More pictures

                                                        More cemetery pictures

                                 Beautiful chapel in Almere...looks more like a Utah chapel

                                                    Some big home? In Bussum

                                                       another beautiful home

A Dutch Reform church that has been made into an apartment house...no one was attending church.

                We found a riding club...was dad taking a picture of the beautiful horse?

                                       Narrow street in Bussum.....cars can hardly fit.

Pictures

This is William from Aruba....he is having some Word of Wisdom Problems so we pray he can overcome his weakness.  He is so funny and usually has his hair down in dredge locks.

                                            My 4 pans of Lasagna and cake.

                                                        15 of our JoVo's

                                                   Can't get enough of Windmills

                                                        Menu at 'Snack place"

                                                          Dad found a cemetery

They bury people upright...look at how the hole is dug.  All the plots are just this size....not lengthwise.

           We were in the children's part of the cemetery.....look at all the 'stuff'

Week in Holland

Dear Familie, friends and Klein Kinderen,

Another week has flown by. We LOVE Sundays for several reasons, but one of the reasons we love them is so we can share our week with you. We love attending in the Amsterdam Ward because everyone is so excited to see each other once again. We met with the Ward Council this past week and the challenges the Ward Leadership is faced with is amazing.  The Ward Boundaries cover such a large area we wonder how the Visiting and Home teaching get done.  It takes the Bishop 20 minutes to get to the Chapel and he lives close. We are spoiled because we live just 5 minutes away...once again 'spoiled Americans'. 

I want to start off this email with a few traditions we have learned in the Dutch culture. When you go out to eat the tradition is to spend the WHOLE evening at the Restaurant.  I guess the night Opa and I dined at the Chinese Restaurant we must have offended them because we ate and left.  After the meal is eaten, you sit around and drink tea or coffee and visit for several hours. When someone has a baby, the family celebrates with friends by having beschuit's with butter and Muisjes, sprinkles' on the beschuit's.  If it's a girl the sprinkles are pink and white, if a boy the sprinkles are blue and white.  Beats blue and pink bubblegum cigars:) Everyone drinks tea. The LDS people drink Herbal tea. When we went into Ward Council it took me a minute when I saw tea cups on the table with tea bags and hot water.  They also eat ginger cookies...they love anything with ginger.  When we go to the grocery store there are tables where people sit around just visiting and drinking tea and eating cake or cookies. The picture frames are all in metric sizes...no 8x10, 5x7. I had a picture of Christ I wanted to frame and hang on the wall...but no picture frame to fit:) We find it cute to watch the teenagers, and others, not driving and texting but riding their bikes and texting.

There are no fences, very few, because there are so many small canals and ditches the animals stay within the water bound fields.  Sure makes for beautiful scenery without old broken down fences that we see in Utah.

Now on to the week.  Last Sunday we went to Gouda for a JoVo dienst.  This is a 3 hour meeting for the YSA that is held the 3rd Sunday of each month.  First is a fireside with a 'special speaker', then of course dinner.....these kids LOVE to eat, then a Sacrament Meeting.  One of the Speakers at Sacrament meeting was a young black man who when we walked into the meeting noticed a badge on his suit that said "Future Missionary." When he spoke we were surprised to learn that he was only 171/2 years old. His conversion story had me in tears.  He was living with his girlfriend, smoke, drank, drugs...171/2!!!!! One day he was at his friends house when the Missionaries were there.  He heard the message and saw a picture of the Temple one of the Missionaries had.  He touched the picture of the Temple and made the comment he wanted to go there someday...not knowing anything about the Gospel.  He told his friend he wanted to know more.  When he started taking the Missionary lessons he knew he had to live the Word of Wisdom and told us how miserable and sick he was for days trying to stop the smoking, drugs and alcohol.  His girlfriend tempted him in every way she could to keep him from  joining the church.  His friends all laughed and ridiculed him for his decision.  His family disowned him....171/2......but he WAS baptized.  He just glowed as he bore his Testimony.  He can hardly wait until he can go on a Mission and go to the Temple. WOW.....so many stories like that.  I am in tears half the time. DON'T ever take what you have for granted...I say that every week.  We ARE SO blessed.

