Opening and Training, Round 2

Well, here I am, sitting in Assen and being pretty happy with life right now, especially missionary work. We had a very adventurous transfer day up to Assen on Wednesday, with all my stuff, including my bike, plus all of my new companion's stuff. I'm grateful that we made it. There was a member at the station to help us with our bags to our new apartment, so that was great. Sister W. is my new companion! And she is wonderful. Very ready to work, very fun to work with, and very great just all around. She's from Salt Lake City and was going to Utah State before, studying biological engineering. We're going to get along great.

Assen is wonderful. It is a beautiful city, and relatively small, which is nice. Our area reaches pretty far down south, to Meppel, but so far we've mostly been working in Assen. We don't have too many investigators yet, it's taking a little while to pick up where the Elders left off 3 transfers ago, but we're working on it, slowly but surely. We still managed to get a couple of on the door lessons in, which is always exciting. The branch LOVES us. Everyone is always so excited to see us, even those who don't come to church often, which is cool. And we love them! Great things are in store for Assen!

Thought for the week, from Elder Hales' Conference talk from last October: "For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work. 'Follow me,' He said, 'And I will make you fishers of men.' As we follow Him, He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we've never before thought possible." (to read the rest of the talk too, click here) It's true! I know it, and the gospel is true too. 

To Assen

So, here's the verdict on transfers. I'm leaving for Assen (sounds kind of like awesome, I don't think that's a coincidence) on Wednesday, via Leiden to pick up another brand new missionary, fresh off the airplane tomorrow. So I'll be training again! Assen sounds great, and the accent is sure to be different. It's been closed for the last 3 transfers, and they've never had sisters before, so it will definitely be an adventure. Sister A. will be staying here and training too! I'm way pumped for the baptisms scheduled for Saturday. I won't get to see them, but I've had the privilege of being a part of the whole teaching experience, and that has been wonderful. We're revving up for more miracles in Assen.

On a prompting on Saturday we went by a referral that had seemed not too positive (but we were going to give them another chance). Met a man on the door a few doors down in a wheelchair instead, and he took a Book of Mormon. We testified of the Plan of Salvation (and of course the Resurrection) and set up a return appointment. The people we went to see weren't home. So always follow those promptings, you never know why you get them!

Stay strong in the gospel. Always. Some of the hardest appointments I have been in have been with members who have decided that they have something better and are now inactive. What could be better than eternal life? The gospel is true. The Church is true. Not everyone in the church is perfect (actually, no one in the church is), but it's still true.

And so the work continues...faster and faster every day

Hoi!

So this week was one of the best weeks we've had so far, which is awesome because it means that hopefully we'll be finishing the transfer up strong. Transfer calls are next week Sunday or Monday morning, so you'll find out then what I'll be doing for the 6 weeks following July 24th. I will be too. But, now for some updates:

The family that is getting baptized next week (the 27th) is so solid! We had two lessons with them this week and they are the best people ever. I love them so much. This week for ward council Bishop lined up joint teaches (all from the ward council) for all of the rest of their lessons, so that they can be as welcomed and fellowshipped as possible. We had two lessons with another family we've been working with, and although the kids aren't ready to set a date yet, they are excited to have the lessons again and hopefully are all set up to be reading out of the Book of Mormon and Book of Mormon stories. Also, they should be coming to the baptism next week! Which I think will help a lot. Exchanges with Breda this week were awesome--I was with Sister N. again in Heerlen for a day.

Some thoughts for the week. It is our responsibility to open our mouths to teach. It is others' responsibility to open their hearts to listen. Remember that at one point or another we are every one of the people in the story of the Prodigal Son-- both sons and the father. No matter where we are, we can always come back, and those who are waiting for us to do so (the important ones at least) are waiting with open hearts and open arms, and with great joy. The gospel is true.

I gave a talk this week (in Dutch): if you want the most important part, it's in Elder Holland's talk "The First and Great Commandment" from October Conference. (click here to read)

Love love and more love,

Zuster Stevens

The Field is White

Most beloved family (and friends),

This week truly has been a week of miracles!

We've had quite a few appointments fall through this week, which made for lots of patience developing, but we finished off with a bang. Yesterday we went over to visit a family who is new in the ward. It was an adventure getting there, because I didn't realize they could come pick us up from the station (which was a 30 minute train ride to get to), and then they lived about 5 km away. And it was hot yesterday. But we got there, and they were super nice. Almost immediately we found out that the man and the son were not baptized! But the son really wants to be. So we were working on getting the son set up with a date, July 27th, and still talking, and we asked the husband if he would like to be baptized then too, and he said yes! Miracles do very much happen. One of our baptismal dates from last week is no longer going through the day that was scheduled, but we'll see. The other one is hopefully still solid.

We watched the Hastening the Work broadcast last night and it was the best thing ever. EVERYONE should watch it.

I love you all! The work continues!

Love,

Zuster Stevens

The Best Work on Earth

Miracles are definitely occurring daily here! Often they aren't the miracles you expect or hope for, but just remember to hope and trust in the Lord and his promises and be a little flexible with expectations. :) We set two baptismal dates this week!! That is so exciting because it brings so much power into those peoples' lives. And we met our goal in that, which is exciting, but a little funny because we set the dates with people that we didn't expect to and weren't able to set them with the people we had hoped to...so all is well.

Thought for the week from President Uchtdorf's talk from Priesthood Session in October 2012 conference: "Being able to feel the sublime peace and joy that grow from being a small part of this great cause and work, I would not want to miss for anything in the world.  ... [This is Christ's] work, in which we are privileged to assist." He was talking specifically about the priesthood, but it applies to missionary work too! And ALL other church service. I highly recommend reading the rest of the talk. (click here to read)

We're learning lots and loving life and Heerlen! We're busy, which is good, and seeing progress, which is better.

Love you all,

Love love love,

Zuster Stevens