Sister Shantel Jenna Falslev: This is what it is all about!

Oh man....I dont even know where to start on this week! It has been the greatest week! I love Nyíregyháza! First off, I am super excited to skype with you all next week! I hope you can all be there! Everything has worked out so I am really excited!

First off, my highlight from the week. A and R's baptism. Everything went perfect. Better than we even expected. They were both so excited and so nervous! The missionaries sang 'Savior, Redeemer of My Soul' and the spirit was so strong! I know A and R felt it. Then after we had a talk we went and walked outside to the swimming pool (that is where people get baptized here). We had to put this funny looking blue sock things on. And then we walked in to get baptized. A was so excited. He was so funny! He was baptized and afterward he was just beaming. Then R was next and right before she got in, she started bawling. She was so excited! And after she was baptized, she was telling everyone 'I just became Mormon.' She was so happy. As they were being baptized, I just had one of those picture perfect moments. Missionary work really is the happiest work to do. There are no words to describe the joy from doing missionary work. I kinda got pretty emotional too....I just love both A and R so much! R wasn't our investigator but we have still met with her a few times and we do a lot with her. Everything couldnt have just gone better. As I was walking back to the branch house with A, he was just so happy. He was at peace and so happy. You could just see the change in both of them. Unfortunately, A wasnt able to come to church on Sunday. A doctor got sick so he got emergency called in. But he said he will be here this week! What a great week! Missionary work is the best!

Also this week, we got a call early in the morning from a guy and he just told us we were meeting at 1 so we said okay. We met him and come to find out, he has met with the missionaries before but lives in a small village far away and so can only come into Nyíregyháza sometimes. We started his program and he was very knowledgeable about the Bible and just pulling things out of his bags and just bombarding us with questions. I was trying so hard to focus on what he was saying, but I could understand hardly anything. I was getting a little frustrated to say the least. Then in the middle of our program, we hear a knock at the door, and a drunk man walked in asking to see the elders. Both of them were talking over each other, talking to me, and I had no idea what either or them were saying. I got pretty overwhelmed for a minute, then just looked at my companion, started laughing (I had no idea what to do or what to say!) and I just looked at both of them and said 'I have no idea what you are saying'. You guys both have to slow down. Anyways, the elders came and rescued us from the drunk guy and we were able to meet with S. It actually turned out to be a really good lesson. He doesnt know how much longer he is going to live (he has some disease that I couldnt understand) and he wants to know what happens after this life. It is just hard because he lives so far away. We might try and get permission to teach him over skype or something. Anyways, it was a crazy program. Heavenly Father likes to keep me on my toes!

Also this week, we went to the downtown and did some Christmas CAroling. My companion is an amazing singer so we had quite a few people stop and listen. I and H were handing out pass along cards, and we met some awesome people! One lady listened to us for a while, and when I went over to give her a card and talk to her, she just started bawling and thanking us for our kindness and reminding her of why we celebrate Christmas. It was awesome! Also, there was a wedding. Ater weddings here, they have a long walking procession and someone records where the new couple walks with the family coming behind. Anyways, the video man came up and asked them to sing something while the wedding procession came by. So, they decided to sing 'families can be together forever'. It was hilarious! So now we are all famous and on someone's wedding video.

Also this week, it has been a week of celebrating my birthday! haha! Everyone knows just how much I LOVE my birthday...not haha! But it has really been so great! On Saturday, my companion and H tricked me, and H made me this awesome, delicious cake and we had a little party! It was so thoughtful of them. I am definitely spoiled here! And also today has just been great....My companion made me a made from scratch red velvet cake with buttercream frosting! It was so delicious! And she even decorated it! It was awesome! We had a little party at the branch house and it was just awesome! I love the people here! I am so spoiled! It has been a great birthday.

Things have just been going great! We went to Buda yesterday for zone conference. It was awesome! We got so much. We are so blessed! It is just an amazing experience to be a missionary! I know this gospel is true. This week I have also seen the power of testimony. We were in two specific programs this week and I had no idea what to say. So I just bore my testimony. I am so glad, that the spirit really does the converting and me. When a spirit is in a lesson, it is more powerful that anything that I can do on my own. It is amazing how people can change when they feel the spirit! I just love being a missionary! And hope you each get to have an opportunity also to have some missionary experiences! I love you all. Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Love you lots! TALK to you next week! :)

Falslev Nővér