In All Honesty...

Transfer Verdict: Staying in Lelystad, becoming the new Sister Training Leader, my new companion is Zr. Jensen. I am pretty excited! Now this means that I am in my own graveyard... I will most likely be here until I die in April! We had a very busy week here in Lelystad. Zr. Watts' bike got a flat tire so we were walking all over the place. Which is no biggie, my boots are just taking a nice hit. Gotta love having to glue the soles all the time. Who would have thought that coming to Europe you would still wear out your shoes so bad? Anywho my time is very limited, I apologize. (I am sure I say that every week) We had the opportunity to go to the temple with Zr. Low (a member from Lelystad). When we got there, a few other sisters from the branch were there. It was a beautiful session. I had gone in with a list of questions and concerns. However I felt like nothing was coming, it was very uplifting but each time that I sat to pray my mind went blank. No words came. WHY? When we got to the end of the session and I was sitting there, hoping for some sort of big personal revealatory moment. Again nothing was coming. I got up and went back to the locker room. As I was in the locker, I knelt down and said a prayer. It was there kneeling on the floor of the temple in the locker that I felt the most comforted. I had prepared for the temple, wanting some Liahonna experience. The Lord knows I work in a different way than that, and I need to remember that. While praying, it was mostly thoughts coming from the spirit. The Lord already knows everything, I communicate with him on a daily basis. And so my coming to the temple was an opportunity to truly be at peace. To in fact leave the world behind me. To just sit. Because outside the temple, at home or on the bike, I sit and my mind is in a million directions. Even during prayers is it hard sometimes to stay focused or even stay awake... oops! But when I was at the temple I was speechless, with the hopes of visions and things. But nothing truly came. However, the spirit told me this was his way of giving me true peace. To not be stressed. My mind in 40 different places. To not feel depressed or discouraged or alone. To know that I am safe. He is with me. I was able to have a moment to be "yielded and still." This week we spent some time in Amsterdam working with the sisters there. Went to a funeral. Visited a ton of people while Watts said her goodbyes. But I want to share something that I learned or realized this week. Now I am sure you all know that missions are hard. Every one has thier own experiences, their own challenges. The mission is perfectly desinged for us each individually, for our growth. Something my companion, Zr. Watts pointed out to me this week was how open I am with people. The fact that I am not afraid to tell them what is up, how I am feeling and struggling, or able to help the gospel be relatable to them. Which I didn't quite realize, but I am. Throughout my mission I have not been afraid to hold back, if the Spirit guides me. Since coming to Lelystad I think I have become more open. Anywho I am rambling... The point is I am going to be open and real with you now. My time as a missionary has been H A R D. My "hard", is no harder than someone else's "hard". Being a missionary, and daughter of God suffering with depression is not a fun roller coaster. There have been so many dark moments, lonely evenings, and questioning my purpose. However despite my weaknesses and the hard times, I know that the Lord has been by my side 100% of the way. The word "painful" is a good word to describe this whole journey. The Lord literally plays with your heart strings, pushes you to your limits, and then gives you the greatest experiences of your life. I know so much more about myself, and dots have connected. Who would have thought I needed to come to Nederland and Belgium to find myself. Pain is a gauge of the healing process. Christ chose to experience pains and afflictions in order to better understand us. Perhaps we also need to experience the depths of mortality in order to understand Him and our eternal purposes. Our great personal challenge in mortality is to become "a saint through the Atonement of Christ". The pain I experience may be where this process is most measured. So with that said, I chose to be out here. I chose to stay, to get up each and every day. I know that I walk shoulder to shoulder with the Lord. I quote, "Will you not now return unto me.. and be converted that I may heal you?" 3 Nephi 9:13 The Lord loves us. I know that He is so very well aware of us. The fact that I am still here is proof of that. That is the testimony which I share each day. That Christ Lives. He is our source of healing, hope and love. I am honored to be his disciple. I will work each and everyday to invite others to come unto him. No matter how hard or dark it gets, the Light of Christ lights the way and reminds me that I am about a marvelous work. Don't forget his love and his endless worry about you. Turn to him and let him heal you. I love you all, thanks for you continuous support! I hope you have a wonderful week! -- Zuster Young Last District Meeting of the Transfer

The mannequins at the Library.... dat botty doe!

