T'jonge jonge...I totally forgot that it was Fathers’ Day...they don't have that here. It's
ok.....it’s the World Cup now...there are "more important" things
going on. haha
This past weekend the Lord’s Branch here in Genk was blessed by
attending the Baptism of our good friend here. My friend...we'll call her
Kiya...is an amazing women of faith, patience, charity, devotion, and so many
more but I just don’t have time to write them all. I’ve been blessed by
meeting with her for 7 weeks now. It’s really something to look back on
the first time meeting with her....and then watch make her first covenant and
then participating in her confirmation. She is a very strong women.
It has been a blessing watching her progression and seeing her life change for
the better. She is the definition of an example.
We had a really special baptismal service. She chose her hymns
because of what they were saying and how they related to her. She asked 2
of our members to give talks...they were 2 well-put talks that inspired all of
us...especially our friends who are working to get baptized in a couple
weeks. We listened to uplifting music as she and the priesthood holder
got changed and we just basked in the warm, comforting, joyful feeling that
attended us throughout the baptism. Kiya's friends, who introduced her to
the Gospel came to the baptism! They drove a couple hours to get there
and it made her day! Kiya bore her testimony at the end of the service
and man...I can’t write to you how impressed and happy I am for her.
We had 3 of our friends who attended Kiyas baptism. They got to
see how a baptismal service went and then they got to see how the confirmation
went yesterday. My MTC companion and his companion invited their friend
who came to the baptismal service. She is working towards her baptismal
service. We had a total of 4 friends there....and the ward members made
everyone feel right at home. I’ve noticed that everyone here takes fellowshiping
into best-frirendshipping..haha. Heck, Kiya got gifts and hugs form the ward
members and our friends who are working to their baptism. They have all
become like family...it’s a nice thing to see.
The Lord has been blessing this branch. Maybe it is because they
all sacrifice so much to help us get to all our appointments. Maybe it's
because they pray all the time for us and the people we are teaching.
Maybe it’s because they join us all the time when we teach our friends and a
friendship is created. Maybe it’s because the Lord sees that the time is
right for the Branch here to grow.....there are so many possibilities. I
think it has to do with all of them. But, I think the biggest factor is
that the branch members put ALL OF THEIR TRUST into the Lord. Like every
single ounce. They are all converts of many years. They have had
many trials because they are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. Their stories have a pattern of submitting everything
to God. They pour their heart and thoughts out and leave the rest to the
Lord willing to accept His answer. One of the members here was going to a
Seminary school to become a baptizing Priest or something like that. He said he
became concerned that he couldn’t find the God in the New Testament. He
recalled walking to his room and seeing his poster of the Savior and
Mary. A thought came to his mind that he couldn’t worship the two.
He knew it wasn’t right. So....he tore the section with Mary off and put it
aside. He then stacked things up as high as he could in his room in order
to get as close as he could to God. He then expressed every thought and
feeling in prayer. He stated at the end, "If you are there...I beg
you to please help me find you". After his prayer a thought came to mind
to go get a haircut. Haha, he thought that was funny. But he said in his
prayer that he could follow any direction he got so our member went and got his
hair cut. As he was walking to get his haircut...two missionaries tapped
on his shoulder and introduced him to the restored gospel. They went back
the next day to speak with our member and boom.....invited him to get
baptized. He was baptized; right before graduation from his Seminary.
He said if the timing hadn’t played out how it did...he would have graduated
and would never have paid attention to the missionaries. The missionaries
taught him one week before he would have graduated. This man was called
to be a branch councillor his first Sunday as a ward member. Haha. Another
awesome story. He then served as a Branch President and a District
President. 4 years after his baptism he served a mission at the age of
28. People kept telling him he was too old but he knew that it wasn’t
their decision....it was the Lords. So....he did his interviews and the
papers were submitted. He knew that the Lord would have him go where he
was needed. He got his call and he served his mission in the
Belgium/Nederland mission. His mission impacted many. His journal
helped a young man go on a mission. Our member friend is well known and
his work is highly appreciated.
I didn't get to write in too much detail but I hope you can see the
example that my member friend set for us. He put ALL of his trust in the
Lord. He completely submitted and was down to do whatever was asked for him as
long as it was good. This amazing example has helped me see the importance
of relying on the Lord. I feel like we hold back being afraid that the
outcome won’t be what we thought or the chance of nothing happening holds us
back. We aren't going to have these amazing experiences if we don't give
the Lord a chance.
I know I am going to start seeking the advice and relying on the counsel
given to me from my Father in Heaven. I know that He is with us. I
know that if we give Him the chance...He will show us that He is here.
Let us all keep our eyes single to the glory of God and let him reach out to
us. I can tell you that you recognize His work if you give Him all you’ve
got.
Love you all and happy belated Fathers’ Day.
-Elder Holt
PS. It sucks being in Europe when the World Cup is on when you are
a missionary....I have promised not to watch voetbal. Jaamer
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