Life goes on

A lot of people ask me how I'm doing. If adjusting is hard. A lot of times I told them it was hard. And it was and still is sometimes. I felt like I didn't belong here. I wanted to go back to the place where I felt accepted, loved and appreciated. I wanted to go back to Suriname so bad. I was probably just scared to start the next chapter in my life. I came back to the world and I hated it. I felt like I wasn't allowed to be myself. I learned to love myself on my mission, but why wasn't I able to feel that same way? I watched the movie 'The Greatest Showman' and I love the song 'This is Me'. I felt like a stranger in my own country. At the beginning of the song, she sings 'hide away they say, 'cause we don't want your broken parts'. That's how I felt. I felt like I couldn't be broken. So I hid myself, I didn't want to be seen. I wanted to run away. I wanted to move out. I looked for apartments, but when I prayed about that, Heavenly Father was like, no you are staying heren. I didn't understand. I was so sure that would make me a lot happier. But He knew it wouldn't. So I felt so unhappy for these two months and I was scared to get depressed.

I remember thinking about moving back to Suriname. I didn't want to do the study I was doing. That's when I decided to kneel down and ask Heavenly Father. I even went to the temple to pray about these things, because I did not know what to do. A week later, I went on an internship for a full week at an elementary school. It was so much fun and I realized that this is what I wanted to do. This is what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. The kids just made me so happy and helped me see who I was. Kids are just amazing and they accept you as you are. That's when I realized that I had not been the person I had become on my mission and the person that I wanted to be. At the end of the week, it was General Conference. That changed my life. I felt prompted to share my story, because I know that there are a lot of returned missionaries who are struggling. 

So how did General Conference change my life? I realized that I was hiding myself, and that I didn't share my light, because I was scared. President Nelson invited all the sisters to hold a social media fast for 10 days. So I decided to stop using Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. Before General Conference I already felt prompted to spend less time on my phone. So I decided to use my phone less in public spaces, so I

would be able to share my light, to share the gospel if possible. There were so many times where I just looked around and thought to myself 'this world is so pretty, full of amazing people'. I smiled at people and instead of looking at my phone I could see them smiling back. That filled my heart with joy.

So I want to invite everyone to look around and see who needs you today. Everyone could use a smile. Especially from you! I want to invite you to do a social media fast for 10 days to see how it changes your life. I was able to have more time for school, hobbies and others around me. I used WhatsApp and Messenger to uplift my friends. I also had more time for my family. I argued with my parents a lot these last two months, but now I feel more love for them. I try to serve and help them.

So people, look up. Notice the people and the beauty around you. I promise that it will make you happy. Because it made me happy. And I thank my Heavenly Father for the change that I've experienced. I'm glad that I'm not the same person as I was on my mission. I'm trying to be even better. Never stop becoming, becoming like our Saviour Jesus Christ. I know it was only because of Him that I was able to make that change. I applied the Atonement of Jesus Christ and I applied Jesus Christ in my life. That's when things started to change. Never forget Him. You don't have to do it alone. He's always by your side, but you need to decide if you want to walk with Him.

I know the gospel of Jesus Christ ahs been restored. I know Russell M. Nelson is called of God to guide us now. Listen to him. I know Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are always there to guide you and me. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Mission Life #75 Last but not LEAST

Maandag, 6 augustus 2018

Goedemiddag!!!

This last week was honestly a little rough. My companion is struggling, so it was hard for me to stay motivated. Luckily my district is just freaking awesome.. A lot of lessons fell through, but we had some great lessons I want to talk about. 

