Another Missionary

Hip Hip Hooray!

We are SO excited for our newest Missionary, Elder Corey Harper. He will serve the Lord in the Ventura California, English Speaking Mission. The only bad thing about the call is, he leaves before we return home ;( The Lords work needs to carry on....so Oma, send him hugs through Face Book and say, we will see you in two years. Corey, we are so proud of the fine young man that you are. THANK YOU!!!!!

 

Missionary work IS moving on. We start the influx here next transfer. Dad and Elder Pankratz have 8 apartments either already under contract, or in the process of. 8 Sisters will be leaving the Belgium/Netherlands Mission in the next few months, and 35 will be arriving. Sister Robinson said she is going to purchase Kleenex by the case lots. She knows us girls and how we like to cry. Isn't this just all amazing. We were reading in D&C:88 verse 73......."The Lord will Hasten his work, in his time". We can truly see this 'hastening'!

Let us tell you how apartment finding goes in the Netherlands. Dad goes on line to the City where an apartments needs to be found. He finds what he thinks would be good for the Missionaries. A street address is given, but no apartment number. You have NO idea how many apartments are on one street. So, if we were even to drive to the street to check it out, we would have no idea what apartment we would be looking at. Then, you have to fill out a paper to get an appointment....then you hope you do get the appointment to see the apartment. Dad had an appointment for Monday to see a unit that would have been perfect. Got an email yesterday saying the unit had already been rented. This is the process for everything. 22 apartments before July 25th is what is keeping the Mission on the run. President Robinson has put in a plea to the Missionary Department for an office couple to come ASAP.....we leave in July. Know anyone who would like to serve?????? WE NEED THEM!!!!!

A couple of weeks ago as we were leaving Institute, we noticed a couple talking to one of our YSA's. Later that evening we received an email from Tim, the YSA, that the couple were complaining about all the noise that the church members make 'late at night' when leaving the parking lot. We just smiled and thought, Dutch People. The church building is in the middle of many apartments, so their back decks ARE looking on the parking lot. Well, last Sunday, these same folks met with the Amsterdam Ward Bishop with the same complaints. They said they did not like the noise of cars honking at midnight......hello, no one is in the locked parking lot at that time. Car doors slamming, people talking, our YSA's out on the lawn in the summer. The leaves falling from the church trees over the fence in their yard........Oh my. The Bishop explained that the church has been there for 50 years, and they knew the church was there when they moved in. He also invited the couple to attend church, so they could meet the 'nice people' who are their neighbors. Of course they declined. SO, now at all our meetings, we have been reminded to be quiet when we leave the church, not to honk....which no on does, don't slam car doors.....don't know how the leaves falling will be handled. Gotta love these Dutch.

Remember last year when we told you a Stork nest was build on the Church tower. One had not been built there for 7 years, and the local folks were so excited. When a stork builds a nest it is a sign of good luck. Last week the nest was removed from the tower, because it is a LARGE nest. When we went to FHE Monday, we noticed another stork, or maybe the same one, building another nest on the tower. The twigs they carry in are Hugh......poor things, having to start all over. Signs of spring for sure.

Wednesday evening one of our Young Adults called and told us she would be late, and that she was bringing someone. In the middle of class the door opened, and in walked Kim and Quincy. Quincy is the young man we met at JoVo camp last summer who said we were the first to say we loved him. He has had quite a year with some trials in his life, has had to do some repenting, but his sight has been on serving a Mission. Last week on his face book page he announced that he WAS filling out his Mission papers:) He lives in Ziest, which is about and hour and a half drive, so we don't see him often. He wanted to surprise us Wednesday, so came by public transportation, which takes several hours with all the transfers, to attend Institute and give us a hug. He is just glowing! He calls us 'mom and dad' and told us we were one of the reasons he has tried to stay strong in the Gospel. He asked if we would go to the Temple with him when he receives his Endowments. It was hard to say good night and good bye to him. We hope to see him next Sunday in Gouda. That same evening Glenn, the young man from Venezuela, we are loving back into activity, came into the class looking so 'down and out.'  We take him home each week, as he does not live very far from our apartment. We asked what was wrong, and he told us he had been 'kicked out' by the lady he has been helping. He came home one night and all his things were on the floor and she just told him to go. She has been threatening this for some time, but now it happened. Quincy talked with Glenn, as they both have gone through some of the same trials, and told him to stay strong in the church, read, pray, and all would be alright. We knew Quincy had come on a night HE was needed. The visit with Quincy did seem to brighten Glenn's spirit. When we had given all our hugs, good nights, and slaap lekker, we had Glenn in the car. He just started to sob......"What am I going to do? Where am I going to sleep tonight?" He had asked if we could take him to the place he had been living to get his belongings. When we got to the address and he got out of the car, dad and I just looked at each other. It was 10:30 at night, and this young man had NO place to go. What to do??? We as Missionary couples are not suppose to have anyone stay at our apartment other than family and other Missionaries. Dad said, "What would the Savior do....he would take him in." When Glenn came back to the car with his belongings, and we told him he could spend the night with us, he cried again. He had not eaten all day, so at 11:00 he ate 3 sandwiches, fruit, juice....we could have cried. We took him up to the loft where he would sleep, and he said that was like a 4 star hotel room. The next morning we fixed him breakfast, made a lunch for him, and hugged him goodbye as he left for school. We broke every Missionary rule as we let him stay Thursday night as well. What would YOU do???? Friday he went to stay with a friend in Den Haag for the weekend. Monday Glenn has an appointment with a social worker that hopefully will help him find a room to stay in. We hope he can stay in the Amsterdam area so he can continue to attend the Amsterdam Center. Some nights we come home emotionally exhausted, just from listening and loving these YSA's. Sara, the sweet YSA from Portugal that is here working as a nanny, emailed us Friday night asking if she could spend Saturday with us. We have so many that attend the Amsterdam Center, alone, working, and we are their only 'family.' When they meet together at FHE and Institute, it is hard for them to say goodnight, because they feel the comfort of each other being members of the church. That is why the Centers are here.......and we are blessed to be part of that:) Sara and Emese, our Hungarian YSA, got together and 'hung out' Saturday.