Monday at FHE we had 15 in attendance...it was our best group ever.  We are trying to make the Amsterdam Centrum bright and Cheery so the kids will want to come.  I am taking fresh flowers to put on the table and have cookies and juice for them to nibble on.  We are trying to get a keyboard so we can sing Hymns before our Meetings.  Institute classes have been Studies of the Old Testament, but we asked if we could teach Eternal Marriage...because that is what we are trying to do...get these YSA's to the Temple. The first class was Wednesday and the kids seemed to really enjoy the new Topic of discussion.  We really laughed because one of the JoVo's came up to me on Wednesday and said:"Zuster deLeeuw, if you were 20 years younger and I was 20 years older I would want to marry you for your cooking." Eat your heart out Martha Stewart:)

Tuesday was Zone Training and I was informed just a few days prior that I was to cook for this meeting....40!!! One being the Mission President and his wife.  After my blood pressure dropped and I started breathing again I made a menu, said a prayer and did my best.  We had Salsa chicken Lasagna, green salad and Texas Sheet cake.  I will send a picture of all the pans lined up.  It must have been OK cause there were no leftovers.  This happens every 6 weeks.  Oh my. CES does mean 'cooking every second'.  Our Mission President has asked us to start reading the Book of Mormon tomorrow using a 'color code' for different things in the book.  Red for the words of Christ, Blue for words of his Apostles, Yellow for topics we could use in a talk ,ie, faith, repentance...and so on.  We received an email a few days ago telling us who our new Mission President will be...he comes in July.  President Robinson from Fillmore. Change is hard as we love those who we are serving with.  Several of the Senior Couples will be leaving as well, and that is REALLY scary because that will make Elder deLeeuw and I the 'seasoned' ones.  We have lots to learn:)

Well, I go back to loving Sundays.  The sisters in the ward want me to sing the Hymns in Dutch....I can't say the words but am getting so I can read better.  One of the Zusters told me today she would give me language lessons.  One of the JoVo's even said that the Dutch language was hard to learn, so I don't feel to bad.  Elder deLeeuw is trying to speak Dutch, but when people know you speak English they want to speak English and show how you good they can speak. He is trying. When we walk into church everyone is shaking hands, giving the traditional 3 kisses on the cheek.  Sometimes the meetings start late because everyone is visiting.  The books that Melissa sent are always in use.  There are 2 little girls that wait by the door for me so they can get the books first. I will take a picture of them in the next few weeks. We LOVE these people! Tonight the man that lives next door came into our apartment and visited for a minute.  We were so happy and told him to come back again and he said he would.  The lady on the left of us knows NO English so we just smile and wave at her.  Elder deLeeuw takes her garbage can across the street each week and brings it back and she appreciates that.  Just being a good neighbor is doing Missionary work.

One more funny thing and I will call it a night.  Last week when we were traveling to Gouda we went the 'back way' following the GPS. We were following a canal the whole way along a very narrow road.  All of a sudden 3 very large geese walked in front of the car and Elder deLeeuw did not see them.  He swerved to miss them, which he did, but we were all laughing making comment that we almost had Christmas Goose dinner early.  Not cows or sheep on the road....geese:)

We LOVE serving the Lord.  We LOVE the experiences we are having.  We LOVE the Dutch people. Thank you for your prayers.  We wish you could all come for a visit and experience the beauty and spirit we are.

Love, Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Mission service in Holland

Dear family and friends,

You are getting this email early this week because the next few days are 'out of control'!  Tomorrow right after our Church services we go to Gouda for the JoVo dienst for a 3 hour fireside, dinner and Testimony meeting.  We are taking 3 of our JoVo's and wish we had a bigger car to take more.  We were asked to make cookies for this event....there are about 85 that will attend. Monday is FHE and thank heavens for tosti's because yesterday I was told I had to prepare dinner for the Zone Training that is held Tuesday...40 at that meeting.  The 2 Sisters that usually help will  NOT be able to help this time...so deLeeuw's catering service will fix the luncheon. Monday I will prepare the meal for Tuesday because we have to leave at about 8:30 am to make the meeting by 10:00. Then Wednesday is Institute and a member of the Stake Presidency and a High Councilmen will be at our JoVo Centrum so we can shown them around and hopefully get some help making our Centrum more bright and cheery.  The JoVo's have put out a face book plea to get LOTS of them there that night so we can plead our case.  I will just make Taco soup and cookies for that night not knowing how many will be there.  Each week is a guessing game.  Thursday and Friday we go back to Amersfoort to help with the Elders apartment.  No Aubree, Oma and Opa are NOT on a 2 year vacation:)

