Week 19: ''Oh, you have a Flemish accent. That's cute"

October 21, 2013

Hoi, everyone!

Yes, I am now in the great, icy north -- Groningen! Last Wednesday morning, after some sad goodbyes (Chile and his friend got up early to come to the train station to say goodbye), Elder Toole and I boarded a train to Antwerpen. From there, I bid Elder Toole farewell and got on a train with some other missionaries to Rotterdam Centraal. Then, another one to Leiden...then one to Utrecht Centraal...another to Zwolle...then finally, one to Groningen. All the while with all my luggage and a bike in tow. And thus was the longest transfer possible in the mission completed.

My new companion is Elder Besendorfer. He's going on his second transfer (I'm going on my third), and I'll be his senior companion and help him finish up his in-field training. Technically, I'm a trainer...weird. Elder Besendorfer is from Spanish Fork, Utah. He just graduated high school this past May. He knows the scriptures like the back of his hand (what 18 year old has read the Book of Mormon 17 times??), and he's basically an apostle. His Dutch is coming along well, too, for a second-transfer missionary. We make a good team -- I can speak Dutch well, and he is a monk when it comes to knowing scripture. We're both ready to work hard and see some miracles.

I haven't been here for too long, but I am loving Groningen! It is definitely a change from Kortrijk. The wind here is insane -- I've almost gotten blown off my bike a few times (not even joking) and there was one time when we were riding at a pretty good speed, then a gust of wind came head-on, and we literally almost stopped moving. Also, the rain here is cold, and when combined with the wind, it's killer. But, this city is great. It's so big -- so many university students, too! And holy woah, so many bikes. It is said to be the number one or number two biking city in the world. I believe it. Oh, and the language here is way different than Kortrijk!! I miss my Flams!! I had a way hardcore Flemish accent when I got here...it was embarrassing. I'm still trying to eradicate it. Dutch people make SO MUCH fun of Belgians. Last week, at a young adult (JoVo) activity, I was asked to introduce myself. I said (with a little bit of a Flams accent) that I was still trying to get rid of my Flams accent. One of the guys told me that my efforts to change were "schattig" (closest translation -- cute, in a sort of condescending way. Like, oh, you think you can speak real Dutch. That's cute.). But, it's almost completely gone now. Gelukkig.

The ward here is pretty big, as far as Europe wards go. About eighty people were there yesterday. There are two sets of elders (us, then Elder Nelson and Elder England, who we share an apartment and a lot of fun with) and one set of sisters (Sister Heilner and Sister Larson). It's nice, having other missionaries in the city.

Well, it's early and I'm tired, and I can't think of what else to write for now. I'm sure I'll have many interesting stories to come. Stay cool, stay real. Peace and blessings.

--Elder Bonney

 

This is my last picture with Elder Toole.

Me with my new comp, Elder Besendorfer, after a very wet ride home from an appointment.

Week 18: "So, I heard you're taking quite the trip." **ADDRESS CHANGE**

October 14, 2013

Hey everyone!

SO, transfer calls came. Where do I begin...

This past week was a little full of anticipation and curiosity. As a second transfer missionary in my first city, just about everyone (including myself) pegged my staying vs. leaving at about 50/50. As you can probably imagine, I just really wanted to KNOW what I'd be doing. One day this past week, Elder Toole asked me where I'd want to go if I left. I said either Rotterdam or Zwolle (both in Nederland, where I have family heritage) or Groningen (where Elder Eastmond, my trainer, served for six months before coming to Kortrijk. He deemed it the 'promised land'). I really didn't know, though.

Last night, we got a call. I was told that my work here in Kortrijk is done, and it's time for me to go up north. FAR north. To Groningen, the northernmost city in our mission. I honestly couldn't believe it. Groningen is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, and it is also one of the coldest. Look it up, if you have the chance. I'm excited as all get out, but I'm super sad to be leaving Kortrijk. I've learned a few things in Kortrijk, many regarding bikes, but also many about myself and what the Lord wants for me. These past two transfers have changed me, not only as a missionary, but as a person. In the movie "Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration" (super good -- if you haven't seen it, member or not, it's free to watch online, and I highly recommend it), Joseph says, in the midst of the pioneers' hard work building the temple, "you know, the Lord isn't just building a temple. He's building us." Or something like that. And, that's one thing I've seen on my mission -- it isn't just to find others and help them build their relationship with Christ. He's also teaching me and helping me become something.