Saturday we spent the day with two of the Elders that serve here in Amsterdam. Elder Sumpter was born and raised in the Netherlands, but has never been to Volendam, a quaint fishing village on the Noord Zee. Volendam is just a 15 minute drive from Diemen....and we can drive there without the GPS:)! It was raining and cold, but we had fun just walking and looking in all the shop windows. There are Foto places that you can dress up in Traditional Dutch clothing and have your picture taken. Elder Sumpter and Farmer had their pictures taken as a 'companion' remembrance. They bought matching ties as well. These two Elders really work well together, and it shows with their Missionary work. We have seen some 'not good' companionship's, and that shows too. It was a nice break from shopping and cooking for us too. We hope that when you girls come the weather will be sunny and warm. Speaking of Missionaries.....Elder Van De Graaff left to go home this week. He served as an AP here in Amsterdam. When we said goodbye to him Tuesday he told us he was excited for us to come home so he, and the other Missionaries that will be attending can come out to our house and 'party'. He said we can have a Missionary reunion each week, and I can bake cookies for them :) Will this never end......hope not!

Speaking of the weather. This past week we had several beautiful sunny, almost warm days.....we thought hooray, spring. I even put a few of our winter things away. NOT......Saturday was rainy and cold, and the forecast is for snow the first of the week. So much for spring. We woke up this morning to a 'skiff' of snow, and wind......it is cold!

Today in the Amsterdam ward there were two Baptisms. A young girl age 8 or 9, and another YSA age man, Shenlin Liu from China. The Missionaries met him 6 weeks ago at the Diemen Zuid (South) train station. He is here attending school and will leave as well in the near future. Some of the 'Dutch' members are not happy with the Missionaries Baptizing people from other countries, and have made some remarks about that fact. The Elders and Sisters have the attitude.....ok, then you invite your friends and neighbors to church who are Dutch, but in the meanwhile, we will Baptize those who are willing to listen, learn and commit to Baptism. Shenlin does not speak Dutch, so all talks had to be translated for him into English. As we have mentioned many times before....Amsterdam IS a 'melting pot' of Nationalities.

We have a crazy busy week ahead of us. If we are not in the Mission office, we are looking for apartments, two Zone Conferences, one of which will take us into Belgium. We have to go to see what is done when we have to do Zone Conferences without the Pankratz's. I have been in tears a couple of times feeling so overwhelmed. I have to plan shopping and meal preparation several days in advance to make sure the right meal is at the right destination. Remember, this is OUR journal writing, so I write what is happening so we won't forget. You can read on if you want.....Monday. Lunch for the Mission President, office staff, AP's, and anyone who attends the 10:00 Meeting. Tomorrow 11. 3:00, look at an apartment in Hilversum. 7:00 FHE...another meal. Tuesday,take Abby, the wife of the American couple, to the airport at 6:30 am. Her husband left Friday for a new job in Texas,,,,Senior Couple Seminar at the Mission Home. Make salad. 3:00, look at an apartment in Zoetermeer. Wednesday, shop and cook for Institute that night, make sloppy Joes for Zone Conference Thursday (enough for 60). Thursday Zone Conference in Leiden 10:00. Tessa, one of our JoVo's from Alkmaar is having her Patriarchal Blessing that day 4:00 in Den Haag and wants us to be with her. Leave Zone Conference early to have Tessa in Dan Haag by 4:00. Friday (Milts Birthday), Be at Mission Office 8:00, load Mission van with Mission orders and head to Antwerpen (Belgium). Saturday, take one of the JoVo's  who's birthday is also on the 15th, for a birthday lunch.....shop for Monday's two meals. Sunday LONG GOUDA day. Our week in review. See why the tears.....and no time for office training this week because of other obligations and meetings. Whew....if you don't get an email next weekend, you will know why.

We are off to a Stake Missionary Fireside. We really do love being Missionaries. We are here to serve, and that is what we hope we ARE doing.

We send hugs and loves. We feel your prayers in our behalf......but please keep praying:)

Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Called to Serve

Where is the time going????

Well, we were 'Called to Serve', and that is what we are trying to do for sure. Elder and Sister Pankratz's will be leaving the 28th of this month, and there is NOT a new Senior Couple coming to replace them. They work in the Mission Office, which is of VITAL importance to the Mission. SO, Elder and Zuster deLeeuw will now be helping in the office 3 days a week. Can you even imagine US in the office? We meet with the President each Monday morning at 10:00, to go over his agenda for the week. Then we will work in the office Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 until the work is done. The reason a Senior Couple IS needed.......between now and July 23rd, 22 new apartments need to be found, contracted, reconstructed and furnished. Last Monday while we were in the office the number of Missionaries coming JUST in July was 25. Tuesday when we returned to the office the number had risen to 30. It is mind boggling to even think of all that has to be done in the next  4 months. Thursday we went to Leeuwarden and Groningen, which are in the North part of the Netherlands, and contracted two apartments. It gives us a sick feeling to walk into these apartments and see cement floors and walls,, no lights, no shower stalls, no appliances,no window coverings, or even curtain rods. ALL the work that needs to be done. President Robinson is going to hire someone to help with the work to get the apartments ready, as there is NO way the Senior Couples can do all that is needed. We made a list of just the basic things that need to go into the apartments, 2 1/2 pages long. The Lords work IS moving on, but the Missions are really having to scramble to get ready for the influx. Needless to say, we are not bored! Dad will be working with the Real Estate people.  I will be doing referrals, ordering of Mission Supplies, mail...who knows. PRAY for the Mission now for sure. The next Senior Couple coming will be the middle of May, and we don't know where they will be assigned. President hopes that maybe they will want to be Office workers. Stay tuned! It IS interesting to see what Elder Pankratz takes with him as he visits with the Real Estate people. He shows that the Mission has 48 apartments contracted already throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. He also has an article about the new City Creek Mall in SLC, and how the church payed cash for that. He tells them that those who will be living in the apartments are Volunteers for the church. Good Missionary work to start with. Now dad wakes up in the middle of the night thinking of all the places he needs to contact for these apartments, and I wake up thinking about what I will prepare for the next weeks meals........we are having so much fun. And now, think of all the trips we get to make to IKEA :(

