CHRISTMAS WEEK! Holy cow. 1 out of 2. Movin' on :)

I hope that you all had a Merry, Merry Christmas! It is so weird that I was in Holland for this last Christmas and you were all having a normal one in Utah, but I promise that mine was better :) Such a unique way to celebrate Christmas. Visiting members, non members, inactives, contacting, and just helping others is the only way to celebrate a REAL Christmas. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely hard, but the only cure for thinking about home is WORK. I had a great week, and I really hope that you all did too. On Monday, we had a much needed P-Day. We really just chilled around and went to stores. It was nice. Cleaned the apartment, made some plans for the week, and just had a great day. We packed our day on Tuesday full of appointments so that we wouldn't be home sick since it was Christams Eve. Wow, what a day. Woke up, studies, then went to Amsterdam for District Meeting. This was a good one, then we went straight to an appointment with an inactive member who lives alone and was going to have a sad Christmas. We were planning on watching "Joy to the World"with him, but he wasn't home. So lame. Then we went to another inactives. He is 83 years old and cannot come to church. Elder Yocom and I called him and he was so happy that we would be able to come over on Christmas Eve. He asked if we could give him the Sacrament and of course we said yes! Such an amazing experience. We watched "Joy to the World"with him and the spirit was soo strong. After this appointment, we went out and did some contacting and focused it on Christmas. Such a great idea and it really helped us focus on others Christmas's. Such a great day. At night, we went to the ward activity for Christmas Eve. Sung, ate, listened to talks, and had a great time. I really learned this Christmas that you can be homesick, feel left out because I'm here on a mission and you all are normal, and yeah, just feel like that, or I can see that feeling like that wont change anything, but helping others WILL change their Christmas for the better. This is what Elder Yocom and I did. We can pout, but that won't change our Christmas to be better. I'm glad that we both looked at it like that. At night, of course I had to open my pajamas from my parents. So fun :) On Wednesday, we woke up, we were in awe because it was Christmas, then just sat there for a minute, then opened presents from our families! So GREAT! I'm so grateful for my family and for everyone who sent me Christmas letters! Ward Members, Family, Friends, Everyone! Thank You! After this, we went to our investigators, Marcels. We also watched Joy to the World with him. He loved it! He is a lonely 53 year old at home and said that we helped him a lot for his Christmas. He said that he felt the spirit and that he loves Jesus. That was great. We are teaching him the 2nd lesson on Wednesday. Right after this, we went to Daniels house. Daniel is a member here in Amsterdam who invited us over to skype and eat with his family. Skyping was incredible! So amazing to see my amazing family. Something that I will never forget. I will also get 3 more times to skype before I get home! (gulp) Dinner was great. After Dinner, we went into Daniels man cave and watched "Dispicable me 2"! So fun! President told us we can watch a disney movie if the member invites us to. Of course Daniel invited us to! :) I love that movie! Elder Yocom and I laughed the whole time. It made it a lot easier, because yes, skyping did make me think a lot about home. haha. All is good now :) Thursday, this was 2nd Christmas in the Netherlands. They celebrate Christmas on the 25th and 26th. So weird! We just met as a zone and made 2014 Calendars for the old people in the Haarlem ward. This was great but it took so long! Right after the activity, we went to a members home to eat and celebrate with them. This was very interesting. They arent married, but they are both members. They are in their early 30s probably. Maybe late 20s. The man is a weirdo. He was being like rude to us, so of course, me being me, I talk to him about what he likes to open him up. He loves video games. He railed on my and Yocom cause we like Xbox and Fifa and he told us that we aren't video gamers. I said "Hopefully not"lol. What a great night. We became friends with him though cause we pretended like we knew about his games. So funny. On Friday, We taught Revalino. HOLY COW! So great. He has been taught everything so me and Elder Yocom went in there and railed him about why is isnt coming to church. He told us that its too long so we told him just come for freaking sacrament meeting. He says that he always feels the spirit and that he is smoking a lot less now. I told him we would fast with him on Sunday for an answer and he said thats a great idea. We did a lot of finding the rest of the day and stuff. We were going to go to Lumas and her mom Anas house, but I got a call from Ana at about 5 at night and she told me that she found out that day that she had Breast Cancer. Holy cow. What a sad night that was! We offered a blessing, but her son is being weird  and won't let her have one yet. On Saturday, we went to Permerand and did some look ups and had a great finding day. We found a lot this day and it was the most beautiful weather outside. I feel bad for you all in Utah with snow! Dont worry, this place gets worse in Jan, and Feb. I'm not excited haha. On Sunday, we went to the Church. Elder Yocom and I had to suprise teach the investigators class. We had no idea haha. It went super well though! Revalino came to church finally! I sat next to him in Sacrament Meeting. There was a talk about finding answers through prayer and Revalino loved it. The following talk was about how the wards new goal is 250 new members by 2017. Revalino said "Wow" then looked at me and said "I'm going to be one of them :)"Holy Freaking Cow! My heart pounded and I was sooooo happy. Things like this remind me why I am here! He is so happy, quiting smoking, and wants to change his life. I'm so happy for him. We are going to hopefully baptize him on January 19th! What a great day. We had to do Weekly Planning on Sunday as well so we went home and did that. So awesome. Today, we helped someone move and then shopped now here. It was fun helping them move, even on PDay. This last week was great.