This week we had FHE Monday and the YSA's made French toast. They had a fun time and it was great because I did not have to do anything but watch.Tuesday was District Meeting and I made red Jello for that because it was Valentines.  The Elders and Sisters loved that.  It was transfer week so we had to say goodbye to two of our Elders...so sad to see them go. But now we welcome two new ones.  We have met Elder Cundick...grandson of Robert Cundick, but have not met Elder Andrews yet.  With the day being Valentine's...while we were at the Diemen shopping Centrum Elder deLeeuw happened to stumble onto a the" Happy Chinese" Restaurant. He asked if I wanted to have dinner there...dumb question...first time in 11/2 months we have dined out. So we splurged.  I just sat and almost giggled because I did not have to cook the meal or clean up after!!!!! We took a picture of the food presentation we will send....beautiful. We laughed because people here love their dogs almost as much as Dayna Lee loves Sophie.  They take their dogs EVERYWHERE.  Two ladies just came in the restaurant with their dogs and no one said anything.  The dogs just laid down like they had been there before. Even on the stores that had 'no dogs allowed' there are dogs.

After we ate I went into the Estos store...like a Walgreen's.  The man at the counter ask where I was from because I asked him to speak English.  When I told him Utah he got excited and said;"beautiful Utah.  I have been to St George and Hurricane.  What a beautiful place with all the red rocks." It was neat to hear him talk about home.  He told me to come back so maybe next time we will take a Book of Mormon. Can't get any more Utah than that:) Wednesday at Institute we had a good turn out. The JoVo's have been studying the Old Testament, but the Stake would like "Eternal Marriage' taught.  The Kids seemed excited when the proposal was made, so next week the lesson will be on marriage.  We hope maybe we can get one couple to the Temple before we come home.  It is amazing the stories these YSA's tell about their families.  Many of them are the only member in their families that are members of the church so they get NO support from home in going to church, FHE, Institute, and getting married in the Temple.....do they do what they know they should or please their family. We are so blessed...never take your Testimony or membership in the church for granted.  How blessed we are to have been born into the Gospel and have friends that have the same belief as ours.  We are spoiled for sure.  We could just cry when we hear these kids tell of their circumstances.

Thursday and Friday were spent in Armersfoort helping with the apartment.  What a filthy mess we are trying to clean up.  We were on our hand and knees scrubbing the floors, carpets, cupboards, windows.  This week hopefully the new floor can be put down and the drapes put up so the Elders can move back in.  This time if the Elders even think of keeping a dirty apartment the Senior Couples will kill them:) Friday it was sweet because dad (Elder deLeeuw) found the apartment in Armersfoort he lived in 50 years while serving in that city.  We took a picture so will send that. It brought back a lot of memories for him.  He has written down all the addresses where he lived, so when we visit the towns he served in we will look up those addresses and see if the apartments are still there.  

Today, 4 of us Senior Couples took the Tram and ventured into Amsterdam.  WOW, what a big city with more people and bikes than one can imagine.  We went to the Rijks Museum where there are many of Rembrandt original paintings along with paintings and many historical items from the Dutch culture.  It was interesting, as we walked in there was a scanning machine to put purses and backpacks through.  As I walked up to the machine with my purse one of the Security guards looked at my Missionary badge and just waved me on.  We either think he knew about the church and knew we carried no weapons or just thought this 'old woman' would not harm anything.  We hope it was because of the badge.  People notice that badge and ask what it is. We are happy to tell them:):):) We also went on a canal boat tour.  The Architecture in Amsterdam is something that needs to be seen.  Some of the buildings were built in the 1700's.  Because the stairs are so steep and narrow in the buildings, when anyone moves in or out, the furniture has to been lifted up by a gable and a rope outside through the windows. Each building has a different character look...I will send pictures of that also.  We ate frits at a little store then went to a bakery that was to die for....we walked about a 100 miles I'm sure but had fun.  We got familiar with the Tram system so we are really part of the culture for sure. 

