April 23-29, 2023
SUNDAY
We heard today our dear friend Daphne Bijkerk is having some health challenges and is in the hospital. We are saddened by this news and hope she will soon be well enough to come home. She is a young mother of 4 children, very musically talented, translates songs and hymns to Dutch, teaches dance to kids with disabilities and is just a wonderful person.
We were just finishing an early dinner when the phone rang. It was the VandeWal's asking if we could go to the office, get the extra key to their house and bring it to them They had walked out to get in the car, realized after the door was shut they didn't have the house key or the car key! Norma's sister and brother in law and two nephews and their wives are all visiting and they were headed to Haarlem. And it was pouring rain! We jumped up, went to the office and drove to their place. But it still took about 20 minutes. By the time we got there, the rain had almost quit (for a moment). We did have to tease them a bit...they are the Housing Coordinators for the mission and have rescued several missionaries who have locked themselves out. It is an easy mistake to make!
MONDAY
This morning I saw the following post on Instagram from Elder Neil L Andersen. I love the idea that the same things missionaries need are the things we all need.
Do. Become. Overcome. Share.
There are few experiences as lifting as being with the missionaries at the MTC. It was inspiring! Kathy and I, with some of our family members, were recently there. Here are some thoughts that apply to all of us.
Missionaries need to develop a strong and clear understanding of what they believe, what they know, and what they feel. This has a strong impact on what they do. The same is true for you and me.
Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is more than just learning about Him. It requires studying God’s words in the scriptures, acting in accordance with our faith, and following the Savior’s example. Learning and following go hand in hand.
With the experience of a mission, I learned how to depend on the Savior, lean on Him, seek Him, and let Him comfort me as I moved through challenges. These lessons have guided me throughout my life, as your experiences have guided you.
As missionaries—and as followers of Jesus Christ—we teach and help those who are ready to come closer to the Savior. Through our actions and words, all people with whom we interact should feel a witness of God’s love for them and our devotion to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
There are few experiences as lifting as being with the missionaries at the MTC. It was inspiring! Kathy and I, with some of our family members, were recently there. Here are some thoughts that apply to all of us.
Missionaries need to develop a strong and clear understanding of what they believe, what they know, and what they feel. This has a strong impact on what they do. The same is true for you and me.
Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is more than just learning about Him. It requires studying God’s words in the scriptures, acting in accordance with our faith, and following the Savior’s example. Learning and following go hand in hand.
With the experience of a mission, I learned how to depend on the Savior, lean on Him, seek Him, and let Him comfort me as I moved through challenges. These lessons have guided me throughout my life, as your experiences have guided you.
As missionaries—and as followers of Jesus Christ—we teach and help those who are ready to come closer to the Savior. Through our actions and words, all people with whom we interact should feel a witness of God’s love for them and our devotion to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We love being able to attend District Council. There is always a good spirit there and today was no exception. Sister Janessa Anderson gave the spiritual thought. She referenced John 21:3 where Peter returns to his nets and goes fishing. She likened this to when we go home from our missions we need to remember not to 'return to our nets' even if our 'nets' are good things. Remember to keep doing what we have been doing to keep the Savior with us.
Our DL Elder Izaak Bevell had us take a few minutes and Review our Yesterday. "Write down 10 things you accomplished". He then asked,"how are the things I'm dong each day helping me to reach my goals?" It is a good exercise to help prioritize the everyday activities.
Our weekly dinner was tonight so we could have Elder Nate Christensen in our home one more time before he returns home later this week. This week, instead of asking a question, Doug told them to ask an questions they had...about marriage, parenting, family, doctrine or anything. There were good questions and responses from us and from each other. We were all uplifted. This is one of the things we do each week that is consistently a highlight.
TUESDAY
Arrival and Transfer day! We met three new missionaries as they arrived in The Netherlands, Sisters Emily Hodder and Emma Reid and Elder Spencer Millis. We are excited to have these new additions to the BNZ.
Transfer Day means that everyone who is moving to a new area will also gather at the Amsterdam Building to meet up with their new companion. It is a time of reunion for many as they see former companions. The excitement is contagious!
We didn't have enough seats in the little van for everyone, so Doug drove the luggage to Gouda and the kids and I took public transit. Bus, subway and train. We arrived at the Mission Office, saw a little of Gouda and got some dinner.
