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