Missionary work is amazing

Hello to you all:)

Wow, it just seems like we were writing this letter....how the weeks are whizzing by. All the grandchildren are back in school, so another summer has come and gone. Four months from now it will be Christmas, and we will be complaining about how cold it is here.  The daylight hours continue to drop fast....9:15 now and it is dark.  Seems like each night we notice a few minutes difference.

Last weekend was a very hot humid one. Dad and I have been lucky this summer, as we have only had 5 days that have been very uncomfortable. This weekend has been cool with lots of rain again. Last Sunday was our 'Gouda' long day.  We started by going to church in Haarlem, because Fabrina, the YSA girl from the Ukraine, said she would go to Gouda with us. The Haarlem chapel is one of few, if any, that has fans in the building.  In fact it was so hot that day, that the wards in Leeuwarden and  Groningen cancelled all meetings except Sacrament Meeting. After Sacrament meeting we left for Gouda.  That chapel has no widows to open, so the three hours were some of the longest of our lives.  Everyone was sweating....and the meal that was prepared was hot soup! Fabrina, was not excited to be there, and it took some talking for her to stay. As we were entering the freeway to return home, the traffic was backed up for miles. We thought we would out smart the traffic and head home another way through Rotterdam.  We did not change our Garmin thinking we knew we would know where to go. So off we went thinking we would avoid the traffic and be home early. WRONG......without changing the Garmin, like 'stupid idiots', all it did is turn us around right back into the traffic:(  We were in this horrific traffic jam for over an hour. People had their music going so loud, others were walking up the freeway for the drivers to pick them up as we inched along. We had the Sister Missionaries with us, as they had permission to go with us because of Fabrina, who they are teaching. We told them to get out and pass out Books of Mormon. There had been a bad accident which had the traffic backed up.  We went from 4 lanes, to three, to two, No one moved for a long time.  When we finally got to where the accident had happened, there were 20 plus police just standing around talking.....workers here in Holland do a lot of talking and not much working.  Rather than getting the traffic moving, they were just standing around. Sunday had to be the LONGEST, HOTTEST day of my life:) We Finally got home about 10:00 pm, very tired. Gouda day starts at 10:00 am and goes all day.  Next month the Den Haag Stake is in charge....that is us.

Monday was FHE and we had a member of the High Council gave the lesson. I had fixed Lasagna, salad and fruit cocktail cake.  The kids LOVE anything different, and the cake was different. The evening was just ideal for the "kids" to go outside after the lesson and play Frisbee. What a fun time we have with these YSA's. Tuesday was another shopping day, as we had to prepare lunch for Zone Conference Wednesday. Tuesday night dad and I went on a bike ride that took us to another beautiful part of Diemen. You daughters get or keep in shape, because when you come we are renting, borrowing or stealing bikes(just kidding), so you can have the real Dutch bike riding experience! We have found that getting off the freeway onto the fiets paths , it is a whole different Holland. The trails go for miles......in fact, people bike all over Holland with maps of bike paths, not freeways.

Wednesday was Zone Conference. I was REALLY happy because the meeting was in English.  Our new Mission President loves to speak Dutch, and the last Zone Conference was presented in the Dutch language.  President Robinson is such a quiet humble man.  He told us about how he had open heart surgery several years ago, and what a change that made in his life knowing that he might not survive the surgery. His priorities really changed. Sister Robinson is a 'ball of fire'.  She has been a school teacher for many years, and when she teaches we all feel like we are in her class room. A tradition that is done at Zone Conference, is that all the Sisters and Elders that have had, or will have birthdays during a few months, are called to the front of the room.  45 seconds is given for others to say funny, positive things about the person having the Birthday. I was called up with the Missionaries this time. During my 45 seconds the comments were made: She is like our mom. She makes Lekker cookies. She gives great hugs. When she got her haircut she still smiled. And Elder Cundick told everyone he was my favorite:) It's ok Travin...he's not family:) After all the positives are said, the Dutch birthday song is sung.  That will be a new tradition for birthdays if we can learn it.  We will have another Zone Conference the 5th of September....The Belgium/Netherlands Mission is being visited by a member of the Seventy from SLC. Guess we will have to be on our good behavior that day.

