12/22/12

Dear Family,

I want a Moroccan Tree goat. There is still time before Christmas! Feel free to send one :).  It was great receiving your e-mail this week. I really enjoyed reading it! Before I go any further, I need to send you the skype adresses: you can use either ... or... I will let you know on Monday, what times are best. Please send those requests ASAP.  We had a great week this past week. This was my first time leading a Zone conference as opposed to a zone training. President had us also present a portion of the material to share with the other missionaries. It was great and Elder van Rij and I had a lot of fun doing that. Because we spend so much time in the car, I have really come to learn how to do missionary work in traffic! Stand still traffic is the perfect opportunity to knock on the window of another car and hand them a pass along card or a free dvd. You get really antsy if you sit and do nothing for long periods of time. Despite all of the traveling, we really were able to accomplish a lot. We are teaching a family right now and they are making great progress. They are excited to come to the Christmas service tomorrow.  We also had a very special experience in visiting with an inactive member. It was probably one of the most powerful experiences I have had concerning visiting someone who really needs us and we really need him. The presence of the Spirit was there and everyone could feel it. I know that the gospel is true because of experiences like this. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life. I love my mission, guys. The lessons I have learned here are embedded into my soul. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be here. The most wicked city in the world is becoming one of the most sacred place for me. That may sound weird but I have had so many experiences here that have changed my life, that it is a very special place for me. The Lord is busy with His children here in Amsterdam.

   I am excited to speak with you on Tuesday. I am exited to hear about Morocco, School, Theater, Mom's adventures in class, and dad's adventures in general. I'll try the best I can to have some things prepared to share with you too so it isn't so scattered, haha. We have 45 minutes this time around.  Love you guys, tot Dinsdag!