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