May 1-7, 2022

 SUNDAY

I had the assignment today to play the piano for Sacrament meeting since the other two pianists were not able to be there today. It was good to be able to do that again, even though I make mistakes. I love the hymns of the Gospel.

We were invited to have dinner with Henk and Alja Schuur along with the VandeWal's and Maria and her daughters, Anastacia (Anna-stay-CEE-a) and Kate from Ukraine. They have been here two months after fleeing the country. They have an amazing story of escape and their resilience is evident. Maria said it was the first time she had felt good in two months.

Alja found some candles and we celebrated 4 birthdays.

MONDAY

Three sets of missionaries sent in their fuel receipts yesterday (May 1) without even being asked to do it! It makes Elder Glauser's job of collecting receipts at the first of the month to have them be prompt, but to have them send them automatically was great! So he started the First Day of the Month Club and introduced them to it on the Zoom call this morning. And promised a little treat for those three groups would be delivered at Zone Conference. Well, wouldn't you know, several more sent their receipts as well! But to get the treat, it has to be on the first day of the month. We'll see how many remember for next month!😁 In any event, it is refreshing to have the missionaries take the initiative to do even the simple things. We love them!

Norma and I are preparing to feed the missionaries at Zone Conference later this week so we went to Sligro and got a few items. After last week's miscalculation of food, we are probably over-buying but we should have enough this week!

TUESDAY

Norma and I went to Sligro again today! This time to pick up the pulled pork we had ordered. 

It's always good to have the Office Meeting on Tuesday afternoons. This week it was only us, the VandeWal's and President and Sister Watson. The office Elders have P-day on Tuesdays so only join us every few weeks, and always the week before Transfers. We have several missionaries with health issues right now, the registrations through the Gemeente in each city is an ongoing issue, we are still looking for more apartments and there have been a few bike accidents and car scrapes. So probably pretty normal stuff...just seems like a lot this week.

WEDNESDAY

Norma and I went back to Sligro....again! Today we picked up the fresh fruit and vegetables/salad, rolls and more meat. We are determined to have enough to feed these hungry missionaries.

The Amsterdam Zone went to Delft yesterday for a Zone P-day and the office Elders brought back cheeses for us to have a Cheese Tasting today. Yum!

THURSDAY

Zone Conference in Utrecht. Norma and I made Pulled Pork Sandwiches and salads for the lunch today. It is a lot of work to cook for 60+ people, but so worth it when we see them enjoying the food. And we had enough meat! All those trips to Sligro the past few days were worth seeing the Elders and Sisters enjoying all they could eat. 

We are able to participate in part of the conference between our kitchen duties and car inspections. There is a wonderful spirit when 60 missionaries of Jesus Christ get together.

In the afternoon one of the things we do is sing to and recognize those who have had birthdays. I love the Dutch birthday song!

Gerrit VandeWal has been having trouble with gout in his foot the past several weeks. It is getting worse, it looks infected and he can hardly walk for the pain. He asked Elder Glauser to give him a priesthood blessing as we were leaving today. Elders Austin and Kempenaers participated as well. There was not a declaration that he should be healed immediately, but that he and his wife would counsel together and that medical help could be obtained.

When we got home, I emailed Dr Boom (he is a member of the Church who is willing to write prescriptions and referrals for our missionaries) and told him of Elder VandeWal's situation and asked for a Rx for an antibiotic and a refill of his medication used for pain control. Usually Dr Boom answers within a few days so I hope to have something by Monday.

FRIDAY

Since we traveling to Antwerpen for Zone Conference for the Antwerpen and Rotterdam Zones, we got up especially early. I usually don't check my email first thing in the morning and especially not when we are in a hurry to leave by 6:45. But this morning I felt prompted to check it. Dr Boom had already responded to my request from last night and had the prescriptions for Elder VandeWal. I forwarded them to Norma so they could get them filled today. Miracles happen all the time, today was no exception. We just need to be aware of the Lord in our lives and we can see the tender mercies.

No food prep today because the Stake RS President makes lunch for us there. Doug still has car inspections but I was able to listen to all of the the conference. 

Sister Watson:

"The Lord uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible". "We must recognize that others, too, love God, and that others, too, know Christ, sometimes profoundly so." "Look more outward, not so much inward." "I may not remember what someone has said, but I'l remember what they have done." "Have I ever stood, even for a moment, in the great and spacious building pointing the finger of scorn at anyone?" From the Mission Leaders conference in Germany last week: 6 million Muslims per year are turning toward Christianity. We can teach and prepare them. At this time, we cannot baptize them unless they have residency cards. If they were to become Christian and then be deported back to their country, they could be killed. So for now, they can be taught and prepared.

President Kleijweg:

Bring the temple closer to your life. When you continue to go to the temple you will become a life-time convert to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Mountains and Temples. Both take effort to climb, are solid and steadfast, are used as landmarks.An endowment is a gift of power and knowledge. We must be obedient to the Lord, regardless of our understanding. Adam and Eve sacrificed for 'many days' without knowing the reason.

President Watson

Actively teach those of Muslim faith.

Mosiah 3:19  For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Humility is thinking less about ourselves, not thinking less of ourselves. What can I do to develop humility? 

    think of the good in others first (don't focus on their shortcomings or perceived shortcomings

    pray for help

    recognize my weaknesses, but don't dwell or focus on them

    know that God can and will help

After Zone conference, we drove further south to Gent to deliver a bike to replace the one that was in a crash last week. Elder Christiansen was hit by a car, but thankfully, only minor injuries.  Look how the front tire was sheered off from the force of the crash. He is a believer in helmets now!

From there we headed home. The traffic through Antwerpen was heavy so it was a long time getting to Breda where we dropped off a lost name tag and FOB. We arrived home about 22:30. Long day, but very uplifting and inspiring.

SATURDAY

(a copy of the email I sent to Dr Boom)

Good morning Dr Boom,

I just wanted to properly thank you for your extremely quick response. Elder VandeWal has been suffering for several weeks with the gout, but this week he could hardly walk. (He is typically very energetic and is such a hard worker) He finally asked for a priesthood blessing on Thursday after Zone Conference, which he received. The blessing did not state that he would be healed immediately, but rather that he and his wife would be able to counsel together and get the necessary medical treatment. 

It was late Thursday when I emailed you. Friday was another Zone Conference, this time in Antwerpen so we were going to leave very early. I usually do not check my email when I first get up, but I was prompted to do so Friday morning. And already in my inbox was your response with the needed prescriptions. I forwarded the Rx and instructions to the VandeWal's and they were able to fill them yesterday. 

All that to say, the Lord is in the details of our lives. And thank you so much for being a big part of that tender mercy. Heavenly Father hears our pleadings and answers prayers and blessings, many times using other people to bless us. May He continue to bless you and your family.

With kind regards and much gratitude,

Sister Glauser

Doug went on a bike ride and I went on a walk this beautiful morning. (One of these days I ride with him as long as we head out of town where it is not congested with pedestrians and traffic). We went to the office and unloaded the van since it was so late when we arrived home last night, stopped for groceries on the way home, back to the office to get the van and fill it with fuel after a call from the Leeuwarden Sisters just in case we need to take them home tomorrow. Even when the day seems like nothing is happening, it fills up with 'things'. But we love staying busy!