April 14, 2014
Holy Forest and a Treatise on Faith
I figured out, That’s what Heiloo means. In abbreviated and Old Dutch :)
Sister in Russia mentioned she got to go back to Smolensk. Really cool to hear. I had the chance to go on exchanges to Zaandam. My 3rd area. It was cool. Saw the old place. talked to some people I knew when I was there before. Really cool..
We had another mission leader Council this week. The sisters in my MTC group went home the beginning of this month. Really weird to think they're already done. I mean, we just started!
Time is like money I feel. Everyone Always wants more of it, so they can use it, but it's Always running out, and you never have enough...
This transfer, our theme is Ch. 4 of PMG. About the Spirit. I've been thinking a lot about it.
With the experiences I have had in my not so long life, I have seen that for most people, being able to feel and recognize the |Spirit is the most difficult part of conversion. Technically speaking, the Spirit testifies of what you teach them. But for them to recognize that for what it is, and to accept it, is something that can eat at people. Why is it so hard? Because you don't see God. There is rarely ever a booming voice or vision that testifies of the truth of each principle of the gospel. Man must learn to trust what he feels to be right. And then base his whole life, and his whole focus, on this feeling. That's a lot resting on one point.
One, who has gained a 'testimony' can take experiences and other things they learn, as witness of the truth. These things can even be tangible. But that piercing question can still haunt you, no matter how long you've been in the church. "What if it isn't true?" "What if God doesn't exist/care?" These questions cloud your mind. They will bring only doubts and unanswered questions to your memory. They cause you to forget those witnesses that you received. And then you question even more, because you can't remember clearly the feeling you had, or the certainty that you had gained. Without these things, you begin to flow freely, and without direction, because you don't know where you need to go anymore. And just like water running downhill, you will take the path of least resistance. Which is what is easy and pleasing to the natural man.
You begin to sin. And that's when the worst thing happens. You can no longer hear the Holy Ghost. He can no longer dwell inside of you. You have chased your guide away, and you’re left alone. To 'kick against the pricks' as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants.
So many people fall into this trap. Why does it start? Because they allow their doubts to take priority over their faith. Your faith, being the trust that you have in the witnesses you have received and the testimony you have developed, and what you do because of it. A man I taught once in Rotterdam, before I left, said that faith was "an acceptance of things as they are" basically, that you follow and believe something because you don't have a better reason not to. But I think he missed a crucial part.
Faith is a seed. It lives. It isn't some stone we carry around our whole lives because we are scared to throw it away in case it winds up being important in the end. Faith is planted. It grows, and it blossoms, and it can bear forth fruit, depending on how much care we give it. This care we give, is our lifestyle. And our life style and decisions, create our character and mold who we become and what our tree of faith becomes, because it is inside of us.
I explain faith, because it is the fruit that we gain from faith that we can use as our witness. As our testimony. It is each piece of this precious fruit that we should cherish, and protect, because that is what we use to set before our doubts and fears. That is what gives us strength.
Thank you all for what I have learned from you. This life hard. It's a test. A training ground actually. But we are so blessed to understand how we can pass it. And how we can grow from it.
I love you all. Thank you for being there for me.
Elder Chantry
Sister in Russia mentioned she got to go back to Smolensk. Really cool to hear. I had the chance to go on exchanges to Zaandam. My 3rd area. It was cool. Saw the old place. talked to some people I knew when I was there before. Really cool..
We had another mission leader Council this week. The sisters in my MTC group went home the beginning of this month. Really weird to think they're already done. I mean, we just started!
Time is like money I feel. Everyone Always wants more of it, so they can use it, but it's Always running out, and you never have enough...
This transfer, our theme is Ch. 4 of PMG. About the Spirit. I've been thinking a lot about it.
With the experiences I have had in my not so long life, I have seen that for most people, being able to feel and recognize the |Spirit is the most difficult part of conversion. Technically speaking, the Spirit testifies of what you teach them. But for them to recognize that for what it is, and to accept it, is something that can eat at people. Why is it so hard? Because you don't see God. There is rarely ever a booming voice or vision that testifies of the truth of each principle of the gospel. Man must learn to trust what he feels to be right. And then base his whole life, and his whole focus, on this feeling. That's a lot resting on one point.
One, who has gained a 'testimony' can take experiences and other things they learn, as witness of the truth. These things can even be tangible. But that piercing question can still haunt you, no matter how long you've been in the church. "What if it isn't true?" "What if God doesn't exist/care?" These questions cloud your mind. They will bring only doubts and unanswered questions to your memory. They cause you to forget those witnesses that you received. And then you question even more, because you can't remember clearly the feeling you had, or the certainty that you had gained. Without these things, you begin to flow freely, and without direction, because you don't know where you need to go anymore. And just like water running downhill, you will take the path of least resistance. Which is what is easy and pleasing to the natural man.
You begin to sin. And that's when the worst thing happens. You can no longer hear the Holy Ghost. He can no longer dwell inside of you. You have chased your guide away, and you’re left alone. To 'kick against the pricks' as it says in the Doctrine and Covenants.
So many people fall into this trap. Why does it start? Because they allow their doubts to take priority over their faith. Your faith, being the trust that you have in the witnesses you have received and the testimony you have developed, and what you do because of it. A man I taught once in Rotterdam, before I left, said that faith was "an acceptance of things as they are" basically, that you follow and believe something because you don't have a better reason not to. But I think he missed a crucial part.
Faith is a seed. It lives. It isn't some stone we carry around our whole lives because we are scared to throw it away in case it winds up being important in the end. Faith is planted. It grows, and it blossoms, and it can bear forth fruit, depending on how much care we give it. This care we give, is our lifestyle. And our life style and decisions, create our character and mold who we become and what our tree of faith becomes, because it is inside of us.
I explain faith, because it is the fruit that we gain from faith that we can use as our witness. As our testimony. It is each piece of this precious fruit that we should cherish, and protect, because that is what we use to set before our doubts and fears. That is what gives us strength.
Thank you all for what I have learned from you. This life hard. It's a test. A training ground actually. But we are so blessed to understand how we can pass it. And how we can grow from it.
I love you all. Thank you for being there for me.
Elder Chantry
March 31, 2014
Amsterdam
I got transferred to the Amsterdam zone. To be zone leader with Elder C. (but we live in Heiloo, real close to Alkmaar. Not that any of that means anything to you all. heh, but if you google map it you’ll find)
Elder P. will end in Rotterdam. He's a great guy. I'm gonna miss him.
The Zone training went really well. President and Sister Robinson came to it. It was stressful but it went according to plan. I was happy.
Have a great general conference! We're gonna as well.
Hi this is Elder W! Your son is wonderful, and it's been a joy to serve alongside him in the backseat of his car! Be proud of him! With the utmost sincerity,
Elder W.
Me again. Elder W. has been serving in Rotterdam south for the last 5 transfers. (There’s 4 elders in this city) He's been here the whole time I have and he's leaving as well. Going to Belgium.
He wanted to say hi :) Bless his heart
It's weird to move again. My three transfers here have been the fastest of my mission.
I love you all.
Met heel vreindelijk bedankt!
Elder Chantry
Elder P. will end in Rotterdam. He's a great guy. I'm gonna miss him.
The Zone training went really well. President and Sister Robinson came to it. It was stressful but it went according to plan. I was happy.
Have a great general conference! We're gonna as well.
Hi this is Elder W! Your son is wonderful, and it's been a joy to serve alongside him in the backseat of his car! Be proud of him! With the utmost sincerity,
Elder W.
Me again. Elder W. has been serving in Rotterdam south for the last 5 transfers. (There’s 4 elders in this city) He's been here the whole time I have and he's leaving as well. Going to Belgium.
He wanted to say hi :) Bless his heart
It's weird to move again. My three transfers here have been the fastest of my mission.
I love you all.
Met heel vreindelijk bedankt!
