haaaark the heeeeerald angels ssiiiiiiinnnngg

What a week! Sister Clement and I had a great week! We've really enjoyed working together during this time of year. There really is a Christmas spirit that is just so strong this time of year! We decided to really seize that and do all we could with it. 

Before I say anything else, I just have to say that this week didn't go at all the way we'd planned. We set our goals as numbers that we really expected we could achieve this week, and then through the week there were a couple of times that it seemed there would be no way to achieve them! BUT. The best part of that was counting them up yesterday and realizing how blessed we truly were, regardless of the bumps along the way. 

Our Christmas was an adventure! I woke up feeling pretty sick, and as soon as Sister Clement started feeling sick as well, we decided it was likely food poisoning from the Christmas party we'd been to the night before. We had ups and downs all day, but were still able to talk to people, have a really positive first lesson with a man named J, sing Christmas songs to some people, and be the subjects of familie Van Gijsel's Christmas hospitality. We are very grateful for it all, even though we did have a pretty rough day as far as things go physically. 

We had plenty of miracles this week, not the least of which was feeling better after a few days of being sick and being able to do missionary work without that extra obstacle, but I wanted to share about one of our baptismal dates, R. R is from Angola - he was a referral from a man in our branch. R speaks decent Dutch, but Portuguese is his mother language, and what a blessing it is that we have 3 different couples in our branch who speak Portuguese so that he can hear the basis of the gospel is his own tongue! Last week we invited Rafael to be baptized in January. The date ended up being a little bit foggy, as two were talked about, so we clarified it in a lesson yesterday. He will be baptized on the 25th of January! The special thing about this is R's great faith! When we asked him which date of the two he'd like to strive for (the 11th or the 25th), the first thing that he said was that he knew that through God, he could reach even the first one, though he struggles with addictions and does not know a ton about the gospel yet. That was so neat to hear! He did end up choosing the 25th, because he says he would like to be able to learn things more in depth before he takes the step of baptism. We're excited to talk to him about the gospel of Jesus Christ next time, and really get more into why baptism is so important!

I loved studying hope this week, especially because I sure felt hopeless a few times. The biggest reason that I decided it's important to have hope in the future because of Jesus Christ's atonement is that if I have that hope in Him, my will and his will will align! And if that happens, why should I ever worry about the future - it's secure.

Well... There's always so much more I wanna say but I am OUT of time.

Love you all SO MUCH. ECHT WAAR. 

Zuster Anjewierden

1 - Sister Clement and I in Brugge (also Elder Hansen being a punk)

2 - BRUGGE is so beautiful

ZALIGE KERSTFEEST

I hope everyone has an AAAMAZING Christmas. :) You are all marvelous and I am grateful for you!!!

Lots of love and good wishes from Turnhout, Belgium! :)

Zuster Anjewierden

Freezing!!!!!

It is COLD here. Actually today is okay but goodness it is WINDY everywhere. I miss snow, that's way better!

I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting yesterday. I spoke on missionary work and how members are the best manner to find people. I was so thankful for the opportunity to give the whole branch a challenge! I rechallenged them what Elder Ballard challenged everyone in Conference - to share the gospel with someone before Christmas. I talked about the power of the Book of Mormon and encouraged them to use it - to give one away before Christmas. Branch Turnhout has a goal to give away 100 before the end of the year, and they are currently at 89, and if many of them give one away, they will greatly surpass that goal! I think that's neat.

I had some real testimony builders of the gift of tongues this week, too. I am so grateful that I am not speaking this language all on my own. There were a couple days this week where it was more difficult to speak, but most days - if I was relying on the Lord that day, or in that moment, my Dutch was fantastic  - I had no problem communicating. It's incredible the difference between when we rely on ourselves and when we put up our hands and let Christ steer for us. It's all about His will!

We set another baptismal date this week with M! L, her boyfriend, would have none of that. He said he'll come to her baptism but he's already baptized and he's not getting baptized again. We are praying for his heart to be softened, and to know how we can help him to see the need for baptism!

We also had a really great lesson with I and J last night on the Atonement. It's incredible how many questions Imad has that I have just honestly never thought about before. I learn so much from our lessons! It's also amazing the difference that the Spirit makes in a lesson. Testifying of Christ brings it so strongly!

Soooo we found out in district meeting last week that we're actually supposed to be studying humility this week. They changed the order... So. My study on humility is not quite complete yet but we were asked to read Matthew 5-7 and think about it in relation to humility, and I love it. As I read chapter 5 I really thought a lot about my pride, and how I tend to have a hard time giving up my own ideas for those of other people, or being quick to have kind thoughts about others. That's something that comes with charity as well, I think, so I am going to strive harder to pray for charity, and to be kinder to those around me and remember that Christ loves them just as much as he loves me, and I shouldn't be so eigen wijs. I am excited to continue that study until district meeting on Tuesday next week!

Looking forward to zone conference on Thursday with Elder Texeira! I shall let you know how it goes. :)

I love you all so much! Thank you so much for your support and for all that you do for me. I pray for you every day!

Love love love!! :)

Zuster Anjewierden