No jacket for a week.. this is the life.
Its springtime in the Netherlands! the first official day of spring brought us beautiful weather and it has stuck for a whole week! going outside without a jacket and scarf is a beautiful thing, i just hope the spiders stay inside a little longer cause i hear thats a big problem here..
This week is the last week of my first transfer. so crazy how fast time goes by! but i am staying here in Gouda with the same companion and things are only going to get better from here! we have lots of plans and goals for next transfer so we are excited to see the work progress. This week we did lots of biking because of the beautiful weather. Saturday we probably biked a good 10+ miles and most of it down bike paths in all green flat land. talk about the life! well its not all the easy but the scenery definitely helps :)
Enjoy some photos today!
love you all!
zuster jones
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
its spring or almost
Its almost spring!
Yup, im counting down the days until its officially spring here. we ride our bikes everyday watching little buds perk up on the trees and dream of what this place is going to look like in full color. Plus i would really like to be outside without a jacket.. :)
This was a great week but i cant seem to think of anything too exciting to report. The little miracles keep me going everyday. We had an amazing zone training meeting on Thursday and I loved gaining more motivation to work harder and enjoy every moment of my mission! i still cant believe im already a month in! Sorry no more time today but enjoy the photos from last week and ill have more next time!
<3<3
Zuster Jones
Yup, im counting down the days until its officially spring here. we ride our bikes everyday watching little buds perk up on the trees and dream of what this place is going to look like in full color. Plus i would really like to be outside without a jacket.. :)
This was a great week but i cant seem to think of anything too exciting to report. The little miracles keep me going everyday. We had an amazing zone training meeting on Thursday and I loved gaining more motivation to work harder and enjoy every moment of my mission! i still cant believe im already a month in! Sorry no more time today but enjoy the photos from last week and ill have more next time!
<3<3
Zuster Jones
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Such an amazing week! lots of success in the work and got to see some beautiful sights! Here is a little post for this week!
Top 10 things i have learned in one month of being in the Netherlands
1. Dutch people are more than happy to help (they say `naturalic` alll the time) but the second you bring up Jesus Christ they get a little frightened.
2. The people in Gouda find happiness in themselves, health, and their dogs. (we ask `what bring you happiness´ to the people a lot)
3. There is no need for a mini van when you can fit 3 kids on each bike (it is not uncommon)
4. I can wear 3 jackets, 2 scarves, thermals, tights, wool socks and boots and still be cold.
5. Hand warmers really work. Too bad I just figured this out on Tuesday and now its getting warmer
6. Flowy skirts and bikes do not mix. add the rain and its even worse.
7. There are 20 different ways to say goodbye in dutch but only 1 way to describe liking something. they love their greetings but its so hard to express emotion.
8. I love to talk and not fluently speaking the language is hindering that problem.
9. They eat dessert with every meal. My kind of people. (Thankfully they are lighter desserts than in America)
10. I love it. or im just out of time to add more :)
Enjoy the photos!
love you all!
z. jones
Top 10 things i have learned in one month of being in the Netherlands
1. Dutch people are more than happy to help (they say `naturalic` alll the time) but the second you bring up Jesus Christ they get a little frightened.
2. The people in Gouda find happiness in themselves, health, and their dogs. (we ask `what bring you happiness´ to the people a lot)
3. There is no need for a mini van when you can fit 3 kids on each bike (it is not uncommon)
4. I can wear 3 jackets, 2 scarves, thermals, tights, wool socks and boots and still be cold.
5. Hand warmers really work. Too bad I just figured this out on Tuesday and now its getting warmer
6. Flowy skirts and bikes do not mix. add the rain and its even worse.
7. There are 20 different ways to say goodbye in dutch but only 1 way to describe liking something. they love their greetings but its so hard to express emotion.
8. I love to talk and not fluently speaking the language is hindering that problem.
9. They eat dessert with every meal. My kind of people. (Thankfully they are lighter desserts than in America)
10. I love it. or im just out of time to add more :)
Enjoy the photos!
love you all!
z. jones
pictures finally
Hellloo!
This email may be a little shorter so i can share pictures with you! we just had a zone pday in kinder dijk (windmills) and so now were at a church emailing and can see photos!
