A Zone Conference, A Little about her new Area, a Good Example of Who Karoline is.

Just to preface, I have read a few blogs of elders and sisters serving in her mission. It's exciting to see their experiences (and pictures, of course). Lately, a few have sounded discouraged so I asked her about that.  Her response, and the rest of her week!

Hey,

We had a good week this week. nothing too exciting happened really. We had zone conference, in apeldoorn, and that took pretty much out entire day. I'm not really sure what zone conference was about, honestly. It was just so freaking hot in the building and it was long, ugh so long! Oh, I remember. They did a study on Jacob five. And they talked about area book, and teaching lessons, and what to do with the finding faith in Christ referrals that we're getting. Then they said in June that there are changes to Preach my Gospel coming out, so that's exciting.

I don't really think there's a lot of discouragement going on with the missionaries. I think it's just people accepting things as they are instead of how they are intended to be. a lot of people think that just because they arent necessarily teaching anyone right this second that they arent ever going to find someone, and that simply isn't true. Then when the mission president or other leaders tell us things that need to change, people's first reaction is to disregard it and complain. It's so annoying. Like hello, if you want to know what you have to do to see success, then listen to your leaders who are the ones to get revelation to do that. Dont go complaing about how you are already working hard, and dont see how you can work harder. Any one of us could work harder or do something better, or develop some new skill. Personally, I don't really care that so much time has to be spent finding people. Like of course it's nice to actually teach lessons and have appointments, but for any of that to start, you have to go out and find them. It's kind of exciting, not knowing if this is actually going to be the person who goes through or not. Yes, it's hot and humid and sunny, and you're tired and you just want to sit down, but then it's just as  hot and sticky in people's houses. It's not like they have air conditioning, so whatever. So, if I have to knock doors or street contact for  eight hours just to find someone to teach, then that's what I'm going to do. I don't know, discouragement is a choice, it's not like we didnt know that we were going to have to find people when we were called to the mission so I dont know, thats how I feel about that. 

On that note, I think Sister Packer and I will be dropping the baptismal date we have. Or at least moving him back, because he's not keeping his commitments anymore. Also, I've heard of that missionary mom thing where they all go to lunch and stuff. I think it's mainly just weird. Especially because the majority of them all live within like a  minute radius of each other. It's just weird. Answer to questions: Yes, I need contacts. I had a 6 months supply, and I've been out for over a year so... I think I told you I needed them a few months ago? But I've been meaning to buy them here, you can by them at this place that is kind of like target. I'll probably go buy some today, actually. The apartment we live in is nice. It's pretty large. It's just normal, so I dont really know what to say about that. Assen is different from the other areas I've worked in, because you have to work for absolutely anything here. Most people we talk to won't even take a pass along card, which is abnormal, but whatever, I personally tend to enjoy a challenge. Like, look people, take the card and I wont have to keep talking to you. 

This week though, we had a cool experience, we were on the bus coming home from an appointment, and the bus driver saw my tag and asked some questions and then thanked us for what we did and he was just super interesting. I always like the people who stop you. And anyway, then we ended up being the only people on the bus the whole way back, and you could just feel the spirit there, it was really awesome. I dont know what happened to that man, but at least he had contact with us for a few minutes. 

No, we do not have a JoVo  group. There is only one jovo, and he's a part-time missionary in the office. So he works there on Monday and Tuesday and then the other days hes with his family. We did service with them on Saturday. they like us a lot. The branch is like 30 people? maybe.

Also, don't worry about me, I am happy, and I'm really enjoying serving with Sister Packer. She's awesome. 

Love you! Miss you!

Love, Karoline

Transfer Week: Big City, Small City

Hey,

My new address is:

Mercuriusplein 105

9401 DH Assen

Netherlands

I'm glad it was a fast week for you guys, because my week felt like 100 years. Ah transfers. On Monday the 6 missionaries in Antwerpen got together and had a last p-day together. It was fun. I'll miss serving in a big city with a lot of missionaries, because now it's just me and my companion. :) Tuesday we had district meeting and then we had a couple appointments, and then Sister Wood and I went to go say goodbye to some people. Then we had our last dinner appointment with the Schiltz. I will miss them so much. Sister Schiltz let me know I was her favorite, haha. And that I'm like a grandchild to her. (they dont have children) She also let me know that she is wanting me to marry one of the Elders. She told me that weeks ago, but I told her that was inappropriate to talk about, but she decided to remind me again before I left so I didn't forget her advice. haha.

