OOpse! I Forgot the 4th Week Letter from Jen

Goede Morgen (pronounciation - ghooa morgha) ,

I can't believe that this will be the start of my 4th week here! It's so crazy to think about because everyone, EVERYONE, told me that their first two transfers went by soooo slowly, and I feel like my first transfer is going by so fast which means the rest of my mission will go by even quicker.

I'm a little nervous because I only have about 2 weeks left with my trainer which means she'll be leaving me and I'll get a new companion but I'll be the one taking over the city because my new companion hasn't served in Lelystad before.

It's funny, because on your mission, there aren't really such things as holidays. It honestly feels like another day and because we have so much to do, holidays get in the way because everyone else in the world is on holiday but you aren't so it really messes up your schedule with wanting to meet with people. My companion keeps telling me that she is so happy that the holidays are over because that means we can get back to a more normal routine.

Because we had to be in our apartment on New Year's Eve at 4 pm, our New Years wasn't anything real special. Although what's weird to think about is that I will spend this entire year on my mission and am now able to say that I will go home next year.

Also on New Year's Eve, we had interviews with our mission President and his wife...which was quite intense for me because the moment I sat down with each one they just got right down to business whereas with everyone else apparently they had quite a bit of small talk. The moment I sat down with his wife, literally the moment I sat in the chair, she said, "You need to pray about the reason as to why you are in Lelystad!" I said, "okay," with a little a bit of fear. She was just so intense.

With President, he usually talks with me in very cryptic ways but on Tuesday He told me that I was a very special greenie and that I was the most difficult one he had to find a trainer for. He said that Sis. Adams (my trainer) was the only one that worked hard enough and that she earned me. I didn't completely understand why he was telling me this but I guess I was happy about it. I don't know. Just the way he said it in a very serious face that I was "a very special greenie" was weird. He was saying all these other things, which I was surprised because he barely knows me.

It's really funny because I've realized (and this happen about 4 times this week) how interested the members of the branch are in me. Every time I go over to their house they always asked me what my heritage is. It's so funny. The members usually don't care to talk to the missionaries but everyone always comes up to me and starts up a conversation. Yesterday I was walking down a hallway back to my class and two women pulled me aside, one to compliment on my Dutch, (which was great to hear because they said great I'm doing) and then they just told me about their personal lives

Ahhhh! Since I'm in the library right now the time just showed me I have two minutes left!

So sorry, I'll talk to everyone again next week!

Love you so much and miss you all!!!

Jenny

My 2nd Transfer

This week Jen wrote:

Well, this week has been quite an interesting one. Transfers were pretty crazy but we got where we needed to be. Many of the trains were delayed because it was suppose to snow on Wednesday. 

Anyways, my new companion is Zr. Doxey. She's from California, is super sweet, nice, and funny. She's a transfer ahead of me so we're both pretty new. Since today is my birthday, I woke up and walked into the living room where I found sticky notes written for me scattered around the apartment. Zr. Doxey wrote me a reason for each of my years as to why I'm such a cool companion. It was really sweet. 

On Thursday, we went to our branch president's house for dinner and Zr. Doxy showed a cool trick with whipped cream. Basically what you do is put some whipped cream on the back of your hand and then hit your arm so it flies up in the air and you try to catch it in your mouth. 

She didn't want to show us at first because she said it might make a mess but all of us (Pres. Hoole, his wife, Analia, the elders and I) convinced her to do it. BUT unfortunately the ceiling wasn't high enough so when Zr. Doxey hit her arm we just saw the whipped cream go up and stay up, it was stuck to the ceiling and we all burst out laughing. President Hoole then goes, "that was a great first impression". 

We are trying a new tactic this transfer; to use our bikes as little as possible and just walk everywhere. It has been a really interesting experience. We've talked to people we would normally miss just riding our bikes to and from a particular place. On Saturday we walked around for about 5 hours straight.

I would say that yesterday and today might have/ will be our craziest days yet. It was funny because there was a moment in church yesterday when about 8 people wanted to set appointments with me and they were all talking to me at once. It was quite interesting. Some where speaking in Dutch and the other half in English so my brain was having a bit of a work out. I love this branch so much. All the people here are so awesome and really nice and giving. 

I was lucky today because I have a birthday p-day...although it seems way more busy than all my other days. We have 4 appointments to go in a row, so that will be interesting. A remember called me up in the morning to sing me a happy birthday. And she also has a chocolate surprise for me which I'm very excited for. AND yesterday, the elders made me a cake. So thus far, I think my birthday has been pretty great. 

