More Pictures!

                                                         Beautiful yards of Holland

                                      What I want our yard to look like when we return

 This lady was sitting in the church at Marken, A small village outside of Amsterdam.  I thought she was a mannequin the way she was dressed and sitting so still.  She was born and raised in this small town and has never left the town. When she blinked I was startled. The Sisters asked if we could take her picture...isn't she cute.

                                                 Horse drawn carriage in Antwerpen

                Elder Salden eating a smoked eel.....looks like he is eating a snake:( 

                                                      More beautiful Netherlands

          Mom, dad and Levi...she was thrilled, we gave her a picture of President Monson.

Missionary work FULL Steam ahead:)

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, I will try to get this off before the evening ends. Tomorrow is another very busy day, so thought if you were going to get "the Missionary email", it better be tonight. Sorry about last week, I had vertigo and the world was spinning.  Elder deLeeuw had to do FHE by himself, so the JoVo's got Pizza and he is their hero.

Will start with a good joke Elder Calkins emailed us the other day. Why are all the other churches so poor? Because they are a "non Prophet" organization!! Cute huh.

Well, the weather has finally warmed up and we are of course complaining of the heat and humidity. The past two days it has been cloudy, with a few sprinkles, so that only adds to the humidity. Here in the Netherlands in the last month, we had 300% of normal rainfall, so you can see how much wet weather we had. Even the ducks in the canal were complaining. One other thing we are noticing is the daylight hours. It was not getting dark until 11:30 pm, but in that last week it is dark now by 10:15 pm, and not light until about 5:30 am. Because we are so far North we have been told that the daylight hours drop fast when they start.  Won't be long until we will be complaining about how early it gets dark......are we never happy:)

We lose two of our Senior Couples in the next two weeks. It is so sad to see them go, but they are ready to see family and friends again.  A new couple will come the middle of August and another one in October. There are two JoVo Centrums that need Senior couples so the quicker they come the better. This week is transfer week for the Missionaries.  A Sister and an Elder will go home this week, and in the next few transfers we lose 6 Sister Missionaries...but 4 new ones are coming.  The joy of being in the Mission Field. 

This next week will be an adventure for us.  We are going to JoVo camp. The camp is about a two hour drive from Amsterdam, and as we understand, it is in a Forest setting, with dorm like accommodations.  We have heard there are about 180 YSA's that have signed up to attend.  They have workshops, special speakers, dances, games,and the last day is a Testimony Meeting.  YSA's come from all over Europe and even Canada and the USA. The Senior Couples that went last year tell us it is really fun.  We help serve the meals, transport the kids to their different activities, seek out the 'loners', chaperon the dances, and of course bake cookies. Yesterday I baked 4 large batches of cookies to take...they need enough to have 300 plus. Next weeks email will be all about the week.  Pray for us that we survive:) We have also been told that the JoVo's don't sleep much during the week.  They say they are adults and can do what they want! This will be an adventure for sure:)

