430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2mszPW17SH5tfcALr2EYmf0xDGsF9shAyr3gW1gEbiwOxhF6BCAk7c4INHaFzGk2ukJJ1F0BJnO8PfG8dJ8dzO5hiHZODEbl8OlsldMmRuXNcVQkaQguPhPqYcm5KGgVabg2oq2p5qc/s1600/DSCN5430.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to District Meetings in Szeged. S/O to Elder Giacalone (the District Leader) - See, I promised you'd make it on my blog. Happy? (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIO08by1Us8SZ4cUMrogTTMu1yzLZISc3zQG8mT4bt5MXnBQrH78DU19mn2Yxt20wHkf5icTP5ABQQTYZw-y7eA_F8jF9nckIwT55V2n96qfAqHsydVNYW4IImLHaJtbKF-IP5j8PoZE/s1600/DSCN5433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIO08by1Us8SZ4cUMrogTTMu1yzLZISc3zQG8mT4bt5MXnBQrH78DU19mn2Yxt20wHkf5icTP5ABQQTYZw-y7eA_F8jF9nckIwT55V2n96qfAqHsydVNYW4IImLHaJtbKF-IP5j8PoZE/s1600/DSCN5433.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Some of the cockroaches I attacked last night...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-45071770753593556272014-05-04T22:15:00.005-06:002014-05-04T22:16:22.072-06:00Week 56: Day 461: Hair Fiasco, Testimony Building Experiences<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
April 28, 2014<br />
<br />
HI!<br />
<br />
Uh... Don't be mad, but... I may or may not have dyed my hair this week. Oops. Haha. Don't worry, only part of it, and part of that we bleached back to its normal color because it came out a little too extreme than we expected. It's kind of a long story... There's this YSA here who opened a little hair salon here and offered to cut our hair, cause I haven't gotten it cut since Perkins cut it on splits in like September. Anywho, we gave her free range to do what she wanted as long as it wasn't too extreme. Sister D's hair was about the length of mine and wanted to try it short, so she got a super short A-line. I told her I had always wanted to try brown hair but never had, so she wanted to try this style of like part of my bangs˛/front hairs dark brown and the rest blonde. Yeah... we figured out that my hair is super weird and it kind of went like blackish greyish blue or something? But the bangs came out really well. So, the next day, we went back and she bleached the one side back to its normal color, but even that took like three or four coats of bleach, so she said my hair is super stubborn and thick. Hahaha! Anyway, it looks good now, so no worries. Plus, my bangs will have grown out by the time I come home, so it'll be fine.<br />
<br />
<br />
Also, just a warning, the stupid shift key is broken and doesn't really work, hence the terrible typing today. Other than that little fiasco, our week was really good. Our work is still going strong and we're working on adding more people to our pool. Next Sunday we have a baptism! Speaking of, we get to Skype next Sunday! We have Stake Conference that morning and then that afternoon we'll have the baptism and then we'll head over to the branch president's house to Skype. I'm guessing it'll be sometime between 6-8pm here which is like 10am-12 pm there. He said that there will probably be two computers that we can use and just Skype at the same time, but he's working it out. We'll have an hour to Skype. So…if anyone gets on by the time I email tonight, let me know what time you have church and if 10 or 11 would be better for you?<br />
<br />
Hm…this week we had a good time. Yesterday one of the members invited us over for a palacsinta (pancakes... aka crepes) party with some of the girls in the YSA and our investigator who's getting baptized and it was a blast. We couldn't stay for long, cause we had to run to another program. But literally, I'm just in love with this branch and the city. It's so crazy. I've loved the other cities I served in, mostly when I was younger in the mission, like Buda, but this is just like home here. So weird. We also had a branch FHE on Friday and brought like 8 of our investigators. It was a lot of fun to be there with everyone and play games and stuff. I've noticed the craziest things lately. Before my mission I never would have been able to just like pull scriptures and references out of a hat, but twice since I've been here I've had super cool experiences. Both women have been members for quite a while and one had to plan a talk and couldn't remember where in the scriptures a specific scripture was. The other one was planning the spiritual thought for the FHE and was struggling to find a scripture that would go along with it. Both came to me (at different times) in panic mode at the last minute, and asked me to help them. It was just a testimony-strengthener to me, to realize that not only am I closer to the Holy Ghost than before my mission, but probably than almost any other point on my mission. Both times, a scripture popped immediately into my mind. I wasn't sure if it was the right scripture for either of them, but according to both, it was just what they were looking for. I love being able to literally see the Lord working through us as missionaries and feeling like a tool in his hands. I just feel like I've been blessed with so many cool experiences lately, in my missionary work and in my personal life and prayers. Life is just so crazy and it's literally flying by. I don't know if any of you noticed, but less than three months until I get home. Still don't know how I feel about it. I already can't wait to come back to Hungary!<br />
<br />
On a side note - Happy Birthday this week, Dad! - and Zach last week!<br />
<br />
We have to run again, because we have a pretty busy day, but we'll finish emailing again tonight, i think. So let me know if any of you are online then or just reply before then and I'll try to send pictures of the new hair, but it’s not really that different! (: love you all! Read conference! (:<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9_YBABudgO-zVFAApVfD3RTis1Q0fMfYxlSHeeuKYM2kqz_xTjUnHtAfxDT-Yg7GDvtZ04lQs9UpfuIcF1bwizo7_HlNx6ZfgNToBZ-O0WJFQyKXQabNk-nAbi050XNjzTvCrysM1YE/s1600/DSCN5401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9_YBABudgO-zVFAApVfD3RTis1Q0fMfYxlSHeeuKYM2kqz_xTjUnHtAfxDT-Yg7GDvtZ04lQs9UpfuIcF1bwizo7_HlNx6ZfgNToBZ-O0WJFQyKXQabNk-nAbi050XNjzTvCrysM1YE/s1600/DSCN5401.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone drew out all of our last names (missionaries in Szeged) Haha!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf_qtdJ0Ruo6aNYMNXzH-Q9C_zB-sj3Da2Ts27daEmwfJF2AmaBu1do4yPSm0PmGDr07jo8nLFcx-efmCi-plsLJZlBkDY3vmOiIX6lHYVi6rGGO4xu7cpzRvYk1GojPN9oqeJDUIk3Q/s1600/DSCN5406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf_qtdJ0Ruo6aNYMNXzH-Q9C_zB-sj3Da2Ts27daEmwfJF2AmaBu1do4yPSm0PmGDr07jo8nLFcx-efmCi-plsLJZlBkDY3vmOiIX6lHYVi6rGGO4xu7cpzRvYk1GojPN9oqeJDUIk3Q/s1600/DSCN5406.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having language study with Viki.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlG0rXGsXQcL4lOtt396QYa1GcWX3hxDG38A-ytU7qyPwaa7nY7bmf8O7Xsxfr-NscIsCyiXSGINH_UIYWQS3aQOoxGp27Yeve_2_4owS9EqNwDpOQk70zp_jIAfqPhFF5iBcr-6CpJk/s1600/DSCN5407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlG0rXGsXQcL4lOtt396QYa1GcWX3hxDG38A-ytU7qyPwaa7nY7bmf8O7Xsxfr-NscIsCyiXSGINH_UIYWQS3aQOoxGp27Yeve_2_4owS9EqNwDpOQk70zp_jIAfqPhFF5iBcr-6CpJk/s1600/DSCN5407.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She's so cute! She's like my best friend here!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIh-VJJm0pHqMILSAaGpo5Fgk2i718iGYciK_g0JVPmAdxb9DEWYXtF4Iyt8qMtWCC7kHxKOq7x6UtE_jzGkQKQgMGgYHUH9nJqNmXbGmOIddTNQNlaRmmxjE-hA_URC1OsXZJCYKeL8/s1600/DSCN5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIh-VJJm0pHqMILSAaGpo5Fgk2i718iGYciK_g0JVPmAdxb9DEWYXtF4Iyt8qMtWCC7kHxKOq7x6UtE_jzGkQKQgMGgYHUH9nJqNmXbGmOIddTNQNlaRmmxjE-hA_URC1OsXZJCYKeL8/s1600/DSCN5414.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the hair place! That's how much hair Sister Dinehart cut off in some places. They used it and gave a girl in the branch thicker hair. Hahahah what?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmT2exbiSeAH5gGIO8WmHO9xF9LZ62ifqCBWzAvyB6W6q6-berBebXFi9a4HOcV-lo1gbAKut2djwkyC9YRLMcj2jCVN3s4hX954G_4vfrQ6vgy6H0BDt0PL-2OScPWRnBUdbJIkglaQ/s1600/DSCN5415.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmT2exbiSeAH5gGIO8WmHO9xF9LZ62ifqCBWzAvyB6W6q6-berBebXFi9a4HOcV-lo1gbAKut2djwkyC9YRLMcj2jCVN3s4hX954G_4vfrQ6vgy6H0BDt0PL-2OScPWRnBUdbJIkglaQ/s1600/DSCN5415.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4ffL3uVsmHkI2utEkiRy-iuZaLTZLSqDdRCb4lbcFGdxabiBrmldY5CjeCxF1SQi5h7fgpFI6Jx8pnytnaKK0P_wjQAEFDZs0JL7RmLxrDAvpf3aMpmivCW-eRjI8f7AyPl21oPHVcg/s1600/DSCN5417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4ffL3uVsmHkI2utEkiRy-iuZaLTZLSqDdRCb4lbcFGdxabiBrmldY5CjeCxF1SQi5h7fgpFI6Jx8pnytnaKK0P_wjQAEFDZs0JL7RmLxrDAvpf3aMpmivCW-eRjI8f7AyPl21oPHVcg/s1600/DSCN5417.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't worry, that's not what my hair looks like right now on either side.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-58648274012649949932014-04-22T22:33:00.003-06:002014-04-22T22:33:51.539-06:00Check Out The New Pictures Posted to Week 50<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-31237263485375448232014-04-22T21:59:00.003-06:002014-04-22T21:59:50.739-06:00Week 55: Day 455: Happy Easter! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
April 22, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
Happy Easter! Sorry we didn't write yesterday. The entire city was shut down for the holiday. Yes, Monday is a holiday too in Hungary. It was a strange P-day since we couldn't email and shop. We played soccer for two hours in the morning with some of our investigators, members and elders. Then we went home to get ready for Easter lunch at a member's house. Our branch president also invited us over for a late Easter lunch, but we already had plans with Géza, so... awkward. Anywho, our lunch was pretty good. There were 4 courses! We went home after that and took a short nap, since we had already done all of our work for the day earlier in the morning, streeting everywhere and stuff. Last night we met up with some of the YSA and the elders at the branch house and played a bunch of card games, like phase 10, Uno and Spoons. It got pretty intense when we taught them spoons, but they asked us if we'd come to their YSA FHE sometime and teach them all how to play it. hahaha Over all, it was a good day. Kind of strange, but good!<br />
<br />
We had some cool experiences this week. We had a program with our Brazilian investigator and it went super well. We had a YSA member present, (because he's in his early 20s), and she was perfect! The Spirit was so strong. It was super cool, because we were talking about the Gospel of Christ and there were some words that he didn't understand in English, but they just popped right into my head and so rather than trying to describe the words in circles, I could just be like, repentance... like arrepentimiento! And he was just like ohhh! I know that! And "El Espiritu Santo! It was so nice to be able to teach in English and randomly throw in some Spanish words and be understood!<br />
