AMSTERDAM!!! I'm legitimately going to the sin city of the world. And not to one of the little cities around that pretend to be part of Amsterdam, but I'm going to the legit center of it all. I'll be living with the APs. I'll also be in a trio for two weeks with Elder Sosa and Elder Larsen. I've met Elder Sosa a few times before and he's a real chill guy. I think he's from Argentina? Or maybe Chilli? But he used to be a street fighter and stuff =D Ha ha! And we're doing a trio because Elder Sosa is leaving the mission in two weeks for the end of his two years here. Then it'll be just Elder Larsen and I. I've heard Elder Larsen is really nice, two transfers ahead of me, and was a ranch boy. Woo hoo =) I'm excited. It's gonna be crazy going from Hengelo to Amsterdam though. Especially since Elder Sosa leaves in two weeks, and it's Elder Larsen and I's first transfer there. I'm going to a lot of missionary's dream city =) First and foremost obviously, because it's Amsterdam. Amsterdam!! Second, because we'll be living with the APs, which ought to be super cool. And I'll be in the same ward as some cool elders and sisters that I already know. It's gonna be awesome =) But I'm also terrified for all of the crazy crap I've heard about Amsterdam. I've heard there's no avoiding red light districts, no matter how hard you try. Not to mention so many people are just doing weed everywhere (that one I experienced when I went through there once before), and the city itself just.... feels dirty. Anyways, wish me luck =D My companion is going to be training this transfer here in Hengelo. He's excited for that! One of the new APs I'll be living with is actually the son of one of my favorite famliy's here in this Hengelo ward. So that'll be cool to talk with him about that.
Hmmm.... Do I even have other news? I feel like that pretty much just made anything else I'll say, inadequate. We played soccer today and that was super fun. I'm trying to take better pictures, and I'll definitely do that more in Amsterdam =) We had a crappy week here in Hengelo because a few of our investigators here dropped our appointments or are too busy to meet with us. But Elder Nielsen and I have become better friends together, so there's a plus for the week. I hear that the Netherlands is doing awesome in the Olympics! And America beat Russia in hockey! Mwa ha ha, eat it Putin. OH! I went to Belgium this last Friday, right? It was a lot of fun! Went and did the same stuff I did my first time, but it was with new people so that makes it fun. And I had a lekker lekker lekker Belgian waffle with chocolate and strawberries on top. SOOOOO GOOOOOOD! Heh heh sorry guys =D There waffles are just made with tons of sugar though or something, they're freakin good. Plus, our recently baptized member Viola bought me some Belgium chocolate for before I leave Hengelo =) She's awesome. And Belgium chocolate really is THAT good. Not to make you guys jealous, but life is good. Also, I gave my first talk in Dutch this last week and it was a pretty good success! I spoke about Faith for the most part. Got some good compliments and I'm definitely happy with the Lord's help on that! People have given me some really nice compliments on the language lately =) Feels good.
Oh our mission is starting to move more and more towards the digital age of contacting and stuff. We're going hard working on getting people's awareness out about mormon.org. We're trying to get members to make profiles on there and we're handing out tons of mormon.org cards. It's weird, because you have to learn a new way of contacting by starting out with these pass-along cards. Before, everybody (especially me) thought of the cards as a last resort to use if you absolutely can't get an appointment or give somebody a Book of Mormon. THEN you'd give 'em a card. But now, we start with the cards. I'm starting to like it though, because a LOT of people are actually looking up the cards according to some statistics. And it makes it really chill to start talking with people. But we still try and lead the cards into conversations and then into appointments if we can. But it's still even successful if you can only get them a card. So mormon.orgis cool. Yeah. Plus, we're starting these Facebook pages for each of the Netherlands stakes. There will be callings to keep them updated and everything. Then members can share and post stuff from the facebook pages and people will like them and share them. It's all just about getting the information out there, debunking false rumors, creating interest, etc. It's really cool. As far as iPads and iPhones go though, I think we're still a far way away on that. We'll see though. Ha ha, also, I heard a quote the other day and some stuff basically saying that a bunch of analysts, other religions, etc, agree that the Mormons are taking over the internet as far as religion goes. If you search for religious stuff, LDS stuff pops up for the top things. If you check to see trending YouTube and Facebook followers and likes and stuff, the Apostles are killin it!! Super awesome.