Well, now on to all the Missionary work we have been involved in. Last week we had Levi and the Elders here for dinner.  Levi's one daughter is very interested in the church, so we were hoping she could come to dinner, but she had to work.  Levi just glows she is so happy to have found the gospel. Her youngest daughter has had some struggles with life and choices she has made....but she has moved back in with Levi and has made a change.  Levi said: "the devil wants to  take my daughter, but I pray to God, and God will win." We so hope that Levi can come to Utah some day so you can meet her. She is an amazing woman. Last Thursday we were invited to Haarlem to have dinner with Fabiena.  She is the young woman from the Ukraine the Sisters are teaching. She is not happy with her life, so we are encouraging her to read the Book of Mormon, Pray, and feel the love of the Savior. We have also been joint teaching a man from Ghana, Simon, who will be baptized next Saturday.  He is a Bible reader and quotes from that all the time.  Today we went with the Sisters to teach him and he was struggling because he has already been Baptized twice.  Once with sprinkling, and another by immersion into the Baptist church. He told us that he loves God, keeps the Commandments, and does not know why he needs to be Baptized by immersion again.  We asked him if he knew what the Apostasy was and what he knew about Priesthood Authority. Dad had taken his Priesthood Line of Authority to show Simon. By the time we left we had answered his questions, encouraged him to do more reading from the Book of Mormon, and pray. He knows he is being taught by the Sisters because he made a comment the other day:" I am here being taught not by accident, but by the will of God". The Sisters were glad dad and I were there to go a little deeper into the answers. We have also been with the Assistants to visit Daniel and Zsanett.  They are the couple from Hungry that need to get married so they can be Baptized. The legal system here is so complex and the cost to get legal papers is expensive so the Elders don't know when all of this will happen. Here in Holland when  a coupe wants to marry, they have to go the the city they live in and get a "temporary" license.  Then after a week they can get married. Temple Marriages are NOT recognized as legal marriages, so couples get married first at the city building, then they can go to the Temple and be sealed. The cost is about 700 Euro for a Marriage License, so that is why couples live together rather than marry. We hope legal papers will soon arrive because this couple is so ready to be Baptized.....Missionary work is what it is all about!!!!!!!!! Dad and I were talking today about the people we have been privileged to teach.....Jenny from England. Levi from Suriname. Riaz, parents are from Suriname but he is Dutch, Simon from Ghana, Fabiena from Ukraine, Daniel and Zsanett from Hungry, and last, another Baptism today for your dad...Doop is the word for Baptism in Dutch, so the Elders and Sisters are calling dad the "Dooper". Madina, a beautiful young lady from Somalia, was at the Baptism when Riaz was baptized by dad.  She was so impressed by dad, that when the Sisters that have been teaching her, asked who she would like to do the Baptism, she said Elder deLeeuw.  We had never been to her home for a joint teach, so Friday we went to Haarlem and had a wonderful lesson with her. She asked dad if he would bless her home so she could feel the Spirit of the Lord and feel peace. What an experience.  Today as she came up out of the water she hugged dad and said: "I am new!" Dad told her to just stand there for a minute and experience the feelings she was having. Tears were running down her face, and she was just beaming. WOW, this is what the Gospel is all about for sure.  Hard to express in words.Madina Ali Geedi is her name.  I will send pictures. So, here in Holland we are being able to teach many of "Gods Children" from all parts of the world. We are so blessed to meet these wonderful people and have them be part of our lives. WE LOVE BEING MISSIONARIES!

Well, it's taken me forever to type this.  Have had a couple of phone calls, and the Elders stopped in for their "cookie fix." We love you all.  Just a parting note....we love to hear news from home.  We as Senior Couples CAN read emails ANYTIME, and emails are our link to home. PLEASE send us a note and tell us what is happening in the Ward and neighborhood! Cheryl, we are proud of you for taking 4 minutes off your running time..you go girl. Lauren, get some sleep, and we hope you loved Wicked. It is playing in Den Haag right now as well.Travin, drive with both hands on the wheel. Elisha, enjoy each minute with your family. Aubree, keep dancing. Emily, stay 'bone break free'....Shelby, compose a Baptism song....Ethan, have fun at camp....Syd, keep cooking so when we come home you can cook for Oma! Dylan, sack the quarterback:) Laren and Sarah, quit getting older:) Corey, get straight A's...Brittany, just stay beautiful....Cameron and Alexis thank you for taking care our home and Polly. Oh, and Cameron, grandpa has used his Priesthood Line of Authority twice already.

We love you all. We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are thankful to be serving him as Missionaries.

Elder and Sister deLeeuw

Opa and Oma

Pictures

Madina and dad

Sister Stout and Henchcliff...the Sisters who taught her the Gospel

Senior Sisters at Texel Island

Large fishing boats...we were told they being in 300 ton of fish each week

Funny looking sheep here in the Netherlands

Oma found a cat to pet:)

Beautiful front yard in Texel

Sister Moses and Sister Palenikova eating raw Herring....UGH! Not me

Love Windmills....can't take enough pictures

 

 

 

Greeting from your Father

  This is your letter for today, Mother has had Vertigo for the past two days and is unable to function at present. This will make you appreciate Her letters even more after reading this short note.  All the Senior Couples went to Texal on  a ferry boat ride for a short distance and Her day changed at that point, and this was Friday Morning.  WE are doing everything we know possible and finally She is showing a little improvement .  She is downstairs and has eaten  some crackers etc.  We hope that in the morning all will be well, tomorrow is FHE and she asked me what I was going to prepare for them.  That is a good question , one I hope does not happen.

     Today at Church everyone was asking about Zuster deLeeuw because several  were waiting to see Her.  She is loved and appreciated by everyone, and when she walks in the room the whole spirit changes.   She is spreading LOVE ever where she goes and many individuals depend on  Your Mother for love and comfort, and off course encouragement.  Yes, I love your Mother and am very proud of Her and the family she  has raised.  I had better be quitting before I get carried away about my feelings for Her and the Family.

     Thanks for your love and support,  it  is very much appreciated.   Mother will be at the computer soon  to provide more detail about the Week,  I think she has adjusted to the hair cutttttttt.   Many have said how Young she looks,  You would be VERY PROUD OF HER AS ALWAYS.