It was warm for a couple of days, but today the wind was blowing and tonight it is pouring rain.  We are eager for spring!!!! The ducks and geese are in Heaven.

We love and appreciate all your emails....the Balls sent a darling Valentine wish from a talking pig.  We have watched it over and over and laugh every time.We are loving being Missionaries and go to bed each night very tired....that is a good sigh that we are not just sitting around.  Because of the busy week we have not been able to go with the Elders and Zuster while they teach, and we miss that. We feel of your prayers.

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw  AKA: Opa and Oma

More Pictures

Here are some more pictures of our apartment:

                                                                 Upstairs bathroom

                                                                 Upstairs toilet

                                                                     front room

                                                       other side of front room

                                                                       bed room

                                                         other side of bedroom

                                                                   guest bedroom

                                                            beds in upstairs loft

                             washing machine in 3rd floor loft.....up the 'dreaded stairs'

  Where I spend most of the time.....wonderful Kitchen.  Microwave, stove, small fridge but large freezer:)

                                          Office on 2nd floor, across from our bedroom

                                                     back yard......no grass to mow

                                                             Amsterdam Church





 That's all I can send on this batch.....send more later.  Aren't you impressed on what I have learned to do:)  Me too.  Amazing what you can do when you have to.

Pictures!

The Chinese Food Presentation
A VERY happy Zuster deleeuw
On Hands and knees cleaning:(
Dads first apartment in Amersfoort
Beautiful FLAT Netherlands
Waiting for the Tram
The Frit store
Canals of Amsterdam
We were waking along the street when this tall good looking young man came up to us and said "hi Elders and Sisters'  We knew right away he was a member.  He is from Farmington, a returned missionary and is working in Brussels.  He walked with us for awhile, just seemed to enjoy being with members.  The Badges DO STAND OUT!

HOI

Dear Familie, Kleinkinderen and Vrienden,

Now, do you know who you are? Oma is getting so good at this language stuff.  Can't say much with the right pronunciation but am getting so I can read things. Here is your test for the day.  I was baking some bread and these are the instructions: Het product in een voorverwarmde oven op 220 degrees C, in 8 tot 10 minuten afbakken,totdat de korst een mooie goudbruine kleur verkregen heeft. Basically...put in an over that has been warmed to 220 degrees C and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the rolls are golden brown in color. 

This has been a busy week for us.  After a month we are FINALLY getting to know what we are suppose to be doing with this YoVo Centrum. On Thursday we went to Den Haag and saw what they were doing and on Friday went to Rotterdam for a YSA valentine dance, and to see their Centrum.  Yes, look on your map of the Netherlands and see where we have been this week. From Rotterdam clear up to Den Helder which is the most Northern part of Holland.  We took a picture of the North Sea....still can't believe where we are and what we are seeing.  As we have traveled this week we have seen many of the old wind mills which makes Holland Holland.  We did not like Den Haag or Rotterdam because they are just big cities with lots of apartments.  In Den Haag there was something we DID enjoy.  Right in the middle of the city is a large park where people were ice skating on a pond and a 'farm' where there were goats, a couple of cows, rabbits, pigs and chickens.  It made Opa feel right at home.  There was a snack shop by the park where we had stopped to get something to eat before going to the Centrum. When you order frits (fries) here they are served with a container of mayo...we should introduce 'fry sauce' because the Dutch love ketchup too.  Anyway, we had left over frits so stepped outside where there were LOTS of ducks. We started to feed them and they became so aggressive that one duck grabbed a fry right out of my fingers.  We have pictures I will send.

We attended the Hague Netherlands Temple on Thursday on our way to Den Haag.  What a sweet experience.  The Temple is very small and has only 4 sessions on Thursday and Friday and 3 on Saturday.  You park in a parking garage under the Temple which is nice.  They have a Garment Distribution Center in the basement where Temple clothes can be purchased.  When we walked in I asked if anyone could speak English and had 4 Zusters take me 'under their care' for the rest of the session.  The name that was given me was about a mile long so one of the Zusters gave me a short name I could pronounce.  I had to wear the headphones and Opa tried to listen to the ceremony in Dutch. We will try and attend as often as we can.  The Temple is in Zoetermeer which is about 45 minute away.

