April 9-15, 2023
SUNDAY
After church today we were invited to Alja and Henk's for Eerste Pasen Dag (First Easter Day). Several holidays here are celebrated twice, Second Easter is on the Monday after Easter, Second Christmas is Dec 26, etc. The Elders serving in Utrecht along with two of the JoVo's (YSA) joined us for a lovely dinner and visiting.
MONDAY
Today is proof-positive that everything important can get done. After just doing the essentials the last two weeks, there was some catching up to do. And we moved our weekly dinner to Monday this week. I needed to be home by 14:00 to get dinner ready for 10 people but was concerned there wouldn't be enough time at the office. As I finished paying the invoices and taking care of the medical issues, I looked at the clock to see it was just past 13:00. I was surprised and grateful!
Having the missionaries in our home every week is such a blessing. The question Doug asked tonight was "What advice would you give us?"
Sister Flake - There is time enough--do the good things
Elder Doxford - Look for the miracles--they will come!
Elder Snow - The outcome is the Lord's and is important, but it may not be the process we plan or think it should be. He cited 1 Ne 7:17-18 when Nephi asks for the bands to burst but instead they are loosened. The outcome is the same, but it did not happen in the way Nephi asked.
Sister Conlee - We are all worth something. She talked about her brother who had become trapped in addiction and is currently recovering. It has opened her eyes to the down-trodden and realizes we all have potential no matter our current circumstances. She also talked about her parents selfless service.
Elder Bevell - Don't overthink it, you're doing good. There was a time on his mission when he didn't think he was doing enough and would never be able to do enough. A friend, Elder De Sousa, came running and burst into the room to tell him he was doing great and 'you got this'. Elder De Sousa had been impressed to tell Elder Bevell immediately when he got to his house and it made a great impression.
Elder Blodgett - "When Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future."
TUESDAY
A miracle that happened Saturday morning needs to be recorded. I saw an email first thing in the morning from a parent of one of our missionaries who has been having some ongoing, seemingly mild, health concerns. It became apparent from the email that there was more to the problem than we previously knew about. I sent an email to President and Sister Watson to keep them informed. When Doug got home from his bike ride with the Monson's we were hurrying to get ready and meet them at the Market and I thought 'I'll just tell him about this when we are driving today'. But for some reason, I just started to tell him about the situation. He said, "You may want to consider calling the President". I usually don't want to bother the president any more than necessary because I know he is so busy, but I took the Doug's advice and called. President Watson said, 'the timing could not have been better because Sister _____ is in the Mission Home at this very moment'. He was able to speak with her at that time and over these past few days it has become apparent that she will go home and get the medical issues sorted out. The little miracle was the timing of her visit to the Mission Home and Doug's counsel to call the president at the precise time he would be able to deal with it directly. I continue to be amazed at the Lord's hand in our life!
WEDNESDAY
We enjoy studying the Come Follow Me lessons each week. This week we are invited to ponder our testimony of Jesus Christ. As I reflect, I have always had a testimony that Jesus is the Christ, my Redeemer and Savior. When I was 22 years old, we moved to Ohio and for the first time in my life, I needed to defend my faith. Talking with another mom at the park was the first time I had spoken to someone not of my faith about the Savior. Attending a non-denominational Bible Study group (held at the Catholic Church and lead by a nun) with several religions represented, there were several times when I had a different opinion than everyone else in the room. So even though I have always believed, those years were the time that my testimony was strengthened and I was converted. So if the Savior said to me "Whom say ye that I am?" I could say "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
THURSDAY
More from Come Follow Me:
"The father mentioned in Matthew 17 and Mark 9 had reasons to feel uncertain that Jesus could heal his son. He had asked Jesus’s disciples to heal his son, and they could not. But when he asked the Savior for a miracle, he chose to express faith. “Lord, I believe,” he said. Then, in acknowledgment that his faith was not perfect, he added, “Help thou mine unbelief.”
Speaking of this idea of faith, Elder Holland said:
"Observation number one regarding this account is that when facing the challenge of faith, the father asserts his strength first and only then acknowledges his limitation. His initial declaration is affirmative and without hesitation: “Lord, I believe.” I would say to all who wish for more faith, remember this man! In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited.
…hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes.
…belief [is] always the first step toward conviction
Hope on. Journey on. Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe. Jeffrey R Holland, “Lord, I Believe”, GC, Apr 2013
I love these thoughts and know that as we hold on to what we already know, we can grow our faith day by day.
FRIDAY
We drove to Arnhem this afternoon to pick up a bike. Elders Kujanpaa and Yuyes were at a teaching appointment so we missed seeing them.
The drive home was during rush hour so Siri rerouted us to get off the freeway and go through Montfort and Oudewater. What a beautiful drive! We continue to be amazed at the fields, canals, BIG sky and quaint towns.
We tried another little restaurant in Gouda tonight. Another hit! Koeien and Kaas. We will return!
SATURDAY
We had a little miracle this morning….
This week the Mission set a goal to Find 100 new people. They surpassed that goal on Day 3 but are continuing on. Last night we were asked to send a short video to motivate them for today. The goal for them was to be outside from 9am to 9pm and talk to everyone!
So at 7am we went to a central spot in Gouda to make the video. As we were doing ‘Take 2’ a man rode up on his bike and turns out he is a less active member. He was very friendly and it was a good conversation.
We finished the video and were walking home when another man stopped us. He took a pass along card, gave us his name, number and address and requested the missionaries to come by!
We had no idea these two encounters would happen as we were fulfilling a little assignment, but are so grateful to know the Lord is in the details.
Back in January, our friend, Annelies De Haas asked me to save the date for a surprise birthday celebration for Doug. She planned the entire afternoon. We started by having lunch at a Pannenkoeken restaurant. We love this Dutch specialty, but found this place extra delicious. Onder de Pannen, Leerbroekseweg 53, Leerbroek, NL (near Den Bosch). She had made reservations and told them of the birthday, so when Doug's plate came it also had a 'firework' candle on it!
From there we went to Boerengolf Hedel, Achterdijk 57, Hedel NL. Here we played Boerengolf (Farmer's golf). It is on a working dairy farm. The clubs are poles with a solid wooden shoe on the end. The ball is a small (#3) soccer ball. We divided into two teams and off we went. Out through the fields, over canals and bridges, trying to hit the ball through the very tall grass while slogging through the very wet fields. So much fun!
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