<br />
Lately, I've just been thinking a lot about prayer and the power of prayer. We've had a couple programs in the past few weeks that have been pretty difficult and I just had some really cool experiences with prayer in those, while saying the closing prayer for both. It's such a cool feeling to know when you are being led in your words by the Holy Ghost, even in your prayers. Both were just experiences of really thought-out, semi-hesitant prayers, of feeling the Spirit guide my words in what help I should ask for for our investigators and such.<br />
<br />
I've also been thinking a lot about the Priesthood. The Priesthood session in conference was so good! It's also great to be in a position where I know that there are so many worthy Priesthood holders around me, when I need things. This week was pretty tough, not so much work-wise as personally, and there was one day where I just had a really strong impression that I needed to ask one of the elders for a blessing. I wasn't really sure why I needed one specifically at that point, I mean it was one of those promptings that I'd awkwardly been putting off for a couple weeks, but I finally asked for one. I was just slightly confused as to why on that day I needed one, when I was feeling pretty good. Anyway, I got one and it wasn't any like crazy experience at all, I felt like. However, after a pretty rough morning the day just preceded to get worse and worse and by the time we got home at night I was at a breaking point, of questioning whether I can make it another 3 months and then real life, which is even harder, after that. I had asked my companion to take notes during the blessing and it was nice to be able to come back and just read it over again and see how I had heard what I needed to hear, just many hours early. We've had lots of interesting conversations lately. I made a comment the other day along the lines of "I wouldn't take the last year and a half back because it's changed my entire life, but I would never do it again." which made Sister Dinehart laugh, because she said her dying trainer said almost the exact same thing to her as she was getting ready to go home. haha<br />
<br />
We went to institute this week with the YSA and with our investigator and it was really good! I think I like it way better than the one I went to in Utah. I just liked that the class was small and the lesson just made me think. It's super funny, because we taught our investigator the law of chastity a few weeks ago and he was like shocked and we've had some pretty interesting experiences of him bringing it up with members and awkward questions and comments. Anyway, he has this habit now of when he sees a pretty girl or has less appropriate thoughts? he starts chanting "erkölcsi tisztaság, erkölcsi tisztaság" (chastity, chastity) while trying to think of other things. Yeah, so there's a super cute girl in the YSA that he's like in love with and she turned to say something to him and he just started reciting that awkwardly and everyone was just like uhhh…and laughed cause they all know him pretty well by now and that he’s pretty interesting. And then the branch president just turns and looks at me and all he says (all in English) is "good job!" and then he turns to the cute girl and is just like "BAD job!" hahahaha.<br />
<br />
I really am just super impressed by this branch. They are so solid and so good! I admire their and the branch president's dedication to always improve and do better. Good is never good enough, but not in a criticizing way. I LOVE being a part of this branch and doing things with them and they are SO helpful. We actually just found out that they're calling us like 10 branch missionaries pretty soon. So we're stoked!<br />
<br />
That's all I have time for today! Hopefully makes up for my not so long emails the past few weeks and I sent pictures too! Love you all! Have a good week! Shoot me some emails and I'll answer them on Monday! (:<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEcIq-pKGdjmgzO_va0GHGWY19kBkKqBvO0XsSI3lsfFMqJ_L-11SzSvjIxk5qmQhaAlDf8ePLziPo0OAsuTdBrrgIEmdHwY6P2K_iSRHnE7hVxv-mMWWzlC-ZHTPcNhuuMhE542djJw/s1600/RSCN5397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEcIq-pKGdjmgzO_va0GHGWY19kBkKqBvO0XsSI3lsfFMqJ_L-11SzSvjIxk5qmQhaAlDf8ePLziPo0OAsuTdBrrgIEmdHwY6P2K_iSRHnE7hVxv-mMWWzlC-ZHTPcNhuuMhE542djJw/s1600/RSCN5397.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meet our cockroach friend. (: Don't worry, he's still alive somewhere. (: </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr70ue_7T0ylwzRbGFa4I-G6CLiGqebmXTEoQ4XEAz_Nl3c-D-QFlstnj3XVXOmRRZzF_CgIGD2MAa8otCEeAe6IxhM2L1Rw6evL-ZIMXq2CyJtWQbnSC-Tzf-XRk-cEt0wXbnGoM-B0Y/s1600/DSCN5354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr70ue_7T0ylwzRbGFa4I-G6CLiGqebmXTEoQ4XEAz_Nl3c-D-QFlstnj3XVXOmRRZzF_CgIGD2MAa8otCEeAe6IxhM2L1Rw6evL-ZIMXq2CyJtWQbnSC-Tzf-XRk-cEt0wXbnGoM-B0Y/s1600/DSCN5354.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our first or second night together, in front of some English phone booth?</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnQipJ3bBcDA6dj_bhDot24rfg2nJOFQFGTQ_Ah-wa1-s9RakEEq_1vgIHjjxz2z5VWnYh5kuofHt2mIKxaNP1l00-oZQBtIFtNUqtKIxB7qlapxEG3wQgEr7X2WtyS8cskKT4htWJ6E/s1600/DSCN5372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnQipJ3bBcDA6dj_bhDot24rfg2nJOFQFGTQ_Ah-wa1-s9RakEEq_1vgIHjjxz2z5VWnYh5kuofHt2mIKxaNP1l00-oZQBtIFtNUqtKIxB7qlapxEG3wQgEr7X2WtyS8cskKT4htWJ6E/s1600/DSCN5372.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At a surprise birthday thing we threw for one of the elders here in our second week here.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_0F7uB_fPHmym4BbSzaz8UeIPgnnCwQmuva32aTr4xLJtAcyuJC2FCRjDmVKwN42sNUNh_gOADfywAhDGO0owm4amYllCwFvNrO-NM1J3NIbp2EH_Ez1_2uQkyJ8O43K95sy5TduYXY/s1600/DSCN5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_0F7uB_fPHmym4BbSzaz8UeIPgnnCwQmuva32aTr4xLJtAcyuJC2FCRjDmVKwN42sNUNh_gOADfywAhDGO0owm4amYllCwFvNrO-NM1J3NIbp2EH_Ez1_2uQkyJ8O43K95sy5TduYXY/s1600/DSCN5375.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to our weekly plannings.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6s8uSrMIC2MW-2WiiSuaocElLZzDT13hKGfN0ZYxpHhbSwifXQi13OGQ27vN-vrwRwqqiEiA5iV3cPgOaE9kt36RbDKelZOcIWkegJ4l-rV25CUkIFAYpkknF6MT8r4n-9fJ09G3bys/s1600/DSCN5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6s8uSrMIC2MW-2WiiSuaocElLZzDT13hKGfN0ZYxpHhbSwifXQi13OGQ27vN-vrwRwqqiEiA5iV3cPgOaE9kt36RbDKelZOcIWkegJ4l-rV25CUkIFAYpkknF6MT8r4n-9fJ09G3bys/s1600/DSCN5378.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Splits with Sister Clawson on April 1st! love her! We're stoked to hang out at BYU since we never got to serve around each other since the MTC...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHo0oeG4loDkbiGtUtKUg0NtsjKwDTiWjO9oCBWcjJ-tXxe_lJxLNVHfXeoBr7sjAZwSgJ1zs6yW6biuZ7UVlOloMkUhRFB3CndcxsAcTIVM6O7E1R229Y3uSExT2tV7UpYHq_qAo7jQ/s1600/DSCN5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHo0oeG4loDkbiGtUtKUg0NtsjKwDTiWjO9oCBWcjJ-tXxe_lJxLNVHfXeoBr7sjAZwSgJ1zs6yW6biuZ7UVlOloMkUhRFB3CndcxsAcTIVM6O7E1R229Y3uSExT2tV7UpYHq_qAo7jQ/s1600/DSCN5380.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The alphabet in Hungarian... yes, there are 44 letters. this was during one of our language studies with one of the members here. She's literally like my best friend in this country. So cute!</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSeGpVBgtU8rMbZn1mcm1YvZgMo7YO_okZZhcYO1oxVrGr6z1BznIHxu9KLj6yQRxs-4_h8rVc58EhpRHAwwYOl_qdFb70Iv6KbVS-Vz7AhZ4WYORXob4uY1kx1QmOQHRWkbP6lNHkDU/s1600/DSCN5385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSeGpVBgtU8rMbZn1mcm1YvZgMo7YO_okZZhcYO1oxVrGr6z1BznIHxu9KLj6yQRxs-4_h8rVc58EhpRHAwwYOl_qdFb70Iv6KbVS-Vz7AhZ4WYORXob4uY1kx1QmOQHRWkbP6lNHkDU/s1600/DSCN5385.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Tabling! We actually saw a lot of success this day, but we couldn't stop laughing. Haha and it was so cold and windy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6tlLR8Kc6E98Qozt2kJ-PBAi7lRM5pnGtomcV9jb1YGDRsSNM1abzpRe5c1BDegcGRoN6QNLGk-iSuEUXdRhwL9QOe6rcbJL5vgyr1I8XxwL4LDnOUOuHqKfCqilQBxUXMZA5fRgm4s/s1600/DSCN5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6tlLR8Kc6E98Qozt2kJ-PBAi7lRM5pnGtomcV9jb1YGDRsSNM1abzpRe5c1BDegcGRoN6QNLGk-iSuEUXdRhwL9QOe6rcbJL5vgyr1I8XxwL4LDnOUOuHqKfCqilQBxUXMZA5fRgm4s/s1600/DSCN5392.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Tisza River here in Szeged! We hear that because of it, Szeged has some of the worst mosquitoes here in the summer and it's the hottest city. Joy! haha</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoDGNrE5SME8MiAB1mgJ5agSjtoriBrnW8jmis0vgvZAOprooiJ8oFYuzQS5K3ZRi0VDDVkF1FnLguW_kmDkXVm74J6nuaDcCDzlMBJOpDm63Not58kRBSlUMUwVaEO6AxKtAnpeeIYY/s1600/DSCN5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuoDGNrE5SME8MiAB1mgJ5agSjtoriBrnW8jmis0vgvZAOprooiJ8oFYuzQS5K3ZRi0VDDVkF1FnLguW_kmDkXVm74J6nuaDcCDzlMBJOpDm63Not58kRBSlUMUwVaEO6AxKtAnpeeIYY/s1600/DSCN5398.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had Easter lunch at this member's house yesterday! 4 courses! (He's the one with the mustache! He also plays soccer with us every week and is soo good!) The other people are the elders.. his two sons at the end of the couch and one of the elder's investigators on the floor. Super cool kid!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIFR8llgr5TxL29cVcbbpqv9BTpWUcnAZPO8g58vOlmvGJ7D8-SRFfcKgkctZutbvimzybFa0yo4QFfsMkO9-Ln5dGTqAHz0TvTKKWT0yEe5FvxxZLBkhMejvFDso1Y8OXOqdJZnt6l8/s1600/DSCN5399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIFR8llgr5TxL29cVcbbpqv9BTpWUcnAZPO8g58vOlmvGJ7D8-SRFfcKgkctZutbvimzybFa0yo4QFfsMkO9-Ln5dGTqAHz0TvTKKWT0yEe5FvxxZLBkhMejvFDso1Y8OXOqdJZnt6l8/s1600/DSCN5399.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-46674775855338127572014-04-15T14:23:00.000-06:002014-04-15T14:23:16.054-06:00Week 54: Day: 447 Another Funny Cockroach Story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
April 14, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
I don't have too much time to email right now... again... because we have to run to a program pretty soon, but we're getting back on to finish at like 5:30 our time, if any of you happen to be online at the same time. I think that's maybe like... 8 your time? I don't know what the time-difference is right now.<br />
<br />