First of all: P. family. I think I told you about them, if I haven't already, well I freaking love them. They are so so cute. We had an amazing lesson and we invited the 9-year old to be baptized. She accepted and she was so happy! In her prayer she thanked God that she could finally be baptized. Mijn dag kon niet meer stuk. Then we went to A., our other progressing investigator. We are really good in following the Spirit with him. We teach him what he needs. He is in a divorce and he is having a hard time. We listened (trust me he talks a lot so it was een hele opgave) and shared scriptures he needed to hear. The next time he felt so much better! We wanted to talk about the plan of Salvation, but we kept talking about the gospel and about baptism. The spirit was so strong. It was building up. On the crescendo we invited him to be baptized. He said yes! We invited him for the first of September. He couldn't say no, but also couldn't say yes. But it made him think. It was so amazing!!! It has been a while since I've felt the Spirit that strong. We should never be afraid to follow the Spirit.

We stopped by another investigator we hadn't seen in a while. She is a daughter of a member and she goes to church because of her mom. Her heart is not open. And trust me, we've prayed so much! We just felt like it was all her now. So we were there. She just woke up (people sleep here all the time! Even when it's like 3 or 4 or 5 pm) and she was not having it. Short answers. I got really mad inside and I told Heavenly Father I did not know what to do. We felt like we should just get to know her. So she loves movies! Especially cartoons and animation. We talked about Disney for probably too long (you all know I LOVE Disney). Then I felt prompted to share a Mormon message. Listen carefully, a Mormon message. I told her let's watch one, without knowing which one. Then sister Spencer had one. Shower of Heavenly blessings. It started raining. And our investigator just loved it so much! She completely opened up. I think we just need to teach her like a kid. We've not been teaching her in the way she needs to be taught. It was amazing to see the difference. I think she can really feel our love for her. Also my companion and her are going to read the Book of Mormon in Dutch in 6 weeks. It's a race. Really hard one haha. 

I shared this with my mom and dad and I want to share it with you too. It's in Dutch. 

We hadden de familie P. (van Guyana I love them so much!) uitgedaagd om hun getuigenissen te delen gisteren. Dus 2 van ze hebben dat gedaan, inclusief degene die nog niet gedoopt is! Ze zei in haar getuigenis dat ze me zal missen. I cried en toen liep ik naar voren. De Geest gaf me de dingen die ik moest zeggen. Na afloop kwam er een zuster naar me toe en ze was in tranen. We omhelsden elkaar en huilden. Ik vind het zo moeilijk om vaarwel te zeggen. Ik kan het gewoon niet uitleggen. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing ever. It feels like home! In the song 'prayer of the Children'  it says 'help me to feel the love again for my own land'. I am scared honestly, but I pray that I can and may feel this same love for my own land, Nederland.

I just want to close with my testimony. I've shared my testimony every single day. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. I've learned on my mission that Joseph Smith has done more save Jesus only for the salvation of men that has ever lived upon the earth (DC 130:5 or something). Because of the Restoration, we can be restored with God, we can be connected, protected. Because of Joseph Smith the plates were translated. Because of the diligence of olden day prophets we can read the words that we need to read so we can receive answers to our prayers and questions. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. 

I've asked Heavenly Father multiple times. The Book of Mormon is my compass and it will always be. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior. He has done so much for me. He has raised me up. I'm a perfectionist, but I've learned that I cannot and don't need to be perfect. That's why we have Christ. 'Come unto me and be perfected in me is what moronic tells us. What ever you are facing right now, Christ is there. By his grace you can do it! Grace is the enabling power to do whatever HE wants you to do. I know He lives. I'm so grateful that I have served my mission. I'm going to miss Suriname and Bonaire so so much. I know it has blessed my life more than I could ever imagine. I've learned more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This is the way. He is the way. If you've lost your way, find Christ! He is always there. Work hard pray often! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Vaarwel!!

Lobi,
Zuster Spijkerman

Mission LIfe #74 ran out of time last time

Maandag, 30 juli 2018

SORRY I ran out of time last week.

I'm just going to tell you about this last week though. So on Monday we went to waterkant with our district. It's next to the Surinaamse rivier and there is a ford and fun stuff. We took lots of pictures and performed in the middle of palmentuin, singing 'prayer of the children' It was freaking awesome. I love the missionaries I am serving with. 