It will be interesting because I'll have two birthdays on my mission. 

A note from me, her mother:

Well, that does this Mother's heart well to see that my prayer was answered.  The night before I received this email, during family prayer I prayed that Jen would feel Heavenly Father's love for her from the people who surrounded her because we got a big surprise this past month when our car broke down and we had to spend our Christmas funds and then some, on car repairs.  We were blessed with friends who gave me work to earn some money with which I bought things we needed, as well as some anonymous beautiful friends gave us a wonderful gift card for Walmart for gifts for our family, but things are still tight because we will need to replace our home's roof this spring as well as paint the exterior of the home.  Those are costly repairs and I pray that we can find the funds come as we need them.  I know that as we live, doing our best that the way will be prepared, just like Jen was provided for on her birthday.  I appreciate all the prayers I know that are sent on both Jen's and our family's behalf and I know that all will be fine.  After all our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson said that the future is as bright as our faith, and I believe this.  I pray for you all who are reading this blog, that your needs may be met as well.  I know Heavenly Father loves us so much!

Here's a precious video that always makes me realize it over again and again:

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/our-true-identity?lang=eng

Our True Identity is the name of the video.

Here is the link to the whole talk.  

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-11-0050-the-reflection-in-the-water?lang=eng

It is such a sweet and dear to my heart message.  I hope you will find the time to hear it as I know it will lighten your load.

Hope your day is special in ways that mean a lot to you!

Your Sister in Christ, 

Linda

Transfer Week!

So, this Wednesday will the be the official end of my first transfer in the land! It's crazy to think how fast time has gone by. It only feels like I've been here a week or so and now I have to take over the city because my trainer/companion is getting transferred to Amsterdam. 

We got our transfer calls last night to find out who was staying or leaving and who our new companions were going to be. My wonderful companion, who was stressing out about the call the entire night lol, was so excited to here that she was going to Amsterdam (she's been in Lelystad for 6 months - one of the smallest places you can serve in in the Netherlands) that she completely forgot the name of my new companion, so I have no idea who she is, so sorry I can't tell you her name yet. 

It was quite an interesting last week, most of our time was spent knocking doors in the freezing rain, mainly in the rich neighborhoods (which are notoriously known for not having any interest in religion whatsoever). Most of the time before we get even a chance to talk they assume we're Jehovah's Witnesses and immediately send us away or get mad at us because apparently "we" always come by and that we must take their name out of "our book". The first several times I heard that, I asked my companion what they meant and she explained to me that apparently the Jehovah's Witnesses have a book that they write down the addresses of people and continually knock at their doors. A few days ago, that happened and we said to a man that we weren't and he said, "oh, okay. Well, then you can talk to me. I guess I shouldn't group people together like that."

We're also told a lot, "It's raining guys, go inside and take a nap." We reply with a painfully but happy, freezing smile, "We know, but we can't. We work despite the weather." With that reply, we often are told that we're courageous, which really makes our day. I've definitely learned to appreciate the nice little things people do because it makes a difference when you feel like you're not making any difference. 

To describe this week, personally, in a general sense, I would say it was pretty stressful. Mainly because I've been terrified at the thought of taking over this city, having to know where to go for appointments, and having to SPEAK DUTCH! My companion is 10 months ahead of me so her Dutch is pretty good, so I can rely on her when I don't understand what people are saying to me. But I think this transfer is what I really needed to step up and speak the language on my own, no matter terrifying that thought is. I was reading in my personal study, the other day, in Alma 26:37 which says, "...we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth..."

So last night, at dinner, I was sitting at the table, after receiving the transfer call and coming to terms with staying in this city, I decided to accept it and just get to work. My prayers have been refined since I've been here and I pray to God to completely take away my fears and doubts so that I may be able to do this. Dutch is my language, it's mine now, and I was called to teach in this language so I believe that I will be able to speak it (even though I have to set French aside, no matter how much I love it). I have learned that we get too comfortable in our doubts to where we naturally and sub-conscious/unconsciously create self-limiting beliefs. So, by the time I get home I WILL speak fluent Dutch (nederlands). But I know that I also have to have patience with this language because it has words like "priesterschapsverordeningen" - Yes, that's one word. 

