SUNDAY
We had planned to go to church in person today, but Elder and Sister VandeWal are in quarantine because she tested Positive to COVID on Friday. They were going to drive us since we don't have a car yet. We (or President Watson) may decide we don't even need a car. But for today we watched Sacrament meeting on Zoom again.
We spent some time in the afternoon and evening talking with kids/grandkids.Matt and Mary are 7 hours ahead of us so if we call early afternoon it is evening for them. Texas is 7 hours behind, we need to figure out when everyone has church so we can call at a good time. Utah is 8 eight behind and California is 9 hours behind us so later evening for us works for them.
MONDAY
A busy training day at the office. Elder Jensen was coaching me on how to enter the payments and reconcile everything at the same time helping Elder Glauser figure out if every companionship in the transfers coming Wednesday would have a driver who had passed off the driving test.
TUESDAY
We met President and Sister Watson in person today! We have met many times over Zoom and through email, text and phone calls so it felt like we were meeting old friends. We are so grateful to be serving with them and pray we can lighten some of the weight from their shoulders as they lead the mission.
WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY
We trained again with Elder Jensen, asking questions and learning to troubleshoot when things are not 'by-the-book'. Sister Jensen is still home, not feeling well. Thursday morning Elder Jensen called to say his wife had tested Positive for Covid and he would also be in quarantine even though he tested Negative. So we're on our own, except we can call him if needed.
We had the Office Elders over to dinner on Thursday and have set this as a regular time to feed them. Even though we see them every day, it will be nice to have them come to dinner every week.
We are learning some of the differences in practices here in the Netherlands. Two of the Sisters called, near tears, because they had unwittingly parked in a Handicap parking spot. The ticket they received was 409 euros!! $464.06 for a parking violation!! The Mission will initially pay for the ticket. So for the next several months the two sisters (both of the companionship share the expense no matter who is driving) will have a portion removed from their Missionary Support Fund until it is repaid. Speeding and parking tickets are very common and very expensive here. Everything is automated with regards to speed. If you are 3 kilometers over the speed limit, the camera clicks and you get ticketed going INTO the speed zone. If you are still going too fast as you EXIT the speed zone, you get ticketed AGAIN. And you won't even know for a couple weeks when the email comes to the office and you get a phone call from Elder Glauser with the bad news.
A mission-wide broadcast with Brad Wilcox, counselor in the YW General Presidency was held over Zoom Friday evening. The first speaker was President Steven J. Lund, YW General President. He served in the Belgium/Netherlands Mission probably at or near the same time as Doug. Brother Wilcox spoke about the things you will give up if you choose to walk away from the Church. He asked us to remember the six points by using the acronym GOSPEL.
G - Godhead. Our relationship with our Father in Heaven. We know He is our Father. We have a close relationship with God because of our covenants. We can access God's power through the ordinances.
O - Only true church. We say this in a spirit of invitation. Pres Boyd K Packer said the true gospel is like all the notes on the keyboard being played. Other churches play just a few selected notes.
S - Spirit. The Spirit will bear witness of the truth everywhere, but the Gift of the Holy Ghost can be with us always. A fish notices the water only when it is out of it. You notice the furnace when it is out -- and you quickly call someone to fix it so you can be comfortable again.
P - Priesthood
E - Everyone. Missionary work, temple work. Temples
L - Living prophets and apostles. We are led by a living prophet and can find great comfort in having a 'watchman on the tower'.
SATURDAY
We did a little more exploring around our neighborhood. There is a windmill a short walk from our apartment -- the opposite direction we walk when going to the office. The shops in the market center were busy today, but we stood in line and got some friets. From the view just outside our door we see church towers and roofs. The path along the canal changes from bricks and paving stones to an asphalt path for pedestrians and bikes. A peaceful walk!
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