Another week down in NulTien (null-teen) that is the postal code in Rotterdam. There is tons of city pride between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, so they use the postal codes to talk about each other so that they don't have to say the actual name. haha
Crazy story of the week: we were supposed to have a lesson with a couple investigators this week but their niece went crazy at their house and went around writing creepy things on the walls and books about Armageddon, free masonry, and about the devil that was inside her. So Preach my gospel doesn't exactly have stuff about that in it... eventually the police came and strapped her to a stretcher and took her to an insane asylum. On the bright side we came back the day later and gave both of the investigators blessings of comfort.
Awesome story from this week: There was a fireside in Zoetermeeer this week with the lady that played Mary in the new bible videos from the church, Savannah Stevenson. We brought a member that is returning to activity with us. He was baptized in Cape Verde an Island off the coast of Africa. We had some extra time so we decided to drive him by the temple thinking that he hadn't seen the temple in the Netherlands yet. Right before we got there we found out he had never seen a temple before! and he has been a member for 15 years! He actually moved to the Netherlands so that he could eventually bring his family here and be sealed with them. It was such a special moment to see the smile on his face as his eyes were glued on the Angel Moroni on the top of the temple. How often do we take for granted the blessings we have, especially the temple?
Thought: During the evening of the fireside Mrs. Stevenson sang the hymn "Be Still My Soul" and it really touched me so i wanted to copy the words below. I bolded some of the words that really toughed me as I read the hymn later.
1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
3. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
There really is nothing that can compare to the peace that our Heavenly Father gives us through his gospel. His gospel teaches us how we can "bear our cross of grief or pain" with the knowledge that we will be able to rest "when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone" I'm so glad for the opportunity I've had to learn these things over the last couple years!
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Elder Talyon Anderson Perry
Belgium/Netherlands Mission