dear family: 

greetings and salutations. today is a lovely warm day in the netherlands. which means - the bugs are out and about. which once again proves that one can never be too prideful on a bike. either you are fighting against the wind or trying to dodge the bugs or or or. let's just say i have learned many a lesson from my bicycle. i have a lot of time to think whilst upon my bike. i think of our investigators and how they are doing. i think about you all. i pray a lot. i sing songs. and then BAM! bug in the face. or bug on my shirt or my skirt or in my mouth or my nose and i shake it off and keep going. haha...its quite hilarious but i thought - now, there is a very good reason we have these little annoyances in our life...it helps you check yourself before you wreck yourself. the bike to me is a symbol of humility and strength. oh i feel like there is some kind of deep analogy just waiting to be written but i dont have time yet. i will let it marinate in my mind this week and share it later. haha. but needless to say - i have become a better person from riding a bike. good gravy. 

well - i've been studying humility a lot this week. the reason why? because sometimes i get peeved. sometimes i get a bit frustrated. the natural man is a chump and it is so easy to forget that we are all humans and have challenges and struggles - that everyone is in need of the enabling and strengthening power of grace. the scripture in mosiah 4... are we not all beggars? i have a long long way to go. so long. but the more i study the more often it comes to mind in the moment. the easier it is to hop off my bike and talk to someone, the easier it is to say a kind word even when it isn't deserved, the easier it is to look back and see what i could've done differently. i am just grateful that our Heavenly Father sees us as our potential and who we can become - he understands that we don't necessarily have it all down right now. there is a verse in judges - when the Lord is speaking to Gideon and asking him to do something that is very hard for him and is causing him much anxiety - that he is to go and save the israelites from the midianites and the Lord says - have not I sent thee? I know that God has sent me here - i know that he has much for me to learn, and i also know that God is perfect and all wise and would not foolishly send sister stout to the netherlands just to make a fool of herself. He knows us each individually and wants us to succeed. He has sent us all to where we are right now and knows that there is something to be learned and a great work to be done. i am just so glad i am not alone. later on in my studies i came across alma 37:47 "..look to God and LIVE!.." oh its a classic. we have divine help! blessed be. 

so - i see now that my time is running out and i must quickly give you the haps of amsterdam. JENNY IS GETTING BAPTIZEDDDDDD! woo woo!!!! 16th of june. hallelujah! it is golden. i am so glad that she is getting baptized before i leave! (i have a feeling i will be transferred) oh snap! she is READY. she is so good its unreal. its lovely to see! she is telling everyone she knows that she is getting baptized. she is a great example of faith to me. oh i am excited for you all to meet her someday. what a gem among humans! 

also - last sunday after i talked to you all - i went out with zr.kova and we were walking around diemen - i saw a cute little family and stopped to talk to them - we had an appointment with the mom on wednesday and SHE CAME TO CHURCH!!!!!!! holler. i was thrilled. her name is pedrita. she is from the dutch carribean. she is golden. i shall keep you posted! 

we had zone training this week. it was great. during lunch one of the elders asked me to tell him a story. so i told the story of yonkel the chicken farmer. i may or may not have messed it up the entire plot - but they were still entertained. i should probably learn some new stories. 

i got a flat tire. the de leeuw's saved me once again. hallelujah! 

oh! i was falling asleep the other night and then the thought of that awesome family from the Czech republic that we lived by in almere came into my mind and i sat up in my bed and wrote it down. do you have their names? i want to go visit them! zr. kova speaks czech! let me know if you remember!!!!! 

well - life is good. i am learning things. the people of this city are swell. its nice to know that there are people seeking truth. Heavenly Father is so busy with us all! He is so involved in our lives! i am so grateful. i love you all! thank you for your prayers and love. 

fare thee well. 

- katelyn marie stout

ps: happy wedding anniversary dearest tyler and mandy! well played!