And to the MTC, we say, "Tot ziens!"

Travel plans arrived last Friday! Which means that we leave this Monday! Here's the dealio: We leave the MTC at 8am (possibly the most humane hour I have ever heard of missionaries leaving), and go on a bus to the SLC airport. We take off from SLC at 11am and land in Amsterdam at 8am Tuesday morning Netherlands time! With an 8 hour time difference, that is a 13 hour plane flight, folks. Non-stop. Oh yeah. I'm super excited!

Netherlands (on left) and Belgium flags!

My district: including 2 Elders going to Suriname, Dutch speaking, who got here this week

In other news for the Netherlands, the coronation of the new king (the previous queen has been in for over 30 years) occurs the day we arrive. That should be plenty exciting.

Quick update on our fake "investigators" that our teachers have been acting as. I don't know if I've mentioned them before, but one of them just got "baptized," which was exciting even though it was fake. 3 more class periods before we leave!

Elder Scott's talk last week was on personal revelation and it was fantastic. I wish I could just read you the whole thing, but I can't, so here are some thoughts: D&C 6, 8, and 9. Prayer is gratitude. Heavenly Father wants us to grow, that's why He gives us challenges and sometimes lets us make the decisions on our own. He loves us!

This Sunday Elder David Evans (executive director of the missionary department) came and talked to us and he was amazing. He spoke about repentance and it was so good because it was such a powerful reminder about what a gift repentance is. Our Heavenly Father LOVES US and He wants nothing more than for us to be happy. Repentance is such a wonderful opportunity for us to experience the Atonement for ourselves and KNOW that it is real. because it is. Commandments are given for us to rejoice (see Mosiah 2:4 - And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.), and I am so grateful for it. Also, he quoted an Elder he knew once from when this Elder got delayed going to the field for visa problems: "I have promised the Lord two years of my life...I will do whatever the Lord wants me to do, wherever He wants me to go. Don't worry about me. I'm fine." May that ever be what we all say.

Love and lots of it,
From your favorite Zuster,
Zuster Stevens

ELDER SCOTT COMES TO THE MTC

Hallo familie! And vrienden! (That's "family" and "friends" in case you were unclear on that).

I hope you are all well! Congratulations to Robert for getting a job in one of the coolest places in the world! (The MTC) Second, I think, only to having the job I have right now.

In case you couldn't tell, the highlight of this week was Elder Scott (yes, the one and only Richard G.) coming to the MTC. He came on Tuesday night for our weekly devotional and it was incredible. His talk was on our communication with our Heavenly Father, and what a privilege that is. Highlights of the talk that I can remember and repeat right now: Because God loves us and because His purpose is our eternal happiness, He allows us and helps us to learn on our own. He knows our every need, much much better than we know our own needs. Always be grateful for the answers you receive from Him, be they yes, no, or a non-response. He trusts you and He wants your happiness and personal growth. Be so grateful for prayer! I know that God hears and answers prayers. That talk was actually very much an answer to some things that I had recently been pondering and praying over.

Other items of interest: the mission prep class our ward had last semester has been very valuable. It didn't give me any kind of advantage or anything, but it was nice to have heard some of the same things before, and be able to have another perspective before I went. Role-playing is awesome. This last Sunday Sister Mary Ellen Edmunds (formerly director of training at the MTC, and formerly a member of the Relief Society general board) came and spoke to us for Relief Society. A line I liked from her: "Remember that all you can do is the best you can do. Then the Holy Ghost will help you with what you can't do yet and take your message to the hearts of the listeners. Count on the heavenly help that you've been promised."

Scripture of the week from Brother Greg Droubay, the director of media in the missionary department: D&C 88:73 - Behold, I will hasten my work in its time. 44% of missionaries in the MTC right now are sisters!

This week has been absolutely incredible. I've learned so much and I'm growing so so very much. I am humbled and honored to be a part of this work and I am so grateful for it. I love you all!

As always,
Love,
Zuster Stevens

!Algemene Conferentie! (General Conference) and pictures...

Greetings from the MTC to my most beloved family and friends,

In case you were wondering, no, the Dutch language does not approve of putting punctuation marks before words any more that English does. I, on the other hand, do so approve, at least when particular exuberance is required. What was the highlight of my week? General Conference of course! I could never pick a favorite talk. They were all amazing. A few I did particarly like include: President Monson's, Elder Holland's on faith, Elder Bruce D. Porter's, Elder Christofferson's, President Uchtdorfs' (from both Conference and the YW broadcast, which us Sisters watched during Priesthood session), Sister Dalton's during the YW broadcast, Elder Cardon's, Elder Kopishke's, Elder Fallabella's and all the others. I hope that helps.

Other exciting events: Vocal Point gave our Sunday night devotional, and that was great. Favorite quote: "Never have the gall to tell God what He can or cannot do with you or with His other children." If He says He can make us good missionaries, or converted saints, don't you dare disbelieve Him. Brother Gerald N. Lund gave a spectacular Tuesday devotional on revelation. Also, Sunday night my companions and I watched Elder Bednar's talk, "Becoming a Missionary." We have to BECOME good missionaries, not just do missionary things. And always remember that success in the work of proclaiming the gospel is a gift from the Lord. It is our responsibility to work with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, and then the success comes in the Lord's time and in His way.

Our first temple walk: my whole district, all 6 of us. 