I hope you all had a great week as well. I'm sure you all did! This whole mission thing is going fast. Now over 5 months! Thats pretty crazy! It was a good week, but also a very hard, distracting week. I just need to remember why I am here and that I was called here by God. I was reminded that today. We were in a members cars coming back from service. I looked out over the fields with cows and sheep with canals and blue skies. Then all of the sudden I see a beautiful windmill and I thought "This is the only place for me". Confirmed. I'm so glad to be here. I have learned so much and I'm so grateful for it. It is hard, and I sometimes wonder if I will ever be a normal human again, but that doesnt matter. This is my calling now! I love you all so much, I'm grateful that you love me! Please send me letters! PS: Elder Yocom and I are staying together next transfer :) 

Fijne Week Verder,

Elder Elkins

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HOLY COW! IT'S CHRISTMAS?!? Where did time go? Seriously. I swear, just yesterday, I was sitting on my couch downstairs playing FIFA with Elder Yocom, not baptizing people with Elder Yocom! This was a really, really fast week. It has been hard leading up to Christmas, knowing that my wonderful family back home is having a lot of Christmas parties, making delicious chocolate via Grandma Covington, and going caroling with the Elkins side, but, I get to be a missionary and wear this special nametag on my chest. :)

On Monday, We had a much needed P-Day. After our PDay activites, we went home, made some phone calls, then went out and found for the rest of the night. On Tuesday, We had 3 appointments planned..... but they all fell through! We decided to go to some area book look ups, and contact. We went and looked up this former investigator named Merideth. We got to her house, rang her bell and she talked through the speaker because it was an apartment with bells outside. We made an appointment with her the following day. On Wednesday, we went to Denny's. He is an inactive member. I think I talked about him last week. We shared a short Christmas message with him, then headed out the door to go to Luma's. She is our investigator who is brazilian. She was born and raised here, but her mom and relatives are all from Sau Paulo. She is 24 years old with a beautiful baby girl. More about her later. After Luma's house, we went to our appointment with Merideth. We got to Merideth's, asked her a few questions and what she used to think about the missionaries. She said "You know, just this past week I have been thinking more about what I can do to improve my life and change it. My mom died a couple of years ago, and I am wondering if I will ever see her again" bam... The spirit took over from there. First lesson, she felt the spirit, and we will meet with her again after Christmas to teach her about "The Plan". She's done. She will be doped so hard. (Doop is baptism in Dutch :) so sick) After this, we went to the ward dinner at the church. Great night. On Thursday, we had a lesson with a referral from Zaandam. He has a girlfriend who lives in Salt Lake City and he was traveling to spend the holidays with her. She is LDS and he wants to learn more. He is a very nice, clean businessman. This lesson fell through cause he had to take his kids to school and arrange things for the trip, but he is very positive and wants to meet with us after his vacation! We then had a lesson with our new investigator Marcel. This is a 53 year old man who lives on his own. I'm pretty sure that his brain is only 13% there. He is hilarious! We poked fun with him at first. You all know me and Elder Yocom. Gosh we were laughing so hard. I was honestly nervous that we wouldnt be able to teach a good first lesson with the spirit because we were laughing too hard, but as soon as we started teaching, the spirit took over. We were serious the whole time and I felt the spirit. When it got to