This was by far my best week yet! Well, the week started off really cold, extremely wet (i have never been that wet for that long in my entire life, it was just funny) and not too exciting. I have learned that the life a missionary is full of ups and downs but the ups always out weigh the downs. This week though we saw so many fun miracles and had so many positive experiences that i dont even remember the downs.
Here is my lettter to president so that i dont have to retype this part:
This week I came to see the true happiness that is found in mission work. We saw many simple everyday miracles as we tried to improve our efforts with 2.2.5 and we saw many large miracles with our current investigators. we are so blessed in the Gouda area! I love these people so much and enjoy the chance I have to serve with them.
Our investigator Rick is progressing so well. This week we really saw the light in him change and fell in love with him (in a missionary way) even more. He came to a baptism on Saturday and came to church on sunday and is fitting in the ward so well! Rick has a smoking problem that we havent discussed much yet, but during sacrament meeting the bishop gave a talk on the word of wisdom. I was a little scared to see his reaction but after sacrament Rick went straight up to the bishop to ask him questions. The bishop had to quit smoking in the past so he is going to help rick stop! we didnt even have to do anything. The lord knows his children so well and knows what they need to hear.
Next is Gladys. She came to church this week as well! And she finally told her parents that she has been seeing the missionaries again too. This was a big step for her and we are so proud of her! Her parents are not happy and they took away her car, but she still came to church by train and is still excited for her baptism. She is so amazing and such a testimony strengthener for me!
I am getting more used to the area, the work and the language everyday and am truely learning to love it! I look forward to seeing you and Sister Brubaker this Wed for zone training!
So investigators are doing great and i am getting closer to the people and even though my language skills are still horrible, im feeling a little better about my progess.
weve taken advantage of our pdays the last two weeks to do some cultural things as well! last week we went to a huge church in gouda (actually across the st from where we email) called sint jans kerk. its full of unbelieveable stained glass windows. so beautiful! and this week we got to go to see the moelen (wind mills). the weather has also been beautiful the last fews days and is supposed to stay like this (hopefully) at least for a few more days. we are loving it and taking full advantage of being outside!
ok love you all! here is the blog and photos! ill send two or more with pictures. püt the photos on the blog please!
Zuster jones
Blog:
Such an amazing week! lots of success in the work and got to see some beautiful sights! Here is a little post for this week!
Top 10 things i have learned in one month of being in the Netherlands
1. Dutch people are more than happy to help (they say `naturalic` alll the time) but the second you bring up Jesus Christ they get a little frightened.
2. The people in Gouda find happiness in themselves, health, and their dogs. (we ask `what bring you happiness´ to the people a lot)
3. There is no need for a mini van when you can fit 3 kids on each bike (it is not uncommon)
4. I can wear 3 jackets, 2 scarves, thermals, tights, wool socks and boots and still be cold.
5. Hand warmers really work. Too bad I just figured this out on Tuesday and now its getting warmer
6. Flowy skirts and bikes do not mix. add the rain and its even worse.
7. There are 20 different ways to say goodbye in dutch but only 1 way to describe liking something. they love their greetings but its so hard to express emotion.
8. I love to talk and not fluently speaking the language is hindering that problem.
9. They eat dessert with every meal. My kind of people. (Thankfully they are lighter desserts than in America)
10. I love it. or im just out of time to add more :)
Enjoy the photos!
love you all!
z. jones
This email may be a little shorter so i can share pictures with you! we just had a zone pday in kinder dijk (windmills) and so now were at a church emailing and can see photos!
This was by far my best week yet! Well, the week started off really cold, extremely wet (i have never been that wet for that long in my entire life, it was just funny) and not too exciting. I have learned that the life a missionary is full of ups and downs but the ups always out weigh the downs. This week though we saw so many fun miracles and had so many positive experiences that i dont even remember the downs.
Here is my lettter to president so that i dont have to retype this part:
This week I came to see the true happiness that is found in mission work. We saw many simple everyday miracles as we tried to improve our efforts with 2.2.5 and we saw many large miracles with our current investigators. we are so blessed in the Gouda area! I love these people so much and enjoy the chance I have to serve with them.
Our investigator Rick is progressing so well. This week we really saw the light in him change and fell in love with him (in a missionary way) even more. He came to a baptism on Saturday and came to church on sunday and is fitting in the ward so well! Rick has a smoking problem that we havent discussed much yet, but during sacrament meeting the bishop gave a talk on the word of wisdom. I was a little scared to see his reaction but after sacrament Rick went straight up to the bishop to ask him questions. The bishop had to quit smoking in the past so he is going to help rick stop! we didnt even have to do anything. The lord knows his children so well and knows what they need to hear.
