14 October 2009

99 new contacts in one week


We received another e-mail in Dutch this week from our son. He wrote many personal things that would not be appropriate to publish in this blog, but he is doing well and he enjoys his mission. He had a very uplifting week and had a great discussion with his mission president. His love and testimony of our redeemer Jesus Christ has grown and he loves to share the gospel and musical talents with the people in his mission field.

He and his companion Elder Roepers had set a goal to get 100 new contacts this week and they achieved 99 in one week. They also have another baptism scheduled on Saturday of young man that studies in Paramaribo.

If you have some time, please send him a letter and let him know how you are. Missionaries always love to receive mail. His mailing address is posted on this blog.

Love,
A Missionary Dad


Video created by Davidkat99 (youtube)

05 October 2009

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday, Dad. As I was sitting in Priesthood meeting I could not help but think about all of those times that we sat in Priesthood meeting together and listened to the words of the prophets. I am grateful for you as my father. I love you very much. Thank you. I hope you have a great and successful day.

I was able to learn so much during this last weekend. The words of the Lord's anointed have touched me deeply. I have been thinking a lot about personal revelation and charity and that is what conference was all about. (At least to me that's what it seemed like. I think it is amazing that different people get different things out of conference.) Service through charity is really the key to success and I have been able to see that in my life and in the lives of others as I have worked as a missionary. I am grateful for the fact that I was able to listen to the prophet and the other leaders of the church.

We were able to baptize sister Williams after the first session of conference and confirm her on Sunday after the first session. She is a great sister. She has such a strong testimony of the restored gospel and she shared that with the people at her baptism.

At conference I was able to see some of the great members of the Wanica branch. I was happy to see the Ritfeld family, the Druiventak family and some of the others that sang in the choir and they have become great friends. I was even able to see some of the recent converts. It is always great to see the people you baptized that are active in the church. The members were proud to report that they had kept the choir going and that they had performed during a district conference just before I came back. I have heard many people talk about the choir and their performance and they were amazing. Now that I am back they want me to teach piano and start another choir in the branch I am serving in currently.

I know our Heavenly Father lives and loves us. His Son Jesus Christ did in fact die for us. He engraved our names in the palms of his hands, and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for parents that have taught me that and have made it possible for me to teach others about what I know to be true.

Love, Jeff

For those that missed seeing general conference, you can still watch it @ http://www.byu.tv/