Rotterdam Zone President's Training

On Wednesday, we met with the Rotterdam Zone.  Again we were so happy to be among these energetic, happy missionaries.  

Elders Pope, Bickham, Hyer, Zusters Jones and Gardenr

Together, we learned about one of the Christlike attributes in Preach My Gospel.  I have invited the missionaries to take one Christlike attribute each month of their mission, study from Chapter 6 about that attribute and learn to incorporate that attribute in their lives during the month.
What does it mean to be humble?   We were taught by this group through the scriptures in PMG p. 121

Elder Wang, Pelaquim, Ellis, DaCruz, Benson

What blessings do you receive when you humble yourselves?  PMG p. 121

Zusters Tanner and Schwab

We were taught by the sisters how we recognize pride in ourselves.

PMG page 121

In the afternoon Elder Bickham taught us about the importance of using the teaching calendar.  He showed us the calendar of a newly baptized member.  He shared his strong testimony he has that the teaching calendar is a wonderful tool we can use to help investigators learn and prepare for baptism.

 

Elder Ellis and Elder Benson asked the missionaries what helps them be consecrated missionaries.  They came up with a great list!

1.  Walking-more people to talk to if not on a bike or in a car

2.  Meaningful prayer

3.  Talk to Everyone

4.  Being happy-my day was consecrated if I was happy all day!

5.  Have no stress

6.  Motivation is love for the Lord

7.  Effective planning

8.  Listen to Spirit

9.  Morning Schedule

10.  Be a fearless contacter

11.  Testify Continually

12.  Transportation finding

13.  Look for opportunities

14.  Be obedient to what our leaders ask us to do-we will be blessed!

15.  Taking and keeping good records.

A most valuable part of becoming great teachers is role-playing.  Elder Benson played the part of the investigator, and Elder Pope and elder Christensen were the missionaries.  They practice how to invite someone to be baptized and introduce the teaching calendat.

We have great missionaries in the Rotterdam Zone!

back row l-r Elder Wang, Elder Everton, Elder Pelaquim, President Brubaker, Zuster Everton, Elder and Zuster Anderson, Elders Hansen, Huff, Burton, Christensen, Pope, Ellis, Benson, Bickham, Hyer, DaCruz
front row l-r Zusters Brubaker, Schwab, Tanner, Jones, Gardner

The sisters wanted a picture of the priesthood holders in the Rotterdam Zone!  

They all waxed strong in the Lord.  Mosiah 17:2-3

Apeldoorn Zone President's Training

Being with our missionaries is our favorite thing we get to do on this mission!  We started Zone President's training for the month of May in Apeldoorn.  Blessings of a smaller mission, President Brubaker is able to teach all of the missionaries every month.  

Elders Davis, Shoemaker, Wait

President Brubaker commended the Apeldoorn Zone.  As he gave them the accountability report at the beginning of the training, many great things are happening!  

Elders Schulte, Moscon

Our missionaries are to be commended for their obedience and diligence.

Elders Larson, Benson, Armstrong, Harvey, Pitchforth

President Brubaker inspired the missionaries to reach a little higher and do some deep retrospection as to what they can give up to the Lord that is keeping them from being just a little bit better.  

Elders van Rij, Stoddard, Andrews

We are so close to reaching our goals.  One week we are there, and then we dip the next week.  How can we consistently reach or even exceed our goals each week?

Zuster Van Komen, Elder Nielsen, Elder Van Komen, Elder McKee

President Brubaker talked with them about Priesthood Power.  Each missionary has had hands laid upon their heads by one holding the holy Priesthood of God.  
"Missionaries are to go "in the power of the ordination wherewith they have been ordained, proclaiming glad tidings of great joy, even the everlasting gospel." D&C 79:1

Elders Andrews, Ombach, Larson

When you were set apart by priesthood authority, you received the right and privilege to represent the Lord.  You received a ministerial certificate that verifies that authority to the world.  PMG page 4

Elders Harvey, Pitchforth, Zuster and Elder Bush

President Spencer W. Kimball said:  "the setting apart may be taken literally; it is a setting apart from sin, apart from the carnal; apart from everything which is crude, low vicious, cheap, or vulgar; set apart from the world to a higher plane of thought and activity.  The blessing is conditional upon faithful performance."  PMG p. 4

