Best Week EVER!

Maandag, 22 december 2014

Weest Gegroet!!!

Man, where to start....

This week has been like the greatest week ever!
On Wednesday we went to the Salt Lake temple and it was superamazing! Just to feel the Spirit and be at so much peace... :) In the Celestial Room I was able to talk to some of the sisters in my zone and it was so great to share that spiritual moment together :) With one sister we shared our favorite scriptures and things that we'd learned on our missions :) Then I also saw some people from Canyon Rim in the temple! :D Then we went to Cafe Rio with our zone and since it is located in Canyon Rim I saw some people from Canyon Rim again! :D Pretty great! Then we practiced our musical number for zone conference and we sang 'Away in a manger'.

 

Thursday we had zone conference! Oh my! That was sooo great! They talked a lot about being the fourth missionary, being completely devoted and dedicated to this work and surrendering yourselves to the Lord. I also had to present a training with Sister Orellana on conducting companionship inventory, that went pretty well :) It was super scary though! A story that the assistants shared was 'The Three Trees'. I invite all of you to look it up and read it. It is such a beautiful story! Another story that is worth reading is called 'The Other Wise Man'. It made me cry. It reminds us of the true meaning of christmas :)

Ok, I promise you that you will fall of your chair when I share the next thing with you.

Friday we had our Mission Christmas Devotional. Guess who came to speak to us...? ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND!!!!! :D :D :D Gosh, words can't describe the Spirit we felt! He told us that as he shook our hands he interviewed us as he was looking into our eyes. He told us that he could tell that we were great missionaries! :D

As he was speaking he allowed us to ask him questions and most questions he got were questions about what we could do better. How we could teach certain principles better, etc. You know what he told us? The only thing we could do was to let people feel the Spirit, help them have a spiritual experience when we teach them and that people have their agency! But he said that he was impressed by our desire to constantly improve and that that said something about the quality of our mission. He also pretty much told us that we needed to stop being so hard on ourselves. I'm not telling you all of this to boast in this mission or in the missionaries, but it was so amazing to hear from an Apostle of the Lord that we were doing a great job! :) He also talked about how we were angels and how angels administer to us,  that all we need to do is believe. 'Believe in all that can be' as the Barbie song says :)

In the evening we had our Christmas dinner and it was sooooooo much fun! It was so great to see all my missionary friends and enjoy our Christmas together! I just looooove this mission and the missionaries here!!! :D In the bags we got some...stuff...personal grooming items and stuff :) Gosh, it was so great! Then after the Christmas party we talked and talked. Elder Scherf and I  (he is from the Hague ward in the Netherland red.) were able to talk! That was kind of fun! :) Some 'Nederlandsheid' is pretty nice sometimes ^ ^ That same night I went on my first exchange! I went with Sister Brown and she is from Virginia! Guess what?! She knows Elder Kemp, hahaha! They're from the same stake :)

Saturday we had a mission service project in the Avenues!:D Yeey! So I got to go back for a couple of hours! :D What we did is we helped people get a bag full of clothes, food and toys :) While we were going around we had to find out if they would be interested in learning more about the Gospel :) So we got tons of referrals that day! :D It was sooooo great!!!! :D :D :D



Ok ok, and then something else this weekend! Last night we had a stake fireside and it was on the Dutch Potatoes Project. It would take too long to explain it, but pleeeease look it up at  https://history.lds.org/article/dutch-potatoes-video?lang=eng . It is such a touching and amazing story about World War Two and the Dutch and German Saints! Anyways, the people who were involved in that project live in our stake. They migrated from Germany in the 50's and their last name is Schmidt. Hmmm...who knows a famous piano player with the last name Schmidt?.... muahahha, that's right! John Schmidt! He came to perform that night! He grew up in this stake and those people are his parents! :D He was soooo amazing!!! The Spirit was sooo strong that night! I got to shake his hand afterward too! :D I'm never going to wash that hand again, hahaha! Oh wait, too late...I already did...But anyways...that was pretty awesome!!! And guess who showed up at the fireside?! It was Jeanet Zwiers (I always forget her married name) and Marijke Shuttle and a couple of other Dutch people! :D I have a picture, so you might recognize some people :)

 

Wow, quite a week huh?! :D It was soooo great! The Spirit was so strong!

 

I have loved every minute of it! I love being a missionary right now! I know that my Redeemer lives! I know that He loves us! I know with all my heart that He knows us, understands us and cares about us. I know I have shared this scripture with you a billion times already, but Alma 7:11-12 has become my favorite scripture on my mission :)

The Atonement is real! We can all make it back! We can all change and start over again. I testify to you that it is NEVER too late! There is ALWAYS a way back. All He asks of us is a willing heart and mind! Surrender yourself! In the arms of His love there is safety and healing. In the arms of His love there is hope and peace.

 

Please center your Christmas in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. I can promise you that that is where great peace and happiness lies :)

 

I love my Savior and I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to represent Him, serve Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength :)

God be with you till we meet again (on Thursday! :D)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! And the Dutch people yesterday reminded me of the way to say it in Dutch: Prettige Kerstdagen!!!

Lots and Lots of Love 

Sister Spijkerman <3

 

Hillside Stake!

Maandag 15 december 2014

Buenos Dias my beloved family!!!

Well, the news you've been waiting for all week! :D I am still in Salt Lake :) I'm serving in the Hillside Stake, which is like two stakes over from Canyon Rim! Yup, I'm back in the Olympus Zone! At transfers I found out that the Olympus zone has the most sisters, so I'm responsible for 5 companionships O.O It's great though! :D They are all great sisters and supersweet, so I'm looking forward to learning from them :) This week I'm going on my first exchange, so I'm excited :) 

The Hillside Stake is in the Sugarhouse area in Salt Lake and there are a lot more kids and young married couples here than in the avenues :) So that is a lot of fun! :)

 

There are a lot of people here who served their mission in the netherlands :D (one of our bishops served in Holland. Super awesome! :D They asked me if I knew about some people, but I didn't know a lot of them. One sister asked me to check up on a sister. She lives in our stake and is part of the wijk Apeldoorn. She doesn't go to church anymore. SO yeah, please reach out to the inactive people in our Stake! And in the Netherlands! Some of them are waiting to be found! :D 

Oh, I totally forgot to update you in my new companion, ghehehe ^ ^ Now it looks like I don't like or love her, but that's absolutely not true!

