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

Still Got My Eyebrows 1/18/2016

Dear Family,

This week went by very fast! I swear it's getting faster and faster. Next week begins my 2nd last transfer. I also got an email today from the mission office asking me what airport I want to fly home to. It freaked me out!! 

I had a great week. I'll first tell the story explaining my subject. We have a gas oven that we have to stick a flame into this bottom hole thing. Sometimes you have to blow on the flame to get the oven lit. So Sister Vernes has trouble lighting it. She asked me to do it. I go to the oven light a q tip to stick in the hole. I give a little blow and BOOM there's an explosion in the oven and all the weird fluff stuff blew out of it. I shut the oven and we were just all in shock. Sister Vernes kept on asking are you ok?? The only thing I kept saying was, "Do I still have eyebrows?? Is my hair there?" Turns out some front baby hairs were burnt off but thankfully nothing elses haha. We just all started laughing like crazy. I was so confused why it did that but then it turned out that Sister Vernes turned the gas on--then went to the bathroom--then asked me to light it. Hence the huge flame that erupted! No harm done but a lesson learned. 

Cool story from this week is our less active Sister Klas. She is not smart but just the nicest lady. When we first found her we would teach and she wouldn't understand anything. Last week we started to really focus on the Book of Mormon with her. We've been reading together and she's been reading on her own. Her comprehension has shot up. She's understanding so much more! It's been fun to see. 

We also have a new investigator names Radjan. Found him through contacting in the city. He grew up hindu but he's super smart and knows stuff about Christianity  He's been reading and understanding everything. He's cool. We will see him tonight and see how he's progressing.

I went on an exchange with Sister Jensen this week. We always have a great time together. I would love to serve with her before the end but I don't know if that will happen. Next week I will be telling you my new transfer call. I don't think anything will be changing for me though.

I'm having a really fun time in my trio. We all get along really well even though we are all different. They are really growing and becoming great teachers. 

Sister C leaves this week which is so sad!! It's gonna be really hard to not have her in Suriname. She's my best friend here and it will be lonely without her. 

The work is moving on! I'm loving my life here. I miss you all and can't wait to see you all soon.

Love,

Elizabeth

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane 1/11/2016

Dear Family,

amily,

It was a week that felt like 3 different weeks! Things are going well with Sister Vernes and Zeegelaar. We all get along really well and have fun. We are quite the mixture of people together but it's always fun. I know they are still a little nervous about leading out lessons and talking to people but they'll get it just now. When I was gone they did great.

Elder Albis from the Philippines

All Suriname Missionaries

All the Sister Training Leaders in our mission with
Sister Egbert

They contacted and were able to see a new less active that we have been trying to have a lesson with. They also got the relief society president over to Lucille. On Sunday Lucille stayed all 3 hours which is rare. We taught so many less active lessons this week--I think the most ever on my mission. We were able to find and teach new ones and also see some we haven't seen in a long time. 

But ok let's talk about Trinidad. We had to leave for the airport at 2 am on Thursday. It was just Sis Chris, Elder Bowen, Elder Prosman, Elder James and Hood. We got to Trinidad around 6:30 am. Got some Cinnabon for bfast--haven't seen that in a year. Crazy thing is I flew back to Trinidad the same day I flew to Suriname a year later. I went out with Sister Paul and Palmer that day. They have been on their missions for 6 and 5 months. They were a hoot together and a lot of fun. It was so trippy hearing foreign people speak english. I'm not trying to sound like a goober but I totally would lose some english words when it comes to teaching. Talking normally doesn't happen but teaching I'm just used to Dutch. We had a really fun time together that day. It definitely made me love Suriname though. I just like the culture better here...and the missionaries. I'm lucky to have a great bunch of missionaries. 

That night I slept with STL's. There was Sister Mitchell, Sister Sommer (my first comp), Sister Cuevas, and Sis Chris. We had a lot of fun together. It was so crazy to see Sister Sommer again. She got me all caught up on St. Vincent stuff. Nick who I taught is still active and the branch mission leader and Ryno is still going to church. That's cool! 

