Continuing to change and grow everyday! Brooke Gertsch Mission Update 1/9/2017

Brooke’s contact info:

1122 Budapest

Hajnoczy Jozsef utica 14

Hungary

She would love a quick hello email!!!  brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

Well, this week totally flew by.  They really are getting faster and it is really starting to scare me!  Still enjoying every minute of it, though. The awkward moments, the snow storms, the funky foods - ALL OF IT.  Man, I love this place and these people more than I can begin to explain.  And that doesn't even really make sense.  I can’t speak well english anymore, haha!  You know what I mean!

• This week, we visited family in the ward who had the cutest little twins.  You could most definately say that it made me miss MY twin and little kids a whole lot!

• We also were adventuring (looking up less active members) in a falu (village) and found SLOVAKIA!

^ SLOVAKIA JUST ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER!

“ADVENTURING” IN A NEARBY VILLAGE (FALU)

• Went on splints with the Sisters from a city called Szombathely and I got to spend time with Towne Nőver who is the sweetest!

• And met with my favorite person on the planet, Johanna! (Brooke’s mom is going to try to NOT take that last sentence personally!) 

Well I just kind of rambled on about my week, sorry! 

^ THE WARD BROOKE IS SERVING IN GYŐR, HUNGARY

On a more serious note, the biggest thing I have been thinking about, studying about, and learning about, is our self-worth and our purpose here and God’s plan for us.  I had taught the Plan of Salvation so many times before, but this week, with one of our investigators, we really focused on our time here on Earth and why we are here.  This investigator just feels so lost and so alone.  One of the coolest things I have received as a missionary, is being able to see someone through Heavenly Father’s eyes and as this person was saying that they feel that they just go through life unnoticed and doesn't understand what they are doing here, I just wanted to hug them so hard and tell them, “YOU ARE LOVED!”

I tried as best as i could to help this person know the God loves them more than they will ever know.  Something I have learned is that it is so great to help comfort someone and tell them that they are loved and important.  I was able to see their heart soften and they even got emotional.  But then we left and came back a few days later, and it was like we had never said anything.  SO what is most important is that we, on our own, turn to our Heavenly Father, find out for ourselves that He is there.  And as we do that - without a doubt - we will start to feel His unconditional love and will receive guidance as to where we need to go in life.  That is why prayer is so important, because it is the way we can strengthen our relationship with the one that we need most.  That’s what is so cool about his whole mission thing.  I knew all of this before.  But it wasn’t until I was teaching somebody else and telling them these things, that it really clicked.  It changed me.  I am just continuing to change and grow everyday.

D&C 18:10 - “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

^Brooke and her companion 

Okay, I think I will end this one now!  I hope you have a wonderful week and remember:

Nem vagyunk egyedül

Sok szeretettel,

Gertsch Nőver 

Some beautiful pictures of Győr!

BOLDOG ÚJ ÉVET! (Happy New Year!) Brooke Gertsch Mission Update

BOLDOG ÚJ ÉVET!

(Happy New Year!)

West Zone Christmas Conference 

Christmas Conference - Talent Show (Győr District)

West Zone -  Hungary Budapest Mission (& Santa Claus) 

It was absolutely impossible to NOT get sentimental with 2016 ending.  2016 was a full 12 months as a missionary.  I have said it before, but I will say it again (& again), this may have been the hardest year, but it also has been the best year of my life.  I really have found myself and my testimony.  I have never been so happy and felt so close to my Savior.  And I know that I owe all of this to the mission and to my Father in Heaven.  I am beyond thankful He sent me to serve the Hungarian people and to serve with these amazing missionaries.  Kind of don’t want it to ever end!  Just kidding Mom… I guess I will come home someday!

Christmas Dinner with Johanna and the Elders

Brooke and Sister Szabadkai - Mission President’s wife.  Brooke’s caption for this photo is “I love Sister Szabadkai!”

Funny story for you:

This week, we met with Teri néni.  She is a very Catholic néni that adores the missionaries and loves to feed them so she has us come over for lunch.  I had never met her before, but the moment I walked in, she squeezed me and I felt like we were instant friends.  As we sat and ate in her kitchen, she kept on worrying that I was going to be cold because my socks were thin. (my feet were just fine) But she insisted that I put my foot on her lap and she caressed it and rubbed it for the next half hour!  And I have to admit I kind of enjoyed it! Haha, I love nénis more than anything!  And we were able to talk about the Plan of Salvation with her and it was a great discussion because her husband died not too long ago.  Being a missionary is the best!

Oh, also, another néni gave me her scarf because she didn’t want me to freeze.  So don’t worry everyone, the néni’s have my back and I will not be cold this winter!

The beautiful city of Győr! 