the end of the lesson, I asked Marcel if he would be baptized if he found out it was true. He said No with a confused face on his look. We then said well if the BoM is true, that means Joseph is a prophet and this is the only true church, only true baptism. We asked if he would pray about the BoM and he said yes. Then we said will you be baptized if you find out its true? He was confused and stared off in the distance for 40 seconds I swear and said No. Then we went off again and showed him scriptures in the Bible about baptism. He then decided baptism is important and that he would when he finds out its true. So funny. You all should've seen this mans face this whole time. Gosh I was dying and so was Elder Yocom! On Friday, I went on exchanges to Amsterdam with Elder Sosa. He is from Santiago, Chile but speaks American English because of his mission. So sick. Such a good guy! We had a lesson with a man in our ward who's brain is worce than Marcel's, I swear haha. His name is Leuwe. He has a neighbor who says he has Demons in his body and in his house, so me and Elder Sosa went with Leuwe and gave him a blessing and blessed his home. Very interesting experience. We then did a little contacting and went back to the house to ride with the AP's to the huge Stake Christmas Party. Holy Cow! This was Insane! There were over 1000 people there. 600 members, and 600 non members probably! So cool. Our whole zone was there including President and Sister Robinson. We had one hour of great christmas music, then had a catered dinner. Such a great night. We got home late at about 11:30 haha. Saturday was bad weather. Luckily, we had weekly planning still to do. We went out for a bit and did some contacting later at night, but then went to Amsterdam Central to go finding with all the Elders in our ward in Amsterdam Centrum. I went with Elder Van Komen, and Elder Yocom went with Elder Lewis. These are the AP's. Van Komen is so sick! We had such a good time and found some great potentials! Sunday was just another day.... Went to church, had a great meeting, then at 4:00, we had a baptismal service for LUMA! So cool! We had a baptism! So great. Elder Yocom baptized her, and she asked me to confirm her and give her the big gift next week in sacrament meeting... in dutch! So scared, but so pumped! What a great day. Her mom is so proud of her, and so are we. She will be such a great kingdom builder and hopefully will marry a worth priesthood holder and start a great little mormon dutch family! Things like this remind me why I am here. Such a great Christmas gift.

This week will be full of great opportunities to serve. Tomorrow for Christmas Eve, we are going to Denny's to watch Joy to the World with him, then to a very old members house to give him the Sacrament. He hasn't had the Sacrament in months and months and is so happy that we can do it on Christmas eve, then we will go to Marcels and watch Joy to the World with him too! We have Christmas gifts to give to people who dont have families and who are lonely for Christmas so we will drop them off tomorrow as well. On Christmas, We will wake up, open gifts, make a great delicious breakfest, then get out and serve. We will be at Daniels for Christmas later in the day to skype, eat, and watch een paar van filmjes. This will be fun! So happy that we get to have a Christmas like this. It really helps me remember the true meaning of Christmas. I'm so grateful that I get to celebrate this holiday in this manner, becaue its symbolizes the birth of the man that I represent everyday. I really hope that you all have such a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you can all find ways to serve others around you. Thanks for all the love you guys send up to me in Holland. Enjoy all that white snow and eggnog! Love you all. Tot volgende keer!

Elder Elkins

 

Skyping Austin was amazing. It was so good to see him and hear him. He is doing so good and he is so happy.