Our week was good! Working like crazy out here, but I love our work. I seriously am in love with this branch down here; I feel right at home with them and have made some of my best friends in the country. I'm trying to think of anything super interesting that happened, but there wasn't too much outside of super cool missionary stuff. One of our investigators set a bap date and if all works out, he'll be baptized in two weekends! Yeah! And we're helping a newer investigator prepare for baptism for June 6, along with 3 others on that day. Another super solid one is working towards May 30th. Life is great and these people are so solid and prepared!<br />
<br />
Life is so weird, as I get closer to coming home and realizing that I only have one more transfer call. It's like a roller coaster. One day I am super stoked about coming home and then just a few hours later I'm like secretly in panic mode inside of my head. There's a lot that I miss about being a "normal" person and some things that I definitely won't miss about being a missionary, but there's also a lot that I will miss. I really do love it out here. Plus, when I get home, I'm dealing with real life problems, not the Lord's work, that we know will go on, no matter what happens. It's strange to be this old in the mission. I'm not used to being in the older section; I'm just used to our massive group of sisters always being the greenies. haha This morning we went to play soccer with the four elders and an investigator and then we all went home to get ready and do some studies. The Zone Leaders wanted to hang out, so they picked us up (because only the ZLs get cars in our mission...) and we went to check out the Tisza River and buy a new soccer ball at one of the malls here. One of them dies in 5 weeks and then I die the next transfer, so it was super weird to talk about how soon it's all coming. We didn't really realize that it's this close.<br />
<br />
Funny story of the week... Last Tuesday night, I was sleeping... when I wake up to this whimpering "Sister Butterfield... Sister Butterfield! Wake up!" So, of course, I sit up in panic like "what?! Did I miss the alarm clock??" But I look down at my watch and see that it's 3:40 am.... haha. So I just look up at my companion and she's like "What does a cockroach look like?? Come with me!" So I follow her to the kitchen, where there is indeed a really big cockroach lying upside down in front of our fridge, stuck on its back. haha So, I just look at it, and was like "yep, that's a cockroach" and kind of laughed and then went and got in bed, because obviously I was exhausted. She just followed me back into our bedroom and was like "How can you go back to sleep knowing that thing is in here!!" hahaha. Easy. I lived with a thousand in Székes, granted this one WAS the size of like 10 of them put together... But yeah, so we go back to sleep and wake up in the morning. It's still there. I just didn't want to hear it crunching, so I was going to let it die of starvation. We go out and work and come back, approximately 12 hours later... still there. So I go to change into my pajamas and come back two minutes later. It was gone. So we have a cockroach that was stuck on its back for like 20 hours and after TWENTY hours, it finally manages to flip itself over and run away. Let's just say, my comp has told this story to everyone we've met up with since, but it's super hilarious. Meh. Cockroaches.<br />
<br />
Anywho, I can't really think of much to tell you all. I'm stoked, because I just found out I can finally print out the conference talks that we didn't get to hear and read them! I'll talk to you tonight, maybe, if you're on. Love you all. Have a fantastic week, let me know what's new.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-59636029681835014482014-04-13T21:56:00.000-06:002014-04-13T21:56:24.062-06:00Week 53: Day 441: Transfer Week & General Conference Week!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
April 8, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
I hope you all got to watch conference! SO good! I don't know why I used to think conference was so long. I'm never ready by the time it ends on the mission! But that also could be since we only get to watch three sessions with the time difference... I can't wait to be able to read the last session and the Priesthood session. Conference couldn't have come at a more perfect time! Last week was great and all; I don't really have any complaints, because life here is the best. I just had the weirdest, unsettled feeling and like my motivation and hope was wavering, but by the end of conference I was re-pumped to continue on. I was going to pick a favorite and let you all know which one it was, but... we all know I can't pick favorites... I really liked Elder Anderson, President Eyring, and Elder Reeve's talks from the Saturday morning session and President Uchtdorf and Elder Stevens talks from.... maybe Sunday morning? Whenever they talked...<br />
<br />
Other than that, we had a great week! -Tons of programs and running around and trying to squeeze in studies. We're helping more people prep for baptism and finding some new investigators. Speaking of! I don't know if I ever told you about the American girl we ran into while tabling, but she didn't have her number to give us (she's only here for a semester at the university) so we gave her ours. I guess she was having some problems with her phone, so we never got a call from her, but kept hoping that we would hear back from her. Anyway, I guess the elders were out tabling and she saw them and their tags, so she went to talk to them and had them call us and set a program with us. So, we had that yesterday and ohhh myyy…She's so cool and so cute! She's 20 and we all got along super well and she has a friend who actually got baptized a few years ago, but she doesn't know much about the church, but is interested, so... we're meeting with her again next week and we're so excited about her!!<br />
<br />
Funny story of the week, we went on splits this week with the STLs and one of them served here before, so she asked us to look up one of their old investigators and give them a call. We got a hold of the mom and set up to meet Sunday before conference. Anyway, we go over there and her son opens the door (maybe like 12) and all we hear is a lady in the other room scream in Hungarian: "No! Close it! (And as he was closing it I just caught) Mormon girls." So he said "one second" and closed it... we waited a few minutes and so we decided to knock again and he came back and said "uhh... they moved." and I was just like "hm... who moved?" and he said his older sisters name, and we were like "that's okay, we're just here to see your mom." and he was like" yeah... they moved too" (all with this little smile on his face, like he knew that we knew he was lying, but his mom was making him. poor kid, but it was kinda funny to us too). So I was just like "okay, well, let your mom know that we were here if she's ever interested or needs anything." and he was like "uhh…yeah, okay, I’ll let her know.... if she ever comes by, I mean." Hahaha I mean, it was frustrating, but still amusing. Nice try, we're not dumb, or deaf. Hahaha oh well.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah! I forgot to say…we got transfer calls this morning and we're all staying here in Szeged. We had gotten some tips through the ZLs that the APs told them on splits, so I actually kind of started freaking out a little this weekend, because I really, really wanted to stay here in Szeged. But…we're all here for the next 6 weeks! Which is good, I love our elders! They're so funny! It's the smallest district I've ever been in, but I love it!<br />
<br />
Anyway, we're not finishing our emailing right now, so I'll be back on later, if any of you want to talk! (: Love you all! the church is true! Listen to conference if you didn't already.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-9600210482037966202014-04-01T11:52:00.004-06:002014-06-07T18:59:28.864-06:00Week 52: Day 433: This City is...on Fire!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
March 31, 2014<br />
<br />
Hello!<br />
<br />
How is everyone doing?! Hopefully things are as good on that side of the world as over here! Life is incredible in this city! I feel like this last week flew by, yet sooo much happened, I can't even remember. Let's just say we had 8 programs in one day, plus 4 hours of studies and somehow we still had time to come home and have my sick comp take a short nap (because I made her). haha Everything just works out perfectly every day and we shove in program after program. In my last city, we were lucky if we had a program a day and we did like 25 hours a finding a week or something crazy. Here, this last week we did 28 hours of teaching (plus two to active members, that don't count in our numbers)... and still managed to fit in 11 hours of finding, 4 hours of studies a day, meetings with the missionaries to plan our lesson for Sunday, and…not very many lunch or dinner hours... we usually eat on the go, and I love it! Life is so busy! We currently have 12 progressing investigators, 4 of which we're preparing for baptism, and 7 other investigators that we're trying to help progress. Members and investigators just come to church like it's no big deal and members come to our programs all the time. I feel like I have been here for ages because I have already gotten to know so many people and run all around the city and back 501 times. This city is literally on fire. (I mean, I guess not literally, or that'd be a bad thing). I couldn't have chosen a better place to die, hoping that I stay here until I go.<br />
<br />
What else is new? mm... Well, we were both sick this week. haha Mine not as serious, just a cold. We actually are heading up to Budapest for a doctor's appointment for my comp. We don't really know what's wrong yet. But, she's been sick and in pain for the last two weeks, so I made her call the nurse and let's just say it's been a busy week of phone calls and conversations and trying to rest while literally running to catch buses and villamos's every day and not having time to take meal breaks. But, hopefully we get it all figured out today. Plus, at Sport Nap on Saturday, we had a little accident and there is definitely something wrong with her big toe. There is a bruise that wraps all the way around her toe and it's swollen. One day she had to wear one pink croc on it, because her foot wouldn't fit into her shoe, and we got lots of funny looks. (: She's a champ and just insists on pushing through the work. She's great. I'm loving the greenie fire.<br />
<br />
Because of the health issues and the sun, we weren't really sleeping very well…so, we decided to fix it... hahah we took my blanket off my bed and closed it into our windows and taped it to the sill, to make a makeshift blind... it works pretty well! haha I forgot to take picture of it for you all. Next week!<br />
<br />
