We all can't believe Austin and his BEST FRIEND are companions!
Another long, but fast, week in the books.
First
week in Zaandam! Still pretty interesting that Yocom and I are
companions. I don't think it will ever feel real. All is good here in
this crazy city of Amsterdam though. Last week, on Monday, Elder Yocom
and I spend our P-Day in Amsterdam doing a little Christmas shopping. We
were downtown and everything is so crazy for Christmas! Such a
beautiful time of the year here. It is cold, and crappy weather, but the
decorations and everything is so fun! We were walking around and 4
people stopped us and asked if they could buy us something. 4 students
from BYU visiting for school. They took us to get fresh stroopwafels. So
lekker! So fun to talk with them. That was great. We had a great P-Day.
Long and stressful, but great. On Tuesday, we had District Meeting,
then went to a Doner place for lunch, then did some finding, taught a
1st lesson to a new investigator Ibrahim. WOW. What an incredible lesson
this was. Elder Yocom and I just went in there with the attitude of "we
are young, we need the spirit to teach this one" and boy, did the
spirit teach that one. What a miracle. This was easily my number one
favorite lesson so far on my mission. We both tag teamed so well and
bounced off each other, answered his questions, and made a baptismal
date with him for Dec. 29th. Ibrahim said he has no doubts, and is
excited to pray. So amazing. Gosh. It's days like those that remind me
why I'm here and my purpose. We had an incredible dinner appointment
with rich members that night. They had us have our own cooker things and
they had tons of meat and other stuff that we cook ourselves. So fun.
Best dinner yet. Then we did more finding that night. This has to be my
favorite day on my mission so far! Wednesday, We had a great lesson with
Denny. He is an inactive but has such a strong testimony. It is hard
for him to come to church because of mental issues. During our lesson
with him, President called us and asked if he could work with us that
day. He likes to work with missionaries every Wednesday. I was nervous,
but it went well. We taught 2 lessons, and had Ward Dinner night at the
Church. This was a fun night. President is great and made us laugh. He
is big into hunting, and saw from behind someones house, an Elk mounted
on their wall. This is very rare here, of course, so we went and knocked
on their door just to look at their Elk. The man said to come back
another time because he was busy. We will do that! On Thursday, it was
SinterKlaas day here. This is the Sinter Klaas man and the Black Piets
who run around and have their tradition. This is the day that they put
gifts in kids shoes. So funny. Elder Yocom and I celebrated this by
going to Den Haag and picking up our Netherlands ID's. It was the worst
weather i've seen here so it was nice to be in a train all day. So windy
and wet. We had a dinner appointment that night and it was fun. Friday,
We did some looks ups, Taught a lesson and a baptismal date to
Revalino, then had weekly planning. After weekly planning, we made
dinner then went outside and contacted. This random man on the street
asked if we wanted to buy his bike for 10 euros. Of course, we were a
bit skeptical because of the price, so I asked him where he got it from
and why he's selling it. He said he repairs and sells bike cheap. We got
his number and address and went to his house the next day. When we were
sitting in his house, his wife came in and asked who we were. We told
her that we were volunteers from our church from America. She freaked
and showed us her Bible that she ordered from free online, and that she
wants to join a church to change her life around. What a miracle. I got
into a deep conversation with her and she said that she used to be
homeless, she has a stealing problem, and that she is addicted to
cocaine. Deep problems. I felt the spirit and bore testimony. We are
teaching her on Thursday. This shows me how God's hand is in the work.
Elder Yocom and I are a little nervous, because she has hefty problems.
She also knows nothing about God or Jesus, so we are starting from
scratch. It will be great! What a day. That time at there house was on
Saturday, earlier on Saturday, we wen't to Amsterdam and to lunch with
the ward mission leader here. It was so great and we went to an awesome
pizza place. Then we did some look ups all day and had dinner by
ourselves. We did some Christmas things, and of course, we had fun that
night. What a great week. Long week, but great. Church on Sunday was
cool, and we had 1 investigator there. We need to get more, so we will.
We did some more look ups after church, and made some appointments and
got in contact with people who we have struggled to in the past. Good
day.
This next week, we have Zone
Conference. President Teixera from the First Presidency of the Seventy
is going to host it and tour our mission. This will be great. I'm a
little nervous, because he has a history of railing missionaries in the
past, but I'm excited to learn and become better. I was also asked to
read out of the missionary handbook. Two pages of my choice. I'm the
only one doing this. I probably should pick the two pages tonight haha.
I'm the only missionary doing it.... It will be a great day! This week
will be great. Amsterdam is beautiful with Christmas. I wish you all
could see it! All is going well here and I love it. It is easily the
hardest thing I have ever done, but boy have I seen some cool things and
met some amazing people.
I love
reminding myself why I am here to refocus. This week, I did so by
reviewing the New Testament in 1st Corinthians when Paul is speaking. He
said in chapter 9, versus 16-19, "16: For though I preach the gospel, I
have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is
unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17: For if I do this thing
willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of
the gospel is committed unto me. 18: What is my reward then? Verily
that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without
charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19: For though I be
free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might
gain the more." Such a great read. This goes to us all. Not just me. We
all need to preach the gospel and be missionaries. Not necessarily
because we are told to or asked to, but because we should want to. Just
being out here, I recognize how blessed I have been to live in Utah with
a great family and friends. I look here in Amsterdam, and there are
messed up situations everywhere you look. People living on the streets,
drugs, prostitutes, everything. I'm grateful to be from America, and
Utah. People need the gospel. That is why I am here, and Christmas time
won't be too hard for me. My family is fine, but families here aren't. I
love you all, and I hope you have a great week. :)
Elder Elkins
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