Yesterday after our District meeting, we took the scenic route home through the Pecs city square. It is a pleasant walk and we enjoyed a brief look at some of the historic sights. The gates with all the locks on them are quite facinating. The tradition is for young couples to pledge their love by locking a padlock on the gate and throwing away the key to symbolize that their love will last forever! The doors to the cathedral are magnificent. We will post a couple of pictures next time. Today I tried to do a little family history for friends who have Hungarian ancestors. It was a complicated effort with my non-existent magyarol and the librarian's limited angolol! Not to mention that the town of Csap is no longer in Hungary! We will try again when we can understand what is being said! We are happy to be here and hope to be of some use soon!!

Our walk through Pecs square

The Elders quartet singing at the Branch party Sunday after the baptism. From the left Elder Recksiek, Elder Cheney, Elder Baumgartl, Elder Hay. They sound wonderful together. They sing acapella and are right on key. Their investigator was moved to tears. We are blessed to be serving with such fine Elders!

BIKINIS AT OUR BAPTISM Attended our first Hungarian baptism. It was held at the public pool across the street from our apartment. The pool remained open during the baptism.
Many bikinis graced the atmosphere. (at least so I've been told. Your Elder Rollingson doesn,t notice those things these days) Attendance exceeded that of sacrement meeting that same day.
It was the baptism of the daughter of the 1st councillor to the Mission President who lives in our Branch. Wonderful family. They have a son serving in England. It was a great and busy day.
First of the year we start holding language classes, open to the public. We have the young Elders teaching Begining English, Intermediate English, Advanced English and German. We also hold two open to the public socials a month to young single adults 18-30. The theory being to attract investigators and future leaders. The future of the church in Europe is in the hands of the youth as the leaders of tomorrow, Also starting in January we are assigned as traveling speakers with assignments in two branches a month covering all of Southern Hungary. I have learned also, not to ask questions. One day in Branch Presidency meeting I asked who the Branch Mission Leader was?...... Now I are it.

Happy Boxing Day from Pesc, Hungary! We had a wonderful Christmas starting Christmas morning breakfast with our Elders. Then we visited a family for dinner and finished off with a Branch Presidency meeting! Our magyarol is still very limited and we have to have the Elders translate everything! We are learning the ins and outs of grocery shopping and driving on tiny streets. I finally learned how to work the gas stove and electic oven, the washing machine is still a mystery! We have met some wonderful people here and we are looking forward to getting to know them better and being of some use here. We love you all and hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Our internet connections are sparce and inconsistant -- Norm can get on but I can not. So I can not down load any pictures just yet. Til next time -- love Elder and Sister Rollingson!

Tim Ruggles, our intrepid tutor of Hungarian

Senior Missionaries MTC Dec 11, 2009

We are hoping there is not this much snow in Pesc, Hungary! This was taken the morning we left the Meadow -- Norm was goofing off but it is a fun shot!

We have just completed day 4 of our stay in the MTC and we have learned so much! We have met so many great people both young and old!
love to all!

We have just completed our first full day in the MTC! We have practiced giving an over view of the Restoration of the Gospel. We even had a visitor in our apt to practice with. We have enjoyed meeting the other senior missionaries and mingling with the young ones. we are learning so much and enjoying it all even if we are exhausted!

Had early Christmas with the Lyons family ,Tam and Celeste. We had a lovely time eating great food and Christmas treats as the girls decorated the tree! We watched the Christmas Devotional and loved that. Tam helped get us started on this blog. We are so grateful to Mandy for getting this all `set up for us. This going to be wonderful to communicate with everyone! Love you all!!

Heading out to the MTC in the morning!