Trying to send pictures

Dear family,

I downloaded some pictures but  the computer would not let me download anymore.  I am still learning so give me some slack.  Tomorrow Elder Pankratz is coming over and I will have him help me download all the pictures I have so far......I am trying to take time for Blogging but would someone keep the e-mails I send home to keep as part of our Missionary Journal.

This morning we had to take one of the Elders to the hospital.....what a cold feeling when you enter.  Nothing serious but now I know why you don't want to get sick and be in the hospital here in Amsterdam.  The lady Dr. looked so unprofessional we hoped she WAS the Dr. She had on a yellow shirt, orange sweater, black leggings and green knee high rubber boots. The Elder got a RX for something and we hope it will make him well......have NO idea what the Rx was   FURABID 100 mg.  I think it is Macrobid (sp) for UTI's. The Elder is feeling better and we now know  where the hospital is if we have to go again.

We were late getting to church so were not able to sit by any investigators.  After the meeting our little 87 year old Bregjet came and found us to give us a love. There are many black families and they are awesome as Cameron can tell you.  We met a black man from Spain who speaks Spanish but no Dutch.  He is here taking care of his brothers family while his brother is in Georgia working.  This family has 3 of the cutest little girls you have ever seen.  Braids going everywhere.  They were sitting in back of us and I thought how a children's book would be so nice to give to them.  Ladies come in levi's leggings,pants suits.My friend William is black, has dredge locks, wore a yellow and black shirt with a red and white stripped tie.  You just LOVE being in these people presence. There was an investigator today that had her little dog in church with her....she brought the dog in a stroller. The hymns are sung in several different languages which makes singing very interesting but joyful.  One of the sister missionary translates for those who cannot understand Dutch. We take our American church meetings so much for granted...everyone dressed up with the latest fashion, everything so proper. Here the Sacrament prayer was said in a language that was not Dutch or English, but it WAS the sacrament prayer and meant the same...only better.

Levi, the lady we visited last week, that has smoked 'weed' for 30 years was at church as well. She leaves for Sudan next week for a month so the Elders here are contacting the Elders in Sudan to keep visiting her.  I met her in the hall and told her how good it was to see her.  I asked how she was and she started to cry.  I put my arm around her and asked what was the matter.  She has a daughter who she says "a big woman came and took away my daughter and will not let me talk to her.  I call her everyday and this big woman tells me my daughter does not want you anymore.  She gives her drinks that make my daughter crazy". She said "what did I do wrong as a mother"? I told her that her daughter has free agency to make her own choices, but for Levi to keep calling and telling her daughter that she is loved. What experiences we are having.  I love Sundays.  Next week we are gong to visit another ward that is struggling with the Young Adults....hopefully we can introduce ourselves and invite these YA to come to our Centrum. Never a dull moment for sure.

We have had three days without rain but the wind is cold.....everyone wears scarves here and we know why.  Even in the rain, wind, cold everyone rides bikes. Spoiled us that have a car. We have two bikes in our shed so when it WARMS up we will join the crowd......and it is a crowd.

Tomorrow is FHE and I have fixed a casserole with the leftover sloppy joe mix.  Tuesday I have Taco Soup for the District meeting and hope to have leftovers from that for Wednesday institute.  Friday we are going to Utrecht for a surprise birthday party for President Brubaker. Each day brings something new. We just get up and then say when we go to bed, where has the day gone.  We are going on 3 weeks already!

Just a closing thought  for the drivers in the family.  If you run a red light and are caught you have to pay 350 euros.  If you are caught talking on your cell phone you will pay 370 euros.

The word of the day is UIT: exit

                                 Brug: bridge

                                 Rundergehakt: ground beef

We are going to take a walk before heading to bed, while it is not raining.

We love you all and thank you for your love and support so we can serve this mission.  We could NOT do this without you. The gas tank is 1/2 full so we will take our Blood Pressure pills and go fill the car up with gas.  We will let you know the 'sticker shock'.

Love, Oma