April 24-30, 2022

 SUNDAY

Today was Annie's blessing and we had Zoom set to watch and listen. We could see the Oak Valley Ward but no audio. From the comments of others, no one had sound. It was disappointing not to be able to participate from afar. However, we did get pictures from those attending. We are very grateful for Dustin and Mike G, who stood with Mike as he gave his beautiful daughter a Priesthood blessing and for Jill and Joseph for traveling from Texas to be there.

Front: Lilah, David, Joseph, Ben, Jake, Avery

Back: (Joel's girlfriend), Joel, Adriana, Mr Avila, Priscilla. Joanna, Mike holding Annie Joy, Jill, Dustin, Meli, Mike G, Meagan holding Aria

MONDAY

We took the train to Den Haag to meet the Elders from Sint Niklaas, Elders Sam Evans, Jefferson Millward and Luke Wray, as they needed a bike key and money to get back home. Traveling from Belgium to Den Haag is very expensive for them. They get extra funds every two weeks for travel but it doesn't cover these mandatory trips to the IND. As it turned out, the card was not ready to be picked up and they will have to make the long and expensive trip again tomorrow.

TUESDAY

Norma had the brilliant idea to have the Sint Niklaas Elders just take a car from Gouda to Belgium and then bring it back Wednesday when they come to orientation. That saved Doug 6-7 hours of being on the road today. 

We had six Elders over for dinner tonight. Sadly, we didn't get a picture. Elders Blodgett, Boyer, Henrie and Ludlow work in the office and come each week. Elders Weber and Snow were in the office when we were talking about it and they didn't have plans so they were able to come as well. We love having the missionaries in our home. They bring a good spirit with them, we have great conversations, hopefully we give them a feeling of 'family', and each one of them has a spiritual thought at the ready. 

WEDNESDAY

Orientation Day for the 21 Elders and Sisters that recently arrived in the BNZ. Norma and I made lunch for them, their companions and the office staff (about 60 of us). We are definitely learning how much food missionaries can eat! Next time we will have more meat for sure! And we will have someone serve it (no 'help yourself - buffet style'). Some were forced vegetarians today because we ran out of meat. 😞

April 27 is the King's birthday and the whole country celebrates by wearing orange, along with parades and performances in every city and town and we are no exception! 

It was so good to be with all of these dedicated people who are anxious to learn the language and the culture as they find and teach those ready to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

THURSDAY

The office is empty except for Doug and I today. It's a day for catching up.

Twice each month I meet virtually with the Europe Area Health Council. Since a new Area has been created, we will likely divide to match the ecclesiastical boundaries. Today I presented a case we had in our mission. Ten days ago, one of our missionaries had severe abdominal pain and flu-like symptoms, The pain migrated to her right lower quadrant so I advised her to go to the doctor. She was then sent to the hospital for an ultrasound of her appendix. Everything looked normal, so they sent her home. The symptoms and pain resolved over the next few days. A couple days later, she texted that she had a very painful, itchy rash all over her arms and legs. When it didn't get better with Benadryl she went back to the doctor and was told it was likely from caterpillar fur. What?? I reached out to a doctor who sometimes prescribes and writes referrals for the missionaries and he confirmed it was a real thing. The Oak Processionary Moth is in The Netherlands and other European countries from May to July and the poisonous bristles of the caterpillar are very irritating to the skin. Best treatment is to put wide tape over the rash and remove it quickly, removing the invisible hairs. I had never heard of this before and neither had anyone on the council so we can now be aware if anyone else has such symptoms. 

FRIDAY

We made a quick trip to Rotterdam to drop off bikes to Elders Hilton and Holje. Elder Holje wasn't feeling well today, so he wore a mask when they came down to meet us. Doug is working hard to get all the bikes in the mission serviced and delivered to those apartments that don't have enough bikes. Since last year the mission had so few missionaries, the bikes have mostly sat unused for about a year. There are only a few areas that have cars, so everyone needs bikes along with the trains, trams and busses to get to their appointments and meetings.

Elders Hilton, Holje and Glauser

After returning from Rotterdam, we went to the VandeWal's for lunch. The office Elders had been doing some service for the Vandewal's next-door neighbor by cleaning out overgrown plants and trimming trees.

Sister and Elder Glauser, Elders Adrian Blodgett, Aiden Henrie, Elder and Sister VandeWal, Elders Landon Boyer and Tee Ludlow.

SATURDAY

I may say this too often, but Holland is beautiful. Sometimes I just think I must be living in a FairyTale Land. The canals are everywhere! The trees and flowers are abundant. I'm so grateful to be having this experience, not only to serve a mission but to be in such a picturesque place.

Doug is preparing two presentations, one for the Zone Devotional tonight and another for Zone Conferences next week. He's been thinking about and planning the one for Zone Conferences and will use traffic signs to teach some principles, not only of driving but gospel principles as well. So this afternoon we walked around Gouda and he took pictures of some traffic signs 😁

The Zone Devotional was inspiring! Elder Glauser trained on the principle of High Expectations. It is one of the Mission goals but he came at it from a little different perspective. We have been commanded to 'be ye therefore perfect' and we know that 'the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save He shall prepare a way for them' to accomplish it. So our Father in Heaven has high expectations of us...to be perfect. But He also has given us the way to accomplish that perfection, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.