Best Lesson Ever! Best Pday Ever! and a trip to the ER.

Hey,

so our week was good. Transfers were crazy, like always. NS (the Netherlands Railroad system) should consider themselves lucky that I'm a missionary and have no access to their costumer service line, not that they believe in customer service here, but whatever. NS has it out for missionaries. Anyway, Sister Packer and I had all her luggage and her bike, and you have to get into a special car when you have a bike and luggage stuff right, and it was a super long train that pulled up and there was only  of these cars, and you have like 30 seconds to get on the train before it leaves, so we take off running with all the stuff towards to train car, and the conductor lady is just staring at us, and then she looks at our name badges, blows the whistle, and  closes the door right on us! We were at the door! So rude. That's never happened before, but we were super upset because we had just waited over an hour for that train and were already running late for transfers, but whatever. The conductor on the train after that was a lot nicer.

I picked up Sister Woodbury and we actually got back at Assen at a normal time. When I transferred up here, I didnt get here until 8, but she got here at like 4, so that was nice. Sister Woodbury is from Lindon, Utah, she's 22 and studies something crazy smart at BYU. I can't rememeber what though.

They haven't started closing all those sister cities that opened last year, and I believe they will be getting new sisters the transfer I leave. 

For my birthday, we had dinner at a member who has us over every Tuesday. I don't know if anyone knew it was my birthday, but I don't really think they cared, either. I haven't been in this city very long, and I don't really have an emotional connection with anyone, except for the less active member, Bernadette that we work with all the time, so that's okay. They're nice people, though.

The Kermis was super fun. I miss rides, it was easily the best p-day i've had on my mission. Also, I would say it was definitely worth the price for each ride, because they keep you on the ride a long time, it was fun. 

No, we don't go tracting on the boats. One day they're there, the next they aren't, and it's not like there's really a way to go ring their door bell or anything. They look fun though, it would be cool to teach someone who lived on a boat. Our next zone conference is at the end of July. 

So on Tuesday, Sister Packer and I taught what was easily the best most spiritual lesson of my mission. It was sooo cool. It was with the member referral that we finally got into contact with last week. She's a young mom with  2 kids, and all she wants is to find out what God wants with her life. During the lesson she just kept asking like really amazing questions and she took notes and everything. There was a point in the lesson where she was talking about faith and how sometimes she just needs a sign, like everyone else. And so we're sitting there talking about faith when all of a sudden she stops us and tells us to look around. And we're like uh? Okay? And then we notice that the room is exceedingly bright. And mind you, this is at 9 p.m. and it's been raining all day. Then she proceeds to tell us about how she's never seen light so bright and that the sun was directly behind our heads and that it seemed like it was noon. It was cool. And then we move on and we ask her to end the lesson with prayer, because that was a big focus for her during the lesson and she was really hesitant, but then she began to pray, and it was just like the most amazing thing ever. She just opened her heart and said the most sincere prayer I have ever heard. And then she started to cry, and I have never cried during a lesson  before, but I definitely shed a few tears during that one. Then after, she was just like, I want what you girls have. I want to know all about your church so we have an appointment with her again tomorrow. She's just so cool. It was definitely a reminder to me that God has prepared people and that what we are doing as missionaries is making a difference. 

On Thursday we also got a new investigator, but there is a huge language barrier, because she speaks some  Asian language. Anyway, Sister Woodbury had the genius idea of using the gospel art book she has to teach the lesson. And it actually worked. Like, we tried just teaching very basically, and reading from the Book of Mormon she has in her language, but the second we started using pictures, it was like a whole different person was sitting in front of us. You could see the understanding click on her face. It was super cool. 

Friday we talked with this guy on the street who thought that he was a creation of Satan instead of God. He also thought he was super human and was never going to die. Really weird, strange, and a little creepy. But even those people are still children of God, and we made sure he knew that by the end. 

