Week 2. Rootbeer, Drop, and a P-Day/Birthday trip.

Today is Karoline's birthday, and I was hoping it would be a good one for her. Apparently there is a senior couple working in the same area and they took the sisters on a little excursion.  (see the mission blog)
 One of the things I've asked Karoline to share are the things that are "different"; the things that will become so common and normal that she will quickly forget they are not what she is used to.  For example,  when I first arrived in Switzerland, I was amazed at how many things came in a tube-- not just toothpaste but mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard (many many varieties of mustard), garlic, etc. And it's wonderful hearing about her experiences and the opportunities and challenges that await them as they open this area.

Let's start with some sad things: they don't have rootbeer, boxed macaroni, or microwave popcorn here, and no, my bike is not purple :(. It's gray actually. That was pretty much the saddest part of my week. Apparently, they think rootbeer tastes like cough medicine. Whatever. So they have this Drop stuff here. That's pronounced drope. Anyway, have you heard of it? It's like this black licorice stuff, and sometimes it's full of salt, or othertimes rock hard. There's so many different kinds. Anyway, it's disgusting, and it's also everyone's favorite candy so they give it to us a lot when we visit people, and you just kind of have to choke it down. So we have our first teaching appointment today. And how we found her is funny. So we were biking a long and we pass this surinami food truck thing, and my companion is always talking about how good that food is, so I said, "Ï want to try surinam food so bad" and Zr.Raun was like then we are just going to have to find a surinam lady to teach. And so we bike down the hill and stop a lady and she was from Surinam! Anyway, she's hindu and not interested in changing religions but is interested in what other people believe so she invited us to come over. We didn't even have to ask. So yeah.

So yesterday was the first real Sunday. I did have to introduce myself. I said a whole 5 sentences. But this lady said I have super good Nederlands for only a week out in the land, I'm just looking at her, like um yeah no, but thank you. But Dutch people are super frank so it's possible she really thought that. It's interesting, because pretty much everyone speaks English here. One of the sacrament prayers was in English, but I think that was because that priest doesn't speak dutch because I know his parents don't. During relief society a sister translated for me, which was nice, but I didn't really need it too much. Oh! so yesterday sister Raun and I got separated for a long time. In the pouring rain. We were on our way to church, which is an actually church btw, just super duper small, and Zr. Raun was leading and got a little lost and I had my hood up and around my face so I couldn't see her too well, anyway she was in front of me and went around a corner, and these neighborhoods are super twisty turny and such, and when I turned the  corner, I had no idea which way she went. So I went back to the place I lost her thinking she would come back for me, but it didn't quite work that way, so finally I went to the church and she was out with the senior couple in a car looking for me, but anyway it was like half an hour, but yeah. The bad part is that we were drenched, and we definitely looked like it too. So the lesson here is to wear dark colors in the rain so that no one can tell that your skirt is soaked. The bad news is that we were freezing cold for the next four hours.

 Yes our apartment has everything in it, so I don't need a pillow or blanket or anything like that. Although i do kind of wish I had a blanket because we only have our bedding and no extra blankets, but it's not too big of a deal. I figured that yall would google earth the apartment. Did you see the casino to the right, and the "coffee-house" kiddy corner to us? You know what that is right? Anyway, it really is a good area to live in, and we are close to everything.

We knew there was a missionary broadcast, but we don't know anything about it. Supposedly all the missionaries around the world were supposed to watch it, but as far as I know none of us have, so if you want to tell me things about it that would be nice. .

For P-day today we are going to Inkhuisen? Maybe that is how you spell it. It's a town up by den helder that is on the coast of the north sea? Maybe, is that the north sea up there? Anyway, the senior couple wanted to take us out to do something special for my birthday so that is what they decided on. Hopefully I can take a nap on the way there :) I hear it is really pretty up there so yeah. We havent had district meeting yet because we had zone conference last week, so we will go to amsterdam tomorrow for that. Zone conference was fun, so long though. so so long. but it was also really interesting. I did see some people from my MTC group there as well. My companion is from Lindon. Thank you for the weather report. I'm glad it will be cool this week. But really the 60s feel like 40s. If this is summer, I dont know how winter is going to work out. We did have one really hot day last week, I think it was Tuesday. It was also really muggy, which is great to ride a bike in. Speaking of which, riding a bike all day makes you sore, not something I thought of. Anyway, I think that's all for this week. Thanks for everything.