We also taught the combined lesson in church yesterday, since it was the 5th Sunday. We taught about missionary work and members helping and stuff, not that they even have a problem with it here. haha I think it went well, but we needed a lot more time, so we had to cut out a lot of stuff.<br />
<br />
This city is super cool and pretty and international. I've actually been thinking a lot about possibly coming back here sometime for school or something. I mean, maybe not, but it's one of the best schools in Hungary and is world-ranked for their medical programs and stuff. One of the members here was trying to convince me into coming back and taking their psychology program. I don't think I'm smart enough, but I love the branch YSA and the city and there are so many international people on the streets here. It feels like home. (: Maybe I'll just marry someone here in Szeged... ;) I talked to Sister Kovács on the phone the other night and she's convinced that I will marry a Hungarian. She has a couple specific people in mind since we served together and she also served here and knows a lot of people here in Szeged. hmm. Awkward. Who knows.<br />
<br />
I wish I had more time to tell you more, but we have to run to catch a train. We'll be on trains for 5 hours today. haha joy. But I love you all and hope you have/had a great week. Happy Birthday Mom and Nolan! Hopefully we'll have a couple minutes to email today after the doctor to let everyone know what's up, but probably not... If not... until next week!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-33896086469355803642014-03-30T22:18:00.002-06:002014-03-30T22:19:53.682-06:00Week 51: Day 426: The Work is Crazy Good in Szeged! Tomato Soup, Bread and Peanut Butter for a Week! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
March 24, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
How's life on that side of the world? Life over here is good, and the missionary work is good... Crazy good, actually. Like wow. I'm still in shock. I have never experienced this in my mission before. My first day here, we had 5 programs and we had 18 programs total, on a transfer week! We were in Pest for an entire day (I'll tell you about that later) and had 0 hours, so one entire day was gone. And then... get this! We had EIGHT people at church and it wasn't even a struggle! Where am I? The Lord's work is moving forward in Szeged, holy cow. I've been out here for over a year and those were both records, I think. It's crazy.<br />
<br />
Any who... So yeah, Pest. We transferred and it was a great day. Kinda weird, because there were only 6 sisters at transfers and 2 of them were at the mission home, because one was a trainer and the other was dying. So it was me and Sister Kovács and our two new companions and then a bajillion elders. Every other sister stayed where they were. There are four or five sisters dying in three weeks though, so there should be a massive transfer then; no new sisters are coming in until May, so some cities should be shutting down until though. :/ We got on our train to come home and then something happened with the track and we ended up stuck on a not-moving train for 3 hours, plus like a 3 hour train ride when it finally started moving. But we all got to know each other super well, so it was good. Then, we had all pretty much run out of money since transfers was on the last week of the month and we all used our last money to buy train tickets and couldn't get them reimbursed yet so...let's just say, we literally ate tomato soup with pasta in it and bread and peanut butter for pretty much every meal this week, because we couldn't buy groceries... hahaha. Missionary probs. Definitely never run out of money before and then had my card not work for some reason, even though I know there's still money on it. Yikes. But, it's fine, because it's almost the end of the month. Haha<br />
<br />
What else... we have Sport Nap here; nine boys and two girls running after a ball. Yeah. And then we decided to just go play soccer at 7 this morning with the 4 elders and one of their investigators and it started POURING rain. It was super fun though, stepping in puddles left and right and people slipping on the concrete. Haha. It was only slightly sarcastic; it really was fun, just really cold.<br />
<br />
This city is SUPER cool. It's great. I still feel like I'm a daze though and have no idea where I am, because it's huge! I feel like it's bigger than Debrecen, but I guess it's not. My body is going all out of whack, probably because of the weather. Haha! One day I get a sunburn, because it's super hot and sunny, and then the next I wake up with a cold and today it's been grey and raining all day. Who knows what's going on? I saw Sister Kennedy and her parents today! They came back to visit and all the missionaries and one of her old investigators all got together at the branch house with them. Super cool. She filled me in on all the missionaries who are at home and which ones have gotten MARRIED since they got home! MARRIED! And dating, but that's normal. Back to the city... It's great and there's a really good university here, so there are young people everywhere and everyone is super rendes, attractive and well-dressed. Plus the branch is SO solid. I'm in heaven. I've never served in a city like this before.<br />
<br />
I feel like I had more to tell you all. I'll think about it and let you know. We're coming back to email later this evening, because we have a few programs to run around to. Not sure where exactly we're running to, but I'll just run behind Sister Dinehart. hahaha. Speaking of running. I've already run a few times since I've been here... What?! Before this transfer I had run a total of twice, I think. hahaha This transfer will be a transfer of records, I can feel it already.<br />
<br />
Love you all!<br />
<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPp_uk8UOpqBqjnuBsp1RgmBXEFPOaOYm9sx1YF5PYj7g_mkzksUzTOIb81VG9aAfY8x4mEbC10586ehYPVwg5TwcdnrebqVWUicKV4RlDbPtDCif3scCjqXAFCDUBbNYUV_MQw4vCag/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPp_uk8UOpqBqjnuBsp1RgmBXEFPOaOYm9sx1YF5PYj7g_mkzksUzTOIb81VG9aAfY8x4mEbC10586ehYPVwg5TwcdnrebqVWUicKV4RlDbPtDCif3scCjqXAFCDUBbNYUV_MQw4vCag/s1600/image.jpeg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Dinehart, Sister Butterfield, Caroline Kennedy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-85394291292935575252014-03-23T21:28:00.001-06:002014-04-22T22:33:00.276-06:00Week: 50 Day 420: TRANSFER CALLS! New Pictures Posted!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
March 18, 2014<br />
<br />
Helloooo!<br />
<br />
I wish I could send you all videos, because we filmed our transfer call this morning. haha Let's just say... I called it! The APs asked me for my guess before they would tell me, and I was right! Tomorrow morning I am getting on the train and heading to Pest because we're getting transfered. But, instead of heading back here I will be on my way to.... SZEGED (in the very south of Hungary) with Sister Dinehart! She is actually a greenie right now. She's the one that several people told me that I was going to train, because they thought we'd get along. But... obviously I wasn't a trainer this transfer. haha. Anywho, that means I have to finish training her and finish the 12 week program with her. Yikes. It's been almost a year since I did that. I think that I'm going to my dying place! So strange. Home doesn't feel so close anymore now that I know that I still have at least one whole, new adventure ahead of me.<br />
Happy St. Patrick's Day yesterday! I planned to wear green and then... I got dressed and forgot. The bad news is I can no longer wear or use the excuse that I'm wearing green underwear. haha<br />
<br />
The conference last week was GREAT! All I have to say, is every morning since then I have been up and out of bed BY 6:25 (That's a miracle within itself. ;) 5 minutes is a long time)! I really enjoyed something that was said by President Smith about the Holy Ghost, that we can't be doing (or not doing) all the little things and still expect the Holy Ghost to be with us all the time. There was a lot that I enjoyed about it and I learned so much, it's hard to just write it in a couple sentences. However, over all, it just changed my determination and motivation again, right when I needed it the most! It was pretty cool, because Elder and Sister Dyches came and sat with Sister Broadhead and me at lunch and we got to talk to them one on one for a while. Sister Dyches is super cute and Elder Dyches goodness literally radiates from his eyes.<br />
<br />
We had a great week, probably because of the conference! We had one of the coolest programs of my whole mission on Saturday! We had English class and a little while after it, we had planned a program with a member. There was still a little group of four young adults from English class (who also meet with the Elders and have been having a difficult time progressing) sitting there talking. Right before we went into the other room, I had a strong feeling that I should invite all of them in; I mean, if they're planning on spending their Saturday evening hanging out at the branch house, why not give them something spiritual! (: So, I asked the member what he thought about it, and he said: "Invite them all in!" It kind of surprised us when all four of them actually decided to come in and almost jumped out of their seats. We showed them a church video about missionary work with lots of converts talking about what they felt when they were investigators and first came into contact with the church. We watched the whole video and I wasn't sure how exactly they would take it. At the end, I stood up to turn the off the TV and turn the lights back on. I wish I could have taken a picture of their faces when I turned around to look at them. All four men were just sitting there staring at the TV with their mouths open, not moving, and one of them had tears in his eyes. When we asked what they thought and how they felt, one of them just answered, "Good, happiness, peace, joy." It was one of the best moments of my mission. Then we opened it up to them to ask any questions or concerns that they have. It took a little bit for them to open up, but it was great, because it gave them the chance to be open even in front of their "bros" and bear little pieces of their testimonies to each other. Plus, the member there was able to help so much with answering their questions, because he was baptized about 4 or 5 years ago and told them that he had all their same questions when he met with the missionaries. I can't explain how cool that program was, and all we had planned for was a program with a member to talk about missionary work; instead, we allowed him to actually do missionary work right away!<br />
<br />
