What Do We Hear?

We enjoyed a fairly busy week this week. Visited with a lot of the good members of the Gouda ward. Elder L. will be with Elder Lo. now. He'll do a great job. He can navigate this place better than I can (never was my strong point). And he has a good understanding of what needs to happen next.

We had Stake conference this weekend and the theme was Alma 37: 6-7. It was a good conference...

It's good to see the work will continue on with good missionaries and members who are putting their time and talents into what they do. I have met so many amazing people in these two years.  You know, it's the general opinion from many people that the world is getting worse and worse. And yes, certain things are getting worse. But when you get the chance to really get to know and understand about the people around you, you find that there is so much good. So much you can appreciate from the people around you. Of course you won’t always like what they do. But when it really comes down to it, there just so many good-hearted people...

I repeat myself.
That's ok. I had one last thing; I wanted to share with you all. 
After 2 years of missionary work, I have seen that this church that we follow, this gospel, offers (when properly lived and applied) happiness. And gladness, and peace. It teaches us balance in our lives. It teaches us how to live with and love others around us. 
I am reminded of a letter that Joseph Smith wrote to the saints. In Doctrine and covenants 128. Among other things, he tells about what we 'hear' or learn from the gospel:

Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received?
 A voice of gladness!
 A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the 
dead;
 a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy.

This gospel, which we have received, gives us so much. Yes, it is true that there are many unanswered questions. And there are things that don't make sense. But the core of how one should lead one's life does make sense. And is that not what we all really want? That peace of mind, knowing that we have a purpose in this life. That the endings we experience here that bring so much sadness, are not final endings, but pauses. (Pres. Uchtdorf talked about this)... 
        
 I admit to everyone that this does not make one's life perfect. From my own experience I know this is not the case. But I have seen this gospel fix people’s lives. It has healed hearts that are broken. I've seen it. It has given purpose to those that are lost. I've seen that too. 
And for myself it has shown me how I can be happy, and what really can make happiness last, and become joy.
Further in his letter Joseph says:

Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause?
 Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice...


People can spend years to become physically developed, and people spend years of their life studying for secular knowledge, and to develop intellectually. I have given two years to learn spiritually, and to help others do the same. I will never regret this choice. Because of it, I have changed forever. 

I pray that we will all be able to take the time, and concentration to hear from our Father. Who loves us. And wants us to feel that.

Tot Zients Nederland en Belgie. Thank you for being what you are :). I will really miss you. I love you all. You have taught me so much.
You have a special place in my heart. Always.

Elder Chantry

This Week

So this is what happened this week:

Tuesday we went to the temple. IT was SO great. Last time going here. (at least for a little while) I was really grateful for it...

We also visited less active families and some former investigators. Trying to find more people that want to meet with us. It should be coming along. 

The weather has been great. Kinda windy and partly cloudy but little rain, and still warm enough to be pleasant. Great fall weather. Leaves all over the ground (You know Rachel it's so addictive to crush them as you walk:)

I got to bear my departing testimony on Tuesday as well. .. It was a strange thing. I went up there with what I would say but I went blank for a bit. heh. There’s so much a mission does. What do you say about it in 4 minutes?

But what it came down to… What was most prominent for me was recognizing the importance of my relationship with God, and others. What we do in life really would make no difference if we didn't believe that there is more than this life. That there is a God, who cares about us and communicates with us. 

Because we believe this we have so much more direction. I have learned that relationships with people are the next most valuable thing you can have. "The worth of every soul is great, in the eyes of God". I firmly believe that. We are designed with the need to be loved, and to love. This makes us complete.

I love this work. Because just like they say, by giving up yourself for a time, you find who you really want to be. So valuable.

Ik hou van Jullie!!

Elder Chantry

So That Happened...

Well. We had another interesting week.

Elder J. heard that he will be working in the office, and was transferred this Wednesday. We're missing him already, but he's done good work here.
So we're figuring out how to properly get around without him, then another Elder who was here on exchanges got appendicitis. I was with him, so we had to rush him that night to the hospital. Crazy few days, where me and Elder L. were with his companion as he recovered and everything..

But they did a good job and he's all clear, just taking it easy. So that happened.
Me and L. are still doing great. Tomorrow we have temple conference. I'm looking forward to that.

I'm gonna send some pics, so I’ll move on to that point:

An awesome church in Woerden

One more Windmill :)

Love you all!
Elder Chantry

Wettest on the Mission

This week has been good. I know, sounds very general, but we've been able to teach more than the week before and had some really good meetings with people. It is fascinating to see the different reasons why people choose to meet with us. 

