Hoi familie!!
It was a really great week for a lot of different reasons! I got to see my area a little bit this week; going on a few different exchanges; went to Kortrijk and also to Leuven; which is right by Brussels.. so amazing how old this country is, night and day difference than netherlands.
I had some pretty amazing expiriences also this week; i don't know if you remember that elder from belgium, that served in our area in utah year and a half ago; but he lives in leuven; so on exchanges i was able to go visit him.. kinda nervous about it; since he's been inactive for the past 8 months, and the elders to leuven called him a couple days previous to ask if they could visit and he had said no.. so didn't know what to expect, but i took the opportunity and visited him anyways, and he answered the door, and it was really great visit. He said that he was really happy to see me; and that i was the first person that he has seen since his mission from his mission.. also said that he'll come to antwerpen ward in a couple weeks to visit me there.. so neat; i never did say goodbye to him, and never told
him how great of an example he was to me.. but i did that night; and i think that he was touched.. really neat; i felt like i accomplished or did one of the reasons as to why i was even called to this mission.. and then heard news from spijkenisse and a couple of people there are going to get baptized, or made those girls; one being pat; so excited to hear that; she had been going through some difficult times but now she caught some fire again.. and then saskia de reus also now has a baptismal date.. so sweet; i really feel like i'm undestanding the scripture out D&c 18: 15-16 more and more as i progress in my mission.. i found all that out the day i was in leuven; and it was the most joyous days of my mission that wasn't a
baptismal day.. it was amazing.. Isaac here in Antwerpen was not baptized this week, but he is definitely planning on it; we all felt like it was a little fast, and we were able to explain baptism a little more to him, and he is super prepared.. loves church, was there again on sunday, and he hinted to me that he was for sure going to be baptized this month.. really neat to see a man truly converted
and for the right reasons.. We are teaching a chinese investigator named ling; she's great; and we have had some powerful lessens on prayer and the plan of salvation,, it's so interesting teaching people without a background of god.. i love it, because it's so exciting to see them find him.. i think back on sun; and i
feel like ling can end up like him! other than that; were dealing with some other investigators; still love them, but our focus is definitely on finding right now.. cool expiriences that i wish I could share; but i'm out of time.. love you all; and thanks for all you do!!
Tot ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
A great week in many ways!!!
Hoi Family!
I sent emails i believe to all who sent them to me.. i hope =0 but for lack of time; quick summary of the week.. went to the temple and had a zone conference where a member from the 70 came and spoke to us.. really powerful.. went to zone leader council.. that was pretty cool as well.. learned all about what it takes and what i need to do as a zone leader.. taveled a lot.. joys of being a zone leader, sometimes you get to sit in the car for a while.. isaac, an investigator that we have, he is going to get baptized next sunday.. that's exciting.. and yeah.. life is good.. =)
I was thinking and one of the greatest blessings about being a missionary i've realized, is the opportunities we have every day to ask specific questions to our heavenly father, and receive specific answers in return.. the whole concept of personal revelation fascinates me.. because it's a miracle every time that we feel the holy ghost and receive an answer.. i look back at the moments of when i have felt the holy ghost.. and in the moment, there is no better feeling then that of the holy ghost.. so cool; =)
love you all loads; sorry this is short; promise next week will be better!! but felt i needed to take some more time in the personal emails to people!!
dag!
and tot volgende week!
elder mohrman
Monday, October 10, 2011
Mixed emotions ....
Familie!
Another week.. another transfer?!! It's that time once again, where we missionary's find out our future for the next six weeks.. well.. I'm no longer district leader to start off with.. Elder Klippel who lives in the apartment he's now district leader, and also he's training.. cool for him.. he'll do great.. That means that Elder Guanuna, the elder that's been with me my whole time in Spijkenisse, in the apartment, he's being kicked out.. and he's now going to my old city of Amsterdam, he's pretty excited.. but kinda sad that our time living in the same apartment is over, he's become a good friend.. Elder Da cruz.. he's become senior companion! Elder Brown, who replaced me in heerlen.. is now replacing me again!! So now i'm heading onto my 5th city going into my 9th transfer.. and the city that i'm going too.. *drum roll.. Antwerpen! The second biggest city in Belgium.. so there you go.. both countries can now be checked off the list! I'm excited, i've heard a lot of great things about antwerpen.. it was the old assistant city.. and now it's the zone leader city for the antwerpen zone.. so yeah.. i'm no longer a district leader, but now I've been called to be a zone leader! Which means.. I get a car.. i am going to drive in europe.. unbelievable, I think that's the thing I'm most nervous about! It's a stick shift, which will be fun, but I haven't driven in over a year, 13 months to be exact.. and now i get stick shift in crazy belgium.. please include my safety in your prayers at night!! =P As you can probably imagine, I have mixed feelings about this.. I'm excited about going to Antwerpen, about going to belgium, about how much I will be stretched with this new calling.. but at the same time.. I love spijkenisse.. I love the people here, both members of the church, and also the investigators.. it's hard.. I don't like goodbye's, and I've already said goodbye to some of people I've taught.. rough. Hendryetta the dutch girl who is still working on being baptized.. she sent some beautiful texts this morning thanking me, and saying she considers me a true friend.. and thanks for listening and helping her.. that's neat.. i copied her text into my journal.. Tom, my old dutch friend, I haven't told him, but that's going to be a rough goodbye as well.. we had such a spiritually intense lessen with him this past week.. where we bore our heart and soul to him, telling him as clearly as we could about the message that we share.. it's the most bold i've ever been with an investigator, and he responded really well.. i've never told anyone that I loved them before, but I told Tom that.. and it's true.. as a missionary you learn what love is.. and the different type of love that's out there. The ward, so many great people, I don't know how I'm going to be able to visit them all before I leave, in fact I know I can't.. and that's hard.. I wish they gave us more time in between transfers, so the departing missionary can say goodbye.. but tonight, I'm going to go play squash with the men of the church.. they have a little club, and they compete for this trophy.. there all going to be there, and I'm going to have a chance to play them all.. there cocky.. it's funny, but they said that if I beat them, I can sign my name on the trophy that there competing for, and one of them said, if I did manage to beat them, I can take the trophy with me.. I can't wait.. but really neat that they would organize this for me.. so many bonds and friendships made here.. Well the antwerpen zone is the zone that heerlen is in, so I'll be able to go back and visit.. which will be really nice, see some old faces.. but this is truly the next chapter of my mission and I'm looking forward to it.. thanks for all your prayers and support I love you all..
I asked for the address for my new apartment.. and I think it is
laarsebaan 374
2170 merksem
Belgium
But that doesn't seem right to me.. so if you would like to send some packages or letters, there are zone conferences and also zone leader councils that will be taking place soon I'll have every opportunity to pick them up in the office and the office address is
schipolweg 66
2316 xe leiden
netherlands
I guess Antwerpen will be my city for the rest of the year.. probably, anything can happen but at least til the beginning of december.. I also today sent two packages home.. filled with junk i've collected in spijkenisse and heerlen.. but I also put a lot of dutch stuff for you all, treats and lekker dingetjes.. so enjoy ;) Also two memory cards full of my memories.. so hope you enjoy going through my life for the past 6-7 months ;)
Well family.. I love you, I think about you and pray for you guys always, and next email you'll get will be from belgium!
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Another week.. another transfer?!! It's that time once again, where we missionary's find out our future for the next six weeks.. well.. I'm no longer district leader to start off with.. Elder Klippel who lives in the apartment he's now district leader, and also he's training.. cool for him.. he'll do great.. That means that Elder Guanuna, the elder that's been with me my whole time in Spijkenisse, in the apartment, he's being kicked out.. and he's now going to my old city of Amsterdam, he's pretty excited.. but kinda sad that our time living in the same apartment is over, he's become a good friend.. Elder Da cruz.. he's become senior companion! Elder Brown, who replaced me in heerlen.. is now replacing me again!! So now i'm heading onto my 5th city going into my 9th transfer.. and the city that i'm going too.. *drum roll.. Antwerpen! The second biggest city in Belgium.. so there you go.. both countries can now be checked off the list! I'm excited, i've heard a lot of great things about antwerpen.. it was the old assistant city.. and now it's the zone leader city for the antwerpen zone.. so yeah.. i'm no longer a district leader, but now I've been called to be a zone leader! Which means.. I get a car.. i am going to drive in europe.. unbelievable, I think that's the thing I'm most nervous about! It's a stick shift, which will be fun, but I haven't driven in over a year, 13 months to be exact.. and now i get stick shift in crazy belgium.. please include my safety in your prayers at night!! =P As you can probably imagine, I have mixed feelings about this.. I'm excited about going to Antwerpen, about going to belgium, about how much I will be stretched with this new calling.. but at the same time.. I love spijkenisse.. I love the people here, both members of the church, and also the investigators.. it's hard.. I don't like goodbye's, and I've already said goodbye to some of people I've taught.. rough. Hendryetta the dutch girl who is still working on being baptized.. she sent some beautiful texts this morning thanking me, and saying she considers me a true friend.. and thanks for listening and helping her.. that's neat.. i copied her text into my journal.. Tom, my old dutch friend, I haven't told him, but that's going to be a rough goodbye as well.. we had such a spiritually intense lessen with him this past week.. where we bore our heart and soul to him, telling him as clearly as we could about the message that we share.. it's the most bold i've ever been with an investigator, and he responded really well.. i've never told anyone that I loved them before, but I told Tom that.. and it's true.. as a missionary you learn what love is.. and the different type of love that's out there. The ward, so many great people, I don't know how I'm going to be able to visit them all before I leave, in fact I know I can't.. and that's hard.. I wish they gave us more time in between transfers, so the departing missionary can say goodbye.. but tonight, I'm going to go play squash with the men of the church.. they have a little club, and they compete for this trophy.. there all going to be there, and I'm going to have a chance to play them all.. there cocky.. it's funny, but they said that if I beat them, I can sign my name on the trophy that there competing for, and one of them said, if I did manage to beat them, I can take the trophy with me.. I can't wait.. but really neat that they would organize this for me.. so many bonds and friendships made here.. Well the antwerpen zone is the zone that heerlen is in, so I'll be able to go back and visit.. which will be really nice, see some old faces.. but this is truly the next chapter of my mission and I'm looking forward to it.. thanks for all your prayers and support I love you all..
I asked for the address for my new apartment.. and I think it is
laarsebaan 374
2170 merksem
Belgium
But that doesn't seem right to me.. so if you would like to send some packages or letters, there are zone conferences and also zone leader councils that will be taking place soon I'll have every opportunity to pick them up in the office and the office address is
schipolweg 66
2316 xe leiden
netherlands
I guess Antwerpen will be my city for the rest of the year.. probably, anything can happen but at least til the beginning of december.. I also today sent two packages home.. filled with junk i've collected in spijkenisse and heerlen.. but I also put a lot of dutch stuff for you all, treats and lekker dingetjes.. so enjoy ;) Also two memory cards full of my memories.. so hope you enjoy going through my life for the past 6-7 months ;)
Well family.. I love you, I think about you and pray for you guys always, and next email you'll get will be from belgium!
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Friday, October 7, 2011
and yet another "where's Elder Mohrman" siting!
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/09/miracles-in-rotterdam-south.html
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A new "where's elder Mohrman" siting....he is in four or so pictures...
