My heart is completely filled with joy at the news of Lillian’s birth. I love the name! We truly are a blessed family . In the words of the movie Legacy, "the Lord has blessed us"!
I am so happy to hear that all went smoothly. It sounds like it was the perfect labor process, and it’s so good to hear that mommy and baby are doing well. I can't wait to meet her! It will be a full house when I get home, but that will be great- I wouldn't want it any other way :)
I must applaud the family for the amazing response to my requests for pictures. Mom, I must say your smile is looking great! Oh, and Jamie, the boyfriend looks nice - very handsome. And of course baby Lillian and Cozette are looking completely gorgeous!! What beautiful nieces I have! How is Cozette reacting to the competition?
Well, while you all were having an adventure Friday night, we were setting a baptismal date with Heide (our 19 year old investigator) AND her mother! They both committed to being baptized on the 16th of May- so exciting!! It looks like teaching girls in my own "life-time range" (however you say that in English) has highlighted almost every city I’ve served in. These Dutch/Belge young women are just so exemplary! I am so proud of Heidi and her mother as well. She is totally solid in the Gospel, and is a wonderful addition to the young adult group in the ward. She is the ray of sunshine for us!!
Serving with Zr. Bennett is great. We get along wonderfully, and have seen plenty of success. As her time in the mission wraps up, I am starting to get this panicky feeling in my stomach that reminds me that my own release is around the corner. That and I just received a letter from the office informing me formally that I will be released in 2 months. I'll just have to make the most of the time I had I guess. I think serving with Zr. Bennett has been a good preparation to help me ease a little into my release. Either way, I can't help but look forward to next transfer, when I can forget all about being released again. This little mission world we live in is so much fun to get lost in!
I love you all very much!
Liefs;
Zuster Gulliver
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Progressing with Flemish...Sort Of!
Hello family!!
What a wonderful week! I was blessed this week with one of the most special experiences of my mission. I was able to go to the Den Haag Temple with Zr. Bennett and be present when Lenneke (my first baptismal candidate from Rotterdam) went through the temple for her own endowment. All of the new members from Rotterdam were there, and it was truly a privilege to be there. I was filled with joy as I watched her enjoy the experience and was reminded of why we do what we do as missionaries. After not attending a session in so long, it was so wonderful to be in the temple. I was once again in awe at the beauty of the temple and the blessing it is to enjoy the truths we have in the restored gospel. I have set a goal to make the temple a priority and go as often as possible for the rest of my life. I want this year to be the largest gap that I will ever have in temple attendance. It was an opportunity I will never forget.
Joanne is baptized as far as I know- she was baptized the same day I spent in the temple with Lenneke- truly a payday for Zuster Gulliver! Heidi, our investigator here, is doing great. She and her mother love the church and we will try to help them set goals for baptism this week. They will truly love the blessings of baptism in the Lord's church. Then again- everyone would enjoy those blessings :)
As far as the Flemish is coming, the old people can't seem to understand me, but I can't understand them either, so I call it a fair trade ;) Other than the old Flemish men, I am doing pretty good with Flemish. People still think I'm from the Netherlands, so I obviously don't quite fit in, but I'm getting there. It kind of feels like I've digressed to my 4th transfer or so with the accent and comprehension, but I figure I could use a little humbling after all of the blessings I have received with my Dutch. It’s keeping me relying on the Lord for help, which is always a good thing. The Belgian people are actually a little nicer than the Dutch, which is making contacting a little more pleasant. There are a lot of devout Jews and Muslims here in Antwerpen, which add an interesting dimension to proselyting.
Zr. Bennett and I are enjoying working together. She leaves on the 7th of April, leaving me stranded without a companion. My greenie was delayed longer than expected, so I'm not sure when we'll see her. I guess I'll just go to one of the other cities to help out the sisters during the gap without a companion.
Well, I love you all and hope all is going well. I hope to hear how life is for everyone. I pray for you all nightly and hope you are all happy.
Ik hou van jullie!
