Week 92 - A Star is Born

Beautiful day in the land of delicious chocolate and waffles.  Last night we had a cool ´´light show´´ from the lightening that was non-stop, but you also couldn´t hear it.  It was so great.

This past week was pretty great.  Not like many other weeks, but great none the less. First off...we were in a movie!  A member has a family member who was working on a short film and needed some background people.  We were asked if we could help out and got permission to go.  Probably the funnest service project one could do. We were dressed up and then had our faces painted and got to see how films were made.  It was way interesting and also way long haha. New respect for the 10 second clips in films that get put together to make scenes.

We had a zone conference this week in Zoeetmeer, had the chance to hear form our Mission President, his Wife and Elder Dyches who is a counselor in the area presidency.  We learned about chapter 10 in PMG and also how to work with members.  How to gain their trust and be that missionary that is like Ammon; wanting to serve and not get anything in return.  Members have made all the difference throughout the past 21 months.  It´s become a huge part of life and also has helped open my eyes to see what kind of member I can be and how I want to become that person.  I hope you all invite missionaries over, not always to feed, but to let them share an uplifting thought and their testimony with you.  They can really help you build up spiritual strength and endurance plus they can help you find the joy that comes with sharing the truths of the gospel with others. It will not only help you, but it will help the missionaries feel fulfilled as they come to know the ones they have been entrusted to serve.  It can sometimes be overwhelming to reach out to all the members and not have people come to you and it´s so great when a member comes up to a missionary and invites them over for a drink of juice and a snack.  It not only builds a relationship but also unity and love which will only enhance the Spirit in your life and the missionary work in your area.

We started teaching 2 new friends this past week and had great conversations on the trams and buses with people. One of my favourite conversations this week was when we met a man on the tram who kind of began his conversation with us leaning towards the joking side.  We began to ask questions to bring it back to reality and help his life more than jokes or things from tv.  In the end, he ended up riding further than his stop to our stop and then continued talking to us before we had to catch our tram.  He went from not agreeing with what we shared with him at the beginning but we were able to help him see the truths and it all came from asking questions that would pull out vs pushing in and then sharing things that were pulled in vs pushed in.  It was really cool to see the change in the man as we finished our talk.  It´s become apparent that everyone has truths and is being taught by God the Father in various ways.  What a joy it is to connect the dots to the message of the restoration with them and help them feel that Spirit that helps soften their hearts.

I hope you guys have a good week and kick some butt in whatever you do.  

Elder Holt

Week 91 - Training and Whitewashing in Antwerpen

It's pretty normal to get a call from the mission President.  He calls to say thank you for the time that you served zones and then, if needed, extends and explains the new assignment that is given to you.  He called to inform me that I was to come to Antwerpen to serve the District and that I would be with a missionary who would be on their 2nd transfer. However, I got a call Tuesday evening informing me of changes being made and that I was going to become a ''father'' and receive my 1st baby boy.  Now it's my companion and I, who's been in the land for almost 1 week and we're loving white-washing.  It was all really sudden so unfortunately the Elders who were previously here didn't have a lot of time to get things prepared for us but it's all working out.  Luckily Elder Ames and I white washed Eindhoven when we were there so we have ideas on how to get control of the area. 

It's been great being back in Belgium.  I didn't realize how much I loved the Vlaams accent but at the same time...I miss the Dutch accent.  Weird how that works.  Our first day, Elder McBride and I spent some time walking the streets, talking to people as we waited for the Zone Leaders to bring us to our apartment.  We were greeted with a warm welcome by a man from a foreign country who decided he wanted to wrap a bandanna around his fist and let us know he doesn't like us : ) haha I don't think he fully understood who we were but the Lord watches over us and we were able to defuse the situation and move forward.  As we continued to speak to people, we made it back to the Central Station to find 20 police cars and tape all around the station indicating to people that they should not enter.  Turns out someone left their bag and they needed to make sure it wasn't a bomb. I got to say...after that first night of doing missionary work for 1 hour...I was a little shaken up but the next morning Elder McBride shared what he learned in his personal study which really helped bring that level of confidence up.  I was not only reminded that we will be taken care of, but also reminded how much others have gone through, which has been way worse, in order to share the truths of life with those around them for their Lord.

So the next day we went out, looking forward to serve the citizens of the area.  We met some really nice people.  As time went on...the perspective of the city changed to the point where I didn't remember our friend who liked to show off his bandanna or the incident at the train station.  The love that we were developing for the people was starting to overcome the fear and you could see that the people could feel and notice the love.

We get the privilege to meet with people who are from all over the world here in Antwerpen. Some of whom are LDS from another country.  As we tried to make it home...we ended up getting a lost.  We got lost in the same neighborhood as we met our bandanna friend in our first day.  By this time we didn't remember that and just did our best to reach out to others and give them the opportunity to say ''yes'' or ''no'' to what we shared.  After all, ''100% of chances that aren't taken, are missed."  We found a member who was from Mexico but became less active.  We had an awesome discussion with her and enjoyed being able to help remind her of things that she had forgotten.  We found a man from Florida who was filled with experiences and insights that reassured us that people are ready and just need to be invited to listen to the words that we share.  We even found a lady who we exchanged numbers with to invite her to a YSA activity. It was these experiences which helped me realize that coming over fears is hard but that if we focus on what the Lord has offered us to do, that He will help the weak things become strong.

Antwerpen is filled with many religions and beliefs.  One of the largest being Jewish.  We had a conversation with a Jewish man on the train who in return asked where we had learned the insights that we shared.  You could notice that his countenance had changed throughout the conversation to the point where he wanted to learn more.  We got to share with him how we had learned the things we talked about, which was through prayer, and share how prayer can help us.  I kind of hesitate in giving people who are so active in their faith a mormon.org card and sad to say I wasn't going to give him one but he ended up asking us if we had anything to give him like a business card.  Another reminder to help people come closer to God through the restored Gospel.

It was a good week.  I've been trying to put focus on learning how I can do missionary work at home, but learn how I can do that while being here.  As we were in the grocery store, there was a man in front of us.  I decided that this was a situation that I could see myself in while being at home. So...a prayer was said in my heart and I decided to crack a joke about something which lead to a conversation.  Eventually we both paid for our food and it was time to just let him know that I was a follower of Christ; Iasked him a question, and shared that what we did was help people to continually develop their faith and spirituality in Christ.  In the end we got his address and will be going over soon.  It can be scary because we think it's weird to open our mouths to those we don't know or even those we do know but there is only one way to build confidence and that’s the same way as building a house.; starting somewhere and continually moving forward by building upwards.  It's a great feeling to find those who are willing.  It's a feeling that really can only be experienced and not described. It's a feeling that is filled and not emptied.  Even if the invitation is declined...you still have that feeling because you know that you did your best and that's all that is asked.  You will be surprised how many people are actually open to hear your words.  After all, everyone has questions with no answers and almost everyone loves good.  The success and joy of sharing the Gospel that has blessed our life doesn't come from a yes that depends on another’s free will, but comes from the yes that depends on your free will to be that friendly person to give the chance to another to learn the truths of eternal joy.

Antwerpen is a great city and what a blessing it is to be here.  Love you all and I hope everything is good.  I've been thinking about happiness vs joy and I invite you all to do the same.

Take care and love you, 

Elder Holt  

Week 90 - Trusting God's Plan for Us

Well...just when you thought you caught an idea about what the Lord had planned for you in life...you realize that you have no idea what He has planned for you : )  I´ve been constantly learning that I will never fully understand the what the Lord has in store but I will understand how He can help me.

Got some news for you all : ) Turns out I´m doing my 2nd ´´one-n-done´´ in my mission!  I will unfortunately be leaving beloved Apeldoorn.  It has been a great experience to build relationships with the members here.  Again, I can´t get over their experiences and wish I could thank them all for their words that have built me up.  Elder Abankie and I were blessed to see many miracles.  We've seen the joy and happiness that comes with serving our ward family.  I´ll miss them and am sad that I got one transfer to be with them but the Lord knows what He´s doing.  The more I come to learn how He works with me, the more comfortable I become.  How great it is that we can test our faith and He will never let us down as we strive to seek for His answers in the ways He´s taught us.  Don´t wait for them to come, but go out and find them.  

I feel that the more we come to understand His guidance and come to trust in God, we ourselves become more comfortable and confident in who we are because we realize that we have the skills and attributes that are needed to overcome whatever is thrown into our path. At the same time, He´s not going to hold us back or assist us if we are capable of doing it independently.  At least in the ways that maybe we would wish.  Just knowing that He´s there and has confidence in you.  Not the confidence that you´ll do it perfectly but the confidence that you can do it.

Got a call yesterday from President Bunnell.  Elder Abankie and I were setting up things in order to help us fulfill the Bishop’s mission plan until we had an appointment with a friend of ours who we are teaching.  Usually we get phone calls around 7-730.  We didn´t get a phone call and went to the appointment thinking that we were both staying but just when that was accepted in our minds...we got a phone call from our Mission President : ) I was asked if I would be able to move to Belgium where I would be serving in the Antwerpen area.  The Lord is a funny man.  Sometimes you can´t help but just smile and shake your head.  So that´s that.  Elder Holt is going to his 8th city.  I guess I´m not a ´´stick around guy´´.  Now the question is will this be my last city or will I pull another ´´one-and-done´´?  One thing is certain...I´m not going to limit myself in thinking either of the options and just prepare for the future by taking every day one step at a time and taking advantage of the opportunities that will be thrown my way.

This week was great.  We got to teach our friends.  One of them came to church again!  It´s always nice spending your days and doing things that you love with friends.  We had a great lesson and a great Sunday at church.  One of our member friends is leaving on their mission and gave their going away talk.  Weird to see that, especially because they read their talk from paper which reminded me of an event that happened 21 months ago.  A family informed us that their grandchild got their mission call and will be going to the MTC in November, which was also a new experience.  There a many young adults who are the next generation and how amazing and talented they are.  

Next week I´ll be using the French style keyboards again :( It´s going to make typing a tad difficult but everything´ll work out.  I hope you guys have a good week and live every day with a purpose that will push you to become the person you can be.  I´ll do the same.  Love you guys!

Elder Holt

Week 89 - The Power of Unity

Goede Morgen allemaal, 

It´s been a great week here in Apeldoorn. Hard to think that at the end of week we have transfer calls and everything could change.  Elder Abankie and I have been having such a blast and have had the opportunity to learn a lot from one another.  We’ve got at least one more week together so we’re ready to make the most of it.  Who knows...maybe we´ll do another one together!  Stay tuned until next time.

Last week I mentioned how we got to set up an appointment with a friend of the members while we were doing service.  Happy to inform you that the lesson went great! We got to teach with our member friend as we taught our new friend who´s learning about the church.  Their input and testimony was great.  Heck...it was like they practiced teaching with us! Elder Abankie and I don´t get to teach too much together seeing how we´re on exchanges all the time....but I don´t think you would be able to tell. The Lord teaches us about the power of unity and even gives us guidance to build up unity. It´s been cool to learn and try to apply these things in order to help gain experiences about these things over and over again to help me get a better grip and testimony of it.

We´re taught on our mission to talk about lessons and to figure out what could have been better.  We´ve done our best at applying this and figured out after the very first lesson, how we could communicate with one another throughout the lesson. Elder Abankie is a great example of being a friend before being a companion.  His example and help teach me the power that comes from this and has shown that strong unity comes from friendship and not from being “on the same page”. ´´Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.´´  

We had a surprise phone call on Monday.  It was from a friend who we use to teach but they decided they could use some space and time to figure things out.  They really needed someone to talk to and seek help from.  Unfortunately, as missionaries, we´re advised not to give life counsel – just teach what can help them but now I understand why and appreciate that counsel given.  We can´t solve people’s problems...we help them solve their problems.  It was nice to know that our friend trusted us and felt impressed to reach out to us. Amazing how feelings of a sort of family-hood is created with the people you serve.  We got to have another lesson with this friend a couple days later. This time we brought a member with us who would be able to help with advice.  It was a great week.