The YoVo's are so amazing and we love them so.  Monday after a dinner of Lasagna and cucumbers..the people here love cucumbers.  The activity was to clean the stage in the cultural hall where the YSA have their games, pool table, ping pong, hockey table. They were having so much fun and we felt for the first time they were 'letting their hair down' and really enjoying each other.  I had made a Texas Sheet cake and they were rubbing cake in each others faces...kids...just having fun.  When the evening was over the President of the YoVo's made the comment: "The Spirit is back".  This is what it is about....having a place where the YSA want to come.  Wednesday I made a chicken salsa casserole, you will all want my recipes, and Rice Krispie treats.  At the Makro, like Costco, I can buy American marshmallows which melt, I put in some Carmel syrup I had, and wow...two pans were gone in an instant.  This week being Valentines I will frost the cookies I made...homemade:) and we bought some chocolate hearts we will give them as well.  We are trying to make the room we meet in more inviting.  I am going to take a couple of lamps we have here, put a white table cloth on the table, some flowers....we meet in a dark, dreary room so tomorrow they will be surprised to have light and hopefully feel more warmth.  We are taking two or three of the YSA Council to several of the wards that come to our Centrum and encourage them to attend the Amsterdam Centrum. We are starting to see the vision of this calling....it is a full time calling.

Tuesday after District meeting we met with the Elders and Bregjet...the 87 year old. She calls me her Zuster and we have quite a bond.  She always meets the Elders at the church and will not give them her address.  After our meeting I asked for her address and asked if we could come and see her.  She was SO eager to write her address and phone number and told us to 'come'. We got a Valentine card for her and will get a plant and go see her Tuesday.  We will get her ' in the water' with love!  We were suppose to go on splits with the Zusters today but their contact was ill and cancelled. This week is transfers and we know for sure one Elder that will be leaving this area.  We learn to love these young Elders and Zusters and then they are transferred.  Part of Missionary work.

Today I took the books that Melissa sent to Sacrament Meeting.  I have fallen in love with a Zuster from Nigera that has 3 beautiful little girls. We sat in front of them and I told the girls that after the Sacrament they could look at the books.  Mary Ann, the mother, gave me a great big kiss and told me thank you, thank you.  The girls looked at these books over and over.  They wanted to take them home but I told them they were 'church' books and I would bring them next week.  This family may be moving to Provo and that would be so sweet.  When we get home we could keep in contact with them and hopefully you could all meet them. If any of you get by a Seagull Book store could you purchase some .99 cent little activity books and maybe when Dayna Lee comes in May could just put them in the bottom of her suitcase.  There are several other children that were looking at the books so they will be enjoyed.

We have had several beautiful sunny days which really make us want Spring to come.  It is still cold -3 degrees C. Today we woke up to snow and it has been snowing off and on all day....but the daylight hours are getting longer. We aren't complaining just cold. 

We love what we are doing.  The member of the Stake Presidency that is over the YoVo's instructed us to have Tosti's on Monday....toasted sandwiches...which really takes the pressure off of me. Tomorrow night the YSA want French Toast and Hot Chocolate.  Wow, no big meal to prepare.  Tuesday for District meeting I am taking rolls, ham and cheese so another simple meal.  I am getting smart:)  Opa takes out the garbage, feeds the birds and helps me with the preparation of the meal.  He has fixed several things in the apartment so all is well.  This week we will probably need to help with the Elders Apartment. A new Senior couple is coming in March so an apartment needs to be fixed for them.  When people here move they take everything...lights, curtain rods, floors, stoves, furnishings..they strip the apartment clean...so the church has to come in, put down new flooring, light fixtures, curtains, appliances, furniture etc. What a pain.  Opa fixed the bikes so when to weather warms up, (we are NOT true Dutch) we will start to ride.  Right now it is up and down the stairs all day...when we come home tired it is a chore to climb up for bed.  

Love you all, and we love the emails from you. A taste of home:)  Will send pictures in the next couple of days when I get them downloaded.