I loooove her to pieces! Her name is sister Quiles and she is from New Jersey. Her mom is from Ecuador and her dad's family is from Spain :) So she speaks Spanish! So cool! Now I can finally learn some Spanish! :D muahahaha! We live in a duplex with another set of sisters, which is totally crazy with the use of the bathroom and fridge, but a lot of fun as well :) Anyways...sister Quiles is soooo adorable!!! She is such a bubbly happy person and she is sooo funny! She is so excited to be my companion, because I have European chocolate, hahaha (and for some other reasons as well of course...hopefully...) OOOOOOH!!!

 

By the way!!! We have to share our car with the other sisters, so we're on bikes every other day now!!!!!!!! :D YEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!! I missed it soooo much!!!! So I'm SUPER happy!!! :D It's a little bit harder here though, because everything is uphill, but going downhill is kinda fun ^ ^ So...yeah, I'm having a lot of fun!

 

I'm starting to know my way around here, and getting to know the people :) We will have a transfer of hard work and diligence and obedience, so that we can find people to teach and baptize! :)

I will send more pictures this week of last week! :D 

I love you all sooo much! Sister Quiles told me to wish you Feliz Navidad! :D I'm excited to talk to y'all next week! :D

Lots and Lots of Love

Sister Spijkerman <3

Thanks for the extra pictures made by sister C. Call

TRANSFERSSSSS!!!!!

Maandag, 8 december 2014

Heeeeey allemaal!!!

WELL... TRANSFERS!!!! You'll never believe what's going to happen to me!!!! :O Last night I got a phone call from President Eberhardt and I have been called to serve as a Sister Training Leader in the mission!!! :O A sister training leader is kind of like a zone leader for sister. You go on exchanges, teach the sisters what they can improve on, help them with personal problems and things like that :) HOLY COW!!!! :O :O :O Can you imagine!!! Me, Sister Spijkerman, serving as a Sister Training Leader?!!! O.O I feel so overwhelmed and inadequate! I bet most of the sisters don't even know who I am!!! So I've got an adventure waiting for me right there... o.o

Then this morning we got the phone call that I'm leaving the Avenues :( Weeeeh!!!! :'( I am soo sad!!! I love it so much over here! But I've learned that Heavenly Father definitely knows what is best for me :) He will prepare a way and everything will be alright :) I will miss all the wonderful and beautiful people here though! The last couple of days it has been raining gifts and presents for us. People have taken care of me so well and they have been so kind and loving towards me :) I will never forget all the wonderful people that I met and taught here :) 

Anyways, besides transfers we went to Temple Square last week to see the Christmas lights!!! It is the PRETTIEST sight EVER!!! Oh my!!! It's like there are trees of life everywhere! :D It's sooo pretty!!! I loved walking around and watch all the people :) They were all so happy :) Everybody was singing and laughing and talking :) The Spirit of Christmas was there :) I just love being a missionary during this time of year! It's so amazing to be a representative of Jesus Christ during the time that we celebrate His birth and ministry :) I can't thank Him enough for the gift of hope, light and eternal life that He has given me and all those around me. I love Him so much and I am so deeply grateful that I can serve Him every day :) 

I hope you will all enjoy this Christmas season and feel the Spirit that Christ brings :) Center your lives and Christmas in Him, you will feel the peace and joy that He brings :) I love you all very very much!!! I'll find out tomorrow where I will be serving next and who my companion is going to be :) 

 Lots and Lots of Love

Your Loving Sister Missionary

 Sister Spijkerman <3 

Thanksgiving!!!!

Maandag 1 december 2014

Heeey lieve allemaal!!!

Afgelopen week was een geweldige week.We hadden EINDELIJK een les met onze onderzoeker! :D We taught him the Restoration and it was really amazing to hear his testimony of Jesus Christ and the power of prayer! So we hope we will be able to continue teaching him, because he's amazing. :)

The highlight of the week was obviously my first Thanksgiving ever! It was sooo much fun! In the morning we had a Thanksgiving Devotional of one of our wards. Well, it was actually an interdenominational devotional. There were different people of different faiths all together in our ward building! And trust me, that is very unusual in Utah, since a lot of non-members don't want to put one foot in our church buildings.  During the devotional the international children's choir sang, which was really awesome! They sang different songs from different countries! :)

Then the governor of Utah spoke, which was quite an experience as well :) He's a member of the Church, so he quoted a lot of scriptures :) After the devotional we went to a member's home and helped them peel potatoes and apples :) We went to our beloved mission mom (well, actually, one of our many mission moms... :D). Then we went to our own house and played games with the people we live with. We played Mormon bridge. We had no idea how to play it! They tried to explain it to me, but they used all these American words that I'd never heard before. For the first time on my mission I just really didn't know what people were talking about! :O It was so embarrassing! :O They told me to put my hand out (meaning, to put my cards on the table so they could see them). Guess what I did? I put my physical hand out on the table.... -_- oh my... Everybody was laughing of course.. I think that day I gained a lot more empathy for those poor missionaries back home :) Anyways, I was finally able to understand it! Hurrah!!! :D

Then we went to our senior couple, the Bryner's. We helped them make pies and prepare our Thanksgiving dinner :) While waiting for things to cook we played games with the Elders and just had a lot of fun! :) For Thanksgiving sister Guy and I also made jars with quotes in them to hand out to those we're teaching and of course also for some members :) We quickly ate our dinner, delivered the jars and went back to the Bryner's to play games with the Elders, a member, that was a lot fun :)

Then we went to see some other members. They spoke in sacrament meeting and they told the congregation that they have 4 daughters :) now! (they have 2 of there own, 1 daughter is serving in Russia right now!) so yeah, that's how much we all love each other :) They had his mom and his sister over as well. Believe it or not, his sister is in the same home ward as President and sister Robinson!!!! :O :D Sooooo coooool!!!! So that was my first thanksgiving and it was absolutely fabulous!

