It was so great to get letters from you all this week! Thank you so much for your support and love and prayers. I'm so happy to hear that all with Rhett is going well. He is absolutely adorable! I sent him a card this past week, so hopefully it will be coming soon. I also bought him a my first words book in Dutch and I can't decide if I want to send it home or just bring it with me when I come back. I can't wait to see pictures from the blessing. You should send pictures of the nursery and stuff too. Julia I am sure you are an amazing mother! And Jake that you are a great father of course. It's crazy that when I get back there will be a baby! Haha weird.
This week has been amazing! We've seen so many people make so much progress and it's wonderful. It's hard to believe that Joseph was only baptized a week ago. He came on joint teach with us this week! Now that was awesome! And also slightly hilarious because he was using all the same questions and scriptures that WE used on HIM. Like, "So according to this scripture, why is baptism important?" It was so great to see; Zuster Fritz and I couldn't stop smiling. He also had us and a member Zuster Van Wauwe over for a Gambian dinner. A lot of times eating African food means fish, but thank goodness this time it was just beef. Haha though I am building up tolerance for it! It was a lot of fun and we also got to see our old investigator who he lives with. Turns out he is Muslim, but is still so friendly and open to hear things. He told us that he's never seen Joseph happier. We taught Joseph about the temple and he is going next month to do baptisms for the dead. Yeah!
All the rest of our investigators are doing great. We've had some really sad disappointments with a few people dropping us, but I really do know that they are in the Lord's hands and their time will come even if it's not now. And we definitely keep on praying for them. We have found so many new wonderful people! Last night we had a wonderful second appointment with twins Sarah and Stella and committed them to being baptized October 9th. They are super positive and are very excited about the Book of Mormon and seeing how it works with the Bible. Lilian is also doing really well. Her date is for the 19th of September and she has made so much progress with things like the Word of Wisdom. She now calls us and asks for more reading from the Book of Mormon -- who does that? She is golden!
One of our tender mercies/miracles for the week came in the mail this past Tuesday. We went to the church for district meeting and Brother Nuyens told us that a letter had come to the church for Zuster Fritz and me. That was a total surprise and we had no idea who would have sent us a note to the church. We asked him who it was from and he said that he didn't know, just someone from the Netherlands. He gave us the letter and it turns out to be from a man named Nico who we met in a consecrated hour a few weeks ago. We met him on a bench when he had just sat down and prayed that God would lead him to truth. We taught him a whole lesson on the plan of salvation, and prayed with him. It was a beautiful lesson. Anyway, he sent us a postcard. I wish I had it with me, but on the back at the end of the letter he wrote "It made my day to talk with you about the love of God and to pray. I read the beautiful book you gave me. It was nothing new or strange but like something I've always known in my heart. I am so grateful that God sent two wonderful young women to our little countries by the sea to spread his word. Thank you." It seriously made me cry. He gave us his correct info; we had the wrong number before, and we gave it to the elders in Amsterdam where he lives and they are going to start teaching him! What a blessing. Every little moment really does count. Every person you talk to, you really never know the effect you have. That's only one of the million reasons why I love this work.
Well that's about all I have time for. Ik hou van jullie. The Church has been restored. We have a prophet on the earth today. Christ lives. Wat ben ik blij!
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Smiling Coast of Africa
Tjonge Jonge. What an amazing week. Really, no email I could ever write could describe the wonderful, blessed week this has been. We truly have been blessed by the Lord is so many ways. I can't remember a time thus far on my mission that I have been so happy or felt so much love from those I serve and those I serve with.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I feel them. I received a blessing this week and was told that the prayers of those at home would be a great benefit to me. I believe that.
I am so happy to hear that all is going well with baby Rhett! He is so cute. I talk about him all the time, it's a great way to start a contact with people.
So there is so much to tell you all. First of all, we found out about transfers last night and... Zuster Fritz and I are both staying right here in Antwerpen! Yeah! I am so so so so happy to be staying. I wasn't worried to leave, but things are getting on a roll here and there are so many people I want to stay and help. So yes, another 6 weeks here in this blessed city. I have a feeling the best is yet to come. :)
Other random news, we found out at zone conference that the dress code for sisters has been changed. All over the world now we are no longer required to wear tights, and the skirts just have to cover the knee. And they want us to wear more color and pattern. Haha wahoo! :)
Monday night was spent in Amsterdam and was an answer to prayers. Zuster Cranford, who was actually in my younger group in the MTC, and I got to go out and do finding together. It was awesome! It was my first experience being the senior companion which was crazy but so fun. It helped me feel a lot more confidence in my Dutch and my abilities as a missionary. We had a blast talking to all kinds of amazing people and I rode my first bike since I've been on my mission. Crazy but true. We just walk everywhere here. I have come to realize that contacting people is the best medicine ever. If I'm ever feeling sad or thinking too much about myself, all I have to do is go contact someone and immediately I feel better.
Tuesday we had mission-wide sister exchanges. Zuster Sharp, Zuster Fritz’s MTC companion, came down to Antwerpen with me for two days and we saw so many miracles. Zuster Brubaker actually came with us on Tuesday and we found a new investigator, taught several powerful lessons, and got soaking wet while running to catch a tram in the rain. Haha Zuster Brubaker certainly got a real missionary experience! Wednesday night we traveled back up to Den Haag and stayed the night in the apartment there with 5 other sisters which was a lot of fun. And then Thursday was zone conference in Leiden. President Brubaker actually wasn't able to be there, which was crazy, because he hurt his toe and was in the hospital! No worries, he's fine now. The assistants did a wonderful job teaching us. The theme was “What is the doctrine of Christ?” We're studying 3 Nephi 11 and 27 and it's been really cool. Oh, and my flute came that day, and I played it at the last minute for a musical number at zone conference. It felt so good to play again, but I definitely need to practice before Elder Ballard comes. Elder Reltiz who plays piano, Elder Wood who plays violin, and myself are playing a really pretty arrangement of Beautiful Savior.
Friday night we had a movie night at the church and watched The Testaments. It was seriously so powerful and we had a lot of investigators come. It was the perfect pump up for Saturday morning and the baptism of Joseph Mendy!!! Oh my goodness words can not do justice to the beauty of that day. Everything was perfect. Joseph was so prepared and so happy. He was glowing. We had a wonderful turnout from the ward, and a bunch of the African sisters brought food to eat. Joseph is truly a different person now. We didn't take anything from his faith, but we really did just add so much. We got him a quad as a surprise for his baptism and he loves it. He brought it to church on Sunday and was already marking it up. I am so happy for him and am excited to help him progress and make his way to the temple. On Sunday after receiving the Holy Ghost he was telling everyone that this was the happiest day of his life. I think I've told you before, but he comes from Gambia, or as he likes to call it "the smiling coast of Africa." Gambia is actually 95 percent Muslim, so it is a miracle that he has such faith in Jesus Christ. Seeing his progression in this gospel has been a miracle. You'll have to look on the blog for his full story. Zuster Fritz and I are sending it in today.
I love you all so much. Thank you for everything you do for me. I know this gospel is true. It's everything, people HAVE to have it. I'm grateful for my chance to serve the Lord. It's the best thing ever. Echt waar. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Thank you so much for your prayers. I feel them. I received a blessing this week and was told that the prayers of those at home would be a great benefit to me. I believe that.
I am so happy to hear that all is going well with baby Rhett! He is so cute. I talk about him all the time, it's a great way to start a contact with people.
So there is so much to tell you all. First of all, we found out about transfers last night and... Zuster Fritz and I are both staying right here in Antwerpen! Yeah! I am so so so so happy to be staying. I wasn't worried to leave, but things are getting on a roll here and there are so many people I want to stay and help. So yes, another 6 weeks here in this blessed city. I have a feeling the best is yet to come. :)
Other random news, we found out at zone conference that the dress code for sisters has been changed. All over the world now we are no longer required to wear tights, and the skirts just have to cover the knee. And they want us to wear more color and pattern. Haha wahoo! :)
Monday night was spent in Amsterdam and was an answer to prayers. Zuster Cranford, who was actually in my younger group in the MTC, and I got to go out and do finding together. It was awesome! It was my first experience being the senior companion which was crazy but so fun. It helped me feel a lot more confidence in my Dutch and my abilities as a missionary. We had a blast talking to all kinds of amazing people and I rode my first bike since I've been on my mission. Crazy but true. We just walk everywhere here. I have come to realize that contacting people is the best medicine ever. If I'm ever feeling sad or thinking too much about myself, all I have to do is go contact someone and immediately I feel better.
Tuesday we had mission-wide sister exchanges. Zuster Sharp, Zuster Fritz’s MTC companion, came down to Antwerpen with me for two days and we saw so many miracles. Zuster Brubaker actually came with us on Tuesday and we found a new investigator, taught several powerful lessons, and got soaking wet while running to catch a tram in the rain. Haha Zuster Brubaker certainly got a real missionary experience! Wednesday night we traveled back up to Den Haag and stayed the night in the apartment there with 5 other sisters which was a lot of fun. And then Thursday was zone conference in Leiden. President Brubaker actually wasn't able to be there, which was crazy, because he hurt his toe and was in the hospital! No worries, he's fine now. The assistants did a wonderful job teaching us. The theme was “What is the doctrine of Christ?” We're studying 3 Nephi 11 and 27 and it's been really cool. Oh, and my flute came that day, and I played it at the last minute for a musical number at zone conference. It felt so good to play again, but I definitely need to practice before Elder Ballard comes. Elder Reltiz who plays piano, Elder Wood who plays violin, and myself are playing a really pretty arrangement of Beautiful Savior.
