September 8, 2014
So, I just said week 63 twice in a row. Oops.
I had a dream last night, and in my dream, I was home. My mission was over, and I was with my old BYU roommates -- we were just talking about our experiences, the things we'd seen and done in the past two years. Even though I could talk about all the things I'd learned, the ways I'd grown, things just didn't feel right... I was uneasy and unhappy. It became very clear to me that I actually wasn't done, and that there are still things I need to do on my mission. Then I woke up, with over eight months left, got out of bed, changed, and smoked at some two-on-two basketball. It's the beginning of another week, and I've got more chances to accomplish the things I'm meant to.
Summer is making a comeback! At least, a temporary comeback. The sun has been shining, and it's been warmer. I've managed to make it through an entire week without getting soaking wet. After emailing last Monday, the four of us Eindhoven elders drove up to Den Bosch ('s-Hertogenbosch), the overlooked gem of the Netherlands. For real, though -- I think Den Bosch is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. We met up with the Den Bosch elders, Elder King and Elder Carter, and we went on a boat tour of the city, which turned out to be built over a lot of water...underground boating? Yeah, buddy. It was pretty cool.
On Tuesday, we were on exchanges with the elders from Arnhem. I got to work with Elder Thomas, one I was in the MTC with, in Eindhoven. We had a good day, and we ended by visiting Genzeer (who got baptized about a month ago). We visit him a few times a week -- he's doing so well. You can just see a new light in him since he's been baptized, and he's still growing and learning -- because, of course, baptism isn't the end. Just the beginning.
We were on exchanges again the next day -- I got to serve in Nijmegen with Elder Pugh. You know, the Nijmegen elders had bought some Chinese candy, and I decided to try it out. Lesson learned: if there's cheap Chinese candy that claims to have a good "American Sweet Cron" (with the spelling error, yes) taste...it won't taste good, and you'll be tasting it for the rest of the day. Elder Pugh and I spent most of the day finding new people to teach, but we did have a cool dinner appointment with an older German couple that had been living in the Netherlands for a long time. After the forty-five minute bike trek, we made it. Elder Pugh warns me, "the husband treats the missionaries like his sons. If he does something funny, he might slap you. Apparently, it's a German thing." Sure enough, about ten minutes into the appointment, the husband does something a little funny, and while we're laughing, delivers a loud, loving slap to my face. I was in shock. That was the moment he and I became friends. He told us that his wife was making some German dish, and we told him we'd never heard of it. He says, "weet je wat tennisbals zijn? Zoiets." (Do you know what tennisballs are? Something like that.) We couldn't wait to dig in. It was actually really tasty, despite his "warning." They were great people.
And yes, we had to do three exchanges back-to-back. On Thursday, I traveled to Vlissingen to work with Elder Womeldorf. We had a good day -- Vlissingen really is a beautiful city. We got to teach some cool people, too. One particular lesson was a really good experience. We were visiting this one investigator, and she was a talker. She was super sweet and nice, but...she just wouldn't close her mouth and let us talk (or leave)! I said a silent prayer and begged God to make her be still, but I just got the feeling that I should listen to her, so I did. After a few minutes, she looks and me and says, "you have something you want to say, don't you. Something you want to share." I respond, "yes, actually. How did you know?" "The way you're listening to me and paying attention, I can tell that you have something I need." It really was that perfect. We moved on to teach a short, powerful lesson and set a baptismal date with her. It's funny, the way God works sometimes. He really does have things under control, you know?
It wasn't until Friday that I got to work a full day in Eindhoven with Elder Rudolph. It was good. We visited one recently re-activated single mom from Ghana and her kids. They are so funny. We've told them that we're "momma's police" -- if they aren't good and helpful, we'll have to come take care of business. Elder Rudolph and his size make it even more funny. When we got there, the two older kids (ages seven and nine?) had just had a fight. After our lesson, they still weren't friends again yet. Kids. Something had to be done. So, we promised them a prize if they could sit on the ground, back-to-back, linking arms, and stand up. They got it on their...seventh try. And when we left, they were laughing and practicing their new trick. I think that's the way all fights should be resolved in the world. But hey -- maybe that's just me.
That's all, folks.
--Elder Bonney
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| Chilling with the Den Bosch boys on our boat tour. I thought the photo was serious faces. |
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Elder Womeldorf and I found a trash globe in Vlissingen. I'm contemplating the deep message found in the artwork.
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