YEAH BYU!!!

From e-mail dated Novermber 30, 2009

Woohoo! I'm so excited! Way to go BYU!!! They'd just better win next year, too (so that my last year at BYU will be a win).

I'm glad that the play went well and that you had a good Thanksgiving. I'm also glad that you enjoyed that chocolate and waffles. How's Marci, by the way? I'm sorry the tape is so boring-- I really had no idea what to say. Maar goed. Today I'm writing a Christmas letter to the ward that I'll probably just send to the house--so you can pass it on to the Bishop or whatever...

As for the referral from Pat--we are only allowed to open emails from immediate family, so even if she sent it, I wouldn't be able to open it. It's best if you forward it on.

This week we had a cool experience. On P-day we went to something called Noah’s Ark. Basically a man from the Netherlands thought the country should believe more in God, and thought that building a replica of Noah’s Ark would help to raise awareness about God. It was cool to go there and see what he’s done and how he backs up the Bible with science and such, but even cooler was that we got a chance to talk to some of the people that volunteer there about the gospel. We talked with a couple of young men who didn’t believe in Christ as they grew up—in fact, they knew very little about Him—but they came to Noah’s Ark and felt a little bit of something. Over the next few months, they had a number of experiences that led them to believe in Christ as their Savior and they have completely turned their lives around because they now believe. We talked with them about the restoration and they were really open about it. It was a really neat experience and the Spirit was really strong as we talked with them. It was amazing to see how learning about the Atonement of Jesus Christ could change these young men’s lives. If you want to check out Noah's Ark, they have a website--just google it (I don't remember the website off the top of my head). They are currently working on building one that is supposed to be the actual size of the ark. Pretty crazy! But super cool. I know, I've turned into a gospel freak--I basically love everything having to do with the gospel. One of the pictures is of me with the Kangaroos in the ark because the boys like kangaroos (if I remember right).

Also, this week we finally got in contact with a member who went inactive the week after she got baptized. Missionaries and the ward have been trying to contact her ever since then, but have never been able to. One of the members felt like she should go by, and this girl happened to be home. The member set up an appointment so that we could go over. We were able to talk with her about what has been going on—and she talked about becoming depressed because the missionaries who taught her got transferred the week after she got baptized, and then she didn’t want to come back to church. Talking with her reaffirmed my conviction of the importance of helping investigators form relationships with members. We are hoping to help her develop those relationships and help her return to the church.

As for the other pictures, one is of us and part of Familie Todorovic (the ones from Yugoslavia) and one is of a few of us missionaries outside the Van Gogh Museum a couple of weeks ago (this is my favorite Van Gogh painting).

Well, I've gotta get running, but know, as always, that I love you. I've been studying this week in the Pearl of Great Price to prepare for Zone Conference tomorrow, and it has been AMAZING! One thing I really got a reaffirmed testimony of is the strength that comes as we remember who we are as sons and daughters of God. Even as Satan came to try to tempt Moses, one of the first things he tried to take away from Moses was his identity as a son of God by calling him a son of man. But, Moses was able to stay strong because he knew he was a son of God. Always remember that you are sons and daughters of God and you are here on earth for a very specific reason. I love you so much!