Trying the most nasty Surinames candy!

The beautiful Enkhuizen

After the Worldwide Missionary Broadcast...

Me and Watts, Playing Rummikub with Zr. De Graaf and me at my desk... didn't know Watts took this!

Playing with Frozen canals!

I think we are addicted to Cruseli... And trying 0% beer... not good!

Too Many Peppers

First of all, sorry for the lack of photos this week. My card reader has seemed to disappear and I can not find it. And so I have no other option of connecting my camera to the computer! Sorry! Hopefully I will find a solution. Now as for the week.... It was a tit bit nippy.... sorry I had too. I couldn't resist! But for reals though, the temperatures dropped this week! Up north it was so cold and rainy that the streets froze over and everything was closed. And what do the Dutch do? Everyone ice skates through the streets! I think that is pretty sick! This last week was freezing, and very, very wet. Wore so many layers and then had to change a few times because we were just so soaked. All of our heaters were covered in our clothes. And there was a member warning us that is was estimated to snow this Friday. She was warning us like a Zombie Apocalypse was coming. So we are ready! However, we have been every lucky this winter, it has not been very cold, it has felt like Autumn. I can't complain... just biking in this crazy freezing rain and wind is rather difficult! It feels like my glasses are freezing to my face! Okay enough about the weather...sorry! I do not really know what to say about this week. We are busy! My planner has never been so full of appointments. To be speed biking from one house to the other. It is like we are training for the Tour de France! It is quite incredible I think, I mean sure I am exhausted! However it is a good kind of exhausted! I am starting to like Lelystad, I know, I know we are going on my 4th week here. There are some fantastic people here, so much potential. And because of that I have no idea where to begin or what to say? This week we worked more with Less-Actives. Some were in the hospital, some were sick and others just needed a visit. Now something about Lelystad... there are so many sick people here. I would like to estimate that 90% of the population has something wrong. Just everyone we come in contact with, so many of the less-actives, all have health related issues that keep them back. Maybe that is why I am here, send a crazy person to the crazy people! haha grapje... but there are some really great people here. We had two lessons with Sophia this week, both times she ended up making us food. Nigerian food is SO spicy! The first lesson we had, that plate of food was way too spicy. I could not finish the plate. Watts and I were in tears, blowing our noses. The first time in my whole mission I was not able to finish the plate of food put in front of me! Crazy! But the next time it was still spicy but not as spicy, she protected us a little.. They just laughed at us. Silly white people... We had several good lessons this week. My time here, yes it has only been a month, but I am truly feeling the Lord's hand in the work. Being magnified and saying all that he wants me to say. I am trying my best to feel like I belong here in Lelystad, to know how I, Sister Young, can help these people. I pray and pray, so much of my attention is on these people and I still feel some sort of disconnect. When we plan, I feel like my channel to the spirit is fuzzy and have no idea what these people need. I don't quite understand, in all honesty it is frustrating. I just want to serve these people. I feel such a love for them, but feel like I am just going with the flow. Yet, the twist to all of this is, the moment we sit in a lesson. We begin talking the spirit takes over. I can feel him guiding my thoughts, telling me when to talk and when to just listen. To know what to say. To be so open and personal with these people. And so for that, I just have to trust the Lord and I am here for a purpose. And maybe this is not something we can just plan. They are people, I am not one to force the gospel on people. You have to know that their personal needs are. You have to know them, do you know what your neighbor likes and dislikes? Do you know how they prefer to recieve love and help? Is it through words or actions? You have to trust the Lord, the spirit, your own self that you can make a difference. It may come over time, but it will come. You just need to show up each day, at the edge of the field, ready to throw in your sickle and do the work. I know that if we make ourselves available, the Lord will make us capable. He loves us, he loves your neighbor, the person you see across the street. Let Him in and guide your life. Hope you have a wonderful week. I love you all! -- Zuster Young Also I just got an Email from Aurora (investigator from Gouda, she moved to New Zealand) and she got baptized!!

