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
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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
Monday, February 22, 2010
Letter for the Week
Dearest of families,
It was great to hear from you! I am so blessed with such supportive family! The visits from Grandparents sound like they´ll be a ton of fun. You´ll have to give hugs and kisses to Grandma and Grandpa Koch and Grandma Gulliver for me. I sure do miss them.
Well, changes are coming to the mission- as of March 1st, the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands mission will be dissolved and replaced with the Belgium/Netherlands mission, which will consist of the Dutch speaking half of Belgium and the Netherlands. The French speaking half of the mission will be combined with the Paris mission. It is really crazy, but probably good for the mission to become a single language mission- it’s much less of a hassle for the mission president. It won´t affect me at all, but will change the dynamics of the mission quite a bit.
We have seen success here in Groningen as we have taught quite a few new people this week. We´re still keeping our eyes peeled for those that are open and waiting for the Gospel, as our teaching pool is a bit small still. I have seen a lot of progress in having the courage to open my mouth and be bolder in speaking to everyone possible as we go about. I have always struggled to speak with absolutely everyone possible, but it is improving a lot- no one gets by this sister! :)
As this transfer wraps up this week, I am stuck with this gut feeling that I will be leaving the area shortly- a thought that is not so pleasant, but we´ll hope for the best, and let the Lord figure out whether I´ll stay in Groningen or not. I have had a great time getting to know Zuster Stapleton over the past few weeks, and really am enjoying the Caribbean dynamic she brings into the work. I just love the missionaries I serve with!
Well, it’s been another blessed week, and I can´t complain about much- its even starting to warm up. I am just so happy to be serving a mission here, at this time in my life. It’s hard to imagine doing anything else actually.
Dad, hang in there with work- if there´s anyone who can handle such a crazy situation, it’s you daddy-o! I´ll be praying for ya! Carpe Diem :)
Could someone try to get in contact with Amber for me and ask if she changed her address, and send me her address, I have a letter I want to send her. Thanks!
I love you all so much!
Ik hou van jullie zo veel!
Liefs,
Zuster Gulliver
It was great to hear from you! I am so blessed with such supportive family! The visits from Grandparents sound like they´ll be a ton of fun. You´ll have to give hugs and kisses to Grandma and Grandpa Koch and Grandma Gulliver for me. I sure do miss them.
Well, changes are coming to the mission- as of March 1st, the Belgium Brussels/Netherlands mission will be dissolved and replaced with the Belgium/Netherlands mission, which will consist of the Dutch speaking half of Belgium and the Netherlands. The French speaking half of the mission will be combined with the Paris mission. It is really crazy, but probably good for the mission to become a single language mission- it’s much less of a hassle for the mission president. It won´t affect me at all, but will change the dynamics of the mission quite a bit.
We have seen success here in Groningen as we have taught quite a few new people this week. We´re still keeping our eyes peeled for those that are open and waiting for the Gospel, as our teaching pool is a bit small still. I have seen a lot of progress in having the courage to open my mouth and be bolder in speaking to everyone possible as we go about. I have always struggled to speak with absolutely everyone possible, but it is improving a lot- no one gets by this sister! :)
As this transfer wraps up this week, I am stuck with this gut feeling that I will be leaving the area shortly- a thought that is not so pleasant, but we´ll hope for the best, and let the Lord figure out whether I´ll stay in Groningen or not. I have had a great time getting to know Zuster Stapleton over the past few weeks, and really am enjoying the Caribbean dynamic she brings into the work. I just love the missionaries I serve with!
Well, it’s been another blessed week, and I can´t complain about much- its even starting to warm up. I am just so happy to be serving a mission here, at this time in my life. It’s hard to imagine doing anything else actually.
Dad, hang in there with work- if there´s anyone who can handle such a crazy situation, it’s you daddy-o! I´ll be praying for ya! Carpe Diem :)
Could someone try to get in contact with Amber for me and ask if she changed her address, and send me her address, I have a letter I want to send her. Thanks!
I love you all so much!
Ik hou van jullie zo veel!
