Beaches and Windmills

April 25, 2016

This was another wild week. On P-day, we had a scheduled appointment that actually went through. Usually it never goes through on p day and we have to waste a bunch of time biking there, but this lady was there. We found here a few weeks ago knocking on the door and she said we could come back. Sometimes people say that, but they don"t answer the door the next time or actually have no interest, but this was our second appointment with her. It was awesome. We taught Het Heilsplan, or the Plan of Salvation. The spirit was strong and she really felt the driving love behind the principles of the plan. 

One thing we like to emphasize is that the entire summary of het Heilsplan is that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. It is all about Jesus Christ. While there are many good points and appealing aspects and truths about the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and Gospel lessons, it is all really just about Jesus Christ. We preach of him in all things. Nothing is more important in our purpose than bringing people closer to Jesus Christ by helping them understand him and what he did and what he is willing to do for them if they let him.

I went on exchanges to Vlissingen this week with Elder Van Fleet this week again. The normal dutch spelling of his name is Van Vliet, but it was changed when his ancestors moved to America. It is a pretty common last name here. We had a lot of fun. We went to a dinner appointment, but since travel time takes so long, we only did a little proselyting when we got back. We took a walk to the beach and back. 

We are not actually allowed to go on the beach, but we did contact people on the street above it.

 Also, there was a man working on a windmill in Vlissingen and he had it running, which is rare. He let us go inside and have a look and see how it works and watch everything spin and grind inside. It was super cool and most people never get the chance. Even the locals were stopping to take a look.

A reminder of our Dutch island, Sint Eustatius
St. Eustatius Lane (Laan)

This week we also went back to the all you can eat asian restaurant. It was awesome. They have ¨personal chefs and Schweppes bitter lemon soda in glass bottles. That stuff is the best.

We went to Tilburg to work with the Zone Leaders. There was a big mural there with a bunch of cartoon characters. Big Bird from Sesame Street is blue in Europe.

The famous Dutch Stroopwafel
flaky wafers with caramel and a hint of cinnamon

Since one of the missionaries is going home this transfer, we all went to Tilburg to get ice cream after district meeting this week. I got a double scoop of stroopwafel ice cream on a waffle cone. Stroopwafel ice cream is super good. They also have stroopwafel Mcflurries at McDonalds here.

The Murtons cooked us steak again last night. Brother Murton is going to England for the next couple months to get some surgery done on his shoulder, so I may not be here when he gets back. But I am sure to see him at least once or twice sometime in the remainder of the mish.

We got transfer calls last night. Sadly, Elder Stanger is going to be heading up to Amsterdam. I will be staying here in Breda, with Elder Knapp. He is super short, I met him while we were at Temple Conference. I will send photos wit the height difference next week. I am sad to leave Elder Stanger, he is a fantastic missionary and a good dad. He is just barely under his year mark though, so I will probably see him many more times, but who knows, I could end up in Belgium next.