The other night at Institute I about cried. David, our YSA President, approached dad and told him the JoVo's are getting worried as to what will happen to the Amsterdam Center when we leave. He made the comment: "We just know this place will fall apart when you leave." The Centers are now 'run' by the Stakes, not the Mission. We have suggested that a 'local' couple come into help with these Centers. They know the language, the YSA's, and they don't leave after 18 to 23 months. A member of the Den Haag Stake Presidency told us he was going to visit with the couple that help with the YSA's from Alkmaar, to see if they would be interested in helping with the Amsterdam Center. It is a long drive for them to come to Amsterdam, but they have mentioned they want to serve a Mission but don't want to leave their home. It would be WONDERFUL if they could be called now so they could help us IF we are not able to be in Amsterdam on a given evening. One of the Wards that attend the Amsterdam Center, Almere, has mentioned that they want their 'own' Institute, and not be a part of Amsterdam. We have such mixed feelings about that, It is not up to us, so we will see what the Stake Presidency will do.

We are so happy when we hear of the good things that are happening with the YSA's. The other night when dad took Glenn home from FHE, Glenn ask dad how he could go to the Temple to do Baptisms. He said "I know I will be more committed to the church if I go to the temple." Glenn has come so far since walking into the church several months ago. He loves dad and is so respectful of me. It is amazing that he was even Baptized as he tells us of his life. He is now clean shaven, no earrings, comes to all the church meetings, FHE and Institute. This weekend he went to Den Haag to visit his brother, and asked for the address of the church there. Junior, the young man from Brazil, that was baptized while here in Amsterdam, now living in Portugal.....sent us pictures of him attending the Temple there doing Baptisms. He wants to come to BYU, but told us he thinks he will go on his Mission first :) Friday evening we had 6 of our YSA's here for a 'goodbye dinner' for Seline. She is the young lady dad Baptized and confirmed last Sunday, who is moving to Ireland. Emese, our Hungarian YSA fixed dinner. Lekker!!!! True Hungarian food. We laughed because we had an International group here. Hungarian, German, Portuguese, Venezuelan, and American. Go figure....no Dutch. Amsterdam IS a cultural melting pot, and we get to enjoy the experience!

We took Seline to the airport Saturday evening and.she said, "I don't say goodbye, I say, see you later." It was a tearful goodbye for us. It was cute, as at 10:30 pm we got a text message that she had landed safely in Dublin. A referral was sent to Germany for the Missionaries to contact her mother, which they did, and are now teaching her. Seline found the address of the church in Dublin and  hopes to be attending there today.

We laugh at some of the things these young adults do. Kim, our FHE coordinator, birthday is March 15th, the same day as dads. Last year I had fixed cupcakes, had some B-day hats to celebrate birthdays......Kim asked me the other day if we could have another B-day party this year. Everyone bring a small gift, we would celebrate ALL birthdays. OK......we thought JUST the Amsterdam JoVo's. Well, when I went on Face book the other day, Kim had put this on as an" event". There were replies from the Rotterdam Stake!!! We are happy to have lots come, but we did not think she would post this as  an 'event.' May turn out to be a BIG party. That night I had planned on having soup and garlic bread. Dad said that way, if more keep coming we just keep adding more water to the soup ;) Gotta love these kids.

Glad you are finally getting some sun and warmer temps. It is still very dark and dreary here. We had one day of a few hours of sunlight, but it is just foggy and misty all the time. The fields are getting more green, and the farmers are starting to put their 'Tulip signs' on their fields. Dad loves when we drive thru the little Dorps, villages, and see all the tractors in the fields. The Dutch have HUGH tractors and lots of farm equipment. Won't be long until the cows will be in the fields again, after spending the winter in the barns. AHHHH, spring!

We had another amazing Sunday experience. Volker, the young man who was also Baptized last week, but we were unable to attend because of Seline's Baptism, was confirmed today. During the week he sent us a message inviting us to his confirmation, and wrote these words. "What I feel now is something I will hopefully never forget, and you guys helped me and supported me on my way here." On the days that we wonder IF we are doing any good, we receive notes like these, and we give thanks for the opportunity we have had to serve with these YSA's. When we walked into the church this morning, and Volker saw me, the first thing he asked was where Elder deLeeuw was. He saw dad and made a 'bee line' for him. He asked dad if he would be part of 'his receiving the Holy Spirit." The man who did the confirmation gave Volker a beautiful blessing. Volkers parents are still 'non believers', but we were told they were both at his Baptism, and his mother was there today. After the confirmation Volker stood and shook hands with those who had been asked to participate. When he turned to dad, he gave him a big hug. Oh my, tears all around. You should have seen the smile on his face. Alma 5:26..."And now behold, I say unto you, my brethern, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can you feel so now?" Volker will be the Missionary now for his family and friends. Can't get much better than this.

We were reading in the February Liahona, an article written by President Uchtdorf. The last paragraph was beautiful: Every Member a Missionary. "My dear friends, today there are more ways than ever for us to open our mouths and share with others the joyful news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a way for everyone, even the hesitant missionary, to participate in this great work. We can each find a way to use our own particular talents and interests in support of the great work of filling the world with light and truth. As we do so, we will find the joy that comes to those who are faithful and courageous enough "to stand as witnesses of God at all times." We hope we are doing just that.

We are eager to hear where Corey will be "Called to Serve"!!!! Hopefully this week :)

Another busy week...now to the list of meals to prepare, is lunch each Monday for the Mission Office staff. This is the day President Robinson is in the office, so a nice lunch is prepared. Don't laugh at the word 'nice'. The office will get what is prepared, nice or not :)

We love you.We love the Lord. We love being in his service.