Elders Larson, Benson, Armstrong

As the Lord's representatives, you are to be "an example of the believers"  I Timothy 4:12

In addition to authority, you are also to exercise power in your work.  The authority that you have received can lead to power.  Indeed, spiritual power is one evidence that your authority is real.  Spiritual power is a gift that makes it possible for you to do your work more effectively.  PMG p. 4

Elders Hendrickson, Christensen

Being led by the Spirit to say what the Lord would have you say at just the right moment.

D&'C 84:85

Elder Schulte and Elder Li taught in the afternoon, while President Brubaker interviewed each missionary in the Apeldoorn Zone.  They were prepared and we were all uplifted by their inspired teaching.  

Sanctify Ourselves
2 Corinthians 5:17  Becoming a new creature-old things are passed away
Alma 37:6-7  Through small and simple things great  things are brought to pass

The Apeldoorn Zone
back row l-r Elders van Rij, Nielsen, Li, Wait, Shoemaker, Hendrickson, Schulte, Davis, Christensen, 
 McKee, Moscon, Harvey, Benson, Armstrong, Stoddard, Larson, Pitchforth, Ombach, Andrews
front row l-r Zuster and Elder  van Komen, Zuster and President Brubaker, Elder and Zuster Bush

Some Facts About The Mormon Church

Here are four subjects that will help one to gain a basic understanding of our Church.

Facts

Some facts about the church include:

• First, “Mormon” is a nickname for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members are often referred to as “Mormons,” “Latter-day Saints,” or “LDS.” The term “Saint” means “member.”

• Second, the Church was restored in 1830 in the state of New York, USA with Joseph Smith as its first prophet and president. Today it is headquartered in Salt Lake City, with President Thomas S. Monson as the present prophet.

• Third, there are now over 14 million members in 176 countries and territories. Church missionary, Elder Orson Hyde, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, first entered Belgium and the Netherlands in 1841. On his way to Jerusalem, he stayed for a little more than a week preaching the gospel. It was not until twenty years later in 1861 that thefirst LDS missionaries were officially sent to the Netherlands. On October 1, 1861 near the village Broek bij Akkerwoude, Friesland, the first converts to the LDS Church in the Netherlands were baptized. (about 150 years ago) People from the Netherlands joined the LDS Church by the thousands, but most emigrated to the United States to be in Utah near Church headquarters. In more recent years Church leadership has asked members to stay in their own lands and build up the Church. The LDS Church has continued to steadily grow in Belgium and the Netherlands. There are now about 8,000 members in the Netherlands meeting in different congregations in 33 locations. There are about 6 million Church members in the United States, making it the fourth largest Christian denomination in America. As one of the fastest growing Christian faiths in the world, we complete a new chapel every working day. Members voluntarily and privately pay a tithe, which is 10 percent of their income, making this and other programs possible.

• Fourth, local congregations are led by volunteer, unpaid members. Both men and women serve in assigned leadership positions.

• And fifth, Mormons are well represented in government and the community. (In the United States, for example, there are 16 ‘Mormon’ members in Congress, from both political parties. Two of the many Republican candidates for president this year were Mormons, including front runner Mitt Romney) Members also serve in high and trusted positions throughout the world in business, medicine, law, education, media, sports, and entertainment. Donny Osmond is a member of our Church and his son Christopher was recently one of our missionaries in the Netherlands.

Faith

Our faith includes being committed Christians with strong traditional values. We emphasize that:

• We believe in the eternity of the soul, that God is the Father of our spirits, and that we can return to Him after death.

• We believe that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior, and we try to model our lives after Him and His teachings. We commemorate Christ’s atoning sacrifice in our Sunday worship services, similar to taking communion in other churches. We accept as fellow Christians all who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind. Many Christians do not understand that we have much common ground with them. Joseph Smith taught that Jesus Christ is the core of our belief, and everything else is an appendage to it (see Elders’ Journal, July 1838, 44). The name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints.

