Kerst avond, Kerst, 2e Kerst, en heel veel vreugde :)

Goede dag lieverds <3

this week has been so lovely. we have seen a lot of miracles and have visited a lot of members and investigators. The joy of Christmas is so great, especially to be a missionary during this season. It will be a little different next year when I'm not wearing a nametag, not having the mindset of finding people and testifying every single day. I don't want that to change though; I will still have Christ written on my heart and I can still testify and bring others to Christ even though I won't be an official representative of Christ. Missions don't really end, right? :(

Let's see...Tuesday we had District Meeting, then went and visited Sandra, an inactive member. She just found out she has cancer and she needs to have a surgery. She is really just not happy and it's so sad to see her depressed so we go over once or twice a week to cheer her up and share a message with her and always invite her to church, but she never comes. She is in a lot of pain so that doesn't help. well, we won't stop going over, even though every time we leave her house smelling like we smoked a joint or two (she lives with her friend who smokes) but we love them and smelling like smoke tends to be a thing as a missionary :) after that we biked over to Ikea where we had a lesson with our investigator named Micky. Micky is a hoot. He loves talking. He has been to church twice now, so he seems like he's really liking it and he has read all the way to the end of Alma in the Book of Mormon...so this appointment we taught him the rest of the Plan of Salvation, and when we got to the life on earth part we paused and asked how he felt about the steps we need to take in life in order to return to God (faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end) and he was like, "ja, ja, het klopt en ik ben er mee eens" (yeah that makes sense and I totally agree) and we were like...well how do you feel about getting baptized? do you feel you are ready? and bless his heart, we think we scared him because he seemed a little confused/freaked out but we both agree that it was needed so he knows why we are here, and why we meet with him! we taught him the rest of the lesson and it went well. We hope and pray that he comes to know the things that we teach him are true. I mean for Heaven sakes, he's almost done reading the book of mormon and he's come to church a few times and has made friends with the members. we'll get him. after that we went to a senior member christmas dinner at the church where we had indonesian/chinese take out and it was delicious and sister SC and I got volunteered to sing a christmas song while a member strummed the chords on his guitar. yay. 

On Wednesday we had another busy day, going from appointment to appointment, sharing christmas messages with members through singing "Stille nacht" (silent night) while sister stewart-chester played the guitar and they always love it. We visited 2 investigators, Anna and Piet. Both were great lessons. Anna has a handicapped daughter and she was there so we weren't able to get through the first lesson completely (she and we thought it would be a good idea to go through all the lessons again to prepare her more for baptism) she really wants to be baptized, she just has a problem with smoking and her boyfriend is living with her so we are praying and helping her see the importance of living these commandments from God. But she is really just the sweetest person ever. She is from Poland and has lived here for 15 years. I love her so much! Something I witnessed this week more than any week in my mission was the love that God has for His children. every person we visited this week is such a special child of God. and everyone on earth :) I sound like such a sister missionary...maybe it's because I AM ONE hahaha... "i just love everyone!" "i love all the cats in the world!" k anyways..

On thursday we spent some time in the morning to bake some lekkere dingen to bring around to our neighbors...we have been feeling like we need to get to know them better so we went around and tried...we didn't have much time though. we will still continue to try however. 

on Christmas day we visited Sandra again, and a few other members, then had a huge Christmas dinner at an older woman's house who is a member here in Groningen. she lives alone because her husband passed away a few years ago so she has the missionaries over every year. So she had us, the elders, and the senior couple over! we had a 5 course meal...it was delicious. Then we went back to the Romigs and skyped you guys! that was wonderful. I am so grateful for my family. I am so happy you support me and pray for me every day! I really feel those prayers. Thank you. Ik hou van jullie!!!!

The rest of the week went well, and Anna came to church for the special christmas program but she sat out in the hall because her daughter didn't want to go inside so i sat out there with her and talked with her. she really wants this. there are just a few things that need to be taken care of. The adversary is really working hard on her. Please pray that she will have more happiness in her life, especially through keeping her commitments we give her and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The work up here in Groningen has been amazing and the Lord is blessing us with miracles everyday. I love this work. I love being a missionary. every day is literally an adventure, and it's the best. 