Reflections

Goed Morgen! It is already 2016... unbelievable! I hope you all had a fun and safe New Years. Things here were pretty loud and explosive. We had the opportunity to stay in side from 4pm. Fireworks were going off since noon and went on until 3 am. But it was absolutely beautiful to see at midnight. Look out our window and see a constant stream of fireworks along the horizon. 65 million Euros were spent on personal fireworks! This place is crazy! Wonderen van de week: Sophia- She is a 43 year old woman from Nigeria who has been living here for 10 years and is married to a Dutchman. Her nephew just moved in with them. He is already member of the church, was baptized back in 2003. So on the 20th of December, it was our Christmas service and the three of them just showed up! They came the following Sunday and Sophia informed us that she wanted to be baptized! Say what? On Tuesday we had an appointment with her and her nephew, Harrixon. We taught the first lesson. Harrixon had already shown them the Joseph Smith Movie and she loved it. She told us of how she cried and she told us in her own words the restoration of the church. The spirit was very strong! Harrixon is very passionate... so he gets a little excited and it is hard to get a word in when he starts. But She agreed to be baptized and we set a date for the 23rd of January!! We went back on New Years Eve and she made us this huge African Feast. Her husband was there and he has a lot of questions and so we did the first lesson again. I hope and pray and she can stay strong and follow her own feelings and not get caught in her husbands doubt. That happens so often here. I went on exchanges with Sister Rameriez in Amsterdam this week. They are teaching a 8 year old girl and helping to reactivate her mom. They are originally from Brazil. We were there for a couple hours. Sister Rameriez talked to Sandra (the mom) and I got to sit and talk to Nicole (the daughter). First of all she reminded me of my sister Mylie. Nicole just stole my heart away. We sat and talked about gymnastics and how much she loves the missionaries. The warm feeling she has when they come over. We taught her the 3rd lesson, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Half way through the lesson, Nicole stopped us and said she had 3 things to say, she asked us simple questions and then lastly she told us that "I love God and Jesus Christ with all my heart. I know they know me." Tear-jerker! Nicole's simple but profound testimony touched my heart. Listening to Sandra and her story, how she wants to come back to church and how badly she wants to be a good example for her daughter. To be all that she needs to help Nicole. I just thought of my own mom, and then the spirit came and words came out my mouth. What those words were I have no idea. But we were in tears. She then asked us to stay for dinner! Score! But that night in Amsterdam I will never forget. I would love to serve in Amsterdam just for them. That place is crazy... a cloud of weed smoke hovering in the air so thick you can practically see it. So man tourists and then crazy people wandering. Amsterdam the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. Lastly, we shared a Mormon message at a dinner appointment. Maybe you have seen it, I have seen it a number of times. But Friday night after a long and kind of tension filled dinner appointment, we watched the Reflections video. And at the end of the video you hear the voice of the father: "Michael, are you still there?"...."I have always thought you were a good man." And suddenly I realized what he was saying, and this warm punch in the gut hit me. I never really notices those words before. I realized that that voice in my life is my Heavenly Father. If you know me this is when the tears started coming... but as I sat there it was like in the movies and my life flashed through my life in high speed and i realized how often my Heavenly Father has been there asking me that, telling me that he still loves me and has always thought of me as a good woman, his precious daughter. It was a powerful moment, and even Christian put his phone down, it might have been because he saw me crying. But anywho. Nothing, absolutely nothing can come in between the fact that you are his child. He knows your potential and who you can become. Strive to move forward, he is always there, with open arms ready to accept you. Make the changes you need to hear his voice, to follow the guidance he sends. SO you don't look back in regret one day. I know the Savior lives and because of him we CAN move forward. That there is always clean slates and new beginnings. His love is endless. Look in the mirror and see your reflection, the reflection of a child of God. ww.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/reflections -- Zuster Young

Christmas Week

Since we had the opportunity to Skype with Zuster Young on Christmas Day, she sent only photos this week. She is doing well and adjusting to her new area in Lelystad. The next time we get to talk to her will be at the airport here in SLC. Playing Santa Claus and delivering goodies to Members and investigators around Lelystad on Christmas!