Liefs;
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
P.S. I can still receive pictures... ;)
What a wonderful week! I was blessed this week with one of the most special experiences of my mission. I was able to go to the Den Haag Temple with Zr. Bennett and be present when Lenneke (my first baptismal candidate from Rotterdam) went through the temple for her own endowment. All of the new members from Rotterdam were there, and it was truly a privilege to be there. I was filled with joy as I watched her enjoy the experience and was reminded of why we do what we do as missionaries. After not attending a session in so long, it was so wonderful to be in the temple. I was once again in awe at the beauty of the temple and the blessing it is to enjoy the truths we have in the restored gospel. I have set a goal to make the temple a priority and go as often as possible for the rest of my life. I want this year to be the largest gap that I will ever have in temple attendance. It was an opportunity I will never forget.
Joanne is baptized as far as I know- she was baptized the same day I spent in the temple with Lenneke- truly a payday for Zuster Gulliver! Heidi, our investigator here, is doing great. She and her mother love the church and we will try to help them set goals for baptism this week. They will truly love the blessings of baptism in the Lord's church. Then again- everyone would enjoy those blessings :)
As far as the Flemish is coming, the old people can't seem to understand me, but I can't understand them either, so I call it a fair trade ;) Other than the old Flemish men, I am doing pretty good with Flemish. People still think I'm from the Netherlands, so I obviously don't quite fit in, but I'm getting there. It kind of feels like I've digressed to my 4th transfer or so with the accent and comprehension, but I figure I could use a little humbling after all of the blessings I have received with my Dutch. It’s keeping me relying on the Lord for help, which is always a good thing. The Belgian people are actually a little nicer than the Dutch, which is making contacting a little more pleasant. There are a lot of devout Jews and Muslims here in Antwerpen, which add an interesting dimension to proselyting.
Zr. Bennett and I are enjoying working together. She leaves on the 7th of April, leaving me stranded without a companion. My greenie was delayed longer than expected, so I'm not sure when we'll see her. I guess I'll just go to one of the other cities to help out the sisters during the gap without a companion.
Well, I love you all and hope all is going well. I hope to hear how life is for everyone. I pray for you all nightly and hope you are all happy.
Ik hou van jullie!
Liefs;
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
P.S. I can still receive pictures... ;)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Cherie's Letter
Hello family!
Well, Belgium is quite the place- a lot dirtier than the Netherlands, but such a wonderful place! I am falling in love with it already. That is so neat that I have an ancestor from this city. It is neat to think that I have some roots here- it is becoming such a part of me here on my mission.
Still no word from my new little greenie- I guess we'll just have to be patient and see when she comes. Until then, Zr Bennett and I are having a BLAST serving together again. It’s really a lot of fun serving together here in the field. We are life-long friends, and are already planning trips to see each other after the mission (on p-day only, of course!).
The Belgian chocolate is DELICIOUS!!! I am tempted to eat WAY too much whenever I have the chance. I'll be sure to bring lots home to share :) In many ways Zr Bennett has been very good for me- she has reminded me of the reality of going home and that I should probably start planning some things- yikes!
Anyways, we are teaching the cutest little Flemish girl, Heidi, who has committed to being baptized, and we are going to teach here mom this week as well!!! The work goes forward in the most spectacular way! I am now able to understand Flemish, which helps a lot- French, however, is another story :) I hear it a lot, but speaking is just not a reality.
Oh and here's my address-
Alfons Schneiderlaan 172
Bus 2
2100 Deurne
Belgium
I love you all soooo much!
Oh, and you can e-mail me pictures now.
Liefs,
Zuster Gulliver
Well, Belgium is quite the place- a lot dirtier than the Netherlands, but such a wonderful place! I am falling in love with it already. That is so neat that I have an ancestor from this city. It is neat to think that I have some roots here- it is becoming such a part of me here on my mission.
Still no word from my new little greenie- I guess we'll just have to be patient and see when she comes. Until then, Zr Bennett and I are having a BLAST serving together again. It’s really a lot of fun serving together here in the field. We are life-long friends, and are already planning trips to see each other after the mission (on p-day only, of course!).
The Belgian chocolate is DELICIOUS!!! I am tempted to eat WAY too much whenever I have the chance. I'll be sure to bring lots home to share :) In many ways Zr Bennett has been very good for me- she has reminded me of the reality of going home and that I should probably start planning some things- yikes!
Anyways, we are teaching the cutest little Flemish girl, Heidi, who has committed to being baptized, and we are going to teach here mom this week as well!!! The work goes forward in the most spectacular way! I am now able to understand Flemish, which helps a lot- French, however, is another story :) I hear it a lot, but speaking is just not a reality.
