Prattenburg 371
2036 SM Haarlem
NEDERLAND
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
TRANSFERRED!
Ahoy my wonderful friends and family! So I've got a crazy surprise... I've been transferred! After only one transfer in Gouda, I'm now headed off to Haarlem (which means I can go visit Cory Tenboom's house on PDay if it's open on a Monday, so that's pretty cool)! We had exchanges this week, and I had a feeling I'd leave Gouda, but I thought I'd go to Amsterdam. Whatev's. Anyway, this transfer has been amazing. I've never had a companionship so exploding with unity or love, and I will very much miss Zr. Kabenda and Zr.Kriser. I also really appreciate the ward here and like our investigators alot... but it's much easier to leave after 6 weeks than 6 months. This also means I'll be too far away to go to Lenneke and Andre's baptisms in Rotterdam, but! In Haarlem I'll be with another trio of sisters, so that'll be lots of fun.
Lisette is doing AMAZING. We taught her the Word of Wisdom andTithing this week, and she readily accepted both of them. Finally someone on my mission who doesn't smoke and isn't obsessed with coffie! I was amazed byhow willing she was to pay tithing. She came to a Relief Society activityduring the week, and she's beginning to dress more modestly and take bettercare of herself. It's so awesome to see people changing as they accept the gospel.
We had another lesson with Joris which was pretty scattered - wecouldn't tell if he was slightly high or if he always really is this spacey.But he came to church again, this time in a suit (circa 1994 by the looks ofit)! It was hilarious! And he'd trimmed his hair! He was so proud ofhimself. So positive. The ward really reached out to him and some wonderfulmembers talked to him a lot. I think he'll come again next week. We chatteda bit about music - he's more in the Nick Drake / U2 end of the spectrumthan Sigur Ros or Sufjan Stevens, but I have successfully aquired his postaladdress and will definitely be sending him mix CDs post mission. I lovemissionary work. =)
We had such a cool conversation yesterday during finding. We talked to this Muslim Iraqi man on the door for a bit - we realized a conversationwouldn't really go anywhere, but Zr Kriser asked him if we could sing forhim. So he invited us in (I love being in a threesome) and after we sang and talked for a bit more about God and the Book of Mormon (which he wanted inArabic) his Christian Iraqi friend came over. We proceeded to talk about theRestoration. Faris, the older Muslim man, was so amazing. He's been inHolland for 11 years or so. He said when he was younger he got involved in Communism, and none of his friends believed in God. When he was 17 years oldor so, he got a girlfriend. He said she was so beautiful, just such alovely person, that when he looked at her he could not believe that she camefrom nothing, that there wasn't a God. So his belief came from the beauty of the girl he loved when he was 17. Amazing. I wish you could hear the beautyof Arabic-accented English. My mission has taught me to love English spokenas a second language. There is a haphazard grace and awkward loveliness toit that's entirely lost when you speak it fluently. And his youngerChristian friend, Fadi, agreed to meet with us again next week, soooooo thatwas pretty positive.
We also had a hilarious interaction with 2 young Dutch guys lastweek. They were in the middle of moving, and when we asked if we could help they found it hilarious that we were actually serious. There ended up notbeing much we could help with, but Mike (the owner who was moving) made ustea (herbal) and we talked about God. Zr Kriser asked if we could sing forthem, which was pretty hilarious considering neither of them have been in achurch for a while, but it was cool. We gave them both pass a long cards.Later that day Mike called to say he really appreciated that we had come by.That almost NEVER happens - someone you just give a card to actually callingyou on their own volition. So now we have a return appointment to visit himand his girlfriend in their new house. Wahoo! Too bad I won't be here for any of this, but that's okay.
And ILSE CAME TO CHURCH! With both her kids! It was so fun!Unfortunately one of her kids had a less than positive experience inPrimary, but I think it'll come good. So that was really exciting.
On Thursday night I headed up to Amsterdam for an exchange. I workedwith Zr Warren who's in her second transfer, so it was pretty funny beingthe older companion. I really enjoyed working in a big city again, but themass transit was pretty crazy confusing at times. Luckily an 18 year oldalmost-convert (still working on smoking and coffie) came with - Iesha washer name. It was really cool getting to know her better. We visited a woman who got baptised in Ghana and is now living in Holland, and wants herdaughter (who's 13) to learn about the church and get baptised. This woman(Kate) was like a walking gospel principles manual - she had such aknowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation! It was so cool! Afterteaching her daughter she came with us to another Ghanaian investigator -her words were, "This is the gospel. Everybody needs to volunteer!" What asaintly woman. Amsterdam has some beautiful buildings, and I also got tocatch up with Zr. Bennet a bit, whom I knew from BYU, so that was prettypositive. Zr. Warren is also heading to Haarlem with me, so the exchange wasa fun preview of what's going down next transfer.