We had a great last week together. Wow. It all came together and we finally pulled through and got Standard together even on a week where an entire day was spent in Buda. It was a lot of little tender mercies put together. Imagine this! I reached a point this weekend where I decided I actually want to stay here. Even if the work is hard here at the moment, there are sooo many good friends of mine here and so many people that I am going to miss SO much. It's going to be hard to resettle and not see all of these people all the time, but at the same time, I'm ready for a new, fresh start.<br />
<br />
We took tons of pictures this week; I'll try to send a lot of them. We decided to photograph what we do on a normal day, everything from waking up, praying, working out, teaching, studying, etc. Also, I send you some pictures of my favorite little girl here. She's SO cute. My two favorite kids in this country are both 7 year old girls, weird? I think so at least. But I just want to squeeze them to death. This one here in Székes is named Napsi (Napsugár), which means Sunshine in English. Random fact, the first movie I watch when I get home might be Remember the Titans because it's still my favorite and I have started quoting it all the time for some reason. SUUUNSHIIINE! Fruit cake! Okay, I'm done.<br />
<br />
Anyway, have a good week! And I'll write to you next week from SZEGED!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp9DtSHzTMp6C-2UMUbIC6a1rau2OS1YcF8Gy4VNgr0k9GBF-rkCP6-1xasZUp-QS5wf5_MBf1D_0yiG_UxyRuef48UEaVtJL6qzQ3L2Z3ssr64AEnhwHiJ0IG3v0UyWYyxu6EagB9Rc/s1600/DSCN1088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp9DtSHzTMp6C-2UMUbIC6a1rau2OS1YcF8Gy4VNgr0k9GBF-rkCP6-1xasZUp-QS5wf5_MBf1D_0yiG_UxyRuef48UEaVtJL6qzQ3L2Z3ssr64AEnhwHiJ0IG3v0UyWYyxu6EagB9Rc/s1600/DSCN1088.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a program with a member here last P-Day, Laura! She's planning on coming to BYU next year and I'm stoked. She's so cute!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSctiHCn6b29o7QPzGhyphenhyphenijOGz8mG8WJ0jDEts4spbcigg5g0vY5lkmDRJyqI7aqV97YUfdxya3I0A0y26fJ9SnhbFeBMFQc58S94KhFQdQ8jB0y66BKBHvgBqpsuO0PVOWLu8u426Gj5Q/s1600/DSCN1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSctiHCn6b29o7QPzGhyphenhyphenijOGz8mG8WJ0jDEts4spbcigg5g0vY5lkmDRJyqI7aqV97YUfdxya3I0A0y26fJ9SnhbFeBMFQc58S94KhFQdQ8jB0y66BKBHvgBqpsuO0PVOWLu8u426Gj5Q/s1600/DSCN1090.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">McDonald's for dinner!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX2hjg0DhI19oEoPSDx24YBhxxSjQj3sLI-zvNUCie8Fj_CeQJTFVQWR04fTB-uo060TCQ1FVf_Ynt70wr3mB2oAz3HUCr4G3sBqLPOSO8tOukPEppZaXiTVYf703jDdnoJEvUx3ivt4/s1600/DSCN1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIX2hjg0DhI19oEoPSDx24YBhxxSjQj3sLI-zvNUCie8Fj_CeQJTFVQWR04fTB-uo060TCQ1FVf_Ynt70wr3mB2oAz3HUCr4G3sBqLPOSO8tOukPEppZaXiTVYf703jDdnoJEvUx3ivt4/s1600/DSCN1093.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I feel like this describes us.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TBNpyH6_EPoV7yR8VFWh6IWnIwWaq-2ZaRIzvJg-9W8yG26RAY0SYx0Dzv-s5Tybz_FLIdAnhkwC62uAlJbsWtt8TOJcHlcsGRTKbw3gj4LYjWnqZMoAMi9mW692uwV7rBMmwF6wIho/s1600/DSCN1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TBNpyH6_EPoV7yR8VFWh6IWnIwWaq-2ZaRIzvJg-9W8yG26RAY0SYx0Dzv-s5Tybz_FLIdAnhkwC62uAlJbsWtt8TOJcHlcsGRTKbw3gj4LYjWnqZMoAMi9mW692uwV7rBMmwF6wIho/s1600/DSCN1105.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's one for all the people who speak Hungarian. We laughed.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsG8Osk0Qs2aT26eZ6iKyUfZiqIz0HL19dZOaCql6axKVyHoEdr2yI8SMbeyl8ZLGY9fUAmVcm8HhX1J_mkNsQ_dWY1upFTc5Bh7vQhKIkY0EHbjp1IUzl68JQzq52BAt_oIFuvys9XQ/s1600/DSCN1109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsG8Osk0Qs2aT26eZ6iKyUfZiqIz0HL19dZOaCql6axKVyHoEdr2yI8SMbeyl8ZLGY9fUAmVcm8HhX1J_mkNsQ_dWY1upFTc5Bh7vQhKIkY0EHbjp1IUzl68JQzq52BAt_oIFuvys9XQ/s1600/DSCN1109.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was forced to do a photo shoot... during Sport Nap. This is how I felt about it. (I hear there's a picture of it on facebook... hahahaha)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSKObWxTP61i4sRUpt92GSu0Tigu5TxaDFwKHfqYFrULtETfvuUYAaCd3ZEda5xWMg3w4PelipYSi3RAUqkCBrQWwmfKXyNwrMbw6QzAIxvjt8x0TORAt0fsWYwo6Nue3yX_-bstltFY/s1600/DSCN1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSKObWxTP61i4sRUpt92GSu0Tigu5TxaDFwKHfqYFrULtETfvuUYAaCd3ZEda5xWMg3w4PelipYSi3RAUqkCBrQWwmfKXyNwrMbw6QzAIxvjt8x0TORAt0fsWYwo6Nue3yX_-bstltFY/s1600/DSCN1111.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wC3aZx0ycY4oJ0ZWNLbe0j7HLnArUvBd55npNSj_fsiZVXQSXJsDBC_cK_PgYgCF-Gt9X7DUiD1XZXfgI_Nh8XLMNVS685Vw1ib9Ia2RlSRdtEvWIkI0RdxeulWp9MYf7Hqd6Hpxfy8/s1600/DSCN1120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wC3aZx0ycY4oJ0ZWNLbe0j7HLnArUvBd55npNSj_fsiZVXQSXJsDBC_cK_PgYgCF-Gt9X7DUiD1XZXfgI_Nh8XLMNVS685Vw1ib9Ia2RlSRdtEvWIkI0RdxeulWp9MYf7Hqd6Hpxfy8/s1600/DSCN1120.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Real Sport Nap. kind of. it started this week, most other people were playing soccer or... reading their scriptures on the sidelines? Welcome to Sport Nap? haha. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuW027zNJ77dB8UHYAQiYwfsrZi2jaF3BKDSCDOOI-E7w0pKgd2vyts7PNPBojF8rcz9SsrfX2GK5OwKV9Jh-HUWnQTtOD4wfebzYVhH3RKj9rg4Hs9bJ0E-VXG2fZx2vKrb_kpcZY6k/s1600/DSCN1164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuW027zNJ77dB8UHYAQiYwfsrZi2jaF3BKDSCDOOI-E7w0pKgd2vyts7PNPBojF8rcz9SsrfX2GK5OwKV9Jh-HUWnQTtOD4wfebzYVhH3RKj9rg4Hs9bJ0E-VXG2fZx2vKrb_kpcZY6k/s1600/DSCN1164.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My favorite girl! (sorry, it's kind of blurry...) We went out to see them yesterday!</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf-XaBxjNDXPE-yj5j00Mu9r42qZ2mttaAlkdhOb9bdLnqN7YHKeXAv3R6fEXQKoNsXFCRRNV_pOLQZtIAG5dCZ9cryF41at79kYbKsrsxQ0VAED5h6fg108b1RioAqVUiHPmJyqG2SE/s1600/DSCN1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf-XaBxjNDXPE-yj5j00Mu9r42qZ2mttaAlkdhOb9bdLnqN7YHKeXAv3R6fEXQKoNsXFCRRNV_pOLQZtIAG5dCZ9cryF41at79kYbKsrsxQ0VAED5h6fg108b1RioAqVUiHPmJyqG2SE/s1600/DSCN1180.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our investigators! (: I love her!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB7Oz-zT6mfYnp1QmAmOXh9UQnTKEdEz4urAiTPoOQhdZWNh5TFoULkCItvdOQ8ofsqVMQEnwGk78jXXcu4xBY3XDyClgTaUtr_mYl1FGwclO-vZh5GvgBXybw-eAekpTBCn7jFYt64E/s1600/DSCN5237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB7Oz-zT6mfYnp1QmAmOXh9UQnTKEdEz4urAiTPoOQhdZWNh5TFoULkCItvdOQ8ofsqVMQEnwGk78jXXcu4xBY3XDyClgTaUtr_mYl1FGwclO-vZh5GvgBXybw-eAekpTBCn7jFYt64E/s1600/DSCN5237.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We made a priority jar for some programs! </span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZW-HgjyTnHumsDf3EYfPgeYf4HuRb7d1_eHvAPw1YTaIKR6DRxrgbv-b7Wi2fyhiSsjgcenJd5_Cnjn-m26pVwzklivuN4J1NTJAtHw_eP4qj1RTLQTABxbPALpIeLJ7ph9Rf-S8qkA/s1600/DSCN5279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZW-HgjyTnHumsDf3EYfPgeYf4HuRb7d1_eHvAPw1YTaIKR6DRxrgbv-b7Wi2fyhiSsjgcenJd5_Cnjn-m26pVwzklivuN4J1NTJAtHw_eP4qj1RTLQTABxbPALpIeLJ7ph9Rf-S8qkA/s1600/DSCN5279.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is her!!! The branch President's daughter. Isn't she so cute?! (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7pZpkg9kaOBGwHz7RfKlBYXndKw6VJwlB-5gNgUo3FHEp3rnpeyt1RQDOhR-kZRmkbAdruzVh_NpNKNIAWbWBRWuzGbsvbdsy_-n1Er-Ht9FFEtjKEmAbKIybx1Q1zpumvrlfqLLGk4/s1600/DSCN5281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7pZpkg9kaOBGwHz7RfKlBYXndKw6VJwlB-5gNgUo3FHEp3rnpeyt1RQDOhR-kZRmkbAdruzVh_NpNKNIAWbWBRWuzGbsvbdsy_-n1Er-Ht9FFEtjKEmAbKIybx1Q1zpumvrlfqLLGk4/s1600/DSCN5281.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoAHX7oqdwBnnjh5fnMLAOqDEUGKYEeKbiKB7X7uQFf2LUC_UT1BVsdO6GoIwjrhSeP33IM1ktRaCRSXBZyfjaoDY336GsUcujOx7wARmQGWkdUrAYRhzdbBGZctYVUl6DwaiE3GjyT4/s1600/DSCN5285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoAHX7oqdwBnnjh5fnMLAOqDEUGKYEeKbiKB7X7uQFf2LUC_UT1BVsdO6GoIwjrhSeP33IM1ktRaCRSXBZyfjaoDY336GsUcujOx7wARmQGWkdUrAYRhzdbBGZctYVUl6DwaiE3GjyT4/s1600/DSCN5285.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love these kids! The two girls are the branch president's kids, we teach their step sister. The little boy is the son of another member, we teach his dad! (:</span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf5Cim2dRyo8gjY6D3S-x45Hfgkt0DiwD6gtGtVk2hvESZuc6so1MNmQ_hn6yo3uw5JAByXahTlBngfczP9JpR6BkPQCJZoJY8aI4OruwyyYA6sYoutqvxPEvTeTiq4nYaitIOz3SwAc/s1600/DSCN5306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMf5Cim2dRyo8gjY6D3S-x45Hfgkt0DiwD6gtGtVk2hvESZuc6so1MNmQ_hn6yo3uw5JAByXahTlBngfczP9JpR6BkPQCJZoJY8aI4OruwyyYA6sYoutqvxPEvTeTiq4nYaitIOz3SwAc/s1600/DSCN5306.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A look into a normal day with us. Hahaha 6:30 am.</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI81AKUdIEpHJKURQVCP6ekfKvCn8TL97cstOQaHm2rpCTA5ZBj-TkgL5tsyfwhoXkP6pjVIsGZ8XBQnrDEiOrRE0aAvuwSoSx-1-xc6qsGYYaiiF_guqWqoRJmveqGZDgHqZgCucskvU/s1600/DSCN5308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI81AKUdIEpHJKURQVCP6ekfKvCn8TL97cstOQaHm2rpCTA5ZBj-TkgL5tsyfwhoXkP6pjVIsGZ8XBQnrDEiOrRE0aAvuwSoSx-1-xc6qsGYYaiiF_guqWqoRJmveqGZDgHqZgCucskvU/s1600/DSCN5308.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">8:00am (Personal Study)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-3771582046637639832014-03-23T20:45:00.001-06:002014-06-07T18:44:29.630-06:00Week 49: Day 412: Words of Wisdom From My Planner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Day 412<br />
<br />
March 10, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
Sorry, I spaced on time and have been trying to figure out classes and housing and such, but we have a program in 25 minutes, so I'm going to have to run pretty quick. I'll send this week's pictures later. Before I forget, I just want to send some birthday shout-outs to Emily, Katie, Alise and Nate. Everyone's getting old! Yikes. Also, I'll be emailing on Tuesday next week instead of Monday, because it's.... transfer week! Yes, again. And again in 4 weeks.<br />
<br />
Uhh…I didn't really write good notes this week for things to tell you about. Mostly... well…On Wednesday we're heading up to Buda for a combined Zone Conference with the Budapest Zone. Elder Dyches (of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, I believe) is coming to talk to us. So, pretty excited for that!<br />
<br />
We had a rough week last week work wise, but we have a busier week planned this week, just praying that everything works out. But, it’ll all work out the way it needs to, so I'm not worried. (: We have a new investigator who is preparing for baptism for April! I can't believe that we already in March, which means that April is next month! Anyway, we're meeting with him on Thursday and planning to set that in stone! Guess what! Another priesthood holder for the branch! I mean, don't get me wrong, women are good too. It's just interesting that all the people baptized last year and this year are men that will strengthen the priesthood in this small branch.<br />
