Winter?????

Yes it is COLD!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Vader and Moeder

Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

PROPOSED Travel Itinerary For DE LEEUW Couple

OK, this is what you have been waiting for :) I had a small 'melt down' this morning when we saw this. Also, a couple from the Alkmaar Branch have been called to take over the Amsterdam Center when we leave. Our apartment will be closed for several months, until another Senior couple arrives, or President decides what to he wants done. Our Mission is coming to an end. We are SO ready to come home, but NOT SO ready to say our goodbyes to these YSA's we love as our own family. Many more tears will be shed in the next month I am sure. 4th of July American Style......here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Tue, May 21, 2013 at 9:19 AM, Belgium/Netherlands Mission <2015900@ldschurch.org> wrote:

From: Katy Talbot
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 5:58 PM
To: Belgium/Netherlands Mission
Subject: PROPOSED Travel Itinerary For DE LEEUW Couple

 

 

This is a proposed itinerary. Please review and verify the date and airports. Also, verify the name matches the passport exactly. Tickets will be issued at least 4 weeks before travel.

 

 

CHURCH TRAVEL CWT                          DATE 20MAY13

50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST                    AGENT VH/KT BOOKING REF 2OWIVS

SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150

TELEPHONE: 801 240-5111                    DE LEEUW/MILTON A  278624-R

FAX      : 801-240-5115                    DELEEUW/RENAE ROPER 278625-R

 

  MISSIONARY TRAVEL

  BELGIUM/NETHERLANDS MISSION

 

SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE

_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______

DELTA AIR LINES       02JUL AMSTERDAM      PORTLAND OR    1020A   1135A

DL 179              TUESDAY SCHIPHOL AIRPO PORTLAND INTL

U ECONOMY

                            LUNCH                         NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         10:15 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-300

                            SEATS 22D/22F NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

 

DELTA AIR LINES       02JUL PORTLAND OR    SALT LAKE C UT 120P    405P

DL 2093             TUESDAY PORTLAND INTL  SALT LAKE CITY    

U ECONOMY                                  TERMINAL 2

                                                          NON STOP

                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         1:45 DURATION

                  AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200

                            SEATS 22D/22E NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

 

RESERVATION NUMBER(S)  DL/GAN2BF

 

**IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE

OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE

CHURCH TRAVEL (801-240-5111 OR 1-800-537-3537)

.

CHURCH TRAVEL IS AVAILABLE 24/7

.

KATY TALBOT - EXT 25153

 

MISSION PRESIDENT ALDEN CHARLES ROBINSON

PH 011-31-715-210-088 OFFICE/011-32-652-338-950 HOME

 

       **NOTICE** STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO ID REQUIRED AT AIRPORT

           FOR AIRPORT SECURITY INFORMATION - PLEASE SEE THE

                            AIRPORT WEBSITE

           MISSIONARY TRAVEL (800)537-3537 OR (801)240-5111

            EMPLOYEE TRAVEL (800)537-1232 OR (801)240-1000    

        GENERAL AUTHORITY TRAVEL (800)453-3860 OR (801)240-1000

 

MOST CARRIERS' E-TICKETS HAVE EXPIRATION DATES AND CONDITIONS OF USE.

CHECK THE CARRIER'S FARE RULES FOR MORE INFORMATION.

 

BAGGAGE POLICY - FOR TRAVEL TO/FROM, WITHIN THE US, PLEASE VISIT:

HTTPS://BAGS.AMADEUS.COM?R=2OWIVS&N=DE LEEUW

HTTPS://BAGS.AMADEUS.COM?R=2OWIVS&N=DELEEUW

 

 

Use CheckMyTrip to view your itinerary and flight changes at any time:

Go to CheckMyTrip now: http://WWW.CHECKMYTRIP.COM/CMTSERVLET?R=2OWIVS&L=US&N=DE LEEUW

On the Road again

On the Road Again says it all :)

This is "Gouda Sunday", so you get the email on Saturday, This is the last time we will be doing the planning and cooking, so it is with mixed emotions we attend. Of course we are having 'sloppy joe's', per request of the Young Adults. We will take three of our YSA's with us, from the Amsterdam Ward, so that always makes the trip more fun. One young man we will take is Daniel. Tim, a YSA, return Missionary from Alkmaar, brought Daniel to Institute several weeks ago, to introduce him to the church and of course, all the YSA's that attend the Center. Sara, our JoVo from Portugal, a recent return Missionary herself, befriended Daniel, and has invited him to attend ALL the church meetings each Sunday. The Sister Missionaries here in Amsterdam, have been teaching him the Missionary lessons, and you guessed it......next Sunday Daniel will be Baptized:) Wednesday at Institute, Daniel told me he had the feeling that he would be Baptized, but not sure when .Guess he knew the answer the very next day.  He has been reading the Book of Mormon, attends Institute, and, last Sunday did attend ALL church meetings. These JoVo's are amazing Missionaries. It is so great to watch someone who has NO belief in anything, study, ask questions, learn....you actually see their countenance change. A softening we would say. Tim and Sara are preparing a special musical number for the Baptism. The joys of Missionary work, and serving with the YSA's!

