Joyful Reunions

Time insisted that we finally move on.
Arriving home on Friday, we laughed, hugged and shared one or two tears at Edinburgh airport with our children.
Cherished moments never to be forgotten.
Life has taught us that you can’t hug family and friends over the internet.
Heading to the car park, we bumped into the outgoing mission leaders in the Scotland/Ireland Mission, James and Andrea McCrudden, who commenced their service at the same time as us in June of 2021.
Then another fortunate coincidence, as a dear consulting friend, just back from an assignment in India, walked up to me… “Daryl! – that can’t be three years!”, “Gordon! – it certainly was!” I replied.

Heavenly

All of these special moments were heavenly.
It was a day of celebration of shared experiences and the rekindling of our family bond and connection.
And no reunion is complete without a hearty spread of food (haggis nacho’s) and the resonance of genuine laughter together.
Heavenly reunions are filled with love and deep appreciation for family and friends.
Catching up with mum was fun!
The key ingredient of happiness is family.

Reunions

After so many tearful farewells over the last three years, I long for many more of these happy reunions in the years ahead.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy.
Coming to understand our Heavenly Father’s “great plan of happiness” – Alma 42:8, you will find many of life’s questions are answered in the gospel of Christ.
The Apostle John said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” – John 3:17.
Life is a journey woven with threads of connections, some fleeting and others enduring.
I am thrilled that over these last three years we have woven many remarkable connections that will endure forever, weaving our past, present, and future into a tapestry of lasting happiness.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.”
I know that as we seek to be happy in life, we should remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Tuesday Mornings…

Tuesday mornings aren’t going to be quite the same anymore!
For the last 3 years, Jurgen, Chris and I would spend an hour online together as a Mission Presidency, counselling about all of the important matters of running the Belgium Netherlands Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Counsellors

Whilst the missionaries were starting their Preparation Day (P-Day) we’d be counselling together to address the salient challenges of the week.
And there was always lots to talk about.
Although we met weekly, I think hardly one day has passed by that I haven’t spoken with either Jurgen or Chris.
The wise writer of Proverbs tells us that “in … counsellors there is safety.” (Prov. 11:14.)
Counselling together with one another was a constant.
We’d counsel together in order to reach a united conclusion, to help us know the direction we intended to pursue was in harmony with the Lord’s will.

Volunteers

The three of us never sought out these assignments, we were simply asked by a church leader to serve, giving many hours voluntarily every week.
It’s been a labour of love for all of us.
Over the last 3 years we have developed a strong bond of friendship too.
On Sunday evening, I took a trip up to Zwolle, with the Assistants, to spend some final moments with Jurgen, Analía, and Christel.
I took some time to release Jurgen from his responsibilities in the Mission Presidency and we enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce for a while too.
One of our sweetest memories was when we set up an experimental “Social Media District” for a few months. Lots of lessons were learned together as Jurgen, Analia and Christel spent many long hours working with many missionaries in the office together in Gouda.
For several months, Christel was travelling almost daily between Zwolle and Gouda, as we built some momentum in our social media efforts.
Days never to be forgotten, for sure!
Helen Keller said “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart.”
As I recall the sweet memories made with my dear friends, I know that it is all about what we have all felt in our hearts together.
Thank you for all the memories.
Until we meet again dear friends.

It’s in their hands…

Over the last three years, I have penned many Sunday morning thoughts, sharing everyday parallels to gospel truths.
This will be my last in the Belgium Netherlands Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
It has been a labour of love and joy.
Each weekend, as I consider the days gone by, some insight or reflective thought always comes.

New Leaders

Our new friends, Marius Natanya Von Mollendorff, will arrive on Wednesday.
By Friday, they’ll be leading the mission, and we will be on a plane back home to Scotland.
Thinking about the future of the Belgium Netherlands Mission, I couldn’t get the phrase “𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔” from my mind, as Monic and I depart the scene.

Safe Hands

Indeed, the mission is in a very safe pair of many hands, all trustworthy and reliable.
It reminded me of a quote from President Thomas S. Monson who said “We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.”
When I think of our missionaries, I often think of them stretching out their hands to lift, comfort, bless, love, serve, and minister to the one, by offering hope and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Daily they try to emulate the great example of Jesus Christ.
They are called by a Prophet of God, to represent Him and to serve.
To serve, just as Jesus Christ served.
As a result of the Saviour stretching out His hands to touch others, they became stronger and better.
Similarly, “…as we emulate His perfect example our hands can become His hands” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

It has been my experience these last 3 years, that as we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful always happens.

