Week 62: Miracles

August 18, 2014

Geliefde Familie: 

I'm just going to start out with the coolest miracle of the week (and we've had a lot...Heavenly Father is really blessing us here--it's wonderful. I think opening up a city is what He does when He really needs people to rely on Him and commit to seeing miracles.). Last Saturday night. We were looking up the potential investigators that were written in the area book, and in one area, we saw a guy outside and decided to talk to him. So we had a cool conversation and shared a scripture and left. Actually, we got to teach two little kids how to pray also, which is one of my favorite things (and probably one of the riskiest because of scary parents) about missionary work. But before we left, the guy told us to go visit his daughter, who lives in a foster home. So we went on Monday night. Miracle #1: It didn't even rain a little while we were biking. We luckily found the place (the dad drew a dot on our map because he didn't know the actual address), and miracle #2: Charlie was home. She's 17, and spoke to us in English because she's actually from England. She invited us in (even though her foster mom wasn't exactly stoked, but since we had permission from her real dad, and she wanted to talk to us, we got to go inside), and we taught an AMAZING restoration lesson. Probably the best of my mission. Zr AA and I had great unity, we used a bunch of Visuals so that she could understand, and we asked her how she felt. The biggest miracle: listening to her try to explain the Holy Ghost. It was so cool. She was like, "I don't know! Happy? Excited? Like you two are my best friends? Curious?" We were able to take that opportunity to bear our testimonies that we knew that it was the Holy Ghost and that He testifies of truth. She was blown away. We asked her to be baptized and she said that she wants to learn more, but she loves learning more so probably later. We had another lesson with her on Friday, and she had kept all of her commitments AND she had to work to get to the appointment (it wasn't at her home this time), so I think she's really serious. She loves the Plan of Salvation. It really hit her that we can become like God. We have more lessons with her this week, so there will be updates to come! We love Charlie!

The after math of a giant torrential downpour!

 So you got the picture of us drenched. Actually, we were dry in the pictures. I had puddles in my boots. Not lying. It was disgusting and I don't know if they'll ever dry, but we were really close to the ocean and it was almost like we had just jumped in. The poor member that had to give us towels and socks when we showed up to her house. There was nothing to be done except laugh.

Pictures sent from a very kind member

I am actually starting to enjoy Lelystad. It's still the ugliest place ever and I don't necessarily like the feeling here, but I am enjoying the work. I really do like finding, I'm just scared that we'll actually be able knock the whole city. However, on that note, we talked to our Branch President yesterday (he's so cool) and he wants us to be doing a lot more service than we are doing. So I'm looking forward to that.

The Zone Leaders came last Saturday to help us find more potentials, and at one door, the guy stopped us and told us that our testimonies will have diminished by the time we're 25. So I asked him for his email so that I can email him in a few years to tell him that I have an even stronger testimony of the restored gospel. He gave it to me and as we were walking away, he told me that I'm too spontaneous and that I need to be more "rustig" like Elder Bitters, whom I was with. It was kind of funny, especially because I don't think I was being especially spontaneous, but oh well. He wasn't being mean, he was honestly giving me advice haha. I just wanted to write on my blog that I have to email that guy because maybe someday when I’m reading this, I'll remember and do it.

I sent you a letter of more details of my life here.

I love you people. I hope you're taking time every day to not just read the Book of Mormon, but to LEARN from it. There is so much we can learn that goes deeper than just the story. Dad, I'll never forget your example of scripture study for me. Almost every time I would walk into your room, you were studying in your scriptures. Not just reading, but you also had a pen. I love looking at your scriptures too. You can tell that they're the most important thing you own. I hope someday my kids know that about me based on my scriptures.

Don't forget that being chastened is a good thing. Chastisement leads us to repent, which then leads us to deliverance. We can't be saved without it.

IK HOU VAN JULLIE!

Zr Heilner

Also...thanks for the study abroad research, Mom. And for updating the blog. Love you love you love you

Week 61: I am here. Lelystad.

