Hello family!
It was great to talk to you all! I am so glad you all enjoyed your Christmas. What were the highlights? I don´t have a ton of time to write this week, but I wanted to make sure you all know how much I love you.
Today is Zr. Ekstrom´s birthday. We made american pancakes and eggs and bacon to celebrate and had a party fixing our bikes, which both took quite a few hard blows in the snow and ice we´ve been having. Such is life for a missionary!
I´ll write more next week, but we´ve got to get these bikes fixed. I love you all so much. The church is true!!!!
Liefs,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
White Christmas
Fijne Kerstmis!!
Hello family! Well, this week has been exciting- we´ve seen a TON of snow- very unusual for this area, that has made missionary work, and biking, a little crazy! There is about 6 inches of snow on the ground, and it has been pretty consistently snowing for the last couple of days. Crazy! Most of the wards in the north here cancelled church yesterday because of the snow. Of course it would be a crazy winter the winter I got sent to the frozen north :) Luckily my comp, who´s from Alaska, doesn´t mind it too much and keeps me going when I think I´m going to die from the snowy conditions!
I had the weirdest experience this week. I soft-boiled an egg to eat it, and then didn´t, so I put it in the fridge. Then the next day, I wanted to warm it up, so I stuck the whole egg in the microwave and warmed it up for a minute. I then peeled it, and put it on my plate, and when I stuck my fork into it, the egg exploded! I was covered in really nasty smelling egg yolk and the whole thing was everywhere. Of course my trusty sidekick/companion helped out by laughing hysterically at me. It was so weird! Lesson learned: don´t put a boiled egg in the microwave with its shell on.
Our plans for Christmas are really great. We´re spending Christmas eve with an older lady and an older couple in the ward who are so much fun. They´re throwing a little party together, and they are just the cutest Dutch people ever. It should be really fun. In the Netherlands, they always celebrate 2 days of every Holiday, so the 25th is "first Christmas" and the 26th is "second christmas". Its really fun. The first day is the big, religious holiday, and the second is more of a shopping/family day. We will be spending Christmas with a family from Curacao, and second Christmas with our favorite investigator, Joanne, and another Dutch family in the ward. It will be a really fun week.
I have so much enjoyed my studies this week, which have all revolved around the role of the Savior in the plan of salvation. In church on Sunday, a member of the stake presidency came to speak and invited me up, unexpectedly, in the middle of his talk to bear my testimony. My heart was full as I had the opportunity to share my feelings about the wonderful sacrifice our Savior has made for us all. It was so special to share those feelings with the members in church. We get to share our testimonies with non-members more often than the members, and it was really a special opportunity. I just love all of the unexpected opportunities on my mission to testify of the Savior. It is really something we all have the opportunity to do every day if we are open to looking for the opportunites, to do it. There is a reason our baptismal covenant is that we will witness of Christ- the opportunities are all around us, waiting for us to take advantage of them. Missionary work is just so exciting!
Well, I love you all very much. I wish you all a wonderfully merry Christmas! I will be thinking about and praying for each one of you this season. I hope you all know how much I love and cherish each one of you. I feel truly blessed to have been given such wonderful parents, sisters, brother in-laws, and niece(s). I am looking forward to talking with each of you. Be safe, and don´t forget to think about your little missionary here in Nederland!
Veel liefs,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Hello family! Well, this week has been exciting- we´ve seen a TON of snow- very unusual for this area, that has made missionary work, and biking, a little crazy! There is about 6 inches of snow on the ground, and it has been pretty consistently snowing for the last couple of days. Crazy! Most of the wards in the north here cancelled church yesterday because of the snow. Of course it would be a crazy winter the winter I got sent to the frozen north :) Luckily my comp, who´s from Alaska, doesn´t mind it too much and keeps me going when I think I´m going to die from the snowy conditions!
I had the weirdest experience this week. I soft-boiled an egg to eat it, and then didn´t, so I put it in the fridge. Then the next day, I wanted to warm it up, so I stuck the whole egg in the microwave and warmed it up for a minute. I then peeled it, and put it on my plate, and when I stuck my fork into it, the egg exploded! I was covered in really nasty smelling egg yolk and the whole thing was everywhere. Of course my trusty sidekick/companion helped out by laughing hysterically at me. It was so weird! Lesson learned: don´t put a boiled egg in the microwave with its shell on.
Our plans for Christmas are really great. We´re spending Christmas eve with an older lady and an older couple in the ward who are so much fun. They´re throwing a little party together, and they are just the cutest Dutch people ever. It should be really fun. In the Netherlands, they always celebrate 2 days of every Holiday, so the 25th is "first Christmas" and the 26th is "second christmas". Its really fun. The first day is the big, religious holiday, and the second is more of a shopping/family day. We will be spending Christmas with a family from Curacao, and second Christmas with our favorite investigator, Joanne, and another Dutch family in the ward. It will be a really fun week.
I have so much enjoyed my studies this week, which have all revolved around the role of the Savior in the plan of salvation. In church on Sunday, a member of the stake presidency came to speak and invited me up, unexpectedly, in the middle of his talk to bear my testimony. My heart was full as I had the opportunity to share my feelings about the wonderful sacrifice our Savior has made for us all. It was so special to share those feelings with the members in church. We get to share our testimonies with non-members more often than the members, and it was really a special opportunity. I just love all of the unexpected opportunities on my mission to testify of the Savior. It is really something we all have the opportunity to do every day if we are open to looking for the opportunites, to do it. There is a reason our baptismal covenant is that we will witness of Christ- the opportunities are all around us, waiting for us to take advantage of them. Missionary work is just so exciting!
Well, I love you all very much. I wish you all a wonderfully merry Christmas! I will be thinking about and praying for each one of you this season. I hope you all know how much I love and cherish each one of you. I feel truly blessed to have been given such wonderful parents, sisters, brother in-laws, and niece(s). I am looking forward to talking with each of you. Be safe, and don´t forget to think about your little missionary here in Nederland!
Veel liefs,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Monday, December 14, 2009
Back From the Dead!
Dear family,
Whew! Today was the first day since getting sick that I really felt "back to normal". What a relief! After almost 2 weeks of either lying in bed all day or severely adapted work schedules, it is great to get out and work!! Well, actually today is p-day so we went shopping!!! We just got a new investigator- she's a good friend of a member and called us for an appt. She is 22 and super awesome! She's a great investigator and is also a great friend. She came shopping with us and showed us all of the places to get the clothes we need to stay warm this winter. I used the generous gifts of money from my grandparents to buy a really cute hat and some warm scarves today. This California girl is FINALLY learning how to stay warm!! We won’t have any cold heads this season! I'm hoping it will help a lot- last winter I kept getting a cold, but I'm determined to avoid getting sick this season.
I sent your Christmas package today. It is full of fun Dutch Christmas things... actually, I think it’s completely food- hey, that’s Dutch for ya- but unfortunately, because of my sickness, it will probably be very late. Know that I was totally planning on having it on time :) This will probably be the last package that I send. It’s really expensive. But I really wanted everyone to get a taste of my mission experience!
We have seen amazing success considering our lack of work for 2 weeks. The Lord has blessed us with new investigators such as JoAnne, who called us to set up an appointment, or another referral from a member who wants to meet with us tomorrow and learn about the plan of salvation. It is so amazing to me that when we try our best, the Lord sends us success even in our weakest of moments.
I love you all and hope that you are having a wonderful Christmas season. It is such a wonderful time when we all get to think extra about the Savior and all that He has done for us. I loved President Monson's talk at the Christmas Devotional about helping others feel God's love through our kind acts of service and expressions of love. That is something that we can all do this season to show the others around us how much they are loved by their Heavenly Father. The sweetest moments on my mission have been moments where I have talked with someone and after our conversation thought "God sent me here to this moment to make sure I was here to help this person". That is a feeling we can each have in our regular lives if we are constantly willing to follow the Spirit. Each of us can become a tool in the master's hands as we go about our everyday activities- even more so in this season. I love the Lord and I am so glad that I can be here in the Netherlands serving Him this year.
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Whew! Today was the first day since getting sick that I really felt "back to normal". What a relief! After almost 2 weeks of either lying in bed all day or severely adapted work schedules, it is great to get out and work!! Well, actually today is p-day so we went shopping!!! We just got a new investigator- she's a good friend of a member and called us for an appt. She is 22 and super awesome! She's a great investigator and is also a great friend. She came shopping with us and showed us all of the places to get the clothes we need to stay warm this winter. I used the generous gifts of money from my grandparents to buy a really cute hat and some warm scarves today. This California girl is FINALLY learning how to stay warm!! We won’t have any cold heads this season! I'm hoping it will help a lot- last winter I kept getting a cold, but I'm determined to avoid getting sick this season.
I sent your Christmas package today. It is full of fun Dutch Christmas things... actually, I think it’s completely food- hey, that’s Dutch for ya- but unfortunately, because of my sickness, it will probably be very late. Know that I was totally planning on having it on time :) This will probably be the last package that I send. It’s really expensive. But I really wanted everyone to get a taste of my mission experience!
We have seen amazing success considering our lack of work for 2 weeks. The Lord has blessed us with new investigators such as JoAnne, who called us to set up an appointment, or another referral from a member who wants to meet with us tomorrow and learn about the plan of salvation. It is so amazing to me that when we try our best, the Lord sends us success even in our weakest of moments.
I love you all and hope that you are having a wonderful Christmas season. It is such a wonderful time when we all get to think extra about the Savior and all that He has done for us. I loved President Monson's talk at the Christmas Devotional about helping others feel God's love through our kind acts of service and expressions of love. That is something that we can all do this season to show the others around us how much they are loved by their Heavenly Father. The sweetest moments on my mission have been moments where I have talked with someone and after our conversation thought "God sent me here to this moment to make sure I was here to help this person". That is a feeling we can each have in our regular lives if we are constantly willing to follow the Spirit. Each of us can become a tool in the master's hands as we go about our everyday activities- even more so in this season. I love the Lord and I am so glad that I can be here in the Netherlands serving Him this year.
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Still Alive!
Hello family,
Sorry this e-mail is so late. I have actually been in bed for the last 8 days with a horrible stomach problem. Mom, I feel your pain- my first 5 days or so were the same way.
It all started last Tuesday when I was feeling nauseous and started throwing up. We needed to leave to start traveling all the way across the country to Zoetermeer because we were going to our bi-yearly temple trip Wednesday. I figured it was just food poisoning, and we had been looking forward to the temple for months, so we set off- a half hour bike ride, 2 hour train ride, and 40 minute metro ride later, we arrived in Amsterdam to spend the night, and it became evident to me as my condition worsened that I wasn't getting better. But hey, the temple is important, so we left for Zoetermeer the next morning and after a few more trains, metros, and walking, arrived at the temple. I had a little glimpse into the feelings some members probably have who make such huge sacrifices to travel to their temples to do work there. Anyways, My mission president gave me a blessing in the temple waiting room and then I sat in the waiting room while Zr. Ekstrom got to go through the session and then a senior couple drove us back up to Groningen that night.
I was sick for the next 6 days or so, and actually went to the emergency room twice by recommendation of the mission doctor to get some fluids, which I was turned away for both times :(. Luckily, through miracles and American members, I was able to get my hands on some Gatorade, so after 5 days of not being able to take in any fluids or food, I got myself re-hydrated more or less and now I can eat some simple foods and drink all I need. I lost a lot of weight and still feel pretty weak, so we haven't really worked since last Tuesday, but we walked over here to the church (a 15 minute walk) and I did pretty good, so tomorrow maybe we can work for a few hours. The doctors at the hospital told me that I had either inflammation in the stomach from food poisoning or something like it, or a stomach flu. Either way, it took quite a toll, but I have improved a TON! The ward, mission president and wife, and senior couples have taken very good care of me, not to mention Zr. Ekstrom who has mothered me and nursed me back to health- she's so awesome! I fell very blessed to be surrounded by such helpful people.
The ER here was quite hilarious. The hilarious part was trying to communicate correctly in Dutch when I was feeling horrible. Quite frankly, my medical vocab is pretty good, but not perfect, so there may have been some minor misunderstandings (did I tell them I was having frequent burping problems? I meant pressure in my stomach. Oh well, they get the point...). The best part was trying to translate for my confused companion while communicating with the doctors and trying not to throw up. The comical side of all experiences on a mission are easy to find if you're looking hard enough :)
Well, that was pretty much all that happened this week.
I love you all so much! I hope you all are happy and healthy, and know how much I love you!
Love,
Zuster Gulliver
Sorry this e-mail is so late. I have actually been in bed for the last 8 days with a horrible stomach problem. Mom, I feel your pain- my first 5 days or so were the same way.
It all started last Tuesday when I was feeling nauseous and started throwing up. We needed to leave to start traveling all the way across the country to Zoetermeer because we were going to our bi-yearly temple trip Wednesday. I figured it was just food poisoning, and we had been looking forward to the temple for months, so we set off- a half hour bike ride, 2 hour train ride, and 40 minute metro ride later, we arrived in Amsterdam to spend the night, and it became evident to me as my condition worsened that I wasn't getting better. But hey, the temple is important, so we left for Zoetermeer the next morning and after a few more trains, metros, and walking, arrived at the temple. I had a little glimpse into the feelings some members probably have who make such huge sacrifices to travel to their temples to do work there. Anyways, My mission president gave me a blessing in the temple waiting room and then I sat in the waiting room while Zr. Ekstrom got to go through the session and then a senior couple drove us back up to Groningen that night.
I was sick for the next 6 days or so, and actually went to the emergency room twice by recommendation of the mission doctor to get some fluids, which I was turned away for both times :(. Luckily, through miracles and American members, I was able to get my hands on some Gatorade, so after 5 days of not being able to take in any fluids or food, I got myself re-hydrated more or less and now I can eat some simple foods and drink all I need. I lost a lot of weight and still feel pretty weak, so we haven't really worked since last Tuesday, but we walked over here to the church (a 15 minute walk) and I did pretty good, so tomorrow maybe we can work for a few hours. The doctors at the hospital told me that I had either inflammation in the stomach from food poisoning or something like it, or a stomach flu. Either way, it took quite a toll, but I have improved a TON! The ward, mission president and wife, and senior couples have taken very good care of me, not to mention Zr. Ekstrom who has mothered me and nursed me back to health- she's so awesome! I fell very blessed to be surrounded by such helpful people.
The ER here was quite hilarious. The hilarious part was trying to communicate correctly in Dutch when I was feeling horrible. Quite frankly, my medical vocab is pretty good, but not perfect, so there may have been some minor misunderstandings (did I tell them I was having frequent burping problems? I meant pressure in my stomach. Oh well, they get the point...). The best part was trying to translate for my confused companion while communicating with the doctors and trying not to throw up. The comical side of all experiences on a mission are easy to find if you're looking hard enough :)
Well, that was pretty much all that happened this week.
I love you all so much! I hope you all are happy and healthy, and know how much I love you!
Love,
Zuster Gulliver
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Prettige Thanksgiving!
Dearest of families,
Thank you so much for your notes about thanksgiving. It is so great to hear about all of the fun things that are going on back home. It sounds like your thanksgiving was awesome! Mine was also great. We had dinner on Friday with an American-Dutch family and it was a total blast! I got to play with a bunch of rowdy kids and give their poor mother a break! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the mother did as well :)
As far as the news, I totally accept the invitation to go to Thailand! When I read it, I was soooo excited! I figured I would write Elise and tell her first about how excited I am, but you can let her know and that she can expect a letter soon with an elaboration on my excitement.
Heather and Phil´s news was just as exciting- another little girl! That is awesome! I am so excited. I must admit that I chuckled a little bit- I guess we´re all still in the running to break this sista-friend tradition and have the first male heir to the Gulliver bloodline :) Maybe it’s completely unachievable... time will tell! Although I must say, little girls are extremely blessed to be born into a family with such amazing female (and a choice few male) role models in it. We love girls! I´m so excited to welcome our newest little sista-friend when I get home.
Speaking of getting home, I have some news. After praying, and taking a vote from the elders in my MTC group, I have decided to stay 12 transfers instead of 11, so I have received my release date for May 26th 2010. That makes my release date 3 weeks longer than my official 18 month mark, but it was either 3 weeks longer, or 3 weeks shorter-- an obvious decision that was confirmed through prayer this week. I am so excited to stay 3 extra weeks!
I Love you all so much and miss you a ton! I look forward to next years holidays when we can all be together again! Take care of each other and don´t forget the true reason for the Christmas season as it begins to blossom.
I love you!
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Thank you so much for your notes about thanksgiving. It is so great to hear about all of the fun things that are going on back home. It sounds like your thanksgiving was awesome! Mine was also great. We had dinner on Friday with an American-Dutch family and it was a total blast! I got to play with a bunch of rowdy kids and give their poor mother a break! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the mother did as well :)
As far as the news, I totally accept the invitation to go to Thailand! When I read it, I was soooo excited! I figured I would write Elise and tell her first about how excited I am, but you can let her know and that she can expect a letter soon with an elaboration on my excitement.
Heather and Phil´s news was just as exciting- another little girl! That is awesome! I am so excited. I must admit that I chuckled a little bit- I guess we´re all still in the running to break this sista-friend tradition and have the first male heir to the Gulliver bloodline :) Maybe it’s completely unachievable... time will tell! Although I must say, little girls are extremely blessed to be born into a family with such amazing female (and a choice few male) role models in it. We love girls! I´m so excited to welcome our newest little sista-friend when I get home.
Speaking of getting home, I have some news. After praying, and taking a vote from the elders in my MTC group, I have decided to stay 12 transfers instead of 11, so I have received my release date for May 26th 2010. That makes my release date 3 weeks longer than my official 18 month mark, but it was either 3 weeks longer, or 3 weeks shorter-- an obvious decision that was confirmed through prayer this week. I am so excited to stay 3 extra weeks!
I Love you all so much and miss you a ton! I look forward to next years holidays when we can all be together again! Take care of each other and don´t forget the true reason for the Christmas season as it begins to blossom.
I love you!
Ik hou van jullie!
Love,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
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