I love you all! sorry for the super long email...i figured it was time to update you a little more on the people we are teaching here. Also we finally got ahold of Nasu. she was out of town for a few weeks and forgot her phone and then she came home and got the flu so we haven't been able to meet with her still but hopefully this week. 

Have a great week! There are miracles everyday. Satan wants us to think otherwise. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. We are all human and we all have doubts. just remember to doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith (President Uchtdorf everyone).........and remember that WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM. even though Christmas is over, we can still celebrate Christ everyday. He was born and He was the perfect example for us. He died so we can LIVE. I know that. I have a testimony of that and it burns within me. I don't have any other desire than to share that will these people. Come unto Him and let Him CHANGE you. I love Him. I love my Savior. 

Zuster Harris out.

 

 

Week 54

Hoi hoiiiiii

Hey loves, 

Not much time to write and not much to write maar....this week has been great (do I ever not say that...?) haha. Sadly a lot of our appointments fell through so we only had like...4. But anyways, they were super great because all 4 of them had a member present and those are always awesome. We are teaching a new investigator named Piet and he is...groovy. Lol. He's like 60 or so but he really loves making music. He also smokes a pipe but he's awesome. He's really soaked in all that we've taught him so far. He hasn't made it to church yet, but he calls every Sunday night to see how it went...super sweet guy. We tell him...why dontcha find out for yourself, jonge?? Haha he's cool. We also haven't heard from Nasu at all this week...she's getting baptized on the 9th of January. But we think it's because she had to out of town to take care of some legal stuff which is completely necessary and needed also to be baptized...so we hope that is what she is up to. We went all the way to her house for our appointment with her (she lives right next to the German border) and she wasn't there :( but it's ok because we got to visit a member who lives out there who just got her knee replaced. It was such a gezellige time by her house, singing hymns and feeding her 2 pigs. What a cutie, that Zuster Onnink. Let's see, what else....we went to a market on Saturday night and sang Christmas songs and handed out cards with the new Christmas video link on it (if y'all haven't seen that, watch it and share it. Super good). That was super cool, that market. It was lit up all Christmasy and what not with big sail boats with lights on them and Dutch people were actually happy for once! Haha jk they can be happy, but they were super glad and smiley op die avond. It was great.

Well, that about sums up our week, folks...

As far as skype goes: I will be skyping home around 10:30 Utah time so if you could all make plans to be there that'd be awesome (wes and family, Luke, char, Gret, Jen, mom, dad) I'm not quite sure how we're going to skype all at once, imma try to see if we can skype in a conference call. Dad, what is your skype name again? 

I'm looking forward to seeing your lovely faces in a few days! I hope you have a great week :) have a lovely Christmas! I know the Savior was born 2,015 years ago and He is our Brother, Redeemer, Advocate,  Savior, and Friend. I love Him and delight in His goodness and love. I hope you delight in it as well. I know He died for us, that we all may live again. 

Love you all!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Love, 

Zuster Harris :)

"Jezus maakt ons harten beter"

Goede morgen!!!!!!!!!!!! of avond......

well, I don't have much time to email but this week has been great. one of the highlights of this past week was our appointment with Nasu. We brought a member and his son with us to teach her and we taught her about tithing and fast offerings and it went well. But the brother who was with us sensed that there was something wrong with her and that she needed a priesthood blessing. he made sure that she had been taught about priesthood and she had and he offered to give her a blessing of confirmed, and she agreed happily. He gave her a blessing in broken english (she speaks english better than dutch) and it was so beautiful. the spirit was really strong and I asked her how she felt afterwards and she said peaceful. We moved her baptismal date to January 9th due to her doctor appointments that have been scheduled on sundays so she hasn't been to church enough. but she is still very positive and wants to get baptized. 

Let's see....last week we had zone conference. that was good, learned some cool new teaching methods. It was a good week, probably one of the busiest of my mission and I love it. a lot of people are wanting to learn more and we have a few good, solid investigators looking for truth. also transfer calls came on sunday and I get to stay with sister stewart-chester in groningen! I'm so happy, I love her. Happy we get to be together for christmas, new years and her birthday! She is a great missionary. Stoked to see what this next transfer brings!

well I have to go but know that I love you all and I am excited to skype you on Christmas! still don't know what time it will be because we are still looking for someone to let us come over for christmas...but it will work out :) hopefully i will be able to let you know next monday when we will skype. but for now, can you tell me your skype name? (dad) (and wes and kids if you won't be with mom or dad) 

There is a new christmas video that is WONDERFUL. Watch it and share it! Remember the reason for the season, and that Wise Men Still Seek Him. 