• We believe the original church that Jesus established was lost and has been restored again in our day. The priesthood, the authority given to man to act in the name of God, with apostles and a prophet to lead us, has been restored as have all necessary ordinances of salvation.

• We believe in and we use the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments.

• And we believe in the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture which support and authenticate the Bible and testify of the ministry and divinity of Christ and of God’s ongoing revelation to man. Indeed, the Book of Mormon is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

Family

Our theology and our lifestyles are family-centered. Here are some simple statements about the importance we place on families:

• Mormons place particularly strong emphasis on family as the basic unit of the Church and of society. We have a deep commitment to marriage (defined as a union between one man and one woman). Polygamy, a limited practice in the early pioneer days of the Church, was discontinued in 1890, over 120 years ago.

• Families and individuals, whether members of our faith or not, can attend Sunday services in our chapels. Here we worship together, instructing one another from the scriptures.

• Latter-day Saint families are encouraged to hold family home evenings weekly, usually on Monday nights. This provides a regular and predictable time for parents to teach values to their children and to have fun together. We invite those not of our faith to adopt this practice with their own families.

• The Church has auxiliary programs for women, youth, and children as a support to the family. These programs provide such things as religious instruction, opportunities for Christian service, sports, drama, music, and Scouting.

• And there is also much focus on extended family, genealogy, and personal family history, providing young and old with a stronger sense of roots, identity, and belonging. The highest and most sacred ordinances of our faith relate to our families, both living and dead, and some of these ordinances take place in our temples. There is a Temple located in the Netherlands in Zoetermeer.

Fruits

The Savior said “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20; emphasis added). A church, or any way of life, should be judged by the fruits or the results that it generates. Here are a few examples based on United States statistics. But these would be similar throughout the world among practicing Mormons (by which we mean those who attend church and the temple regularly):

• One of the fruits is a longer life. Studies show that practicing Mormons are healthier and therefore live longer than the (US) national average. In 1833 the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith the Word of Wisdom, which is the way to live in order to enjoy a long and healthy life.

• Second, those who are married in and attend the temple regularly have a divorce rate far below the national and world average.

• Third, we achieve an educational level that is higher than the (US) national average.

• Fourth, over 70,000 members volunteer at their own expense to serve for 18 to 24 months in humanitarian efforts, Church service assignments, and full-time missionary service throughout the world. The Belgium Netherlands Mission currently has 85 young single missionaries and 8 married couples serving in Belgium and the Netherlands.

• And fifth, we place strong emphasis on self-reliance and a solid work ethic. We encourage active involvement in our communities and in providing service to others. The Church continues to donate substantial money, goods, and services to humanitarian causes around the globe, including untold hours of labor donated by members to assist in disaster cleanup and

relief. Many of these efforts are detailed at Mormon.org and LDS.org.

What is a ‘Mission President’ in the Mormon Church?

For many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sharing the Gospel is one of the most important and rewarding ways we can spend our time. Thousands of young men and women leave their homes and families for 18-24 months each year for this purpose. There are currently approximately 50,000 full-time missionaries serving all over the world.

The geographical area that a missionary is assigned to is referred to as a "mission". (Our Mission covers all of the Netherlands and the Flemish part of Belgium). The missionaries are presided over by a mission president and his wife. It is this couple's job to coordinate the efforts of the young missionaries by assigning them to “companionships” (two or three missionaries who live and work together), providing training and leadership, and making sure that the missionaries have their material needs cared for.

Mission presidents are assigned to a mission by the leadership of the LDS church and typically discover the location a few months before their departure. Mission presidents are typically men between 40 and 65 years old. They serve on an unpaid volunteer basis. A mission president must be married; typically, his wife and any minor children accompany him on his mission. Mission presidents are either retired or leave their vocations for three years to preside over their mission.

Scott and Rebecca Brubaker are serving as Mission President and companion until the end of June. Starting in July of 2012, Alden and Brenda Robinson will replace the Brubakers, who will return to their home in the United States.

Zone Leader Council

Now that transfers are behind us, we turned our attention back to the mission and the zone leaders coming for Zone Leader Council.  Never a dull moment in this mission!  How can you not be excited when you have this to look forward to?  These shoes represent thousands of hours spent serving the Lord with might mind and strength!  

