Another great week! Azelea was super helped by the priesthood blessing she
got last week. She said that night was the first night in weeks she could go
to sleep calmly (she'd been struggling with stress-related sleeplessness in
light of all the problems with her husband looking for a job in Greece,
etc.). She now also really understands priesthood authority better. And! She
asked off work for this coming Sunday and is so excited to come! She said,
"No matter what I am coming to church!" That was a beautiful moment. I love
this woman so, so much. She's also really bonded with Stelle, a Nigerian
convert we've brought on joint teach a couple of times, and it's amazing. We
taught Azelea the Word of Wisdom this week, and she committed very readily
to quitting smoking and giving up coffee and tea. It's been a bit of a long
road with her, but she really is developing such a firm testimony. It's
beautiful to see.
Milene was sick and out of town and we never met with her this week,
which is not good. Please pray that she won't get too busy to really
progress.
We set a baptisimal date with Magalie, the 20 year old from the Congo
that the Elders found, but she's also super busy and still hasn't come to
church. Please pray for her.
In another crazy miracle resulting from the district leader council
they had here a couple weeks ago, one of the district leaders who'd been
here found an investigator for us in Amsterdam, where he serves. He and his
comp had been talking on the tram to another man who wasn't so interested.
As their conversation was dying down, another woman approached them and
asked if they were from a church. They proceded to have an awesome
conversation abotu prophets, baptism, the gospel, and set a baptisimal date
with her. In the tram. And she just happens to live right nearby the church
in Haarlem, which Elder Nelson knew the address of because he'd been here
for district leader council. What a crazy blessing. So far we've only talked
to her on the phone, but she is a super sweet Surinamer and we'll see her
later this week. What a blessing!
Otherwise things are going well. We had an amazing PDay in Keukenhof
(the famous tulip gardens - go google image search it because it's amazing)
and it was wonderful seeing older companions and district leaders and the
like. And Lisette, the 22 year old we taught in Gouda (who got baptised
right after I transferred away) came too!!! That was an awesome surprise.
She's been to the temple and said it was wonderful, and she goes to the YSA
Outreach Center in R'Dam (where she goes to school) twice a week. I love her
so much. That was a tender mercy.
I also attempted to eat herring at Keaukenhof. That was definitely
documented and definitely disgusting. The taste wasn't so bad, and chewing
wasn't so bad, but one bite was all I could manage to swallow. Nothing like
raw fish to make you feel culturally acclimated!
Things are going well. I'm happy. It really is weird to me that I
could be coming home in September. I still don't know if I'll be home in
September or the end of October, but I should be finding out soon. The
members continue to be amazed at Zr Fowler's Dutch, and working with her is
just wonderful. The Lord seriously sent me a greenie that doesn't really
need to be trained - probably because I am, after all, one of the most
non-confrontational people ever! =) I love you all very much, and I love
this work. Just trust in the Lord, do your best, and He takes care of the
rest.



Love,


Zr. Baxter