Merry Christmas

Prettige Kerstdagen en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

Can you believe that Christmas is here. What a joyous time of year.....no matter where it is celebrated, we all give thanks for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Last Sunday evening we attended a Christmas Concert in Haarlem. The Sister who narrated the program mentioned 'gifts' that could be given this time of year......and ALL throughout the year as well. The gift of LOVE, SERVICE,CHARITY,TIME, FRIENDSHIP,TRUST. We all have so much, that giving of ourselves may be the best gift of all. Give as the Savior gave. Asking nothing in return.

This week started out with FHE being held here in our apartment. No, the police were not called.....we warned the JoVo's of our one neighbor, so they were very obedient and kept the noise level down. We had soup, warm rolls, hot chocolate, goodies, and more goodies. Holland is NOT the place to live during the holidays if you are on a diet. Everything is made with butter, and just melts in your mouth. The best part of this, is not many pastries are chocolate, so I am in Heaven =) Good thing we have all the stairs. Anyway, after we played a fun game of gift exchange....one gift being fireworks, guess what happened next. Everyone outside to light sparklers. This was a 'kiddy firework' package, so no damage done. Everyone had a great time, and it was fun having the 'kids' here for an evening.

Tuesday was the Christmas Zone Conference, held at the Liden Church. Sister Robinson wanted this Zone Conference to be a special one for the Missionaries. The lunch we as Senior Couples prepared was: ham, baked potatoes, peas and carrots, jello salad (red and green), rolls and Texas Sheet Cake for dessert. The Mission Office had kept track of all the packages that had arrived for the Elders and Sisters, and if any of them did not have a package to take home, one was provided. Sister Pankratz and I went to an Action store and purchased, socks, journals, fancy soap, shaving supplies, markers, candy....to put in bags for those without. 10 Missionaries had not received anything yet, but went home happy anyway with a gift of their own. The Sister Missionaries, and Senior Sister Missionaries had made cookies for small gift bags that were at each place setting. Red table coverings....it was festive. It IS hard to be away from home during the Holidays, so it was nice being with the Elders, Sisters, and other Senior Couples for the day.

I made 3 kinds of cookies to take to several of the neighbors here where we live. They were really surprised when they opened the door to see us standing there wishing them a Prettig Kerstdagen. 'American cookies' are a big hit here. The ovens in these apartments are microwave size, so home made anything baked is a treat. The Mission put a big stove with an oven in our apartment, because the Sister that served here before us said she just COULD NOT do all the baking we do, in that small of an oven. Blessings on her! Remember the Kassa Juan, who works at the jumbo Winkel....the one who loves music, who we gave the Tabernacle Choir CD and Book of Mormon to. Well, we had a CD here of the 3 Tenors Christmas songs that dad did not enjoy....so we put that in a gift bag along with some homemade cookies, and took it to the store. Juan was just leaving to go home when he saw me. I told him I was trying to say 'Merry Christmas' in Dutch, which I CAN do now....he laughed and said: "where I come from we say 'Feliz Navidad'.....that is SO much easier. He was really taken back with the gift. He was smiling and almost shaking he was so happy. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and said:"You are my sister." It was cold walking over to the store, but the warm feeling of seeing him so happy brought tears. Missionary work does not just mean knocking on doors.

Update on the Elders from Lelystad. After being pulled off bikes, punched, bike being burned. 2 days ago when the two Elders went to get on their bikes they leave at the train station in Almere, they found that the tires had been slashed on the two bikes. On top of that......these Elders had two Baptism dates with FAMILIES.....and both families have asked the Elders not to come back. The sadness in their eyes. The Elders are trying to be so positive, but it is hard with these setbacks. Elder Shoemaker made the comment to us: "Joseph Smith said the work would be done, but it would be slow." This is why I am so glad we don't have to find and teach.....I could NOT take the disappointment. It is hard enough for us to see the Elders and Sisters disappointment. Keep praying for the Missionaries ALLLLLLLL over the world, that they will be led to those who are seeking.

We were asked to deliver a new washing machine to the Elders in Grogenin Thursday. That is a 2 hour drive from Amsterdam, so it was nice to get out as see something different. The apartments here in the Netherlands DO NOT have elevators, the stairs are narrow and wind up several stories. Well, this washing machine needed to be carried up two flights of stairs. The Elders carried the old one down the stairs with much grunting and groaning....then, the new one had to be carried UP those two flights of narrow, winding stairs =( Good thing the washing machines are small. We were the cheer leaders, as the machine went up one step at a time. Smashed fingers and toes, but it was finally put in place, and two Elders who have been doing their wash in the sink for two weeks were VERY happy. We took a picture of their Christmas tree. A little, maybe one foot tree, with one ornament on it, sitting on some boxes from home. Gotta love these Missionaries.

Friday evening we attended another Christmas Program presented by the Almere Ward. These small Wards and Branches put our LARGE wards to shame when it come to Christmas programs. This was A production....the place was packed. Remember, these church buildings have no Cultural Hall, just a small chapel, several class rooms, a Baptismal font, and small kitchen. We sang Carols, then the 'Orchestra' played. We laughed, because what they called the 'orchestra', consisted of, a flute, clarinet, harp and organ. They played several numbers, then a "Christmas Pageant" was performed. Because of the language barrier, we think the play was about a grocery store giving away free things at Christmas. The store manager was mean, especially to kids.....then the 'big boss' came and explained the 'true meaning of Christmas.'  We laughed when everyone else did, and clapped at the end. During the production, several of the Ward members were walking around serving fancy drinks, crackers, cakes, cookies.....amazing. Several of the JoVo's that attend the Almere Ward were in the production, so they were excited to see us there. As we have attended these Christmas Programs, a Traditional Dutch Christmas Carol is sung as the closing song. Everyone stands, and the song is beautiful. It is giving praise to God. The Dutch people really sing with ALL their heart and soul, which makes the song even that much better. Love the 'new' things we are experiencing!

We already have one RM JoVo, wanting to come to BYU and live close by Elder and Sister deLeeuw. Yes, we may have some 'Holland kids' spending some holidays with us. You would LOVE them. Visa's are the problem...so we will see. They like to talk as IF they are coming.=)

Well, you are getting this email again on Saturday, as we will attend church tomorrow, then hurry to attend yet another concert that another JoVo is playing in. Tessa plays the Clarinet in her school band, and they are putting on their Christmas concert in Koedijk, wherever that is. Our internet service has been very unreliable the past week, and we are only getting service for 3 to 4 hours per day....so while we had 4 lights on the router, you got the 'weekly' letter=) We will probably spend Christmas Eve just the two of us.....and maybe have the Sisters here on Christmas day, they will most likely be invited to members homes tomorrow at church. It will be different for sure. We would love to Skype the family sometime Christmas day....we would just pray the Internet is working. After the Holidays we will ask the Mission office if we can change carriers.

We Wish you all a Very Merry Chritmas....Prettige Kerstdagen....and a Happy New Year....en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!

Opa and Oma

Vader and moeder

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw