to the land of the tulips

finally home

2011-04-03T19:07:00.002-06:00

looking back

2011-04-03T17:43:00.010-06:00

I am home. And what an adventure that was. December 17, the day that I was to depart from my mission, a series of unfortunate events occurred, preventing me from leaving Belgium on the anticipated date. Inclement weather, security barriers and miscommunication, and several other factors contributed to make the transfer quite a fiasco. While stranded in the Brussels train station, I stayed with the bags while Elder Cox tried to borrow a phone from the many passers-by to call the assistants. After quite a while, someone showed compassion and it was in the surprise of securing a phone that I failed to keep my eyes on my baggage. In a matter of seconds, I turned around to find my shoulder bag gone. Inside the shoulder bag was my wallet and passport, mission journals, letters, camera and photos - everything of the most worth. I was frantic, but also felt an unexpected calm.

Without a wallet and passport, I knew that I would not be flying home the next morning. With an extremely heavy heart, I finally made it to the mission home with the rest of the departing missionaries as we held our devotional. Despite the despair I felt, it was a spiritual hour for me and I was greatly comforted by the spirit.The next morning, we traveled to the airport, but only a few missionaries' flights were departing that morning - the rest had to remain back with me due to extreme snowstorms. We spent the week together while they waited for flights and I for my passport. This week served little purpose in missionary work outside of teaching me patience.

I secured an emergency passport from the embassy and arrived home on Christmas Eve. The bag was never found but I pray every day that it was not in vain. I truly was taught through this experience that although the Lord loves us and guides us, important - even sacred - things are allowed to be lost. Bad things happen to good people, as I explained to so many people throughout the course of my mission. But in the grand scheme of things, it is not the physical that matters, but the spiritual.

"...by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven..." -Doctrine and Covenants 128:8

last one, best one

2010-12-14T14:11:00.014-07:00

Last week, best week.

Charles Ahenkona was baptized yesterday after church. So was Richard Amoah. Teaching Charles with Zuster de Groot these past weeks has been a treat and I've learned so much about the power of repentance and forgiveness from him. He is a "champion breed" as Joseph Mendy would say. Charles anticipated his baptism so much and when he finally came up out of the water, he threw his fists in the air and jubilated, "I did it!!" It was marvelous. We afterward celebrated African style and I couldn't have imagined a better way to go out of Antwerpen ward. I was rejoicing.

My lovely ones, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. Joseph Smith was the one to coordinate its return through divine guidance. The Book of Mormon assures us of this truth. God is our Father, the great designer of the plan of salvation, the purpose of our existence. Jesus Christ stands as savior, redeemer, and mediator. How real and immense is His atonement. I feel His love for these people, these precious souls I am privileged to know.This next Sunday Charles will receive the Holy Ghost and I will be already back in Utah with everyone...how strange that seems. I know all departing missionaries say it seems unreal, but really...it's unreal. I of course am excited - how could I not be? I can't wait to see everyone again and get back on my former track. It'll take some adjustment, but there's no call to not love it.

Friends, there's just too much to say. This is my last time writing as a missionary here. I cannot even begin to express my thanks to my Father in Heaven for calling me to this. To these people. At this time.

Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. -DC 128:19

Love you all eternally and until we meet again, God be with you.

-zuster jillian claire fritz

ps - the photos are from the Christmas concert we held in Kortrijk after our zone conference. It was sensational.

Marijke endowed

2010-12-06T14:40:00.007-07:00

I remember meeting Marijke for the first time. I had just arrived in Amsterdam on 16 September 2009 after two long days of travel and leaving everything familiar behind. My trainer Zuster Fowler, picked me up from the train station and escorted me and the suitcases to our Bijlmer apartment, where she immediately informed me that we were walking right back out the door straight away to our appointment at the church with our baptismal date, Marijke. I not only felt extremely tired, but overwhelmed with Dutch, inadequate to fill the former Zuster's shoes, and nervous about teaching a principle I had never practiced in the MTC to a person I had never before met.
Well, the rest is history. Zuster Fowler and I taught Marijke the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and committed her to making significant changes in her life. She did and continued on the gospel path of church activity and sensitivity to the spirit and over the course of my mission, I have been privileged to witness her progression. Just before I left for Rotterdam, Marijke completed the work for her late husband.

On Saturday, Marijke was able to go to the temple to receive the endowment for herself and afterward be sealed to her husband for all eternity. I've never witnessed something so sacredly special. Her words in the celestial room when I asked her how she felt: "het is niet te beschrijven." And it really is beyond description. Probably one of the most memorable experiences of my mission; something I plan on sharing with you when I come home.
This is what the work is all about - looking beyond the baptismal font and to the altars of the temple where families can be bound together forever. Zalig.

I love you. This week is spiced up with Christmas concerts, zone conference, day-trips to Brugge, baptisms and goodbyes. Last week, best week.

CHARLES AHENKONA is getting baptized Sunday. What a treat.

Love you all muchly,
Zuster Fritz

letter for Tori

2010-11-29T14:22:00.011-07:00

I believe that the church purposefully places missionary preparation days on Monday because that's the day immediately following the high point of the week (Sundays at church) so that our emails are uplifting and cheerful. Because, crowd, to be completely honest, if p-day was on Thursday, you would've gotten quite a depressing email. This past week was pretty rough. Full of loud people filling my world with personal and negative remarks, filling me with feelings and resentment and I suppose it was all just an exercise in developing charity and patience, but the natural man in me took it pretty unhappily. Of course it's nothing out of the ordinary; this is life. But how I handled it as a missionary was something that I hope to remember to do in the future when similar encounters come my way. There's something about the nametag...

I got a letter from my niece, Tori, this week about the challenges of being a teenager. My initial thought was, "Oh, to be a 14 year old again and have THOSE challenges instead of mine." But, Tori, don't take that as me disregarding your difficulties. Take that as "You will get through this and more than that, you will understand and appreciate its significance. Someday.” I remember going through similar feelings and situations. And while at the time it seemed so big and ruling and now at 22 going on 23 it doesn't, I realize that it was crucial in the steps that brought me here. Your letter mentioned the words of that song, by Billy Joel: "Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes, well I guess it's time for goodbye again." :) With only 19 days remaining of the 521 I started with on my mission, I am starting to feel this urgency to solidify these relationships I have created and fostered for the past 18 months. Most of the relationships have been profoundly sweet and rewarding and my heart aches to think of leaving them behind. I am promising to stay in contact always and pray for them daily; however, I know that like many of the friendships I've begun in my life, some of these too will slowly dwindle into lost contact or a fond and distant memory. I resent that. But so is life. On this earth, in any case.

That's the beauty of the plan of happiness. It's not just about here and now, but eternity. I am sealed to my parents along with my siblings and likewise will someday be sealed to my own husband and children. And these relationships will last forever. But the plan of happiness isn't limited to just flesh and blood relations. I firmly believe and know that it extends further. My favorite scripture in the doctrine and covenants in found in section 130, verse 2. It reads:
"And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy."
To that joy I am looking forward and cannot wait to be reunited with every person who has ever affected or sweetened my life. I know it'll come. And I know that it'll be exalted.

I love you and am so glad you're my niece forever. And that the beautiful things in this life are everlasting. Big hugs and kisses from over here and can't wait to get them from you over there. Soon!
All my love,
Zuster Fritz

Thanksgiving, phone calling, and church touring

2010-11-22T17:33:00.021-07:00

This week is Thanksgiving and like the last three years, I am spending it here on the European continent. My first dinner back in America will have to include stuffing and berry-mallow-yam bake. As Josh Groban's Noel CD is on the approved music list in this mission, Zuster De Groot and I have spent many hours singing his words to each other, "there's so much to be thankful for." Indeed. I have never been more poor in my life and never been so happily content. I’ve made a list throughout the past few days of the things in my life for which I am grateful and besides food and clothes and my iPod, most of the items aren't tangible. I love my mission more than words can express and I don't think I’ll ever adequately be able to understand how merciful the Lord has been in placing me in this calling. I love who I am becoming and feel so humbled by the progress. I didn't experience a grand change of heart or character like Alma the Younger, but I feel as if my motives and desires have been purified and refined and I am definitely going to get 100% visiting teaching for the rest of my able life. :)

Our mission has undertaken a grand challenge this week and that is to contact every former investigator who once had a baptismal date planned and invite them again to get back on track. What a shower of miracles we've seen. Seeds were planted and now several are ready to harvest. Lovely. I love this work - have I said that enough? I cannot say the smallest part that I feel. :)

Charles is so content and loving the gospel message. Our appointments this week have been incredible as he's been one step ahead of us every time, giving himself every commitment and keeping it beautifully. His change of heart and determination to keep it so is exquisite. He'll be getting baptized on the 12th of December with Richard, another brother from Ghana that the elders have been teaching. It'll be a party. We may have to break out the African dresses again. :)

As for Liliane, our pleadings to the Lord have been heard. Her daughter, Chantal, has somewhat softened and Liliane will be coming to church next Sunday. I couldn't imagine anything to make me happier.

Juliette and Hendrik's son, Rudy, passed away last weekend after a short but brutal battle with cancer. It was a peaceful experience to visit them again at last and teach them again about the plan of salvation. Nothing is more comforting than to know that plan - how simple and joyful it truly is. They still need some time to readjust, but this experience, though tremendously difficult, has only increased Juliette’s relationship with her Savior and testimony of His atonement.

We had a church tour with Willy this past week and our angel, Zr. Van Wauwe, accompanied and translated. What a wonderful hour that was, to showcase the building in its beautiful simplicity and end in the chapel. The spirit was present and calming and Willy felt as if he had come home - a welcome feeling to have in foreign Belgium.

guys, I love you….all of you.

-Zuster Fritz

even terug in Rotterdam

2010-11-15T13:56:00.004-07:00

Anne-Mie was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints yesterday in sacrament meeting (and our miracle, Charles, was there to witness it.) After the ordinance, she went backto her seat with the biggest smile and said to us all, "da's warm!" it was lovely. This woman is my Antwerpen. Charles came out of nowhere, so we think he came from heaven. Completely prepared to be baptized. We only met him on Monday at Christina's home (a member friend of his) and have since had four lessons with him and he's through 1st Nephi, and already placing himself in his shoes. I tell you, the role of Lehi's dream in the investigator's progress is key and powerful. "I love Jesus and I think I should do something about it." He came to church yesterday and felt completely at home. Wijk Antwerpen is incredible. They step up to every task and are so filled with the spirit and fire of missionary work.This place is every missionary's dream. My heart is here....and several other places. :)

I got to go back to Rotterdam this Thursday to take care of legality. I signed out of Holland and won't be coming back...crazy. Where on earth did the time go?! It was like coming home to cross the borderagain into the Netherlands. I love that country and those people, just as I do Belgium. How many missionaries get that chance? Not all and I consider it a blessing to have come to be a part of both.We gotta run to Groenplaats now to teach our Nico. He's getting baptized binnen kort.

Love you all ridiculously much
me

Lots of pictures

2010-11-08T19:41:00.012-07:00

shotgun baptism and killing off companions in Antwerpen

2010-11-08T19:28:00.012-07:00

Surprise: Anne-Marie van Winckel was baptized yesterday!!! I know, I know...the planned date was 14 December but we went kinda shot gun baptism here. :) It all came about something like this: We showed up for our appointment on Friday night and Anne-Marie announced upon our arrival that she had gotten the job she applied for at the fietshaven and would therefore be working by then. "So, Zusters, we'll have to make it earlier..." Of course we were ecstatic and started proposing 27 November as a nice day, but since she knows everything and hasn't missed a beat, and she didn't want to make it a big to-do, we all came to the conclusion that we would mak e it for Sunday. :) And for all the right reasons, she agreed there was no more reason to set it out.
We planned the whole thing in two days and it went down beautifully. Anne-Marie was beaming and twirling around and singing in her white, flowing baptismal gown. The service itself was extremely interactive and, because it's Anne-Marie, full of good humor. We missionaries sang "The Olive Tree" for a musical number. I love my good friend, "Anne-Mie." I am so grateful I got to have been a part of the teaching process and be present to witness her baptism through Br. Nuyens (who received revelation at general conference that she would be baptized before the year was out hahaha) and the warm interaction between her and Christine, her bosom friend who introduced her to the gospel just 2.5 months ago.
After the ordinance, Anne-Marie stood and bore her testimony and I've never been so engulfed by the spirit of furthering the work. She stood and shared her conversion with perfect poise and ability and the most beautiful part cannot even be adequately shared in words, but I know I'll never forget it.
Love this work.

Exciting: I am ending my mission in Antwerpen with Zuster de Groot. juist.

special Zusters' training

2010-11-01T16:17:00.007-06:00

You’ll never guess what I’m doing right now. I’m at the mission home surrounded by every Zuster in the mission watching season 2 of the district (it's about as close to the office as you can get here. It’s so totally awesome) It's pretty amazing. We've had a day of sister training here in Brussels and are continuing tomorrow in Brussels and Mechelen. I love my mission.

Beyond being a total blast with the girls, it’s been a great training and I’m feeling really excited about using these honed skills the last seven weeks. Looking around the room and seeing all these beautiful Zusters in all the phases of the mission. I remember being Zuster Ence and Perry in the first transfer. Skipping that phase, I remember tackling my second city in my 5th and 6th transfers like Zusters Holbein, Pierson. And seeing Zuster Robbins and Driggs preparing for takeoff in 10 days...wow. This life as a missionary is the greatest thing on earth besides the gospel itself.

This past week Zuster De Groot and I have had the AMAZING opportunity to train our newest Zuster, Zuster Kremer who arrived 2 weeks early from the MTC. She. Is. Fabulous. Not only does she talk like Keira Knightly but she is laughter, testimony, and poise. I don't want to turn her over to her real trainer and greenie city - she's so fantastic for the city and ward of Antwerpen. Her greenie faith has put me in my place several times...and gotten us several young male phone stalkers....hahahaha. harmless and hilarious. oh, to be a Zuster.

Because I wrote two days ago, nothing new has happened worthy of a paragraph, but I am excited to tell you about Nico next Monday. We, the Zusters of Antwerpen, are sharing him with the Elders of Breda and he's getting to baptism the 5th of December. I’m exercising all my faith in that one - submissive, child-like faith.

