Papa, Hungary

Papa is pronounced like Tap-a with a "P".  This will be my area.  The office specialists drove me to my new apartment. The country side looks just like driving thru Texas or Utah.   A few houses and a few commercial buildings.  It is a beautiful spring day, not the cold snow I was expecting.  (Szep ido van ma - accent marks are missing.)  Look the Fosythia is out in bloom.  

This is a picture of a stork's nest.  Yes it is on top of the electrical pole.  Too bad I didn't see the Stork.    This was on the side of the road on the way to Papa.  Be sure to notice the church.  Hungary is full of churchs.  I will be showing you plenty of them.  

May I introduce my new companion Scherrer, Bertha Nover (again accents missing.)   She is from Sacramento, California.  She has a son and daughter and step son.  She has 3 grandchildren living in California and Colorado.  Her favorite calling is the mission she is currently serving.  She likes to cook which is a perfect match for us because as you know, I don't.  We have worked out the logistics:  she cooks, I do the dishes.  This picture was taken in front of the Papa Branch.  Rae Elder and Anderson Elder are standing next to us.  They are the only Elders in the Papa Branch.  

Architecture is just like the pictures in the travel magazines.  This house is in our neighborhood.  I think it is my favorite house.  The tree is in blossom.  Maybe its a cherry tree.  

This is a typical street.  People have a gate with the front door on the side of the house.  You must go through the gate before you can knock on the door.  Most people lock their gate.  Well I guess you could say Hungary is a "gated community".  

This is the way you might chit chat with a cute girl.  It beats going to the front door where the dad may answer the door.

Sometimes you get a glimps on the other side of the gate.  The yards are beautiful like this one.

This is a view from our kitchen window in our apartment.  Sorry, I wasn't able to take out the screen to make the picture a little clearer.  Our neighbors across the street.  The house is in the front then the other buildings are attached to the house in the back.  The yards are narrow and long. 

This couple live in our apartments building.  They take their motorcycle out each afternoon.  They spoke no English but consented to let me take their picture in front of our apartment building.  There is a new rule in Hungary and that is that you are not allowed to take someone's picture without their permission.  I'm not sure how that will be enforced.  

I got to Papa on Thursday and Friday we had a District meeting.  Then off we went to have a little pizza. 

Budapest, Hungary

The Budapest Mission Home was only able to accomodate the 7 Elders and 1 Sister Missionary for the night.  Therefore, there was not room for me in the Inn (so to speak).  So they arranged a hotel for me to stay in for 2 nights (darn).  The complementary breakfast was absolutely terrific.  The first morning I had tossed salad and a variety of breads.  Even the dark brown bread was wonderful.   I had heard that Hungary cooks can really make the breads.  The second morning I had the traditional scrambled eggs, incredible rolls, bread again and orange juice. This was the view outside my bedroom window at 6:30am. 

Usually President Smith lets the Senior Missionaries "check out" their new location before he transfers them to their mission area.  Since I didn't have my "eternal companion" with me, the office specialist took me around.  The first place we visited was Vaci Utca (Vaci Street) which is the center of town. It was a beautiful sunny day and so the cafe's had their tables out in front of the restaurants.  

This is a picture of me eating a Cinnamon Cone.  Yup, it tasted exactly like a hot cinnamon roll.  

This girl is drawing attention to the lower shops so she was willing to let me take her picture.  She is wearing a native costumn.  In the shops below are the most beautiful dresser cloths and table cloths that are hand embroidered.  They ranged in price from $60 to $$$$.  

Budapest is actually two cities, Buda and Pest.  In Hungarian the "s" is pronounced "sh" as in ship.  It is split by a River called Danube (Duna).  I was not able to get a picture of the river, maybe another day.   Sister Baggozie, Office Specialist, and I then went to the Parliment Buildings.  

This is a guard standing front of the Parliment Building. 

More Parliment Buildings. 

Ok - this is the last one of the Parliment Buildings.  I don't want to bore you.  :-)  If you want to see more I will show them to you when I get home. 

 

Mission Training Center

This is a picture of my District at the MTC.  Top left is Harry and Nancy Schultz, Susan and Ross Clements, Rhonda and Daniel Snarr.  Elder Snarr was our District Leader.  Front row is yours truly, Marguerite Nedreberg, this sister was one of our instructors, then Nancy Wilks and Karla Conway.  Sister Conway was my MTC companion.  A great and fun group of people.

I learned a few tips at the MTC about how to conduct your life. 

Obedience brings blessings.  Strict obedience brings miracles!

Four success rules:

Obedience - D&C 82:8-10

Work hard to 9:30pm everyday

Live by the spirit and go with purpose.  

Be Positive

In the cafeteria I held up a sign that said "Are you going to Budapest, Hungary.  Within a few minutes I had found the missionaries I would be traveling with to my mission.  This picture was taken in front of the  Provo Temple.   They are Haws Elder, Feil Nover, Hall Elder, Borgstrom Nover, Blake Elder, Tuttle Elder, Chambers Elder, Meek Elder, Redford Elder.  I think you have figured out that the last name is said first and the first name is said second.  It takes a couple of times to get used to.  

This is Feil Katlin Nover.  She is such a sweet and smart girl.  These people became "my Elders and my daughter".  

Off to an exciting adventure.

This is the airport in Amsterdam.  It has an American feel to it.  Most people spoke perfect English.

There is Hungary.  Such a long wait and now finally here.  

Hungary Budapest Mission home.

When we arrived at the mission home they took us on a little tour.  These are of Castle Hill.

Why am I so blessed that I get to serve a mission in Hungary?  I can't wait to find out what The Lord has in mind for me.  I'm sure I will find out eventually.

Goodbye Utah

Thanks Don for letting me clutter up your house for the past couple of months.  This is my brother, Don Miskin and he has consented to let me store my "stuff" for the next 18 months.  He also let me stay in his guest room in between my travels to Texas and China.  

Wow, Utah has some great mountains.  These surround the Logan Temple.  

Goodbye Salt Lake City.  I'll be back.  

Goodbye Rose Park and Rose Park 2nd Ward.  

Goodbye Joshua and Melissa.  

It is wonderful that family and friends were there at my setting apart as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   In Hungarian the Church is written Az Utolso Napok Szentjeinek Jezus Krisztus Egyhaza (accent marks missing).  There were family members that would like to have been there.  We missed you.  

I love this picture. 

I'm at the Mission Training Center.  Soon to go to Budapest, Hungary.  If I just had a longer finger I could have pointed to Hungary.  

If any one would like my address in Hungary, you may write to:

Borgstrom Glenda 

1122 Budapest 

Hajnoczy Jozsef U.14

Hungary

Or email always works:  glendaborgstrom@msn.com