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Opa and Oma

Pictures

Hague Temple
Ducks eating out of Oma's hand:)
Windmill in Alkmaar
North Sea
Farm in the middle of Den Haag
Happy Valentines

Week report from opa and oma deLeeuw

Dear family,

Well, another week has whizzed by. We are coming up on the one month mark of our Mission and I have so far only had one day that I was 'homesick'. We LOVE your phone calls, pictures and emails.  Keep them coming;)

Weather report for the first week of February 2012. It snowed just a little Monday morning then was COLD all week. Friday we went to Deventer for a surprise birthday party for President Brubaker.  We left early because it had started to snow...15 minutes out we were driving in a white out blizzard. Elder Pankratz was driving or we would NOT have gone on.  Another Senior Couple was in front of us so we kept track of each other.  We made it Deventer and the party was suppose to start at 3:00.  The Mission President got stuck in a traffic jam because of the snow and did not arrive until after 5:00.  We ate and all headed home because of the road conditions.  It stayed at -10 degrees C for the next 2 days.  All the canals are frozen and it is winter.

Monday Zuster Pankratz gave dad a haircut,,,,,can't afford the 25 euros.  We bought some clippers and I will try and keep dad's hair trimmed...pray for that as well. Monday I took the Zuster Missionaries to the grocery store because it was so cold.  My first time driving and we survived.  The roads are SO narrow and with all the bikes it is scary.  I took the Zusters into the store where the 'India' lady works just to say hi.  She is so sweet and knows me now by my Missionary badge.  She asked if the Zusters were my daughters and I told her they were daughters in our church...we are all brothers and Zusters.  We are planting the seed.

Tuesday after District Meeting dad and I ventured into the city of Amsterdam. Thousands of bikes parked in bike racks everywhere. Canals on both sides of the roads...house boats, barges, people, and more people.  There is NO place for cars to park so if a trip is needed to be taken in Amsterdam taking the tram would be the ONLY way.  You go into Central Station and walk to all the 'tourist' attractions, then just jump back on #9 back to Diemen.  Does it sound like we are getting to kind of know what we are doing.

Wednesday we went to the open market in Diemen.  It was so cold we only stayed for a minute to look around.  We can't believe that the vendors stand outside in this cold weather. We had a famous Dutch treat that was made right for us. Stroopwafels.  The man rolled the dough and put it on a waffle iron.  When that was baked he spread fresh hot Carmel on the waffle, bake another waffle for on top and gave it to us warm and gooey with the hot Carmel.  Oh my gosh...heaven.  If I ate one of those each week I would need to run up and down the stairs 100 times a day.  But, it would be worth it:) I bought some thigh Hi wool stocking to keep my legs warm...worth every penny.

Thursday we did some shopping and  I made roll out Valentine cookies for next week.  DO NOT take for granted all the conveniences you have by just opening a can of Pillsbury cookie dough. I also made brownies.  I have to keep ahead of the game any time I can.  Poor dad is going around trying to find projects to keep him busy.  He has lots of reports to do so that does give him something to do for a few hours.

Friday dad went to the store and bought some bird seed.  We tipped over a flower pot and put the seed in that. We have several Doves that come and eat...it is "cheep" entertainment. no pun intended;) At the birthday party one of the Elders had made a slide show with pictures of the Senior Elders when they were all young Elders.  All of the Senior Elders here, 7 of them, all served in the Netherlands as young Missionaries.  When dad's picture came up Elder Everton also had a picture of Cameron with President Brubaker when he was here.

Saturday we WALKED into Diemen like REAL Dutch people.  It was so cold but as I write each week people still ride bikes and walk everywhere.  People walk to the grocery store with their shopping bags, purchase a few things then walk back home.  In the Diemen Shopping centrum was a 'Saturday Sidewalk sale". So fun all these culture things.  We were trying to find dad a hat and finally found one that makes him look like a caveman......hey, it's cold and it keeps him warm.  

While we were shopping the Zuster Missionaries called us and asked when we would be home.  Their apartment had been broken into and they were quite shaken up.  Dad and I went over and dad went into the back yard and found footprints coming into the back sliding door.  The latch had been broken and drawers were pulled out in the bedroom.  One of the Zusters said; "I hope they stole a Book of Mormon." The Police came and took a report.  I told dad, we have only been here 3 weeks and I have been to the hospital and had an encounter with the Police:) We had the Zusters come and stay with us and it was like a grand daughter sleep over....only they had to study and go to bed at 10:30.

OK all the fun stuff...we really are doing Missionary work. Monday night at FHE we had dinner, a lesson and the YSA played indoor soccer.  They are such an amazing group of kids.  Jan, one of the YSA plays the piano like you have never heard in your life.  He took 3 lessons when he was 6 and then it is all his own now.  He has written several songs and I asked if he would make a CD for me with his compositions. The YSA love cookies so when we ask them to do anything we bribe them with snickerdoodles. Tuesday after District Meeting we met with Bregjet, our 87 year investigator.  She is a riot and says the funniest things.  The Elders gave her another challenge for Baptism in April.  She says she prays but does not "feel anything". We have the opportunity to bear OUR Testimonies and let her know she is feeling something she just doesn't know what because she has never had this feeling. We pray she will keep studying and praying and that she WILL be baptized.  She is always taking about her husband and how she misses him....Eternal Families!!!!!!

Wednesday the Elders asked if we would pick up a man who they had brought to church the previous Sunday.  A black man from Nigeria with a VERY strong accent.Alex.  He is in this country illegally because he fled Nigeria after his business was terrorized by Muslims.  His wife is Muslim and he is a Christen...and in Nigeria the Muslims do NOT like the Christen people.  He has seen the Aba Nigeria Temple and told us how beautiful it is.  He carries the Book of Mormon everywhere along with his Bible.  He really enjoyed institute and even read some scripture from Isaiah.  He has no money because hen has no job because he is illegal so it is hard for him to get to church.  We as Missionaries as not suppose to transport non members but in this case was given permission.  When we took him home he told us thank you and even called to make sure WE had arrived home safely. Another golden contact.  We asked the Elders if he could be baptized being here as an illegal and they told us because he is a Christen from Nigeria they COULD baptize him.  If he was Muslim they could not because he might be killed right here in Amsterdam.

We LOVE attending church here.  Everyone is so happy to see each other.  The traditional 3 kisses on the cheek.  On Wednesday I took a picture of Darrel with his dog Misty.  His family was cooking the ward dinner that night so I visited with him and played with the dog....the dog was the one brought to church last week.  I took his picture and he said "you are my new best friend." He is 11, black and has dredge locks....I Have a picture of him.His family is from Sudan.  He bore his Testimony today and told about when the Elders were teaching his family he was told to pray and ask if the Book of Mormon was true.  He prayed, went to bed and the next morning a voice told him the book was true. Another black man from Spain bore his Testimony testifying of the truth of the Gospel.  He is a convert and served a Mission in Greece. A young couple had their baby blessed and the mother was trying to video the blessing.  A Zuster from the ward had to get up and explain that was not permitted....so many experiences.  The ward loves to have treats and today, even being Fast Sunday had treats because the baby had been blessed. Dad and I mentioned that this is like when we lived in Kent...we so looked forward to meeting with other members of the church.  At home we just rush to get out so  the next ward can come in.  We were given the RS book on Daughter's in my Kingdom.  DOCHTERS in mijn koninkryk. The RS President is called de ZHV President (zet ha Fay). Most everyone that bears Testimony are converts and tell about 'finding the truth' they had been searching for.  There are many investigators as well at church and it is so great to go and shake their hands and welcome them.  We in Utah are NOT very social at church and do not seek out those who are even visiting......tell your Zusters to get out of their comfort zone and go talk to someone they don't know!!!!!

I have written lots, but this is my journal and this will be with me forever.  We LOVE these people and one Zuster I spoke with today is the Oma of the Deacon that passed the Sacrament for the first time last week.  When I told her I had emailed my family about his little sister giving him a hug she started to cry.  She said she would like to have dad and I over for dinner some Sunday. Wow..just because I started talking about her family. 

Thank you all for your prayers...we feel them.  We love you more than you will ever know.  We LOVE being Missionaries and having all the experiences we are having.  We even went for a ride the other day and got home without using the GPS.  We felt empowered;)

Love, Opa and Oma

I will send more pictures

More Pictures

                                   Missionaries in our district.  They all live right by us.

                                                  Bregjet..our 87 year old sweetheart

                                                              Outdoor market

                                              Oma in the kitchen with all her 'goods'

                        Jan, the piano player...a very handsome YSA who needs a wife:)

                     A typical Dutch house by the canal...just across the canal by our house.