There are Always Surprises! 2/1/2016

Eating chicken feet

Dear Family,

One thing about missions is that you can never expect the next thing. I really like that aspect as a missionary even when the surprises aren't good. It always keeps me on my toes. Sister Jensen had to leave and go to Trinidad last minute to get some things checked with the doctor. So for three days this week I was still in my trio working two areas. It's always a good time and lots of biking. 

Sister Klas

Man, so much happened this week and I can hardly put it all in words. Update on some people. Radjan is doing really good. Still haven't been able to see Mariska again. He has been reading and still having really good feelings about everything. We asked him to pray about it. Sister Klas has been doing great! Just getting smarter and smarter. She came to church this week so it was good to see her. The second and third picture are of her. We have an new investigator named Hugo that seems promising. He's not married either though...surprise.

Our threesome with Sister Klas

This week I had some amazing insight about grace. As a missionary you tend to doubt your faith and stop yourself from progressing. Well maybe it's just me too haha. BUT truly if you pray for the right things, humble yourself and ask in faith, because of the atonement of Jesus Christ you can be strengthened. Grace is the divine power through the atonement. I just feel like you need to know the right ways of accessing it. I'm doing my best to learn. 

I'm loving being with Sister Zeegelaar. She is an amazing missionary. No news yet on her visa but i'm happy with her staying here! I want her to go to america after I get home cause then I could take her to the temple and to the MTC. But for her own sake I hope it's not that long haha. 

I have sooo much more work to do here. I hope I can get it done before time is up. This week is zone conference and I will be giving my departing testimony--same as you mom and dad. Kinda crazy but still feels like a long time. 

Love,

Elizabeth

Just Call Me Zuster! 1/26/2016

Dear Family,

Yes, transfers are this week. I'm losing Sister Vernes so it will be just Zuster Zeegelaar and I

This is a newly baptized family

Sister Vernes

. I'm so sad to lose Vernes. We were having such a fun time in our trio. It'll still be great though. I woke up at 2:30 am to drive with Sis C to the airport. Because an apostle is coming to the mission (not to Suriname of course) they had to fly Sis C earlier to Trinidad. She will be serving there for like 5 days before she goes home. It feels really weird with her gone. But it'll be ok. I'm still STL with Sister Walsh now. 

It was a good week that felt long and fast at the same time. We were able to watch the worldwide missionary broadcast live on wednesday. It was really great. The whole time watching it though I couldn't help but just cringe at seeing all the sisters in their cardigans with their ipads with cute flower covers on them. Misisons are so different all throughout the world. Can't say I remember too much from the broadcast though...

FINALLY got my Dutch nametag a YEAR
after I ordered it!

Let's see. This week we had some really great lessons. Sometimes I feel right when I am getting really good at teaching and doing missionary work, the progressing investigators don't seem to come. The struggles. BUT we had some great lessons with Radjan. He couldn't come to church this week. I asked him in our last lesson how he was feeling about everything and he said he really likes the way he feels. Also random but I kept thinking about Savita this week, that one lady that dropped me. I felt like I needed to say hi. So I went and she was so happy to see us and we had a lesson with her yesterday. We will see. I still haven't asked her about the text she sent when she dropped us but we will see. We aren't seeing until next week though. Also Zr Klas still doesn't have money but I  think this week she will come. She's doing great. Hmm don't have much news on anyone else right now. Next week hopefully I will have lots to say. Yes we are still biking everywhere. We usually teach about 4 people everyday I would say. Not a ton but that's what happens with 4 hours of studies and a curfew.

Life is going great though. Can't complain just working hard and loving these moments. Also Happy 50th brithday Charlie!! 

Hope everyone is great! I love you all! 

Love,

E