So... another crazy week! I'm excited to go somewhere new. It'salso weird realizing I've only got 5 transfers left and that this could bemy last city. Here's the mailing address for all my adoring fans (meaning the family members that still feel obligated to write me ;) ):
Prattenburg 371
2036 SM Haarlem
NEDERLAND
I love you people! The gospel is amazing, and I love what I'm doing. Everytransfer just gets better and better.
Liefs,
Zr. Baxter
Lisette is doing AMAZING. We taught her the Word of Wisdom andTithing this week, and she readily accepted both of them. Finally someone on my mission who doesn't smoke and isn't obsessed with coffie! I was amazed byhow willing she was to pay tithing. She came to a Relief Society activityduring the week, and she's beginning to dress more modestly and take bettercare of herself. It's so awesome to see people changing as they accept the gospel.
We had another lesson with Joris which was pretty scattered - wecouldn't tell if he was slightly high or if he always really is this spacey.But he came to church again, this time in a suit (circa 1994 by the looks ofit)! It was hilarious! And he'd trimmed his hair! He was so proud ofhimself. So positive. The ward really reached out to him and some wonderfulmembers talked to him a lot. I think he'll come again next week. We chatteda bit about music - he's more in the Nick Drake / U2 end of the spectrumthan Sigur Ros or Sufjan Stevens, but I have successfully aquired his postaladdress and will definitely be sending him mix CDs post mission. I lovemissionary work. =)
We had such a cool conversation yesterday during finding. We talked to this Muslim Iraqi man on the door for a bit - we realized a conversationwouldn't really go anywhere, but Zr Kriser asked him if we could sing forhim. So he invited us in (I love being in a threesome) and after we sang and talked for a bit more about God and the Book of Mormon (which he wanted inArabic) his Christian Iraqi friend came over. We proceeded to talk about theRestoration. Faris, the older Muslim man, was so amazing. He's been inHolland for 11 years or so. He said when he was younger he got involved in Communism, and none of his friends believed in God. When he was 17 years oldor so, he got a girlfriend. He said she was so beautiful, just such alovely person, that when he looked at her he could not believe that she camefrom nothing, that there wasn't a God. So his belief came from the beauty of the girl he loved when he was 17. Amazing. I wish you could hear the beautyof Arabic-accented English. My mission has taught me to love English spokenas a second language. There is a haphazard grace and awkward loveliness toit that's entirely lost when you speak it fluently. And his youngerChristian friend, Fadi, agreed to meet with us again next week, soooooo thatwas pretty positive.
We also had a hilarious interaction with 2 young Dutch guys lastweek. They were in the middle of moving, and when we asked if we could help they found it hilarious that we were actually serious. There ended up notbeing much we could help with, but Mike (the owner who was moving) made ustea (herbal) and we talked about God. Zr Kriser asked if we could sing forthem, which was pretty hilarious considering neither of them have been in achurch for a while, but it was cool. We gave them both pass a long cards.Later that day Mike called to say he really appreciated that we had come by.That almost NEVER happens - someone you just give a card to actually callingyou on their own volition. So now we have a return appointment to visit himand his girlfriend in their new house. Wahoo! Too bad I won't be here for any of this, but that's okay.
And ILSE CAME TO CHURCH! With both her kids! It was so fun!Unfortunately one of her kids had a less than positive experience inPrimary, but I think it'll come good. So that was really exciting.
On Thursday night I headed up to Amsterdam for an exchange. I workedwith Zr Warren who's in her second transfer, so it was pretty funny beingthe older companion. I really enjoyed working in a big city again, but themass transit was pretty crazy confusing at times. Luckily an 18 year oldalmost-convert (still working on smoking and coffie) came with - Iesha washer name. It was really cool getting to know her better. We visited a woman who got baptised in Ghana and is now living in Holland, and wants herdaughter (who's 13) to learn about the church and get baptised. This woman(Kate) was like a walking gospel principles manual - she had such aknowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation! It was so cool! Afterteaching her daughter she came with us to another Ghanaian investigator -her words were, "This is the gospel. Everybody needs to volunteer!" What asaintly woman. Amsterdam has some beautiful buildings, and I also got tocatch up with Zr. Bennet a bit, whom I knew from BYU, so that was prettypositive. Zr. Warren is also heading to Haarlem with me, so the exchange wasa fun preview of what's going down next transfer.