Next is Gladys. She came to church this week as well! And she finally told her parents that she has been seeing the missionaries again too. This was a big step for her and we are so proud of her! Her parents are not happy and they took away her car, but she still came to church by train and is still excited for her baptism. She is so amazing and such a testimony strengthener for me!
I am getting more used to the area, the work and the language everyday and am truely learning to love it! I look forward to seeing you and Sister Brubaker this Wed for zone training!
So investigators are doing great and i am getting closer to the people and even though my language skills are still horrible, im feeling a little better about my progess.
weve taken advantage of our pdays the last two weeks to do some cultural things as well! last week we went to a huge church in gouda (actually across the st from where we email) called sint jans kerk. its full of unbelieveable stained glass windows. so beautiful! and this week we got to go to see the moelen (wind mills). the weather has also been beautiful the last fews days and is supposed to stay like this (hopefully) at least for a few more days. we are loving it and taking full advantage of being outside!
ok love you all! here is the blog and photos! ill send two or more with pictures. püt the photos on the blog please!
Zuster jones
Blog:
Such an amazing week! lots of success in the work and got to see some beautiful sights! Here is a little post for this week!
Top 10 things i have learned in one month of being in the Netherlands
1. Dutch people are more than happy to help (they say `naturalic` alll the time) but the second you bring up Jesus Christ they get a little frightened.
2. The people in Gouda find happiness in themselves, health, and their dogs. (we ask `what bring you happiness´ to the people a lot)
3. There is no need for a mini van when you can fit 3 kids on each bike (it is not uncommon)
4. I can wear 3 jackets, 2 scarves, thermals, tights, wool socks and boots and still be cold.
5. Hand warmers really work. Too bad I just figured this out on Tuesday and now its getting warmer
6. Flowy skirts and bikes do not mix. add the rain and its even worse.
7. There are 20 different ways to say goodbye in dutch but only 1 way to describe liking something. they love their greetings but its so hard to express emotion.
8. I love to talk and not fluently speaking the language is hindering that problem.
9. They eat dessert with every meal. My kind of people. (Thankfully they are lighter desserts than in America)
10. I love it. or im just out of time to add more :)
Enjoy the photos!
love you all!
z. jones
Monday, March 5, 2012
love/hate relationship
The love/hate relationship
Weeks go by so fast here but so much happens that I feel like its been a month! I have an extreme love/hate (maybe bipolar) relationship with this language right now. Its almost funny (funnier when i love it) cause 1 min i will be so frustated and just want to speak english and the next min i love it and have so much fun learning. I think im getting over the fact that im going to have a horrible american accent and now i just want to be able to say a sentence without getting correct :)
This week we had lots of appointments with members from the ward introducing a new missionary program and eating (as we do a lot). The funniest one was with the bishop. we eat with him and his wife once a week but this week his wife wasnt home from work yet when we arrived. (for those of you that dont know, 2 sisters cant be alone with a man for obvious potential reasons, even when it is a completely trustworthy man) so we went and did some door knocking while we waited. we came back 15 mins later and she still wasnt home. so after he got a little upset that we wouldnt just come in, he brought the dinner outside to us. so here we are, sitting outside of his house in freezing cold holland weather eating a delicious hot meal. he thought we were so rediculous but rules are rules even when they may seem a little silly. We all had a good laugh though.
They really dont mess around with getting me involved at the church here. The first week in Gouda i had to introduce myself in front of everyone at church, the 2nd week i gave a talk, and this week we gave a lesson to all the adults. I still cant speak enough to give a full lesson though so what i did say was a pretty bad mixture of english and dutch. we had an investigator there though and I got to bare my testimony of the love i have for missionary work and he told me all about how he enjoyed the emotions he felt, so i was grateful for the opportunity. As frustrating as some moments may be, I love where i am at right now and i love sharing the beautiful message of the gospel. I feel so blessed to know where I came from, why am I here on this earth and where I am going after. So many people here say they dont believe in anything and it makes me so sad. If only I could speak more of there language and tell them more! haha one day soon that will happen!
Anyways, once again out of time!
until next week!
<3<3 Zuster Jones
Friday, March 2, 2012
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