Elder Chantry
March 24, 2014
Afgelopen Week
One of the assistants talked to me on Friday. We had our Mission Leader Conference, and he told me I would be leaving Rotterdam. So they could technically still change their minds, but 98 percent sure they won't. . I would be leaving Wednesday of next week.
Thought I'd let you know...
WE have our zone training this coming Thursday. I'll be talking about Listenining. You all can read the Listen section in chapter 10 in Preach My Gospel if you’re curious. A lot of it is coming from there....
My time in Rotterdam is going insanely fast... gonna make the most of this week...
Love you all,
Elder Chantry!
Listen (Chapter 10 Preach My Gospel)
When you listen carefully to others, you understand them better. When they know that their thoughts and feelings are important to you, they are more likely to be receptive to your teachings, share personal experiences, and make commitments. As you listen, you will be able to more effectively adapt your teaching to their needs and interests.
Especially listen for the whisperings of the Spirit. As others share their feelings with you, thoughts or ideas may enter your mind that are directed by the Spirit. You will also be able to understand what others are trying to express.
While others talk to you, avoid the tendency to think about what you are going to say. Make sure you are really concentrating on the person speaking rather than planning your response. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “More important than speaking is listening. These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these friends what matters most to them. What do theycherish, and what do they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say willalways highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear testimony and about which you can then offer more. … If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends” (“Witnesses unto Me,” Ensign, May 2001, 15; italics in original).
People also communicate by the way they sit, their facial expressions, what they do with their hands, their tone of voice, and the movements of their eyes. Observe these unspoken messages; they can help you understand the feelings of those you teach. Also be aware of your own body language. Send a message of interest and enthusiasm by listening sincerely.
Do not be afraid of silence. People often need time to think about and reply to questions or to express what they are feeling. You might pause after you have asked a question, after sharing a spiritual experience, or when people are having difficulty expressing themselves. Be sure to give people time to complete their thoughts before you respond, and do not interrupt while they are talking.
When you feel that you understand what is being said, make comments that show you understand, such as “So what you are saying is _____. Is that right?” or “If I understand, you are feeling that _____.” When you are not sure if you understand, ask the person for clarification.
Some people may tend to dominate the conversation and keep you from teaching the restored gospel. You will need to learn to tactfully take control of such situations. For example, “We appreciate what you are sharing with us, but that is an issue we would like to discuss later. I will ask my companion to write it down so we will be sure not to forget to treat it on a later visit.” Remember, you will help people most by teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ.
As you listen carefully, the Spirit will help you know what to say. Listening takes effort and concentration. One missionary shared the following true experience (the names have been changed):
My companion and I were teaching the Sanchez family. It was hot and the children were making a lot of noise. I asked Sister Sanchez about her reading in the Book of Mormon. As she began to explain, I noticed that their son had grabbed my companion’s notebook and was running around the room waving it in the air. Although I was looking at Sister Sanchez, my mind was elsewhere. I thought to myself, “It’s so hot, and I wish their little boy would settle down. This just isn’t going to work.” As my mind wandered, I noticed that Sister Sanchez was struggling to talk. A subtle impression came into my mind to listen. I fought to tune out the heat and the noise. I carefully watched her face as she spoke. She looked down at the ground, then back up at my companion and me. Her husband was hopelessly trying to quiet the children. There was a pause, and then with trembling in her voice she said, “I did what you asked. I read those chapters you wanted me to, and I prayed.” Again she paused and looked down. She glanced at her children, then her eyes met mine. “I got an answer,” she said with a smile and with tear-filled eyes. “It’s true, I know it’s true.” The Spirit filled the room. With a heart full of gratitude that I had listened, I smiled and said, “Yes, it is.”
March 17, 2014
Dinges...
We had 3 other exchanges this week, one with the Assistants, one with the south elders and one with Schiedam. I went with an Elder from Brazil. He's a cool guy.
We have been able to meet more and more people that we can keep working with. It’s still in the beginning phases, but it's going the right direction. And I’m happy about it. We have a mission leader conference this week, and next week is our zone training.
I had a thought. Well, it wasn't my thought, but I stole it from our hoge raad speaker this Sunday. He read Doctrine and Covenants 78:19:
19 And he who receiveth all things with athankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an bhundred fold, yea, more.
And he emphasized that it says to receive ALL things with thankfulness. It is then that we are blessed.
Although it's true that it's hard to be grateful for the crummy things in our lives, we can learn to accept them. If we accept that it must needs be so, and that we can learn from that thing, and then we actually strive to learn from that thing-- It is then that the Lord is able to bless us.
It's for sure difficult. And for sure worth it.
I will send some pictures now
Elder Chantry!
We have been able to meet more and more people that we can keep working with. It’s still in the beginning phases, but it's going the right direction. And I’m happy about it. We have a mission leader conference this week, and next week is our zone training.
I had a thought. Well, it wasn't my thought, but I stole it from our hoge raad speaker this Sunday. He read Doctrine and Covenants 78:19:
19 And he who receiveth all things with athankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an bhundred fold, yea, more.
And he emphasized that it says to receive ALL things with thankfulness. It is then that we are blessed.
Although it's true that it's hard to be grateful for the crummy things in our lives, we can learn to accept them. If we accept that it must needs be so, and that we can learn from that thing, and then we actually strive to learn from that thing-- It is then that the Lord is able to bless us.
It's for sure difficult. And for sure worth it.
I will send some pictures now
Elder Chantry!
March 10, 2014
Pathway, Pizza and Poltergeists
So this week we:
Went to Rijswijk (just outside of Den Haag) to pick up my new residency permit. We ate pizza at a member’s house with much knoflook and shoarma vlees. Pretty lekker.
We also went to a presentation at the church for the Pathway program. They want to launch the program here in the Rotterdam stake, and it should be a great tool for bringing people back to the church...
I admit, I added poltergeists into the title because I couldn't think of another P word. It really has no application whatsoever...
The weather here was dumbfoundingly amazing. It was 17 on Saturday and 20 Sunday! Soo nice. The bloemen are out and it's full out spring here. Idk what it's like there, but I know for sure you guys are still rockin snow :) heheh
(Not trying to gloat I swear)
I love you all!
Elder Chantry
Went to Rijswijk (just outside of Den Haag) to pick up my new residency permit. We ate pizza at a member’s house with much knoflook and shoarma vlees. Pretty lekker.
We also went to a presentation at the church for the Pathway program. They want to launch the program here in the Rotterdam stake, and it should be a great tool for bringing people back to the church...
I admit, I added poltergeists into the title because I couldn't think of another P word. It really has no application whatsoever...
The weather here was dumbfoundingly amazing. It was 17 on Saturday and 20 Sunday! Soo nice. The bloemen are out and it's full out spring here. Idk what it's like there, but I know for sure you guys are still rockin snow :) heheh
(Not trying to gloat I swear)
I love you all!
Elder Chantry
March 3, 2014
The Best Days of Our Lives
This week is probably the best I've had in the last 2 transfers, as far as teaching goes. We found 8 new people this week that we're gonna start teaching. People from all walks of life. And it's so cool because we've been searching for people for awhile, and it's a beautiful thing to see people that want to learn more. . funniest thing is, we haven't had for new people to teach for ages since I’ve been here. And now it comes all at once. ....The Lord certainly works in his own ways
We had an SYL (Speak Your Language) week this week. It was decided that we, as a mission would do our best to speak Dutch as much as possible. I enjoyed it. It's hard when the people you speak to most the time are other Americans whose Dutch isn't any better then yours, but it's worth it. Really helps to kick my brain into gear....
Overall,
A good week. Had 3 different exchanges this week. Elder Pr. was gone the whole time. I stayed in Rotterdam to work with the Elders...
OH, I forgot,
I walked into a pole this week. I was looking off to the side, as I walked, and apparently I was walking quite briskly, cause I just owned my head against it. The lump I had was huge. Elder Cl. (my comp for the day) couldn't stop laughing. It was quite humorous. Never would've expected it.....................(like duh)
Love you all!
Elder Chantry
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