Vader and Moeder

Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

And Counting

The number of the Missionaries keeps changing each day.........today, 24 hours after the last email, now in July, 30 Missionaries coming with 22 new apartments needed to be found!!!! We spent another day in the Mission Office.....dad helping to find apartments, and me trying to learn how to do referrals, ordering of supplies,sorting mail. Oh My. Today we found a referral that ELDER HARPER had sent,,,,,,,I brought it home for a souvenir for Cameron. We are off to Leiden again tonight for a Stake Meeting....second trip there today. No, we are not just sitting around :)

We are excited for the next 'Mission Call' to arrive!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Vader and Moeder

Oh My Gosh

Well,

We met with President Robinson this morning, and came home with our heads spinning. We are now going to be helping in the Mission Office 2 1/2 days a week. Elder and Sister Pankratz are leaving March 28th, and there is NO new Couple coming to work in the Office. We WERE told that 13 new apartments needed to be found by July....NOT.........20 need to be found, all construction and furnished by July 24th.  As of right now, 28 new Missionaries will be coming to this Mission in July, and President said there may be more. Apartments need to be found ALL OVER Holland and Belgium. We will go into the office Monday Mornings for a couple of hours, then Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to whenever. We hope we can do all that is being asked of us....dad will start learning how to deal with Real Estate people here in the Netherlands. Sister Pankratz and I sat down today and made a list of all the things needed to furnish these apartments. WOW.......all these new Missionaries is costing the church Millions!!!! President Robinson said he will have to rent a bus and Hotel rooms when all the Missionaries come......the Mission Van and Home will only accommodate 9. And this is happening ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!!

The next, and ONLY Senior Couple coming will be in May. We hope they will want to work in the Office.....can you believe WE will be training an Office Couple!!!! If not the Office, we hope they will serve with the JoVo's  in Amsterdam. That way we would move to where the Pankratz's now live, which is only a 5 minute drive to the Mission Office. It now takes us, without any traffic jams, 40 minutes to drive to the Office. When we were 'set apart' as Missionaries, President Webb said we would be stretched......we feel that stretch now!!!!! All will work, and we are here to serve!!!! Oh,  and I will have to fix lunch on Monday's for the office Staff. That is the day President is in the office.......then FHE that night. We just hope we will have time to spend with you when you come in April. You can help cook, travel with us to look at apartments, attend FHE and Institute.....Temple Conference is that week as well......it will all work out. Just having you here will be worth everything. You can see us in action.

We love you......keep praying for us. We are off to FHE.......no rest for the wicked.

Vader and Moeder

Getting smart

Goede Morgen,

Yes, after 14 months,  a new way of baking cookies without the repetitive motion......spread the cookie dough on the cookie sheet, and you have bar cookies. Just bake and cut. Why didn't someone mention that to me already! The JoVo's think these are quite innovative and different. Sure save lots of time. Wednesday evening at Institute, Sister Westra, the Senior Sister that helps with the JoVo's from Alkmaar, asked for all my cookie recipes, and she wants to come to our apartment so I can show her how to bake 'American' cookies. I think each week we will have leftover treats to bring home, as we take lots.....but the last one out  always grabs whatever is left, puts them in their backpack, and are out the door. YSA's acting like little kids :)

Last Sunday was our LONG Gouda day. We took three of our JoVo's from the Amsterdam Ward, one being Seline, the young lady from Germany who is still an investigator. (More on that later in the email). We go to three hours of church here in Amsterdam, run home for a 'potty break', rozijn roll, and a drink of juice, then we are out the door for the hour drive to Gouda, and three more hours of meetings. The meetings are always very inspirational, with the JoVo's doing all the planning and participating, except for the meals, but it is three more hours of church. On the way home, Seline made the comment, "Boy, this has been a long day of church. All I want to do is go home and go to bed." We laughed, and told her this happens just once a month. 

This week was transfers, and we are really happy with the Elders that were transferred back into our Zone. Elder Larson, who was here in Amsterdam for several months, is now back in Almere, so we will see him each week at District Meeting. Our new District Leader is Elder Farmer, who started the FHE in Lelystad, then was transferred out, but is now right here in Amsterdam. Only two Sisters were moved this time, but we understand next transfer, which is only four weeks, many of them will move about. Speaking of that. We were told Friday that 13 NEW apartments need to be found before July!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't even imagine all the work that needs to be done in the next four months. We received a call from the Mission President Friday, asking if we could meet with him Monday morning. He said there is SO much to be done, that new assignments are going to be made. Elder and Sister Pankratz go home the 28th of March, so that leaves NO office couple. We think ALL the Senior Couples are going to have to do 'double duty' for awhile. Lace up the running shoes!!!! There is a Senior Couple that serves in Germany that are over all the YSA Centers in Europe. We were told that they have us going home in September, and now they know our release date is July, they are in a panic as to who will replace us. President van der Put, the member of our Stake Presidency who is over the YSA Centers in the Den Haag Stake, keeps telling us we need to extend our Mission for four more years. He has even offered to fund this extension. When we tell him we need to come home to our family, he says, "if you love them, leave them." Nice to know we are appreciated.

Dad had an inspiration that a poster needed to be made to put in all the Ward and Branch Buildings telling about FHE and Institute. A man in the Amsterdam Ward is a Graphic Designer and volunteered to design the poster. Elder Lyons had taken some pictures of the JoVo's at different activities which were put on the Poster, and dad and I are 'famous', as our picture is on the Poster as well. We will take them to the Wards and Branch Buildings that have JoVo's coming to the Amsterdam Center, and put them on the Bulletin Boards in the Foyer. We have had the suggestion made that we made smaller copies of the Poster, to be handed out like 'pass along cards' for the Missionaries to give to YSA's they are teaching. We will try and take a picture of it so you can see. Good things are happening for a couple of our JoVo's that we are SO happy about. Jurjen, a young man from Alkmaar, 24 years old, was totally inactive when we arrived. His brother is the one that just left on his Mission. Jurjen has totally taken a 360 degree turn, attends church, FHE, Institute, had his Patriarchal Blessing last week, is taking the missionary Prep classes along with the Temple Prep classes, and wants to have his Mission call before we leave. Quincy, the young man we met at JoVo camp last summer, who had just been Baptized. The one, as we were leaving camp put his head on my shoulder crying, saying he had never been told he was loved.......he is also preparing for a Mission Call, and wants to have it as well before we leave. We hope to be attending a couple of Missionary farewells before coming home. This is what this Mission call is all about!!!! Seeing these YSA's making correct decisions in their lives, that will bring them Eternal Happiness. Now if we can just get a few of them married :)

We have several young couples from America, that have been attending the Amsterdam Ward for a few  months, while here on internships for their schooling, and a couple of single Sisters as well. All of a sudden they are all leaving. Back to school, new jobs.....we LOVE having them here, and it is sad to see them go. There are a few 'real die hard DUTCH members', that are glad to see the 'Americans' leave. They are NOT happy there is English translation in the Amsterdam Ward, thinking everyone who attends the Ward should speak Dutch. They are having a hard time with all the Spanish speaking people who have moved into the Ward. When people come to Holland for a visit, the Amsterdam Ward IS the Ward they attend, because they vacation in Amsterdam.....translation IS needed. This is causing some feelings, and it is sad to see. Guess I need to say ALL the Dutch words I know when attending the Sunday meetings. That would make me VERY quiet! Dad and I think there needs to be an English Branch here in Amsterdam.....Most of the members from the African Countries do not speak Dutch, and they really feel left out. People here need to remember we belong to a "World Wide Church."

We woke up to more snow this morning. Utah has 'dry cold', but here it is the 'damp cold' that is the killer. We made a comment that if we had to ride bikes to church, we don't know if we would go. Yes, we ARE spoiled Americans. Now 'the rest of the story' about Seline. About two months ago, a beautiful young woman came into church, and introduced herself as a visitor from Germany. Her dress, most visitors wear pants, her demeanor, everything about her, we all thought she was a member of the church. After  RS, the Sister Missionaries went to talk with her. GOLDEN CONTACT!!!!!!! Seline's mother, who lives in Germany, had been investigating the church, called Seline, who is working here in Amsterdam, and told her to find the Mormon Church. Right from the first, Seline had that "Gospel Glow." It didn't take much on the Sisters part to teach her. In our last email, we told you how she had been living the Word of Wisdom already, and how good she felt. She has been attending FHE and Institute, and  everyone has just loved having her here. Today was Seline's baptism day :) Tuesday, dad got a phone call requesting that he Baptize Seline, per her request. Her mother flew in from Germany last night to be at the Baptism.....her mother has not been Baptized yet. This morning at 8:30, church starts at 10:00, the phone rang......."Zuster deLeeuw, we know this is a late notice, but the YSA that was going to give the talk on Baptism at Seline's Baptism is out of town and won't be back, so can you give the talk." Breathe....what is Missionary work all about. I had a few notes from another talk I had given, so with the Spirit helping, the Baptism talk was given. It was very special to be a part of the Service. Unknown to dad, Seline had asked that he confirm her as well. There is a sad part to this story.....Seline just received a job offer, better pay and benefits, so will be moving to Dublin Ireland next week. After a Convert Baptism, the confirmation is not done until a week later, but, because Seline is moving, all was done today. There were many Ward members, and YSA's that stayed for the Baptism. There were tears of joy, from Seline, her mother, and of course us, as we witnessed this special occasion. What a joy it is to see the expression of happiness after someone has been Baptized. We told Seline that SHE is now the Missionary, and she will be the inspiration to see her mother enter the water.

Fabrina, the girl from the Ukraine, who is taking the Missionary Lessons, lives in Haarlem, has become 'family' to us.......called this week and asked dad if he would give her another Priesthood Blessing. He gave her one back in July. She has some problems she needs to overcome, and just can't quite understand all that the Sister Missionaries are teaching. She LOVES dad, and she does feel comfort from Priesthood Blessings. Since there was the Baptism, we invited her to come to Amsterdam, be at the Baptism, then dad, along with the Elders, could give her the blessing. Wow, today dad REALLY used his Priesthood......he came home this afternoon emotionally drained. Fabrina told dad that when she gets Baptized, he is the one that will do the Baptizing......even if she has to come to Utah. In the Blessing dad gave, he admonished Fabrina to Read the Scriptures each day, pray always, attend church every week. After the blessing, dad told her he wanted a 'text' everyday, telling him how she was doing. We are worried she might asked to be Baptized before we come home, just so that dad can Baptize her. She needs to gain her own Testimony of the Gospel...she is in our prayers.

Emese, our Hungarian YSA..yes..they come from all over the world, has been a nanny here in Amsterdam. She did not like the way the parents of the children she was watching treated her, so left the position. She has been looking for other employment, and Friday sent us a text that she had found a job. Unemployment is bad here in the Netherlands as well. Emese does not speak Dutch, so was really happy she found work. Last night she called and was so depressed. Her employer told her she had to work every Sunday, no exceptions. Emese said, "if I don't attend my church meeting each week I know I will become inactive." This morning, in walked Emese at church. She had called her employer last night and told her that she would not be working, because her religion was more important than the work she would be doing. How many of us would do that? She said she knows she will be blessed for making the 'correct decision.' Wow, we can learn from the wonderful youth!

We were reading from the January Liahona....we are always a couple months behind in receiving this Church Magazine, if we even get it at all. There is a beautiful article by Elder Juan A. Uceda....The Book of Mormon, Share It.The article is about his own conversion. "There are many people who would find what they need in the church. Don't be afraid to open your mouth with your friends and say, 'I believe this, I want to share this with you." As we have written before.....you are NEVER to young, or old, to be a Missionary. We LOVE being Missionaries!!!!!!

A VERY busy week ahead....we will let you know what our visit with the Mission President is all about. We think we have an idea. Have a GREAT week.

Hugs from Holland,

Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

More Pictures

Muidenslot, a castle we want to visit when you come
Holland's beautiful landscape
Someone tried to break into the Sister apartment
Three of our Elders at Zone Conference.....still 'little boys at heart'
Traffic light was out......look at how bright the clothes are of the traffic officers that direct the traffic...you can't miss them.
Spoiled horses....they really take care of their animals here
Elder Schulte and Glenn

Hope you enjoy the pictures. We will send more in a couple of weeks. Dad has been asked to Baptize Celine this coming Sunday, so we will have pictures of that.

