Baptisms in Amsterdam

Our little golden nugget, Rob Lokhoff, LOVES talking about the restored gospel. On a Sunday, months ago he was fishing with his friends. Astrid, a long time friend came up and asked him if he had just come from the church. She had noticed change in him, and on this particular day was intrigued as to his manner of dress. He proceeded to tell her about the ‘Mormon’ Church and the two sister missionaries who were teaching him. A light was turned on in her. She had been briefly taught by two elders, years back. At that time, she did not go to the church or read in the Book of Mormon but she sure wanted to now. She begged Rob for his copy of the Book of Mormon- and reluctantly he gave it to her. Of course, requesting a new copy ASAP. She read the whole book in two days and knew that it was true. The next day after that, she came to an appointment at Rob’s house. She fell immediately in love with the message of the restoration. We started almost immediately teaching Astrid and her four children. She accepted every commitment, and immediately lived every commandment. Darrel, her youngest child prayed about the prophet Jospeh Smith. That night he had a dream that he was baptized. That dream came to be the 31^st of July 2010 along with his Mother. They are amazing. They love the Lord and are firm in his restored gospel.

(story by Zusters Ekstrom and Crandall)

Interviews in Heerlen, Apeldoorn and Zwolle July 28-30

Please enjoy this belated post. Later I will put it in it's proper date.

We found our missionaries up North well and happy! Look at those BIG GRINS! Our week goes better when we are in the presence of our missionaries.

The Zwolle District

Elder Knutson and Elder Brockbank invited us to help teach a French investigator after interviews.

Elder Osmond and Elder Waldie love their life as missionaries in Utrecht!

The Apeldoorn District LOVES Fla!!!!!

(A dutch treat only missionaries can love.)

Helping Hands and Sister Salden Go Hand in Hand

Our mission has been given a BIG tender mercy! Sister Salden works tirelessly, hours on end, helping our missionaries improve their physical surroundings. The Amsterdam sisters have just moved to a better area and closer to the church. The new apartment needed lots of work.

Sister Salden really knows how to get her hands in the work! Sister Cranford and Sister Ekstrom are amazed at the transformation that is taking place in their apartment! P-Days have been spent learning how to mud walls, lay flooring, paint, etc. All involved are enjoying the journey, but I think Sister Salden will be pleased to have this project complete!

"When We're Helping We're Happy

And We Sing As We Go,

For We Like to Help Sister Salden

For We All LOVE Her So!"

Daan Brandenburg is the Newest Member in Herenveen

Daan Brandenburg – July 2010

Daan Brandenburg is the 3rd child of 8 kids. Until yesterday, he was the only non member in his family. He's a chess champion! He goes to other cities and countries to play in chess tournaments and usually wins a lot of money (that he sometimes gives away). Before he was baptized, he didn't do a whole lot with prayer and reading out of the scriptures. He had been coming to church every so often, mostly just to be with his family (which is an awesome reason!) Little by little, he began to feel the Spirit and notice the example of his family. He saw his older brother, Rick, go on a mission, whom he had a really close bond with. About a month and 1/2 ago, he came up to his dad and said that he wanted to be baptized! A date was set for July 25th and we decided to teach him, even though he had already known a good amount about the gospel.

While teaching him, we realized that the gospel answered several of his questions, such as things in the afterlife, tithing, the importance of prophets, and others. He developed more of a relationship with his Savior. He realized that he was being baptized in order to follow the Savior, not just to do it. He read everyday in the scriptures and continued to ask questions that even stumped us! He took an opportunity to fast, which at first was difficult for him. To help him through the difficulty, he read in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 11 where the Savior talks about the importance of being baptized. He told us that he took that as a strong confirmation that being baptized was what the Savior wanted him to do right now. At his baptism, he expressed his gratitude for the gospel and how happy he was that he made this decision. He has felt the power of his sins being washed away. It was incredible to be able to witness. (Written by Elder Pinnock)

Frika Daniels is Baptized in the Hague

Frika Daniels – July 24, 2010

Den Haag, The Netherlands

We first met Sister Daniels a couple transfers ago at the very end of a consecrated hour. She was the last person that we talked to. She had questions about life after death and what was going to happen. She didn’t want to give us her address, so we gave her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and got her number and said we will call in a week to see what you though. We called her and she wanted to know more of what we knew. She has had family members that had died and she wanted to know all things about it. I won’t lie, it was a slow process with her. The thing that changed it all is when we spent a whole lesson on prayer. That it the most difficult thing for her. After that she started praying. She was still nervous, but she knew it is how she was going to receive her testimony. You should hear her pray now. I think she reads it from a paper, it is so good. 3 months after meeting her she told us that Joseph Smith, The Book of Mormon, President Monson, and the church is true. She had an amazing baptismal service. (Written by Elder Hansen).

24th of July Treat

(Enjoy this late post before I move it )

The 24th of July couldn't be passed over without a good old fashioned barbecue! President Roberts barbecued hamburgers for the members of Dordrecht and was so nice to invite us after our training.

Elder Fullmer, Elder Waldie, and Elder Matthews volunteered to see if Holland hamburgers passed imspeciton! I think by the looks on their faces President Roberts made lots of missionaries happy!

Sister Roberts was not able to come, so Sister Hamblin was a good sport and wore her pioneer costume.

We enjoyed meeting several investigators and ward members. Sister Hamblin and Sister Pierson

are happy serving in Dordrecht!

The Queen's City

The Hague is the seat of government, but not the capital of the Netherlands. The Hague is the home of the States-General of the Netherlands. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands lives and works in the Hague. All foreign embassies and government ministries are located in the city.

The city originated around 1230, when Floris IV, count of Holland purchased land alongside a pond, in order to build a hunting residence. In 1248 William II, count of Holland, decided to extend the residence to a palace. It is still used for political events such as the annual speech from the throne by the monarch.

The Hague is a beautiful city, and we have decided this is one of our favorite cities in the Netherlands. Our missionaries who count this as their home find missionary work thriving right now. The ward is very supportive, and we have a center for Young Adults. We have one of the largest concentration of missionaries in our mission here. We have four elders and three sisters here. They are always role playing with each other, trying to become better teachers.

Elder Bastian and Elder Bell are loving life in Zoetermeer. They are having lots of success as they talk to everyone, and love telling people about the temple, which is right in their city.

"Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause.

Lend your efforts in helping people.....Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees,

hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ."

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Touched By the Lives of Many Missionaries

Surya Dhakal’s Conversion Story-Elder Owens

Surya Dhakal is from Nepal. He came here to Belgium when there was a big war going on in Nepal. He left his wife and two kids to come here and try to support them. Surya was born with a Hindu belief but was converted to Christianity sometime before the first missionaries Elder Noonan and Elder Ottenelli tracked into him on the street. He was Christian but didn’t really know much about Christianity. So the missionaries continued to teach him more and more about Christ and the LDS Church. He continued to grow and progress and learn but would never commit to baptism. After the missionaries asked him several times to be baptized he finally took a very long, deep breath and quietly said, “YES”. Ever since then he has not turned back. He loves the church and the members. He is trying to get his wife and two kids their papers so they can come here and live with him. He has a plan where he wants to share the gospel with his family and really wants his son to become a wonderful missionary just like the wonderful missionaries he has met. He even remembers all of their names. (Elder’s Noonan, Ottenelli, Wells, De Mass, Waldie, Bell, Wood, Owens, Conder, Cox.)

Miracles in Amsterdam

Rob Lokhoff - July 2010

Rob is a miracle. We found him one Sunday going 'langs de deuren'. He accepted baptism as soon as it was offered to him and we set the date of July the 17th. It was amazing, as he started living the commandments he started inviting the spirit so strongly that during lessons HE was the one bringing the spirit, and strongly. He knew what the Lord expected and desired of him, and he FELT the approval and joy of the Lord as he changed his life. His goal was to become happy, and he has realised that goal. The night after his baptism he had a dream in which it was said to him, "now you are a son of Abraham." He knows who he is now, a disciple of Christ. (Written by Zuster Ekstrom)

Sister Vels, Sister Ekstrom and Sister Cranford were all on Cloud 9. This amazing trio taught the Gospel to Rob, and he will be forever grateful that they were led to find him.

Dutch Culture Day in Marken

After finishing our Zone Conferences, President Brubaker and I spent a few hours of a P-Day exploring a very picturesque town, 20 minutes north of Amsterdam. We fell in love with Marken.

Marken is an island in the IJsselmeer Lake. A storm surge in the 13th century separated the village from the mainland. The local people are a close-knit community. The main reason for this was their centuries-long isolation. The typically Marken houses and the traditional costume are reminiscent of the past. The dike which was constructed in 1957 once more links the island to the mainland

Marken houses

The village consists of two districts, the Harbor district and the Church district, and eight surrounding mounds. In the old days the island was flooded quite regularly.

For this reason, houses were built on stilts and on mounds. Most of the houses are painted dark green and most side-walls project.

This little saying was in the Cultural museum in Marken. It describes some of the many attributes of the Dutch people

Traditional costume of Marken

In summer the women wear a striped underskirt during the week. They don a full, black skirt and a black apron over this. Over the jacket with striped sleeves, they wear an embroidered bodice and a kind of bolero. A floral wrap is pinned to the front of the bolero. These days, the women usually only wear a small bonnet made of lace, cambric and chintz. The men of the island wear a smock and knickerbockers. The youngest children of the island hardly ever wear traditional costume. Boys and girls do sometimes wear skirts and bonnets, in a wide range of patterns and colors.

A very interesting visit to the main church, from whose ceiling hang ship models and fishing nets.

Amsterdam Zone Conference

We met with the Amsterdam Zone and the Apeldoorn Zones in Amsterdam the next day. We had another exciting and productive day. Our missionaries get really excited as they learn different techniques from each other, as they role play. They separated out to do role plays with companions in different rooms on handling objections and keeping commitments. Came back together and discussed exercise.

Practice Makes Perfect!

