Tuesday, August 16, 2016

One year down August 15, 2016

Hallo iedereen en groetjes vanuit Suriname! Het heeft een geweldige week geweest (zoals altijd).

We've had a really cool week this last week. We've been busy doing a number of things getting ready for this next coming week.

H was not baptised this last week. Due to some hick-ups in planning we are moving her baptism to this Saturday. She is still doing very well. This last week we had the chance to teach her about the temple and family history work. We used the magazine that the church has on the temple to teach it. She loved the picture of the Celestial room. Whenever people see pictures like that it helps them visualize the beauty of the temple and the power that the temple has. She loved the idea of family history work and temple work for the dead. We brought some members by with us, and we had to leave for another appointment, but the members stayed extra time to answer questions that she had about work for the dead.

The S family is doing AMAZING!! They are also getting baptized this Saturday. There have been many tender mercies happening that have been helping them prepare for their baptism. For example, Zuster S wasn't sure if she felt ready for baptism. But then she and her daughters were able to go on a district activity (a district is like a stake, but smaller) with the Young Women on a hike. Apparently being with other members there really helped strengthen her. Now she is as excited as ever! The members have been so good at helping the S family. President Egbert always talks about how we missionaries go away but the members are here to stay, so those friendships that they build will stay.

With all of this, this next coming week will be pretty crazy. President Egbert will be coming to Suriname with an area Seventy to do Zone Conference (for the missionaries) and district conference (for the members). President Egbert is not only our mission president, but he is also the Stake president for all the members in Suriname, Guyana, and the ABC islands so he is always busy doing other things. We're preparing for that as well as this baptism that we have this Saturday. So it'll be a bit crazy but it'll also be very exciting.

I have been pondering a lot lately about spiritual truth being described as light. I found a scripture in D&C 84:45-46 that brought me to think about it: 
45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is lightand whatsoever is light is Spiriteven the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
I love this definition of truth. I love it because not only can we find the truth of the gospel through the Holy Ghost in our minds, but it's also something that you can feel. We can feel when we are living truth and light. I love pondering about that connection, because when you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, and setting your mind in the right place, you feel this light. It's enlightening, brightening, growing, and enduring. 
D&C 50:25 And again, verily say unto you, and say it that you may know the truththat you may chase darkness from among you;
Love you all so much! I'll be back this next coming week with plenty of pictures of the baptism. Have a great week!

Ik hou van jullie!!!

Elder Hunt

Final done digging the foundation for a house

Tan color difference 

Beautiful Sunset for his One Year Mark

Got to have his favorite dinner on August 12th for his one year mark 

August 8th Week of his One year mark

Hallo iedereen!

It's been another great week in Wanica. It's also been sort of a crazy week too. We've been having bike problems and our phone broke down this week too, which has led to a lot of unforeseen difficulties a.k.a chaos. Anyways, we've had some wonderful things happen this week, and we are very excited for this next coming week too.

H is doing awesome! She's getting baptised this Saturday which we are really excited for. She is such an honest and humble seeker of truth and it's been an awesome opportunity to teach her. She catches onto everything quickly and she's also really good applying gospel principles in her life, "om evangelie beginsellen in je leven te toepassen" as the Surinamese say it.

The S family are on fire right now! They are progressing so well!! The entire family came to church together for the very first time ever and they loved it! The members have been so good at fellow-shipping them and are very excited for their baptism. We are also very excited for them as well. We've been teaching them about the importance of family scripture study, and really stressing reading out of the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon truly is the foundation to everything that we do in the church. The promise has been made time and time again that one will never lose their testimony if they read out of the Book of Mormon everyday. I know that is true! In D&C 43:34 it says "Treasure these things up in your hearts, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon you minds forever". The Book of Mormon is so amazing because it gives us a source of hope in our lives. That knowledge that brings us hope, is what keeps us going. It's what allows us to go on from activity to activity, day to day, with confidence and happiness knowing that everything will be okay. That is such a wonderful gift that our loving Heavenly Father has given to teach one of us.

Love you all. I'll be back next week with more to come. I can't believe I'll be hitting my year mark this week. Missions really do fly by! Have a great week!

Ik hou van jullie!!!

Elder Hunt