August 11, 2014

Geliefde Familie: 

The district (Den Haag)

This city is ugly. This city is small. But we are seeing a ton of miracles. Zr AA is a really hard worker, and we are praying for miracles frequently, so they're coming. Our ZTL called and said that miracles always happen when you open a city. It's true! A small example: we didn't have a dinner appointment last night, and we also don't have a lot going on investigator-wise, so our whole day would be just finding. But before church we were like, ''Let's have the faith to get a dinner appointment tonight!'' so we changed our plans to allow for time for a dinner appointment. Well, we got one with the coolest family ever. One of the sons is going on a mission to Nebraska and all the other kids are inactive, but it was such a fun appointment. AND it was raining like nobody's business, so we were happy to not be going door-to-door. 

Megan's birthday is tomorrow so everybody should email her a happy birthday. 

This transfer is weird. I've decided to study temperance and self-control. It's been interesting. Since we don't have any investigators to study for most days, I can just study what I want for most of personal study. The gospel is all connected. I've been learning that temperance is not being passive. It's an action and it takes work. It also takes a lot of faith, which is how I know the gospel is so interconnected. Because faith is also the driving force for spiritual gifts and miracles and results. 

Can I just take a moment to bear my testimony of the Atonement? I know it's real. I know that when we truly want to change, Christ will help us. We all do things that aren't right. If we didn't we would be assumed into heaven already. We are here to learn and make mistakes and learn from them and SEEK forgiveness. But the Atonement is long suffering and it works for us all. I'm so grateful for that.

We have had some really weird things happen, such as people coming to help us with yard work and asking us on dates, getting lost hopelessly because of this WEIRD address system, but we've also seen so much success. We decided we were going to have a ''power hour'' before dinner one day, so we went out, taught a lesson, got an appointment, met people from St. Martin (my favorite island in the Caribbean based on how friendly the people are), and didn't get lost! This is going to work.

So...4 months from today I will get to see you glorious people. Weird, huh?

IK HOU VAN JULLIE!

Have a great week,

Zr Heilner

Saying goodbye to Estrella

Dead man Ipson, one of my favorite ZLs

Cutest kids in the den Haag ward

Week 60: Heavenly Father Is Aware Of Us!

August 4, 2014

Geliefde Familie: 

Het strand :)

So yep, I'm getting transferred. I sent Mom the address so if anybody needs it (I LOVE LETTERS) email her at rheilner@gmail.com. Lelystad, here I come! It'll be interesting because me and my companion are new, but I hear Zr Adams (we'll call her Zr AA I guess because her first name is A) is a really hard worker, so I'm glad. I also got released as ZTL. I'll miss getting to go on exchanges and going to mission leader council, but I know Zr Spencer is going to be amazing. I'm still in den Haag zone, so I won't be super far I guess. Zr A is going to Turnhout in Belgium and Zr W is coming here with een groentje!

How I feel about not being Zr A’s comp

EVERYBODY is leaving. Some of my favorite missionaries are going home this transfer, and then if you can believe it, my trainer is going home next transfer! Well, she extended three weeks, but...I told myself I wasn't allowed to freak out until Zr H left, and here we almost are. She just got called to Maastricht. She's gonna love it. I'm so excited for her. That's such a great place.

We had a few really cool miracles this week. We have been working a TON with less active members, and one of them has been really struggling--she's even suicidal. I may have told you about her last week. But anyway, she wanted a blessing, and we went over there with the Elders to do that. So after the blessing, we decided we wanted to show her a Mormon message, and lo and behold, there's a new one! So we were like, well, it'll probably be good, so we played it. It's the story of a guy who was suicidal and how he found the Savior. It's beautiful, and it was EXACTLY what she needed. I'll share the link of it, because it's awesome and you should all share it on Facebook or something.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages

So we were fasting yesterday, and I realized how badly I miss Mom's pulled pork sandwiches...can I request to have that on the first Sunday when I get back? I know it's random, but I don't want to forget it.

Another great miracle: We were at a dinner appointment, and it was going awesome. They're this young couple that is just really fun. Anyway, we were leaving, and they asked if we had any appointments. We told them no, but we had some people to go look up....unless they knew anybody that needed a visit. Then they gave us this referral of two Brazilian ladies that are SO CUTE! We went over there and they invited us right in and we told them we had a book to share with them in Portuguese. We of course bonded over me knowing a city in Brazil--Campinas. Anyway, we called the Elders to see if they could meet us with a Portuguese BOM so that we could give it to them right then, and they did and we brought it back and taught them about the Book of Mormon and they said they'd read. It was so cool! We planned on stopping by again this week...we will have to tell the new sisters to do that. Oh man, soo much to do before Wednesday!