Love you guys!

Karoline.

The Misson Blog--and pictures of their first couple of days.........

http://belgiumnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-next-wave-of-our-flood-of.html


http://belgiumnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-next-wave-of-our-flood-of.html

(not surehttp://belgiumnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-next-wave-of-our-flood-of.html
(not sure why this is publishing the link twice!)
(not surehttp://belgiumnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-next-wave-of-our-flood-of.html

Week # 1 Where's Karoline????????????????????????

After wondering, anziously for 8 days, where Karoline would be sent,  now we know!  read on........

Okay here we go, week one. The flight was fine. the seating configuration was 2 4 2 and sister schwab and i had the left two seats before the aisle, and i got the window seat, so we were by a bunch of nasty people, which was super awesome. I just slept the whole time. Well, no, I woke up for the meals, and then slept some more. 

Once we landed, our flight was early so basically we walked around the airport for half an hour until the office elders and the mission president arrived. We got to stay at the Sheraton because there were too many of us to stay at the mission home. It's was pretty nice. Then after interviews with the president we went to Legality and this fancy lunch. I even tried swordfish. Pretty classy, and pretty tasty. Also, I found out another one of the languages you can be called to speak here: madarin chinese. One of the APs was  called speaking it. This week we have zone conference so I get to go back to Leiden which is pretty much the most picturesque place ever.

I'm in Lelystad. I don't know what the mission president's wife told you about this area so you might have to hear this twice. I'm serving with Sister Raun, who has been here for 6 months, and shes so much more awesome than Zr. ****. I dont know where she ended up because things didnt end well there, and I just honestly didnt care at that point :) So Sister Raun and I are opening this city for sisters. Which is super hard and super intimidating. There hasnt been sister missionaries in Lelystad for 27 years. Also, no set of missionaries has ever lived in Lelystad. The current elders live in Almere and have to take the train there every day. The ward members are super excited to have us here, well the ones we've talked to so far. Yesterday was stake conference, so we actually went down to this convention center thing for that. Anyway, we are starting from scratch. Our area book is completely empty. We have no investigators, and we spend all day trying to contact people. The other day some lady told us that we were going to burn in hell, and that she would be praying for our souls. We just said okay and to have a wonderful day.

 Anyway, back to Lelystad, so originally, this part of the country was underwater. This is one of the newest cities in the Netherlands. The drained it to make a city where they could send all the people they dont want in Amsterdam, but didn't want to deport either. So it's pretty diverse, and also some parts are a little.... ghetto. But theres a lot of really pretty parts too. However, theres not any places with like old buildings or the traditional dutch culture. Once upon a time elder shoemaker had his bike set on fire here. But i'm pretty sure we'll be fine. Our apartment is brand new. No one has ever lived in it ever, and the members went all out furnishing it when they found out sisters were moving in. Oh, we get to go to Amsterdam every Tuesday for district meeting so thats fun. We live kind of near the "beach" we've biked out there a couple of times already. Once on purpose, once on accident. Oh, the oldest human skeletons in Western Europe were found in Lelystad so that's kind of exciting. 

One member was so excited when we went to visit her that she started pulling things out of her cupboard asking what we needed and wanted and we're like uh no we're good. And then she petted my hair and it was a little weird. Anyway, opening a city is super intimidating. Everyone is like ah you sisters are going to create miracles, and then they learn that im brand new and then theyre like well the mission president must have a lot of faith and confidence in you. and then I'm just sitting there like uh yeah I dont even speak Dutch but okay. Everyone keeps telling us how we're the answers to their prayers, and it's just kind of awkward. But super nice.