So... another crazy week! I'm excited to go somewhere new. It'salso weird realizing I've only got 5 transfers left and that this could bemy last city. Here's the mailing address for all my adoring fans (meaning the family members that still feel obligated to write me ;) ):
Prattenburg 371
2036 SM Haarlem
NEDERLAND
I love you people! The gospel is amazing, and I love what I'm doing. Everytransfer just gets better and better.
Liefs,
Zr. Baxter
Monday, February 9, 2009
Hoi iedereen!
So another really great week in Gouda ... We had Zone Conference in Gouda this Wednesday, and it was pretty much a major call to repentence for everybody. Which was kind of like how you feel (or how I feel, at least) after running 3 miles - so good it hurts. We discussed obedience a lot, and also worked a ton on finding - how to do more than just say those rote phrases we learn in the MTC. Because our area in Gouda is so spread out, we have a really good combination of tracting and mass transit, and so I'm really loving being comfortable enough with Dutch to just strike up conversations with people. It's really fun. Usually it doesn't go somewhere amazing, but sometimes, just sometimes, someone gets really curious and really tests the sincerety of what you're saying. And there are few feelings as good as seeing someone on a train thumb through a pamphlet on the Plan of Salvation with that look op slightly open curiosity. Mmm, missionary work!
So we had a really funny lesson with Joris this week. We sang O My Father and I Am A Child of God with him and talked about who God is and how we can communicate with him. It was a pretty good discussion, and we even got to share the First Vision with him. At the end, Zr Kriser invited him to kneel with us and pray. So Joris prayed. It was so incredibly simple and sincere. I felt like I'd just been in the temple. I love hearing people pray for the first time in years.
After Zone Conference we had a good lesson with Elon. He doesn't feel ready to get baptised yet (which makes sense, well, he isn't) but during our lesson he began asking more questions about the Plan of Salvation - and through the Spirit and our testifying of things that aren't on the surface related, he pretty much committed himself to stopping smoking and reading the scriptures every day. I LOVE watching the Spirit work on people. So often I think I need to extend a committment in just the right way, when actually I have so little to do with it anyway. If we as missionaries live right, are obedient, and just actually really 100% try, the Lord does the miracle anyway.
Like this morning during comp study, when a Surinamer bus driver Zr Kriser and Zr Matos contacted three months ago called us. They'd had a good chat and he'd given them his number, but they'd never been able to set up an appointment. He was looking at the Joseph Smith pamphlet one night when they'd called and realized the number on caller ID was the same as on the pamphlet, and felt like that was a sign. Lated, he'd had a dream and just knew he needed to meet with the missionaries. Amazing. So tonight we'll go teach him at the church. Miracle!
Yesterday was absolutely a treat. Lisette came to church for the first time, and I think it was a really positive experience. We brought her to dinner at an American family's home this week, and on Thursday I went on splits with a ward member to teach her. The ward member, Marielle, is JUST like Lisette! They even liked the same anime movies (Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle ). I love seeing people connect through the church. What a blessing. So things are moving right along with Lisette. Please continue praying for her.
After church we went finding. We had a really incredibly sad conversation with a very strict Protestant woman. I really hate Calvin (the reformer). It's so surreal and saddening to see ideas like Pre-Destination alive and well in people - when we testified to this woman that she was a child of God, she said, "I hope so, but only God knows that." She believes that God knows who will be acceptable to him and who will not - so that means all the millions of people who have never heard of Christ are pretty much done for anyway - God apparently knew they'd not accept Christ so they never even got the chance. I hate that philosophy. I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and temple work. It is amazing knowledge that we have. EVERYONE is a child of God. We take that for granted - it is AMAZING knowledge! The beautiful thing is that she took a Plan of Salvation pamphlet - not agreeing to pray about like we asked, but still. Good things will happen there.
