Hallo Lievers. :)
Long time, no talk. Haha it was SO good to talk to everyone on Christmas. Really, it was the best present ever (though I did love everything you sent). I was so happy that we were able to talk with everyone. I wish that we would've had more time so that I could hear more about how you all are doing.
I was thinking about my birthday and really, the only thing that I can think of that I would want would be a nice letter from each of you. I know that I don't always have time to write back personally but I want to get better at that and I would really like to hear how everyone is doing and to hear your testimonies and stuff. You all are a big strength to me and I love you a lot!
Julia, Happy almost birthday! I sent a card to you today but I had to send it to the Kentucky address because I couldn't find yours. Please give Rhett a kiss and hug for me and tell him to feel better! Lots of people here are sick too, it's just not a good time of the year.
As far as housing goes, I would love to live in Condo Row but I'm not sure who with. If you could get a hold of my friends -- I have no idea who is still going to be at BYU -- and ask them? I have also been talking with some girls here and need to kind of see how that is going to work. Sorry, I promise I'll get more info and get back to you next week.
Also, for my birthday, Zuster Fritz did this, but if you could put a notice on my Facebook that people could write something on my wall or send a message or something then you all can send it on to me. That would be nice.
And then the coat. So I've been looking and looking and just can't find anything warm enough here. I'm sure they have stuff but time on P-day just goes by so fast. So I actually think it might be a good idea for you to buy one and send it. I'm sorry, I know that's probably annoying! Because the mission dress code has changed I was actually thinking it would be nice to get a coat with color. People always think we're nuns because we wear so much black -- haha. I thought a nice lighter/sky blue color could be nice or a purple coat. Or a gray one if they don't have any nice colored ones. And then just nice looking. Professional, well fit. I would guess to get a size 8. Ok so done with all that stuff. Thank you for taking care of things all the time!
Yesterday was Tweede Kerstdag and it was a lot of fun. We went to church, and Vili, one of the investigators I told you about was able to come. No crazy disruptions this time too which was good. After church we went to the Bishop’s house for lunch. I love Bishop De Jonge! It was great to go and get to know his family a little better. They have 3 adorable children and Zuster Kremer and I really encouraged their daughters to go on missions. Too bad they are 5 and 8 years old -- haha. But hey it's never too early to start preparing. We played the Dutch version of Gestures which was a lot of fun and we all got to light candles and bear our testimonies of the Saviour. After that we went to Lucky's house and had dinner... mental note-never make more than one eating appointment on holidays... so so much food. Overall it was a wonderful Christmas.
We met some of the most amazing people the past few days and I'm excited to begin a new year. Because Amsterdam is so insane President has asked us to be in our apartments by 4:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. I hear from other missionaries that it gets pretty crazy around here. I'm sure there will be good stories to follow.
I feel like I actually don't have a lot to write about considering we just spoke. But know that I love you all. I appreciate so much everything that you all do for me. The letters, the emails, the prayers, they all make such a difference. I feel like such a blessed missionary to have such a wonderful family behind me. Please send my love to everyone! Oh and I got the Christmas card from the ward. Let them know that I love them and still pray for the Beaumont Ward. So many people there have touched my life in so many ways, I owe a lot to them. Also tell the extended family I love them and have been thinking of them this Christmas season.
Happy New Year everyone! Crazy, but the next email will be sent in 2011! What a blessed year it has been. :) Tot volgenda jaar!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Pre-Christmas
Dear Family!
Merry almost Christmas! It's crazy to think that by the time I write my next email we will have already spoken.
So it's been quite the week. Actually, being honest, kind of a hard one. We got dropped by our 2 investigators progressing to baptism. And that was hard. This past week was transfers, I'm staying in Amsterdam with Zuster Kremer which is such a blessing. Zuster Fritz went home which was weird, and also Zuster Pierson had to go home this past week. That was the hardest thing. She's been suffering some pretty serious health issues for awhile now and they sent her home to get them fixed. Please pray for her, I know this is almost killing her more than the health issues. Also please pray for Zuster Fritz. Her bag was stolen at the Brussels train station and it was the bag that had her wallet, passport, camera, and every single mission and study journal she had ever written. Oh it just breaks my heart to write that. I know that happened to you Mom. Maybe you can call her? If you look her up on Facebook it's Jillian Fritz. I know she would love to hear from you. So yes, that's kind of the difficult things of this past week. But the wonderful thing is, looking back it has been more of a week of joy than anything. I have seen so many miracles and really felt a confirmation of the Lord's love for me and his approval of my mission and the work I am doing.