The subject line is that Heavenly Father is aware of us. I know He is. There is a sister that served here and went home about 4 months ago who is sort of a legend here. She's awesome. She has something called "vapor trails," or some sign that you see that lets you know that God loves you. I thought that was so cool, but I couldn't figure out what mine was until a few weeks ago. I actually prayed to know if there WAS something that He did when He just wanted me to know He's aware. And in the middle of the night, I was woken up by a thunderstorm, which is one of my favorite things ever. So I considered that an answer to my prayer.

Love this woman! 

Last night, I was kind of upset about transfers. I know it'll be fine, but I was just sad to be leaving. I COULD NOT fall asleep, which isn't usually an issue for me, but Wendi Self-taught me that when you can't sleep, it's because God wants to talk to you. So I was just prayin'. And then I heard rain! Yep, thunderstorms in the middle of the night. Love it. He's aware of us. AND THEN, I had a prompting to open my scriptures this morning as I was packing my desk, and I flipped to a section in the D&C that basically says, just go. It'll be okay and I don't want you to tarry here forever. He knows.

Well I love you. I challenge you all to look for a way that the Lord lets you know that He cares this week.

IK HOU VAN JULLIE,

Zr Heilner

Someone hit me last week on my bike...HIS FAULT

Zr Kelly!

FOLLY <3

We had fun in primary this week.

Week 59: One More Week Together!

July 28, 2014

Geliefde Familie:

Well, well well, another week GONE. That means I have only one full week left with Zr A. We have no idea who will be leaving, but the APs have told us one of us is leaving. It's cool, we are preparing emotionally. It's gonna be hard, but we have to do hard things in life. We are thinking of telling the APs when they call us that we will only accept the transfer calls on some conditions: that we can call each other every week and sleep in the same city the night before temple conference. We'll see how it goes down.

This week was actually quite eventful. I can't say much, but I'm sure you heard about what happened with Russia shooting down that plane. We had a national day of mourning on Wednesday because of it. And the day before, a little boy from the den Bosch ward drowned at an LDS camp for families. Just a lot of depressing things. We've heard of a lot of people dying and it's just really good to know that there's more to life than this life.

We had Zone Training this week. Yes, Mom, I should be on the mission blog from a MLC the week before. Anyway, Elder Bitters (who was in my MTC group) talked about our calling, I talked about change and how the Lord chastens us so that we can grow into what He knows we can become, and Elder Sumter talked about the Book of Mormon and how we can always have a spiritual experience when we read. I was SO impressed with Elder Bitters. He planned so much for it. This was his first Zone Training, and he did so well. It's been so cool to see him grow throughout his mission. I'm so glad we get to come on missions. Just getting to interact with Elder Bitters (Remember, I spent six weeks in a room with him and 8 other people...we know each other pretty well) lets me see how much we change and become what Heavenly Father wants us to become.

So, last Sunday, we were just biking to look somebody up, and as we were turning a corner, we saw a lady. Mid-sentence, I was like, "Stop, we gotta contact her," so we did and we shared a little bit about the Book of Mormon and got her information. So we looked her up a few nights ago, and she was home! We asked if she had a little bit of time to hear more about it, and she took us to a bench outside so we could talk in peace (she has four kids, so I could totally sympathize with how noisy her house was haha) we shared a great lesson with her and she's now a new investigator! We were so happy. It was exactly what we needed.

Zuster Aston is wonderful. She's exactly what I needed at this point on my mission. She got a blessing that said that we're gonna be eternal friends, so that was pretty sweet.

IK HOU VAN JULLIE. Seriously,  a lot.

Liefs,

Zr Heilner

Week 58: Moroni 7. Miracles have not ceased.

July 21, 2014

Ik ga graag naar de Tempel

Geliefde Familie:

Okay so first, Mom asked for details about the baptism and why it as stressful:

-We had an hour after Sacrament Meeting and we couldn't go in the chapel because the choir was practicing.

-We (mostly Zr A) made this slide show/video that was 12 minutes long but would only play 3 minutes of audio, so we had to do it separately. So when we finally COULD go in the chapel, nobody knew what we were talking about so it was just really hard and in the end it didn't work and one of the members just played the piano.

