Eli Mail 1/9/16 (Leiden, Netherlands) Letter 65

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is having a great week! Us office Elders have been doing well. My companion Elder Evans only has three weeks, but you would not be able to tell. He's great and still rockin' and rollin’.

A number of things happened this week, but I want to highlight the best moments of the week. First off, we had a wonderful little miracle this past Tuesday at our bi-monthly "games night." Elder Evans organized a bi-monthly activity with games and treats and all the YSA kids from around north and south Holland come together to have listen to a little spiritual message and then play board games and similar activities. In the past few months, the attendance has wavered quite dramatically. One time we had around 15-20 youth from around the stake come, and then another we had three. But this time we had a nice average at about six to seven. We did the spiritual thought and then started playing as usual, but during the first initial 15 minutes the phone kept buzzing, indicating received text messages, but I just ignored it. But 10 minutes later an older Dutch woman showed up at the door to the room we were playing with a girl behind her, telling us she had gotten lost on the way trying to find the church. Evidently, one our student investigators read a mass text we sent out earlier that day and went out to find the church by herself! She had gotten horribly lost and had texted us for help, but I had simply ignored the buzzing! I felt so bad, but my companions and I warmly greeted her and we had a good evening of games together. She had wound up by another church, the apostolic church, and her over-sized tandem bike broke down on the way, but she was diligent and showed up! I was very impressed, and it was a cool blessing to see her desire to come to the church on a Tuesday evening just for a good atmosphere and games! It was a great evening.

This week we have done pretty well with the work. Sadly, most of our planned lessons haven't been working out and contact with our solid investigators has been slipping lately, but I am hopeful to keep things on track and make more time to call and visit people. Our legality Belgium trip yesterday became very memorable, perhaps not for the best of reasons either, but memorable none the less. Friday morning Elder Cook and I were trying to think of some way to "change up" the Brussels trip, make it a little more exciting. We attempted to think of some pranks, or anything for that matter, but nothing came to mind so we just carried out plans as normal. We all left at around 9:40 a.m. and arrived like normal around noon in Brussels. After finding our usual underground parking lot, we all piled out and walked around Brussels centrum for lunch, eating fries and waffles as we always do. After about an hour, we all met up again and headed back to the car. I walked over to the side door, and Elder Cook climbed in the front seat, and one of the new missionaries was just staring at his door. Elder Cook saw him and exclaimed, "What the heck?!" I was ruffling around in my bag in the back seat and shot my head to the front of the car at the sound of his surprise. As I climbed over the seat and looked at the front passenger side door I saw glass all over the seat and ground. We had been robbed! Turns out someone smashed in our side window and stole our GPS out of our glove compartment. It was weird, but they left everything else – our gas cards and spare change – just taking the GPS. We spent the rest of the afternoon filing damage reports and then spent a few hours waiting in line at the Brussels police department to report the accident. It was a crazy, weird Brussels trip. Perhaps Elder Cook and I should not wish for more crazy things to happen like that again. We didn't even get to do the legality work either, but it was a memorable trip. Elder Cook miraculously guided us home, from Brussels all the way to Leiden, Nederland, without a GPS. I was very impressed.

Anyway, I am loving things out here! The days are still pretty wintry and dark, but I am finding a lot of joy in what us missionaries do, inviting others unto Christ, and I hope you all continue daily to invite yourselves unto Christ. It will help you inherit what D&C 88:19 describes: "crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father."

Have a wonderful week.

Elder Eli Andrew

Eli Mail 1/2/16 (Leiden, Netherlands) Letter 64

Happy New Year, all! It is officially 2016! Isn't that weird? I am pretty sure I will be writing 2015 on all my notes for the next couple months, just out of habit. But the reality of a bright, hopeful New Year has now sunk in, especially with the Netherlands going explosive on the 31st.

