Hello family!
We just finished the most awesome p-day ever! We took a boat tour of the canals around the working docks here in Rotterdam, and it was so cool! You can probably look up the tour online. It was with the Spido harbor cruise company-thing. It was fun to see how they work with the boats and all, and with a little bit of Bonine in my system, I didn't have any problem on the boat. Dad, this little tour reminded me of you- they told us about how all of the different docks and cranes worked, and it was really cool and really intresting to see how they work with such big chunks of metal floating in the water and somehow make it come out useful. Very cool! Of course there were a few windmills thrown in the scenery for good measure :)
After that, we went to kralgingse bos (a little forest on the edge to some water) and played ultimate frisbee and wrote letters and such. It is beautiful weather now. The sun shines for at least part of every day, making it nice and warm, but there's always a nice breeze/monsoon-wind to cool things down if it ever gets too hot. I got a little sunburnt on my arms- they haven't gotten much sun for a while.
This Saturday is the baptism of Anilda and Miene. They are a mother and daughter from Capo Verde and are totally ready to be baptized. We are so happy for them! My companionship is also working out great. Zr. Higham and I are a lot alike, which presents some challenges, but is overall very fun. She is a great missionary and is totally NOT excited about having to go home, so thoughts about this being her last transfer are far from a distraction. We work hard, and find so much joy as we do. The joy you feel as you ride home after a day full of contacting and lessons is just indescribable. Last transfer, we had a lot of lessons and didn't do much tracting, but we've started making it a priority to tract more, and it makes missionary life so much easier! Tracting is still kind of scary and definitely not my favorite part of missionary work, but it is so rewarding when you are able to talk to someone who has never stepped foot in a church in their life and testify to them of the truthfulness of the gospel and give them an opportunity to accept such a wonderful gift for themselves. Its just great!
Mom, I'm so excited you get to teach the Book of Mormon next year in seminary. It is an amazing book- one that I have learned to love even more than before my mission.
Well, I love you all! Stay safe, read your scriptures, and pray!
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Spring Cleaning
Dearest of families, 5/18/2009
Hello again from sunny (sometimes) Rotterdam!The weather here really has been quite nice, if a little cloudy/rain-like-there’s-no-tomorrow at times. It makes for exciting days tracting :) Actually, we went tracting the other day after church, and it was cloudy, but not too bad when we left the church and started knocking on doors, but half way through, the heavens opened and water GUSHED out of the clouds. I've never seen such hard rain in my life. It lasted about 5 minutes, during which we were all three huddled under our umbrellas laughing as our shoes completely filled with water. After 5 minutes the rain stopped, and we kept going, now completely drenched much to the confusion of the people behind the doors who opened them to see us, three drenched girls and blue skies behind us. That night my feet were dyed completely orange from my shoes. It was a great day!
Now that spring has come and the winds are so crazy, I decided to cut my hair. I just got it cut this afternoon by a Turkish man that I had some trouble communicating with-- an interesting experience, but it ended up being a pretty good cut. I think I still like it better long, but the long hair was getting in the way and was kind of distracting, not to mention attracting some unwanted attention from some weird potential investigators :) It is a little shorter than my shoulders now. It is much nicer and doesn't get nearly as snarled in the wind.
My new companionship is great. Zr. Higham is my new companion, in her last transfer, which has been really awesome. She is from southern California and we get along pretty good. She is very bold in the work and is going to be great for our investigators. It is kind of a relief to have such an experienced missionary here to help Zr. Wieland and I work with our investigators to prepare them for baptism. Zr. Higham is also very good with Dutch, which will really help me. Now that I can say a lot more stuff, I realize how much I say wrong-- which is not exactly ideal, but its great to have Zr. Higham here to help out. We’re doing an English fast next week- which means we won't be speaking English from tomorrow morning until next Tuesday. Its going to be awesome!
Well, I'd better head back to the world of missionary work, we've got a lesson in about 20 minutes. I love you all and hope you are all happy and enjoying the beautiful springtime.
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Hello again from sunny (sometimes) Rotterdam!The weather here really has been quite nice, if a little cloudy/rain-like-there’s-no-tomorrow at times. It makes for exciting days tracting :) Actually, we went tracting the other day after church, and it was cloudy, but not too bad when we left the church and started knocking on doors, but half way through, the heavens opened and water GUSHED out of the clouds. I've never seen such hard rain in my life. It lasted about 5 minutes, during which we were all three huddled under our umbrellas laughing as our shoes completely filled with water. After 5 minutes the rain stopped, and we kept going, now completely drenched much to the confusion of the people behind the doors who opened them to see us, three drenched girls and blue skies behind us. That night my feet were dyed completely orange from my shoes. It was a great day!
