July 10-16, 2022

 SUNDAY

We had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Alja and Henk Schuur. The VandeWal's were also invited along with Rick and Guerte Harskamp. It was a lovely afternoon getting better acquainted with these fine people. They are both strong in the gospel but none of their children have stayed active in the church. They recognize that everyone has a choice and they continue to have a close relationship with each of their children. Guerte is a counselor to Alja in RS and Rick is the ward clerk. Henk is in the bishopric. They were able to give us direction regarding who would appreciate a visit from us. This will help us serve better in the ward.

MONDAY

We took Elders Mayfield and Mahe to dinner tonight at The Broadway, a nice restaurant in Utrecht where Svoord, a member of our ward is a chef. It was good to get to know them both better and at the same time watch them enjoy some delicious steaks.

(left) Elder Matt Maxfield, Doug, Elder Vilai Mahe

(right) same group plus Norma and Gerrit VandeWal

The restaurant is in what used to be the cellars of the city where goods being shipped in were stored. Very unique atmosphere!

TUESDAY

Norma and I did the shopping for the Orientation lunch on Wednesday. We think it's just a quick trip to Sligro but it takes a while. Today we were gone 2 1/2 hours. First to Sligro and then to Albert Heijn for the items we couldn't get at Sligro. At least we can do it together. It makes it fun, not a chore. We are planning on 30 for lunch. Not as many as for Zone Conferences, but still quite a crowd of hungry missionaries.

The weekly Office meeting is always good. It is good to be with President and Sister Watson and see their leadership in action. They love the gospel and love the missionaries. What a pleasure to serve with them.

WEDNESDAY

We were at the office a little early to start prepping for lunch and get ready for the Orientation meeting. Four new missionaries and their companions will be there plus the office staff and we invited the Social Media District since they are at the office on Wednesdays. It was great to meet these new Elders and Sisters! Elders Maxwell and Flitton have both come from reassignments but Sisters Wyss and Cannegieter are straight out of the MTC. They all seem willing to learn and embrace the culture here.

We have a regularly scheduled temple session on the afternoon of the Orientation meeting. The VandeWal's accompanied the missionaries today. We will trade off with them in the coming weeks. I love that the Elders and Sisters will be able to go to the temple 3-4 times a year while on their mission. 

We finished up our regular work a little late because of the busy day and were ready to leave about 18:00. The Elders from Brussels returned from the Temple and were just getting into their car to return to Brussels when I asked if the cookies they had were the only dinner they would get tonight. They said yes, until we get home--about 2 1/2 hour drive. We ended up having them come back in and pulled out the leftovers (there was so much food!) from lunch. We had a lovely visit with them as we ate dinner. Again we are impressed with the quality of young people we are privileged to serve with.

Elders Ranse Cottam, Wyatt Lee, Nefi Regalado, Logan Brown, Sister and Elder Glauser

Not a great picture, but a reminder of a prompting to feed the Elders before their long drive. 

THURSDAY

Another beautiful start to the day!

The following is a copy of the message I sent to the mom of one of our missionaries:

Hi Sister Boyer. My name is Marcia Glauser. My husband and I are serving in the Belgium Netherlands Mission and have the pleasure of working with your son, Elder Boyer in the Office. We have had him and his companion in our home several times for dinner and have come to love him. 

I just wanted to tell you of an incident I witnessed on Thursday. I was driving on the street that the Mission Office is located on  and was stopped at a red light. I noticed two young men, both wearing suits, and as they approached I realized it was Elder Boyer and Elder Henrie. They stopped at the light (traffic is crazy here!) and waited for the ‘walk’ light. They did not see me down the street a bit. The two people waiting at the light with them decided to just go. The Elders sort of started, realized the light had not changed, and stepped back on the sidewalk. But then Elder Henrie decided to go. Elder Boyer waited the few more seconds, crossed with the light and joined his companion. 

This may seem like a small thing, but I witnessed your son showing his ‘exact obedience’. He had no idea he was being watched and he obeyed anyway! 

Even as I write this it brings tears to my eyes. You have a remarkable son and he is representing you, your family and Jesus Christ valiantly. 

I had opportunity to speak with him yesterday for a few minutes and told him of my observation and expressed my gratitude for his example. We love all our missionaries but we are especially thankful to be associated with Elder Boyer. 

May the Lord bless him and your family as he serves with dedication and diligence.

My friend LeAnn Nash and her husband Joe are on their first trip abroad. They are going on a river cruise from Amsterdam to Switzerland. We planned a couple months ago to meet them for the afternoon and visit the Anne Frank House. It was great to visit with LeAnn and get to know Joe. 

The Anne Frank House is a reminder of the conditions the Jews and others were forced to live in as they hid in the rooms above Anne's fathers's warehouse for two years. They depended on others to bring them food and had to be very quiet so as not to be discovered by the workers in the factory below. After two years in hiding, they were found out and sent to concentration camps. Of the eight people, only Anne's father survived.

In the presentation before the tour we hear and see the timeline of Anne's life.

After our tour, we walked a short distance to The Pancake House. We wanted to give LeAnn and Joe a taste of Dutch Cuisine. 

Pannenkoeken! 😋

Ethan received his mission call! He is called as a Service Missionary and will receive further direction from his Stake President in the Philippines. He will begin his service on Aug 12. We are so excited for him!

FRIDAY

A day for me to catch up at the Office. Doug drove to a car dealership in Leiderdorp and met 5 companionships of missionaries. We are trading in five cars for five new ones. 

SATURDAY

We "slept in" today and didn't start our bike ride until nearly 7:00. It was a lovely morning. In fact it has been a near-perfect day. The weather is beautiful, as are the surroundings. 

We drove back to Leiderdorp to the car dealership to take them the extra keys to the vehicles we traded in yesterday. The man at the dealership had told Doug about a nearby windmill so we drove the short distance to see it. It was built in 1850 and is someone's home 😀.  There are times like today when I wonder if I'm living in a Storybook Land.

This is a soccer field between the canal and the bike path. 

Jake's baptism today! Thankfully, we are able to join via Zoom.