New Year's Eve of course was fantastic. Last year Elder Toole and I flipped the couch in our apartment around facing the big, open windows in the direction of Amsterdam. Sadly, last year I decided to "lay down" for a little bit before midnight and woke up to the alarm at 6:30 that next morning! Elder Toole claims he tried to wake me up, but I just slept through it. This year I did not want to let that happen. We played Monopoly and Phase 10 to pass the time away, and when it as finally time we climbed the ladder staircase to the top floor our apartment complex. Surprisingly, no one else joined us on the top floor, so we got to have the whole space to ourselves. The view we had was great, we had a clear few of the entire centrum area of Leiden, making for a loud, colorful evening of fireworks.

It was a pretty tame week as far as office work goes – nothing too insane other than end-of-the-year deadlines. We had a great time this week sharing the gospel, teaching as we went about, mainly focusing still on a Christ-centered Christmas, but also diving into New Year's resolutions. Speaking of which, our mission did a "mission-wide" goal setting evening. Because of the high risk of explosives on New Year's Eve, we had some time in our apartments, and did enjoy a little time to reflect on a full year of full-time service out in the mission field. I reflected on what went well, where I improved, what could have gone better, and where I want to go. I don't think everyone has to be super extravagant with New Year's resolutions, especially since they tend to sputter out quickly, but the wise words of my former mission president ring in my ears: "Make resolutions simple. For example – to be nicer, to see the good in others, etc. Anything simple and achievable, that will bring you closer to Christ." I am paraphrasing there, but I invite everyone if they haven't already to make one simple, achievable resolution and make it a part of you, internalize it, really work on it and become it.

Among the bomb-like explosives going off throughout the week, we did a lot of good work. On Monday evening after our typical lesson/dinner appointment with a part-member family, we decided to do something we had never done before – work in their area. It had gotten pretty late, and our only option was to knock a few doors. I was pretty hesitant about it, especially the hour of night, but I just set aside my little anxiety and focused on the people we talked to on the doorstep. I noticed, because of our calm and collective attitude that evening. It affected the people on the doors. We talked to an older lady who without us even asking, asked if we could come back another time, and we set a return appointment. Just a few doors further a young family let us in on the door, and we were able to share our testimonies and experiences with faith! I think the real miracle was just listening to the young father's needs. He told us about how horrible this world is and how the only thing he cares about are his kids. So, we talked and testified about hope in Christ and also about the importance of families. They have two toddlers, but both parents drink and smoke. The father at one point neglected our credibility, saying that we were too young and haven't experienced the real hardships in life. We all experience life differently, but again, we were able to share more personal experiences of hardships and then coming through it, thanks to Christ. It made the conversation very "down to earth." I like it. It was a fun little surprise, and they invited us back in the coming week, so I am excited for that!

I wish everyone the best of luck with this New Year and of course, have a great rest of the week.

Thanks again to everyone who sent Christmas postcards, spiritual experiences, and more green hands for my tree. I still don't have a picture of the tree yet, but it is on the way.

Love,

Elder Eli Andrew

The taste off. [Root beer samples shipped from his Dad's root beer shop in Galena, IL.]

Olliebolle is back! Can't complain at all. Battered up, deep fried, and dunked in powdered sugar. 

Had some great conversations one night and posed for a scenic picture in Leiden.

Christmas is wonderful when we're all together.

Eli Mail 12/26/15 (Leiden, Netherlands) Letter 63

Hello everyone, and merry "second" Christmas! The Dutch people celebrate a second Christmas and, since that is today, I might as well wish you all one! This has been a great Christmas week. I crammed a lot of office work in so I could free up space to teach a few more lessons and, of course, make room for the holidays. Well worth the effort. This was a very memorable Christmas; my last one, sadly, in the Netherlands, but definitely worth it. We have a few wonderful families that were willing to take us in, prepare wonderful meals for us (stuffing me to the brim with all sorts of potato dishes, bacon-covered deliciousness - everything a Christmas dinner should entail). And of course, they let us use up their precious internet in order to Skype back home.