A lesson I have been learning these past couple of weeks is patience - patience in the timing of things and patience with other’s progression.  We have a few investigators, but because of circumstances of previous beliefs, the progression is slow.  We are having to take baby steps (and sometimes steps backwards) and it is hard for me because I love them so much and can see their full potential!  But patience, of course, is a great lesson to learn and I don’t think the learning will stop, even when the mission is done!  I am grateful for our investigations and pray everyday that I can help them in every was that I can!

Well, here’s to 2017!  I am really excited to see what this year brings!

All my love,

Sok szeretettel,

Gertsch Növér 

Christmas Caroling with a few member of our Gyor ward - Barbs and Klaudia 

Here are a few cute pics from our Christmas Skype!!!

McPeak Family :) 

Gertsch Family :) 

2 Christmas Emails! Brooke Gertsch Mission Update 12/19 & 12/27/2016

Brooke’s email - brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net

Mailing address:

1122 Budapest

Hajnóczy József utca 14

Hungary

December 19th, 2016

This week was one of the best weeks of my mission.  First off, Hi… I LOVE GYŐR.  It is crazy beautiful and huge.  Everyday, we were just were just running all over the city and by bedtime, I jumped into bed and fell asleep within minutes.  

^THE VÁROSHÁZ

^ GYŐR

Also, I LOVE MY COMPANION!  Smith Nővér is 2 groups below me, but is so bold nd brave and funny and sweet and I just totally scored big time.  It has only been a week together and we have had so many laughs and seen so many miracles.  Also, Christmas in less than a week… mi csoda? I don’t want this season to end!  

^ My new companion, Smith Nővér

^ this is our district here in Győr! We got lost in a village our first week together

For one, we did a service project with the ward here - we went to a facility/home for adults with special needs and sang Christmas songs for them.  I have to say, I never wanted that night to end. Those people had such sweet spirits and as we sang “Csendes Ej” or "Silent Night", they all joined in and I could not keep it together.  The Spirit was so strong in the room and I never loved a group of strangers more than in that moment.  I truly believe that they are incredibly close to God and I just wanted to stay all day.  After we sang for them, they returned the favor and performed for us, one by one.  Can’t even really find the words to express how special that experience was.  It gave me so much perspective not only about what Christmas is all about, but how beautiful life is and what really matters.

There is also a whole lot of new people I met this week, but to save time I will just tell you about Tibor.  Tibor is one of our investigators.  He is so funny.  He speaks English, but I refused to say one word that wasn’t Hungarian.  I think it helped him understand things better.  He is a very logical person, so as we talked about the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit World he kept getting stuck on the little parts of it.  As hard as it is to try to help someone find faith in things they cannot see or make sense on their own, I feel blessed to try to help them find the truth in a simple, clear way.  It was only my first lesson with Tibor, but I know we are going to learn a lot from each other.

Well, this week felt like 3 in one!  Transfers were the best because I got to see all of my favorite people!  Hanging out the the MTC family was crazy because exactly a year ago, were were just starting our missions together! 

And each of my past companions has been such a blessing to me. 

I had to say a “see-you-soon” to my trainer, Guillian Nővér, who went home this week.  I seriously was blessed with with the best trainer and I owe a lot of the missionary I am today, to her.  She was such a great example and friend to me and I am so thankful for her.  And all the friends I have made on the mission.  Don’t know where I would be without them!

^My trainer, Guillian Nővér

That’s all for this week!  I hope you have an incredible Christmas and hug your family and friends while you are with them.  I have gained the strongest testimony that the people in your life is what it’s all about.  We have to always make sure they know how much they mean to us!  And after saying that, I love and miss you all.  You’re in my thoughts and prayers.

Always, 

Gertsch Nővér

^The view out our bedroom window! 

December 27, 2016 

sadly, the library we are in does not upload pictures, so i will have to send more pictures next week! 

BOLDOG KARÁCSONYT! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This year, I mist definitely had one of the most special christmases i will ever have. It was different. But so memorable and as hard as it was to be away from my loved ones, I wouldnt change this christmas for the world. It was quite the fun-filled week! We went caroling with a few members all over the city and visited some less-actives. Also went over to Budapest and had our Christmas conference as a zone. It was a perfect combination of remembering Christ while having fun with the other missionaries. We watched The Little Prince and that was such a treat. I had never seen the movie and I most definitely was the only one crying like a baby at the end. I also love President and Sister Szabadkai and appreciate all they did for us in making sure we were happy and felt loved! 

CHRISTMAS EVE. My companion and I actually spent the majority of the 24th running around delivering brownies to our investigators and less-active members. One of my christmas miracles was that every person we went to drop something off to was home and we were able to make sure that they felt some love this Christmas. After that, we came back to the branch house where one of my favorite members, Johanna, had made the missionaries a traditional, hungarian Christmas dinner of halász lej and töltött káposzta (fish soup and stuffed cabbage) She was the sweetest and it felt just like home! Minus the fish part...that was new haha. 