Elder Pancratz took some time to teach the missionaries about car safety and taking proper care of the cars.

Missionaries are the best to cook for!  The missionaries were excited to have Zuster Pankratz famous vegetarian lasagne!  

Elder van Overbeek and Elder van de Graaff lead the zone leader council.

President Brubaker is so proud of  his missionaries!
l-r  Elders Li, Schulte, van de Graaff, van Overbeek, Ellis, Guanuna, Mickelsen, Benson, Andrews, Davies

Frank Lei Lei Will Be a Pioneer in His Beloved Country of China

Frank (Lei Lei), 11 May, 2012

Groningen

Elder Pitchforth, Elder Harvey, Elder Shoemaker, Bishop De Jonge and Frank

Conversion story: Lei Lei was found op Straat by Elder Wang and Elder Burton. He said that God didn't exist and really had no interest at all in meeting with them. But reluctantly, he gave them his phone number. Dropped appointment after dropped appointment, they were about to give up, until they ran into him in the Groningen Centrum and set up an appointment which he actually kept! During that lesson, he prayed for his first time and felt the spirit so strongly that he said that there is definitely something out there. From there, he quickly made progression. He gave up smoking and a number of other things so that he could be baptized. He has a strong testimony of this Gospel and has told us that his life is completely changed. Even his friends have noticed how fast he has changed. He'll be studying in Holland for three more years and then will go back to China.

So Hard To Say Good-Bye......

President Brubaker and the departing missionaries arrived at the mission home after spending the afternoon with their president in the mission office.  President Brubaker gives each of our missionaries who are preparing to go home one last interview.  Upon arriving at the mission home, the weather was glorious, so why not try a bicycle built just for missionaries.....a bicycle built for two!  

Elder van de Graaf and Elder van Overbeek decided this is the way to go!  Now they can practice their lessons on their bike and waist no time.

Sister Hill and Sister Rich took a turn.  All that natural talent!

 We teach about companionship unity!

Elder Sanchez, Sister Hill, and Sister Rich have loved serving the Lord diligently and with so much love for the work.   

We spent a "heavenly" evening together.  As we ate dinner together, the missionaries shared with us their most memorable moments on their mission.  They had so many to share, the time slipped away too fast.

 A beautiful momento of their mission that is so unique to our mission.  A handpainted Delft plate with the names of the cities where they served and the name of our mission.
We gathered up their luggage the next morning.  We know we will see each other soon, so it wasn't as difficult to say good-bye to Elder Sanchez and Sister Hill at the airport.  

 Sister Rich was reunited  with very happy, thankful  and excited parents at the airport.  

God be with you until we meet again.

Brigham Young University Wind Symphony Visits Our Mission

Written  By  Zuster  Courtney  Moses

Our mission had a visit from the Brigham Young University Wind Symphony! They are America's most widely toured university concert band, and have performed in places such as Canada, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and the People's Republic of China, to name a few.  The group consists of 50 members who must go through a strict audition process before they can participate. The Wind Symphony is conducted by Donald Peterson and originates in the School of Music in the College of Fine Arts and Communications. 

 

Before my mission, I was a member of this group for two years playing clarinet as part of my undergraduate study at BYU. I loved my time there and felt privileged to tour with the group in South Korea and Japan.  I was a little sad when it was announced that the Wind Symphony would be going on their upcoming tour to Belgium and the Netherlands. I had never been to those countries in my life, but had submitted my mission papers and was planning on serving a full-time mission. As it turns out, my mission call came a week later - I was called to the Belgium/Netherlands Mission!

As part of their 2012 extended tour, the Wind Symphony traveled for three weeks, visiting major venues in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. There were many opportunities for members and non-members alike to hear them perform. I was able to attend with a few investigators when they performed in De Doelen in Rotterdam.  Their performance was wonderful, one of the last ones that they would have on their tour. Their performance inspired, lifted, entertained, and had everyone on their feet by the end, begging for an encore. What a great missionary opportunity!