Friday night we had a movie night at the church and watched The Testaments. It was seriously so powerful and we had a lot of investigators come. It was the perfect pump up for Saturday morning and the baptism of Joseph Mendy!!! Oh my goodness words can not do justice to the beauty of that day. Everything was perfect. Joseph was so prepared and so happy. He was glowing. We had a wonderful turnout from the ward, and a bunch of the African sisters brought food to eat. Joseph is truly a different person now. We didn't take anything from his faith, but we really did just add so much. We got him a quad as a surprise for his baptism and he loves it. He brought it to church on Sunday and was already marking it up. I am so happy for him and am excited to help him progress and make his way to the temple. On Sunday after receiving the Holy Ghost he was telling everyone that this was the happiest day of his life. I think I've told you before, but he comes from Gambia, or as he likes to call it "the smiling coast of Africa." Gambia is actually 95 percent Muslim, so it is a miracle that he has such faith in Jesus Christ. Seeing his progression in this gospel has been a miracle. You'll have to look on the blog for his full story. Zuster Fritz and I are sending it in today.
I love you all so much. Thank you for everything you do for me. I know this gospel is true. It's everything, people HAVE to have it. I'm grateful for my chance to serve the Lord. It's the best thing ever. Echt waar. :)
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, August 9, 2010
Yea for Baby Rhett!!!
Hoi family! Greetings from Amsterdam!
We are doing exchanges tomorrow and so Zuster Fritz and I came up early to spend the night with the sisters here. So we ended up getting on the local train by mistake and are now super late so we don't really have time to email. Oh and in the Netherlands they have American keyboards which now seem totally foreign to me, I'm having a really hard time typing! Haha.
Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures of baby Rhett! They made me cry, though really everything has been making me cry lately, it's been a very emotional week. I am so happy for you Jake and Julia. What a wonderful blessing to our family. I have a card I want to send but I don't have your address, so if you could send it that would be great!
So a quick run down -- this week has been inspiring! So many blessings and tender mercies. Joseph is 100 klaar for his doop and the ward is already really taking him in. He'll be baptized this Saturday at 11. Oh man it's going to be so good!
We have also found a lot of beautiful new investigators and they are making a lot of progress. Ethel and her son Steven who we have been teaching English to came to our football match with the other missionaries and played along. We also had an awesome FHE with them and they are reading from the BOM and praying together daily. The gospel really helps families so much, it’s awesome.
I'm sorry but that's all the time I have for now! There will be lots more to tell next week this week is going to be crazy awesome including exchanges, zone conference, testament movie night at church, and Joseph’s baptism.
I love you all and will be praying extra hard for Julia and Jake and baby Rhett.
Met veel liefde,
Zuster Holbein
We are doing exchanges tomorrow and so Zuster Fritz and I came up early to spend the night with the sisters here. So we ended up getting on the local train by mistake and are now super late so we don't really have time to email. Oh and in the Netherlands they have American keyboards which now seem totally foreign to me, I'm having a really hard time typing! Haha.
Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures of baby Rhett! They made me cry, though really everything has been making me cry lately, it's been a very emotional week. I am so happy for you Jake and Julia. What a wonderful blessing to our family. I have a card I want to send but I don't have your address, so if you could send it that would be great!
So a quick run down -- this week has been inspiring! So many blessings and tender mercies. Joseph is 100 klaar for his doop and the ward is already really taking him in. He'll be baptized this Saturday at 11. Oh man it's going to be so good!
We have also found a lot of beautiful new investigators and they are making a lot of progress. Ethel and her son Steven who we have been teaching English to came to our football match with the other missionaries and played along. We also had an awesome FHE with them and they are reading from the BOM and praying together daily. The gospel really helps families so much, it’s awesome.
I'm sorry but that's all the time I have for now! There will be lots more to tell next week this week is going to be crazy awesome including exchanges, zone conference, testament movie night at church, and Joseph’s baptism.
I love you all and will be praying extra hard for Julia and Jake and baby Rhett.
Met veel liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Happiness
Dearest family,
No baby yet? Crazy stuff, I've been praying for baby Rhett and Julia and Jake and all of you all week. I really have felt a special spirit this week and we've been seeing miracles like crazy. I think Rhett's been helping us out! I'm so excited for you Julia! I bought a baby book for Rhett this week and I'm either going to send it to you or just give it to you when I come back cause I'm poor haha. I did write him a card today though so that should be coming soon. Oh, except for the fact that I don't have your new address. Haha so if you could send that that would be great! Congrats on your Eagle Scout project William it sounds like it went great -- way to be a good example! Thank you Mom and Dad for your words of wisdom, they mean a lot.
