Full Time Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Hungary, Budapest Mission

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Week 14 in Debrecen-Not being Transferred!

Okay so here it goes,

Last week was super crazy! The 20th of August is St. Stephan's Day. Not sure who he is or what he did but he must have been pretty important.
August 20th is the greatest national holiday for Hungarians, celebrated with day-long festivities followed by spectacular fireworks throughout the country. It commemorates the foundation of the Hungarian state, it's like Hungary's 4th of July. Also called as St. Stephen's Day, remembering Stephen I, the first king of Hungary and founder of the Kingdom of Hungary, who was canonized on August 20th, 1083 by Pope Gregory VII.
Really fun though, they have a carnival and a parade and all sorts of fun stuff.

We enjoyed the carnival here in Debrecen which is world famous. It was super great and lots of fun. We got to run amok during the day, so that was fun :)



We got the boxes and holy crap they were super awesome!

The letters were super awesome!

Please give everyone my email address so I can write them on pdays! (daniel.oakes@myldsmail.net) Elder Whiting was super excited and we have been eating candy for days.. hahaha. Goldfish are always a appreciated, mine are gone now >_<

The money made it just fine. That was a lot she sent! Sister Staggie you rock!

We had a solid week with plenty of work to do so that has kept us pretty busy. Monday we had 6 member present programs! That is one less then what we had the entire week before. This week we didn't have any baptisms. It is transfers this week though, I survived the cuts but my companion didn't. The three sisters got split, Sister Jensen the trainer is being pulled out and sent to Budapest. They will be getting another sister here though (can't remember who) and so it will remain a threesome.

The sisters are getting camera shy

They both head out tomorrow. I'll miss Elder Whiting a whole bunch. He is a super great guy and has really helped me out a lot. We have done a lot of really good work together here. He is getting transferred to Erd. He will be training another missionary just like he did me. I will be remaining here in Debrecen. I was pretty sure I was the one getting called away and not him but I guess my staying is what the Lord needed.

I will be going into Budapest tomorrow with Elder Whiting to drop him off and to pick up my new companion. It's a three hour train ride. My new companion will will be Elder Zwingli.

I have already met with him a few times and am pretty excited about getting him as my new companion. He and Elder Whiting were in the MTC together and were companions. I really hope things will go well here in Debrecen with this new change. I am glad I'll get to stay here a little longer too. We got pretty lucky here with the Steels.

They go home in January, you gotta look them up and take them out to dinner some time! They only live in Utah, not too far away.

Our closest temple is in southern Germany. It takes a lot for members to get out to the temple here, but the church helps organize bus trips to get there. Before I reported to the MTC, I only went to the temple one time. It was difficult for me to appreciate. It wasn't what I was expecting. I didn't go back til I got into the MTC. There we went once a week. I know the temple is a big blessing but it's also something I wasn't quite ready for, at the time. During my time at the MTC, I really learned to love it! The last time I went before leaving for Hungary, I really felt I was going to miss it for the next two years, and I have!

I feel strengthened every day by God and the gospel but I also feel weighed down because of the fact that we as missionaries are waist deep in so much of the filth in the world, trying desperately to pull people out. The temple is one place we can go that we can just put that all aside. I really have come to love it there a lot more!

Super glad to hear that you ran into Kevis! If you can try and get his email for me I would love to email him! No, mom, I haven't heard from Ricky. Tell Amanda she is awesome, I love her and Kyle and am super glad for them to be moving into their own home and so close!

NAOMI, WAY TO GO! Super proud to see my little sister (mine craft) crafting it up! I am going to have to email Jon! When is his Bday exactly? (some best friend right?) I really appreciated the office supplies. Nice little notebooks like Becca sent are supper awesome. So, send him some of those things! Lots of pens and stuff...and goldfish!

I love you so much and wish I could be there to help out more! You are wonder woman so keep it up! I love you so much mom! I miss everyone all so much! Remember two years really isn't all that long. Before you know it I'll be home again.

Elder Oakes and his buddy, Marton

Elders Oakes and Whiting with branch members, Kaity and Kaitika, mother and daughter
The Elders with Csaba, an investigator

Elder Oakes and Whiting with Imola, a super nice girl who is meeting with the sisters and comes to a lot of activities and speaks super good English

Elder Oakes and Demi

Elder Oakes and Laci,teaching him how to draw, he did that by himself and Elder Oakes was pretty proud of him.

Elder Oakes and Dori

Elder Oakes and Vili, Dori's brother

Elder Whiting and Vili

Elders Oakes and Whiting with Sylvia, a recent convert to the Church

Elders Oakes and Whiting with Dori

Elder Oakes' drawing of the tree of life

Bees at the Steels!
Love you all!

Elder Oakes,
Hungary Budapest Mission

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Week 13 in Debrecen nem sok idő, hogy e-mailben

Hey!

I only have a few min today so I'll have to keep it short. I haven't gotten the package yet, but I should get it tonight. That was so awesome to see the picture of Ricky with his family that Amanda took. Try to work it out to have him email me. I would love to hear from him! Great coincidence that his sister worked with Amanda!

A Magyar nyelv nagyon nehez nekem de fogom tanulni végül...The Hungarian language is very difficult for me but I will learn eventually! I really want to communicate with people. The language barrier is a lot more of a barrier than I thought it would be.

Good week! Some ups and downs, but never a bad day. I got to go shoot at an archery range. Elder Whiting is a professional archer, he almost qualified for the Olympics. Elder Steel took us. It's kinda just out on a soccer practice field and is free. It was fun!

Jozsi and Ester are doing great! American Michael goes home on Tuesday. This is the last full week before transfers. I kinda think I'll be leaving Debrecen.

I'm sending some pictures. There is one of some hospital beds.

Another of the nicest floor of any 10 story Elder Whiting or I have ever seen here.

There is a picture of Elder Whiting and I with Atila, an investigator leaving to China.

Some pictures of an outdoor activity at the church.

Sorry I don't have more time! I'll write more next week!

Love ya, see ya, bye!
Elder Oakes,
Hungary Budapest Mission.