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,
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
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