This week has been too good to be true. Honestly, so many times this week I have just had to stop and ask myself, “Is this kind of happiness really possible? Like, can things really go so well?” The Lord is blessing us. Every day I become more aware of how aware HE is of US. It's incredible -- absolutely blows my mind.
I'm a little tired today to be honest, but my spirits are high. A lot of the missionaries have been sick here lately, it's weird. The weather has been rainy and cold the past week and I think that has something to do with it. I was feeling fluish for a while but luckily it's mostly all gone now. And the work goes on. :)
This week has been a blast. We've been running around like crazy trying to teach everyone and help those with baptismal dates make progress. Satan is really working on these people. Opposition really does come when we try and do what's right. Luckily these are some of the most amazing, faithful people I've met. I have full confidence they'll all endure and pull through. I know they would appreciate your prayers.
So let's see, some highlights. On Wednesday we went with the elders to a recent convert's house for dinner. His name is Rene and he is amazing! He reminds me of Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast actually. He made us his "world famous spaghetti" and even invited a non-member friend. It was a lot of fun and his friend was really interested! The funniest part of the evening was the end though. We decided to all sing for them before we went, but one of the poor elders, who's name I will not mention haha, who was there on exchanges couldn't really sing too well. Haha so when we started singing Rene just made this crazy face, and so Zuster Fritz and I busted up laughing. That always seems to happen to us. We managed to stop but it was really funny.
So our miracle of the week is Joseph Mendy. I know I've mentioned him before but he is 27, from Gambia, and will be baptized August 14th. He is absolutely amazing! Really, his faith in God and in his Savior is beautiful. We had a power-packed week teaching him obedience, the Word of Wisdom, the 10 commandments, and the law of chastity, all of which he already keeps and feels very passionately about. When we taught him the law of chastity he said he was so upset with the way the world has been living and wants to go on national TV to stop pornography. Can we say “next general authority” anyone? I think so.
The real miracle came on Sunday. It was fast and testimony meeting so before church we explained to him how everything was going to work. During the meeting I sat next to him and then Zuster Fritz sat with Grace, a convert of about a year, right behind us. Grace really wanted to bear her testimony but she'd never done it before and was super nervous so she asked Zuster Fritz to go up with her. So they started walking up and then all of a sudden Joseph turned to me and said, "So are we going next?" Haha I was so surprised! I asked him if he wanted to go up and he said yes he had something to say. So we went up and he bore the most powerful testimony! Ahhh it was amazing. He talked about how happy he was to have found this church and how he loved how much more it teaches him about the word of God and Jesus Christ. He talked about the importance of all working together as saints of God to build up the church. It was wonderful! Zuster Fritz started crying and I could not stop smiling. It was a moment of happiness I will never forget.
THIS is what t is all about. We teach these people and then to be able to hear them get up and testify that they have a testimony is just wonderful. I feel so honored to be able to be a part of this great work. Tonight we are going to a member's home with Joseph to teach about following the prophet and we're going to watch Special Witnesses of Christ. I'm so excited! Zuster Fritz and I even made fried rice for the occasion which was quite the adventure, including Zuster Fritz catching the oven mitt on fire, me grabbing the pan with my hand (bad idea), and spilling rice all over the floor. Oh how I love my life.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
No baby yet? Crazy stuff, I've been praying for baby Rhett and Julia and Jake and all of you all week. I really have felt a special spirit this week and we've been seeing miracles like crazy. I think Rhett's been helping us out! I'm so excited for you Julia! I bought a baby book for Rhett this week and I'm either going to send it to you or just give it to you when I come back cause I'm poor haha. I did write him a card today though so that should be coming soon. Oh, except for the fact that I don't have your new address. Haha so if you could send that that would be great! Congrats on your Eagle Scout project William it sounds like it went great -- way to be a good example! Thank you Mom and Dad for your words of wisdom, they mean a lot.
This week has been too good to be true. Honestly, so many times this week I have just had to stop and ask myself, “Is this kind of happiness really possible? Like, can things really go so well?” The Lord is blessing us. Every day I become more aware of how aware HE is of US. It's incredible -- absolutely blows my mind.
I'm a little tired today to be honest, but my spirits are high. A lot of the missionaries have been sick here lately, it's weird. The weather has been rainy and cold the past week and I think that has something to do with it. I was feeling fluish for a while but luckily it's mostly all gone now. And the work goes on. :)
This week has been a blast. We've been running around like crazy trying to teach everyone and help those with baptismal dates make progress. Satan is really working on these people. Opposition really does come when we try and do what's right. Luckily these are some of the most amazing, faithful people I've met. I have full confidence they'll all endure and pull through. I know they would appreciate your prayers.