 

Elder Elkins and Elder Yocom

 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

Another Successful Week!

Wow, what a successful week!

 

This past week has been great! So many great things have been happening out here and the hand of God has really been showing in the missionary work. Everything is getting better and seeming more natural. It has been so great and I'm so grateful for all of the blessings I have received out here. The knowledge that I have gained of myself and the gospel is a huge blessing. I felt like I have already grown a lot and made a huge step in the direction of where I hope to be at the end of my mission and when I am home. Well, this week started off with PDay and family night at the Wekkins on Monday. We had our Investigator Lilliana over there for family night because Zr. Wekking is the lady who helps us teach her in Spanish. This was so fun and a great experience. Tuesday, We had Zone Training. Gosh, I learned so much and I was opened up to so many things that I can do better. I will for sure change some things and make some goals! We went out to eat dinner with Dhana later that night and I had a great tasting salmon at a very fancy restaurant. Wednesday, we taught a lesson to a new investigator and man, does this guy smoke a lot. Holy cow! 3 cigerettes in 45 minutes. Disgusting. He said he has heard about "Brian Young" before so he wanted to learn more. He said he will have the Book of Mormon read in a week so we will meet with him tomorrow hopefully. We then went and did a look up far away with an old investigator. He invited us in and was so pumped to see us. He speaks great english and wanted to speak it so we did. He loves the church and knows a lot about it. He initially started to talk to the missionaries a year ago because he is a Free Mason and heard that Joseph Smith was the highest ranking you can possibly be in Free Masonry. So funny. Gosh I have learned a lot about that idealogy. Very interesting.... Lol. We had a dinner appointment with Bishop that night and his family. They all wish they were american because they see us and love us. I was talking all night about how much I love Justin Beiber and about area 51 and 9/11. It was fun and we had a blast. Thursday, we had a lesson with a very, very cool guy from Fiji. Big old polynesian guy. Soooo amazingly nice. He wants to be baptized and said in Fiji, he lives next to mormons and he remembers the temple. So cool. He has a beutiful family back home! Then we had a lesson with Lilliana, and did some finding. We found 3 new potential investigators which is really great! Friday, we went and taught the plan of salvation to Luis. He is our new favorite investigator from Angola. So cool. He loves praying in Portuguese and loves that my parents both speak it! So cool. We also had to do weekly planning and then went to a ward christmas kickoff fireside. This was great! Saturday, We did some look ups, and went to Esthers. During the day, we were supposed to have a lesson with Dofu. We got to his door, but he opened it and was on his way out. He explained to us that he got a call from his mom and his parents are getting a divorce so he was on his way to his parents home. I wanted to honestly cry. Before he walked away, his lips were quivering and eyes watering. Such a tender moment. I dont know him that well, but he is a big black 24 year old who looks like Ziggy. So cool. Sunday, we had church and it was great. Then we went to dinner at a members and I had to say goodbye. This was hard even though I dont know her that well!

Well, I found out that next transfer I will be serving in Zaandaam with Elder Yocom. He is my best friend from high school and we came here on the same day. I honestly cannot believe that it is happening, especially so early in the mission and over Christmas. I'm so grateful and I see this as a huge blessing. I will work harder this next transfer than ever before and become better than I expected to be after 3rd transfer. This is going to be so great. It is sad to be leaving my baby city, especially with having the best numbers in the mission. It has been so great, but man, am I excited to serve with Yoc Daddy. This past week, Elder Alston and I were able to teach 8 lessons which is incredible here, and get 4 new investigators. We have 6 baptismal challenges accepted. Elder Alston is staying here and going District Leader. He will also Train again and help another missionary love their mission. I'm grateful for Alston and really appreciate what he has taught me. We have become such close friends and he is someone I will always look up to!

Well, I hope you all have a great week. Please keep those emails coming! Love you all so much.

 

Love,

Elder Elkins

Another Great Week in the Books!

Another Great Week in the Books!

