SUNDAY
A good day at the Utrecht Ward today. Maria (Ukrainian refugee) came to the English Sunday School class. She shared how on 21 Feb 2022 she was having dinner at a restaurant with friends with no care at all. She had heard Putin threaten war with Ukraine but she felt like it would never happen in her lifetime. Three days later, 24 February, the first bombs were dropped. Suddenly she was fleeing the country with her two daughters. Her life changed so quickly. She likened it to how we hear about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ all the time but somehow get complacent and wonder if it will even happen in our lifetime. But we should always be ready and never become casual or complacent in our preparations for that great day.
MONDAY
I know I say it too often but...today was soooo busy!
We love our work as missionaries and are grateful to be busy. But sometimes it seems there are simply not enough minutes in the hour or hours in the day.
As we were getting ready to go home, President Hoole (Counselor in the Mission Presidency) and his sister Krystal stopped by our office to chat. They are leading the Social Media District as they figure out how to best use FaceBook and Instagram for missionary work. We had a great discussion with them about some of the challenges of the Rising Generation in The Netherlands, Europe and really all over the world. One thing is that they are so used to having instant answers to everything, but when they have a Gospel question it could be months or years before that topic is taught in a formal class. It is an interesting observation with no easy answers. There are 3 1/2 Stakes in the entire country, the Wards and Branches are geographically large and some have hundreds of members, but few come to church. It is especially hard for the youth and Young Adults. But with God, 'nothing is impossible' so we continue to go forth.
TUESDAY
On the first Tuesday of the month the tickets become available for the Anne Frank Museum for the following month. Our friends, Joe and LeAnnNash, are coming in July and we have plans to meet them for an afternoon and visit the museum. So knowing the tickets are difficult to get, we got up early and attempted to get tickets. No luck. After 45 minutes of not being able access the site, I texted LeAnn in California to let her know it was a challenge and maybe she could try as well. Doug and I continued to make the attempt, LeAnn was on her computer as well. She was finally able to get four tickets for the day and time we need! Whew! We're excited to meet up with them and see this historical landmark and be reminded of the struggles and suffering of so many.
Office meeting in the morning and training for me by the Aetna representative for Europe in the afternoon. Thankfully, there are easier ways to submit medical claims for the missionaries than I had previously known about. It will make it much easier for me and especially for the Elders and Sisters who need medical treatment or prescriptions.
Even though the last few days have been a bit cloudy and rainy, there is still plenty of sunshine and warm weather. We are loving the long hours of sunlight!
WEDNESDAY
We left early this morning and drove to Gronigen. Elder Anderson had a surgical procedure today and we wanted to be with him pre-op and after recovery.
Pre-op for Elder Carson Anderson
Typical of a medical procedure, the wait before is long, the procedure itself was 20 minutes and then he had to stay for an hour after waking up from sedation. Everything went well, we talked to his mom in Arizona, got him back to his apartment and then headed back about 3:30.We came home by way of Zwolle to switch a broken bike for a good one, drop off a few things for the Zone and pick up a table to later take to Hengelo.
Elders Glauser, Matt Anjewierden and Tyler Hanks loading the table into the van.
THURSDAY
After being trained on the process to submit medical requests for the missionaries, I did two of them yesterday and already today they have appointments to see their respective doctors next week! I am thrilled to be able to help the missionaries get timely health care and feel bad that it has taken this long to be aware of the process. From here on, it should be easy to get care for them when they have minor health issues.
As is our habit on Thursdays, the office Elders are invited to dinner. Today we had the pleasure of having the Elders from our ward in Utrecht and the APs join us. We love having the missionaries in our home and get to know them on a more personal level.Elder and Sister Glauser, Elders Landon Boyer, Matt Maxfield, Aiden Henrie,
Jorne Kempenaers, Valai Mahe, and Kyle Austin
After dinner, I had a Zoom call with Lukas Maring from the Utrecht bishopric. He extended a calling to be the ward pianist along with Petra (who has been doing it a long time). She and I will play the piano for sacrament meeting every other week. Afterwards, Petra and I talked and she expressed how grateful she is that sometimes she can just come to church and not worry about the music and she will be able to sing! She said she has really missed that. I'm grateful to have this calling and also to relieve Petra a little.
At the same time as the Zoom call, we were driving to Rotterdam to meet with the Stake President, President Bijkerk. He called Doug to be the counselor in the Elder's Quorum in the Utrecht Ward. This is a heavy responsibility. There are so many people that simply do no come to church any more. So working with the EQP to prioritize visits will be so important. Doug will bring a wonderful sense of leadership and direction.
FRIDAY
More success with scheduling doctor visits for some of the Elders! I'm so grateful for this system as I have felt for the past 6 months that I wasn't able to do much for them when they called with health concerns. Of course, there are still calls that just need some reassurance that all will be well and give them some practical tips to help the situation, but now when I feel they need a doctor's advice it will be so easy to get that care.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays our Social Media District meets at the office with Krystal Hoole leading them on better ways to use FaceBook and Instagram for missionary work and to reach the Rising Generation. We are coming to love these good Elders and Sisters and enjoy seeing them often. Even though we are all busy with our own assignments, it is good to have them there. The reach of Social Media is accelerating the finding of those interested in the Gospel and will continue to be a vital way of gathering Israel. It is wonderful to be involved a bit and be able to see it 'in action'.
We had an appointment to visit Franca and Jan Oostveen from our ward tonight. On Sunday, Doug was chatting with her and she expressed how she was feeling. He asked her if there was anything we could do for her and she said she could use a visit. What a wonderful time we had in their home, hearing about their family and some of their past struggles. She is also an artist and has some beautiful and very interesting paintings in their home and in her sketch book.
The view from our apartment door. This photo was taken at 10pm! Notice the sun is still up. I am fascinated with the long daylight hours this time of year. 😎
SATURDAY
Our bike ride this morning was absolutely gorgeous! I kept thinking, "I need to stop and get a picture". On the narrow roads when cars or other bicyclists are passing me, I get nervous and wobbly (I'm still getting used to a bike again). I realized after a few times that I was looking at the road 5 feet in front of me. When I consciously looked down the road 50 feet, I felt more confident and steady. So it is with many things in life. When we focus on the uncomfortable or scary situation of the moment we sometimes get wobbly and nervous, loose our focus and worry too much about the problem at hand. If we can just look ahead a little and focus on promised blessings or brighter days, we gain confidence and keep our balance during the trying times.
I did get a photo as we were driving along, just to document the ride.
We drove to Amsterdam today to drop off some items they needed and treats for the 'First Day of the Month Club'. These Elders got their fuel receipts in to Elder Glauser on or before the first day of June. It makes it so much easier for him to do the reconciliation if he has the receipts so he started this little incentive. And it is working. 8 of the 17 companionships turned in their receipts! We wanted to deliver the treats before Elder Smith goes home on Tuesday. He has been a great example of keeping his car extra clean 😀
Elders Dinis Santos and Lucas Montoya
We spent the evening with President and Sister Watson and Joshua and Mieke Boom. Dr Boom has been so kind and helpful providing prescriptions, referrals and advice for our missionaries. It was great to meet them in person and spend some time getting to know them. The Watson's are delightful hosts. We enjoy being in their home. (Sadly, no pictures of the evening)
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