June 25-July 1, 2023
SUNDAY
Justin Bijkerk took a few minutes today at church expressing thanks to all who have fasted and prayed for his wife, Daphne. She has been hospitalized for almost 10 weeks now and though the end is not in sight, at least there is progress.
Daphne requested that Doug give her a priesthood blessing, so today we met them at the church at 5pm. Three of their kids were also with them. Even before the blessing began, the Spirit was so strong. I felt like I was on sacred ground. He blessed her with comfort and peace and especially to know and understand that she is a child of God and that He loves her very much and is aware of her struggles.
The family left for a little outing before returning Daphne to the hospital. We felt blessed to be part of this time with them. I am so grateful for Doug and his willingness and worthiness to give priesthood blessings.
Elders Rich and Perrins called in the evening to report a bike part stolen. It is the clamp that allows for the seat adjustment. Who steals that!?! We have already had this problem once and discovered that the clamp on the Zendelingen Fiets is a unique size and not available for replacement. These Elders use their bikes every day so we tried to think of possible solutions. The only extra bike is at the bike shop getting repaired, so we called the VandeWal's and asked if we could come get Norma's bike to take to Elder Rich in Haarlem. On our way to the VandeWal's, the idea came that we don't really need to take the entire bike, just the clamp. So the plan is for Doug to take the clamp to Haarlem "on his way" to Amsterdam to pick up bikes for the Content Team's filming tomorrow.
Even though we see the VandeWal's often, we stayed and visited for a little while. They are good people and have become our dear friends.
MONDAY
More bike problems....
Sister Wilcox called to say that when she was preparing her bike for the filming tonight (several of the missionaries are bringing their bikes in their cars and need to remove the front wheel in order to get them in the car), she accidentally started to remove the rear wheel. Realizing her mistake, she attempted to replace the bolt, but it is so rusty that it will not go on no matter what she tried. They have four bikes in their apartment, one with a flat tire, one with a seat that does not adjust and now this one. Doug will look at them later today and figure it all out. Oh my! the bikes are an ongoing issue!
Speaking of bikes...Doug spent a big chunk of his day picking up and delivering bikes. He left for Amsterdam about 2:00 to pick up eight bikes. They will be used this evening for the filming of the video at the windmills near Leidschendam. He came back to the office for a couple hours, then took the van full of bikes to the site. About 20 missionaries came to participate. Some have a car so they brought their own bikes, front wheel removed to fit inside the car. Others will get there by train. It was a logistical challenge but it all came together! It will be exciting to see how the video turns out.
TUESDAY
A long and crazy day...
6:00 Drove to Amsterdam to return the bikes the Content Team needed yesterday.
8:30 arrived at the office
10:00 shopping for the food for Zone Conference
12:00 back to the office to sort, chop, prepare and refrigerate the food
17:00 Doug and I went to Jumbo to pick up the 22 chocolate cakes we had ordered for dessert...and found that they had forgotten to order them with their supplier 😮😳😩. So we bought some frozen cakes that are OK but not nearly as good. We bought some salads for our dinner because it doesn't look like we will be home any time soon.
19:20 Elders Wray and Vanderlinden come by the office to pick up the big van to transport Elders to ZC tomorrow
20:00 walked home!!
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY
The announcement of Preach My Gospel 2nd Edition was made at the end of last week at the New Mission Leaders Seminar. It is available digitally but not in hard copy until later this year. However, there is a printable download available now. President Watson had a great desire to get a hard copy to every missionary by Zone Conference. So Elder Wagner (office) contacted a printer who was able to make it happen! The Elders and Sisters were so excited to get this new edition, discover the changes and go to work!
Zone Conferences are always inspiring! Some highlights from the two days, Wednesday in Antwerpen and Thursday in Utrecht.
Sister Watson Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy
1 Timothy 4:12 "...be thou an example..." How do you deal with situations on Sunday as you interact with people who have different standards.
Know your standards beforehand.
Think of the many names of Jesus Christ; Savior, Redeemer, Lamb of God, Author, Finisher, Advocate, Deliverer, Good Shepherd, etc. What 'name of Christ' do I want to focus on this week?
President Kleijweg Talents and Spiritual Gifts
Matt. 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Where do we find the 'spiritual talents' in the scriptures?
Moroni 10:8-17
DC 46
1 Cor 12-14
DC 4
Spiritual gifts are the talents!
It is ok to admire and even covet the good attributes of others. We should notice and emulate the gifts we see in our companion, family members, friends and associates.
"Just as vital as what you do is who you are and who you are becoming." (PMG2)
Faith in Jesus Christ Temperance
Hope Service
Charity and Love Brotherly Kindness
Virtue Unselfishness
Integrity Wisdom
Knowledge Compassion
Patience Tongues
Humility
Diligence
Obedience
"Developing Christlike attributes is a pattern for repentance" Elder Christian Adams (BNZ,AP)
President Watson Where is My Focus?
When we focus on our purpose, the focus goes off ourselves.
Our Purpose (PMG2, p. 1)
Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
President used a bolt and four nuts to illustrate how we can become strengthened in our purpose. The bolt represents each of us. As we attach each nut to the bolt we become stronger in our commitments.
1. Preach My Gospel, 2nd Edition. This edition will help members and missionaries. I really liked the emphasis on members using PMG. It is a wonderful resource for lifelong learning.
2. Use the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon
3. Follow the living prophets. President Nelson reminds us often to Focus on Jesus Christ. How do we follow the prophets if we don't know what they say? Study the recent General Conference address and know what the Apostles and Prophets are teaching us.
4. Learn to use the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Avoid distractions.
President invited all who would like to come up and share what changes they have noticed in these first 4 days about PMG2. Many responded. Just a few of the thoughts:
The surprise talks in Antwerpen were given by Sister Averi Hanny and Elder Luk Vanderlinden
FRIDAY
We had a wonderful surprise visit from Hallie Huber and her family. She was released a few months ago and brought her family back to tour the mission.
SATURDAY
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