I'm so grateful to have my own family here as well :) People here have embraced me, loved me and I'm so grateful for all of them :) Yesterday we visisted older couple in one of our wards. They told me that I needed to tell you, mom and dad, that they are trying to take good care of us :) They too have adopted us as their daughters :) When this sweet Brother said the closing prayer he referred to us as his daughters :) He is soooo sweet!!!! :3 

Last week they turned on the Christmas lights on Temple Square and I haven't seen them yet. But since I'm afraid I'll get transferred next week. We have set up a lot of appointments this week so we can go to Temple Square to see the lights!!! Next week you will receive lots and lots of pictures!!!! :D

 

I hope you will all remember the reason for the season, that you will look to share Christ's love with those around you! :) 

I love you all and may God's love always be with you!

Lots and Lots of Love

Sister Spijkerman <3

Thanksgiving!!!

Maandag 24 november 2014

Heeeeey allemaal!!!!

Man, wat is deze week voorbijgevlogen!

Last week was a tough one for our district. We all had to drop some investigators. Some 'investigators' are not progressing... The elders got dropped by their investigators who had a baptismal date in December and the other elders lost also all their investigators as well. And nobody in the district seems to be able to find new ones

So right now it's hard not to get discouraged. It's tough to see your numbers drop so drastically. But this week I found a new motto. It's a phrase from the hymn 'Let us all press on'. In the 2nd verse it says:

'We will not retreat though our numbers may be few'. our numbers may not be great (to say the least), but we won't stop! We're not giving up!!! Satan may try whatever he wants, but we're fighting back with the mighty sword of truth! Don't you just love that!

 

Last week I went on exchanges and I went to a YSA (= Young Single Adults) area for a day with sister Aiasau :) We had a lot of fun. It was definitely different to teach people my own age, since I'm so used to teaching kids and older people :) Since we were in YSA we were able to go to Institute!!! Yeeeey!!! And I learned something pretty profound. They were talking about Abinadi (prophet in the Book of Mormon) and I was just reading about him the other day. And I learned that even Abinadi had 'only' one convert, or actually one reactivation on his mission, and that was Alma. He sacrificed his life to deliver that message so that at least one person would listen. one person... but we all know what happened to Alma and his posterity! For generations his posterity was the one presiding over the Church! And think about all the people that Alma and his posterity brought to the knowledge of the Gospel! :) 

I love y'all a whole lot and I hope you'll continue to be a light in the darkness! :) Let your light shine and stand tall!!! Be strong and courageous! :) 

Lots and Lots of Love

Sister Spijkerman <3

Gratitude and Winter

Maandag, 17 november 2014

Heeeey iedereen!!!

It's wintertime!!!! :D wooohooooo!!! The first snow has fallen and we made our first little snowman! :D

This week we were calling the elders about something and we asked if there was something we could do for them. Elder Lins (from Brazil) asked if we could build him a snowman. Well, at that time there was definitely not enough snow to build a snowman. But Saturday we had about 1.5 inch of snow!!! :D So we decided to drive to their apartment. Make a little tiny snowman. It was about the size of a hand, so it was very little, but it was very cute! We knocked on their door and give it to him :) hahaha, the look on his face! It totally made our day! :) He put it in the freezer so he could keep it as a reminder, hahaha :)

 

This story is part of the things that I learned the most this week. I think lately I've been allowing myself to get a little bit disappointed and discouraged, because we don't have a lot of things going on anymore. Which was a very strange feeling, because I've never felt like this before. I've always been optimistic, cheerful, happy and nothing seemed to be able to get me down. So just feeling the opposite felt so strange and so not like me. So rather than focusing on myself and pushing for our numbers and goals I decided that I really wanted to serve the individuals.

 

The biggest miracle that I definitely saw was a miracle in me. When I started focusing on others. On small and simple things that would make them happy, I felt a change in me. Did it change our numbers? Not really. But it changed me. Charity, the pure love of Christ, has the power to change people, both the receiver, but even so more the giver.

 

Since Thanksgiving is coming up we shared a lot of messages with people on gratitude. I realized that I been focusing too much on the things that are not happening rather than the amazing things that have happened in the last couple of months to us.

 

In D&C 18 it says: 'And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!' 

 
Just the fact that we have been able to be part of bringing one soul into the kingdom of our Father should be a great reason to rejoice rather than a reason to complain because 'it was only one'. So I  humbled myself before the Lord, ask Him for forgiveness and start reflecting on the amazing and wonderful experiences that I've had with people on my mission so far.
The work is still hard, as President Uchtdorf said: 'Attitude determines altitude'. Remember the blessings that our Heavenly Father has bestowed on you before. And if He has done it before, He will continue to do so, because that is His nature and His solemn promise. 

I love all of you very much! I'm so grateful for your prayers, thoughts and love :) I need it :)

Lots and Lots of Love

Sister Spijkerman <3

ps. yesterday morning, at 8 am, it was 16 degrees Fahrenheit, so that like -9 degrees celsius... it was soooo

coooooooold!!!

Count your blessings

Maandag 10 november 2014

Lieve Lieve Allemaal!!!
Afgelopen week hadden we een moeilijke week.

It seems like after having baptisms Satan is trying so hard to keep people away from the truth and to get us discouraged. As Sister Guy and I always say: 'There is no rest for the weary'. So last week we worked..., we worked....and we worked...President Eberhardt asked us to set higher goals to stretch ourselves. So we tried sooo hard to find people, to teach people, to put people on date...But without any great results... And it seems like the harder we try the less effective it gets... So, that's been hard on us.

I know we were just so incredibly blessed in the last couple of months with so much work. But I feel like it's time for us to learn another lesson again. A lesson of patience, hope and faith. The other day during personal study I read Enos, and Enos 1:12 stood out to me that day:

'And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith.'