I can't leave out the incredible news that Beatrix Werner got baptized in Rotterdam 16 Oktober. She was my first appointment the day that I transferred to Rotterdam. She's from Germany, a former member who decided to come back to the fold. It was a long journey and she made it through triumphant. I learned so much from teaching her those months in Rotterdam with Zuster Hamblin. She has such righteous desires and she's focused on the goal. To be there would've been incredible, but not being present doesn't make it any less of a beautiful experience of the mission.

It's not about us. It's about 1) the savior and 2) the people. and as long as they link up, we've done our job.

I love you all so indescribably.
Zuster fritz

star of the week: Anne-Marie van Winckel

2010-10-30T11:27:00.010-06:00

Here's the haps with our friends:
Liliane is going completely strong; reading night and day, giddy about her baptism every time we see her. Only thing is, we don't know when that will happen. We’re waiting on the softened heart of her opposing daughter. That’s not getting her down, though. We are planning like it'll happen any day and praying like mad.

Anne-Marie set her own baptismal date for 14 December, which happens to be her birthday. She’s got all the fine details worked out. She knows the gospel inside and out so we feel a bit useless when we go to teach the lessons. More supervising than teaching, really. I wish all investigators were member referrals. :) This woman has a heart of gold and is completely set on doing everything asked of her and then some. She gets the ABCD (above, beyond call of duty) award.

Fernand is a new friend whom we found in a park in Hoboken. He meandered over to us, his 70+ year old legs clad in a vintage suit, and when we approached him and told him we talk to people about religion, he looked around the leafy path and motioned to a bench. We sat there for 80 minutes teaching about the restoration. Our follow up appointment was brilliant - he has read dozens of pages from the Book of Mormon and received an answer to his prayer that it's true. He’s currently on holiday with his wife but we are expecting a terrific appointment on Wednesday.

Willy is from the Congo and Zuster Holbein and I met him as he was walking down the street op Linkeroever (very far from where he lives). We had a brief interaction in Dutch in which we explained that we share the Book of Mormon. He expressed interest in a French copy and we set up an appointment to deliver it. That and several more appointments fell through but Zuster Van Wauwe, our ward missionary and friend loves her brothers and sisters from her native Congo and encouraged us to keep trying. She accompanied us to our first lesson where we learned that Willy does not speak nor understand Dutch. Confusion and awe followed because we truly carried on a whole conversation with him that first day and we were speaking Dutch. Well, he has read through Alma in the Book of Mormon after several appointments and asked to be baptized into the church he's been looking for all his life. A sweet experience.

Nico is just one more miracle that will have to wait until Monday when I can give his conversion justice. But in the meantime, attend and enjoy church and I love you all.

veel liefs,
Zuster Fritz

the good and the best things

2010-10-18T22:01:00.005-06:00

I have no idea how to put any of the miraculous and incredible things into words and I just feel silly trying. I serve in the best mission with the best missionaries, among the best members, teaching the best people. It probably becomes cliché to read my letters every week because the only thing I can do is rave about all the "good" and "best" things. Now, I remember a certain lady in my life who hated positive Christmas letters and demanded to know the negative. I just feel sorry for this woman's existence because focusing on the negative is so ridiculous. Really though, there are a million things I could focus on - I could type for hours about the rude and obscene things that people have said to me in 16 months, I could rant about my frustrations with people who don't commit to the most important thing on earth due to either lack of understanding or lack of desire. and then there's the constant tiredness I feel. It never goes away. Neither does the weather. There's just no need to even mention these things, even to myself. And it's definitely a battle, choosing to disregard something that truly makes its presence known, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is the POWER to do it. I finished my study of the Doctrine and Covenants this week and while reading about Joseph Smith's history, I was so impressed with his attitude: as for the perils which I am called to pass through, they seem but a small thing to me...nevertheless, deep water is what I am wont to swim in...and I feel like Paul, to glory in tribulation." -Doctrine and Covenants 127

That's the gospel message. Liliane is suffering health problems, Juliette's son is dying of cancer, and Ethel is looking for a job. And while they are all very difficult trials for them, eternal perspective in the plan of salvation that our loving Heavenly Father has created for us is the only way to make it sanely through. :)

I love sharing that with others. So. much.

and love you all,
Zuster Fritz

l'automne in Belgique

2010-10-18T21:02:00.010-06:00

What else could you expect than a week of miracles? First of all, I have the most sensational companion ever: Zuster Amber de Groot and I have never laughed so much in my life - the mission is such a riot, I love it. We do and give our best to enjoy every aspect of the work and there really is nothing better than what's happening here in Antwerpen. We had 9 new investigators this week which is fantastic and our regulars are going so strong. It's now been several months teaching them and though they are completely ready for baptism, it's all working in the Lord's timing, which for a missionary is sometimes ridiculously long. Hahahaha. Liliane and Juliette and Anne-Marie are all completely elect and prepared and it is such a privilege to teach them and witness their faith in action. Each one of these ladies is SO involved in the scriptures and everything else that teaches them the principles of the gospel. I love them ridiculously much.

We are still teaching Florence Mensah from Ghana and her whole family and it's incredible - the lessons are full of hallelujahs and really good questions. Man, I love that family. Joseph came with us on joint teach and it blows my mind that it was only four months ago that we introduced him to the Book of Mormon. Now he's got the priesthood and teaching and inviting people to the gospel like crazy. He is a marvel to behold and leaving to England in a few short weeks. I know he'll endure to the end no matter where in the world he finds himself.

I love this fall weather that is descending upon us in Belgium. Best time to go finding on the streets. :)

love you all
-me

2010-10-18T20:51:00.006-06:00

Whoa, ok so I loved conference and got a lot of inspiration about what I can do to finish strong and restart my life again at home.

Ok, down to business here - I love love love Zuster De Groot. We spent the beginning of p-day cleaning and I mean really cleaning! We then shopped and cooked lunch together and we are heading out for a day on the town in Antwerpen with our favorite member, Katie from Canada and her new husband.

Joseph Mendy is moving back to England in just a few short weeks and Antwerpen will not be the same without him but what a testimony that he needed to find the gospel here and now. I am so grateful to be a part of it.

I hope you all are watching and sharing the Mormon messages on lds.org and youtube.com. These are incredible.

Love,

Zuster de Groot to come to Antwerpen!

2010-09-27T15:01:00.013-06:00

Transfer calls came today and as expected, Zuster Holbein is leaving me. :( I have enjoyed every crazy minute we've had together but I'm excited for her to get out of her greenie area and stretch her wings in the best city in the world: AMSTERDAM! I've asked her several times to take me with her but she's already got more luggage than she can handle.

However, I am beyond words in my excitement about my new companion: Zuster Amber de Groot. FYI: she and I are already friends from my BYU ward at Park Place! I always told her before I left that I'd go convert her Dutch ancestors. And now she's here to help me haha. She is beyond cool and I never thought I would be lucky enough to serve with her. But God is a God of miracles, dat zeker.

Last Saturday’s pday was spent in Brussels with missionaries and members - awesome. Neat to visit another mission's city and eat delicious frites, waffles, and chocolate...too much salt, sugar and money after a while. :)

It's been a full week and I can't possibly describe it. I wish that you could just be here to experience it all with me. *sigh* But until then, enjoy the fall and I'll see you at Christmas. Love you all tremendously. ENDURE TO THE END!

ENJOY GENERAL CONFERENCE!
love love love you,
-Zuster Fritz

The voice you must learn to heed is the voice of the Spirit

2010-09-21T13:20:00.004-06:00

Hello dear friends,

Zuster Holbein and I have been weighed down this week as we've seen the destructive voices and practices of the world influencing those we contact, teach, and love. Nobody can reach out for the truth restored without opposition; it is truly those that fight that reach what we call "the tree of life." My heart longs for everyone to understand what the spirit is, how it feels. It must be learned. And after days of this pressing upon my mind, a tender mercy came to fill my heart with hope in place of discouragement. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPbDZnrxBLM. Please watch it. And as you do, think of the channels upon which we spend the majority of our time. And which channels upon which we should spend the majority of our time.

I love my mission. Love what it teaches me through principle and example of what I am and capable of becoming. And the way that we can come to that realization is through listening to the voice of the spirit. I am so grateful for that gift and will do my best to always be worthy of that.

I pray the same for all of you. I love you, think of you, and pray for you.

al mijn liefde,
Zuster Fritz

mission conference with Elder Ballard

2010-09-14T13:34:00.004-06:00

We had powerful men and women called of God among us this week. Elder M. Russell Ballard and his wife, Elder Rasband, Elder Caussé and his wife, Bishop Edgely and his wife, Elder Teixeira and his wife all came to our mission to address us and what on earth can you say after such experiences? Nothing quite suffices. I shall simply say that I know that the priesthood power and authority of God has been restored to the earth through the ministering of angels to our beloved prophet, Joseph Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the power of God unto salvation and the Book of Mormon will bear the truth of that unto us through the power of the Holy Ghost. That is my message and that is why I am here in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Our wonderful investigators are going strong and I am so grateful every morning to prepare to teach them. There is nothing better than being a missionary and seeing these people read from the Book of Mormon to find answers to their greatest questions. Liliane loves reading from the Book of Mormon and this past Tuesday when we asked how she felt while reading it, she responded, "Ik lees mijn eigen gedachten, eigenlijk." (It's like reading my own thoughts, actually) I've never heard anything more beautiful.
The church is true, the book is blue!

love you all,
Zuster Jillian Fritz

the day of all things good

2010-09-06T21:54:00.010-06:00

Dearest ones,
Last Monday we went on an excursion to Brugge, Belgium and it was lovely. I highly recommend a day out in this charming little city. Here are some photos of our getaway to this romantic destination. :)
But on to business, Zuster Holbein and I are SUPER excited to be teaching SEVEN people who want to get baptized next month. Liliane, Juliette and Hendrik (of Belgium) and Sarah, Stella, Florence and Samuel (of Ghana).

Wednesday was a beautiful day; Zuster Holbein and I call it our perfect day as we managed to have all of the following in just 10 hours:
*a member-present lesson with an older man, Emiel, a headquarter referral who requested the Book of Mormon several days after we had given him a pass along card on his door
*set a baptismal date for 16 Oktober for Nico, a man we had found in a consecrated hour (he actually belongs to Breda)
*taught our recently baptized Joseph one of the new member lessons
*contacted Eddy, a member referral and invited him to church
*found and taught Emy from Kenya in our consecrated hour; he became a new investigator
*contacted Veronica, a long-time inactive member from Ecuador on the street and arranged for her to meet with the missionaries in her area
*a lesson with our Juliette and Hendrik, who have received a confirmation that the gospel has been restored through Joseph Smith

It just doesn't get much better than that. Zuster Holbein and I come home every night absolutely beat, but feeling like we could fly. We love being the Lord's missionaries in Antwerpen, Belgium. (cheesy as that completely sounds, it's very true)
And speaking of Zuster Holbein, I just want to emphasize that she is a miracle that makes all the others happen. I love serving with her - how lucky to get stuck with an absolute doll of a companion for three transfers? My mission is unforgettable for so many reasons, but so many of those reasons happen here in Antwerpen.

I wish I had more time to write about two of my new favorite people, Nico and Arjan. I have them written in my journal, which I guess is the important thing, but oh how much I want to share their beautiful stories with you. Can't wait to tell you all about these precious people when I get home.

Thanks for your all your sweet, sweet loving.
-Zuster Fritz

Juliette en Hendrik Schiettekatte

2010-08-30T14:12:00.005-06:00

Hello lovelies,

The first week of transfer #3 in Antwerpen is finished and we've got five investigators with a baptismal date and an additional handful that are making awesome progress in their conversion process. It truly IS a process that requires careful planning, effective commitments and absolute dedication on their part. I marvel at these people who just several months ago, even several weeks ago, had no imagination that with the acquaintance of two girls they would be altering their entire lives. This happens all over the world and it has absolutely nothing to do with the girls or boys or where they're from but everything to do with the message that they bring. That message is that Jesus Christ lives and leads his church today through a prophet. Is that not the best news to ever be found? I cannot quite capture the essence in these words but I promise that it is and I feel so privileged to be a means through which it can be accomplished.

Two of these baptismal dates we are teaching are Juliette and Hendrik, an older Belgian couple (in their 70's) referred to us by a member in the ward. He's actually their pharmacist and had given them a Book of Mormon some time ago. He asked us to follow up and see how they are. They received us warmly and treat us as granddaughters, which is absolutely adorable. As we've been teaching them about the plan of salvation, they've really come alive and its so obvious that this knowledge is what they've been searching for their whole lives together. They eagerly committed to be baptized in Oktober. Brother Nuyens, our ward mission leader, comes regularly on joint teach and they've got a good friendship going on. He teaches with so much conviction. AND we have it from a good source that Hendrik came into the pharmacy this week to ask for help to quit smoking. ;) He's been doing his research online, I suppose. Can't wait to teach the word of wisdom next week. :D

You know, I've been thinking a lot this week (I finally managed to get food poisoning from some African food so I had a bit of down time haha) and in my letters I am always so excited to share the miracles with you. As you can see, the Lord is bringing his work forward with so much power, its truly incredible. However, a mission is challenging. But it doesn't have to be hard. I learned for myself the first several months of my mission that our happiness is completely dependent upon our choices and so many of the choices that we make are not just to act but to feel. 2 Nephi 10:23-25 saved my life one December evening on the Amsterdam metro. As I read it, I had this ah-ha moment and realized that regardless of our circumstances, true happiness and peace of mind lie within our reach. Even with an exhausted body, physical illness, depression, discomfort, restrictions, inadequacy. We are free to choose. And I desire with all my heart that the people I meet and teach in Belgium and the Netherlands will choose that for themselves as well. However, my time here in the low lands is coming to a swift end and I am so hesitant to come to terms with that, but I know that what I do here doesn't have to stop with my departure. I want to continually be an instrument in his hands to bring about His work. And his entire work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. I'll repeat the words of my hero, the prophet Jospeh Smith, "Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause?"
I love you all - you know that, right?

love,
Zuster Jillian Fritz

zone conference with my favorites

2010-08-25T13:42:00.012-06:00

It’s a beautiful day in Antwerpen. The clouds are sailing at high speeds above us, alternating between puffy, white cumulonimbus and threatening gray rain clouds. I have no idea how the weather will end up at the end of the hour, but that's Belgium. The weather has been cooling down and I love this time of year just before the complete transition to fall. School starts next week and so many of our investigators find themselves swamped but this too shall pass. ;)

Zuster Holbein and I had a REALLY wonderful and successful week and we're ready for another. We've got more positive investigators than we can handle actually - how incredible is that? We are still teaching Liliane, our favorite Belgian damsel, and love when SHE calls US to confirm appointments and ask what else she can read to be prepared. Set baptismal dates for Oktober with the 19 year old twins Sarah and Stella from Ghana. Ethel from Peru and her son 12 year old son, Steven, came to church for the first time after being taught for months and do you know what that took?...ringing their doorbell at 7:20am with frosted flakes and milk to entice them out of bed, washing the dishes, and then straightening Steven's hair to make him look like his idol, Justin Bieber. :) He was thrilled. And they absolutely loved church. One of my favorite moments. I love this family with all my heart. They have made so much progress since we found them in the “formers” in the area book at the beginning of the summer. They will be baptized.

On Saturday afternoon, after painting a member's family room walls lavender, I sat on the bus across from a gorgeous girl from Brazil. She talked to me before I could even get the chance to say anything to her and asked me straight away if I was from a church. The eagerness in her voice seemed to tell me that she was an elect and how right that is - her name is Marcilene and she had prayed that morning to Heavenly Father to lead her to a church where she felt at home. She recognized us as her answer and promised to come to church the next morning. And that's not all. She brought a friend. And her friend, Jeanette, has her own copy of the Book of Mormon in Portuguese from when she investigated the church. And now is her time. We are super excited to begin teaching them - I'll keep you updated. :)

Our Joseph Mendy came on joint teach this week with us to an appointment with a

man from Jamaica named Sanka . We taught him in the same waiting area in central station where we taught Joseph and it was so incredible to see him sharing his story, asking the same follow-up questions we would ask him ("what do you understand from that scripture" etc.). Quite amusing. :) He practically extended the baptismal challenge which was unbelievably awesome. As far as Sanka goes...well that’s interesting. We hope he's stable but we'll have to see. Apparently he's on a special mission from Jesus to destroy the world so we'll take it slow. Hahahaha. I love teaching the crazies. They always manage to find us. Joseph also made us food from the smiling coast of Africa this week at his house where we reunited with Bakary - the former investigator who introduced us to Joseph. He's still very Muslim but we've got an awesome friendship and he's willing to bring us more little sheep to teach. ;)

Zone Conference was uh-mazing, great to spend time with Kim and Zuster Ekstrom before they fly away to Amerika.

Love this work. So much.

Zuster Fritz

the best week of my mission and the smiling coast of Africa

2010-08-17T16:39:00.048-06:00

This week was absolutely hands down the best week of my mission. So incredible. Zone conference and the news that Zuster Holbein and I are staying in Antwerpen for another transfer: tender mercy. We have much to start & finish together.

Shall we start with Amsterdam, the city beautiful?

I truly am amazed to think that it was six months ago that I left and one year ago that I arrived. I AMsterdam.

Zone conference was a sweet experience. It was wonderful to see my favorite missionaries and to be spending the time with Zuster Ekstrom before she leaves the field. Kim came along as well which was a real treat. I remember going to zone conferences with her in mind, trying to find out ways to help her progress in the gospel and become truly converted through the spirit. To have her sitting there next to me was a dream come true.

Now onto the really exciting news!! Joseph Mendy and Andy Thomas were baptized 14 augustus 2010. What a pleasure it was to see it happen and feel the spirit that was present. Zuster Holbein and I wore our African dresses to honor Joseph and the smiling coast of Africa (the Gambia). From our first meeting 10 juni to this day, Joseph has proved nothing but faith and diligence.

He is such an elect and I am so grateful for the privilege of having been able to share the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ with him, my brother. Zuster Holbein and I did nothing - he was already converted before we even met him. He just needed to be found. Glory be to God in the highest. Joseph will continue on in so great a cause and bring the gospel message further to countless souls.
It was so incredibly special to see everyone again, but mostly Marijke and Kim and to see how much their testimony has grown. To see all of Marijke's family history work spread out on trees and charts and Kim uiteindelijk in a skirt. :) So simple are these things but so precious to me. It's beyond description and far more noteworthy than any relating of the breathtaking beauty of biking along the summer canals.

Also, I played the violin duet with Elder Wood for Joseph’s baptism and stunned the congregation. :-) What if I told you I would be playing in September for when Elder M Russell Ballard comes to speak at our mission? hehehehe

love you all een hele boel.
al mijn liefde,
me

exchange in A'dam!

2010-08-09T22:52:00.010-06:00

I now find myself in the most wonderful place on earth: the Amsterdam public library. :)
Zuster Holbein and I made our way up today as zuster exchanges are tomorrow and I will be working these streets again. I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel - (thrilled!!!!) I can't wait to see how things have changed and progressed; to see how I've changed and progressed since I've been here. Six months. It's been quite the ride.Our journey to Amsterdam was quite the miracle - we just barely made the 2:00 train by running and then after one stop, we were all unloaded due to mechanical problems to wait for the next train: the stop train (makes longer and more frequent stops, which can be inconvenient). However, as always, we were in the right place at the right time. We met one woman and four different men on the trains and started conversing with them. Naturally, we talked about the gospel and Church of Jesus Christ. It was truly amazing because two of these men were strangers sitting across from each other in the section behind us but heard us talking to another young man about what we're doing here in Europe and before we knew it, we had the whole train car as a captive audience as we taught about the nature of God and principles of the restoration and laws of morality. It was one of those awesome P-day moments when it just doesn't matter that you don't get your letters written or nap taken because you got to share with complete strangers what the purpose of this life actually is. Oh people, this work is truly indescribable.

It's going to be a busy,busy week and it’s going to be ended wonderfully and do you know why? BECAUSE JOSEPH IS GETTING BAPTIZED! He came to church yesterday dressed in the classiest Africa garb and sport shoes - simply love it. The members absolutely adore him and he just loves the feelings the gospel brings. Joseph was already a strong believer in "Christ Jesus" when we met him, but the change that the restored gospel has brought in him is from good to better; beautiful to beautiful-er. :) I am so grateful to have been a part in Joseph's conversion to better and on to best. He has so much energy and testimony and I tell you all now that he will do great things in building up the Lord's kingdom around the world.

I am headed now to family home evening at Lucky's and it's going to be incred...sorry if I come across as insanely happy. I just really am. :)

Brethren and Sisters, this gospel is it. Should we not devote our everything to further it?

love you all
me

it is real

2010-08-02T21:40:00.006-06:00

Of course it wouldn't be typical to start my letter without expressing how merciful the Lord has been or the astonishment at the ridiculous amount of miracles that have occurred in Antwerpen this week. Both are still valid and in force and Zuster Holbein and I are basking in the wonderfulness of building up the kingdom.

Joseph is of course the star of the week and getting ready for his baptism on 14 August. He came early to church yesterday, greeted everyone with his charming mannerisms, sang along with all the hymns in Dutch, and stood to end our testimony meeting with his own witness that Jesus is the Christ and the restored gospel of this church is the power unto salvation. Much else was said, and everyone present truly felt something incredible.

This is the joy of missionary work: endeavoring to bring the gospel message to the children of men and helping them along their way until they can take it further to others. The gospel must be shared this way. No mass media message or flashy presentation could bring the spirit that a personal and powerful testimony does. It is real.Seeing Joseph be the source of testimony brought back the familiar feelings of seeing Kim and Marijke share their testimonies with others in Amsterdam. Meeting their invited friends at baptisms and sacrament meetings, taking them on joint teach and sitting back and watching them as they share their story...these are the most precious of experiences of my mission.

(And just the most exciting news, I'll be heading up to Amsterdam next week for exchanges with Zuster Cranford. Wat ben ik blij!!!!)

houd van jullie!

Joseph came to church!!

2010-07-28T19:40:00.011-06:00

Folks, this is the haps:

Joseph was able to make it to church for the first time yesterday. Zuster Holbein and I could not have been happier to see him pull up in the tram, completely dressed for the occasion. He made a dozen new friends - wijk Antwerpen rocks. And he's totally getting baptized in three weeks. He loves the Book of Mormon, knows it’s true and what to do.

There was a special musical fireside last night in Gent and Lauren van Bever invited her friend, David. It was awesome to see him show up (even if he was late) and introduce him to some of the Belgian jovos. Lauren is a champion missionary - I absolutely adore her. And, we slipped a Book of Mormon in David's rather large pocket. ;)

Our other baptismal dates, Moni, Adella, Liliane, and Mercy, are all progressing beautifully.
We are teaching a ridiculous amount of jovos (young single adults) which is awesome because we're starting up a jovo centrum here in Oktober. And every single one that comes our way comes miraculously and with much confidence. Pray that they'll keep a-comin'.

I love and miss you all, but I'm so much in love with life as a missionary in Belgium and the Netherlands. I love hearing about all the amazing things that are happening in your lives with graduations, missions, marriages, babies...it’s unbelievable how time changes so much, eh?

But one thing has not and will not change: the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation. The Book of Mormon is truth and if one can receive that witness, everything else falls perfectly, yet not flawlessly, into place. I love this book, I love sharing it with others. I encourage you all to share it with someone as well.

al mijn liefde,
me

meet Joseph Mendy

2010-07-19T17:47:00.008-06:00

Bonjour my lovely friends,

Would you believe that Antwerpen could produce any more miracles? I say it can and it has! ;) Zuster Holbein and I have our hands full teaching five investigators that will be baptized in July and August.

We switched our preparation to Saturday to attend the Long Ship's Races with the President and the office missionaries. I have never experienced a hotter day on my mission, but at least we were on the waterfront with a breeze. Grace, Joseph and baby Benjamin joined us along with Andy, whom the elders are helping prepare to be baptized. It was a memorable day in Antwerpen.

Jospeh is our brother from the Gambia and we actually met him through another Gambian investigator, Baks, (whom we later found out was Muslim) but Jospeh showed up at an appointment with him and practically taught the lesson about Christ being our mediator. I think Zuster Holbein and I both received the spiritual confirmation at the same moment that this was an elect and prepared soul that looked good in white. I have never seen anyone so passionate about the gospel, so sincere in asking if the Book of Mormon was the answer he has been praying for.

Wow.
Jospeh Tunde from the ward has taken him under his wing and they're totally clicking. I love joint teaches. I love teaching the gospel to people like Joseph of the Gambia ("the Smiling Coast of Africa")

I've never felt so blessed and so happy in my entire life, no lie.

hello

2010-07-10T09:30:00.005-06:00

Hello everyone,
I serve in the best mission in the world.

love,

4th of July and zuster exchanges

2010-07-07T20:51:00.012-06:00

Happy 4th of July!! Here in Belgium, we celebrated Canadian and American and Caribbean style at Katie's and watched the tour de France go by after cake and ice cream, so not too shabby of a holiday I’d say.
I seriously cannot believe its coming up on one year, it’s ridiculous. This week was such an amazing one for too many reasons but we had Zuster exchanges and it rocked because my friend from BYU, Zuster Amber de Groot, was one of my collegas, echt waar. We're totally serving together someday, I feel it.
It’d be useless to try and explain the dozens of miracles that happened in an email but if you ask me about it when I’m home, you'll get some sweet action stories. ;) I love love love Zuster de Groot and we are counting on being companions because how could two fabulous girls like us not be? Hehehe. We taught so many lessons on the street and in the trams and several of the people are pretty promising, including Barbara (a young woman from Brazil), who in a moment of divine intervention crossed our path for the second time. She is Zr. de Groot's miracle story.

We also have Zuster Stapleton with us for the week - she's getting on a plane home to the Caribbean Thursday and I have learned SO much from her example. What a pro. Zuster Holbein and I are hesitant to let her go. She taught me diligence and positivity among so many other things.

The work is so unbelievable here. We’re helping Adella and Joseph to baptism and there are SO many more waiting in line. I love this work, never want to stop.

Zuster Holbein and I are staying in Antwerpen for another transfer, about which I couldn't be more happy. And now that I feel a bit more acclimated, I’m setting a goal to seriously try to learn Flemish, echt waar. :)

veel liefs
Zuster fritz

Book of Mormon finding

2010-07-07T20:43:00.006-06:00

This week the Rotterdam zone leaders came down to work with our assistants here in Antwerpen and we decided to all do a consecrated hour of finding together...Best Two Years style where we take a box of Book of Mormons (or is it Books of Mormon??) and get them out of our hands and into others'. Zuster Holbein and I gave away several copies of the book or Mormon (there, I think that’s the correct term) with krachtig getuigenis but the most memorable and promising contact was a young man named Wouter. (way to go for the jovo's - they are so super open). We talked to him for quite a while and he was so grateful and so interested and excited to begin reading. We're following up with him today. Zuster Holbein and I have a super positive feeling about this one.

Favorite moment in missionary work: watching people handle the book of Mormon for the first time.

It’s priceless.

love you all,
Zuster fritz

a succession of good days

2010-07-05T17:19:00.008-06:00

Monday: incredibly unbelievable appointment with Sebastian and his wife and four kids. This was the Jehovah’s Witness man who stopped us after our crazy tram occurrence. We watched the restoration DVD with them (which magically played with Dutch subtitles even though we didn't have the remote for the player...that just doesn't happen) the spirit was one of the strongest I’ve ever felt in a lesson. Angels were in that room. They are making us dinner for our next appointment and follow up on the Book of Mormon.

Tuesday: taught a man named Joseph from Gambia at centraal station. It was a lesson on very short notice, but he was so excited about getting his own copy of the book of Mormon. I love seeing people handle the book in their hands for the first time.