 

Man, time goes fast. I can't believe it is already another P-Day! Time is flying by. It is really weird because I look back and realize that I have already almost been out for 4 months, and that is 4 months that I will never have back! Only 20 more months to be a missionary. These next 20 months will go fast too. Everyone only tells me that it goes faster. This transfer has gone by unbelievably fast. I cannot beleive that next week is transfers! Chances are, I get a new companion. They never keep companions together for more than two transfers. I'm being told that I will either go with a missionary one transfer older than me, my group, or younger. Either way, I'm going to be in a whole new world. This week was a good one for my Dutch. It is still not where I necessarily want it to be, but I was able to suprise myself this week! The investigators are doing well. Dhana is still Dhana. He has been investigating since I was 16, and still doesnt beleive that there is a God. We challenged him to repent of his sins because maybe that is what he is lacking. I asked him how he felt after he prayed for forgiveness, and he said Peace. I told him that feeling was from God, and we can't give ourselves that feelings. We then shared the story of Oliver Cowdery and when he was praying in D&C 6. It says "21: Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. 22: Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. 23: Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?" I absolutely love these scriptures. They were perfect for him because it explains that Oliver felt Peace, just as did Dhana. We dont know what more do do with him because now he has the ball, and he needs to decide what he is going to do with it. He goes back to Indonesia on Dec. 7th, so that will be sad, but I know he will be baptized one day. He needs to recognize God in his life. We think that he believes, but that he is just scared. Lillian is going well. She said that she knows that the Church is true, but that she is going to wait to be baptized in December. That is a bummer because I was really looking forward to seeing her baptism. Hopefully I will still be in Enschede next transfer! We taught a few first lessons this week and made 3 baptismal invitations. The work is going well here. We are definitely blessed.

On Tuesday, it was Alstons birthday. We went to Dinner at Esthers, cause it was also her husbands birthday! That was fun. When he dropped us off at the train station after, I looked on the ground and noticed some money rolled up. I opened it up and it was TWO 50 euro bills. About 140$ worth. So cool! We looked around and asked people if it belonged to them and asked a police officer and he told us to keep it. We split it. Such a fun night :) Wendesday, I was on exchanges with Elder Claflin. He came the same day as me so we were just two young missionaries in Enschede all day. We taught a couple lessons, had a great conversation with a man from America and his wife from Holland, and found a stray dog. This dog was so tight! He followed us everywhere and we named him Frisbee. We had to go teach a lesson to Lillian so we had to find a place for Frisbee to go. He was trying to pee and poop but he couldnt so we felt bad for him cause he hadnt eaten in forever. I asked some girls probly 12 years old to babysit my dog while I taught the lesson. They took it to the vet and found the original owner cause of a chip in the dog. So funny! That was a great day. That night, we had a dinner appointment on the border of Holland and Germany. I suprised myself this night at the appointment with my Dutch. I talked to the whole time and shared the spiritual messege. They were really impressed and thats always nice. They were amazed that my parents met in Brazil on their missions haha. I tell most people that when they ask where my parents went on missions :) Pretty funny. Friday we had a great dinner appointment with Familie Jacobs. They are great. Such an incredible home with nice things. We were talking around the dinner table and we remembered that Portugal was playing Sweden in a big soccer game that night, so the husband went to turn on the TV, but it didnt start until late, but we got permission to watch it and everything! Such a jammer. oh well, she had a parikeet and I asked about it and told her me and my best friend at home had birds too. She though that was so tight and we talked about how stupid birds are for 15 minutes haha. I knew I bought Robin for a reason ;) He husband, Br. Jacobs, is the old bishop but is not inactive and drinks. Really sad. We are working with him. Sunday was Ward Conference and I had to translate again. Really hard, once again, but its all getting better. Its just amazing that 3 months ago I knew no Dutch, but now I understand a bit and can speak it a bit! So cool. Just gotta be patient and it will all come. All is going well. We should have a great week this week and its me and Elder Alstons last week as a companionship. He has been great and we have had a lot of fun! Its pretty sad, but Its a good thing that I believe that Transfers are inspired of God. I will be where I need to be and who I need to be with next transfer! On Saturday, we went to a SinterKlaas festivel. So funny. The pictures explain it all. They have Sinterklaas on the 5th of Dec. This is when all the kids put out their shoes and they get gifts in it. This is just as big as Christmas to us. They also celebrate Christmas on the 25th and the 26th. Such a cool month here, but for the missionaries, Dec. is just a month of reflecting and seeing families together haha. There are a lot of problems here because of the Swarte Piet thing. These are the black painted elv things in my pics. They have been tradition for years and years, but not black people are saying its really racist, when in fact, its just traditions. Sad, because of the traditions, but creepy as crap. Well That is all for this week. I hope you all have a great week and I'm excited for this next week. Alles goed in Nederland! I love you all. :)