Oh and here's my address-
Alfons Schneiderlaan 172
Bus 2
2100 Deurne
Belgium
I love you all soooo much!
Oh, and you can e-mail me pictures now.
Liefs,
Zuster Gulliver
Monday, March 8, 2010
Hello Belgium!
Hello Family!
Well, there are problems with the new e-mail system, so I was not able to read your e-mails this week. Mission life has taught me to not sweat the small stuff, so I hope there was nothing too urgent in the letters :) They should be there waiting for me next week.
Also, my letters will probably be a little short these coming weeks, as I have to get used to French keyboards here in Belgium. The letters are all in the wrong place. So if there are a few qs where there should be a's, sorry- it adds new meaning to the phrase watch your p's and q's (haha- get it?)
Life in Belgium couldn't be more different than the £Netherlands. It is taking some getting used to, and I must say, I miss he Netherlands terribly, but I am already finding a place in my heart for the Belgian people: They are really quite friendly, even more so than the Dutch, and being in such a big city is very fun- there are so many different kinds of people here! I am still getting my bearings; but I am grateful to serve here. Leaving Groningen was super hard; but I feel great about my new assignment.
It is great to be back with Zr: Bennett- we are quite the team as far as friendship and unity go. It is nice to start the transfer with a unified companionship, but I can't wait to get our new comp- she will add an extra dimension that will be great I’m sure. Until then; its just us two old ladies having a blast in Antwerpen!
I love you all so much! Take care!
Liefs;
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Well, there are problems with the new e-mail system, so I was not able to read your e-mails this week. Mission life has taught me to not sweat the small stuff, so I hope there was nothing too urgent in the letters :) They should be there waiting for me next week.
Also, my letters will probably be a little short these coming weeks, as I have to get used to French keyboards here in Belgium. The letters are all in the wrong place. So if there are a few qs where there should be a's, sorry- it adds new meaning to the phrase watch your p's and q's (haha- get it?)
Life in Belgium couldn't be more different than the £Netherlands. It is taking some getting used to, and I must say, I miss he Netherlands terribly, but I am already finding a place in my heart for the Belgian people: They are really quite friendly, even more so than the Dutch, and being in such a big city is very fun- there are so many different kinds of people here! I am still getting my bearings; but I am grateful to serve here. Leaving Groningen was super hard; but I feel great about my new assignment.
It is great to be back with Zr: Bennett- we are quite the team as far as friendship and unity go. It is nice to start the transfer with a unified companionship, but I can't wait to get our new comp- she will add an extra dimension that will be great I’m sure. Until then; its just us two old ladies having a blast in Antwerpen!
I love you all so much! Take care!
Liefs;
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
Tot Ziens Nederland
Dearest of families, 3/1/2010
What a week of ups and downs! We had an amazing zone conference, and I was also able to work a day in Zwolle with Zr. Sharp on exchanges, which was a lot of fun. While I was gone, Zr. Stapleton and Zr. Wieland were supposed to have a really bold lesson with Joanne and committ her to baptism within 4-6 weeks, which I felt strongly needed to be done. She has stopped progressing and was just waiting for her answer- still studying and learning, but she was ready to take the next step, which is, of course, baptism. She didn't end up accepting a date, but we had a lesson the day after I got back, and before we started speaking, she pulled out her agenda and said "sisters, I would like to be baptized on the 20th of march". I was so shocked! It was all i could do to not cry, I was so happy! Even more importantly, she was happier than I had ever seen her. She said that she had received her answer, but wanted to wait until I was there to set her baptismal date. It was so sweet! After the appointment, I had the most wonderful feeling that everything I could do for Joanne was completed- that I had accomplished with her what I was sent here to do. Of course, that is a dangerous feeling for a missionary to have, and sure enough, the next day (Sunday night) I received a call from President Brubaker informing me that I will be transfered on Wednesday.
