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