Thursday we had Elder and Sister Seiter here. They are the new couple that just arrived last Saturday, that will be serving in the Den Haag Centrum.  This is the Centrum where Elder and Sister Moore served. Can you believe that dad and I are now the ones giving the orientation on Mission and Centrum items. We have 'come a long way baby.' The Seiters are from American Fork, and Elder Seiter served his mission here as well. The Saldens leave for home this week, two new couples arrive in October, the Van Komens leave the first of November. The Mission is really changing for the Senior Couples. It was nice to really know how much we have learned in the 7+ months we have been here. There are some changes that are being made with the YSA Centrums, but for now we will just keep serving like we came to do.

Friday was an incredible day for dad.  Last year a celebration was held in Friesland, to commemorate 150 years since the first Baptisms in Holland. There is a monument that was erected by the church on the sight that these baptisms took place.  We met Elder and Sister Van Komen in Leeuwarden, and they drove us around Friesland and to the monument. Both sets of dad's great grandparent came from Friesland, and dad's great grandfather Syben Van Dyke, was mission President here in Holland twice. We felt like we were on sacred ground as we drove through the county side where the deLeeuw's, de Groot, and Van Dykes's came from.  A book was published last year with the History of the church in Holland. We have one, but it is written in Dutch. An English translation is suppose to be in the making of this book, and IF it is translated before we come home, dad wants each family member to have a copy. Friesland is absolutely beautiful, some of the prettiest county we have seen.  It even has it's own flag and 'county' symbols.

Today was the day we spoke in Lelystad. That is a small branch a 45 minute drive from where we live. We were told to prepare a 10 minute talk, and with translation it will take 20 minutes. A young man spoke first, then me, and with all the translation dad only had a few minutes......that is the way he really wanted it:) He bore his Testimony in Dutch and told the people about his Dutch ancestry.  They lovedit.  Dad told them he was "A TRUE DUTCH MAN", with all his ancestors coming from Holland. This small branch had more children than any other Ward or Branch we have visited.  We were told they have the biggest primary in the Stake......We are also starting another small Centrum in the Lelystad area. We had no idea, but there are several YSA's, not active, from there and Almere. The Elders have contacted several of these youth, and they said they would attend an activity if one was held in Lelystad.  It is just to far for these YSA's to come to Amsterdam. SO, the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month we will travel to Lelystad and have dinner and an activity. Monday, Wednesdays, and every other Thursday....got to love this work.  We SO hope that we have a big group from that area. What a great Missionary tool. The Elders are really excited to get this going. A young man we met at JoVo camp, who has become a good friend of ours, and loves to cook, will cook the dinner each meeting, and I will bring dessert. What a deal!!!!!!!!!!!! We left this morning at 8:45 am, and returned home tonight at 6:00 pm. Missionary work IS amazing!

We love you all.  Thank you for keeping us in your prayers....and the Elders and Sisters, and the JoVo's. We are so grateful to be serving the Lord. Oh one more thing.  I am placing my first Book of Mormon tomorrow. I will tell you how it goes next letter. There is a man, Juan, who I have become friends with at the grocery store. Go figure, the grocery store......he is always so pleasant and friendly.  Each time I see him I ask a little bit about him.....not much time as he is scanning the groceries. I found that he loves music....so I got a Tabernacle Choir CD to give him, and a Spanish Book of Mormon to put in the gift as well. He is from Mexico City, but has lived in Sweden, Denmark and now in the Netherlands. GO OMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is Pouring rain and is only 16 degrees Celsius.....60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sweaters and jackets are out again:) Fall is in the air.

Love you tons......Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

And another amazing week!