Wednesday was transfer day, and oh my gosh, it was the longest day ever. We were all supposed to be at the station at 10, but then delay after delay kept coming, so it was me and one other elder who was there on time, and so we had to wait for all the other missionaries. Then the train we needed only comes once an hour, so we didnt actually get out of the station until after 1. By the time I got to Assen with Sister Packer, it was 8. So it was a pretty long day. Also, NS, the netherlands train people, are getting ticked at the missionaries. Theyre starting to make us all split up and theyre putting a limit on how many  missionaries can be on a train at one time with suitcases and bikes, because we take up too much of the cargo space. It's pretty funny. But they should be expecting it by now, this  happens every 6 weeks. 

It's weird being in Assen, and I really miss Antwerpen. It feels like I'm on like a long sleepover/exchange here. Yesterday when I showed up to  church, I had already met the majority of them  because I've already been here so many times. It was weird. 

It will be good working with Sister Packer. There's like no stress, and we can just be chill together. I feel like I dont know what to do with myself being in a small area again. Like, the majority of the streets have already been knocked, people have already been contacted. It's just weird! Plus, I decided I like serving in a ward better. In a branch, the missionaries have to do everything. IE: teach lessons, do other peoples callings, give talks, etc. Like I have to give a 15 minute talk next week on how revelation is the foundation of the church. Boring. I just talked yesterday, but whatever. 

It's been pretty warm here. Wednesday was pretty cold, but it warmed up quickly. The church is like an oven. It's like in a little storage trailer, like a portable. It sucks haha. It was so hot in the church yesterday, and it's not even summer yet, so I'm not looking forward to that. 

I'm thinking we are going to be doing a lot of finding here in Assen. Considering I'm pretty sure that's what my task is as a missionary. Like every missionary is different. Some find, some teach, and the others baptize them. Im thinking I'm the finder. That's what I've had to do in every city. So whatever.

We have district meeting in Zwolle. With only 4 other missionaries. the smallest district in the mission. :) Ha. i know one of the missionaries in the district. Tomorrow is Zone conference, so we get to travel down to Apeldoorn, which is great, because they have an American type church building. I cant really think of anything I would like in a birthday package. But I wouldnt send any packages to the apartment. Unless it's like an envelope. So yeah. 

By the way, you can only extend 3 weeks, and theres no chance of me doing that. haha. Never. :)

Love you, miss you!

Karoline

Mother's Day Skype and a Transfer This Week.

We had a wonderful time visiting with Karoline through Skype on Mother's Day.  She looks terrific and is happy :)  She has known she would be transferred this week but at the time we talked with her, they had not received their phone call.  She talked about concerns with some of the investigators she will be leaving behind, gave us updates on the two who were baptized while she was in Antwerp, and told us a funny story.  Last week they were going to the institute when she felt something hit her head. Apparently, an unknown animal "pooped" on her head. Not a bird, not a squirrel, she's pretty sure that because it was so large it must have been a bear.  She said it was really funny and there is a picture to send later.   She sang in church yesterday, which she enjoyed because, not only does she have a beautiful voice, but because the people there really feel the Spirit through music.  She sang a song called "Rescue Me: by Jenny Phillips (NOT Aretha Franklin.... :) and here is a link to youtube in case you aren't familiar with the song.) Mostly it was just fun and casual.  She did tell us about foods she likes, playing "princess" at the castle in Ghent, etc.  Good times!  Oh, and she does not want us to pick her up, she feels like she needs to have full closure to her mission by having the airport experience.  I'll make sure she gets an airport experience  :) 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySvJp1In408

"So... I can't really think of much to write either, considering we just talked a few hours ago. I do have some news on transfers. Oh my gosh. They are sending me to Assen in the Netherlands. I've already been there on exchanges plenty of times.

( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assen)

 It's up North by Groningen, and I will be going on exchanges to Leeuwarden. Super weird. It was very surprising, and I did not think that I would ever serve back up North. It's a super small city, full of old people. There's not even Elders in the branch. So it will just be me and my companion surrounded by no one in this super isolated city, in the most spread out zone. Yay! That will actually be super weird, considering I'm coming from one of the largest cities, with a ton of missionaries, to one of the smallest. 

Something else sad is that the missionaries who are getting transferred in don't speak any French, so hopefully the ward kicks in with that and helps the sisters teach. 

I dont feel like anything else really happened this week. The most exciting thing was getting pooped on. Also, I forgot my camera cord, so I cant send you the pictures... which is really too bad. Oh my gosh, so disgusting. But hilarious. I was laughing so hard. You think I'd cry because it was so disgusting, but in fact it was just funny. 

So that's about all I can think about....

Well, have a good week!"

Love you, miss you!

Love, Karoline

Pictures, Pictures and more of the Tulips and Missionaries

A Castle, The Temple and Keukenhof

So, Keukenhof and the temple were great. :) In the temple, I sat next to Sister Romig, Creola's (Carola Preller Proctor) friend/principal? Know what I'm talking about? Anyway, sister Romig started crying because she thought it was so special. :) I love the Romigs. I wish I was still serving up north with them. Keukenhof is super pretty, yes, I got lots of pictures. But in the end, theyre just flowers you know? But it was a fun day. So long, but nice.

Monday, we went to that castle in Gent. It was awesome. It's like the oldest castle in Belgium, and the views were so pretty. One of the Elders ripped his pants, but luckily he had a sewing kit with him. That's just good planning. 

Then Tuesday we found a new investigator, who is from, Togo? some African place. Our day was cut super short because we had to travel all the way up to Den Haag, to sleep over for temple conference. We didn't even get to see any of the new films at the temple. so that was a bit of a let down, but the temple is the temple so it was still a good experience. :) 

 

Thursday we had a lesson with our Jehova's Witness investigator, but we dropped him, so that's that. Then later there was a ward bbq, which pretty  much saved us because our dinner appointment cancelled on us that night, so we were glad to get some dinner. :) We also had interviews with President. We talked about racism in the area and things about post mission life. Oh! Here's a funny story. The other night I was laying in bed and Sister Wood was finishing in the bathroom. All of a sudden she starts screaming, and yelling for me to come there. Because there was a spider in the tub. So she grabs a shoe and shes yelling and trying to kill the spider. And then she's finally like "Sister Western, I need you!" And I come in, and she's crying and she can't get herself to wash it down the drain. So that was our spider adventure of the week.

Friday was weekly planning, and we had to call the DL to ask him a question about something right? But when I was about to ask him my actual question, another one came out. I aked if I could wear pants because it was cold outside. Poor DL actually gave me permission. He's like... well... what kind of pants? And I'm like nice ones of course. And he's thinking I'm serious, and is going on about how that would probably be okay. and then you hear his companion in the background and hes like wait! What does the handbook say, so then they searched through the handbook to find out what the actual rules were. After, they figured out that sisters can, in fact not wear pants, I let him know I was joking. He was just silent. Later I got a call from the ZLs laughing their heads off. And thanking me for brightening weekly planning day.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty normal. nothing too special. Mothers day is transfer call Sunday, and I'm almost positive I'm going to be transferred. Which is sad, because I really, really don't want to leave. But I don't know, from the gossip I hear, it's that I'm leaving, so that sucks, but that's the life of a missionary. My favorite scripture is Moroni 7:48.

I think that's all I can think of for now. Love you! Have a good week.Oh! Also, I'm thinking we will skype around 5? 6? our time. What time is that there?  what time do you have church? I will send an email tomorrow let you know what time for sure. If you could let me know what works for you guys that would be good.

Love,

Karoline 

Not the Best Week, But More Typical than Most of us Want to Admit.

Well this week was pretty boring for us. We did a lot of finding, and taught like two lessons, so nothing exciting there. On Saturday we were ringing bells on apartments, which I hate, by the way. And seriously every single person in that building only spoke french. It must have been some kind of international housing or something. But I got a lot of  French practice in that day. 

So Sister Wood and I found this sticker a while ago, and it's like this person and it has Jack written across him. I dont know how to describe it but anyway stickers are a big deal  here and he's like the coolest one we've found and for a long time he was super hard to find but on saturday all we had was finding and looking up formers so we were walking, and all of a sudden we start finding Jack stickers everywhere. We found like no people that day, but we did find a ton of those stickers, so at least we got something. 

Sister Wood and I have been having huge problems getting dinner appointments. Like it was pretty bad when Sister Aldous was here, but now we have only one dinner appointment. And the Elders? They are getting fed every single day. And then we ask and talk to the members and everything and they are tell us no, or are like well we already invited the elders.... and we're like seriously? And it is horrible. I am so tired of cooking. And it's worse because meat is super expensive in Belgium so we can't buy it because we dont have the money so then we ha ve to find like other protein sources. Oh my goodness I could never be vegetarian. So I hope next week a miracle  happens and people feed us. :)

I seriously can't think of anything else to write. It was just a normal week. We are going to the temple this week, and Keukenhof? probably spelled that wrong, but thats the giant tulip garden thing. 

the waffles are good, and they do indeed have waffle trucks. 

Have a good week!

Love you!

Karoline