As I talked to the performers, they expressed their love for the people in Holland and their gratitude to be able to perform for them. I was able to tell them about the investigators that were able to come. What a joy it was to be on the other side of things now as a missionary! 

I remember seeing missionaries bring their investigators to our concerts on the Asian tour, but never imagined that I would ever be that missionary! I am thankful for the sacrifices of the Wind Symphony to create a spiritual environment for so many to come and enjoy the blessings of live music. I'm sure it was an experience that neither the performers or the audience will ever forget. 

-Zr. Moses

A Special Monday!

Ooops!  President Brubaker accidently took the keys to the mission car in his pocket this morning! The office elders were kind enough to bring the keys to me, so I could get to the office today!  They were more than happy to take all of the uneaten treats left behind from our family visit.

 Look who just dropped in today!

 Elder (Cameron) Harper was our first legality secretary when we arrived in the mission!  He was so patient with us, and helped us through those first few months of our mission.  It was wonderful to meet his new bride!

 Cameron's grandparents, Elder and Sister DeLeeuw, are serving in Amsterdam as the Young Adult couple!  Sorry we didn't get them in the picture! Cameron and his wife are here with his parents visiting the cities where he served!

Elder Calkins was trained by Elder Jones, who was happy to meet his 6th generation legality secretary!

Dafe Charlie Is Welcomed Into the Antwerp Ward

Dafe Charlie

6 May, 2012, Antwerpen

Elder Mohrman, Victor Imade, Dafe Charlie and Elder Van Overbeek

      Charles was referred to us by his member friend from Spain. He was so prepared and willing to keep every commitment we gave to him. His faith in Jesus Christ has led him to humbly accept the commandments and live by them for the rest of his life. He is a huge addition to the Antwerp ward! The Brothers and Sisters are already very fond of his humor. All the best Charles.

Patrick and Martine - Miracle in Brugge

Patrick and Martine Sys, 4 May, 2012

Brugge

Elder Douglas, Patrick Sys, Martine Sys and Elder Schow

Patrick and Martine were truly a miracle story.  President Plovier, the Branch President from Brugge, was out knocking doors one Saturday, trying to find people who were interested in the Gospel.  As usual, he was about to be done for the day, and decided to knock one last door.  When he knocked, he found Patrick, and he quickly let him in.  Soon he found out that Patrick had already heard about the word of Wisdom and tithing.  Later that week, we received a call from President Plovier and he had set up an appointment for us to go visit Patrick and Martine. The first appointment we challenged them to both be baptized.  The next appointment Patrick agreed to be baptized, but Martine said that she had already been baptized in another church. She wanted to follow the lessons and keep the commitments we gave Patrick.  The next lesson Martine expressed she wanted to quit smoking, and within the next two weeks she went from smoking a pack a day, to completing giving up smoking.  She and Patrick were reading in the Book of Mormon, and Patrick was preparing for baptism. We were pleasantly surprised when Martine started talking about them both getting baptized.  We were so surprised!  It was amazing to see the complete 180 degree turn that she had made.  During the next weeks they made great progress.  Martine was faced with some health challenges and we were able to give her a priesthood blessing.  They were truly prepared by the Lord. It was a testimony that as you read in the Book of Mormon and keep the commitments, the spirit will testify of the truth of our message!   We are so happy for them!  Written by Elder  Douglass.  

A New Mission President and Companion Have Been Called

                          

A new mission president  and his companion have been called to serve in the best mission in the world!

Alden Charles Robinson, 62, and Brenda Peterson Robinson, three children,Belgium/Netherlands Mission; Flowell Ward, Fillmore Utah Stake. Brother Robinson serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, counselor in a bishopric, high priest group leader, Young Men president, Varsity Scout coach and missionary in the Netherlands Mission. President and CEO, Sunrise Engineering. Born in Fillmore, Utah, to Ralph Alden and Leah C Robinson.

Sister Robinson serves as a Sunday School teacher and is a former stake Young Women camp director, Young Women president and counselor, choir director, Primary music leader, Relief Society teacher and institute teacher. Born in Salina, Utah, to Roger James and Glenna Peterson.

The missionaries are praying for the Robinsons as they make their preparations to come in just a few months!