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/09/importance-of-district-leaders.html
Monday, October 3, 2011
Conference time again...i love conference...
Familie!!
Another week.. another month.. wow de tijd vliegd voobij.. You know, i´ve heard from a few of you that I don´t express much feelings in my emails.. sorry for that.. so if your wondering how i´m feeling.. and I know you all are.. you wonder´ers.... simply put .. i´m happy. We sometimes use that word lightly in the english language.. say it without thinking what it really means.. but that´s truly how I feel right now, i´m just happy. It´s a good time on my mission :)
One because god is just pouring out blessing after blessing, and were growing so much with our investigators, Bas, who is battleing depression, didn´t have the best week, but at the same time didn´t have the worst week either.. he´s making progression and it´s noticable, and what´s neater is that he notices it as well.. Pat.. we had an appointment with her husband, he´s pretty arrogand and a prideful, but the end result is he´s going to read the book of mormon, and he´s given permission for her to be baptized.. officially.. Tom.. my dutch friend.. I found out this week I was giving him too much credit, he´s not around 55.. turns out he´s 62, but we met with him twice this week, hasn´t happened that much, we watched the thomas s. monson film with him.. I was able to see the holy ghost touch this man through the stories and words of our prophet.. and see that he hasn´t had this feeling in his life very much.. he has a lot of what we would say in dutch "drempels".. but he´s progressing, ever so slowly he´s progressing, and being filled with the light of christ.. Eliza.. our young lady friend we met a few weeks ago, she came to conference, and met so many people from the church, and I think she liked it.. at least enough to come back and give it a try to see if it´s the church for her.. My district.. there awesome, all of them. Learn so much from them, and were really united as a district.. also adds to a person´s happiness.. At General conference I was able to see my chinese friend from Den Haag, Sun.. who was baptized after I left.. it was so sweet to see him, and see him on the same day as Dwight and Natasje who also came.. and also Aaltje, who also came.. All these people who I´ve taught and they were baptized all in one place watching conference as members!.. it was a happy moment :) General Conference is always amazing, you get filled with the spirit, and you hear things in different ways that just click and mean a lot for you.. I loved the story of the seventy, in his first week was feeling overwhelmed.. and down.. who came into the elevator.. president monson.. told him to look up.. it´s always better to look up.. I thought that was such a beautiful simple example of what the role of prophets are.. there here to remind us to look up.. keep our focus clear.. All of conference was amazing, naturally, and I could talk forever about all of it.. really suprised about Provo.. really neat..
Well this past week has also been a very chinese filled week... ate at a chinese buffet with some members last monday, and then coming back from district leader council, I talked with a chinese man on the train, about comic books of all things.. that led to faith and what I was doing and I guess my testimony of what faith is touched him enough, that were now going to meet him, and he´s going to take us to a comic book store.. hopefully we´ll be able to get him to the jovo centrum.. I think he´ll come.. he´s a cool guy.. Also again I got to see sun again, and the Rotterdam north elders have a chinese investigator named lee, who will be baptized this month.. pretty cool to see sun helping this guy along.. Anyways.. a lot of things have happened.. life is happy..
Love you all,
Elder Mohrman
Another week.. another month.. wow de tijd vliegd voobij.. You know, i´ve heard from a few of you that I don´t express much feelings in my emails.. sorry for that.. so if your wondering how i´m feeling.. and I know you all are.. you wonder´ers.... simply put .. i´m happy. We sometimes use that word lightly in the english language.. say it without thinking what it really means.. but that´s truly how I feel right now, i´m just happy. It´s a good time on my mission :)
One because god is just pouring out blessing after blessing, and were growing so much with our investigators, Bas, who is battleing depression, didn´t have the best week, but at the same time didn´t have the worst week either.. he´s making progression and it´s noticable, and what´s neater is that he notices it as well.. Pat.. we had an appointment with her husband, he´s pretty arrogand and a prideful, but the end result is he´s going to read the book of mormon, and he´s given permission for her to be baptized.. officially.. Tom.. my dutch friend.. I found out this week I was giving him too much credit, he´s not around 55.. turns out he´s 62, but we met with him twice this week, hasn´t happened that much, we watched the thomas s. monson film with him.. I was able to see the holy ghost touch this man through the stories and words of our prophet.. and see that he hasn´t had this feeling in his life very much.. he has a lot of what we would say in dutch "drempels".. but he´s progressing, ever so slowly he´s progressing, and being filled with the light of christ.. Eliza.. our young lady friend we met a few weeks ago, she came to conference, and met so many people from the church, and I think she liked it.. at least enough to come back and give it a try to see if it´s the church for her.. My district.. there awesome, all of them. Learn so much from them, and were really united as a district.. also adds to a person´s happiness.. At General conference I was able to see my chinese friend from Den Haag, Sun.. who was baptized after I left.. it was so sweet to see him, and see him on the same day as Dwight and Natasje who also came.. and also Aaltje, who also came.. All these people who I´ve taught and they were baptized all in one place watching conference as members!.. it was a happy moment :) General Conference is always amazing, you get filled with the spirit, and you hear things in different ways that just click and mean a lot for you.. I loved the story of the seventy, in his first week was feeling overwhelmed.. and down.. who came into the elevator.. president monson.. told him to look up.. it´s always better to look up.. I thought that was such a beautiful simple example of what the role of prophets are.. there here to remind us to look up.. keep our focus clear.. All of conference was amazing, naturally, and I could talk forever about all of it.. really suprised about Provo.. really neat..
Well this past week has also been a very chinese filled week... ate at a chinese buffet with some members last monday, and then coming back from district leader council, I talked with a chinese man on the train, about comic books of all things.. that led to faith and what I was doing and I guess my testimony of what faith is touched him enough, that were now going to meet him, and he´s going to take us to a comic book store.. hopefully we´ll be able to get him to the jovo centrum.. I think he´ll come.. he´s a cool guy.. Also again I got to see sun again, and the Rotterdam north elders have a chinese investigator named lee, who will be baptized this month.. pretty cool to see sun helping this guy along.. Anyways.. a lot of things have happened.. life is happy..
Love you all,
Elder Mohrman
Monday, September 26, 2011
Where's Waldo...oops I mean Elder Mohrman...
Elder Mohrman's mission president's wife is wonderful at maintaining a mission blog...posting events, stories etc. It can be found here:
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/
Some of the pictures are from zone conferences etc and lo and behold...I can spot the blonde Elder from Payson...so there will be specific links and see if you can spot Waldo..oops I mean Elder Mohrman...
Here are a couple of links:
1. Recent Zone Conference - Sept 14...he is in four of the pictures...usually you can click on the pictures for better view...
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/09/two-zones-come-together-for-zone.html
2. Mission President visited a ward on a Sunday...(this one is too easy...he is in two of them)
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-sunday-was-blessed-by-spijkinesse.html
3. Mission President and wife toured the apartments in the mission... (he is in three of these...)
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/08/saturday-in-rotterdam-spijkenisse-and.html
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/
Some of the pictures are from zone conferences etc and lo and behold...I can spot the blonde Elder from Payson...so there will be specific links and see if you can spot Waldo..oops I mean Elder Mohrman...
Here are a couple of links:
1. Recent Zone Conference - Sept 14...he is in four of the pictures...usually you can click on the pictures for better view...
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/09/two-zones-come-together-for-zone.html
2. Mission President visited a ward on a Sunday...(this one is too easy...he is in two of them)
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/08/our-sunday-was-blessed-by-spijkinesse.html
3. Mission President and wife toured the apartments in the mission... (he is in three of these...)
http://belgiumbrusselsnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com/2011/08/saturday-in-rotterdam-spijkenisse-and.html
doing great....
Hoi familie!!
I don´t have a lot of time.. but I made some bullet points that I wanted to say to you all!!
First.. We went to tom´s choir last monday.. it was interesting.. we didn´t sing in it.. just listened.. as dutch as it could have possibly been. Interesting expirience.. nobody was really happy that we were there, but Tom was. We committed him to reading everyday in the book of mormon til general conference.. and I shared with him that lamp story you sent me dad.. it was an amazing powerful lessen.. he said he would do his best, then he said he would do it.. going back tomorrow night, and he said he´s going to bring a neighbor with him to the appointment.. so that´s really neat.. Tom.. wow.. He´s probably one of my more favorite investigators/people i´ve met on my mission.. who would of thought that a relationship/friendship could be built and mean so much between a 50 year old dutch man and a 20 year old american kid.. Amazing...
We set a couple more baptismal dates this week! One with Pat.. really excited about that, she got permission from her husband, and she´s pretty much saying forget the in-laws.. I want this for myself.. she still has a long way to go, but she made that step in committing to a date.. really happy about that.. also set a baptismal date with Bas, the man we were told to go visit by a returned visiting missionary pete arens.. He´s doing amazing, and he wants to make the changes in his life.. i´ve never seen someone so dedicated to the committments that we give.. Pretty amazing story..
So hendryetta did not go through.. but aaltje did.. pretty special seeing aaltje get baptized.. had a lot of flashbacks to where she was when I first met her, to now seeing the glow in her eyes.. one of the more amazing stories from my mission I think.. but of course there´s opposition in all things, and aaltje and her familie aren´t doing so hot right now.. which is affecting hendryetta.. but hendryetta is still committed to being baptized.. she just needs a lot of prayers.. so thank you for all the prayers that have and will be said.
I have more that I could and would like to say.. but I´m in a hurry, just wanted to give some updates on these people.. the 20 year old girl that we found.. she´s now investigating.. really cool appointment.. so the lord is still blessing this area, and i´m still blessed to be in it!
Transfers are the middle of october.. i have no idea if i´ll be transfered or not.. normally it´s between 3-4 transfers in one place.. this is my third..
Love you all, thanks so much for your emails!
Tot ziens,
Elder Mohrman
I don´t have a lot of time.. but I made some bullet points that I wanted to say to you all!!
First.. We went to tom´s choir last monday.. it was interesting.. we didn´t sing in it.. just listened.. as dutch as it could have possibly been. Interesting expirience.. nobody was really happy that we were there, but Tom was. We committed him to reading everyday in the book of mormon til general conference.. and I shared with him that lamp story you sent me dad.. it was an amazing powerful lessen.. he said he would do his best, then he said he would do it.. going back tomorrow night, and he said he´s going to bring a neighbor with him to the appointment.. so that´s really neat.. Tom.. wow.. He´s probably one of my more favorite investigators/people i´ve met on my mission.. who would of thought that a relationship/friendship could be built and mean so much between a 50 year old dutch man and a 20 year old american kid.. Amazing...
We set a couple more baptismal dates this week! One with Pat.. really excited about that, she got permission from her husband, and she´s pretty much saying forget the in-laws.. I want this for myself.. she still has a long way to go, but she made that step in committing to a date.. really happy about that.. also set a baptismal date with Bas, the man we were told to go visit by a returned visiting missionary pete arens.. He´s doing amazing, and he wants to make the changes in his life.. i´ve never seen someone so dedicated to the committments that we give.. Pretty amazing story..
