Dec 11-17, 2022

 SUNDAY

All (three) of the Young Women in the Ward, Bente Kleijweg, Maira Bijkerk and Emmalyn Markus, spoke today in Sacrament Meeting and all did a wonderful job teaching us how to be better followers of Jesus Christ. 

Jana Meijerink taught the Relief Society lesson again today. She is from Chicago but has lived here in The Netherlands for about 35 years. She teaches in Dutch but has Dutch and English on the power point. That is so helpful to me. Also, her husband Andries translates for Sacrament meeting and stays to translate her lesson. He is an excellent translator! He is an atheist but comes every week to support her. 

Jana has a strong testimony of the Gospel. She was raised Catholic, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 30+ years ago. She had two children when she met Andries and they married and had two more children. She continues to be the only member of the Church in her family, but is very committed and loves the temple.I feel blessed to call her my friend.

After church Doug and I drove to Rotterdam to check out the kitchen at the Stake Center. Since we got the assignment yesterday to help with the food for the Warm Hub Initiative, we needed to see the facilities. A Bishop was still at the building. He showed us around and told us more about the Initiative. As we were finishing up, President Bijkerk came and gave us more direction regarding this assignment. It will not be as involved as we first thought but there will still be a lot to do. 

Our friend, Annelies De Haas was not feeling well today. I messaged her this morning and offered to bring dinner for the family. At first she said 'no' but eventually agreed. So we made a simple dinner and delivered it to her. She has just started a new job and the hours are more than she expected. Feeling tired and not well she appreciated the dinner. I am so grateful for the prompting to offer the dinner and that she finally agreed to it. She is always helping others and this is just one little time for her to receive. 

We watched the online European Concert "Witnesses of Christ--Symbols of Christ". It was beautifully done! And then we watched 'The Christ Child'. It may be my favorite portrayal of the Nativity. 

A lovely Sabbath day!

MONDAY

A regular busy Monday. Doug took out Christmas treats to Van Loon car service, the key shop and the Notary. All were very happy to receive this little token of our appreciation for their helpfulness and friendliness. 

It has not been without challenges today. We were just finishing dinner when Elder Snow called to say his car keys were lost. They had been on his desk at the office all day, but were now missing. He had called the APs and the office Elders to see if someone had mistakenly taken them. No luck! So Doug went back to the office, gave him keys to a different car and we will use the spare key to drive Elder Snow's car tomorrow. It was supposed to go to Gent with the transfers tomorrow as that area is getting a new car, but now it will have to wait until the keys are found or a new key is made. All in a days work....

TUESDAY

Arrivals and Transfer Day!

The weather has been cold and a little gloomy the past few days but today it was cold and sunny. That made for a beautiful scene as we drove to Amsterdam this morning. The frost on the trees and the fields glistened in the morning sun.

We arrived at the chapel in Amsterdam this morning to meet the 8 new missionaries just arriving from the MTC or their reassignments. This is also where the missionaries who are being transferred gather to meet their new companions and head out to their new areas. It is always so fun to see these missionaries meet up with their dear friends and say Tot Ziens to others.

Rebecca Allen, Hallie Huber, Kalynn Allen, Megan Carroll

WEDNESDAY

The temperature has dipped below zero for the past several days and the canals are beginning to get a skim of ice. The ducks and birds stand on the ice but it's not thick enough to ice skate on, although we have heard this happens.

The Departing missionaries came to the office today for their final interview with President Watson. We are on the interview schedule to just check with them about MSF funds and to turn in their car FOBs. Since it takes only a few minutes to do that, we are able to talk with each of them and chat about future plans. 

Meri Dunford

Esther Lay

In the afternoon we attending the Departure Meeting. It is a time for those going home can share one last thought, miracle or experience. And finally we went with them to dinner at a Pannenkoeken Restaurant.

Marcia, Matalyn Weaver, Doug

Doug, Ester Lay, Jorne Kempenaers, Monic Watson, Nathan Christensen, Jefferson Millward, Richard Vellinga, Mason Zarges, Darlin Watson, Hallie Huber, Meri Dunford, Matalyn Weaver

We continue to be amazed at the quality of these young people. They truly are the hope of the Church and the World.

THURSDAY

We had a crowd for dinner tonight. Seven missionaries plus the two of us.  We only have 8 plates and 8 chairs but one used a smaller plate and Doug sat on the desk chair so it all worked out. We love having missionaries in our home each week for dinner. It is a different setting than when we are at the office or in meetings. We love getting to know them each a little better.

Doug, Marcia, Johan van der Put, Landon Thomas, Harrison Wright, Tess Flake, Kamryn Doyle, Richard Vellinga, Dallin Doxford

FRIDAY

The City of Gouda had a ceremony to light the giant Christmas Tree that has been placed near the Stadhuis. We wanted to join the festivities and see a little more of the culture of our city. At first, we planned to go to dinner with the VandeWal's and the Black's. A quick look at the restaurants around the Stadhuis let me know that everything was booked! So we decided to eat at our house and then walk over to watch the show. There was Christmas music in various places, a Live Nativity, crowds of people and an excitement in the air. It was cold! But we enjoyed the evening and topped it off with Appel Beignets, Oiliebollen and Suikerwafels. 

Doug, Tom Black, Cindy Black

SATURDAY

We started the day at the Office because the MLS (Mission Leadership Council) was meeting today and we needed to give money to a few of the missionaries for bike repairs, reimbursements, etc. Then we headed over to Sligro to get the soup, hot chocolate, herbal teas and snacks/treats for the Warm Hub Initiative that will start Tuesday with the Rotterdam Stake. Since we needed food for our house as well, it was a good time to stock up. Doug dropped me at home with our things and then headed back to the office to drop off the car for the Office Elders to use. He had a few other things to do there, too.

As I was finishing up, Doug called to see if I wanted to meet him at the Markt and get some friets for lunch. Not the most healthy, but soooo good! And we went back to the Oiliebollen stand for dessert 😁

In the meantime, I got a text from Sister Doyle. She needs to get into the office to pick up some things but doesn't have a key. So she wondered if I could let her in.  So back to the office I went, only to find the MLC is still there. Sister Watson said they would be there for another 45 minutes so I texted Sister Doyle again to update her. Walked back home again. 

An hour later it was time to go back to the office to meet the Black's and the VandeWal's to go to the Apeldoorn Christmas Concert.

The Concert was amazing!! 12 of our missionaries participated either singing in the choir or playing an instrument. Jorne Kempenaers (released on Thursday) played the piano. This is his home stake and his mom is the organizer of the Concert. Matalyn Weaver played the cello, Emily Cannegieter and Sophia Packard both played the violin, Tess Flake played the flute. Hannah Hammer, Emma Thomas, Landon Thomas, Jacob Price, Bannon Schafer, Hayden Peterson and Dallin Doxford all sang in the choir. They have been rehearsing since mid-October. It was really well done! There is some real talent in the Apeldoorn Stake. 

Back row (third from left): Landon Thomas, Jacob Price, Bannon Schafer, Hayden Peterson, Dallin Doxford

Tess Flake and Matalyn Weaver

I got a text and then a call from Elder Flitton when when the concert was almost finished. His companion, Elder Boland had slipped on the ice and hit his head on the concrete.  He was confused, nauseous and could not remember falling or about five minutes post-fall.  Over the next couple hours, the ZLs were able to drive to Alkmaar and take him to a doctor where he  was found to have a slight concussion. We talked to him several times during that time and he seemed fine, but we just didn't want to ignore a possible head injury. By 1:00am they were back at home, Elders Cannon and Hilton spent the night. We certainly appreciate Elder Flitton and the ZLs taking care of him that way. 

This day (and this week) has been packed! We have enjoyed every minute!