So Christmas time was active for us. We went with the other two Elders in our ward (who we do a lot with btw) and we went caroling to members, less actives, investigators etc... Was really cool....
I don't have time for all, but I want to share a story of someone we visited Christmas day. It is a good example of what I'm learning about true Christmas spirit. And of just plain Christ's Spirit.... here goes: (I copied what I shared to president, cause I like the way I put it)
"This Christmas week went well. In that we were able to go caroling to many different members, less active members, investigators etc. I enjoyed being able to be out and active on Christmas day. I agree with what was said, that it's a time to come closer to Christ.
When we were visiting people we thought of a member who has recently starting coming back to church. We visited her and when she opened the door we just starting singing a Christmas hymn. She loved it, and at the end she started to cry and had to go back in her house a minute before we could come in. She told us that she was home alone for Christmas. That her son who was with her (adult aged) left to spend the day with her daughter, and she couldn't go along because relations were strained, and it would be too much for her daughter. It was really sad to hear. But she was very glad we had come by.
While we were visiting and watching a Christmas video with her Elder W. thought to call the members that we would eat dinner with later that night. He explained her situation and asked if she could come along. The members were very gracious and invited her warmly. When we told her she was invited her face lit up and she was delighted. She expressed her gratitude that night at their house, that she was able to come, and that her lonely Christmas turned out to be a great one.
I am eternally grateful for Christ's ministry. Cause it's not just his teachings of good things. It's His actions of love that we can learn to follow and make such a difference in someone's life.
I saw other similar experiences these last couple weeks, and I am again grateful for this Christmas season, and for the chance to be a part of allowing others to feel the love of Christ.
Cause that, in my opinion, is what Christmas is all about."
I love you all.
Happy New Year. don't get too crazy. (We have a great view of the city, so we'll get some Great firework showage. We have to go in at 4pm and stay in ‘til the next day. They go hardcore with fireworks here on new years)
Fijne Jaar wisseling!!
Elder Chantry
So the conference with Texiroua or something, was great... We had it on Thursday, and then on Friday the zone leaders and sister leaders met in the mission home and had another training with him.
It's kinda like having a really hard core workout. You feel beat up and sore as heck, but you know your gonna get stronger from it.
He did a great job of raising the bar. Pushing us to work harder, and to achieve more. He said that as leaders, we are not supposed to sustain the status quo. In the parable of the talents, that's what the servant with one talent did. And look what he got. As leaders we are to stimulate growth and progression. . There's really no point to a leader ship position, he said, if your not going to make a difference with your stewardship.
I'll admit I felt pretty small.. heh... But I appreciate the push. He's very much right after all. The Lord's work is hastening. And now is not the time to put the talent in a drawer to "keep it safe'" ..
We're shooting for the stars here. And if we miss, at least we get the moon eh? (I heard that somewhere)... I'm excited to implement what I learned and then help the zone do the same.
That's the main highlights for my week. We made a Christmas tree out of those long thin foldy balloons one night :).. It's kind of losing air though, so we might have to get a replacement using some other material....looks cool though...
Merry Christmas to you all. I'm really loving the Christmas time. Elder Tex. (something) said that we need to make the most out of the Christmas on our mission. It's a really special chance to get closer to Christ. That's my goal. I mess up my goals from time to time, but I'm still trudging through towards them. If I stop and mourn my mess up too long then I don't get any farther....
Love you again...
ik ga nu einde.
Prettige Kerstdagen!!
Elder Chantry
So let´s see what´s worth saying,,,,
We were fairly busy this week... I was on exchanges for two of the days. One day with one of the elders in Utrecht, and the other with one of the Assistants to the President. That was fun. That day was Sinter Klaas. Meaning, everyone does gifts for each other and they play games and eat pepernoten etc, and have a jolly time. I went to Amsterdam and we did it at a member’s house. All the elders and sisters came in the area (with a onderzoekster as well) and we ate what they call ´gourmet´ which is basically where you get a bunch of raw meat on a plate, along with random other things and there´s several grills on the table, and you all just grill it up, talking all gezelig, and it´s great fun.. I got to see Elder S., he´s serving in Amsterdam now. Great day...
We got to eat at many different members’ houses, although I was gone for several on exchange. We went to Antwerpen Monday to pick up Elder T.´s wallet. someone found it and turned it into the police station (he lost it there a couple transfers ago when he was there). . So then after that we went to Brussels with some other elders and saw some cool sights and churches.
We made many cookies and cards for members :) we´ve been giving em out to spread the good cheer weet je wel? tis the season... That´s been fun.
This coming week is the conference and then leader council with Texieroua or however you spell it. Everyone is excited for that. It´s gonna be good. They come into the mission, and he doesn´t have already what he´ll talk about. He interviews the Pres. and the assistants, goes finding with random companionships, and then he, does the conference for two days in a row, then the mission leader council and then a few more things and leaves. Just by talking to people he decides what we need to be taught. It´s really intense actually.
I say. I´ll put some pictures up now. Love you all. Tis the season!!! Remember that =D
pic 1 an awesome view of the water and factories en alles en ook wat on our way back to Rotterdam Monday.
pic 2 the outside of a church in Brussels.
pic 3 that´s the inside of a church. That´s where the preacher would go to teach. Super intense artwork. And you can see other statues of saints and stuff on the pillars (Belgium used to be Very catholic)
Elder Chantry!!
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Well, busy is what I’ve been.
You know, when you get transferred to a new area then things get crazy trying to remember all the stuff. And all the details. maar ja, valt wel mee hoor.
I heard that Mel ate horse meat! So did I actually! They have it for sale here like sandwich meat style. Normal to eat it here. heh. Funny right? Tasted pretty good.
I´ve been wearing the Grinch shirt I have. Christmas spirit weet je wel? the appartement we have is real nice. Another score. I haven´t had a bad one you know? hehe I’m sure sure sister Russia loves me for that.
The district is big that I’m in. 12 people. And then the other district we have is like 11 people. So that´s the zone give or take. We´re always running around. Cause we have our work we do, and then helping the other missionaries out, and just busy. ..
I´ll send some pics soon. We have a sweet view from our windows in the appartement. Today I don´t have it with me cause we came straight from an activity with part of the zone and also a meeting with the district leaders to start off the transfers..
Elder T. He´s from Bountiful Utah. Cool guy. He has 2 transfers left. ouch. But he´s teaching me a lot. I for sure need his help. There´s a lot to know.
WE go on the 13th to a meeting with all zone leaders and sister training leaders. Should be awesome. We get to go to the mission home in Leiden, and the member of the seventy is coming. I mentioned him to mom....
I´m sure ill punch myself later for all the new things fIorgot to mention. But that´s to be expected....
Met de grootste aantal liefde die ik ooit kan voorstellen,
Elder Chantry