All the Dutch sisters from our two districts, all nine of us. These sisters are all wonderful, and I'm privileged to be serving with them.

Our whole Dutch zone

In other news, here are a few tidbits I learned this week about my mission: Brussels is NOT included anymore. The Netherlands is about 1/5th the size of UT, but there are approximately 17 million people there versus about 3 million. So it's a bit more crowded there. To get from the northernmost area to the southernmost area in my mission would take around 6 hours by train. Dutch language side-note: "Moe" means "tired" in Dutch. It is pronounced "moo," or close enough.

Thoughts about the scriptures: "His Words Never Cease" on Mormon Messages: (click here to view); also D&C 20:10-12 (Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them— Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.) All of the scriptures are so wonderful!

This is the best, I can think of absolutely nothing I would rather be doing. Every day is a gift. I'm learning so much, and I'm just hoping I'm learning enough to be the most effective missionary I can be. But, as in all things, in many ways my missionary success is quite a bit not due to my own capacity, but rather due to the Lord's mercy in helping me serve as an instrument in His hands to do HIS work. I just hope I don't get in the way.

As always,
Love,
Zuster Stevens

So, for a better update of what's going on in my life: Easter Sunday was the absolute best. We sang in the choir and it was absolutely amazing. We sang an arrangement of "The Lord is My Shepherd." So beautiful. And Bishop Causse of the presiding bishopric came and spoke and it was awesome. And Sister Sheri Dew came and spoke to us that night. Her thoughts: remember that the Savior is not just our last chance, He is our only chance. Read D&C 138 and Abraham 3 and then pray and ask the Lord how He feels about you. Tuesday devo was one of the best I've ever heard. Elder Ringwood of the Seventy came and spoke to us about enduring to the end. So so good. Some thoughts from him: Begin your mission and things in your life with the end in mind. See yourself how you can be, and shoot for it. Commit NOW to endure to the end. That's the only thing none of us have done yet, but we can learn how to endure to the end by enduring to the end of our missions, or the end of high school, or the end of a specific trial, or whatever. We won't ever be done in this life, but as we learn how to endure to the end, we will be able to do so to the end of our lives. Every missionary and every member of the church has a very special and important role in sharing this gospel message, no matter how you think you compare to other members and missionaries.

My companions (collegas in Dutch) and I on Easter Sunday.

A little about my district: There are only 6 of us in each of our two districts. My companionship consists of me, Zuster M. from Utah, and Zuster L. from St. Louis. We have the 3 elders going to our mission in our district, including Elder C. from Colorado Springs. Everyone asks if we knew each other before. It is sometimes nice to have someone with some Colorado pride around. Elder R. and Elder R. are also in our district, and the 3 of them are hilarious. Not always totally focused, but we have lots of laughs. It's been 2 weeks and we're all like brothers and sisters. The other district is composed of 6 sisters. Our zone consists of the Danish, who are about to leave, 2 Icelandic elders, the Swedish, and the Norwegians, who just got here. Lots and lots of girls in our zone--there are something like 12 elders and 40 sisters or something crazy like that. The MTC officially has more sisters than elders, as of our week coming in. Crazy stuff.

On Friday we found out that our investigator wasn't coming back, even though we thought we had one more lesson with him. We were all pretty disappointed. Then that afternoon he showed up again! It turns out that it wasn't some random volunteer like they'd been telling us. Broeder (Brother) C. was our new teacher! And I'm so so happy about it. Broeder R. and Broeder C. are probably the best teachers in the entire MTC. Actually, they are definitely the best teachers in the entire MTC. Br. R. is half Dutch, and he and Br. C. were companions in the field. They're pretty different, but they complement each other so well. We've been learning so much and the Spirit is always there during our classroom time.

Dutch is coming. It's hard, but I have to say that it's also one of the most beautiful languages in the world. You just have to be able to speak it. We got 2 new investigators starting this week and we've been teaching at least one a day. It's hard, but it's so good. This is my dream job, and everything about it is great. The language is obviously a challenge, but it's already been so obvious that this is the Lord's work and He is making it happen. How are we able to do this great work? Because of the Savior and His love for us and the people we're serving. We do our best, and then forget ourselves and realize that it's the Savior's work. And that's pretty much always true, everywhere, whatever calling you have or wherever you are in life. It is such a privilege to be a part of. I cannot think of anything better. Here's something Bro. R. told us after a fairly discouraging lesson: The gift of tongues is not just about the Dutch language (or other language). The Lord can also help us speak the language of the Dutch culture, and even more importantly, the specific language of the individual, with their personality and needs. We just need to qualify for that gift and then trust Him completely.

We had a lesson about stress management at the end of last week (don't worry, everyone has one at the end of the second week, it wasn't just our district). It's so important to remember that a little stress is healthy and motivating, but when it becomes distress, we need to step back and look at what's going on, and maybe look at how far we've come and how far the Lord has brought us.

These last two weeks have been humbling and life-changing in so many ways. I have lots to learn and many ways in which I need to grow, but it has been absolutely wonderful in so many ways. Ether 12:27! (And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.)

This work is all about love. Love for our Heavenly Father and Savior, love for the people we're serving, love for our companions, love for everyone else around us, and love for the work. And I love it all and I'm so so grateful to be here!

I hope all is well and I love you all!
Zuster Stevens