We went to dinner at our RS president's house this week, and I found out that her sister is Kitty from Amsterdam! So cool to make that connection, and then for the rest of the evening I was noticing small mannerisms that were similar. So cute :) She took us for ice cream after dinner and she is just the sweetest woman in the world. She's so strong in the gospel. I adore her. She is such an example to me!
Also, we finally met with our progressing investigator after a week and a half! His wife passed away a few years ago, and her birthday was last week, so he was a bit depressed and didn't want to talk to anyone. So sadly he's not quite stopped smoking, because that was a traumatic week, but he's doing better. He is such a cool guy and we talked a lot about the Plan of God. The spirit was so strong, and we had a great lesson with him.
MLC was amazing this week! We met our new mission president and his wife, and they are adorable! I walked in the door of the mission home and they greeted me and pulled out their phone to show me a picture of them with my family at their farewell! It was so cool that they remembered. Then we had a great time getting to know them and hearing about their experience in getting called as our new mission presidents.
President Bunnell said that for the past two years he was in the stake high council and his assignment was missionary work. He said he felt it was no coincidence, and that the Lord was preparing him for this task, two years before the call to be mission president. I loved that!
President's counselors spoke to us and one of them talked about the process of switching presidents, and I found it very inspiring. They don't meet with each other for a week or even a few days, they only get a couple hours with the old mission president--essentially just to hand over the keys and show them around the mission home-- and then *whup* they're in charge of a mission of 150 people. He compared it to a business. Dad, can you imagine if Ancestry switched over their CEO to a new one in a similar way? That would be crazy!
But because this is the Lord's church and His work, it all works out just fine. That strengthened my testimony of the fact that this is truly God's work and that He is leading it! I feel all fired up about missionary work and I just love it!
That same man, President Van der Put, talked about a story of a carpenter who was ready to retire. His boss asked him to do one more house as a favor, and so he did. But since he was excited to retire, he didn't work very well on it, and it was a shabby, poorly made building. When he was done, the boss handed him the keys and told him it was a gift for all his years of wonderful work. The carpenter was shocked and disappointed that he hadn't done his best! And it's the same with us: We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then with shock, we realize we have to live in the house we've built. If we could go back, we'd do it differently, but we can't go back.
You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build Wisely!
I love MLC!
On the fourth of July I sang America songs to her and she just laughed at me :) haha
Also, CRAZY TRANSFER CALLS! Zr Ramirez and I are both staying! This is her FIFTH transfer in Arnhem, her baby city. That almost never happens. But we're so happy and every ward member is freaking out they're so happy:) When we heard last night, we just hugged and hugged each other. We have a work to do here in Arnhem and it's so exciting!
Also, Zr Bush is now in Breda so we get to go on exchanges together!!! :D AND Zr Karlson, my baby is going to Groningen! Which is the best thing ever.
Did not expect any of this, but it is the most wonderful thing ever. I love my mission!
Wish there was more time to tell everything!
Love you all!
Zuster Watts