Liefs,
Zuster Gulliver
Monday, February 15, 2010
A Hard Week
HEllo family!
I was inspired and comforted by your words and thoughts. Thank you so much for being the most awesome parents (and sisters) ever! One of the things I miss the most is being able to ask advice and receive council from my parents on a daily basis. I better get a cell phone really fast when I get home, cause I´m going to be making good use of you two! Oh, and of course I would love to share some stories in seminary- I´ll probably still have jetlag anyways, so the hour won´t bother me at all!
It is so great to hear that the pregnancy is going well. I was just wondering today how everything was going, and it was great to get an update- thanks! I would love to see a pic some day of the growing belly :)
It has been a great week. Zr. Stapleton has been my little angel to help keep me going as I seem to be hitting a bit of a mid-mission crisis. It is going much better- some very special personal study sessions have made a big difference, and I feel energized and ready to begin another week.
We had a hard week in the ward this week. We heard that a sister in the ward, who is good friends with our investigator Joanne, was in a car accident on Wednesday night, and is still in a coma with severe damage to the brain. The coma is still too deep to really know if she will live, or what the damage really is. It is so sad. It happened because of the slippery roads- apparently the country has run out of salt, so they haven´t been able to treat the roads in the last week or so. She is only about 28 and has 3 small kids under the age of 8. Her husband is not a member, but her family is, and is showing incredible faith through the situation. She has 3 married siblings in the ward, and they have been so strong through the whole thing. It has been neat to see the ward pulling together to fast and pray for her. The church is so beautiful in the way it allows us to care for each other when needs arise. We are ready to help the family- who we are very close to- but the members keep beating us to it, which is really great. It has made me think of how fragile life is. I think of how important it is to live a life without regret. As grim as it seems, we never know when we will be called back to our Heavenly Father. Luckily, with the Gospel, we know we will be ready if we live accordingly.
I love you all and am so grateful for all that you write. Your words are a special part of my week. Ik hou van jullie!!
Liefs,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
P.S. If you want to send me a butterfinger with that acne med, that would be AMAZING!!! Thanks again for sending that :)
I was inspired and comforted by your words and thoughts. Thank you so much for being the most awesome parents (and sisters) ever! One of the things I miss the most is being able to ask advice and receive council from my parents on a daily basis. I better get a cell phone really fast when I get home, cause I´m going to be making good use of you two! Oh, and of course I would love to share some stories in seminary- I´ll probably still have jetlag anyways, so the hour won´t bother me at all!
It is so great to hear that the pregnancy is going well. I was just wondering today how everything was going, and it was great to get an update- thanks! I would love to see a pic some day of the growing belly :)
It has been a great week. Zr. Stapleton has been my little angel to help keep me going as I seem to be hitting a bit of a mid-mission crisis. It is going much better- some very special personal study sessions have made a big difference, and I feel energized and ready to begin another week.
We had a hard week in the ward this week. We heard that a sister in the ward, who is good friends with our investigator Joanne, was in a car accident on Wednesday night, and is still in a coma with severe damage to the brain. The coma is still too deep to really know if she will live, or what the damage really is. It is so sad. It happened because of the slippery roads- apparently the country has run out of salt, so they haven´t been able to treat the roads in the last week or so. She is only about 28 and has 3 small kids under the age of 8. Her husband is not a member, but her family is, and is showing incredible faith through the situation. She has 3 married siblings in the ward, and they have been so strong through the whole thing. It has been neat to see the ward pulling together to fast and pray for her. The church is so beautiful in the way it allows us to care for each other when needs arise. We are ready to help the family- who we are very close to- but the members keep beating us to it, which is really great. It has made me think of how fragile life is. I think of how important it is to live a life without regret. As grim as it seems, we never know when we will be called back to our Heavenly Father. Luckily, with the Gospel, we know we will be ready if we live accordingly.
I love you all and am so grateful for all that you write. Your words are a special part of my week. Ik hou van jullie!!
Liefs,
Zuster Cherie Gulliver
P.S. If you want to send me a butterfinger with that acne med, that would be AMAZING!!! Thanks again for sending that :)
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