The Lord will eventually bless us, but we need to show our faith and diligence first. After all we have done that we could have done, He will bless us (in His own time) :) Another quote that we read in this mission every morning at the beginning of our companionship study is by Elder Holland and I just loooove this quote!!!

 

He said: 'Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn't it go better? Why can't our success be more rapid? Why aren't there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don't people just flock to the font? Why isn't the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font? You will have occasion to ask those questions.

 

I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?'

Don't you just love that? :)

Anyways, besides downs, we also had some ups! We will start teaching a part member family onder het mom van 'practicing the lessons on them, since we don't have enough opportunities to teach' (we use that one aaaaall the time :) The new converts were ordained as a deacon and as a priest! :D wooohooo!!!

 

Then a less-active couple that the Lord helped us find came to church for all three hours for the first time, and they're getting married soon as well! yeeeeeeey!!! :D The elders in the other half of the stake had a convert baptism on Saturday :D This stake is on fiiiiiireeeee!!! :D At least, it was... We're working on it :) The first snow is starting to fall!!!! yeeeeey!!!

 

A little bit scary though, because the mountains are very steep, so that will be interesting with our little car. I'm so excited that Christmas is coming up again!!! You won;t believe the amount of Christmas stuff they sell over here!!!! O.O It's crazy!!! :D But it makes me happy :3

 

I'm driving Sister Guy crazy with my Christmas music probably. She's not quite ready for the Christmas hymns yet, hahaha :) 

I love you all. I hope you will have a great week! Send my love to the rest of my family! :) And vergeet niet....Wie zoet is, krijgt lekkers ;)

Lots and Lots of Love

Your Loving Missionary in the field
Sister Spijkermanm <3

The Lord Is My Light

Maandag 3 november 2014.

Heeeey lieve allemaal!!!

 

And behold, it came to pass that I, Sister Spijkerman, and my companion, Sister Guy, were blessed with another baptism in the Salt Lake Emigration Stake. And now behold, my soul is filled with exceedingly great joy! :D wooohooo!!! Yeah, that was pretty awesome!!! This little fellow is 9 and he wanted to have halloween decorations at his baptism (at the linger-longer kind of thing), hahahha.

Speaking of Halloween...I LOVE Halloween!!! It's sooo cute! All these little kids dressed up in adorable costumes! :3 I had the greatest Halloween EVER!!! We had lunch as a district at Hires!

At 5 a.m. we went to the temple! It was such an amazing experience to be there with the whole mission (except for Wyoming and Park City) and serving the Lord in His house. All dressed in white. I think that is what Heaven must be like! I can't wait for our recent converts to go to the temple to make those covenants! Our converts will receive the Priesthood next week. The Bishops will talk to them about a temple recommend soon as well!!! :)

I am SOOO happy to be here for another transfer!

Honestly, I couldn't believe it! So now we have to prove ourselves to be worthy to be here :) We found two new investigators last week. One of them lost his wife a couple of months ago. We took our reactivated members with us to teach, It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission! They shared their conversion story with him and testified to him as well! It was amazing!!!! Sorry, I'm such a scatter-brain!

About Friday night... Halloween night and after the temple we went to the mission office. It was already 8.20 or so. We still had to eat dinner and start the talentshow!



Halloween talentshow USLCE mission 31 October 2014

We had a great time at the talent show! I love my mission and the other missionaries sooo much! There is no mission where I'd rather serve! Elder Lins, Elder Mohlman, Sister Guy and I sang 'I Am A Child Of God', and Elder Lins and I sang in our own languages (Portuguese  :) It was sooo much fun to see everybody again! I'm so grateful for the friendships that I've developed here and for the people that I've grown to love SO much! :) 

So...what do you do after baptizing 3 people in 8 days? Well, right now we're trying really hard to find solid new investigators... Everybody that we found is out of town, so that's not very helpful....!

But man, being a missionary is the greatest thing ever! Sometimes it is so incredibly hard! Especially on slow days. When you feel like you're not accomplishing anything. But it's so worth it! I always keep D&C 18 in mind:

 

And if it so be that ye should labor all your days in crying repentance unto my people and bring safe it be but one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father' (or something like that, I just quoted it from memory).

 

We're here to find the one.The one that we promised in the life before we came here to find. I have found some of these brothers and sisters of mine! I pray that we may continue to find those friends :)

I love you all so very much! I pray for you by name every day :) I love the eternal plan of happiness! The Church (Gospel) is true! 

Lots and Lots of Love

Sister Spijkerman <3  

*tromgeroffel* tranfers yes or no??????

Maandag 27 Oktober 2014

WELLLLL.....

Het nieuws waarop jullie allemaal hebben zitten wachten!!! TRANSFERS!!!! 

 

Geloof het of niet, maar Sister Guy en ik blijven hier samen voor another transfer!!! WHAAAA!!!! :D :D :D
We are sooooooooooo happy and so excited!!!

We've had an amazing weekend!!! Saturday we had two baptisms!!! :D The Spirit was sooo strong! I think this is what Heaven must be like! It's sooo amazing to be a missionary and to help other find their way back to our Heavenly Father and receive the blessings of eternity and exaltation! teh young boy of 12 one time after we taught him the Plan of Salvation he asked us why we couldn't stay with him forever! It was sooo cute!!! So we promised him that if he would continue to make the right choices and if we would do the same, that one day we will be able to live in the Celestial Kingdom together and we will be neighbors :) I love that boy SO much and I know y'all will love him too!!!

 

Our other dear friend was baptized too. It was a superspiritual baptism! Together with the Elders we sang I Know That My Redeemer Lives! Sister Guy and I were able to teach the message of the Restoration while he got changed after his baptism. President Eberhardt has asked us to teach the Restoration while our converts get changed so that investigators, nonmembers or less-actives that attend will gain a (stronger) testimony and will feel the Spirit. I really love it, because it's always superpowerful. And it's great for the members too, because hopefully it will motivate them to share the message of the Restoration with those around them :)

 

 

This upcoming Saturday we will have another baptism! Again a dear friend of us is getting baptized! He is sooo cute!!!! ahahha, Last Friday when we went over the baptismal interview questions we asked him if he remembered what the Law of Chastity was. He didn't. So his dad explained it to him again and Ethan responded with: JUUUUUUUUUUUCCCKKKK!!!! -_- Anyways, it was really funny, but I guess it's not as funny when you just read it....

