No but really we had miracles this week, and I just love it. On Tuesday we met with a girl that Zr Bradley and Hopkin found before I came to Groningen. She had received a Book of Mormon from them at the time, but between then and now she hadn't been at home. We finally got in contact with her and had a lesson this week. She and her boyfriend were there as well as her really adorable daughters. We talked about a lot of things and eventually got to the Restoration, but they just had a lot of questions. It was good because we were able to dispel a lot of misconceptions (bij voorbeeld, we're amish, mormon women can't wear pants, etc) They were super open. They're a cute couple, and we're excited to be teaching them now! It was a super cool discussion.
We went Tuesday evening because our appointment cancelled at the last minute, and her boyfriend opened the door. He looked very gruff and upset, and called her to the door. She came and he went back inside. She was extremely confused as to why we were there but as we explained that her aunt referred her, she just was surprised and laughed. I said, "Wij delen lessen met mensen over God en hoe wij kunnen dichter tot hem komen" (we share lessons with people about God and how we can come closer to Him)
And she just started to cry. Zr Kimmons is so good and asked her if she could give her a hug, which she did and so then we just ended up hugging her and crying with her and she said she'd love to meet another time. This all happened before we'd even told her our names. She was just so desperately in need of God's love and of a sign that He was there for her. We were disappointed at first that our appointment cancelled, but then we had a super sacred experience with ‘the niece.’ I love when we can look back on an experience and just totally see that God was guiding us the whole way.
Wednesday evening we had dinner with familie Gout. I don't recall if I've told you about them before, but they're this awesome member family. Zr Gout was just recently called as the Relief Society president, and her husband is in the Bishopric. They have us over once a week, normally Wednesday evenings, for dinner. This week they called us and asked us if we would invite our investigator friend to come to dinner as well. Of course we will! haha She came and it was a wonderful evening. We talked with Broeder Gout about the baptism on Saturday, and we decided on a time. At one point, Br Gout asked her if she was starting to feel anxious or nervous about it, because that's something that happens to a lot of people. She replied, "No, Before I decided to be baptized I felt that way a lot, but ever since I decided, I just feel peaceful about it and it feels right" She is SO good!
Things are really coming together for Saturday. On Thursday before instituut, we got to look at the baptismal clothing with her. And the program is basically arranged. She is so cute, she asked us to specifically do this song called, "This is My Desire" at her baptism, so we're scrambling to get it ready and make it sound good. Pray that my hands can have good muscle memory and not get nervous! My hands shake so bad haha But she's just so excited and on Sunday they announced her baptism in almost every meeting and everyone is just being super sweet to her and excited for her. We hope lots of people come. :) Zr Hopkin and her greenie are planning on coming up for it as well, so it's just going to be a good day. :)
After dinner, we biked to the church with her to go to a Relief Society activity where we just played board games with a bunch of the older ladies in the ward. It was super fun! She is our best friend :)
Friday was supposed to be this absolutely crazy day.
9:00 Teaching appointment
10:30 Tex's Funeral
12:00 Teaching appointment
14:00 Teaching appointment
15:30 Teaching appointment
17:30 dinner
19:00 Teaching appointment
The other 3 appointments went through, but it was just funny that we were expecting a full 9 am to 9 pm day, and then it turned out just being pretty normal. :)
Saturday we finally got to meet with our friend we gave cookies to! We didn't get to meet with him at all last transfer because he just was so busy, so we were super excited. He is a super deep thinker so we're taking the lessons pretty slowly. We just talked about Faith the time before, so on Saturday, we just talked about Repentance. He had some very interesting questions and we just had a super cool discussion about taking the good things out of experiences and learning and about strengths and weaknesses and how Christ ties into the repentance process, and it was just so powerful and great and they gave us wonderfully delicious food and agh I just love the people here.
He's related to the Bishop, actually, so we're in close contact with Zr Bishop, and on Sunday morning at church, she came up to me and told me that they had a family party that night, and he didn't come because he thought it was so important to meet with us! He is very focused on family and so she was surprised he wasn't coming. She said she asked him "can't you just reschedule?" And apparently he responded, "no I've done that the past two times they've tried to make an appointment, I can't do that to them again"
Super cool to hear that! We love he and his mom!
It was a great week :)
Can't wait for the next one!
Zuster Watts