No,
we don't have 2 feet of snow on the ground, and smog, but today we had
to scrape ice off the car windows before going to church. The cold here
is different because it is a damp cold. Last Friday we were on our way
home from Ijburg, and we were actually in a snow storm..only lasted for a
few minutes, so we were a bit disappointed. There is a fragile layer of
ice on the canals, but you would NOT want to ice skate. February still
has to come, so we still may get snow and frozen canals. The good news
is, that we have gained about an hours worth of daylight. It still stays
dark in the morning until after 8:00 am, but it is not dark in the evenings now until 5:30....yea! We need all the light we can get.
It brings us joy to hear that the family is getting together often, and doing sweet things for each other. Dank U Wel.
We
have told you how Amsterdam truly is a 'melting pot' of Nationalities.
Remember when we told you we have 16 different Nationalities attending
the Amsterdam Ward. Last Monday at FHE we had YSA's from Turkey,
Ukraine, Portugal, Venezuela and Iran. The young man from Turkey is the
first to be Baptize in his Country. He was Baptized last May, and can
hardly wait to receive his Endowments. Friday
he went to the Hague Temple and did Baptisms for the dead....today he
was just glowing because he finally was able to enter the Temple. he
would like to serve a Mission, but he is 28 years old, so he said he
will just have to 'serve a Mission' by being a good example. Incredible
young man. His name is Arif Taskiran. Last week at Sacrament meeting, I
think I forgot to mention, we had a couple visiting Amsterdam from
Australia. This week we had a man visiting from Alabama and one from
Idaho. They always seek out the Missionaries, cause they know we speak
English =)
This
week we got a new washing machine. The old one just quit spinning, and
one day I had to wring all the clothes out by hand. They were so wet,
and living where it is so damp, it took two days for the clothes to dry.
They were too wet to put in the dryer, cause the dryers here basically
steam the clothes dry. With 2 flights of stairs for the old machine to
be carried down, and 2 flights for the new machine to be carried up, of
course we called the Elders. Elder Shulte is a football player, and is
built like an iron man. Elder Van Rij not......and we had Glenn, the
young man we are reactivating, here as well......strong, but had never
moved a washing machine up narrow winding stairs. It was hilarious to
watch the 3 of them first decide how they would tackle the job, then
actually make it work. After MUCH grunting, groaning, smashed fingers,
and a bit of sweat.....out with the old, in with the new. Glenn said
that was the first time he had sweat in Holland. I was so excited to
have the new machine, went upstairs to read the instructions.....all
instructions were in French and Dutch. So, it took me another couple of
hours to 'Google Translate' all the instructions. Finally, kind of knew
where the soap and bleach were to go, and what buttons to push to make
it work....this was an ALL day project. Of course there were fresh
cookies for the Elders and they offered to do 'service' for the
deLeeuw's anytime.
This
week is Transfer week......man, these 6 weeks seem to fly by! Because
we got all new Missionaries last transfer, we probably will not have any
changes this transfer of the Amsterdam Elders and Sisters. President
Robinson made a change that we are so happy about. The week of Transfers
there will no longer be District Meeting. The Elders and Sisters the
week of transfers, are not into PMG or role playing. They take pictures,
say their goodbyes, and are eager to get home and pack their suitcases.
I have been furnishing the lunch Transfer week, so one more meal we no
longer have to prepare. I will just take a nice dessert a couple times a
month....We are trying to encourage the Missionaries to prepare their
OWN meals at these meetings. We as Senior Couples are NOT here to be
their moms and dads. President and Sister Robinson are really pushing to
have the Missionaries grow up and take care of themselves. GO
PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!! Speaking of Missionaries. Elder and Zuster Lyons,
that were serving with us here in Amsterdam, have been assigned to serve
with the JoVo's in Utrecht, which is in the Rotterdam Stake. We so
enjoyed having them here with us, but they are needed there, so goodbyes
were said last Wednesday at Institute. They were going to lelystad
every other Thursday for FHE, so now we will have to resume going there. They live close, so we can still see them once in awhile.
Friday
night we were able to go joint teaching with the Elders, to a darling
family with three children. The mother was Baptized about 5 years ago,
but the children, ages 8, 11 and 13 have not. The two youngest are boys.
The 8 year old asked Elder Van Rij 'when you go into the water can you
hold you nose? and how long do you stay in the water?' Elder Van Rij is
like a kid himself, and said "Oh, you are under the water about 10
minutes." You should have seen the look on the boys face. We all
laughed, and he was very relieved when he heard what really happens. The
children were so happy, and they really have listened when being taught
by the Elders. This lesson was a review, and they knew all the answers.
I had taken some cookies with M&M's, and they were eaten in the
first 10 minutes. The 11 year old.......they speak no English....looked
at us and told us 'Lekker'. We had a delightful evening. A Baptism date
has been set, but they still need to attend Church twice. They were not
there today, so hopefully all is well. It is so hard for these people to
get to the Chapel. They have to change buses, trains, trams, multiple
times. Cost and distance keeps many from attending.......another, 'We
take having our church buildings so close,' for granted.
Because
we have been asked to keep the mileage down on our cars, we as Senior
Couples are all a bit nervous to go anywhere. Elder and Sister
Woodhouse, serving in Rotterdam, were in Utrecht, which is about a 20
minute drive from us....so since they were so close we asked them to
come for a visit. We need other 'Seniors' once in awhile to visit with.
They came yesterday morning about 10:30,
we visited for awhile, then we got them on Tram # 9 and headed in to
Amsterdam. Wow, as much as (I) don't like that city, Dad and I were
impressed how well we got around. We got off the Tram at the Dam Square,
walked around there and saw all the weird people...and Dayna lee, we
found a MEGA Shopping center right off Dam square.......3 stories tall.
Don't know how we missed that when you were here.....something to look
forward to next visit =) After the Square, we got back on the tram, went
two stops, got off and walked around the Bloom Mart.....when it was
time to come home we walked to the Tram stop, got back on tram # 9 and
headed home. I guess it shows how long we have really been here, when
Sister Woodhouse told us we should be Tour Guides. Guess we know just
enough information about the City to make people 'think' we know
something. We had fun being with them and hated to see the day end. We
have been put in charge of the next Senior Outing....we are the ones
that have been here the longest now. Oh the pressure =)
We love the Study Course in Sunday
School this year. The Doctrine and Covenants is all about Missionary
work. Section 4 is one that the Missionaries recite by heart. Verse 3:
Therefore, O ye that embark in the Service of God, see that ye serve him
with all you heart, might, mind and strength." That is what we hope we
are doing. Section 76 Verse 22: " And now, after the many testimonies
which have been given of him, this is 'OUR' testimony, last of all,
which we give of him: That he lives." We are SO thankful to be in 'HIS'
service. Although we still have 6 months to serve, the JoVo's know we
are on the downhill slide of that hill. Last week we were asked if we
could extend our Mission until all of 'them' got married. That would
mean we would have to take up residency here, as the young people here
don't marry until late 20's and early 30's. We all got a laugh. Makes us
feel good that we are liked.....maybe for more than the cookies =) It
will be hard to say goodbye =(
We
love you. We miss you. We count our Blessings each day for ALL we have,
Especially for the knowledge of the Gospel that we have had ALL our
lives. We are thankful for your love and support. We wish you all a very
happy week. Love a quote we read the other day....."60 seconds of being
angry, is one less minute of being happy."
Love, Vader and Moder
Opa and Oma
Elder and Sister deleeuw
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