So hendryetta did not go through.. but aaltje did.. pretty special seeing aaltje get baptized.. had a lot of flashbacks to where she was when I first met her, to now seeing the glow in her eyes.. one of the more amazing stories from my mission I think.. but of course there´s opposition in all things, and aaltje and her familie aren´t doing so hot right now.. which is affecting hendryetta.. but hendryetta is still committed to being baptized.. she just needs a lot of prayers.. so thank you for all the prayers that have and will be said.
I have more that I could and would like to say.. but I´m in a hurry, just wanted to give some updates on these people.. the 20 year old girl that we found.. she´s now investigating.. really cool appointment.. so the lord is still blessing this area, and i´m still blessed to be in it!
Transfers are the middle of october.. i have no idea if i´ll be transfered or not.. normally it´s between 3-4 transfers in one place.. this is my third..
Love you all, thanks so much for your emails!
Tot ziens,
Elder Mohrman
Monday, September 19, 2011
Hoi! Week.. yeah.. Been a while here in Spijkenisse!
Hoi familie!
Another week gone by.. crazy.. time flies.. but it was a great.. setting up week.. I mean that we set up a lot of things this past week, for this coming week.. Hendryetta is getting baptized.. with her sister Aaltje.. really awesome, and amazing, and a miracle.. still have to get past the baptismal interviews.. but there doing awesome, and I have complete faith they'll get baptized this saturday. It's pretty unique situation, I taught both of them, set up both of there baptismal dates.. yet they'll be baptized in a different city. In fact today, we have a lessen with Hendryetta in R'dam south, out of our area =0 I don't know the other ward at all, that'll they'll be going too, so I can only hope and pray that they get fellowshipped!
Tom.. our big friendly dutch man.. he's amazing.. he's been telling people at his work and his church that he's been meeting with "mormon missionarys' and of course people have been freaking out, and asking him "aren't they trying to convert you?!!" and he's been telling these people, "yeah, maybe.. but there doing it in a way that's not hindering".. pretty neat.. he's still reading.. still praying.. the only problem with this guy is, that were getting to be too good of friends with this guy! We get distracted on so many different topics that we struggle sometimes talking about the lessens!! But we decided we needed to show more support for him, so i called him up this past week, and said were going to go to his church tonight, and listen to him sing in his church choir.. it's going to be crazy.. as dutch as they come churches.. I think that he might even want us to sing with them.. how about that huh.. singing in a reformed dutch church's choir... that would definitely go in the journal ;) Óur families are also making great strides.. with lot's of enthusiasm.. i don't think i've ever made such strong relationships with investigators before.. I thought Heerlen was good.. man.. doesn't compare with how well things are going here.. It's great! We have lot's of potential for this coming week as I hinted at earlier.. yesterday, we were doing some finding on a street going door to door.. first house, lesbians.. awkward.. second house.. Jehovah witnesses.. third and 4th houses.. rude dutch people.. then the last house on the row, this golden 20 year old, who said she's looking for a church, has never heard of us or the book of mormon, and asked us to come back and tell her more.. i've never had someone ask us to come back on my mission.. well jehovah witnesses.. but they don't count.. it was pretty sweet, especially since our focus for our mission is families, and young adults.. we have both here right now..
well two minutes left of my internet time, just wanted to say I love you all.. thanks for everything, i'm going to be sending some packages home, with dutch goodies.. hope you enjoy.. and okay, tot de volgende week!
Love
Elder Mohrman
Another week gone by.. crazy.. time flies.. but it was a great.. setting up week.. I mean that we set up a lot of things this past week, for this coming week.. Hendryetta is getting baptized.. with her sister Aaltje.. really awesome, and amazing, and a miracle.. still have to get past the baptismal interviews.. but there doing awesome, and I have complete faith they'll get baptized this saturday. It's pretty unique situation, I taught both of them, set up both of there baptismal dates.. yet they'll be baptized in a different city. In fact today, we have a lessen with Hendryetta in R'dam south, out of our area =0 I don't know the other ward at all, that'll they'll be going too, so I can only hope and pray that they get fellowshipped!
Tom.. our big friendly dutch man.. he's amazing.. he's been telling people at his work and his church that he's been meeting with "mormon missionarys' and of course people have been freaking out, and asking him "aren't they trying to convert you?!!" and he's been telling these people, "yeah, maybe.. but there doing it in a way that's not hindering".. pretty neat.. he's still reading.. still praying.. the only problem with this guy is, that were getting to be too good of friends with this guy! We get distracted on so many different topics that we struggle sometimes talking about the lessens!! But we decided we needed to show more support for him, so i called him up this past week, and said were going to go to his church tonight, and listen to him sing in his church choir.. it's going to be crazy.. as dutch as they come churches.. I think that he might even want us to sing with them.. how about that huh.. singing in a reformed dutch church's choir... that would definitely go in the journal ;) Óur families are also making great strides.. with lot's of enthusiasm.. i don't think i've ever made such strong relationships with investigators before.. I thought Heerlen was good.. man.. doesn't compare with how well things are going here.. It's great! We have lot's of potential for this coming week as I hinted at earlier.. yesterday, we were doing some finding on a street going door to door.. first house, lesbians.. awkward.. second house.. Jehovah witnesses.. third and 4th houses.. rude dutch people.. then the last house on the row, this golden 20 year old, who said she's looking for a church, has never heard of us or the book of mormon, and asked us to come back and tell her more.. i've never had someone ask us to come back on my mission.. well jehovah witnesses.. but they don't count.. it was pretty sweet, especially since our focus for our mission is families, and young adults.. we have both here right now..
well two minutes left of my internet time, just wanted to say I love you all.. thanks for everything, i'm going to be sending some packages home, with dutch goodies.. hope you enjoy.. and okay, tot de volgende week!
Love
Elder Mohrman
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Family is Reunited Through the Gospel!
Sampsons, Natasje and Dwight, Spijkenisse, August 27, 2011
Dwight and Natasje were found by missionaries over a year ago. They were very interested in the message the missionaries had to share and also when coming to the church, found out that Natasje was related to several members in the Spijkenisse ward. Over time they gained personal testimonies of the truth of the message, looking forward to the day that they would be able to be baptized. However, Dwight and Natasje were not married and due to circumstances, were not able to be married for some time. After going through some hard times they fell out of contact with the missionaries and the church, but by themselves working out personal problems, they were married in the Spring, then came back to church unexpectedly, where once again we were able to meet with them, and prepare them for baptism. They were baptized August 28, 2011 by Elder Davies, and then confirmed a week later on September 4th by President Broekzitter, who also is a family member of Natasje's. They are a wonderful young couple, looking forward to the day when they will be able to go to the temple and be sealed for all time and eternity with their two little sons Dj and Jd. (Written by Elder Mohrman)
Dwight and Natasje were found by missionaries over a year ago. They were very interested in the message the missionaries had to share and also when coming to the church, found out that Natasje was related to several members in the Spijkenisse ward. Over time they gained personal testimonies of the truth of the message, looking forward to the day that they would be able to be baptized. However, Dwight and Natasje were not married and due to circumstances, were not able to be married for some time. After going through some hard times they fell out of contact with the missionaries and the church, but by themselves working out personal problems, they were married in the Spring, then came back to church unexpectedly, where once again we were able to meet with them, and prepare them for baptism. They were baptized August 28, 2011 by Elder Davies, and then confirmed a week later on September 4th by President Broekzitter, who also is a family member of Natasje's. They are a wonderful young couple, looking forward to the day when they will be able to go to the temple and be sealed for all time and eternity with their two little sons Dj and Jd. (Written by Elder Mohrman)
one year anniversary...
Hoi familie!
What a week! It was a week blessed with new investigators! We have a couple of new families investigating now, one was a referral from malaysia!! Random.. but awesome, there a really awesome family.. I feel like they'll be a lot like Tom in investigating the church.. slow and thorough.. but that's okay, because when they finally get that testimony they will be amazing members! Dwight and Natasje are doing amazing, they set up an appointment with there neighbor and us at there house on tuesday, love those people.. they say that there going to come to utah to be sealed in the salt lake temple.. but who knows.. it's just awesome they have there eyes set on the next goal! Hendryetta is getting ready for her baptism along with Aaltje.. Aaltje is being taught by the other elders now, we gave her over after we set the baptismal date with her, and she's on fire, and they both will be baptized on sep. 24th, in r;dam south.. really excited! ;)
We also finally had a lessen with the referral family from Malaysia.. really neat people, and they have agreed to take the lessens and see if the light that we have to offer is something that is good for them. We also met another family, and turns out the husband was baptized when he was 9, and then his mom left the church when he was 10 and he's never been back since.. he wants to come back, and we've developed a great friendship with them, and they've also agreed to take the lessens.. The teaching calander is great! I love it, because it explains our purpose so clearly.. I really feel like our investigators that we have, know why were there, and know why there investigating, and know that there investigating.. The ward is amazing.. I wish we could use them more, but our appointments always seem to be bad timing for them.. so were working on changing our appointments to work with our members schedules.. there more than willing and eager to help, so it's really a blessing being here, working with these members. Things are going great with Elder Da Cruz, I enjoy immensly being his companion, and also enjoy it when he goes off in one of the many langagues he knows!
The apartment is great, get along with all the elders, one elder here, is a lefty.. played baseball.. loves sports.. yeah.. we get a long really well ;) We switch off from playing catch every morning to.. sit down when you read this.. jogging! WHoa.. came out of nowhere I know.. but hey.. I figure why not start off my 21st year doing something i've never done before? So we've been jogging.. crazy.. never thought I could be so out of shape.. I've been gaining a lot since I've been in spijkenisse, when I left heerlen i weighed 76-77 Kg.. now I'm up to 83 Kg.. which is somewhere around.. well I'll let you figure it out =P Life is great.. Ward is amazing.. what i've noticed now with the dutch people, it takes a while to crack them, but once you crack them, and make a friendship make a bond.. the bond lasts, and it really means something.. It's been really neat getting to know, and making these bonds with these members here in spijkenisse.. today we did some more service for our bishop who's having back problems.. and we've been finding little odds and ends to do to serve these people.. don't know what else to say, so i'll say tot ziens for this week!
Love you all,
thanks for everything!
Elder Mohrman
What a week! It was a week blessed with new investigators! We have a couple of new families investigating now, one was a referral from malaysia!! Random.. but awesome, there a really awesome family.. I feel like they'll be a lot like Tom in investigating the church.. slow and thorough.. but that's okay, because when they finally get that testimony they will be amazing members! Dwight and Natasje are doing amazing, they set up an appointment with there neighbor and us at there house on tuesday, love those people.. they say that there going to come to utah to be sealed in the salt lake temple.. but who knows.. it's just awesome they have there eyes set on the next goal! Hendryetta is getting ready for her baptism along with Aaltje.. Aaltje is being taught by the other elders now, we gave her over after we set the baptismal date with her, and she's on fire, and they both will be baptized on sep. 24th, in r;dam south.. really excited! ;)
We also finally had a lessen with the referral family from Malaysia.. really neat people, and they have agreed to take the lessens and see if the light that we have to offer is something that is good for them. We also met another family, and turns out the husband was baptized when he was 9, and then his mom left the church when he was 10 and he's never been back since.. he wants to come back, and we've developed a great friendship with them, and they've also agreed to take the lessens.. The teaching calander is great! I love it, because it explains our purpose so clearly.. I really feel like our investigators that we have, know why were there, and know why there investigating, and know that there investigating.. The ward is amazing.. I wish we could use them more, but our appointments always seem to be bad timing for them.. so were working on changing our appointments to work with our members schedules.. there more than willing and eager to help, so it's really a blessing being here, working with these members. Things are going great with Elder Da Cruz, I enjoy immensly being his companion, and also enjoy it when he goes off in one of the many langagues he knows!