      Have fun in Wayne County for us all and remember to be careful.  Would some one take some cookies to Uncle Earl to spoil him and  THANK HIM FOR TAKING CARE OF THE PLACE, AND DON'T FORGET MADELYN FOR WATERING THE FLOWERS  AND LAWN.  YOU WILL MAKE THEIR DAY.    

THANKS ,, ALL MY LOVE   OPA , DAD, AND ELDER   deLeeuw

Hair cut

Are you ready for this.  The JoVo's, Elders and Sisters, when they have seen me for the first time, all say: "Sister deLeeuw, you got a haircut." Duh.....and then the JoVo's tell me NOT to go to a Salon here in the Netherlands. I have had several offers for the next haircut, which I will not need until we return home in a year, to be done by the JoVo's. It has given us all something to laugh about.   See, dad's hair IS longer than mine:)

                               President and Sister Robinson at District Meeting today

                                          Elders and Sister in the Den Haag District...

Lasagna, Salad, French Bread, and Donuts.  Since I am not cooking for Institute I cooked for District Meeting today

The new kitchen in the Amsterdam Kerk.  A couple of the Zusters have thanked dad and I.  They say  'they' got the new kitchen because of the JoVo's..

Look how beautiful our back yard is.  Those flowers were some of grandpa Roper's favorite.

It is still raining and cold.  I have been wearing my winter long sleeve shirts again.

Enjoy the laugh....now you can see that I WAS scalped.

Love you

Moeder

 

New blog spot

Hey,

Still cloudy, windy and rainy. The Elders are wearing their coats and sweaters, and the Sisters have their long wool sock on again.  Only in Holland:) It did get up to 18 degrees C today. 64 degrees F. Heat wave.

Our new 'Mission Mom" has a new blog.......belgiumnetherlandsmission.blogspot.com

They were in Amsterdam for District Meeting Tuesday, so  our pictures are on the blog.  All of these darling Elders and Sisters are the ones we serve with.

What did you all decide yesterday about coming to Amsterdam next spring? That would be the 'frosting on the cake' to have you all here.

We are having Levi and the Elders here for dinner tonight.  Her daughter was suppose to come as well, but she had to work....darn, The Elders are teaching her the Missionary Lessons, and so wanted her here as well.  It will be fun to have Levi.

Love you all....look at the Blog.

Love, Moeder

Building an Ark

Dear Family and Friends,

Our weather here is as extreme as your weather is in Utah.  It has rained every day this week, and at times it has poured! Thursday Morning we were awakened at about 4:30 am with a thunder and lighting storm which we have not experienced before.  The thunder was so loud that it set off a car alarm on one of the cars parked in front of our apartment. Our plants are dying not from the heat, but of toooo much water. We are back wearing sweaters and jackets.  The Temperature the other night was 16 degrees Celsius, or 60 degrees Fahrenheit. That is VERY cool for the middle of July.  Sure wish we could send some of this rain your way. We are not complaining, well maybe just a little, but we will take this over hot and humid any day:)

Last Monday for FHE.....it had rained all day and cleared just as we got to the church.....we set up the ward BBQ grill and fixed 'American Hamburgers' for the JoVo's.  The kitchen in the Amsterdam church building is being renovated so I cannot cook or warm anything there for a few weeks. So, we cooked outside, and the JoVo's LOVED what we had. Bacon cheese burgers with, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, potato chips, and of course cucumbers and carrots. For dessert we had purchased chocolate donuts. Wow, we were a hit.  We had invited the joVo's from Den Haag, that is where the Moore's left, and we had 3 from that Centrum. In total we had 23 JoVo's. They ate, and ate and ate.  Some of the Young men would have eaten 3 and 4 of the hamburgers if we would have had the makings. Wednesday night for Institute, we took salads and sandwich makings.  I had made a jello salad, and again, that is something the joVo's don't have here in the Netherlands.  I had to ration the servings, and they made us promise we would make more this coming week. If we only took jello and cookies the JoVo's would be happy. We will only have FHE now until the middle of August, because so many of the joVo's will be gone on Holiday, at EFY in Sweden, and of course JoVo camp held here in the Netherlands the last week of July.  Dad and I will be at that camp all week. Gives me a break from so much cooking....but now the District leaders want us to furnish the meal on Tuesday for District Meeting.  CES DOES mean "cooking every second. So much for the rest:) You should see me shop now....and I even know where the sale items are. Dad is a riot, he just follows me around the store pushing the cart, puts the items on the counter to be scanned, then hurries to the end of the counter to start bagging the groceries.  People here have NO patience, so we have to move quick before the next person  starts their groceries coming down the line. If we have not bagged all our groceries, the man or woman behind us just push our things out of the way, and start with their own grocery bagging. We have learned to just smile,and MOVE OUT OF THEIR WAY.