CHRISTMAS DAY. It was a very busy day, but to keep things short, here are a few of my highlights: in church, we sang 6 christmas hymns and i know i have said it before, but there is just something about hymns being sung in hungarian. its like my heart just bursts because i love these people singing around me. After church, we went and spent the afternoon with John, one of our investigators. He is currently sick and in the hospital. His only family is his daughter that lives in Canada, so he is alone here. She sent him presents and so when we got there, he had waited for us to open them with us and then gave both of us some treats from his package! It touched my heart to see someone that doesnt have a lot, absolutely insist on sharing. In a way, it kind of felt like we were John's family and he was ours. It was really hard to leave him, but we had to go and skype the family! We went over to another member, Barb's apartment and she made us dinner and then finally skyped. it had been a while haha. But it was so comforting to be able to see all of their smiling faces and to hear their voices. Saying goodbye was not an easy thing, but i am ALWAYS given the strength to keep going. I have been my entire mission. 

so yeah. i miss my family and friends and being away from them is really hard. But what has gotten me through is taking a step back and looking at all of these people i was and am able to meet here in Hungary. These relationships I have with them are more than worth a Christmas (or two) away from home. I continue to gain so much perspective as to what not only this holiday, but what life is all about. As a missionary, i have realized that i really have all i need to be happy. i have more than enough. There are people here that live and work just to be able to eat and stay warm in this freezing weather. I am so blessed to have the life that i do and all the blessings that God has given me. And i dont think I would have gained this perspective had it not been for the mission. I hope I hold onto it and never lose sight of whats most important! 

THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone that sent me yummy treats and some love this holiday season! I appreciate you more than you know. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and make sure to hug your loved ones, because when it comes down to it, they are what matters most. Have a great week and bring on the new year! WOOHOO! 

Sok szeretettel, 

Gertsch Nővér

(also mom if you could add the pic of us skyping that would be great :) )

Transfer Day! Goodbye Duna - Hello Györ!

Brooke's contact info:
brooke.gertsch@myldsmail.net 

1122 Budapest
Hajnüóczy József utca 14
Hungary

Geez Louise!  This P-day took forever to get here.  CHANGE as a missionary never gets easier.  You never get used to it.  In my mission, I have stayed in my 2 cities for almost 6 months each - so it is easy to say that I have gotten pretty comfortable.  I am so thankful for the chance I had to stay here in Dunaújváros.  I was able to make so many close relationships and this place will always hold a special place in my heart.  Duna was definitely the turning point in my mission and I wouldn’t trade my experiences here for anything.

This week was SO crazy.  I wanted to go into detail about all the things we did, but with transfer calls this morning, I cannot focus to save my life.  But here’s a bunch of pictures from the week!  There was a Christmas party, lots of “see you later’s” to my favorite people and my last week with my companion, Hooper Nover. 

^^ Branch Christmas party - A puppet show for the kids and then Mikulás (Santa Claus) made a special visit!! Mikulás came and brought presents for the kids:) it was SO cute. the kids had to sing a traditional song to Santa to get their presents.

^^ Pizza with Hooper Nővér

^^Czeilinger Éva. my heart. 

^^Flóra, a member, the sweetest. and her family, the Mészárosék

I cannot tell you enough how much I love Hungary and it’s culture, and it’s people OH SO MUCH!!!

I also celebrated my YEAR mark out here on my mission.  It feels like I have been out a long time… just not that long, haha!  

Time flies when your having fun, that’s for sure.  Looking back at a year ago, I can’t believe I was just starting this crazy adventure.  A year ago, I never imagined I would be where I am today.  I’m just such a different person.  In a good way.  So much more strength.  So much more perspective.  It may have been the hardest, but it has most definitely been the best year of my life. 

^^Gingerbread cookies at the Mészárosék, a family in the branch! 

Okay, enough with the sentimental stuff!  

TRANSFER CALL

I am sad to say I am leaving Dunaújváros, but I am extremely excited to be moving over to the beautiful city of GYÖR.  

Dreams really do come true.  

Stay tuned for some crazy, cool stories next week.

^^Mikulás (Santa Claus) came and put chocolate in our boots!!! (Hungarian tradition)

I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season and thank you SO MUCH to all who have been sending me Christmas Love!  I am so blessed and appreciate it more than you know!

All my love,

Gertsch Nővér 

Here are a few more pictures of my friends in Duna!!!

JANKA! Janka was the girl who wrote me exactly one year ago while I was still  in the MTC, getting me so excited to come to serve in Hungary!

Marika Sr. 

Marika Jr 

The Peterson's were the Senior Couple with us in the MTC.