Monday, July 8, 2013

Last Week of Miracles


Well, seeing as the this last week has been the last full week of my mission, I was put my all out there and helped build up my companions for success...but boy was the opposition great! We've set some super high goals for our transfer, goals that seem maybe unrealistic to others in our mission. However, we set our goals with prayer and followed the spirit and we know that they are what the Lord thinks we're capable of. Satan, however, has definitely been doing his thing to stand in our way and keep up from achieving all we're capable of and from fulfilling our Father's will. Luckily, our faith is strong and we trust in the words found in Ether 12:6 that, "ye recieve no witness until after the trial of your faith." We are proving through our diligent efforts and continued faith that we trust in what the Lord has asked us to do and we are confident that we will be successful. We've already seen little miracles along the way that we know the Lord is giving us to encourage us along. Miracles like finding three available joint-teaches in one night (our opposition was that all the appointments fell through!), being prompted in companion study to share a particular scripture and mormon message with an investigator that happened to answer every single question she's had for the past few years about her circumstances in life, feeling the spirit working through us and knowing we are doing the Lord's will, investigators showing up unexpectedly to ward activities and events, hearing an investigator family tell us that the lesson we shared on eternal families was the best and most spiritual lesson they'd heard yet, receiving answers to prayers and getting to be answers to prayers. I know that all of these little things are preparing us for something greater and more for it is truly, "through small and simple things [that] great things are brought to pass," (Alma 37:6-7). That has been the story of my mission. 
I love you all and as sad as I am to leave my mission and all the wonderful people and places here, I am excited to come home and see all of you and share the experiences and testimonies I've gained and build-up even more with you. See you soon!!!

Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

July 1


Well, my email time is short...I had a lot of emails to read today. But also, to be honest I was kind of putting off emailing you all back. Talk of leaving is just a bit too much for me. However, I know it's a real eventuality. I think I might be sick. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to see you all...I just wish I could have the best of both worlds I suppose. Luckily we watched a really great missionary broadcast thing today with our zone and that helped give me ideas of how to transition out of my missionary life and take home and apply what I've gained and learned here. Running and going on splits with the sisters sounds like a perfect beginning. Anyway, I love you all and will email you one more time next week.
 
Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

I feel like I'm at the end of a race and the adrenaline for the sprint to the finish is starting to kick in...feels good.



Well, life is great here. My greenie is now training a greenie of her own as waves of new sisters start to hit the Netherlands and Belgium and I started off as the third appendage/coach of the companionship and half-way through out first week we got a mini missionary, a sister who is considering serving a mission and wanted to test it out for two weeks. Now we're an awesome four-some and get to split-off and get twice (acutally more like a bajillion times more) the work done which is pretty necessary and fun. I am just having a blast and living it up while it lasts. This next week is our last week with the mini and then I have week-and-a-half and times up! Bitter sweet life. To take advantage of the time I do have we have some super high goals set and decided to celebrate Christmas in June to call down some mid-year Christmas miracles. My goal is to leave these two wonderful green companions of mine with fire and passion for the work and a great pool of people to work with and our mini with the desire and commitment to serve full-time. The work we do here is sooo amazing and I love it sooo much! 
This last week we had a zone conference, my last one, so the other elders who are leaving before the next zone conference and I were asked to share our departing testimonies with the remaining missionaries. As I stood before everyone I was so overwhelmed with the love I have for each of them, my mission, and all the people I have been privileged to meet and help and those I get to meet in the on-coming weeks. It is such an honor to participate in this great work of our Eternal Father. I am so humbled that He has trusted and allowed me to do so for the past year-and-a-half and I feel so blessed to be given almost a month over that time. I love our God and I love His children and I am determined to bring as many of them home to Him as possible, carried in my arms and on my back if I have to. That's my plan for the rest of my mission and the rest of my life :) 
What an exciting and fulfilling commission we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members of the House of Israel and the family of our Lord to help others recognize their worth and potential in the same great, eternal family! I love my calling and am grateful for the covenant I have made to teach and preach repentance, redemption, and faith in the Lord as I help bear others' burdens that they may be light, learn compassion by mourning with those that mourn and comforting those who stand in need of comfort, as I "stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" Heavenly Father entrusts me with, even until the day I die (and beyond, covenants are eternal) that I may be redeemed of God as I help others achieve their redemption through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism through immersion by one holding the restored priesthood authority of God, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, that we might all together have eternal life. How great is our calling! I love it and it is the desire of my heart to share it. 
I am committed (also known as converted) and know that as I go forward throughout my life to serve God and bring about His great and eternal purposes I will be blessed with His Spirit and be led. It's the promise I've made to Him and He's made to me. What a great and wonderful Eternal Heavenly Father we have! I sure do love Him and am grateful for the sacrifice of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  This testimony brings me more joy than anything else I've ever experienced and I know it's the same thing that will bring joy to all of God's children, our brothers and sisters. Have a great week and spread the good word! 

