keep on keepin' on

Today we were at Kinderdijk - It's breathtaking. And I have no photos to document it. :(

I do love the work in Rotterdam and the car is certainly helping - well, kind of. Zuster Hamblin's ankles have been really sore from all the walking from the parking spot to the doors...it's really not far , but when your feet are sore and swollen, it makes a difference. We're just at a loss for what to do. I miss being able to just go out the door and do missionary work. We haven't been doing any finding or contacting, but the Lord has shown us that nothing can stop the work from progressing. We had nine contacted referrals - people that investigators and members introduced to us to learn the gospel. He is so merciful (considering that we're usually lucky to get 1-4 per week!) We're putting our heart and soul into prayer to know our purpose here. It's not always fun, but it's helping my future children, I suppose. Hahaha.

Other than that, things are good. I don't know why but I've been thinking a lot about home and family this week and really miss it. But don't worry, it comes and goes and all I need is more work to distract me. (we totally watched the Sound of Music the other day at an American's house...long story but it was marvelous)

I love you so so so so much. I am not wishing my mission away one bit, but I am looking forward to being able to see and talk with you again.

Lieve broeders en zusters, THE BOOK OF MORMON IS THE WORD OF GOD!

President Brubaker challenged me in my interview to read the Book of Mormon in two weeks. I cannot even express what blessings and revelation I have received from accepting and doing. Read the Book of Mormon. It changes lives, it'll change yours.

al mijn liefde,
Zuster Fritz

ummmm, we have a car

Helaas, again I have little time to write, but I assure you that things are going very well. Zuster Hamblin and I are now heading down to Dordrecht to pick up our car....what?!?

Ya, totally. Zuster Hamblin's ankles have been not been getting better with all the biking and walking we've been doing to keep the work up and running, so we've been approved to be the first zusters to use a mission vehicle...for a transfer until things improve. And not just any mission vehicle, may I add. The mission president wife's. Ahhh! She is such a schatje and we're so thankful for their help. Pray for the blessings to flow upon them for their sacrifice! ;)

I have such a positive feeling about this city...what a change from my initial outlook a few weeks ago. With the miracles that have been happening slowly but surely, we're surely going to see an amazing transfer unfold. With a lot of faith and prayer.

AnaIris and Remie, two students from the caribbean, accepted to be BAPTIZED last week!!!!! It was without a doubt one of the most powerful lessons I've ever seen. The spirit did the teaching, the inviting. The spirit will always communicate to those who are prepared what they must do. And they will do it. This gospel changes lives.

I love you all. But a special shout out to Kim and Claire:

Kim, thank you for your fabulous letter...and birthday wishes! ;) You are the biggest Sweeheart EVER! Mis je!
Claire, thank you for taking care of all that drama. I'll never forget it. (ps - keep my secret!!!) hahaha

my mission birthday

Dank jullie wel for the birthday wishes! :) 13 maart was an eventful day: a surprise appointment to bake princess cupcakes (thank you, Zuster Hamblin and Lenneke), a 40 Euro tram ticket, an appointment ended early because when the spirit told us both to leave, and a few delicious meals.

The work in Rotterdam is challenging, but with it is coming a lot of growth. Such is life, eh?
Zuster Hamblin and I are working hard to figure out our purpose and really get the ward up and running amidst a circus of difficulties. It's rather empowering, actually. :)

Time is limited, but I need you all to know that this work CANNOT go forth without the members of the church. When they do the finding and we do the teaching, miracles occur. And keep occurring.
Ik houd van jullie allemaal!

veel liefs,

Zuster Fritz

p.s. My camera seems to be lost. Keep praying for its safe return so I can keep sending pictures!

from a'dam to r'dam

March 8, 2010

Well, Rotterdam is definitely not Amsterdam. :) Amsterdam is home and I miss its streets, my gorgeous Zuster Ekstrom, our investigators and my favorite members (you know who you are) TERRIBLY, but I'm trying to not let that get in the way of my adjustment. Het hoort erbij, eh? Rotterdam is absolutely beautiful - clean, tidy, green, open. Zuster Hamblin (whom I love...we're best buds already) and I feel really optimistic about the miracles that will unfold here over the next few transfers. We're teaching a family from Curacao - Gerda (mother) and her two teenage daughters, Edelina and Tania. They feel really positive about the restoration of the gospel and the plan of salvation - with a bit more diligence in reading, they'll be soon ready for baptism.

Truth be told, I haven't seen much of the city. Zuster Hamblin and I have been at home and sick my entire time here - we've had a lot of time to make calls, read general conference talks, listen to the same music over and over, and clean and rearrange our entire apartment - and all of that times four. It truly makes me grateful for the chance that I have to wake up every day and go outside a make a difference. We're looking forward to getting back to work.

Yesterday was church and it felt WONDERFUL to be in a familiar surrounding. The members are lovely and we've got our work cut out for us. And let me just add that it's a different language down here. I've gotten more than several remarks (not quite sure if they were kidding or not) about my "awful Amsterdam accent". Ya, well, I could say a few things about theirs. Hahaha.

Some news I got the other night about Amsterdam - William from Aruba (Marijke's friend we were teaching) has set a baptismal date!!!!!!!!! Get this: 4 January 2011. Completely serious. Let me assure you, I am ecstatic that he picked out a date and made this decision. I'm positive that he'll surprise himself by getting in the water a little sooner. And for now, I've just got the biggest smile on my face.
The gospel is true, my friends. Make sure everyone knows it.

al mijn liefde,
Zuster Fritz

Kim baptized!!!

My beautiful Kim was baptized on Saturday evening 27 February and received the gift of the Holy Ghost the following morning.

This, brothers and sisters, is what it's all about. The joy is unequaled.

It was everything I imagined and more. ;) It was such a special evening for her and her amazing FAMILY and friends. The spirit was beautiful and Kim welcomed everyone with so much love. What an example of the believers she is! She will bring many more unto the gospel through her shining light. I can't wait to see what great things await her!
Zone conference was also last week and it turned into one of the most sacred and powerful experiences of my mission...in fact, my lifetime- the sort that defy all description. This gospel is true. God lives.

TRANSFER CALLS:

My fabulous time in Amsterdam has come to a close and I am headed to new adventures in ROTTERDAM. (At least I can still stick with the -dam). It was a bittersweet moment to hear that I'm transferring, but I'm also pretty excited as I'll be working in a great city with Zuster Hamblin - she's a peach.

Kim's baptism