After finding we went back to the church for a YSA sacrament meeting. A friend of ours (not an investigator really - she met the elders in another city and helps us with our conversational Dutch every couple of weeks) named Irene came, so we got to stay with her. And TONS of people from Rotterdam came!!! It did my heart so much good to see a bunch of JoVo's from that city. Oh, it was so good! Including LENNEKE! She's the Dutch 26 year old I taught in R'Dam, and she's getting baptised on February 21st. I told her I'd do my best to come (to travel to a baptism you have to bring an investigator, but Lisette is planning to go with us - again, please pray ;) ) and she really wanted me to. She is such a wonderfully kind, normal, down-to-earth person who's living the gospel. Her dad's still not a fan of religion, but her brother and mom are supporting her and coming to her baptism. Andre is also getting baptised on the same day, so I hope hope hope it all works out and I can go. I love these people so much. I also got to see Ingemar, the Antilleans man who got bapised in R'Dam, and that was amazing!
So for the actual service, they watched a recent CES broadcast from President Monson for the first hour, and for Sunday School a counselor in the stake presidency led a discussion about it. It was amazing. I love the JoVo's. I am so excited to be a YSA in Louisiana again and just build people up. It's such an incredible time of life. For Sacrament Meeting they had a testimony meeting, and I think with all the things that were said, Irene's curiosity was piqued. She asked Zr. Kriser how we can say we know Thomas S. Monson is prophet - and now we're going to be able to teach her the missionary lessons! Wahoo! Seriously, you people at home have to be living the gospel out loud - through your influence the church goes from that weird cult they've heard about from their pastor or friend to a truly vibrant, living faith followed by good, normal, kind people. Your ability to do good and bring others to a greater awareness of God's love for them and His plan is limitless.
And then that night we visited an African couple from Cote dÍvoire that Zr. Kriser met on the bus. Our Stake President (who served in Germany and Austria , French speaking) came along to translate. It was fun to hear French again, and I love our leaders who are so wiling to come on Joint Teach with us. We are so blessed here. Plus I totally haven't taught enough Africans, and this couple is awesome. Good things are happening. I love you all! The gospel is so amazing. It lives, it brings so much light, and everytime you sacrifice anything for it, Heavenly Father blesses you so much in return.
Liefs,
zr. Baxter
So another really great week in Gouda ... We had Zone Conference in Gouda this Wednesday, and it was pretty much a major call to repentence for everybody. Which was kind of like how you feel (or how I feel, at least) after running 3 miles - so good it hurts. We discussed obedience a lot, and also worked a ton on finding - how to do more than just say those rote phrases we learn in the MTC. Because our area in Gouda is so spread out, we have a really good combination of tracting and mass transit, and so I'm really loving being comfortable enough with Dutch to just strike up conversations with people. It's really fun. Usually it doesn't go somewhere amazing, but sometimes, just sometimes, someone gets really curious and really tests the sincerety of what you're saying. And there are few feelings as good as seeing someone on a train thumb through a pamphlet on the Plan of Salvation with that look op slightly open curiosity. Mmm, missionary work!
So we had a really funny lesson with Joris this week. We sang O My Father and I Am A Child of God with him and talked about who God is and how we can communicate with him. It was a pretty good discussion, and we even got to share the First Vision with him. At the end, Zr Kriser invited him to kneel with us and pray. So Joris prayed. It was so incredibly simple and sincere. I felt like I'd just been in the temple. I love hearing people pray for the first time in years.
After Zone Conference we had a good lesson with Elon. He doesn't feel ready to get baptised yet (which makes sense, well, he isn't) but during our lesson he began asking more questions about the Plan of Salvation - and through the Spirit and our testifying of things that aren't on the surface related, he pretty much committed himself to stopping smoking and reading the scriptures every day. I LOVE watching the Spirit work on people. So often I think I need to extend a committment in just the right way, when actually I have so little to do with it anyway. If we as missionaries live right, are obedient, and just actually really 100% try, the Lord does the miracle anyway.
Like this morning during comp study, when a Surinamer bus driver Zr Kriser and Zr Matos contacted three months ago called us. They'd had a good chat and he'd given them his number, but they'd never been able to set up an appointment. He was looking at the Joseph Smith pamphlet one night when they'd called and realized the number on caller ID was the same as on the pamphlet, and felt like that was a sign. Lated, he'd had a dream and just knew he needed to meet with the missionaries. Amazing. So tonight we'll go teach him at the church. Miracle!