I did get a bike. We had to go to Almere to get it. There's a member here who owns a bike shop who says his way of doing missionary service is to help the elders and sisters with their bikes. So he looks at you, and then chooses 3 or 4 bikes for you to choose from that will fit you and whatever. So I think mine was 130 euros (it's used), which is expensive in like American thinking, but seriously, the bikes eveywhere are suuuuper expensive and it was a really good deal, especially considering everything else we had already seen. Anyway, when I went to go pay I only had like 50 euros on me, and I didnt know my  card would work here because it doesnt have a chip in it. He didnt even care. Hes like thats okay pay me whenever you want. and then he let us leave. and the on the way out he fix my head light and tailiight and threw in a chain and lock and stuff for free. Anyway I thought that was super nice for him to do that. What kind of person lets you walk out with something you havent paid for? But, the Almere Elders went back and actually paid the 85 euros for me, so now I just have to pay them back on friday when I see them at zone conference. oh, we are also the only sisters in our district since there arent any sister cities around here. Also I might have to train someone in the next transfer because theres not enough sisters to keep up. But I dont think I will since we are opening this city, and thats more work than just being in a city and learning your way. But quite a few girls from the last transfer had to train this transfer and the mission president ust told us to be prepared either way. We've had a quite a few dinner appts. with members so far. The first one we had boiled cauliflower, salad, and sausage worst thingy. Also, they also serve us gouda cheese. I think it's like serving apple pie at every meal but whatever.

I didnt know Kim Kardashian had her baby. I seriously know nothing. I dont even know the weather, which is super frustrating. The other day we were caught in a downpour. It was like we had jumped in the pool, and gone swimming in our clothes. I've had to wear my coat everyday except today, which is unusually warm for some reason.

This is my new address:

Sister Karoline Eliza Western

Zilver Parkkade 102

8232 WL Lelystad

Netherlands

I would send packages to the mission office. I wont get them for a while though because we only get them at zone conference and interviews and zone conference is friday. Make sure the mission name is first.

Belgium/Netherlands Mission

Sister Karoline Eliza Western

Schipholweg 66

2316 XE, Leiden\Netherlands

That's pretty much all I can think of right now. so yeah. Oh, I always keep yall in my prayers.

Karoline

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lelystad

She Arrived -- Letter from The President's Wife

Dear Parents:

Your missionary has arrived safe and well in the Belgium Netherlands.  We are extremely impressed with their attitude, preparation and diligence.  They all started working on Thursday, June 13, in their new area with a exemplary missionary as trainer. They will write to you on Monday and I’m sure will fill you in on everything. 

Each missionary is truly in for the most unique experience of their life.  We are so pleased to have them join us here in the Belgium Netherlands. Thank you for your faith, commitment to the gospel, and sacrifice to send your sons and daughters to serve the Lord. Many blessings are awaiting your missionary, you and your family through his missionary service.  We pray for you while they are away from you and here with us; they are in our prayers at all times.

Of interest, you are welcome to keep up-to-date with the mission at:

 http//belgiumnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com

Again, thank you for your son or daughter.

Veel liefs,

Sister Robinson

BELGIUM/NETHERLANDS MISSION

(Zuster Western is 4th from the left)

They have their assignments!  Where did she go????It looks like a little "call" letter with info and pictures are on their new area. She is 2ndfromthe left.

We'll update on Monday!

Today I got to speak to Zuster Western,  just a few short minutes but enough to know she is feeling good,  happy, excited, misses and loves us, and ready to go.  We miss her too but are happy to know she will be serving the Lord and will be an outstanding missionary.

Karoline's leaving the MTC on Monday,  June 10, 2013.  Her new address will be:

Sister Karoline Eliza Western
Belgium/Netherlands Mission
Schipholweg 66
2316  XE  Leiden
Netherlands

This is for both letters and packages. If you'd like to send a package, please be sure the value is stated as less than $40, if it is higher the missionary pays a lot in taxes and fees.

Week 5--last email from the MTC and "FAKE GRADUATION"

This past weekend would have been Karoline's graduation from college. She completed her degree in December but they have just one graduation ceremony and it is in June.  It's just one of many things she'll sacrifice and miss while she serves her mission. And that's okay.   But read on and see how great a week she had!

