We
were looking at our Mission Call this morning and realized how quickly
time DOES fly by 'when you are having a good time':) We received the
call on November 15th 2011, and here we are, more than half way through
the call we received. Wow!
We
have had a fun week. It started with our Halloween party at FHE. I made
HOME MADE Chili:) No Nalley's on the shelves here...the JoVo's LOVED
it. I had also made some red jello, and put gummy worms in that. Jello
is a real treat here, and Sister Westra, the Sister from Alkmaar, that
helps us with the JoVo's there, was just drooling over the 'jelli'. I
won't say that we take jello for granted, but I guess we do. Of course
we had applesap, and Donuts. The Jovo's called it a 'traditional
American Halloween meal'. After we ate, Kim, our FHE coordinator, had
some fun Halloween games planned, that all enjoyed. Even if Holland kids
do not Trick and Treat, they have fun with the American holiday.
On Wednesday,
we fixed Bami noodles and fruit salad. We had two LARGE pans fixed and
could have had yet another one. We fed 26!!!! That is the largest group
we have had yet:) When we went into the Jovo room there was 'standing
room only'. We have a Casio that we use to sing our Hymns, and we had to
remove that to move in more chairs. We are SOOOO thrilled to see our
numbers increase. This is why we are here!
We
have mentioned the new Senior Couple, Elder and Sister Lyons, that live
in Bussum, which is in our Zone. When they received their Mission Call,
it was to serve in a Young Adult Center in the Belgium/Netherlands
Mission. When they arrived here in the Mission Field there were NO YSA
Centers that needed a Senior Couple. The Mission President was not sure
what their assignment should be, and our Stake President has been
working with them to find the 'right place' for them to serve. After a
few very frustrating weeks for Elder and Sister Lyons, they have been
asked to help us in the Amsterdam Center......we are thrilled to have
them working with us. We have been traveling to the different Wards and
Branches that have JoVo's coming to attend the Center, and now we can
share that load with them. We also go to Lelystad twice a month, which
is an hours drive for us, so with them living closer to Lelystad, we
will ask them to go there. We have been asked by the Amsterdam Ward
leadership, to help visit some inactive members, and see if they still
even live in the Ward. The Amsterdam Ward takes in such a large area,
with so many people, it is hard to keep tract of those who become
inactive, not knowing if they have moved, or have just become inactive.
We were visiting with the RS President this morning, and she mentioned
how frustrating it is to keep track of all 'her sisters'. You should see
the list of 'inactive's'. We have noticed already, that a couple of the
African men that were recently baptized. are not attending Church any
longer. The Ward has several teachers that are from America, that teach
the English speaking classes.........they finish with their jobs and
they are gone. Pray for the Leadership here. We have really gained a
greater appreciation for them, and the trials they have to deal with. In
one of the branches we visit, the Branch President has gone for over 3
months without any Counselors. It will be sweet having another Couple to
help love these YSA's. Dad and I said that it will be nice to have the
Lyons here, so when we come home, the Center is not left alone until
another Missionary Couple comes. The Center will have some stability.
We
have taken on another American Tradition....this one is going to be
HUGH! The JoVo's asked if we would cook a Thanksgiving Dinner for
them.....OK....then we were asked if the Den Haag Center could be
invited......OK.....then the Stake Presidency and their wives.......then
the Mission President and Sister Robinson........then the Institute
Instructors........It will be held Thursday November 22nd,
THANKSGIVING DAY:) We will have a dinner with ALL the trimmings, with a
program to follow. We as Senior Couples, will do the cooking, and have
asked the JoVo's to provide the program. We might feed 60 or more.
Turkeys here in the Netherlands, cost 7 euro per Kilo.......that is
$3.50 per lb:( We are trying to get some Turkeys from Germany, as they,
we are told, cheaper. This will be interesting to say the least. Fixing
for 24 in the deLeeuw family, piece of cake:) Next year, Chuck-A-Rama,
sounds GREAT!!!!!
Dad and I tried something on our own Friday.
We took a big deep breath, and took a 'leap of Faith' into Amsterdam.
The Tram that goes into Amsterdam is right across the canal from us. We
wanted to find the 'Blomenmarkt' in downtown. We asked Kim to help us
with the correct Tram stop once we got into downtown. Yea, we did it!!!!
We really hate the feeling of downtown Amsterdam......not a place we
like to stay in for long. We found what we went looking for, even had
lunch at a 'sidewalk cafe', got back on the Tram, and made it home. Not
bad for a couple of 'Utah'ites'. We are so blessed to be living where we
live .Outside of the big City. We know now, how to act somewhat
intelligent, if and when we get any visitors, that want to go into
Amsterdam;) Now, if I could only speak the language. Dad is speaking
more Dutch, and feeling a bit more comfortable. I answered the phone
this morning, saying "good morning" in Dutch, and the Elder calling, ask
if I was Zuster deLeeuw. Go me!!!!!!
Something
to make you smile. While we were coming home from Amsterdam on the
tram, our cell phone rang. It was the Assistance's to the President.
"Hey, what are you doing?" they asked...."WHY, what do you need?" No
call is ever a social call......."Well, we were wondering if we could
come over to your apartment in a few minutes and help you make cookies.
We are visiting a family, and we think they would like to have some
American Cookies." "When do you need these cookies." "In a couple of
hours would be great." Got to love these Elders. "We are on the Tram
coming home, so it will be awhile." "That's Ok, just let us know when
you get home and we will come over." Cookies WERE made, Elders and the
family happy........Missionary work........the thrill of it all.
This
week is 'out of control' busy. That is why our Missionary time is going
so quickly. Saying 'goodbye dinner' for the Van Komens, FHE, Institute,
Lelystad, Zone training, Amsterdam Ward Celebration, Stake High Priest
Social, and to end the week a Baptism, for a Young man who is JoVo age,
and is SO excited to be Baptized. Already talking about a Mission. We
heard today that on Tuesdays, a Dutch language class is being taught at
the Church, so, if we can fit that in as well, maybe Oma can learn a few
more words, and how to pronounce them.
It is COLD. Rains most everyday, gets dark by 5:00 pm,
but we are happy and love doing what we are doing. This morning we made
a list of all that needs to be done, and wonder if we will have the
time and especially the energy to do it all. Each day in our prayers we
DO ask for health and strength to do 'his work'. So far so good.
We
thank you for all the Halloween pictures, and when Opa saw all the
leaves Cameron and Alexis were raking, he is glad it is them, NOT him,
this year;) Some things are not missed. We KNOW prayers were heard in
behalf of Shelby. We give thanks each day for the blessing of her life.
This makes us want to work harder and be better Missionaries.
We
love you all more than you will ever know. Thank you for your support
so we can serve. Have a great week.....keep smiling,and say your
prayers.
Love, Moeder and Vader
Opa and Oma
Elder and Zuster deLeeuw
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