Okay, just so you know, yesterday I had to go to the ER. Don't worry, it wasn't anything major, and I'm totally fine now. A few days ago I got a freaky bug bite and assumed it was going to heal. Well, yesterday I woke up, and my whole calve was inflammed, hot to the touch, and swollen, so yeah, totally infected with something. I called sister Robinson, and she told me to go to the ER, so we did. I got some antibiotics, and it's much better now. So, no worries. Thank goodness I'm not serving in Africa. :) Still hate Dutch doctors, but at least I serve in a place where I have access to medicine. Also, the doctor didn't speak english. Really? Everyone in this country except the doctors speak English. So annoying. Thank goodness I'm at the end of my mission and can actually speak with him. haha. But seriously, I'm fine now, so don't worry. 

Okay, I think that's all for this week. Love you , miss you. Hope everything is well.

Love, Karoline

Transfer Week, Birthday Week, Kermis Week

We have transfers this week, and Sister Packer sadly, will be leaving me. But she's going to be in the same zone so I'll see her in a couple weeks at zone conference. I'm going to be getting Sister W. she's from the group younger than me. I'm sure it's going to be...interesting.  I've heard good things about her too, so yeah.

Today we are going to a Kermis. It's like a carnival type thing. This is the one week of the year people are acutally in Assen, because they are having the TT, so people are coming to see the motorcycle and car races and there are going to be a bunch of concerts going on and such, so that will be cool. 

So, we got two new investigators this week. :) One is an Arabic guy who thinks Christ can change his life, so he came to us. Super cool, but he doesnt really speak Dutch or English, so we took Aswin, our one YSA with us, and used his iPad to have a google translate lesson. See, iPads are totally handy, if they would actually get them to us. :) Oh, from what I understand they'll be getting them here in like February. so, doesn't matter to me. BTW, did you ever get a letter from the office telling you when I was coming home? Because you were supposed to get that a couple months ago. 

The other person we found was from the area book. She lives in the nicest house I have ever been invited into. Oh my gosh, this house is HUGE, well at least for Dutch standards, anyway.  She has a lot of questions and lot of her own ideas, and the thing that stopped her in the future is that the church doesnt believe in gay marriage, and that's a big deal for her. I also think she quite didn't understand what we believe exactly because she kept asking questions about Mormon and why we didnt believe in Christ. But we got that one worked out eventually. But hey, she made a return appointment with us, so that's good. 

Did I say something wrong in my last email? Because I said I was not a perfectionist, not even close. And then you talked about that a lot so I was little confused. But you dont have to worry, I'm pretty sure I'm the chillest sister when it comes to that. In a good way. not in the like let's break all the rules and have a party way. 

Is flirting a problem in the mission? I would say it's probably a problem in most missions.

Okay, well that's pretty much all I got.

Have a good week. Love you.

Love, Karoline

Status Quo Week, Zone Conference Weekend.

So this week was the same thing as pretty much always, except for zone conference. We contacting pretty much the whole day, every day. We got pretty sun burnt, but that's okay. It was a little frustrating, because we did not even get one potential out of the whole thing, but that's okay, because I know that Sister Packer and I are doing our part, so whatever. It's definitely getting old though. 

Friday night, we traveled down to sleep over in Dordrecht, and of course the world cup was going on. Oh my goodness, the place went crazy when everyone figured out that the Netherlands won. We did not get any sleep that night because people were out celebrating all night. Like, there were parades, and people just drive down the streets honking their horns. All night. Oh my gosh, I was ready to kill someone. I'm sure if you weren't an exhausted missionary it would be a lot more fun. In other cities people started blowing things up and lighting off illegal fireworks, but hey, when your country wins I guess it's a big deal.  But it was fun to see. Then on Saturday we went to Zone conference, and the streets were just littered with tons and tons of confetti. everything was orange. It was really interesting to see. 

Zone conference was pretty good. Elder Boom, the area 70 spoke. Mainly all the talks were about obedience and raising expectations and stuff. Then at the end, they broke us up into Elders and Sisters. And I was totally expecting a lecture about flirting. But no. We got a a talk about supporting the priesthood, and letting your husband figure things out and how to support him in leadership and such and then a talk on perfectionism by sister Robinson, and that was really good. There are some crazy perfectionist sisters out there. I'm glad I'm not one of them. :) but seriously, I think it was a really good speachy thing. 

No, there are no young women who would want to on a mini mission in this branch. This branch is small. Theres like 20 active people, on a good day. There are 2 young women, they are 12. There's one YSA, and he's on a part time mission. So... yeah. The rest of the people are either old, or young people with little kids. something that always surprises me about a new area is all the problems people have, and how they feel like the missionaries need to know every single detail of their life. Uh, we're not counselors. Don't call us asking for advice unless it's about missionary work. Don't call us to gossip about the other members. Sigh. The other day we were at a dinner appointment and a member is like so what's the most effective way to find people. I looked her straight in the eye and said member referrals. She didn't like that answer, haha. But, this is June, it's the month of invitation. The apostles and people over this area have told these members over and over that if they want the church to grow, they're going to have to invite their friends, and they encouraged everyone to invite one person to an activity or church or something during the month of June. June is almost over and only one person has done it. So that's super frustrating. And then, we're supposed to be helping everyone make mormon.org profiles, and showing them how to share things on facebook and such, and they just fight you every step, ugh! But it's okay. Everyone complains they don't have friends in the church. Oh my goodness, easiest solution? Invite your own friends. 

Also, at zone conference, I had the realization that I'm ending my mission soon because everyone suddenly wants to take picutres with you because they probably arent going to see you again before you go home. Well, okay. Good thing I looked good. :) haha. 

Assen is pronounced with the short A sound, like lost. Also, I just got a letter from Grammie. i think she sent it a while ago, but it was sent to my apartment in Belgium, and so I just got it last week, so I'll be writing her back soon, but I know she likes fast responses. 

So yeah, that's all I can really think of for this week.

Have a great week. Love you, miss you!

Love, Karoline

Regional Conference and Milk Skin

Personal note:  This week's email came in while I was flying somewhere over Michigan. I work for a great company and have an excellent inflight wi-fi product. We got to email chat for a few minutes.  I'm amazed at the technology that makes it so I can have a "conversation" with my daughter who is 5000 miles away while I'm at 38000 feet.  What a blessing! And,  happy news for her parents,  who served in Switzerland!

Well, this week was fun. We were officially dropped by our last investigator, which means we now have more than enough time to go finding! Yay! i'm glad I'm with Sister Packer right now, and that we get along really well and that we can come home and laugh about all the horrible things that happened that day. Otherwise it would be super easy to get disheartened and frustrated. Also, it has been super hot this week, and super humid. I think I choked on the air the other day. But, good news, we got a fan this week! So we can actually have a little bit of relief.

Something interesting I learned this week? Apparently it's a thing for Dutch people to call McDonalds "the Mac". We learned this when we went out to dinner there with our part-time missionary, part-time YSA in the branch this week. Which btw is super weird because half the week we call him Elder and the other half of the week we call him his first name. His family also fed us dinner 3 times this week. At least this branch likes the missionaries, it makes things a little easier. 

We didn't find anyone this week, but we tried, so that's okay. 

Yesterday we had a regional stake conference type of thing, and it was a broadcast from Switzerland. It was broadcasted to most places in Western Europe. Elder Anderson and President Uchtdorf spoke. Honestly, I'm not sure exactly what they talked about, except for building up the church in Europe and always making sure you have a current temple recommend. It was hot and sticky in the church so I might have zoned out. Oh, and President Uchtdorf said there wasn't going to be a pulic announcement about it, but you might be interested in knowing that yesterday President Uchtdorf rededicated Switzerland as a place for the preaching and spreading of the gospel. So that's interesting. 