Wednesday: brought newly baptized Marie Theres to our appointment with Marie Christine. Both are middle-aged Belgian women and completely clicked. Marie Christine took notes the whole lesson and was excited to come to church to meet the rest of the members. She wants to prepare for baptism. And there have to be a few lifestyle changes, but she's up for the challenge.

Thursday: had a lesson with brand new mom, Adella. She had the missionaries teach her 10 years ago in Jamaica and feels more ready now to get serious. She even stole our thunder by asking us to be baptized before we could get the words out. It was super awesome.

Friday: delivered a book of Mormon to a Belgian man who ordered it from the website. He lives just around the corner from us and happens to be the chief of police in Deurne. He is interested in studying religions and wanted to assure us he doesn't want to become a Mormon right away, but he invited us in and we had a beautiful discussion with him about the book. He really felt something special, that was obvious.

Sunday: great morning at church. Love this ward. Ate dinner at our ward mission leader's home and taught his 15 year old granddaughter who wants to believe in god but needs faith. That was incredible.

How can I not love being a missionary?!?

veel liefs, me

i ate that fish

2010-06-14T11:49:00.011-06:00

Zone conference in Apeldoorn this week. Lovely to be back in Holland even if for a few short, short hours. It was, of course, powerful. I wish everyone could experience a zone conference in the European missions.

Being in Holland included a short overnight stay in Amsterdam!!! This was a highlight of my mission; returning to my first city and seeing how much has changed since that time. Naturally the city is exactly as it has always been, but with everything that’s happened to me in the three plus months away, it had a completely different look and feel. I can't believe how much I've changed (for the good I hope ) in the course of my 18 month mission. Ii still have 6 months remaining and I am excited to see again how far we've come. "We" because it truly is me and the Lord. I'm not going this alone.

To Zuster Ekstrom and my favorite elders, Kim and familie Zwaan, Marijke, Claire, Elisabeth, and so many others: thank you for beautifying and defining my Amsterdam experience.

This week Zuster Holbein and I were invited to Joseph and Grace's - an African family in our ward - home for a "surprise" they had - to show their appreciation for everything we've been doing for their family. Their "surprise" was Moni, a friend of theirs for us to teach the gospel to with a special surprise of her own: an African delicacy - scales, fins, bones, eyes and all still attached.

Yes, I ate it all. and no, I did not protest. I was praying to almighty God with each bite and somehow, I survived the evening appointment with no suspicion from anyone that I do not like or even eat fish.

And by the way, this was a onetime deal only. I’m never, no never, eating fish again.

ik houd van jullie.
al mijn liefde,
me

week of amazement

2010-06-07T14:30:00.014-06:00

"It is futile to explain that which is unexplainable. Surely we are blessed by the Lord's tender mercies." -Elder David a Bednar

Oh my ridiculousness, this transfer has been filled with ongoing miracles. It’s beyond writing when, clearly, words are not enough.

Zuster Holbein and I have been literally surrounded by angels in Antwerpen these weeks and the work is moving forth at an astonishing pace. Let me share an amazing happenstance: following district meeting on Tuesday afternoon, we set out (starving because we had absolutely no money to afford even a McDonalds dollar menu item) to catch our #6 tram to our next appointment but ran to JUST miss it as it pulled away. I could've reached out and touched it, it was that close. Argh…. So, Zuster Holbein suggests we make some calls while waiting for the next one. But she pulls out the phone and it's telling us that the SIM card is rejected. watblieft?? So. Strange. Well, a little desperate (and looking like homeless people as we're carrying several huge cardboard boxes...long story) we look around to see a #3 pull up on the tracks. ok, ok, ok...you don't understand but that does NOT happen in Antwerpen. The #3 does NOT go there. But without even flagging it down, it stops before us and opens the doors for us (also a near impossibility). Without thinking, we jump onto an *I-kid-you-not* completely empty tram. Expecting it to follow the #6 route, imagine our further surprise when it turns off track and takes us northward. Things are definitely strange here, I tell you. While Zuster Holbein is trying to figure out how the heck to get down to south, I suddenly remember that there live some former investigators in this area we then found ourselves in. So...we feel a surge of excitement thinking that this is certainly no coincidence - but the hand of God and the tram driver, who must be one of the three Nephites or something. Anyhow, we're walking toward Scarlet's, her door in sight down the road and we are stopped by a Muslim-looking man (no discrimination at all, but we generally don't approach them unless we have time for a comparative religion discussion) who steps in front of us, asks us if we speak Dutch and then inquires who we are and what we teach. Absolutely. And this commenced to be one of the most incredible contacts of my mission. We taught him about revelation, the book of Mormon, the godhead. His three young daughters come out and join him. Turns out, his name is Sebastian, he's Jehovah’s Witness and from Macedonia… and is totally loving our message. And they asked us if we were allowed to come teach them more at their home. And they have the light in their eyes.

Unbelievable, the feeling there. Undeniable that every odd event led us to them and that miracles have not ceased among the children of men. I add my testimony to Moroni's. This is his work and he has charge. And all the forces of this earth obey his will and pleasure. Yes, this man Sebastian is that valuable. One soul brought to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is worth every effort, every event. I have so much faith (and do not wish to lose it) that this man and his family shall accept that and endure to the end.
And…… on top of that, 7 investigators were found this week, Broder Willems, the husband of one of our favorite sisters in the ward, was baptized this weekend (34 years after the missionaries knocked on their door) and many more lessons were taught and commitments kept. I LOVE this labor of love.

love jullie!!
Zuster fritz

loving Belgium

2010-05-31T13:39:00.009-06:00

All right, so I left "the best two years" behind me and have fallen completely in love with Belgium.... and my incredible new collega, Zuster Holbein. I think we're the same person, which may be why I love her so much. hahaha. Honestly, though, I have never met a Zuster more prepared to get out and work every day. She's got all the confidence, skill, and spunk in the world to find and teach every day with unmatched enthusiasm. (and all that after only one transfer) I love spending every moment of every day with her and learning from her. She's a fast one to keep up with. :)
This area is being harvested to our amazement. 4 Belgians baptized in one month (Heidi en Marie Therese were baptized just before I arrived - I'm SO excited to be visiting them often) and several more preparing. This work is unbelievable. I love these people already (and their beautiful Flemish). We've certainly got our work cut out for us, but have some powerful missionaries covering this area in the world.

leuk verhaal: Zuster Holbein and I went to do a consecrated hour yesterday and I got a very strong impression to knock the street of the church. The natural man in me didn’t' t want to because I don't necessarily love knocking doors, especially on a Sunday evening, and I thought I could safely assume that it had certainly been knocked by more than several missionaries before me. But still the voice in my head persuaded me. And what a miracle occurred. A few doors down from the church lives Deborah, who is an 18 year old Belgian girl that has always wondered about the church at the end of the street. She believes in God and wanted to know all about how we see him. She was completely touched by our message of a loving heavenly father and felt the spirit so strongly when we prayed with her. She's totally coming to the next jovo (young adult) activity. Love her.

I love being a missionary every day. It’s the best thing in the world. Love finding, love teaching.

miss you all,
Zuster Fritz

Moving to Antwerpen!!

2010-05-24T22:09:00.012-06:00

ANTWERPEN! (in Belgium)
I'm so incredibly excited; I've been wanting and praying to serve in this area many months. I feel drawn to it. I'll be serving with Zuster Holbein who will be going her second transfer. (I got to spend some time with her last month and she's a total fire cracker. Kijk uit!) Mmmmm....I have a good feeling about these next 6 weeks!
This past week has been full of everything, really. A day of everything that could go wrong (including: Desmond's "friend" in rehab pulled out all the anti-Mormon literature and convinced him that he needs to stop speaking with us. Thus, our appointment ended with reassurances of gratitude and love, but a firm decision to stick with the Bible..."but I have your number..."), spending all possible moments packing and preparing the apartment for the zone leaders (two amazing Elders, Verwey and deMeester), and going on joint teach with ZUSTER SPENCER (my MTC teacher, here on vacation, ridiculously cool).
The most triumphant news: the church building here in North opened for church yesterday! Ok, ok, maybe that doesn't mean much. We've been going to the church building in South Rotterdam for 10 months as ours was getting rennovated and it was a monstrous annoyance for everyone as the distance and cost to get there was ABSURD. But church was wonderful - I've never seen so many joyful faces. Zuster Hamblin and I taught the lesson in ZHV (relief society) and got to share our testimonies to a congregation very reluctant to see the zusters go. But I'm confident the elders will win their hearts...seriously, these new zone leaders are fantastic.
It's so strange, about the change. It takes a while to hit me that in two days, my entire world will be completely different, only I'll be doing the same things every day.
The mail system in Belgium is a little less fast, but I will be able to get my letters from the mission home MUCH more often because the Assistants to the pres are in my district.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
xoxo,
zuster fritz

"dag" to Rotterdam

2010-05-17T21:10:00.004-06:00

Well, this is our last week in Rotterdam. Zuster Hamblin and I are running around like crazy trying to get everything ready for the zone leaders to take over and pack up for our next cities (wherever those may be). I have very mixed feelings about leaving, but overall, I will miss this place bunches. Especially our fantastic ward members and investigators. I've come to love these people as a family (just as much as Amsterdam hehehe) and have developed so many friendships that have blessed my life. And Zuster Hamblin and I are hesitant to part...we've had a good run together, that's for sure!

Zuster Hamblin and I have been teaching the most elect and incredible man I have ever met. His name is Desmond and we met him on the way up to an appointment with our Tamia. We've had two lessons at his home and the spirit there was so lekker. However, he is now spending three weeks in a detox center in Dordrecht, so we are continuing to keep contact with and teach him over the phone. What an incredible experience that has been! He is SO hungry for the Book of Mormon - we asked him to read a few chapters and he's half-way through Nephi. He knows that it's true, absolutely. He is so eager, so humble, so wanting to change. What a son of God. It's a privelege to teach him and learn from him. This man is getting baptized!

Thank you so much for your letters of encouragement (they've been very needed) and prayers; I can feel them. I love you all.

Zuster Fritz

Final installment

2010-05-10T21:25:00.008-06:00

To make a long story short with the van Dalens, we drove up to the house to discover that it was actually Aty van Dalen that lived there. (!!) She is settled in Schiedam with her husband and was very eager to invite us in with the mention of Becky's name. They were actually heading out the door to a reception just then, but invited us back for a patio brunch for the next day. We left the note from Becky behind with her contact information and Aty promised to call her that evening.

The following morning, we returned for a delightful time with whom we call our new Dutch grandparents, Aty and Atze.

They are wonderful people. We absolutely adore them and have returned several times to offer our services and gezellig company. :) Aty and Becky are now back in touch and Aty feels certain that her departed father has played a role in this reunion. She saw white butterflies the morning that we showed up on her door - a significant sign of her father's presence in her life even now.

Becky's example of a faithful follower of Jesus Christ as a young teenager has made an impression that has lasted in Aty's memory for over 44 years. I find that so amazing and I'm so grateful for the quiet way in which members of the church like Becky live their lives and keep the commandments - it's a light to so many. I'm also grateful for the way in which Becky listened to the Spirit, which led her find Aty again and continue their friendship. It reminds me of one of my favorite passages in the Doctrine and Covenants 130:2. And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.

Becky's role is not yet finished. We missionaries were but instruments to connect them again. Becky now has the opportunity to bring these our brethren again unto thee (Alma 31) through her continued love and example. You got it, Becky!

Brothers and sisters, the gospel is true. Rotterdam is receiving the light through its members. It's beautiful, simple, and pure. I'm lovin' it. And I love you all.

Zuster Fritz

The continuing story.......

2010-05-05T10:32:00.008-06:00

The address given for Aty van Dalen was in Delfshaven - a neighborhood where zusters are not advised to go. Thus is became marked in our map as somewhere we'd go when we get the chance.

The first chance came and the residents of Samuel Mullerplein 14A were not home. But I couldn't just walk away. I knocked the whole street, eager to find anyone who would be old and settled enough to know something over the familie van Dalen. I found no such person as all the residents where recent and very young - except for one man who vaguely remembered the name of the former owners of his neighbor's apartment. Finally a lead! With this information, we resolved to return sometime again to question 14A.

In the meantime, I felt truly driven to keep searching. Only thing was, Aty van Dalen 44 years ago was an unmarried teenager with a maiden name. Who knows what she's called now?
The thought hit me forcefully to look in the phone book under the name van Dalen. Dozens of possibilities. Several with the first initial A. I called every one of them. And when it wasn't Aty or relation, I offered the message of the restored gospel. :) It was mostly an exercise of faith because none of them, though extremely cordial and helpful, were interested. Yet I definitely felt driven to press on.

With all the van Dalen households called, there wasn't much more we could do but wait for the chance to return to Samuel Mullerplein.

When we stopped by to go again several weeks later, the current residents were home and recognized my nametag and request as the same of the zusters Owen and Stapleton from before. This time, they received more background and a request to contact their apartment owner. They readily complied. I walked away with two phone numbers for my use. I felt absolutely triumphant.

I called the owner and he had indeed purchased the apartment from familie van Dalen. But he needed a day or two to locate their information.

A day or two later, I called him - he had succeeded! A telephone number and address - in Schiedam (a Rotteram suburb in our area). !!!!!

Zuster Hamblin and I miraculously had nowhere to be that evening and so we jumped in the car and drove to Schiedam in hopes that this van Dalen household could tell us what had become of their Aty.

And I'm sorry to make this a trilogy, folks, but my time is up. This is the Lord's work and there are two things only that are important: to love God and to love our neighbors.

al mijn liefde,
me

Keukenhof

2010-04-27T09:00:00.012-06:00

Yesterday was spent in Keukenhof with the Den Haag and Rotterdam zone. Best preparation day of my life. It was absolutely breathtaking, all the flowers. And the best part? Getting to see Kim and Joyce. They came along and it was an absolute blast to be with the other elders and zusters as well. Man, I love being a missionary in Holland!!

This past week was MIRACULOUS! We found 6 new investigators who are absolutely sincere in their desire to know more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's not forget that among the tribulations and trials, God also allows us joy. It is He who is in control of this, His work.

April 23, my father's birthday and one year since I entered the temple, I experienced the prettiest miracle of my mission. It's breathtaking, humbling and empowering. And through it all, I know that our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness is real and desirable for every soul. For the worth of every soul is great in the eyes of God.

This pretty miracle of mine will require a bit of an uitleg (explanation). It goes something like this: Sometime in the MTC experience, Zuster Spencer presented a piece of paper to us with a referral on it from a certain Becky Townsend Ballstaedt. She was an exchange student in Rotterdam (get this) 44 years ago, trying to make contact with the daughter of her host parents, Aty van Dalen. Becky wrote the address of the house where they lived in 1966 with a few details in hopes that missionaries heading to the Netherlands would be able to find her.

I tucked the paper into my journal and thought no more of it until a tijdje into my service in Amsterdam. At that time, I called the zusters te Rotterdam to give the information through. It was weeks until I heard back from them and their answer was exactly as I'd expected - Aty doesn't live there anymore and the current residents know nothing more.
As soon as I got transferred to Rotterdam, I took the search back into my hands to find Aty van Dalen. I guessed we probably wouldn't find anything more than the other sisters, but I felt a pull to not give up....to be continued next week when I have more time.

The gospel is true, brothers and sisters. Love you all. Incredibly much.

-Zuster Fritz

even in Antwerpen

2010-04-21T20:05:00.006-06:00

This past week was all over the place and crazy amazing. Zuster Gulliver, Hamblin and I spent Monday in Antwerpen, Belgium (SOOO rad to see the lower half of the mission) to teach a family preparing to get baptized next month. Tjonge jonge, are they incredible! Heidi and Marie Therese. They have so much light and are so eager and excited to live the commandments and experience the blessings. Here in Rotterdam, Zuster Hamblin and I continue to teach Tamia from the Ivory Coast. She's also one of those elect who is so prepared to accept the gospel in its fullness. I love watching her progress.

A mission is such a wonderful thing and I'm so grateful to be serving my God and Savior. Blijf maar geweldig, jonges!
Ps - Kim Z - je weet hoe veel ik van je houd hoor!

Tamia and the temple

2010-04-12T08:25:00.009-06:00

Hello lovelies,

We're tearing Rotterdam north apart this week with our own wonderful Zuster Gulliver, who is joining us for a week until her new greenie arrives. Rotterdam is actually her own greenie city, so we're contacting lots of former investigators and getting them back on the bandwagon. We'll see if this go can bring them further. :D
Transfer calls came last night and Zuster Hamblin and I are super pumped to be staying here another 6 weeks!!! WOOHOO! We have lots of work to do and people to assist to the waters of baptism. The sisters, Edelina and Tania, have been coming to church and LOVING it - they're super excited about their baptism! What miracles they are.

Tamia is another woman we are teaching who is such a miracle - she'll be following them into the water not too long afterward. Tamia was an investigator over a year ago who wasn't quite ready to keep going at the time. However, Zuster Hamblin found her name in our books this transfer and felt strongly that we should look her up again. (that's called the spirit, brothers and sisters) She was willing to meet again with us and oh my is she GOLDEN!!!! She was not ready then, but is ready now. I can see so clearly how the Lord prepares us for His everlasting gospel. Not only is she reading daily from the Book of Mormon and getting SO much out of it, but her brother, Soloman, is now reading and wants to learn and become more. Families are forever, eh? ;)

Our zone conference at the temple was wonderful. I have never been so inspired to keep going in all my life. Endure to the end, right?

You better all know how much I love you. I think of and pray for you all often and am confident in the plan of salvation, which allows us to dwell in eternal bliss together. :) Seriously. I love you all.
Here's a little something to empower you.

Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth His people, and His bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving, yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. -Alma 26:37

veel liefs,
Zuster Fritz

land of the daffodils

2010-04-07T19:38:00.013-06:00

The yellow daffodils are sprouted on every bit of green grass Rotterdam has and it's sunny and gorgeous. Man, I love Holland in the spring. (I gotta say, the people are friendlier too!)

General Conference was UHmazing. I wrote down several questions that I had and EVERY SINGLE ONE was directly answered through numerous addresses. I love modern day revelation. Additionally, Edelina and Tania came!!!!! It was a MIRACLE!

My friends, the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Read it, love it. Do something about it.

We are heading to the Zoetermeer temple on Friday for zone conference: the best kind of zone conference ever! I love it. Can't wait to get that feeling again. You know what I mean?

Love you all and miss you.
Zuster Fritz

keep on keepin' on

2010-03-29T16:10:00.011-06:00

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

2010-03-22T10:49:00.008-06:00

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

2010-03-15T09:55:00.004-06:00

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

2010-03-08T13:16:00.005-07:00

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!!!

2010-03-01T18:57:00.013-07:00

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

2010-03-01T18:42:00.009-07:00

Week of Miracles!

2010-02-23T14:33:00.021-07:00

Last Saturday received Lucky her endowment in the Zoetermeer temple - Elders Jacobs and Pinnock and Zuster Fowler and I were able to accompany her. It was one of the sweetest experiences of my mission. I shall never forget what a special day it was - to see someone so faithful come even closer to Christ through the covenants of the temple.
I was not present when Elders Jacobs and Pinnock found Lucky here in Surinamseplein, nor when she was baptized in the church, but I have been here these six months to see her continue in the journey of conversion. And seeing her arrive to the temple was so personally rewarding to me.

THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE! To not only invite others to the waters of baptism, but to prepare them for the temple, the crowning moment of our earthly existence.

KIM IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY! Tjonge jonge, I can't believe that it's already here; the frosting on my Amsterdamse cake. I remember sitting with her at dinner in September, asking her what she thought of baptism. Something she could never see herself doing, said she. ;) Well, her change of heart has been a beautiful process, to say the very least. I'm overjoyed to be present to see her take this step and excited to see what the rest of her future will bring. She will bring many great things to pass, that girl.

I know Heavenly Father has great blessings in store for us all. It's undeniable.

I love you all incredibly and pray for the spring to come quickly in your corner of the world!

Al mijn liefde,

Zuster Fritz

P.S. My exchange with Zuster Robbins (love her face!) in Den Haag was a bash! It proved to me that I am capable of preaching the gospel somewhere other than Amsterdam...after 6 months, it was a first! ;)

I love being a missionary...seriously!

2010-02-15T13:14:00.010-07:00

Yesterday at church was one of those amazing days as a missionary. When you look around and see the most beautiful faces in this world.

I looked around and there was 16-year-old Yanko, who skipped his football practice so he could be present for the whole of sacrament meeting...and bring his tithing. Behind me was William, reeking of marijuana, but in eager attendance nonetheless. Next to me was Anoesjke, who sacrificed the afternoon with her just-home boyfriend so she could come to church to show her gratitude to God for his safe return after several months. Down the aisle was inactive Margaret with her son, Marvelous: they honored their promise that they'd be in church again. In the row before me sat Sandra with her daughter Nicole and mother Miracy - it was Sandra's 4th Sunday back at church after a long period of inactivity - she's going strong. And beside me sat my wonderful, sweet Kim, singing the hymns. Aloud.

I love being a missionary. Seriously.

THE MISSION

2010-02-08T18:19:00.014-07:00

The mission: to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.

The mission is worth everything.
There are bad days, rude people, awful weather, endless streets, aches and pains, immature elders, difficult companions, non-progressing investigators, enough doubts, uncooperative members.

There are never better days of miracles, sincere people truly searching, days of never-ending sunshine, that first door letting you in, rushes of energy, amazing elders, wonderful companions, golden investigators, absolute surety, and the best saints the church has ever seen!!

And with all the latter, the former just doesn't matter. It won't be what you'll remember when all is said and done. So waste no time or focus with it. Rise up and make your mission.

Yesterday was such the incredible Sunday. We had numerous in-actives that we've been working with at church. It is such a blessing seeing that they are coming back. It's just as satisfying seeing souls coming back to Christ as coming unto Christ.

Marc is getting baptized on 13 March (wonderful day, that...happens to be my birthday). What a golden he is. I've never seen anyone so excited about the gospel as Marc. Zuster Ekstrom and I call him our "dry mix." We just need to add the water. ;)

Zuster Ekstrom and I had an incredible dinner/lesson with Familie Zwaan on Saturday evening. I adore this family! It's been such a privilege to have seen Kim's progression of faith and willingness to accept the gospel from the beginning. (Have I said enough that she's the light of my mission?)
Veel liefs uit Amsterdam.
I love you all and hope you're experiencing much joy!
We certainly are over here! :)

Zuster Fritz

(Hand Tatoos with Tara)

On Fire!

2010-02-01T14:16:00.010-07:00

Hello lovely dear ones,

I'm afraid I have little time to write, but I want to assure you all that the miracles are happening everywhere in Holland. I've never seen so much good come about, so much change. Our zone is on fire and our Amsterdam district has the most talent I've ever seen - 7 companionships and we're baptizing by the dozens. The Lord is truly at the head of this work. I see it every moment.

I know God lives and leads us and that He prepares us, shapes us and readies us for the future He has prepared for us. It's so much greater than we ourselves can imagine and much more glorious when we yield to His will rather than clinging to our own.

I thank you all for your letters and prayers and missionary efforts on the home front!
Keep it up.

I love you all.

Zuster Fritz

zuster Ekstrom, I adore her

2010-01-25T21:49:00.012-07:00

I. Absolutely. Love. My. Companion! Zuster Ekstrom is everything I want to be. We laugh too often and love each other ridiculously too much. I've never felt so confident or capable and we go out every day with incredible excitement and determination. We find with purpose and have seen miracles in every hour together. I just want to shout to everyone I see, "The gospel is true and will help you find happiness" and together, that's how we do it. It's a beautiful thing! I feel so good about what's going to happen over the next six weeks.

We had an amazing lesson with a man named Mark this week - the boyfriend of an inactive member. It was a powerful lesson and he was so positive that we challenged him to baptism. He totally said yes and we're working with him now to teach him regularly.

Kim's baptism is falling into line and I'm so grateful for the support of the ward in getting everything ready. It's going to be an experience of a lifetime. She's as strong as ever.

FHE with the ward is going great. It's still starting off but we're getting more people to come and it's proved to be a great way to get recent converts involved.

Our district meeting this past week was in Alkmaar and we had a fun time proselyting to passersby on a quaint little bridge while singing hymns. Music is a powerful tool. I love singing as missionaries.

I love you all so much. I can't wait to tell you everything someday.

With all my love and light,
Zuster Fritz

STAYING IN AMSTERDAM!!

2010-01-19T13:32:00.002-07:00

Zuster Fritz is ecstatic that she'll be staying in Amsterdam!!
You can write to her there until the next transfer that will be about March 1st. Her address is:

Zuster Jillian Fritz
Groenhoven 622
1103 LS Amsterdam - Zuidoost
NETHERLANDS

She LOVES hearing from her friends!

1/3 in Amsterdam

2010-01-18T13:19:00.018-07:00

1/3 of the people we hoped would have set baptismal dates this week pulled through. Kim is a rock star. Martha is well on her way "by the grace of God." Moses...well, Moses needs some time.

1/3 of my mission was reached 15 January, 2010 in Amsterdam. I celebrated with Ben& Jerry and Zuster Robbins during zuster exchanges. It was a miraculous day of perfection.

1/3 of the times that Claire and I tried to achter op on my bike yesterday actually got us somewhere.

1/3 of my mission will be spent in Amsterdam. I heard this morning that I'm remaining another transfer. Zuster Ekstrom will join me. I'm ecstatic.

It's a bittersweet thing to stay here and watch my trainer, my companion and my friend Zuster Fowler, leave me behind. I'm excited for her, excited for me, but change is always different. (duh) Yet adventure awaits us; I'm sure of it.

It's been such a week of miracles, great and small. I can't even begin to describe how much my heart is in this work and how much satisfaction I receive at it's progress. Jesus Christ heads this great undertaking of bringing the world his truth. I'm so proud to be a part of it. Something my

sister Emily told me before I embarked on this mission has stuck with me since and is only now beginning to take permanent shape in my understanding: "It's NOT about you. It's about 1) the

Savior and 2) the people." While at the beginning of my mission, I was completely willing and eager, I was also extremely selfish. It's been a rocky road, but I find that it sheds off a little more everyday - and that comes by serving and merging my will with His. Ceaselessly, everyday. Through prayer. It's a powerful line of communication that will never fail us or be too great for us. We are all worthy to pray.

I love you all so much and thank you for your letters, your support, your prayers. I am sorry I've been serving in such an AMAZING CITY with SO much to do every P-day that I've had hardly any time to write back most of the time, but maybe in a few months I'll be in the middle-of-nowhere-Holland with nothing better to do. ;)

Veel succes en liefs,
Zuster Jillian Fritz

oud en nieuw

2010-01-11T15:29:00.004-07:00

Hello lovely everyone,

Happy New Year! "Oud en Nieuw" (Old and New as they call it here) was a flashy affair. Fireworks are a Dutch legacy and we didn't go a single minute without hearing explosions through the day. When night fell, the sky was colorfully lit and I imagine a bombing raid couldn't sound much louder. It was a memorable night of little sleep....Very little sleep!

the new year had provided us a great opportunity to talk with people about making changes and setting goals. I hope it yields great results.
With so much resolution to change in the atmosphere, I've also made some resolves to become a better me. My emotions have indeed been a struggle and challenge on my mission, but of one thing I'm sure - that the Lord Jesus Christ has been here before me. I've received several priesthood blessings with beautiful words of comfort and assurance. My testimony of the priesthood is being continually deepened as I've seen its pure power in my life and the lives of others.

We're preparing two investigators for baptism and watching them both progress has been a privilege for me. Kim is the light of my mission. I'm amazed by her willingness to live a gospel-centered life and so impressed with how prepared she is. We did nothing - she simply fell into our laps and I know that it's really not about us, but the Holy ghost in teaching toward repentance and change. Moses, on the other hand has a desire to change, but is not as active in making steps to get there. Everyone must make the decision in their own time.

One thing I must make absolutely clear is that Ik hou van minj fiets!!! I love my bike!!!. I truly think its the God-intended way to get from here to there. It's exhilarating and pure - truly a joy :)
Today's P-day is being spent in the Centrum as usual and we're lunching @ Hard Rock Cafe A'dam. I absolutely love this city. It's definitely unique.