When I think about this week and what has happened, I think on all the small, special, but very significant moments I had to remember Christ this Christmas. We taught a few really great lessons this week, and I can't deny how much it made me realize how much I actually do enjoy doing what missionaries do. It has its stressful, physical and spiritual demands, but those real moments of true joy make it well worth it. Teaching and listening to investigators this week helped me remember how much I love caring for each one of them individually, and how much the message of the restored gospel means to me. I think everyone has a rough patch here and there, but this Christmas season was a simple time of reflection for me, and what I get to do as a missionary, put a smile on my face and gave me a new reason to be even more cheerful. We can each experience that, too, in our lives. The gospel is meant not only to be discovered once. After all, coming unto Christ is no "happening." It is a process; it requires Godly attributes to achieve and will make the difference in our lives after all. So I thank Heavenly Father for helping me remember to see the great good in everything I do, because there is a lot of it.

It was weird going home after Christmas eve dinner, lying down and then thinking, "Wow, Christmas is tomorrow" and "2015 is shortly coming to a close." We all woke up like normal, Christmas morning, except for Elder Cook. I woke up to the sound of him laying on the couch in the other room, and after listening in silence for a little longer I realized he was definitely feeling "under the weather." Turns out he got a little food poisoning or something in him, so we spent the morning attending to him. At 11 a.m. we departed for the Christmas service. It went well; it was great to just sing lots - the Christmas hymns are great. I also translated, and it was quite an adventure trying to scripture chase my way through Luke and Helaman to follow along with the service. Afterwords, we went to a members' home, ate a wonderful meal, Skyped, and played card games for a little while before going home. Great day!

We had another crazy experience this week talking with an Asian guy, but that will have to wait.

Thank you for everyone who sent me "hands," Christmas cards, and even a Christmas package. It was all well received. Thank you for your loving and kind words. It is great to know I have a fan base back in the States.

Love,

Elder Andrew

The Leiden crew with our appropriate "Star Wars" wrapped presents from wonderful members
in Haarlem (Christmas Eve).

Minions in Leiden and the office Elders, Cook, Evans and Andrew.

Eli Mail 12/19/15 (Leiden, Netherlands) Letter 62

Hey everyone! We had another good week here in Leiden – Elders Cook, Evans and I. Transfer weeks are always super busy – ushering in the new missionaries, saying goodbye to departing missionaries, and all the work that needs to be done in between. It was bitter sweet saying goodbye to a good group of missionaries – ones who I have been pretty close to and have lead this mission. Made me really appreciate how cool of an opportunity it is to serve God full-time. We only have that chance once, as missionaries. A lot has been on my mind lately, and I am excited to share a few experiences of the week. Enjoy.

So, has anyone ever been to Ethiopia? Me neither. A few weeks ago, Elder Cook and I had about 10 minutes before we needed to head out for a dinner appointment. So, what did we do? Talk to people of course! We gave a card to a shy African-looking guy, and he requested the address of our church to be written on the back, so we gave it. Guess what? He showed up at church that Sunday! We finally got back in contact with him, and Elder Evans and I taught him on Wednesday, in spite of the craziness of departing missionaries. He has been here for four years, just living the typical refugee life. Far away from home, not many people he knows, just trying to make the best of it. What was so cool was asking him his experience of God. He said simply but powerfully how God has always helped him. He always prays. Wow. His simple and pure example really touched me. He simply has no other choice – he can't hide or ignore God. He sees the need. Sadly, in our world today it is so easy to not see the need of a Savior or religion. For some people it isn't the center of their lives – just sort of put on the side. But H, he relies and depends on God, and that is so cool. I think we would all be a little bit happier in our own lives when we just realize how much we really do need God. Our small talk lead nicely into talking about the nature of God. He committed without a doubt to coming to church again this Sunday. I am excited for H. He understands God's important role in our lives and seems pretty willing to act on his feelings.

I have a funny story. Last week was Stake conference, and we had church in Zoetermeer with the entire Den Haag stake (it was great!), including the American Wassenaar ward. I had remembered H a day or two earlier, and I knew it would be good to call him, but I didn't. I called him after stake conference and to my sorrow he had showed up at church like normal in Leiden and was totally perplexed by the locked doors and that no one was there! I was so sad to hear that! But he recovered quickly and understood, luckily.

The Christmas season is really here! I am excited for next Friday, and I hope you guys are, too! Make it a good one, everyone, and don't forget to find a way to do something out of the ordinary to reach out to others. In my own words, "be unconventional" in celebration of the Savior's birth.

As my companion Elder Cook so finely stated at a dinner appointment, "Jesus is the reason for the season!"

Love you all!

Elder Eli Andrew

Eli Mail 12/12/15 (Leiden, Netherlands) Letter 61

Hello everyone! Saturday morning has arrived once again! It is crazy how days and weeks fold over on each other and suddenly it's P-day again. Kind of scares me, to be honest. These past weeks have been full of fun missionary activities, busy end-of-the-year office work, and me trying to understand and get into that special Christmas Spirit. I am also happy to announce that Elder Evans is finally back with us! The little Belgian only has six or seven weeks left on his mission, but he's back in action after being sick for a while. I heard the buzzer go off the other night while Elder Cook and I were making dinner and low and behold, I opened the door and gave Elder Evans a big old "welcome back" grin. It's good having him back.

Amidst the busy schedule of the office, we have had a couple of really cool teaching opportunities. This past week we had our Christmas zone conference, and the Amsterdam Elders gave a really cool presentation on a new way to teach investigators. One of the Elders didn't get his visa for three transfers, so he spent time in a New York mission, and he has brought a few really cool ideas with him. In short, you basically have the investigators teach you. If you can imagine turning the pages of the Restoration pamphlet, you talk about the nature of God, His love for us, the importance of families, prophets, etc. But in this teaching method, you show them the pictures and ask them questions about what they see and what they think it means. We have an investigator we found on the street, and we decided to try the new teaching method with him. His name is Adam. He's been in the Netherlands for eight years, has three daughters that aren't living with him currently, and he is just super grateful to meet with us. We began with prayer as normal. We made a weak attempt and invited him to, but his nerves overcame him, so we prayed. We then started turning the pages of the pamphlet, me fighting the urge to just teach principles, and we searched for his understanding instead. It was super cool – Adam ended up testifying to himself of what we taught, and we just backed up the principles with our own testimonies. By the end, we reached the picture of the girl praying over the Book of Mormon. We had him describe to us what he thought of the picture, why it was important, and how to do it. He thought it was super important what she was doing. We posed the question for the second time if he wanted to pray, and for 30 seconds we bowed our heads in silence. But he looked up at us, glanced at the pamphlet again, and then bowed his head and began to pray. The rest is history, but the real, sincere prayers of an honest investigator are one of the most special things you can experience.

Yesterday was our first day back on our Belgium trip schedule, since Brussels is finally down to a security level of three. With the attacks in Paris and suspicion in Brussels things have been a little more high strung. Except, not in the Netherlands. The Dutch people were pretty shocked with the world events taking place in their backyard, but life has continued as normal. Because of another missionary legality issue we had to take a pit stop in Gent yesterday to sign a Sister in. It was great whipping through round-a-bouts in our big, blue mission van (code name: "Papa Smurf") and gazing at the enormous old churches scattered throughout Gent. Afterwards, we found a Pizza Hut all-you-can-eat buffet, and that made the highlight of the day, not eating the typical Belgium fries, but rather devouring eight slices of American pizza on a Friday afternoon.

Lastly, I have been trying to discover that "real Spirit of Christmas" people talk about so often this time of year. I got to experience it last night. But before that, I think we all know what it is: feeling the special light of Christ in our lives, remembering His eternal sacrifice, and reaching our hands out to others. But I wonder sometimes, to what extent do we actually put things into action? I know I can do better, and for this Christmas I am excited to have the special remembrance of Christ and to share it with others. We had the opportunity to go to a Christmas concert last night, a concert put together by missionaries, and it hit everything Christmas should be! They intertwined telling classic Christmas stories like Scrooge and tying them into Christmas songs. It was fantastic. The chapel was almost bursting full with people, and the combination of a professional violinist with amazing vocals and an incredible storyline made for a sick concert.