Greetings,

Seems like we frequently say 'another amazing week'....but this week HAS been amazing.  It started with, I forgot to add this in the email last week, Elder deLeeuw confirming Simon. Simon is a man from Ghana, we think in his early 50's, very black, with a big space between his top two teeth.  He has a smile that shines from here to the moon, and when he smiles all  you see is his teeth. He wears a white stripped suit with a multi colored stripped shirt and flowered tie. I do have a picture to send. He at first wanted dad to Baptize him, but then decided he wanted dad to confirm him. What experiences dad is having.  The people we 'joint teach' love dad and can feel his Missionary Spirit. Dad went 'joint teaching' with the Elders, to a woman who was at church last week when dad was doing the confirmation.....she has not had all the Missionary lessons yet, but said when dad was Confirming Simon she felt ' a burning feeling she had never experience before', and she knew then she wanted to be Baptized. Amazing #1

When we were at JoVo camp Elder deLeeuw backed into a tree..grandsons, you DID not hear that!!!! Anyway, the man next door was out working on an Opel car he had just purchased, and dad noticed an address of a local Opel dealer. Ashok, the burrman, Dutch word for neighbor, is always working on his cars, so asked dad what he needed.  Dad showed him the broken tail light......Ashok took a picture of the broken light, Monday went to the Opel dealership, brought a new tail light home and installed it for dad. Amazing #2  I took some home made cookies to him and his wife to tell them thank you.  Yvonne, his wife, saw me, thanked me for the cookies, and told me they were very professional.  Now, that shows you how many cookies I have baked, to now become professional:)

Tuesday we as Senior Couples met with President  and Sister Robinson.  There were only 5 Senior Couples as 3 have left in the last couple of months.....today a new couple arrived and they will be working with dad and I in the Den Haag Stake....YEA!!!!!  President Robinson is a very quite humble man. He is a rancher from Fillmore and loves to ride horses. He told us he does not like to be in the 'spot light' but would rather be ' behind the scenes'.  He read from the Scriptures and told us to be 'Fishers of Men, always keeping our poles in the water." Sister Robinson had us read from the D&C. A statement was made that we loved..."The Lord can't guide your footsteps if you don't move your feet". We were asked to rise to a high plane of thought and activity.....lengthen our strides.  Amazing # 3

Wednesday night we had the Sisters and Jenny here for dinner.  Jenny is the YSA from England who dad baptized.  She has been here doing an internship for her Law Firm, and now she is returning home. She is so excited to be a member of the church and hopes to come to Utah next August and attend Education Week at BYU, and see as many Temples as she can while there. Thursday morning we had the Sisters and Roos here for breakfast.....I didn't even put the place mats away from the night before. She is such a beautiful young lady, and she ALWAYS has a smile on her face. She so wants to share her beliefs with others as she is excited to be a member of the church. She and Jenny both bore their Testimonies in Sacrament Meeting two weeks ago. The church will move forward with people like this being baptized. Both of these young ladies want to be endowed as soon as they can.  As we were giving hugs and saying our goodbyes to Roos, she hugged me and said," Thank you so much for being in Holland."  Dad confirmed her as well. Amazing # 4.....see why we love being here:)