Anyways, my companion is singing about everything I'm doing right now because she's freezing and bored, so I'll close here. 

I love you all! 

Zuster Begazo

Only a week an half left of my first transfer in the land

Goede Dag iedereen! 

This week has been quite an interesting one in regards to weather, teaching, and personal triumph. For the past three days the wind has blown in all directions so as we're riding our bikes with all the human force we are capable to summon, we, (about 80 percent of the time) have to get off our bikes and just start walking. It's quite fun though, I have to admit, sometimes we refuse to get off our bikes and we hold one fist in the air to spite the wind and yell to each other, "we can do it! Adversity is strong but we are stronger! Yeah!" 

(Yes, we know we're quite dramatic and we may or may not have been given strange looks as we ride by but sometimes you just have to make hard things fun in order to get through them.) My hair is also a highlight to see whenever we walk to a door and I see my reflection of the results of crazy wind and my thick/now curly hair. Sometimes I just leave it be because the people get a laugh at what we look like when we knock on their door. I think it was on Wednesday when it was crazy wind but it was pouring freezing rain and one of our appointments fell through so we had a 4-hour gap of just being outside. One woman said to us when she opened it the door, "it's raining guys." "We know, but we still have to work :)" Everything was just drenched and I had to stay like that the entire day, by the time we got back to the apartment at 9pm I couldn't really feel my toes or fingers lol. 

Through the insane weather this week, I have begun to gain a testimony of when it says in the scriptures that one soul is priceless in the eyes of God. Yesterday, was one of the coldest and windiest days yet and we were knocking doors without success for 2 hours straight. When we were done, we got on our bikes and started to head to our appointment, when as we were riding we see a man with his 2-year-old son walking down the street. Both of us has a very strong impression to stop and talk to him, so in a very awkward, and might I add difficult introduction when trying to get off your bike while riding and the wind in blowing, all the while trying to keep your skirt down, we were able to start a conversation in my stumbling Dutch. He told us that he has family in the US and we went to church one time and saw the temple and that it was really amazing. 

Anyways, after we finished, we got back on our bikes and continued. Extremely grateful and just happy, my companion looks to me and said, "that's who we were suppose to meet. that's why we were out here so long with no success. We needed to talk to that guy." I don't know if he'll ever call us or be interested again but just being able to talk to someone that was really nice and positive was a highlight in the many freezing hours we spend with people not wanting to talk to us. And while riding my bike back I was thinking of that scripture of the worth of souls, and you begin to really appreciate just that one person who wants to listen in the sea of the hundreds who don't. 

I've also been realizing the power of your personal testimony. We have one investigator, a teenager, who's been kicked out of her home because her parents didn't want to deal with her anymore. She's been going through such a hard time lately and as we were talking in the library and I just spoke about how much this gospel has taught many skills in my life and how it has shown me through years of studying that I'm important to God. Many people think that conversion and testimony comes quickly or rather should come quickly because they reason that if God loves them then He would make himself known unto them. 

My personal experience is not that at all. To know God, and to understand your worth means to work diligently to want to know Him. You have to pour your soul out in prayer and study of the scriptures to understand what He wants for you. And once He sees your effort, your diligence, and yearning to have Him in your life then, and only then, after the trial of your faith will you really understand that He's there and that you're important to Him. It all begins with the sincere hope of wanting to understand which leads to faith and then to action (on your part). If you're looking for God, you will find Him because He really is there and He's waiting for us to want to have Him in our lives, to encompass our lives and have His love abound in them. 

I love you all! 

Zuster Begazo 

Beginning the 3rd week in the land

We were unaware that others cared to read what was going on with Jen on her mission so it wasn't until her 9th week away from home that she started writing emails to share with others.  

For those of you who do not know, whenever missions involve another language, missionaries spend almost 6 weeks in the MTC (Mission Training Center) in Utah where they learn the language, before they head out into the area of the world that they have been assigned to.

Here's her email that she shares.

Goede morgen, 

This past week was quite a crazy, weird week. Because the Dutch celebrate two Christmas days, our work schedules were all crazy, as with getting home on time. Everyone keeps asking me if I've been adjusting, and I'd say I have. Everything feels pretty normal at this point. 

I was so happy this past week because a wife of one of our investigators invited us for Christmas dinner, and my companion said that she never cared for the missionaries, but she loves me! ahah, It's funny because I've been able to get all the people who don't really care about the missionaries to love my companion and me and just want to spend time and talk with us. In the branch that we're in I was told that it's kind of split half and half, the families who like the sister missionaries don't invited the Elders over and the families who love the Elders don't invite the sisters over. BUT one of the families that only like the Elders, after talking to me, told them that she would like to invite us over for dinner one day...even if she said that my companion made her angry...so that was a plus for the day. 

Apparently, there is a flu epidemic in Nederland right now, and everyone is sick, so we haven't had many appointments and some of our investigators had to cancel on us. But luckily it hasn't been too bad. My companion and I are still okay, and able to work. Anyways, so for Christmas Eve we were able to have a Polish Christmas Eve, 1st Kerst (Christmas) we went to the De Graafs, I've decided that they're one of my favorite families (despite the fact that Noortje, the mother, made me eat herring yesterday, and was laughing so hard at my expense. Actually, everyone was laughing...the joys of being a groenje (greenie) I was hoping to avoid that whole ritual but my wonderful companion told her that I hadn't tired it yet, so they made me eat it yesterday.) Then for 2nd Kerst we went over another members house and had gourmet which was really good. So for Christmas our mission president allowed us to watch a G-rated Disney movie, and my companion and i wanted to watch Monster's University so badly, but on 1st Kerst we ran out of time, one of the De Graafs son is on a mission in Nebraska, and then on 2nd Kerst, one of the families sons kept talking to me so I kept having to pause and respond and eventually just turn it off because I wasn't able to pay attention. 

As per the spiritual part of my week thus far, I've noticed that the mornings are the most difficult. Getting up and studying is fine, but during the last hour of my study, this fear comes over me, making me afraid to go out and do what I need to do; whether it be contacting people on the street, door-knocking, or lessons with investigators. There's this small voice that says that I can't. But I've learned to ignore that voice and just do it and by the end of the day, I've looked back and have seen what a great day it's been. Whenever that feeling comes, I immediately pray for God to help me, to face my fear of the language and messing up; to give me the strengthen to just do it. And that prayer happens at least about once an hour but it makes all the difference to my day. 

My trainer will be leaving me in about 3 weeks and I'll get another companion which basically means I'll be taking over this area and that terrifies me to no end. I still don't know quite how to navigate my way around and while I'm in the midst of that panic, of wondering how I'm going to do it, how am I going to speak this language enough to teach the lessons and etc. I have to stop myself and say, "just focus on what I need to do today, in this very moment. What do I need to get done today." A mission really makes you concentrate on living in the moment and the importance of the present. Because if I were to try to look into future and try to plan and predict it I would get so overwhelmed and wouldn't be able to do the work that I need to do. 

I've also learned how to let the small things go, whether I made a mistake in the language, or my companion gives me a look like I'm stupid sometimes. I just let it go and give it to God so that I may be able to concentrate on the things that I need to do and want to do. I absolutely love studying on my mission. I just wish we had more time to do so. I'm learning so much about the importance of our testimony and the constant and consistent need for us to build it. We have to read our scriptures everyday! Everyday. It makes a difference in your life even if you don't realize it at first...or at all. It makes a difference. And I've also seen the importance of teaching children to read it everyday, to study the doctrines and principles it contains that help guide and direct our lives to God. My companion showed me great talk the other day by Jeffrey R. Holland. It's called the "Grandeur of God." It talks about how Christ came to the earth to be the perfect example of how to be like God, because that's our aim. We want to return to God. 

I love you all!!!!! 

Jenny

About Jen

Have you ever met someone who you feel so comfortable around, someone who always points out how special you are to them?  Someone who is a quiet force in your life, who just shines light on your path?  Well, that is what my Jen is like.  She is one of my very best friends and is someone I feel proves to me that Heavenly Father is aware of me because he thought to give me a daughter like her!

She has been all around the world. doing good deeds, not for any other reason but because that is fun for her.  Here's a blog she wrote in 2014 that shares the lives she has touched and that have touched her's.  /http://jenbegazo.blogspot.in/

Right now she is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Belgium and the Netherlands for 18 months and this blog is created as a way to share what is going on in her life right now with all her friends around the world.

It is our prayer that these emails may bring light and direction in the lives of all who read them and that you may feel the Savior's deepest love for you.  You are not forgotten for he has engraven you upon His hands.  Of this I feel so deeply in my heart!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on Google+

Blessings and Sunshine, your sister in Christ, 
and Jen's mother,