Tot ziens en veel liefde!!
Zuster Becky Hinchcliff
Mosiah 18:7-11 

Hello - June 17th


Life here in Amsterdam is going great. We got two new companions this week. Zuster Spencer is fresh from the MTC and Zuster Larson is training her with me on the side as a coach, yeah! And Zuster Kooijman is a mini missionary from Tillburg who will be serving with us for two weeks to see how she feels about serving a fun-time mission later. We have already had a lot of really great experiences together and seen some great miracles, but you all will just have to wait to hear about it all later. There are a few missionaries waiting on me to finish up my email so they can have a turn and I know that if I begin to tell you about this week it will take me a while to stop. Soooo, that's all :) Know that I love you all and fingers crossed that next week I can give you a quality email...but most likely not...sorry I've slacked on my emailing recently...there's just so much to do and I don't have a lot of time left and I'll see you all in a little while anyway sooooo Bye!!
Love you all!!!!!!
Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Homecoming talk

Rebecca will be giving her homecoming talk on July 14th and woud love all her friends and family to be there if they can. It is at 11:30am, Scotty Hill bldg.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Moving Business



Hey Mom:) Sorry you haven't received the physical yet, that was my bad. I'm pretty sure I was told to email it back to you, but I had it in my head to mail it. I got the physical Wednesday evening, but all the post was closed by the time it was done so I planned to do it first thing Thursday morning. We had exchanges with Gouda on Thursday and had to switch trains at the airport so I figured that'd be the perfect place to send the letter from so it could immediately be flown out.  However, this kind man from Orem, Utah, Brother John M. Edmunds, called up the elders last minute and offered to take us all out to breakfast. He was passing through Amsterdam and wanted to do what he could to help us out. What a sweet guy. He treated us to an amazing breakfast buffet at the Amstel Hotel that was definitely the best I've had my whole mission. After breakfast though we had to go to a different train station than originally planned so we could be on time. No biggie, I'd just have to pay a little extra to get it shipped from some other post office, but as long as I got it out by 6 pm I knew I'd still be good to go. Once I got to Gouda, we had appointments right away, but a little later in the afternoon we turned towards the train station to head off to some small doorpje to do some look-ups and contacting only to find the station blocked off due to a bomb threat. Well, that changed our plans. So we headed to a post office to get the physical sent out while we planned what to do only to learn that they didn't send mail express to the USA. Lame. However, on the way to look up a positive contact we'd made earlier in the day we stopped to talk to a man, Lennert, sitting on a bench outside his home. We had a really great conversation during which he accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and committed to come to church on Sunday. I talked with the Gouda sisters yesterday, and he totally did, and they have an appointment with him this week! So exciting. Anyway, this email really isn't flowing, but I did get the physical in the mail Friday morning at the airport and paid it express so you should be getting it any time now. 
As for the rest of my week, it was pretty great. Monday evening our friend Daniel, who was just baptized taught us the plan of salvation. He came prepared with scripture references, questions, the works! We were super impressed as was our ward mission leader who said he'd never met someone who was so knowledgeable after just being baptized. I'd like to say it's because we taught him well, but really it's just because he's great :) Some other cool things about Daniel from this week are that Friday evening we had a dinner appointment with his mom and her boyfriend. She made us delicious Indonesian food and he made us a delicious dessert, but the best treat of the evening was learning that Daniel had given his mom a Book of Mormon and she'd read through 1 Nephi 17, so cool!! Also, Daniel introduced himself in sacrament meeting Sunday and bore the most beautiful and confident testimony ever that totally set the whole tone for a spirit-filled hour. What a great guy :)
Another beautiful thing that happened this week was an appointment we had at the De Leeuws (a senior missionary couple) home with Zuster Schwab and Zuster Rigdon and Fabien. Fabien is a friend I met over a year ago in Haarlem who was just baptized in April or May. We had a sweet reunion/farewell since the De Leeuws, Zuster Schwab,and I are all leaving here soon. It feels so good to be wjith others who you've grown in the gospel with. It reminds me of Alma 27:1-4:

"And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.
Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.
And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him."

 Now, our experiences have been nothing like that of Alma, Amulek, and the sons of Mosiah, but they have been pretty good, and it felt good to be together again.
Zuster Schwab and I also had a chance to do exchanges together this week and it was so fun! We had some quality contacting time together and I got to learn from her amazing missionary skills. When she speaks with people they immediately feel her love for them and her love for Jesus Christ and are so intrigued and engaged that they talk and allow the spirit to work in them. It's fantastic to see the change in just a few moments as she bears testimony and invites them to learn more. Not everyone accepts, but even those who don't admit to feeling or seeing something different about her. She's wonderful.
I wish I had more time to write all the miracles and experiences we've had this week, however, I am a terribly slow/distracted typer so my time is about up! Just know that the Lord is busy and at work here in Amsterdam and a marvelous work is going forth. I am so grateful to be a participant and witness to it. 
I love you all a ton! Try not to stress too much with moving plans :) As far as my stuff goes, I don't know that I can really provide you with much specific instruction other than what I've already said in previous emails...but if you ask me specific questions maybe I can be of more assistance...sorry :/ 
Anyway I love you all!! I really wish had more time to write because there are so many more people I want to tell you all about, but we'll save it for next time!

Liefs, 

Zuster Becky Hinchcliff      

Holy Places



Holy Places D&C 101:22 & 64


Mom, you and I are so similiar, I love it! I also take advantage of any time I have to do hidden exercises ;) It's funny that you say your week was long and boring because it sounds like you all are very busy with a lot! Haha my week in any case has just zoomed by! This week has been so amazing and I got host Zuster Wood and Zuster Townsend on exchanges here in Amsterdam and go to Gouda for exchanges with Zuster Djoukeng, each one was so amazing! I learn so much from all of these girls, they are such great examples! Zuster Wood and Djoukeng came out with the same group as my companion, Zuster Larson, and they are some of the most incredible missionaries I've been privileged to serve with. They're all just so prepared and motivated! I have a full testimony that they have been hand-picked by the Lord to start off the wave of sisters we're getting here this summer. I'm bummed I won't get to serve with all the incredible sisters the Lord is sending our way, but I'm eternally grateful for the honor of serving with who I'm sure are the top. 
Some miraculous experiences I've had with the sisters this week are:
-Witnessing the miracle of a priesthood blessing and a confirmation
-Having locked doors literally blow open giving us access into a building full of children of God searching for the truth
-Teaching a woman who is so prepared for baptism that she's committed to making the covenant this month after just one lesson
-Working hard despite an appointment falling through and due to diligence and enthusiasm running into people who needed us at the end of our hour. 
-Food was provided for us every day this week and in abundance!!
-Interviews with President Robinson
-Celebrating birthdays
-Cheering up a woman who has lost all hope 
-And so many other wonderful things, big and small, that change my life on a daily basis. 
In RS yesterday we watched a mormonmessage about a girl's preparation to take some names to the temple. The RS president talked about how each moment of preparation can be considered a "holy place" in the timeline of our day, week, life, existence, etc. because they prepare us for greater and better things. She also talked about how in times of difficulty we can create "holy places" as we come to rely on the Lord and really exercise faith in Christ's Atonement. That's what I feel a mission is for me. One big "holy place" that allows me to come to know the Savior in an invaluable manner. I am so grateful for all the experiences I have every day here. 
I love you all and hope you have an amazing week full of miraculous moments as well. I am so grateful that you are my eternal family! What blessed am I!! 
D&C 101: 22, 64 Behold, it is my will, that all they who call on my name, and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel, should gather together, and stand in holy places;... That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled.

I am so glad for the work the Lord has done to gather our family together and all that He continues to do so we can stay together in holiness. I am also grateful for what He trusts me to do to help others.
Love you!!!
Zuster Becky Hinchcliff


May 27th


Real Fast
So, our p-day hasn't really gone as planned and turns out I don't have much time...like five minutes. I'm printing out your emails so I will read them later and respond to them next week. 
This last week for us has been really great. I got to go on exchanges with Zuster Omozokpia in Gouda and with Zuster Townsend in Dordrecht. I had a lot of fun, learned a lot, and got to teach people too :) Also, here in Amsterdam we had some really amazing and spirit-filled lessons and a baptism! Our friend, Daniel, was baptized yesterday at church. He had probably the best attended baptism I've seen my whole mission, we just all love him! He's a golden guy and he's making a difference in the lives of those around him. 
Well, I'm afraid that's all I have time for this week, but know that I love you, the church is true, Heavenly Father loves you, Joseph Smith restored the true church of God to the earth, the Book of Mormon is true, Thomas S. Monson is a prophet today, and did I mention I love you all? Because I really and truly do!!! 
Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

May 20th



Well, I've had another great week starting off with an exchange with Zuster Omozokpia in Gouda! She is wonderful and I get to have another exchange  with her this week and one with my MTC companion, Zuster Townsend. We haven't served with each other since leaving the MTC, it'll be an exciting couple of exchanges, I know it!
This last week I got to participate in the Rotterdam Zone Training. I was super nervous, and sweated swimming pools, but I really enjoyed it. I love the gospel and sharing it with others who love it too is encouraging and just feels nice. I love teaching investigators and others, but there's just something different about teaching a group of missionaries. It's probably the eagerness they all have to actually listen and  the spirit they already bring into the room. It's very fulfilling to both speak to a group like this and be a part of it. 
Because I serve in Amsterdam I also got to attend the Den Haag training where I was particularly edified by Zuster Schwab's portion of the training. This sweet angel was my other MTC companion and she spoke about being a successful missionary. When I first came on my mission, things were quite different than I pictured. And that's an understatement. My whole mission I've been seeking to understand how to do things according to the will of the Lord and not according to how I picture things going and simultaneously seeking His approval to know I'm doing things right. During Zuster Schwab's training we read from Preach My Gospel, "You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the Spirit working through you," and I felt that I truly have His approval. I've read that sentence many times before, but at last I received the accompanying confirmation I've desired. I am so grateful. As I reflected on this wonderful feeling and other things discussed I thought on 3 Nephi 7:15-16, 21
"And it came to pass that Nephi—having been visited by angels and also the voice of the Lord, therefore having seen angels, and being eye-witness, and having had power given unto him that he might know concerning the ministry of Christ, and also being eye-witness to their quick return from righteousness unto their wickedness and abominations; Therefore, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds—went forth among them in that same year, and began to testify, boldly, repentance and remission of sins through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ....And it came to pass that the thirty and first year did pass away, and there were but few who were converted unto the Lord; but as many as were converted did truly signify unto the people that they had been visited by the power and Spirit of God, which was in Jesus Christ, in whom they believed." 
Nephi was a very spiritual man. That said, He did not have had a "picture-perfect" mission. But he didn't let it bring him down. He turned his circumstances into a springboard of opportunity to lift others up. He testified boldly and I know he worked according to the Spirit, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to perform the later miracles he did and help the few be converted. Furthermore, those who were converted were not converted by Nephi's efforts, but by the Spirit his efforts brought. So, yeah, maybe his mission was not picture perfect, but I would definitely say it was ideal. 
I am at a point, took me a while to get here, that I feel the same about my mission. I know my mission hasn't been picture perfect, especially not considering the image I first formed, but I know because of the continual confirmations I have from the Spirit, that my mission is ideal. I wouldn't have it any other way. I know that ideal is possible for all missionaries. So whether we help thousands or just a few come closer to Christ through faith in Him and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, we can know that those few or thousand are, "converted to the Lord; [and] as many as [are] converted [will] truly signify...that they [have] been visited by the power and Spirit of God, which [is] in Jesus Christ, in whom [we believe]." I know this is true. It's my mission experience.
The other segments of both zone trainings were also very enlightening and fun, however, this is the experience I treasure most. 
As far as Amsterdam itself goes, things are moving along quite nicely here. One of our friends is committed to being baptized this upcoming Sunday and he has a lot of great support from friends in the ward and stake. Another great person we're currently working with is the best friend of our ward mission leader. One of our companionship goals for this transfer was to become besties with the ward mission leader and bishop. To accomplish this we came up with some smaller goals and in the process I felt like we should ask our ward mission leader if we could arrange an appointment with him and this specific friend. He'd talked about him a few times and I felt impressed to see him. Things were arranged and after a spirit-filled lesson, Sung is excited to learn more. As far as improving our relationship with the bishop goes, we have dinner with his family tomorrow. Things are happening here in Amsterdam! And I've only mentioned a few :) What an exciting feeling to be apart of the Lord's work!
I feel like big things are going to be happening for us this week, and I'm excited to allow these things to work in me so I can springboard into the thousands waiting to hear about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 
I love you all sooooooo much!!!
Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

Sunday, May 19, 2013

KONNINGINNEDAY May 6, 2013


Hey Family!
I just want you all to know I love you a lot. Like an overwhelming a lot! You all are incredible.
This week has been soo great! Tuesday was Konninginneday (Queens Day) and we took advantage of the holiday to talk with hundreds of the people on the street out celebrating. We set up a stand where we shared pass-along cards, pamphlets, and copies of the Book of Mormon. We shared about 40 books with everyone and pretty much everyone who received one specifically requested it! We are still working on contacting all the people we met from the booth. Such a great experience. The individuals we met I believe were sent there by the Lord at just the time they needed for the particular pass-along card or pamphlet we shared in that moment. 
An example of this is a young Polish family we handed an English Family Proclamation to, not because we knew they were Polish, but because it was the end of the day and that's all we had left! About 5 minutes later I saw them walking back to us and my first thought was, "Oh no! They realized what they accepted to read and are returning it because they don't want anything to do with Christ," as had happened with others during the day. However, to my surprise the man asked, "Where can we find this church? Is is here in Amsterdam? Where is this church? We had a sister missionary teach us about this in Poland, Zuster (I can't remember who they said). We loved her and the message she shared. Where can we find this church?" A much better reaction than I expected. And just think, if they hadn't come at that time they may have received another pamphlet or card and not realized it was from the same church. 
Another young man who came to our booth shared an extended moment with us, 5-6 hours worth. D. attended Institute with a friend the week before and heard us invite everyone to participate at our booth. None of the young adults came, but he did. He told us how he'd been reading in the Book of Mormon, about 30% of it so far, and had some questions. We answered his questions and he spent his Queens Day reading the pamphlets we were sharing, observing the reactions of others to our efforts, and he even helped give away a copy of the Book of Mormon himself. The next evening he was again at  Institute where we arranged an appointment for the next day. Since then we've met with him twice, he's come to sacrament meeting, and he's accepted a baptismal date! 
I love missionary work.
I got a new companion this week, Zr. Larson. She is a sweetheart who came to share her love for our Savior and every time she bears testimony all present are flooded with the Spirit of love too. Teaching with her has provided some of the most powerful lessons of my mission. She came here to testify and work and her focus helps me be better. 
I really love it out here.

I love you truly and eternally,
Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

Catch-up April 29th, 2013








Hey family! I feel like I haven't really kept you all well updated for the past month or so...sorry about that. To make up for that, here's my month is short since conference:
-Contacted a Jewish family who weren't initially interested in accepting what we said until I mentioned the Book of Mormon begins with a family out of Jerusalem. That caught their attention. They asked for a copy which we gladly delivered. I just spoke with their teenage daughter a few days ago and she said her father thinks it's beautiful :) The title page of the Book of Mormon says it is written to Jew and Gentile. It feels good to be sharing it with everyone.
-I got to go back to Dordrecht for exchanges with my former companion, Zuster Israelsen! It was super strange but cool to be back and to see some of my friends there. Zuster Israelsen and I saw miracles left and right together and one of the people we contacted together that day is now investigating, yeah!
-As a zone we went to the temple and later to Keukenhof. Both were amazing, but the temple was definitely better! I felt so much peace and was able to stay for a few hours. Keukenhof was nice as well, but the flowers weren't as nice as last year because of the long winter we've had here. However, I had way more fun this year than last with the other missionaries. 
-Zuster Davies and I helped a woman with her groceries and were invited to her birthday party the next day. We thought that'd be a fun way to find new investigators, turns out it was just awkward. Haha. She really loved the Book of Mormon we gave to her as a gift though :)
-We had another special zone training this month from the Den Haag Stake President, President Oddens, about how we can help the members better engage in missionary work. I also got to go on exchanges with Zuster Schwab (one of my MTC companions) in Haarlem (my greenie city!) a few weeks ago and have an exchange with her again here in Amsterdam just last week. Of the three exchanges we've had this month I got to arrange one. Talk about pressure. Cool to know feel the inspiration of the spirit though as I felt impressed to have certain sisters go together for a day. After that exchange I had them write down all the miracles they've seen and it was pretty powerful and humbling to read how the Lord worked through them all. 
-Last Thursday I got to attend the baptism of a dear friend, Fabien, in Haarlem. Fabien is a girl Zuster Jeffs, Zuster Moses, and I met last year during my second transfer in Haarlem. She's been investigating the church ever since and through it we've become really great friends. It was a miracle to be able to attend her baptism. Six of the ten(?) missionaries who taught her were there. It was a high-light of my mission and life. The service was small and simple, and the spirit was strong ("through small and simple things are great things brought to pass" Alma 37:6-7). I'm pretty sure everyone in attendance shed a few tears. 
-Most of our most positive investigators right now are all either Portuguese or Spanish speaking. My high school Spanish helps out a bit, but mostly we have a joint-teach to translate. I wish I had studied and kept it up more. To those out there studying a language, work it and keep it up! You never know when the Lord is going to call on you to use it and you want to feel prepared!
-I got transfer calls last night! I am staying here in Amsterdam for at least another six weeks and will be training. I'm so excited to serve with one of the special sisters who Heavenly Father has selected to be part of the first wave here in the Belgium/Netherlands mission! I know she is going to be a powerhouse and can't wait to learn from her!!

Well, that's just a bit of the last few weeks! I'm excited for the next transfer to begin and to share with you more of the miracles we see!!

Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

SPRING April 22, 2013


Well family, Amsterdam is finally showing signs of spring! The trees have buds of leaves, flowers are popping up everwhere, the sun is shining! Life doesn't get much better :) And let me tell you, there is almost nothing so beautiful as seeing the freshness of spring against the backdrop of an old, European city. Also, people are friendlier as a result of the sunshine and new life and that creates perfect dispositions to talk to about the restored gospel. Zuster Davies and I have been having a lot of fun and success together and we have plans to continue that pattern. 
Last week P-day I didn't get a chance to email, so today when I got on there was A LOT to read! I am still sorting out my feelings about the news you shared with me about Scott and moving to Korea, but I have pretty much decided to not think or worry about it and just focus on what's before me now. I know the rest will take care of itself just fine. The Lord knows what He's doing and is in charge. I had a companion a while ago with continual medical problems. She was freaking out because her MTC companion was sent home and she doesn't want that to be the story of her mission too. The thing is, the story of your mission is what you make of it. So, she decided to make every day count, just in case. Ideally, we all are making every day count, but I have to admit, she was one of the most focused and dedicated missionaries I've ever been privileged to serve with. And I just can't help but think to myself, what if she didn't have these difficulties, would she be just as hardworking and influential? I don't know. But, I do know the Lord doesn't ask us to do things just for kicks and giggles, He is purpose driven and anything He hands to us is to help us become even more like Him. In the case of my companion, I'd say so far it's working :) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6). Words of wisdom right there :) 
I've really come to understand this better throughout my mission. Funny thing is, I thought I knew it and fully understood it before I came. Guess I still have some learning to do. One thing I'm sure of is that I'm grateful for the opportunities the Lord gives us to continually learn and grow and progress to become more like Him. 
Mom, that scripture you shared with me from John 14:26, "but the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your rememberane, whatsoever I have said unto you," is the same scripture our ward mission leader shared in our investigator class yesterday as he taught us all about covenants. I know that as we are true to our covenants everything works out the way it's supposed and the Lord rewards us in all aspects of our lives, even through things as simple as a common scripture shared in a class and an email. Small things are inspired too, after all, it's by small and simple things that great things are brought to pass (Alma 37:6-7). Thanks for listening to the Spirit in even the small things so I could experience that little miracle :) It brought just the comfort I needed. 
I'm so grateful you're my eternal family.
Love eternal daughter/sister, 
Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

conference


Rebecca Hinchcliff <rebecca.hinchcliff@myldsmail.net>
Apr 8
to mejulie
Isn't conference so great?! I sure do feel the love of our Heavenly Father and Savior whenever I listen to the words of the prophets and apostles because the Spirit is so strong when they speak. Zr. Davies and I were super excited for conference and wanted to invite everyone we saw to come watch it with us. So we did :) We talked with some great individuals and families, but not a single person we met came! They missed out. However, I did have a Jewish father ask me for a copy of The Book of Mormon because he's curious about the family that leaves Jerusalem and their story, so that's pretty awesome! Also, one of our investigators came and LOVED conference. She said it felt nice and she loved the focus they seemed to have on families. Interesting since when I watched I noticed themes from my mission and personal studies. Isn't it so amazing how the general authorities prepare talks for a world-wide audience and they still seem to have really personal significance? God is so amazing :) I am so grateful for the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings that come from it like a surety that God is my loving Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ's Atonement truly does apply to everyone, the Book of Mormon, the priesthood, latter-day prophets, eternal families, the gift of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, temples, the sacrament, geneology, the list goes on! Oh, I am so grateful!! It feels good having a knowledge of the truth. Why aren't more people jumping out of their seats to find it? Please, please, if you have an inclinations as to individuals or families who could use or are ready to accept this beautiful restored gospel let the missionaries know! And then let them know what specific message you think those individuals and families need so we can be as personal as possible when we contact them. I can understand that sometimes it's scary to trust us with your friends and family members, but I know that everyone has a back pocket referral. The Lord has called us and trusts us, please sustain us in our callings by putting your trust in us too :)  Then pray a whole lot and I know miracles will happen! I love you all and hope you have a great week!!

Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

Monday, April 1, 2013

Easter


Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter :)

So, Mom, remember how last week in your email you challenged me to try to live as a "holy woman" for three days by picking an area and focusing on that one area? Well I wanted to have more fulfilling studies. I was feeling like my testimony was more a shadow than something living and I wanted to reliven it. Here are some things I learned...

I was reading in Helaman 5 about Nephi and Lehi being surrounding by fire in jail and the consequent repentance and conversion of the Lamanite and Nephite dissenters. This has always been one of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon because of the sequence of events.
In verses 23 and 24 it says, " that they [the bad guys] durst not lay their hands upon them [Nephi and Lehi] for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned. And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage." 
This ordering of events between verses leads me to believe that Nephi and Lehi were not aware of the "fire" around them until after they noticed the reactions of the others. I think that often we as members of the church and particularly as missionaries, like Nephi and Lehi, don't realize there's literally something different about us/around us until someone mentions it or points it out. It's important to remember we have it. Nephi and Lehi did and some wonderous things happened.
In the BD under "fire" it says fires is, "frequently the symbol of God’s presence, revealed either in mercy or in judgment (1) of His glory (2) of His holiness (3) of His presence to protect (4) of His judgments  (5) the punishment of the wicked (6) of the Holy Spirit as a purifying agent; as tongues of fire." I feel like each of these elements is represented in this passage (Helaman 5:23-52) as well. Also, in the scriptures the gift of the Holy Ghost is often referred to as baptism by fire, so you can definitely see how these two really lived worthy to have the constant companionship promised.

The next thing that stood out to me was the comfort Nephi and Lehi extended their persecutors in verse 26, "And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us." 
I just think it's so sweet and says a lot about their character that even though they are the ones in danger, well not really because they obviously are protected by God, but still, to extend comfort. They are truly sympathetic of how their enemies feel. 




A lot of other great and wonderful things happen in this passage, but the thing that really caught my attention this time around and that I would like some help understanding comes from a few verses within this passage: 
23 and 24 (see above)
36 "And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi; and behold, they did shine exceedingly, even as the faces of angels. And he beheld that they did lift their eyes to heaven; and they were in the attitude as if talking or lifting their voices to some being whom they beheld."
39 "...They do converse with the angels of God."
43-49 "And it came to pass that when they cast their eyes about, and saw that the cloud of darkness was dispersed from overshadowing them, behold, they saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire. And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire, yet it did harm them not, neither did it take hold upon the walls of the prison; and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying: Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world. And now, when they heard this they cast up their eyes as if to behold from whence the voice came; and behold, they saw the heavens open; and angels came down out of heaven and ministered unto them. And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt."

The reason these stood out to me were because of the footnotes and references within the Bible Dictionary and the subsequent footnotes from those scriptures that brought me to scriptural passages dealing with transfiguration such as Exodus 34, the accounts of the Mount of Transfiguration, and the account in 3 Nephi of Christ blessing the little children and their being surrounding by angels. I would probably add to this the experiences of those at the Kirkland temple dedication. I got to wondering about what exactly transfiguration is and looked in the missionary library and scriptures for answers, but nothing definitively defined it for me. Some common elements I've noticed in the several passages, however, are:
-shining faces
-some initial fear of those who witness it
-those who are transfigured offering comfort
-appearances of angels/heavenly beings
-I think often/generally the voice of Heavenly Father declaring Christ as the Savior
-those involved/witnessing are asked to not doubt or marvel



I'm just really curious about all this. Have you read anything or can you direct me anywhere where I can maybe find some more structure to what's going on here? 

Some more interesting things I noticed are that with the Mount of Transfiguration the apostles were told to wait to tell anyone what happened until after Christ was resurrected and in this account in Helaman 5, verses 50 and 51, "And it came to pass that they did go forth, and did minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had heard and seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received." So I wonder what the difference there was.

And a random side observance to this all is found in verses 51-52 "And as many as were convinced did lay down their weapons of war, and also their hatred and the tradition of their fathers. And it came to pass that they did yield up unto the Nephites the lands of their possession." Reading this got me thinking on Alma 31:5, "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." Here's proof that it works! 

Anyways, it was a very fulfilling study and I'm excited to continue it. With General Conference and the temple conference coming up I'm hoping to find some enlightenment on this subject seeing as the accounts I have so far found of transfiguration occur with those called of God and often around temples or mountains (in every case I've read expect for this prison one). 

This study, and other mornings of equally fulfilling studies started my mornings off with a really sweet spirit that I feel prepared me for an Easter concert I got to sing in (with a choir) in Rotterdam Saturday. The concert was absolutely beautiful, but one song at the beginning really struck me. It's called "Getsemane" and as we sang the spirit was so strong. I felt and knew then and know so now that Jesus Christ really did live and die for us. He loves and wants to us to be happy. He did everything He could to ensure that for us. This week from concentrating on my studies and really trying to spiritually improve myself, I've come to understand and feel of His love a little more. It's a pattern I intend to continue.

I'm really excited to hear about what you all experienced this Easter as you tried to concentrate on the Savior through your efforts to become more holy. I love you all and SO grateful we are an eternal family. Thank goodness for the Atonement!

Love, Zuster Becky Hinchcliff

PS I did get the Easter package, thank you so much! I opened it Easter morning and have been enjoying it's contents since! Also, just so you know, I had an awesome Easter day at church, in appointments, and on the streets :) If I had more time I'd expand, but I used it all....Veel liefs!


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PPS some people here in A'dam have connections to NC and have asked me to inquire after them:
Victor Bartholomew- 1st stake pres in Raleigh, grandpa of Zr. Donna Bardsley, an American in my ward
Row Newsom- from Ashville, former B52 pilot, has his PhD in something or another, currently serving a mission in Frankfurt, Germany with...
Elder and Sister Wood who used to live in NC with the military and visited our ward yesterday. We talked after sacrament and they told me that they are former aquentainces with the Brocks and the Catletts! They just about cried when I told them that both families are in my home ward and the latest updates I knew about their lives. Please let the Brocks (g-ma and g-pa) and the Catletts (g-ma and g-pa) know that Elder and Sister Wood say hello!