Zuster Fowler

Het komt wel goed‏

From e-mail dated November 24, 2009

It sounds like you've been having an adventure with the play. Break a leg! And enjoy Thanksgiving break. We are going to have Thanksgiving dinner with an American member on Thursday, so that should be fun. We are in charge of the pumpkin pie-- but they don't really do that kind of thing in the Netherlands. Through a random miracle of events, the Elders have a random can of pumpkin at their apartment, but we couldn't find any evaporated milk, so we are going to make a pumpkin roll instead. Nau, ja, wat kan ye eraan doen?
This week I went to Den Haag on exchanges for a few days. It was an adventure. I worked with Zr. Robbins. She was also trained by Zr. Baxter, so we have a lot of the same ideas about how missionary work should be done... It was amazing. The work in Den Haag is quite a bit slower than in Amsterdam--ik bedoel, they just don't have as many appointments and such--but the ward is a lot more into missionary work, and the ward members really take in the investigators. In Den Haag they have had over 25 baptisms this year. Yeah.
Oh, I did get the package that you sent. Thanks. It's been so great to read in the Ensign. I LOVE it!
The weather in Amsterdam is pretty crazy. Pretty much rain. We have been SOAKED! Yesterday we got to our last appointment of the evening with Kim and her family and they pulled out their hair dryers so that we could dry our clothes.
So, I have some sad news. While I was in Den Haag, the Sisters here had a lesson with Amy. Her parents have decided that she needs to come back to China, so they have stopped providing her with money. She is trying to find a job, but it's really hard at this moment--and she doesn't speak Dutch-- so it's even more difficult. If she doesn't find a job in 2 weeks, she'll be going back to China. Please pray for her.
Well, today we are going to something called Noah's ark with some members, and we are running late, so sorry my email may be a little short today, but I've gotta go. I love you so much!
After you are done with the play, make sure to make some time for the temple--I'm assuming you haven't been since the play has been taking so much of your time. 'We get to go to the temple next week and I'm SO excited! I miss it like crazy. Well, gotta run.

Zr. Fowler

Wat een dag

From e-mail dated November 16, 2009

So, I can imagine you've been freaking out because you haven't gotten any emails yet today :) Ha ha. We had a choir practice today in Den Haag for the Christmas missionary choir, so our schedule was a little switched around and we just barely got back to Amsterdam. It's been a bit of a long day. I'm not sure if I mentioned that I'm the accompanist for the missionary choir. Some of the music is killing me-- but I've only had one week to practice--and as a missionary you don't have a whole ton of time to practice music on a piano. So, hopefully I'll pick them up in a month. I'll forward the flyer on--I've only received the French one-- but I figure dad can understand that one and not the Dutch one :)
Right now we are at the library in the Centrum and there is a talk show that is being filmed where we are. It's pretty crazy, but fun. There's like all sorts of music and random stuff going on. Good times. So, I got letters from Michelle and Matt and Colton this week. Thanks so much. I don't think the kids realize how much a difference their letters make. It really is so cool to get their letters--I hope that they like getting letters from me, too.
So, break a leg with the play. You'll have to let me know how it all goes--and all of the really funny mistakes that happen :)...
Anyway, here are some things that have been going on. We have been teaching a young Chinese woman named Amy. When we first started teaching her, she didn’t even believe in God—she just wanted to learn more about Christianity, but as she has accepted the commitments we have given her of reading from the Book of Mormon daily, coming to church, praying daily, etc. She has developed a testimony of God and Jesus Christ. We had a lesson with her this week where she bore her testimony of how she knew that God loved her—she talked about how she looks back on her life and can see how her Heavenly Father gave her a wonderful family through which she has had many opportunities, and she knows that it was something bigger than coincidence and she knows that God loves her through that. It was so amazing to hear her talk about it.
Also, one of the jovo's (young adults) in the ward had brought a couple of friends to an activity about a month ago, and they thought it was so cool and asked if they could learn more about the church. This week we taught them for the first time and they had so many questions and were so excited when we wanted to give them a Book of Mormon. They are super excited to meet again. It really strengthened my testimony of the importance of members in missionary work--that's when things really go somewhere! Most members have no idea how much of an impact they make on the people around them. This Jovo wasn't even going to invite them to the activity, but they asked where she was going and then asked if they could come along. Afterwards they asked her why they'd never been invited before and then asked to meet with us. Their names are Mark and Lotte, so pray for them.
Oh, really funny quote from one of our Zone Leaders for the week. We were having Interviews, and we always have a training with our interviews. Anyway, we were having an opening song and one of the Zone Leaders got up to lead, then in an instant he realized he didn't know how to lead, and he looked around panicking, then saw me and leaned over and whispered, "I can't lead! That's man language for help me!" It was so funny. I then got up and led, but I was trying not to laugh the whole time. It was ridiculously hilarious.
Things with Kim are going well. I love her so much. She is just a free spirit and we don't want to push her too much or she may run away. Pray that she'll develop a desire to be baptized.
I love this work! I love it so much! I love the Savior with all my heart. I’m not perfect by any means, but this work isn’t about me—it’s about HIM, and He IS perfect. I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to participate in this beautiful work.
I love you. Thanks for all of your support and all that you do. I'm fine with nylons--it's actually time for thick tights-- it's so cold! But I should be fine there. I think that's about it. Oh, about your Christmas package, I had to take one of the waffles out because it was barely too much weight and I would have had to pay another 20 euros to send one more waffle, so you are one waffle short.
Also, housing for next fall--I want to live with my MTC companion, Sister Younkin-- We are communicating via mail b/c she is in Denmark, but I sent her your email address to give to her mom.
Also, I think you can officially tell Freshman Academy that I would love to work for them again, if they will have me back--I'll probably send a letter, but it would be great if you could let them know and see if that's a possibility for me.
All right, I've got to get running. I love you!
Never forget how much your Heavenly Father loves you.

