Oct 16-22, 2022
SUNDAY
It was good to be back at the Utrecht Ward after a couple weeks of conferences. We have certainly come to love the good people here.
We were able to talk with Matt and Mary this afternoon. We appreciate the miracles of technology that let us talk to and see our kids a half-world away!
Another of our missionary's has been stressed and anxious the past few weeks. I talked with her yesterday for a while, listened and offered some suggestions and asked her permission to tell Doug about her concerns. She agreed and the three of us talked again today. Some of her concerns are already resolving but Doug is so good at listening and asking questions to get to the root of the problem. It was a good conversation and we will check in again later this week. This is one of the reasons we love the mission...to have the trust of the missionaries so they feel they can call when things get overwhelming.
MONDAY
This morning Gerrit asked Doug to go with him to Emmen to pick up a washing machine that needs to be repaired. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive to Emmen so it took most of the day.
We got all the Social Media missionaries to help clean the office this morning as Yogita, the lady who cleans the Office every Friday, was sick last week and we are having Elder Alliaud, from our Area Presidency, come this week. We were all vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen and dusting.
Rhyan Green and Jarrich Grey Nichole Cullumber
Otherwise, just a regular Monday at the Office.😁
TUESDAY
The morning was spent buying food for Zone Conferences and the MLC meeting later in the week.
Around 15:00 Elder Ruben and Sister Fabian Alliaud arrived with President and Sister Watson. They will be with us all week to interview, teach, train and encourage. They are delightful, personable and very approachable. While Elder Alliaud was interviewing the Assistants, Sister Alliaud wanted to talk with me and Sister Watson about the health of the missionaries and how we are handling problems, illnesses and injuries. We learned a lot about their time in Argentina when they were mission leaders there.
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
We have Zone Conferences in Antwerpen and Utrecht each transfer.
In preparation, we had been asked to study for addresses of Elder Bednar, Ask in Faith, April 2008 GC, Converted Unto the Lord, Oct 2012 GC, Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins, Apr 2016 GC, and Seek Learning By Faith, Feb 3, 2006 CES. These provided a good foundation for discussion with the missionaries. I 'accidentally' read Pray Always, Elder Bednar Oct 2008 GC and found it equally enlightening.
One thing that really impressed me about Pray Always was the comparison he made between the spiritual creation of the world before it was physically made and how our morning prayer should be a 'spiritual creation' of our day. We can plan and ponder, receive revelation and inspiration, and then get up off our knees and do it!
It was a wonderful two days of inspired instruction, high love and expectations and a whole lot of energy!
FRIDAY
The Mission Tour with the Alliaud's continues. This morning the Mission Leadership Council (MLC) met with Elder Alliaud for more training.
This evening we had a Ward Temple Trip. Along with the VandeWal's, we picked up Mathieu and Annelies De Haas and drove the few minutes to the Den Haag Temple. I had been contacted by Franca Oosteveen to help with sealings. I thought I knew the words to the sealing ceremonies, but when it was all in Dutch, I realized I don't actually have it memorized. The Sealer was kind enough to do it twice in English. It is a powerful reminder of the promises our Heavenly Father has given us if we will just be true to the covenants we have made with Him.
Because most of the words spoken were in a language I am only slightly familiar with, I learned that if I don't know the language of Heaven, I will not be comfortable there. So my goal is to understand a little more each day. Learn to pray with more intent, learn to listen and act on promptings and strive to be better and do better each day.
The best part of the day was hearing the news that Ryan and Brianna's baby was born. All is well with mama and baby for which we are most grateful. It is a miracle every time a baby is born! This is our 48th grandchild. Each one is precious!
SATURDAY
Doug had a lesson with the Taal Elders, Tyler Hanks and Johan van der Put. They are working with all the missionaries to help with the language. Sometimes it is an entire zone and often it is one on one to give individual help. They are doing a great job helping everyone become more proficient in Dutch.
We had a few errands and haven't been to the Saturday Market in Gouda for a while so while we were out, we stopped for fresh waffles. Yum!
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