We also performed at the Pioneersday activity. It was awesome to hear about the pioneers of Suriname. Everyone is a pioneer. I'm a pioneer, because I am the first Dutch sister missionary to serve here in e. How are you a pioneer?

We've talked to so many people last week! we are really trying to talk to 20 people. We weren't able to reach it yet. We talked to 16 people the other day. 

Friday. It was an awesome day. I told my mission president this:

We went contacting Friday morning. Mornings are usually not the best, but something zuster Jordan taught me is that there are different people at different times. So we met a lady from Guyana. She was just on a vacation for a couple days. She had met with the elders before. She invited us in. Kind of had a lesson with her. She really wanted the elders to come to her house in Guyana. The cool part of this all is that I prayed that morning, that I would have the eyes to see the spiritual experiences, to notice them. And Heavenly Father truly answered my prayer.

I went on exchanges to Rainville! 

Said goodbye to some people, including Justin. I made a video. It's to big to upload but I will show you whenever I see you! I love him so much. I also got to say goodbye to the family I found last transfer, or 2 transfers ago. The mom is progressing a lot! It's awesome to see. I took a picture with them. Sunday was amazing. OUr most progressing investigator came again. He takes notes and everything. He is amazing! I'm so glad that the elders found him and that we are able to teach him. 

 

I know that when we let our light shine, it will help others having the desire to let their light shine. I am so grateful that I can share my light with the people of Suriname for one more week. I know Heavenly Father puts people in/on our path. I know He is always there. It reminds me of a scripture I read the other day. In Moroni 8:2 

"I rejoice exceedingly that your Lord Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work." I know Heavenly Father is always mindful of me, so is His Son.

I finished reading the Book of Mormon this morning. I want to share my experience and testimony. I wrote all the things down that Moroni invites us to do. The first thing is to 'remember how merciful the Lord hath been'. It touched me, because Heavenly Father has been so merciful. He sent me here and it's been a big blessing in my life. The second thing he invited me to do is to pray and ask God, the eternal Father in the name of Jesus Christ if these things are not true. So I did. I knelt down and thanked God for being so merciful. Then I asked if these things were not true. And my heart werd warm. Tears filled my eyes. I feel the same way now I'm telling you about this. My soul is warm. I felt this feeling that is hard to describe. But today I want to testify to you that the Book of Mormon is true. I've only ready the Book of Mormon twice on my mission, but I've learned so much from it through the power of the holy Ghost. I read things at the right time, they encouraged me. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I invite everyone to do the same thing as I did. To pray and ask in faith if it is not true. I know with my whole heart that you will receive that answer through the power of the Holy Ghost. It will make you smile, it will make you feel good. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I love you all so so much!

Lobi/Liefs,

Zuster Spijkerman

Mission Life #73 New mission President

Maandag, 23 juli 2018

President Braird and his wife for the first time in Suriname

De nieuwe zendingspresident is geweldig! Hij wil deze zending alleen beter maken en hij wil dat vooral doen door al onze talenten te gebruiken.

I love my companion, zuster Spencer.

Saturday was a hard day, it was hot and everyone cancelled on us. We went to church to practice a song with the ZHV/RS. President Verweij (red. yup elder Verweij die in Apeldoorn heeft gediend) asked us if we could translate for the fireside. We told him we had an appointment, but we felt bad, because we wanted to help him out. We decided to pray and aske God for advice. So we did and I felt lik we should confirm our appointment one more time. It was with a less active member, 23 years old. He said he is waiting for us, so we knew we had to go to our appointment. Then the elders came too and they were able to translate. So they answered our prayer. We had an amazing lesson about the Atonement. He said that the lesson inspired him to go to church and we didn't mention church at all. It was cool how the Spirit really guided that lesson. He committed to come to church and he did!