So yeah...the work is amazing in Emigration Stake and I can't wait for this new transfer to see new miracles, to work hard, diligently, to be obedient and learn the lessons that I need to learn :)

As Isaiah in 2 Nephi 7:8 says: 'Let us stand together'. Reach out to each other in love and unity, because we need each other in these crazy times (at least, I know they're crazy. as a missionary you don't really notice that ;) )

I love each and every one of you sooo much and I send all of you a big hug and a big kiss :)

                                   *** HAPPY HALLOWEEN ***

Lots and Lots of Love

Your Missionary
Sister Spijkerman <3

 

Tieralalalie Tieralalala

Maandag 20 Oktober 2014

Een hele goede avond allemaal!!!! :D

Last week we had soooo much fun! It's been a great, great week!!! First of all,  our dear friend had his baptismal interview and he passed! Well, I didn't expect anything else, since he is an innocent 12 year old, but still! :D So he is getting baptized this Saturday!!!! Wooohoooo!!! We're sooo excited! Then our other investigator had an interview with president Eberhardt last week and he passed as well! :D And he is also getting baptized this Saturday!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOO happy!!!! And it's right before transfers, so I'll still be here! :D

As you know Halloween is coming up, so all the houses here are decorated like crazy! Some of them are really cute with a lot of pumpkins, others are superfreaky! So we decided that we, as missionaries in the Emigration Stake, needed to do something. So we all dressed up (Sister Bryner has a zillion costumes) and took pictures. what we want to do is leave this pictures with members and say: 'you've been boo'd by the missionaries' with an invitation for the members to invite their friends to the Halloween functions :) So the pictures turned out pretty great! I wanted to be a princess of course :3 hahaha, I mean, seriously, what else could I be ;)


Sister Guy was this Indian snake lady or something. Elder Mohlman was George Washington and Elder Lins was Mark (or Marc O.o) Anthony :) And sister Bryner had this HUGE fake spider and it scared the heck out of me, so when she pulled it out I screamed like crazy and that caused Elder Lins to scream, hahaha. I kind of scared him.... :)

Last week we also had interviews with president and it was wonderful! He asked me in which area I felt like I learned the most and I told him that I learned different lessons in both of 'my' areas, so I couldn't really tell him where I've learned the most.

But what I've learned so far on my mission is that patience will be rewarded, that Jesus Christ TRULY IS our Savior, that we need to be diligent at all times, even when nothing seems to be happening, that love is the key, that God IS our loving Heavenly Father and that miracles do happen EVERY day :) Obedience is the most important lesson that we need to learn on 'our' mission :)

I can't believe transfers is coming up again! Finally when things are starting to get going is when transfers hit! Whaaaaa! And we have a baptism 5 days after transfers! I just loooove this area!

Yesterday when I realized that it could be my second to last Sunday in these wards I just started crying... But I'll go where the Lord wants me to go :) but I think thats about all the highlights I can think of!

We're just soooo blessed with so much work to do and sooo many people to teach! :D And of course baptisms!!! It's soooo exciting to see when people get it! :) I LOVE my mission here in Salt Lake City SO much! I am sooo happy that I got to serve in the Utah Salt Lake City East Mission! :) I know many of you will disagree with me, but it is truly the BEST mission in the world! :) Sorry :P

I love you all! I'm soo grateful for all you do and for the beautiful individuals you are! God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be. This is how He shares His love for the family is of God. (it's a new primary song that I just absolutely LOVE) :) Raise your voice and testify, that the world may see the light. Anyone can make a difference! you can make a difference! Light your candle, hold the light high, that the world may see your light!


Lots and Lots of Love
Sister Spijkerman

Miracles and blessings

Maandag 13 oktober 2014

Haaaaai iedereen!!!! 

Happy Columbus Day!!!! (In my opinion Americans have too many holidays hahahaha, I can't keep tracj of all of them). 

 

This has by far been one of the greatest weeks on my mission! Don't get me wrong: I LOVE and cherish every moment, minute and second that I've had in the last couple of 10 months :) Oh my goodness...I can't believe I'm even able to say that I've had experiences in TEN months! Weeh, that makes me sooo sad! It went by too quickly! :O

 

Anyways, last week we were able to put a new investigator on date for the 25th! :D woohooo!!! His daughter got baptized last April and just got married to a LDS returned missionary! But he looooves coming to Church and feeling the Spirit and he loves the principle of repentance (and so do I :D)! So we'll keep praying that he'll stay on date! :) 

Then on Saturday we found another investigator :D She was a referral from a member. She told us that this lady wants to come to Church, more for like the social aspect of it. So we stopped by, got in and talked about Church and did how to begin teaching and it was super awesome! She wants to be happy and learn how to make the right choices! Well, let me tell you, the Gospel is THE answer! :D She was supposed to come to Church the next day, but when we called her (haha, can you believe that! I CALL people! ALL the time actually) she told us that she got food poisoning the night before because of eating crab salade (I'm telling ya, Satan is using EVERYTHING to keep people away from the Gospel. Even a dead crab! That's why we shouldn't be eating Sebastians) :-)But anyways, we have another appointment with her again this week, so we're excited! :D

Tonight our other investigator is going to have an interview with President after that we can put him on date (hopefully!!!) too. Most likely he'll get baptized on October 25th as well!! So if everything turns out as planned, we will have THREE baptisms that day! And one the week after that!