Christmas Dinner

On the way to District Meeting and then a White Elephant Exchange!

Plaque in the Amsterdam Church.

Pday with Familie De Graaf in the wildernis!

Imagine if...

Howdy from up north in Lelystad. I am not in Belgium anymore that is for sure. My new companion is Zr. Watts from Highland, Utah and she goes home at the end of this transfer. So we are going to work extra hard. The work up here in Lelystad is on fire, and we are always on the go. Biking all over the place, from one appointment to the other. We are the counselors in the Relief Society Presidency for the Lelystad Branch so it is fun to work so closely with the sisters and the entire branch. Lelystad is full of sweet people. I keep being reminded how much I am a Belgian, oh how I miss that place. But the Lord works in mysterious ways and for his purposes I am here. I just want to leave with you a short email and bear my testimony of the reason for the season. This week, as you all know is Christmas. My lovely sister made me an advent calender, which so many of you helped with. Every night I get to read your testimony and words of encouragement. Those words have helped me to realize what a special opportunity it is to be the Lord's servant and disciple this time of year. How special it is to have a day to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. To be reminded of him. I know that He lives. I have spent so many hours in my own darkness, hours just pushing forward and no matter what, a Savior, my Redeemer is there to llight the way. I am still here and still have the strength to put one foot in front of the other because of Him. I know this is no eloquent or flattering form of words, I just hope and pray that you take the time to see his hand in your life. And especially at this CHristmas time, remember Him. Fijne Kerst! Ik hou van jullie! -- Zuster Young Transfer Day photos. I was at the Blue arrow and now at the Pink one

This is Goodbye

Dames & Heren, I am being transferred... I will be leaving Turnhout and reporting to Lelystad, Nederland on Wednesday. To say that I am heartbroken is an understatement. Turnhout is the Promised Land. These last 3 transfers have been the hardest months of my whole life, but along with that the greatest. These people, the members, the street I live on, the Belgian Funk... oh I am bringing myself to tears just thinking about it. My time in Turnhout has been a life changing expereince and I know that the Lord is in charge. Good to know that he has a plan for each of us, that brings me great comfort. I am eternally grateful for the Turnhout Branch who have taken me in as their own child. Who have taken such good care of us. I am thankful for the little primary kids who have changed me life and helped me see why I am a missionary. And so onto new adventures in the Lelystad with Zr. Watts. Grapjes voor de week: - Tuesday we set out to look for a referral and we ended up getting lost, on all the wrong buses. Several people noticed we were lost and helped us get in the right direction. Ultimately we ended up walking a total of 5 kilometers in the middle of nowhere, I felt like we stepped through a time machine and were walking through an abandoned 1950's European town. We eventually made it to Eveliene's house and she was waiting for us and is accepting the gospel. The walk was worth it. -Contacted a former investigator, Flip. We asked if there was anything we could do for him and he asked if we liked grapes. He works for a place that delievers food to the needy and he had a ton of left overs. So short story short we left with 4500 grams of grapes, 3 bags of oranges, 500 grams of butter, 6 eggs, and 4 things of pizza dough. Eet smakelijk! -While waiting for our ride to a dinner appointment at the station, we started talking to this couple from Afghanistan. They have been here for a month, with the most adorable 2 year old son. We were playing with him for a bit and before we left, we gave us a kiss on the cheek! -"Je spreekt HEEL goed Vlaams!" mission complete! We were sitting on the bus heading home after zone conference. we sat across from these women who were deep in their conversation. Clearly they thought we couldn't understand them. When after about 30 minutes an older couple sitting on the other side pointed out our nametags and we began to speak to them in dutch! The look on those women's faces... priceless! They both just realized thier private conversation was not private, we understood every word. And they said we spoke good Flemish!! Yes.. i have been working for that for a year now! -Friday we returned to our apartment after a dinner appointment and we were on exchanges... I locked us out! So we had to call the Zone Leaders to come let us in. Keep in mind it is already 9pm. So we waited in the pouring rain for 45 minutes till they came. I had to pee so bad! I was dancing all over the place and when I couldnt hold it anymore I ran across to a neighbor and aksed to use thier bathroom. And that is how I met Piet, our neightbor. He is a really nice guy. Has a beautiful house. He just kept laughing at me. Literally two minutes after I walked out of his house the Zone Leaders pulled up. Of course... Well there are just some of the funny moments from this week. It was a good week, a bit slow in regards to the work but hey you have those weeks, toch? I just want to share one personal moment I had this week. One morning when I felt like I just couldnt do this anymore, I read something: "When Joseph Smith first called the missionaries to England he had a vision. He saw these missionaries standing outside with thier heads down, discouraged, depressed and crying. But Joseph saw the Savior standing in thier midst weeping with them. But they did not notice because thier heads were down." Then this thought came to mind: "Zr. Young your Savior loves you. He is in your midst and he weeps with you. You are doing what you are supposed to be doing. The Lord loves you. Just look up and see it." Now I know that is easier said than done. But I promise you that no matter what is going on there is one person standing next you, bearing it with you. And that is the Savior, Jesus Christ. We may turn from him, but he is still there. We may feel that he is hidden from us because of the cloud cover of our concerns, but he is still close to us. We-not he- let something come between us, but no lasting eclipse need ensure. Our disregard of him is NO match for his love. I pray that we may be better at just looking up and seeing him in our midst and feel of his love. I know I am working on that. But I know we only fail if we fail to take another faithful step forward. He is there to guide our steps. I know, because he has guided my steps and made sure I knew he was listenting and with me. I love you all, thank you for those who have helped with Madison's gift for me. I love it! Hope you have a wonderful week! Enjoy the crazy photos! -- Zuster Young

