So, we're finding lots of surprises that come with moving into an elder's apartment...Also, our apartment is also spider-ridden, thankfully just on the outside for now. (We counted 82 spiders outside the window the first night) And these aren't cute lil' fellows either. They're basically demons. Makes me think about all the missionaries in Ecuador, Argentina and the Philippines... Oh! and apparently we've been told we've got a little mouse friend as well, though he hasn't shown his face yet...updates to come.
And our apartment is literally in the middle of 2 huge cathedrals, so we never need a clock (that's for sure) and I feel like I'm Quasimodo, basically.
 |
| Cathedral in Hoorn |
 |
| Farewell to the Wheatleys |
 |
| Farewell Dudley |
 |
| Farewell Elders |
 |
| Farewell Zuster Twiggs! |
So, we're hoping that although he doesn't want new missionaries (elders) to come over anymore, he might get more involved playing in Sacrament meeting. *Fact* Did you know that pianist is one of the only callings that you can have and not be a member?
We also said goodby to Joyce and that just tears your heart out, BUT yesterday she came to church and is planning on bringing her kids next week!
Two things from Maastricht that I shall slightly miss less than others: 1. There's an old people bar right next to where we live and we used to get lots of interesting looks from old drunk men...2. there was this dude that used to moan in front of our window everyday at precisely the time between 8:00-8:20...shoot now I miss him:)
No, but I am truly loving Hoorn and the people we've met are all amazing! One of the perks of white washing a city that's been closed for two transfers means that we'll be doing lots of door knocking, which has been so fun! Met some awesome people and so exciting new potentials as well as an old shirtless Aussie man that was playing with his old man belly the whole time we were talking to him.
My new companion is Zuster Hanny, she was in my group in the MTC and she's the sister training leader, basically a District Leader or Zone Leader, but in charge of sisters, so we get to go on lots of fun excursions together to Haarlem and Amsterdam (finally made it to Amsterdam!) Super busy and lots and interesting advertisements...
 |
| Zuster Hanny |
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
We all have a specific inheritance reserved for each one of us in the kingdom of heaven, happiness and salvation custom made for us and it is through the heaviness and temptations of life that we become refined in order to not only be worth, but to be able to fully access the blessings and joy of said inheritance. Our trials of faith, whether that means that our testimonies are being questioned or if we have to try our own faith by exercising it and taking those small, few steps in the dark, are what prepares us, refines us, and enlightens us to be able to understand completely and access all the blessings that God has in store for us.
In Jeffrey R. Holland's talk, "The Cost of Discipleship", he quotes Isaiah, who prophesies of our day, when [These] children...will not hear the law of the Lord:
"[They] say to the seers. See not: and to the prophets. Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. And if people want and accept a God, they want Him to act on their terms: Elder Holland continues, "It is characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don't rock the boat but don't even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds."
Having an attitude of "anything you can do, I can do better", or "I don't believe in God, I believe in myself" has no substance to it; what qualifies us to make the rules or to change them? Are we not, in the grand and miniscule scheme of things, completely and wholly dependent on One much greater than us?
How many times do we disappoint others or others disappoint us or we disappoint ourselves? There has to come a time in everyone's life, where they have to turn to God because they literally have no one else, including themselves.
I know that God lives and that as we strive our best to "love one another as Jesus loves you", we will never be found wanting because it's by His grace that our unbelief is made whole.
Liefs,
Zuster Dobler
P.S. A Pday visit to Drielandenpunt (three country border)
 |
| Where Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium meet |
 |
| Including the highest elevation point in the Netherlands |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your interest in Zuster Dobler's misisonary experience. In order to keep this site protected, I would like to verify those who comments. I appreciate your understanding.
Martha Dobler, Johanna's mom