Maybe they want to learn about who we are, they're just kind of curious. Often they want to learn more about the Book of Mormon, or about Christ. Often they're interest is fairly vague, and meet because we really want to and they're not against it so why not?

But those that really are interested in learning something are great to talk with. I love hearing why people think the way they do, and what their own experiences are.

We went to the zoo today, and that was great. We were biking home Saturday night, after watching conference at a member’s house (btw, conference was great. I've watched all but the last session. I'm sure you all enjoyed it as well. Man, I’m looking forward to the printed version cause there are several that I really want to review. How about Elder Christofferson for example? great eh?) 

Anyways, we were biking home and it was dark, and the wind picked up and lo and behold the heavens broke and it started pouring. 

Now, I’ll mention that  it was warm and sunny on the way there. We all had shirt sleeves on. And then, man, an ocean dumped on our heads. Literally within two minutes I was soaked. And the next half hour got me soakeder. We were laughing, then the rain was like stinging, and so we started yelling, then we started singing, cause you know, that’s what you do when your sanity breaks... We made it home good though. 

I think that might be record for wettest on mission. A couple other times come close, but this was worse... It was hilarious. My shoes are still wet from it. 

I love you all. So glad to hear Sister Texas got home safe :)
Enjoy the week!
Elder Chantry

This Week Was Also Well

This week was also well. Well in that we worked hard, and a few really great appointments. Not great because it was just a few appointments. We had quite a few things fall through. Lots of talking to people...

It was good though. We were able to do some service, have zone training and play voetbal with the young men in the ward. That was great.

We had an appointment this week, that made me think a lot about the convincing power of one's testimony of the gospel, for one's self..... There are many people that upon building their testimony, in this church express that they know for certain that it is true. They are convinced of it. There are others who are less certain. They find it difficult to trust completely, or to that extent. Perhaps because they feel that they need to know for a fact, all the details. They are uncertain, and it is more difficult for them.

I think we all sit somewhere in a balance between the two. Often times, when we have doubts, we don't like to admit it because it is perceived as a weakness in testimony. There are times when doubts are used as a shield, to not have to take the guilt of our actions, which are contrary to the gospel. But there are also sincere questions/concerns that stem from legitimate sources. These should not be condemned. Maybe we feel it comes from a lack of faith. We're afraid that if we recognize it, we'll be poking holes in our own faith so to speak. Or that others in the church will think differently of us...

I don't know why some people are able to trust more easily and deeply than others. But what I do know, is those that do have doubts should not think less of themselves. I dare say that everyone in the church has doubted things at some point. Everyone has something they don't understand, or doesn't sit right with them...

Why do I say all this? I want to make it clear that questions are understandable. I think President Ucthdorf or Elder Holland was saying they (questions) are welcome. 
If there ever comes a time that our testimony no longer appears as a perfect painting before our eyes, it doesn't mean that we need to throw it away. Don't panic, it won't help you make wiser decisions. 
Rather, take the time to reexamine your painting, and give it time.

I ramble a long time about this, but I bring it up because I've seen this many times. People can't understand things. They feel that life is too complex to have a perfect happy answer like the gospel. I'll admit that I myself have questions, and problems with things. My conversion to the gospel is not a perfect painting. But I value the frame too much to give up on it and throw it away.

This journey in life never ceases to challenge. But I've never regretted what I’ve learned from the challenges I’ve gone through. And I pray I'll keep learning.

Wishing you all a great week,
Elder Chantry

A View Over Gouda

Eating Stroopwafels

Change

New Area

I now serve in the area called Ommoord. Fun fact is, that's just the name of the area. Technically we're still part of Rotterdam. And if you want to get real technical we actually live in Zevenkamp. Ommoord is just part of our area. And our ward is technically the Gouda ward. Which is a seperate city.
But we're not gonna get all technical

Living here is amazing. I get to be with Elder L, fresh in the field (from Bountiful Utah) and Elder J., here a year (from South Jordan Utah).
They're both fantastic. The ward is also really great, fun people... I miss Alkmaar area already. But this area should also be good for these 6 weeks.
We have a good group of investigators, we're working with. And good bonds with many of the ward members...

You know, I've always been suspicious of change. Never really believed I could trust it. When it comes around I usually give it dirty looks.