<br />
I read a great talk this week by Elder Corbridge from when he was a mission president: The Fourth Missionary. It has really helped to shape my perspective yet again. This week I'm working on charity. I changed my perspective and rather than asking myself, "Is this wrong? Is this okay?" I try to ask the question we all know, "What would Jesus do?" Rather than walk the line or float along beside it, I would really like to do what Jesus did and stay from the line, on solid ground. Anyway, these are just a couple of my goals for the week. (:<br />
<br />
Anywhooo, have a good week and I'll talk to you on Tuesday with transfer news. Ah! Oh, and happy St. Patrick's Day! Sorry the email's a little weak, but we have to run to the branch house. Don't ask me why we have a program at 1:10. Sometimes people choose really strange times.<br />
<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-75232357783951875902014-03-03T23:18:00.000-07:002014-06-07T18:37:35.216-06:00Week 48 : Day 405: Happy March!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
March 3, 2014<br />
<br />
Hellooo<br />
<br />
Happy March! Hope it's a good month for everyone! We have reached the time for... the D&C Challenge to begin! What is this, you may ask? A challenge to read the Doctrine and Covenants before you finish your mission, one chapter a day, for your last 138 days. So, I shall begin that on Friday! Crazy. But, I wanted to extend the invitation to whoever would like to join me in this as my release date approaches. I think I counted one extra day, for travels and stuff, so you will probably finish it a day before I actually get home, unless you start Saturday. I mean, while you're on that, you can join me in reading the Bible too, but that's not an official missionary challenge, just a personal one. (:<br />
<br />
Interesting things that have happened this week... Well, early this week while we were tracting a building, a man came out of his apartment door and started yelling at us, saying that he would call the police on us if we didn't get out. He "herded" us towards the elevator, pushed us in and got in after us. He proceeded to escort us down to the ground floor and all the way out the front door, where he slammed it behind us and watched us through the glass. It probably didn't help that we smiled at him the whole time and were trying really hard not to laugh, or that my companion turned to him right before we got into the elevator and said something along the lines of "okay, but you could have said that nicely." hahaha. Added yet another "escorted out of an entire building" to my list.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, I put us on another bus. But this time we actually left the main city and went to another little falu (village thing) in our area to tract. Last week, we stayed in Székes just went to the far area with family houses, and I had been there twice, months before. But I had never been to Szabadbattyán before. I'm not sure my comp really appreciated it too much, because we had no idea where we were going or what the stop or falu looked like. But that's what I loved when I opened Veszprém. You literally just go, relying completely on the Spirit to show you were to go. Plus, exploring something new is all part of the adventure and excitement. (: Anywho, we had heard the stop was "about" 15 minutes away, but we had no idea and didn't want to get off in some random tiny, one-street falu without realizing. 15 minutes passed and we weren't sure if we were at the right stop and decided to stay on the bus. We reached the next stop. Nope, wasn't feeling it. We pulled up to another one, and I just turned to Sister Kovács and said "I have no idea if this is it, but I feel like we should get off here." We got off and walked over to look at the little bus chart. Sure enough, we were led to the stop in Szabadbattyán. We walked around for a few minutes, trying to figure out the little town and found a little map, read all the streets, picked one and started tracting it. The third door we knocked on? Let us in. We're going back this week too. Turned out to be a good day and I think my comp appreciated it by the end! (: haha we got some good pictures, not ONE person was rude and we have some people we're going back to. Sometimes you just have to get out of the route that you get stuck in when you've been in a city for 4 months, tracting 10-stories all day every day.<br />
<br />
Ohh, also, I'm enjoying finally being able to have some greenie moments with the language. haha Remember when I told you about that time one of my companions got mad at me at the end of my greenie transfer because I never had any greenie moments that they could make fun of me for? Well... they have finally come when I'm really tired. Well, only like 2, but we find lots of reasons to laugh at dumb things. Anywho, when we were in that let-in in Szabadbattyán, I was explaining to the lady about the churches official name and why we have the nickname, but it all got jumbled into one and I actually told her that our nickname is the Book of Mormon. I quickly corrected myself and laughed. I don't think the lady even noticed because it didn't even faze her and it doesn't sound too funny now, but Sister Kovács lost it once we left her house. Lately both of us have been mixing up our "s" and "sh" sounds and I'm not really sure what's happening to us. It's funny when we're tracting and people don't even understand her when she's speaking, and she's Hungarian! So it's not just us Americans! haha. But other than that, I'm super glad that I can serve with her. I don't think that I've ever gotten confused as a Hungarian or been complimented so much before this transfer.<br />
<br />
I made this week a "Gratitude Week" and worked on that. I started saying only "gratitude prayers" again at night and not asking for anything. We set goals to work on not complaining and being grateful for what we HAVE been getting, rather than focusing on what we're missing. I also started keeping a dream journal a few weeks ago and it's so funny. I've dreamt way more than I can ever remember before and they're super weird dreams. I think that means that I'm not sleeping deeply very much anymore. It's strange, cause most of the dreams are either about people that I've met on my mission, but take place at home, or are about people that I haven't seen in ages from Russia. Super weird.<br />
<br />
A while ago, I read a scripture in the Bible that I wanted to share with you. Matthew 5:48 reads, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." I keep referring back to and studying that verse lately and the footnotes too it. Obviously, we know that no one - The Godhead excluded - is perfect right now, but that is what we aim for. One of the footnotes to perfect says "potential;" we all have the potential to become better and to - one day - be like God. At this point and in this life, we have to realize that we are never good enough, but that's okay. Whether you're on a mission or going through normal life, we should never reach a point where we're comfortable with staying in the spot we've reached or think that we've done enough. But, that doesn't mean that we remain in the past and think about all the things we didn't do that we should have. Rather, we always look forward at the things that we have control over and that we can still change. We can ALWAYS do better. A lot of times out here, your weaknesses are magnified and right when you start to feel like you're finally mastering it and doing better... something else is pointed out; over and over and over again. It literally is a never-ending process and plan that is set up to HELP us and help us reach that "perfect" potential that we all have, one step, one attribute and one trial at a time. Just like Nefi says in that scripture we can probably all quote, "For I KNOW that the Lord giveth NO commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." Anyway, I have learned on my mission that truly "to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Just rely on the Lord through those times and know that it's for a reason and that reason will always be for your, or someone else's, benefit.<br />
<br />
I know that any of you can do anything with the Lord on your side. I love you all and I truly hope that your week goes smoothly, despite the trials and hard times that I know you're facing. One day, it will all be worth it. But enjoy today, even if today isn't that day. (:<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br />
PS: If anyone wants to be added (rather than just reading the blog) or removed from my email list, let me know, because I can't really remember who wants to be on it anymore and I think it changes every week as I get emails from different people and new email addresses. I won't be offended. I don't want to annoy anyone. (:<br />
<br />
PPS: One of these pictures we took while tracting to the edge of Szabadbattyán. The one in the mirror was last week while tracting the family houses in the rain in Székes. The third is just one to show you the four missionaries here and... Yeah, we were really bored one P-day, waiting for our programs to show up. haha.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswLeRLq1Liaofwm4X2hvyMRaG1bbZG__Asc2VtRsGylRkQV4TbfjX39QhC_x4lqTAbqKgZGMc9iHH2Gbmpjj0daVMcuL-vNq6-efxr35qGigUASS3Ebnc_lCzgC1oavVwJRyR6rwF25k/s1600/DSCN1035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswLeRLq1Liaofwm4X2hvyMRaG1bbZG__Asc2VtRsGylRkQV4TbfjX39QhC_x4lqTAbqKgZGMc9iHH2Gbmpjj0daVMcuL-vNq6-efxr35qGigUASS3Ebnc_lCzgC1oavVwJRyR6rwF25k/s1600/DSCN1035.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">W</span><span style="text-align: left;">hile tracting to the edge of Szabadbattyán.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZhyphenhyphennUtXJuX_HBDEtOrYDbXaR8HgnDLxgro9p2vHbwwtqUyhDC-gybl4dey8aJZT5dLGvyyOuPtPd2Jx_1cl7njb-tcnwNzAR8dIGTucaMFJzCLlECpSnTGyGZbQl5cnbx1mI_0ouINY/s1600/DSCN0995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZhyphenhyphennUtXJuX_HBDEtOrYDbXaR8HgnDLxgro9p2vHbwwtqUyhDC-gybl4dey8aJZT5dLGvyyOuPtPd2Jx_1cl7njb-tcnwNzAR8dIGTucaMFJzCLlECpSnTGyGZbQl5cnbx1mI_0ouINY/s1600/DSCN0995.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week while tracting the family houses in the rain in Székes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblMouBe9N_QNwnJiJiYR98gUftCz09-Nbu07B-yt7elIHK6him3XDPxRIllyGaTIzuRh0JG-Q9_nlPLMLE1x7pcvzQjU4n8OKmHNeFYvutSgeq6LBhmUYG4DwYR7J10AZquJPtPHucUc/s1600/DSCN0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblMouBe9N_QNwnJiJiYR98gUftCz09-Nbu07B-yt7elIHK6him3XDPxRIllyGaTIzuRh0JG-Q9_nlPLMLE1x7pcvzQjU4n8OKmHNeFYvutSgeq6LBhmUYG4DwYR7J10AZquJPtPHucUc/s1600/DSCN0807.