#DistrictMeetingjustgotquieter

Bro day with the Zone Leaders.

This is Isa, a 6 year old girl in the Turnhout Branch. Every Sunday she reports to us where she is at in the Book of Mormon. Updates us on her mission preparation. She is determined to become a missionary. So she drew a picture of us becoming a tricompanionship.

Ik Ga Verder

Even snell deze morgen! So we had a bit of a crazy week, we have found several potentials and have two new investigators. We were out doing look ups of former investigators. Now none of the people we had set out to see where home, but we 2-2-5 the house (which is you knock the two both to the left and right and then five across the street). It was cool because it was always the neighbors whom we had contact with and they are people who are planted seeds. Now not all of them, but always the neighbor. They knew who we were and had a Book of Mormon. Some of which were not ready, some it was the mom of the former and she had never heard of us and we gave her a Book of Mormon. Then we come to Teresa.... she has been here in Belgium for a week (when we knocked her door it wasn't even a week). She is here from Ghana visiting her father for the Holidays. Deciding if she wants to stay or not "It depends on how nice you treat me!" She welcomed us right up and in her home.She know who we were, she has LDS friends in Ghana and has seen the missionaries there. We sat on her couch and then her father came out: The dad: "Are you Jehovah Witnesses?" Us: "No sir, we are the Mormons." Dad: "Oh then you are WELCOME, please stay and sit. I will come join you soon." Unfortunately he didn't join us, he was on the phone. But good to know we were welcome! haha Teresa was raised Methodist and loves God. We taught a first lesson. She was a bit distracted on her phone but what was special was when we got to the First Vision. Zr. Robbins did that part and I just saw Teresa put her phone away. She was so excited and felt honored that we gave her a Book of Mormon. She then ran and grabbed her bible, asked if we would be coming over more often. We prayed, she said she would come to church this week and we set another appointment. Wednesday we went and visited Familie Van Steenbergen. They are an older couple in their 80's, due to Br. Van Steenbergen's health he can not make it to church. We walked in to the living room and there he was sitting in his chair. He had the biggest, brightest smile I have ever seen. You can't help but to smile and feel loved. They told us all about their family, how they met the missionaries and their life together. After a while Zr. Van Steenbergen's sister and husband showed up. They joined us and we just talked. Br. Van Steenbergen told stories about when he was in the military. His trips to the Congo. He was the one who played the trumpet. They pulled out photo albums. Br. Van Steenbergen is a hilarious man, the definition of young at heart. While he went to the bathroom, the brother-in-law went out to his car and brought in his Horn. When Br. Van Steenbergen returned and saw the surprise, his face lit up. The brother was playing it and it was very cool. Then Br. Van Steenbergen asked to try to play again. Now the brother had to hold it for him, and with his other hand he could push the key things. He hasn't played in over 10 years and he began to play TAPS. It was a little rough at first, but he was determined to get it again. And he did. Oh it brought me to tears. We pulled out our hymn book and sang "Abide with Me", the brother played it on the Horn (oh they are not members), the sister tried to hum along. Afterwards Br. Van Steenbergen sang "Abide With me Tis Eventide" all by himself in his sweet old Flemish, the most beautiful rendition I have ever heard. The spirit was undeniably there, the whole house felt warm. I was asked to say a prayer. I let the spirit guide as I prayed for this