"There is no shortcut to any place worth going"-I don't know sorry.

Me and my greenie!!

Hallo everyone. This week was a good one, and kinda crazy but a good one.

My greenie is great and super bold...it is awesome, she is way tooo hard on herself with the language and stresses too much about not understanding. But we are doing well together and working hard!

We saw a lot of small miracles everyday.

Miracles:

I got to work with sis. Duncan for a little bit because we had to go to MLC and our companions went to Brussels for legal stuff which was cool...and she accidentally took the keys to sis. De souza's bike back with her to Apeldoorn. So we planned to go pick them up and we headed on our way to Apeldoorn and we talk to this super nice old man named Franc and he was super sweet and we were supposed to talk to him, and half way through the ride: I get a call from sis. Duncan and they cant come to meet us...so we went technically for no reason, but were able to meet Franc so that was cool.

Exchanges this week...first ones as sister training leader. It was good. We had them with the Tilburg sisters, because they dont have any other sisters in their zone so I am over them as well. It went really well. I had called someone in the area book who actually didnt seem that possible, but I really felt like I should just call her and see if the time was right, because what was I going to lose right? Well I had called her and scheduled an appointment with her for the day with sis. Musgrave another greeny. We got lost a little bit, but we got there and it was such a great lesson!! The spirit was there, and she is really positive and before we were done, she asked us to schedule another appointment with her!!

I looked at the times to catch the train to District meeting this week in Dordrecht, and for some reason saw 9:46...well turns out it was actually 8:46 and we were sooooo late and missed all of District meeting. I felt so bad for my greeny because it was her first District Meeting ever...and it was all my fault, but what was cool was...we ended up catching the next train, and I talked to this lady on the train, and she wanted a book of Mormon, and gave us all her info, also the guy sitting accross from us on the other side of the train, also asked us where we were from and told us he knew where one of our churches was. Which doesnt happen very often. So maybe there was a reason, why I had to miss the train. Even if I totally did space it and have nooo good excuse. haha

I got to skype yesterday. It was really good seeing you all! It is a little weird, and I was kinda a little nervous to skype, just because I am really loving my mission and not homesick and I didnt want that to change it. But we are good. I love and miss you all, but I really love this place and dont want to leave. This week I have really hit a wall that I never thought I would reach and that is the realization that my time is going by way toooooo fast, and I love this place soooo much. Even though it is hard in a new place with a new greenie and also being sister training leader and not teaching very many people....I love it here!!! I am just soooo grateful for all of the people I have already met and the people I continue to meet every day. I dont want to stop speaking dutch or sharing the gospel with random people on the trains...or handing out the Book of Mormon to people on the train. I love this work and I am starting to see that this is what I am passionate about. 

Anyways. 

Other than that this week was great...just a lot of meetings and travel and contacting! 

I love you all sooo much and I hope you have the best week ever, full of miracles!!

IK HOU VAN JULLIE!!

Wees Veilig!

VEEL LIEFS,

This is in a random place outside of Antwerpen in Wuustwezel

Elder Van Den Dungen Billen and Waters at Mechelen

Mechelen Tower...

Gouda

Zuster De Souza

Elder Thornock

Gouda...finally gave in and ate a Kapsalon....

Elder Ord, Elder Thornock, Zuster De Souza and I...in Gouda

Zuster Stewart-Chester

"ik ben geinterisseerd in deze mooie meid!"

Goedemiddag!!!!!

My amazing Greenie...

Hello everyone...I feel like a completely different person from last week. I have already learned sooo much.

Well...this week has been insane. Transfers were on tuesday because it was a National Holiday here in the Netherlands. KONINGS DAG!! Heel leuk.

so we had to leave super early on tuesday...and i got all of my stuff crammed in my bags....(somehow). and off we went. We met at the mission office for training. and the greenies came in and they went to do legality work, so we all as trainers went to do some work in Leiden. I got my guitar out and we sung for about an hour met some people from Utah and then me and sis. Lindsey worked together for the last time, and talked to a super cool guy who was actually really interested...Your welcome Leiden Elders.

Then we had dinner with all the greenies and they opened their "call letters" to tell them who their companions were going to be and their area. 

My companion is Sister De Souza!! She is wonderful and this little ball of fire. I love it. She is sooo bold and smily and just shines. People notice it and we have had some awesome conversations with people because of it. hahah just like the title. A guy thought she was cute and she just gave hime a card straight away with our number on it, and I had to work our way out of that situation, I grabbed her and told him that he could only call if interested in the church, and that he couldnt have her number haha. She is the best. She is from Canada, Ottowa ( I think that is how you spell it) and she speaks a little french so I am going to have her teach me. She really is incredible. A little too hard on herself with the language, but she is going to be an incredible missionary. I am lucky to be her mum:) 

Gouda is beautiful and the members are amazing. We get fed every day, and they are alll soooo nice. I already know I am not going to want to leave. 

As far as investigators this place was pretty slow before we got here and we are having to do some finding....but we are seeing a lot of miracles, and finding quite a few people.

On Koningsdag we had a little table and set up books and pamphlets and talked to people it was cool, and we gave away a ton of copies of the Book of Mormon. It was a good time, and we found some interested people. So that has really helped us.

I have been feeling pretty overwhelmed with all of my new responsibilities and feeling really inadequate but it has been good for me. It has been humbling, but I am excited for this transfer. 

Zr. De souza makes it really fun! haha 

People in the zone: (because mom you asked.)

I am with all of my buddies from the MTC. Elder Wright is my zone leader so we have been able to work together for trainings and stuff....with Elder Harrop who is hilarious. 

Elder Thornock is my district leader and he is in the Gouda ward with Elder Ord so we eat dinner with them every night.

Elder Fairbanks is district Leader in the zone, so I have seen him a couple times at trainings as well.

and Elder Ocampo is also in the other district. It is going to be a super fun transfer and I am super excited!!

Ik hou van jullie!!

Wees veilig. Prettige week nog!

VEEL LIEFS,

Zuster Stewart-Chester

Our apartment...don't judge we are just moving in:)  

The Chapel is across the street from our apartment..

Gouda Cheese

Views outside

yummmmmm

Groentje...ik kom zo aan!!!!

Goedemorgen iedereen!!!!!

the other day I complemented somebody
on the bus this cute muslim lady
on her scarf...and she would not
let me not take it. I felt so bad.
She practically forced me to take it!!

GUESS WHAT....this was the best week ever.

For reals though.

Karen was baptized, and although it was the most stressful weekend of my mission ever, it all worked out and the service was soooooo beautiful.

The devil for sure likes to get his last licks in, but it actually went smoothly in the end.

This weekend things I had to do:

Practice for two songs I would be playing and singing....

1 for the baptism, and the other for relief society.

Write a 15 min. talk on Charity...(easy topic, so I cant complain)

Figure everything out for the baptism.

Help prepare Karen, and make sure everything went smoothly.

Make lots of treats...for the baptism, and pancakes for Irma(the best less active member ever who feeds us Belgian food every week, and talks in Antwerps) for her birthday.

AND...

PACK!!

Because guess what...

I am being kicked out of Antwerpen.

Honestly I felt it coming from the beginning of the transfer, and I was blessed to have had a 7 week transfer here instead of 6. I honestly was just blessed to be able to come back to Belgium at all let alone here in Antwerpen with zr. Lindsey. We have had a lot of fun, and she is going to kill it TRAINING on her 3rd transfer what!! Also I was lucky to have been able to teach Karen...because honestly I cant take any credit there. She showed up to church on my first week, and was truly prepared. I have loved just even being able to know her and get to know her cute kids. I will miss her, but we are planning a trip to Malaga Spain, because she lived there and speaks spanish amazingly and very other language you can think of.

I bet you are wondering where I am going...well I will tell you.

I am headed to GOUDA!!

and wait there is more....

I will also be TRAINING A GROENTJE!!! (greenie) 

and wait there is even more...

I will be sister training leader.

and wait this isnt more...but what I just told you entails me white-washing a city!! AHHHH 

(white-washing means that both missionaries in the city are being kicked out, and brand new missionaries are being thrown in there without a clue of what they are doing, where to go, and who they are teaching...) yep that is what I have to do.

I am starting to freak out while writing this...because I havent really been thinking about it too much!! haha

I will be white-washing and training for the first time ever, and also I am going to be sister training leader...this poor greenie has no idea what she has gotten herself into. (pray for her to be okay after this transfer)

I am sad, because sis. Harris is coming to Belgium and I am just missing her, but I am pumped for her, because she has never been to Belgium and she is going to kill it!!

I am sad to also be leaving this beautiful country. Belgium is amazing...and I refuse not to speak Flemish in Gouda the whole time. I will miss it here, and this place...but I am very excited for the new challenge that awaits. 

Anyways everything went really well this week, the songs went really well. Elder Needham came and sang oceans by hillsong with me on the guitar..and dont hate me mom, it was soooo crazy that I didnt get to record it. I was sooooo mad. so dont worry I am already mad enough at myself. 

I seriously am starting to realize that my time is almost up. Missions go by way toooooooo fast. I really love this place, and I dont want to leave...sometimes I miss my family, but really I dont want to leave here. I have met the most amazing people and life long friends. EVERYONE SHOULD SERVE A MISSION!!!

I miss you all, but there is nowhere I would rather be. 

Wees Veilig, en Prettige week nog!

VEEL LIEFS,

Zuster Stewart-Chester

Keukenhof 

Zuster Lindsey and I

Our District:)

Ice cream

and Marriette an investigator:) who is the sweetest lady ever.  

Irma :)

Karen!!!

Eld. Needham

 Eld. Billy
and Eld. Billy..(VDDB)

Nadia

Ann

getting lost on the way to the temple.

Come what may and LOVE it!

Zuster Robbins came back for a visit!!  I saw her at Stake Conferene.  Jelle was there too:)  I've missed them both!  

HALLLO!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT A WEEK. WOOOOOOOWWWW!!!

It was an insane week of traveling. and a lot of mistakes and crazy travel situations....and hilarious Elders and losing everything. If you want to know the exact details please read Elder Van Den Dungen Billen's blog....because I am pretty sure he got a list of all of the things that went wrong. http://robertthedutchbloke.tumblr.com It was A TON of fun though!! 

We went to the Netherlands for sis. Lindsey's Legality stuff and then to the temple, and to Keukenhof. I got to see sister Harris...and it was worth it...even if I had to get up at 5 in the morning to catch the train the next morning...and had to run to the train for 10 min...because the door got jammed...lets just say the Devil did not want me to go to the temple this week. 

The temple was amazing!!! But we are always sooooo rushed and it is sad. I cant wait to go home, and just sit in the temple allllllll day long. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TEMPLES NEXT DOOR!!!

I lost my OV chip kart on the way home, and we were freaking out, because Elder Mackay and Eld. Groesbeck had also lost their phone....and it seemed like eerything was going wrong. Eld. VDDB basically screamed in front of all the people at the station that we needed to pray. Well we did haha and we found it. The Lord answers prayers. 

We also had Ring conferentie...Stake Conference here so I got to see most of my buddies from Gent and even Jelle so that was pretty cool. I also got a big shout out from President Boom, talking about serving with dad Alex on his mission and saying that if I came to Tilburg he would spoil me rotten and president Bunnell was there soooo I think he took notes and I hope I go to Tilburg;) haha

Karen is stilll AMAZ|ING!!! and is getting baptized if I can get all the papers worked out because I forgot to bring them to the interview (palm to the face) haha but everything willl work out and we are really excited for her.

I dont have any time....but I love you alll!!! I am telling you...read ELd. VDDB's blog for this week, and you will probably get more of what happened.

IK HOU VAN JULLIE!!!

Liefs,

Zuster Stewart-Chester

Zuster Lindsey and I

Selfie with some Random people in the background 

Our adventure crew...disaster after disaster.

Elder MacKay, Elder Needham , Elder Van Den Dungen Bille, moi, Zuster Lindsey, Elder Groesbeck

"BRU-HE-HE-HE-HE-HE!"

Karin and Sam and FUFU!!

Goedmiddag allemaal!!

Alles is geweldig hier in Antwerpen.

THE SUN IS SHINING!! and this week I wore my flats and no tights! WHAT?!?! Pretty cool.

Other than that this week was cool. I went to Lokerin on exchanges and I rode sis. Robbins my trainer's bike. Haha it was a good time. Sis. Hanny and I rode to the middle of no where and went off-roading with our bikes, and talked to these cool Geo-cachers. Then knocked doors, and prayed with this stubborn old man on his driveway. He got really emotional and had tears in his eyes at the end. 

They also live above a bakery so I bought a yummy pastry for breakfast.

Oh and also on the bus ride there I talked to this cute little old lady. She totally opened up to us, because sis. Lindsey asked her where she was going!:) She told us how she is alone, and lost her husband a few years ago. I asked her if she believed that she would see him again, and she told me no. I told her that I knew she would, and that she could also know if she prayed. She was a little taken aback, and asked me really? It was a super cool experience. I have never been able to bare testimony like I did with that lady on transportation and it was super cool. God put the words in my mouth, and pushed me to say them. 

ALSO....

I WENT TO GENT THIS WEEK!!

It was soooo wonderful, and it was so good to see everyone again. It just made me sooooo grateful for my mission and all of the wonderful people that I have been able to meet and the memories I have already met. I cant wait to meet and make more memories. 

I LOVE GENT! The branch is just soooo great and so welcoming and they are alll just family. 

We also had a cool experience where an investigator showed up and went to the dutch investigator class, and all of the other missionaries te gent went to the English investigator class. Broeder Goethals asked us to go in and we taught her a lesson about God, Prayer and how she could make contact with God. At the end she said a prayer and it was so sweet. She said she felt like her voice was sent somewhere else, not just in that room. Super cool...and who knows, maybe we were supposed to be in Gent to teach her. It was a cool experience. 

Also I talked to a super cool girl on the way back who is an artist. I got her talking by taking a picture of sis. Lindsey asleep on the train and we talked the rest of the time, laughing. She was really cool, and super curious...who knows:)

I love missions. They are the best. Everyone should serve a mission!!

I MISS YOU ALL, but time is going by way toooo fast. 

Ik hou van jullie!!

Wees veilig!

VEEL LIEFS,

Zuster Stewart-Chester

FUFU!!

We went to Brugge today:)

And we went on a boat...

sick...sick...sick...

Goedemiddag iedereen!!!!!

Well its a fast one again this week sorry....we have to use the library for a couple weeks because they are doing renovation on the church. But I wont complain, because that means we can go to church in Gent next week WOOT WOOT!! haha tell everyone!

Anyways. 

This week I got super sick. I hit a wall, because it was just a really bad flu from what I had before...but because we have been killing ourselves on bikes lately, it hasnt helped at all.

I felt so terrible. I really felt like I was wasting time, so I refused to not take too many rests and still bike everywhere, but then I payed for it and I finally just had to rest. I think it is because I grew up with parents who always taught me to push through it, and how when I have a job, I wont just be able to call in sick all the time.....and this is like a really important job. Doing missionary work, so I felt so stupid, like I was wasting my mission away. But I am slowly getting better, and we were still able to get our hours, and get work done this week. 

We got our investigator Karin on date this week. I have never met anybody so prepared and ready as she is for baptism. She will do so many good things for the church here in Antwerpen. She said she wants to meet you mom:) 

General Conference was lovely of course, I hope you all took the chance to listen and ponder. It is such a priveledge we have to listen to the words of God. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. I love the apostles, and Thomas S. Monson and all of the authorities. They really are called of God.

HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK!!!

SORRY I HAVE NO TIME....

I will do better next week.

Ik hou van jullie!!

VEEL LIEFS,

Zuster Stewart-Chester