Hoi

Dear Family and Friends,

We have had a couple of warm days this week where it has been hot and humid, but today it has been POURING rain, and the temperature is 17 degrees Celsius, or 62 degrees Fahrenheit. One day we sweat, the next day we put our sweaters back on.  We are praying that tomorrow will be nice because we are planning an outdoor BBQ for FHE.  The kitchen in the church is being completely renovated so we have no place to go but outdoors for the meal. The JoVo's are excited because we are having "American" hamburgers with bacon and cheese. We have invited the JoVo's from Den Haag so we hope to have a large group. These are the joVo's that lost Elder and Sister Moore. The Centrum in Den Haag will be closed for the summer until a new couple from the Stake or a Missionary Couple can take over. We have two Centrums that will be without Missionary Couples. One couple will come in August, and another couple not coming until October, so it will be interesting to see where they will be sent to serve. In the meantime we have invited the JoVo's to attend the Amsterdam Centrum.  As we say, "the more the merrier!"

Monday evening for FHE we drove 3 JoVo's from Amsterdam to Alkmaar.  The JoVo's from there have to travel the most distance to get to Amsterdam, so we decided to go to them for an evening. We drove through some of the most beautiful countryside we have seen.  As we have expressed before, it is hard to describe the beauty of the Netherlands. Farmland, sheep, Mares with foals, canals. Elder deLeeuw made a comment:"I almost get tired of all the green." Anyway, we ate a picnic at one of the members home then drove for about 20 minutes and had our FHE lesson and activity on the beach. Wow, a perfect temperature, no wind, great company. We REALLY had a fun evening.  The JoVo's were so appreciative that we made the effort to go to them. The Alkmaar Branch has the most active group we have attending the Centrum. We told them we would come again......for selfish reasons!!!

Wednesday, the 4th of July, the Amsterdam Ward had a BBQ. The members know how America celebrates the 4th, so they told us they were having the BBQ in our behalf:) There were LOTS of ward members in attendance, and a member of the Bishopric told us he wishes they had more BBQ's because many of the inactive members attend.  The Ward furnished "Dutch" hamburgers, we know why the JoVo's like "American" burgers, some kind of sausage, chicken legs, and fish.  The members brought salads, bread and dessert. People here eat meat salads....mashed meat with mayo then topped with boiled eggs. I had made a jello salad, nothing more American then jello. Everyone knew who had brought that. I wanted to make it red, but used orange instead, since THAT IS the color of Holland. It was an enjoyable occasion. At Institute we had 21 in attendance. This is the most we have  ever had....we were thrilled. There is no air conditioning in the church buildings here, so with that many in our small room we about roasted. We will only have one more Institute class then will stop until the 22nd of August. So many of the JoVo's travel for Holiday that we have been told there is only 1 or 2 that come during this time.  We will keep having FHE, even IF 1 comes.....we need to keep busy doing something. We think we will have JoVo's from Den Haag come all summer, so that is important to have our Centrum up and going.

Thursday we met President and Sister Robinson. President Robinson spoke in Dutch which really makes the Missionaries happy.  He served a Mission In the Netherlands in the late 60's, and told us that when they were called to serve in the Netherlands his gift of the language came back almost immediately. Sister Robinson is an educator, and she spoke to us just like she would teach a class of students. She is darling! She said to give her 6 months and she would speak Dutch as well. We hated to say goodbye to President and Sister Brubaker, but we know that the new President has been called at this time, here, for a reason.  Dad and President Robinson really hit it off well because they are from Fillmore. Sister Robinson showed a picture of President on his horse with a big cowboy hat on.  Sister Robinson was born and raised in Salina......they even knew a couple of the same people from that area.  Just good Southern Utah folks:) We met last week for Zone Conference, and this week will meet again for Interviews. Don't know if we Senior Couples will be interviewed, but we go to fix the lunch. After all, that is the MOST important hour of the day. 

Thursday evening after returning from Leiden, we turned around and went to Haarlem to attend a graduation for one of our JoVo's. NOT like an American graduation. It was held in a small cafeteria, no air conditioning, so the doors were open and people sat outside smoking.....we were  almost green by the time the service was over. A few opening remarks, then an instructor stood up....remember this is all in Dutch....called a students name, none of the students were sitting together so they walked from the back or side of the room...a short poem was read about them, then they sat at a table where they had to confirm their birth date, place of birth, and sign 5 diploma's. 6 student were called up at a time then after they signed the diploma's another 6 were called up. This went on for 2 hours, then it was over. The school system is so different here. The kids enter what we call 'high school' at the age of 12.  They take a 'National' test when they are 11, and the test score determines what level of 'high school' you will attend. No sports or extra's are offered, and the students have to take 4 language classes. English is a required class. They graduate at the age of 17 or 18, then take another test to determine what level of University they can attend. The Dutch people really take Education serious....of course, the Government pays for most of this Education. This is why young men can go on a Mission at the age 18, so their education will not be disrupted when they start University,( Dad said it was more like a 'preschool graduation'.)

Friday we traveled to Rotterdam....yes, we were on the run all week. When the Missionaries leave to go home, they receive a Delft plate with their name, date of their Mission, and all the places they served. The Anderson's, who live in Rotterdam, have been taking care of these plates. They leave to come home the first of August, so asked us to start with this task. It is quite a ways to Rotterdam from Amsterdam, so we don't know if we can do this because of the distance, but we are almost the 'Senior Couple' now. We went to the work shop where these plates are made...and a thousand other Delft things as well.  Talk about a shoppers dream.  I wanted one of everything there.  Cups, bowls, vases, Christmas Ornaments, clocks, Nativity items, wall tiles....you name it they had it. Most are hand painted. Dad and Elder Anderson could not get us out of there fast enough,  It is a good thing it is far from us or I could do some serious damage:) We met the manager of the shop and learned the ordering process.....we will see what President and Sister Robinson want to do for the Missionaries. After the 'Delft' experience, we drove downtown Rotterdam and visited the church where the Pilgrims left from...wow, almost sacred ground.  While we were there we saw an ice cream shop that was calling our name. The owner was a friendly man and asked about our Missionary badges........golden moment!!!! Elder Anderson had a Dutch Book of Mormon in his car, so that was given to the man, and then dad and Elder Anderson told him about the contents  of this Book, and the Prophets foretelling of the Pilgrims coming to the 'promised land, America", and Christ appearing on the earth after his Resurrection. The man was very interested and said he would read the book. Meanwhile, there was a darling young girl, 23 years old, working in the shop, that Sister Anderson and I told  about the JoVo's of the church and the Centrums. Who said we don't look for opportunities to teach.  The Anderson's said they will go back again before they leave to come home, to see if the Elders can make an appointment to meet with this man.  Maybe FREE ice cream for the Elders.

Saturday Opa Baptized Raiz.  He is the 'street preacher', that called dad "father deLeeuw'. Dad said the Baptism prayer in Dutch, which he does very well, and after the baptizing, Raiz gave dad the biggest hug. It was another amazing moment. To see how far someone can come to join the church.  Raiz had to stop smoking, remember he smoked Marijuana for many years, and his friends all left him because of his being baptized.  His very best friend, that he shares an apartment with, even told him he didn't want to be friends any more.  Today we attend the Haarlem Ward where he was confirmed. After the Confirmation he shook the hands of the men in the circle, and told them "he felt the spirit". I told him he had a 'Gospel Glow'. Would we give up our families, in many cases, and friends, to join a church? Something to think about. The Gospel is such a sweet thing, and it is so amazing to see how it changes lives.  We LOVE being part of this work:)

Well, it is time to say goodbye for another week.  Melissa, you are in our prayers...along with Kevin and the children. Thank you daughters for taking care of your sister. Have a safe trip to Lake Powell Dayna Lee and company......keep those emails coming our way...we SO love to hear news from home.  Emily, give Wayne a big love from Opa. We are glad you have him to comfort you at this time.  Pets know when we are sad:(  We love you all.  Keep praying for the Missionaries.

Love, Opa and Oma

Elder and Sister deLeeuw