Zuster Fowler

Wat een week

From e-mail dated November 9, 2009

Hoi!
So, today I sent off a Christmas package. Hopefully it will get there safely and such. Don't open the presents until Christmas, okay?! But you can do what you want with the food.
We've been getting a ton of rain lately. It's pretty crazy! We're soaking wet and cold a lot of the time-- so it's good we've been getting so many appointments lately that we are spending most of our time inside...
This week we had a really awesome experience going finding. We haven’t knocked doors much since Zr. Fritz and I have been together, but one day we felt like we should. We ended up knocking on a door of a young woman who has a terminal illness. She’s been thinking a lot about whether or not there is a God and what will happen after death. We talked with her and the spirit was amazingly strong. It was neat to know that you were in the right place at the right time and that you could bring someone some peace about things going on in their life.
Things with Kim and Amy are going well. They take things at their pace. Amy now believes in Christ, which is AMAZING! But this week as we talked with her about baptism, she said she can't get baptized because her family already considers her the black sheep, and with Chinese family who don't even know who Christ is, she is afraid they will disown her. Please pray that her family's heart will be softened.
Well, I've gotta get running. One thing I'd like to leave you with is how important the family is. We've been talking about eternal families and such in Sunday School lately, and it's really made me appreciative for everything you have done. I love you all so much and am grateful that through the priesthood that has been restored to the earth, we really can be together forever.

Veel liefs,
Zuster Fowler

het leven van een zendelinge

From e-mail dated November 2, 2009.

once again we are on super difficult computers. so sorry for lack of capitalization and spelling issues. one day i will get some good email off to you...

anyway, things this week have been good. we had 5 investigators in church yesterday! that's the most i've had in church on my entire mission. it was pretty sweet. i also had to translate into dutch yesterday-- i do a lot of translating into english, but translating into dutch for the whole ward was a bit nerve wracking.

this week we have had a lot to do. we are starting a jovo centrum in amsterdam (that is a young adult outreach center), and we missionaries are in charge of getting it up and running. so that should be an adventure.

we also played in a talent show this weekend. some members from another ward called us and asked us to come to hilversum and play the violin and piano in their talent show. we got permission from president and zr. fritz played come thou fount and i accompanied her, then i played we'll bring the world his truth. it was a good time. one of our investigators (amy, the one from china) came with and it was really good for her. keep her in your prayers--mostly that she will develop a testimony of christ.

this week we also had a really intense first lesson with a man from the ivory coast. he is a refugee and he told us his story of how he fled to the netherlands. he just got here a month ago and has no place to live, no job, and is just trying to get by day to day. i feel so blessed that i've never had such a situation--that i grew up in a place where my family was not torn apart or killed and where i was not afraid for my life.

well, i'll wrap up with a spiritual thought.

it comes from alma 29 verse 10.

i really feel like this is me--so joyful for the way i've been able to see people coming unto christ. and it really reminds me of what christ has done for me personally. i've decided that when i come home i want to talk more with friends and extended famiy about the gospel so that i can constantly help others and reminded of what christ has done for me. i challenge yo talk with someone this week so that you can receive the blessings of being reminded of what christ has done for you personally.

i love you all so much!

tot volgende week

zuster fowler