Yes,
this has been a week of ups and downs. Guess in some ways a typical
Missionary week, but then again a unique family week. It started with
FHE Monday evening....French Toast, oranges and ice cream. Tuesday
was Transfers where two Elders left, one going home, and one Sister
being transferred to another city......but, we got two NEW Elders and
one NEW Sister. Being Transfer week I cook for District Meeting.
Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, and Chocolate Chip Cookie bars. Wednesday
Institute, and this is funny. We had fixed oven potatoes with onions,
mushrooms and bacon. Broccoli and Texas Sheet cake. Kim and Tessa, two
of our YSA's, when they saw what we were having, started skipping down
the hall singing, 'Broccoli and Chocolate, Broccoli and Chocolate." It
takes SO little to make these JoVo's happy.......Broccoli and
Chocolate:) On Wednesday morning I had 2 batches of cookies and a cake made by 9:00 am.......yes,
a typical Missionary YSA Senior Couple day. With us now 'almost' being
the Senior, Senior couple, we have sent out several emails informing the
new couples of Holland traditions, Holidays, contact lists. Can you
believe that WE are doing that. 10 months ago I would have said NEVER,
but look at us now. I am even telling the 'new' Sisters how to say some
common Dutch words. The phrase,
"you've come a long
way baby' comes to mind:) Guess after this long, if we did not know
more than when we came we should be ashamed of ourselves.
Last night Holland went back to 'Standard Time'. So, tonight at 5:15 pm it was dark. In another month it will be dark by 4:30...UGH!!!! This morning at 8:30,
remember, we turned the clock back 1 hour, the Elders called and said:
"we have a question to ask you. Didn't we turn the clocks back last
night? Well, we just wanted to make sure because we just saw the
Sister's biking to church." Guess the Sisters were an hour early for
Church this morning.....of course the Elders thought that was really
funny. They tried to call the Sisters on their phone, but with them
biking they would not 'pick up.' We were in Den Helder today so don't
know the 'rest of the story'. We will find out and let you know. We made
the comment that there would probably be several others early as well.
We
were THRILLED with the Skype conversation we had with Cameron and
Alexis....yes, you CAN add that addition to the house.....with all our
love
!
That was the 'UP' family situation. When we received the phone call
from Kristine, we ourselves, stopped breathing for a moment. Like the
rest of you, we dropped to our knees and pleaded with the Lord to let
one of the Blessings of us serving this Mission be that Shelby's life be
spared. We were crying so hard it was hard to pray, but as dad ended
the prayer a most peaceful feeling came to us that all would be well. We
did call the Missionary Travel number to see what, if, we needed to
make an emergency trip home, how quickly we could obtain tickets for
the trip. They were so sweet, and sent us information almost
immediately. Prayers were heard, and now our prayers are ones of thanks.
Still some time to go, but we know all will be well. We were all so
afraid of what the outcome could have been. One of the JoVo's posted a
quote on Facebook the other day we loved. "The phrase,'do not be afraid'
is written in the Bible 365 times. That's a daily reminder from God to
live every day being fearless.' We have 'Faith' that all will be OK. "
FAITH: it does not make things easy,it makes them possible." We ARE SO
blessed to have the knowledge that we CAN go to our Heavenly father and
ask, knowing he will answer. We understand that Mark gave Shelby a
blessing just before she went into the surgery and said 'Thy will be
done'......we give thanks that his will was that she live.
Friday
Evening we went to Alkmaar to attend a dinner with the JoVo's. It was
hosted by the Westra's, a couple that kind of 'watch over' the Young
Adults in that area of the Stake. She had the table set with her best
China, had a LEKKER traditional Dutch meal of Stomput and worst, with
Fla for dessert. There were 17 JoVo's in attendance plus the
Missionaries. After the Maaltijd (meal) the Elders were asked to give a
Gospel message. One of the Elders asked when was the last time we felt
the Spirit of the Lord with us. Dad raised his hand and told about our
'feeling of peace' after the prayer for Shelby. The YSA's wanted to know
more, so we told them about the phone call, the tears,and the possible
trip home, Of course we were crying. After several others had expressed
their comments about feeling of the Spirit, Kim, our FHE coordinator,
said something to the JoVo's in Dutch and they all looked at us. Kim
asked if THEY could pray for Shelby as well. The most BEAUTIFUL, HUMBLE,
prayer we have ever heard was given in behalf of Shelby, Elder and
Sister deLeeuw, and our entire family. Talk about tears.......everyone
was crying. A moment we will cherish forever! Since then, the JoVo's
have written emails asking how Shelby is doing. These young people are
amazing, and you can tell how we love them.......as our own. On a
lighter side of the evening. I had made 3 batches of cookies to take.
They were gone in about 10 minutes. As we were leaving, Sister Westra
asked if she could make an appointment with me so she could learn how to
make 'American Cookies.' Am I getting famous or what:) We just got off
the phone with Kristine. Shelby is still a very sick young lady, but
each day things are looking better and there is 'that light' being seen
by us all. THANK YOU DAUGHTERS, for being there to comfort your sister
and be her support. Times like this it is very hard to be so far
away...but we know all will be OK.
Today
we traveled to Den Helder. This small Branch of the Church is an 1 1/2
hour drive from Amsterdam. We have wanted to visit this Branch for some
time now, so when we contacted the Branch president he was so excited.
He asked if dad would be one of the speakers. We took Elder and Sister
Lyons with us. They are one of the new Couples that have just been here
two weeks. They love seeing Holland, and the drive to Den Helder is
beautiful. I counted, and with the four of us, and the High Councilman
that was there, there were 30 in attendance. The Branch members were so
sweet, and came and shook our hands like old friends. Several of the
older members that do not speak English, just talked to us like we would
join in on the conversation. At times as this, you just smile and nod
your head. The man conducting made a comment about having four 'Lions'
in attendance, so to watch out. Elder and Sister LYONS, and Elder and
Sister deLeeuw.....de LION in Dutch. Everyone got a laugh from that.
After the meeting, a sweet Sister that is a Temple worker, I have met a
couple of times when attending the temple, told us to come into a room.
She and her husband had fixed a snack for us so we would not be hungry
traveling home. The husband is from Indonesia, and had made 'fried
bread', and they had applesap.....apple juice for us. We were invited to
come back soon, and next time Sister Lyons and I would speak. Elder
Lyons was asked to bear his Testimony. Have we mentioned that Missionary
Work is Amazing!!!!
Another busy week ahead. Tomorrow
at FHE we are having a Halloween party. We will have chili, donuts,
applesap, play some games and just have fun. Dad and I will go dressed
as Missionaries:) Tuesday we have a meeting with the Stake President and Bishop......????? Wednesday Institute, Saturday
the JoVo's will be at the Temple doing Baptism's, so we will be there
with them. AND in between, who knows what will happen. Each day is an
adventure.
We
love you. April is circled on the calender!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What fun
we will have. Christmas Decorations are up all over.......as the
Christmas Holidays start here in Holland next month. We will take some
pictures of them and the Ollie Bollen stands........Oh, and the JoVo's
have asked that we make them a Thanksgiving dinner. We have asked the
Den Haag Center to join us as well.....this will be on the 28th of November. Now all we have to is find Turkey's:) Grand kids, come on over......you can be the Turkey's:)
Have a GREAT week, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Opa and Oma deLeeuw
AKA: Elder and Zuster deleeuw
No comments:
Post a Comment