dearest family:

turns out, every single week of my mission is crazy. haha...never ever ever what i expect. i guess i should only expect to be surprised. a quick summary of our week would include copious amounts of finding, which lead to a total of 32 lessons taught this week, a lovely picnic by a windmill complete with classical music and nectarines, your classic run in with a strange man named "storm" who was abducted from the US and brought to the netherlands as a child....not sure if it was truth or the drugs..., many good lessons, many crazy lessons, finding people who are ready to hear this great gospel, talking to even more who don't have the time of day, lots of waiting, calls, prayers and anxiety as we hurriedly(24hrs.) put a baptismal service together for two amazing people who have waited two years to be baptized... this doesnt even properly describe the INSANITY that this week was...

so - first things first. two lovely people named Chaly and Eric have been taught since 2010. missionaries have been meeting with them for two years - they have desired to be baptized since a month or so after they met the missionaries. since i've been here in haarlem - we have been meeting with them as they made the final steps to get married and finally get baptized. after unbelievable amounts of opposition in their journey - they were finally ready to be baptized and didnt want to wait another moment. without giving too many details - it sufficeth me to say that the hand of the Lord was seen in this process - miracles were manifest in them coming to the waters of baptism. many people worked together to bring this to fruition - but never before have i personally seen so much opposition in this process! crazy! (i know this is extremely vague but i just can't share a lot of details.) eventually - sunday afternoon, they were baptized. hallelujah! and appropriately, after the baptism, we assembeled a small choir and sang "i love to see the temple". their focus is truly eternal. the desires of this adorable family are coming to fruition and this was yet another victory for the righteous. 

among other news - i have once more been reminded by my Heavenly Father that i must trust in him. i don't know why i doubt his goodness. He has never let me down! i am still working on this and probably will my whole life but i am striving. 

this week has been great. i dont know how to accurately describe it really - and my time is almost up. blast it all. well. we did have an epic picnic by a windmill and a huge open field. i also brought my portable speaker and we listened to music. that was fun. also our amazingly cool ukranian investigator taught us how to make traditional borsh. it was super delicious. what a great time. 

life is great - people are wonderful - and right will always win. i love you all! thank you for the prayers and support! veel liefs!!!!

- kate