Thursday evening we were invited to 'joint teach' with the Elders from Den Haag.  Remember the young man we met at JoVo camp who reminded us of Corey, and we thought he was a member of the church.  Well, we fell in love with Adriaan and as we left camp he told us he wanted to make pancakes for us.  I have been in contact with him through Face Book, can you grandchildren believe Oma does Facebook:)  Adriaan asked if dad and I could come and have pancakes and teach with the Elders.  He lives in a small town Naaldwijk, about an hours drive from here. He was so excited to see us, as we were to see him.  He lives with 4 other young men, one being a returned Missionary, in an old Police Station. When office buildings close here they rent them for apartments.  This jail house is a place any kid would love to live in........jail cells and all. The 'boys' were skate boarding down the long halls, the kitchen was hugh, as that is where the meals for the inmates were prepared.  We ate at a long table that had names written all over it in black ink.  What fun. The pancakes were delicious Adriaan had prepared. He had fresh mango, Strawberries, apple topping he made on the stove.....he loves to cook. After the meal, the Elders, dad and I, Adriaan, and one of his friends, Volker, went into a room that the boys had made into a very comfortable room with sofa's and chairs, rugs on the floor....it was nice. Volker, has been an Atheist, so Gospel teaching is new to him. The lesson for the evening was on the "Plan of Salvation". Scriptures were read, questions answered...which were very thought provoking.  Can you imagine how many questions you would have not having a knowledge of a pre earth life, and having a life after we die. I had taken some cookies for Volker and Adriaan, and had written a note about the love our Heavenly Father has for us.  I told them that the cookies we had brought to them were baked with love, and our Heavenly Father has so much love for us that he restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ back on the Earth. On the message that was written was: "how do you spell love...you don't spell it, you feel it."  All of a sudden Volker burst into tears. and just sobbed.  He told us he had been praying for a sign to feel the spirit, and felt our love was that sign. WOW....Adriaan said he had never seen Volker cry, and that really touched him.  There was such a spirit in that room we could all feel it.  The Elders said that was the most Spiritual experience they had had on their mission.  WE KNOW A LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS US PERSONALLY, AND ANSWERS PRAYERS.  I cried all the way home because of the experience we had. Amazing #5.

Tomorrow is our LONG Gouda day...and the young lady Fabrina, from Ukraine, that we are 'joint teaching' is going with us:) We so hope that being with other YSA's she will feel of the spirit.  The Sister Missionaries that are teaching her, have permission to go with us, to help translate, cause she speaks no Dutch....we will attend church in Haarlem then go to Gouda from there. Fabrina has had a sad childhood, and does not have a lot of trust in people. So, her going to Gouda is an another amazing....#6

Ok. I could keep going.  Can you tell we are busy and loving being in the Lords service.  One last amazing.  We met another YSA, young man at camp, from Lelystad. This is a small branch in the Den Haag  stake that we did not even know had any JoVo's. Long story short......the young man we met is excited to have us come to Lelystad and have FHE/Institute at least once a month.  The Elders that serve there called us today and said they were teaching some YSA's from the University there and they want to come join us.  Lelystad is about a 45 minute drive from here...we are SO excited to start another Centrum there.  The work is rolling on for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing #7

We love you all.  Thank you for the emails that were sent this week....they are SO appreciated.

And today has been very hot and humid...33 degrees Celsius which is about 92 degrees Fahrenheit.   Next week is suppose to be rain and cool again. We are now going to go on another bike ride.....we could ride for hours here...go opa and oma!!!!!!!!!!

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Opa and Oma

Another amazing week:)

Beste Familie and Vrienden,

Wow, that is a Dutch greeting for sure.  Are we getting good or what:) Can you believe that one year ago we approached the family about our desire to serve a Mission, and here we are 7 months into our Mission. The Lord moved us quickly into his service, and we are LOVING being in his service. This week we have been invited out to dinner with members of the Amsterdam Ward. Friday night we went to one of our JoVo's. A single mother, 28 years old with a 2 year old daughter.  Xiomara, now try and pronounce that name, is from Suiname, She fixed us a typical Suriname meal that was delicious......Bami rice, chicken wings marinated in some kind of Suiname sauce that was Lekker, of course komkombers, and tomatoes. Dessert was some kind of a custard.....wow, what a treat. Lekker food that I did not have to cook:)  Tonight, we were invited to the home of the first Counselor in the Bishopric.  We have not been invited to members home for a meal, and this week we had two. Tonight we had a casserole made from sauerkraut, potatoes, sausage and cheese.  Sla......salad, which the Dutch people always put hard boiled eggs in. Worst, and for dessert, Ijs....ice cream. As we visit with these people, we ask about their conversion, and the stories are so touching. Xiomara told us about her mother, and how she loved the Power of the Priesthood. Xiomara's mother was diagnosed with cancer and was told she had two days to live. Her mother was loved in the Ward where she lived, so when she asked for a Priesthood Blessing, 30 Priesthood holders showed up for give her the blessing, and she lived for 10 months. The couple we had dinner with tonight also shared their conversion stories. Brother Zijp was a Protestant, and Sister Van leeuwn, she kept her maiden name, was Catholic. Reading The Book of Mormon converted them, and they are some of the strongest members of the ward. Sister Van leeuwn's son is one of our JoVo's. 

