I tried Haring last week on Monday. It was not too bad, actually. I didn't mind the taste so much as the texture. Which was slimy and a little bit different.
Temple Conference was last Tuesday! We went to the Zoetermeer Temple. Zoetermeer means "sweet lake", which is funny because of Salt Lake.
It was so cool to go through the temple in Dutch. It was a lot easier to follow than I thought it would. I am just so grateful for the temple and for all of the things that I learn there. It's such a place of peace and revelation. I always learn so much whenever I'm there.
Wednesday night we had a dinner appointment with a family that lives in Zaandam (just north of A'dam) who are from America. We brought an investigator, with us and taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ. The family were a really good joint teach and really helped a lot. That was a really cool night.
We had left our bikes chained in Amsterdam and when we got back that night, my lock had been tampered with! The key wouldn't go in all the way and I couldn't turn it at all. So we texted our ward mission leader, and left our bikes over night. He said he'd be able to do something the next day. It was funny. But also a little bit scary.
The next day, we went to teach another investigator. She was super receptive to the message of the restoration and was enthralled while we were talking about Joseph Smith. We brought our ward mission leader along on joint teach because he's AWESOME. Our investigator is one of the most spiritual people I've ever met. I love her. Even though she insists on calling us by our first names. It's cute, though.
After that appointment, Bronno biked all the way from East Adam to West Adam to rent a grinder tool to GRIND THE CHAIN OFF OF MY BIKE so we could get our bikes! He's the best! We're so spoiled in Amsterdam!
While we were waiting for him at the station we were contacting a few people. We were talking to this girl who wasn't really interested when I looked over at this girl who was crying and hugging this boy. Turns out, that boy was Ansel Elgort! The actor that's in Divergent and The Fault in our Stars. So that was cool. We were standing like 10 feet from Ansel Elgort. haha
But the important thing is, I got my bike back! Hooray! People were looking at us really funny as Bronno took the grinder to my chain and we videoed it. I wanted to tell everyone that it was my bike and not to worry, but it was just funny. I didn't even need to buy a new chain, because when we went on exchanges later this week to Haarlem, Zr Robbins gave me her extra chain like the lieverd she is!
On Saturday, we did service at this little community garden with a member couple. It was super fun to wear jeans and garden while talking to people about the gospel! You won't believe it, mom & dad, but I actually do miss gardening. We talked to this guy who was muslim. He was really amazed that there were religious young people who were willing to leave their home. He was just such a loving father and we could really tell that he loved his children. I love people who are willing to talk and have interesting discussions about religion! We have some pretty awkward encounters at doors with people who just peek their heads out, hear the word "kerk", say "nee, bedankt", and close the door. But there are people who talk to us, not necessarily interested people, but we have some really awesome discussions. I just love the opportunity to feel my testimony burning inside of me and to try to share that with them. Whether they accept it or not, that's a cool moment for sure.
Yesterday we went to the Tervares to do FHE with them. I just love the little children! They are the most adorable people ever. We are all just getting to love each other so much and it's just so wonderful to have that bond with other people. I love the people here in Amsterdam!
Today we went to the Corrie Ten Boom house again with the Haarlem Sisters, but we did the tour in DUTCH! It was so cool! They brought a member girl who is from Brazil, and she doesn't speak dutch, so I kinda translated a little bit for her. That was a cool moment, that I really needed, because dutch is sometimes hard. Heavenly Father is the best.
transfers are this next week! I probably will stay in Adam but who knows!?
Love you all!
Zr watts