My destination, however, was a total suprise. I am being sent to Antwerpen, Belgium! It has had sisters for 3 transfers now, but the weird part is, I will be serving with Zr. Bennett- my MTC companion! She is going home at the end of this transfer (she opted for the 11 transfer plan isntead of teh 12 transfers like me), so I will be sending home the companion that I started my mission with-- so funny! I will also be training again, but my trainee is waiting for her visa, so will serve in an american mission for a few weeks, so we'll wait for her as just the 2 of us and then she'll join us as soon as she can to make a three-sister companionship. I am so excited!! The most stressful part is that Zr. Bennett is actually leaving a week before the transfer ends, so I will have 5 weeks to get to know a really large city and ward, not to mention learning flemish (its dutch, but really, REALLY different), and then it will be left to my greenie and I to take over... oh boy...this is another one of those moments where I just put my trust in the Lord and trust that all will be well :)
I really am excited, and I feel like this will be a wonderful transfer. I am a little sad, becuase the chance of me serving again in the Netherlands is very slim, and I just love the culture of the Netherlands so much! I haven't even seen the tulips yet :( But hey, thats not what is really important- the reason I'm leaving is that the Lord needs it to be so, and that is good enough for me, even if I won't really have a chance to bring home any dutch stuff or pictures of tulips. I haven't really done any souvenier shopping yet. Oh well, I'll just have to come back on vacation soon!!!! I'm sure I will learn to love Belgium as much as I love here.
I love you all tons! Thank you soooooo much for the acne meds and candy (mmmm!) I have developed a love of candy on my mission- yikes! But Butterfingers taste so good after a year and a half. It was a fun treat.
Wish me luck as I head for the deep south!
Ik hou van jullie!
Liefs,
Zuster Gulliver
What a week of ups and downs! We had an amazing zone conference, and I was also able to work a day in Zwolle with Zr. Sharp on exchanges, which was a lot of fun. While I was gone, Zr. Stapleton and Zr. Wieland were supposed to have a really bold lesson with Joanne and committ her to baptism within 4-6 weeks, which I felt strongly needed to be done. She has stopped progressing and was just waiting for her answer- still studying and learning, but she was ready to take the next step, which is, of course, baptism. She didn't end up accepting a date, but we had a lesson the day after I got back, and before we started speaking, she pulled out her agenda and said "sisters, I would like to be baptized on the 20th of march". I was so shocked! It was all i could do to not cry, I was so happy! Even more importantly, she was happier than I had ever seen her. She said that she had received her answer, but wanted to wait until I was there to set her baptismal date. It was so sweet! After the appointment, I had the most wonderful feeling that everything I could do for Joanne was completed- that I had accomplished with her what I was sent here to do. Of course, that is a dangerous feeling for a missionary to have, and sure enough, the next day (Sunday night) I received a call from President Brubaker informing me that I will be transfered on Wednesday.
My destination, however, was a total suprise. I am being sent to Antwerpen, Belgium! It has had sisters for 3 transfers now, but the weird part is, I will be serving with Zr. Bennett- my MTC companion! She is going home at the end of this transfer (she opted for the 11 transfer plan isntead of teh 12 transfers like me), so I will be sending home the companion that I started my mission with-- so funny! I will also be training again, but my trainee is waiting for her visa, so will serve in an american mission for a few weeks, so we'll wait for her as just the 2 of us and then she'll join us as soon as she can to make a three-sister companionship. I am so excited!! The most stressful part is that Zr. Bennett is actually leaving a week before the transfer ends, so I will have 5 weeks to get to know a really large city and ward, not to mention learning flemish (its dutch, but really, REALLY different), and then it will be left to my greenie and I to take over... oh boy...this is another one of those moments where I just put my trust in the Lord and trust that all will be well :)
I really am excited, and I feel like this will be a wonderful transfer. I am a little sad, becuase the chance of me serving again in the Netherlands is very slim, and I just love the culture of the Netherlands so much! I haven't even seen the tulips yet :( But hey, thats not what is really important- the reason I'm leaving is that the Lord needs it to be so, and that is good enough for me, even if I won't really have a chance to bring home any dutch stuff or pictures of tulips. I haven't really done any souvenier shopping yet. Oh well, I'll just have to come back on vacation soon!!!! I'm sure I will learn to love Belgium as much as I love here.
I love you all tons! Thank you soooooo much for the acne meds and candy (mmmm!) I have developed a love of candy on my mission- yikes! But Butterfingers taste so good after a year and a half. It was a fun treat.
Wish me luck as I head for the deep south!
Ik hou van jullie!
Liefs,
Zuster Gulliver
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