So let's see, some highlights. On Wednesday we went with the elders to a recent convert's house for dinner. His name is Rene and he is amazing! He reminds me of Cogsworth from Beauty and the Beast actually. He made us his "world famous spaghetti" and even invited a non-member friend. It was a lot of fun and his friend was really interested! The funniest part of the evening was the end though. We decided to all sing for them before we went, but one of the poor elders, who's name I will not mention haha, who was there on exchanges couldn't really sing too well. Haha so when we started singing Rene just made this crazy face, and so Zuster Fritz and I busted up laughing. That always seems to happen to us. We managed to stop but it was really funny.
So our miracle of the week is Joseph Mendy. I know I've mentioned him before but he is 27, from Gambia, and will be baptized August 14th. He is absolutely amazing! Really, his faith in God and in his Savior is beautiful. We had a power-packed week teaching him obedience, the Word of Wisdom, the 10 commandments, and the law of chastity, all of which he already keeps and feels very passionately about. When we taught him the law of chastity he said he was so upset with the way the world has been living and wants to go on national TV to stop pornography. Can we say “next general authority” anyone? I think so.
The real miracle came on Sunday. It was fast and testimony meeting so before church we explained to him how everything was going to work. During the meeting I sat next to him and then Zuster Fritz sat with Grace, a convert of about a year, right behind us. Grace really wanted to bear her testimony but she'd never done it before and was super nervous so she asked Zuster Fritz to go up with her. So they started walking up and then all of a sudden Joseph turned to me and said, "So are we going next?" Haha I was so surprised! I asked him if he wanted to go up and he said yes he had something to say. So we went up and he bore the most powerful testimony! Ahhh it was amazing. He talked about how happy he was to have found this church and how he loved how much more it teaches him about the word of God and Jesus Christ. He talked about the importance of all working together as saints of God to build up the church. It was wonderful! Zuster Fritz started crying and I could not stop smiling. It was a moment of happiness I will never forget.
THIS is what t is all about. We teach these people and then to be able to hear them get up and testify that they have a testimony is just wonderful. I feel so honored to be able to be a part of this great work. Tonight we are going to a member's home with Joseph to teach about following the prophet and we're going to watch Special Witnesses of Christ. I'm so excited! Zuster Fritz and I even made fried rice for the occasion which was quite the adventure, including Zuster Fritz catching the oven mitt on fire, me grabbing the pan with my hand (bad idea), and spilling rice all over the floor. Oh how I love my life.
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 26
Dear family, :)
That was so cool last week that we were almost on email at the same time! I was so surprised when I saw that. Weird.
I'm glad to hear that everything is going so well. Thank you for the story about the man who got baptized yesterday - that's so cool! I agree 100% that service is a great way to introduce people to the gospel. Bijvoorbeeld, we are currently teaching a lady who investigated the church a while ago but couldn't commit to be baptized. We found her number in the area book though and felt inspired to call her. It turned out that she had moved and actually now lives on our street! So we went to look her up and she wasn't too interested but she is trying to learn English. She speaks Spanish and Dutch and so we've been teaching her English, and as we've been serving her she has been opening up more and letting us teach her. It's a slow process but we are so seeing the benefits. So keep up the good work!
So when is the baby due??? The last I had heard was the 27th... tomorrow! Wow. Talk about craziness. I am so excited! I was thinking about baby Rhett today. His last few days with Heavenly Father. I wonder what that is like. I was thinking about how here in the mission right before missionaries go home they have an zegt maar exit interview with the President. I wonder if it's like that before we are born. Do we have an exit interview with Heavenly Father? What would he tell us? Of course we wouldn’t remember, but I think sometimes maybe what is in our patriarchal blessing is some of what he might have said. Just something I've been thinking about. Julia and Jake I'm praying for you and Rhett all the time. I'm so happy for you!
This is week has been a week full of miracles and blessings. We have been able to see so much success as we are learning more and more to be led by the Spirit. We are teaching all of our people with baptismal dates about twice a week which keeps us really busy. I'm exhausted! But this is the best kind of exhausted ever.
Tuesday night we had a really special lesson with Moni. We taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ and really focused on how through baptism we can be cleansed from our sins. She loved it. Her eyes started glowing. At the end of the lesson we asked her how she felt and she said, "I feel safe. I finally feel safe." Oh I wish I could describe how beautiful that was. It almost made me cry.
Saturday we had an amazing lesson with Joseph. He's been struggling a bit with reading from the Book of Mormon every day and so this lesson was a miracle. He came and said he'd been reading it like crazy -- couldn't put it down -- and that he knows now that it really is the word of God because it's brought him closer to Jesus Christ. Yeah!!! He came to church yesterday and just could not stop smiling and talking to everyone. He is awesome!
Speaking of yesterday, I don't remember if I told you, but I gave a talk in church. And it went really well! I was so nervous, my goodness. I spoke on sacrifice. I told everyone how you dad always tell me "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." I felt the Spirit when I wrote it and the Lord blessed me a lot. I felt so peaceful after. We (Elders Wells and Reltiz, and Zuster Fritz and I) also sang in church yesterday. We sang “Blij Bij Mij Heer” (Abide With Me) and it was beautiful. I love how quickly music brings the spirit. Then last night we traveled to Gent with one of our investigators and attended a musical fireside put on by the ward there. It was powerful! Overall it was a special Sunday.
So funny story of the week... On Tuesday during district meeting my shoe broke! The strap just popped off! Haha I didn't even do anything to it. The bad thing was I couldn't walk in it. So Brother Nuyens, our ward mission leader and the ultimate handy man, was there and I asked him if he could fix it. He said he would run it home really quick and fix it and bring it back. I told him we had an appointment at 1:00 though and he said he'd be back quickly. So we finished our district meeting, but he never came back! And we really needed to get to this appointment. After trying several silly things, like trying on Elder Wells’ shoes (not a good idea), I decided to just go with one shoe. Haha yeah. So I traveled all the way from church 40 minutes to our next appointment with Lillian in one shoe. It may have looked ridiculous but it started a conversation on the bus with a lady and we gave her a Family Proclamation, and we had a wonderful apt with Lillian who thought it was great that I wanted to bond with the earth. It turns out that Brother Nuyens came back just after we left and was amazed that we had left. He took the shoe to 3 different shoe makers till someone could fix it. Haha I love him. It was all together quite hilarious.
I love you all! I can't wait to hear about the baby!! Your prayers are appreciated. Oh and no Dad, I don't print out the emails, too expensive. The Church is true. This is the best thing ever. What more can I say?
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
That was so cool last week that we were almost on email at the same time! I was so surprised when I saw that. Weird.
I'm glad to hear that everything is going so well. Thank you for the story about the man who got baptized yesterday - that's so cool! I agree 100% that service is a great way to introduce people to the gospel. Bijvoorbeeld, we are currently teaching a lady who investigated the church a while ago but couldn't commit to be baptized. We found her number in the area book though and felt inspired to call her. It turned out that she had moved and actually now lives on our street! So we went to look her up and she wasn't too interested but she is trying to learn English. She speaks Spanish and Dutch and so we've been teaching her English, and as we've been serving her she has been opening up more and letting us teach her. It's a slow process but we are so seeing the benefits. So keep up the good work!
So when is the baby due??? The last I had heard was the 27th... tomorrow! Wow. Talk about craziness. I am so excited! I was thinking about baby Rhett today. His last few days with Heavenly Father. I wonder what that is like. I was thinking about how here in the mission right before missionaries go home they have an zegt maar exit interview with the President. I wonder if it's like that before we are born. Do we have an exit interview with Heavenly Father? What would he tell us? Of course we wouldn’t remember, but I think sometimes maybe what is in our patriarchal blessing is some of what he might have said. Just something I've been thinking about. Julia and Jake I'm praying for you and Rhett all the time. I'm so happy for you!
This is week has been a week full of miracles and blessings. We have been able to see so much success as we are learning more and more to be led by the Spirit. We are teaching all of our people with baptismal dates about twice a week which keeps us really busy. I'm exhausted! But this is the best kind of exhausted ever.
Tuesday night we had a really special lesson with Moni. We taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ and really focused on how through baptism we can be cleansed from our sins. She loved it. Her eyes started glowing. At the end of the lesson we asked her how she felt and she said, "I feel safe. I finally feel safe." Oh I wish I could describe how beautiful that was. It almost made me cry.
Saturday we had an amazing lesson with Joseph. He's been struggling a bit with reading from the Book of Mormon every day and so this lesson was a miracle. He came and said he'd been reading it like crazy -- couldn't put it down -- and that he knows now that it really is the word of God because it's brought him closer to Jesus Christ. Yeah!!! He came to church yesterday and just could not stop smiling and talking to everyone. He is awesome!
Speaking of yesterday, I don't remember if I told you, but I gave a talk in church. And it went really well! I was so nervous, my goodness. I spoke on sacrifice. I told everyone how you dad always tell me "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven." I felt the Spirit when I wrote it and the Lord blessed me a lot. I felt so peaceful after. We (Elders Wells and Reltiz, and Zuster Fritz and I) also sang in church yesterday. We sang “Blij Bij Mij Heer” (Abide With Me) and it was beautiful. I love how quickly music brings the spirit. Then last night we traveled to Gent with one of our investigators and attended a musical fireside put on by the ward there. It was powerful! Overall it was a special Sunday.
So funny story of the week... On Tuesday during district meeting my shoe broke! The strap just popped off! Haha I didn't even do anything to it. The bad thing was I couldn't walk in it. So Brother Nuyens, our ward mission leader and the ultimate handy man, was there and I asked him if he could fix it. He said he would run it home really quick and fix it and bring it back. I told him we had an appointment at 1:00 though and he said he'd be back quickly. So we finished our district meeting, but he never came back! And we really needed to get to this appointment. After trying several silly things, like trying on Elder Wells’ shoes (not a good idea), I decided to just go with one shoe. Haha yeah. So I traveled all the way from church 40 minutes to our next appointment with Lillian in one shoe. It may have looked ridiculous but it started a conversation on the bus with a lady and we gave her a Family Proclamation, and we had a wonderful apt with Lillian who thought it was great that I wanted to bond with the earth. It turns out that Brother Nuyens came back just after we left and was amazed that we had left. He took the shoe to 3 different shoe makers till someone could fix it. Haha I love him. It was all together quite hilarious.
I love you all! I can't wait to hear about the baby!! Your prayers are appreciated. Oh and no Dad, I don't print out the emails, too expensive. The Church is true. This is the best thing ever. What more can I say?
Met liefde,
Zuster Holbein
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tender Mercies
Family, family, family. Oh goodness, what to even say? I love you all! I love this gospel! I love my mission.
This has been a very overwhelming week, but in the best kind of way.I feel overwhelmed with the blessings the Lord has been giving to us here in Antwerpen. I feel so close to my Savior and I love it. I know He lives. I know that God is my Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ is my Savior. Without them I honestly can't do anything, but with them, oh man it's cool. :) I know that Joseph Smith did restore this gospel again in its fullness. How grateful I am for the priesthood! I love the quote you sent Dad.
Thank you all for your letters, emails, and support! I am always so happy to hear how well things are going at home. William, I am so happy you loved EFY. They are doing it here in Belgium in a few weeks and all the youth are so excited. Thank you for your sweet testimony. You are going to be an amazing missionary!
This week was great! The tall ship races last week were incredible! Oh my goodness the ships were so big. I took tons of pictures and I'm going to send them all home soon. I wish it wasn't so expensive to print pictures. Oh well. Anyway, we got to go with the elders in our district as well as the Tibbitts and President and Zuster Brubaker so it was a party! We got to go on one of the ships and people kept thinking that President and Elder Tippets were the captains because they look so official -- haha.
It was weird having P-day on Saturday but worth it. Monday we had interviews in Brussels. I love Brussels, it's a beautiful city. I think it's so crazy though because no one there speaks Dutch. It's only about 45 minutes away, but everyone speaks French. So many languages in such a small country! French sounds hard to me; it makes me grateful I speak Dutch. I can say the name of the Church in French but that's about it. Interviews went so well. I love President Brubaker! He is so inspired and I love getting his advice. We talked a lot about service and ways that we can show our love to the people we work with through service. I'm working on it a lot.
So miracle of all miracles -- we now have 5 wonderful, amazing people who all are going to be getting baptized in October! Five! I can't even believe it sometimes. It's not even the number that matters. They are all just such wonderful individuals and I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching them learn these things, apply them in their lives, and change. I'm watching these people become happier. I love teaching! They get this light in their eyes. They've known all this before. They chose this plan before. How wonderful to help them choose it again. We have Lillian, Joseph, Adella, and now Moni and Mercy. Moni is 34 and a member referral from Grace and Joseph Tunde. She was actually the one who made us that fish! Haha so see, you eat fish -- people get baptized. And for your information, since that appointment I have eaten shrimp and a whole lot of other crazy fish things. But yes, Moni is a doll and SO prepared. We gave her a talk in the conference report to read and she ended up reading the WHOLE THING. We came back to our next appointment and she was quoting stuff from it to us. Yeah! Then we have Mercy. She is 22 and from Ghana. She's very quiet but so sincere in wanting to follow Christ. She came to church yesterday and loved it. She said she felt the Spirit in her heart. She's great. So things are crazy busy here! But the best kind of busy EVER.
We had zone conference on Thursday and honestly it was one of the best ones yet. I have never felt so much peace or love in my heart for the gospel and for the people I serve. This gospel amazes me. I LOVE IT. Oh and other amazing news -- Elder M. Russell Ballard is coming to speak to us in September! I am beyond excited. And... President may want me to play my flute when he comes, so if you could send it that would be great. I think it's in Utah.
Yesterday Zuster Fritz and I taught Relief Society. We gave a lesson on the organization of the priesthood and it was a lot of fun. We got everyone up and moving and a lot of the women said it was a really helpful lesson. I love this ward.
