March 30, 2015

We had Zone Training on Wednesday last week, which kept us busy on Monday and Tuesday preparing. I like Zone Trainings to be unique and memorable everytime, so we had to make sure that we could do that. Sometimes they just get so repetative. We have a really cool Zone Vision this transfer called "Learning the Language of the Spirit". We are focussing on the receiving revelation, so of course, that was our Zone Training as well. We started off our Zone Training by singing "Let it Glow". It is from Disneys famous "Let it Go" from Frozen, but we made our own version about the Zone Vision and the Holy Ghost haha. Honestly super hilarious, and I can finally now say that I have sung in front of an audience, into a microphone. Singing is not my forte. Man, I learn a lot about doctrine as I study for presentations, but also a ton from my companion and our Sister Training Leader. They are both incredible, and we worked hard to make it worthwhile for everybody. I presented on prayer, and focussed on the three basic steps of prayer. We teach our investigators to 1. Address Heavenly Father, 2. Express the feelings of your heart, 3. Close in the name of Jesus Christ.... This got me thinking as I was preparing. Sure we can teach it, and we are all probably master prayer teachers, but do we all correctly understand why, and how we correctly do these things? I read in the Bible Dictionary under prayer, and it said this "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part. Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship." This just confirmed to me that I needed to focus on our relationship with God, and who He really is, and who we really are, and the why of prayer. It is crazy how you just get filled with ideas as you do study, and prepare. That is revelation. I then focussed a little bit on Alma 37:37, and talked about how our actual prayer should be a counsel, and what it truly means to close in the name of Jesus Christ. (John 15:7). It was really cool, and I learned a ton! Prayer is truly amazing.

Think about it. We all have a cell Phone. I have though a lot about a cell-phone and it's purpose. In high school, I would call my dad if I needed help with something, if I had a question, or just if I wanted to chat. Why did my dad want me to have a cell-phone?  Probably for the same reasons. He wanted to make sure we were in contact so he could answer my needs, and also just so he can reach me whenever... This got me thinking... Why did God give me prayer? He didn't have to, much like my Dad didn't need to give me a cell phone. So why? He wants me to be able to call him when I need help with something, or if I have a question, or just to chat even. Why does God want us to have a prayer? So also wants to make sure we are in contanct, so he can answer my needs, commune with me whenever, and direct me in life. Not only this, but we learn in the scriptures that we are His children, and that we are also His friends. How much do our parents/children and friends mean to us? That is exactly how God feels with us. He wants us to pray, just as much as we should want to.... In another case, my Dad would take my cell phone if I got bad grades, did something I wasn't supposed to, or any other reason, and at that moment, I realized how much I loved my phone and the luxury... What if God took prayer? Would it be then that we realize the luxury?

I have many weaknesses, but God is really good at revealing them to me and how I can overcome them. This is exactly what my Dad would do for me as well. Sports, school, and life in general. I feel that I have come to know God on my mission. I know who He is, and I better understand my relationship with Him.

I miss you guys! Looks like Hadley is growing quick. She is darling. Shout-out to Parker for being a stud. I am proud of you man, you have no idea.

I had a really good week. Missonary work is going, but I am just enjoying my time in my favorite city. I have only two more transfers left, and I will be off to a new city in a couple of weeks. I truly look forward to hitting the streets, finding, teaching, and baptizing. I love you all so much. Thank you for all that you do! I hope that you have a great week!

Elder Elkins

Look who I saw tonight!! ELDER ELKINS!! Blake and I made a last minute trip
to the Netherlands to be in the temple with 5 people he baptized/ worked
with while on his mission. A couple and single woman from Belgium, and a
family from Enchede. It was a once in a life time opportunity, and one we
will never forget. We attended a fireside tonight where we got to see
wonderful Elder Elkins. He is darling, and healthy, and filled with the
spirit. He is obviously loved by all; members and missionaries alike. You
should be very proud. I had to control myself to Not hug him. We come home
tomorrow. It was just a 4 day trip. Traveled to the Netherlands on Friday.
Spent all day in the temple Saturday, church today and Fireside, travel home
tomorrow( Monday) it was worth it!! Short but oh so very sweet. Hope you are
well!
Love,
Pam

March 16, 2015

This is about how things are looking now. How BEAUTIFUL is this country? Yeah, it is only March 16th, and maybe I am exagerating a little bit, but I cannot wait for the Spring here. We had a great week here. Elder Bernier and I are enjoying our time in Den Haag, and seeing the blessings that it provides. We had a great week full of exchanges, teaching, and serving. My three favorite things about a mission.

We did take a hit this week when it comes to our own teaching pool. Our two progressing investigators with Baptismal Dates both aren't going to be ready by their dates. We are going to need to change them, and hopefully all comes well, but I hope that we can hit the streets and find some new investigators this week.