That’s fair. I mean after all, it does often end or switch up good things that are going on. . But the plus side is that it gives us opportunities to learn and even more. Broaden horizons. That doesn't always mean that we lose what we had before. (Though sometimes it does). The good thing is though, what we do lose only has to be circumstantial things. Personal connections, and lessons learned stay with us.

That's why this transfer is so good here. It is proving to me that there is no end to the opportunities for growth. As long as we keep ready to work with it...

Love you all!
Elder Chantry

New Companions

Alkmaar, I love you

Sunday I got the news I’m moving to the Gouda ward. I'll be with E. Johnson, and we'll both be training a new elder. That'll be great.

I’m leaving the Alkmaar branch after 4 transfers. I must say, it's been an amazing place. I have met people here that have changed my life. Very much for the better. I can't ever explain it, in just a few paragraphs... But it's so true..

This last week we were busy. Elder Ballard came with Elder Dijks, and Hallstrom. They were great. Learned some good things.
We had many lessons, and there are some great people the next Elders will be working with.

We had the chance to tour some Molens. It's been beautiful weather lately. We went to a lake for pday today.

I threw on a few pics of the wind molens. and stuff.

These last few transfers have got me thinking...
It's funny how relationships work. If you try to construct a friendship or bond manually, it never really works. You can get the beginnings, and it can go good. But it doesn't really have full substance.
Not until it comes naturally. I feel like the best relationships, come just as a result of you trying to be a friend. If you’re open, and you give it a chance, the rest just comes. It is actually kind of magical (I know, sounds kind of cliché, but it's true). 
You don't notice When it happened really. Or sometimes even how. But its one of the greatest gifts you can receive. When you realize, that you have a friend. Someone who cares about you. And that you care about in return. Some one you can trust.
            I’m sure all of us have experienced this at some point. We don't normally think about it that much, because, well, it’s just natural. But when something happens to your friend, or when you have to leave them, that's when you fully can appreciate what you have.

I have been so blessed. 

Sincerely,
Elder Chantry

Pictures from Amsterdam

Right outside of Nieuwe Niedorp. Sunset. If you look closely you can see windmills and hot air balloon in the distance.

People who died in the war. Designed for the sunset to come through.

Sunset at Katwijk 

2 pictures of a statue of an angel in Heerhugowaard.

Go To the Source

We had a zone conference this week. I liked that. We had more teaching opportunities than we've had for several weeks. I liked that too. We got to see two baptisms that took place in the zone this weekend (the week before there was also two). I'm impressed with the elders and sisters around me.

                     You know, you see them come into the mission, and they're all young and new. And then seeing them now leading the mission, and doing fantastic, I’m just proud of them. It's the best to me to see that the missionaries after you are able to reach greater Heights than maybe you ever did. I call that progress and I’m happy for it.

Kermis has been going on for the last little while. They have them all throughout Nederland around the same few weeks. Basically a big carnival. They have games, food, rides, that they set up in the centrum. That was cool.
              
We've also been blessed with some nice weather lately. I've enjoyed it

Guess what? (I hope I didn't already say this, or it won't be nearly as dramatic) Elder Ballard is coming to Nederland on September 11th. He's going to meet with the whole mission in the morning, and with the Den Haag stake in the evening.. That''ll be really great



We talked in zone conference, (among many things) about why one would believe in our church. There is a lot of anti material against our church. So many people want to prove that it is fabricated. And if you’re looking for it, you can find many things that don't really make sense, or that seem controversial regarding our church history etc...

But my thoughts were, as we talked about this, and that was similar to what our President said to us: How many reasons do we have to believe? In Alma 30 he lists the reasons he has to believe. If you think about your life in the church (if you've had one in the church) and all the stories you've heard, all the miracles you've heard about, seen the results of, and miracles you've experienced for yourself, you create a massive list of reasons To believe.

Now one can argue that that's lame. That it doesn't answer the unanswered questions. 

Well that's right. But that same argument is then returned on them. What do we have from the gospel that cannot be explained away? I always have wondered why it is, that so many people make such a big point to try to discredit or fight against our church. I mean, why? If it's all nonsense then let us be.

The fact is, they never will. And they'll continually find things to throw on that list.

Luckily for us, we don't have to rely on a tally of items and events to prove the truth. Truth is independent of opinion and actions of people. We believe in the Holy Spirit. He is the Testifier of truth. The list that we have, of reasons to believe, is really just to support and strengthen this growing testimony or conviction we have found as a result of His witness/communication with us.

That's why missionaries Always seem to have the same cliché answer; read, pray, and ask God for the answer.