I know God hears and answers our prayers. He gives us council. We read Alma 37:37 in church yesterday and that's what we did. He truly guided us. God knows where we need to be and what we need to say in order to touch the hearts of the people here. I know He is always there for me. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lobi,
Zuster Spijkerman




Ps Red. Sister Spijkerman ran out of time for writing a weekly letter for her blog. These are words that she wrote to us or her mission president so that she still had something for her blog. Enjoy!

Zone conference with the new mission president Baird and sister Baird

Mission Life #72 Finding the elect 2.0

Maandag, 16 juli 2018.

Goedemiddag iedereen!

 

Where do I even start? 

I don't have time to tell you about week 71, so I will just tell you about this last week. It was amazing. It flew by. it was also kinda crazy. We found so many coool people!! So our first day in Kwatta we had aa appointment with a guy named Gerson. We couldn't find his house and he didn't answer his phone. We kinda forgot about him, till one day. We were kinda like in the neighborhood and didn't know what to do. So we were looking for him again. There was this little boy. We asked him if he knew where the 5 grey houses were. And he led us there and then disappeared. Our little angel. He wasn't there, but we were able to call him and set up a new appointment. HE IS AMAZING! He understands super well! And he sees this as a sign. The second lesson his girlfriend joined us at the end. We talked to her for a little bit and it turned out that the elders visit her mom! Super awesome. 

WeE just had so many good lessons with elect people. Anand is one of our other investigators. He is a drug addict, but received a priesthoodblessing a couple weeks ago and hasn't touched it since. He really wants to be baptized. He said that he wants to listen to God, because God listens to him! AMEN bro. 

And then after the lesson we called our next appointment. He cancelled. Great. En nu? I remembered a recent convert who is less active. He was taught by the elders in Paramaribo but he lives in our area now. He was missing for a couple months. No one knew where he went. So we found him! That was a huge miracle! And then we talked to 2 girls on the street and they are amazing. One of the girls is so prepared! We had 2 lessons with her already. When we talked about Joseph Smith and asked her if she has ever wondered which church is true. She said yes. She has been praying for that for the longest time, but she was never able to find the truth. And now we are teaching her! So amazing. 

We had to go to the doctor, because I have a weird rash on my foot and sister Spencer had a really really bad sunburn with blisters and stuff. I talked to a really cool man there! It took like 4 hours to get there, geholpen worden, get the medication stuff. So dat was een beetje gek. All the lessons fell through so we stopped by Lativa. It was her son's birthday. I was there last year too! We just said hi got some food and left to our appointment, which fell through. Then on our way back a man yelled at us. Kom je ook uit Rotterdam? So we turned around. This man was sooooo drunk my goodness. But he said he admires us. When I pointed at my nametag he was like 'I love you' and he gave us both a hand kiss. UGH! I washed my hand like 3 times. :)

So the new challenge is to talk to 20 people everyday. We pretty much did that on Saturday! For all of our appointments fell through so we talked to everyone. It was great. No one was really interested except for a man from Sint Maarten! But bearing testimony of heavenly Father is the greatest thing ever. It makes them feel loved, because they are loved! We needed toilet paper, and I only had $3,25 SRD. So I prayed and the toilet paper was only $2,25. Miracles. 

Then I felt like I should talk to this kid sitting on his bromfiets. I was scared though because maybe he was a creeper. He looked so sad though! So we told him God loves him and it touched him. Oh earlier that day we talked to a lady from Nederland! That was really cool. She had been to temple square in Salt Lake City! Crazy! She doesn't believe in God but she was really respectful.

YESTERDAY. (Sunday)
Boy. I experienced a fullness of joy. We were in church and right before sacrement meeting 3 investigators walked in. 1 of them is a 9 year old who's not baptized but the rest of the family is. The other ones were Anand and Aniel. Aniel was a referral from the other elders in the branch. Their first contact was really awkard 'geen tijd, bel me maar'. They never called him, because he didn't seem interested. A couple months later the man saw them and told them to call him. They did and had an appointment, but it was outside of their area. So we taught him. He is amazing! And he came to church! During sacrement I prayed and thanked Heavenly Father for the miracles. Sister Spencer and I looked at each other and tears filled our eyes. We were so grateful, so happy. We sang in sacrament meeting. We are going to start a choir! Finally!!!! 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve my Heavenly Father by serving the people here. My testimony of the Restoration grew. It is a special message and most important message people can hear. It is the truth. Because the truth is restored we have the fullness of the gospel. We can have a fullness of joy. And I know that you all can feel this happiness I feel right now by sharing the knowledge you have of God. He is our loving Heavenly Father. He watches over us.

I love you all and I want to leave these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lobi,

Zuster Spijkerman

ps I didn't take a lot of pictures sorry. We had a perfect avocado though! SOO GOOD

Mission Life #71 new challenge!

Maandag, 9 juli 2018.

Hi everyone! 

Ik heb geen tijd AAH stom.... (dus heeft zuster Spijkerman maar een stukje uit de brief gekopieerd die zij naar haar zendingspresident heeft gestuurd. red). 

I love Kwatta so much! Especially the members. We got to know more of our investigators, which was awesome. President I just want to thank you for your challenge to talk to 20 people every day. In our DCA I just didn't really have a huge desire to talk to people. And I felt so bad, because I want to serve God with my whole heart, mind, might and strength till the end of my mission and I prayed so much to get that desire back. And the challenge was an answer to my prayer. We talked to so many people, not 20 a day, but like 10 or so. It made me so exited to go out and see who nees the gospel.

Yesterday we were biking to our DCA and it started poring. So much rain, it was insane. We could not bike. Lativa, a recent convert I prepared for baptism a year ago, lived nearby and she didn't come to church. So we felt prompted to go there. We got there all wet, bus she gave us towels and everything. We felt so much love. We asked her how she was doing. And she started crying. She is having some problems with her husband, who's not a member and not really religious at all. I know God sent us to her. Í'm grateful that the rain brought us there, she needed us.

I'm so grateful to be on a mission, to be back in Kwatta and see the changes. It's amazing to me that there are so many people that needed you and I also needed them. I gave a talk yesterday about faith and miracles. I talked a lot about miracles with president Egbert, I know God is a God of miracles and I want to have the eyes to see those miracles. I know He is there, He loves me so much, I love Him. He is my Father in Heaven who hears e. I love being a missionary. I love this work. And I know He is helping and guiding all of us. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

lobi,

Zuster Spijkerman

Appartement van de zendelingen zusters in Kwatta juli 2018.

Mission Life #70 THREE TIMES IS A CHARM / DRIE KEER IS SCHEEPSRECHT.

Dinsdag 3 juli 2018

Hello folks!

This week was gek. It started in Rainville! 

I said goodbye to some of the members. We had some really good lessons with some people. We had a short lesson with 2 kids. We thought they weren't really interested. But they knew so much about God and Jesus Christ!! I learned a lot from them. She said that we need to pray because He created us. Amen. That's the least we can do. Talk to Him and tell Him how grateful we are.

We had a really cool experience with a member present lesson. We don't have a strong relationship with this member. But she bore a perfect testimony and she really followed the Spirit in teaching. We drove in the car with her, we talked some afterwards and now our relationship is a lot better. I didn't really love this person yet but now I do. Later that night we had a meeting. She walked in and she waved to us. Sister Didier and I high fived each other. Mission accomplished. That was our goal. Not for her to wave at us, but just to have a better relationship with her.,

I went to Kwatta on Thursday. Justin came back the day before so I said bye to him. Wow I love that man.

 So KWATTA!!!!

I love it! I love love love my companion! She is super cute, hard working, diligent, sweet person. She plays the flute and piano! It's great. She's from Canada. 

