Hello everybody! Well, it's been a super great week, but a little
non-eventful - at least as far as interesting letter writing goes. Azelea
prayed about Joseph Smith and baptism but doesn't feel like she got an
answer, tho she's still working on quitting smoking, and reads the Book of
Mormon everyday. It will come! Patience! Milene still doesn't dig the Word
of Wisdom but is totally down for tithing (I'm always surprised at what
people do and don't find difficult). We brought Zr. Kroese, another
Surinamer, to Engelien's house on Wednesday night, and they LOVED each
other. And talked a ridiculous amount. I love fellowshippers. They are so
amazing. Zr. Kroese totally understands her better than we do too, and used
to be of the same Christian religion Engelien was, so that's pretty much
amazing. Engelien came to church on Sunday and loved it - she was even there
before we were. Hopefully this week we can set a baptisimal date with her
and help her begin quitting smoking. Good times, good miracles.
We all got to go to the temple on Wednesday. My last time in Holland,
at least as missionary. It was wonderful, and I will miss it very much. I
love my fellow missionaries. I also got a junkload of mail at Zone
Conference - thank you all! I especially loved the letters and photos from
Briana and Zack, Peter, and Nate. My FHEbros are still the best! I am
working on writing you all back soon!
And as far as transfer news goes, both Zr Fowler and I are staying,
and I'm pretty excited about that. I still don't know if I've got 3
transfers left or 4. I'm happy either way. I'd still like to serve in Den
Haag (the Hague) before I go home, but Haarlem's great and I pretty much
adore the people we're teaching right now. Milene heard one of us might
transfer and did not like that idea! It's always flattering and rewarding to
see how much your friends like you - especially when they get along with the
ward so well that that's not a concern! ;) And Zr Fowler and I are really
getting into a good groove of working together, so I'm excited to see the
miracles of this transfer.
Haarlem had a big outdoor music fest last weekend for their
independence day (or something to celebrate their freedom after WWII) and it
was funny biking past live music and mobs of Dutch hipsters, realizing how
much I have in common with them and also how little. I am so glad I came on
a mission, and I don't even miss live music much anymore. =) I love this
gospel and I love love love these people. And I love you all. I know
Heavenly Father plays an active role in all his children's lives - to a much
greater extent than we often realize. He'll never force us to make the right
choices, but He'll never stop giving us the chance to do so. The Book of
Mormon is the word of God, and it can change lives. Have a blessed week and
know that I'm happy and loving life, and that I love you all.


Zr Baxter