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The four missionaries here and... Yeah, we were really bored one P-day, waiting for our programs to show up. haha.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcb4yMGg-2G5ggHVF7BMMW6ujfTcHPCOkWs6Ye_tOkazGlfDzR2YRgVOxCVgp5QBIX79piQdXtrVOWv6Sxe-DiKxIWK1oNfXlARgWcc3DgqB3Omp7pk7-xKc2ne48ME3KAYLRwQkYmDM/s1600/DSCN0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcb4yMGg-2G5ggHVF7BMMW6ujfTcHPCOkWs6Ye_tOkazGlfDzR2YRgVOxCVgp5QBIX79piQdXtrVOWv6Sxe-DiKxIWK1oNfXlARgWcc3DgqB3Omp7pk7-xKc2ne48ME3KAYLRwQkYmDM/s1600/DSCN0654.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">"Studying" one day at the beginning of our transfer. A peek into our nice, clean apartment...</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMlz0IaXKun11AeeDzJefvwBWfyZLf-rUR7Ps2ZJaaJ_j54e75m11WfE37qeAlbelF95o3DgjEAbKDGKLgRSR93s7ftSyssrFd7dRCcIU30NY4UoIKAUS7-YFM_hzEJhorylp89lCAFQ/s1600/DSCN0791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMlz0IaXKun11AeeDzJefvwBWfyZLf-rUR7Ps2ZJaaJ_j54e75m11WfE37qeAlbelF95o3DgjEAbKDGKLgRSR93s7ftSyssrFd7dRCcIU30NY4UoIKAUS7-YFM_hzEJhorylp89lCAFQ/s1600/DSCN0791.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bored p-days.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MDuO16spyOHcFZrUcz6q5ebdWO_AATAqHmdV06342cMmjZycmmvU_HqgWMTLWTyne6oE-Iu7UDji_7iFid4hjbt2dtDBn1r7j9Az0sTS6PWwjDIUBsfpLUjRf0sFM7il6aExpPNj_c8/s1600/DSCN0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MDuO16spyOHcFZrUcz6q5ebdWO_AATAqHmdV06342cMmjZycmmvU_HqgWMTLWTyne6oE-Iu7UDji_7iFid4hjbt2dtDBn1r7j9Az0sTS6PWwjDIUBsfpLUjRf0sFM7il6aExpPNj_c8/s1600/DSCN0796.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many failed attempts at doing "the bridge." I always landed on my head.. or couldn't get off my head.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdq3UMkxQT7cUHV3KuPw-T0tCwF1Z-LH6Cb-lfM_vDqnQmlBasHxsJCDIj1xguYAxqNQzqt7eAL3-D8nDYmjN4mnJFI_4aL6E0im7qM9lDgpVupFVXvzxo03cUKZc6TaqXrQKWeEwcbY/s1600/DSCN0797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdq3UMkxQT7cUHV3KuPw-T0tCwF1Z-LH6Cb-lfM_vDqnQmlBasHxsJCDIj1xguYAxqNQzqt7eAL3-D8nDYmjN4mnJFI_4aL6E0im7qM9lDgpVupFVXvzxo03cUKZc6TaqXrQKWeEwcbY/s1600/DSCN0797.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The city. I never noticed before how strange people look when they do the bridge.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xKUbyrh8ZT9NskVvqb1YT97XgmDeV0Sbmmatc2qGy1_BuQVUsSX8_ekMPOdwi60bkvmPxAdLrp90ewIihA7kQ5zAkRPMN3pRWkXWFODUZNHSWYw8cwd65ANSxe78eSWpG8MLB2ev09U/s1600/DSCN0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xKUbyrh8ZT9NskVvqb1YT97XgmDeV0Sbmmatc2qGy1_BuQVUsSX8_ekMPOdwi60bkvmPxAdLrp90ewIihA7kQ5zAkRPMN3pRWkXWFODUZNHSWYw8cwd65ANSxe78eSWpG8MLB2ev09U/s1600/DSCN0800.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Chillin in the Branch House.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1BOrPte8SL1rDim3F6rZbTTG2fT9ojWV6KJ_d12ro5nIqm3wl3oHfHwLhu9kp4gbxGiDyeY3WSM3KE5Ahs_F8EkZtC0AIR7LSwtsC9DAVNmrtkdVBZ0dO78RpnrdwGkcff37hgbmjqw/s1600/DSCN0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1BOrPte8SL1rDim3F6rZbTTG2fT9ojWV6KJ_d12ro5nIqm3wl3oHfHwLhu9kp4gbxGiDyeY3WSM3KE5Ahs_F8EkZtC0AIR7LSwtsC9DAVNmrtkdVBZ0dO78RpnrdwGkcff37hgbmjqw/s1600/DSCN0833.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the car on the way to dinner on another p-day.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAYAbYFU-nZZVTMaTX60RjKdz4wRrRvlOQK1sPWTwO4HRcYh1T7j6dZ3bAnyFxPHB5XgSZ6YIauByJ9tB6HOPGT3vEfHY82sedgCjXRV5UcJ5ueTPAdl1A7E1QU9Y73mG42OoUotvveg/s1600/DSCN1032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAYAbYFU-nZZVTMaTX60RjKdz4wRrRvlOQK1sPWTwO4HRcYh1T7j6dZ3bAnyFxPHB5XgSZ6YIauByJ9tB6HOPGT3vEfHY82sedgCjXRV5UcJ5ueTPAdl1A7E1QU9Y73mG42OoUotvveg/s1600/DSCN1032.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A puddle we found among many puddles in Szabadbattyán.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BdQf-qzcHNuH6Btdm1bjSlWXsBJUJ1BeLJr8QmkH88EG2jOaIauoWZ_y-43Amfj3Ar-JR6oga7jrQARysW_4kpCkIsr-fbrpQWFEKhEWlQk_vrMOUexlgsDFDP7UUxCn2Vao5eq-RIs/s1600/DSCN1038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BdQf-qzcHNuH6Btdm1bjSlWXsBJUJ1BeLJr8QmkH88EG2jOaIauoWZ_y-43Amfj3Ar-JR6oga7jrQARysW_4kpCkIsr-fbrpQWFEKhEWlQk_vrMOUexlgsDFDP7UUxCn2Vao5eq-RIs/s1600/DSCN1038.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What we treated ourselves to while we were waiting for our bus back to Székes after a long day of tracting. (:</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25J8poLAekXi8H0dCA34BNB42uo7RR8tdZbvpg5_nF4NGBCQXlY8p909WXxeInllv_QiiFlKnf1qUNJJTDQfPJrFO6gKOMwxsSTinJMR5KHG2ztTIVnEoW3oh4gKtoJbOWP9LA7t_Q8I/s1600/DSCN1026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi25J8poLAekXi8H0dCA34BNB42uo7RR8tdZbvpg5_nF4NGBCQXlY8p909WXxeInllv_QiiFlKnf1qUNJJTDQfPJrFO6gKOMwxsSTinJMR5KHG2ztTIVnEoW3oh4gKtoJbOWP9LA7t_Q8I/s1600/DSCN1026.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Szabadbattyán</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWhJu-zo7jfF1sGRStsa2PIfjOQDF6YO8x2jMVM5Je29_kCaOe9Gi-H80VelEcC3SxW0xGZ5uW0M7_Mf6-yqTdji-HfA6d7-bF_7QrHQnX9FfBCqG9LLGADgTfMEkMieiP5DUQ7bJgiE/s1600/DSCN1033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWhJu-zo7jfF1sGRStsa2PIfjOQDF6YO8x2jMVM5Je29_kCaOe9Gi-H80VelEcC3SxW0xGZ5uW0M7_Mf6-yqTdji-HfA6d7-bF_7QrHQnX9FfBCqG9LLGADgTfMEkMieiP5DUQ7bJgiE/s1600/DSCN1033.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Szabadbattyán.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRiXvYWjOtGTIV1J2roa8ZUMXoUsWAXyNAPux14GmHiUqePxzArvQoa68nIkXgExxc8jW-KJCafIjkO2Au-72wRepcIGI9byHpI9HlbcxAWAHDrYeZvXQ2ru7HVgAKinzdyEFtQq4aG4/s1600/DSCN1034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRiXvYWjOtGTIV1J2roa8ZUMXoUsWAXyNAPux14GmHiUqePxzArvQoa68nIkXgExxc8jW-KJCafIjkO2Au-72wRepcIGI9byHpI9HlbcxAWAHDrYeZvXQ2ru7HVgAKinzdyEFtQq4aG4/s1600/DSCN1034.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Szabadbattyán.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-66920273078032892312014-03-02T21:56:00.000-07:002014-06-07T18:40:15.880-06:00Week 47: Day 396: A burst of energy and motivation!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
February 24, 2014<br />
<br />
Hallo!<br />
<br />
Happy P-Day... to me! haha and Happy 13 months, yesterday! Time is flying by. I hope you're all enjoying it though.<br />
<br />
We had a good week, to look at the positive side. Work is still struggling, but we're working on it. It was a little hard with so much finding and us both being really sick all week. However, I took lots of medicine and I think that's the fastest any cold has ever gone away. It's not completely gone, but it's manageable without medicine now. We've gotten pretty tired of tracting so much here in the city, so on Wednesday, I put us on a bus and we rode it to the end, got off and tracted family house... and then it started raining again. haha We weren't able to find anyone interested out there, but we enjoyed the change in scenery and the fresh air for a day.<br />
<br />
The elders have a baptism this weekend for a super cool, pretty new investigator. So we're really excited for that! This branch is increasing in priesthood members, one by one!<br />
<br />
Like I said, the work out here has been a little rough lately, and it's been rough to keep myself motivated. However, I think that it has really helped to tear me down (which sounds strange), humble me and then build me in a better way as a better missionary. Just like President Monson said in this last conference:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before.<br />
This should be our purpose—to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow. Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress toward our goal of eternal life."</blockquote>
<br />
I feel like this weekend I have received another burst of energy and motivation to do this work, to build up this branch, find new people, be a better, more loving and obedient missionary, teacher and person. Sister Kovács and I had a great weekly planning yesterday and set some new goals for ourselves. I've realized that the closer I get to going home and with making plans for home, the harder it is to always stay focused on missionary work. As a result, I'm trying to find more things in the work to stay occupied with and focused on and making sure that my mind is always filled with the most productive of things. For example, if we ever have a bit of extra time after eating lunch, dinner, or planning, I use it to really study the scriptures or do area book work, rather than just "think."<br />
<br />
We were teaching a lesson this week to an inactive YSA girl here and talking about goals, change and how we are capable of things. A story came to my mind that I hadn't ever realized before, as an example of how we always progress and change without noticing until further down the road. I don't think I ever shared this story with anyone before that, but I remember my first "full day" as a missionary in my greenie city. Before we even left the apartment in the morning, I had a secret breakdown inside my head and seriously considered calling President Smith and telling him to send me home right away. I thought that there was NO way that I could go teach someone a lesson that day or that I could teach the lessons that we had planned for the rest of the weekend and then go out and talk stop people in the street! Ha! A year late, it's amusing to think back to that. Teaching is not my favorite thing in the world, and I wouldn't choose to do it as a career for the rest of my life, but I no longer think I'm going to have a heart attack if I have to teach a lesson! My testimony is much stronger than it ever has been before. My mission is the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but the best decision I have ever made. I want to stay extremely busy for the next 5 months and take advantage of this privilege the Lord has given to learn and grow, through the good days and the bad ones. As Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "You are never too young to learn, never too old to change. Each day brings opportunity for decisions for eternity." We can always do, become, and be better; no excuses.<br />
<br />
I hope that you can all find ways to become better versions of yourselves. (: Have a good week!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-56855587823486585922014-02-19T22:21:00.003-07:002014-02-19T22:23:46.973-07:00Week 46: Day 392: A Tough Week <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
February 18, 2014<br />
<br />
Hey!<br />
<br />