I have some photos so I´ll email them today.  I love hearing about everyone at home and hear how they´re doing.  I miss you guys and am excited to reunite...but as for now...we can wait : )  LoveYouBye.

Elder Holt

with one of Uncle Bob's converts

Home made Pho

Week 88 - How Do You Know If You Are Serving Well Enough?

This week was great.  Being able to visit older cities is so great.  So happy to have the opportunity to serve in Zone Apeldoorn again.  Come to think about...it’s such a great opportunity to serve everywhere. This country is just so freaking awesome. I got to visit one of my older cities.  I hit my year mark there.  The beloved city of Hengelo.  It´s great to be able to visit these places and to hear the different accents that these places have.  It´s gotten to the point where I can kind of pick up accents and know where people come from. I love the accent of the Twents people.  It´s kind of like a Dutch farmer accent.  Reminds me of some people from home.  It´s always nice being reunited with old friends.  Even if they don´t remember your name, they remember your face and are so excited to see you. That´s helped me to get a feel for the power of being reunited and has given me a greater desire to come back in touch or keep in touch with my friends over the years.

We had a busy week.  Exchanges every day of the week except for Saturday when we went on a Joint Teach with a companionship of Sisters in the zone.  I´m always reminded with how easy and possible it can be to love someone that you don´t know.  We just met the person that the sisters were teaching and you couldn´t help but feel charity and love towards them.  It´s true when we are taught that if you have the desire to develop charity towards the people and you pray for it and do little things to help develop it...that it comes.  It just takes patience and some practice on our part.

We had the privilege to accompany a family of the ward doing service this past week.  It´s always so great to work side by side with people.  It´s a way different feel and environment than sitting at a dinner table.  So please!....invite the missionaries to help you with something! They love it.  Anyways, they had a friend over who was helping them with service.  We all laughed and had fun as we were doing the service project and then came the time when we had to leave.  Now, that morning we had interviews with our new Mission President and his wife.  He encouraged me to make the most of the remainder of my time and to work my butt off. That day, I was thinking how I was going to do that...how I was going to work my butt off.

Now, when people say work their butt off...I first think of sweating and being exhausted after training for voetbal or something.  But the more I thought about it...I came to the conclusion that working my butt off entailed something more.  That something being taking advantage of any opportunity I have to fulfill my purpose.  So, my comp and I decided to take advantage of this opportunity,(it didn´t matter if they said no because we respect every one’s free will). We got to talking about things and arranged a time to meet and talk more about the Gospel.  What a great job our member friends did!  I don´t even think that was part of their intentions either haha and I feel like we can say thank you and let them know that they fulfilled their promise that they made with their Heavenly Father with helping share the Gospel.  It can be so easy and so great...it doesn’t have to be a slam dunk or anything close to it...just helping people feel Gods love and experiencing the joy of service.

Elder Abankie and I have been able to make friends with the ward members.  They’re so freaking cool and funny haha.  I love the Dutch humour and hope to bring it back to Canada.  We had a really nice fast and testimony.  I love the words and experiences of others.  I don´t think they understand how much they mean to me.  I hear their conversion stories and what has helped them keep strong in the gospel and get filled up with....motivation or something.  I remember I had the question to my old mission president..., ´´How do you know if you are serving well enough for those around you? `` He wrote back and said it one sentence.  ´´Elder Holt, you don't know it. You do your best and follow the spirit. The Lord will qualify you and your influence is often in ways you didn't intend or plan. 

And those goes for us all.  

Love you guys.  Have a good week!  Love you bye,

Elder Holt