Zuster Kremer is also struggling with her health, but even that is bringing blessings. On Wednesday we were out and we stopped in a pharmacy because she had to buy medicine. I was just looking around while she was buying stuff and all of a sudden one of the workers stopped me. She asked about my name tag and said she had seen other people with it before but had never talked with them. I was able to talk with her for about 15 minutes about the Church and being a missionary -- it was great! I gave her a card our mission uses on prophets and she was really interested. She wouldn't give me her number and didn't want to make an appointment because she said she was so busy, but I really felt the Spirit when I talked to her. So we left. The next day we were getting ready to go to an appointment but our investigator called off just before. So we were getting ready to go off somewhere else but before we left we got a phone call... and it was the woman from the pharmacy! She said she had been really thinking about what I said and wanted to learn more. She asked if we could come over right then, and as it turns out we happened to be in the area where she lived already. And because our other appointment had cancelled we could. Haha geen toeval! We went over and had a beautiful first lesson with her. Her name is Afsaneh. She's from Iran but has lived here since she was 17. She doesn't believe in God yet, but is very open to learning. She is praying about the Book of Mormon and invited us back. It was such a miracle. She's totally going to get baptized. :)
Funny moments of the week have all come because of the horrible snow. Tjonge jonge we have soo much snow! They actually cancelled church yesterday because it is too dangerous to go out. Many lessons have been learned. One -- no matter what you might think, don't try and go out with your bike, you'll either fall, which I did MANY times, or you'll just end up having to push it. We've basically been walking everywhere. It's great fun. Zuster Kremer and I have also been working on the "what to do if one of us falls in a canal plan." Haha which is quite funny (and won't actually happen; don't worry).
I'm excited to talk to you all. I love you so very much. I am so grateful for this time of year to reflect on the life and birth of the Saviour. I am so so grateful for Jesus Christ. I know He lives! I love the message of the restoration. I love studying the scriptures and coming to know my Saviour more. I love being a missionary this time of year. Wat ben ik blij! Ik hou van jullie.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Merry almost Christmas! It's crazy to think that by the time I write my next email we will have already spoken.
So it's been quite the week. Actually, being honest, kind of a hard one. We got dropped by our 2 investigators progressing to baptism. And that was hard. This past week was transfers, I'm staying in Amsterdam with Zuster Kremer which is such a blessing. Zuster Fritz went home which was weird, and also Zuster Pierson had to go home this past week. That was the hardest thing. She's been suffering some pretty serious health issues for awhile now and they sent her home to get them fixed. Please pray for her, I know this is almost killing her more than the health issues. Also please pray for Zuster Fritz. Her bag was stolen at the Brussels train station and it was the bag that had her wallet, passport, camera, and every single mission and study journal she had ever written. Oh it just breaks my heart to write that. I know that happened to you Mom. Maybe you can call her? If you look her up on Facebook it's Jillian Fritz. I know she would love to hear from you. So yes, that's kind of the difficult things of this past week. But the wonderful thing is, looking back it has been more of a week of joy than anything. I have seen so many miracles and really felt a confirmation of the Lord's love for me and his approval of my mission and the work I am doing.
Zuster Kremer is also struggling with her health, but even that is bringing blessings. On Wednesday we were out and we stopped in a pharmacy because she had to buy medicine. I was just looking around while she was buying stuff and all of a sudden one of the workers stopped me. She asked about my name tag and said she had seen other people with it before but had never talked with them. I was able to talk with her for about 15 minutes about the Church and being a missionary -- it was great! I gave her a card our mission uses on prophets and she was really interested. She wouldn't give me her number and didn't want to make an appointment because she said she was so busy, but I really felt the Spirit when I talked to her. So we left. The next day we were getting ready to go to an appointment but our investigator called off just before. So we were getting ready to go off somewhere else but before we left we got a phone call... and it was the woman from the pharmacy! She said she had been really thinking about what I said and wanted to learn more. She asked if we could come over right then, and as it turns out we happened to be in the area where she lived already. And because our other appointment had cancelled we could. Haha geen toeval! We went over and had a beautiful first lesson with her. Her name is Afsaneh. She's from Iran but has lived here since she was 17. She doesn't believe in God yet, but is very open to learning. She is praying about the Book of Mormon and invited us back. It was such a miracle. She's totally going to get baptized. :)
Funny moments of the week have all come because of the horrible snow. Tjonge jonge we have soo much snow! They actually cancelled church yesterday because it is too dangerous to go out. Many lessons have been learned. One -- no matter what you might think, don't try and go out with your bike, you'll either fall, which I did MANY times, or you'll just end up having to push it. We've basically been walking everywhere. It's great fun. Zuster Kremer and I have also been working on the "what to do if one of us falls in a canal plan." Haha which is quite funny (and won't actually happen; don't worry).