I don't have too much more time today, but this past week was a blur. Elder Toole and I set another baptismal date with an investigator, and we found some new people. The witness really did come after the trial of our faith. I really was excited for the things we'd do next transfer -- Kortrijk had become my 'promised land.' Also, it's gotten way colder this past week, and the humidity really seeps through your clothing. Needless to say, I can only imagine how Groningen will be. We actually talked about Groningen this past week -- "Man, it's so cold out. You're gonna have to buy a good jacket soon." "Yeah, I can only imagine what it's like up in Nederland. Like, way up in Groningen? It must be so cold!" "Good thing neither of us are there for the winter. We Belgium boys would freeze."

So is it.

My new address is as follows:

Elder John Bonney

DD Eisenhowerstraat 38

9728 RW Groningen

the Netherlands

Please don't send mail to the Kortrijk address anymore...because, it won't get to me for like a month. If you have sent anything in the past week, email me and let me know!

Well, on Wednesday, I do the longest transfer trip possible in the mission -- from the southernmost area to the northernmost. Wish me luck.

I love you all, and have a great week. Next time, I'll tell you all about the 'promised land.' Until then, keep calm and carry on.

--Elder Bonney

PS -- attached is...I don't know. I thought it was fitting at the time.

Week 17: "that was...BEAUTIFUL"

October 6, 2013

Hey, everyone!

How about conference this past weekend? I have to say, I've never looked forward to or enjoyed conference as much as I did yesterday. It was great. A great family in our branch, familie Leman, had us over for the whole day yesterday, and we got to watch the priesthood, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning sessions (in addition to fun times and food in between). The Sunday morning session we watched live. It's funny -- you hear people cheesily say something like, "no matter how far away we are, we're still looking at the same stars," or something like that. Well... no matter how far away we are, we probably watched the Sunday morning session at the same time. How's that for true Mormon affection?

This week wasn't too exciting, but we did give baptismal dates to a Sri Lankan couple we've been teaching! Elder Toole and I taught them on Tuesday, and we watched a video, "Our Heavenly Father's Plan," with them. You need to understand that that film (it's about 30 minutes long) is made by the church, and is about as cheesy and 80s as you can get. Watch it sometime. Elder Toole and I were literally trying not to bust up laughing the whole time (we'd never seen it before we showed it to them...mistake). Anyways, it finishes, and I'm just thinking, "I can't believe we just showed that to them, they're going to think we're ridiculous..." We ask them what they thought, and they just turn to us, in a state of glorious shock, and say, "that was...BEAUTIFUL." With all sincerity. It was great. They wanted us to come back on Friday, and we left the DVD with them. They watched it two more times, they loved it so much. Elder Bishop and I (on exchanges) came back on Friday and challenged them both to baptism. They accepted (but want to learn more first, so their date isn't for a month or so). That's just how we do it in Kortrijk.

Did anyone else realize that yesterday marks a whole year since President Monson made the announcement about the missionary age change? I can't believe it's been a year. So much has happened since then, and now I've already been out for almost four months. If he hadn't made that announcement when he did, I probably wouldn't be out yet. That's pretty weird to think about. I'm grateful for that announcement, and I'm also really grateful for all the great things that have happened in the past year, in and out of the mission field.

In a week, we get transfer calls! I'll find out if I'm staying here in Kortrijk for six more weeks, or if I'm off somewhere else. This transfer has definitely been an adventure -- going senior companion and taking over a city on my second transfer hasn't been easy, but it's definitely been a learning experience for which I'm thankful to have had. I'll let you guys know next time if:where I'm going!

Keep cool everyone, and have a great week. Tot zo.

--Elder Bonney