Yesterday was absolutely a treat. Lisette came to church for the first time, and I think it was a really positive experience. We brought her to dinner at an American family's home this week, and on Thursday I went on splits with a ward member to teach her. The ward member, Marielle, is JUST like Lisette! They even liked the same anime movies (Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle ). I love seeing people connect through the church. What a blessing. So things are moving right along with Lisette. Please continue praying for her.
After church we went finding. We had a really incredibly sad conversation with a very strict Protestant woman. I really hate Calvin (the reformer). It's so surreal and saddening to see ideas like Pre-Destination alive and well in people - when we testified to this woman that she was a child of God, she said, "I hope so, but only God knows that." She believes that God knows who will be acceptable to him and who will not - so that means all the millions of people who have never heard of Christ are pretty much done for anyway - God apparently knew they'd not accept Christ so they never even got the chance. I hate that philosophy. I am so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and temple work. It is amazing knowledge that we have. EVERYONE is a child of God. We take that for granted - it is AMAZING knowledge! The beautiful thing is that she took a Plan of Salvation pamphlet - not agreeing to pray about like we asked, but still. Good things will happen there.
After finding we went back to the church for a YSA sacrament meeting. A friend of ours (not an investigator really - she met the elders in another city and helps us with our conversational Dutch every couple of weeks) named Irene came, so we got to stay with her. And TONS of people from Rotterdam came!!! It did my heart so much good to see a bunch of JoVo's from that city. Oh, it was so good! Including LENNEKE! She's the Dutch 26 year old I taught in R'Dam, and she's getting baptised on February 21st. I told her I'd do my best to come (to travel to a baptism you have to bring an investigator, but Lisette is planning to go with us - again, please pray ;) ) and she really wanted me to. She is such a wonderfully kind, normal, down-to-earth person who's living the gospel. Her dad's still not a fan of religion, but her brother and mom are supporting her and coming to her baptism. Andre is also getting baptised on the same day, so I hope hope hope it all works out and I can go. I love these people so much. I also got to see Ingemar, the Antilleans man who got bapised in R'Dam, and that was amazing!
So for the actual service, they watched a recent CES broadcast from President Monson for the first hour, and for Sunday School a counselor in the stake presidency led a discussion about it. It was amazing. I love the JoVo's. I am so excited to be a YSA in Louisiana again and just build people up. It's such an incredible time of life. For Sacrament Meeting they had a testimony meeting, and I think with all the things that were said, Irene's curiosity was piqued. She asked Zr. Kriser how we can say we know Thomas S. Monson is prophet - and now we're going to be able to teach her the missionary lessons! Wahoo! Seriously, you people at home have to be living the gospel out loud - through your influence the church goes from that weird cult they've heard about from their pastor or friend to a truly vibrant, living faith followed by good, normal, kind people. Your ability to do good and bring others to a greater awareness of God's love for them and His plan is limitless.
And then that night we visited an African couple from Cote dÍvoire that Zr. Kriser met on the bus. Our Stake President (who served in Germany and Austria , French speaking) came along to translate. It was fun to hear French again, and I love our leaders who are so wiling to come on Joint Teach with us. We are so blessed here. Plus I totally haven't taught enough Africans, and this couple is awesome. Good things are happening. I love you all! The gospel is so amazing. It lives, it brings so much light, and everytime you sacrifice anything for it, Heavenly Father blesses you so much in return.
Liefs,
zr. Baxter
Monday, February 2, 2009
Beste Familie and Vrienden,
Hoi van Gouda! For the surprising number of those of you who'veasked, yes, I now work in the town the cheese is named for. Thoughapparently they no longer actually make it in city limits, but insurrounding villages and dairies. =)
So it's been a pretty intense week. We've some really wonderfulmiracles in Ilse, the divorced mom of two. We went back Tuesday and taughther more of the plan of salvation, which raised a lot of her questions aboutChrist. She's had some beautiful experiences with God, but also has a lot ofquestions she hasn't been able to solve in a church (like about the trinityand child baptism). At one point she asked us how you can really know ifyou've chosen Christ 100%. At which point my companion taught her aboutbaptism from 3 Nephi 27 and asked her if she would prepare to be baptised ifshe comes to feel these things are true. So she thought about it for amoment, began to nod her head, and then her 10 year old Manouk went offabout something or other. =) But she really wanted to meet a convert to thechurch, someone who's made this adjustment before. So Saturday we broughtthe Brink's, a couple who converted 9 years ago. It was a really cool lesson- she's very skeptical and has a looot of questions, but once we explainedthe Restoration, she began to really make a lot of connections. Do you knowhow incredible it is when you tell someone that the truth and goodness ofthe Book of Mormon is evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and theyactually get that connection? It's AMAZING! Anyway. =) Her kids totally wantto come to church (It's hilarious how much they want to, actually) and shereally admires and loves us and the Spirit we bring ("I didn't let you inthe door for nothing," she said) but has also had some very bad experienceswith organized religion and wants to take the time to really read more ofthe Book of Mormon (she read what we suggested for her! Again, do you knowhow wonderful that is? =) ) and ponder and pray. So we don't have a returnappointment, but we'll call and invite her to church and go from her. Ilseis so sincere that I can't believe that she won't get baptised someday.Incredible.