We SOOO love these people, and it will be almost impossible to say goodbye when we have to leave.

You would be so proud of us this past week.  We have become 'true orange' Dutch shoppers.  We got on our bikes, got our shopping bags, went to the open market in  the Dieman Centrum, and bought some fruit and vegetables. We have been on several bike rides,and are getting very comfortable being 'one more Dutch biker'. Something funny happened this week that still has us laughing. The lady next door, who is in her 80's, has a sister that comes to visit often.  She speaks English like I speak Dutch, but we have a very loving relationship. Every time she comes to visit she talks a blue streak in Dutch, and we just smile and nod like we know what she is saying. Well, this week she and her husband knocked on our door and just walked in. Took off their coats and started to talk. I was so proud of myself because I DID understand some of her words.  She had been in the sichuis...hospital, and had some tests done. She and her husband started to tell us something about 'townhouses' and how many euros they cost to rent. All of a sudden they asked us to get in our Auto and they would take us somewhere.  I looked at dad, he looked at me, and off we went having NO idea where we were going. We all got in the car and they started giving us directions that dad could understand. For all we knew we were driving to China:) We finally ended up at a quaint little village where people rent 'townhouses' from April to October. Summer homes to get away from the city. Auto's are parked on the outside of the small homes, so walking paths wind all around small canals and beautiful yards full of flowers and fruit trees. We walked around for awhile with Younce visiting with all we met, and her talking to us in Dutch. She would say something and then say "you understand?" When we returned home we were given big hugs and kisses, and a loving goodbye. Although we did not understand in words much what was said, dad made the comment that it was the 'best few hours of fellow shipping' we could have spent.

The daylight hours are dropping faster each day.....and we really hate to tell you about the cool temperatures we are enjoying. We have only had 3 days of really hot, humid summer days. Night and morning is cool enough that when we go walking or biking, we need to wear a jacket. This past week has been beautiful,but the forecast for next week is for more rain. Sorry.....wish we could send some of this your way.

 

This Tuesday we will have a Council meeting as Senior Couples with President Robinson. There are some changes in the JoVo Centrums here, new couples arriving in the Mission, questions, successes, guidance from our President. We are looking forward to this meeting.  Next week are Zone Conferences again as well. We hope to attend the Temple  this week. We have FHE each Monday and will begin Institute again Wednesday August 29th.  We have been asked to 'kick off' the new Institute year by having some kind of evening introducing the New Testament. Most of the JoVo's are converts, never had an Institute class, never read much in then Bible......what are we going to do? If you have any suggestions we would love them.  We thought about a Scripture Chase, Trivia, charades...but these YSA's don't know the Bible. We are thinking, so send your ideas our way!!!!! 

We drove to Deventer this past week to meet with Elder and Sister Anjewierden. They are the Senior Couple working in the JoVo Centrum there. We visited and answered some of their questions. Can you believe WE are answering questions. Dad served as Branch President in Deventer when he served here. We found the apartment where he lived and the chapel he helped build in Apeldoorn. I ask if he remembers much of these places. The buildings are still there, but the trees and surroundings are so different after 50 years. He made a comment that he never would have thought he would return to his 'mission field' after 50 years.  It was a trip down memory lane for him. He served there for 6 months.

Today at Sacrament meeting there were 4 young Aaronic Priesthood holders passing the Sacrament.  The Bishop said it had been years  since this had happened in the Amsterdam Ward. Again we had an interesting translation situation. The speaker gave the talk in Spanish, translated by a member of the ward to Dutch, then Sister Moses translating the talk into English. We have a new member of the Ward who arrived last week.  He is a return Missionary from Portland Oregon.  He is working for a company like 'Gap', and will be here for several years.  He contacted the church first thing as he arrived in Amsterdam.  He is 33 years old, but we told him he was welcome anytime at the Centurm...we know NO age limit. All are welcome!!! He visited with dad and I today and told us he is here because of an answer to prayer...doesn't know why he is here, but this IS where he is suppose to be.  He ask dad to give him a Priesthood Blessing.  All alone in Holland, but has an instant family.....the church. Are we blessed to have such a great family!

Well, this has gone on long enough.....I could just keep tying, but it is late.  The Elders stopped in for their daily treat and hello.  They work so hard each day, and when they come into our apartment they just crash on the sofa. When asked if they would like a treat, of course you know the answer. We are so blessed to have the Elders and Sisters close to us and we love to have them stop in. We always need to have something for treats:)

 

We send our love.  Thank you to those who have sent emails...we would still love to hear from more of you. 

Have fun in Wayne County this week.....we will be there in spirit, but thank you as you support us as we serve the Lord on this Mission.  We will be with you next year, reflecting back as to where we have been and the experiences we have had. Drive the ATV's and target shoot for us......and eat a greasy hamburger for us too:) 

Love, Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Sister deLeeuw

Amazing Week

Dear Family an Friends,

The past week has us both physically and emotionally drained. We were up at dawn, and were not in bed at "Missionary rule time:)" The setting of the Camp is about an hour and a half from Amsterdam in a beautiful wooded area. There was a main office area, then dorm accommodations attached to that. The Senior couples got their own dorm away from all the hustle and bustle of the YSA's. There was a dining hall, then down  the path were two buildings that were used for classes and Testimony meeting. There was a hugh grassy area used for sports as well.  We think we walked at least 1000 miles in the 5 days we were there. Each day started with an 'early bird activity'...finger painting, cookie decorating, crafts....then we went to breakfast. Each day for breakfast AND lunch we were fed, bread, cheese, meat and fruit.  For breakfast plain yogurt was served to put on the cereal. I told dad that if I had to eat one more piece of bread and cheese I would turn into a mouse. Dutch tradition is eating only one hot meal at night.  By the time dinner was served, the JoVo's were so hungry they ate like they had not eaten for days......we could not believe what these kids could consume.  They were back for seconds before the senior couples even had firsts......and it was the girls that piled their plates high.  Anyway.....then workshops were held after breakfast. 4 workshops each day were offered, and it was hard to choose which one to attend. In the afternoon each day a different activity was planned.  One day it was sports, another a service project, swimming, something to do always. Monday evening was FHE, Tuesday was a dance where the YSA's were asked to dress up as something they wanted to be 'when they grew up'. We noticed how many dressed as moms and dads. (There were 122 registered). Thursday, somehow, a hugh circus tent was brought in and set up for a talent show that was held, and a 'roaring 20's' dance afterwards. Some of the JoVo's you would never think of having a talent performed, and wow. Friday morning ended the week with a Testimony meeting.....Kleenex please. Tuesday a young woman confided in me that she was just diagnosed with a very rare cancer.......I asked if I could tell the camp council so a special prayer could be said in her behalf.  Permission was given, and talk about the  spirit being present. Not a dry eye in the group. This girl bore her Testimony on Friday and said she already felt the strength of the prayer. Dad and I heard stories that broke our hearts....conversion stories, and feelings of loneliness. We could not tell you how many times a YSA would come up to us and say: "we just need a hug". There was a young man we thought was a JoVo, but is an investigator, who we just fell in love with  He is 22 years old, has 3 siblings, and told us his mother suffered from depression and died 10 years ago...his dad has raised 4 children by himself. Quincy, a VERY handsome black young man, just turned 18, joined the church 6 months ago, and is working on his mission papers.  His parents we were told are 'Devil worshipers' and are always trying to cast a spell on him.  We just fell in love with him, and on the last day as we were saying goodbye, he came up to me, threw his arms around me and just sobbed.....Quincy is about 6'2", is a basketball player, wants to go professional, and is built like a rock.  He just stood there sobbing and told me thank you for telling him we loved him.  He said he was never told that by his mother in his 18 years of life. And the stories I could tell would take you a week to read. Dad and I said this was the highlight of our Mission so far.  When we got home we had so many want to 'friend' us on Face book we just laughed. Pictures, messages......For Oma who does NOT like Face book, this has opened a whole new communication world for us. At the testimony meeting the Senior couples were asked to stand up by One young man. He looked at us and told us what examples we were of what marriage and service to the Lord is. More Kleenex.....The weather was wonderful except for one day when it rained and was on 14 degrees C. That is 52 degrees F. We took lots of pictures I will send in the next couple of days.

Long sentence......you will laugh at Oma.  One night at 10:30 'night games' were planned.  Part of the staff dressed up scary to take the JoVo's on a walk along a trail, telling stories as they went.  Well, 3 other staff members thought it would be funny to dress up as well and scare the staff that was scaring the JoVo's.  Sister van Komen and I were in the office looking at our emails, and were invited to go with them.  We changed into dark clothes, hoodies, had our face painted and off we went......talk about fun.  We really had some of the kids going....don't anyone write our Mission President:) At 12:15 it started to pour down rain so we had to call it a night.  The next day the JoVo's were coming and asking if WE were the ones dressed up.......will they ever know???? The theme of the camp was 'NOW AND FOREVER" The choices we make, determine our destiny. We learned some new games we will share with you when we get home. When we got home Friday night, Opa said " I never thought a bed would look so good.' We slept on narrow, hard twin beds all week, shared a bathroom and didn't sleep when we went to bed. BUT, we had a GREAT WEEK, one we will never forget.

Today at Sacrament Meeting, two of the recent converts bore their testimonies. One is the girl, Jenny, from England that Opa Baptized. They mentioned how their lives had changed since being Baptized....How they came to meet the Missionaries, not by accident. More Kleenex.....

We had Elder and Sister Pankratz, and Elder and Sister Salden in for dinner today.  The Saldens leave the Mission this Thursday, so this was a 'goodbye" dinner.  Elder and Sister Anderson left last Thursday.....it is so hard to see these couples leave, but we are eager to welcome the new couples arriving.  We will be lifelong friends for sure.

One of the scriptures that was read this week we want to share with the Klein Kinderen.....Open the Old testament to Joel 2:2. This applies to YOU! "A great people and a strong; there hath never been the like, neither shall be any more after it. Even to the years of many generations." YOU are this generation......one that is strong, like no other, and shall never again be. Stay active in the church.  Keep the Commandments. Pray. Read you scriptures. Choose good friends. Be an example for good wherever you go. Honor your parents. Be worthy of a Temple recommend when the time comes. Never be afraid to say NO! Stand up for what you know is right. Wear modest clothing. You all know what is expected, so do it:)

We leave you with OUR Testimonies.  We are so thankful we followed the promptings of the Holy Ghost to 'go into the Mission Field'. We KNOW that prayers are answered. We are so thankful for the restored Gospel upon this earth, that is bringing so much joy into the lives of those who are seeking.  We are thankful for a living Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who through inspiration, leads us today. We find joy in bearing Testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and the Prophet Joseph Smith.  We are SO thankful for our family who is supporting us as we serve the Lord. We love the people here in the Netherlands, and feel so blessed to be among them.

We love you all and feel of your prayers.

Love, Opa and Oma...Vader and Moeder, Elder and Sister deLeeuw