Elder Austin Elkins

Wazzzabbbie! Elder Elkins again uit.... We had a packed week full of fun. When I say fun, I mean FUN. Well, kind of. It was definitely a different one! The weather honestly is a little cold right now, but the flowers are gorgeous! This week, we had the chance to go to Keukenhof. A Beautiful flower garden, smack dab in the middle of Holland. How much better can it get? Especially with one of your best friends from Kaysville eh? Yeah, it probably can't get better. Last week, we had a lot of good success with missionary work as well. We were able to find, and teach new investigators, have more lessons than normal, and see tons of progression in our already progressing investigators! That was amazing, and it's only getting better. Rotterdam if blooming just like the flowers. Tuesday night was crazy. My companion had to go on splits with Elder Moomey so Moomey could do the baptismal interview for Hernandez, and I was in charge of making sure everyone coming up from Belgium to sleep over with missionaries, got to their apartments safely and securely. Super stressful, but super fun. Elder Hills is hilarious and we had a lot of fun! The best part was, the last person I had to guide was Elder Yocom, and I guided him right to my apartment :) He was able to sleep over with us, along with Elder Hills and Elder Moomey. That was a blast. Yocom and I just went crazy about the memories we made in Zandaam, and called a few of the people we got close with together. We had to share the same bed because we didn't have enough, and that was a treat. I've missed him. The reason we did this, was because the next day we all had to wake up at 5 to get to the temple on time. Our session began at 9, and yeah, that was amazing! The temple is incredible here. It is very small, but huge in blessings. The Spirit was at its finest, and I am so grateful for that. It was a blast to reunite with friends throughout the mission. After the temple, we went to the new church building in Zoettemeer. This building is gorgeous! They just finished it. It is a Utah chapel I swear. They have no need of it, but they can do it haha. It will eventually be filled every week and that will be cool. Honestly it might be bigger than the temple itself. We ate lunch, then went an hour away to Keukenhof as a mission. Honestly, this place is incredible. I can't even describe it! We took so many model pictures it's unbelievable. I will definitely be taking my future wife to this place ;) Great day. On Thursday, we were able to teach some more, and have good success. The work in this mission is progressing, and the miracles as well. Friday, we were on splits with the ZL's. I was with Elder Praag. He goes home next week, and we have gotten pretty tight! He is a stud and we have a lot of fun. We went to a cool lesson with our investigator Andre. Andre is from Lebanon and has a crazy past. He is hilarious and a one of a kind personality. I wish you guys could be present at our lessons. He actually accepted what we taught, and we had fun teaching as well. After, we went to go look up a potential that Childs and I found in a village. He is 60. He was home, and let us it. We had a really cool conversation to get to know him, and he showed us his 300 year old bible! This thing is like 3 feet long and huge! It was made in Amsterdam 1702 and he bought it for 3000 euros! So funny. We had a cool lesson with him, and he said he is looking for more in his life. He is a netjes guy, and has things figured out. He is divorced, and that is hard on him, because he has desires for woman that are not ok... haha. We can get over that though. It is cool how old men can give us obstacles like these, but we just take them on and don't think twice. I'm grateful for the spirit! Biking has been fun as well. We are biking about 35 km's a day which has been nice, except when it is hot! It will only get hotter too. We run 3 miles every morning as well to exercise. We just started that. I'm excited to get into good shape and take on these Dutch people! The ward here is incredible. I have been able to create a special bond with them already. Familie van Kalken is a part member family. Zr. v Kalken is a member, but her husband Ron isn't. He knows that the church is true, but wants to get baptized on his own time. He has had bad experiences with missionaries in the past, pushing him around and trying to teach him, but Elder Childs and I went over there on surprise once just to say hi, and get to know them. Ron and I hit it off! He invited us over for dinner, and has been coming to church the past two weeks! He gets a little nervous around me, and always tells his wife to make appointments for us to eat. It is really funny. I pray and pray that he will let us teach him, and I know eventually he will. I have a very good feeling that he might be why I was sent to Rotterdam. Zr. v Kalken was telling me that he has never been this way before! Please pray for him :) There are amazing people here, and I'm excited to try and help this ward be strengthened as much as I can! Especially Home Teaching wise. Saturday was a great day as well. We had interviews with President and Sister Robinson, then we had a baptism for Hernandez. The sisters had a baptism this day as well in North, so two in one day was great! Such a powerful spiritual day. It was amazing! Hernandez is a boss and will do great in this gospel. I loved my interview with President and Sister Robinson as well. They are so amazing and their individual revelation to lead our mission is amazing. They are inspired people that is for sure. Sunday was cool as well. Hernandez was able to be confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost. He has been waiting for that for a while now! So that was cool to see. We had a really spiritual lesson with a member Tony last night as well. He was baptized 3 years ago and helps us teach a lot. He just told us he wants us to teach him, cause he is experiencing some rough times right now. That was a cool lesson, and we were able to give him a blessing! I'm very grateful that the Priesthood is restored. I love sharing that message!

This place is incredible. Soccer, Tulips, Culture, Gangsters, and Beauty. I cannot believe I didn't expect to get called here. This place is for me! ;) I want you all to know that the things I have seen, the miracles I have witnessed, and the feelings that I have received from the Holy Ghost of this message, shaped my testimony into an indestructible shield. I cannot deny these things. Heavenly Father has helped me know of the truthfulness of this gospel. I'm eternally grateful for that. I'm grateful to be here. I'm grateful for my Parents, and this week I'm especially grateful for my Mom! Happy Mothers day! I love you more than you know Mom. You are an angel, and I can feel your love and support, 5000 miles away. Thanks for everything you do and have done for me! I love you all, and wish you all a great week. Till next week!

Love,

Elder Elkins