Winter?????

Yes it is COLD!!!!

We think we know how Noah felt as it rained, and rained, and rained. At least it hasn't rained for forty days. For the past two weeks it has not just sprinkled, but has been a heavy down pour. While we have been traveling, dad has made the comment several times, that he was glad we were traveling in the daylight, as it was so hard to see the lines on the road. It is not only wet, but very cold. Some of our YSA's told us that they had heard on the news, this was the coldest spring the Netherlands had experienced since 1921. Thursday it was only 7 degrees C.....44 degrees F. Saturday we saw the sun for maybe 3 hours and the temps shot up to 15 degrees C......59 degrees F.....but that only lasted a short time. The clouds rolled back in and the wind started to blow, and guess what......it started to rain again. People here are still wearing winter coats, and complaining because of that fact. Of course our winter long sleeve shirts and jackets are in boxes, in our basement in Orem. The daylight hours are very long now, so that does help. Light until 10:30 pm, and light again about 4:30 am. Guess we would be complaining if it was hot and humid.......so what DO we want??

Last Monday we held FHE here at our apartment because of the 'Dutch Holiday.' We had 8 in attendance, and several of them made the comment...."this feels like home." To these YSA's we are their family, and yes, our apartment is the closest thing to 'home' for them. We had pizza, made banana splits, and played a game. It was almost 10:00 before they left, as they just enjoyed sitting around  visiting. Dad and I counted up the different Countries that have been represented at the Amsterdam Center.......18!!!! Netherlands, America, Norway, Venezuela, Ukraine, England, Hungry, Turkey, Brazil, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Germany, Romania, Canada, South Africa, China and Suriname. We will have friends from all over the world! We are blessed in Amsterdam to have all these amazing young adults, as they come to attend school and work. Last week was the first time we met our two newest.....they are from Italy. Mark and Brian......love the Italian names. They are ages 19 and 21. They came to the Netherlands to find jobs, as they told us the economy is so bad in Italy. And, if you can believe this....to learn to speak English. Mark, the oldest brother speaks and understands English pretty well, but Brian, speaks only a few words of English, and understands even less. We hope they can find jobs, as they speak NO Dutch, and very little English. Cute young men, and we wish the best for them. When they attend church, a young man age 16, from Ghana, who lived in Italy for several years, and speaks Italian, translates for them. The Amsterdam Ward IS a 'melting pot' of cultures.

Tuesday we were able to go with President and Sister Robinson to the airport to meet Elder and Sister Evenhuis, the new senior couple serving in the Belgium/Netherlands Mission. Dad and I, since we are the "Senior couple" now, go to the airport, help meet and greet the new arrivals, take their luggage in the Mission van, then when all the interviews, legal papers signed, etc, we take them to their apartments and help answer a few questions. By 4:00 in the afternoon, they are so tired they can hardly stand up. Elder Evenhuis was so nervous to drive he about had a panic attack. I about had a panic attack myself, as I was told I may need to drive their car to Bussum, where they will be staying. Dad got the GPS working for them, and told them to stay close, and he would be fine. They were like glued to the bumper of our car. It IS hard.....you are up for almost 24 hours, in a strange Country, new car you have never driven, then asked to drive for an hour, to finally get to where you are going to live. All went well, and we did get them to Bussum before they passed out. Interesting story.....their plane was late landing because of the weather. President and Sister Robinson were late arriving as well, so dad and I had some time to sit in the airport and watch all the people. One load of passengers came through the doors, and the last several were the airplane attendances and pilots. We were sitting, watching, of course we have our Missionary Badges on.......we saw one of the Delta Pilots walk towards us. He had a BIG smile on his face, told us he had served a Mission in Colorado 20 years ago, and that he had brought that last group of Missionaries that arrived two weeks ago. He wished us luck, and walked away. YES!!!!! Those black tags that say Elder and Sister ARE noticed!!!!! His short visit really started the day off in a great way.

