We
had two more days of summer at the beginning of the week. It was hot
and humid, and of course everyone was complaining. Thursday it started
to rain again, and it almost feels like fall. We went from 'flip flops
and short sleeve shirts,' to waterproof shoes and sweaters. (we really
didn't wear flip flops) but saw everyone else wearing them.Today it is
windy with a downpour of rain, and it is almost cold. Tuesday was Elder
and Sister Evenhuis Wedding Anniversary and they asked if we would take
them into Amsterdam for the day. Dad and I had mentioned that we did
want to go into the city one last time, so this was our chance to say
goodbye. We had not been to the Anne Frank House, so found that....so
glad we DID. We walked around 'Dam Square' and saw all the weird people.
Went on the boat tour. Ate lunch outside. We had a delightful day. As
much as we dislike going into Amsterdam, it was hard to know that would
be the last time. A friend from the Lelystad Branch, Gregory, spent the
day with us as well. Warm day, good friends. Good memories.
Last
Sunday night we looked out our window at 10:00, and marveled at how
high the sun was still in the horizon. It was still shining on the
highrise apartments to the North of us. Such a beautiful evening, and
still SO light, we decided to go for a walk around the canal. 10:10 our
phone rings. "Elder and Sister deLeeuw, where are you? It is so light,
we can't get ready for bed yet and want to come and 'hang out with you.'
It was the Elders. Twice this week they, all four of them, have come
knocking on our door at 9:00, and have just come into visit. They love
to tell us their experiences, and of course eat cookies they know we
have. It IS hard to think of bedtime when it feels like early evening.
We will miss having these visits, and some of their experiences are
hilarious. We think Cameron might have had an experience with an African
lady and breast feeding. To hear the Elders tell the story of their
experience, we were roaring with laughter.
Wednesday
night we fed 36 at the Ward Dinner. We had fixed another potato bar,
and everyone loved it. Bronno, the Ward Mission Leader said: "Sister
deLeeuw, you can't go home. You fix food that is so different and
Lekker." What we take for granted as being just a potato
bar.......chili, cheese, broccoli, sour cream, the Dutch folks find very
unique. I had also made Texas Sheet cakes, and they were gone in an
instant. This coming Monday for FHE, I have asked Sister Kleijweg to
prepare the meal, and Wednesday night for Institute, the YSA's have
something planned for us, and said they would provide the dinner.
Yesterday was Zone Conference, so the Senior Sisters fixed lunch for
that. We served Taco Salad and cookies to 80. I will have one more day
of baking cookies, and then the mix master, cookie sheets, recipe books,
leftover flour, etc will be given to another Senior Sister. The deep
freeze, bikes, and plants were taken today, as we had the Mission Van,
to two of the Couples. Not knowing when, and who will be living in this
apartment, we are taking things so they will be cared for and used. Dad
had a hard time giving the bikes away. We will have to make sure we go
on lots of bike rides when we get home =) Our apartment sure is empty.
Speaking
of Zone Conference. It was so nice to see so many of the Elders and
Sisters one more time before we leave. But of course we know we will see
them lots when they come home. So many new faces and name badges. All
those who will leave before the next Zone Conference, are asked to share
their Testimonies. There are so many leaving, that we were asked to
keep our Testimonies to one minute. Hard to say what is in your heart in
that short amount of time. Tomorrow is Gouda Sunday, so two more
'lasts' this week. Each day, when we see or do something now, we
treasure the moment.
Dad
has been reading the family History he brought with him, and as was
mentioned last week, he found the dorps,(villages) where his great
grandparents were born, and where they left to sail to America.
Thursday, we took the day and drove to these Dorps. Oh my......the
beauty of these places. We took lots of pictures, and I told dad I felt
like we were on sacred ground. Oosterzee is where his great grandparents
were living when they were converted to the church, and Lemmer is the
Dorp where they left to sail to Amsterdam, then to America. We visited a
small cemetery to see if we could find any deLeeuw's. We found some van
Dijks, but no deLeeuw's. Dad loves to tell people that his ancestors
came from Friesland, and how proud he is to have his Dutch heritage.
We
hope we can make it through this week without becoming dehydrated from
tears flowing. I got choked up giving the plants away. Guess we will
have to ride our bikes and purchase plants =) We love you all. We know
this next week will go by faster than any week of our lives. We are
going to cherish every last minute!
More hugs from Holland,
Opa and Oma
Vader and Moeder
Elder and Zuster deLeeuw
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