On Thursday we had coordination meeting. Afterwards we walked to our bikes and I saw the branch president standing by his car. I felt like I should ask him if there is anything we can do for him. But I ignored it and walked to the bikes. The thought popped up again. He was talking to the elders and interrupting would be awkward. But I knew what I had to do. So we walked back and we asked him if we could help him with anything. He said no. I kept standing there and he started talking. He had a really rough week and he told me about his struggle. I'm so glad I followed the prompting. It helped him and it helped me. It also strengthened our relationship. 

We had some awesome lessons on Saturday. Most of them about the Restoration. There is this guy, who has been looking for a church and just doesn't know what to believe. It was an amazing lesson. And sister Spencer's Dutch is so good too! She has been visa waiting for 3 months, so she didn't speak Dutch for 3 months. I know there is a God, because I know she could not speak that well without Him. Sunday we had a really spiritual lesson with a 16 year old boy. I didn't expect a lot (sorry me of little faith woops). But he said that he wants to learn more about God because he knows it will help him. 

I 'm working on not hesitating. I just want to DO IT. Vooral met promptings. So there was an old woman, really cute. She was just standing there. looked like she wanted to cross the street. We biked passed her and I looked back and she looked at me and I was like OKAY TERUG. So we go there and this lady immediately said are you from Zoetermeer or Zwolle? I was like how do you know that I'm from Zwolle. Kinda weird. I don't really remember how she like knew that, BUT we helped her crossing the road. 

De 3 Nederlanders moesten hun volkslied zingen (4th of July came up this week).

Elder Groenendijk, Elder Tom Peters en zuster Joëlle Spijkerman, laatste 2 uit de Ring Apeldoorn op zending

So I'm glad the Spirit told me to go back. Because a lot of things could've happened. I know that if we are willing to follow the promptings of the Spirit we have peace of mind and we feel good, because we did God's will. I want to invite all of you to not HESITATE, follow the promptings because that's when you follow Him. I know Heavenly Father guides us. He leads us. I know He lives, because of that. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Lobi,

zuster Spijkerman

Mission Life #69 TRANSFER CALLS

Maandag, 25 juni 2018

Hello everyone!

Last Monday all of our appointments fell through. We had no idea what to do. The name of a family kept coming to my mind. We went there and we sat down. They are from Brasil. It was awesome to see that God led us there.

We are teaching a man from Nigeria and he is AWESOME! I know he will be baptize one day. We talked about the Book of Mormon. We were scared that he would reject it, but he was actually really interested. The member we took with us bore her testimony. It was wonderful.

 

On Wednesday morning one of our appointments fell through. God always has a plan right!? So the lady downstairs told us her neighbor wasn't home, so we talked to her and she let us in right away! Talked about Jesus! It was awesome. Then we got our transfer calls unexpectedly!!! Zuster Didier is staying, but I'm going to Kwatta with a greenie! (well she served in US for 2 transfers already). So we will kinda blank the area, but I know it pretty well. Zuster Woolsey will go to Bonaire, so I will never see her again. Zuster Jordan is going home! Cry. I was so surprised. I thought I was staying. But God has a plan. And I'm excited about it!

We had a lesson with a guy, Giovanni. We planned on teaching the restoration, but the Spirit guided us and we just asked who God was to him. He went of, saying beautiful things like, He's my pillar (I thought of pillar of light of course), He has my heart. He shared a beautiful sacred experience he had with God. The spirit was so strong. I know he felt it too. Hij wil niet dat de liefde die hij voor God heeft, aangetast wordt. So my testimony of God grew this week. I know He is there. He helped me to know how to help zuster Didier. He showed me what to do. I fasted and prayed to have the Spirit in me. Not the spirit of contention, but a spirit of love. I know He heard my prayer. I know He loves me, and that love I have for Him can never be damaged.

mijn fiets valt regelmatig uit elkaar :) 

Ik heet nu zuster Bikerman, ik fix ze nu zelf

Thank you everyone for your support. I'm so grateful that I can be here. I know I'm here for a reason. I know I'm going back to Kwatta for a reason. I love Him so much. Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart and lean not on thine own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). I thank Him everyday. I invite you to say a prayer of thanks. He has given you so much. And I say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. amen.

