MTC week one - Diggin the Dutch

Yeah, its been almost a week!  The first day here was pretty interesting.  After all of the new missionaries went to the seminars discussing the rules, proper personal hygiene, how to avoid spreading sickness, we were given our permanent rooms/room mates.  I'm in a very small district (we have 4) but I've come to really enjoy it that way.  Our zone consists of the Danes and the Swedes.  The Danes are a crazy group of guys haha they have a lot of fun, and know what they're doing. All of them want to be here so it's good.  Our district and theirs are getting along great.  The Swedes keep to themselves a little more.   The Dutchies (that's us) and the Danes usually eat lunch together, sit with each other in devotionals and hangout before bed.  

I have 3 awesome roommates.  Elder Strikwerda is mijne eerst collega, he reminds me that I work to much sometime and need to relax.

Language class is very, very hard haha.  The first day we were in class they only spoke Dutch.....I am not exaggerating when I say they ONLY SPOKE DUTCH!  None of us had any idea what was going on.  At first you can't help but laugh because 1 you're freaking out because you can't understand them and 2 because it sounds so different.  After we started learning our first verbs and the basic rule for I, You, He, She, It, We, They, Al,l and listened to our teachers for hours speaking only Nederlands, we could start understanding them.  We had the chance to teach our first investigator the Friday of our first week.....and not teach her in English! Nope, we we're to do it in Dutch.  It was extremely hard and humbling.  You find out what the investigator needs but you can't say it to her because you don't know how!  Our first lesson went horrible haha We didn't get to do what we wanted but we learned a lot.  We learned to keep the meeting within our level of the language.  We teach this investigator every day except for Sunday now.  The second meeting went way better.  We didn't writet out a lesson plan word for word.  We knew what we felt she should hear and did our best to guide her there. We could actually understand some of the questions she would ask and we could remember the things we were taught.  We didn't have 5 minute long awkward silences and you could totally tell that we weren't doing this all on our own.  We we're able to get her to say the closing prayer too.  Our 3rd time meeting with her was yesterday.  After 2 days of learning Nederlands we could actually pronounce our words way better and understand a lot more of what she was saying and asking.  We were successful in giving her a Book of Mormon.  We read some important scriptures with her and then gave her Moroni's Challenge. Moroni 10:3-5.  We then told that we could not tell her if the BofM was true.  We were just there to help.  That it was between her and her Heavenly Father whether this church was true.  It's amazing the insights and teachings you receive while being in here.  In 6 Days I have learned way more than I have in my life when it comes to this Gospel. My teachers, Brother Robinson, Brother Norton, Brother Morhmon are amazing dudes.  They teach us a lot about the language, how to be a missionary and how to do it all the proper way and have fun with it.  We are very lucky to have these guys as our teachers.  They teach us so many things and I couldn't ask for any others to guide us in this learning experience.

A lot has happened and I will write you about what the stake president assigned me to do (record miracles).   One thing that I have learned and has stuck with me was the talk we listened to Elder Bednar give on a Chistmas Day here at the MTC.  I really wish all of you could watch it but I heard that you can only find it written.  If you have the time read it though.  I think it's called, " Character of Christ" or something like that.  Amazing point of view and a huge eye opener.  I love and miss you all but know that this is a good thing. Say some prayers for me. 

-------------Elder Holt

MTC - arrival

Jesse entered the Provo Missionary Training Center on November 20, 2013.  His first email arrived on the 22nd:

 "Checking in!  All's well and mijn collegas are sweet!  We're all super stoked to be here and progressing well.  It's kind of amazing to be seeing how fast and well we're all picking up the language. I'll keep it short, I don't get to really email until Tuesday, but I made it here and its going great!

-Love Elder Holt"

Tot ziens!

Four months can seem like a lifetime when waiting to enter the MTC.  Once that call came Jesse was anxious to get out there and start serving but he used his time well by continuing to study the Gospel and adding Dutch study to his curriculum. It was tricky getting ready with Mom and Dad on Vancouver Island and Jesse in St Albert but we got it all done - including getting visa requirements in record time.

Jesse finished work at the end of October and took a trip to Ottawa to say goodbye to his friends there, then on to the Island to have a "fake Christmas" with his family and then back to St Albert for an awesome open house at Aunt Jo-anne and Uncle Gerald's  - complete with oliebollen, speculaas, stroopwafels, poffertjes, and yes, pickled herring!  Thanks to all friends and family who braved the roads and came to bid Jesse farewell.  Sunday brought Jesse's farewell talk in the Mission Hill ward.  He gave an excellent talk on agency and was privileged to be accompanying high Councillor Rob Murray who inspired and entertained us with his thoughts on extending an invitation to all God's children.  Back at van Bruggens our family gathered one more time at van Bruggens for dinner - my undying gratitude to Gerald and Jo-anne for hosting, preparing and providing so much!  Sunday evening we met with President Garside and Jesse was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Monday was last minute errand day and finally, Tuesday, November 19, 2013 we watched as Elder Holt walked through the security screening and on to his new adventure.  It will be a great adventure.  Jesse is so ready and excited to share the good news the Gospel brings.  He is already a bold and enthusiastic missionary; teaching with the sisters, inviting his friends to learn of Christ, fellow shipping new members and setting an incredible example for all to follow.  We can't wait to hear of his experiences, observe his growth, share in his joy and support him through his disappointments.