Yay! Last week at the MTC! First thing first, I'm sick, and I actually have been since last week, but I forgot to tell you last week, and since I'm still sick I'm telling you this time :) i have this nasty cough thing, and it's been getting worse, so I'm thinking i'm might go to the doctor to get some cough syrup because I've gone through two bags of cough drops, and they each have 30 in them. So yeah. But I think it's just because there no time to rest here. 

 

Travel plans : We have to be at the travel office at 8 so i think we will probably leave here at 830. a.m. The flight is Delta 619. it leaves at 11:11 and gets in at 8:05 their time.  It doesnt have any connecting plans on our travel itinerary so we thought it was nonstop, but some one's dad looked it up, and he said it stopped in detroit. Either way, that is a super long flight. I will have to pay 75 like everyone else, for the second bag, so thats fine. no big deal.  My companion got her papers worked out, basically she has 90days until they need all her stuff in the netherlands, but honestly everyone told me that they were hoping it wouldnt work out that way for her, but I'm sure shes excited she gets to go. She had a crazy fit this week and blew up and me and slammed the door in an elders face. It was actually pretty intense, but seriously, not really sure what to do about her. The branch president is basically to the point where hes thanking me for staying with her as a companion. Hopefully things will work out alright for her in the end.

 

thanks for those pics from graduation, that was really nice. Also, happy graduation to Katie :) So this last week, my Zone had a fake graduation for me :) Our zone leader is in our district, and he asked me what I would be doing this weekend if I were home, and I said graduating from college, so he decided to throw a suprise one.  It was probably one of the funniest things ever. They made me wear a sheet that they made look like a gown, and a cap thing and everything. So I go to walk in, and the whole zone is there singing the graduation song as I walk in, and it was surprising, because I didnt know what was going on.

 

 

 Also, we got a whole bunch of new people this week, because norway left last week, so it left just the dutch until wednesday when we got 16 new swedish, only two of them are girls, and 8 elders going to suranam dutch speaking. theyre all really nice. Anyway, at the graduation, they gave hilarious talks, which I'm pretty sure are better than the real ones anyway, so it was really nice of them. I will send some pictures. So now you will have pictures of me and a cap and gown :)

 

 

Sister Walker sent a box of doughnuts. That was really nice of her, considering I dont think I know who she is, but I will write her a thank you note. My district gets at least two boxes of doughnuts a week, so i guess I just started out this week. Also, if youre mailing something, make sure it will be here by saturday morning. We dont get dear elders sat or sun, we leave monday morning. Also, the mail room closes at 2 and our DLs dont check the mail until after lunch at 230, so if theres a package or something, it would probably be safest to get it here before saturday or i may not get it.

Other than that, the week wasnt too exciting.

 Love you

MTC Week 4

This week Karoline answered a lot of my questions and updated us on her MTC life.  We're all concerned about her companion; Karoline is not in any danger but we hope her companion will be okay and, if necessary, receive any help she needs. The usual disclaimer for the spelling/grammer check!

Hello, so yeah, dutch has been difficult, but whatever, I mean it's okay, I know I will learn it eventually. Yes, I sent grandma a letter, and yes it was my testimony, but I told her it was so she should already know that :) I also sent grammie a thank you letter for the money she sent me, but I didnt hear back, so I hope she got it. Did you put that money in my account btw? And can you tell me how much money I have in checking? And will you be sure to keep an eye on it so that my savings can go towards my loans when my checking is out? Did you get my letter about my watch breaking? because thats like urgent... :)

Okay so first thing first. I told my branch president that I recommend my companion receive some counseling while it's available here at the MTC. Turns out, I wasnt the only one who had told him that. He had been thinking about it, and three other sisters had mentioned it to him. So yeah. They interviewed our whole district on Sunday to talk about her behavior and what they think of her, and if she interacts well with teachers and behaves in class and whatever. Anyway, I told him that I was worried for her, and that I didn't think she would have the skills necessary to only rely on your companion once shes in the field. She has totally random mood swings, no self esteem, depression, i dont even know. She cant take criticism, and can't give up any control for anything. Basically, all the teachers told their coordinator to tell my branch president that she has some issues that should be worked out. Anyway, he went to interview her on sunday, and hes a doctor, so he knows what hes doing, but she freaked out. He couldnt even branch the subject at all because she got too defenesive, and hes not really sure what hes going to do with her, but that he was still going to work on it because he was really worried about her and if she was going to be okay. Then he basically told me that I was the only one who they felt like was able to handle her, which is totally true. My district told me yesterday "Thanks for taking one for the team with that one". so yeah. But it's okay,  I am concerned for her, and I worry about what will happen to her for the rest of the mission. The branch president told me that he believes I've done all I can do for her now, and to just stick it out for the rest of the two weeks her, and not to "poision" our relationship. He knows I'm faking it with her, but agrees that it's the best thing to do here. So yeah, I've done what I can do besides being there for her and praying and such.

So, we get travel plans this Friday! That is super exciting, because I think everyone is ready to be out of this place. I havent heard a bout my visa, but no news is good news. Tomorrow we have to go to the travel office because apparently my companion didnt bring any of her original documents only copies, which is a problem. Theres only 17 fast Sundays until I'm home :) and one of them is this week. I think that is a good way to look at it. Sister Hirschi sent me a letter and some money this week, which I thought was really nice, so I wrote her a letter this morning.

I dont think I need anything else before I leave, but if I think of something I will let you know. Sundays: we have breakfast at 7, and then it's study time and interviews until 930 when we have to go to watch the spoken word, adn then have relief society. Oh, this week, the relief society speaker stood us up. It was the first counselor in the relief society presidency, so who knows what happened there. Then we have lunch at 1130 and then study time, interviews, then sacrament. For sacrament, all of us prepare a talk and then they randomly call up two people to speak; it hasnt been me yet. After that, we have district meeting with one of the branch presidency people, which last forever, it's pretty boring. Then we have temple walk, and then dinner, and then some study time and devotional and then my companion always makes me go see one of the movies they show. I do see Holli a lot, and she always looks happy and like shes enjoying herself. I hear from brianna, jared and kj at least once a week.

I dont have a lot of thoughts on sacrifice except: What seems to be the greatest sacrifice now, will turn out to be the most rewarding experience of your life. Im pretty sure thats talkinga bout a mission but you can really turn that into anything. Sacrifice is always rewarded with blessings. It's part of the balance of life. 

 We have a lot of funny language moments, for example, the words for kiss, kill, and died, are all really close, so someone will regulary say something like "I know Christ killed for you: "I know Christ kissed for you" when they are trying to say "I know Christ died for you" Also, the words for holy and horny are um super close so you got to be careful when you say holy ghost. haha.

I am having spiritual experiences, so dont worry about that :) It's never anything big, but that's okay, because I think being strengthened little by little over time is better for me :)  On sunday our devotional speaker came and told us that he felt like the talk he was going to give was no longer appropriate since we were going to be watching sister monsons funeral after, so he gave his whole talk based on teaching through the spirit. I mean, he didnt know he wasnt going to not talk about what he prepared until he go up there so it was pretty cool to see what he did. After all, thats what we do when we teach lessons. We may have something planned that we think is what the person needs but when we go to teach we find out they need something else.

I'm really confident in sharing my testimony in Dutch. That's pretty much all I do in lessons, because of companion issues, but quite honestly, if you can get the words out for your testimony and testify on what the person needs to hear, and how you know it's true, I think that's the best thing. And being able to say a prayer, of course.  I think that's everything.... oh, I need to buy a calling card sometime this week. We get to call from every airport, so I dont know what I'm going to buy yet.  

So, until next week. :)

 Outside their MTC room,  Zusters Aldous, Western, Ashton, Schwab

Zuster Ashton and Zuster Western.  Karoline's cute skirt actually belongs to Sister Nielson, they like to pick out Karoline's outfit each day.

The district at the temple  5/21/2013.  Karoline is in the white dress.