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
Monday, February 28, 2011
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
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