Now that spring has come and the winds are so crazy, I decided to cut my hair. I just got it cut this afternoon by a Turkish man that I had some trouble communicating with-- an interesting experience, but it ended up being a pretty good cut. I think I still like it better long, but the long hair was getting in the way and was kind of distracting, not to mention attracting some unwanted attention from some weird potential investigators :) It is a little shorter than my shoulders now. It is much nicer and doesn't get nearly as snarled in the wind.
My new companionship is great. Zr. Higham is my new companion, in her last transfer, which has been really awesome. She is from southern California and we get along pretty good. She is very bold in the work and is going to be great for our investigators. It is kind of a relief to have such an experienced missionary here to help Zr. Wieland and I work with our investigators to prepare them for baptism. Zr. Higham is also very good with Dutch, which will really help me. Now that I can say a lot more stuff, I realize how much I say wrong-- which is not exactly ideal, but its great to have Zr. Higham here to help out. We’re doing an English fast next week- which means we won't be speaking English from tomorrow morning until next Tuesday. Its going to be awesome!
Well, I'd better head back to the world of missionary work, we've got a lesson in about 20 minutes. I love you all and hope you are all happy and enjoying the beautiful springtime.
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
R'dam voor leven! (Rotterdam for life!)
5/11/2009
Dearest Family,
As you have probably figured out from the subject line, Zr. Wieland and I were shocked this morning to learn that we are both staying in Rotterdam and we're getting a third companion, Zr. Higham, who is in her last transfer. It is so awesome! Not only do I get to stay in my beloved Rotterdam, but I get to work with a very, very good missionary at the end of her mission. What a blessing! Zr. Wieland and Zr. Higham will be co-seniors, and I still get to kick around as a little junior companion :) At least for this transfer.
Well, the most exciting thing that happened this week was that Albertina, one of our baptismal dates that didn't go through last month, has re-committed to being baptized by the end of May!!! We are so excited for her, and now I get to be here for her baptism. So exciting!
We have decided as a companionship that we are going to eat super healthy this transfer. Both of my comps want to lose mission weight and I just don't want to get sick, or start approaching weight-gain problems, so we're committed to doing it. Yammer, I guess that means no more superwafels for me :( Maybe if we split it three ways that could count as a "healthy snack".) We'll have to see. Then again, grocery shopping here in Europe is way too much fun, which makes it hard to not eat too much. The grocery stores are a lot smaller than in America, and they just have a different feel. It is normal in Europe to shop like every three days, so everything is in small quantities (like you can't buy more than 2 liters of milk in one container). It makes for a very cute, "trendy" looking store. I just have WAY too much fun. Plus, the nutrition fact labels here are crazy. I just love it! On Saturday, I went and taught one of our English-speaking members how to lose weight and better control her diet and she invited her non-member friend to join. It was so fun. I got to use my "special skills", talk about food, and find new investigators all at once!
There is just so much sunshine in our souls... even if it’s not always in the skies here in the Netherlands. We are truly experiencing the joy and happiness promised to those who work hard to share the gospel. One of the greatest things I've learned on my mission is that Heavenly Father gives us weaknesses to help us see areas in our life for potential strengths. For example, I have a study journal that I use to record all of the awesome things I learn during studies. In the MTC, my study journal was just a notebook where I wrote things down and it was totally unorganized, and I realized that my method of recording things that I learned was really bad, and I prayed to know how I could find a system that would help me better record and use the things I learned on my mission. I now have an awesome system and am building up a huge stock-pile of spiritual insights I have gained that I can use after my mission. So cool! Whenever I use it I remember my old method and am so grateful I realized that weakness and chose to pray for help and work on it. The Lord is just waiting to help us improve ourselves if we are willing to humble ourselves to allow him to change us. I love you all! Take care!
Love, Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Dearest Family,
As you have probably figured out from the subject line, Zr. Wieland and I were shocked this morning to learn that we are both staying in Rotterdam and we're getting a third companion, Zr. Higham, who is in her last transfer. It is so awesome! Not only do I get to stay in my beloved Rotterdam, but I get to work with a very, very good missionary at the end of her mission. What a blessing! Zr. Wieland and Zr. Higham will be co-seniors, and I still get to kick around as a little junior companion :) At least for this transfer.
Well, the most exciting thing that happened this week was that Albertina, one of our baptismal dates that didn't go through last month, has re-committed to being baptized by the end of May!!! We are so excited for her, and now I get to be here for her baptism. So exciting!
We have decided as a companionship that we are going to eat super healthy this transfer. Both of my comps want to lose mission weight and I just don't want to get sick, or start approaching weight-gain problems, so we're committed to doing it. Yammer, I guess that means no more superwafels for me :( Maybe if we split it three ways that could count as a "healthy snack".) We'll have to see. Then again, grocery shopping here in Europe is way too much fun, which makes it hard to not eat too much. The grocery stores are a lot smaller than in America, and they just have a different feel. It is normal in Europe to shop like every three days, so everything is in small quantities (like you can't buy more than 2 liters of milk in one container). It makes for a very cute, "trendy" looking store. I just have WAY too much fun. Plus, the nutrition fact labels here are crazy. I just love it! On Saturday, I went and taught one of our English-speaking members how to lose weight and better control her diet and she invited her non-member friend to join. It was so fun. I got to use my "special skills", talk about food, and find new investigators all at once!
There is just so much sunshine in our souls... even if it’s not always in the skies here in the Netherlands. We are truly experiencing the joy and happiness promised to those who work hard to share the gospel. One of the greatest things I've learned on my mission is that Heavenly Father gives us weaknesses to help us see areas in our life for potential strengths. For example, I have a study journal that I use to record all of the awesome things I learn during studies. In the MTC, my study journal was just a notebook where I wrote things down and it was totally unorganized, and I realized that my method of recording things that I learned was really bad, and I prayed to know how I could find a system that would help me better record and use the things I learned on my mission. I now have an awesome system and am building up a huge stock-pile of spiritual insights I have gained that I can use after my mission. So cool! Whenever I use it I remember my old method and am so grateful I realized that weakness and chose to pray for help and work on it. The Lord is just waiting to help us improve ourselves if we are willing to humble ourselves to allow him to change us. I love you all! Take care!
Love, Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4, 2009
Dearest Family, 5/4/2009
My heart is so sad to hear of the passing of Dorothy Crosby. I loved that woman, and feel so sad for Grandpa. Give him my love and tell him my prayers are with him. I know that our Heavenly Father is aware of him and also of Dorothy and that she is now experiencing more love than she has ever experienced. In Alma 40:11-14, we learn that we are all taken directly home to our Heavenly Father- I can only imagine what a loving, warm experience that must be. I am so grateful for the Gospel which gives us such an understanding of these things. We can feel sadness, of course, but also hope and understanding- and most importantly love and rest from our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for my Savior who died for us so that we can overcome death. Our Savior Lives!
As for the work here in Rotterdam, on Tuesday, I received a strong impression that the forces of good and evil were mounting, and that opposition was coming our way- its so weird that you can sense those things on your mission- and sure enough, we saw more opposition this week than we have experienced on my mission so far. It was a tough week, but we are doing our best to stay happy and up-beat and just move forward. We are trying our best to be more obedient, more diligent, and to overlook the fact that we're both brand new at this :)
Of course, tomorrow marks my 6th month on my mission, which is crazy to think about- I can't believe its a third over. Time is flying by, and I can't imagine not being here serving the Lord in just one year. It really helps me to work that much harder- the time is short! I have had so many cool experiences with the members here in Rotterdam. They are so strong! Transfers are coming up next week, and I can't imagine leaving these people. I love them more than I ever thought I would. Of course, we never know what will happen, but that doesn't stop me from crying after the last Sunday before every transfer thinking about the possibility of leaving. I just love it here!
I love you all and hope you are all enjoying the springtime. I miss you!
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
My heart is so sad to hear of the passing of Dorothy Crosby. I loved that woman, and feel so sad for Grandpa. Give him my love and tell him my prayers are with him. I know that our Heavenly Father is aware of him and also of Dorothy and that she is now experiencing more love than she has ever experienced. In Alma 40:11-14, we learn that we are all taken directly home to our Heavenly Father- I can only imagine what a loving, warm experience that must be. I am so grateful for the Gospel which gives us such an understanding of these things. We can feel sadness, of course, but also hope and understanding- and most importantly love and rest from our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for my Savior who died for us so that we can overcome death. Our Savior Lives!
As for the work here in Rotterdam, on Tuesday, I received a strong impression that the forces of good and evil were mounting, and that opposition was coming our way- its so weird that you can sense those things on your mission- and sure enough, we saw more opposition this week than we have experienced on my mission so far. It was a tough week, but we are doing our best to stay happy and up-beat and just move forward. We are trying our best to be more obedient, more diligent, and to overlook the fact that we're both brand new at this :)
Of course, tomorrow marks my 6th month on my mission, which is crazy to think about- I can't believe its a third over. Time is flying by, and I can't imagine not being here serving the Lord in just one year. It really helps me to work that much harder- the time is short! I have had so many cool experiences with the members here in Rotterdam. They are so strong! Transfers are coming up next week, and I can't imagine leaving these people. I love them more than I ever thought I would. Of course, we never know what will happen, but that doesn't stop me from crying after the last Sunday before every transfer thinking about the possibility of leaving. I just love it here!
I love you all and hope you are all enjoying the springtime. I miss you!
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
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