 

Salt Lake Zone 14 October 2014

Miracles are happening in the Emigration stake ! We are soooo grateful to be part of it! We texted our district leader (who serves in this stake as well) about all these miracles. He said that we were being blessed because of our diligence, obedience and patience. Then he said: Heavenly Father must really love both of you, or something'. hahaha, I just love the 'or something'-part :) This was also the first week on my mission that we taught more than 20 lessons that count in our key indicators!!!! :D Oh wait, well, I just can't remember the last time we had that many lessons!!! So the size of our area is about the size of half of Holtenbroek I would say.... It's sooo amazing to see how the Lord blesses us with so many people to teach in this tiny area! The power of the Lord is soooo real!!! It's sooo amazing! :D  

I would like to encourage all of you to start reading the Book of Mormon again. There are amazing promises that have been given to us as we do so. I had a couple of amazing quotes that I didn't bring with me... So you'll have to trust me that I know the prophets have promised blessings of peace, harmony and love as we read the Book of Mormon every day as a family and as an individual.

 

Elder Bednar encouraged us to focus your study of the Book of Mormon on a specific topic every time when you start over again. He encouraged us to get a new, plain copy every time and highlight the different topics. He promised we would be blessed with inspiration and answers. I just finished my study of the Book of Mormon last week and I started over again today. So I read the Title Page, the introduction (they are like the BEST thing EVER!), the Testimony of the Witnesses and Joseph Smith and A Brief Explanation. I decided that I would focus my study this time on Jesus Christ and His different titles and names. So everytime when I for example read 'Jesus Christ' or 'the Son' or 'the Messiah' I highlight those titles and name, so that I can restrengthen my testimony of the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ over and over again. This morning I already found 25! In just a couple of pages!

 

I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon is true. I LOOOVE it sooo much and I have seen the power of the Book of Mormon in people's lives. Don't underestimate it's power even when you've read it so many different times. I know that our homes and families will be blessed abundantly as we have that power and Spirit in our home :) Follow Moroni's invitation and just try it! :)

Well, I think that's all for this week! I can't really think of anything else.... OH! this week we had a tarantula in our front yard!!!! O______________________O

Brother Young caught it and put it in a cup. So when we came home that night he was like: Sister Spijkerman, I have a surprise for you! So he got the cup and told me he had a tarantula in it! WHAAAAAAAAAA O____O So I ran away and he decided not to tease me that much, so he took it up the mountain and let it go. Yuk.... They showed us pictures though.... so even though I'm not serving in Australia, I still have to deal with my fear of spiders. which is kind of ironic, because everybody calls me Spiderman...

I love you all so very VERY much and I hope you will have a wonderful rest of the week! When do yo have Herfstvakantie? :) Halloween is coming up here and people have some really scary, creepy decorations in their front yards..... O.O Anyways.... Love Y'all!!!

Lots and Lots of Love

Sister Spijkerman <3

ps. Sorry about my email in English. I have to admit that this didn't take as long as usual, because my brain just can't think in proper Dutch anymore, hahaha


 

  

tarantula spider (redactie) en Debby is echt heel bang voor spinnen. Zelfs die kleine baby dingetjes dus dit is echt een hele grote!!!

 

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! :D

Maandag 6 oktober 2014.

Halloooooooo!!!!!!

We hebben echt een SUPER week gehad!!!! Last Friday we put an investigator on date to be baptized for October 25th! :D WOOHOOOO!!! So, nu hebben we twee vrienden die binnenkort worden gedoopt en 1 andere vriend met een latere doopdatum! :D October 25th! :D November 1st! :D And January 19th! :D Wooohooooo!!! Go Salt Lake Emigration Stake! :D We voelen ons rijkelijk gezegend en we zijn zooo dankbaar voor een liefhebbende hemelse Vader!

 

Dan was het afgelopen weekend natuurlijk ook nog eens de mooiste tijd van het jaar! GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! :D Maaaan, I LOOOVED it SO much!!! :D I LOVED Elder Klebingkat's talk! I just needed to hear that Heavenly Father is pleased with what we're doing despite our weaknesses :) and I also loooved Elder Scott's talk! I loved how everybody talked about keeping our testimonies burning within us and working on our spiritual strength! We were able to attend the Sunday morning session at the conference center with my beloved member, a less-active member (who is almost active now), that we've been teaching! It was the BEST!

 

We were able to attend Music & The Spoken Word, because we were in the Conference Center SUPER early we were able to listen to their rehearsals as well! Tender mercies of the Lord! Guess who I saw at the Conference Center! :D BAS EN EVELIEN HOFSTEE!!!!!

 

We gaven elkaar een dikke knuffel en we praatten wat met elkaar (in mijn gebroken Nederlands met een Amerikaans accent uiteraard, haha). So, another tender mercy! :)

 

I LOVE being on my mission! I am SO grateful that I'm serving in the Utah Salt Lake City East Mission! I couldn't have served anywhere else! This mission isn't easy for sure, but oh my, how much I love it! Alma 26 is so beautiful! :) I KNOW the Church is true! I KNOW the Church is being led by a prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I KNOW the things they talked about is inspiration, that we will be blessed if we listen to their counsel and exhortation. They are not talking about these things to merely entertain us. These are literally the words from our Heavenly Father to richly bless our lives :)  I love y'all! :) Never doubt your testimony! 'Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not, fear not.' D&C 6:36 (one of my favorites) 

I pray for you and think about you! :) May the Lord bless you abundantly! And thanks for the package (I think I told you that, we're all getting older, so we are forgetting some more things too, haha :) )

Lots and Lots of Love

Sister Spijkerman <3

Hiep Hiep Hoera!