Our funny story of the week was contacting into a man who has written 9 books on the 2012 world ending theory. He was very convinced that everyone in Belgium and the Netherlands is going to die. We told him we were from Utah, and he told us if we got into the mountains we might be safe. But if we didn't want to do that he also said that he and I could get married and he could be Adam and I his Eve. We tried sharing the Book of Mormon with him but he didn't want to talk about that sooo... we left a pass along card. Oh the craziness.
Please tell Sisters Bell and Quick thank you. Can you send me Lisa Bell’s address? Tell everyone I love them. The Church is true, wonderful, amazing and saving. It is everything.
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
(July 19, 2010)
This has been a very overwhelming week, but in the best kind of way.I feel overwhelmed with the blessings the Lord has been giving to us here in Antwerpen. I feel so close to my Savior and I love it. I know He lives. I know that God is my Heavenly Father and that Jesus Christ is my Savior. Without them I honestly can't do anything, but with them, oh man it's cool. :) I know that Joseph Smith did restore this gospel again in its fullness. How grateful I am for the priesthood! I love the quote you sent Dad.
Thank you all for your letters, emails, and support! I am always so happy to hear how well things are going at home. William, I am so happy you loved EFY. They are doing it here in Belgium in a few weeks and all the youth are so excited. Thank you for your sweet testimony. You are going to be an amazing missionary!
This week was great! The tall ship races last week were incredible! Oh my goodness the ships were so big. I took tons of pictures and I'm going to send them all home soon. I wish it wasn't so expensive to print pictures. Oh well. Anyway, we got to go with the elders in our district as well as the Tibbitts and President and Zuster Brubaker so it was a party! We got to go on one of the ships and people kept thinking that President and Elder Tippets were the captains because they look so official -- haha.
It was weird having P-day on Saturday but worth it. Monday we had interviews in Brussels. I love Brussels, it's a beautiful city. I think it's so crazy though because no one there speaks Dutch. It's only about 45 minutes away, but everyone speaks French. So many languages in such a small country! French sounds hard to me; it makes me grateful I speak Dutch. I can say the name of the Church in French but that's about it. Interviews went so well. I love President Brubaker! He is so inspired and I love getting his advice. We talked a lot about service and ways that we can show our love to the people we work with through service. I'm working on it a lot.
So miracle of all miracles -- we now have 5 wonderful, amazing people who all are going to be getting baptized in October! Five! I can't even believe it sometimes. It's not even the number that matters. They are all just such wonderful individuals and I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching them learn these things, apply them in their lives, and change. I'm watching these people become happier. I love teaching! They get this light in their eyes. They've known all this before. They chose this plan before. How wonderful to help them choose it again. We have Lillian, Joseph, Adella, and now Moni and Mercy. Moni is 34 and a member referral from Grace and Joseph Tunde. She was actually the one who made us that fish! Haha so see, you eat fish -- people get baptized. And for your information, since that appointment I have eaten shrimp and a whole lot of other crazy fish things. But yes, Moni is a doll and SO prepared. We gave her a talk in the conference report to read and she ended up reading the WHOLE THING. We came back to our next appointment and she was quoting stuff from it to us. Yeah! Then we have Mercy. She is 22 and from Ghana. She's very quiet but so sincere in wanting to follow Christ. She came to church yesterday and loved it. She said she felt the Spirit in her heart. She's great. So things are crazy busy here! But the best kind of busy EVER.
We had zone conference on Thursday and honestly it was one of the best ones yet. I have never felt so much peace or love in my heart for the gospel and for the people I serve. This gospel amazes me. I LOVE IT. Oh and other amazing news -- Elder M. Russell Ballard is coming to speak to us in September! I am beyond excited. And... President may want me to play my flute when he comes, so if you could send it that would be great. I think it's in Utah.
Yesterday Zuster Fritz and I taught Relief Society. We gave a lesson on the organization of the priesthood and it was a lot of fun. We got everyone up and moving and a lot of the women said it was a really helpful lesson. I love this ward.
Our funny story of the week was contacting into a man who has written 9 books on the 2012 world ending theory. He was very convinced that everyone in Belgium and the Netherlands is going to die. We told him we were from Utah, and he told us if we got into the mountains we might be safe. But if we didn't want to do that he also said that he and I could get married and he could be Adam and I his Eve. We tried sharing the Book of Mormon with him but he didn't want to talk about that sooo... we left a pass along card. Oh the craziness.
Please tell Sisters Bell and Quick thank you. Can you send me Lisa Bell’s address? Tell everyone I love them. The Church is true, wonderful, amazing and saving. It is everything.
Met Liefde,
Zuster Holbein
(July 19, 2010)
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