Sister Sommer

MLC was really great. The focus was the Book of Mormon. So last MLC on skype Sister C and I did a role play of teaching about the Book of mormon. Well not trying to brag but I guess it was really good because President couldn't stop talking about it and then asked us to do it again at MLC...only this time our investigator was President Cornish from the seventy. At first I was a little nervous but then you just start teaching like an normal lesson with the spirit. Elder Cornish loved it. In the afternoon Elder Cornish taught about the atonement and one cool tangent he went on that I loved is he talked about prayer. He said Heavenly Father wants to help more. He then talked about the agency involved in prayer. He said "Heavenly Father would rather lose us than force us. If he forced us, he would lose us because it would not be righteousness". He also mentioned that Heavenly Father doesn't play games. We need to be sincere. I just really enjoyed that because I struggle with praying in faith. I need to put more focus into my prayers. 

Overall it was just an amazing experience that I'm so grateful I was able to experience. The pictures are with Sister Sommer, all stl's, Old elders I served with in St. Vincent. Elder Haderlie from the MTC district, Elder Albis is from Phillipines--I served with him in St. Vincent but he was telling me his cousin is in your mission mom and dad. Also picture of all the suriname missionaries is in there somewhere. 

Our plane was delayed going home so we got home at 4 am Saturday. Needless to say I'm still recovering from lack of sleep but it was worth it. 

Love you all and thanks for the support.

Love,

Elizabeth

Double Duty 1/5/2016

Dear Family,

It was an eventful week filled with surprises. I'll tell you the biggest one. I got a phone call from the mission president Wednesday morning informing me that I was getting another new companion! Her name is Sister Vernes. She was born in Germany but has lived in England the last three years. Her mom is from Curacao and Dad is from Holland. She went to the MTC but they put her in the beginning Dutch class but she can already speak it so they changed her to the English tract. That's why she came in the middle of the transfer. So yes, I'm now double training. It's pretty nice having two companions that can speak Dutch. Plus they are both willing to talk and great teachers. 

NEW YEARS WAS INCREDIBLE!  OK, not so much the teaching--that was ok--but the fireworks. I'm sure it must have been similar to you mom and dad. It was out of control. We went outside and I could hardly hear anything let alone see anything because of the smoke. I took a video so you all will have to see. We probably stayed outside for like 20 mins. But once inside it took a while for me to fall asleep because of all the noise. 

We are working hard in our area and starting to see some good success. We have some new investigators this week. One her name is Patricia. She is super religious in whatever church she goes to. We went for our appointment with her and when we get there she asks if we can come back because she was going to sleep. Right when we pull out our planners to make another appt, it started to rain so she let us in. Tender mercy. I don't know yet how she'll accept the gospel but she really wants to learn more about Joseph Smith. 

We also taught this couple named Radjan and Mariska. He is Hindu and she is Catholic. They were so nice and really willing to learn more. Can't see them until next week though. 

Ilsa and Virgil are good. We saw Ilsa and not Virgil the week. But Ilsa has been reading. She is pretty old though so I don't know how she'll get to church unless we can find a ride. 

Shenelva is doing pretty good. We got the YW president over there and she came to church on Sunday. She still wants to get baptized on Feb 6th but we'll see. 

On Saturday Pres Egbert was in town so we had a zone meeting. Pres Egbert is really focusing on the Book of Mormon. He says the reason why the church isn't growing in our mission is because members aren't reading. So we are really focusing on that in teaching our investigators and members. I learned a lot that day. Also had a good interview with him. We always have a fun time talking. 

I fly to Trinidad on Thursday and come back on Friday. Nice and short. But I'm so excited to be with the other missionaries. You feel so secluded down here so it'll be nice to see others. 

My companions are doing great. It's definitely gonna be interesting training both of them but they are teaching me a lot. Zr. Zeegelaar's family is out of our area so we never go over. We did see her sister and brother in law though. That was fun. Zeegelaar tries to be so formal with them but I tell her it's ok to talk to them and stuff. It's really cute- haha! I have a good feeling about this transfer. 