The apartment is great, get along with all the elders, one elder here, is a lefty.. played baseball.. loves sports.. yeah.. we get a long really well ;) We switch off from playing catch every morning to.. sit down when you read this.. jogging! WHoa.. came out of nowhere I know.. but hey.. I figure why not start off my 21st year doing something i've never done before? So we've been jogging.. crazy.. never thought I could be so out of shape.. I've been gaining a lot since I've been in spijkenisse, when I left heerlen i weighed 76-77 Kg.. now I'm up to 83 Kg.. which is somewhere around.. well I'll let you figure it out =P Life is great.. Ward is amazing.. what i've noticed now with the dutch people, it takes a while to crack them, but once you crack them, and make a friendship make a bond.. the bond lasts, and it really means something.. It's been really neat getting to know, and making these bonds with these members here in spijkenisse.. today we did some more service for our bishop who's having back problems.. and we've been finding little odds and ends to do to serve these people.. don't know what else to say, so i'll say tot ziens for this week!
Love you all,
thanks for everything!
Elder Mohrman
Monday, September 5, 2011
Hoi familie!
Hoi familie!
First email.. as a 20 year old!!! Crazy huh?? Birthdays are definitely different out here in the mission field.. what i did you may be asking.. well.. had lunch with a member.. did a few hours of finding in the sun.. looked a few people up.. had a birthday dinner with another member in the ward.. looked another person up, and went home.. exciting huh? ;) Nah I made that sound lame, but it was really neat having a lot of missionary's call and wish me a happy birthday, a senior couple drove out and dropped off cookies for me.. on sunday, I went over to a members house (from peru) to celebrate her grandson's birthday, who's birthday was also on september 3rd.. and after we sang to him, cut out his cake, the sister went back into the kitchen and came out with this big ol' cake saying "Happy Birthday Elder Mohrman!" It was so cool, so then everyone sang to me, and I was able to cut the cake.. she even got me some presents.. some socks.. and other random things that a missionary would need.. I was really touched, super nice of her to do that!
So that was my birthday.. the rest of the week.. shipped Elder Davies out to Den Bosch.. Got my other companion Elder Da Cruz.. Dwight and Natasje were confirmed members of the church this past sunday.. and oh.. so get this, This lady who was 79 or something, she passed away in another city, and she requested that missionarys, since she loved them so much, carried her coffin along with her family.. well the elders in the city weren't able to make it, so they asked us if we could do it.. we had nothing so we said why not.. and so I went to my second funeral in as many weeks, and this time carried the casket of the lady.. interesting expirience.. the family were non-members.. so it was really interesting being in the room with just the family when they put the lid on the coffin and seeing the family say there last goodbye's.. A very interesting expirience.. then after the service in the church, we thought we were done, and the son who organized it, asked if we were going to the grave site as well.. and then invited us to ride with him.. turns out the son was excommunicated for different reasons.. but he loved his mother very much, and talked a lot about her, and her service in the church.. we get to the grave site and we help again carrying the coffin to the actual burial site.. and were just standing and are with this family for everything.. all the private moments and what not.. just a really interesting expirience.. a little awkward not going to lie.. but intersting.. so in short.. i carried a dead person on my mission.. cool huh?! =P
Investigator wise.. Tom is awesome.. he's progressing slowly, but that's okay, he is making progress and it's very visible.. our last appointment, he usually has some problem with the book of mormon that we have to answer about.. but this last appointment, he finally said the the whole story of 1st nephi was very beautiful and very interesting to see the reactions of laman and lemuel and then of nephi dealing with all there.. "crap" for lack of a better word.. he really enjoyed the baptismal service, and is still committed to coming to a service of ours.. he's also in his church choir, and so we said we wanted to go to his church and listen to him sing.. think he appreciated that.. building a really great friendship with that man.. Naika.. after an amazing first appointment with her a few days ago.. she did not come to church, and then she sent us a text message saying thanks.. but no thanks.. so another classic story of someone getting anti'd.. pretty sad.. but it happens.. had enough of these expiriences on my mission to not let it get me down.. but still a bummer nevertheless.. But we have a great week planned.. let you know if anything amazing happens! ;)
Love you all, thanks for everything and the birthday wishes..
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
First email.. as a 20 year old!!! Crazy huh?? Birthdays are definitely different out here in the mission field.. what i did you may be asking.. well.. had lunch with a member.. did a few hours of finding in the sun.. looked a few people up.. had a birthday dinner with another member in the ward.. looked another person up, and went home.. exciting huh? ;) Nah I made that sound lame, but it was really neat having a lot of missionary's call and wish me a happy birthday, a senior couple drove out and dropped off cookies for me.. on sunday, I went over to a members house (from peru) to celebrate her grandson's birthday, who's birthday was also on september 3rd.. and after we sang to him, cut out his cake, the sister went back into the kitchen and came out with this big ol' cake saying "Happy Birthday Elder Mohrman!" It was so cool, so then everyone sang to me, and I was able to cut the cake.. she even got me some presents.. some socks.. and other random things that a missionary would need.. I was really touched, super nice of her to do that!
So that was my birthday.. the rest of the week.. shipped Elder Davies out to Den Bosch.. Got my other companion Elder Da Cruz.. Dwight and Natasje were confirmed members of the church this past sunday.. and oh.. so get this, This lady who was 79 or something, she passed away in another city, and she requested that missionarys, since she loved them so much, carried her coffin along with her family.. well the elders in the city weren't able to make it, so they asked us if we could do it.. we had nothing so we said why not.. and so I went to my second funeral in as many weeks, and this time carried the casket of the lady.. interesting expirience.. the family were non-members.. so it was really interesting being in the room with just the family when they put the lid on the coffin and seeing the family say there last goodbye's.. A very interesting expirience.. then after the service in the church, we thought we were done, and the son who organized it, asked if we were going to the grave site as well.. and then invited us to ride with him.. turns out the son was excommunicated for different reasons.. but he loved his mother very much, and talked a lot about her, and her service in the church.. we get to the grave site and we help again carrying the coffin to the actual burial site.. and were just standing and are with this family for everything.. all the private moments and what not.. just a really interesting expirience.. a little awkward not going to lie.. but intersting.. so in short.. i carried a dead person on my mission.. cool huh?! =P
Investigator wise.. Tom is awesome.. he's progressing slowly, but that's okay, he is making progress and it's very visible.. our last appointment, he usually has some problem with the book of mormon that we have to answer about.. but this last appointment, he finally said the the whole story of 1st nephi was very beautiful and very interesting to see the reactions of laman and lemuel and then of nephi dealing with all there.. "crap" for lack of a better word.. he really enjoyed the baptismal service, and is still committed to coming to a service of ours.. he's also in his church choir, and so we said we wanted to go to his church and listen to him sing.. think he appreciated that.. building a really great friendship with that man.. Naika.. after an amazing first appointment with her a few days ago.. she did not come to church, and then she sent us a text message saying thanks.. but no thanks.. so another classic story of someone getting anti'd.. pretty sad.. but it happens.. had enough of these expiriences on my mission to not let it get me down.. but still a bummer nevertheless.. But we have a great week planned.. let you know if anything amazing happens! ;)
Love you all, thanks for everything and the birthday wishes..
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Baptism was great and staying put ;)
Hoi Familie!!
Dwight and Natasje's baptism did indeed go through! It was really super and amazing.. couldn't have gone smoother and been more spiritual.. They asked me, if I would give a talk at there baptism.. so I did so on the Holy Ghost.. my first ever talk on my mission and in Dutch!! Bummer.. almost made it a year ;) They were so excited, and also the ward. They were baptized right after church, and most of the ward stayed to support them.. also, we had 4 investigators show up! Tom came, Pat came.. and two new investigators that we got this week, Naika.. and Robbie... Couldn't have been better for these people.. Naika.. called us actually letting us know that she was coming to church.. she's from curaco, and after having a great lessen with her with a couple of sisters from the ward, I had another lady from the ward introduce herself to her as she's also from curraco and it turns out that they were neighbors.. in curraco.. they freaked out, lot of hugs.. kisses.. papioments.. the language there.. absolutley crazy. Naika couldn't beleive it, and the other sister couldn't believe it.. and Naika is super excited to now meet with us, and we have an appointment with her on thursday!
Another new investigator that we got this week, was Bas.. he was the referal from a returned missionary passing through here about a month ago..Pete Arens.. and we stopped by after a few weeks, and he finally let us in,and we were able to get to know him and teach him.. he opened up, and told us about his life and his problems.. and we were able to share scriptures out of the book of mormon about the savior and let him know that god loved him.. he got emotional and we were able to explain our purpose what we do.. lessens that we share that sort of thing.. and he thinks it's all a great idea, and wants to go further to see if he can find the peace he's looking for.. absolutley an amazing lessen! Amazing expireince.. It was great to get some new blood into our teaching pool as we've been riding all these
great investigators that we've had these past few months.. Really excited for this up and coming transfer! Which will be in Spijkenisse for a 3rd transfer.. excited about that, and also excited about my new companion.. he's from Brazil.. his name is Elder Da Cruz.. and He speaks about 5 languages.. just a master with language.. he's going on his 6th i'm going on my 8th, so not too much of a gap, and he has a lot of expirience already, we'll be able to take off with a running start hopefully! ;) Thanks for all the birthday wishes.. doesn't even feel like sep 3rd is my birthday.. my birthday it feels like is sep. 8th.. my year mark on the mission =P But I got two packages so far and one of the envelopes and also the birthday card from grandma and grandpa bell!! Thanks so much!
Love you all
Tot ziens
Elder Mohrman
Dwight and Natasje's baptism did indeed go through! It was really super and amazing.. couldn't have gone smoother and been more spiritual.. They asked me, if I would give a talk at there baptism.. so I did so on the Holy Ghost.. my first ever talk on my mission and in Dutch!! Bummer.. almost made it a year ;) They were so excited, and also the ward. They were baptized right after church, and most of the ward stayed to support them.. also, we had 4 investigators show up! Tom came, Pat came.. and two new investigators that we got this week, Naika.. and Robbie... Couldn't have been better for these people.. Naika.. called us actually letting us know that she was coming to church.. she's from curaco, and after having a great lessen with her with a couple of sisters from the ward, I had another lady from the ward introduce herself to her as she's also from curraco and it turns out that they were neighbors.. in curraco.. they freaked out, lot of hugs.. kisses.. papioments.. the language there.. absolutley crazy. Naika couldn't beleive it, and the other sister couldn't believe it.. and Naika is super excited to now meet with us, and we have an appointment with her on thursday!