I'm excited to talk to you all. I love you so very much. I am so grateful for this time of year to reflect on the life and birth of the Saviour. I am so so grateful for Jesus Christ. I know He lives! I love the message of the restoration. I love studying the scriptures and coming to know my Saviour more. I love being a missionary this time of year. Wat ben ik blij! Ik hou van jullie.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Christmas Is Coming!
Hello Family!
So good news just so you all stop worrying -- my intestine is fine. I've been taking the medicine and the pain is going down. I know that you all have been praying for me too and I believe that helps better than the medicine. So thanks. Poor Zuster Kremer was sick this week though! Dang it, Satan. It's ok though she's feeling better, I'm feeling better, and we are ready to get back to full speed. The weather has even warmed up a little bit. Though actually, just looking out the window again, I see it's snowing. Oh well, at least it's pretty. ...
William, congrats on Pageant and Youth Salute! I thought about you this morning and got a really good feeling. You're awesome. Good luck to all the BYU students with finals. Haha I remember that last year. Mom, I'm glad you have another year of Seminary behind. You're a great teacher. Daddy, thank you for your sweet testimony. Oh and tell Uncle Bruce I love him!
I bought cute Christmas cards today that I'll be sending, but I don't think that people will get them before the holiday. The mail people here are actually on strike right now. Oh, but I did get the Christmas package! Thank you so much! I have bought things for you all, but I want so badly to give them to you in person, so I think you might just have to wait a while -- haha.
So the miracles and great moments of this week. AHH LAME!!! -- guess what just happened?? THE INTERNET CRASHED AND I LOST MY EMAIL. :( And now I don't have time to write. Oh goodness, I'm sorry.
Ok so miracles. I know Neal Oddens who served his mission with Julia. It was so funny. He lives in Den Haag but his family lives here in Amsterdam and he was there at dinner last night. He told me there was a Sister Holbein in his mission, and I said that's funny because you served in the same one as my sister. And then we both just looked at each other and said ...hey...cool! So yeah, he's awesome and that was really funny.
Unique's baptism on Saturday was incredible. Oh my goodness I am so happy for her. I got a lot of great pictures I'll send them home with my Christmas card.
Yesterday we went singing at old peoples’ homes with the ward and really touched a lot of people. Tuesday we had the zone Christmas concert. I played my flute and sang. It was a special night. And... yeah, I wish I had more time now, but we have to get to the church. I love you all though!
Enjoy the Christmas season. Be the angels the world needs right now. Spread the joy. Nooit opgeven jonges. Houd van jullie.
Liefs-
Zuster Holbein
So good news just so you all stop worrying -- my intestine is fine. I've been taking the medicine and the pain is going down. I know that you all have been praying for me too and I believe that helps better than the medicine. So thanks. Poor Zuster Kremer was sick this week though! Dang it, Satan. It's ok though she's feeling better, I'm feeling better, and we are ready to get back to full speed. The weather has even warmed up a little bit. Though actually, just looking out the window again, I see it's snowing. Oh well, at least it's pretty. ...
William, congrats on Pageant and Youth Salute! I thought about you this morning and got a really good feeling. You're awesome. Good luck to all the BYU students with finals. Haha I remember that last year. Mom, I'm glad you have another year of Seminary behind. You're a great teacher. Daddy, thank you for your sweet testimony. Oh and tell Uncle Bruce I love him!
I bought cute Christmas cards today that I'll be sending, but I don't think that people will get them before the holiday. The mail people here are actually on strike right now. Oh, but I did get the Christmas package! Thank you so much! I have bought things for you all, but I want so badly to give them to you in person, so I think you might just have to wait a while -- haha.
