April 2-8, 2023

 SUNDAY

We watched more of General Conference today and had lunch at the office with Jeremy, Natalie and family along with some of the missionaries. Tyler, Elizabeth and family were supposed to arrive yesterday, but because of a delay in Denver, they missed their connection in Munich. We were so happy to see them today! We took a walk around Gouda to show them a little bit of this city we love.

MONDAY

We spent the day at the office (usually Mondays are the busiest of the week) but were able to meet up with the Monson's for dinner and then introduced them to our new favorite game, Keer op Keer 2. 

Doug, Tyler, Conrad, Elizabeth, Grace, Millie, Marcia

TUESDAY

We met the Monson's in Amsterdam, had a picnic lunch just outside the Van Gogh Museum and then took a Hop On Hop Off Boat Tour. It was a fun way to see sites in Amsterdam.

on the Canal Boat

Marcia, Elizabeth, Millie, Con

(in background) Grace, Tyler, Doug

Elizabeth: Tuesday we went to the VanGogh museum then met Mom and Doug for a picnic lunch, did a hop-on-hop-off canal tour with them where we walked outside the Anne Frank House, went to Oudekerk with fake bats in their current art installment, tried not to stare at a prostitute, loved the huge ship and even this canal boat at the maritime museum (happy surprise of the day) and ended up at Stewart & Sally’s where they serve stews and salads.

WEDNESDAY

Zone Conference in Antwerpen was another great day! We love getting together with the Elders and Sisters, feel of their enthusiasm and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and enjoy the day of instruction.

(pianist) Kael Bybee

Bannon Schafer, Jacob Price, Isaac Auger, Elden McClure, Logan Brown, Adrian Blodgett, Dallin Doxford, Brigitta Broadbent, Kalynn Allen, Charlie Stewart, Sadie Casperson, Amilya Wyss, Sarah Boyer, Libby Wilcox, Landrie Goulding

THURSDAY

Every ZC, the missionaries are asked to prepare a 3-5 minute talk in Dutch on a given subject. No one knows who will actually give the talks until the speakers are announced at the beginning of ZC. Today Elder Adam Kujanpaa was called on to give his talk. We are usually in the kitchen getting ready for the lunch but I like to stand at the door in the chapel and hear the talks. At this point, I don't have the headphones to hear the translation. But today was such a sweet, spiritual experience. As Elder Kujanpaa was speaking, I could only understand a few words. But for the first time since we have been in The Netherlands, I felt the spirit  during a Dutch talk. It was a powerful witness to me that the words he was speaking were true. Even though I could not understand the words, I knew he was speaking by the Spirit.

Elder Adam Kujanpaa

One of the best parts of Zone Conference today was having the Monson family join us! We loved having President and Sister Watson meet Tyler, Elizabeth, Conrad, Grace and Millie. And the missionaries were so excited so meet some of our family. They arrived in time to have lunch and sing the birthday song. 

Since Doug's birthday is coming up, he was one of a few we were celebrating. Part of the celebration is that Sister Watson calls on three people to share something about the person. When she said "Elder Glauser" the hands shot up, hoping to be called on to speak about him. One thing Sister Flake said was that she loves to come to dinner at our house because Elder Glauser asks the best questions. She is right, he always asks something thought provoking and the missionaries have a wonderful spiritual discussion. 

Back at home, we had dinner and another Game Night with the Monson's!

FRIDAY

We started the day at the Den Haag Temple doing proxy baptisms. What a joy to be with our kids and grandkids. Millie and Grace were baptized by Conrad, Conrad was baptized by Tyler, Doug was the recorder and Elizabeth and I were witnesses. 

Grace, Millie and Conrad

Our next stop was Keukenhof, the beautiful flower garden. It was a cold and drizzly day but we sure had a good time, starting with Hot Chocolate and brownies while the kids and I were waiting for Elizabeth and Tyler to arrive. In the meantime, Doug was meeting Jeremy and Natalie and family at their car rental place and getting them to the airport to return home. 

Conrad, Millie, Grace, Marcia

While Tyler and kids went on a bike ride around the tulip fields, Elizabeth and I enjoyed the gardens. Doug joined us and the three of us took a canal trip through the fields. It was cold and a little rainy. Sitting in the boat for over an hour chilled us to the bone. But we loved just sitting and visiting.

Doug and Elizabeth

We finished the day at the Pannenkoekenborderij for dinner and introduced the family to Dutch Pancakes!

Millie, Grace, Elizabeth, Tyler, Doug, Conrad, Marcia

SATURDAY

Early this morning, Doug, Tyler, Conrad, Grace and Millie went for a bike ride out through the fields. It was a foggy morning so they didn't see the sunrise but still had a wonderful time.

Millie, Grace, Conrad

(Don't you love seeing the windmill through the fog??)

Then we all met at the Market for breakfast...stoopwafels, cheese, bread and fruit!

The Monson's left for the airport (what a great time we have had with them!) and Doug had a driving lesson in preparation for his test coming up on May 2. Then we headed to Haarlem to deliver a bike and pick up a broken one

Coulson Rich, Doug, Tyler Hanks

Then off to Spijkenisse to take a train card to Sister Wyss

Marcia, Doug, Brigitta Broadbent, Amilya Wyss

The Sisters ran into the street to say 'hi' to their friend Willy. They have done lots of service for her, including a lot of painting. They said she is a sweet lady and we could tell they really like each other. This is a part of missionary work that is so rewarding...the many good people who cross your path.

And lastly, on our way home we stopped at two different bridges. Since there are so many canals and so much water here, there are also hundreds (thousands?) of bridges to let the boats pass. Amsterdam alone has 250!

Some go up like an elevator (as in the first picture) and some open like a hinged door. I am amazed every time I see this engineering wonder.