No Longer the New Kids on the Block and Housing Update

Sunday after church we went to the house of ward members for dinner with the Elders.  It was nice to feel so welcomed by Barnabas and Zsuzsanna Kaáli.  We had a very good traditional dinner of pig broth soup and noodles (tasted pretty much like chicken ramen), Rakott Kelkáposzta, and then Gesztenypüré or chestnut puree for dessert. Everything was very good and it was relatively easy to communicate between their limited English and our even more limited Hungarian.  We were very grateful to have the missionaries there also who offered much needed translation several times. 

     

Hungarian Layered 

Savoy Cabbage Casserole 

Rakott Kelkáposzta

Gesztenypüré or chestnut puree

It's hard to believe that we have been in Hungary for 4 Sundays already.  One Sunday in Budapest and 3 Sundays in Miskolc.  We are no longer the new kids on the block.  Not only did Elder Ribar go home last week, but we found out on Sunday that our two Elders that have been a tremendous help to us were leaving the next day.  It was as much a surprise to them as it was to us.  We will miss them. They have helped us greatly as we adjusted to Miskolc, the city, the ward, and getting our residency permits, etc.    They also went with us to several houses/apartments and translated for us.

Train Station in Miskolc

Last night we picked up two new missionaries at the train station.  Elder Jones and Allred, have only been in Hungary for 3 months each so they are not only new to Miskolc, but new to Hungary.  We met them at the train station, loaded their bags in our car. They took the villamos  to their apartment where we met them to help them get their bags up to the new apartment. We have a very small car so they did not fit into the car with their bags.  

We then took them to dinner at the same place, Bitany Joe's Hamburgers, that the previous Elders took us just a few short weeks ago on our first day in Miskolc.  It seemed really strange that now we were the ones telling them about the ward. They are very enthusiastic and excited to be here.  We look forward to getting to know them and serving with them here. 

under the water heater

Now for an update to our housing situation:

We have spent the last two weeks looking for a new place to live.  We have adjusted to our current house and even decided that we would be fine with staying here except for one problem.  There is a cabinet in the kitchen that is full of black mold. The hot water heater has been leaking for quite some time which has resulted in the mold problem and warping the kitchen countertop.  It seems that water problems seem to follow us.  

hot water heater

in kitchen cabinet

This might not be all that serious, but with our water problems at home and the precautions that were taken to insure that no mold growth started, we are concerned that an already growing community of mold might not be a healthy situation. We are also quite worried about our ability to communicate to the landlord our concerns and getting the situation properly resolved.  Needless to say, we really don't want to be here while they fix this problem.  We've spent enough time recently with the remodeling of our home in Scottsdale.  We don't want to deal with that here.

The Apple House

With all the being said, we found a very nice little home much closer to the church and in a nice neighborhood.  The only problem is that it is not furnished. There was not even a refrigerator and washer, but we asked for an adjustment in the rent or for a refrigerator and washer to be put in and they said they would put in the refrigerator and washer. The kitchen has been newly remodeled.  We will be the first ones to use it.  We call this the apple house because the first time we saw it there were lots of apples in the house that were drying/freezing.  It smelled like apple cider.  The back yard is a small orchard of about 6 apple trees, a couple peach trees and a cherry tree.  There is also a grapevine next to the front door.  Can't wait for spring when everything is green and in bloom.

As soon as we get approval to move in, we will begin the process of moving and starting to look for furniture.  It won't be elegant or expensive - just a few items of necessity.  I can't wait to finally get settled and unpacked.