I love you all oodles and hope and pray the best for you all by name. Love you, good night, sweet dreams!

Zuster Jillian Fritz

A day in the life of Zuster Fritz

2010-01-11T10:47:00.004-07:00

6.30 arise, sport for 30 minutes
7.00 shower, breakfast, prepare for the day
8.00 personal study
9.00 companionship study
10.00 language study
10.30 lunch (grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, apple, stroopwafel)
11.30 leave for the centrum to look up inactive members of the ward
12.04 approached by three American tourists who are members of the church
13.17 come to find that the address the inactive member gave us was the Anne Frank house (she apparently didn’t want the missionaries to visit her)
14.11 after 11 minutes of bell-ups, approached by the police who came on a call from a resident we had belled, claiming we were not who we said we were. The police took down our legal names and told us if it happens again, we will be spending time in jail
14.25 Zuster Fowler and I decide not to go finding in the centrum anymore
16.06 amazing lesson with a former investigator, Martha, who wants to come back to church
16.51 go to look up former investigator around the corner from Martha. he no longer lives there, but schedule an appointment with the new tenant
17.00 Moses, our Liberian investigator, says it is too cold to go outside of his apartment so cancels his appointment
17.30 eat cucumber soup for dinner (for the seventh time this month)
19.00 Kwame gets baptized at the church. incredible experience
20.34 Bishop calls to tell us that church is cancelled due to expected snow Sunday morning

21.00 plan for the next day
21.30 call the elders and share miracles and report numbers
22.30 retire to bed

January 11, 2010

2010-01-11T10:22:00.017-07:00

Our awesome brother from Ghana, Gershon "Kwame" Atiscolove was baptized this past weekend. All the die hards were there for it. We celebrated the anticipated date with a dinner appointment at Lucky's home - Kwame made us some of his African fufu. Cultural experience indeed.

Kwame wasn't a miracle find because we missionaries didn't find him. He found us. After following the presidential campaign of Mitt Romney and hearing his speeches laced with statements and convictions of his "mormon faith," Kwame was determined to find and join the church to which he belonged. He spent weeks looking up all the information he could and finally found the address of the church in Amsterdam. One Sunday after church, Kwame walked in and marched up to the elders, introduced himself, and told them he wanted to be baptized.

Zone conference is this week and I'm really looking forward to getting together with the zones and getting spiritually nourished. I'm interested to see where we'll all be transferred next week.

The Zusters ten Den Haag are coming to do a blitz this week in Amsterdam. I'll be working with Zuster Robins, which I'm really excited about. She's gorgeous.

Church was cancelled yesterday due to expected amounts of snow...which never came. Instead we went to visit Kim (the light of my mission) and watched the Testaments. We're certainly the die-hards because even without church, we totally fasted together. I forsee great blessings ahead of us. :)

Also, because of a miscommunication, we had two dinner appointments yesterday night to break our fast. One at 4:00 and the other at 5:30. I've never eaten so much in my life. I certainly love how well taken care of we are on the mission. :D

I love you all tremendously. Thank you all so much for your letters (especially a shout out to the VIENNA GROUP! you're all amazing). I am blessed with good friends and family to keep me going.

Tot ziens,
Zuster Fritz

vrolijke kerstmis!

2009-12-28T13:25:00.009-07:00

21 DECEMBER

Merry Christmas, my wonderful friends,

It's been another dazzling week and we're enjoying a white Christmas in Belgium and the Netherlands. Yesterday after church, we all went outside in the thick of the snowflakes and threw it at each other for a good half hour. Later, walking up and down the streets of Watergrafsmeer, we saw dozens of families outside making snowmen and forts together. They may have also thrown a few snowballs at us as well. ;)

We had another series of missionary Christmas concerts in Rotterdam and Den Haag on Thursday and Friday. It was such an incredible way to share the spirit of Christ with others through music. Without a doubt, the most exciting and memorable experience of my mission.

Zr. Fowler and I have had a lot of Christmas lessons with our investigators and members this month. We've truly enjoyed the spirit of Christmas and even though its a very commercial tradition here in Amsterdam, we have found many moments of peace on earth and good will toward men. I'm grateful for the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The wisemen sought the infant Savior, bearing fine gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. How can we better seek the Savior and what can we give to the babe in the manger? I've thought a great deal about what I can gift to my Savior this Christmas. What will you give to Him this season? I encourage each of you to reflect about what to give of yourself to become more like Him.

Vrolijkke Kerstfeest!

28 December

Merry Christmas! I hope it was for you all. I definitely enjoyed the splendid Kerst festivities in Amsterdam. I am so grateful I was able to stay this transfer to celebrate with my favorite people in the Netherlands.

The ward held a musical Christmas Eve service on Thursday night (what would you know…Zuster Fowler and I participated, naturally), which was a great success. Everyone brought friends and family and the spirit was so incredibly tangible – I love that

no matter where in the world you are, the people seem to be brighter, more cheerful for Christmas. What a beautiful present to our Savior, Jesus Christ. :D

My family called me on Christmas evening and I was able to talk to them for 30 minutes. What a miracle. It was such an exciting opportunity to speak with them on the phone, even for a short amount of time. Thank you, family. Ik hou van jullie.

With 2010 fast approaching, I encourage you all to stay going strong. I’m definitely not a fan of New Year’s resolutions (because how long do they last, I ask you?) but here on the mission, I’ve definitely gained a solid testimony of goal setting. Without effective plans, a want is merely a "someday." Dat wil ik niet.

I wish you all much pleasure during the continued holidays. If you have desires to serve your zuster missionary in any way, write an uplifting letter and send it to her. :)

Love you all muchly,
Zuster Fritz

Christmas concerts in Belgium

2009-12-14T13:29:00.007-07:00

Hello broeders en zusters and vrolijke kerst!

What a geweldige week! It has truly been the most incredible and joyful time of my mission - I absolutey love Christmas.This week was spent in Belgium. Our missionary choir sang in the streets and chapels of Brussels and Antwerpen – what an unforgettable experience it was! We sang in several prime locations in the cities’ centrums, attracting hundreds with our bagpipes, fiddles, and angelic voices to invite them to our Christmas concert that would be held that evening. :D Many members and investigators attended…as well as some interesting gypsy finds from the street….oh, Europe. This coming week we will do the same in Rotterdam and Den Haag, Nederland. Exciting!!

It is Christmastime in Holland and I’m enjoying the beautiful festivities in Amsterdam. It has been such a blessing for me to serve in this unique city and watch as the weather and decorations change – and hearts as well. I’ve witnessed so many miracles these months as I’ve watched those we teach make decisions that bring them closer to their Savior Jesus Christ. There is so much joy to be had in His gospel. And there is surely opposition (this is ever apparent to me in the city of Amsterdam where "alles mag” or anything goes). But as we press forward with a steadfastness in Christ (2 Nephi 31:20) we will be in His constant care.

I am so happy that I made the decision to come on a full-time mission. The reality of it all is so different from the films one sees (even the tulip-filled “Best Two Years” against the Holland backdrop) but I absolutely love my mission, rain or shine (though in Holland we definitely experience more of the former). I know that what I’m doing matters. It’s the most important work I could be doing. I am assisting in the Lord’s work and I find no greater satisfaction than seeing His hand in my life and the lives of those we meet and teach.
Thank you all so much for your letters and Christmas cards and prayers! I love you all more than I can describe in Dutch or English.
Het evangelie is waar!
The gospel is true. Absolutely.

Much love and Christmas cheer,
Zuster Jillian Claire Fritz

PS - We had an early Christmas dinner with Familie Zwaan and Claire...only some of my favorite people in Amsterdam

28 februari

2009-12-07T18:05:00.011-07:00

Mijn geliefde broeders en zusters,

Kim heeft 28 feb uitgekozen om zich to laten dopen!!! Ik ben onsettend blij.De tempel en zone conferentie waren heerlijk. Ga maar naar de tempel.Ik houd van jullie allemaal.

translation:

My beloved brothers and sisters,

Kim has chosen Feb. 28 to become baptized!!! I am incredibly happy. The temple and zone conference were glorious. Go to the temple!!

Ik blijf in Amsterdam door de Kerst!
I'm staying in Amsterdam through Christmas!

I love you all.

Zuster Fritz

Thanksgiving Week

2009-11-30T20:02:00.006-07:00

Hallo geliefde broeders en zusters,

This past week was Thanksgiving in America. Be of good cheer – I was well taken care of. We ate a blessed dinner at Claire’s apartment (an American working here in A’dam. She’s an incredible friend and I’m not just saying that because she reads my blog. It’s totally true). I hope your turkey and stuffing was as delicious as mine was.

I spent Wednesday this week in Brussels, Belgium. Yes, that is technically my mission and where you send all my mail (you are always welcome to send Christmas greetings to 87 Blvd. Brand Whitlock, 1200 Brussels, Belgium) but I am there but four times on my mission. Twice for legality documents and twice to enter/exit the mission. It’s a beautiful city. But they don’t speak Dutch.

We’ve worked a lot this past week (and will continue to do so this week) with the members of the wijk (ward) Amsterdam. I have a deep love for the members of the church here. They are so strong and so unique. I can’t imagine myself serving anywhere else (but transfers are next week…) I gave a talk yesterday in sacrament meeting (a bit nervous was I, maar het ging best wel goed) and one thing I highlighted about the members' missionary work is their homes. They have pictures of Christ and the temple hanging on their walls for every resident and visitor to see – it’s such an awesome missionary tool. I think it’s wonderful and I’m grateful I grew up in a home with those visual reminders of my faith.

Tomorrow: Zone Conference….at the

TEMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am beyond extremely excited to attend the house of the Lord to learn by the spirit and feel the powers of heaven. I have loved reading the Pearl of Great Price to prepare myself. Moses 7 is an awesome chapter about God’s plan. Expands my mind! I encourage those of you who are able to attend the temple. I sincerely miss that opportunity and realize how important it is to be worthy and able to attend.I love

you all indescribably.

Thank you so much for your letters (and the Christmas packages!) Jullie zijn geweldig!

Zuster Fritz

Noah's Ark and Africa

2009-11-23T12:59:00.005-07:00

You people must think I can think of nothing better to write than the weather, but I must assure you that it is certainly letter-worthy. I have never seen so much rain in my entire time of living on this blessed earth. Last night, Zuster Fowler and I arrived to our appointment at the Zwaan's so wet that we spent a few minutes using their hairdryer to dry our hair and clothes. :) The rain was so heavy and fearsome, I was half expecting to see Noah's ark.

What a perfect segue into my next subject: Noah's ark. Serious. That is where I'm headed today. Some religious dutchman (almost an oxymoron, that one) made a replica of Noah's biblical ark and it sits in Zaandam for religious people like us to come and gawk at. :) It'll be pretty cool in the POURING RAIN today.

My apologies, I've said all I'll say about the weather.

I live in the Bijlmer in Amsterdam. I would describe it as the "Little Africa" of Holland. I can spend the whole day proselyting there and be the only white girl I see (besides my companion, Zuster Fowler). I absolutely

love the African culture here. Super friendly people. And they speak African English, which is a dialect they didn't teach me in the MTC, so it's kind of an immersion-type training, if you will. But it gets better every day.

Every soul we meet on the street in the Bijlmer adores Jesus and we have some pretty interesting conversations about faith and the like. Before we leave them, we always like to say a prayer with them. Africans do what we call "prayer talking." It goes like this: "When I say Jesus, you people say "Amen.'"
"JESUS!"
"Amen."

Bike stil bij mij

2009-11-16T18:41:00.002-07:00

What a day. Spent in Den Haag for choir practice. We're preparing for the Christmas concert series and we're pretty excited for the holidays.

The train ride to and from Den Haag was lovely. Low lands, green fields, farm homes, fog and rain. This certainly is a beautiful country and yes, we do baptize. (hahaha, playing off the old lie, "Wow, that's a beautiful country in which to serve a mission, but you won't have many baptisms." Well, I wish to dispell that lie. We've got another in Amsterdam this month.)

I wish to tell you all how much God loves me. I have left my keys in my bike at least five times...in the Bijlmer and at central station...and it still hasn't gotten stolen. If I told any of the natives here, they'd consider that a miracle. Well, the blessings of a missionary, my friends.

We had such an awesome lesson this week with Mark and Lotte, two jovo's (young adults) that were friends of Kim van Dijk here in the ward. They came to a ward activity and then wanted to meet with us because they think we (the church) are way dang cool. Man, if every member could invite their friends to activities and church, the happiness we'd see and experience.

Zr. Fowler and I gave a workshop at zone interviews this week about trust. We read the story about Chief Captain Moroni to prepare and oh.my.goodness. I love this man. Read his story. You will be moved.

Zuster Fritz

thermals. love them.

2009-11-09T07:12:00.006-07:00

Hello my precious crowd. Thermals. Love them. It's been zeer cold and foggy every day. Good thing I get toasty warm riding my bike all over Amsterdam. I do love it, though. I love riding along the canals early in the sun-lit morning with the dew-soaked leaves strewn across the red-rocked paths and seeing the mist swirl above the still waters, the royal Dutch architecture rising vaguely across the canals. (poetess, or what?!) But seriously, words cannot even describe how beautiful this place of the world is to me.

Zuster Fowler and I have seen so many miracles this week. Our investigators are making so much progress and I am indescribably happy. I am happy because they are finding happiness in Jesus Christ, their Savior. I am happy because they are coming to know and recognize God's love for them more and more every day. I think of the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 18 where it tells us how great will be our joy if we can bring but one soul into the kingdom of God. How great must be Heavenly Father's joy when His children make good choices to bring them closer to Him.

I've also learned some of the greatest lessons this week about my own happiness. I read a letter from my brother David this week that truly helped my perspective change completely for the better. He compares God's love to the sun. It is always shining on the earth, but sometimes, as is with nature, we are left in the darkness for a time. So it is with us. Sometimes we feel alone and apart, but Sunday will come again. It always does.Let the sunshine come from within. :)

I love you, my zonnestraaltjes.