Well... transfer calls came, once again. During the weekend, we both started thinking that I was getting transferred out and I was pretty ready to leave. But, I woke up this morning and just had a really strong feeling that we were staying together. A couple hours later, we got the call and... we're staying together for the next four weeks and then we'll deal with these ridiculous transfer calls once again. Four weeks later we'll have another mid-transfer-transfer and five weeks later will be the normal transfer. I think by that time, we won't have any more mini-transfers; at least that's the plan. Things will settle down, right in time for my dying transfer. Hahaha, so it actually won't affect me at all.<br />
<br />
How was my week, you might ask? Well, I'll just say, we got dogged (or cancelled on, with less than an hour’s notice) 10 times. That's more programs than we had ended up having this week. The good news is that we had a pretty good Saturday, to boost us back up and yesterday was good too! Gizi came to visit on Saturday and brought me a bunch of baked stuff! (She's my favorite néni--the one from Veszprém, if you remember). She couldn't stay for too long, but it was good to talk to her for a few minutes. I would definitely go back and serve there, if given the option. However, I have been in this same district (Székes and Veszprém together) and zone for 7 months already, and I'm feeling like it's been an eternity, so maybe not. Haha.<br />
<br />
The people came back again yesterday and cleaned our house with some strong substance that is supposed to kill all the cockroaches, since the fumigation in November didn't work. We're hoping. They also replaced like 8 light bulbs that had all burned out. We've been living in half-darkness for a while now. Haha! I don't know if I ever told you about our ghetto Christmas-tree lights that we've been using as our light in the bathroom? We decided we still like those more than the bathroom lights. They've been out since before I even got here, over 3 months ago, so this is the first time I've seen them. To add to our great week, we had one of our upstairs neighbors come down stairs Sunday night during weekly planning and yell at us on behalf of our neighbors for complaining that there were still cockroaches in our building. What? Yeah, I wrote it right. Apparently, when we left our landlord know that we were still living with cockroaches, he notified the building owner and they went around to everyone, telling them that they all had to pay to get their apartments cleaned too, to rid the entire apartment for good. So the good news is that our apartment and neighbors hate us now, because, according to the guy yelling at us, it's completely normally to live with 10, 15, 20 cockroaches every day and "the poor things are just trying to get out of the rain and cold." Hahaha uh?<br />
<br />
The story I forgot to tell you last week: One day we were tracting and trying to get into a building. Someone buzzed us in, but through the glass I saw an older lady by the mail boxes inside the building, who looked at us with a kind of shocked/unpleasant look and hurried up the stairs, which isn't an uncommon reaction. So, when we got inside, we waiting on the ground floor, so that she could get upstairs and take the elevator and not have to run away from us or come down and yell at us to get out. Haha. But, we realized she had stopped to ring a doorbell and was talking to another lady. We were creepily standing there in silence, waiting, but as soon as we heard them, we both looked at each other with big eyes. Sister Kovács just started whispering "a jehovák!" After a few minutes, we heard them move to the next door, and then, finally started coming down the stairs towards us. We quickly went around the corner and pretended to be finding a mailbox, until they got outside. As they walked by, I caught a glance of their magazines and pamphlets. Lo and behold, they were indeed JWs. Of the hundreds of buildings in this city, we somehow got into the same building that they happened to be tracting. We almost died laughing and were kind of hesitant to retract what they just tracted, but surprisingly no one told us that they had just been there. (Some days people get super angry and say that we're the 5th of 10th people to knock on their door that day. People always think that we're the JWs.) Anyway, that's my story for the day. I don't know if you knew this, but a lot of their missionaries are pretty old, either two old women or an old couple, at least here.<br />
<br />
Anywho... Hope you all had a great week and Valentine's Day and such. Sorry I don't have too much good stuff to tell you this week. Happy Birthday on Saturday, Jenny! Weird, this is your second birthday since I left!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7352431834156028874.post-4204176600682383222014-02-17T14:41:00.000-07:002014-02-17T14:48:48.248-07:00Week 45: Day 384: Reflections on Missionary Work and Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
February 10, 2014<br />
<br />
Hallooo!<br />
<br />
Happy Valentine's Day on Friday, AKA, my least favorite holiday. haha Regardless of that fact, we painted our nails in that awful color in celebration. (: hahaha. Okay... back to the important stuff. I hope you all had a good week! Ours was long and hard but it all pulled through by the end of the week and made it worth it and I think my talk even went okay!<br />
<br />
We found a few people who I have really high hopes for and it looks like we have more programs set up for this week, which means not so much finding without any breaks! We did a lot of finding this week, pretty much just tracted, and got a couple let-ins! We've started tracting with no bags or anything and no written out survey. We just "wing it," but really, we're not winging it at all; the point of it is to give room for the Spirit to come in and direct our words and the questions that we ask by inspiration, rather than a rehearsed survey that we just ask and then move in. It's been pretty cool so far. I think this transfer has really humbled me and helped me to appreciate the tender mercies and the rare times when people will stop and talk to us or let us in. I also really appreciate my bed, but I feel like we sleep for 5 minutes and then the alarm goes off and I'm still exhausted. It's strange. I'm getting a little bit tired of this city, but I also feel like I would really like to stay here with Sister Kovács. I really love her and we have so much fun, even when finding is long and hard. I can't decide what I think is happening next week. We'll see!<br />
<br />
I love it out here, but I'm also so excited to come home. Sometimes I feel like I could bounce off a wall and burst, because I'm so excited. I don't want to come home and face some things and the real world, but I'm trying to focus on the things I am excited about instead. I'm glad I can still focus on all of this and serve for 5 and half months though. I feel like there's still so much more out here for me to do. Sometimes I wish I could just have both worlds though. (: It's SO weird to hear about everyone getting married or getting mission calls or moving to other places now. It's a weird concept that I left and life still went on and everything will be very different when I come home. I'm glad that I came out though. I feel like I've changed a lot, yet not really at the same time. I'm so much more prepared for life now, have better habits and a more serious view on life and church. Yet, I feel like my personality is almost exactly the same, just more refined with things like patience and maybe a little maturity.... haha (: I can't believe that I graduated from high school almost TWO years ago and that I have nephews and brother-in-laws. What? When did that happen?<br />
<br />
Anyway, I hope that you're all enjoying your every minute. Even when all you want to do is go home and lay in bed, or go on a date (hahah), and your day is really long and hard, just find reasons to smile and laugh. Enjoy today before it's gone and before you know it, you're 20 years old and halfway through a mission you never planned to go on and your brain hasn't even registered that you're old enough to be serving a mission yet. Read your scriptures! Pray! And not just once in the morning and at night or when you need help. On my mission I've learned the true meaning of always having a prayer in your heart. Try to have a constant conversation in your mind with the Lord throughout the day. It helps! If you love the Lord, keep the commandment; All of them. No excuses of what your weaknesses are. If you haven't been, well, that's what repentance is for. (: Thank goodness for that, eh? (:<br />
<br />
I love you all! Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you from the far-away Hungary-lands and I will do it. Have a good week! Talk (Write) to you on Tuesday! (Not Monday!)<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Sister Megan Butterfield<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7tb4dVcFCCFwopC0QvgLEwLSseYlDFeHA8TVVuW9HVcEc-ZszwY0xUxVogqRaJ-Dnzx95SAl3UZ107Z-dx1rx4YJWQ8qx1xMToDQPWYl7hFSVobv9hpKk4GBq9SA7ogTsytCw5BL9lU/s1600/DSCN5162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7tb4dVcFCCFwopC0QvgLEwLSseYlDFeHA8TVVuW9HVcEc-ZszwY0xUxVogqRaJ-Dnzx95SAl3UZ107Z-dx1rx4YJWQ8qx1xMToDQPWYl7hFSVobv9hpKk4GBq9SA7ogTsytCw5BL9lU/s1600/DSCN5162.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Last Sunday night, we realized we had accidentally left our phone in the branch house in the morning, but we were already in pajamas and we had to hurry back to finish weekly planning, so we tried our best to look presentable.... Hahaha! We almost died the whole way laughing because we felt ridiculous, but it was sure dark outside. and luckily we found the phone. (: </span></td><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizCmbttkoj3f0imvv9qR0avGBLICepy0DVTUVRJYZKoOyLA8kor7ph3E1W8_QzMGB6eDR_ms0A1wXFd2hrinQiJ1lNCpMDMbyQq7tAWPoIX02UPZ9nVAjQUn2tNh9KrFaB4tN127lSek/s1600/DSCN5163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizCmbttkoj3f0imvv9qR0avGBLICepy0DVTUVRJYZKoOyLA8kor7ph3E1W8_QzMGB6eDR_ms0A1wXFd2hrinQiJ1lNCpMDMbyQq7tAWPoIX02UPZ9nVAjQUn2tNh9KrFaB4tN127lSek/s1600/DSCN5163.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_kHiWkhq8v718mwdYDbOFibHOhXsNwz14JhnBwJnAoXyov8GeDcTDZ8_Dd4xcke1yZ3SgA8UVLrVDSOnEXrNqKLpyNA4umq9ksczlbbajnQkl2YkB-SbbWpTwbebra9EhSxjtzTZ4tY/s1600/DSCN5181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_kHiWkhq8v718mwdYDbOFibHOhXsNwz14JhnBwJnAoXyov8GeDcTDZ8_Dd4xcke1yZ3SgA8UVLrVDSOnEXrNqKLpyNA4umq9ksczlbbajnQkl2YkB-SbbWpTwbebra9EhSxjtzTZ4tY/s1600/DSCN5181.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The JW church building we always walk by. OH! We went into a building a couple days ago to tract and who did we find?! The JWs tracting the same building at the same time! Hahaha. I'll tell you more about it next week, if I remember.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Donna Butterfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14414733879037798768noreply@blogger.com0