Love you

Pictures

These are all the fancy candies....look at the detail, and they are all chocolate!
This is the kitty kat that sits and watches all the shoppers in the Diemen Winkel Centrum
Mom getting her hair cut
These are 16 geese that are taking up residency near the canal.....they walk right up to you

Very frustrated

Needless to say we did not sleep very well last night. The Mission Office is trying to work the problem, the AP's were here all morning trying to see what is needed to get the International License we need........can take from 4 to 6 weeks to get the International License. I have been in tears, dad is just mad. We are frustrated as we were told we would NOT need the International License for the 18 months we would be in the Netherlands. So much to do, so many place to go, and here we sit. The AP's will take us to Zone training in the morning, then we will have to have someone drive us to the church tomorrow night with all the food for Institute. Guess on Sunday we will have to take the Tram to church, it's to cold to ride bikes!!!! We wanted to take a couple of JoVo's to Gouda Sunday, but now that is 'down the tube.' We can't even get to the train station. Yes, we are discouraged, but will 'put the wheel back on the handcart and keep walking." Because we can't go anywhere, I spent the morning baking more cookies!!!! Dad said that if you girls were not coming for a visit he would pay his own plane ticket home. Keep us in your prayers......The citation dad received will be paid for by the Mission....it's NOT our fault we don't have the right papers. Yes, we WILL pay our Mission payments, we will be OK.

Thanks for listening....reading.....don't have anyone but each other to vent our frustrations. We will bundle up and go for a walk. Maybe I can find a kitty that will let me pet it.

Will keep you posted.

Moeder

We are grounded!

Well, here is the latest saga.......Tonight for FHE we had the JoVo's at our apartment. We were given some extra money for the YSA's, so to have a special Valentine treat we thought having Pizza would be fun. Dad, and Glenn went to get the Pizza while I stayed here with the few that had arrived early. We waited and waited, and no dad. Finally the phone rang and it was dad. An 'undercover police' had pulled dad over, saying he had run a red light........asked to see dad's Drivers License......asked how long dad had been here......13 months.......was told the Utah License was only good for one year, and he needed an International License to drive. The Policeman would not even let dad drive home. Two of the YSA's had to go get the car and drive dad and Glenn home. We were told by the MISSION when we came ,that we did NOT need an International License for the 18 months we were here. Dad got a ticket.......may be 500 euros, for NOT having the International License, and we cannot drive our car until we get the License. Needless to say we are feeling a bit low tonight. We called Elder Pankratz and he was speechless. To License all the Senior Couples will cost the mission LOTS of money......so what are we going to do??????? We have Zone Training in Leiden on Wednesday, Institute Wednesday night, a JoVo activity in Almere Friday. We may be coming home sooner than we thought. For 4 months, I don't know if it would be worth the cost to get us a very expensive license for such short use. We will be anxious to see what will happen......this affects all the Senior Couples. Meanwhile, we walk or ride bikes I guess. Stay tuned........we are NOT happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all.....Moeder

Winter is back

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, Mother Nature still has a few 'tricks up her sleeve.' We read about the powerful storm hitting the East Coast, and news from home that Utah is still receiving snow....and so is Holland. We had a mild last week when we had rain, but this week we have snow and cold .We woke up this morning to about 4 new inches. Hope the Canals freeze once again so the ice skating can continue, but, that brings COLD and wind, so what do we really want?????? We know spring is coming, because in the flower shops now they are selling tulips and daffodils. They have been grown in the Hugh greenhouses that are all over Holland, but it IS a sign on spring :)

Well, we received another phone call....Tuesday we got a call from Sister Robinson asking if we could have Sister Palenikova at the airport  at 6:00 am Wednesday.....there was an emergency transfer. Remember the Sister that fainted at Zone Training last month. Sister Nogueria from Portugal. Her health has been deteriorating, so President Robinson had to send her home for medical care. It was so sad to see her go because she SO wanted to stay on her Mission. President Robinson told her to get the care she needed, and he would try and see if she could come back here to serve. It is amazing to see all the people at the airport that time of morning. Sister Palenikova was sent from Amsterdam to Zoetermeer, which is still in our Zone, so we will still get to interact with her for a couple of months before she is released as a Missionary. Only 12 Sister Missionaries now, but 9 new coming in April. Watch out!

Oma got brave. After complaining that I needed a haircut for several weeks now, Opa told me to 'slay a dragon' and get the cut. I have been so afraid, since the last cut was so traumatic on me. There is a new Salon that opened in the Winkel Centrum here in Diemen....so with a big deep breath we walked into the shop. The lady that owns the shop is from Iran, and has such a strong accent we could hardly understand the English she was speaking. I told her what I wanted, and she said she understood. When you get a haircut here you REALLY get your monies worth! It is short, but I did not go out of the shop in tears. The lady who cut my hair was really interested in the Missionary Badges we were wearing. She said she knew where the church was, and that she had attended a wedding there. We are asked what we do, and we are happy to share a bit about the church, JoVo's, anything we can. When we left, the lady, Roxanne, told us we were VERY NICE people, and she liked us coming into her shop. I asked if I could give her a hug....she was surprised at that, but gave me a big hug and told me to come back..........with a Book of Mormon????

Tuesday dad and I went visiting. We stopped by Levi's house for a minute to take her some cookies and church pictures. She loves the Pictures of Christ we have given her, so we took her a few more of different church scenes. We next went to see Margaret, the lady from Colombia, who we have been praying that she could overcome her desire to drink coffee and be Baptized. We are so sad, because someone has approached her with negative things about the church, which happens often here when the Missionaries start to teach. She was to be baptized today, but is NOT answering the Elders phone calls. We have tried to call her, but no answer.....we went to her apartment but she did not answer. We hope she will feel the Spirit that we KNOW she has felt when we have been teaching with the Elders. We won't give up on her! Elder Schulte will be transferred next week, and then will be released to go home the 22nd of March. He SO wanted Margaret to be baptized before he left. The heart aches of Missionary work. BUT......that night we went with the Sisters to visit Celine. She is an investigator from Germany that has been attending JoVo's. Talk about someone who is ready to be Baptized. Her mother has been investigating the church in Germany, and told Celine to find the Mormon church and talk to the Missionaries here in Holland. The first time she came to church we all thought she was a member. The lesson given Tuesday night was on the Word of Wisdom. She is doing so many healthy things it put us all to shame! She had the Sisters look at the tea she was drinking to make sure it was 'the right kind.' She had stopped drinking coffee several weeks ago. She is eating ALL the right foods......she told us how GREAT she felt. Amazing. Dad had her read the promise from the Doctrine and Covenants, section 89. Her Baptism date is the 24th of this month, and she has already purchased her Baptism clothes. Today at church we told her she had "The Gospel Glow.

Glenn, the young man from Venezuela, who we are reactivating, is doing very well. He started school this week, and dad has asked him to call each day and 'report in.' The other night when dad took him home from Institute, Glenn told dad that he "wanted to live." A few weeks ago he was SO discouraged, he told us he did not care if he lived. He had tried once to take his life. We hope that in some small way, we have been an influence for good in his life. Glenn showed up at church today clean shaven, white shirt and tie....looking like a Missionary himself. Bram, another young man who has come 'off and on' to church since we have been here, asked dad to come and visit him. Dad went with the Elders the other night to see him. Bram has had some struggles in his life, has searched information about other churches, but always comes back to the Mormon Church. Dad asked when he was going to be Baptized because he has such a knowledge of the Gospel. Dad told him we were going home in July, and asked what needed to be done to have him Baptized before we leave. It took Bram by surprise, but he said 'it could be done.' Dad asked him to read the Book of Mormon, get on his knees and pray, and come to church each Sunday. GO Elder deLeeuw!! We will keep you posted on that :)

Saturday, 5 of the Senior Couples met here at our apartment to discuss the Centers we are serving with. Each Center is similar, but yet so different. Each has it's own struggles, but we all share in these struggles. We discussed what and how we can get the inactive JoVo's to attend. How we can get the YSA's to invite their non member friends and be Missionaries themselves. What we can do to get them married. The 'pool' of LDS marriage partners is very limited here in the Netherlands. All the LDS JoVo's have grown up together, and know toooooo much about each other. We have heard many times the YSA's say, "we don't want to marry so and so, because we know to much about them." We just keep praying for inspiration as how to carry on. After we had had our discussion, we had lunch.....I made a' traditional Dutch soup'....broth, vegetables and tiny meat balls....getting more Dutch all the time ;) We then took the Tram and went downtown Amsterdam. It was snowing so hard we were all soaked. You know how we love to go downtown, but several of the Couples had not been there, so...off we went. We laugh when they follow us as they think we know where we are going. So far we have them fooled.....but we are getting better. Give us 4 more months and we can start our own 'Tours'. No matter when you go into Amsterdam, rain or shine or snow....there are SO many people. That City never slows down!!!

Another busy week ahead. Tomorrow night we are having FHE here at our apartment. We want to do something with a Valentine theme, so I have been looking for ideas. Think we will have the JoVo's write a funny Valentine poem, then read it to the group. The YSA's love to come here, so we try every once in awhile to have FHE in a home environment.. We live so close to the Tram stop, that it is only a 5 minute walk for them. Closer than the church. Wednesday is another two meal day for us :( Zone Training in Leiden until 1:30, where we prepare lunch for the Elders and Sisters....then a speed home to prepare for Institute at 6:30. I am fixing Lasagna for Zone Training, and a Potato dish for Institute. Friday we have been invited to attend a JoVo activity with the group from Almere. They are having a 'munch and mingle' first, then will go Bowling. When I asked what we could bring, several of the JoVo's asked if I knew how to make cinnamon rolls. Oh my! I won't asked again. So, Friday I guess cinnamon rolls will be made. Anything American, and homemade is a real treat. And we love the pastries they have here!

We wish you a loving Valentines Day We love you. We love the Lord. We love serving him on this Mission. We love the People we are serving. Have a great week.

Hugs again from Holland,

Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Sister deLeeuw

Week in review

Goede Morgen,

The weeks just seem to be flying by.....we are getting almost an extra hour of daylight at night now, so that makes things better. This week the Queen of Holland, Beatrix, announced that she would be leaving the throne, and her son, Willem Alexander, would take over as King of Holland. He will be the first KING in over a century to Rule in the Netherlands. The Royalty of the Netherlands is not a life long rule like the Queen of England, so after 33 years Beatrix will step down on April 30th, Queen's day, and Alexander will become King. We will experience yet another event here....April 30th will be an exciting day. The value of the American Dollar keeps dropping. It is the lowest it has been since we arrived. It is VERY expensive to live in the Netherlands right now for Americans. We are being very careful on what we purchase. Our health is good, we are happy, so that is what REALLY matters:)

The health saga continued this week for Elder Schulte. Monday morning he called, he had passed out at church Sunday, was very nauseated, dizzy, pain in his right side. Back to the hospital. 7 hours of sitting in the emergency room.....more blood tests, NOTHING done, a Dr. coming in 3 times for just a minute. FINALLY when we got a bit 'not friendly', an Eco was ordered. All anyone had done is push on Elder Schulte's side and ask if it hurt. We were told that Americans are not treated very well at the hospitals here.....now I believe it. Nothing showed on the Eco so we were sent home with a prescription for pain....which was nothing more than Tylenol and strong Ibuprofen. We had been at the hospital so long dad and I did not even have time to change our clothes for FHE. Tuesday morning we were getting ready for District Meeting when the phone rang. It was Sister Robinson telling us that she had spoken with Dr. Swenson the Mission Dr. Dr. Swenson wanted a CT done, but we needed to see a Huisart for the order. Back to the Huisart......another joke. The Huisart said she could not order a CT scan, nothing was wrong, and gave Elder Schulte a prescription for some fiber. Elder Schulte was doubled over with pain.....dizzy, pale, nauseated. OK.....another hospital for a second opinion. This time we were told to take him to Den Haag, which is an hours drive from here. Another 7 hours in the Emergency Room. We added up, and we spent 20 hours plus just sitting in the Hospital. A female Dr. came in to check on Elder Schulte, did a test that had not been done, another Eco was ordered but no CT scan....Diagnosis.....a pinched nerve in the muscle of his abdomen?????? No more hospitals.....the Elder is taking pain pills, determined NOT to be sent home as his release date is March 22nd, and he wants to finish his Mission. We just keep praying all will be OK until he returns home. I told dad that if I got sick and needed medical care to just shoot me and send me home in a coffin......the animals here get better care than humans. Before we left to go to Den Haag, Elder Schulte asked if we had any 'pass a long cards' he could take to the hospital. This is the kind of Missionary he is. When he was being wheeled down the hall for the Eco, a lady who works in the hospital saw his Missionary badge and came running. She is a member of the Den Haag ward and was concerned to see one of the Elders in the hospital. While we were waiting to be called back to a room, the Elders talked to a women who was also waiting, gave her a card, got her phone number......these Elders look for EVERY opportunity to share the Gospel....even in pain.

Thursday we spent half the day helping to move one of our JoVo's Mary Kate. She is moving to Brussels on Saturday, but needed to move out of her apartment, so needed to stay with someone until Saturday. This is our 'Opera Singer' Young Adult, who we have loved for a year. It is so hard to say goodbye, but we are happy she is finally having the opportunity to pursue  her talents. She is in a production in Luxembourg, playing the part of Hansel, in the story of Hansel and Gretal. She has been very active in the Amsterdam Ward, being a counselor in the YW, and choir director. She will be missed by everyone. As we were moving her out of the apartment she has been living in, we were amazed at the conditions. She rents a very small room, just big enough for a bed, small bedside table, a chair, and desk. To get to her room you have to walk through the bathroom. The kitchen is tiny, and this apartment is shared with 2 other people....one being a man. 320 euro a month. You just can't believe how many apartment houses there are here in Amsterdam, and all over Holland. The conditions of these apartments are really something else..you have to see these to appreciate what we are talking about. Another 'take for granted' being blessed to live in the homes we have. 

Remember when we said that we don't  get ready for bed before 10:30 until we know all the Elders and Sisters are tucked into bed. Thursday night I was so tired from moving Mark Kate, and from all the weeks happenings, I took a shower at 9:30 thinking all was well. NOT. A knock at the front door. There stood the Sisters. They had gone home and found that someone had tried to pry the lock off their front door. This is the second time the Sisters apartment has been broken into. We laugh because all they have is lots of Books of Mormon, 3 hair dryers, and worn out shoes. Whoever had tried to pry the lock off must have been scared away, as we found the lock thrown on the sidewalk, and they did not get into the apartment. Of course the Sisters were scared, but with the 3 of them we knew they would be ok. Dad checked everything out, dead bolted the front door, gave them a 'safety talk'.....Friday morning dad and President Van der Put, a member of the Den Haag Stake Presidency who is our local repair man, purchased a heavy new lock to put on the door. President Van der Put told the Sisters not to call the police because they would not do anything. We pray everyday we will stay healthy, not needing medical care, and safe, not needing the Police. Dad and I are being more cautious about our belongings. We told the Sisters to post a sign on their doors saying that the Books of Mormon were free, leave a name and phone number, and they would contact whoever was trying to break into the apartment.

We wish we could send home more of the fancy Belgium chocolate. Now in the stores are the Valentine Chocolates......The Sinta Claus candy was fancy, but the Valentine candy has that beat. Delicate hearts, chocolate slippers, kissing lips, bouquets of chocolate flowers. Wow, it is a GOOD thing I do not like chocolate, or I would be in trouble. I have to take dad by the arm as he drools over all the sweets, and just keep him walking. Hersey's just does not make the cut! We will take some pictures so you can see what we are talking about. Oh, and the Easter candy has hit the shelves as well. Chocolate Heaven =)

It has been raining most of the week. All the snow is gone, no more ice on the Canals....strong North wind that takes your breath away. The weather changes here as quickly as Utah. Saturday we were shopping...went into the store with the sun shining....came out 15 minutes later with a downpour of hail. The weather forecast has more snow in the near future, so winter is NOT over here either. When we were coming out of the church the other day, dad made the comment as to how green the grass is.....or moss that we think is grass ? The fields where the Tulips will be blooming in just as few months, are just big mud fields now, and we wonder how the bulbs will ever grow. Mother Nature is so kind when she brings spring again each year. Gives us something to look forward to for sure.

Today was another special Testimony Meeting. There were so many members that wanted to share their Testimonies, that the meeting went 15 minutes overtime. Here there is not another Ward pushing to come into for their meeting, so a member of the Bishopric got up and said, that all those on the stand could bear their Testimonies, but please no one else come up. Several in English, several in Dutch, and several in Spanish. We made comment as to how many Spanish speaking members have moved in just the last few months. The family that originally came from Peru are amazing. The women wear their Peruvian clothes which are beautiful. The mother stood and bore her Testimony, giving thanks for being so close to a Temple once again. She told of several places they had lived, where to get to the Temple took many hours and lots of money. Her son, which we think is about 13-14, stood and said how thankful he was to have the Gospel in his life. We lose lots in translation....from Spanish to Dutch to English, but we can feel what they are bearing Testimony of, is coming from their hearts. The Elders and Sisters here in the Amsterdam Ward presented a Missionary lesson during Priesthood/RS. There are SO many names on the Ward list, that many don't even know who they are. The Stake Missionary plan is to 'Find the One.' The members were encouraged to call someone they had not seen at church for awhile. Invite them to come back. The Dutch Saints here find it hard to have their meetings being translated into different languages...they were reminded that we are "all sons and daughters of God", meeting for one purpose.

We had 14 at Institute Wednesday. We have yet another young lady being taught by the Sister Missionaries, from Germany, working here in Holland, who will be Baptized on the 24th of this month. She loves attending with the JoVo's, and we LOVE having her. We can't believe how many YSA's we have met from all around the world. Our lives are, and have been blessed knowing them. We are getting an 'up to date list' of all the JoVo's that come from each Ward and Branch. We are still finding names of YSA's that should be attending, but are not on our lists. Missionary work is never ending.

 We are so blessed to have the Gospel in our lives. Look for ways to be Missionaries yourselves.....you don't need a name badge! Seek out those who have 'lost the Gospel light.' Invite them back. Let them know they are missed. Be a friend. SMILE.

We love you!

Vader and Moeder

Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw