Dear Family!
I have so much to say! But at the same time... I don't know what to say. I feel like I should say all this really profound stuff... but it really hasn't hit me yet that this is the last email. I don't like to think about things like that. Haha. Well... ahhhhhhhh. How the heck did time go by so quickly?! Can I please just say that I love my life?
This past week has been absolutely amazing. Life in het algemeen is gewoon -- a miracle! So many things have happened. A quick rundown... WE SET A BAPTISMAL DATE WITH MEVROUW IDEMA!!!!! She's getting baptized August 23rd! She's learned everything, and been to church 7 times now; it's just some Word of Wisdom problems that we're still working on overcoming. But oh she is so wonderful. The ward has really taken her in. This past Sunday was it exactly one year since her husband died. And it turned out that in Relief Society the lesson was on eternal marriage. We weren't in the room because we had been asked to give a lesson in Primary on the temple, but after when we came to meet her we saw her sitting crying and Zuster Dullart, one of the amazing members, had her arm around her. It was so touching. It made me feel really good inside to know that even though I'm leaving, there are still people here to take care of her.
Gouda is one of the biggest miracles of my mission. I started in Antwerpen, BIG city, then went to Amsterdam, also super big; and I have to admit I kind of had this, "Small cities are boring I don't ever want to serve in a small city" attitude. Oh how wrong I was. Gouda may be small, we may have a super small ward, but the spirit here is INCREDIBLE. These people have so much faith. You want to talk modern day pioneers, this is it! I love these people with a love that I never knew was possible.
I look forward to the many conversations we can all have in the next few weeks, and I know that everyone always has those, "What did you learn; what was the best?” questions. Let me just name one thing, probably the biggest. President Brubaker always says, "Love is the key." He is 100% right. I have felt more love this past year and a half than I ever knew was possible. I came here to serve these people and to bring them closer to Christ. I knew it would be wonderful, but I never could have expected the love that I would feel. It goes deep into my heart and makes me warm van binnen. It makes me want to jump up and down and dance and cry and just live. That is what love is.
One of my favorite scriptures has been, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." I like to think that I am one of those small and simple things. And if I, small little Zuster Holbein, can love these people with so much love, just imagine how much Heavenly Father loves them. So much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ who in turn had so much love that he laid down his life for us. Amazing, huh? What a wonderful message. We really are all children of a Heavenly Father who loves us more than we can comprehend. And if we do our best, we can learn to feel His love for us and then in turn love Him. That love makes all the difference.
If I had any advice for anyone going on a mission I would say just love. Love the people, the language, your companion, the work, the Lord, and yourself. If you do that, everything will be ok. I feel like I have been allowed to feel just a heel klein beetje van what our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ feel for us. It's amazing.
This work is a work of miracles. I share a miracle every week, but really every second, every minute, is a miracle. The fact that I speak Dutch, that I wasn't hit a million times by a car on my bike, that I didn't freeze to death, or fall into a canal, that people even take the time to listen... MIRACLES.
Finding this past week has been great. We've been asking people, "Wat is het verschil tussen plezier en geluk?" You can't really translate it very well... "What is the difference between pleasure and happiness?" (Only in Dutch saying pleasure doesn't sound creepy like it does in English) It's great! EVERYONE has an answer. I have so many stories to tell, but those can wait. The biggest difference is that geluk lasts. It isn't just temporary. It comes, for me anyway, when I know of God's love for me and can share that with others. I might just be one of the happiest daughters of God. :)
Well... time is up! Am I nervous to come home? Ummm... maybe. But let's say not, because that's having faith. :) I'm nervous to not be able to speak Dutch, haha I think my English is a little messed up. So you all better start learning! Giving a talk in English seems really intimidating to me... weird. But actually no, I feel… I feel blessed. That's a good way to put it. I have learned and I know with all my heart that God is with us wherever we go. He doesn't leave us alone, and His plans for us go on. I feel safe knowing that I can always be in His service. This is the life.
People -- this church is true. This is it. All the truth, all the principles and ordinances, EVERYTHING we need to get back to our Heavenly Father is now here on the earth. Man can't create truth; that comes from God. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did appear to the boy Joseph Smith and the Church has been restored. God is a God of miracles. The tender mercies of the Lord surround us. The healing power of the atonement is real. The Church is a big hospital. We're here to help each other; that's what our baptismal covenant is all about.
I've done my very best to love and serve, and I have felt the blessing of the Lord help me to make more of myself than I ever knew was possible. I love what the Lord can do with me. “Ïk vermag alle dingen in hem die mij kracht geeft." How is that in English... “Ï can do all things through Christ which strengthens me(?)" It's true. It really all is true. Not only true... IT WORKS. Let's spread the word.
I love you all, I love my Savior and Heavenly Father, and I love these people. Hurrah for Israel!!
Tot ziens (gasp) lievers.
Al mijn liefde,
Zuster Jane Margaret Holbein :)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Miracles Again and Again
Dear Family!!
It's been such an incredible week! I cannot even begin to describe the miracles we've seen and the happiness I feel. Really -- words never do things justice. I wish I could just put all of my feelings and love in a big box and then just open it whenever I wanted to tell people about it so they can feel it too.
Ok goodness, where do I begin? I hope you all are sitting down because it was a good week. :) I'll have to go quickly because I don't have much time. Story of my life.
So Monday night we met Neda at the church just to go over the baptismal interview questions. We met her at 8:00, and we didn't get home till almost 10:00! Haha -- and we live across the street from the church. She is such a doll though, and it was one of the most spiritual experiences ever. We talked about everything and she was so ready. She knew all the answers, and kept saying things that would make me think, “Wait... did we teach her that? Oh wait that's right Zuster Holbein, it's really not about you. The SPIRIT teaches.” I love it. At the end we sang “Lead Kindly Light” for her and she got all filled up and said that the gospel is the best thing she's ever found, and how happy she is. :) :)
Tuesday was great; she totally passed her interview and it ended up being a total miracle. President Brubaker had to come interview her. And President, while he does really well, doesn't speak Dutch. And as far as we knew Neda doesn't speak English besides, “Hello, How are you?” those sorts of things. Then the amazing happened. Neda was able to understand and say everything in English. What the heck? AMAZING. :) When she came out after she was like, “I have no idea how that happened! I don't speak that good English! It's a miracle.” It was, of course, the gift of tongues miracle. Love it. So that was awesome.
Friday we went out exchanges and I got to go with Zuster Reber -- so fun! She was in the MTC with me so we've never been able to work together. We had such a great day. We first went to have an appointment with Broer Sjef, the 62 year old recent convert. It was so funny; we biked over there and as soon as we got there it started pouring rain! I looked at Sjef and said, “Oh my gosh Sjef, it's because Noah's Ark left Gouda today.” His mouth dropped open and he said, “We didn't listen!!!” Haha. I found it hilarious.
Anyway, after that we went and did a consecrated hour of finding in the Centrum. I love finding. Love it. Zuster Reber and I were like -- this is it, let's go all out, we're going to boldly, fearlessly approach these people with our testimonies. And so we did. And... WE FOUND 4 NEW INVESTIGATORS. :) Please take a moment of silence for that miracle. For the record, that doesn't happen very often. In one hour anyway. It was such an amazing blessing. It was like everyone we were talking to was interested.
And now we come to Saturday -- Neda's baptism. Neda had told us that she wanted to bear her testimony at the service, and she wanted us to come over early to help her write it. Saturday morning we went over, and it was so beautiful. Neda really believes, more than anyone I think I've ever met, that God is a God of miracles. She wrote down how the biggest miracle in her life has been finding the true Church. She wrote that her whole life she has asked herself, “What's my purpose? Why am I here?” And then she got all filled up and said, “And now I know why I am here; I am a daughter of God.” It made me cry to hear that. I did a study awhile ago about the important things we need to know. One of the fundamental things I feel it is important to know is that we are children of God. Knowing that makes all the difference.
After being with her, we ran all over Rotterdam and Gouda getting things ready -- appointments, etc. Then the baptism was in the evening. Neda brought so many people! (about 8 I think). A lot of her family came too which is a big deal because they are Muslim. We also had great support from the ward and other missionaries and investigators. It was such a Spirit-filled evening. How do I describe it? Love. So much love. More than I knew was possible. Afterward everyone stayed and talked and we got to contact so many non-members. I was talking to Ieda, one of Neda's friends who came, and she said that during the whole service she felt like there was a big warm blanket wrapped around her. The Spirit! And now she wants to learn more! :) :) Sunday was also great; Neda was given the gift of Holy Ghost, and her Mom and another friend came too.
I feel so much love for these people. This week is going to be so hard saying goodbye! Everyone keeps saying... “But you're coming back... right?" Ahhh… I WOULD LOVE TO. Anyway, I really have been taking your advice Mom to just conquer each day. And thinking the future is as bright as my faith. I believe more than anything that God is aware of everyone, and I can't forget that means me too. So no fears, right? Oh I wish I had more time or more words to help you all understand, but just know that I am 100% in love with... everything. Haha, the gospel, my testimony, the people, my Savior, my Heavenly Father. Life is rich, chocked full of blessings.
I pray for you all and love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Oh and p.s. Today was an awesome day! We went to Kinderdijk and got to go to a Delft factory and yeah... you all will see soon how that went.
If you've got a smile and share the gospel, things work out. :)
It's been such an incredible week! I cannot even begin to describe the miracles we've seen and the happiness I feel. Really -- words never do things justice. I wish I could just put all of my feelings and love in a big box and then just open it whenever I wanted to tell people about it so they can feel it too.
Ok goodness, where do I begin? I hope you all are sitting down because it was a good week. :) I'll have to go quickly because I don't have much time. Story of my life.
So Monday night we met Neda at the church just to go over the baptismal interview questions. We met her at 8:00, and we didn't get home till almost 10:00! Haha -- and we live across the street from the church. She is such a doll though, and it was one of the most spiritual experiences ever. We talked about everything and she was so ready. She knew all the answers, and kept saying things that would make me think, “Wait... did we teach her that? Oh wait that's right Zuster Holbein, it's really not about you. The SPIRIT teaches.” I love it. At the end we sang “Lead Kindly Light” for her and she got all filled up and said that the gospel is the best thing she's ever found, and how happy she is. :) :)
Tuesday was great; she totally passed her interview and it ended up being a total miracle. President Brubaker had to come interview her. And President, while he does really well, doesn't speak Dutch. And as far as we knew Neda doesn't speak English besides, “Hello, How are you?” those sorts of things. Then the amazing happened. Neda was able to understand and say everything in English. What the heck? AMAZING. :) When she came out after she was like, “I have no idea how that happened! I don't speak that good English! It's a miracle.” It was, of course, the gift of tongues miracle. Love it. So that was awesome.
Friday we went out exchanges and I got to go with Zuster Reber -- so fun! She was in the MTC with me so we've never been able to work together. We had such a great day. We first went to have an appointment with Broer Sjef, the 62 year old recent convert. It was so funny; we biked over there and as soon as we got there it started pouring rain! I looked at Sjef and said, “Oh my gosh Sjef, it's because Noah's Ark left Gouda today.” His mouth dropped open and he said, “We didn't listen!!!” Haha. I found it hilarious.
Anyway, after that we went and did a consecrated hour of finding in the Centrum. I love finding. Love it. Zuster Reber and I were like -- this is it, let's go all out, we're going to boldly, fearlessly approach these people with our testimonies. And so we did. And... WE FOUND 4 NEW INVESTIGATORS. :) Please take a moment of silence for that miracle. For the record, that doesn't happen very often. In one hour anyway. It was such an amazing blessing. It was like everyone we were talking to was interested.
And now we come to Saturday -- Neda's baptism. Neda had told us that she wanted to bear her testimony at the service, and she wanted us to come over early to help her write it. Saturday morning we went over, and it was so beautiful. Neda really believes, more than anyone I think I've ever met, that God is a God of miracles. She wrote down how the biggest miracle in her life has been finding the true Church. She wrote that her whole life she has asked herself, “What's my purpose? Why am I here?” And then she got all filled up and said, “And now I know why I am here; I am a daughter of God.” It made me cry to hear that. I did a study awhile ago about the important things we need to know. One of the fundamental things I feel it is important to know is that we are children of God. Knowing that makes all the difference.
After being with her, we ran all over Rotterdam and Gouda getting things ready -- appointments, etc. Then the baptism was in the evening. Neda brought so many people! (about 8 I think). A lot of her family came too which is a big deal because they are Muslim. We also had great support from the ward and other missionaries and investigators. It was such a Spirit-filled evening. How do I describe it? Love. So much love. More than I knew was possible. Afterward everyone stayed and talked and we got to contact so many non-members. I was talking to Ieda, one of Neda's friends who came, and she said that during the whole service she felt like there was a big warm blanket wrapped around her. The Spirit! And now she wants to learn more! :) :) Sunday was also great; Neda was given the gift of Holy Ghost, and her Mom and another friend came too.
I feel so much love for these people. This week is going to be so hard saying goodbye! Everyone keeps saying... “But you're coming back... right?" Ahhh… I WOULD LOVE TO. Anyway, I really have been taking your advice Mom to just conquer each day. And thinking the future is as bright as my faith. I believe more than anything that God is aware of everyone, and I can't forget that means me too. So no fears, right? Oh I wish I had more time or more words to help you all understand, but just know that I am 100% in love with... everything. Haha, the gospel, my testimony, the people, my Savior, my Heavenly Father. Life is rich, chocked full of blessings.
I pray for you all and love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Oh and p.s. Today was an awesome day! We went to Kinderdijk and got to go to a Delft factory and yeah... you all will see soon how that went.
If you've got a smile and share the gospel, things work out. :)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Journeying Along
Dear Family,
Hey hey hey. :) HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Zuster Perry and I are appropriately sporting red, white, and blue but it doesn't make any difference here because those are Holland's colors too.
Greetings from Zoetermeer! We came to spend the day with Zuster Kremer and her companion just because I wanted to see her before... well yeah. Anyway, it's a beautiful city and the temple is here!
Sounds like William is doing great! I'm so happy for him to be able to have that experience. I want to write him today. I am also putting something in the mail for you all so hopefully you will get it soon. I think the mail is weird here; sometimes things send, sometimes they don't.
So things here are great! Absolutely wonderful. It was quite the week full of ups and downs but the ups have been incredible. First things first -- Neda is getting baptized on Saturday! Wahoo!!! She is so wonderful! One of the most amazing people I have ever met, and she is already sharing the gospel with EVERYONE. Her baptism is going to be great; I swear she's invited half of Rotterdam. The ward is totally behind her too which is great. Yesterday in testimony meeting the Bishop announced her baptism, and after that everyone started bearing testimonies about when they joined the Church and how happy they were for her. And then right at the very end Neda jumped up and gave the most beautiful testimony. It was really touching to hear her talk about how she's looked all over and tried so many churches but never felt it until this one. I'm super happy for her. So that's this Saturday and it's going to be great. I'm so happy for her. :)
Mevrouw came to a baptismal service with us in Rotterdam on Friday. It was such a touching experience! Things have been really hard for her this past week, just because it was now almost a year ago that her husband died. But she came and was so touched by the Spirit. We got there early and we were sitting listening to Zuster Perry playing the piano, and we just started talking about how families can be together forever and she asked to see pictures of my family and I showed her and testified about how I know that even though it's been hard to be away from my family I've always known it's ok because we will be together forever, and I want other people to have that. She then asked me, "How long have you been here anyway?" (I tend to not tell people, just because... yeah... I don't want any decisions based on when I might leave). When I told her that I was leaving July 20th she was super surprised and then got really quiet. We didn't talk about it further. Then later we were showing her the baptismal font, and she got really filled up looking at the picture of Alma baptizing in the waters of Mormon. We were just standing there and then she grabbed my hand and said, “I know you really want to be here, but I just still need time. I'm going to do it, I just need time.” And then she hugged me. It was such an emotional moment. I told her it didn't matter; that's not what it's about, and that everything will work out. She said she knew that and she is going to get baptized. I love her. I love her with all my heart. It's amazing the relationships that you develop with people. Everyone I've met on my mission is so special to me. I really, honestly feel like I've been sent here for these people. I need them and they need me. I learn so much from them.
Other news -- this has been the week of biking! We may or may not have had much money this past week... just because reimbursements weren't in yet, so we've been biking everywhere! Oh. My. Goodness. On Wednesday evening we had an appointment in Woerden which takes like 30 minutes in total with the train and bus. So we think... no big deal, we could bike that in an hour. Yeah right. It took us 2 1/2 hours! Bahhhhh LONGEST BIKE RIDE OF MY LIFE. Haha the first hour was great, cool, lekker, but then after that it just got crazy. It shouldn't have taken so long but we ended up getting lost. Any why did we get lost? Haha -- because we were too proud to check the map! Wow that was really a lesson for me. As I was biking back I thought, ok there's got to be some gospel gelijkenis right? Here's what I came up with. Life is like a bike ride. It's crazy and long and tiring, but Heavenly Father has given us a map and things to help us on the way. How frustrating would it be to get to the end of our life and realize we had just been going toward a dead end? Speaking as someone who got to the end of a very long road to find nothing but a cow field and old train tracks -- VERY FRUSTRATING. So why would we do that? Pride, thinking we know better. All that natural man stuff. Here's what I have to say: people -- we just have to follow the map, bike at a good pace, and make sure we don't get caught up in the difficulty so that we miss all the beautiful windmills around us. If we do it, we'll end up exactly where Heavenly Father wants us to be and it'll be worth the effort.
I love you all so much! We're working hard here, keeping going; every day is another day. I love and pray for you all and appreciate your prayers.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Hey hey hey. :) HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! Zuster Perry and I are appropriately sporting red, white, and blue but it doesn't make any difference here because those are Holland's colors too.
Greetings from Zoetermeer! We came to spend the day with Zuster Kremer and her companion just because I wanted to see her before... well yeah. Anyway, it's a beautiful city and the temple is here!
Sounds like William is doing great! I'm so happy for him to be able to have that experience. I want to write him today. I am also putting something in the mail for you all so hopefully you will get it soon. I think the mail is weird here; sometimes things send, sometimes they don't.
So things here are great! Absolutely wonderful. It was quite the week full of ups and downs but the ups have been incredible. First things first -- Neda is getting baptized on Saturday! Wahoo!!! She is so wonderful! One of the most amazing people I have ever met, and she is already sharing the gospel with EVERYONE. Her baptism is going to be great; I swear she's invited half of Rotterdam. The ward is totally behind her too which is great. Yesterday in testimony meeting the Bishop announced her baptism, and after that everyone started bearing testimonies about when they joined the Church and how happy they were for her. And then right at the very end Neda jumped up and gave the most beautiful testimony. It was really touching to hear her talk about how she's looked all over and tried so many churches but never felt it until this one. I'm super happy for her. So that's this Saturday and it's going to be great. I'm so happy for her. :)
Mevrouw came to a baptismal service with us in Rotterdam on Friday. It was such a touching experience! Things have been really hard for her this past week, just because it was now almost a year ago that her husband died. But she came and was so touched by the Spirit. We got there early and we were sitting listening to Zuster Perry playing the piano, and we just started talking about how families can be together forever and she asked to see pictures of my family and I showed her and testified about how I know that even though it's been hard to be away from my family I've always known it's ok because we will be together forever, and I want other people to have that. She then asked me, "How long have you been here anyway?" (I tend to not tell people, just because... yeah... I don't want any decisions based on when I might leave). When I told her that I was leaving July 20th she was super surprised and then got really quiet. We didn't talk about it further. Then later we were showing her the baptismal font, and she got really filled up looking at the picture of Alma baptizing in the waters of Mormon. We were just standing there and then she grabbed my hand and said, “I know you really want to be here, but I just still need time. I'm going to do it, I just need time.” And then she hugged me. It was such an emotional moment. I told her it didn't matter; that's not what it's about, and that everything will work out. She said she knew that and she is going to get baptized. I love her. I love her with all my heart. It's amazing the relationships that you develop with people. Everyone I've met on my mission is so special to me. I really, honestly feel like I've been sent here for these people. I need them and they need me. I learn so much from them.
Other news -- this has been the week of biking! We may or may not have had much money this past week... just because reimbursements weren't in yet, so we've been biking everywhere! Oh. My. Goodness. On Wednesday evening we had an appointment in Woerden which takes like 30 minutes in total with the train and bus. So we think... no big deal, we could bike that in an hour. Yeah right. It took us 2 1/2 hours! Bahhhhh LONGEST BIKE RIDE OF MY LIFE. Haha the first hour was great, cool, lekker, but then after that it just got crazy. It shouldn't have taken so long but we ended up getting lost. Any why did we get lost? Haha -- because we were too proud to check the map! Wow that was really a lesson for me. As I was biking back I thought, ok there's got to be some gospel gelijkenis right? Here's what I came up with. Life is like a bike ride. It's crazy and long and tiring, but Heavenly Father has given us a map and things to help us on the way. How frustrating would it be to get to the end of our life and realize we had just been going toward a dead end? Speaking as someone who got to the end of a very long road to find nothing but a cow field and old train tracks -- VERY FRUSTRATING. So why would we do that? Pride, thinking we know better. All that natural man stuff. Here's what I have to say: people -- we just have to follow the map, bike at a good pace, and make sure we don't get caught up in the difficulty so that we miss all the beautiful windmills around us. If we do it, we'll end up exactly where Heavenly Father wants us to be and it'll be worth the effort.
I love you all so much! We're working hard here, keeping going; every day is another day. I love and pray for you all and appreciate your prayers.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Blijf Maar Geweldig
Dear Family!
Sorry for the no time yesterday. And actually I don´t have much time today either! Haha life is so crazy! It´s awesome, but also a bit exhausting. I feel like my body is breaking down a bit, I´m always so tired. No worries though, I´m sure it´s just the change in the weather here.
Things with everyone are going so well. Here are the updates. I gave a talk in church on Sunday about happiness and it went really well. It was a cool experience for me. I had actually planned on talking about unity and charity, and had written my whole talk. But then on Saturday morning I was reading it, and I just didn´t like it. It didn´t feel right. So I prayed and said, “Heavenly Father, I really don´t have time to write another talk or to come up with something else. But if you want me to speak about something else, can you please let me know and help me?” I prayed and then sat there, and then all at once it was like someone just pushed my brain and all these words starting coming into my head, and scriptures, and I started writing but couldn´t write fast enough to get all the words out of my head. It was so cool! I felt so led by the Spirit, it was awesome. I don´t know if my talk touched anyone specifically, but I know that I was really touched and I learned a lot. I´m so grateful for moments like that.
Things with the investigators are going great! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. Have I told you that before? Neda is still on for baptism on the 9th, and the only thing that will hold that up is a couple of Word of Wisdom problems. She got a blessing on Sunday though, and we are praying for miracles. It´s going to be great, no matter what. Mevrouw Idema is wonderful too. She´s working so hard on the Word of Wisdom and has learned so much! It´s amazing how prayer and the scriptures and the Church can really help people overcome addictions. It is such a testimony to me that there is a higher power that can help us overcome everything.
Well... that´s all the time I have. We´re at district meeting and the elders forgot to get stuff for lunch so we have to go figure that out... you gotta love them. :)
I love you all! Blijf maar geweldig.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Sorry for the no time yesterday. And actually I don´t have much time today either! Haha life is so crazy! It´s awesome, but also a bit exhausting. I feel like my body is breaking down a bit, I´m always so tired. No worries though, I´m sure it´s just the change in the weather here.
Things with everyone are going so well. Here are the updates. I gave a talk in church on Sunday about happiness and it went really well. It was a cool experience for me. I had actually planned on talking about unity and charity, and had written my whole talk. But then on Saturday morning I was reading it, and I just didn´t like it. It didn´t feel right. So I prayed and said, “Heavenly Father, I really don´t have time to write another talk or to come up with something else. But if you want me to speak about something else, can you please let me know and help me?” I prayed and then sat there, and then all at once it was like someone just pushed my brain and all these words starting coming into my head, and scriptures, and I started writing but couldn´t write fast enough to get all the words out of my head. It was so cool! I felt so led by the Spirit, it was awesome. I don´t know if my talk touched anyone specifically, but I know that I was really touched and I learned a lot. I´m so grateful for moments like that.
Things with the investigators are going great! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. Have I told you that before? Neda is still on for baptism on the 9th, and the only thing that will hold that up is a couple of Word of Wisdom problems. She got a blessing on Sunday though, and we are praying for miracles. It´s going to be great, no matter what. Mevrouw Idema is wonderful too. She´s working so hard on the Word of Wisdom and has learned so much! It´s amazing how prayer and the scriptures and the Church can really help people overcome addictions. It is such a testimony to me that there is a higher power that can help us overcome everything.
Well... that´s all the time I have. We´re at district meeting and the elders forgot to get stuff for lunch so we have to go figure that out... you gotta love them. :)
I love you all! Blijf maar geweldig.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Progress!
Dear Family,
It's June 15th and I'm still wearing a shawl. Is that even possible? Haha -- weather is crazy! I got a card from you all saying that KY was in the 90s. The weather here still switches from day to day. Yesterday was beautiful though. :)
Things are going so well! Being honest, the past few days have been kind of rough, but not too bad, and we're seeing so many blessings. Number 1 -- this morning we got a text from Joeri! He’s our old investigator who was supposed to be getting baptized this coming weekend. Anyway, he texted us and said, “So I've been starting to read in the Book of Mormon again, and I just wanted to let you know. I pick one scripture everyday from that jar you gave me. Today I read Mosiah 2:22." Wahoo! That was the BEST text ever. He's not ready to start meeting again, but he is reading and that is a huge step. I know it's going to help him to start progressing again. So that's great.
But I get ahead of myself -- Happy Father's day Daddy! Almost Father's Day. I wish we could call, but I hope that my (somewhat late) card and present make up for it. I love you, and am so happy that you are my Daddy. I brag about you and Mommy all the time. I'm convinced I have the best family. William, you leave Friday? Good luck kid! That's going to be so much fun. Make sure to take lots of pictures and enjoy every minute. What's your address? I would love to write you a letter.
So the other miracles of the week. We had a lesson with Mevrouw Idema on the Word of Wisdom and ... she totally accepted it! 100%. She smokes and drinks coffee, but she's willing to stop and she knows it's a commandment from God. She also came to church again this past Sunday and she was participating in all the classes. She kept raising her hand and volunteering -- so great. We also proposed July 16th as a baptismal date for her and she said she would pray about it. That's one year from the day that her husband died which would mean that 2 years after he died they could be sealed in the temple. I learn more and more every day that baptism really is just the first covenant that we make. The temple keeps us progressing; that's what we're aiming for. I'm praying really hard for her, and if you all could too that would be great. Opposition always comes, so she needs our faith. :)
Neda is also doing really well. Every Sunday she comes to church she brings someone else with her. Unfortunately no one has been interested, but she has such a great opinion about it. She always says, "Hey I just have to offer it, right? Then let them choose." What a good little missionary. We also went over on Saturday and helped her clean out her "junk room." Oh my goodness Mom, you would have died! I don't understand how people can accumulate so much stuff! It was fun though and good to help her.
We have a lot of other good investigators too who are progressing slowly but surely. This past Thursday we had dinner with Ester and Jako, the Dutch couple we met a few weeks ago. It went so well! They are amazing people. They’ve been all over the world doing humanitarian aid things, and they were really impressed with the work our church does. We talked about faith during the whole meal, and then toward the end I pulled out the Book of Mormon to give to them. Jako looked at me and said, "You know that THAT book is the one problem people have with your religion." We said that yes, we knew that. He asked us if we knew why, and we got talking about Revelation supposedly saying there can't be anymore revelation. What was great though was that he wasn't doing it in an attacking way; he really just wanted to know. We explained that God loves all of his children. That he is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and that the Book of Mormon is another testimony of Jesus Christ. We bore testimony of the powerful effect it has in our lives, and then we got to read Moroni 10:32-33 with them. The Spirit was so strong! They totally accepted the copy, and we are going to do an exchange -- you come to my church I come to yours -- in a few weeks. I just loved how open they were.
I really saw the contrast when just a few days later we were let into a house with a lovely family, and when we pulled out the Book of Mormon the husband freaked out and wouldn't let us read from it with them. It broke my heart! People don't know. There is such power in the Book of Mormon, we just have to open our hearts and let it in. I pray for these people.
So in het algemeen everything is going really well. I love it here. And I love Zuster Perry -- she's the best. We have a lot of fun together. She is always willing to talk and listen and help everyone. The Lord has really blessed me with good companions. The Lord has just blessed me all around.
I love you! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY!!! Safe travels William! Work hard, be smart, love yourself, love the people, serve the Lord, and everything will always work out.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
It's June 15th and I'm still wearing a shawl. Is that even possible? Haha -- weather is crazy! I got a card from you all saying that KY was in the 90s. The weather here still switches from day to day. Yesterday was beautiful though. :)
Things are going so well! Being honest, the past few days have been kind of rough, but not too bad, and we're seeing so many blessings. Number 1 -- this morning we got a text from Joeri! He’s our old investigator who was supposed to be getting baptized this coming weekend. Anyway, he texted us and said, “So I've been starting to read in the Book of Mormon again, and I just wanted to let you know. I pick one scripture everyday from that jar you gave me. Today I read Mosiah 2:22." Wahoo! That was the BEST text ever. He's not ready to start meeting again, but he is reading and that is a huge step. I know it's going to help him to start progressing again. So that's great.
But I get ahead of myself -- Happy Father's day Daddy! Almost Father's Day. I wish we could call, but I hope that my (somewhat late) card and present make up for it. I love you, and am so happy that you are my Daddy. I brag about you and Mommy all the time. I'm convinced I have the best family. William, you leave Friday? Good luck kid! That's going to be so much fun. Make sure to take lots of pictures and enjoy every minute. What's your address? I would love to write you a letter.
So the other miracles of the week. We had a lesson with Mevrouw Idema on the Word of Wisdom and ... she totally accepted it! 100%. She smokes and drinks coffee, but she's willing to stop and she knows it's a commandment from God. She also came to church again this past Sunday and she was participating in all the classes. She kept raising her hand and volunteering -- so great. We also proposed July 16th as a baptismal date for her and she said she would pray about it. That's one year from the day that her husband died which would mean that 2 years after he died they could be sealed in the temple. I learn more and more every day that baptism really is just the first covenant that we make. The temple keeps us progressing; that's what we're aiming for. I'm praying really hard for her, and if you all could too that would be great. Opposition always comes, so she needs our faith. :)
Neda is also doing really well. Every Sunday she comes to church she brings someone else with her. Unfortunately no one has been interested, but she has such a great opinion about it. She always says, "Hey I just have to offer it, right? Then let them choose." What a good little missionary. We also went over on Saturday and helped her clean out her "junk room." Oh my goodness Mom, you would have died! I don't understand how people can accumulate so much stuff! It was fun though and good to help her.
We have a lot of other good investigators too who are progressing slowly but surely. This past Thursday we had dinner with Ester and Jako, the Dutch couple we met a few weeks ago. It went so well! They are amazing people. They’ve been all over the world doing humanitarian aid things, and they were really impressed with the work our church does. We talked about faith during the whole meal, and then toward the end I pulled out the Book of Mormon to give to them. Jako looked at me and said, "You know that THAT book is the one problem people have with your religion." We said that yes, we knew that. He asked us if we knew why, and we got talking about Revelation supposedly saying there can't be anymore revelation. What was great though was that he wasn't doing it in an attacking way; he really just wanted to know. We explained that God loves all of his children. That he is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and that the Book of Mormon is another testimony of Jesus Christ. We bore testimony of the powerful effect it has in our lives, and then we got to read Moroni 10:32-33 with them. The Spirit was so strong! They totally accepted the copy, and we are going to do an exchange -- you come to my church I come to yours -- in a few weeks. I just loved how open they were.
I really saw the contrast when just a few days later we were let into a house with a lovely family, and when we pulled out the Book of Mormon the husband freaked out and wouldn't let us read from it with them. It broke my heart! People don't know. There is such power in the Book of Mormon, we just have to open our hearts and let it in. I pray for these people.
So in het algemeen everything is going really well. I love it here. And I love Zuster Perry -- she's the best. We have a lot of fun together. She is always willing to talk and listen and help everyone. The Lord has really blessed me with good companions. The Lord has just blessed me all around.
I love you! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADDY!!! Safe travels William! Work hard, be smart, love yourself, love the people, serve the Lord, and everything will always work out.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, June 6, 2011
Gratitude
Dear Family,
So last night Zuster Perry and I are sitting on the floor after doing our planning, listening to EFY music (something I have come to appreciate more being a missionary I think -- haha), eating frozen grapes, and just chatting waiting for phone calls to hear about transfers, and obnoxiously texting everyone to see if anyone had found out, when all of a sudden it hit me -- this was my last phone call when transfers would have anything to do with me! WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?! Haha -- needless to say I had this “whoa” moment. So the news is the unstoppable Zuster Perry and Zuster Holbein are staying here in Gouda ready to rock another transfer. Yeah! I'm so so happy.
I just have to state, I love my mission. I do. When people ask me: Name? Zuster Holbein. Preferred language? Dutch. What do you do all day? Invite people to come unto Christ, ride my bike around beautiful Gouda, have crazy epic adventures, knock on lots of doors, get yelled at by half the people, work with the most amazing members in the world, go out to a pizza dinner with the recent 62 year old convert Sjef, pretend like we really biked to Italy, teach the most precious of God's children, pray every day that it won't rain, sing hymns while biking, and watch the gospel change people's lives. Do you have the best life ever? YES. :) Really, to Karina, Greg, Lindsay, EVERYONE who may be wondering about a mission -- it's worth it. 100%. Even the hard times.
This week has been awesome. So much happened. Wednesday we went to the Protestant school ... wow. I was nervous; not going to lie. But it went so well. The students actually did pretty well. The only 2 things they missed were 1) Actually Jesus Christ IS the center of our faith, and 2) we don't allow 10 wives. After their presentation we went up and they were like, “Okay, say something.” I was like, “I thought you were going to ask us questions!” So we just both bore our testimonies of how we came to know the gospel was true and what it means for us, and how Jesus Christ is the center of our lives. After that they asked all these questions about how we learned the language, if a mission was required, and why we need the Book of Mormon, oh and if only Mormons go to Heaven. The Spirit was with us, thank goodness. We were able to give pamphlets out to everyone, and presented two of the teachers a Book of Mormon. Yeah! :)
Other cool miracles -- Tuesday we were doing a consecrated hour and it was not going well. I was tired, honestly, it was at the end of the day. Then all of a sudden, this woman starts yelling and waving at us from the street parallel to us. We thought, okay, not weird, people yell at us a lot. But then she started yelling for us to come. We went over and she asked if we were Christian, and she let us come inside and told us that last night she prayed with God to help her find a way to have a better life, and then when she saw us she felt something. Yeah ... amazing! So we taught her a basic first lesson, and made a return appointment for tomorrow night! Wahoo. :)
Oh and Neda set a baptismal date on Wednesday! She's getting baptized July 9th and she is so excited. She is giving away Books of Mormon to everyone she knows. And she's going strong through hard stuff too. Her family who at first was all supportive gave her some anti-info. She called us right away and we went over and discussed it, and she decided by herself to throw it away because it didn't make her feel good inside. Love her.
Mevrouw Idema came to church yesterday for the first time yesterday and loved it! Oh she is so sweet. I want her to get baptized more than anything so that she can go and be sealed to her husband in a year. She's going to do it, I know it. She loved fast and testimony meeting, and asked if she could write something down and then next month say it. She is so sweet. I love the spirit when we teach her. Especially when we talk about eternal families. I've never felt the Spirit so strongly. I just know that Rob is waiting for her on the other side to accept this. I never feel Heaven so near than when I talk with people about eternal families. It's beautiful. After lessons like that I swear my bike feels like it has wings.
Thank you all for being so good to me. I pray for you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me as a missionary. I studied gratitude this morning and I was overwhelmed with everything that God has given me. To quote our African brothers and sisters here, "God is good." Haha -- oh the joys. Love you all!
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
So last night Zuster Perry and I are sitting on the floor after doing our planning, listening to EFY music (something I have come to appreciate more being a missionary I think -- haha), eating frozen grapes, and just chatting waiting for phone calls to hear about transfers, and obnoxiously texting everyone to see if anyone had found out, when all of a sudden it hit me -- this was my last phone call when transfers would have anything to do with me! WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?! Haha -- needless to say I had this “whoa” moment. So the news is the unstoppable Zuster Perry and Zuster Holbein are staying here in Gouda ready to rock another transfer. Yeah! I'm so so happy.
I just have to state, I love my mission. I do. When people ask me: Name? Zuster Holbein. Preferred language? Dutch. What do you do all day? Invite people to come unto Christ, ride my bike around beautiful Gouda, have crazy epic adventures, knock on lots of doors, get yelled at by half the people, work with the most amazing members in the world, go out to a pizza dinner with the recent 62 year old convert Sjef, pretend like we really biked to Italy, teach the most precious of God's children, pray every day that it won't rain, sing hymns while biking, and watch the gospel change people's lives. Do you have the best life ever? YES. :) Really, to Karina, Greg, Lindsay, EVERYONE who may be wondering about a mission -- it's worth it. 100%. Even the hard times.
This week has been awesome. So much happened. Wednesday we went to the Protestant school ... wow. I was nervous; not going to lie. But it went so well. The students actually did pretty well. The only 2 things they missed were 1) Actually Jesus Christ IS the center of our faith, and 2) we don't allow 10 wives. After their presentation we went up and they were like, “Okay, say something.” I was like, “I thought you were going to ask us questions!” So we just both bore our testimonies of how we came to know the gospel was true and what it means for us, and how Jesus Christ is the center of our lives. After that they asked all these questions about how we learned the language, if a mission was required, and why we need the Book of Mormon, oh and if only Mormons go to Heaven. The Spirit was with us, thank goodness. We were able to give pamphlets out to everyone, and presented two of the teachers a Book of Mormon. Yeah! :)
Other cool miracles -- Tuesday we were doing a consecrated hour and it was not going well. I was tired, honestly, it was at the end of the day. Then all of a sudden, this woman starts yelling and waving at us from the street parallel to us. We thought, okay, not weird, people yell at us a lot. But then she started yelling for us to come. We went over and she asked if we were Christian, and she let us come inside and told us that last night she prayed with God to help her find a way to have a better life, and then when she saw us she felt something. Yeah ... amazing! So we taught her a basic first lesson, and made a return appointment for tomorrow night! Wahoo. :)
Oh and Neda set a baptismal date on Wednesday! She's getting baptized July 9th and she is so excited. She is giving away Books of Mormon to everyone she knows. And she's going strong through hard stuff too. Her family who at first was all supportive gave her some anti-info. She called us right away and we went over and discussed it, and she decided by herself to throw it away because it didn't make her feel good inside. Love her.
Mevrouw Idema came to church yesterday for the first time yesterday and loved it! Oh she is so sweet. I want her to get baptized more than anything so that she can go and be sealed to her husband in a year. She's going to do it, I know it. She loved fast and testimony meeting, and asked if she could write something down and then next month say it. She is so sweet. I love the spirit when we teach her. Especially when we talk about eternal families. I've never felt the Spirit so strongly. I just know that Rob is waiting for her on the other side to accept this. I never feel Heaven so near than when I talk with people about eternal families. It's beautiful. After lessons like that I swear my bike feels like it has wings.
Thank you all for being so good to me. I pray for you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting me as a missionary. I studied gratitude this morning and I was overwhelmed with everything that God has given me. To quote our African brothers and sisters here, "God is good." Haha -- oh the joys. Love you all!
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Many Smiles
People I love!
Today is such a beautiful day here in Gouda! This past week has been cold and rainy, so today is the perfect P-day treat. I hope it stays the rest of the week, though people here say it's going to get cold again tomorrow. People here talk about the weather ALL THE TIME. It's such a popular topic of conversation. I feel like in America we do it just if there's nothing else to talk about or if we're trying to change the topic. Here though it's like the most normal thing ever. Great way to start converstations on trains. :)
How are you all doing? William-good luck finishing up school! You can do it! Thank you so much everyone for your cards and emails. They mean a lot to me, and the letters always seem to come just on the right days. This week has been intense! Awesome though, so many things are happening! It's so funny the way things go up and down. The Lord is at the head of this work; it's great.
So with finding we are still struggling a bit. We've been faithful in getting out there and just knocking on doors, talking on the streets, but we're still waiting to see the fruits. That's ok though because the investigators we do have are doing so well! And we keep seeming to find people through other random ways. I feel like if you show the Lord that you're willing to just go out and knock and talk that He blesses you with investigators, even if they'don't come from those hours.
Mevrouw Idema is amazing! She's making such great progress. We had a lesson with her on Wednesday about the gospel and SHE was the one asking all the questions about being baptized and authority and everything. She wants to be baptized, she feels the Spirit so strongly when we come, and when she reads and prays. She just wants to keep learning a bit more before she sets a date. She is great though; I know she's going to act soon. Baptism for the dead and the temple came up, and she was so touched and got all emotional when we told her that her husband who died a year ago could get baptized too, and that they could be sealed together in the temple. We have another lesson with her tonight and the bishop''s wife is coming on joint teach. Have I mentioned that we have the best members here in Gouda? Well we do.:)
Our other miracle investigator of the week is an amazing woman named Neda. She's from Iran but has lived here for 18 years and speaks great Dutch. She was raised Muslim but converted to Christianity 3 years ago. She found us! She's friends with a member, and after talking to her she decided that she wanted to know more about what the Church is all about. We went and had an appointment on Wednesday, and then on Saturday she came with us to a baptismal service in Rotterdam, and then came to church in Gouda on Sunday with her sister! SHE LOVES IT. All of it. She loved the baptismal service and started crying and said she felt so much love when we were singing. Yesterday at church she kept talking about how she wants to tell everyone about the Church and how great it is. She said, “It’s like I've been looking for this forever, but just never knew where to find it.” YES!
In other news, Noah's ark has come to Gouda. Yes, it's gotten that bad here -- we're taking drastic measures. Ha. No but really, it's an imitation Noah's ark and it's big. We're going to go visit it today. Apparently the inside is a Christian book store. And funnily enough, it came last Monday and it's been raining all week.
Oh other big thing that we just found out today -- there is a big, strict Protestant college here in Gouda and one of the religion classes was assigned a research project on our church and they're giving the presentation to everyone this Wednesday night and they want representatives from our church to come and do a Q&A session after. So guess who's going? Zuster Perry, our ward mission leader, the institute teacher, and me. Ahhhhhh! Talk about awesomely intimidating. I'm super excited and yes... maybe a little nervous. But faith and fear don't go together right? It's going to be great! If God be for us who can be against us? I will definitely let you all know how that goes. :)
Well dears, you all are geweldig. I love love love you and pray for you all the time. Never forget, ok? Things here are great. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Oh and give my love to Karina, Lindsay and Greg! Congrats to them all! Missions are the best.
Today is such a beautiful day here in Gouda! This past week has been cold and rainy, so today is the perfect P-day treat. I hope it stays the rest of the week, though people here say it's going to get cold again tomorrow. People here talk about the weather ALL THE TIME. It's such a popular topic of conversation. I feel like in America we do it just if there's nothing else to talk about or if we're trying to change the topic. Here though it's like the most normal thing ever. Great way to start converstations on trains. :)
How are you all doing? William-good luck finishing up school! You can do it! Thank you so much everyone for your cards and emails. They mean a lot to me, and the letters always seem to come just on the right days. This week has been intense! Awesome though, so many things are happening! It's so funny the way things go up and down. The Lord is at the head of this work; it's great.
So with finding we are still struggling a bit. We've been faithful in getting out there and just knocking on doors, talking on the streets, but we're still waiting to see the fruits. That's ok though because the investigators we do have are doing so well! And we keep seeming to find people through other random ways. I feel like if you show the Lord that you're willing to just go out and knock and talk that He blesses you with investigators, even if they'don't come from those hours.
Mevrouw Idema is amazing! She's making such great progress. We had a lesson with her on Wednesday about the gospel and SHE was the one asking all the questions about being baptized and authority and everything. She wants to be baptized, she feels the Spirit so strongly when we come, and when she reads and prays. She just wants to keep learning a bit more before she sets a date. She is great though; I know she's going to act soon. Baptism for the dead and the temple came up, and she was so touched and got all emotional when we told her that her husband who died a year ago could get baptized too, and that they could be sealed together in the temple. We have another lesson with her tonight and the bishop''s wife is coming on joint teach. Have I mentioned that we have the best members here in Gouda? Well we do.:)
Our other miracle investigator of the week is an amazing woman named Neda. She's from Iran but has lived here for 18 years and speaks great Dutch. She was raised Muslim but converted to Christianity 3 years ago. She found us! She's friends with a member, and after talking to her she decided that she wanted to know more about what the Church is all about. We went and had an appointment on Wednesday, and then on Saturday she came with us to a baptismal service in Rotterdam, and then came to church in Gouda on Sunday with her sister! SHE LOVES IT. All of it. She loved the baptismal service and started crying and said she felt so much love when we were singing. Yesterday at church she kept talking about how she wants to tell everyone about the Church and how great it is. She said, “It’s like I've been looking for this forever, but just never knew where to find it.” YES!
In other news, Noah's ark has come to Gouda. Yes, it's gotten that bad here -- we're taking drastic measures. Ha. No but really, it's an imitation Noah's ark and it's big. We're going to go visit it today. Apparently the inside is a Christian book store. And funnily enough, it came last Monday and it's been raining all week.
Oh other big thing that we just found out today -- there is a big, strict Protestant college here in Gouda and one of the religion classes was assigned a research project on our church and they're giving the presentation to everyone this Wednesday night and they want representatives from our church to come and do a Q&A session after. So guess who's going? Zuster Perry, our ward mission leader, the institute teacher, and me. Ahhhhhh! Talk about awesomely intimidating. I'm super excited and yes... maybe a little nervous. But faith and fear don't go together right? It's going to be great! If God be for us who can be against us? I will definitely let you all know how that goes. :)
Well dears, you all are geweldig. I love love love you and pray for you all the time. Never forget, ok? Things here are great. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Oh and give my love to Karina, Lindsay and Greg! Congrats to them all! Missions are the best.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Hurrah!
Dear Family!
Hello. :) I love you all. In case I don't tell you enough. Zuster Perry and I were talking this morning about families and the importance of the gospel in them, and we both are pretty convinced that we have the best families ever. Thanks for all your hard work in raising me with the gospel! Best thing ever. So many people we meet say, “Oh you know, I don't want to force my children to believe, so I just don't say anything and let them take their pick.” Bahhh -- no people, no. There are too many evil influences in the world, they have to get the good from somewhere. It's so important to start teaching children about Heavenly Father right from the beginning. I have no experience, dat weet ik. But I've just seen it so much here. Kids really are so close to the Spirit. We will approach families all the time and even if the parents say no the kids always look back when they are walking away and say things like, "Mommy, who was that? What did they want? Why don't we talk to them?" I seriously think those kids recognize that we come from the Lord! In any case, I'm so grateful for the wonderful way that you have raised me. I hope to be able to do the same.
So this week... SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. Oh goodness it was such a week of ups and downs and everywhere in between. I love it. We always end on a high. So first the sad news -- Joeri dropped us! :( We went on Wednesday, and as soon as we walked in I sensed that something was wrong. He said he just doesn't have time right now, and that he needs to get some other things in order first before he'll have time for God. He said he just needs 2 months or so. No Joeri, it's the other way around. It was really heart-breaking because he's made so much progress, and to see him just stop. He said that we could still contact him every week or so, but that he can't have appointments right now. We testified, prayed, and read from Het Boek van Mormon, and I felt peaceful when we left. He'll come back, I totally believe it. Everyone has their time.
That was the big disappointment of the week but the Lord blessed us in so many other ways. Mevrouw Idema is another one of our investigators and she is doing so well! She hasn't committed to baptism yet; she's had a lot of negative experiences in the past, but she's loving everything we're teaching, and she's praying. Even out loud, something she never used to do. We asked her how it made her feel and she said, "warm van binnen" "warm inside.” She is so so sweet and I am really praying for her.
We also went to go visit Ester, that woman with the flowers from last week, and they invited us to come over for dinner to teach them. What kind of people do that? Awesome ones.
Mom, I really am trying to learn a little bit of Portuguese. We have an investigator from Portugal and she taught us how to sing Happy Birthday! Haha cool. Maybe you could email me your testimony and I could give it to her? That would be awesome!
Funny moments -- my bike is dying. It just needs to hold in there! My right brake popped off completely, so I now have to start braking 60 seconds in advance. And going down hills is fun. Also, the Gouda Ward can NOT sing. It's so great. Yesterday we were singing “I Stand All Amazed,” and it was so off it was hilarious. Brother Hoornweg was sitting in front of me and he turned around to show me a tuner while we were singing and it was going every which way. Haha, I love it. Plus for the most part, the Dutch have this tendency to always pick the hymns that no one knows. So that doesn't help. I love this ward, they are incredible.
Thanks for the cards the letters, the prayers, the faith, the emails and everything. Did you know that you can send free letters straight to the apartment from dearelder.com? I never knew that, but Zuster Perry gets them a lot. Haha just so you know. Just kidding, you all are doing great!
Hurrah for life. I'm happy. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Hello. :) I love you all. In case I don't tell you enough. Zuster Perry and I were talking this morning about families and the importance of the gospel in them, and we both are pretty convinced that we have the best families ever. Thanks for all your hard work in raising me with the gospel! Best thing ever. So many people we meet say, “Oh you know, I don't want to force my children to believe, so I just don't say anything and let them take their pick.” Bahhh -- no people, no. There are too many evil influences in the world, they have to get the good from somewhere. It's so important to start teaching children about Heavenly Father right from the beginning. I have no experience, dat weet ik. But I've just seen it so much here. Kids really are so close to the Spirit. We will approach families all the time and even if the parents say no the kids always look back when they are walking away and say things like, "Mommy, who was that? What did they want? Why don't we talk to them?" I seriously think those kids recognize that we come from the Lord! In any case, I'm so grateful for the wonderful way that you have raised me. I hope to be able to do the same.
So this week... SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. Oh goodness it was such a week of ups and downs and everywhere in between. I love it. We always end on a high. So first the sad news -- Joeri dropped us! :( We went on Wednesday, and as soon as we walked in I sensed that something was wrong. He said he just doesn't have time right now, and that he needs to get some other things in order first before he'll have time for God. He said he just needs 2 months or so. No Joeri, it's the other way around. It was really heart-breaking because he's made so much progress, and to see him just stop. He said that we could still contact him every week or so, but that he can't have appointments right now. We testified, prayed, and read from Het Boek van Mormon, and I felt peaceful when we left. He'll come back, I totally believe it. Everyone has their time.
That was the big disappointment of the week but the Lord blessed us in so many other ways. Mevrouw Idema is another one of our investigators and she is doing so well! She hasn't committed to baptism yet; she's had a lot of negative experiences in the past, but she's loving everything we're teaching, and she's praying. Even out loud, something she never used to do. We asked her how it made her feel and she said, "warm van binnen" "warm inside.” She is so so sweet and I am really praying for her.
We also went to go visit Ester, that woman with the flowers from last week, and they invited us to come over for dinner to teach them. What kind of people do that? Awesome ones.
Mom, I really am trying to learn a little bit of Portuguese. We have an investigator from Portugal and she taught us how to sing Happy Birthday! Haha cool. Maybe you could email me your testimony and I could give it to her? That would be awesome!
Funny moments -- my bike is dying. It just needs to hold in there! My right brake popped off completely, so I now have to start braking 60 seconds in advance. And going down hills is fun. Also, the Gouda Ward can NOT sing. It's so great. Yesterday we were singing “I Stand All Amazed,” and it was so off it was hilarious. Brother Hoornweg was sitting in front of me and he turned around to show me a tuner while we were singing and it was going every which way. Haha, I love it. Plus for the most part, the Dutch have this tendency to always pick the hymns that no one knows. So that doesn't help. I love this ward, they are incredible.
Thanks for the cards the letters, the prayers, the faith, the emails and everything. Did you know that you can send free letters straight to the apartment from dearelder.com? I never knew that, but Zuster Perry gets them a lot. Haha just so you know. Just kidding, you all are doing great!
Hurrah for life. I'm happy. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, May 16, 2011
Miracles Everywhere
May 16, 2011
Hey hey hey. :) How is my wonderful family doing?
I finally got a card from Mom earlier this week. I don't know why they've been taking so long, probably just the mail here. You never know. But no worries, I feel your love. Thank you everyone for the pictures! I'm surprised you got mine so quickly. Everyone looks great! William -- YOU LOOK SO OLD. When did that happen? Do you have pictures from prom? I would love to see them. What about John and Britt? I would love to see pictures of them too. I'm glad to know that the weather in Kentucky is doing about the same as here. I don't know what happened to our lovely spring weather, but it is gone! The past few days have been coooold. Luckily they’ve been sunny. Today is raining as well, but it's not too bad. I'd rather have it rain on P-day. Everyone says that it's supposed to get warmer on Wednesday. I'm crossing my fingers.
So it's been a great week! Hard in a lot of ways with finding and things, but overall great! I think I've had more doors slammed in my face this past week than I ever have before. Haha – dang; sometimes finding people is just hard! But still good, no discouragement here. I think it's funny more than anything. Some people freak out so much when they see us on the door and I think, really? Like do we look THAT scary? If I had two beautiful girls come to my door I think I would want to know what they had to say. Haha kidding. But you know what I mean?
Anyway, despite the door slams we are seeing miracles left and right. We have found so many new investigators just out of nowhere! Sometimes I think that's the whole point of going along the doors. Just to show our faith. And it always puts us in the right place at the right time to meet someone who will listen. For example -- we're going along knocking on doors and Zuster Perry and I just started to talk about how much we love flowers and how nice it is to get them. And then, all of a sudden, I see a woman walking down the street carrying a big bunch of flowers! And I thought, she has to be a nice person. So we went and approached her and she accepted us right away! She even knows where the Church is, and she let us walk all the way to her house with her, and told us we could come back to teach her and her husband! Eternal marriage anyone? Yes! Awesome miracle. Oh and the flowers ended up being for her neighbor who just got back from vacation. Nice, huh? :)
Other miracle -- A woman just walked into church yesterday and announced that she has been investigating the Church for 7 years, was in Finland for the last 10 months, but now wants to start meeting again and possibly prepare for baptism! We were like... ummm... okay. Yes. That's possible.
Oh and then today, we're on the train up to Amsterdam (oh yeah, I'm writing from Amsterdam, we had to come and pick up some legal papers), a woman calls us who is a friend of a member and she said, "So I hear you give lessons to people, and that this is the true church of Christ. When can you come?" So we have an appointment with her on Thursday! We're so busy I'm almost afraid to be excited about it (haha) cause then we might lose everything. It's all been great!
Things with Joeri, our baptismal date are also going super well. He loves the gospel! And he's really changing. I love love love LOVE the light that comes into people's faces when they start to learn about the gospel. It totally fills that dark hole in them. Last night we were going around taking cookies to some of our investigators -- daily contact you know -- and we went and took him some. They were double-double chocolate chip and when he saw them he said, "You brought me chocolate pancakes?" Haha it was so funny. They don't even sell chocolate chips here; we had to break up a chocolate bar. I guess it's really an American thing.
Other things are also going really well. We started working with another less-active woman this week. She's actually an American, married to a Dutch man and she's pregnant. The only thing is her water broke... last week. So everything is crazy now. Luckily the ward has been on it helping her. We went to see her last night and she was super happy, and told us she's been praying again! We're planning on starting to teach her and hopefully her husband as soon as the baby comes which could be very very soon.
So yes -- I'm super happy and even when I'm not or things are hard, it's still okay. :) Life goes on, and there is always a little miracle waiting around the corner of some funny moment.
I hope that you all are doing well, and I pray for you all the time! I love you!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Hey hey hey. :) How is my wonderful family doing?
I finally got a card from Mom earlier this week. I don't know why they've been taking so long, probably just the mail here. You never know. But no worries, I feel your love. Thank you everyone for the pictures! I'm surprised you got mine so quickly. Everyone looks great! William -- YOU LOOK SO OLD. When did that happen? Do you have pictures from prom? I would love to see them. What about John and Britt? I would love to see pictures of them too. I'm glad to know that the weather in Kentucky is doing about the same as here. I don't know what happened to our lovely spring weather, but it is gone! The past few days have been coooold. Luckily they’ve been sunny. Today is raining as well, but it's not too bad. I'd rather have it rain on P-day. Everyone says that it's supposed to get warmer on Wednesday. I'm crossing my fingers.
So it's been a great week! Hard in a lot of ways with finding and things, but overall great! I think I've had more doors slammed in my face this past week than I ever have before. Haha – dang; sometimes finding people is just hard! But still good, no discouragement here. I think it's funny more than anything. Some people freak out so much when they see us on the door and I think, really? Like do we look THAT scary? If I had two beautiful girls come to my door I think I would want to know what they had to say. Haha kidding. But you know what I mean?
Anyway, despite the door slams we are seeing miracles left and right. We have found so many new investigators just out of nowhere! Sometimes I think that's the whole point of going along the doors. Just to show our faith. And it always puts us in the right place at the right time to meet someone who will listen. For example -- we're going along knocking on doors and Zuster Perry and I just started to talk about how much we love flowers and how nice it is to get them. And then, all of a sudden, I see a woman walking down the street carrying a big bunch of flowers! And I thought, she has to be a nice person. So we went and approached her and she accepted us right away! She even knows where the Church is, and she let us walk all the way to her house with her, and told us we could come back to teach her and her husband! Eternal marriage anyone? Yes! Awesome miracle. Oh and the flowers ended up being for her neighbor who just got back from vacation. Nice, huh? :)
Other miracle -- A woman just walked into church yesterday and announced that she has been investigating the Church for 7 years, was in Finland for the last 10 months, but now wants to start meeting again and possibly prepare for baptism! We were like... ummm... okay. Yes. That's possible.
Oh and then today, we're on the train up to Amsterdam (oh yeah, I'm writing from Amsterdam, we had to come and pick up some legal papers), a woman calls us who is a friend of a member and she said, "So I hear you give lessons to people, and that this is the true church of Christ. When can you come?" So we have an appointment with her on Thursday! We're so busy I'm almost afraid to be excited about it (haha) cause then we might lose everything. It's all been great!
Things with Joeri, our baptismal date are also going super well. He loves the gospel! And he's really changing. I love love love LOVE the light that comes into people's faces when they start to learn about the gospel. It totally fills that dark hole in them. Last night we were going around taking cookies to some of our investigators -- daily contact you know -- and we went and took him some. They were double-double chocolate chip and when he saw them he said, "You brought me chocolate pancakes?" Haha it was so funny. They don't even sell chocolate chips here; we had to break up a chocolate bar. I guess it's really an American thing.
Other things are also going really well. We started working with another less-active woman this week. She's actually an American, married to a Dutch man and she's pregnant. The only thing is her water broke... last week. So everything is crazy now. Luckily the ward has been on it helping her. We went to see her last night and she was super happy, and told us she's been praying again! We're planning on starting to teach her and hopefully her husband as soon as the baby comes which could be very very soon.
So yes -- I'm super happy and even when I'm not or things are hard, it's still okay. :) Life goes on, and there is always a little miracle waiting around the corner of some funny moment.
I hope that you all are doing well, and I pray for you all the time! I love you!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, May 9, 2011
Thanks For Being So Great
Hello lievers. :)
Long time, no talk. Haha, really it was SO good to talk to you all yesterday. It's funny because now I think, wait but we just talked about everything, what do I email about? Which is actually probably ok because we have an appointment in a bit so we don't have much time to email. It was lovely to hear your voices! Give Brittney my love; I missed being able to talk to her.
It's great to know that you all are doing well -- so much is happening it seems! Thank you for your good examples and faith in the Gospel. Zuster Perry and I taught Sunday School in church yesterday and we taught the talk "Vertrouw op God, ga dan heen en doen" from President Eyring, "Trust in God, then go and do" in English (I think). We talked a lot about how it takes such faith to trust in God because so often we can't understand where He is taking us, or why we need to suffer the things we do. I have such a strong testimony that everything that we experience here in this life has a purpose. I know that's true with all my heart. This life is a molding process. But it always produces the best results -- the best us. Talking to William in Amsterdam on the phone after his baptism the other night just proved that to me. It's amazing to see the changes that the atonement can bring into someone's life. It's all so real!
Well family, I love you all. Ik hou van jou -- remember? :) Keep on keeping on.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Long time, no talk. Haha, really it was SO good to talk to you all yesterday. It's funny because now I think, wait but we just talked about everything, what do I email about? Which is actually probably ok because we have an appointment in a bit so we don't have much time to email. It was lovely to hear your voices! Give Brittney my love; I missed being able to talk to her.
It's great to know that you all are doing well -- so much is happening it seems! Thank you for your good examples and faith in the Gospel. Zuster Perry and I taught Sunday School in church yesterday and we taught the talk "Vertrouw op God, ga dan heen en doen" from President Eyring, "Trust in God, then go and do" in English (I think). We talked a lot about how it takes such faith to trust in God because so often we can't understand where He is taking us, or why we need to suffer the things we do. I have such a strong testimony that everything that we experience here in this life has a purpose. I know that's true with all my heart. This life is a molding process. But it always produces the best results -- the best us. Talking to William in Amsterdam on the phone after his baptism the other night just proved that to me. It's amazing to see the changes that the atonement can bring into someone's life. It's all so real!
Well family, I love you all. Ik hou van jou -- remember? :) Keep on keeping on.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, May 2, 2011
Groeten van Gouda!!
Dear Family!
Thank you for your prayers and love and support and just being so wonderful. I hope I let you all know enough just how much I love you. The longer I am here the more I realize how blessed I am.
Soo... I'm in Gouda! And I love it! Seriously, I was really worried about the transition, and while it is SO SO different here, I love it already. I have met some amazing people, and we've already seen so many blessings. There is a lot of work to be done here but Zuster Perry and I are up for the challenge. And no, she is not related to the PERRY Perry, but she does have an uncle named Tom. Zuster Perry is an absolute doll, just like I thought. She's 23, from Utah, but has lived in Southern California for the past few years. She's got so much love for the work and the people here and she speaks great Dutch! We've already had a lot of fun together.
So Gouda... it's tiny! Like really, really. It takes us about 10 minutes to fiets from appointment to appointment and we live in an apartment right across the street from the church. It probably takes us a total of 30 seconds, not kidding, to get there. We are blessed. We have a big area, and our ward boundaries are actually the largest of any ward in Western Europe. We do most of our finding here in Gouda because that's where the church building is, but we travel down to Rotterdam and the surrounding areas a lot to visit members, less actives, things like that.
The ward is amazing here! It's still a pretty international ward and there are several Belgian families here. It makes me so happy to hear Vlaams again! Last night we went to a music fireside and a big group from Antwerpen came up and it was great to talk to them all. It was weird though, I had to switch my brain to be able to understand them -- I had forgotten how different Vlaams and Nederlands were! Anyways, the ward. We have the best bishop! I haven't even been here that long but he's already been on joint-teach with us several times and had us over for dinner. Apparently we eat with him and his family every Tuesday -- that's incredible! I've loved all the bishops that I have had, but this is unheard of here. I am so so so grateful. There are so many loving members here. Everyone seems to have the attitude of "we want to be your family while you're here!" Love it.
Yesterday was such a great day at church. Zuster Perry and I were asked to teach Sharing Time and it was so much fun. We helped them memorize the 6th Article of Faith, and then we talked about the apostasy and restoration by doing a cool activity. They loved it, and one of the little boys got up during sacrament meeting and bore his testimony about how grateful he was to have sister missionaries to help him learn.
It's cool being the only missionaries in the ward too. I've always served in a city with elders and senior couples and all that. I thought I would miss it, and I do a bit, but it's cool to just be here by ourselves. Us and Gouda. And the Spirit and all that of course. :)
Zuster Perry plays piano, and so yesterday we did this beautiful arrangement of "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" in sacrament meeting and it went really well. The ward is small but very sweet. Investigator-wise things are going well but we do have a lot of work to do. Most of our investigators are referrals/part member family members. Almost all of our finding is done going along the doors because there isn't really a lot of opstraat stuff. Which has been good for me cause I've spent most of my mission just on the streets talking with people.
And another big difference -- EVERYONE HERE BELIEVES. I was so used to A'dam where NO ONE believes and people curse God. I tell people here I served in A'dam and they say, “Oh yeah, the Sodom and Gomorrah of Nederland.” It's true -- haha. Anyway, almost everyone here goes to church. Everything is closed on Sunday. It's totally the tiny, little Dutch town where people sit outside telling kids the stories from the Bible. On the one hand it's awesome, and on the other it presents some problems. I've never met so many people who are so concerned for my soul. Haha -- we've met a couple of very intense people who swear we have been deceived and told us to go fast and pray about the salvation of our souls. We told them we do and we will. It's funny. There are so many open people though. It's time to be bold! Everyone already goes to a church so we frequently ask people why they think there are so many churches and then go straight to the restoration; it's great!!
I really am loving it here so far and I feel confident that we are going to see miracles. We fasted yesterday as a companionship for them. Once again, it's time to call down the angels!
I love you all. Thanks for everything.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
P.S. "Survivor" by Destiny's Child is playing in the cafe. I thought that was funny and applicable.
Thank you for your prayers and love and support and just being so wonderful. I hope I let you all know enough just how much I love you. The longer I am here the more I realize how blessed I am.
Soo... I'm in Gouda! And I love it! Seriously, I was really worried about the transition, and while it is SO SO different here, I love it already. I have met some amazing people, and we've already seen so many blessings. There is a lot of work to be done here but Zuster Perry and I are up for the challenge. And no, she is not related to the PERRY Perry, but she does have an uncle named Tom. Zuster Perry is an absolute doll, just like I thought. She's 23, from Utah, but has lived in Southern California for the past few years. She's got so much love for the work and the people here and she speaks great Dutch! We've already had a lot of fun together.
So Gouda... it's tiny! Like really, really. It takes us about 10 minutes to fiets from appointment to appointment and we live in an apartment right across the street from the church. It probably takes us a total of 30 seconds, not kidding, to get there. We are blessed. We have a big area, and our ward boundaries are actually the largest of any ward in Western Europe. We do most of our finding here in Gouda because that's where the church building is, but we travel down to Rotterdam and the surrounding areas a lot to visit members, less actives, things like that.
The ward is amazing here! It's still a pretty international ward and there are several Belgian families here. It makes me so happy to hear Vlaams again! Last night we went to a music fireside and a big group from Antwerpen came up and it was great to talk to them all. It was weird though, I had to switch my brain to be able to understand them -- I had forgotten how different Vlaams and Nederlands were! Anyways, the ward. We have the best bishop! I haven't even been here that long but he's already been on joint-teach with us several times and had us over for dinner. Apparently we eat with him and his family every Tuesday -- that's incredible! I've loved all the bishops that I have had, but this is unheard of here. I am so so so grateful. There are so many loving members here. Everyone seems to have the attitude of "we want to be your family while you're here!" Love it.
Yesterday was such a great day at church. Zuster Perry and I were asked to teach Sharing Time and it was so much fun. We helped them memorize the 6th Article of Faith, and then we talked about the apostasy and restoration by doing a cool activity. They loved it, and one of the little boys got up during sacrament meeting and bore his testimony about how grateful he was to have sister missionaries to help him learn.
It's cool being the only missionaries in the ward too. I've always served in a city with elders and senior couples and all that. I thought I would miss it, and I do a bit, but it's cool to just be here by ourselves. Us and Gouda. And the Spirit and all that of course. :)
Zuster Perry plays piano, and so yesterday we did this beautiful arrangement of "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" in sacrament meeting and it went really well. The ward is small but very sweet. Investigator-wise things are going well but we do have a lot of work to do. Most of our investigators are referrals/part member family members. Almost all of our finding is done going along the doors because there isn't really a lot of opstraat stuff. Which has been good for me cause I've spent most of my mission just on the streets talking with people.
And another big difference -- EVERYONE HERE BELIEVES. I was so used to A'dam where NO ONE believes and people curse God. I tell people here I served in A'dam and they say, “Oh yeah, the Sodom and Gomorrah of Nederland.” It's true -- haha. Anyway, almost everyone here goes to church. Everything is closed on Sunday. It's totally the tiny, little Dutch town where people sit outside telling kids the stories from the Bible. On the one hand it's awesome, and on the other it presents some problems. I've never met so many people who are so concerned for my soul. Haha -- we've met a couple of very intense people who swear we have been deceived and told us to go fast and pray about the salvation of our souls. We told them we do and we will. It's funny. There are so many open people though. It's time to be bold! Everyone already goes to a church so we frequently ask people why they think there are so many churches and then go straight to the restoration; it's great!!
I really am loving it here so far and I feel confident that we are going to see miracles. We fasted yesterday as a companionship for them. Once again, it's time to call down the angels!
I love you all. Thanks for everything.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
P.S. "Survivor" by Destiny's Child is playing in the cafe. I thought that was funny and applicable.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter, Spring & News
Hello Family!
Happy Easter! I hope that you all are having a wonderful time together in Utah. Zuster Fritz is here this week with her mother and she told me yesterday at church that it's still been a bit snowing out there. Crazy! We are finally enjoying the warm weather here. This week has been absolutely glorious.
I have so much news! I'm being transferred! I'm going to... Gouda!! Now first things first, do not pronounce it the way we say the cheese. Pretend like you are saying "cow-da" but instead of saying the "c" make the guttural "g" sound. That's the name of the place. It's a small city in the southern part of Nederland, actually in what they call the "Bible-belt" of the Netherlands. Our area is big though and we work a lot in Rotterdam. I'll be working with Zuster Perry! That makes me super happy. She came into the mission when I left Antwerpen and I already know her pretty well. She's a dear; we're going to tear it up down there! I leave Wednesday, but of course a part of my heart will stay here in A’dam. I'm actually really sad to leave, but I know that there are people in Gouda waiting for me. So my new address is:
Crabethdstraat 5
2801 AL Gouda
Nederland.
Mail is lovely as always. :)
So other news -- William's baptism is actually postponed. It'll be on May 7th now. There were a few complications, but it is all working out and his baptism will still go through! :) I'll be able to come back for it as well which makes me really happy.
This week has honestly probably been one of the hardest, most emotional, yet best weeks of my mission. I cannot explain the lessons I have learned or the peace I have received, but I can say that I know that Christ really did suffer for all the pain and all the experiences we have. He knows us personally. I love that.
The sun is shining and the work of God goes forth! We were able to go to the temple this past week! Ahhhh I LOVE THE TEMPLE. I kind of never want to leave when I go in. It was such a beautiful day and it was great to be gathered with all the missionaries. After the temple we all got to go to Keukenhof. Oh my goodness I don't think I have ever taken so many pictures. And they really can't do it justice. It was a lovely day. I would say I will send some home, but you know how bad I am at that... I'll try! :)
We have been blessed this week to do a lot of really good finding. Amsterdam has come alive with this weather! Everyone is out -- in a boat, in a bike, walking (my goodness those silly tourists -- I think just last night I almost ran about 10 people over. They just walk right in the bike paths! Crazy people.)
Other funny moments of the week. We got contacted by some Jehovah's Witnesses. That was interesting. We actually had a really good talk with them and we switched pamphlets. They were very nice people and I admire their zeal for doing missionary work. And it was interesting to be on the other side of the door for a change.
Yesterday we had a beautiful Easter service at the church. I love this ward. You asked to tell a little more about it (haha), so before I leave it I guess I could explain. It's a very diverse ward. We really have a little bit of everything. There are the Dutch, Surinamese, Africans, Spanish speakers, American families -- really everything. We try and work a lot through referrals and we have a lot of members who are great with that. We are also incredibly blessed with Br Zonneveld our amazing ward mission leader. Sundays we have Relief Society first, it's in Dutch and then I do the translation to English, or the other way around when someone who speaks English gives the lesson. Then we have Sunday School, given by Br Zonneveld, then Sacrament meeting which is also in Dutch and either Elder Garret or I will translate. It's been a great ward.
And Zuster Kremer quickly, SHE IS AMAZING. I am going to miss her with all my heart. She's only been a member of the church for 3 years, but she has a burning testimony. She's Hungarian but was born in Belgium in the French speaking part, but was raised in Hungary, Belgium, and other places. She studies business and language and speaks Hungarian, French, Spanish, English, and now Dutch fluently. She's been teaching me but I must say it's hard! I can pray in Hungarian and Spanish (my Spanish is better), and say a lot of random things in other languages. She is a dear, she’s been a blessing to work with.
Well lieverds, I love you all! I'll be in Gouda next time we email. Pray for the adjustment; you know me, I don't always like change. It's going to be great though -- I'm excited for the next adventure! Hurrah for Israel!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Happy Easter! I hope that you all are having a wonderful time together in Utah. Zuster Fritz is here this week with her mother and she told me yesterday at church that it's still been a bit snowing out there. Crazy! We are finally enjoying the warm weather here. This week has been absolutely glorious.
I have so much news! I'm being transferred! I'm going to... Gouda!! Now first things first, do not pronounce it the way we say the cheese. Pretend like you are saying "cow-da" but instead of saying the "c" make the guttural "g" sound. That's the name of the place. It's a small city in the southern part of Nederland, actually in what they call the "Bible-belt" of the Netherlands. Our area is big though and we work a lot in Rotterdam. I'll be working with Zuster Perry! That makes me super happy. She came into the mission when I left Antwerpen and I already know her pretty well. She's a dear; we're going to tear it up down there! I leave Wednesday, but of course a part of my heart will stay here in A’dam. I'm actually really sad to leave, but I know that there are people in Gouda waiting for me. So my new address is:
Crabethdstraat 5
2801 AL Gouda
Nederland.
Mail is lovely as always. :)
So other news -- William's baptism is actually postponed. It'll be on May 7th now. There were a few complications, but it is all working out and his baptism will still go through! :) I'll be able to come back for it as well which makes me really happy.
This week has honestly probably been one of the hardest, most emotional, yet best weeks of my mission. I cannot explain the lessons I have learned or the peace I have received, but I can say that I know that Christ really did suffer for all the pain and all the experiences we have. He knows us personally. I love that.
The sun is shining and the work of God goes forth! We were able to go to the temple this past week! Ahhhh I LOVE THE TEMPLE. I kind of never want to leave when I go in. It was such a beautiful day and it was great to be gathered with all the missionaries. After the temple we all got to go to Keukenhof. Oh my goodness I don't think I have ever taken so many pictures. And they really can't do it justice. It was a lovely day. I would say I will send some home, but you know how bad I am at that... I'll try! :)
We have been blessed this week to do a lot of really good finding. Amsterdam has come alive with this weather! Everyone is out -- in a boat, in a bike, walking (my goodness those silly tourists -- I think just last night I almost ran about 10 people over. They just walk right in the bike paths! Crazy people.)
Other funny moments of the week. We got contacted by some Jehovah's Witnesses. That was interesting. We actually had a really good talk with them and we switched pamphlets. They were very nice people and I admire their zeal for doing missionary work. And it was interesting to be on the other side of the door for a change.
Yesterday we had a beautiful Easter service at the church. I love this ward. You asked to tell a little more about it (haha), so before I leave it I guess I could explain. It's a very diverse ward. We really have a little bit of everything. There are the Dutch, Surinamese, Africans, Spanish speakers, American families -- really everything. We try and work a lot through referrals and we have a lot of members who are great with that. We are also incredibly blessed with Br Zonneveld our amazing ward mission leader. Sundays we have Relief Society first, it's in Dutch and then I do the translation to English, or the other way around when someone who speaks English gives the lesson. Then we have Sunday School, given by Br Zonneveld, then Sacrament meeting which is also in Dutch and either Elder Garret or I will translate. It's been a great ward.
And Zuster Kremer quickly, SHE IS AMAZING. I am going to miss her with all my heart. She's only been a member of the church for 3 years, but she has a burning testimony. She's Hungarian but was born in Belgium in the French speaking part, but was raised in Hungary, Belgium, and other places. She studies business and language and speaks Hungarian, French, Spanish, English, and now Dutch fluently. She's been teaching me but I must say it's hard! I can pray in Hungarian and Spanish (my Spanish is better), and say a lot of random things in other languages. She is a dear, she’s been a blessing to work with.
Well lieverds, I love you all! I'll be in Gouda next time we email. Pray for the adjustment; you know me, I don't always like change. It's going to be great though -- I'm excited for the next adventure! Hurrah for Israel!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, April 18, 2011
Happy Easter
Dear Family!
It's been such a great week and again I only have about 10 minutes to write because we are so busy! I’m glad that everything is going well at home. Congrats John and Brittney on graduating! That's super exciting. Jake too. It'll be weird next fall without you all there. William, when are you heading out? And dang, so many people are getting married, that's crazy. Give everyone my love.
This past week has been great! So many exciting things going on. This past weekend were the Donny Osmond firesides which ended up being such a success. We had 3 different ones, one in Rotterdam, one in Haarlem, and one in Utrecht. We went to the one in Harrlem with our investigators and then we had to go the one in Utrecht to help out. It was crazy, about 300+ people came to each one, and we got a ton of referrals! We gave everyone a card who came in and then asked them to fill out their name and address and then to circle 1-10 how interested they would be to learn more about the gospel. Brother Osmond gave an incredible talk, basically a first lesson, and talked about how the gospel has blessed his life. And then at the end we passed out copies of the Book of Mormon with his signature in it. It was an incredible idea and we'll be getting all the referrals from President on Wednesday. I think we're going to see a lot of success! It was fun too. Mom, I kept thinking of you the whole time.
Other exciting things -- William is getting baptized on Saturday! We're so happy for him! He's made so much progress, it's going to be beautiful. Zuster Fritz is even coming back to visit and I'm so excited to see her. Elder Klippel and I are going to be doing some kind of musical number and the whole ward is coming. It's going to be beautiful. A great Easter weekend.
A lot of our other investigators are struggling a bit at the time, it seems everyone's hang up is authority. You know they read the Book of Mormon and the come to church and they think it's all lovely, but ... “I’ve already been baptized.” We've explained the authority thing over and over and over but something’s not clicking. If any of you have some new ideas, we would love to hear them!
This time next week I'll know where I'm being transferred to. I'm so sad to have to leave A'dam! Bahh... I don't like thinking about it. Though everywhere is wonderful and I know the Lord will send me where I am needed. I have a strong testimony of that.
I got to give a talk in church yesterday on the atonement. It was a very last minute thing. One of the members, Roland, was supposed to give it but he called me the night before and said, "Hey Zuster Holbein you're always asking if there is anything you can do for me and I finally thought of it... I'm sick, can you give a talk for me tomorrow?" Despite not having too much time to plan I was really grateful to do it. The atonement is one of my favorite things to talk about. I'm so grateful for the healing power available to us. I've felt it in my own life keer op keer. :)
Other exciting things -- we're going to the temple on Wednesday!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) And then to Keukenhof after, the big tulip field place. Spring is in bloom here, and this place is beautiful.
I hope you all enjoy being together this next week. Know that I love and pray for you!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
It's been such a great week and again I only have about 10 minutes to write because we are so busy! I’m glad that everything is going well at home. Congrats John and Brittney on graduating! That's super exciting. Jake too. It'll be weird next fall without you all there. William, when are you heading out? And dang, so many people are getting married, that's crazy. Give everyone my love.
This past week has been great! So many exciting things going on. This past weekend were the Donny Osmond firesides which ended up being such a success. We had 3 different ones, one in Rotterdam, one in Haarlem, and one in Utrecht. We went to the one in Harrlem with our investigators and then we had to go the one in Utrecht to help out. It was crazy, about 300+ people came to each one, and we got a ton of referrals! We gave everyone a card who came in and then asked them to fill out their name and address and then to circle 1-10 how interested they would be to learn more about the gospel. Brother Osmond gave an incredible talk, basically a first lesson, and talked about how the gospel has blessed his life. And then at the end we passed out copies of the Book of Mormon with his signature in it. It was an incredible idea and we'll be getting all the referrals from President on Wednesday. I think we're going to see a lot of success! It was fun too. Mom, I kept thinking of you the whole time.
Other exciting things -- William is getting baptized on Saturday! We're so happy for him! He's made so much progress, it's going to be beautiful. Zuster Fritz is even coming back to visit and I'm so excited to see her. Elder Klippel and I are going to be doing some kind of musical number and the whole ward is coming. It's going to be beautiful. A great Easter weekend.
A lot of our other investigators are struggling a bit at the time, it seems everyone's hang up is authority. You know they read the Book of Mormon and the come to church and they think it's all lovely, but ... “I’ve already been baptized.” We've explained the authority thing over and over and over but something’s not clicking. If any of you have some new ideas, we would love to hear them!
This time next week I'll know where I'm being transferred to. I'm so sad to have to leave A'dam! Bahh... I don't like thinking about it. Though everywhere is wonderful and I know the Lord will send me where I am needed. I have a strong testimony of that.
I got to give a talk in church yesterday on the atonement. It was a very last minute thing. One of the members, Roland, was supposed to give it but he called me the night before and said, "Hey Zuster Holbein you're always asking if there is anything you can do for me and I finally thought of it... I'm sick, can you give a talk for me tomorrow?" Despite not having too much time to plan I was really grateful to do it. The atonement is one of my favorite things to talk about. I'm so grateful for the healing power available to us. I've felt it in my own life keer op keer. :)
Other exciting things -- we're going to the temple on Wednesday!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) And then to Keukenhof after, the big tulip field place. Spring is in bloom here, and this place is beautiful.
I hope you all enjoy being together this next week. Know that I love and pray for you!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Conference & More
Dear Family,
Hey hey hey. :) Happy April -- finally warm weather! This week has been warmer! We've had a few cold days and today seems a little bi-polar, but for the most part it has been beautiful. The weather was perfect for conference! It was funny, last night when we were watching the Sunday morning session I saw snow in Utah! Haha it made me a lot more grateful for the weather here. We haven't seen snow in a while (fingers crossed).
And yes, I did see Sister Bradford and I told everyone -- hey I know her! And she always smells really nice. Haha, funny but true, I always remember her perfume. Oh and congrats to President Hymas! I jumped when I heard them say that, and I turned to Zuster Kremer and said, "My stake president is Robert W. Hymas... I wonder if that's him!!" I love the Hymas family, please send them my love.
Anyway, it's been a glorious week! Conference was amazing. I'm looking forward to the talks going online or to getting a conference issue so that I can read the Sunday afternoon session. We got to see both Saturday sessions and then the Sunday morning one. So many inspired talks were given. A few of our investigators were able to come, but a lot couldn't. Satan seemed to be going crazy pulling at these people this past week. Zuster Kremer and I took notes on each talk though as if we were listening as our investigators and we're going to go to their homes and listen to them with them as soon as they go online.
I loved being able to watch conference here in Amsterdam. I remember last conference I was also here, but it was at the beginning of my time, and I didn't know as many people, and I remember missing Antwerpen a lot. But this time I really felt so at home. I love it here in Amsterdam. I love the ward, I love the investigators, I love my companion. I love how no matter where in the world we are from, we have the gospel that can unite us.
Oh, other random exciting news -- Zuster Kremer taught me/is in the process of teaching me how to pray in Hungarian! I can say a very simple, short prayer. Let's just say I am SO happy I didn't have to learn Hungarian. I think I would've cried in the MTC... haha more than I already did with Dutch.
We were blessed with many miracles this week. The story or theme of the past little while with everyone has seemed to be "why is life so hard?" That's why I was so grateful for many of the conference talks, especially the one by that one Seventy... I can't remember his name. It's been great though because it's really given me the chance to look at my own life and how I react to adversity. I have been studying lately the difference between "acting” and "reacting." I think in life it is so much easier to "react" to everything that goes on around us. When the weather isn't good, or when people slam doors, or try to hit you with a bike chain (true story this past week), or when investigators don't progress, or when you're tired. It's so easy to think, dang it, that stinks, now I can't be happy. But no, happiness is a choice. Just like faith. We get to choose every day how we are going to feel. And why not choose to be happy? Not only does it make your life so much better, but also the lives of those around you. Everyone likes to be around a happy person. It really does make all the difference. I've been trying a lot harder this past week to make the conscious effort to just be happy, no matter what. It's been making a big difference and it's cool to be able to testify to people that it works.
My other big personal miracle happened this past Tuesday. In preparation for a lesson with someone on the restoration, I was studying, well yeah, the restoration. I was reading the Joseph Smith story and scriptures about the apostasy, and all of a sudden in hit me, really big, and really strong... IT'S ALL TRUE. Like really, really. The restoration happened! Joseph Smith DID see God and Jesus Christ and they DID call him as a prophet to restore the true, full gospel of Jesus Christ back on the earth. Incredible! I've known it my whole life but it just hit me at once. My insides felt like they were going to burst and I felt so warm! I couldn't hold it in and I turned to Zuster Kremer and said, “It’s true!!!" Haha poor dear, probably thought I was crazy. But it really hit me, and I started to cry and I just felt so full. I know it's true. The Holy Spirit confirmed it to me in such a powerful way, I'll never forget it. It was wonderful.
I love being a missionary with all my heart. I frequently tell Zuster Kremer I hope my mission loves me as much as I love it.
Thank you all for everything! I love love love love you all and pray for you all the time. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Hey hey hey. :) Happy April -- finally warm weather! This week has been warmer! We've had a few cold days and today seems a little bi-polar, but for the most part it has been beautiful. The weather was perfect for conference! It was funny, last night when we were watching the Sunday morning session I saw snow in Utah! Haha it made me a lot more grateful for the weather here. We haven't seen snow in a while (fingers crossed).
And yes, I did see Sister Bradford and I told everyone -- hey I know her! And she always smells really nice. Haha, funny but true, I always remember her perfume. Oh and congrats to President Hymas! I jumped when I heard them say that, and I turned to Zuster Kremer and said, "My stake president is Robert W. Hymas... I wonder if that's him!!" I love the Hymas family, please send them my love.
Anyway, it's been a glorious week! Conference was amazing. I'm looking forward to the talks going online or to getting a conference issue so that I can read the Sunday afternoon session. We got to see both Saturday sessions and then the Sunday morning one. So many inspired talks were given. A few of our investigators were able to come, but a lot couldn't. Satan seemed to be going crazy pulling at these people this past week. Zuster Kremer and I took notes on each talk though as if we were listening as our investigators and we're going to go to their homes and listen to them with them as soon as they go online.
I loved being able to watch conference here in Amsterdam. I remember last conference I was also here, but it was at the beginning of my time, and I didn't know as many people, and I remember missing Antwerpen a lot. But this time I really felt so at home. I love it here in Amsterdam. I love the ward, I love the investigators, I love my companion. I love how no matter where in the world we are from, we have the gospel that can unite us.
Oh, other random exciting news -- Zuster Kremer taught me/is in the process of teaching me how to pray in Hungarian! I can say a very simple, short prayer. Let's just say I am SO happy I didn't have to learn Hungarian. I think I would've cried in the MTC... haha more than I already did with Dutch.
We were blessed with many miracles this week. The story or theme of the past little while with everyone has seemed to be "why is life so hard?" That's why I was so grateful for many of the conference talks, especially the one by that one Seventy... I can't remember his name. It's been great though because it's really given me the chance to look at my own life and how I react to adversity. I have been studying lately the difference between "acting” and "reacting." I think in life it is so much easier to "react" to everything that goes on around us. When the weather isn't good, or when people slam doors, or try to hit you with a bike chain (true story this past week), or when investigators don't progress, or when you're tired. It's so easy to think, dang it, that stinks, now I can't be happy. But no, happiness is a choice. Just like faith. We get to choose every day how we are going to feel. And why not choose to be happy? Not only does it make your life so much better, but also the lives of those around you. Everyone likes to be around a happy person. It really does make all the difference. I've been trying a lot harder this past week to make the conscious effort to just be happy, no matter what. It's been making a big difference and it's cool to be able to testify to people that it works.
My other big personal miracle happened this past Tuesday. In preparation for a lesson with someone on the restoration, I was studying, well yeah, the restoration. I was reading the Joseph Smith story and scriptures about the apostasy, and all of a sudden in hit me, really big, and really strong... IT'S ALL TRUE. Like really, really. The restoration happened! Joseph Smith DID see God and Jesus Christ and they DID call him as a prophet to restore the true, full gospel of Jesus Christ back on the earth. Incredible! I've known it my whole life but it just hit me at once. My insides felt like they were going to burst and I felt so warm! I couldn't hold it in and I turned to Zuster Kremer and said, “It’s true!!!" Haha poor dear, probably thought I was crazy. But it really hit me, and I started to cry and I just felt so full. I know it's true. The Holy Spirit confirmed it to me in such a powerful way, I'll never forget it. It was wonderful.
I love being a missionary with all my heart. I frequently tell Zuster Kremer I hope my mission loves me as much as I love it.
Thank you all for everything! I love love love love you all and pray for you all the time. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
One More Week Till Conference!
Dear Family,
Hurray for General Conference week!! Can I get a "wahoo!!"? Haha ok so I'm a conference nerd, but I fully accept it. I am so so excited for this weekend. We have a lot of people coming and it's going to be great. I'm so grateful for the prophet and apostles. And I have a real testimony of going to conference with a question, and then listening to the Spirit and the speakers for the answer. That's actually something we can always do at church, we don't have to wait till conference to do it. We've been giving a lot of our investigators a card during the week and telling them to write down a question on it, and then to go to church and pray to receive the answer. Elder Kopischke told us we could PROMISE them they would get an answer. It's been wonderful to see a lot of sincere people get answers that way. This past Sunday I was really struggling with something, and I took my own advice and went to church with a question. And I got my answer, exactly in the personal way that I needed. I love that.
So things here are going great! We are still busy and doing our best to get everything done. There is so much work to be done here in Amsterdam. Investigators, members, inactive members. We're blessed to get to work with a lot of great ward leaders and they help us a lot. I really encourage all of you to go teach with the missionaries -- they need you; I know it!
This past Tuesday we had a great zone training. We learned a lot about measuring success. I love President and Zuster Brubaker. They are the best.
So one of the miracles of the week – We've been teaching this amazing 21 year old girl named Jennifer. She's actually from the Dominican Republic and speaks Spanish (and a little English). So, thank goodness for Zuster Kremer's language skills, we teach her in Spanish. We have to do a lot of translating, but thanks to the Spirit it works. (I want to learn Spanish as a side note.) My comprehension is actually pretty ok. And Zuster Kremer has taught me to pray in Spanish, so that's cool! Very simply. Anyway, on to the miracle. Jen has been coming to church, reading from the Book of Mormon, all of that. And she has friends back home who are members, and they have been encouraging her to keep meeting and praying and everything. She knows it's all true and she wants to be baptized. Her concern though has been that she never wants to go inactive, so she really wants to take her time with investigating. And I really respect that. Everyone has their own timetable that it takes them to join. So at this last lesson we were talking about baptism and she started talking about how she couldn't be baptized because she already had been and the Bible says one baptism. I was sitting there and all of a sudden this scripture popped into my head about people in the Bible being baptized more than once. The thing was I could NOT find it. I was praying a praying though and all of a sudden I just opened me scriptures and there it was! Acts 19. Thank you to the Spirit!! We shared it with her, and her face lit up and she started laughing and said, “This is it! This is my answer!” It was such a beautiful moment because I saw the enlightenment just come. She wants to get baptized, and I know it's going to happen. She's amazing.
Funny story of the week. Because Amsterdam is such an international ward we have to do English translation every week. We have a translation booth, and usually one of us missionaries will go back, and then everyone who needs translation will wear headsets. So this past Sunday I was translating. And then one of the Spanish members got up to give a talk, and so another woman went to the front with her to translate it into Dutch. So in my head I'm sitting back there thinking, okay cool, there's already translation, and I understand it so everyone else can too. So I'm just sitting there. And then I see people with headsets turning and looking at me, and then someone knocked on the door and said, “Umm... you still need to translate too.” I felt so silly. Haha -- oh well it ended up working out.
Well dears, I love you all. Thank you for your faith and love. Keep doing the small and simple things, and you will see miracles. I looove you. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Hurray for General Conference week!! Can I get a "wahoo!!"? Haha ok so I'm a conference nerd, but I fully accept it. I am so so excited for this weekend. We have a lot of people coming and it's going to be great. I'm so grateful for the prophet and apostles. And I have a real testimony of going to conference with a question, and then listening to the Spirit and the speakers for the answer. That's actually something we can always do at church, we don't have to wait till conference to do it. We've been giving a lot of our investigators a card during the week and telling them to write down a question on it, and then to go to church and pray to receive the answer. Elder Kopischke told us we could PROMISE them they would get an answer. It's been wonderful to see a lot of sincere people get answers that way. This past Sunday I was really struggling with something, and I took my own advice and went to church with a question. And I got my answer, exactly in the personal way that I needed. I love that.
So things here are going great! We are still busy and doing our best to get everything done. There is so much work to be done here in Amsterdam. Investigators, members, inactive members. We're blessed to get to work with a lot of great ward leaders and they help us a lot. I really encourage all of you to go teach with the missionaries -- they need you; I know it!
This past Tuesday we had a great zone training. We learned a lot about measuring success. I love President and Zuster Brubaker. They are the best.
So one of the miracles of the week – We've been teaching this amazing 21 year old girl named Jennifer. She's actually from the Dominican Republic and speaks Spanish (and a little English). So, thank goodness for Zuster Kremer's language skills, we teach her in Spanish. We have to do a lot of translating, but thanks to the Spirit it works. (I want to learn Spanish as a side note.) My comprehension is actually pretty ok. And Zuster Kremer has taught me to pray in Spanish, so that's cool! Very simply. Anyway, on to the miracle. Jen has been coming to church, reading from the Book of Mormon, all of that. And she has friends back home who are members, and they have been encouraging her to keep meeting and praying and everything. She knows it's all true and she wants to be baptized. Her concern though has been that she never wants to go inactive, so she really wants to take her time with investigating. And I really respect that. Everyone has their own timetable that it takes them to join. So at this last lesson we were talking about baptism and she started talking about how she couldn't be baptized because she already had been and the Bible says one baptism. I was sitting there and all of a sudden this scripture popped into my head about people in the Bible being baptized more than once. The thing was I could NOT find it. I was praying a praying though and all of a sudden I just opened me scriptures and there it was! Acts 19. Thank you to the Spirit!! We shared it with her, and her face lit up and she started laughing and said, “This is it! This is my answer!” It was such a beautiful moment because I saw the enlightenment just come. She wants to get baptized, and I know it's going to happen. She's amazing.
Funny story of the week. Because Amsterdam is such an international ward we have to do English translation every week. We have a translation booth, and usually one of us missionaries will go back, and then everyone who needs translation will wear headsets. So this past Sunday I was translating. And then one of the Spanish members got up to give a talk, and so another woman went to the front with her to translate it into Dutch. So in my head I'm sitting back there thinking, okay cool, there's already translation, and I understand it so everyone else can too. So I'm just sitting there. And then I see people with headsets turning and looking at me, and then someone knocked on the door and said, “Umm... you still need to translate too.” I felt so silly. Haha -- oh well it ended up working out.
Well dears, I love you all. Thank you for your faith and love. Keep doing the small and simple things, and you will see miracles. I looove you. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Kies De Goede Weg
Dear Family!
Your emails this week made me so happy. Really, I loved hearing the story about William, and seeing the pictures of Hairspray. It looks like everything is going great! Oh and Julia, the pictures of Rhett are adorable. It's so crazy -- he really looks like you! It's still hard for me to believe sometimes that you have a kid -- haha. John, what did you think of Duke? I'm sure you will make the right choice. And yes -- 2 weeks till General Conference!!!! I am above and beyond excited. Temple and conference are two of my favorite things. We should actually be going to the temple again soon as a mission, sometime before Easter.
Spring is FINALLY coming here in Amsterdam! I'm almost afraid to type that, I don't want to curse it -- haha. But really, today is beautiful. We rode our bikes up to Central Station, and I even got to take my hat off; it's not too cold. That's a miracle. It's making a big difference in everything.
So this week was great! I'm so happy to be staying in Amsterdam, I love this city with all my heart. We have been so busy! We've been having to skip studies in the morning to be able to handle all of our appointments, and we actually had to leave early and have one this morning even though it's P-day. But hey, we're not complaining. :) This is the way I like it.
We've been finding a lot and our teaching pool is getting big. It's taking a lot of good planning and making sure we're on time for everything. Percy and William are doing great; we had a really powerful lesson on Saturday night about reading the scriptures, praying, and coming to church, and how those are the big things that will help us to stay strong and be able to "conquer Satan." And then after we all sang “How Great Thou Art.” It was a very spiritual experience.
Charlotte is also doing really well! She came to church yesterday and told us that she has been reading from the Book of Mormon every day and she loves it because she can find answers to all her questions in it. She's also been praying every day which is making a big difference. She's had such a hard life -- unbelievable, but the atonement of Jesus Christ is really helping her to see what God has in store for her.
Keep praying for the people here and for your own missionary experiences. I read this morning the talk by Elder Nelson from last conference's Priesthood session, and I was really hit with how important it is to be an example of the believers. People look at us, and if we do our best to follow the commandments, and keep close to the Spirit, they will be able to see the light in our eyes. People tell Zuster Kremer and me that all the time. It's a very real thing, the light that comes from us when we live the gospel. Everyone has the light of Christ in them, we just need to help them realize it.
I love you all! Kies de goede weg.
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Your emails this week made me so happy. Really, I loved hearing the story about William, and seeing the pictures of Hairspray. It looks like everything is going great! Oh and Julia, the pictures of Rhett are adorable. It's so crazy -- he really looks like you! It's still hard for me to believe sometimes that you have a kid -- haha. John, what did you think of Duke? I'm sure you will make the right choice. And yes -- 2 weeks till General Conference!!!! I am above and beyond excited. Temple and conference are two of my favorite things. We should actually be going to the temple again soon as a mission, sometime before Easter.
Spring is FINALLY coming here in Amsterdam! I'm almost afraid to type that, I don't want to curse it -- haha. But really, today is beautiful. We rode our bikes up to Central Station, and I even got to take my hat off; it's not too cold. That's a miracle. It's making a big difference in everything.
So this week was great! I'm so happy to be staying in Amsterdam, I love this city with all my heart. We have been so busy! We've been having to skip studies in the morning to be able to handle all of our appointments, and we actually had to leave early and have one this morning even though it's P-day. But hey, we're not complaining. :) This is the way I like it.
We've been finding a lot and our teaching pool is getting big. It's taking a lot of good planning and making sure we're on time for everything. Percy and William are doing great; we had a really powerful lesson on Saturday night about reading the scriptures, praying, and coming to church, and how those are the big things that will help us to stay strong and be able to "conquer Satan." And then after we all sang “How Great Thou Art.” It was a very spiritual experience.
Charlotte is also doing really well! She came to church yesterday and told us that she has been reading from the Book of Mormon every day and she loves it because she can find answers to all her questions in it. She's also been praying every day which is making a big difference. She's had such a hard life -- unbelievable, but the atonement of Jesus Christ is really helping her to see what God has in store for her.
Keep praying for the people here and for your own missionary experiences. I read this morning the talk by Elder Nelson from last conference's Priesthood session, and I was really hit with how important it is to be an example of the believers. People look at us, and if we do our best to follow the commandments, and keep close to the Spirit, they will be able to see the light in our eyes. People tell Zuster Kremer and me that all the time. It's a very real thing, the light that comes from us when we live the gospel. Everyone has the light of Christ in them, we just need to help them realize it.
I love you all! Kies de goede weg.
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, March 14, 2011
Happiness
Family, family, family!
I have news -- very surprising news. We heard about transfers this morning and .... I'M STAYING IN AMSTERDAM. With Zuster Kremer. Crazy! That'll be 5 transfers here that's a loooong time. Haha luckily I love Amsterdam and I love Zuster Kremer. I really thought I was leaving though. Everyone did. The ward was like giving me gifts and saying their farewells. Haha -- so crazy, but I get to stay! I'm very happy. :) Another 6 weeks in this beautiful city. The work is really going well too. There are a lot of people I am excited to continue to help. This is a blessed area.
I'm glad to hear things are going well at home. William, good luck with Hairspray! Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun. Please send pictures! I can't believe it was 70 in Kentucky! It's definitely warming up here but dang -- that's warm. Spring is definitely coming though, we're already seeing signs of tulips here and there.
So the miracles of the week. Wow, I don't know where to begin, it's been a great week. We have such a big teaching pool right now. Wednesday night when we went to go eat dinner at Jennifer's house we were introduced to her friend Charlotte. She's 21 and has just seen how Jennifer's life is and her example and the peace that she has, and she wants it too. We taught her about the love of God and how she is a daughter of God, and she was really touched. She is willing to learn and she came to church yesterday! I'm excited to teach her and help her progress to baptism.
Thursday we had an amazing appointment with a man named Ramcil who we met going along doors. He had actually met missionaries a few years ago, but had never been able to find the church. He said that he knew that it was a sign that we knocked on his door. So he is awesome as well.
Everyone else is doing really well. Percy, William, everyone is progressing and reading and growing and yeah...what could be better?? Baptisms are coming soon. :)
I guess the biggest miracle of the week was yesterday. Yesterday we had stake conference and it was really special. It was the 50-year mark of the first stake here in Holland. Elder Kopischke from the Area 70 came as well and the Spirit was powerful. We had 4 investigators who were able to come, which was great considering it was a bit far away. We all met as a ward and took a big bus up. That was fun.
I love this ward. I love being able to work with the members here. I really have come to realize this past week how perfect this mission is for me. I love the Netherlands. I love Belgium. I love Dutch. Really, honestly, I do. The Church is small here. Dutch is a totally random language. But I really feel like this is where I was supposed to come. That's a nice, peaceful feeling to have.
The theme of the conference was "Kom tot Christus" "Come unto Christ." Every talk, alles, focused on the Savior and his atonement. I think that's why the Spirit was so strong. One of my favorite things that was said was in Elder Kopischke's talk. He was talking about why we have hard times, and he had us read Mosiah 24:13-14. He talked about how we have hard times so that the Savior can deliver us, and then we can testify of his healing power. I was so touched by that because I have experienced that. I know the Savior can heal us. I don't always know exactly how, and maybe I can’t always understand it, but I know that there is a healing power that is more than what the world can offer. It cleans us from the inside.
There is a Dutch name for Jesus Christ that doesn't really have an English translation, but I love it. The word is “Heiland.” I guess “Savior” would be the best translation, but it means more like healing, making something whole again. And I love that because that's what Christ does. We are all broken. From sin, from sadness, various things, but we all need the Savior’s healing power.
After the conference Zuster Kremer and I went to a park to do finding, and as we were walking I suddenly just felt inspired to pull out my Book of Mormon and tell Zuster Kremer how much I loved the scripture in Mosiah that we had shared. I pulled it out to read it, and then said to her, “I really want to share this with someone." I said that, and then out of nowhere, a man sitting on a bench who we hadn't seen yelled at us and said, "Jesus Christ? What's the message today?" And so I walked over to him and asked him if he wanted to hear the message. He said he has been addicted to alcohol for years but he wanted to hear it. We read that scripture to him, and then proceeded to have a 45 talk with him about the healing power of Christ and God's plan for us. He changed during that conversation, and I know I did too. I saw him as a child of God, I saw him in white. He accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, we exchanged numbers, and we made plans to meet him again next week in the park. It was a miracle.
I know that Christ lives. I know that He heals, that He loves us, and that He suffered and gave His life for us so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. This life does have to be hard sometimes, but we don't have to do anything alone. I am so grateful for a Savior who stands by me. I am happy to be His missionary and to testify of his delivering, healing power. I am so far from perfect, and I try so hard everyday to improve, but it's ok. I know that I can do all things through Christ.
I really pray that we can all continue to strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ's atonement. Let's make it the focus of our lives. Ok, maybe this is corny, but I really feel prompted to ask all of you to pray tonight and ask for a confirmation that Jesus Christ lives and that He is your Savior. I know that you will feel his love, I know it because I've done it, and I feel his love for me every day.
Thank you for your testimonies and your prayers. I love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
I have news -- very surprising news. We heard about transfers this morning and .... I'M STAYING IN AMSTERDAM. With Zuster Kremer. Crazy! That'll be 5 transfers here that's a loooong time. Haha luckily I love Amsterdam and I love Zuster Kremer. I really thought I was leaving though. Everyone did. The ward was like giving me gifts and saying their farewells. Haha -- so crazy, but I get to stay! I'm very happy. :) Another 6 weeks in this beautiful city. The work is really going well too. There are a lot of people I am excited to continue to help. This is a blessed area.
I'm glad to hear things are going well at home. William, good luck with Hairspray! Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun. Please send pictures! I can't believe it was 70 in Kentucky! It's definitely warming up here but dang -- that's warm. Spring is definitely coming though, we're already seeing signs of tulips here and there.
So the miracles of the week. Wow, I don't know where to begin, it's been a great week. We have such a big teaching pool right now. Wednesday night when we went to go eat dinner at Jennifer's house we were introduced to her friend Charlotte. She's 21 and has just seen how Jennifer's life is and her example and the peace that she has, and she wants it too. We taught her about the love of God and how she is a daughter of God, and she was really touched. She is willing to learn and she came to church yesterday! I'm excited to teach her and help her progress to baptism.
Thursday we had an amazing appointment with a man named Ramcil who we met going along doors. He had actually met missionaries a few years ago, but had never been able to find the church. He said that he knew that it was a sign that we knocked on his door. So he is awesome as well.
Everyone else is doing really well. Percy, William, everyone is progressing and reading and growing and yeah...what could be better?? Baptisms are coming soon. :)
I guess the biggest miracle of the week was yesterday. Yesterday we had stake conference and it was really special. It was the 50-year mark of the first stake here in Holland. Elder Kopischke from the Area 70 came as well and the Spirit was powerful. We had 4 investigators who were able to come, which was great considering it was a bit far away. We all met as a ward and took a big bus up. That was fun.
I love this ward. I love being able to work with the members here. I really have come to realize this past week how perfect this mission is for me. I love the Netherlands. I love Belgium. I love Dutch. Really, honestly, I do. The Church is small here. Dutch is a totally random language. But I really feel like this is where I was supposed to come. That's a nice, peaceful feeling to have.
The theme of the conference was "Kom tot Christus" "Come unto Christ." Every talk, alles, focused on the Savior and his atonement. I think that's why the Spirit was so strong. One of my favorite things that was said was in Elder Kopischke's talk. He was talking about why we have hard times, and he had us read Mosiah 24:13-14. He talked about how we have hard times so that the Savior can deliver us, and then we can testify of his healing power. I was so touched by that because I have experienced that. I know the Savior can heal us. I don't always know exactly how, and maybe I can’t always understand it, but I know that there is a healing power that is more than what the world can offer. It cleans us from the inside.
There is a Dutch name for Jesus Christ that doesn't really have an English translation, but I love it. The word is “Heiland.” I guess “Savior” would be the best translation, but it means more like healing, making something whole again. And I love that because that's what Christ does. We are all broken. From sin, from sadness, various things, but we all need the Savior’s healing power.
After the conference Zuster Kremer and I went to a park to do finding, and as we were walking I suddenly just felt inspired to pull out my Book of Mormon and tell Zuster Kremer how much I loved the scripture in Mosiah that we had shared. I pulled it out to read it, and then said to her, “I really want to share this with someone." I said that, and then out of nowhere, a man sitting on a bench who we hadn't seen yelled at us and said, "Jesus Christ? What's the message today?" And so I walked over to him and asked him if he wanted to hear the message. He said he has been addicted to alcohol for years but he wanted to hear it. We read that scripture to him, and then proceeded to have a 45 talk with him about the healing power of Christ and God's plan for us. He changed during that conversation, and I know I did too. I saw him as a child of God, I saw him in white. He accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, we exchanged numbers, and we made plans to meet him again next week in the park. It was a miracle.
I know that Christ lives. I know that He heals, that He loves us, and that He suffered and gave His life for us so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. This life does have to be hard sometimes, but we don't have to do anything alone. I am so grateful for a Savior who stands by me. I am happy to be His missionary and to testify of his delivering, healing power. I am so far from perfect, and I try so hard everyday to improve, but it's ok. I know that I can do all things through Christ.
I really pray that we can all continue to strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ's atonement. Let's make it the focus of our lives. Ok, maybe this is corny, but I really feel prompted to ask all of you to pray tonight and ask for a confirmation that Jesus Christ lives and that He is your Savior. I know that you will feel his love, I know it because I've done it, and I feel his love for me every day.
Thank you for your testimonies and your prayers. I love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, March 7, 2011
So Many Miracles
Dear Family!
It has been such an amazing week! Really, really, one of those weeks when you just look back and think, you know what, that was great. So worth it. We definitely had our struggles this week, but it all has worked out for our good and the good of our investigators. So many miracles seen! I appreciate everything you all have been doing for me. All the prayers and fasting and everything is really working.