Zuster Fritz

Gracefully

2009-11-02T07:02:00.004-07:00

A rainy week in Holland. Good thing we're changing things in A'dam. There are now only two elders in Amsterdam and so we've decided to expand our boundaries, which will require us to use more public transportation. Public transportation is more dry. :D

Well, we've seen many wonders this week. We had many investigators in church yesterday and that went super well. We may be strange as Mormons, but fast and testimony meeting is always a treat. :)

I was very humbled this week by one of our lessons with a young man from war-torn Ivory Coast, Issoufou. He's just arrived here as a refugee and has absolutely nothing. He has no idea where his family was taken to and witnessed the deaths of many friends in several attacks on his village. He is so teachable and when he prays (in his African language), you know he's really talking with his Heavenly Father. It's sweet.
After playing Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing together at Marijke's baptism last month, Zuster Fowler and I were invited to play it again at a talent night in Hilversum (outside A'dam) this week. That was an awesome way to introduce many friends of the members to the church and we all had a pleasant evening. We brought Amy and it was good to have her surrounded by members in that atmosphere. It was awesome to use what talent we have to play beautiful songs of praise to the Lord. And to hold a violin again. :)

Here's my "geestelijk toetje" (spiritual dessert) for you all this afternoon: Ether 12:41 "And now, I would commend you to see this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen." Amen indeed.

We truly need grace. I have never felt more imperfect in my life - I need that peace and grace every day. Our desires matter, even when our actions fall short.

Love you all.
Send me Christmas cards. :)

Zuster Fritz

Biking in A'dam

2009-10-28T19:27:00.001-06:00

IK BLIJF IN AMSTERDAM, HOOR!!!!!

2009-10-26T06:53:00.005-06:00

I am staying another transfer in Amsterdam and I'm tickled pink about it!!! Zuster Fowler is remaining too, because, as President said,"I'd hate to break up a dynamic duo like you two!" Ha, it's actually the Lord's will and I'm so grateful for that because I know we have more work to do and lessons to learn here in A'dam. (And Kim has bee

n praying that we'll stay so we can keep teaching her together. Now she just needs to realize that this is an answer to her prayers and the sign she's been waiting for to get baptized! :D)

We had zone conference on Friday and that was super - getting a bunch of God's army together. It was rejuvinating. :) GRATITUDE: He who receiveth all things with thankfulness, the same shall be made glorious. -Doctrine and Covenants 78:19

I have been thinking a great deal on gratitude and decided to start celebrating Thanksgiving a little early here in Holland. I definitely need to be more aware of my blessings. I have so incredibly many. There are definitely difficult days on the mission. Like Bishop Klein told me, "the real work is so different than the movies and postcards and pictures one see." Missionary work is rigorous. But it's worth it - absolutely. And it's worth it when we see the blessings that come from obedience and diligence. And those are things to be grateful for. So, on top of everything else, work at being grateful. You will find that it yields wonderful results.

Ik houd van jullie. You are my greatest good.

Zuster Jillian Fritz

Go on in greatness

2009-10-19T07:48:00.004-06:00

October 19, 2009

Another week gone by in old Amsterdam. It's been rather a rocky week, not gonna lie, but I'm a missionary, so that actually means it was a time to learn and grow substantially. :) Eample of the difficulty: Zuster Fowler's key broke off in her bike lock, rendering it useless. Well, we were late for an evening appointment with Familie Todorovic anyway, so we just had to do as the Dutch do: achter op. This, my friends, means that one sits on the back rack of the bike, above the rear tire. My tires were pretty flat and the bike trail pretty rocky and what a combination for hilarity. We made it to the appointment only to find that my nametag had fallen off somewhere along the way. I jogged back home and luckily found it lying on the path beneath the lamp pole. God exists.

Well, the next morning getting to church was the treat. Achtering op with an oversized bike pump and our grocery bag full of lunch - we were quite the site for the locals. Don't worry, we're back to normal. But I shall never forget this crazy circumstance.
Zuster exchanges were a ball. Zuster Wieland joined me in Amsterdam and I definitely learned a bunch, being the respsonsible one and all. I feel like it was a chance for me to grow so much in love for the people we teach. I seriously love them all incredibly.

Zuster Fowler and I are teaching several young women our age and they are such miracles - Kim, Amy, and Daisy. Let me introduce you first to Kim Zwaan. She's 21, the daughter of one of our strong sisters in the ward. She hasn't been interested in the church until now - all thanks to Claire (American working here in A'dam). They went on vacation to Norway together and Claire spent a lot of time telling Kim about the church and dared her to come. So she did. And now she's been coming to church every week and praying like nobody's business - and she's the awesomest girl of my life. She totally invited her friend, Zander, (who, let's be honest, is totally interested in her) to church and has been telling him about what "we believe." How cool is she, I ask you? I have loved teaching her and seeing how prepared people's hearts can be and become. The Lord truly loves His children and makes ways for them to come unto Him. And there's always joy along the way.

Today is Zuster Fowler's birthday, which rocks. :) Her parents sent her a care package with chocolate cake and decorations, so our apartment smells and looks fabulous. Transfers are coming next week and we're praying everynight that we can remain here together. Amsterdam pretty much needs us. We rock. Best companionship ever. I'm so blessed.

Well friends and family, ik hou van jullie. D&C 128:19

Zuster Fritz

Restrict your remarks to the weather

2009-10-12T15:43:00.007-06:00

Well, the weather was pretty extreme this week. Down pouring rain, and then enough blue sky to make a Dutchman a pair of pants. :)

We had stake conference yesterday in Nordwijkerhoudt and that was SUCH an amazing experience. It was awesome to see SO many members of the church and so many families! Sometimes what we do here seems small to me...but this was a great reminder to me that what we do here really is covering the world.

We had some pretty incredible teaches this week. One of the coolest appointments this week was with a young woman from China. Her name is Amy and she's looking. We taught her about God's love and she's praying to find out if He exists. I know she'll get an answer. Because He does exist and He loves her. It was such a special opportunity to teach someone who has no background or concept of God and Jesus Christ. But Amy's a miracle and I can't wait to meet more with her.

There are so many amazing people here in Amsterdam and I feel so PRIVILEGED to work in this gorgeous city, especially with the church members here. We've been really busy with starting new approaches and new programs and it's not difficult to feel overwhelmed, but part of trusting in my Heavenly Father is just not worrying. Because we just can't do it all without Him.

This week we have sister exchanges and my trustee trainer is leaving me for Haarlem. I'll be working with Zuster Wieland here in Amsterdam and I'm pretty anxious excited about it. Terrifed too, because I'll be taking the ropes for 2 days in this enormous city and I'll have to lead and guide in every aspect, but it'll be really good for me, eh? I'm super stoked! (I'll let you know how I survived it!) :)

I love you all and I wish you'd WRITE ME MORE! ;D But seriously, I pray for you all to keep happiness. Find it in the Book of Mormon. It's waiting for you there.

Love,
Zuster Fritz

Biking in the wind and rain - meh

2009-10-05T06:59:00.003-06:00

Amsterdam is precisely like Berlin in that every morning I wake up and look out my window to a gray, overcast sky that remains for the day and will remain until April. :) I love fall in Europa.

Now, as to how that is on a bike. Well, it is decidedly more difficult to bike against the wind in a constant mist of rain. I must give up any hope of looking attractive for the rest of the season because this weather is anything but beautifying. I'm wet a lot.

In any case, the leaves are beautiful and the city is always bustling. I love what I can here. I must return back here after I'm done to catch up on all the culture I'm missing as a missionary. ;)

This week has taught me a lot of humility. Hahaha. That's always exciting. Not. We had a lot of potentially amazing appointments cancel on us this week and that was super disappointing. However, we ended this week with GENERAL CONFERENCE! My oh my, I love General Conference. It was so wonderful (especially when Dadson and Sharon - two of our Ghana investigators - walked in...miraculous). Kim came (!!) and watched with the headsets in het engels and she, Betty and I all commented on the attractiveness of President Uchtdorf. ;) I learned SO incredibly much from the words of the prophet and apostles. I love them!

I love you all and miss you. I think of you and pray for you often (so you better be doing likewise!!!) :D

Lots of Dutch love,

Zuster Fritz

September 28, 2009

2009-09-28T20:53:00.002-06:00

Well, the honeymoon days are over. My first week is over and it's really down to work here in Amsterdam. :) We've been incredibly busy with so many appointments (many of them with members from the ward. Go Amsterdam!!) and we've seen a lot of progression in the people we've found and taught.

Saturday, Marijke and Tomasina were baptized. And Ani, a 14 year old girl we're teaching, set a baptismal date for 31 Okt. We are busy. And loving it. :) It is so amazing to see the change that happens in these people's lives, in their entire countenance. I love being around them, teaching them through the spirit.

I am so limited on time, but I wanted to share ROMANS 8. Read it. Love it. Nothing can separate us from the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Pray hard. And WRITE YOUR MISSIONARY!!!!!!!

Much love,
Zuster Fritz

Riding a bike in a skirt? No problem!

2009-09-21T07:04:00.005-06:00

Groetjes von Amsterdam! My first week in the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands mission has been a raging hit and I can't wait to pick up the work here in this AMAZING mission.

Let's begin with my golden city: Amsterdam. God loves me so much - because this place is incredible. Great things are happening. HOWEVER, if y'all thought that I was coming to the Netherlands to teach tall, blonde-haired, blue-eyed Dutchmen, you have something else coming to you. I'm surrounded by everyone; many Africans (with whom we speak an awesome sort of English), Surinamse volk (a dialect of Dutch), Europeans of all varieties/languages, and now and then some Americans. Ya, pretty much Amsterdam is the worst city for one to learn Dutch. Lingua franca: English. MAAR (but) I am learning.

One week in Amsterdam on mission and already I've beheld so many miracles. The work itself is a miracle. We are teaching and finding so many of the elect and the members have been with us all the way, joint teaching is incredible. Every person we find and teach on the street or in the parks has SO much potential and so much to give. I'm learning to truly listen as Elder Holland taught in PMG (Ch 10).

One miracle I'll never forget: Evanne. She's a gorgeous young woman we approached in the park - asked her straight away what her purpose in life is. SHe shared with us that she's actually searching for that very answer, but she didn't feel her church was answering it. Therefore, she was reading in the Bible. Zuster Fowler told her about the Book of Mormon and shared her favorite scripture from Alma and as she did so and testified, tears began to stream down Evanna's cheeks. She expressed that the feelings she felt as we spoke to her were exactly what she was searching for and that she believes we were the answer to her prayers. We taught and testified some more, set up an appt., prayed with her (a beautiful experience) and gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon - she was going to read from Alma 5 until our appointment. It was a wonder. We pray for her everyday and are so excited to teach her more about her relationship with her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. She is ready!!

My companion: Zuster Fowler. Zij is mijn held. I absolutely love everything about her. She and I are one soul in two bodies. :) Together we will see miracles. We're working really hard and have SO many investigators, one with a baptism this Saturday. Her name is Marijka and she is completely transformed. I wish I could have seen her from the beginning. Marijka is a special daughter of God and she teaches me so much with her eagerness to read from the BoM. Simply the way she carries and handles the book in her hands shows her appreciation for what it's done for her life. She is so accepting of the gospel principles we teach her. She knows they will make her happy.

In any case, the ward is so excited for her. I am so excited for her.There are simply not words enough to describe what happens here. I love the work, love being a missionary, love the members/investigators, and love my Savior Jesus Christ.

Het herstelde evangelie is waar!
Love,
Zuster Fritz

Arrival in Belgium!!

2009-09-16T12:06:00.013-06:00

Sister Fritz has arrived safely! She looks excited and enthusiastic about her mission. We are delighted to have her with us. Her first assignment will be in the city of Amsterdam.

Her address will be:

Groenhoven 622

1103 LS Amsterdam-Zuidoost

Netherlands

2009-09-09T11:43:00.004-06:00

My last preparation day in the MTC!!! I leave in 4.5 days for Belgium/Netherlands and am SO excited to embark on this, my assigned mission! I have loved everything about the MTC and know that it'll be hard to leave this incredible place, my awesome district of Dutchies/Danes/Icelandics, my leaders and my teachers, but it is right and fitting that I leave on time. I'm so totally and absolutely ready. Bring on the storm!!

I had such a great week, fast Sunday especially was an awesome experience - always a great reminder of the battle of our body and spirit. And last night for MTC devotional, Elder Richard G. Hinckley came to address us. It was such an outstanding night to remember, so much truth confirmed. Listening to him speak was a delightful reminder of his father, our beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley.
I won't be able to receive any dearelders from you after Friday, so make sure you write to me before noon that day! (hint hint!) Write to the mission home in Belgium from now on - I am looking forward to hearing from you all in abundance!

Ik wil mijn getuigenis met jullie delen. Ik weet zeker dat God and Jezus Christus leven - ik weet dat wegens de Heilige Geest. Het Boek van Mormon is waar en was vertalde door Joseph Smith, die een profeet van God was. Het Boek van Mormon getuigt van Jezus Christus en als wij lezen kunnen wij ons de Heilige Geest voelen. Ik ben een dochter van onze Hemelse Vader en ik ben dankbaar om een zendlingzuster te zijn. Ik houd van jullie en wens je veel succes met alles.
Moroni 8:3

Veel liefs tot wij elkaar zien,
Zuster Jillian Fritz

"You must be willing to give up the life you have planned in order to claim the life that is waiting for you."

2009-09-02T12:01:00.004-06:00

A shout out to my BYU cougars. I've been thinking of you and wish y'all a way dang sweet fall semester! (and totally feeling a twinge of longing as I hear the carillon chime "Come Come Ye Saints" every hour). Na ja, ik ben blij om een zendelingzuster te zijn.

How unbelievable it is that we leave in 10 days!! Already I've begun to pack what little possessions I have in preparation for our vertrekking naar Nederland. The time is flying by and I'm getting giddy to be finally in the Netherlands.

It's been a trying week in our zone, but we've also experienced many rewards. Elaine S. Dalton, General Young Women President, addressed the sisters in Relief Society this past week. What a fine and energetic woman she is. I was able to meet her briefly afterward and I'll always remember her message to us: "You must be willing to give up the life you have planned in order to claim the life that is waiting for you." If I haven't learned that by now in my life, I wonder how much longer it will take. :) I've definitely been reminded again and again that Dutch is my language and the Netherlands my mission. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not [yet] seen." -Hebrews 11:1

The decision to be a missionary is the best that I have made in my own eternity.