Why waste time, when you can go to the source?

I love you all,
Elder Chantry

Random, Funny, Interesting Things

Well,

My sister ended her mission. I love you, you know?

It's kind of like a countdown, the three of us coming home. It makes me kind of sick in the stomach...

Regardless, the week was well. We get to start teaching a few new people. We get to have lots of windy rainy weather that can never make up it's mind. Rain really hard, break up, sun. Wind comes in, rain, thunder, lightning, calm again. Rain, etc.
It makes life interesting though

We also got to go to the beach this pday. We went with some of the others from our district. Was quite fun. We found a jelly fish, and crabs and stuff....Not sure why I'm saying all this. Maybe babbling?

We also got to have a Mission leader council. Really good. There's a lot of new Sister Training Leaders and Zone leaders now. Old group is getting flushed out.

We also get a zone conference tomorrow. That should be great. 

We got to help out at a wedding reception this week at our church. Elder C. and I served some food, put stuff up and down, etc. It was nice.

You know what I was thinking about? How many random funny interesting thing happen to you on a mission. Like, knocking doors you get so many different responses everyday. You get a lot of the same, but you also get random. You get people who tell you what you believe, they're so certain that even when you try to convince them that you actually know what it is You believe, they won't hear it.
One of my favorite things is when you knock on the door and then they come out of a side door, or peak out an upstairs window. It's like a guessing game.

I also like when you’re talking to people on the street, and someone passes, and your just convinced you have to talk to them, so you turn around to talk to them, and you have to like follow them yelling: Pardon! Sorry! Can I ask you something?
And then they don't hear so you awkwardly follow with your arm out in front of you, trying not to look creepy. Normally your companion tries to look at the ground and follow a few paces behind because he's utterly embarrassed.   

I've definitely done both those things before. Once I followed a lady across a plein, or empty square, like this whole thing, calling out to her. There were all these people eating on outdoor tables on the side, that just stared at me the whole way across. Elder P. laughed so hard afterward.
 I never did get her attention. She went and caught a bus...

ya, 
the things you do in these two years are priceless. You can't miss it. Never really know what it's like till you try it :)

Tot volgende week!
EC

Castricum Skyline

I love it!

I'm late with this and it's gonna be ridiculous short. We went to the Anne Frank house yesterday. That was really neat. And we went to the Rijks musuem. Saw lots of cool stuff again. People can paint...

This week has been great. We are going to Den Helder today to work at a booth in the centrum. the whole district should be there. 

I'm on my 4th transfer here in Alkmaar. I could stay clear to the end if im needed here. I love it. It's beautiful. And the people are fantastic.

I love you all and will talk again next week!

Elder Chantry

Rolling Waters

Well.
This is the first week with Elder C. He's great. He's from Provo Utah. But he's traveled around in his life. He speaks almost every language there is. English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Italian (that's where his opa is from), Some Portuguese and some Duits.
I was impressed.

We started off the transfer with a good meeting with the STL and the District leaders, and are focusing on chapter 5 of Preach My Gospel.

I was studying this week in Doctrine and Covenants. I came across a verse that has meant a lot to me. 121:33. Mostly the first line actually:
 ''How long can rolling waters remain impure?''

Reason. It has been a witness to me of the importance of staying strong, and not giving up. No matter how dirty our waters may be, if they continue to flow, and roll, then they will become clean. I know this topic may be straightforward. But you know how it is; certain things really strike you at times when you need them.

I want to share a couple things to you all that reinforced this. Pres. Robinson, in his letter to us (he sends weekly) Included a poem. Called the Invictus. This poem emphasizes that need for determination for me. Second, is a Mormon message that is new. You may have seen it already. It's called: The Hope of God's Light. That video is amazing. Watching it was a witness to me that God really does know our needs. And if we continue, as "flowing waters" then we will feel of His light, and come off conqueror. 

As Henley puts it: Captain of our soul

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

--William Ernest Henley  

-----------------------------------

E. Chantry

Here is the link to the video that Carsten mentioned:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2014?lang=eng

Bridges and Mirrors

I've had a great week this week. We had several more exchanges and then ended it with a great and awesome b-day/farewell celebration with the familie De B. 

I stay here, and I get Elder C. His parents are from Mexico I believe (?) And he's super nice from what I know. And of course he's one of the other couple billion people who speak Spanish just to remind me that I don't. .. hehheh. It's cool though

Elder I. has been a great companion. I’ll miss him. He has really finished his mission strong. He's done a lot here in this area. He should be proud, along with his family.

-------------------------------------
I said I would talk about my zone training. I want to talk about it cause it follows up on the monologue I’ve had lately ...

The training was really the best one I’ve taught yet. We began with workshops, role-plays etc, and that went well. I had a language section, where we had to teach 'members' a gospel topic by using a random analogy (like snowboarding and faith)

That wasn't bad. Elder I. and Sis. E. had their own station. After that, and after lunch, we had training. Where each of us taught a segment, and we had musical numbers in between. (if you haven't seen the music video 'Because of Him' on the church website you got to watch it. Amazing. That's one we used)

The segment I taught was about conversion. All three segments worked together, but specifically on mine I talked about the why behind conversion. I tried to share with them as much as I could, and I hope the Spirit made the difference.
---What I taught and what I learned I want to share with you all a little:

(Along with a lot of things, I used two talks especially to help me: "Challenge to become" Elder Dallin H. Oaks. And Elder David A. Bednar's talk on conversion in the Oct. 2012 ensign. Just fyi)

Last time on conversion, I talked about living what you believe to be true. It is the essence of conversion.
                        It is. It is creating good habits, setting proper priorities, organizing ourselves to be more like Christ. Seeking and acting on opportunities to place others before yourself.
I say all this to give you examples of what I mean. These are all things you all know. Sis. E. said it best when she explained conversion is manifest by our consecration. Consecration being our willingness to give up Whatever the Lord may require from us. And also giving up things even when it's not asked of us, doing it because we see that it is necessary.
                     
But I realized something very important. Doing the things the gospel preaches does not necessarily bring conversion. It puts us in a position to become converted, but does not bring the change itself. That is done by you. Example: You must build a bridge. This bridge represents your conversion. It can carry the loads in life and support you and bring you where you need to be. Each piece of the bridge, concrete, cables, beams, etc represent testimonies or compliance to, different gospel principles and doctrines. You can collect an impressive pile of these pieces, but that doesn't build your bridge. All you have is pieces. You become converted as you understand how those pieces fit together. If you have a vision of what they can become, and know what their purpose is.

I want to end this, with an image. Something that I thought of awhile back, and has stuck with me. I don't know what the final judgment will be, but this image has made me think a lot:  Imagine you have died, and you are in a long hall way. You walk to a door at the end, and as you do your past life flashes around in your mind. You open the door and see you’re standing in a huge court room. But, it's completely empty. You expected a huge crowd for your judgment.  You wonder where everyone is, but then you see a door off to the side, a small one, and so you go through. On the other side is a room that’s small, and has only a skylight up above. The dim light lights up an object on the other side of the room. You walk up to it and see that it is an old, full-length mirror. You look in and see yourself, and for the first time, you really see yourself for who you Really are. No more deception, bias or ignorance. You know you. Your character, who you have become, is right there.
It becomes Obvious at that point that there really is no need for a judgment, because you already know what the judgment is. It's not a waiting for the final test score to come in. It's a realization of who you have become, while taking the test.

I have to go now. I love the truth the gospel brings. And the clarity that it can give when we really seek it.

Met liefde,
Elder Chantry
van Alkmaar

I Screamed Loud...

Well well well.

We had a good week. More exchanges. I got to go to Zaandam again. That was great. I enjoyed. Made an appt with a former investigator lady that me and Elder K. found last year at almost the exact day.
Weird.

What else...
We had a great p-day today. We went to those bunkers again be cause it was really fun.
HEH, it rained though. Typical. Saturday was 35 degrees, and SOOO humid. And we got cloud cover and rain today. lovely :)

It was still great though. We had a blast. We played capture the flag at one point. And we won the first one :)

The second one I had the flag, and I jumped into the bushes to get away. Sad thing was they were covered in thorns. So I screamed loud and kept running. Other sad thing was there was stinging nettle all over, so as I type my legs burn and prickle. It's nice ;0

It would've worked but my team abandoned me and then I got sabotaged by a drop hidden by bushes, then as I turned around I got tagged in the back, and the momentum carried me into another drop hidden by bushes and so I fell into more thorn bushes. So I screamed loud again.

Worth it :)
I make it dramatic sounding but it really was fun.

Pics!
I included a typical street that was decked out for the WK. (World Cup) it was like that in many places. Many even more intense. It was awesome.

