The Lord's Hand

Goed Morgen! Ik hoop dat alles goed met jullie is. This week was a huge testimony obstacle course for us here in Gouda. It was so far the biggest growing weeks for me. We had a long hard working week. So I am just going to bullet point it: We got caught in a huge rainstorm...We went out go lang de deur and it felt like North Carolina. Smelt like rain, clouds rolling in, wind picking up. Oh it was beautiful. Went to get on our bikes and then like a light switch down comes the rain... a bonus there was Thunder. Never hear thunder here. But we were just soaked to the core. Rode a little farther to see if a less active was home but she wasn't so continued to bike for a bit back home. It was typical Nederland, maar it was a little tender mercy from the Lord because I needed something to laugh at. Zr. Juchau one of my MTC teachers was here visiting and she was able to come as a Joint-teach for a lesson and that was incredible. So Shout-out to you Zr. Juchau for being the bees knees and making such a big difference in my life and continuing to influence the mission. The biggest thing this week was seeing the Lord's hand in our work. We have been working very hard, doing everything that we can. Yet, missionary work is hard. But you keep going. This week was full of embarrassments, ridicule, and rejection. Our weaknesses plastered on posters. Pushed to the limits. But it is at the limits that we are closer to our Heavenly Father. It is there at the limit when you get down on your knees and pray to Heavenly Father and just plead with him for help and comfort. Friday we had weekly planning and then ended with companionship inventory. It was incredible... we both just let out all our frustrations with the work and personal struggles. It was amazing to see and feel the spirit with us. Helping us strengthen each other. And remember why we came out here. There is no such thing as a typical day as a missionary. Nothing usually goes according to plan. We may plan out our day, but often enough it never follows. So we have to truly turn to the Lord and depend on the spirit to know what to do. Friday was one of those days. Nothing, absolutely nothing was going according to plan. Started getting frustrated with even the little things. But then we finished with companionship inventory and I am so thankful for the spirit. Heavenly Father helped us feel comforted and we set out to work. Within 5 minutes of being outside we knocked a door, bore testimony and gave out a Boek van Mormon. He continually does that, as we show we are willing to keep going, to do his work He will help us do the rest. The blessings and miracles come when we show the Lord that we will not give up, no matter how hard it gets. Last door miracle- Wednesday night, had been knocking doors for 2 hours straight, had a little a few more houses to go but it was already 9pm. Do we stop or finish the street. Finish the street. We hadn't seen any success thus far, so why keep going. No, finish the street. Kept knocking, and still no success. We get to the last house, not kidding, the last house and a younger guy maybe in his mid20's answers the door. We say who we are and he hasn't closed the door yet. We say what we are doing and still he stands there listening. We bear testimony of the Book of Mormon, the role is has in our life and its significance with the Bible. We ask if we can give him one... He agrees. He takes it and we set up another appointment to go back. Again, the Lord knows his children. He sees our efforts, and if we show we will don't quit because it is hard or it is time to go home, that is when we see the miracles and blessings. I know life has it's challenges and obstacles... but they are given to us to make us stronger. Heavenly Father has a plan. We just need to trust him, and do our best. The Atonement enables us to keep going. It will all be worth it in the end and we can say that we never gave up. I know He lives and is watching over us. I pray we can see his hand in our life everyday. I love you all and miss you dearly. -- Zuster Young

This email also arrived today. "Dear Young Family, I just wanted to let you know that my daughter Sarah and I had the pleasure of seeing Sister Young in Gouda last week. Sarah served in the Belgium/Netherlands mission and we were visiting one of her favorite cities. She also had the privilege of teaching your daughter in the MTC so it was especially fun for us to see her. Sarah went on a joint-teach with Sister Young and Sister Fredrickson and she said they were wonderful teachers and powerful missionaries. After we dropped them off and were in the car inputting our next stop in the GPS they rode by on their bikes off to find someone new to teach. They've got energy and spirit! I'm sure you had a wonderful talk with your daughter today but I thought I'd add my witness that she's doing great! Best wishes, Beck Juchau"