Another new investigator that we got this week, was Bas.. he was the referal from a returned missionary passing through here about a month ago..Pete Arens.. and we stopped by after a few weeks, and he finally let us in,and we were able to get to know him and teach him.. he opened up, and told us about his life and his problems.. and we were able to share scriptures out of the book of mormon about the savior and let him know that god loved him.. he got emotional and we were able to explain our purpose what we do.. lessens that we share that sort of thing.. and he thinks it's all a great idea, and wants to go further to see if he can find the peace he's looking for.. absolutley an amazing lessen! Amazing expireince.. It was great to get some new blood into our teaching pool as we've been riding all these
great investigators that we've had these past few months.. Really excited for this up and coming transfer! Which will be in Spijkenisse for a 3rd transfer.. excited about that, and also excited about my new companion.. he's from Brazil.. his name is Elder Da Cruz.. and He speaks about 5 languages.. just a master with language.. he's going on his 6th i'm going on my 8th, so not too much of a gap, and he has a lot of expirience already, we'll be able to take off with a running start hopefully! ;) Thanks for all the birthday wishes.. doesn't even feel like sep 3rd is my birthday.. my birthday it feels like is sep. 8th.. my year mark on the mission =P But I got two packages so far and one of the envelopes and also the birthday card from grandma and grandpa bell!! Thanks so much!
Love you all
Tot ziens
Elder Mohrman
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
hoe gaat het... :)
Hoi!
Familie!
hoe gaat het... :)
August 27th, 2011.. the day Dwight and Natasha Samson will be baptized.. mark it on your calenders, because well.. it´s awesome :) Were really excited about them.. there doing great and everything is in order for them to be baptized this saturday! There making us dinner tonight, Some surinamse food called Roti.. which is extremely delicious, and our zone leaders will be giving them there baptismal interviews.. then after all that were all going to go together to a baptism in Gouda.. it´s going to be a great night! I´ve only been District Leader for a month or so now, but I feel like I´ve done everything a district leader can do.. Last week sometime... oh it was saturday, Gave my first baptismal interview to the lady who is getting baptized in Gouda.. really neat expirience.. Just being able to ask her to bare her testimony on the different questions, the spirit was really strong, she was a little nervous about the whole interview thing.. this old dutch lady, but she was amazing.. Being the district leader I get to follow the progression of my districts investigators, so every week I would get updates on this lady from the sister missionary´s in gouda, so pretty special for me to be able to finally meet her.. and also see the joy in her face after it was all done.. when we got out of the room, she threw her arms in the air and started to do a little dance thing with the sisters :) Pure joy and happiness.. can only be found in the gospel.. church is true.. period.
Other investigators are doing well.. we did something strange with one of our investigators his name is Vincent.. he wants to be baptized, been investigating the church for a few years, but just has to work out some personal problems/concerns, and so we decided to go a different route with him, we took him to a members house for dinner... he´s dutch, the lady was from the carribean completely different expirience for him, and then we took him, vincent, our investigator, as a joint teach to another investigators house Tom. I wouldn´t say it was the best lessen in the world for tom.. but it didn´t hurt anything, and made a huge impact on Vincent, as he was able to expirience the church and what we do in a different way, as if he was a member.. he came to church then on sunday, and was able to meet our mission president who suprised us by showing up.. so president brubaker came to our sacrament meeting, to meet our baptismal dates, dwight and natasha.. but.. they weren´t there.. perfect timing to not come to church right? But also we had a lady walk into the church, who was just curious about how we worshipped.. so I sat by her during sacrament meeting explained a little what goes on.. gave her our articles of faith.. and also a book of mormon.. she seemed to like it and said she would do her best to come to the baptism on saturday and then again on sunday.. I dón´t think I´ve ever had a lady walk into church before because she was curious.. it was definitely an interesting expirience! And during sacrament meeting, our bishop felt impressed to have Elder Davies, me, and President Brubaker all give our testiomonies in the middle of sacrament meeting... that was also a pretty neat expriience.. right before that happened, i was actually thinking to myself.. "what would I say, if I had to bare my testimony right now..." so I was thinking about that, then that announcement came up.. so I was a little prepared!!
Were developing a pretty good relatioionship with the ward, were switching things up a little bit, whenever we go over to there house, instead of us teaching a small lessen, were having them teach us.. and that was also announced during sacrament meeting.. a lot of the members were shocked about this.. so we´ll see if we´ll still be getting as many dinner appointments now :) A big thing in the ward, for a group of the men, is to go play squash.. so I finally got the bishop to take us to go play squash yesterday.. pretty fun game.. just like raquetball.. I had begginners luck and beat our bishop all 3 games we played :) But now i´m really sore and stiff.. man.. i´m getting out of shape!!
Also this past week, went to my first ever funeral.. an old dutch lady from the ward passed away.. so me and elder davies went to show our support.. I don´t know how dutch funerals are different from american funerals but I thought it was interesting, and it was a pretty neat service.. neat to see how many lives a person can touch in there lifetime.. and to hear different stories about them..
Well.. that´s about it.. I´ve rambled long enough =P Love you all.. thanks for all the emails, letters.. and prayers.. you all are the best!
Tot ziens!
tot de volgende week!
Elder Mohrman
Familie!
hoe gaat het... :)
August 27th, 2011.. the day Dwight and Natasha Samson will be baptized.. mark it on your calenders, because well.. it´s awesome :) Were really excited about them.. there doing great and everything is in order for them to be baptized this saturday! There making us dinner tonight, Some surinamse food called Roti.. which is extremely delicious, and our zone leaders will be giving them there baptismal interviews.. then after all that were all going to go together to a baptism in Gouda.. it´s going to be a great night! I´ve only been District Leader for a month or so now, but I feel like I´ve done everything a district leader can do.. Last week sometime... oh it was saturday, Gave my first baptismal interview to the lady who is getting baptized in Gouda.. really neat expirience.. Just being able to ask her to bare her testimony on the different questions, the spirit was really strong, she was a little nervous about the whole interview thing.. this old dutch lady, but she was amazing.. Being the district leader I get to follow the progression of my districts investigators, so every week I would get updates on this lady from the sister missionary´s in gouda, so pretty special for me to be able to finally meet her.. and also see the joy in her face after it was all done.. when we got out of the room, she threw her arms in the air and started to do a little dance thing with the sisters :) Pure joy and happiness.. can only be found in the gospel.. church is true.. period.
Other investigators are doing well.. we did something strange with one of our investigators his name is Vincent.. he wants to be baptized, been investigating the church for a few years, but just has to work out some personal problems/concerns, and so we decided to go a different route with him, we took him to a members house for dinner... he´s dutch, the lady was from the carribean completely different expirience for him, and then we took him, vincent, our investigator, as a joint teach to another investigators house Tom. I wouldn´t say it was the best lessen in the world for tom.. but it didn´t hurt anything, and made a huge impact on Vincent, as he was able to expirience the church and what we do in a different way, as if he was a member.. he came to church then on sunday, and was able to meet our mission president who suprised us by showing up.. so president brubaker came to our sacrament meeting, to meet our baptismal dates, dwight and natasha.. but.. they weren´t there.. perfect timing to not come to church right? But also we had a lady walk into the church, who was just curious about how we worshipped.. so I sat by her during sacrament meeting explained a little what goes on.. gave her our articles of faith.. and also a book of mormon.. she seemed to like it and said she would do her best to come to the baptism on saturday and then again on sunday.. I dón´t think I´ve ever had a lady walk into church before because she was curious.. it was definitely an interesting expirience! And during sacrament meeting, our bishop felt impressed to have Elder Davies, me, and President Brubaker all give our testiomonies in the middle of sacrament meeting... that was also a pretty neat expriience.. right before that happened, i was actually thinking to myself.. "what would I say, if I had to bare my testimony right now..." so I was thinking about that, then that announcement came up.. so I was a little prepared!!
Were developing a pretty good relatioionship with the ward, were switching things up a little bit, whenever we go over to there house, instead of us teaching a small lessen, were having them teach us.. and that was also announced during sacrament meeting.. a lot of the members were shocked about this.. so we´ll see if we´ll still be getting as many dinner appointments now :) A big thing in the ward, for a group of the men, is to go play squash.. so I finally got the bishop to take us to go play squash yesterday.. pretty fun game.. just like raquetball.. I had begginners luck and beat our bishop all 3 games we played :) But now i´m really sore and stiff.. man.. i´m getting out of shape!!
Also this past week, went to my first ever funeral.. an old dutch lady from the ward passed away.. so me and elder davies went to show our support.. I don´t know how dutch funerals are different from american funerals but I thought it was interesting, and it was a pretty neat service.. neat to see how many lives a person can touch in there lifetime.. and to hear different stories about them..
Well.. that´s about it.. I´ve rambled long enough =P Love you all.. thanks for all the emails, letters.. and prayers.. you all are the best!
Tot ziens!
tot de volgende week!
Elder Mohrman
Monday, August 15, 2011
Great week!
Hoi Familie!
This week, was just a happy week. Had some downer moments sure.. but the highs were amazing.. Last week when I sent my email on wednesday I said I was going to go to an appointment to try and set a baptismal date.. that appointment was with one of those three sisters that we've been teaching, Aaltje.
Aaltje is the middle sister, the oldest is Hendryetta with the baptismal date, and then the youngest is Petra.. this was our first lessen with Aaltje without the other two sisters.. What an amazing appointment.. She had asked us to meet with her seperatley, and the progression with this girl has been extroardinary.. I'll back up a little bit, she was found by Elder Davies and the other Elder before me.. and had one lessen with them before I came.. My first lessen we talked about faith, and shared Alma 32 with her.. she was very skeptical, didn't beleive in god.. but did believe in something.. would not pray.. she had said that if she would pray she would be a hyprocrite.. would not come to church, because of bad expiriences in the past.. and really wasn't that open because her life was okay at the moment for now.. but we shared that chapter, told her and promised her that if she does the invitations that we give, and read and what not, she would notice something change in her.. that she would feel a seed grow in her.. again.. very skeptical.. but she said why not.. so she read a little bit at first.. then a little more.. then she went to a young adult center and liked it.. she started to pray on her own every now and then.. then a little more and a little more.. and every week was a noticable change in her.. even though she was trying to fight it, the gospel of jesus christ was touching her life and we were excited.. it's neat so see the light of christ fill someone up.. Well eventually she went to church.. she liked church.. she prayed out loud for the first time and thought that was a neat exprience.. and she just opened up more and more, and made many new friends and made so much progression.. so last wednesday, we shared once again Alma 32.. asked her if she remembered it.. she said she did.. asked her if this chapter was applicable to her.. and she said it was.. We were able to bare our testimony's about how much growth and progression we have seen in her.. and I lie not, she was glowing.. absolute transformation. We set a baptismal date with her.. for September 24th.. and as we were walking away from that appointment My companion had tears in his eyes, and I had a itch in mine.. so powerful.. so much joy.. One of the best moments of my mission so far.. ;)
We made great steps with our other investigators as well.. Dwight and Natasha we talked to them about the commandments and what they need to do to be baptized.. Dwight committed to living the word of wisdom, and as of yesterday has been clean.. there really excited for there baptism which is now on the 27th of august.. Hendryetta came to church once again.. meaning all of our baptismal dates were at church! It was amazing.. Tom, said he would come to the baptismal service of Dwight and natasha, and we gave him Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration movie to watch as well as the movie about President Monson.. Another Investigator, who has been investigating for two years wants to be baptized this coming saturday! But that won't happen.. but hopefully in a couple weeks.. an inactive family came to church that we've been visiting! That was super, wish I had more time to tell you about that appointment.. and the other miracles that happened this week.. but.. alas.. I don't have any more time! Thank you all for your emails! Love you all so much!