Elder Marshall and Elder Bair practiced with Elder Pratt and Elder Jex, as they tried to improve on

helping investigators keep commitments, and listening to concerns.

Elder Pratt and Elder Jex played the roles of the investigator.

Nametags can bring questions – missionaries are encouraged to just be "yourself", be honest, be real. They are learning how to look for opportunities everyday to talk about life before and after the mission.

The Hofman's and the Pancratz enjoy being an intergral part of our Zone Conference, and have volumes of wisdom and experience to share.

(notes from Sister Tibbetts) "Sister Brubaker spoke in the afternoon. She played conference talk by Bro. Rasband given in Priesthood Meeting on missionaries assignments and assigning them to the right mission.

Sis Brubaker: spoke of how she knows that each one of us was sent to them by revelation – this is where the Lord wants you to be. You are in the right place at the right time. If you have any doubt, know that your call was inspired of our Heavenly Father. There is some reason why you are here. Find out who you are supposed to touch. She talked on Christlike attribute of Obedience today.

She encouraged missionaries to read the white handbook before going to bed; from cover to cover. Ask the Lord to guide you and know what area you need to tweak. E. Eyring said obedience helps us build foundation of faith. God sends truth line upon line. Each time God will send more, we’ll feel His blessings

President Brubaker: How can we enjoy that SPIRIT in a consecrated hour. How can we feel its power. This is the time to really communicate with Heavenly Father.

Feast on the scriptures – treasure up, ponder, supply, liken them unto ourselves.

Quote Alma 17: about meeting up with brethren –they had much prayer and fasting. Searched the scriptures. Obedience – key requirement is to have spirit with you. Treasure the scriptures, use them. If we don’t keep commandments we might lose them. Keeping commandments so we don’t lose them. Serve others willingly – as we serve them, we’ll love them.

E Eyring told E Rasband to pay closer attention as they were making calls for missionaries together. Have to listen more carefully to get the SPIRIT and have faith when we receive it – don’t just brush it off and say it’s not really from the Lord. He will put thoughts in our minds – we’ll know when the SPIRIT talks to us. If we’re worthy, will put those thoughts in our minds.

Sister missionaries are such a blessing to our mission!

They absolutely love getting together, and catching up on what is happening with each other!

The Zone Leaders provided us with a great lunch!

Antwerp Zone Conference

Missionaries get really excited when their orders have arrived. Sister Tibbetts made our missionaries very happy! All orders were filled and waiting for them as they arrived, with missionaries names identifying their prize!

Sister De Groot and Sister Robbins would make anyone smile!

Elder DeMeester and Elder Verwey look so classy in their new "solde " suits.

President Brubaker started Zone Conference by giving a review of the last 14 weeks, and commended missionaries for the miracle that we have seen in numbers of baptismal dates we have in our mission. We went from 21 to 57 baptism dates. You’ve shown your faith in leadership of area leaders. It was scary at first but it’s working.

How to help investigations with dates move toward baptism:

- Consistent frequent short contacts

- Prepare for each lesson with the spirit

- Teach by the spirit to the specific needs of the investigator

- Help them overcome concerns

- Help them to make and keep commitments - open hearts to listen to spirit

- Continually use and update the teaching calendar

- Make member involvement a primary focus

Life Saving Training Camp

- What you learn today can save a life

- The Lord has asked you to be his hands

- As you pray for knowledge and engage wholeheartedly in the practice teachings, you will gain knowledge that can, together with the promptings of the spirit, help to save eternal lives.

Write down a question that you would like to have an answer to? What do you hope you can learn as a imissionary or what do you need? (for me,” Am I doing all that I’m supposed to do in my missionary assignment?”

Need to wear our tags so when we’re on the beach, we have to be able to tell who the lifeguards are. He told a story about knocking on a door with E Sanford & Hanks – saw a young 16 year old who was very receptive, felt the spirit. It was so exciting as they felt he was prepared. There are many out there who are ready, let’s help them find eternal happiness.

Assistants – discussion on how teaching calendar is working:

- Helps people really become investigators

- Helps kind of weed out who is more serious, which ones want to progress and which ones don’t

- Gives clear direction of our purpose as missionaries – moving towards baptism

- Gives them structure and an agenda

How has teaching calendar helped the spirit in your teaching?

- Helps eliminate confusion with investigator on what we’re doing

- Helps unity in companionship

- When they know what’s going on, they seek the spirit

- Sis Brubaker says the calls they get from missionaries are wonderful – it’s working! They’re excited about it – it’s been a blessing to see the miracle unfold.

1 Nephi 16: 4-5 Nephi had great joy and great hope in their desire for righteousness. This is how we feel about our investigators – help our investigators with great hope for them. We do our best to get them back on the path of happiness.

Missionaries were now ready to put into practice with each other what they discussed.

Practice makes perfect! Repetition.........Repetition........Repetition...........

Harry is our "ever ready" missionary. He is a welcomed addition as he helps the

missionaries become the best they can be!

Our assistants take advantage of any time they have to prepare for the next part of Zone Conference.

More role playing between companionships.

Wow! A much needed break!

I think every missionary went home feeling well fed!