FRIDAY
Today was iconic Netherlands...Kinderdijk and Keukenhof!!
This man is unfurling the canvas on the sails of the windmill, then rotating the blades to catch the wind in order to pump water from the lower canal to the upper one.
It was a very interesting visit to Kinderdijk as we discovered how and why the windmills work to keep the land dry enough to use.
The Keukenhof garden is absolutely magnificent! 800 varieties of tulips and 7 million flowers!!
SATURDAY
Ann, Dwight, Matt and Taylor had the same flight home so we took them to the airport very early this morning. Mike and Joanna had a few hours so we went to the Gouda Market and then took them to the airport. After getting everyone on their way, we went to the office to make up for the two days of playing. Next week the Mission is going to Keukenhof and some of the details had been overlooked, so Doug is working to help the missionary in charge to get all the bases covered.
Our DL Elder Izaak Bevell had us take a few minutes and Review our Yesterday. "Write down 10 things you accomplished". He then asked,"how are the things I'm dong each day helping me to reach my goals?" It is a good exercise to help prioritize the everyday activities.
Our weekly dinner was tonight so we could have Elder Nate Christensen in our home one more time before he returns home later this week. This week, instead of asking a question, Doug told them to ask an questions they had...about marriage, parenting, family, doctrine or anything. There were good questions and responses from us and from each other. We were all uplifted. This is one of the things we do each week that is consistently a highlight.
Marcia, Emma Bair, Janessa Anderson, Elise Conlee, Melody Morrise, Tess Flake
Nate Christensen, Christian Adams, Atticus Snow, Izaak Bevell, Doug
TUESDAY
Arrival and Transfer day! We met three new missionaries as they arrived in The Netherlands, Sisters Emily Hodder and Emma Reid and Elder Spencer Millis. We are excited to have these new additions to the BNZ.
Transfer Day means that everyone who is moving to a new area will also gather at the Amsterdam Building to meet up with their new companion. It is a time of reunion for many as they see former companions. The excitement is contagious!
The picture doesn't really capture the joy of these three as they met up after several weeks. It was just delightful to see how much they love and support each other.
Wyatt Lee, Dofna M'Boto, Spencer Bigelow
After serving in Utrecht (our ward) since he arrived 9 months ago, Elder McClure is being transferred to Sint Niklaas.
Elden McClure, Ammon Leman, Doug
On the way home, we saw a strange 'building' in the distance.Sisters Bair and Anderson were with us and knew what it was. It is how the Dutch go skiing!!
THURSDAY
Early this morning we met up with Ryan and Amber Westbrook in Amsterdam. It was so good to spend an hour visiting with them!
We then met Ann, Dwight, Matt and Taylor and drove to the Rijksmuseum and found Mike and Joanna. We are all together!!
Ann, Mike, Joanna, Matt, Taylor, Doug, Marcia Dwight
We stood in line a long time to get a sandwich and some fries.It seems like EVERYONE is in Amsterdam today for Konings Dag. (Why do I always frown at the phone if I am the one taking the selfie??)
Dwight, Ann, Taylor, Matt, Marcia, Joanna, Mike
The Stadhuis in Gouda
FRIDAY
Today was iconic Netherlands...Kinderdijk and Keukenhof!!
It was a very interesting visit to Kinderdijk as we discovered how and why the windmills work to keep the land dry enough to use.
Then a quick lunch as we drove to Keukenhof
The Keukenhof garden is absolutely magnificent! 800 varieties of tulips and 7 million flowers!!
Dwight and Ann
Mike and Joanna
Taylor and Matt
Doug and Marcia
Marcia, Ann, Joanna, Taylor
We finished the day at Pannenkoeken Borderij to eat Dutch pancakes for dinner 😋
It was so much fun to see these kids and spend a couple days with them!!
SATURDAY
Ann, Dwight, Matt and Taylor had the same flight home so we took them to the airport very early this morning. Mike and Joanna had a few hours so we went to the Gouda Market and then took them to the airport. After getting everyone on their way, we went to the office to make up for the two days of playing. Next week the Mission is going to Keukenhof and some of the details had been overlooked, so Doug is working to help the missionary in charge to get all the bases covered.
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