Laura and Derek in Hungary

Our granddaughter (Laura) and her husband (Derek) arrived in Hungary for a two-week visit. One of the first places we went was to the ‘locks’ located above the city center in Pecs. They were very interested in the archaeological sites showing the early Christian burials. The Christians began coming to this area in about 200 AD.

We immediately started investigating the nearby castles.

Helping a Member

Last week, Sister Bailey and I had the opportunity to help a family in the Branch get their passport renewed. The young boy, Istven, was born in Romania and needs to have his passport renewed each year. Unfortunately, the place where it has to be renewed is about 2 1/2 hours away.  The Branch President asked if we could take him and his family. We did.

Traffic Control

One of the most interesting differences between Hungary and the United States is the way they go about stopping your car on the open road. One night we were driving home on a narrow, dark road. All of the sudden we saw a person standing in the road holding a small 3-inch reflector. After slamming on the breaks, and stopping within 3-feet of the person, he waved us on. Note the small reflector in the hand of the person in the picture — much different than a foot-wide stop sign.

Theft from Chapel

After activity night with the young adults, everyone had left the Pecs chapel by 8:30 except the four missionaries. They were putting tables away and cleaning up when they heard the front door open and close.

Elder Nielson went to check and found a man standing in the foyer. The man asked if this was a Catholic church, and he was told that it was not. The man left, and Elder Nielson went back into the chapel. A few minutes later, they heard the door and close again. When Elder Judd went to investigate, he noticed that the picture was gone from the wall in the foyer.

Elder Nielson and Elder Judd went out the front door and saw a man carrying the picture down the street. They hollered at him, and he dropped the picture and ran. They chased and caught him.

He explained that he was a Gypsy, and had two children. After making a call to a counselor in the Mission Presidency, they let the man go, and then brought the picture back to the chapel. Both Elders now believe that they are smart enough, fast enough and strong enough to protect all LDS Chapels in Hungary!

Elder Schwieger

During our last visit to Budapest, we met and talked Elder Schwieger for the last time before he goes home from his mission. Elder Schwieger was the District Leader over the four missionaries in Pecs when we arrived. He and his companion, Elder Peterson, helped us move in, and showed us how to find the Branch house.

In the next transfer, Elder Schwieger was made a Zone Leader in the Budapest area. Two or three transfers later, he became an Assistant to the President, where he served until now. He was an outstanding missionary, and we feel bad about him leaving the mission.

Dance Instruction in Budapest

We took three of our Young Adults to Budapest for a evening of dance instruction and other games with other young adults from throughout Hungary. Sister Bailey and Sister Bagozzi helped to decorate the recreation hall at the Stake Center.

Brother and Sister Bagozzi, who work in the mission office, helped us in watching the young adults during the evening.

Later in the evening their eyes required assistance to see clearly (maybe their age?).