Jan1-7, 2023
SUNDAY
Because the New Year celebrations here go on all night, church was moved to 11:00 and was just Sacrament Meeting. Only 29 people at church today. Usually we have 50-60. Elder Palmer and Elder McClure were the speakers and both did a good job with the subject and with the Dutch. Elder McClure was talking about repentance. I was listening through a translator and the word he used was conversion. I came to the conclusion that the process of repentance and the process of conversion is the same. As we make changes to come closer to the will of God, we are more deeply converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I talked with Elder McClure after church and he had the same thoughts as he was preparing the talk. I think it is a beautiful concept!
Arnhem is another 45 minutes beyond Utrecht, but I needed to take some money to Elder Leman. He is a new missionary and his MSF card did not get funded. When I realized the mistake was mine, I really wanted to get him some cash so his companion doesn't have to buy all the groceries. Since Elder Leman is from Belgium and awaiting his visa to South Africa, he is considered a Temporarily Assigned Missionary and as such I have to manually tell the system to fund his MSF card. I didn't realize until it was too late. So the VandeWal's and Sonia were gracious enough to drive to Arnhem after church with us. It saved us from coming all the way back to Gouda (40 minutes) and then going the entire way back to Arnhem.
We met the Elders at the church building and gave them a ride home so they would not have to take the bus today.
Ammon Leman, Bannon Schafer, Doug, Adam Kujanpaa, Ranse Cottam, Marcia
Through Zoom technology, we were able to attend the meeting where Adam is speaking prior to leaving on his mission tomorrow. He spoke about the Covenant Path. We are so excited for him as he begins his missionary service in Argentina!
Adam Brown
MONDAY
Along with our regular office duties, we drove to Den Haag and made a switch with a bike that has a key broken in the bike lock. It's these little things that add variety to our days 😂
TUESDAY
This morning at the Mission Zoom call, Sister Julia Hyer gave the spiritual thought. She referenced the talk "The Fourth Missionary" and invited all of us to remember we have been set apart and are consecrating our time to the Lord. "This is not our time, so don't waste it!" I thought it was such a good reminder. I want to remember this time as a missionary as a time I gave my best effort.
As usual on the day before Zone Conference, Norma and I went to Sligro and purchased the food. It is a bit of a project to feed 150 people in two locations. The kitchens in the church buildings are small. We have to take crockpots, serving bowls and utensils, all the paper goods, plus all the food. The mini van is packed tight with everything. Norma keeps a list of how much food we use so we can have a good estimate for the next time. That has been so helpful!
Every Zone Conference the missionaries are invited to prepare a 5 minute talk to be given in Dutch. This time the topic is based on setting goals with the scripture reference 1 Nephi 3-4. Then at ZC, two or three are called on to actually give their talk. It is a great motivation to prepare, since you don't know until your name is announced whether or not you will present. President Watson mentioned on the Zoom call and it was in the Harvest Report that Elder Glauser should maybe be ready with his Dutch talk so we spent some time this evening preparing. He actually was ready with a translated version, I just jotted a few thoughts from those verses that I thought applied to goal setting
1 Ne 3:10 Nephi and his brothers counsel together
vs 15-16 - be determined to reach your goal by finding another way and
(vs20) encourage others
1Ne 4:6 be willing to be led by the Spirit
vs 15-17 use logic and reason
WEDNESDAY
Zone Conference in Antwerpen.
Surprise talks by Hans Jeppson, Sarah Craig and Hadley Good
President Bijkerk of the Rotterdam Stake taught us that all missionaries are members. We should not divide into groups but be united in the work. He taught from Luke 1:17
"And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." He told the missionaries, "you are an Elias! You are preparing a people for the coming of the Lord."
M'Lissa Buysse (Service Mission Leader) taught from Matt 14
1. During the storm, trust more in God than the boat
2. When we become distracted or afraid, reach for the Lord (vs 30)
3. There is always room for more faith in Christ (vs 31)
Dagmar Buysse (Service Mission Leader)
Luke 1 "Fear not" - Mary
Luke 2 "Fear not" - shepherds
Luke 1:37 With God all things are possible
Chris Kleijweg (Counselor in Mission Presidency)
The mission is a great time to develop charity
Become one with the ward members. During weekly planning discuss how to include members in missionary work.
President Daryl Watson
Have the faith to find
The key to our success is working with the members
Nothing is impossible with the Lord
Matt 11:28-29 "Learn of [Him]"
- by seeking
DC 6:36 "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not"
Resources:
Book of Mormon and other scriptures
Temple worship
serving others
sincere prayer
expecting and recognizing miracles
music
Preach My Gospel
Come Follow Me
Conference talks
Tips:
use lots of resources
good books such as The Infinite Atonement
through other people
resources through Come Follow Me
learn Hebrew to help with the meaning of the scriptures
ponder to understand
daily reflection
highlight the Savior's names in the scriptures
S L O W D O W N
- by obedience
follow the Missionary Handbook with exactness
"Obedience is a powerful spiritual medicine. It comes close to being a cure-all."President Boyd K. Packard
- by running
John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. We should run faster to Christ.
- by setting goals
Most goals are reached by thousands of little moments. Each missionary received 3 juggling balls and invited to learn to juggle or improve their juggling skills. This is a concept that can be adapted to everything. Practice a little at a time and make improvements.
Marc and Emery Decker (members of the Almere Ward)
Empathy is a vulnerable choice. Brene Brown
Help others to answer their own questions/problems
Luke 2:46-47 "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
"And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."
Jaislynn Kimball (piano) and Lillian Smith (violin)
"A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief"
beautifully done!
Kalynn Allen (piano) Sophia Packard (violin) Elise Conlee (vocal)
"Be Still My Soul"
talented Sisters!
Departing Testimonies
Rafe Baldwin
Wake up with dedication and go to bed with satisfaction.
Jacob 1:19 "And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility... teach them the word of God with all diligence....
Julia Hyer
Be the Fourth Missionary, the one that is obedient and gives all heart and mind to the Lord, completely willing to do the will of God.
THURSDAY
Zone Conference in Utrecht was similar to the one yesterday with a few variations. The Surprise talks today were given by John Flitton and Elizabeth Anderson
A beautiful piano solo by Kael Bybee.
Kael Bybee on the piano with a beautiful arrangement of "We'll Bring the World His Truth". This was a highlight of the Conference for me.
Carson Fisher
(left) Nefi Regalado
(right) Harrison Wright
After the meetings, the missionaries help clean up, but one person will ALWAYS be the first to jump in. Ranse Cottam sees a need and quickly responds.
FRIDAY
I did a little shopping today to find something for Taylor's bridal shower next week. We are so excited to be going to Matt and Taylor's wedding, meeting her in person, seeing most of the Stewart family and celebrating this marriage. So today I went to the Gouda Pottery shop/factory and found some Delft Blue items for Taylor.
SATURDAY
We felt a strong prompting to go to the temple today. It was a time of insight and reflection and peace. Not all the problems and concerns are solved, but the peace that comes helps to lighten the burden. Later, I realized that just like our Temple in Redlands, every time we go here, we see people we know and have a connection with these great souls. And today I made two new friends, Rachel and Celine. Rachel is from the UK and speaks English so when she heard me talking with Sister Brandenburg, she said 'I'm sorry to be listening to your conversation, but it is so good to hear English!' She married a Dutch man and is learning Dutch but it is hard!
Celine Rol lived for a time in Amalo before moving to Zoetemeer to be closer to the temple. I asked if she knew Sister DeWilde from Amalo and told her Doug had taught and baptized her when he served here as a young missionary. She said yes, and that Sister DeWilde had been her counselor in the Primary Presidency at one point. When I told her of our visit several months ago and how Sister DeWilde had accepted Doug's offer for a Priesthood blessing, she was surprised and touched. She asked us to pass on her greetings and love next time we go to Amalo. So that is another reason to make another visit!
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