First things first: I am alive, but the church internet across Belgium died last week, and they still haven't gotten it to work, so they finally arranged a way for us to use a library in Sint Niklaas after district meeting, but I'm not technically a Belgium resident yet, so Elder Le Duc is very kindly letting me use his time, so I can't take too long. Sorry for the heartattacks Mom, but it was out of my hands and I thought about you a lot and sent good vibes your way.
Mom, everything you write is exciting, because it's from home, and I don't get homesick, so I really love hearing everything- you don't need to edit to keep me focused on the work or anything. Also, you're welcome to use my first name. I still remember it. That's so cool that the refugee lady talked to you. I did not really understand it until coming here- now it is so real to me, and there is so much need. I'm so glad the church is taking a part in helping. I don't take the rejection personal. I know that the Lord works with every person in His own time, so I don't feel bad when they tell me know, I just hope that their time will come in the future. We usually try to teach our investigators once a week, but sometimes we do more, it just depends. I like the mummed phrase, and I think you should make it a thing. Thanks for the Brigham Young quote, I loved it. I didn't get to watch women's conference, but I'm glad it was good. I'll have to read it sometime when the internet is back. Ummm... as a missionary, I really like hearing any news from home, but it's also really cool when people tell me things they've learned from their scripture studies or experiences, but I've mostly realized that when all of those missionaries annoyingly said they like hearing anything- it's true.
Dad, echt het spijt me voor de Nederlands, maar ik vind het niet zo moelijk om Goodgle translate te gebruiken. I'm glad that you have educated Tyson and Justin in your manyly tire-changing ways, and Dave's Need for Speed sounds super fun! I really idd feel bad about the lack of emails, but I really didn't have any other choice! As far as Mom goes, I'mjust glad she didn't call the President. If the worst that happened was irrealistic scenarios shared, then I think she took it pretty well. Thank you for the stories and advice- I really do love reading it. Be safe with all of your travels this week!!!! (Also, how's the Book of Mormon challenge going???)
So, the last two weeks in very short review: We have been working really hard to find more people to teach, and the Lord has really blessed us. We have started teaching five new people, one of which is Nathalie, who is a really sweet lady with two precious kids who I just really love teaching. She is one of the few people who we teach in Dutch, which is good, because it is practice for most of the areas in this mission, but also reminds me that I don't really speak the language yet. We have had some really spiritual experiences with her though, so it has been really good.
Crazy story of the week for you: So we invited Reuben to family home evening (we have an FHE with single members of the ward, recent converts, and people we are teaching). We picked him up at his house and went to get on the tram towards the church, but he said, "Oh, the bus is faster." We decided to trust him, so we got on the bus, but when we got off, we were in Merksem (where the church is) but had no clue how to get to the church from the bus stop. So, we started wandering, hoping to find something that looked familiar, when this woman stopped us and said, "Hold on, are you two real?" Not quite sure how to respond to that, Zuster Burnham and I gave a very confused, "Yeeeesss?" She said, "Ï've pinned you on pinterest. Your outfits. Oh look, you even have the tags and everything." Still confused, we started talking to her, and it turns out that she followed a bunch of sister missionary boards on pinterest, because she wanted to dress more modestly without looking like a grandma, but she had no idea that Mormons were in Belgium. Reuben invited her to come with us to FHE. She said, "Oh, I'm not Mormon," to which he responded, "Neither am I!" So, she decided to come along. She had a very weird perception of who Mormons are and had a LOT of questions, but we wandered through Merksem, eventually found the church, and went to FHE. Everyone she was at the church she would ask us, "Are they a real Mormon, too? NO WAY!" It was so funny, but also a cool experience.
Funny moments the last couple weeks:
-We taught and did some service for an inactive member named Irma, who is very old, and speaks a horrible dialect called Antwerps. She yells at us a lot, but she winks at the other one the whole time, so we're pretty sure she actually likes us. Sometimes (most of the time) we don't understand what she's saying, so when she asks us a question, we have to say "Wijblieft?" (Come again), at which point she yells, "U verstand nix! Terug naar Amerika!" (You don't understand anything, go back to America!), but then she says something really sweet, so yeah, I think she likes us, but anyways, she's old and walks at a 90 degree angle because of back problems, and the whole time we were there, her skirt was tucked into her underwear as she's walking at a 90 degree angle, but she's not really the kind of person you can tell, so I just tried not to laugh the whole time.
- We knocked on a door, and a sweet 12 year old answered. He went to get his mom for us, but stayed at the door when she came back. We gave our speel about being missionaries, and her son said, "Ummm... wij zijn een klein beetje Muslim." (We're a little bit Muslim). His mom gave him that dangerous mom look that transcends cultures and said, "Klien beetje?!?! Jij bent Muslim, of jij bent niet Muslim, dar is geen ''klein beetje!'" (You are Muslim or you are not Muslim.There is no 'little bit') It was almost Southern accent, and it was just really funny (I realized typing this that it is not as funny in Enlgish), but we actually had a cool conversation with them and set up an appointment for this week, so hopefully that goes well.
Anyways, I have really learned the past couple of weeks that when we come to the Lord in humility, He will show us how we can improve, and He will help us to do it. It is only when we approach Him in humlity, willing to change and accept correction that He can truly make us into the person that He wants us to be and the tool in His hands that He needs us to be.
I really love you all, and I am truly sorry about the email situation, but I have been thinking and praying about you all especially these few weeks since I haven't been able to talk to you.
Zo veel liefde voor jullie allemaal,
Zuster Cluff
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