-We were baking cookies in the kitchen because we had no time the rest of the week, and we were fighting off mobs of all ages asking to try them before the baptism. NO, BACK OFF.

-It was hotter than the asphalt on Satan's driveway.

I still didn't do it justice. But anyway, we've been getting to actually teach Ethlyn again, which is nice. I love teaching her. The Spirit is always there in her house. For like the last two weeks before her baptism, we were just doing logistical things every time we went over mostly, but now we are actually teaching her the lessons again and I'm loving it. It's amazing how much you can still learn no matter how many times you've read or heard the restoration.

So here in den Haag, we hadn't seen a lot of miracles. It was kind of discouraging. But I went on an exchange to Zoetermeer this week, which is where the temple is. Our plans had fallen through for the evening, so I was like, "Zr Watkins, are there any look ups we can do close to the temple? And can we bike by, like...really slowly?" I just really wanted to see the temple. I miss it. So we found someone close and went by the temple. It was glorious. We stopped and took a picture even. It helped. Then we went to the look up. There was so much opposition getting into that house--there were loud people so she couldn't hear us as we were trying to ring her bell to come up. There was pee EVERYWHERE. Luckily Zr W had hand sanitizer because the walls of the elevator had pee dripping down them. Anway, we rang her bell. Nothing. Knocked. Nothing. Knocked louder and FINALLY she came to the door and invited us right in. It was amazing. She had been meeting with the missionaries a few years ago and when we asked why she stopped she was like, Ï don't really know..." so we made another appointment for them and she's a new nvestigator! Amazing. Miracles have not ceased as long as we have faith. I prayed that I would have the faith to see a miracle in Zoetermeer that day. Moroni 7:35-37. It's all about our faith.

So then in Den Haag, I prayed for the same thing. We were doing a lot of finding and we were just trying to keep it fun. I even flicked a spider on its web, that was terrifying. Anyway, we went all the way down this street and NOTHING. Then the last door, a lady opened up and told us to speak English. She and her family are from Iran. They invited us in. It was so cool. The Spirit was so strong and I know they felt it. We taught about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. After the prayer, we looked up and Zara (the mom) was crying. It was so cool. We brought them an English book of Mormon, but they are leaving for Iran for a month, but when they get back, we have an appointment. I'm so excited. These people are prepared. Miracles have not ceased, we just have to have the faith that we will see them.

Flicking the spider right before we found Zara and Ali

Updates on our weird tacos: we only had beef, pears, and white cheese in the fridge basically. So we made tacos with it and it was actually quite good. And probably a little healthier than bacon tacos.

Well, I love you people so much. I am learning a ton, and I hope you are too. Miss you guys!

IK HOU VAN JULLIE

Zr Heilner

Week 57: "Let's Get Messi"

July 14, 2014  Geliefde Familie: Just a little Zr A love

This week was emotional. So many ups and downs with the world cup and the "after baptism blues" (A quote from our District Leader...I didn't know that was a thing). Zr A and I literally ended last night lying on the bathroom floor cry-singing to the hymns we have haha. We were fake crying, don't worry. We were just forced to do some things we didn't really want to do today for P-Day, so we were upset, but whatever. We are alive, Nederland got third place in the WK and we are slowly but surely getting investigators.

We got to watch the WK at Ethlyn's!! It was so fun. I brought that brownie mix that mom sent me and so we had brownies and trash talked in all the Spanish we knew. Ethlyn is from Curacao, so she helped us because she speaks Spanish. We said things like "you are small" and stuff. They were scared.

Watching the game at Ethlyn's!

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARKKKKKKKKKK happy birthday. You're the best little brother in the world. Hope you enjoy the letter--I sent it to Grammy's. Sorry I can't wake you up this year by lying on top of you or anything. Love you. SpockSpockSpockSpockSpockSpockSpockSpockSpock

I'm glad you got those pictures from Ethlyn. I got the skirt at a 2nd hand booth in the market for 3.50. Oh also, Mom, to answer your question--the people from Maastricht that I was teaching. Iv got baptized!! He's so awesome. And D isn't allowed to get baptized right now. F is the cutest person ever still, and I hope she's doing well. She got a new job so she's staying in Maastricht longer than we thought. I love her so much. I need to write her.