family and especially the sister and husband. When I was done, I looked at the husband and he had tears in his eyes, silently clapped and thanked me. As we left Br. Van Steenbergen grabbed my hand and held it very tight. He just smiled and looked at me, for what felt like a long time. The spirit hit me and all I saw was this young man in uniform. A moment I will never forget. Alright now onto Sunday, lets just say Sunday was a hard day for me. I will be honest with you all, I was laying on the floor downstairs and I was just in tears. I was having a hard moment. Just dent Bunnell called and I talked to him for a bit. I love that man. Afterwards it was like a switch had been flipped. We made several phone calls, were able to get ahold of referrals and people we have been trying to get in touch with. We filled up our schedule for the week! We ate dinner and then went to look up another referral. While biking I was doubting it would be positive. We rang the bell and he let us right up. While standing and waiting for the elevator a thought popped into my head "Why did you doubt me?" And then I knew we were walking into something special. And so here we have Rong Guang Li, Li for short. He is from Xian, China. He in Belgium since June and will be here for about a year. He has a wife and a son, who are still so the son can stay in school. Anywho, Li was in London touring around when he was stopped by the missionaries there. They took him to the visitor's center and showed him videos about the family. Which touched him. They took his information and here we are. We sit down and get to know each other and then jump right into it. He has no Christian background knowledge so we had to explain things very simply. It was very special to be a part of. The spirit took over because I explained prophets and the Joseph Smith story in ways I have never explained or thought about ever before. Clearly the spirit knew what to say for him to understand. You could see the gears turning, the spirit working on him. He agreed to baptism and was very sweet about asking how long this will take. We asked him to pray at the end, and because he has never prayed before Zr. Robbins said one and then he said one right after. I could see the spirit, the house was getting brighter. Li is golden. A prepared son of God, humble and meek like a child, finding the truth. A man from China, were religious things are lacking and harder for him to find the missionaries to have come to Europe, at the point in his life were he is ready. Now this is a huge testimony builder for me that Heavenly Father knows E A C H of his children. Where they are and what they are doing. As we walked out the door, that pure joy they talk about in the scriptures, I was feeling exactly that. A complete transformation from 2 hours before laying on the floor. While biking home, biking so fast because I was just so excited! I was thinking, and it is those moments, those people that make all of this worth it. All the tears, stress and frustration totally worth it. This is why I am a missionary. The Lord has not given up on me, or any of these other people from all over the world in a small town in a tiny country. So I will not give up on him. Never forget who you are and where you come from. This week was hard, I felt like I was slipping into the darkness again. Falling and I couldn't find my way. Not wanting to step out the door. How could I? What do I have to offer? But if you make yourself available, he will make you capable. Each time I stepped out the door, The Lord sustained me as his servant and we were saw miracles. His work is moving forward. I know that I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am a daughter of my Father in Heaven. I have weaknesses and challenges, but that is because Heavenly Father knows I am strong enough to handle them. Zo, Ik ga verder. -- Zuster Young