Week 75 - 16th Week in Szeged

To one and all,

This week has been a crazy one! Both me and my companion got sick but you know what? Somehow the two of us ended up getting some of the best work done thus far in my mission! We had 16 total programs, 5 of them were all new investigators we met while finding. There have been blessings coming in for sure. We barely made the minimum working hours but the hours we got counted!

Other than lots of good programs, with lots of good people, not a whole lot interesting has happened here. But back at home is another story. My Dad just got called as the stake president!

Here is a quotation from my mom's email:

"Dad just got called to be the new stake president...yes, you read that right. It's barely been 24 hours and I'm not sure we are going to get used to this! I sent a pic of the area seventy with our family when they came up to the hospital. It was Elder Sitati and Elder Hansen. They interviewed me on facetime while I was at the hospital with Naomi. Then called your dad to be stake president while I sat in the bathroom on facetime. I didn't meet them til after stake conference. They had dad and I talk Saturday about who to call as his counselors. They gave us about 20 minutes to decide...It was actually pretty easy to figure out who the Lord wanted him to call. He called Bro. Riffey and Bishop Masitas. (Did I tell you he was released last week and Bro. Oram is the new bishop?) Anyway, crazy stuff! Dad had a real hard time sleeping last night. He will, of course, do a great job! I have complete confidence in dad, he is a really great husband, father, priesthood holder and man! I married well!"

I love my Dad and I am sure he will do a great job! I know that he can handle it for sure. He is probably one of the most qualified people I know for the positions. I love you all back home and I will pray extra for dad! Have a great week, I am short on time but I'll upload some pictures too!

Love you all!

Elder Oakes, Hungary Budapest Mission

Week 74 - 15th Week in Szeged

Hey there!

I am doing great! This has been an awesome week! My companion and I are doing fantastic! We worked hard all week and almost would have gotten standard if we hadn't forgotten to SYL more this week. It really helped to motivate us that we had a baptism!!! But I totally forgot to take pictures!!! I am so mad at myself for that! But I will be getting some pictures with our investigator who got baptized.

Our investigator, Bakai Klara, was baptized and confirmed this weekend. It made me so happy to see the fruits of our labors. When she came to us a few months before asking to be baptized it made me so happy. This is now my 6th investigator to get baptized. I still have never done the ordinance itself but that isn't the point; the point is that these people have come closer unto Christ! Its has been an amazing week!

Tell Jess I said she is awesome and that I am sorry I haven't emailed her in a while! She has been so awesome to support you all back at home and she has definitely been watching out for me too! YOU'RE AWESOME JESS!!!

Tell Naomi that I love her and I miss her so much! She is such a strong girl and I know she can push through this last treatment. I pray for her all the time and for the family too. I can't wait to come home and see you all, and Lucy too!!! She looks so adorable! But she just doesn't seem real to me yet through a computer screen. I can't wait to get home and hold her!

This has been an awesome week for sure! I keep thinking more and more of home! I miss you all so much. I have been thinking about moving up my release date. As of right now it's in April, a month after my original date. I don't want to go home early but I am not sure about staying an extra month anymore either. I just want to be home with you all after all of the stuff that's been happening! I will be praying about it.

I love you all back at home! I've got to go,

Elder Oakes, Hungary Budapest Mission

Week 73 - 14th Week in Szeged

Hey there!

This last week has been pretty crazy all in all. Tuesday we got calls for transfers. I was told that I was staying here in Szeged but switching companionships. I was prepared to stay where I was at. When I heard that I was getting switched up like this I was not prepared for that change, but honestly, this has been a great week. Elder Tillamin-Dick is a really good teacher and has been doing a good job in programs. He is very bold when he speaks and isn't afraid to make mistakes so that's good and will help him to learn even faster. I think things will go well.

I really love my new companion (we have wrestled almost every night since we have been together!). He is a good kid with a good heart and we are really enjoying serving with each other. I moved in immediately after transfers to the other elder apartment. But I got settled in pretty quick and started cleaning and getting things straightened out. The next few days we just got used to the switch. Paul and I decided to keep our current work that we have been doing to avoid causing problems with investigators dropping off.

I love you back at home! Sorry I don't have more time to write!

Elder Oakes,
Hungary Budapest Mission

Week 72 - 13th Week in Szeged...Transfer Week, Staying in Szeged

Hey there mom!

We got transfer calls this morning. Things are kinda of going crazy in the mission. I will be staying in Szeged but I will be switching to the other elder companionship. Elder Höferl will be going to Dunai Varos with Elder Cannon, and I will go to Elder Tillamin-Dick.

I am short on email time so I will clue you all in more next week. Today we will be heading up to Budapest early because I have a doctors appointment (don't freak out, not a big deal). My knee that I hyper extended in football has been hurting a bit since the cold weather so I am just going to go get a brace for it.

Conference was great. Luckily we got to watch it in English. I am really glad I got to understand everything. It's good to hear you are all doing good. Please pray for me and my new companion with all of the changes happening here.

Love you!
Your son,
Elder Oakes,
Hungary Budapest Mission

Week 71 - 12th Week in Szeged

So this is my weekly email but I am addressing my email to my mom, I love you all but I love my mom more!

Hey mom, (and anyone else reading)

I am glad to hear that things are going well back at home! I did get the box and it was great! Looks like everything was in it! I got the watch, I loved the gold fish, and I have already eaten all the Reese's (don't worry, mom, I shared). It has been a much better week. My companion and I are doing pretty good and the work is going well.

One of our investigators we put on baptism date a few weeks ago is getting pretty serious. Her name is Klara and she came to a baptism for one of the sisters investigators this last Saturday! It was a great program and I am sure she will be getting baptized. However, transfers are next week. While I don't think I am going anywhere there is always a chance, but we will see.

We also had Zone Conference this last week. It was super great and I learned a lot. We also gave a short training about teaching by the spirit, people told us we did a good job so I'm willing to take their word for it.

I can't wait for the coming transfer though, transfers are like playing the lottery I feel like sometimes. (I don't know if that's the best comparison) But its true you can win big or you end up broke! (then comes the attitude pep-talk...don't worry I've gotten it before and even given it myself a few times...) but this is just the way it feels so we will see!

The member friend of ours who fed us last week, helped us out again this week! Her name is Antonia and she is super cool. She gave us free hair cuts it was so nice of her! Especially since she hasn't ever cut guys hair before! She was brave and gave it her best try! Honestly it doesn't look bad either. I'll probably keep it for the next week or so! (doesn't have anything to do with the fact that I am broke until next week...) But seriously she is cool and has been helping us out a lot.

I love you Mom! (and all you others too) and miss you so much
Love,
Elder Oakes,
daniel.oakes@myldsmail.net
Hungary Budapest Mission