Love,

Elizabeth

Attachments area

Let the Bombs Begin... 12/29/2015

Dear Family,

It was wonderful to talk at Christmas! That was fun to almost get everyone there. Felt the same to talk to everyone, the classic jokes being thrown out. Can't wait to see everyone--don't worry I still have lots of work to do but it is nice to think there is an end where I get to see you all again. 

Lucille

Well after Christmas it is constant fireworks until New Years. I honestly get scared sometimes that they are gun shots!  But hey, if you were going to murder someone this is the time to do it. No one would even think twice. People always come to Suriname from the Netherlands for this time of they year. New Years is a big deal. Should be interesting. 

I had a great week still in the trio. We had a fun Christmas party with the missionaries on Monday. We did a white elephant exchange. Best part was you had to get it from the chinese winkels here. Chinese winkels have the weirdest things straight from China so you can only imagine that the exchange was awesome. I bought someone a toilet seat cover, and assortment of bathroom things. 

Tuesday we worked in my area. We saw some new investigators named Ilsa and her grandson Virgil who is like 29. They met with the Elders about 12 years ago so they were excited when they found out that we come from the same church. They are reallllly nice and open to hearing more. We also saw them yesterday. 

Wednesday we spent the day in Parbo Noth area. We got soaking wet that day. It's been raining everyday cause we are back in the rainy season i think until Feb. We got to see some members and one of their investigators. We got a little lost which is always a good time.

Our beautiful Christmas tree!

Thursday we had a christmas party in my branch. It was actually a really nice party. They showed the new nativity video which is so nice. There was a nice program. There is a dutch christmas song called Ere Zij God. You should look it up. Anyway people love it here but no one knows how to sing it cause it's kinda hard. So it always sounds terrible at church. We as missionaries decided to learn it and sing it for our part in the program. It turned out ok but everyone loved it. Probably cause it was they best they've ever heard it!

Friday on Christmas was just a lot of stopping by and delivering cookies but obvs the best part was talking to you all. 

Saturday was a slower day with work because no one was really home. 2nd Christmas is when everyone goes to visit family and friends. 

I got Sister Zeegelaar yesterday. Her mom was crying when she dropped her off. I'm glad I could say, "You'll see her on Sunday!"

Should be an interesting week,
but great! I'm glad everyone is doing well. I loved the video of Anna holding Caroline. So cute. Everyone is growing up!! Can't wait! Happy New Year. See you all in 2016.

Love,

Elizabeth

Transfer Week 12/22/2015

Dear Family,

So Zr. Zeegelaar doesn't start until after Christmas on the 27th so until then I'm with Zr. C and her comp Zr. Parker. Sooo, needless to say it's been a crazy week. They've been staying with me because they don't have an apartment yet but their area is like a 45 min bike ride from mine. We've tried going between both of the areas. I'm actually really excited for Zr. Zeegelaar to get here so we can start working together. I'm doing her real training. She's my newest "daughter".

Friday was fun becuase we got to go to the other branch's Christmas party. I'm pretty sure I know members from the entire district. It's always really fun when i can see everyone. The picture is of a girl from one of my fav families the Geffries. I don't know yet if we are allowed to go to my branch's Christmas party. Pres Egbert doesn't really like us going to branch activities. It's the weirdest thing so we have to get permission. 

The wind was so strong some days this week which made biking hard. It's also now the small rainy season now. The last two days have been all rainy. It's funny cause I actually get cold here. It's sad I know. 

Hmmm well we saw Beppi this week and had a pretty good lesson with her. She still hasn't come to church yet but I'm not losing my patience yet. I think she has great potential. We really didn't see a lot of our investigators this week. There was transfers and meetings and traveling and cleaning and parties. 

Sister Parker is really cool. She is from San Diego but she's lived through the world. Her mom is from the Netherlands so she is really excited to learn Dutch. She doesn't speak it.

We are having a missionary party today with a gift exchange and games. Should be good. No really awesome plans for Christmas. We will probably just deliver treats to members and things like that. 

I'm going to Trinidad on the 8th for MLC. I'm really looking forward to that. It'll be a lot of fun. 

I will be skyping around 7 pm my time. We will try to get people in for a group call so be prepared. My skype name is elizabethcwood. Sorry my letter is a little boring this week.