I had an experience on Thursday that I am still trying to deal with. I have not had a haircut since we arrived here in Amsterdam.  Dad and Sister Pankratz has kept the back trimmed for me, and I have been doing my best to keep the front trimmed. Well, it was time for a "real' haircut.  I have been a bit afraid to go and make an appointment, not knowing if I would get the cut that I wanted.  Dad told me to 'slay the dragon' and go get the haircut.....so I did make the appointment. When I sat down in the chair the girl ask me how I wanted the cut.  I showed her that I wanted about 1/4 inch cut off, trimmed over my ears, and short in the back. How simple is that. She took her scissors, and the first cut I just about had a heart attack! Instead of cutting 1/4 inch off, she was leaving me 1/4 inch on my head. I tried not to cry while in the Salon, but my heart was beating so fast I really did think I would die. When the lady was through 'scalping' me, she asked if it was short enough......I paid, drove home, and walked in the Apartment, and fell apart. My hair is shorter than dads.  It took me awhile to gain my composure, and then I decided there is nothing I can do but wait for my hair to grow back....and looking on the bright side, I won't need another hair cut until we get home.  I am cutting dads hair now, and he looks great! He won't need a barber again.

Tuesday we had an Interview with President Robinson. He is such a wonderful man, and Sister Robinson is darling. They are still in "Mission Shock", having Zone Conferences and Interviews with all the Missionaries, in the first 2 weeks of their arrival. Sister Robinson, being a school teacher, talks with us like one of her students. She knows my frustration about learning the Dutch language, so on Tuesday took me aside, and told me if she can teach first graders how to read, she can help me learn to speak Dutch. Since then, dad and I have been taking an hour each day to study Dutch.  Dad can speak VERY well, and I am encouraging him to speak more. He is now praying in Dutch at each meal and night time prayers. You would be proud of me...I can say  the words to a simple prayer, and when I get the courage I will surprise dad and say a prayer in Dutch. I can also bear a simple testimony. Today we received a Liahona, and dad is reading the Conference Articles in Dutch. We may not be fluent in this language, but we are trying. Dad suggested that we read the Dutch Book Of Mormon, so I can learn the ''Gospel" words. He is a GREAT teacher!

Speaking of the language.  Last Wednesday at Institute I said some of the Dutch phrases I do know, to some of the JoVo's. They really appreciate that we are trying.  I asked them to keep me in their prayers, that I may have the 'gift of tongues".  Thursday we went to the Temple, and in the session was one of our JoVo's.  While I was waiting for dad to come into the Celestial Room, Ezra, our JoVo, came up to me and said: "Sister deLeeuw, I took seriously what you said the other night, and I am praying for you that you can speak Dutch." Wow, how was that! Now we really have to study.....

You are getting this email today, because tomorrow is our Gouda LONG day. The Den Haag Stake is in charge of this again in September, and since the Moore's are gone, it will be interesting to see who will be helping us with the Meeting and meal. We just take one day at a time, and know that everything will work out as we do the Lords work.

We have been studying the Doctrine and Covenants. So many of the chapters talk about Missionary work, and Section 4 is what is recited at each District Meeting weekly. As we have been reading, we feel so blessed, as the early Missionaries were sent out 'into the world' without knowing how long they would be asked to serve, not having funds to pay for their Mission, being asked not even to take extra clothes. Here we are complaining about impatience people at the grocery store.  How blessed we are to be serving with the people of the Netherlands, having the love and support of family and friends, and feeling the love of our Savior when we have a frustrating day. WE KNOW WE ARE TO BE HERE SERVING AT THIS TIME. We do so love these Young Adults we have been asked to be stewards over for a short time.

Next week we will have Levi and her daughter, who is taking the Missionary lesson, over for dinner Wednesday evening. Levi is so excited to have someone else in her family being taught the Gospel. We will also be having a 'farewell' outing as two of the Senior Couples will be leaving to go home. I will sign off with a couple of Dutch phrases you can practice on how to say: Ik Ben blij...ij is an'I' sound: that says: I am happy. Ik ben Moe....I am tired.  Ik Ben Verdrietig...I am sad. Ik hou van jou...I love you. A 'v' makes an f sound, e makes an 'a' sound, double o makes an 'uw' sound.....this is a hard language to learn.  Try it:)

We send our love. Thank you for your emails, that we so look forward to receiving each week, and the pictures. We love being Missionaries and serving the Lord.

Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Sister deLeeuw

JoVo Pictures

                                                          JoVo's in 'our room'

                                                          The line at the BBQ

 

                                                  Eating American Hamburgers

                                                                       Cute kids

                                                                              Smile

                                                    More of the picnic at Alkmaar

                                                 Oma feeding the sheep at Roos farm

More Pictures

                                    Having FHE on the Beach with the JoVo's in Alkmaar

                                   Having FHE on the Beach with the JoVo's in Alkmaar

                                    Look at the size of this drawbridge....4 lanes of traffic.

Boats along the canal by our Apt. The other day we waited for 7 to cross under the drawbridge.

                                      Oma at Madurodam....don't you love the shoes:)

                                                          Windmills at Kinderdijk

                                                               Opa at Kinderdijk

Pictures

Opa and Raiz
Opa and the man at the Ice Cream shop in Rotterdam
The cute girl at the ice Cream shop Sister Anderson and I told about the JoVo's
Opa and Oma in Rotterdam
The last picture taken of all the Senior Couples with President and Sister Brubaker.  This was taken at the memorial Service for Sister Moore.  The Brubakers and Elder Moore left the next morning.
Dad and Elder Moore at Madurodam
Jenny, Emily and Altris at the Hauge Temple. They are all converts to the church.
Dad and I at Kims graduation
The cute Elders that live close by


This is all I can send now.  We are going to the Temple tonight....it is 5:45 pm here:) I will send more tomorrow of our Beach outing ihn Alkmaar

Hoi

Dear Family and Friends,

We have had a couple of warm days this week where it has been hot and humid, but today it has been POURING rain, and the temperature is 17 degrees Celsius, or 62 degrees Fahrenheit. One day we sweat, the next day we put our sweaters back on.  We are praying that tomorrow will be nice because we are planning an outdoor BBQ for FHE.  The kitchen in the church is being completely renovated so we have no place to go but outdoors for the meal. The JoVo's are excited because we are having "American" hamburgers with bacon and cheese. We have invited the JoVo's from Den Haag so we hope to have a large group. These are the joVo's that lost Elder and Sister Moore. The Centrum in Den Haag will be closed for the summer until a new couple from the Stake or a Missionary Couple can take over. We have two Centrums that will be without Missionary Couples. One couple will come in August, and another couple not coming until October, so it will be interesting to see where they will be sent to serve. In the meantime we have invited the JoVo's to attend the Amsterdam Centrum.  As we say, "the more the merrier!"

Monday evening for FHE we drove 3 JoVo's from Amsterdam to Alkmaar.  The JoVo's from there have to travel the most distance to get to Amsterdam, so we decided to go to them for an evening. We drove through some of the most beautiful countryside we have seen.  As we have expressed before, it is hard to describe the beauty of the Netherlands. Farmland, sheep, Mares with foals, canals. Elder deLeeuw made a comment:"I almost get tired of all the green." Anyway, we ate a picnic at one of the members home then drove for about 20 minutes and had our FHE lesson and activity on the beach. Wow, a perfect temperature, no wind, great company. We REALLY had a fun evening.  The JoVo's were so appreciative that we made the effort to go to them. The Alkmaar Branch has the most active group we have attending the Centrum. We told them we would come again......for selfish reasons!!!

Wednesday, the 4th of July, the Amsterdam Ward had a BBQ. The members know how America celebrates the 4th, so they told us they were having the BBQ in our behalf:) There were LOTS of ward members in attendance, and a member of the Bishopric told us he wishes they had more BBQ's because many of the inactive members attend.  The Ward furnished "Dutch" hamburgers, we know why the JoVo's like "American" burgers, some kind of sausage, chicken legs, and fish.  The members brought salads, bread and dessert. People here eat meat salads....mashed meat with mayo then topped with boiled eggs. I had made a jello salad, nothing more American then jello. Everyone knew who had brought that. I wanted to make it red, but used orange instead, since THAT IS the color of Holland. It was an enjoyable occasion. At Institute we had 21 in attendance. This is the most we have  ever had....we were thrilled. There is no air conditioning in the church buildings here, so with that many in our small room we about roasted. We will only have one more Institute class then will stop until the 22nd of August. So many of the JoVo's travel for Holiday that we have been told there is only 1 or 2 that come during this time.  We will keep having FHE, even IF 1 comes.....we need to keep busy doing something. We think we will have JoVo's from Den Haag come all summer, so that is important to have our Centrum up and going.

