What Does The Voss Say?: Spring in Den Haag (The Hague)!

Well, it has been another exciting week! In every aspect. Spring had definitely sprung here- we have been enjoying several days of beautiful, warmer Sunny weather!

With our bright colors, we blend right in with the flowers, right?

First big news: Sister Bradley and I will both be staying in Den Haag for the next six weeks! We have seen a lot of miracles and found a lot of people together over the past month and a half, and we are excited to continue to work together to help these people progress in the Gospel. Plus, we've just had a lot of fun together. It's going to be a awesome next six weeks!

In this time, I will hit my halfway mark, and she will have been out for a full year. We plan to throw a big party together to celebrate. Also, my district leader Elder Claflin will be staying as well, meaning that he will be my district leader for a sixth transfer in a row. that's pretty unusual and hilarious, because that's a long time!

We hosted many guests here in Den haag, a grand total of eight sisters over two days. It was temple conference, where over the course of two days all the missionaries in the mission (there are 150!) had the chance to go to the temple. Den haag is really central, so a lot of sisters who lived farther away needed to stay the night so they wouldn't have to travel so early. On Monday we hosted Apeldoorn and Assen- Sister Huber, Verdegem, Dobler and Jensen. It was so fun! Likewise on Tuesday evening when we had the pleasure of hanging out with the sisters of Breda and Maastricht- Sisters Robbins, Lemich, Whittington and Manning. Sleepovers are always exciting! Although six sisters trying to get ready with only one bathroom was a unique challenge haha. It was so fun to see beloved friends/old companions again, and to make new friends.

The highlight of temple conference, however, was definitely the temple! The Den Haag temple is so beautiful and pristine. There is such a pervading peace there. Going to the temple definitely restored my spiritual reserves and equipped me for the next six months before I can go again! Visiting the Lord's house is a special experience.

Sister Faasavalu and I walking back from the temple, aglow with the Spirit! :)

Zusters Bradley & Voss at the Temple

This is from last temple Conference, in October!

Afterwards, we got to visit Keukenhof! It is a renowned flower and tulip garden, with all sorts of varieties of tulips, gorgeous landscaping, and plenty of exciting activities. As a special treat we got to walk around for a few hours, explore, take pictures, and just soak it in. I was impressed by the brilliant array of colors and incredible varieties of flowers. It was so pleasant to relax a little bit in the company of other missionaries. There was even a cool miracle- Sister Riley and I started to talking to a couple of Dutch girls our age there who were asking about who we all were/what we were doing there (75 nicely dressed young adults with nametags attracts attention, apparently) and after a cool conversation, we exchanged contact information and have plans to meet up again! Furthermore, Sister Riley and I were afraid we'd miss the big group picture, but after sprinting across the park, we made it just in time. Tender Mercies!

Let the party begin!

Me on a bridge looking over various flowers

Selfie madness (but I'm not actually taking a selfie?)

With the Keukenhof windmill. I don't think I saw as many of these in Drenthe, but in Holland they are all over the place! (also maybe because Keukenhof is the ultimate tourist trap)

Flower pictures. We took a lot of these :)

More flowers...

With President and Sister Robinson at Keukenhof!

On the water reflection image.

Sister Thomas and I

The girls we met in Kuekenhof

We had a couple of other miracles too- we found four new investigators this week! Through our own efforts. It is such a blessing. The story of two of them is kind of interesting- we had a few minutes after a dinner appointment, so we rang a few doorbells in the neighborhood. We faced some initial rejection at first- especially a somewhat eerie experience where a man came out on his balcony to talk to us, and consistently, sneakily tried to disprove Gospel truths, or trick and trap me in my words. It didn't work, the Spirit was speaking, and I calmly bore testimony of Gospel truths without becoming perturbed or confused, it was just a weird experience. But then the bell right after was a man who invited us to come back and share the Book of Mormon with him later. We did come back, and he and his wife invited us warmly into their home, loved what we shared, welcomed us back and told us they have lots of friends they want us to visit as well. I sure am glad we decided to keep going after the one negative experience! "Ye shall not receive a witness until after the trial of your faith"right? anyway, they are such a cool couple, and we are excited to teach them!

The Lord's work is going forth in the Netherlands! It is so humbling and awe-inspiring to see His hand outstretched to the wonderful people here. I love them. I am so grateful to serve in this incredible country. There are such good, wonderful people here with pure deisres to come closer to God and know Him better. I am honored to have the privilege of serving the Lord and hope I can be humble enough to remain an effective instrument in His hands.

Because of the peace I felt at the tmple this week, I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite scriptures, John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This is from this past week- our bikes on a beautiful spring day!

Cute Delft picture from sister bradley's camera - catch up picture.

There is such eternal potential for peace, and I know that it comes through our Savior, Jesus Christ. In the moments I need it most, when my heart feels just full of aunguish- His peace is there, and there is absolutely nothing like it that the world can offer. Come unto Christ and pray for His peace. It is such a blessing. :)

Have a wonderful week! I love you all!
Liefs,
Zuster McKinney Voss

The cake Elder Elkins and Elder Bosco made for my birthday, AMerican cake mix Elder elkin's family sent him. awesome! (this is from several weeks ago obviously)