Pray for these people.. there all going through some sort of adversity but there making it.. slowly but surely there making it to baptism!! ;)
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
This week, was just a happy week. Had some downer moments sure.. but the highs were amazing.. Last week when I sent my email on wednesday I said I was going to go to an appointment to try and set a baptismal date.. that appointment was with one of those three sisters that we've been teaching, Aaltje.
Aaltje is the middle sister, the oldest is Hendryetta with the baptismal date, and then the youngest is Petra.. this was our first lessen with Aaltje without the other two sisters.. What an amazing appointment.. She had asked us to meet with her seperatley, and the progression with this girl has been extroardinary.. I'll back up a little bit, she was found by Elder Davies and the other Elder before me.. and had one lessen with them before I came.. My first lessen we talked about faith, and shared Alma 32 with her.. she was very skeptical, didn't beleive in god.. but did believe in something.. would not pray.. she had said that if she would pray she would be a hyprocrite.. would not come to church, because of bad expiriences in the past.. and really wasn't that open because her life was okay at the moment for now.. but we shared that chapter, told her and promised her that if she does the invitations that we give, and read and what not, she would notice something change in her.. that she would feel a seed grow in her.. again.. very skeptical.. but she said why not.. so she read a little bit at first.. then a little more.. then she went to a young adult center and liked it.. she started to pray on her own every now and then.. then a little more and a little more.. and every week was a noticable change in her.. even though she was trying to fight it, the gospel of jesus christ was touching her life and we were excited.. it's neat so see the light of christ fill someone up.. Well eventually she went to church.. she liked church.. she prayed out loud for the first time and thought that was a neat exprience.. and she just opened up more and more, and made many new friends and made so much progression.. so last wednesday, we shared once again Alma 32.. asked her if she remembered it.. she said she did.. asked her if this chapter was applicable to her.. and she said it was.. We were able to bare our testimony's about how much growth and progression we have seen in her.. and I lie not, she was glowing.. absolute transformation. We set a baptismal date with her.. for September 24th.. and as we were walking away from that appointment My companion had tears in his eyes, and I had a itch in mine.. so powerful.. so much joy.. One of the best moments of my mission so far.. ;)
We made great steps with our other investigators as well.. Dwight and Natasha we talked to them about the commandments and what they need to do to be baptized.. Dwight committed to living the word of wisdom, and as of yesterday has been clean.. there really excited for there baptism which is now on the 27th of august.. Hendryetta came to church once again.. meaning all of our baptismal dates were at church! It was amazing.. Tom, said he would come to the baptismal service of Dwight and natasha, and we gave him Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration movie to watch as well as the movie about President Monson.. Another Investigator, who has been investigating for two years wants to be baptized this coming saturday! But that won't happen.. but hopefully in a couple weeks.. an inactive family came to church that we've been visiting! That was super, wish I had more time to tell you about that appointment.. and the other miracles that happened this week.. but.. alas.. I don't have any more time! Thank you all for your emails! Love you all so much!
Pray for these people.. there all going through some sort of adversity but there making it.. slowly but surely there making it to baptism!! ;)
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
weekly email...two days late :)
Hoi Familie!
You were worried, weren't you? Admit it.. you all thought, that I had forgotten about you guys! But of course I haven't, Just late that's all, it's what happens when you spend 5-6 hours of your p-day cleaning your apartment.. it was insane, our mission president is re-dedicating all of the mission apartments, which means for us.. cleaning.. and lot's of it.. but that's the reason why no email on Monday.. not going to be a regular occurance no worries!
Thank you all for the emails and the letters, I had mentioned a few weeks ago, that I hadn't written a letter in a long long time (no need to repeat how long that was =0) but now I'm happy to say that I am almost all caught up with the letter writing thing, and most have been shipped off and on the way! Yay.... =0 sorry for being so late with them!
What a week we had, some really great great lessens with our investigators and also less actives.. I had this past week District Leader Council, where all the district leaders come and we get a special conference with our president, it was sweet, learned a lot, things that we talked about the most were baptismal dates and church attendance and how important they are to a investigators progression.. well it made me think about all of our investigators, and i was able to apply what I learned with our investigators and make some really big steps in the right direction! We had 8 progressing investigators this past week, a record for me.. I've never been so blessed so far on my mission! It was also pretty crazy at the council.. every other district leader in the mission has been out for over a year and a half.. and then there was me.. out for 11 months.. felt pretty young =0 Dwight and Natasha the couple with the baptismal dates for August 20th, they were doing so good! and then this last lessen yesterday, dwight had a cigarette.. man, that was a bummer.. we thought they were clean.. but we have another lessen on thursday, and we'll once again talk about word of wisdom with them, but who knows, the baptismal date may have to be pushed back.. hope not.. but possibility, still great, awesome and going to get baptized.. it's just stopping and overcoming these small things!
After I'm done sending this email, we'll be off to an appointment with Aaltje, who is the sister of Hendryetta who has a baptismal date.. she's had some amazing experiences these past few weeks, and on monday said her first ever prayer out loud.. amazing.. were going to talk to her and commit her to baptism today.. and hopefully her sister as well petra.. that's the plan! So we'll see how it goes.. Other investigators.. making progress not much to report about.. life is good.. a member asked me just this morning if i've been fasting a lot.. because i don't look as fat as I did before.. ha ha anyways.. thanks again for all you do,
Love you loads,
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
You were worried, weren't you? Admit it.. you all thought, that I had forgotten about you guys! But of course I haven't, Just late that's all, it's what happens when you spend 5-6 hours of your p-day cleaning your apartment.. it was insane, our mission president is re-dedicating all of the mission apartments, which means for us.. cleaning.. and lot's of it.. but that's the reason why no email on Monday.. not going to be a regular occurance no worries!
Thank you all for the emails and the letters, I had mentioned a few weeks ago, that I hadn't written a letter in a long long time (no need to repeat how long that was =0) but now I'm happy to say that I am almost all caught up with the letter writing thing, and most have been shipped off and on the way! Yay.... =0 sorry for being so late with them!
What a week we had, some really great great lessens with our investigators and also less actives.. I had this past week District Leader Council, where all the district leaders come and we get a special conference with our president, it was sweet, learned a lot, things that we talked about the most were baptismal dates and church attendance and how important they are to a investigators progression.. well it made me think about all of our investigators, and i was able to apply what I learned with our investigators and make some really big steps in the right direction! We had 8 progressing investigators this past week, a record for me.. I've never been so blessed so far on my mission! It was also pretty crazy at the council.. every other district leader in the mission has been out for over a year and a half.. and then there was me.. out for 11 months.. felt pretty young =0 Dwight and Natasha the couple with the baptismal dates for August 20th, they were doing so good! and then this last lessen yesterday, dwight had a cigarette.. man, that was a bummer.. we thought they were clean.. but we have another lessen on thursday, and we'll once again talk about word of wisdom with them, but who knows, the baptismal date may have to be pushed back.. hope not.. but possibility, still great, awesome and going to get baptized.. it's just stopping and overcoming these small things!
After I'm done sending this email, we'll be off to an appointment with Aaltje, who is the sister of Hendryetta who has a baptismal date.. she's had some amazing experiences these past few weeks, and on monday said her first ever prayer out loud.. amazing.. were going to talk to her and commit her to baptism today.. and hopefully her sister as well petra.. that's the plan! So we'll see how it goes.. Other investigators.. making progress not much to report about.. life is good.. a member asked me just this morning if i've been fasting a lot.. because i don't look as fat as I did before.. ha ha anyways.. thanks again for all you do,
Love you loads,
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Monday, August 1, 2011
happy pday!
Familie!
Hey.. what's up? Everything is just great and... wonderful here! I'll just start off with the biggest news, we set two new baptismal dates this past week with a young couple.. there amazing, a true miracle, they were former investigators about a year ago, there whole problem was law of chastity, they were living together.. they got married this past april, and then showed up in church, we got an appointment with them, set the baptismal date for august 20th! So real soon, and there on fire, I went through all the baptismal interview questions with them, and there great, passed every one.. we still want to review everything with them though before hand, and we made a great plan on how to do so! Really excited, as well because our other baptismal date, Hendryetta went to church for the first time! And she brought her boyfriend along! Miracles.. gotta love them right? ;) We have some really great appointments set up for tonight, and if all goes well,
then we'll have hopefully 2-3 more baptismal dates.. really hope we can create an eviornment for the spirit to testify to these people, but me and ELder Davies, are getting better and better at teaching in unity.. I've felt the most comfortable teaching alongside him, then any other companion I've had so far. It's been great.
We started delivering cookies now! The referal that we received from the return missionary a few weeks ago, he had told us that he didn't have any time to meet with us, but we made him cookies and delivered them to him, and he really appreciated it.. said that he wants to talk with us, and so were going to go back in a week, when his children aren't around.. it was awesome, glad that he just got back into the picture.. he's an amazing guy..
Well.. There's a lot more that has happened, but.. my mind is drawing a blank.. so I think I might have to end this pretty short this week =P Sorry.. but, hey know that i love you all, and appreciate all the emails you send..
Take care,
Elder Mohrman
Hey.. what's up? Everything is just great and... wonderful here! I'll just start off with the biggest news, we set two new baptismal dates this past week with a young couple.. there amazing, a true miracle, they were former investigators about a year ago, there whole problem was law of chastity, they were living together.. they got married this past april, and then showed up in church, we got an appointment with them, set the baptismal date for august 20th! So real soon, and there on fire, I went through all the baptismal interview questions with them, and there great, passed every one.. we still want to review everything with them though before hand, and we made a great plan on how to do so! Really excited, as well because our other baptismal date, Hendryetta went to church for the first time! And she brought her boyfriend along! Miracles.. gotta love them right? ;) We have some really great appointments set up for tonight, and if all goes well,
then we'll have hopefully 2-3 more baptismal dates.. really hope we can create an eviornment for the spirit to testify to these people, but me and ELder Davies, are getting better and better at teaching in unity.. I've felt the most comfortable teaching alongside him, then any other companion I've had so far. It's been great.
We started delivering cookies now! The referal that we received from the return missionary a few weeks ago, he had told us that he didn't have any time to meet with us, but we made him cookies and delivered them to him, and he really appreciated it.. said that he wants to talk with us, and so were going to go back in a week, when his children aren't around.. it was awesome, glad that he just got back into the picture.. he's an amazing guy..
Well.. There's a lot more that has happened, but.. my mind is drawing a blank.. so I think I might have to end this pretty short this week =P Sorry.. but, hey know that i love you all, and appreciate all the emails you send..
Take care,
Elder Mohrman
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Pday
Familie!
Hello from the Netherlands! After having every p-day so far in Spijkenisse be, let's just say not the best weather, today it's finally sun, and warm, and just great!! Which means were going to go out of our little bubble here, and go see something cool! We've decided to go to Kinderdijk, which is a very well known place here in this country, it has a lot of windmills I guess, and a "must see" for anyone who comes here.. or so I've heard.. we'll see, and I'll let you guys know if it's really that great ;) Were going as a district so that'll be just great, it's always fun, spending time with other missionary's. I felt pretty bad for the new elder in our apartment, he came on Wednesday, and we hadn't gone shopping for food for the week.. so we had to really get creative to eat these past few days, and definitely applied the principle "waste not" this week. It was good though, A few weeks ago I was saying that you all would be suprised at my cooking skills now.. well get this, my companion and i have now moved on to baking! More so my companion than me, he's a fiend when it comes to baking now.. makes bread and cookies and all that.. but get this, because he's had this baking bug these past few weeks, it's kinda rubbed off on me as well, and so a couple days ago, we pulled a sister missionary thing, and made a list of people we'd give cookies too.. Is that not weird? What's weirder, we don't think it's that weird, were just trying to think outside the box, so we made a list to give cookies to people, to brighten there day! It's been fun. =)
There's not that many questions being asked by you guys anymore.. I wonder though if it's because I"m not that good at responding to them.. =0 probably it.. sorry.. but the one question that I got unanimously from all the emails, was how did District Meeting go.. well let me tell ya. I got the little sheet from Elder Bjork our previous district leader right before he got shipped off to his new city, and I come to find out that the subject that it's supposed to be on, he already did.. so I was left with scratch.. so I made my whole district meeting, and it didn't go too bad.. The topic of district meeting was on finding faith to find, and so I used a talk from elder hales, titled finding faith in Jesus Christ, and he uses enos story as a example for us to develop faith, so I used that because he had 5 points and I wrote them on a board, then I had the missionary's in my district apply them to us.. it was neat.. also had everyone share there favorite scripture on faith that they use with investigators, and then apply it to themselves.. it was neat to come up with these ideas to use.. like you said, using my creative mind for good! ;) It seemed to go pretty well.. at least for the first time, just glad 'that it's over, not going to lie! But.. my personal study was shot preparing for this thing, so i haven't really read that much in the new testament, I'm really enjoying the new testament.. the epistles are interesting, I don't know where they've been my whole life, but i'm glad that I found them on my mission!! Pretty much that goes for the whole bible =0 sad huh..so i'm in 1 corinthians 15 or something, i'm reading the epistles in order, so it's the 4th epistle i've read.. pretty cool..
Well that's about it for little odds and ends.. it was a little odd not having to do anything on transfer day, just have a normal day.. but it's pretty sweet, glad that i'm going two transfers with Elder Davies. We have some great investigators like i've been saying the past few weeks, Hendryetta the girl that texted us about having a testimony.. we set a baptismal date with her on wednesday, and then testimony dates with her two sisters, and one of the sisters, aaltje, went to church for the first time yesterday!! It was so cool, and she loved it, and said she will go back! It's so amazing, because there the first people I met when I came to spijkenisse and just seeing there change that they've all gone through, Aaltje wouldn't pray and didn't even pray, and said she would never, go back to a church, and now Aaltje says she believes in god, and went to church.. and there loving the jovo center, where all the single adults meet, they've been hit with some pretty heavy subjects in the jovo center and they've been cool with them all, so were really excited about them!
We once again are meeting with tom, tonight, really looking forward to seeing what he's done this past week, i imagine, that he would have read, i have that faith, and we also got our "dream" joint teach I guess you could say to come along.. it's awesome when you make plans for people, think of things to teach them, or people for them to meet, and then have it all work out.. we had that with our other investigator Gino.. we thought that the bishop would be the best person for Gino to meet, and we got the bishop to come last night for our appointment and they talked for almost 2 and a half hours!! Intense.. but it was awesome, made me late getting numbers for my first time =0 but ah well..
It was interesting president brubaker sent me an email, saying pretty much, that this is the point in my mission that really determines my potential, and that I really need to strive to be an example and 100 percent obedient.. it was pretty neat, I don't know what is in store for me, with this mission thing, but I'm just grateful that i'm getting confident enough, and yeah don't know other words to describe it, i'm drawing a blank, but to be having the success i'm having..
Well That's pretty much all I believe.. if you all have any questions, I'll put an extra amount of effort into trying to answer them.. umm.. oh we found two young families this past week, that was just great.. and.. yeah.. love.. you.. all!
Tot Ziens,
--Elder Mohrman
Hello from the Netherlands! After having every p-day so far in Spijkenisse be, let's just say not the best weather, today it's finally sun, and warm, and just great!! Which means were going to go out of our little bubble here, and go see something cool! We've decided to go to Kinderdijk, which is a very well known place here in this country, it has a lot of windmills I guess, and a "must see" for anyone who comes here.. or so I've heard.. we'll see, and I'll let you guys know if it's really that great ;) Were going as a district so that'll be just great, it's always fun, spending time with other missionary's. I felt pretty bad for the new elder in our apartment, he came on Wednesday, and we hadn't gone shopping for food for the week.. so we had to really get creative to eat these past few days, and definitely applied the principle "waste not" this week. It was good though, A few weeks ago I was saying that you all would be suprised at my cooking skills now.. well get this, my companion and i have now moved on to baking! More so my companion than me, he's a fiend when it comes to baking now.. makes bread and cookies and all that.. but get this, because he's had this baking bug these past few weeks, it's kinda rubbed off on me as well, and so a couple days ago, we pulled a sister missionary thing, and made a list of people we'd give cookies too.. Is that not weird? What's weirder, we don't think it's that weird, were just trying to think outside the box, so we made a list to give cookies to people, to brighten there day! It's been fun. =)
There's not that many questions being asked by you guys anymore.. I wonder though if it's because I"m not that good at responding to them.. =0 probably it.. sorry.. but the one question that I got unanimously from all the emails, was how did District Meeting go.. well let me tell ya. I got the little sheet from Elder Bjork our previous district leader right before he got shipped off to his new city, and I come to find out that the subject that it's supposed to be on, he already did.. so I was left with scratch.. so I made my whole district meeting, and it didn't go too bad.. The topic of district meeting was on finding faith to find, and so I used a talk from elder hales, titled finding faith in Jesus Christ, and he uses enos story as a example for us to develop faith, so I used that because he had 5 points and I wrote them on a board, then I had the missionary's in my district apply them to us.. it was neat.. also had everyone share there favorite scripture on faith that they use with investigators, and then apply it to themselves.. it was neat to come up with these ideas to use.. like you said, using my creative mind for good! ;) It seemed to go pretty well.. at least for the first time, just glad 'that it's over, not going to lie! But.. my personal study was shot preparing for this thing, so i haven't really read that much in the new testament, I'm really enjoying the new testament.. the epistles are interesting, I don't know where they've been my whole life, but i'm glad that I found them on my mission!! Pretty much that goes for the whole bible =0 sad huh..so i'm in 1 corinthians 15 or something, i'm reading the epistles in order, so it's the 4th epistle i've read.. pretty cool..
Well that's about it for little odds and ends.. it was a little odd not having to do anything on transfer day, just have a normal day.. but it's pretty sweet, glad that i'm going two transfers with Elder Davies. We have some great investigators like i've been saying the past few weeks, Hendryetta the girl that texted us about having a testimony.. we set a baptismal date with her on wednesday, and then testimony dates with her two sisters, and one of the sisters, aaltje, went to church for the first time yesterday!! It was so cool, and she loved it, and said she will go back! It's so amazing, because there the first people I met when I came to spijkenisse and just seeing there change that they've all gone through, Aaltje wouldn't pray and didn't even pray, and said she would never, go back to a church, and now Aaltje says she believes in god, and went to church.. and there loving the jovo center, where all the single adults meet, they've been hit with some pretty heavy subjects in the jovo center and they've been cool with them all, so were really excited about them!
We once again are meeting with tom, tonight, really looking forward to seeing what he's done this past week, i imagine, that he would have read, i have that faith, and we also got our "dream" joint teach I guess you could say to come along.. it's awesome when you make plans for people, think of things to teach them, or people for them to meet, and then have it all work out.. we had that with our other investigator Gino.. we thought that the bishop would be the best person for Gino to meet, and we got the bishop to come last night for our appointment and they talked for almost 2 and a half hours!! Intense.. but it was awesome, made me late getting numbers for my first time =0 but ah well..
It was interesting president brubaker sent me an email, saying pretty much, that this is the point in my mission that really determines my potential, and that I really need to strive to be an example and 100 percent obedient.. it was pretty neat, I don't know what is in store for me, with this mission thing, but I'm just grateful that i'm getting confident enough, and yeah don't know other words to describe it, i'm drawing a blank, but to be having the success i'm having..
Well That's pretty much all I believe.. if you all have any questions, I'll put an extra amount of effort into trying to answer them.. umm.. oh we found two young families this past week, that was just great.. and.. yeah.. love.. you.. all!
Tot Ziens,
--Elder Mohrman
Monday, July 18, 2011
Spijkenisse... The Week of July 18th
Hoi Familie!!!
Transfer week! And.... i'm staying. And so is my companion.. craziness.. I've never had a companion for more than one transfer before! In fact my longest companion that i've been with, was in the MTC, with my "teaching partner" Sister Kraemer.. It'll be interesting, i'm excited we have some really good things going on here in Spijkenisse. The other two elders in our apartment, Elder Bjork and Elder Guanuna are getting shaken up a little bit.. Elder Guanuna is staying and getting another companion who's name is Elder Fullmer, but Elder Bjork is getting shipped off to be Zone Leader.. he was our District Leader.. but now I've been called to be the District Leader =0 Crazy huh? I'm pretty nervous about this.. I wasn't expecting it at all.. I thought if I got any leadership it would be to train someone.. but of course got shocked again.. what's transfers without something shocking happening?? ;0
So that's transfer news, I give my first district meeting on Friday, with president there.. because of course were having interviews that day.. so it'll be just great.. got a smile on my face and can't wait to see what happens =P
But now let me tell you about the interesting things, about our investigators! I told you last week about how we have some pretty awesome investigators and the lessens didn't disappoint.. Start off with Hendryetta.. Hendryetta is the oldest investigator that we've had, meaning we've taught her the longest, and on wednesday after having not the best lessen on the plan of salvation in the world, i committed her to reading the plan of salvation pamphlet and then to pray directly afterwards that night.. after she had said that she thinks it's all true, but not too sure, so I said to read then to pray that night to know for sure, and then to text us after she did it.. well.. she did.. and she texted us saying that she knew now for certain that the things that we were saying were true, that the book of mormon was true and everything.. that was quite an amazing text to receive, man... brought so much joy to me!! You ask, and ask, and invite and challenge so many people to do these small little things, and when someone finally does it.. it's pretty amazing.. haven't had people do so well with keeping commitments on my mission so far, so that was really neat, we'll be talking with her again on wednesday and talk about baptism.. try and set a date and alles.. Also we had a really great lessen with Tom.. we gave him a general conference liahona and after we left, he read the magazine til 12:00 midnight!! He's making a lot of progress as well.. keeping all of his commitments as well.. what's cool about tom is he's a member of a reformed church's council.. part of the leadership.. and were teaching him and he's being this awesome.. Really excited about him.. And Gino.. watched the film with him last night.. prophet of the restoration, but the neat thing is, his wife, who we haven't taught yet, she looked it up for herself, and they watched it together, but he still wanted to watch it with us as a review.. he's amazing.. he knows the book of mormon is true, knows that Joseph Smith is a prophet... knows that he needs to be baptized again, and knows that we have the authority.. he just has one hiccup that we need to work through and were going to baptize I believe a future bishop of spijkenisse.. I'm being so blessed here with investigators.. I don't know where this is coming from.. investigators who keep there commitments.. man.. I might be seeing baptisms here!! Crazy huh?! =P Well I love you all.. thanks for all the emails, got a bunch this week, so i'm very apppreciative.. You all are always in my prayers!
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Transfer week! And.... i'm staying. And so is my companion.. craziness.. I've never had a companion for more than one transfer before! In fact my longest companion that i've been with, was in the MTC, with my "teaching partner" Sister Kraemer.. It'll be interesting, i'm excited we have some really good things going on here in Spijkenisse. The other two elders in our apartment, Elder Bjork and Elder Guanuna are getting shaken up a little bit.. Elder Guanuna is staying and getting another companion who's name is Elder Fullmer, but Elder Bjork is getting shipped off to be Zone Leader.. he was our District Leader.. but now I've been called to be the District Leader =0 Crazy huh? I'm pretty nervous about this.. I wasn't expecting it at all.. I thought if I got any leadership it would be to train someone.. but of course got shocked again.. what's transfers without something shocking happening?? ;0
So that's transfer news, I give my first district meeting on Friday, with president there.. because of course were having interviews that day.. so it'll be just great.. got a smile on my face and can't wait to see what happens =P
But now let me tell you about the interesting things, about our investigators! I told you last week about how we have some pretty awesome investigators and the lessens didn't disappoint.. Start off with Hendryetta.. Hendryetta is the oldest investigator that we've had, meaning we've taught her the longest, and on wednesday after having not the best lessen on the plan of salvation in the world, i committed her to reading the plan of salvation pamphlet and then to pray directly afterwards that night.. after she had said that she thinks it's all true, but not too sure, so I said to read then to pray that night to know for sure, and then to text us after she did it.. well.. she did.. and she texted us saying that she knew now for certain that the things that we were saying were true, that the book of mormon was true and everything.. that was quite an amazing text to receive, man... brought so much joy to me!! You ask, and ask, and invite and challenge so many people to do these small little things, and when someone finally does it.. it's pretty amazing.. haven't had people do so well with keeping commitments on my mission so far, so that was really neat, we'll be talking with her again on wednesday and talk about baptism.. try and set a date and alles.. Also we had a really great lessen with Tom.. we gave him a general conference liahona and after we left, he read the magazine til 12:00 midnight!! He's making a lot of progress as well.. keeping all of his commitments as well.. what's cool about tom is he's a member of a reformed church's council.. part of the leadership.. and were teaching him and he's being this awesome.. Really excited about him.. And Gino.. watched the film with him last night.. prophet of the restoration, but the neat thing is, his wife, who we haven't taught yet, she looked it up for herself, and they watched it together, but he still wanted to watch it with us as a review.. he's amazing.. he knows the book of mormon is true, knows that Joseph Smith is a prophet... knows that he needs to be baptized again, and knows that we have the authority.. he just has one hiccup that we need to work through and were going to baptize I believe a future bishop of spijkenisse.. I'm being so blessed here with investigators.. I don't know where this is coming from.. investigators who keep there commitments.. man.. I might be seeing baptisms here!! Crazy huh?! =P Well I love you all.. thanks for all the emails, got a bunch this week, so i'm very apppreciative.. You all are always in my prayers!
Tot Ziens!
Elder Mohrman
Monday, July 11, 2011
Spijkenisse.. July 11, 2011
Familie.. Hey.
Thank you, once again, and always for the wonderful emails you guys send! A lot of things happened this past week, it's always amazing to me, how 1 week can feel like 2-3 weeks because so much happened in the week! Monday.. July 4th, our wonderful nations independant day.. kinda sad, that there was no celebration over here.. no parties or fireworks.. no american flags.. songs about america and freedom.. I really took for granted July 4th back home.. I didn't realize how much it meant to me.. It was just another day =0 But for district meeting the next day, we sang the national anthem before we ate, which was really neat.. So grateful to be american!!
I think I also forgot to wish dad a happy birthday.. I wrote it down in my planner and everything, and I even remembered that morning, but I had a brain cramp, and totally forgot to achnowledge it last week!! So dad, Happy late Birthday!! No I didn't forget.. but at the same time I kinda did??.. =0
So last week, we had a slower week.. things weren't working out for most of our potential investigaters and also some of our better investigators.. but this week exploded for us, and we saw some pretty neat miracles. We managed to get 5 new investigators which is the most that we've had this whole transfer.. and there pretty solid as well.. One is a sister of the two girls were teaching, that went to the talent show last last week.. she also went to the talent show, but this past week we finally taught her along with the other two, and it was a pretty powerful lessen.. really felt the spirit.. I really felt the spirit bare testimony to that girl.. and I know.. that she felt it as well.. We committed them to every day reading and praying and to keep records of all that they do.. and they agreed and have been doing it.. one sister, has been texting us every day to wish us a good day, and to say that she's praying for us to be able to find other people to share gods word with ;) It's really neat.. she was the one, who is really shy, and had problems with saying prayers outloud.. so what she has done is send us a prayer through texting.. it sounds a little weird, but it was a start for this girl, and she has since wrote out a prayer and said it out loud in an appointment, and also said she will say the prayer without notes the next time.. I think personally the coolest part of my mission (besides the people I meet) is seeing actual progression in investigators.. to see them commit and then do, things we ask them to do.. and then to see them change a little every time we meet with them.. We have a few of those type of investigators right now.. Another one that I don't know if I mentioned her name is Pat.. she is from Nigeria, she has two kids and i'm pretty sure I talked about her in the last email.. but this week we once again had a really good lessen with her.. I once again distracted the little kids, so pat could focus on the lessen.. so weird to have little kids climbing all over me.. but I guess it's good practice for my on-the-way nephew ;) Also with Pat she said she would come to church again, she's been once but with her husband.. he's gone which is why she hasn't been coming, but she said that she would come to church with the two little girls, which is no easy thing, since she doesn't live very close and doesn't have a car, meaning that she has to use the public transportation system.. but however once sunday came around we were waiting and she never showed! Which was really sad, but I called her up, and she explained how she had tried to come! but the poor woman got lost, and had wandered around spijkenisse for a couple hours with her two little girls.. she had eventually found the church but just after church had ended.. really sad, but really neat that she tried, and she's really dedicated to now coming this coming week!
Found some other really cool people.. don't really have time to talk about them though.. but pretty powerful lessens with them, there names are Tom and Gino.. Gino knows the bible inside and out, and has been reading the Book of Mormon and loves the thing.. He's actually a refereal from the other elders in our apartment and I got to meet him last night for the first time.. were going to go back this next sunday and watch prophet of the restoration with him and his family.. the man sure seemed like a sincere seeker of truth, one of the most positive people i've ever met on my mission.. with the exception of Nancy.. and she got baptized.. so i'm praying.. he's getting some pretty hardcore anti thrown at him from friends and colleagues, and he's noticed and said this isn't from god these feelings, and that's actually why were going to watch the prophet of the restoration.. to show that with all good things there is always opposition.. should be really powerful.. i'm excited..
Well hey, I love you all, thank you again for all your support and prayers..
Oh and also, I don't think i've written a letter in about 3-4 months something like that.. and so all of you out there who may read this that has sent me a letter in that time frame or even earlier.. I really apologize, I'm going to repent and write you back!! Have faith in me! Don't hate me! I love you!
-Elder Mohrman!
Thank you, once again, and always for the wonderful emails you guys send! A lot of things happened this past week, it's always amazing to me, how 1 week can feel like 2-3 weeks because so much happened in the week! Monday.. July 4th, our wonderful nations independant day.. kinda sad, that there was no celebration over here.. no parties or fireworks.. no american flags.. songs about america and freedom.. I really took for granted July 4th back home.. I didn't realize how much it meant to me.. It was just another day =0 But for district meeting the next day, we sang the national anthem before we ate, which was really neat.. So grateful to be american!!
I think I also forgot to wish dad a happy birthday.. I wrote it down in my planner and everything, and I even remembered that morning, but I had a brain cramp, and totally forgot to achnowledge it last week!! So dad, Happy late Birthday!! No I didn't forget.. but at the same time I kinda did??.. =0
So last week, we had a slower week.. things weren't working out for most of our potential investigaters and also some of our better investigators.. but this week exploded for us, and we saw some pretty neat miracles. We managed to get 5 new investigators which is the most that we've had this whole transfer.. and there pretty solid as well.. One is a sister of the two girls were teaching, that went to the talent show last last week.. she also went to the talent show, but this past week we finally taught her along with the other two, and it was a pretty powerful lessen.. really felt the spirit.. I really felt the spirit bare testimony to that girl.. and I know.. that she felt it as well.. We committed them to every day reading and praying and to keep records of all that they do.. and they agreed and have been doing it.. one sister, has been texting us every day to wish us a good day, and to say that she's praying for us to be able to find other people to share gods word with ;) It's really neat.. she was the one, who is really shy, and had problems with saying prayers outloud.. so what she has done is send us a prayer through texting.. it sounds a little weird, but it was a start for this girl, and she has since wrote out a prayer and said it out loud in an appointment, and also said she will say the prayer without notes the next time.. I think personally the coolest part of my mission (besides the people I meet) is seeing actual progression in investigators.. to see them commit and then do, things we ask them to do.. and then to see them change a little every time we meet with them.. We have a few of those type of investigators right now.. Another one that I don't know if I mentioned her name is Pat.. she is from Nigeria, she has two kids and i'm pretty sure I talked about her in the last email.. but this week we once again had a really good lessen with her.. I once again distracted the little kids, so pat could focus on the lessen.. so weird to have little kids climbing all over me.. but I guess it's good practice for my on-the-way nephew ;) Also with Pat she said she would come to church again, she's been once but with her husband.. he's gone which is why she hasn't been coming, but she said that she would come to church with the two little girls, which is no easy thing, since she doesn't live very close and doesn't have a car, meaning that she has to use the public transportation system.. but however once sunday came around we were waiting and she never showed! Which was really sad, but I called her up, and she explained how she had tried to come! but the poor woman got lost, and had wandered around spijkenisse for a couple hours with her two little girls.. she had eventually found the church but just after church had ended.. really sad, but really neat that she tried, and she's really dedicated to now coming this coming week!
Found some other really cool people.. don't really have time to talk about them though.. but pretty powerful lessens with them, there names are Tom and Gino.. Gino knows the bible inside and out, and has been reading the Book of Mormon and loves the thing.. He's actually a refereal from the other elders in our apartment and I got to meet him last night for the first time.. were going to go back this next sunday and watch prophet of the restoration with him and his family.. the man sure seemed like a sincere seeker of truth, one of the most positive people i've ever met on my mission.. with the exception of Nancy.. and she got baptized.. so i'm praying.. he's getting some pretty hardcore anti thrown at him from friends and colleagues, and he's noticed and said this isn't from god these feelings, and that's actually why were going to watch the prophet of the restoration.. to show that with all good things there is always opposition.. should be really powerful.. i'm excited..
Well hey, I love you all, thank you again for all your support and prayers..
Oh and also, I don't think i've written a letter in about 3-4 months something like that.. and so all of you out there who may read this that has sent me a letter in that time frame or even earlier.. I really apologize, I'm going to repent and write you back!! Have faith in me! Don't hate me! I love you!
-Elder Mohrman!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)