I hope everyone is doing well back in the States! Thank you so much to all those who put a hand on my tree. I had to stay up late one evening just to read them all. So, thank you! Also thanks to those who have sent packages and other goodies. I appreciate it a lot.

Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Eli Andrew

The mission front office, with Elder Cook (left) who does legality, and Elder Andrew who does finance. 

12/12/15 EMAIL NUGGETS

·         We visit a family that lives in Nieuw-Vennep, not in our area technically, but they are super fun and the husband served his mission back in the day in Arizona. He has a bunch of Navajo carvings and Indian stuff in a special glass case, and I love talking to him about it since [Dad] served there, also. But how about that? A Dutch man with a treasured Navajo collection? You don't see that too often.

Eli Mail 11/28/15 (Leiden, Netherlands) Letter 60

Hello everyone! It has been forever since I have written, but I am excited to talk about the past couple weeks with everyone. If I had to sum it up in a few words, I would describe it as potatoes, goodbye, and work. Thanksgiving this year was great. On Wednesday we set up a Thanksgiving dinner appointment with our steadily progressing investigator, Tessa, so it was good to have some American celebration in Europe. Elder Cook and I have been pretty busy in the office lately. As the year draws to a close we are making deadlines while still finding great time to further the work here in Leiden.

Firstly, I have to talk about Elder Evans. I haven't talked much about Elder Evans, but he has been serving in the office his whole mission, comes from Antwerpen, and has a hilariously unique personality. I can't put him into words – you just have to meet him. He makes the office experience complete, that's all I can say. Well, about a week or so ago he got pretty sick. What started out as coughing turned into a week at home on the couch. We came home every day and it seemed like he was getting better for a little while, but then it didn't. Turns out he had pneumonia! We had a late Saturday night at the hospital with him, and after some antibiotics and a night in the hospital, he was fine. His mom wanted him home for a little while in order to fully recover, though. Hopefully, we have our trusty Elder Evans back with us soon.

These past couple weeks we have had some great teaching experiences. A few weeks ago we met a girl on the street K, who is from Aruba and studying here. During our first appointment she opened up to us, telling us a very familiar story of just being away from home and family, and dealing with Dutch people. It was so cool to see how God has been working with her, that because of these difficult circumstances she has come so close to God, praying and reading the scriptures like never before, seeking for answers, comfort, help. Overall she was open and very sincere with us, and it was a great atmosphere to teach a good chunk of the first lesson. K was also pretty excited about the Book of Mormon, and I am excited to meet with her further. She also fed us these great deep-fried goodies from Aruba, a type of deep fried pastry that you put fresh cheese in – surprisingly delicious and sweet. Overall, a great teaching/friend-making experience!

And how could I forget the crazy experience that happened the other week? Last Friday I made a last minute decision not to go on the Belgium legality trip with Elder Cook because of the work I had to do. We arrived a little late in the office that morning only to discover the internet wasn't working! It was a little annoying, just having to deal with all the little problems that come with a new office, but I went down to the ground floor electrical room to see if I could fix the problem. It was only a few minutes earlier that Elder Cook and his group left when I heard a knocking at the glass front door. I felt a little reluctant, since all you have to do is hit one of the bells to get in the building, but I walked over to open the door for the Dutch man. But as I approached I realized it wasn't any Dutch man at all. In fact, after a moment of immediate disbelief and shock, I found myself staring directly at my Uncle Bruce. Uncle Bruce! Standing right before my eyes, waving at me, smiling, and pointing towards the door! I didn't really know what to do, so I just smiled, opened the door, and gave him a big hug. It took me completely by surprise, but we quickly starting talking. I showed him my office, and before I knew it was time for him to leave to catch his flight back to the States. Such a crazy experience! I was happy with my reaction. I didn't even freak out!

The weather is getting nice and cold here, and I am loving it. What has changed me this week is simple thankfulness. God wants us to be thankful. When we are thankful, we allow God to show us our many blessings. I realized recently how much I ask for – for His Spirit, for His guidance and help, when in fact I have been forgetting to see how much I have. We are all very privileged, and I encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect on everything you have, not what you want. It helped heal me; I know it can help heal you, too. We all took a moment and at the request of our investigator during Thanksgiving dinner said we were thankful for, and it left such a wonderful warm feeling in the room – sharing our gratitude with each other.

Love,

Elder Eli Andrew

Elder Andrew with his Uncle Bruce

Turkey Bowl 2015. We met at a big, open field in Den Haag. We brought three zones together and played a brawl of four games simultaneously. It watered down to just the football lover group, and then we took it seriously. It was all very clean, no hard feelings, and as Elder Steenblik said, "It defied all my expectations!" He had been waiting for Turkey Bowl the whole year, and it made me happy to see how happy he was about it. Great!We then all went to McDonalds, which felt like home again,
eating fast food after sporting. It was wonderful!

 

11/28/15 EMAIL NUGGETS

·         We surprised the Leiden Elders last night and showed up last night at 10:15 in sleep over gear. We went around the back, banged on the back window while I simultaneously banged on the front door, we scared the crap out of Elder T, a young missionary on exchanges. We played cards last night and then slept out in the living room. This morning we got out of the apartment early and headed over to Zoetermeer to play basketball with the Zoetermeer Elders, Sisters, and the us Leiden missionaries. It wasn't their p-days but some of them switched. I forgot, we stopped at McDonalds on the way and picked up egg McMuffins before playing. McDonalds seems to be a reaccuring theme but I just honestly never eat out these days! The Zoetermeer chapel is fresh new American building, and I eventually got my basketball game on. My companion Elder Cook is just a big football/ basketball kid and me, being an individual sports guy, took me a while to get into my basketball groove. But it was super fun when I did. After that, we partied with the Leiden Elders, grabbed some lunch and have been in the office since. It is getting very dark very early these days, and as I look out the window the dark clouds have taken over. But I do enjoy the rain! Mostly. Not with wind. (Dutch missionaries talk a lot about the weather.. humor me on this one). Now, it's getting a little late and I have a 20-minute talk tomorrow I have the think about. Ah! It'll be fun.

·         My days are pretty routine and usually stays exciting in the office. It keeps me on my toes and very busy just keepin' this mission somewhat financially stable. I feel like I am living real life honestly. Wake up. Get ready. Squeeze in a little personal study. Wait in traffic while driving to work. Work. Eat. Leave. Go on joint teach with the missionaries all evening. It's cool life preparation in a way. It is a little sad that our study time is very limited, 45 minutes usually, but as they say in Dutch, so is life!

·         Our teaching pool has been a full pond then goes shallow quick; it's been hard so far to find "the one" lately, but it continues on. We found a family that has been living here for 3 months, and they are from Burma (M). They let us into their humble abode, top story apartment with bare walls and only two, small stools. They are so poor but so loving and sweet. They offered us the only thing they could make us: coffee. I felt so bad I almost drank it, but then we had to leave and just apologized. There is of course a language barrier. They speak better English than Dutch, but I would love to see them progress. So yeah, there are more stories and stuff to tell, but all in good time.

·         My journaling habit fell off the cliff when I got into Deventer, but has turned back on since I have gotten in Leiden. Yeah, sad I know, but hey, I am doing better now! I think the main thing I strive for every day is the Spirit. That's one of the coolest things about the mission. Feeling the Spirit work through you. I have seen that on a super personal and unique level being on a mission. Connecting with people, making smiles, doing everything good.

·         I hope thanksgiving was a wonderful food feast. Last year I just avoided thinking about American holidays. I didn't want to even bother being "trunky" or whatever the kids call it these days. But this year I allowed it. Why not, right? We went to mission leader conference with all the zone leaders on Friday and helped cook. Wow. We had American turkey and everything. The smells took me WAY back. We had back-to-back dinners and lunches this week. I was soo full of potatoes. When it's cold the Dutch love cooking potatoes more than anything, lekker!