This upcoming week is going to be a busy one. We have exchanges, planning for Zone Training, and probably will be called to do something random for somebody. It is the life!

I am sorry that my email isn't anything special this week, but just know that this work is incredible. As we are studying Ch.4 in PmG this transfer, I am learning a lot about revelation. What it really is, and how the Spirit speaks to me. God does answer prayers. My testimony of that grew a hundred fold this week, which is crazy, because you wouldn't think that it could've after some of the experiences with prayer I have had in my life. Service is amazing. Serve somebody this week. I have been studying a lot on Pride lately, and what it really is. I have come to find out that the instant cure for pride and prideful thoughts is service. As you serve somebody, you will feel the love of Christ.

Have a great week peeps. Keep being amazing!

Liefs,

Elder van Elkins

March 9, 2015

Guys! Another week!

I feel really bad every week, because I forget most of the key point that I want to share with you all when I email. I will do my best to fill you all in, but to be honest, we just did a lot of busy work this past week. We had transfers, which means that on Wednesday, we spent the day at the station in Leiden helping missionaries get to their next areas, and welcoming them in, and Thursday and Friday consisted of a lot of planning. Heavenly Father always provided though. We always seem to see miracles in weeks like this.

The highlight of the week for me was probably on Tuesday. The Stake President is in our ward, and his son just turned in his mission papers. He is a complete stud, and is an incredible basketball player. For the past few months, I have felt so strongly that we need to help him and show him missionary work. Not only missionary work, but how missionary work is a blast. This is honestly one of the biggest reasons I wanted to stay in Den Haag. I knew that there was something I haven't done yet, that I need to do. Last Sunday, I invited him to spend the day with us on Tuesday. He came with us, and I tried SOO hard to get apointments arranged so that we could teach with him, but that wasn't the Lords plan. We had a great District Meeting, then went out, did look ups, contacted, and had a dinner appointment. We ended up getting let in with an investigator at night, and taught a poweful quick message. I was worried it wouldn't be enough for him, but it was perfect. He is a great kid and friend, and we had a ton of fun. He loved it, and now wants to come every Tuesday with us. Maybe he will get called to the Utah Ogden mission, and I can go on splits with him eh? ;) His family is great as well, and really grateful that we are helping him get ready. The Spirit is incredible, and it is so cool to learn how the Spirit answers our prayers individually. What a blessing that will be for me the rest of my life!

Our mission has a new thing where we have four Elders who prepare a musical, and sing. Man, it was absolutely incredible this week, being able to watch them and seeing member bring their friends. We receieved some referrals, and it is great. It has been fun helping them and preparing with them for it. I wish that I could sing in real life as well as I do in the shower, cause then I could join them.

I saw pictures of Hadley. Gorgerous - All I can say.

I love you all. Thanks for the support and all that you do for me! Have a great week!

Elder Elkins

March 2, 2015

Hooi allemaal!

Fijn om terug met jullie te kunnen zijn! I always look forward to being able to read emails, and see what you all are up to. Man, this week was a good week. Not only in the mission, but also back at home! Congratulations Emily! Hadley is gorgeous. Goed gedaan! :) It was special to be able to experience that out here. I will never forget it!

First of all, transfer calls came in last night, and I am staying in Den Haag with Elder Bernier! Man, I am so grateful to be able to server her for six months. I feel that there is so much that I have learned the past few weeks, and that I need to apply before I leave the city. Heavenly Father continues to reveal to me things that I am able to help with, and I am ready to leave it all on the table and give it my all this next, and final transfer in Den Haag. It is a blessing!

On Tuesday, we had Zone Conference. It was great. I love President and Sister Robinson. They always know what we need, and how we can improve as a mission. Prayers are always answered at Zone Conferences! We also watched "Meet the Mormons", and that was special. What a cool video!

On Wednesday, four missionaries will be heading home. They all happen to be in our Zone, and I was able to go on exchanges with both of them this past week. Wednesday, and Thursday. Elder Carter is the one that I was with on Wednesday, and we had an incredible day. He is such a great guy, and has made his mission celestial. I look up to him, and learn a lot! Thursday was with my trainer, Elder Alston! It has been a huge blessing having him in the Zone on his dying transfer. He will be my first companion that is home, which is crazy, saying I have been out almost 20 months. Elder Alston is incredible. I couldn't of had a better trainer, and is just a complete missionary. Every skill in the book. I learn so much! These two exchanges were probably the two biggest blessings for me this week. Just being able to spend the last week with two great missionaries, and being able to take last minute wisdom, but also being able to help them where I can. Elder Alston and I had a complete missionary day. Awesome lesson, setting a baptismal date with Els, and a lesson with a new investigator who just bashed us. Then a lesson with a less-active with two of the ugliest dogs, and a bird that can't be quiet, and we just laughed and laughed at the lesson. We had a great time! Sad to see him go this week!

With Transfers, our Zone got hit hard. We have a lot of good missionaries coming in. Elder Claflin, one of my best friends who I lived with in Genk, will be joining the force in Den Haag too. Gosh, I am so pumped! With the missionaries that are coming into the Zone, we are going to do some great things this next transfer. Our focus this next transfer is Ch. 4 in PmG. One of my favorites. It will be great to serve another transfer with Elder Bernier as well. He is great!

This upcoming week will be crazy busy, but crazy amazing. We have a group of missionaries in the mission who are incredibly talented in music, and that is their missionary work. They are beggining to put together music programs, teaching PmG lessons through music. It is insane! They have their first concert on Saturday, and we are bringing tons of people, so it should be fun!

I hope that you all have a great week! Hope to hear from you, and give Hadley a big kiss on the cheek from me! ;)

Elder Elkins

February 23, 2015

Hey guys!

Great week in Den Haag. This city treats us well!

We have been working hard to see success, while balancing what we are busy doing, and the Lord provides. We taught a new investigator this week named Els. She is Dutch, and let us come back after we knocked on her door. She is atheist, and doesn't really have any hope, but was open to our message. What a miracle lesson this was. We got in, taught her the first lesson, using a lot of scripture, and could see the spirit working with her. At the end of the lesson, we asked her "What would it mean to you to know the truthfulness of this message?" She responded, I already am thinking that it is true. Bam. It was that easy. No it wasn't, but it seems to be that easy sometimes. When the Spirit is there testifying of the words that we speak, it is that easy. That is why missionary work is only possible with the spirit! :) This experience reminded me of Korihor in the Book of Mormon. Honestly. We asked her why it is true, and she said it was because she received a feeling in her heart that she has never felt before. She then explained all the fruits of the spirit that we learn about in Galatians 5:22. That was a miracle. She then accepted to be baptized.

To be honest, I don't remember much about last week. Good thing I keep a journal, and that is something that I will not regret. Sometimes, it is one of the hardest things to do, but I know that it will be worth it. We had Mission Leader Council on Friday, and the spirit is always so strong there. I receive so much guidance from the Spirit, and it is incredible.

I heard that Emily is going to have her baby this week. I am so excited for you! Good luck, and make sure that you send me lots of pictures. I hope that you get my package this week :)

Transfers are next week, so this could possibly be my last week in Den Haag. I have plans to leave it all on the field, and give it my all. This city is incredible, and I will always remember my experiences here. I look forward to making more this week. I love you all so much, and hope that you have a great week. :)

Love,

Elder Elkins

February 16, 2015

Hey guys, I am back! Another Monday. Time flies!

We had a really good week here in Den Haag. I sit here and think about how fast it really is going, and it is scary! I feel like I was just doing this.

Another really busy week. This was our first 'real week' of the transfer, without meetings and other random things we need to do here and there, so it was nice to get down and grind in the work. We worked hard, experienced the good and the bad of missionary work, and enjoyed it all. The other week, we had 8 new investigators, so we had a bunch of return appointments planned for last week, but a lot of them fell through right at the last minute, which gets frustrating, but it is all for a reason! We, as a Zone, prayed to baptize last week. We want to increase our expectations and expect to baptize more often then we do in this mission, so we really did that last week. What do you know, we had an appointment on Saturday with Perez, and set a baptismal date for March 28th! My bday too ;) Perez is awesome. She is from the Dominican Republic and is searching for the truth. We watched the Restoration with her, and the spirit was very strong. She is cooking for us this week, and letting us teach her friend too! It will be great.

The weirdest thing about last week, happened on exchanges. We were street contacting, and a lady asked us what we did in America. We told her, and she told us that we need to stop doing what we are doing, and go back to America. She was convinced that we were possessed, and that we are brainwashed.... She then proceeded to tell me that I have a ''shine in my eyes'', and that it is young men like me that fall in love with her.... She is at least 70 yrs old. Wow... haha.

Saturday night, we had an iron chef dinner at the Romigs apartment with the whole district, and a member cooked for us. We are all very close to each other, and have a lot of fun. The Spiritual Message was done by Elder Abankie. He is one of the most incredible people out on this mission. He is from Surinam, and reflects the countenance of Christ. He is special, and is a great example to me! He said something that is really inspiring. He told us that two of his favorite words are ''are'' and ''become''. Why? Think about the Atonement, and how it helps us be better than we currently ''are'', and ''become'' better. Who we ''are'', isn't who we used to be, but who we can ''become'', isn't who we ''are''. I think that is something that we can all apply throughout our lives. Don't be idle, and unify yourself with God. Avoid comparison, and ask God to reveal to you what YOU need to do, to ''become'' who you need to.

We have a busy week planned. I look forward to it! MLC is on Friday, and it is always special to spend time in the mission home, learning together with the other leaders. I hope that you all have a great week! I love you all!

Elder Elkins