So the miracles and great moments of this week. AHH LAME!!! -- guess what just happened?? THE INTERNET CRASHED AND I LOST MY EMAIL. :( And now I don't have time to write. Oh goodness, I'm sorry.
Ok so miracles. I know Neal Oddens who served his mission with Julia. It was so funny. He lives in Den Haag but his family lives here in Amsterdam and he was there at dinner last night. He told me there was a Sister Holbein in his mission, and I said that's funny because you served in the same one as my sister. And then we both just looked at each other and said ...hey...cool! So yeah, he's awesome and that was really funny.
Unique's baptism on Saturday was incredible. Oh my goodness I am so happy for her. I got a lot of great pictures I'll send them home with my Christmas card.
Yesterday we went singing at old peoples’ homes with the ward and really touched a lot of people. Tuesday we had the zone Christmas concert. I played my flute and sang. It was a special night. And... yeah, I wish I had more time now, but we have to get to the church. I love you all though!
Enjoy the Christmas season. Be the angels the world needs right now. Spread the joy. Nooit opgeven jonges. Houd van jullie.
Liefs-
Zuster Holbein
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Juich, wereld, Juich
Goededag lievers. :)
Thank you for your wonderful emails this week! I love your spirit and beautiful testimonies. It means a lot to me to know that I have your love and support. I'm excited to talk to you all too! Unfortunately I can only make one phone call on Christmas but I would LOVE to be able to talk to everyone so I think a 3-way call would be wonderful if that's possible. I am excited to hear your voices. Oh and I can only talk for 30 minutes as far as I know. I'm not sure on times or the number yet but I will get that to you next week.
Snow in KY, eh? It's been snowing all week here. Yesterday it rained though and now everything is iced over. GEVARLIJK. And as a bit of sad-ish news, I've been really sick all week. So Mom, I know the feeling. I woke up Tuesday night at 3 in the morning with terrible pain in my stomach and lower back; I couldn't walk. That pain stayed through the whole week. Thank goodness I am surrounded by so many amazing people; I had a lot of help. Because I'm stubborn I wouldn't go to the doctor... yeah, I know, stupid me. But I tried a lot of other things first. Zuster Pancratz the senior sister here thought that it was some kind of kidney infection. I had a fever the first few days. It was so so so so frustrating. I do not like being sick as a missionary. I don't like to stop and I can't just lay around; that drives me crazy. It was not a fun time. But we did our best to keep the work going. I went out as much as I could and a lot of members helped by going out with Zuster Kremer. We were still able to keep teaching and we got 5 new amazing investigators. And, yes, I went to the doctor this morning because people started threatening to kidnap me if I didn't go. Long story short, the doctor said I have a very swollen intestine and he gave me some pills. So no worries! It's going to all be better by tomorrow I know it.
But besides that it's been a great week. I can't believe I left this out of my email last week, but I got to go to the temple again this past Saturday. Luckiest missionary in the world, I know. Marijke Zen is a wonderful older woman here in the ward; she was baptized and taught by Zuster Fritz a year ago, and she went through the temple! I got to go as well as Zuster Fritz because I have been helping her prepare and she asked me to come. Oh it was glorious. Almost the whole Amsterdam ward came. And, get this, best thing ever -- we show up to the temple late, we had to drive through a big snow storm, and when we walk in a group was coming out of the baptismal font, and guess who it was... all of the young adults from ANTWERPEN. And guess who was there? Heidi and Andy! Ahhh two of my favorite converts ever. It warmed my heart more than I can describe to see them both in the temple. I really had this duh moment of yeah, the temple is really the goal we work for. It's not just baptism; we're going for higher covenants here. It was such a beautiful day. After the session Marijke was able to be sealed to her husband. I had never seen a sealing before but I have to say it was the best part of the day. It made me cry to see Marijke there so so happy. When it was over she jumped up and said "Ik heb mijn man weer terug!" (I have my man back again!) Oh it was WONDERFUL. I was glad I was able to feel well enough to go. Miracle of the week.
And the random funny moment of the week. Yesterday in church in the investigators class the lesson was on the law of chastity. Haha my favorite. And of course this happens to be the day that we had this younger 24 year old guy who we met on the metro show up to church. So we're sitting here in the lesson and our ward mission leader Br Zonneveld was supposed to give the lesson. He gets up and says, “Alright so this is the lesson, law of chastity..." and all these random things. And then he turns to me and says, "Well, Zuster Holbein I think you could explain it better, what do you say?" And I got to explain it all... thanks Br Zonneveld. It was fine, it just made me laugh more than anything.