Maandag 29 september 2014

Hey allemaal,

Well, zoals ik al zei, ik heb niet veel tijd meer om te emailen. Hopelijk vinden jullie de foto's enigszins ok :) Ik heb de meest geweldige verjaardag OOIT gehad! Ik heb de rest van mijn pakketje opengemaakt en dankjewel voor alle lieve en mooie cadeautjes! :) Ons appartement had definitely een beetje decoratie nodig, dus JIPPIE! :D

 

Sister Winn (onze Duitse zuster van het zendingskantoor, secretaresse van president Eberhardt) belde ons tijdens onze studies en ze zong happy birthday! Sooooo CUTE! :3 daarna hadden we lunch met de Bryner's en de elders! :D De elders hadden zich in en hoekje verstopt om me met een happy birthday song te verrassen. Daarna was het tijd voor weekly planning (woohooo! :D) en daarna hadden we dinner met enkele leden. Het was tijd voor onze stake correlation (een meeting met alle ward mission leaders in de ring en de high counselor over zendingswerk) daarna gingen we bij een lid langs! We gaan regelmatig bij haar langs om de Schriften met haar te lezen. Ze wil graag het Boek van Mormon helemaal lezen (voor het eerst). Toen we binnenkwamen zette ze een Spaans verjaardagslied op. Ze vertaalde het voor ons en ze gaf me een tasje vol met cadeautjes met daarbij een ontzettend lief kaartje. Het was zooo bijzonder om mijn verjaardag met mijn familie hier te vieren! Echt supergeweldige herinneringen! :D

 

Daarna gingen we naar een echtpaar toen ze de deur opende hadden ze een cake met 20 kaarsjes en zongen ze happy birthday. We kregen allemaal een verjaardagskroontje (inclusief Dave! :D Ze gaven me allemaal cadeautjes! Man, it was the best and sweetest birthday ever! I love these people sooo incredibly much and I'm so grateful that we have found each other, to help each other find our way back to Heavenly Father :) 

Another miracle happened last week! I was able to go back home, to Canyon Rim, to be there for a baptism! Oh, how sweet the joy! I'm so deeply grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ who made repentance and this change possible, who made this baptism possible! O, sweet the joy this sentence gives! I know that my Redeemer lives! I know with all my heart that He lives, that He is our Savior and that by coming unto Him we will find the most peace and happiness that cannot be found anywhere else! I'm so grateful for all the wonderful lessons that I've learned on my mission! I'm so grateful how much I've grown and how much I've come closer unto my Savior. I'm so grateful for the hope of a brighter future and for the hope and knowledge of eternal life.

 

My mission has shown me a glimpse of that promise and I can't wait to see all the people that I've met throughout my life in that place! :) I know that I've been callled to the Utah Salt Lake City East mission for a reason and I've seen that reason many, many times on my mission. I'm grateful for the priesthood and worthy men who hold the priesthood to bless mankind. To walk as the Savior walked. I know the power of prayer and fasting is real and I know that God is a God of miracles and that we're able to witness miracles EVERY day. As long as we have the eyes to see them. I love my Savior. I love my Father in Heaven. I love you, my family. I love you, my friends. I love all of my brothers and sisters and I pray that I will keep finding those that I promised to find.

 

Friday I found a scripture that I shared during our district's testimony meeting:  And now, behold, my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you, and also this generation; yea, and even the Father rejoiceth, and also all the holy angels, because of you and this generatio; for none of them are lost (see 3 Nephi 27:30)

 

I know our Heavenly Father and our Savior loves us. I know they are smiling upon us:) 

I love you all. :) 

Heel Veel Liefs,

Jullie 20-jarige dochter, vriendin, zus, etc <3
Sister Spijkerman

 

 

STOKOUD O.O

Maandag 22 september 2014,

Halloooootjes allemaal!!!

Poeh, poeh! Wat een week! :D Allereerst moesten we verhuizen, wat een ontzettende chaos was! Maar we hebben het overleefd en we zijn nu fijn genesteld in ons nieuwe appartement :) Daarnaast 'vonden' 'we' (natuurlijk is het niet ons die nieuwe onderzoekers vinden. Het is onze hemelse Vader die mensen op ons pad brengt :) ) twee nieuwe onderzoekers! De een is een eternigator (een eeuwige onderzoeker) die niet door de elders onderwezen wilde worden (ik weet het, arme elders....), maar ze wil wel door de zusters onderwezen worden! jippie! :D

Daarnaast kwam er een nieuw gezin vanuit California in een van onze wijken komen wonen. Wij werden gevraagd om hun zoon te onderwijzen :D Jippie!!! :D Dus afgelopen zaterdag hadden we een afspraak met hen en de jongen zei niet zoveel, maar we konden merken dat hij ons wel mocht :) Hij maakte voor ons een Mii op zijn Nintendo DS en toen we weggingen, sprong hij op, omdat hij niet wilde dat we weggingen en hij gaf ons een hele dikke knuffel :) zooooo schattig!!!! :3 We hadden de gelegenheid om 2 Nederlanders op Temple Square rond te leiden. Mijn Nederlands is gewoon verschrikkelijk, hahahahah XD Ik probeerde in het Nederlands te spreken, maar ze zeiden wel dat ze konden merken dat ik er heel erg veel moeite mee had. Het was zoooo cool om als zendelinge in mijn eigen taal te mogen onderwijzen en vertalen! :D Ze vonden de tempel heel erg interessant!

 Het zou zoooo geweldig zijn als we in Nederland ook een bezoekerscentrum zouden hebben! Dat zou een geweldig missionary tool zijn! Wanneer ik weer eens een algemene autoriteit tegen kom, zal ik het hem wel vragen, hahaha. Nee, echt even serieus, dat zou geweldig zijn! :D Toen we vertrokken zeiden ze dat ik een Amerikaans accent had, whahahahahha XD oh my gosh! I'm the wooooorrrrst!!!! nu spreek ik geen enkele taal meer! Geen Engels EN geen Nederlands! :( 

Maar goed, mijn verjaardag! Hemeltjelief! TWINTIG!!! WHAAAAAA!!!!! Op mijn verjaardag hebben we niet zoveel bijzonders te doen. Well, dat is niet waar. We gaan oefenen voor de doopdienst op zaterdag (de elders hebben een doopdienst en we gaan met hun zingen), Daarna hebben we een lunch, weekly planning (geen idee hoe dat in het Nederlands heet) en daarna hebben we dinner bij een gezin. Daarna gaan we onze vrienden bezoeken (yup, de mensen die we onderwijzen zijn zeker weten onze vrienden :)) Dus eigenlijk heb ik een geweldige verjaardag! :D

 

Dankjewel voor het GEWELDIGE pakketje! Iedereen vindt mijn blauwe jurk helemaal geweldig en mijn cruesli is gewoon helemaal het einde! :3 ik heb nog niet alle cadeautjes opengemaakt, maar degene die ik heb opengemaakt waren geweldig :) dankjulliewel voor al jullie liefde!