And guess what? THE SUN IS SHINING TODAY. :) That gets the miracle of the day award for me. Spring is coming, everyone here says give it another 4 weeks. When I write you next week I'll have heard about transfers. I'm 99.879% sure I'm getting transferred. Who knows where to? It'll be hard to leave. I love Amsterdam with all my heart, and I love working with Zuster Kremer. She's an angel. I'm going to have to start saving up for a trip to Hungary after my mission -- haha.
So miracles. We were able to get back in contact this week with an old investigator named Ger who after our first lesson with him a month ago wasn't too interested, but when we called back he told us that since he stopped meeting with us everything in his life has fallen apart and he wants to learn again. He came to the ward dinner on Wednesday and got a blessing and made a lot of friends with the members. He was a Temple Square referral so we're super excited to start teaching him again. He is uitverkoren.
Speaking of people who are so prepared to receive the gospel, let's move on to Percy. So on Thursday we went to our appointment with William, and when we walked in there was another man sitting on the couch who William introduced as his neighbor Percy. William had given him a copy of the Book of Mormon and Percy had been waiting for us to come and he had so many good questions. He asked us all about the sacrament and going to church and the nature of God, and we were able to answer all of them teaching a first discussion using scriptures from the Bible and Book of Mormon. It was so so amazing. The spirit in the room was astounding! Percy said he had looked all, been to so many different churches, and knew that God was close to him, but he said he just never could find the truth. We testified to him that this was it, and that he could come to find the truth for himself by learning and making covenants with God. He totally committed to a baptismal date and to preparing! William is getting baptized on April 23rd and Percy on April 30th. Such a miracle. He came to church yesterday and he got up and bore his testimony that on Thursday when we walked into the room that he saw light streaming out from us. He said that he knew he had found the truth he has been looking for. It was such a powerful Sunday. I felt the spirit so strongly testifying to be that well, the church is true! And missionary work is great.
Next miracle -- on Saturday we went to go and have an appointment with Vili, our Bulgarian speaking investigator who speaks a little Dutch.
Every lesson really is a gift of tongues miracle; I don't know how we communicate. Anyway, we went and she had her brother’s wife visiting from Bulgaria who doesn't speak any Dutch, but who wanted us to pray for her because she is having a really hard time. So we all knelt to pray and I said the prayer in Dutch because yeah, I can't speak Bulgarian. I really prayed silently before we started that I could be led by the Spirit and that Tanya, the brother’s wife, would feel the Spirit. After the prayer I looked at Tanya and she was crying. She said, Vili translated, and that as I was praying she felt so warm inside and almost like she could understand what I was saying, even though she doesn't speak Dutch. We had a powerful lesson reading from the scriptures about Christ and the atonement. They also both came to church yesterday.
There are so many miracles happening here. God is so aware of all of his children.
Well because of crazy situations I have to go. We are actually locked out of our house -- a LONG story. So time to go figure that out.
I love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
It has been such an amazing week! Really, really, one of those weeks when you just look back and think, you know what, that was great. So worth it. We definitely had our struggles this week, but it all has worked out for our good and the good of our investigators. So many miracles seen! I appreciate everything you all have been doing for me. All the prayers and fasting and everything is really working.
And guess what? THE SUN IS SHINING TODAY. :) That gets the miracle of the day award for me. Spring is coming, everyone here says give it another 4 weeks. When I write you next week I'll have heard about transfers. I'm 99.879% sure I'm getting transferred. Who knows where to? It'll be hard to leave. I love Amsterdam with all my heart, and I love working with Zuster Kremer. She's an angel. I'm going to have to start saving up for a trip to Hungary after my mission -- haha.
So miracles. We were able to get back in contact this week with an old investigator named Ger who after our first lesson with him a month ago wasn't too interested, but when we called back he told us that since he stopped meeting with us everything in his life has fallen apart and he wants to learn again. He came to the ward dinner on Wednesday and got a blessing and made a lot of friends with the members. He was a Temple Square referral so we're super excited to start teaching him again. He is uitverkoren.
Speaking of people who are so prepared to receive the gospel, let's move on to Percy. So on Thursday we went to our appointment with William, and when we walked in there was another man sitting on the couch who William introduced as his neighbor Percy. William had given him a copy of the Book of Mormon and Percy had been waiting for us to come and he had so many good questions. He asked us all about the sacrament and going to church and the nature of God, and we were able to answer all of them teaching a first discussion using scriptures from the Bible and Book of Mormon. It was so so amazing. The spirit in the room was astounding! Percy said he had looked all, been to so many different churches, and knew that God was close to him, but he said he just never could find the truth. We testified to him that this was it, and that he could come to find the truth for himself by learning and making covenants with God. He totally committed to a baptismal date and to preparing! William is getting baptized on April 23rd and Percy on April 30th. Such a miracle. He came to church yesterday and he got up and bore his testimony that on Thursday when we walked into the room that he saw light streaming out from us. He said that he knew he had found the truth he has been looking for. It was such a powerful Sunday. I felt the spirit so strongly testifying to be that well, the church is true! And missionary work is great.
Next miracle -- on Saturday we went to go and have an appointment with Vili, our Bulgarian speaking investigator who speaks a little Dutch.
Every lesson really is a gift of tongues miracle; I don't know how we communicate. Anyway, we went and she had her brother’s wife visiting from Bulgaria who doesn't speak any Dutch, but who wanted us to pray for her because she is having a really hard time. So we all knelt to pray and I said the prayer in Dutch because yeah, I can't speak Bulgarian. I really prayed silently before we started that I could be led by the Spirit and that Tanya, the brother’s wife, would feel the Spirit. After the prayer I looked at Tanya and she was crying. She said, Vili translated, and that as I was praying she felt so warm inside and almost like she could understand what I was saying, even though she doesn't speak Dutch. We had a powerful lesson reading from the scriptures about Christ and the atonement. They also both came to church yesterday.
There are so many miracles happening here. God is so aware of all of his children.
Well because of crazy situations I have to go. We are actually locked out of our house -- a LONG story. So time to go figure that out.
I love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sending All My Love
Dear Family,
Thank you so very much for your emails this week. They were exactly what I needed to read. I know that your concerns and questions come because you care about me and I appreciate that, really. Things are going much better. My stomach is still feeling fine. I will try the dairy thing like Aunt Lynn suggested and see what it does. Dad, thank you also for the list you sent. Those are all things that I have been trying to avoid. We're also going to make an announcement on Sunday so that the members will also know that I have a sensitive stomach and need to be careful. But yes, enough sickness talk. Blah. I really am fine and I am open to answer questions. I still have contact with the doctor, the good one, and if things get worse I will be able to call her right away. There are lots of wonderful people here taking care of me.
How is everyone at home doing? School, work, seminary? I do pray for you all often and I hope everything is going well. Unfortunately I left my planner at home today! So annoying for many reasons now because I don't have my list with me of everything I had wanted to write about. Oh well, hopefully I can remember.
So miracles of the week -- gosh I don't know, everything's been great. Another great lesson my mission is teaching me -- life is hard. For everyone. And if you ever feel like things are too hard for you, just go out and help someone else. Everyone has problems, but the gospel of Jesus Christ has an answer to every problem. It is possible to find peace. I think that's great.
Lots of people that we have visited and taught this week are going through a really hard time. I totally agree with Susan Marnatti, it's the stinking weather! Dang it, it's so gross. I really think Satan is trying to use it to get people discouraged. Unfortunately it's been working too much. I have made a new goal to not say any negative comments about the weather, and I have given Zuster Kremer permission to hit me if I do. Haha, she'll probably have to hit me a lot. I'm honestly praying for warmer weather. At least sunny weather.
But yes, ondanks all of this, the work of God goes forth boldly, nobly, and all that good stuff. Yesterday after church we went to do a consecrated hour and it was POURING. And cold. And just gross. No one was outside so we went to just go knock on doors. Everyone was in a bad mood though. So I made a personal goal and I told Zuster Kremer, "Whatever happens in this hour, regardless of if people accept our message, I just want everyone to know that I am happy." And so that's what I focused on, just being really happy and letting it show. And it worked! People changed.
Biggest miracle -- We met a young man who just slammed the door in our face but then a few minutes later he called us back and invited us in! He said his girlfriend wanted to hear what our message was. So we went in and gave a the whole first discussion and they were so interested and yeah, we're going back. That was awesome and such a needed tender mercy.
We also have been working with a lot of new investigators. We are teaching an awesome man named Ababujey who's been to church once, and though he's hesitant about baptism, he excepted a teaching calendar and will continue to pray to know if it is right.
Well, I took so long reading your emails that I am out of time. Know that I'm happy, and healthy, and that I love and appreciate you all. The gospel is it. Really, really. I'm grateful for my weaknesses because as much as I may kick and scream a bit during the perfecting process, I always come out stronger and closer to the Lord. I love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Thank you so very much for your emails this week. They were exactly what I needed to read. I know that your concerns and questions come because you care about me and I appreciate that, really. Things are going much better. My stomach is still feeling fine. I will try the dairy thing like Aunt Lynn suggested and see what it does. Dad, thank you also for the list you sent. Those are all things that I have been trying to avoid. We're also going to make an announcement on Sunday so that the members will also know that I have a sensitive stomach and need to be careful. But yes, enough sickness talk. Blah. I really am fine and I am open to answer questions. I still have contact with the doctor, the good one, and if things get worse I will be able to call her right away. There are lots of wonderful people here taking care of me.
How is everyone at home doing? School, work, seminary? I do pray for you all often and I hope everything is going well. Unfortunately I left my planner at home today! So annoying for many reasons now because I don't have my list with me of everything I had wanted to write about. Oh well, hopefully I can remember.
So miracles of the week -- gosh I don't know, everything's been great. Another great lesson my mission is teaching me -- life is hard. For everyone. And if you ever feel like things are too hard for you, just go out and help someone else. Everyone has problems, but the gospel of Jesus Christ has an answer to every problem. It is possible to find peace. I think that's great.
Lots of people that we have visited and taught this week are going through a really hard time. I totally agree with Susan Marnatti, it's the stinking weather! Dang it, it's so gross. I really think Satan is trying to use it to get people discouraged. Unfortunately it's been working too much. I have made a new goal to not say any negative comments about the weather, and I have given Zuster Kremer permission to hit me if I do. Haha, she'll probably have to hit me a lot. I'm honestly praying for warmer weather. At least sunny weather.
But yes, ondanks all of this, the work of God goes forth boldly, nobly, and all that good stuff. Yesterday after church we went to do a consecrated hour and it was POURING. And cold. And just gross. No one was outside so we went to just go knock on doors. Everyone was in a bad mood though. So I made a personal goal and I told Zuster Kremer, "Whatever happens in this hour, regardless of if people accept our message, I just want everyone to know that I am happy." And so that's what I focused on, just being really happy and letting it show. And it worked! People changed.
Biggest miracle -- We met a young man who just slammed the door in our face but then a few minutes later he called us back and invited us in! He said his girlfriend wanted to hear what our message was. So we went in and gave a the whole first discussion and they were so interested and yeah, we're going back. That was awesome and such a needed tender mercy.
We also have been working with a lot of new investigators. We are teaching an awesome man named Ababujey who's been to church once, and though he's hesitant about baptism, he excepted a teaching calendar and will continue to pray to know if it is right.
Well, I took so long reading your emails that I am out of time. Know that I'm happy, and healthy, and that I love and appreciate you all. The gospel is it. Really, really. I'm grateful for my weaknesses because as much as I may kick and scream a bit during the perfecting process, I always come out stronger and closer to the Lord. I love you all!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's Day!
Hello family :)
Happy Valentine’s Day! Everything with the work is going great! William, one of the eternal investigators here, came up to me yesterday and told me that he was getting baptized April 23rd and that I better be prepared to help teach him. Haha I was like... umm... ok; I can do that. He has been working really hard to overcome his addictions and I know that it's going to work. He is one of the best people I know and I know that the Lord is going to bless him.
Other exciting news, my health is improving! Prayers are being answered after a long road. But thanks to everyone who is praying for me. We still have a ways to go but I feel so very blessed.
I hope everyone is doing well! Spread the love. We're not doing too much today. We actually are so busy teaching that we had to have an appointment this morning too, though I can't think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day than testifying to others of God and Christ's love for them. I know that the Saviour loves us all. He knows personally how to help us. God's tender mercies are all around us, we just need to make sure we're looking.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Happy Valentine’s Day! Everything with the work is going great! William, one of the eternal investigators here, came up to me yesterday and told me that he was getting baptized April 23rd and that I better be prepared to help teach him. Haha I was like... umm... ok; I can do that. He has been working really hard to overcome his addictions and I know that it's going to work. He is one of the best people I know and I know that the Lord is going to bless him.
Other exciting news, my health is improving! Prayers are being answered after a long road. But thanks to everyone who is praying for me. We still have a ways to go but I feel so very blessed.
I hope everyone is doing well! Spread the love. We're not doing too much today. We actually are so busy teaching that we had to have an appointment this morning too, though I can't think of a better way to spend Valentine’s Day than testifying to others of God and Christ's love for them. I know that the Saviour loves us all. He knows personally how to help us. God's tender mercies are all around us, we just need to make sure we're looking.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Baptism!
Dearest family,
Thank you so much for your wonderful emails. I was really touched by everything you wrote. I appreciate your prayers and I can feel of your love for me.
Things here are going so so well. I'm completely exhausted today, but I think that's because it's been so windy lately. Really, it's kind of ridiculous, but the wind will not stop! It has almost blown me off my feet a few times. I'm hoping it's here to blow all the cold weather away. I was looking through my pictures the other day and really missed warm weather! Missionary work without a coat -- haha. We'll see, everyone says we're due for one more snow storm. I'm grateful to only have one winter and two summers to serve.
Miracles! One -- DELROY GOT BAPTIZED ON FRIDAY. :)) :) :) And it was beautiful. So perfect. He arrived super early and brought some of his family with him (something we didn't think was going to happen!). His aunt and grandparents came and absolutely loved it. So much so that they came to church again yesterday, gladly took copies of the Book of Mormon, and want to learn more. We had a great turnout for the baptism. We've worked really hard to get lots of different people to come on joint-teach and so a lot of the ward already knows DelRoy, and because it was his birthday even more people came.
The baptism itself was beautiful. When he came up out of the water he started crying; it was really touching. When I asked him after how he was feeling he said, "Like I’m walking on water." I was privileged to give the talk on the Holy Ghost and to my terror, well, not terror, but just very intimidating, I made my solo debut singing. Elder Klippel and I did an arrangement of “Oh My Father.” He played his guitar; I played my flute and we both sang. It turned out pretty ok I think. I kind of had lost my voice by the end of the night though. Afterward the ward had a cake for him and it was just so great to see him and his family being accepted by everyone.
I think one of the most special moments for me personally was during it all DelRoy came up to me, shook my hand and said simply, "Zuster Holbein, Bedankt." It wasn't something I needed to hear, and really, I didn't even do anything, the Holy Spirit and he did it all; it was just a really nice moment. President Brubaker always says that nothing binds two people together like a common spiritual experience. I agree.
Other miracle -- 2 of our new investigators Bettina and Rahaj. They are from India and are amazing. We met Bettina a few weeks ago during a consecrated hour and we had our first appointment this past Saturday night. And this gets really cool. So we get to their street and I keep saying to Zuster Kremer, "This looks so familiar". The thing is though, we've never been there. We get in the apartment and sit down and start talking. Rahaj, the husband, turns to us and says, "Last August we had two missionaries from your church ring our bell. The told us they had a message about Jesus Christ, but I told them we were having dinner so they would have to come back. They never did though. That's why we are so happy you met Bettina in the park."
And then as soon as he said that I REMEMBERED. Last August I spent one night here in Amsterdam while traveling on the way to Den Haag for zone conference. That night Zuster Fritz and Zuster Ekstrom went to FHE and Zuster Cranford and I went and did a consecrated hour ... on that street! It all came back so clearly I could even remember ringing his bell. Amazing! We are now in contact again. Little did I know when I did that hour back in August what would happen -- that I would end up serving here, and that we would end up finding Bettina in a park. What a miracle. It’s proof to me that God knows every one of His children. Everyone has their time. That I know for a fact.
Well lievers, I love you. I pray for your health and safety as you pray for mine. Thank you for your examples of faith. I know that God answers our prayers. I am learning to trust in Him more as my faith is tested. Look up a talk called "But If Not..." by Elder Dennis E. Simmons I think. It was given in April 2004 General Conference. It has really changed my perspective on a lot of things.
You all are the best!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Thank you so much for your wonderful emails. I was really touched by everything you wrote. I appreciate your prayers and I can feel of your love for me.
Things here are going so so well. I'm completely exhausted today, but I think that's because it's been so windy lately. Really, it's kind of ridiculous, but the wind will not stop! It has almost blown me off my feet a few times. I'm hoping it's here to blow all the cold weather away. I was looking through my pictures the other day and really missed warm weather! Missionary work without a coat -- haha. We'll see, everyone says we're due for one more snow storm. I'm grateful to only have one winter and two summers to serve.
Miracles! One -- DELROY GOT BAPTIZED ON FRIDAY. :)) :) :) And it was beautiful. So perfect. He arrived super early and brought some of his family with him (something we didn't think was going to happen!). His aunt and grandparents came and absolutely loved it. So much so that they came to church again yesterday, gladly took copies of the Book of Mormon, and want to learn more. We had a great turnout for the baptism. We've worked really hard to get lots of different people to come on joint-teach and so a lot of the ward already knows DelRoy, and because it was his birthday even more people came.
The baptism itself was beautiful. When he came up out of the water he started crying; it was really touching. When I asked him after how he was feeling he said, "Like I’m walking on water." I was privileged to give the talk on the Holy Ghost and to my terror, well, not terror, but just very intimidating, I made my solo debut singing. Elder Klippel and I did an arrangement of “Oh My Father.” He played his guitar; I played my flute and we both sang. It turned out pretty ok I think. I kind of had lost my voice by the end of the night though. Afterward the ward had a cake for him and it was just so great to see him and his family being accepted by everyone.
I think one of the most special moments for me personally was during it all DelRoy came up to me, shook my hand and said simply, "Zuster Holbein, Bedankt." It wasn't something I needed to hear, and really, I didn't even do anything, the Holy Spirit and he did it all; it was just a really nice moment. President Brubaker always says that nothing binds two people together like a common spiritual experience. I agree.
Other miracle -- 2 of our new investigators Bettina and Rahaj. They are from India and are amazing. We met Bettina a few weeks ago during a consecrated hour and we had our first appointment this past Saturday night. And this gets really cool. So we get to their street and I keep saying to Zuster Kremer, "This looks so familiar". The thing is though, we've never been there. We get in the apartment and sit down and start talking. Rahaj, the husband, turns to us and says, "Last August we had two missionaries from your church ring our bell. The told us they had a message about Jesus Christ, but I told them we were having dinner so they would have to come back. They never did though. That's why we are so happy you met Bettina in the park."
And then as soon as he said that I REMEMBERED. Last August I spent one night here in Amsterdam while traveling on the way to Den Haag for zone conference. That night Zuster Fritz and Zuster Ekstrom went to FHE and Zuster Cranford and I went and did a consecrated hour ... on that street! It all came back so clearly I could even remember ringing his bell. Amazing! We are now in contact again. Little did I know when I did that hour back in August what would happen -- that I would end up serving here, and that we would end up finding Bettina in a park. What a miracle. It’s proof to me that God knows every one of His children. Everyone has their time. That I know for a fact.
Well lievers, I love you. I pray for your health and safety as you pray for mine. Thank you for your examples of faith. I know that God answers our prayers. I am learning to trust in Him more as my faith is tested. Look up a talk called "But If Not..." by Elder Dennis E. Simmons I think. It was given in April 2004 General Conference. It has really changed my perspective on a lot of things.
You all are the best!
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, January 31, 2011
More Miracles
Dear Family,
First things first -- I'm not being transferred! I get at least one more transfer in A'dam! Wahoo. :) Zuster Kremer and I are staying together and I am so very happy. It was a big surprise, everyone thought I was leaving. Seriously, in church yesterday EVERYONE kept saying goodbye and how sad they were that I would have to go. But hey, prayers are answered and I get another blessed 6 weeks here. I'm excited, the work is really going well, and there is so much potential.
This past week has been incredible! First miracle -- DelRoy, as always. He is totally set for baptism on Friday. We are so so happy for him. He just glows with the Spirit; he really does. The baptism is going to be great; the whole ward is excited. I'm giving a talk on the Holy Ghost and playing my flute. I'll take lots of pictures and I promise -- haha -- to try and send them. I know I've been bad about that.
Other big miracle of the week -- ok this is a cool story. So last week Sunday we did a consecrated hour and met this man named Dibbs. We were able to share a quick message with him and pray before he had to go. We also got his number and were able to set up an appointment for this past Saturday. So on Friday we called him to confirm the appointment and he said that was fine, you know, normal conversation. So I hung up, and then five minutes later he called back. He said that his friend is actually also a Christian and he thinks that he would be interested. So he asks, “Can I give you his number? And can you call him now and set up an appointment and then call me back?” Umm, yes we can do that. So we call his friend, Dillip, and he ends up saying that he would come to the appointment with Dibbs and that he would bring a friend. Yea! we were so excited.
So Saturday we go to the appointment and Dibbs and Dillip are there. We end up having a great first lesson with them. Dibbs actually doesn't know much about God, but he started out the lesson by telling us that when we prayed with him the other day that was the first time he prayed and he really felt something. We got to explain that it was the Spirit. and we had a really powerful lesson. Dillip is already Christian but was so interested in the Book of Mormon and totally believes that it could be the word of God. And... he committed to preparing to be baptized on March 6th!! Dibbs would have as well but he is leaving to go to Spain for a month -- JAMMER. But when he gets back for sure. Yea! so that was awesome.
Then yesterday Dillip came to church and brought 2 of his other friends with him, one of them Manu, who also committed to baptism! And they loved church and just happened to stay for the baptism that was after and loved it too. It was such a miracle day. Really, these people have such a special spirit with them, I love it.
In funny news, I had another epic bike crash. My bike is broken so we've been doing achterop [back riding] the whole week. I peddle and Zuster Kremer jumps. Only this one time, Thursday I think, I wasn't ready for her to jump and ended up flying off the bike and face planting into the sidewalk. It hurt a bit but it was more funny than anything.
I love you all! Thank you for all you do for me and for your prayers. Always remember that I love you. The Church is true, so so so true.
Hurrah for life. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
First things first -- I'm not being transferred! I get at least one more transfer in A'dam! Wahoo. :) Zuster Kremer and I are staying together and I am so very happy. It was a big surprise, everyone thought I was leaving. Seriously, in church yesterday EVERYONE kept saying goodbye and how sad they were that I would have to go. But hey, prayers are answered and I get another blessed 6 weeks here. I'm excited, the work is really going well, and there is so much potential.
This past week has been incredible! First miracle -- DelRoy, as always. He is totally set for baptism on Friday. We are so so happy for him. He just glows with the Spirit; he really does. The baptism is going to be great; the whole ward is excited. I'm giving a talk on the Holy Ghost and playing my flute. I'll take lots of pictures and I promise -- haha -- to try and send them. I know I've been bad about that.
Other big miracle of the week -- ok this is a cool story. So last week Sunday we did a consecrated hour and met this man named Dibbs. We were able to share a quick message with him and pray before he had to go. We also got his number and were able to set up an appointment for this past Saturday. So on Friday we called him to confirm the appointment and he said that was fine, you know, normal conversation. So I hung up, and then five minutes later he called back. He said that his friend is actually also a Christian and he thinks that he would be interested. So he asks, “Can I give you his number? And can you call him now and set up an appointment and then call me back?” Umm, yes we can do that. So we call his friend, Dillip, and he ends up saying that he would come to the appointment with Dibbs and that he would bring a friend. Yea! we were so excited.
So Saturday we go to the appointment and Dibbs and Dillip are there. We end up having a great first lesson with them. Dibbs actually doesn't know much about God, but he started out the lesson by telling us that when we prayed with him the other day that was the first time he prayed and he really felt something. We got to explain that it was the Spirit. and we had a really powerful lesson. Dillip is already Christian but was so interested in the Book of Mormon and totally believes that it could be the word of God. And... he committed to preparing to be baptized on March 6th!! Dibbs would have as well but he is leaving to go to Spain for a month -- JAMMER. But when he gets back for sure. Yea! so that was awesome.
Then yesterday Dillip came to church and brought 2 of his other friends with him, one of them Manu, who also committed to baptism! And they loved church and just happened to stay for the baptism that was after and loved it too. It was such a miracle day. Really, these people have such a special spirit with them, I love it.
In funny news, I had another epic bike crash. My bike is broken so we've been doing achterop [back riding] the whole week. I peddle and Zuster Kremer jumps. Only this one time, Thursday I think, I wasn't ready for her to jump and ended up flying off the bike and face planting into the sidewalk. It hurt a bit but it was more funny than anything.
I love you all! Thank you for all you do for me and for your prayers. Always remember that I love you. The Church is true, so so so true.
Hurrah for life. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, January 24, 2011
Challenges & Joy
Dear Family!
I officially have no time to write because I took so long reading people's emails and things. THANK YOU EVERYONE. :) I feel your love haha. Really though, that and the testimonies you sent me were the best presents ever.
It has been quite the week! Again, a really really hard week. But still so many miracles, yesterday being the biggest, and when I was writing in my journal last night I really could honestly say that I was completely happy. Exhausted, but totally happy and confident that it's going to be a great week.
My birthday was a lot of fun.... honestly saying... I was sick! BAH. Not fun. I have this new goal to never again be sick while I'm on my mission because it's 100% lame. Long story short, I have a messed up stomach. But the good news is Sister Pankratz is a dear and knows the remedy to everything (if she had lived 200 years ago she would have been burned at the stake for her herb concoctions) and I feel a lot better now. So no freaking out. Favorite quote of the week-Sister Pankratz: "Who needs weed when you have a spice cabinet?" Haha - only in Amsterdam could you say that.
Transfers are next week and I'm really hoping I stay. But I'd also be ok with leaving. Oh who cares, put it in the hands of the Lord and it all works out.
Other things - hmm, birthday - the ward was wonderful. I managed to make it to the ward dinner that night and they all sang and gave me presents and things which wasn't even necessary. I actually got a lot of headbands - haha. I have developed a reputation of always having them.
So since I'm out of time let's just get right down to the miracles - DelRoy! Yay! He is doing so so well. He was honestly really struggling. When I wrote you last week we had actually lost contact with him. He was really having doubts and Satan was just getting in there too much. But then on Wednesday (birthday miracle) HE CALLED US. :) And he said that when the elders had seen him in the park (that's another story) and told him to pray about things again, he did and found an answer in the scriptures about not rejecting the disciples of Christ, and that he didn't want to doubt anymore, wanted to feel the Holy Spirit again, and go through with baptism! MIRACLE. :) :) So he came to his appointment Thursday and we are back on track. Yesterday he came to church and loved it.
We also had Marilyn there; she is an investigator who has had some trouble getting to church. And it was perfect for her! She's been struggling with her teenage daughter and all the talks were about raising youth in the last days. She was taking notes. :) After church she asked for a blessing, and after said that she really wants to get baptized; it's just that last step of faith that is hard for her. We're praying, she's praying, and it's going to work out, I know it. She's had such a change of heart, I love her.
Last night we had an awesome appointment with DelRoy at Jennifer's again for dinner and Unique, who was baptized in December, come and she was an awesome joint teach. We watched part of a talk from President Monson, and when DelRoy heard his voice he said that he knew he was a prophet of God. Ahhh - good feelings.
I am so so so grateful to be a missionary. Honestly, this week has really taught me that missionary work isn't always fun. And I can't say that in the moment I've loved every minute of it. It's hard. But it's all so worth it. The Church is perfect; it has everything we need. No questions left unanswered, no problem that can't be solved. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.
Thank you all for your examples of faith and diligence! Ik hou van jullie. :)
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
I officially have no time to write because I took so long reading people's emails and things. THANK YOU EVERYONE. :) I feel your love haha. Really though, that and the testimonies you sent me were the best presents ever.
It has been quite the week! Again, a really really hard week. But still so many miracles, yesterday being the biggest, and when I was writing in my journal last night I really could honestly say that I was completely happy. Exhausted, but totally happy and confident that it's going to be a great week.
My birthday was a lot of fun.... honestly saying... I was sick! BAH. Not fun. I have this new goal to never again be sick while I'm on my mission because it's 100% lame. Long story short, I have a messed up stomach. But the good news is Sister Pankratz is a dear and knows the remedy to everything (if she had lived 200 years ago she would have been burned at the stake for her herb concoctions) and I feel a lot better now. So no freaking out. Favorite quote of the week-Sister Pankratz: "Who needs weed when you have a spice cabinet?" Haha - only in Amsterdam could you say that.
Transfers are next week and I'm really hoping I stay. But I'd also be ok with leaving. Oh who cares, put it in the hands of the Lord and it all works out.
Other things - hmm, birthday - the ward was wonderful. I managed to make it to the ward dinner that night and they all sang and gave me presents and things which wasn't even necessary. I actually got a lot of headbands - haha. I have developed a reputation of always having them.
So since I'm out of time let's just get right down to the miracles - DelRoy! Yay! He is doing so so well. He was honestly really struggling. When I wrote you last week we had actually lost contact with him. He was really having doubts and Satan was just getting in there too much. But then on Wednesday (birthday miracle) HE CALLED US. :) And he said that when the elders had seen him in the park (that's another story) and told him to pray about things again, he did and found an answer in the scriptures about not rejecting the disciples of Christ, and that he didn't want to doubt anymore, wanted to feel the Holy Spirit again, and go through with baptism! MIRACLE. :) :) So he came to his appointment Thursday and we are back on track. Yesterday he came to church and loved it.
We also had Marilyn there; she is an investigator who has had some trouble getting to church. And it was perfect for her! She's been struggling with her teenage daughter and all the talks were about raising youth in the last days. She was taking notes. :) After church she asked for a blessing, and after said that she really wants to get baptized; it's just that last step of faith that is hard for her. We're praying, she's praying, and it's going to work out, I know it. She's had such a change of heart, I love her.
Last night we had an awesome appointment with DelRoy at Jennifer's again for dinner and Unique, who was baptized in December, come and she was an awesome joint teach. We watched part of a talk from President Monson, and when DelRoy heard his voice he said that he knew he was a prophet of God. Ahhh - good feelings.
I am so so so grateful to be a missionary. Honestly, this week has really taught me that missionary work isn't always fun. And I can't say that in the moment I've loved every minute of it. It's hard. But it's all so worth it. The Church is perfect; it has everything we need. No questions left unanswered, no problem that can't be solved. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.
Thank you all for your examples of faith and diligence! Ik hou van jullie. :)
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, January 17, 2011
Blijf maar zwimmen
Hello family :)
Thank you so much for the emails this week! I think that was the most I have ever gotten - haha. But really, I appreciate your love. I have gotten cards from Mom, Dad, and William so far but it doesn't really matter to me when they come. I've been saving them for Wednesday and I'm excited to read your beautiful testimonies. Thank you for your examples of faith.
So this week: the best word to describe it -- WET. Oh my goodness it rained every single day non-stop I think. Yesterday was the first day that we had seen the sun in a while and it was a nice break. We came home every night soaked. Good stuff. My new best friend is my big bright blue poncho. A member here gave it to me and it has been a life saver. I have to admit I look quite ridiculous, especially since it says IKEA across the back, but it keeps me dry. The weather has made finding this week a little difficult though. People have been staying inside, and knocking on doors is not very effective. Honestly, it was a bit of a hard week. That's ok though; that's missionary work, it happens sometimes. And I've learned a lot, something that always happens whenever the work is hard -- trials come to everyone too. Our investigators are all struggling too. We receive no witness until after the trial of our faith, right? DelRoy is doing well with not smoking, but other things have been hard this week. But with prayer everything will work out. The Lord is definitely in control and I'm letting that bring me peace.
As far as miracles go, we have been blessed to meet with a lot of amazing people this week. We were able to contact a referral from Temple Square, a man named Ger. He is amazing! And just a thank you to the sisters on Temple Square, they really did a good job teaching him. When we came he knew a lot about the Church already and had been reading in the Book of Mormon already. He wasn't ready to set a baptismal date but he wants to keep learning and he wants us to come to his Bible study group to teach a lesson. That should be interesting -- definitely pray for the Spirit for that one. We also had one of our French speaking investigators finally come to church yesterday! His name is Christian (appropriate) and he loved it. Unfortunately he is moving back to Africa at the end of this week. But he says he knows where the Church is and wants to keep going.
Personally, I am almost done with the Book of Mormon again. Yay! That's been exciting. I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON. Ok, it sounds lame and cheesy, but it's so true. I love trying to picture the stories. I actually think I've been getting too into it because last night I had this dream that it was this big mortal combat and we were all fighting with swords and things, and yeah... it was intense. Anyway, I'm grateful for the precious principles of the gospel we can learn from studying and reading the Book of Mormon. And, as another side note, I also love the Bible. I came to this light bulb moment this week. So Vili, one of our investigators, speaks Bulgarian and Dutch but Bulgarian is better for her to read in. And unfortunately, they don't have a Bulgarian Bible. So all we can teach out of is the Book of Mormon. That is nice, but I really realized this week -- we need both. TOGETHER they teach the gospel. I mean we tell people that all the time, but it really is true.
Well lievers, I love you all. Happy my birthday on Wednesday. Wednesday is wijketen, a big ward dinner, so we'll be eating there. Should be fun. I'm praying for miracles! Hope you can feel of my love! Blijf maar zwimmen.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Thank you so much for the emails this week! I think that was the most I have ever gotten - haha. But really, I appreciate your love. I have gotten cards from Mom, Dad, and William so far but it doesn't really matter to me when they come. I've been saving them for Wednesday and I'm excited to read your beautiful testimonies. Thank you for your examples of faith.
So this week: the best word to describe it -- WET. Oh my goodness it rained every single day non-stop I think. Yesterday was the first day that we had seen the sun in a while and it was a nice break. We came home every night soaked. Good stuff. My new best friend is my big bright blue poncho. A member here gave it to me and it has been a life saver. I have to admit I look quite ridiculous, especially since it says IKEA across the back, but it keeps me dry. The weather has made finding this week a little difficult though. People have been staying inside, and knocking on doors is not very effective. Honestly, it was a bit of a hard week. That's ok though; that's missionary work, it happens sometimes. And I've learned a lot, something that always happens whenever the work is hard -- trials come to everyone too. Our investigators are all struggling too. We receive no witness until after the trial of our faith, right? DelRoy is doing well with not smoking, but other things have been hard this week. But with prayer everything will work out. The Lord is definitely in control and I'm letting that bring me peace.
As far as miracles go, we have been blessed to meet with a lot of amazing people this week. We were able to contact a referral from Temple Square, a man named Ger. He is amazing! And just a thank you to the sisters on Temple Square, they really did a good job teaching him. When we came he knew a lot about the Church already and had been reading in the Book of Mormon already. He wasn't ready to set a baptismal date but he wants to keep learning and he wants us to come to his Bible study group to teach a lesson. That should be interesting -- definitely pray for the Spirit for that one. We also had one of our French speaking investigators finally come to church yesterday! His name is Christian (appropriate) and he loved it. Unfortunately he is moving back to Africa at the end of this week. But he says he knows where the Church is and wants to keep going.
Personally, I am almost done with the Book of Mormon again. Yay! That's been exciting. I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON. Ok, it sounds lame and cheesy, but it's so true. I love trying to picture the stories. I actually think I've been getting too into it because last night I had this dream that it was this big mortal combat and we were all fighting with swords and things, and yeah... it was intense. Anyway, I'm grateful for the precious principles of the gospel we can learn from studying and reading the Book of Mormon. And, as another side note, I also love the Bible. I came to this light bulb moment this week. So Vili, one of our investigators, speaks Bulgarian and Dutch but Bulgarian is better for her to read in. And unfortunately, they don't have a Bulgarian Bible. So all we can teach out of is the Book of Mormon. That is nice, but I really realized this week -- we need both. TOGETHER they teach the gospel. I mean we tell people that all the time, but it really is true.
Well lievers, I love you all. Happy my birthday on Wednesday. Wednesday is wijketen, a big ward dinner, so we'll be eating there. Should be fun. I'm praying for miracles! Hope you can feel of my love! Blijf maar zwimmen.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
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