Liefs
Zuster Spijkerman

Mission Life # 68 Finding the elect

Maandag, 18 juni 2018

What a week... An awesome week! 

Monday we had zone activity and we watched the best two years. So awesome!  

Tuesday we were on our way to district meeting. We were gonna watch the Be one celebration with the whole zone. Sister Didier's tire was a little flat so we pumped it up. Took a while. But then when we were biking again, my chain fell off. We were the ones with the celebration on our flashdrive. Putting my chain on again would take too long. So we walked somewhere and the senior couple and some elders picked us up. 

But the celebration was so awesome!! I can recognize some of the things from Suriname! And it just reminded me of the time I was in the blackgospel choir with school. And when we sang Baba Yetu with the Stake choir. My testimony was strengthened of the priesthood. We need it for our salvation. Someone said that the veil is breaking or is getting thinner. Which means Jesus Christ is coming closer and closer! I know President Nelson is the prophet. He wants us to be ONE!!! "and if ye are not one ye are not mine"  (DC 38:27).

On Thursday morning we went to our appointment but the lady wasn't there. We talked to all the people around there already. At least I thought. 

But sister Didier said 'we should talk to her'. So we tried but it was a lady we already talked to 2 of 3 times before. But she said that she is really happy every time she sees us. So that made me feel good haha. This day was amazing. I've been praying a lot you know,  and  I knew we had to find more people. And we had an hour of power and we went to this apartment building and talked to everyone there. We talked to a guy, Giovanni. We talked about the Restoration and eventually he sat down and really listened. He told us he visited some other churches, but he wants more. He lives with his mom. He was born in Rotterdam, but his mom wanted to move back to Suriname so he went with her to take care of her. I know he is ready to hear the gospel. He also saw us doing service for a random guy who was weeding his garden. I know we did the service so Giovanni could see that we are servants of the Lord. 

I went on exchanges on Friday with sister Woolsey! She is an amazing sister missionary and I learned a lot. We were at the same street as the Jehova Witness at the same time. Fun things. They were nice though. Tried to talk to a lady but she just yelled at us, that we were liars and stuff. When she would finally let us talk we testified of Christ and of God. Told her she's a child of God, but she forgot. It was a cool experience actually. We had some awesome lessons totally guided by the Spirit. In the evening we had a meeting and I had the chance to see some members. I was so happy!! I took a picture with them. I love them so much. They said that I'm welcome to come back haha. Well who knows! We have transfer calls this week! Where will I go for my last transfer?

We got a referral from the other elders in our branch. It's a man from Nigeria. He's awesome! He came to church. Not sure if he liked it or not. Everything was just really new. Invited Radj and the family to be baptized. They said they are already baptized, but the kids really want to! They came to church too! We did some service for our investigator John. It wasn't planned so we did it in our skirts. It was so hot! But then it started poring rain. It felt amazing! Nice and cold. It was cold people I tell you. I didn't know I would be cold ever on my mission, but it did happened!

Sister Didier and Jordan met a really cool guy Marlen on exchanges and we had a lesson with him. He really knows God. The first thing he said was that he wants to be baptized but he doesn't know in which church. So cool. Then he just told us stories, spiritual stories. For an hour. We had to cut him off. Our heads were exploding. So much inspanning to listen. It was really cool though! i learned a lot. He said that because he loves God he wants to change certain things. I know that that is true. God wants us to change. Change for the better is improving. He wants us to become better. I've seen the hand of the Lord in my life this week. 