We also had a really cool experience with the Brinks. Their oldest twokids are inactive and their youngest, a 15 year old piano proficient namedKiefer, recently saw a program on TV about evolution and decided not tobelieve in God (I really am so baffled at why people see science and God asmutually contradicting - it is such a depressingly prevalent attitude herein Nederland). So the mom invited us over for dinner to see if we couldhelp. We were early on accident, but Kiefer's best friend Dolph was alsothere, so it was perfect to chat with them about Europe and America, musicand film and culture, and actually get to be real people for them. PlusKiefer loves playing the theme to Amelie, my favorite movie ever (!!!) so wehad a great time listening to him and talking about music a bit. They aresuch delightfully geeky, polite, well-mannered and funny kids. After dinnerwe taught them the Restoration, and invited the family to fast with us for areconfirmation of the truth of the gospel. After we asked, there was totallysilence until Dolph (the non-member friend from an atheistic family) said,"Well, that seems cool! I'd like to try it!"Hilarious! So we gave him a Bookof Mormon, and he began reading off the Questions of the Soul card(questions answered in the Book of Mormon) - " 'Hrm, is there a God?'Wouldn't we all like to know! 'Is there life after death?' I sure hope so!"I think poor Kiefer was totally weirded out that his friend was interestedin that crazy faith his parents have. It was such a cool miracle. I hopethat as Dolph learns more about the church he can help Kiefer see it withfresh eyes.
On the more random side of proselyting, we went back to a man wefound last week who loves church music and was a huge fan of the children'shymns we sang for him. We brought him a hymn book and sang a couple withhim, O My Father and Joseph Smith's First Prayer. That man sight read thosehymns on organ like he'd known them for years and between verses churned outcadences and accompaniments and interludes like nobody's business. It wasamazing! Unfortunately he wasn't too keen on learning about Joseph Smith...We did our best, and he's certainly welcome to us visiting if we're ever inthe area, but very much a fan of his own church right now.
And no one came to church yesterday except... Joris! (The recordgeek / pot smoker we found tracting) It was absolutely hilarious. He wascrazy about the hymns as well, and began sightreading them before theSacrament Meeting started so he could sing along (the reverence of our wardisn't so great so I don't think anyone noticed over the lovely cacaphony ofseveral Dutch children and families in a very tiny chapel). We have anotherappointment with him on Friday - I'm thinking we''ll just sing our way hymnstyle through a 1st lesson with him. And although that idea began as a joke,I think it would actually be more effective with him than a normaldiscussion. ;)
Elon is totally not keeping his commitments and being lame, butLisette is back on track and coming to a dinner appointment with members onTuesday. Overall, the work goes forth. Hopefully you enjoy these anecdotesof the crazy wonderful people I get to know. My Dutch is now actually goodenough that I can comfortable make small talk with ward members, which Ilove. And I love you people. Thanks for all your letters and support (NickSlay - your letter was easily the most unexpected of my mission! Thanks forthe thought!). Have a wonderful week, and know that I know that HeavenlyFather answers our prayers.