 

Elder Elkins

Very quick week! Time is flying by!

This week was a very fast one. Not a lot happened though, but it was still fun! On Monday, we just had our normal Pday and went shopping and I didnt buy anything. Tuesday, we had district meeting and this was a great one. We also met with some potential investigators and made some return appointments. Wednesday, We went on splits with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Muse, and he is a very cool guy. I learned a lot from him and admire his style. At doors, even if people slam the door in our face, he will ring it again and ask if he can touch their hair, or just tell them that they have great teeth or something. Very funny guy ahha. He makes it fun. Thursday, We had a lesson with Lillian and taught her the word of wisdom. She accepted it perfectly and will be baptized next week! So excited. We also had to spend the night in Deventer at the Zone Leaders house and spend the night with them again so we had to travel that night a little bit. The ZLs are so incredible! Muse is hilarious, and Eastmond is such an incredible and cool missionary. I admire them both! We spent 4 nights with them this week. Its been great. Friday, I went to Brussels to get my legalization. I traveled with Elder Peterson from the MTC to Leiden, and from Leiden, we took the van to Brussels. There were like 8 of us in the van, and we met a bunch of other missionaries in Belgium. I saw and talked to Sister Brophy for the first time on Friday! This was so fun and something that I was looking forward to. She is doing great and it was fun to see her! I also saw and hung out with Elder Hunt and also my MTC comp, Elder Sudweeks. They are all doing so well and I´m so glad that I was able to see them. The Belgian Waffles are incredible as well. Such a gorgeous city and somewhere that I will definitely be back to see after my mission. I also saw Mannican Pis, which is the famous peeing baby statue. So tight. Saturday, we traveled back from deventer because we slept at the ZLs house again. We had a lesson and ate Ollie Bollen for dinner with Esther. She is doing well and really strong. Sunday was church. This was the primary program and it was so cute and fun to see. So great. I had to translate for the first time and that went swell. Dutch is still hard but coming along! It was a great day! Last night, we had a lesson with Dhana and it was the most spiritual lesson I have ever seen. Me and Elder Alston taught in great unity and the spirit led it so much. Some of the things I said I had know idea I was capable of. It wasnt me though! Thats for sure. Sorry this was a boring email, just not much happened. This next week will be great. We have 5 first lessons coming up and hopefully some baptisal dates made. I love it here! I´m glad you are all doing well. Its starting to get freezing here and the Winter is going to be brutal. So will Christmas haha. It gets dark at 4 now too. So weird! Its dark here before you guys even wake up! I hope you all have a great week, and I will make a better email next week. Thanks for all you do! I look forward to your letters!

Elder Elkins

I must admit, this is a better haircut than I've ever done on him ;)

He cut his own hair!!