Veel liefs, 

Zuster Harris

 

Year mark...

hoihoi, goede morgen, hoi hoi, hoiiiiiii.

Talk about dutch people. 

Well, another week has come and passed and my eyes are before this computer screen AGAIN. This has been a great week of busy-ness.  

Last week we had a pretty chill P-day. Hung out at the Romigs and has FHE later that night. Then the next day the guy came and fixed our door for good...and we had a good, long day of knockin doors and then visited Familie Richardsons. They are ADORABLE. The parents are young, both from St. Martin island, in their young 30's and they have 3 kids, one is 7, one is 4 and they are both girls and then they have a 5 week old baby boy. They a member family but lately it's been hard for them to get to church with the newborn so another family has been picking up the 2 girls and taking them to church. I love them. It's like I have a kylie and ella in my life again! Don't worry, they aren't replacing them ;) I just miss having them around, laughing and playing with me, taking funny pictures, I love them.

Let's see...Wednesday we met a lot of cool people while biking places. We met like 3 people who want us to bring a Book of Mormon by, one guy wants to come to institute, and we looked up an investigator we haven't been able to get ahold of for the longest time and she was home! Her name is Julia and she comes from Germany. When she saw us, she let us right in even though she doesn't even know us two sisters. We had a lovely conversation getting to know her and her background and she said she really wants to keep learning more about the gospel. She is lovely.

We had our weekly dinner appointment at the Gouts and our investigator Jonathan came as well. He had been there before and he just hit it off again with Brother and Sister Gout. He can befriend anyone, he is a super nice guy. Sadly he wasn't ready to quit smoking or coffee this past Saturday but he is still wanting to quit. He doesn't work well under pressure so we are supporting him and giving advice and we are also going to help him with the program the church has for giving up addictions. He will get there. he is going on a 2-3 week vacation to Scotland in a few weeks so we won't see him for a while but he says he doesn't use that stuff when he is with his family. We will send him with some scriptures to read and talks from conference to help him. Please pray for him, that he will receive the strength to quit and to make the step to baptism. He is such a great person. we have really seen a change in him. 

We celebrated Sinter Klaas this past week at the institute with some of the JOVOs (ysa members) and Jonathan and the Romigs. it was fun. we did a white elephant exchange thing. Look up why they celebrate 2 Sinter Klaas days and 2 Christmas's because I don't have time to explain why. haha. 

We had a few other appointments with investigators that went pretty well. Our investigator, Micky, came to church yesterday. He really hit it off with a member named Harm (who is such a great member-missionary and all-around human being haha) and they have a great friendship now. He is excited to come to church again. 

I went on exchanges last week back to Apeldoorn again with Sister Jensen (who i was with during my weird 2 weeks of serving there) and it was so great. I really love Sister Jensen, she is such a good friend of mine and it has been so lovely serving around her so much. I really look up to her. 

This week I will hit my year mark. where on earth does time go? I think time speeds up when you're on a mission. Is it fast for you guys too??? ahh. 

Well, I hope you all have a great week. Thanks for the email and the support, and thank you for the prayers. I have said this before but I really can feel the power of your prayers for us here. thank you!!!

Here is a great quote from Victor Hugo, remember it during hard times:

"When you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, sleep in peace; God is awake." 

I love you guys. I pray for you. Thank you again for all you do for me! I will send pics later.

Have a great week

Zuster Harris

"You'll shoot your eye out, kid!"

This week has been a nice, glass shattering week :) 

Started off with thanksgiving dinner at the Romigs with the other missionaries and Jonathan. 

The next day we had district meeting and taught some lessons afterward to some people that were really positive. One being Chico, and the other Anvenda. 

Then went on exchanges back to Apeldoorn, that was fun. I went there with Sister Bush and we had a great time together. Taught some cool lessons to one of my would-have-been-investigators haha just kidding but really, I only served in Apeldoorn for 2 weeks...but it was cool. 

