dearest family, here we are again. the end of february. i actually never heard word of the groundhog seeing/not seeing its shadow so i am totally out of the loop. turns out its still cold. alas, our hearts are glad.

 

this week has been quite interesting. i am staying in Antwerpen for another transfer. hallelujah. also with z. juchau. we are having a series of short transfers to get ready to meet the mtc schedule and influx of missionaries. anyways. we went bowling on monday with the district. it was quite a lovely time. i am still not so great at it. among other things - on monday as we were walking home after bowling, i saw a man with a stroller and contacted him. later that week we had an appointment. turns out he has a FAMILY. they are our new investigators. richard and augustina. so lovely. they have a little girl named blessing. super cute. progress with our other investigators is slow but steady...juliette has been sick for a few weeks. the other potentials we have can't start meeting until the end of march. we are doing our best to work with the ward and get things going. i have faith that everything will work out. this is one of those moments where we can't always see what is going on, but we keep working and fighting and surely things will start happening.

 

i gave a talk in church on sunday. i can't even believe it. i have given more talks on my mission, in dutch, than my whole life of english talks combined. good gravy. turns out i am not allowed to be afraid of public speaking. i will never get out of it. i am grateful for this opportunity though...i have learned so much. the very topics on which i speak, are the solutions to my own worries and nerves. the atonement covers all pain and worry and sin. as we took the sacrament, i was thinking how beautiful it is that we are all able to partake of this EVERY sunday. it is so important that we consistenly remember that Christ died and lived for us personally. that is why we must all partake of the bread and the water. it is so we all know and remember that He knows us and loves us. The more we learn this and apply it, the more we can love other people. which is our baptismal covenant. and the more we recognize how God desires that we REJOICE. we should be happy about it! i am grateful that we are here to learn and be happy. it is awesome.

 

family - I LOVE YOU. so much. so so so much. i am so grateful to be part of such a wonderful eternal family. thank you for all that you do for me. i am grateful every single day. lovesss! - z.stout