What a fast week! So many cool experiences this week. I really tried to focus on having better, more meaningful personal studies and laungage studies. I finished the New Testament this week, and will restart the Book of Mormon and read it side by side with my Dutch copy! This has helped me a lot! I challenged myself with the language too. Gotta step outside that comfort zone, because quite franky, I'm not here to sit in a comfort zone. I'm in Europe for heavens sake haha. Well, Monday night was great. We met with our investigator, Dhana, and he took us to eat at a very expensive restaurant and it was great. He just told us that he wants us to know that he has a sincere investigation, but he thinks we are being too hard on him. He goes back to indonesia in December, and he has been investigating for a year and a half, so me and Elder Alston have been pushing him. Hopefully he decides to be baptized, but we cant push him anymore. He is looking for his answer that Its true, and hes worried about what his family will think and all of his friends. On Tueday, I was on Exchanges here in Enschede with my District Leader. I was in charge for the day. So fun! We had a lesson with Lilian on Tithing and she accepted that like a champ. She will be baptized on Nov. 23rd! That will be great. I'm so excited! That night was a miracle night! We finally got contact with a man from Angola who has lost contact with the missionaries since he moved here, and we made an appointment! I had to talk to him all in Dutch cause my companion didnt know him haha. Neither did I though! It was a miracle that we finally got contact with him and he was really excited. After this, we went to the bus stop to see when the bus came. We had 15 minutes and I didnt want to just sit there and wait, so I said "Lets go knock those doors over there". I felt the spirit tell me to do so! So amazing. On the Second door we knocked, an Asian guy in his 20s answers and he is so tight. We start speaking Dutch and he recognizes our American accents and freaks out about how sick it is that we are from America. He is really intersted in our message and accepted a BoM. He said to come back in three weeks and tell him more because he has finals and no time for the next three weeks. Just when he was about to shut the door, a black guy in his 20s comes downstairs and says "i heard your message from upstairs, and I have time all week. What is this about?" He was so pumped and we made an appointment with him for Saturday. The appointment went great and he accepted a baptismal challenge. He is a huge soccer player and lives in a college dorm house. All three college students are reading the book of mormon. What a miracle! That is why we knocked those doors. Such an amazing experience. On Wednesday, we taught two ladys of the Orthodox religion. They are from Syria and I think they really just wanted to bash with us. They couldnt accept the fact about the Godhead and a Prophet. We will see if they turn into anything more. We found a lot that night, then went to Esthers and taught her and watched mormon messages. Thursday, we did a lot of look ups and went to dinner with a great dutch family here. They are so funny! I will send pictures next week. Friday, we taught lillian again. We taught her prophets and obedience. She loves the idea of a prophet and told us that she is excited to be baptized. Its fun being in there during spanish lessons. Especially since we rely so much on our Joint Teach. We went to dinner at a recently baptized members home that night and ate great surinam food. Her husband isnt a member, but is trying to quit smoking so hes taking small steps! Right outside their house, there was a cop chase and the guy being chased ran over someone and killed them! So interesting. Mom, dont freak out, I'm OK :) We were supposed to have a lesson with a new investigator that night, but he wasnt home so that sucked. Saturday is the day we taught the black guy, that went super well! Then we found all day, made burgers for dinner, and had weekly planning at night. Fun night. Sunday was great too, its always fun to hear them bear their testimonies in church. I love being here. The Dutch kids are so cute!

The weather here is getting unreal cold. I'm scared for the winter! All the older missionaries just have terrible stories about it. It will be fun though and definitely differnt. I can't wait to have fun experiences and be able to email them home! It is unreal how fast time goes. I'm already halfway through my second transfer. Time goes fast. I think that I will get transferred at the end of this one. Or I will stay. Either way, I wont be with my companion I dont think. I hope that I have a good companion for Christmas. Maybe Yocom :) That would be a treat.

I was reading in the New Testament this week and found a few really amazing scriptures. I found a scripture that provided great comfort to me, and I'm sure it can help you all too.

1 Peter 2:20 - For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."

I just thought I would share this with you all. I found it and it has helped me a lot. We need to be patient in our struggles. Thats the key, thats something that I have been working on my whole mission. You all who know me well know that I'm not a very patient person. I'm really going to try to work on that and be better. I know God is here with me. I can't deny that. The miracles that I have seen are unbelievable.

Thanks for all of your emails. Continue to email me! I love you all and pray for you all the time. Have a great week!

Elder Elkins