We taught Nasu, our investigator who is set on being baptized on the 19th of December, about the word of wisdom this week and she took it really well and comitted to living it. She was like, "how will I know if the tea I buy is tea I can drink?" So we showed her how, and we brought some samples to church that Sunday's when she came. It was SO COOL when she came because all the members already knew about Her without even meeting her but everyone came up to her and they were so happy to meet her and one member was like when can we come visit you? When can I come with the sisters to visit you? So we set an appointment with him to come with us. She lives really far away so joint teaches are a little hard and it's also kinda tricky to get her to church but she understands the importance of it. Luckily there is a member who lives close to her who said they could give her a ride to church. She is doing really well. She has had a hard life; her childhood wasn't so easy and she moved her from Africa 5 years ago by herself and she's only 22. But she has got so much potential and is excited about her baptism.

So...funny story. Our door has had troubles lately to close and lock so one day we were headed out to a members house to practice some songs to sing at the station (the station in Groningen has a piano so why not be creative with finding people through music? :)) anyways, I couldn't get the door to close and sister Stewart-Chester was like "just slam it!"......and so I did just that. And, well, the glass on the door kinda....shattered everywhere. Haha. Well, after calling many people to have someone come by, I finally found someone that could come later that night to fix it so a guy came later that night to put a temporary glass door on. They are coming tomorrow to fix it completely. I will send y'all a picture of the shattered door.

We have also been having washing machine-problems. The copper line has been dripping water and our floor has been soaking wet so we have been using the senior couple's washing machine but the office decided to just order us a new washer but really they just needed a plumber to come by and fix the leak because the new washer still leaks...the AP's came all the way from Amsterdam to instal our new washer ON THEIR P-DAY. it was super nice of them. They even bought us Indonesian food for lunch...*shout out to elders bonner and hirsch for their heroism*  anyways, our house is sketch and ghetto but it's alright. 

Let's see...we had a lesson with Jonathan and we also taught him the word of wisdom and he actually has some problems with it but he admitted he doesn't need it. We are having a 'ceremony' for him this week where we will throw his coffee and other stuff into a body of water right by his apartment building. We are doing that on Saturday...pray for him to have strength to do it! 

Well, that's about it for our week. Ik hou van deze stad!!!!!! Niks boven Groningen, echt waar.

I hope y'all have a great week!

Remember this quote from President Uchtdorf: "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?" I really live that, and it's funny how applicable it is to living in the Netherlands... It rains a bunch but it sure makes for some beautiful rainbows every once in a while. 

I sure love you guys,

Veel liefs,

Zuster Harris

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Howdy howdy howdy,

This week has been GRRRREEEEEAT (to be said in our investigator, Jonathan's, Scottish accent). Last week we saw Jonathan like...5 times haha. It was great, we taught him with the senior couples a few times and with our elders once. He came to church yesterday and I think he really liked it. We had a cool conversation with him and the senior couple just about life and he was just saying how he felt like he was missing something in his life. Elder Romig was like...well I think you need to listen to some of the things the sister missionaries have to say. Jonathan really likes to be around the missionaries and the senior couple. right now we are at the Romig's (the senior missoinaries) house and they just fed us Thanksgiving dinner with the rest of our district, and Jonathan is here too. He is havin a grand old time with the missionaries. Anyways, he's really progressing and keeping his commitments. He's got so much potential!

Today we also had a Turkey Bowl in Zwolle. Well no new news, I am not the best at american football haha but it was still fun and very muddy. My companion, sister stewart-chester, was on the other team and threw the ball to a player on her team and they scored a touch down so I tackled her to the ground...haha. We both ended up pretty muddy...but it was super funny. 

Well, Nasu canceled her appointment this past week but she's still goin strong about her baptismal date for the 19th of December. She lives pretty far from Groningen so we asked a member who lives close to her if she could take her to church. she said yes and could every week she possibly could so that was super awesome. Members really are key when wanting to fellowship an investigator, and fellowshipping an investigator is absolutely necessary haha thus MEMBER MISISONARY WORK IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY :) member referrals, joint teach, super member present (teaching an investigator in a member's house with them as joint teach), inviting investigators over for dinner with the missionaries are all great ways to do missionary work. I invite you all to do at least ONE of those this month. I know you can do it. 

Well, I hope you all have a great week and a GREAT THANKSGIVING. I am thankful for all of you and miss you so much! VEEEEEL LIEFS

Zuster Harris