Liefs,
zr. Baxter
Hoi van Gouda! For the surprising number of those of you who'veasked, yes, I now work in the town the cheese is named for. Thoughapparently they no longer actually make it in city limits, but insurrounding villages and dairies. =)
So it's been a pretty intense week. We've some really wonderfulmiracles in Ilse, the divorced mom of two. We went back Tuesday and taughther more of the plan of salvation, which raised a lot of her questions aboutChrist. She's had some beautiful experiences with God, but also has a lot ofquestions she hasn't been able to solve in a church (like about the trinityand child baptism). At one point she asked us how you can really know ifyou've chosen Christ 100%. At which point my companion taught her aboutbaptism from 3 Nephi 27 and asked her if she would prepare to be baptised ifshe comes to feel these things are true. So she thought about it for amoment, began to nod her head, and then her 10 year old Manouk went offabout something or other. =) But she really wanted to meet a convert to thechurch, someone who's made this adjustment before. So Saturday we broughtthe Brink's, a couple who converted 9 years ago. It was a really cool lesson- she's very skeptical and has a looot of questions, but once we explainedthe Restoration, she began to really make a lot of connections. Do you knowhow incredible it is when you tell someone that the truth and goodness ofthe Book of Mormon is evidence that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and theyactually get that connection? It's AMAZING! Anyway. =) Her kids totally wantto come to church (It's hilarious how much they want to, actually) and shereally admires and loves us and the Spirit we bring ("I didn't let you inthe door for nothing," she said) but has also had some very bad experienceswith organized religion and wants to take the time to really read more ofthe Book of Mormon (she read what we suggested for her! Again, do you knowhow wonderful that is? =) ) and ponder and pray. So we don't have a returnappointment, but we'll call and invite her to church and go from her. Ilseis so sincere that I can't believe that she won't get baptised someday.Incredible.
We also had a really cool experience with the Brinks. Their oldest twokids are inactive and their youngest, a 15 year old piano proficient namedKiefer, recently saw a program on TV about evolution and decided not tobelieve in God (I really am so baffled at why people see science and God asmutually contradicting - it is such a depressingly prevalent attitude herein Nederland). So the mom invited us over for dinner to see if we couldhelp. We were early on accident, but Kiefer's best friend Dolph was alsothere, so it was perfect to chat with them about Europe and America, musicand film and culture, and actually get to be real people for them. PlusKiefer loves playing the theme to Amelie, my favorite movie ever (!!!) so wehad a great time listening to him and talking about music a bit. They aresuch delightfully geeky, polite, well-mannered and funny kids. After dinnerwe taught them the Restoration, and invited the family to fast with us for areconfirmation of the truth of the gospel. After we asked, there was totallysilence until Dolph (the non-member friend from an atheistic family) said,"Well, that seems cool! I'd like to try it!"Hilarious! So we gave him a Bookof Mormon, and he began reading off the Questions of the Soul card(questions answered in the Book of Mormon) - " 'Hrm, is there a God?'Wouldn't we all like to know! 'Is there life after death?' I sure hope so!"I think poor Kiefer was totally weirded out that his friend was interestedin that crazy faith his parents have. It was such a cool miracle. I hopethat as Dolph learns more about the church he can help Kiefer see it withfresh eyes.
On the more random side of proselyting, we went back to a man wefound last week who loves church music and was a huge fan of the children'shymns we sang for him. We brought him a hymn book and sang a couple withhim, O My Father and Joseph Smith's First Prayer. That man sight read thosehymns on organ like he'd known them for years and between verses churned outcadences and accompaniments and interludes like nobody's business. It wasamazing! Unfortunately he wasn't too keen on learning about Joseph Smith...We did our best, and he's certainly welcome to us visiting if we're ever inthe area, but very much a fan of his own church right now.
And no one came to church yesterday except... Joris! (The recordgeek / pot smoker we found tracting) It was absolutely hilarious. He wascrazy about the hymns as well, and began sightreading them before theSacrament Meeting started so he could sing along (the reverence of our wardisn't so great so I don't think anyone noticed over the lovely cacaphony ofseveral Dutch children and families in a very tiny chapel). We have anotherappointment with him on Friday - I'm thinking we''ll just sing our way hymnstyle through a 1st lesson with him. And although that idea began as a joke,I think it would actually be more effective with him than a normaldiscussion. ;)
Elon is totally not keeping his commitments and being lame, butLisette is back on track and coming to a dinner appointment with members onTuesday. Overall, the work goes forth. Hopefully you enjoy these anecdotesof the crazy wonderful people I get to know. My Dutch is now actually goodenough that I can comfortable make small talk with ward members, which Ilove. And I love you people. Thanks for all your letters and support (NickSlay - your letter was easily the most unexpected of my mission! Thanks forthe thought!). Have a wonderful week, and know that I know that HeavenlyFather answers our prayers.
Liefs,
zr. Baxter
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