Mom, it sounds like you all had a good time at a true "gospel church." I can just picture you awkwardly standing and trying to not be awkward about how animated every else is. Sounds like a fun experience. If there is one thing I have truly learned here, it's how individual the gospel is. Conversion is so personal. Teachers, bishops, missionaries, we're not really part of it. It is between the person and the Lord. That's a pretty powerful thought- He does not delegate that responsibility. He speaks to each of us personal and reaches out to us individually to help us become the people we need to become. I did get a coat and some other winter stuff, but then the weather turned warm(ish), so I haven't gotten to use it much yet. I have no problem with my card, but I'll have to check on the present thing. I'm not really sure if I can do that as a missionary- we have some pretty strict rules about what we can and can't do in that regard, but I'll let you know next week. Grandma yardley sent me a couple of emails in the MTC, but not since. Sounds like the piano recital was fun. I love you lots!!!! p.s. I got your letter on Wednesday, but I haven't gotten Ellen's or any others.
Dad, I want it on record that although I'm in Europe, I have eaten a lot of sketchy African food, and I think it caught up to me. I am glad to know that it brought jullie joy though. I debated on whether to send that or not, but I figured if there was any group of people who would truly appreciate it, it would be all of you. I got out of the bathroom and Zuster Burnham was just like, "Are you okay? I'm glad you got to the bathroom on time. I figured it had to be something with your stomach. That could have been really bad if we didn't get here." Sooo... I just let her think that. I put my bag away from where we were having the meeting, so I don't think that anyone suspected anything, but if they did, they didn't say anything. I'm glad you enjoyed the substitute claps. I'm sure Deana really appreciated your enthusiasm. Sounds like a full week, but I'm glad you got to golf and keep the yard up to snuff. Yes, we did go to DC junior year, and naturlijk, ik vind het een beetje unfair that you are taking Tyson to Europe, when I have been suggesting Europe trips for years that have been shot down time and again, buuuuuuuut, I do think that my mission has softened me, because where before that would ignite a burning fire of anger at the injustice of the matter, now it is more of a slight irritation, so, I will leave that decision in your hands.
Well, Happy Halloween iedereen!!!!!!! The Belgians don't really celebrate Halloween. They have a few pumpkins in the stores and a few brave souls venture to put up a ghost or two in their window, but it is definitely nothing like America. On the bright side, our investigator, Nathalie, is getting married in an hour, and the wedding is Halloween themed, so I think that we are going to have a grand old time.
Speaking of which, Nathalie!!!!!! She has made such incredible progress, and I just love her so much!!!! We came over Wednesday, and she told us that she had been reading the Book of Mormon and praying and said that after she prayed, when she read the Book of Mormon, it all made sense, and she couldn't stop reading, and it felt like God speaking to her. She said that she knew that she needed to get baptized!!!!! I want so badly for her and her sweet family to have the happiness of the gospel! They need it! She also came to church on Sunday, and during one of the talks, I looked over and tears were streaming down her face. Zuster Burnham asked her if something was wrong, and she just kept saying, "I"m home, I feel like I'm home." She also has talked to us a lot about how it doesn't feel like she's learning new things, it feels like she's remembering. This gospel is so true, and some part of our souls knows it. This gospel is our home, and I have gained such a testimony of that this week.
I have to leave for the wedding now, but I'll try and email more later if I have time. I love you all so much! This is Christ's gospel, and I am so blessed to have all of you in my life!!!!
zo veel liefde,