Whilst on the Lord’s errand, I am a witness to the fact, that as missionaries combine their efforts with others, oftentimes impossible tasks are accomplished in miraculous ways.
The result – over and over again, many people become much stronger and happier as the Gospel of Jesus Christ comes into their lives.
I hope and pray that our hearts and hands just like the missionaries, can be stretched out in love and compassion towards many others.
Like the missionaries you too can become His hands.
For the moment, He asks us to be His hands, by “doing good” – Acts 10:38
What good can you do today?

Goodbyes aren’t easy…

As the curtain comes down on our time here in Belgium and the Netherlands, we have become accustomed to departing meetings and fond farewells.
These last few weeks we have shared many tender-hearted goodbye moments.
One of the sweetest was saying farewell to Chris Kleijweg and releasing him too, from his responsibility in the Mission Presidency, whilst in Gouda on Monday.
We have been acquainted with one another for nearly 20 years through various church responsibilities and assignments in Europe together.
Over these last three years working alongside one another so closely and counselling with each another on many occasions, teaching, travelling and meeting together has been a real joy.
Chris’s knowledge of everything in the Netherlands along with his persistence, wisdom and love have been boundless in the hastening pursuit of the work of salvation and exaltation.
Our friendship will last long after these moments of service together, so says Richard Bach; “A farewell is necessary before we can meet again, and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.”
I will miss our frequent and regular associations together.
“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again” – says Charles Dickens.
Until me meet again dear friend.

Surprise!

Monic and I visited church in Almere yesterday for Father’s Day.
We enjoyed our visit and had a chance to share some thoughts about our dads too.
We also had two really nice surprises.
Firstly, Elders Fisher and Kogan presented us with a picture of Jesus Christ that was signed by all of the missionaries.
Secondly, we were reunited with Steve, the Dutch bagpiper (Kiltshop) who played at our wedding in Harmelen on July 11th, 1994!
What a joy it was to catch up and to be treated to some special musical numbers including “Flower of Scotland”, “Highland Cathedral” and many more.
It was quite the spectacle for everyone as they departed church and for the neighbours too!
Thank you everyone for organising such a special surprise… 😊

Mission Dad

Today, throughout much of the world, its 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲.
Serving as a Mission Leader is a very special privilege.
Not only do I get to be a father to our own three children – who are simply the best! But I also get to be 𝐝𝐚𝐝#𝟐 to 100’s of missionaries from throughout the world, when they’re called to serve and assigned to the Belgium Netherlands Mission.
It has been an absolute honour to listen to, counsel with, pray with, laugh with, cry with, teach with and watch in wonder as each of them grows closer to their Heavenly Father and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
There have been many pressures and frustrations along the way too, for sure.
But I am a witness to seeing all of them change, for good.
Father’s Day is when we honour, celebrate and appreciate our dads for their good deeds and support in our lives.
I am very grateful for the righteous example of my father.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson, stated, “As a Church, we believe in fathers. We believe in the ideal of the man who puts his family first. … We believe that far from being superfluous, fathers are unique and irreplaceable”
Father’s Day is an opportunity to let the men in our lives know how much they mean to us and how important their role is.
Regarding fathers, Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “You see, we’re all on a journey. Dads are a little further down the road, but none of us has yet arrived at our final destination. We are all in the process of becoming who we will one day be.”
This Father’s Day, as you honour your earthly father, don’t forget your Heavenly Father.
I invite you to talk with Him in prayer and start to make that a regular part of your life.
To all you Fathers at home, watching your sons and daughters from afar, may the blessings of heaven be poured out upon each of you on this special day as you continue to exercise your faith and hope in their success, here in Belgium and the Netherlands.
They are all well! We watch over them carefully, with lots of love and personal attention.
The photos are a selection from our final mission conference where they each received a special tartan gift!
As you think about your own father today, can I invite you to complete the following sentence…
“I love my dad because……..”

Assembled Ones

After our final mission conference on Friday, Monic and I excused ourselves for a short time, whilst everyone gathered outside for our last photographs together.
Minutes later, we emerged from the chapel, dressed in our national costumes, catching everyone by surprise!

Gathering

We were greeted with smiles, laughter, whistles and a huge round of applause.
It was a very special moment.

Gathered around us were 138 of our dearest friends.

Individuals we love immensely.

Assembled Ones

The group comprised of one hundred and thirty-eight, unique, individual, 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔.
After the initial gathering (see pictures below), a line was formed and individual pictures were taken 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞, with Monic and I.
It took 75 minutes to capture individual photographs together.
Earlier in the day, I’d shared the principle of 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬, as taught by Jesus Christ in 3 Nephi 11-28, in The Book of Mormon.
In chapter 11, our resurrected Saviour visits 2,500 assembled ones, gathered at the temple.

One by One

Verse 15 reads: “….the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒆 until they had all gone forth….”
Just 30 emotionally charged seconds, with 138 of our dearest friends had taken us around 75 minutes to meet with each of them individually, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒆.
Can you imagine if you had been one of those 2,500, “until they had all gone forth” seeing with your eyes, feeling with your hands and knowing of a surety, bearing record, “…that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come.” (verse 15)
At 30 seconds each, without any breaks, that equates to around 21 hours to complete the process.
And yet He spent every precious second with His dearest friends.
Would 30 seconds be enough?
The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.
It contains a powerful witness of His 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 personal ministry.
Over the last three years, our ministry has been focused upon and directed to ones.
Every one of our missionaries, minister, individually, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞, to help others find the peace and joy that only the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring them.
Hundreds of thousands of ones, find Him every year, and you can be 𝐨𝐧𝐞 too.
Speak with a missionary today…

Life is a Book

Life is a book made up of days;
Each one of us writes one;
Its opened when we come to earth
And closed when life is done.
No pen but ours ere touches it,
In our own way we write,
Whether we fall or we succeed,
Turns with the page at night.
And there is no erasing it
To add or take away,
The yesterday’s account is closed,
Sealed within white or grey.
The morning gives another sheet
That’s broad and very white,
And oh, how glorious to have
Another chance to write!
No bad is there too small to show,
No good that’s ever lost,
All that we do goes into Life’s Book
In black and white embossed.
– Zelda Davis Howard

Beyond words

Today, will mark the end of missionary interviews, the last two with our Assistants this evening.
After three years, I think Monic and I are now approaching some 6,000 coaching interviews.
We shall miss these special times; they have been a labour of love.

The Last Round

Whilst in one interview this week, a missionary inquired, “How do I ask good questions?”
Initially, I remarked about being fully present, by giving my full and utmost attention.
I mentioned the importance of deep listening, not only to the words used but the emotions felt and being guided by humility, compassion, and love.
Then, I introduced the power of clarifying.
Pausing, I said “Let’s do some roleplays…”
The missionary spoke and shared an opinion with me.
Carefully crafting the missionary’s own words in a different order, I drew attention to an aspect of the experience and asked a clarifying question.
In other words, I reflected the words back to the missionary and used them to ask a question in a different tone and a slower voice.
At first the missionary was startled by the insight, but after a little practice, soon cottoned on.
Then, I said, “You can also ask questions without words.”
“Huh?” came the response.

Body Language

You can ask questions in non-verbal ways through facial expressions, eye contact, a raised eyebrow, a puzzled look, tilting your head to the side, tugging your ear, placing your hand on your cheek, stroking your chin, using hand gestures or a combination of them all.
Self-awareness is paramount.
We practiced a little more.
To understand each other better, try slowing down and be silent.
Jesus Christ knew the importance of Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”
A favourite saying of mine often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi reads, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”
Jesus asked perceptive questions and then waited for answers, frequently listening not only with His ears but with also with His heart.
Key is to focus on what you feel inside, rather than on what you see and hear outside.
A good example is the story of faith filled Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52, where Jesus stopped and healed him.
Often teaching without words, simply through His actions; that is the Master’s way.
How can you listen and ask questions more compassionately?

Gathering

These are days never to be forgotten.
On Monday, approximately 60 missionaries gathered in Spijkenisse.
It was a day of community outreach to find and teach many new people about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Local Missionaries, Miles Cummard, Turner Edelman and M Nathaniel de Jong, along with other local members in the area, had already done a lot of planning and preparation for everyone’s arrival.
After gathering for instruction, a few one-on-one interviews, a lovely lunch together, and after a prayer, filled with faith, they headed off to work.
It was most certainly a blitz – “a sudden concerted effort to deal with something”.
Over the course of the next few hours, the missionaries literally spoke with everyone they met.
Missionaries love to share thoughts and ideas with others, especially about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
They invite people to:
Come and See – the blessings that people can receive through Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
Come and Serve – others in need.
Come and Belong – as members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ.
Missionary work is finding people, teaching them, and helping them prepare for baptism.
On Monday, they extended 100’s of invitations to many people.
And the result?
The local missionaries are now exceptionally busy, visiting with lots of new friends.
If you’d like to know more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, then simply stop and speak with one of our missionaries today.