Zone Conference in Rotterdam

We had a wonderful and inspiring day with the Rotterdam and Antwerp Zones. We were anxious to talk with our new missionaries and find out how their first week in the mission had gone. Zuster Palenikova exudes goodness and is anxious to learn all she can to be the best she can be for the Lord. Zuster Hill seeks to be a great trainer for her.

Elder Shoemaker is already on his 2nd transfer, and Elder Hawkley can't believe how fast the time has gone! He shared his departing testimony with us all. He is so focused and is ready to stay that way for the next 5 weeks!
I spoke to the missionaries about Christlike attributes from PMG Chapter 6.

President Brubaker talked to them about spiritually preparing themselves, and tailoring the lessons to the needs of the investigator.

ASKING APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS AT THE RIGHT TIME REQUIRES THAT YOU ARE IN TUNE WITH THE SPIRIT, THAT YOU LISTEN TO THOSE YOU ARE TEACHING, AND THAT YOU FOCUS THROUGHOUT THE TEACHING EXPERIENCE

WHERE TO LEARN HOW TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS?

WHERE DO WE LEARN TO FOLLOW THE SPIRIT AS WE TEACH? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland answered these most important questions. Missionaries were taught that the hours from 6:30-9:30 will make or break their mission. This is the Lord's time when he can mould and teach a missionary through personal and companionship study.

The missionaries could not have agreed with Sister Everton more when she said missionaries do not like to be sick! She taught them how to avoid getting sick!
Elder Benson, Elder Brownell, Zuster Pàlenikova, Zuster Larsen, and Zuster Kremer all have birthdays in January!
Elder van Overbeek enthusiastically lead us in the jovial and fun Dutch birthday song!

In the afternoon, President Brubaker taught the missionaries from the scriptures. He talked to them about the importance of walls and gates in Nehemiah.

We all learned important principles from the story of Nehemiah. Missionaries have many distractions and these were discussed. But as Nehemiah was tempted to come down from the wall, he didn't let the distraction take over. He did not come down from the wall, and he stayed focused an unified. He worked on building the wall, and was able to complete it in 52 days, because he had a great work to do, and wouldn't let anything get in his way.

The missionaries talked about distractions that they have that can make it so they

"come down from the wall."

My dear brethren, like Nehemiah, we have

a great work to do. We stand overlooking

the horizon of our age. It is my fervent

Prayer that in spite of temptations, we will

never lower our standards; that in spite

of distractions, wherever they may come

from, we will not lose focus on what matters

most; that we will stand resolute and

together, shoulder to shoulder, as we valiantly bear the banner of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray that we may be worthy of the holy priesthood of Almighty God and, to a man, lift our heads and with unwavering voice proclaim to the world, "We are doing a great work, and we will not come down." In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

President Dieter Uchtdorf

Elder Stoddard and Elder Andrews had to leave a few minutes early for legality appts. Elder and Sister Pankratz volunteered to drive them and get them back in time for their appts.
The Rotterdam and the Antwerp Zones are happy to be missionaries......
in the best mission in the world!Sister Salden shares her wisdom with Elder Benson and Elder Wayman.
Oh, how the missionaries admire and love the senior couples in our mission.
The zusters in the Antwerp and Rotterdam zones. They are the best of the best!

Zuster Pàlenikova and Zuster Hill couldn't be left out!

We loved our time with all of the missionaries! Tears flow freely when we feel and see their dedication to the Lord. These are the best two years FOR their lives!