I think that's a testimony of how much God wants to help us and how much he understands our current situations. He's always got a perfect plan and everything on this Earth can be used for good, because it's all given from God. The problem is when people use their agency (cough cough, another gift from God) in the wrong way and use his gifts for the wrong purposes. Okay quick spiritual thought, but I really gotta get going. Today was a bit hectic. K love you guys and thanks for all of the emails!
Hmmm.... Do I even have other news? I feel like that pretty much just made anything else I'll say, inadequate. We played soccer today and that was super fun. I'm trying to take better pictures, and I'll definitely do that more in Amsterdam =) We had a crappy week here in Hengelo because a few of our investigators here dropped our appointments or are too busy to meet with us. But Elder Nielsen and I have become better friends together, so there's a plus for the week. I hear that the Netherlands is doing awesome in the Olympics! And America beat Russia in hockey! Mwa ha ha, eat it Putin. OH! I went to Belgium this last Friday, right? It was a lot of fun! Went and did the same stuff I did my first time, but it was with new people so that makes it fun. And I had a lekker lekker lekker Belgian waffle with chocolate and strawberries on top. SOOOOO GOOOOOOD! Heh heh sorry guys =D There waffles are just made with tons of sugar though or something, they're freakin good. Plus, our recently baptized member Viola bought me some Belgium chocolate for before I leave Hengelo =) She's awesome. And Belgium chocolate really is THAT good. Not to make you guys jealous, but life is good. Also, I gave my first talk in Dutch this last week and it was a pretty good success! I spoke about Faith for the most part. Got some good compliments and I'm definitely happy with the Lord's help on that! People have given me some really nice compliments on the language lately =) Feels good.
Oh our mission is starting to move more and more towards the digital age of contacting and stuff. We're going hard working on getting people's awareness out about mormon.org. We're trying to get members to make profiles on there and we're handing out tons of mormon.org cards. It's weird, because you have to learn a new way of contacting by starting out with these pass-along cards. Before, everybody (especially me) thought of the cards as a last resort to use if you absolutely can't get an appointment or give somebody a Book of Mormon. THEN you'd give 'em a card. But now, we start with the cards. I'm starting to like it though, because a LOT of people are actually looking up the cards according to some statistics. And it makes it really chill to start talking with people. But we still try and lead the cards into conversations and then into appointments if we can. But it's still even successful if you can only get them a card. So mormon.orgis cool. Yeah. Plus, we're starting these Facebook pages for each of the Netherlands stakes. There will be callings to keep them updated and everything. Then members can share and post stuff from the facebook pages and people will like them and share them. It's all just about getting the information out there, debunking false rumors, creating interest, etc. It's really cool. As far as iPads and iPhones go though, I think we're still a far way away on that. We'll see though. Ha ha, also, I heard a quote the other day and some stuff basically saying that a bunch of analysts, other religions, etc, agree that the Mormons are taking over the internet as far as religion goes. If you search for religious stuff, LDS stuff pops up for the top things. If you check to see trending YouTube and Facebook followers and likes and stuff, the Apostles are killin it!! Super awesome.
I think that's a testimony of how much God wants to help us and how much he understands our current situations. He's always got a perfect plan and everything on this Earth can be used for good, because it's all given from God. The problem is when people use their agency (cough cough, another gift from God) in the wrong way and use his gifts for the wrong purposes. Okay quick spiritual thought, but I really gotta get going. Today was a bit hectic. K love you guys and thanks for all of the emails!