Well, that was pretty  much our week. Lots of sun and lots of rain. People keep asking Sister Packer and I when we will tan. They're like aren't you guys outside on bikes all day? And we're like yeah... and they're like so why don't you guys tan? And we're like uh, because we're white. See, Dutch people are super White, but somehow they can also get really tan. They don't understand that some people will just stay white. Then they tell me I have something that they call milkskin. Also, a member yesterday commented that I've gotten prettier since I came to Assen. Apparently when my cheeks get sunburnt it brings out the color of my eyes. Who would have known. I just said thank you, because I still know what to do when people make comments like that. It could always be worse though, they point out everytime Sister Packer gets a zit on her face. 

So, that was this past week. :) We have Zone conference this Saturday in Rotterdam, which is a nice three hour train ride away, so that will take up our Friday evening to travel there and then all of Saturday with the conference and traveling back up here, so that should be exciting.

Well, have a great week. Love you and miss you!

Love, Karoline

One Investigator Lost, 2 New Shoes, and a Workover in Leeuwarden means a chance to visit her Favorite People

 

Hello,

This week was exhausting. And we taught one lesson. How exciting, haha. But out of that lesson we got two new investigators, so that is actually exciting. And we have some appointments this week, so hopefully those work out. Our area does include a lot of country and farms. And no, we didn't have any investigators at church. This week our baptismal date wrote us a letter and told us we are never going to be meeting again. I felt bad for Sister Packer because apparently he was like super awesome and she's been working with him for a long time, but I had only met him once. 

We met with a less active member this week, who is really nice to us, and he asked us to go on a bike ride with him so that he could show us some cool parts of Assen, and not to worry because it was just going to be around in the neighborhood and it wasn't going to be too long. Ha, well 5 1/2 hours later we had finally gotten home from that bike ride. There wasn't really much we could do, but he took us to this place by some lake thing and he fed us dinner that he had packed, so that was nice. Also, we got to see a few hunebeds. Those are these ancient grave things from 5000 years ago that these giant stones covering the burial place. Theres hundreds of them around this province.

 A lot of members treat us like we're their daughters here, which is totally awesome. Except for then we get ourselves into situations like that where suddenly your whole day is gone and wasted and they just want to keep you with them all day. And it's hard for them to understand that that isnt okay, and that you have to be doing other things. 

Also, I've been working with Dutch people for like  a year now, and I still dont understand how they think that being rude is okay. Like, I understand that it's their culture to be frank and honest, but still. For example, yesterday we were with some members, and they let me know I have no natural beauty and then asked me if I was ashamed to have such light thin hair. I just starred at them like what? But then they let me know I have nice teeth. So hey, I guess that was supposed to make up for it. Whatever, theyre great people, but then youre just like uh why do you think it's okay to say things like that? 

I went on exchanges in Leeuwarden this week. It was awesome, I got to see all my favorite people. It rained super hard though, and we got soaked. It was not that fun, like your clothes just stick to you all day, and then you go into an appointment and people are like uh, dont you have an umbrella, and  youre like yeah, but we're on the bike. And you get sooo soaked on bikes, it's ridiculous. But okay. Then we were at an appointment, and we took our shoes off so we don't track water and mud through their house, and then 5 minutes later she comes to me and is like uh, what size shoe do you wear? And then goes and  gets me a new pair of shoes while she throws my other ones away! Shes like you cannot ever wear those other shoes again, they're destroyed, which at that point, from the rain and mud they were, but hey what can you do, and then she gave me a different pair of shoes, which did not match my outfit. Eventually, by the end of the appointment I got her to give me them back, with the promise that I would throw them away when I got home. haha. So now I have to go buy  new shoes today.

Also, for the record, yes I am tired all the time. All the time. I think it's pretty normal though, I'm coming pretty close to the end of my mission, and your body just doesnt replenish energy the same way. Plus, it's not just physical energy that's being taken from you. It's everything. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It's not really something I noticed at the beginning, but now it's very apparent. Every time we go outside or talk to people or you teach or testify, it's exhausting. The whole experience just sucks everything out of you. Then other people just like take your energy from you. I dont how to describe it, but yeah. 

I think that's all for this week.

I love you, and miss you.

Love, Karoline