Oh other miracle, remember Unique? She's getting baptized on Saturday and I get to go! I am SO happy for her! I'll try and send pictures.
Well I love you all. Stay warm! I'll email you next week about the phone call. You're wonderful! I appreciate so much all you do. Tomorrow is the mission Christmas concert in Leiden. I'm playing my flute. Pray it goes well and that I feel better!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Thank you for your wonderful emails this week! I love your spirit and beautiful testimonies. It means a lot to me to know that I have your love and support. I'm excited to talk to you all too! Unfortunately I can only make one phone call on Christmas but I would LOVE to be able to talk to everyone so I think a 3-way call would be wonderful if that's possible. I am excited to hear your voices. Oh and I can only talk for 30 minutes as far as I know. I'm not sure on times or the number yet but I will get that to you next week.
Snow in KY, eh? It's been snowing all week here. Yesterday it rained though and now everything is iced over. GEVARLIJK. And as a bit of sad-ish news, I've been really sick all week. So Mom, I know the feeling. I woke up Tuesday night at 3 in the morning with terrible pain in my stomach and lower back; I couldn't walk. That pain stayed through the whole week. Thank goodness I am surrounded by so many amazing people; I had a lot of help. Because I'm stubborn I wouldn't go to the doctor... yeah, I know, stupid me. But I tried a lot of other things first. Zuster Pancratz the senior sister here thought that it was some kind of kidney infection. I had a fever the first few days. It was so so so so frustrating. I do not like being sick as a missionary. I don't like to stop and I can't just lay around; that drives me crazy. It was not a fun time. But we did our best to keep the work going. I went out as much as I could and a lot of members helped by going out with Zuster Kremer. We were still able to keep teaching and we got 5 new amazing investigators. And, yes, I went to the doctor this morning because people started threatening to kidnap me if I didn't go. Long story short, the doctor said I have a very swollen intestine and he gave me some pills. So no worries! It's going to all be better by tomorrow I know it.
But besides that it's been a great week. I can't believe I left this out of my email last week, but I got to go to the temple again this past Saturday. Luckiest missionary in the world, I know. Marijke Zen is a wonderful older woman here in the ward; she was baptized and taught by Zuster Fritz a year ago, and she went through the temple! I got to go as well as Zuster Fritz because I have been helping her prepare and she asked me to come. Oh it was glorious. Almost the whole Amsterdam ward came. And, get this, best thing ever -- we show up to the temple late, we had to drive through a big snow storm, and when we walk in a group was coming out of the baptismal font, and guess who it was... all of the young adults from ANTWERPEN. And guess who was there? Heidi and Andy! Ahhh two of my favorite converts ever. It warmed my heart more than I can describe to see them both in the temple. I really had this duh moment of yeah, the temple is really the goal we work for. It's not just baptism; we're going for higher covenants here. It was such a beautiful day. After the session Marijke was able to be sealed to her husband. I had never seen a sealing before but I have to say it was the best part of the day. It made me cry to see Marijke there so so happy. When it was over she jumped up and said "Ik heb mijn man weer terug!" (I have my man back again!) Oh it was WONDERFUL. I was glad I was able to feel well enough to go. Miracle of the week.
And the random funny moment of the week. Yesterday in church in the investigators class the lesson was on the law of chastity. Haha my favorite. And of course this happens to be the day that we had this younger 24 year old guy who we met on the metro show up to church. So we're sitting here in the lesson and our ward mission leader Br Zonneveld was supposed to give the lesson. He gets up and says, “Alright so this is the lesson, law of chastity..." and all these random things. And then he turns to me and says, "Well, Zuster Holbein I think you could explain it better, what do you say?" And I got to explain it all... thanks Br Zonneveld. It was fine, it just made me laugh more than anything.
Oh other miracle, remember Unique? She's getting baptized on Saturday and I get to go! I am SO happy for her! I'll try and send pictures.
Well I love you all. Stay warm! I'll email you next week about the phone call. You're wonderful! I appreciate so much all you do. Tomorrow is the mission Christmas concert in Leiden. I'm playing my flute. Pray it goes well and that I feel better!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
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