Oct 23-29, 2022
SUNDAY
Thanks to the miracle of technology, we were able to watch Joseph participate in the Primary Program in the Coppell 1st Ward in Texas. It is so nice to see the young children expressing their experiences and growing testimonies.
MONDAY
Elder Nathan De Jong (the Office Service Missionary) has a birthday on Wednesday, but since he doesn't come to the office on that day, we had a little celebration for him today. He is a great young man and we really enjoy getting to know him.
TUESDAY
Doug and Gerrit drove back to Emmen today to return the washing machine that has now been repaired. Norma and I worked in the office and spent a little time in the Centrum looking for and buying treats for the JoVo (YSA) dance coming up on Saturday. The VandeWal's are the advisors for the JoVo's in the Utrecht Ward but we quite often help with the activities. We enjoy our friendship with them and are always happy to help.
WEDNESDAY
Last night Doug got a call from Sisters Wyss and Williams in Antwerpen. They had borrowed the ZLs car and gone to a dinner appointment in Geel, about 45 minutes from Antwerpen. When they came back to the car, it would not start. So they called the Vehicle Coordinator 😀. Doug walked them through some things that might help but it was soon apparent that the car was not going to start and they would need to take a train home and needed to get to the station.
So today Doug called a Toyota dealership in Geel and arranged for a tow truck to take the car there. However, they would need a key so we headed there. It is about an 1 3/4 hour drive to Geel. But the miracles were still apparent. The tow truck arrived within about 15 minutes and the dealership was only 5 kilometers away.
The mechanics were able to assess the problem and have the dead battery replaced in just a few minutes. As an aside...the battery in a Toyota Yaris is under the back seat!!
Doug drove the Yaris back to the ZLs in Antwerpen and I followed in the little van. No matter what we are doing for the day, we enjoy it.
THURSDAY
The Watson's were supposed to be in Rome this week for a Mission Leader Conference but President has been sick since Monday and was unable to go. However, Doug had already agreed to facilitate the Emotional Resilience class that Sister Watson usually has on Thursdays. We have been part of this cohort for the past 5 weeks. Tonight the topic was Sadness and Depression and how to deal with these emotions. There were many great comments by the participants. Several have either dealt personally with depression or have close family/friends who have needed support. This class is a great resource for all. Eventually we will have all the missionaries go through the course. Whether for themselves or to learn how to help others, it is a wonderful source of information.
FRIDAY
President and Sister Watson were at the office this afternoon. President wanted to talk with each member of the Social Media District. I had a lovely long chat with Sister Watson. I am more and more impressed with their leadership of the Mission. They have some family issues as well and all of it can add to the heavy load they carry.But there are so many blessings as well. Sister Watson's sister lives in the Utrecht Ward. She is not a member of the Church but has attended with Sis Watson a few times and is a spiritual woman. She still has the Book of Mormon Sis Watson gave her 30 years ago just before she left on her mission. Perhaps she will start to read now.
I know the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ. He is our Savior and Redeemer and we can come to know him by reading the Book of Mormon. Studying the Old Testament this year with Come Follow Me has shown me that all the scriptures testify of Christ. He is central to the Plan and without Him and His atonement we can not be saved.I feel so blessed to know these things. I find such peace and comfort knowing Jesus is the Light of the world and that I can do all things through Christ.
SATURDAY
We drove to Almere to exchange the newly-repaired car for the one in Almere (that also needs repair). We had arranged with the Elders to take them to lunch while we were exchanging the cars. They chose a delicious Italian restaurant near their apartment. is always good to spend some time with the missionaries in a smaller group. We enjoy so much getting to know them!
This evening we helped with refreshments at the JoVo (YSA) dance. It was sponsored by the Utrecht Ward and was held in our building. Sjoerd and Renske said they expected anywhere from 30-100 people. So we planned refreshments for 70 (which really means we planned for 100😀!)
There were about 60 in attendance and everyone seemed to have a great time. This age group is a small one here in The Netherlands. But like any where in the world, they love being together, drawing strength from one another and having a good time.
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