I love you all tremendously. More letters from the crowd would be lovely. ;)

Jillian Fritz, Zuster

Zuster Sharp and Zuster Fritz at the MTC

2009-08-28T09:41:00.001-06:00

a day outside the MTC

2009-08-19T22:22:00.004-06:00

I'm now on the downside of my half-way mark at the MTC. Three and a half weeks remain and we get the new Dutchies next Wednesday. We're incredibly excited. :) Things here are great - certainly eventful.

A very interesting "opportunity" arose this past weekend that helped deepen my gratitude for the Lord's spirit, which I feel every moment of every day here at the MTC. Zuster Sharp was unwell this past weekend with an ear infection and pneumonia, but as the clinic on MTC campus was closed, we were to go to the BYU urgent care clinic. While my companion was seen by the doctor, I remained in the waiting room, surrounded by insipid conversation and shocking language (ok, it wasn't shocking by the world's standard, but keep in mind that I'm a missionary in the MTC). It bothered me, actually.

We were sent to the Rite-Aid next to my old grocery stop, Macey's, to get her Rx filled and spent some time wandering around the real world. Very strange experience, really.

Our schedule was then completely crazed and we didn't have opportunity to feast on the word, which really affected our attitudes and moods. We prayed earnestly together that night to get the presence of the Holy Ghost back with us.

The following morning, Sunday, was a sweet experience. The sacrament definitely helped me feel that again. And it was certainly refreshing - here at the MTC, you feel the spirit all the time and so much that sometimes you feel immune to it. Therefore, I'm really grateful for this experience.

Something funny that I loved from this week: playing the role of an investigator for one of my teacher's lessons, I said about the Book of Mormon, "Yah, this is all interesting..." To which Brother Bond curtly stated, "No, National Geographic with natives running around in loin cloths is interesting...this is real. This is truth!" :D I love it.

How I love the Book of Mormon! I have never felt such a sincere yearning for knowledge from the scriptures. My personal studies have been amazing - I studied the "strait and narrow path" this morning and I love this passage from Alma 37:46 - "It is...easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss." This is true. Obedience and prayer keep us this path and we must simply look to Christ and live.

The church is true. Ik houd van jullie.

Veel liefs,
Jillian Claire, Zuster

Ich frohlocke in Wahrheit (that's German)

2009-08-12T13:10:00.001-06:00

The weeks go by unbelievably fast. Today marks my halfway in the Missionary Training Center. And what an awesome time it's been! :)

This past Monday was our first "Engels vast." Translation: no english. I'm not gonna lie, it was a challenge for me at first (because it was like 40% German coming out), but throughout the day, we four Dutchies had total confidence in speaking this language. I am amazed at our progress. AND, it felt so good to finally open my mouth and try out the new language. ;) Seriously, my German is both a blessing and a crutch.
Monday was the best of days. We taught a young woman who has made the commitment to come to Jesus Christ through baptism. However, she struggles with addictions to alcohol and tobacco and so we taught her about the Word of Wisdom. Because she knows this is the true gospel, she is willing to end those addictions to prepare herself for baptism. I am in awe of her faith. Yet it really is such an amazing commandment - with incredible blessings. I was so happy to see her make that choice in her life. And it was a choice that she could make because she has agency - a choice that will now allow her to exercise her agency more fully.

We also have started teaching in Dutch. JAWEL! (That's Dutch for "Jawohl!" Ya, I know. Not as cool. Hahaha) This has been amazing and challenging. I love opening my mouth to teach in this language, which I really am coming to adore. However, it has proved challenging in that I want to take off and talk and talk and talk...but it's not about ME. I'm in a companionship and it's not "I" it's "we." As I've taught with the other three (teaching with the Elders has been pretty cool) they have been so patient with me as I try to reign myself in. I cannot even express how much I love mijn collega's. I am learning MUCH patience and humility. They are such examples to me - I love seeing them make leaps and bounds as they rely on the Lord to learn.

I have never before felt such a love for the scriptures, specifically the Book of Mormon. I have focused some of my personal study (the best hour of the day) on "glory" the past few days. What a gold mine of truth that subject opened for me! My favorite find:
Moses 1:39 -> Mosiah 4:11-12 -> Mosiah 3:20 -> D&C 3:16,19-20 -> Mosiah 4:12
I couldn't be more filled with joy in my life than I am now. I am being refined in all aspects of my life, so that I may better understand His will "to bring to pass...the eternal life of man."
NO INADEQUACY I FEEL NULLIFIES MY DIVINE NATURE AND THE PLAN HE HAS FOR ME AND FOR ALL OF HIS CHILDREN.

Veel liefs,
Zuster Jillian Fritz

we don't teach what we know, we teach what we are

2009-08-05T13:12:00.004-06:00

Another week passed. We've moved on to the second lesson in our teaching - the plan of salvation. As we've been preparing ourselves to teach our investigators, we've spent so much time being taught ourselves in a deeper manner and perspective. I have never learned so much about the plan of salvation's role in my personal life. And may I add my testimony that this is God's eternal plan for us, His children.
Everytime I teach these principles, I am filled with delight, for I know it is eternal truth. Jesus Christ is the center of all things.
We don't teach what we know, we teach what we are.
Moisah 18: 10-11
Mosiah 4:2 The blood of Jesus Christ if in our hearts would pump and spread throughout our veins to every part of our bodies, enabling us to use those limbs to glorify God and the Son with good works.

I love the work. Veel liefs,

letter reading

2009-08-03T18:06:00.004-06:00

reading letters from home on a glorious summer evening

2009-08-03T18:00:00.004-06:00

Life is wonderful. I've never been happier, nor closer to my Savior in all my life. I love bearing my testimony frequently. Each time I do, it is strengthened.

MTC still fabulous

2009-07-29T13:09:00.005-06:00

It's been an incredible week and it's really flown by. The days seem never-ending, but the weeks are over in a flash. And the MTC is still fabulous.

Each Saturday, everyone has to prepare a five minute talk for sacrament meeting on one of the Christlike attributes from PMG. Then after the sacrament is passed, two missionaries are called to share it. I was one of them. I was really grateful for that chance to speak. I loved studying patience and sharing my experiences and testimony about the principle. (sidenote: thanks mom for always teaching us patience. I promise I'll be better at it by next Christmas!)

Sunday night fireside had Stephen B. Allen come to address us. WHAT a meeting! It was a very interactive fireside and we talked about the hymn, "Come Come Ye Saints" and how those words can become ours as missionaries. Power comes with song!!

Thursday was our first day in the RC (referral call center). It is a bit nerve-racking at first to call people and ask them if they want missionaries to bring them the Book of Mormon, but I had an amazing experience. At first I was just getting voicemail after voicemail. Finally I got a woman named Velma. We talked for 38 minutes about the Bible in our lives and how our reliance on Jesus Christ gives our lives unmatched purpose. She was a Catholic Bible teacher for 27 years, so she had a lot of insight and favorite scriptures to share with me as well. She's not quite ready for the Book of Mormon to be brought to her, but she seemed sincere when she told me that she'd think about it. She knows where to get it now. I'm praying for her often.

I've been thinking a lot about Joseph Smith this week. I got to watch the "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" Sunday night!! I was so happy to have that remind me of the truths I'm teaching our investigators about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through our prophet. How I love that great, good man. I hope that we can ever more appreciate the restored gospel in our lives and have a desire to share it with others. Even if it is a small desire, if planted in our hearts, it will swell. It is the seed of the tree of life. And we want to share that with others. (Alma 32:28)

I love you all so much. I pray for you often and appreciate you more than I can say.

dutchies at the temple

2009-07-25T22:05:00.009-06:00

I am just come from my anticipated P-day temple trip. As we were walking down the path from the temple, a tour bus pulled up to the curb, unloading a large group of people. From Belgium & the Netherlands!! It was a sure miracle!

They noticed our nametags and flocked to us immediately. They commended us on our 7th day Dutch skills & were SO happy to meet us and tell us about how much they love sister missionaries. How wonderful, huh? This was a direct and dramatic answer to my (and Zuster Sharp's) prayers. We pray daily together in Dutch for help with the language and love for the people. And the Lord hears and answers our prayers.

I am so excited to go forth and serve and love those people. I'm in the right place and I'm going to the right mission. No doubts! How could I need any more assurance? It amazes me the way the Lord communicates to His children when they seek Him in faith.

Eeeeeeeek! It was so exciting!!

I wish you could see just want an amazing place the MTC is. Everyone is so Christlike in their kindness. We say hello to everyone we pass (in our mission languages). The elders in our zone stand when we arrive @ meals, and take our trays for us afterward. Doors are held for me no matter where I go. Laughter is everywhere - everyone is always having a good time together with their companion(s) and district/zone.

The new missionaries arrived today. It reminded me that it was only one week ago that we did that. I want you to rest assured that though I do love & miss you, I'm not at all sad. I didn't have time to be. I think of you often and much, but I am so confident that the Lord is blessing you tremendously for supporting your missionary daughters (both of us). We pray constantly in the MTC and always ask blessings to be with our parents and families.

My time here is not my own. Every minute of every day is planned full. We rise at 6:30 (actually, 6:10 to get ready/shower) and have gym time, service (cleaning classrooms) or personal study right away, depending on the day. Class time is spent learning how to preach the gospel (in English first) and in Dutch, how to pray & bear testimony. We start & end with prayer/song in Dutch. Two teachers a day - Sister Spencer and Brother Bond. Both BYU students. Bro Bond is amazing at effective teaching. Very lively, very encouraging.

Choir is Sun & Tues at 4:15 - 5:15. We sing at the Tues. evening devotionals. A GA speaks to us each week. And then we discuss it afterward as a district.

I love Sunday Relief Society in the morning after watching Music & the Spoken Word. Then Sacrament meeting as a zone (several districts - going to Belgium/Netherlands, Oakland, Temple Square, Denmark & Las Vegas). I love them. Each Saturday we prepare a 5-minute talk for sacrament meeting & 3 missionaries are called up to give it...so be prepared!!

So, that's life at the MTC. Very structured. Lots of learning/classroom instruction. 3 hours each day for 1) personal study, 2) companionship study & 3) language study. Lights off @ 10:30, no exceptions.

I love it here, have I mentioned that?? Unlike any other place on earth!!

2009-07-22T13:07:00.012-06:00

I've been a missionary for a full week! :) And I'm loving it absolutely. I love my district and my companion, Zuster Sharp. I am so blessed to have her - she and I get along PERFECTLY and we're learning so much from each other. She is going to see miracles on her mission. Our teachers are great - Brother Bond is especially amazing. He is an effective teacher and helps us with the language a LOT.

I really enjoy the residence hall life - I've really gotten to know the sisters in my room and I've seen SO many people here that I know. It's AWESOME to make so many connections. I've adopted Kelley's attitude about mealtime and gym: it's "super-happy-fun-time." It's so refreshing to get those breaks. As for exercise...I am now a jogger. Zuster Sharp and I usually jog around the indoor track or outside by the temple for gym. It feels SO great and I can then justify eating desserts at meals. :)

And yes, Mom and Annie Laurie: I joined the choir. Glad I did, I am. Uh-mazing. It is the most POWERFUL thing to have those hundreds of elders singing behind me. We sang last night at the MTC devotional for Elder Groberg. It was so special to participate in that.

In class, we've mostly worked on learning the first lesson in PMG. We're learning LOTS of teaching skills by example and its definitely a humbling experience. :) We practice a lot on each other in our classes and district (we're still in English). But let me say that Zuster Sharp and I are SUCH a team! We really feel the flow and completely trust each other to teach by the spirit. Even though our district members are just pretending to investigate, the spirit is overpowering when we teach. I cannot wait to get out there and do it for real. ;)span>

ALL RIGHTY, the Dutch. Yes, I'll admit that it CAN be a pretty language. :) Seriously, it's just German with a twist. The others in my class have been asking me for help in pronunciation and grammar and I've been helping them when the teachers are gone. It's been a humbling experience to be in that position. I am grateful for the opportunity to share what I know. I'm not learning this language for myself, but for them - the people in Nederlands.

I love this place. I love the spirit that is here. I love praying to start and end every meeting and event. I love growing closer to my district. I love learning from my teachers. I love sharing my testimony and praying in Dutch. I love waking up every morning with a hymn in my head, knowing that I am being obedient. I love teaching the gospel and hearing it from others. I've never been more tired in my life, but I've also never been more happy.

I love you all. I think of you a lot (time permitting hehe) and pray for you all by name every night. Keep sending happiness to me through the post! :) It makes me so excited to hear from you!

Zuster Fritz and Zuster Sharp

2009-07-22T08:08:00.004-06:00

first letter home

2009-07-18T12:33:00.008-06:00

15 Juli 2009

Meine Gute! What an unbelievable day! Its been nothing but orientations and meetings with our residence hall sisters and also meeting with our district, who are all headed out to my mission or the Copenhagen Denmark mission. So, its a fun mix.
But they've definitely kept us very busy and I'm always meeting new missionaries - as well as seeing many I know. It really just feels like a full-scale EFY :) The food is mediocre but my bed is excessively comfortable!!
I can't even describe how I feel about being here. I am SO excited to be a missionary. I can't even begin to comprehend the good that I'll do for the people, for myself, and for the progression of the work. I'm confident that I'll witness many miracles over the next 18 months as I'm about the business of the Lord.
So much of what our priesthood leaders have told us today focuses on obedience. I feel that I have a good understanding and a bit of practice at it, but I know that I'll begin to comprehend the principle in a whole new light as it governs my actions, attitude, and preaching over the course of my mission.
There is such an incredible spirit here. I feel in the right place and have been taken SUCH good care of that I've had almost no time to be sad or homesick. Maybe it'll hit later, but for now, rest assured that I'm having the time of my life!

she's off!

2009-07-15T18:59:00.004-06:00

she's off to the MTC for 9 weeks - the beginning of her 18 month full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints