dear family - happy easter! i love easter. 

 7 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no ^asting, there could have been no resurrection.

 8 But there is a ^aresurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of ^bdeath is swallowed up in Christ.

 9 He is the ^alight and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

these words mean something different to me this year. i have found such a comfort in knowing that there is more - that we can learn and understand what that "more" means. i have a renewed desire and motivation to live a more consecrated life and enjoy the blessings that we have received in the atonement and resurrection. this week i saw how the joy and light of the Saviors love reached the hearts of many we met. 

tuesday we had a lesson with a man from turkey. his girlfriend is in our ward and was our joint teach. as we taught him the plan of salvation and explained that we lived with our heavenly Father before we came here...he was quite confused, this sister bore testimony of how her life has changed since knowing this truth. her testimony was strengthened as she shared it and i saw more clearly the comfort that these truths bring. 

thursday was a busy day and we ended the day with a dinner appointment with a member, Wenche (my favorite norwegian). she told us how her step father tried to demean her and take away any feeling of worth that she had, so much that she ended up moving out at a young age and living with an aunt..when she met the missionaries she had very little self worth and didnt go out much, didnt feel happy about life and thought she had little to offer. as she learned about the Savior, she felt such a healing joy enter her life, she realized that she had a lot to live for and a lot to give, she has since then dedicated her life to doing whats right and serving others. she is humble and diligently serves and loves others around her in a quite sweet way. she actively spreads Christs love and light. 

friday we visited an inactive family from portugal. i brought my hymnbook and we sang joyful easter song and read the account of Christs resurrection from the gospel of john. the mother who suffers from depression began to weep as we read this story. she was reminded of the Saviors very personal mission and gift to us all. just as the Savior called to mary, and she knew who he was immediately...He calls to us, and He called to that family that day. i was reminded how involved He is in our lives and how any reminder of his love and sacrifice on our behalf can do miracles. 

sunday as we walked to the tram stop, we caught up with a man from our ward. he told us that it was a hard week for him because his nephew who was 25years old, passed away and he wasn't able to go visit or do anything for him or his family...he told us of the strength he received when he found out that we can do the work for our dead, that he can be baptized and that there is hope. he then told us how excited he is to also have this work done for his beloved grandmother who raised him and paid for his education. this wonderful man shared so simply why he is a member of this church and why he is so faithful.

what a practical and healing gift we have received. these last few weeks since hearing the news of my dear nephew, Marshall, have been quite difficult and also quite lovely. He has helped me become more converted. i have been continually reminded of the reasons we have to rejoice and to live. that kindness and understanding go a long way. i know more clearly and firmly that God is our heavenly Father, that Jesus Christ, His son and our brother, came here to secure a way for us to return and to give us such a beautiful life and that we can have the constant guidance and comfort of the Holy Ghost as we follow the commandments. this is a small moment in eternity. Life continues and as we learn and grow in righteousness, we WILL live with our families for eternity. we WILL enjoy life in our resurrected bodies and that the sting of death and sorrows of life our swallowed up in Christ. i am reminded of this daily and am holding on to these truths forever. i love you all and hope you have the best week! 

loves - katelyn 

ps: i just received a call from the sisters in Haarlem, telling me that Fabien, that fabulous girl from ukraine that i taught for 7 months...has decided to get baptized!!!!!!!!!! glory be!!!!!!!