Thursday we met President and Sister Robinson. President Robinson spoke in Dutch which really makes the Missionaries happy.  He served a Mission In the Netherlands in the late 60's, and told us that when they were called to serve in the Netherlands his gift of the language came back almost immediately. Sister Robinson is an educator, and she spoke to us just like she would teach a class of students. She is darling! She said to give her 6 months and she would speak Dutch as well. We hated to say goodbye to President and Sister Brubaker, but we know that the new President has been called at this time, here, for a reason.  Dad and President Robinson really hit it off well because they are from Fillmore. Sister Robinson showed a picture of President on his horse with a big cowboy hat on.  Sister Robinson was born and raised in Salina......they even knew a couple of the same people from that area.  Just good Southern Utah folks:) We met last week for Zone Conference, and this week will meet again for Interviews. Don't know if we Senior Couples will be interviewed, but we go to fix the lunch. After all, that is the MOST important hour of the day. 

Thursday evening after returning from Leiden, we turned around and went to Haarlem to attend a graduation for one of our JoVo's. NOT like an American graduation. It was held in a small cafeteria, no air conditioning, so the doors were open and people sat outside smoking.....we were  almost green by the time the service was over. A few opening remarks, then an instructor stood up....remember this is all in Dutch....called a students name, none of the students were sitting together so they walked from the back or side of the room...a short poem was read about them, then they sat at a table where they had to confirm their birth date, place of birth, and sign 5 diploma's. 6 student were called up at a time then after they signed the diploma's another 6 were called up. This went on for 2 hours, then it was over. The school system is so different here. The kids enter what we call 'high school' at the age of 12.  They take a 'National' test when they are 11, and the test score determines what level of 'high school' you will attend. No sports or extra's are offered, and the students have to take 4 language classes. English is a required class. They graduate at the age of 17 or 18, then take another test to determine what level of University they can attend. The Dutch people really take Education serious....of course, the Government pays for most of this Education. This is why young men can go on a Mission at the age 18, so their education will not be disrupted when they start University,( Dad said it was more like a 'preschool graduation'.)

Friday we traveled to Rotterdam....yes, we were on the run all week. When the Missionaries leave to go home, they receive a Delft plate with their name, date of their Mission, and all the places they served. The Anderson's, who live in Rotterdam, have been taking care of these plates. They leave to come home the first of August, so asked us to start with this task. It is quite a ways to Rotterdam from Amsterdam, so we don't know if we can do this because of the distance, but we are almost the 'Senior Couple' now. We went to the work shop where these plates are made...and a thousand other Delft things as well.  Talk about a shoppers dream.  I wanted one of everything there.  Cups, bowls, vases, Christmas Ornaments, clocks, Nativity items, wall tiles....you name it they had it. Most are hand painted. Dad and Elder Anderson could not get us out of there fast enough,  It is a good thing it is far from us or I could do some serious damage:) We met the manager of the shop and learned the ordering process.....we will see what President and Sister Robinson want to do for the Missionaries. After the 'Delft' experience, we drove downtown Rotterdam and visited the church where the Pilgrims left from...wow, almost sacred ground.  While we were there we saw an ice cream shop that was calling our name. The owner was a friendly man and asked about our Missionary badges........golden moment!!!! Elder Anderson had a Dutch Book of Mormon in his car, so that was given to the man, and then dad and Elder Anderson told him about the contents  of this Book, and the Prophets foretelling of the Pilgrims coming to the 'promised land, America", and Christ appearing on the earth after his Resurrection. The man was very interested and said he would read the book. Meanwhile, there was a darling young girl, 23 years old, working in the shop, that Sister Anderson and I told  about the JoVo's of the church and the Centrums. Who said we don't look for opportunities to teach.  The Anderson's said they will go back again before they leave to come home, to see if the Elders can make an appointment to meet with this man.  Maybe FREE ice cream for the Elders.

Saturday Opa Baptized Raiz.  He is the 'street preacher', that called dad "father deLeeuw'. Dad said the Baptism prayer in Dutch, which he does very well, and after the baptizing, Raiz gave dad the biggest hug. It was another amazing moment. To see how far someone can come to join the church.  Raiz had to stop smoking, remember he smoked Marijuana for many years, and his friends all left him because of his being baptized.  His very best friend, that he shares an apartment with, even told him he didn't want to be friends any more.  Today we attend the Haarlem Ward where he was confirmed. After the Confirmation he shook the hands of the men in the circle, and told them "he felt the spirit". I told him he had a 'Gospel Glow'. Would we give up our families, in many cases, and friends, to join a church? Something to think about. The Gospel is such a sweet thing, and it is so amazing to see how it changes lives.  We LOVE being part of this work:)

Well, it is time to say goodbye for another week.  Melissa, you are in our prayers...along with Kevin and the children. Thank you daughters for taking care of your sister. Have a safe trip to Lake Powell Dayna Lee and company......keep those emails coming our way...we SO love to hear news from home.  Emily, give Wayne a big love from Opa. We are glad you have him to comfort you at this time.  Pets know when we are sad:(  We love you all.  Keep praying for the Missionaries.

Love, Opa and Oma

Elder and Sister deLeeuw

Week of tender mercies

Dear Family and Friends,

This might be a rather long email, so you are under no obligation to sit and read the whole thing.  I write these for our Mission Journal, and this week has been a week to write about!

A few 'fun facts'. We had a hittegolf....(heat wave) yesterday.  The temperature got up to 25 degrees Celsius, which is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Today it is back to 17 degrees, or as you would say 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Wish we could send some of our cool temps to Utah.  We are so sad as we see the pictures and hear the news of all the destruction the fires are and have been causing. We are sure that prayers and fasting today were for the rains to come. It is still light here in the Netherlands at 11:30 pm. This past week Elder and Sister deLeeuw have NOT been living Mission rules, as we have not been home until after 10:30 pm, and have not been in bed before 11:30 pm.....so we know there is still light in the sky at that time:)

We will miss being home for the 'annual 4th of July' Birthday Party and fireworks. Bar be Que a big steak for dad and light a 'ground bloom flower' for Oma. The Amsterdam Ward is having a summer Bar be Que on Wednesday, not because of the 4th of July Celebration like we have, just a ward function.  I signed up to take a salad.....what's more American than Jello!

Today, and each month on Fast Sunday, the Wards here in the Netherlands have a 'break the fast' treat after Sacrament Meeting.  We laugh and hope everyone has fasted as long as they want or need, cause the treats come out soon as the Amen of the closing prayer is said.  In the Amsterdam Ward it is usually bread, sweets and drinks.  Today we were visiting the Ward in Haarlem, and they had soup and bread.  The soup they fix here is a broth of either tomato or kip, chicken, with a few noodles and vegetables.  The Saints here LOVE to be together, so use any excuse to stay and  visit after the 3 hour block. Today we took the Sister Missionaries to a dinner appointment at a members home, and it took us an hour round trip to drive there and back.....and they are in the Ward Boundaries!!!!!!!!! This family is one of the lucky ones, and have a car.  If not, they would have to take several modes of transportation to get to the chapel......train, bus and tram.....or ride a bike.  These people are amazing. And we are late for church and complain because the air conditioner does not cool the car in the block we have to DRIVE.  We are learning lots from these good Saints.

Now for the week of "Tender Mercies". Last week when we wrote, we told you that Sister Moore's body might not be released out of this Country for 4 to 6 weeks, and Elder Moore wanted to stay in the Netherlands until Sister Moore was going home. We have been praying that things would go smoothly and move along quickly.  This week, we as Senior Couples had each taken a day to be with Elder Moore, so he would not be alone.  On Monday, Elder Moore received word that Sister Moore's body would be flown home Saturday....Yesterday. He was SO relieved. He had to pack up all his and Sister Moore's belongings, get Death Certificates, sign a lot of papers, make arrangements for the Funeral Service in Utah.....all here in the Netherlands, not knowing the language...he was really STRESSED! On Tuesday we spent the day with him at Madurodam.  This is a Miniature Holland.....all the Windmills, Queen's Palace, airport, Amsterdam Centrum, train stations.  It is really quite something. Elder Moore lives close by this attraction, but had never been there.  The day was our 'hittegolf', so it was a nice sunny day, and we just walked around slowly, visited, had lunch, just a relaxing day for Elder Moore.  As we were eating, Elder Moore asked if I would give a tribute from the Senior Couples at the Memorial Service that was being held for Sister Moore in the Den Haag Ward where they were serving.  Oh my.  Who would have thought that I would be speaking at a funeral on this Mission! I asked each of the Couples to write a memory of Sister Moore that could be read.  As I wrote the Tribute and tried to read it to dad I was just so emotional I could not even talk.  Prayers were said to ask that I would have composure.  The Service was so beautiful, and so many of the JoVo's from all of the Centrums were in attendance. LOTS of tears were shed.  The Moore's just arrive April 2nd of this year, but they had really made an impact on these YSA's. I was able to give the tribute with just a couple a tears, and I was not nervous.  I HATE to speak in public, but it was an honor to be able to pay tribute to a friend we had only known such a short time. Elder Moore was able to fly out Friday.  He would be able to meet Sister Moore when she arrived 'home' in Utah. We had been at the Memorial service Thursday evening, got home at 11:00 pm, and had to be at the Mission Office Friday Morning at 7:00 am to take Elder Moore to the airport. He was exhausted both physically and mentally.  He gave a beautiful talk at the service thanking everyone, and saying goodbye. While we were driving to the airport, he expressed his concern at being so tired, and he was afraid he would not get to the right gate, get through security, make connections in Portland to the next plane which would take him to SLC.  He asked if we could go to the gate with him.  You know that once you have your Boarding Pass, you have to say goodbye at the ticket counter.  Sister Pankratz and I were waiting for Elder Pankratz and dad to have Elder Moore's luggage weighed...another concern, because he had 4 suitcases and just one ticket.  It was going to cost a LOT of Euro's for 2 extra bags.  Elder Pankratz told them at the desk why the extra luggage, and the bags, all of them went for free! Okey, now the amazing 'tender mercy'. Sister Pankratz and I were so worried about Elder Moore seeing his exhaustion and frustration, when a young man walked up to us and said: " hello, my name is Matthew.  I saw your Missionary Badges and I am a member of the church." We asked why he was here, where he was from, and asked where he was going.....can you guess.  To SLC on the same flights that Elder Moore was going on.  AN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS!!!  We told him about Elder Moore and why he was traveling alone,and his concerns.  Matthew was introduced to Elder Moore, took him by the arm and told us he would make sure that he was taken care of.  He told us he would try and make some seat arrangements so the two of them could sit together all the way home. We know that the Lord put Matthew where he needed to be at that time.  We were all crying as we said goodbye, but knew that Elder Moore was being taken care of.  As we were saying our good bye to Elder Moore from the departing gate, our new Mission President was being greeted at the arrival gate by President and Sister Brubaker.  Life goes on. Sometimes not like we had planned, but all in God's time table.

We will meet President and Sister Robinson this week at Zone Conference....then have interviews next week with him.  We are excited to meet him.

Now...remember the picture I sent of Riaz, the street preacher. The one that called dad "Father deLeeuw." He is being baptized this coming Saturday, July 7th, He attends the Haarlem Ward where we were visiting today.  Riaz LOVES dad, and guess who he asked to baptize him?  Dad will have his second baptism! Who would have thought dad would be Baptizing people on this Mission! We might have 2 more that may ask dad as well. This is what Missionary work is all about:) We are asking these people to write their conversion stories for us....they are amazing. As these people tell us about visiting other churches, and being invited to be baptized into them, they just don't feel the Spirit. Then when they meet the Missionaries, Read the Book of Mormon, they FEEL the Spirit and know it is what they have been seeking for.  We in our prayers each night, ask the Lord to send the Missionaries to those who are SEEKING!. We hope to bring home several stories to share with you:) Friday night we attended the temple with some Ward members.  The 3 ladies that drove with us were all converts, and were sharing their stories with us and with each other.

Friday, while at the temple, the work to be done was Baptism's and Sealings. Dad was asked to help with the recording of the Confirmations and I was asked to do Sealings.......everything spoken in Dutch.  I just waited until the officiator stopped, looked at me, and I hoped I knew what to say when. If you don't smile and laugh you cry....and I could have cried....but, all went well and I lived to tell about it. Can you believe all the experiences we are having!!! And can you believe we are almost at our 6 month mark. A year from now we will be packing  to come home. (But only if there are clear skies, no fires and, cool temps:) We can't believe how fast the time is going.

Well, you are either asleep, bored, or wishing you were here.  I will send pictures of Madurodam, and of course the Baptism this coming Saturday.  Tomorrow for FHE we are going to Alkmaar.  These JoVo's have to travel 45 minutes by car or 1 1/2 hours by public transportation to get to the Amsterdam Centrum...one way..so we are going to THEM! They are so excited to have us come.  They will provide a meal, then we will go to the beach..hope the weather is good. Of course I will take cookies.  Speaking of that. I am now going to keep track of all the cookies I bake.  So far we have made an estimate of how many meals I have cooked in almost 6 months. We think 87, and several have been for 80 or more.  Catering service anyone! I will now start to keep track of the batches of cookies I will make from here on.  Mrs. Smith Move over!

We love you....we LOVE to get emails from home....have not had many lately. Love the emails from the kids Thanks kids! Hope Corey survived the trek, and that he was able to walk all the way. Travin, ordained a Priest.....everyone is growing up.  Sarah, you stay young until we get home. Emily, don't break any more bones. Laren, at girls camp, and Aubree too. Lauren Beehive President...Ethan, riding the Country on your bike. We love you ALL and DO MISS YOU!!!! Dylan, sac the quarterback:)

Opa and Oma

Moder and Vader

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw