For God So Loved The World

18-04-2015

Another transfer week! This time was also the end of one pair of office elders' term and the beginning of another. I am curious as to how the next 6 months will be. Like I have mentioned before, there is a lot of crazy stuff happening around the middle of this year. We are still looking for a new apartment for us, the office elders, and a new office (probably just across the street from the current one). Now that the official arrival date of President Bunnell is known (30 June), it seems even more real that change of mission presidents will happen.

On Tuesday, we welcomed the greenies and went to eat at the pancake restaurant yet again (not that I am complaining: I love pancakes). After that, they went to the IND to get their biometric information taken and then to the mission home for a nap. The next morning, they were at the office at 9 for trainings, then lunch and a quick visit to the city hall in Leiden with some contacting. The departing missionaries were weighing their bags and getting ready to go home, at the office.

The following morning, we were up at 5:30 to take the departing missionaries' bags to the airport. Hardly that early. But it was still a rather long day. Having been with my past companions for more than the usual time, it is weird to move on to the next pair. 

"I get by with a little help from my friends." - Beatles

As You Like It

11-04-2015

This week, we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple and thereafter to Keukenhof. The temple visit was as great as always, unlike the flower viewing. I think it was too early in the season (and still too cold) for Keukenhof, but there were still a lot of flowers. That's probably one reason why I was not disappointed not to be able to go twice again this year. But it was fun talking to the other missionaries that were also there on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, we went to the Zoetermeer church at lunchtime, to open the church and get the pizza set up for lunch. I had a good time then too, talking with the missionaries serving in Antwerp at the moment, including a former companion. They had some interesting stories to tell, as usual.

Today, together with 7 other missionaries, 6 members and 1 non-member, I played football in Wassenaar. It was better than when it was just 5 of us, like the last time we were there. Who knows what we will do the rest of the day, probably go into the centre of town to shop or look around, dunno. 

The new office elders take over completely from the old ones, on Wednesday. Here comes the next 6 or so months with my new companions. One thing is for sure, it will be different from the past 14 months.

"All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:

They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts"

- William Shakespeare, "As You Like It"

He Is Risen

04-04-2015

Every six months, we have the opportunity to listen to the words of the prophet and the apostles, to the will of God as spoken through his servants. And this weekend (4 and 5 April) it is that time once more. Over the course of 5 sessions, we get to hear from the general authorities of the Church. A wonderful chance to hear what special counsel or instruction we all need. Regardless of your individual problems, concerns or questions, conference has something for everyone. This is truly a great time to stop and think about the meaning of this season. We will commemorate two very important events over the next few days: over two millenia ago, Jesus Christ was crucified and rose again on the third day and this we celebrate on Easter, which falls this year on the 5th of April, which also works out to be general conference this year. Additionally, on April 6, 185 years ago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was re-established upon the Earth, through the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. I hope that we can all remember these things as we listen to conference and during this weekend. And not only now, but let us always think of what Jesus Christ did for us.

Miracles. We saw many miracles this week. One of them, was that a referral from the ongoing Easter campaign on Facebook, committed to be baptised if she came to know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. And that was only the second lesson. We received two other referrals recently, and contacted them. They were both positive and we will visit them again sometime. It is so wonderful that these people came to us, essentially.

The rest of the week was fairly ordinary. My companions continued training their replacements and we had fun with them at various dinner appointments and during regular office work. Yesterday, my companions received t-shirts from a member, with their faces photoshopped onto the bodies of Jasper Cullen and Spanky from the Little Rascals. Because they look like them, apparently.

Next week, we get to go to the temple and then to Keukenhof. That will be a great experience. As the temple always is. I look forward to going there.

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."