Zoonlicht!

Dearest of Families,

What a joyful day! Your letters have made me SOOO happy. They were nice and long, which makes my letter a little shorter, but I don't mind :)

As for Niki's question about an exchange student, there aren't any member girls here or in Rotterdam who are your age, but I will keep my eyes peeled- maybe I'll find one who's family will be baptized this transfer :-D

What a week! It has been an interesting week of some of the hardest trials of my mission and also some of the tenderest mercies and miracles I have ever seen. Quick miracle: We talked to a lady after we knocked on her door and she said in the typical Dutch blunt manner that she already was religious and really wasn't interested, so we went and knocked on the door of her upstairs neighbor. He was an atheist, and we had a really cool conversation about how he could know if God really existed of not through prayer, but in the end, he didn't want to meet with us again or anything, but as we were walking down the stairs, the woman opened her door and said "you are welcome here" and kind of nodded toward her apartment. I was caught off guard and must have looked at her funny because she said Ï know I just told you I wasn't interested, but really, you are welcome to come in. Can I get you some water?". I was still stunned- luckily Sister Owen was there to say yes, of course we wanted to go in and pushed me through the door. It was so obvious that she was listening to the Spirit that told her to go back and get those girls. We shared a first lesson with her and will go back and see her in a few weeks when she has had a chance to read a little in the Book of Mormon. It was awesome! The experience came after a few days of really, really hard work and discouraging times (not to mention some of the hardest rain in my life), but in the end, it was worth the hard days and tough times that humbled us enough to be in tune to know where to go to find Kory (that’s the woman's name). I don't know if she'll become an investigator, but what a neat experience!

The work is still going great- we set goals this transfer to work more with the members, and we were able to increase our number of member-present lessons this week from 1 to 4!!! That was awesome! They haven't been getting more than 1 or 2 here since they came. IT was so great, because we really felt a difference in the work when we were doing our best to follow our leader's council to bring members to teach with us. Living with the Roberts is still great. Today Pres. Roberts fixed my brake cables while we were studying (they snapped yesterday while going down a hill- exciting!). I didn't realize that he had fixed them for me, so when we rode our bikes over to the bike shop to get them fixed, I realized that they were fixed and my first thought was “öh my goodness... What a miracle!” Then I realized that there was a very charitable branch president that is probably responsible. They are such a great couple!

Well, my time is once again up. Mom and Niki, safe travels to go get Jamie. I hope you all have a great time in China. Take lots of pictures and send me some! I love you all so much!! Thank you for your words of wisdom and advice. I always write them down and they help me remember that many more people have fought this same fight before me- and survived! Stand tall!

Ik hou van jullie!
Love,Zuster Gulliver