Hi, I'm Melissa

I'm an American-expat living in the Netherlands. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I was born and grew up in the United States. When I was 23 I met my man on hotornot.com. He's Dutch - I'm American. We got married in the U.S. and now live in the Netherlands. We have three daughters. Hopefully, we will one day have a big family. I love being a mom and housewife. I like to blog about cooking and recipes. I love baking. I love to paint and crochet as well. But mostly, I just love hanging out with the kids, going to playgrounds and visiting with other stay-at-home-moms like me. Most other moms work full-time so there are not too many - we are few - but we are proud!

Why I am a Mormon

Today it was very cold outside. I don't have a driver's license so I walk to church. I was thinking, why am I outside walking in this wintery weather - pushing my kids in the stroller? The answer came to me quickly. I thought - because I know the Book of Mormon is true! I know that Jesus lives. He is my Savior. This is His church. President Thomas S. Monson is His Prophet on the earth today. That's why I go to church always -- unless one of the kids is really sick or I'm in the hospital because I just gave birth ;)

I really love to be at church - I love visiting with friends, feeling the spirit that is there and singing hymns.

Personal Stories

How has attending Church services helped you?

The church services are divided into three meetings. We usually have Sacrament meeting first. Followed by Sunday School and Relief Society. In Relief Society - women 18 and older meet together. They have other meetings for Men and children.

I enjoy Sacrament meeting because we partake of the Sacrament. The bread and water. During the Sacrament I try to think about Jesus. I think about how He is my Savior. We are promised to have His Spirit with us and we promise to remember him. This helps me during the week.

I enjoy Sunday School as well. This year in Sunday School we are studying the New Testament - the life of the Savior. Sunday School is only about 35 minutes - it feels so short - but I always learn a lot - receive insights and we have a special class just for the English speakers... it's great.

I also like Relief Society where the woman gather. As woman, we tend to be a lot more emotional than men. Here we can share our feelings with each other. We have a great friendship. We can learn so much from each other.

Each week I go to church. I don't just listen in the meetings. I try to contribute to the discussions, too.

How I live my faith

In the congregation I meet in each week - the services are conducted in Dutch. I try and learn the language as best I can by listening. But they also provide translation with headsets. That's nice but often distracts me from keeping the kids quiet during the meeting.

Sometimes I get to help organize an activity like a talent night or Christmas dinner. I love to do that. I love getting to know the members.

I've lived in this area for over 6 years now and I really feel like we are a church family. We get together often with other members for dinner. Some of the younger girls often babysit so my husband and I can go out. I trust them. I love them. They are my life-long friends.

What will the Mormon missionaries talk about when they visit my home?

Melissa answered...

We often have the Mormon missionaries for dinner. They often share a message with us while they are here. We have gospel discussions from the scriptures. They will share a scripture out of The Bible or Book of Mormon and share their thoughts on it. Then they ask us what we think? It's a friendly discussion. We testify of Christ. How we are blessed and so on.

The Mormon missionaries - called Elders (male) or Sisters (female) will testify of Christ. That he is the Savior. They will teach about Joseph Smith. That he is a prophet of God. He helped restore the Church of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith translated, by the power of God, The Book of Mormon.

Sometimes, the missionaries bring someone with them, like another member of the local congregation. I've been out with the sister missionaries many times. I enjoy sharing my love of the gospel with others. Sometimes we invite the missionaries to bring an investigator to our home for the lesson. You can request to do that if you like. It's usually not a problem.
Jordan Christiansen answered...

I served a mission in South Korea for two years, so I can tell you. :) The missionaries will probably be as nervous as you are as they arrive at your home. The nervousness does not come from timidity or a lack of belief in the message they bring, but because they want so much to express their testimonies and the Spirit they feel to you.

The missionaries will likely introduce themselves and get to know you and your family. Though missionaries are called by God to preach His word, they come from largely every-day backgrounds and have lives likely much like yours.

After getting to know your family, they will likely ask what questions you may have about life or the Mormon church. Using the scriptures and their own personal experiences, they will seek to help you find answers. Don't be afraid of asking any question or thinking you may offend or sound silly to the missionaries. They are called to help and serve and are very understanding.

After answering your questions and sharing a spiritual message, the missionaries will ask you to act on the message. A soccer player does not listen to his coach during practice only to go home without kicking a ball, right? In the same way, the missionaries will invite you to read a chapter of scripture or seek for yourself that what they are saying is true. You don't have to just take the missionaries' word in what they say--a loving God is happy to answer thoughtful, earnest prayers seeking for the truth.

Who is the Mormon prophet today?

Amber answered...

President Thomas S. Monson is our current prophet. He is called of God to receive revelation for us today. I am grateful for living prophets and apostles to lead and guide us in this troubled world. I know that they are called of God, and if we follow their counsel we will be happy.