 

gratitude wall in my apartment

Ik houd zo ontzettend veel van jullie! Er zijn geen woorden in de taal van de natuurlijke mens die kunnen beschrijven hoeveel ik van jullie houd :) Ik ben zo dankbaar dat ik een zendelinge mag zijn en dat ik de Geest elke dag mag voelen. Ik ben zo immens dankbaar dat ik mijn vrienden vanuit het vooraardse leven weer heb gevonden en dat we hen kunnen helpen om weer in het koninkrijk van onze hemelse Vader terug te keren. Zoals we elkaar hiervoor hadden beloofd. Ik ben ZO dankbaar voor de verzoening van Jezus Christus, dat Hij ons begrijpt en dat we dankzij Hem in Zijn tegenwoordigheid terug kunnen keren.

 

Ik ben zo ontzettend dankbaar voor de tempel en dat gezinnen voor eeuwig kunnen zijn door de macht van het Priesterschap. Gisteren was de Ogden Temple dedication en het was zooooo mooi om het te mogen zien! Ik kan niet wachten om weer naar de tempel in Nederland te gaan en weer tempelwerk te kunnen doen! Maar voor nu, het zendingswerk voor de levenden is zoooo geweldig! Ik kan niet geloven dat de helft er al op zit! :( I want to return with no regrets and serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength! :) 

I Love Y'all!
Heel Veel Liefs


Sister Spijkerman <3

TRANSFERSSSSS!!!!

Maandag 15 september 2014,

Halloootjes allemaal!!!!

Well....het nieuws waarop jullie allemaal hebben zitten wachten!!! :D TRANSFERS!!!! En ik kan jullie in alle vreugde vertellen dat ik in de Emigration Stake blijf MET mijn lieve dochter :D (zendingstaal red.) YIPPIEEEEE!!!:D

 Alleen het mindere nieuws is dat we moeten verhuizen :( De andere helft van deze Ring is getting whitewashed by elders. De elders are going to move into our apartment and we have to move to the apartment where the other sisters are currently staying. *zucht*. Vandaag moeten we alles gaan verhuizen :(  Gelukkig hebben we ons appartement schoongehouden, dus we hoeven niet ontzettend veel schoon te maken :) Maar toch... daar gaat onze preparation day.... :(!!!

Afgelopen week was een week met veel ups en downs. Een onderzoeker kwam niet opdagen toen we een afspraak hadden. Afgelopen zaterdag hadden we 'the avenues fair', (zoiets als de blauwvinger dagen in Zwolle). De hele week baden we dat we nieuwe mensen zouden vinden die voorbereid waren en die gewillig waren om naar onze boodschap te luisteren. We waren aan het lopen toen we jongeren zagen met hun vrienden. We raakten aan de praat en  vroegen aan een van zijn vrienden in welke wijk hij was. Hij antwoordde dat hij geen lid was en nu moet ik hem eventjes in het Engels quoten: 

District A Salt Lake City Zone

' I'm actually not a member, but I've been thinking about becoming converted, because I just feel like it's true.' so we were like: well, we can help you with that :) We vroegen zijn moeder of we hem konden onderwijzen en ze zei  'we could teach him anytime' :D YIPPIE!!!

Tijdens die fair kwamen we een van onze bischoppen ons tegen en hij zei dat een nieuw gezin in de wijk was gekomen. Ze hebben een 12-jarige zoon die nog niet is gedoopt. Wij kunnen hem ook gaan onderwijzen! Wie weet kan hij binnenkort ook gedoopt worden :D WOOHOOO!!! :D 

Dan nog een ander wonder! :D
Diezelfde zaterdagavond hadden we niet zoveel te doen. Niemand was thuis of niemand had tijd om met ons te praten. In de directory vonden we een naam. We besloten langs te gaan. We klopten op de deur en een man opende de deur. Begroette ons hartelijk en liet ons binnen. Zijn vrouw/vriendin zat op de bank met hun pasgeboren baby van een maand oud. Ze zeiden dat we precies op het juiste moment waren gekomen. Hij was 20 jaar geleden voor het laatste naar de kerk gekomen. Zij was 3 jaar geleden gedoopt, vlak daarna kwam zij niet meer naar de kerk. De afgelopen paar maanden, hebben ze zitten praten over terug keren. Ze wilden eigenlijk de zendelingen ontmoeten zodat zij hen kon helpen om terug te keren. WOW! Als dat geen wonder is! :)

 

Onze Hemelse Vader kent zijn kinderen en Hij weet wat ze nodig hebben! Ik ben zo dankbaar dat we naar de Geest luisterde die zei dat we deze mensen moesten bezoeken! :) We spraken over het Boek van Mormon en we vroegen hem de inleiding te lezen. Na de 1ste regel stroomde de tranen over zijn wangen, omdat hij de Geest zo sterk voelde. Hij zei dat hij de Geest alleen al voelde door het Boek vast te houden. Ze hebben een sterk verlangen om terug te keren. We hebben hun de uitdaging gegeven om elke dag in het Boek van Mormon te lezen. Samen te bidden en we komen graag terug om hen meer te onderwijzen :) MAN! Tender mercies of the Lord! :) Our prayers were answered in a very real and profound way. The power of prayer is real. When we think all is lost, He is right there. How grateful I am for His love and mercy! How grateful I am that we can be an answer to somebody's prayer :)  

Ik houd van jullie allemaal en ik kan niet geloven dat ik nu echt al 9 maanden op zending ben! WHAAAAAAAA!!!! Het gaat zooooo snel voorbij!!!! O.O Jullie hadden allemaal gelijk, hahahah :)

Ik hoop dat jullie ook een antwoord op iemands gebed zullen zijn deze week en dat jullie de zendelingen blijven helpen en uitnodigen voor dinner of voor onderwijzen in jullie huis!

Love y'all!!!

Heel Veel Liefs

Sister Spijkerman <3