Also me last p-day when we took pics by windmills. Fun fact: the drive between Alkmaar and Hoorn (to the west of it) is actually pictured in the Best Two Years movie (I was told. I can't remember when) But it's gorgeous. 

ik hou van jullie!!

Elder C>

Street during World Cup.

Straf Schoten zijn de slechtste manier om een wedstrijd te beslissen

Wednesday night,
I lay on the ground.
With my heart broken.
(in pieces)

I would go on and rant about it, but I discovered sadly enough that it doesn't help.

I'm proud they got 3rd. That's cool.
Maar niet de beker.

Anyways, they played well. I enjoyed watching.
And other things happened this week as well. We started teaching several new people in our area. Things keep picking up.

The zone is still doing well. We worked on exchanges a lot this week. And we had stupidly humid weather. It could be a decent 23 degrees, but because it's so humid, it's terrible. I just sweat. wah wah. It's nice and green here. We were at a member’s house and they were showing us their garden, and it made me want to plant things. We bought a basilicum plant, and that's sitting in the appartment. Otherwise, we have a tree growing out the side of the building between cracks in the brick. That’s about it though.

I'm rambling now. 

I let you go now. I'll send pics volgende week.
hey, fijne week!!

Elder CHANTRY!

4-3 met straf schoten

Well Proud I am, of Nederland. And winning again.

And very proud, of the Amsterdam zone. The missionaries here are busier than ever. They have so many people they are teaching. We ourselves are seeing an increase. We found a few more people to teach, and we have a busy plan this coming week.

Right now all the dike alarms our going off. You can hear it all throughout the city. They are designed to go off when the dijks break and water is flooding Nederland.

..........

BUT don't worry. Cause they test them on every first Monday of the month. :)


So Mom reminded me of an experience with Elder C. On Konings Dag. We had spent the day in Amsterdam. And we were going back home. I had left a bag in the Elders appartment, but I didn't need it. We could just get it next time we saw them. We were heading back on the train, to get to a dinner appointment on time. So we're all in a hurry (hence not going back to get the bag)..
                     
Well, we ride the train, and arrive in Heiloo. We get out, and go to check out. See, the transportation here works with little cards. That have an electric chip in them. And a little machine scans them and checks you ''in'' to the train. And ''out''. Well, turns out that little card is slippery. And when one puts it in his pant pocket it falls out. I went up to the machine, and I couldn't find my card. I search bag, pants, alles, nothing. I tell my comp "man, I left it on the train.” I then hear the whistle, and the train rides away....If you could've seen the look on my face.....

Well, that's bad. But we have to go. We parked our car at the station, so that we could drive quick to the dinner appointment.  We were real clever. Turns out clever isn't enough to counter-act idiocy. As we got to the car, my I realized I didn't have the car keys. I madly search my bag (for the 4th time in so many minutes) and my worthless gap-openness pockets.. And then I ask Elder C. My conversation went like this:

‘‘Elder, do you have the keys?''

‘‘No. I thought you put them in your bag''

'''WAIT. I did........oh......"'

''What?"

''I put them in my other bag''

''And that bag is....''
                                                                                                                                                    (In Amsterdam)
''........AAARGH!!"

So, we were forced, to walk home. Now, it wouldn’t be so a big deal, if we weren't now gonna be late to a dinner appointment. My comp had the idea, to take the bikes from the appartment to dinner. So we rush walk home. Finally get there, and grab the bikes.

Fun fact about the bikes, one of them is what's called a 'fouw fiets'. A foldable trasportable bike. So it's tiny and doesn't make you look dignified. The other one was a normal one. Down side was, it has no brakes.
The good part was, we got there. No one got hurt, and we weren't even too late in the end.

The moral of the story, is don't trust me with anything.

 Love you all! Glad the 4th was fun. And Joseph Happy BDAY!!! Have the greatest time 14 jarige jongen :)

Elder Chantry!

After the Rain

Well I would like to give a couple shout outs.

First off,
You know Genk? The area in Belgie where I served two areas (and 5 transfers ago?) Well the work there has been going so well, they made it into a 4 man area. So they got 4 elders there now. I'm so happy for them. There gonna see some growth, I know it :)

Second,
Nederland heeft weer gewonnen! Nederland won again, against Mexico. 2-1. That's 4 games out of 4 that they've won. They have a good chance :) I'm very happy for them. It's a big deal here.

Third,
I don't have a third. But this week has been great. We met with our District leaders and the sister training leader to get things started for the transfer. We have training this transfer, and Elder I. and I have some great plans and a good outline for it. We're looking forward to it :)

This transfer one of the main themes is once again conversion. But this time, we're talking about the actual process of Conversion. How it actually comes about. Last transfer as a zone we wrote a 'letter to ourselves' that included a vision of who we wanted to become. This transfer we really want to focus on how we go about doing that.

I'm really learning a lot about it. And I'll be including what I learned probably in my next email. Once I have all my thoughts straight.

You guys have a great 4th of July :) enjoy the time together and Let freedom ring.

Ik hou van jullie!
Elder Chantry

Some pics from the car. There was a rain storm that just was leaving, and the sun was breaking through. Was really beautiful.

No News IS Good News

I heard the news. In that there was none. Elder I. and I get to stay. And I. will end his mission here with me.
I'm so happy about it :D

The work here is going faster. The zone is on fire and we've been finding new people to teach the last couple weeks. Still got a ways to go but it's picking up.

Nederland won against Australia and they play against Portugal tonight. Just saying. I REALLY hope they win :)

I'm gonna send some pics. So talk to you all soon. Ik HOU van jullie!!

E. Chantry

View Over Alkmaar

Me Being Happy

At the Beach in Ijmuiden

World War II Bunker

By the Beach at Ijmuiden

Sunset at Haarlm

Stained Glass in Church in Hoorn

Rembrandt Plein in A'dam...

Statue Version of Painting Nightwatch

Sub in Den Helder

Framework

This week. What did we do? Well. We had a mission leader council, and we also had a zone conference. Elder Boom came. He's from the area seventy, (he's also a Nederlander). It was so great. I learned a lot from him. He shared the story of his mission (along with other things) and taught by the example he showed in those stories...really enjoyed it

Still very warm weather here. In the 20's meestal

GUESS what??? The soccer world cup is going on right now. And Nederland played their first game this last Friday. Against Spain. 4 years ago they lost the final match to Spain (in overtime, it was really close). This year Nederland played with a vengeance and beat them 5-1. I was ecstatic. Everyone here is sooo happy. You ought to watch the game. I hear it was great. :D

Anyways,
I have been thinking for a while now about conversion. As I have, I've also thought about how hard it is for people to become converted. I have also wondered what it is that causes people to doubt, and not believe...

Now that all my wonderings are out on the table:

I talked before about that trust you must have, on the witness that you receive from the Spirit. That trust governs the way you act. 

Once you have received that witness you have one of three options. 1. You continue to trust it and live by it. 2 you still trust it, but you don't live accordingly. 3 you choose to no longer believe it so therefore you no longer follow it.
Dad told me once about (and I forget exactly what it's called) that people need to have a peace of mind. If you believe something to be true then you have to live accordingly. If you don't, then you will feel uncomfortable, guilty, depressed, and unsure. 
When that happens people reach a fork in the road. They can choose to change the way they Act, or they change the way they Believe.

The easier way is to change beliefs. Because then we can still do what we want to. It takes more effort and discipline to change one’s actions. And if you don't have a good reason of why you need to change your actions, then you probably won't.

I know I myself have been caught in that paradox. I have found myself doing things/acting in a way that I wanted to, but when I really thought about it, wasn't in line with what I believed. 
I would get frustrated. I tried to change my belief without really changing them. Just like twisting them. But then they weren't logical anymore. 
I tried to ignore what I believed, shove it away. But always was that thought in the back of my mind. I never really felt comfortable or at peace.

That's when I would come to the point, where I'm sick of the cycle. I had to decide, what I actually SHOULD do. What was best for me? Even though, what I wanted to do was enjoyable, or it was what everyone else did, or even what I thought I deserved to do.
Did that make it right?

If we believe that this life is not all there is, that our choices and actions here have a lasting impact on our well being, then we can not afford to just do things just cause we want to. We should do things because we know it is right.

That doesn't mean that we can't make any decision without having an internal crisis each time. But to me, it means that we should take the time to think about the things we are doing currently and consider how they align with what we believe to be right.

Elder Bednar says that conversion is consistently living what we know to be true. This process is to me, the beginnings of one's personal conversion.

I love you all. Have a great week!
Elder Chantry

It's Been a Really, Really Messed Up Week

Not that bad. Just had to say it :)

This week we've been driving around a lot. Helping another companionship cause one had some medical delays... So we've been traveling a lot to the North..

The weather here has gotten warm and muggy. Like 25 plus degrees. And sooo humid. Today is the worst..

P-day we went to the lake. That was so cool. We played around on the sand dunes and I ran hard like a fool in capture the flag, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball (more running than you would think), and other random games.. Also panted and sweated as if I was an out of shape mortal. It was nice :D

I think I’ll stop talking. Oh, we had a stake conference this weekend. And this week we have a zone dinges and Mission Leader Conference dinges. You know, my trainer Elder P. goes home this transfer. :( time flies

Ik hou van jullie!
Elder Chantry

10 Minutes in the Day of an Elder

So this week.
We were on exchange or split Tuesday through Saturday. VERY busy we were. Elder I. his b-day was Thursday. And ya. We ate at a burger place in Amsterdam (we were on exchange there) with some of the other Elders. 

I've been feeling the need to explain/illustrate something, for you all to understand. It involves the morning wake up routine of an Elder. 


Now, first off, one should understand, the earliness of the hour that a missionary arises is not necessarily the issue. Rather, It's the consistency of said hour. Let me explain. I have woken up earlier than 6:30 many times before my mission. And although it was difficult at times I could do it. 

But for some reason, no matter how many times I do it, 6;30 here, remains a challenge... My companions and I often have wondered when the day would come, that all of a sudden, it began to be easy. Where the alarm goes off and you pop out of bed ready for the day. 

Never happens.

I have also waited for the fulfillment of the promise Mom and Dad always told me. That if you train yourself to wake up at a certain time then you would get used to it, and your body would just naturally wake you up, you wouldn’t even need the alarm.

Never happens.

Let me explain what happens instead.

5:47--- For some odd reason you wake up. Maybe you have to go the bathroom. Maybe your arm was asleep and numb, usually you don't know why. But either way, you’re awake. Of course, you’re not going to stay up, cause you cheat yourself of sleep, and you feel lonely without your companion...So you go back to sleep

6:30--- Alarm goes off. And I don't know if I can explain properly how much your body freaks out at you. Inwardly, you sob. It was just long enough since you woke up last that you fell back into REM sleep, so of course, you’re stupid groggy, and your body bemoans your awakening.

6:31--- You roll out of bed and turn off the accursed noise, because your comp never does. And that's when your head starts pounding. You curl up in the fetal position and wish that your consciousness didn't exist.

6:32-- Your second alarm, that you cleverly placed across the room goes off and you scream as you stagger over to shut it off. Just as you reach it, the phone alarm goes off. You yell enough for it to shut up, and your companion turns that one off. 

6:33-- Once again you collapse in the fetal position on the ground, honestly dumbfounded at how this can be so hard...

6:35--- You’re jerked awake suddenly by your first alarm going off again. As you stand, your legs cry out from the abusive position you had just held them in. You turn off the alarm and stomp off to the bathroom, as your head pounds mercilessly...

6:38--- After rubbing your face and yawning so hard it makes you stagger because of lack of blood to your head, you start brushing your teeth. 

6:40--- You’re still brushing the exact same part in your mouth, as you look at your destroyed self in the mirror..
In all honesty, it would be hilarious, if you weren't so dumb tired......


And that is the first ten minutes... Just to give you all a taste of the routine :)

ik hou van jullie!!

Life You Can Hang Your Hat On

Wow. 
You know, if myself in the training center could've looked forward to myself now, he would've wept with joy.
No I'm not boasting. But it is true, after a year and a half of doing something every day, you do start to improve. 
I am so happy with the work that is going on here. We are working a lot with different members from the ward, giving support. And we've started teaching several new people this week. A mix of referrals and former investigators...

We went and got our pics taken dressed in the old style classic Dutch clothes. And I ate more herring. Was disgusting.

I'll send some pictures now. tot kijk!
Elder Chantry

Kaas Market

Tulip Festival Float

Short Letter. Pics Next Week

I ate another bite of raw herring. My lips still taste like fish. heheh.

We went to the kaas markt, (cheese market) and we went to Vollendam today, and Elder C. is gone. And I have Elder I. from American fork Utah.

We have a zone conference morgen. (tomorrow)  And we are busy this week. Lots of planning last week. Got set though.. We’re ready to go. We had on Friday our mission leader council, and we had today our district leader council. Then we went to Vollendam and went and took great pics. I'll tell more next week.

veel liefde!
Elder Chantry!

Temple Trip and Keukenhof

Elder P and Elder Chantry.

3 Photos from Keukenhof.

Outside the Temple.

Elder Chantry and "Sons".

Enjoying the Netherlands.

Life is GREAT as a missionary!