Feb 5-11, 2023
SUNDAY
Today was my week to play the music for Sacrament meeting (I do it every other week) and today I decided to play the organ instead of the piano. Even though I have had this calling many times before, I am never really comfortable with it. But it went well and I hope to get to know this organ better and use it often.
The first person to bear his testimony today was a man who was visiting, but lived here many years ago. His wife joined the Church 30 years ago, but he had no interest. He was raised Catholic so he knew a bit of the scriptures but really had no desire. Until a few months ago. He realized he had never prayed and decided he needed to do it. Later that night he had a scripture come to his mind, 2 Nephi 17. He tried to put it out of his mind, but the next morning it was still there seemingly in big gold letters in his mind. Finally, he read the chapter and had an amazing experience that told him it was all true. He called his wife, asked if she was home because he had something he needed to discuss with her. He went home and told her all about it. Not long afterward, he was baptized. It was great to hear his conversion story.
As I thought about his story and how the realization for him came like a light switch being turned on in a dark room. My testimony came much more gradually, more like a sunrise. But the end result is the same. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and grateful for covenants that keep me bound to the Lord.
MONDAY
This time of year it is NOT common to have the sun shining, especially in the morning. But today was a beautiful exception!
Mission Leadership Council is held once each transfer, usually on a Saturday. The Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders meet together to receive training from President Watson and the Assistants. Because of a scheduling conflict it was held today at the office. We were asked to make dinner for the group and because of requests from some of the missionaries, it was again Rice Bowls. After the meeting they took a group picture, so I got my phone and snapped a picture as well.
Mason Zarges and Richard Hoopes
Elder van der Put has an amazing story of his youth and mission and we loved being able to hear of the struggles and trials he faced. He will be returning home in a few weeks and we needed a picture with him and the Book of Mormon he found in a second hand book store in Gronigen.
23 Apr 2022 Elder van der Put called with another piece of the Gronigen Book of Mormon story. This is the Book of Mormon that Doug had written his name in 48 years ago that was found in the Gronigen apartment. We had assumed it had just moved from apartment to apartment for 48 years. But Elder van der Put said that about 8 months ago he was serving in Gronigen and he and his companion, on occasion, would go to thrift stores to try and find the oldest Bible. This is where they found the Gronigen Book of Mormon and bought it for 2 euros. So it has actually been on a journey somewhere, perhaps influencing someone. Where will our journey take us? Who will we influence?
TUESDAY
Our friends from the Utrecht Ward, Kitty and Harm Wolthers, are preparing to go to the temple to be sealed. They will celebrate 45 years of marriage this year. We were able to visit in their home again and are so grateful for the feeling of love and tenderness they show to one another. They are truly an example of a loving couple.
WEDNESDAY
For two reasons Doug walked to the flower shop this morning and bought tulips, our anniversary (!) and the mission Orientation meeting for all the new missionaries and their companions.
It's always good to meet the new Elders and Sisters and begin to get to know them. We start with a general meeting, then break into smaller groups for instruction about finances, medical, vehicles and legal. Back to the larger group for the Taal (language) Elders and other instruction. Finally, we serve them lunch. We had hoped to change it up this time, but because we had some requests, it was Rice Bowls (again!).
THURSDAY
We had a wonderful time with the APs as they joined us for dinner. Elder Christensen called yesterday to see if it was OK for them to come. We have a standing invitation for whenever they are free on Thursday. We love getting to know each of these fine missionaries. Somehow, at home around the dinner table is a great time for discussion. They expressed how nice it is for them to have a place to just have a gospel discussion. How blessed we are for this association.
FRIDAY
We took the train to Den Haag and spent a fascinating couple hours at the National Archives.
Our friends from the mission, Tom and Cindy Black, are serving as a Senior Couple there. They are scanning documents that will eventually be made public and will be added to data bases such as FamilySearch.
Martin, perhaps the most well-known and respected employee there, graciously gave of his time to give us a tour and show us some of the documents. There are millions of documents!
It was a short walk across the courtyard to the Food Court for lunch, including fresh made, Creme Brûlée donuts for dessert.😋
We had scheduled a Zoom meeting for 6pm to meet with a couple who are considering a mission to The Netherlands, It was good to talk with Bonnie and Steve Johnson and answer some of their questions and concerns. It's easy for us to encourage people to come on a mission because it has been such a positive experience for us!
The Mission Devotional tonight was the second in a series of Zoom devotionals this winter. John Hilton III gave some wonderful insights concerning Jesus Christ. I was especially interested in how he discussed the three parts of the Atonement...Gethsemane, Calvary and the Empty Tomb. Sometimes we think the atonement was wrought out in Gethsemane and tend to skip over the agony of the Cross. But all parts are important and necessary. He invited the missionaries to study more about the Savior and get to know Him. He used President Nelson's invitation to study all the scriptures related to Jesus in the Topical Guide. I have recently begun this study. It is enlightening and will take a while but I know I will understand more of the Savior's characteristics as I move forward.
SATURDAY
After a bike ride (Doug) and a walk (Marcia) in the crisp morning air, we headed to the office so I could practice the organ for church tomorrow. On the way home, we stopped at Bakker Bart's for an apple turnover to share, the Friets shop for friets to share, the grocery store, the cheese stand at the Market and the cheese shop for some dipping sauces. Our errands (and treats) completed, we came home and treated ourselves to some cheese and sauces while we played a new game Keer op Keer 2. We learned this a few weeks ago at our bishop's house and it works well with just the two of us as well.
The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing for the training we were asked to give at the Zone Devotional, Using Our Time Wisely. It was good to work together on a little project like this. We learned a lot about time management and had fun presenting it.
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