Well, we furnished another apartment this week. This one is in Scheidam, by Rotterdam. (Don't you just love all the 'dam' cities in the Netherlands :) This apartment was one that had flooring, stove, refrigerator, build in closets, curtains, even a washing machine. Four Elders have been living in a VERY small apartment in Rotterdam, and President has been anxious to get another apartment so these Elders could have breathing room. All that needed to be delivered was beds,vacuum, microwave, tables, and all the 'small' stuff we purchase. Usually we have to take in stoves, washing machines, refrigerators, AND beds, mattresses.....we have a four page list of items. While we were purchasing bedding at Hema, a department store, for three apartments, the kassa asked if we were opening a 'Bed and Breakfast.' We most times overlook the little 'tender mercies' that appear along our way. At the Hema store now, there is a 'scratch form', you know, you scratch off the silver covering and see what discount you will get. She took several of these cards, scratched off several of the numbers, and saved us almost 50 euro. She was so sweet,we told her she could come and stay at the 'Bed and Breakfast' for free. Of course we tell them what we buying the items for. Some seem interested, others just smile and say..."Have a Nice Day." Wish we had the time to tell them more about the church, but there is always someone next in line. We hope somehow we plant a small seed, and when the Missionaries  do knock on their door, they will remember the 'old couple' buying all the bedding. You never know. We have three more apartments 'in the wing,' we will furnish in the next two weeks.They need to be finished and furnished by June 10th. Almere Buiten, Lelystad and Gent, which is in Belgium. The Saints  in Gent are SO excited to have Missionaries there, they are doing all they can to help get that apartment ready. We were leaving that one for the last, but because of their excitement, we may do that one next week. After these four, for the June 10th transfers, we will probably only do two more before we come home. Elder and Sister Seiter, the couple serving in Den Haag, will then take on the daunting task of what we have been doing. 11 more need to be ready by July 23rd. That means at least two apartments a week. We are leaving at a very good time:)

Speaking of that. It is official. We will fly home on July 2nd. It is really something when you see the plane tickets with your name, time and departure date. I had a 'mini melt down'.....as now it is a realization that our Mission IS coming to an end. The Stake Presidency has called a couple from Alkmaar to serve in the Amsterdam Center. They will serve for two years, as a Mission calling, here in the Netherlands. President Scheltinga, a Counselor to President Robinson, will bring the new couple to Institute in a couple of weeks and introduce them to the YSA's. We will tell Kim, David and Tessa, our JoVo Council, what is happening, so the news will not hit them cold, when the new couple is introduced. This is going to be one of the hardest things we have ever had to do......say our goodbyes to these 'kids' we love as our own. I started to cry the other night, and told the JoVo's I had allergies. Bring on the waterproof mascara.

We are excited, as we are having a young man attend the Center, who travels from Haarlem. Story about him is: He is 21 years old, his dad is the Bishop of the Haarlem Ward, so Tim was raised in the church. Several years ago he and his brother decided they wanted nothing to do with the church. This of course about broke their parents hearts. When we came, we were told there were two JoVo's in Haarlem, but not to visit them, because they were NOT interested in attending. Well, the Sister Missionaries go to the Bishops home each week and have dinner. One of the Sisters that was serving there, really bonded with Tim, and told him she had had some struggles of her own, but look at what she was doing now. Tim has been attending church, was at Gouda last week, and came to Institute last Wednesday. Dad made a comment to him, that he thinks Tim will prepare himself to serve a Mission. Tim thought about dad's statement, and asked dad why he had said that. Dad said, he just felt inspired. Tim gave dad a big hug, and they too have bonded. We hope that inspiration WILL come true. It is amazing, as we see these young adults turn their lives back to the Lord. NEVER say NEVER!!!!!

Today we were able to attend another Baptism for another JoVo. Daniel came to Institute 6 weeks ago with a friend from school. Tim is the school friend, who is a return Missionary of two years. He served in the Frankfurt Germany Mission. Daniel was another one that had grown up with no religion in his life. He has been raised by his mother, and has never known his father. Each week, Daniel has attended FHE and Institute, and has had the Missionary lessons. Here again, it has been amazing to watch his Testimony grow. He has been so active in the Institute classes, asking questions, reading Scriptures. He has beautiful wavy hair, that was about shoulder length. Wednesday evening he walked into the church with a new haircut, all ready for his Baptism. Tim Baptized him, and what a joy for him. Four of the YSA's sang the hymn "Where Can I Turn for Peace." Another gave a talk on Baptism. There were (we think) about 15 JoVo's in attendance for this occasion. Some even came from Rotterdam. Kim, the one that gave the talk on Baptism, had Daniel stand up, look around, and see how many that were there to love and support him, on this special day. His mother, grandmother, and uncle were there as well. Missionary work does NOT end when you take off the 'Missionary name badge'!

Moeder IS having a small panic attack as this email is being typed. I just received a phone call from a member of the Stake Presidency, asking if I would give a 10 minute talk at the Saturday Evening Session of Stake Conference. He asked if I would need translation, or if I would give the talk in Dutch........hahahaha. Oh my.....this IS part of Missionary work. Dad attended a Stake Priesthood meeting last night and was told about the phone call coming today, but was asked not to say anything to me. Good thing, or I might have packed up and come home this week. More prayers please.

We will be thinking of Corey today as he gives his 'Farewell' talk in Sacrament meeting. Yes, "the field, his mission field, is already to harvest. Thrust in your sickle.' We love being Missionaries.....even when asked to speak......hope dad is asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting before we leave:)

We love you all......have a great week.

Vader and Moeder

Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw