Jan 22-28, 2023
SUNDAY
It was good to be back in the Utrecht Ward today. We feel like we have many friends here. Today Heather and Travis Lybbert's daughter, Hannah spoke. She has recently returned from the Paris France Mission. She gave us this invitation: Find time today to pray and ask Heavenly Father how you can be a part of the greatest work on earth, the gathering of Israel. Then act on the answer you receive! I am grateful to be serving a mission at this time, but I know I will not always be wearing the name tag. There are dozens of ways to help gather Israel. From encouraging a friend, showing kindness to someone, taking a meal to someone who is in need, searching out my ancestors, going to the temple, having the missionaries over for dinner, teaching a Primary lesson, etc. etc.
Thanks to technology, we were once again able to listen to and watch someone speak in Sacrament Meeting who is preparing to serve a full time mission. Paul and Karen's son, Colton, will be leaving in February to serve in Tucson AZ.
MONDAY
I enjoyed reading the transcript of a Devotional by Elder and Sister Holland this morning. So when I was asked a few minutes before our weekly Zoom call to give the spiritual thought, I was able to share some of their thoughts:
A Future Filled with Hope
Elder Jeffrey R. and Sister Patricia Holland
January 2023 – Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults
Patricia Holland:
What I regret most in my youth is that I didn’t see the simple beauty of the gospel; I made even the gospel too complex. I felt it was too overwhelming, too difficult, and sometimes even too mysterious. It seemed to me that even as a young adult I had to climb a mountain of righteousness, go through a fiery furnace of purification, and unravel every doctrinal controversy known to mankind if I were ever to be acceptable before God.
… the part we play is important but actually very small; God has the larger portion of the task. Our part is to come unto Him in lowliness and simplicity, then we should worry not and fear not.
…behind everything Christ taught—in every scripture, story, and parable—is the promise that with God, “all things are possible,” the promise that God’s power can wipe away every tear. We are to let go of personal desperation and seek rest in the Lord. So we come before Him with meekness and lowliness of heart to receive the blessings that come with His unceasing love. Our trust is to be like that of a little child,
Faith is the conviction that there is a God, hope is trusting He will help us, and charity is His love and ability working through us to bless others.
Please stop running to the point of exhaustion. Be quiet; be still. Simplify. Be meek and lowly of heart, and pray. I testify to you that miracles will come when we slow down, when we calm down, and when we kneel down. All that the Father has can one day be yours.
TUESDAY
Elder Paul and Sister Cathy Ehlert arrived today! They will spend a couple days in Gouda before going to Leeuwarden where they will be serving as MLS missionaries. We look forward to spending some time with them and getting to know them. They both served as young missionaries here in the 1970's and seem very excited to be back.
Tonight we were back at the Rotterdam Stake Center for the WarmKamer initiative. The missionaries sponsor an English class on Tuesday evenings so we saw some of them. Sisters Meoldy Morrise and Elise Conlee, Elders Vilai Mahe and Phillip Larsson, Benjamin Nixon, Jared Yuyes, Daniel Ornelas, and Logan Brown were all at the church. We sure love our association with the Elders and Sisters.
There wasn't much to do tonight, but the freezer needed to be defrosted...so Doug started boiling water to get the job done! And then three people showed up! only two stayed, but they had some dinner and some good conversation. This is what President Bijkerk is hoping for...have the building used by the community so they can come in and feel the spirit.
WEDNESDAY
Just a quick note of a little miracle today: We usually leave for the office about 8:45 so we arrive about 9:00. Today we were ready about 8:20 and just decided to go. Just as we arrived at the office, the Gronigen Elders called to say they had their car in for an oil change and the business would not accept cash or their US-based fuel card. Is there some way we can pay them? We were able to get the bank number from them and immediately sent the money via RABObank and it was all taken care of. It may seem small, but really, the Lord is in the details of our lives. If we had not been at the office early, there would have been a delay in the money transfer. But the money was transferred promptly and the Elders were able to Carry On and do their work.
We went to the temple today with the Departing missionaries along with others Sister Watson had scheduled. I love being in the temple!
Afterwards, Elder Peterson asked us to 're-create' the picture we had with him at the Mesa Temple. We met him at the Mesa Temple Open House on 18 Nov 2021 when we were re-assigned missionaries all waiting for our visas. We noticed his Dutch nametag and realized we were going to the same mission!
We went to dinner with the VandeWal's and the new Senior Couple, Paul and Cathy Ehlert. It was so good to get to visit with them and learn a bit more about them before they go to Leeuwarden on Friday.
THURSDAY
Our regular dinner with the office missionaries. Elders Thomas and Doxford will be transferred next week so this marks the last time for them. We have enjoyed so much getting to know these fine young men! No picture tonight, but we had Landon Thomas, Dallin Doxford, Nathan De Jong, Nate Christensen, Mason Zarges, Tess Flake and Kamryn Doyle.
FRIDAY
I woke up with a head cold, just annoying congestion, but at Doug's insistence I followed my own advice to the missionaries and stayed home. In the afternoon I felt better and wanted to take a sympathy card to the office for Yogita (the woman who cleans the office got word that her dad had passed away) before she left for the funeral on Monday. While at the office, Elder Doxford reported that Elder Cervantes had had his wallet stolen. I was able to cancel his card and order a replacement immediately. Again, another tender mercy (miracle) of the Lord. Even though they are small things, if we look we can see the hand of the Lord every day.
SATURDAY
Doug went on a cold, morning bike ride but I opted to wait a few days for my walk since it should warm up a few degrees by Monday.
We spent a little time at the office this afternoon, otherwise a quiet day. The transfer calls went out today, so the missionaries are getting ready for changes next week.
It was good to talk to a few of the kids this evening. So thankful for technology that keeps us in touch!
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