How have you seen his hand? I know He is there. Never ever forget that. I know He is a living God. He works with us. I'm the clay and He's the potter. I know the gospel will bless your life if you let it bless your life. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Mi lobi yu!

Liefs,

Zuster Spijkerman

Mission LIfe #67 Zone Conference

Maandag 11 juni 2018

President en zuster Egbert, zuster Spijkerman, Zone conferentie juni 2018

This week was amazing!!!! 

It was the last time I saw the Egberts. They are leaving in two weeks. We had zone conference and we talked about the temple. O how I love the temple. I forgot a lot because I haven't been able to go for more than a year. But I love to see the temple. The sisters and 2 elders sang I love to see the temple for the musical number. I played the piano. God really helps me with that because I don't have a lot of time top practice. I learned a lot. I cried a lot. I will miss them so much. They truly have changed my life. 

President gave us the challenge to talk to 10 more people every week. To the people you would skip. So that same day we talked to 4 people! It was awesome. Including a Nederlander!                                                                                                                                                                        

Sister Egbert came to a lesson with us. She biked with us too! The first time on her mission. We had a wonderful lesson with our investigator John. He felt the Spirit. He just doesn't want to commit to come to church. So annoying. Cried some more, because this was the last time I would see sister Egbert. I love her so much. 

We stopped some more people. I felt prompted to talk to this lady. My companion was een kilometer verder and sister Egbert needed to turn around too ( she wasn't really good at that) but I turned around. The lady acted like we knew her. We thought she was a member, but she was JW. It was nice to talk to her. We also talked to another girl. Stephanie. Her mom recently passed away and she kinda lost herself. She prayed a lot and was getting back on the right track. And then we came. She thanked us. It was so awesome! God truly puts us there where he needs us. 

Saturday morning all of our appointments fell through. We didn't know what to do but we just decided to go contacting. We talked to a cool guy. 

Then I saw someone weeding his garden. I didn't want to ask him, but I knew I had to ask him if he needed help. He was kinda laughing, but we were serious. We weeded the garden in our dress, well my companion was wearing dress slacks. We shared our message while weeding. It was awesome. We helped him for an hour. SO MUCH SWEAT. He wasn't interested... dang it! 

Oh well. He will at least think about it. I took a cold shower. Goodness gracious it was so hot. Then we went to Allicha. She is awesome I love her, but she keeps cancelling and I thought we were loosing her. But I've prayed a lot and I knew everything would work out. And we had an awesome lesson. We felt prompted to bake cookies for her and she loved it. It just shows that we love her. We had a very spiritual lesson. She wants to be baptized but she needs to think more about it. 

We found a lady in our DCA this week and Saturday she told us she was actually a member! Crazy! She is 28 and has 7 kids! Impressive toch? It was kinda gek to be there. The kids are so cute though.

We had a cool experience yesterday too. In our DCA are a lot of interns (stagiares?). So we klopten and a Dutch girl came out. And I'm not going to lie, but I'm kind of scared of Dutch people, because usually they don't believe in God and they don't want to talk to you. But I know God puts me in this place so I can learn not to fear. We fear no man. Because how will I share my testimony in NEderland if I'm scared to do it here? So my goal is to talk to all the Nederlanders. So yesterday we talked to a girl. She was so sweet and nice! She said she's not really religious, but she believes that there is something, but she isn't sure what. She wasn't too interested right now, so we gave her a card and referred her to mormon.org and she seemed interested in that! We testified and the Spirit was there. She admired us. 

Until we meet again (snif) president & sister Egbert

An elder bore his dying testimony at zone conference about letting your light shine. I loved it so much. I know we can help others letting their light shine by letting our own light shine. I shouldn't hide it and I shouldn't be scared to share it. Because it will bless their life. I know the gospel is true. I'm so grateful that I can serve here in Rainville to talk to the Nederlanders and let my light shine, so they can feel that light inside of them light up. God gives us strength to do these things. I know He is a living God. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,

Zuster Spijkerman