Eger Week Two (Week 69)

Dear everyone,

What a good week! But one of the best things was that I RODE A BIKE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON MY MISSION LAST WEEK. It only took me about 16 months...but, I have finally done the "whole shabang" regarding missionary work. I've seen it all! 

So here in Eger, the missionaries are much more involved in what the branch does and everything, due to the small member size. We are also in charge of finances for the branch. Which means we are at the bank for long, long amounts of time. Elder Herd, the senior missionary here, is the branch president and doesn't speak Hungarian, so I get to follow him around and translate for whatever he wants to say. Perks of being the oldest missionary here. Lol. 

We went out to a part-member family in a small village about thirty minutes from Eger. The dad is a bus driver but also makes whips in his spare time. Now children, these whips are not the black skinny little things like the circus, instead they are designed, slaved-over, beautiful and TERRIFYING pieces of art. Hungarians LOVE their whips! I had only "whipped" once before this, and it was another missionary's whip and I couldn't even get it to crack, but this time I had the Hungarians to help me and I got it to crack! I can finally "whip it good!" :)  

I also ordered a whip :) I'm so excited! Soon, Utah will also hear the mighty thunder of my whip! Wah chah! Well, in 8 months. Haha! 

Yes, it's still blazing hot outside, and I am sweating like crazy as I type this, but I am so happy! Life is good here in the East. I have interviews tomorrow in Buda with President Smith, and I'm excited to talk to him about what the heck the future has in store for me here in good old Magyarország. But...that also means train rides...which I despise. Ugh. 

Awesome moment of the week: we met with one of our new investigators and taught him the Restoration. He soaked it up and loved it! He said he couldn't wait to pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. As we finished it up, we asked him if he would like to say the closing prayer. He asked us if during the prayer he could ask God if the Book of Mormon was true. We said of course. He then proceeded to say a prayer that put literally all the prayers that I have said in my life to shame! It was beautiful. Right when he asked Heavenly Father if he could "open his heart to the Holy Ghost", a sweet Spirit filled the room, and Elder Barbour and I looked up at eachother and just smiled like crazy! Our investigator was silent after the prayer, and we just sat there and soaked in the Spirit. It was incredible! And the best thing is that these things happen ALL the time here! I am so grateful for my mission! 

I love you all! Have a good week!

Love,

Elder Giacalone :)