So Ethlyn was confirmed yesterday, so I guess last week's freak-out about her being a member was actually not quite true. Anyway, she is now! And she said that she could definitely feel the difference. We asked what the Gift of the Holy Ghost was like and she said, "Well, He's definitely always there!" She's amazing. Now that she's baptized we have less investigators, but that's life. We're working hard. Ethlyn's seeing a lot of opposition too, with her family's health. Pray for her sister Celly. She got some bad news today. There were a lot of people at her baptism, and they all had a positive view of the church I think.

Mom, can you send me Lucy's email address?? Can you tell her to email me? I have a favor to ask.

I love you people. I hope you're having fun in Utah. Weird that I was there a year ago when you stalked me walking to the Marriott center haha. I want to bear my testimony on trials. I know Heavenly Father wants us to grow. When we have hard times, it isn't because he's ignored us. He wants us to be happy, so he gives us hard things so we can learn from them. It's like how we have to do awkward things in district meeting so that we won't find ourselves in awkward situations in real life. Anyway, Heavenly Father is preparing us for something much more important. It's like in the song "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul." It says "Chasten my soul till I shall be in perfect harmony with thee. Make me more worthy of thy love, and fit me for the life above." We need to remember that when we have hard times, we should be grateful then, too.

IK HOU VAN JULLIE!

Liefs,

Everybody's Favorite Sister Missionary

People get pretty serious here with the brackets. Since Brazil got 4, NL got 3, Annie will go to Argentina on her mission and Mark will go to Germany.

Elders Denpai and Pugh

Watching the game!

Den Haag

Week 56: IT HAPPENED!!

July 7, 2014

Geliefde Familie:

IT HAPPENED. ETHLYN  IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. Oh mijn GOEDHEID that was the most stressful baptism ever, but it was really special to get to talk to her right after and see her huge smile. She's so great. Such a good member. I know that there were a lot of things (and missionaries) that helped her, and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it. We gave her beads for her dreads that have to do with how she describes us. I gave her one with a cool texture because when you rub it against your hand, it's uncomfortable. She always tells me I push her out of her comfort zone.

NORNS NORNS NORNS! Santiago East. I'm so excited for you. You're such a good example. You're going to be a very, very powerful missionary. I love you, kid.

We had a pretty cool district meeting this week. We were talking about how we can better learn Dutch. We were talking about how most of us have learned languages before, but never has it come so quickly as with Dutch. Then our DL brought up how we were foreordained to come on a mission here, meaning, in the preexistence, we already knew we'd be learning Dutch. So the MTC was probably not the first time we'd learned it. How cool is THAT?! The Spirit was really strong as we were talking about it. I'm not gonna lie, I sort of think a lot about how I just want to study German after this, and if I keep my Dutch, great, but if not, I won't be too sad as long as I speak German. But after we talked about that, it made me want to keep my Dutch even more.

I was also studying in Mormon 9 this week. One of my favorite chapters of the Book of Mormon. It talks about doubting nothing. I will never forget 28 April 2013--Mom and I were driving back to Texas from BYU and I was sitting in the car reading in Mosiah 10 and I came across the footnote "Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh" in the topical guide. I've let that guide my studies on multiple occasions since then, and it's been cool to see a lot of things build on that. Trusting in the Lord is SO important. If we don't have faith in His timing or His ways or His plan, we'll never progress. If we want Spiritual understanding (what I've been studying a lot recently), we have to doubt nothing that comes from Heavenly Father.

Well, Mom, I've gone my whole life resenting the fact that my name is Katherine, and not just Katie, thinking that your reason of "Well, now when you're older you can change it if you want," was lame, but I think I understand it now, and I'm probably going to start introducing myself as Katherine after this. Congratulations. No, Annie, I'm not going to go by "kit kat," but you can call me Kat.

I love being a missionary. It's hilarious; it's hard; it's stressful. I get told the WEIRDEST THINGS. I get cool gifts (Ethlyn's sister gave me her necklace, that was super nice). Actually Mom, before I forget, I would LOVE to read some of your journal entries from your mission. Or Dad. That would be so cool if you could scan them and send them to me if you want.

IK HOU VAN JULLIE

Liefs,

Zr Heilner

Ethlyn and Charlotte, another member