Hail Mary on the
Stairway to Heaven
No greater news could
come to the unaware eyes than that of not one but TWO clutch wins in the final
seconds for the Cougars to open the 2015 season. Against 2 very solid teams in
a magnificent hail-mary fashion. One of them being the Boise State Broncos
simply adds a cup of cherries on top. Trust me, I have raised the colors high
in the blue here on the other side of the pond.
This past week has
been all over the place, quite literally, and we have been able to see some
neat things happen. Tuesday I was on exchanges in Amsterdam aka Babylon and had
the chance to convert the souls there. We taught a lady named Sophia who from
the doorstep on breastfed her daughter as we taught about the restored gospel.
Happens to the breast of us sometimes. But it turned out to be a great lesson
and she told us she loved the church because it was peaceful and made the step
to `´come permanently`´ in her words.
Last week I talked a
little about Maria, and this week Elder Morrell and I were able to teach her on
exchanges. Yes, Elder Morrell and I have made it on exchanges and you can only
imagine how great that was haha. But we taught her the Plan of Salvation which
she found much peace in and committed to read the pamphlet about it before we
come back. She went off again on her fear of the refugees coming in, but I feel
for her.
The political
situation over here is insane. I won’t sugarcoat it at all. Europe is flipping
a lid and the situation with the refugees coming in is getting crazy. ISIS is
spreading and has already been spotted in Germany I think. I don’t know much
about it since it began when I was in the MTC but I don’t think it’s any
good... The problems with Syria are crazy and people are coming to Europe in
bucket loads. It’s so sad for those who are all genuinely seeking peace at the
expense of a few who want to destroy everything. We are starting to see it all
over now. Just Thursday we contacted a man who fled from Syria and has no solid
future or plans anymore, just trying to live. America has its issues with the
presidency and stuff and over here it is getting heated too. But the work will
go on because it is not finished. And I don’t mean to sound like a martyr but
why should we fear when we are doing the most important work ever to be done?
We just live in the world, not of it.
We met a neat guy this
week that went to the young single adult camp, found a girlfriend who is active
and great and is in the reactivation process. We blessed his home and he told
us he wants to do everything he can to receive the Melchezidek priesthood and
go on joint teach. Moral of the story: all you need is love.
We also went to an
appointment with the singing elders this week while they visited Apeldoorn.
Hahaha. Interesting, not too awkward. I miss Elder Conatti sometimes too so it
was great to see him. But again, so incredibly glad that music ship has sailed.
#blessings
Yesterday something
really neat happened. We taught a lady who Elder Morrell and I found on
exchanges (we should just end up comps man) who is THE most prepared woman I
have met on my mission. She sells doTerra, that Utah mom essential oil company,
and learned of the church from there. As we talked she told us of her beliefs
and was teaching us restored truth. Amazing. She knows that churches were
changed and that the fullness was lost. She believes so strongly in families
(has 9 kids and not a Mormon) and thinks that child baptism makes no sense.
Basically smashed every European stereotype for religion out of the water. Thanks
to the Spirit we taught an amazing first lesson and she is excited to read in
the Book of Mormon to determine if it is of God. She is down to pray about it
and recognizes how answers will come through the Holy Ghost. We won´t be back
for a while because she said she wants time but we will get over again to give
her note and Proclamation to the Family frame. One of the neatest miracles of
my mission. I could see her in white and I genuinely felt like I was speaking
to a Dutch member. We left speechless.
We got big plans this
week planning for a Mission Leader Council in Leidschendam and for Zone
Training next week in Zwolle. Thank goodness the language isn´t an obstacle
anymore haha
To end, I heard one of
the coolest quotes in sacrament meeting yesterday that I have ever heard in
church:
´´Knowing there is a
highway to hell and a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic
numbers. Are you set on cruise control or will you make the time to take the
stairs? ´´
BOOM. Hit me like a
wrecking ball. Love every piece of it. Remember that this week.
And yell on my behalf
this Saturday as the Cougars play in the Rose Bowl.
Elder Trevan Scott
Reese
No comments:
Post a Comment