A highlight of the week was spending some time with Bishop Holderness, our 'home ward' Bishop. He was here for a few days attending a Convention. What would be the odds that his Hotel was not far from Diemen. We spent some time with him Tuesday evening, then as his time allowed, he was able to attend Institute with us on Wednesday, and meet the YSA's. He told them he was here to take us home. Of course it made us feel good, when there was some objection:) We hope he was able to see first hand, why it is going to be so hard to say our goodbyes to these Young People we have learned to love. And, he is letting everyone know how to say our name when we get home. NOT DeLeeuw......de Leeuw, the Dutch pronunciation......there IS a difference:)

It is COLD!!!!!!!! The past two days have been 'dark and dreary'. Rain ALL day long, and yes, it is cold. Only 9 degrees Celsius, which is 48 degrees Fahrenheit. People here are still wearing their winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves. Last week we sent some boxes home with winter clothes in them. Wish we had not been so hasty, as we would love to have a few long sleeve, warm shirts. We had our 3 days of summer a couple of weeks ago, so when we get home and are complaining of the heat......remind us of how we were complaining of the cold! Dad even mentioned the cool weather......and IF dad says it's cold.....you know it is cold!

With Monday being another holiday, as was mentioned last week, we will hold FHE here on Monday. None of the 'Dutch' kids will be here, as they do the 'holiday' thing....but the other JoVo's did not want to cancel. We ARE here for everyone. We were going to show the DVD '17 Miracles', but guess what is also in the box being sent home. Plan B......play some games, and make banana splits. The JoVo's love to come to our apartment, as it feels like home to them. We don't know how many will come, but will have fun with those who do attend.

Friday was Zone Training. When Zone Conference is held, there are two Zones that meet together, but Zone Training is only one. Today is Sister Robinson's Birthday, and next Saturday is President's Birthday. A lady in the Den Haag Stake makes and decorates beautiful cakes. We called her and asked if she would make a Birthday Cake for the Robinson's. Oh my gosh.....a two tier cake. Top tier was a chocolate cake, with the bottom a raspberry cream. She had made Tulips out of frosting, and had them on the cake. We had asked that she make cupcakes for all the Missionaries as well, and would not have had this done, as the cake was so Hugh. Of course, the 'Dutch Birthday Song' was sung as the cake was brought into the room.....which is a party in itself. We had purchased a couple of small gifts for them as well. They seemed surprised and happy with our show of love. With all the new Missionaries arriving, the Zones keep growing. It will be amazing to attend these Conferences in the next few months. This Mission will not be the same Mission as we came into.....the "Hastening" has begun, and we can feel it. The first 19 year Sisters, and 18 year old Elders were in attendance. They are ready to work!

We have another apartment ready to go, and will finish # 2 this coming week. There are four Elders living in a very small apartment in Rotterdam, so when we get the new apartment furnished this coming Friday, two Elders will move there. The apartments in Almere Buiten, and Lelystad, should be ready in the next couple of weeks, so we can start the task of finishing and furnishing them. We are again making the IKEA runs, but we know where everything is, so get out of our way! When we see a sale on anything, we go and purchase four or five. Can you even imagine us looking for sales in the Netherlands! We do get strange looks, when we purchase our large quantities. Here the apartments are so small...so when we buy 4 ironing boards, irons, mops, buckets, toasters, etc.....we're sure they think we are crazy Americans. We were asked if we were the new neighbors, as we were taking in beds and mattresses in Zaandam. Dad said 'Ja. number 18". Maybe the Sisters will get a 'welcome basket'. This apartment is in the middle of a shopping center, so maybe NOT the best place for Sister Missionaries:) We have been doing lots of traveling again this week...this is why we wish the weather was better, so we could get out and do some bike riding. NO, we are NOT typical Dutch people, who ride bikes in rain, snow, wind....we are Missionaries from Orem Utah:) We just run up and down the stairs a few more times when we get home.

Well, you are just getting out of bed and starting your day, while we have done a days works, part one. We went to Bussum and did the final 'dejunking' of that apartment. LOTS of tools, paint, odds and ends of things we don't even know what they are. With Elder and Sister Evenhuis moving in on Tuesday, we wanted to have it all ready. Elder and Sister Lyons have just managed to try and ignore all the 'junk'. (Elder and Sister Lyons have been reassigned to the YSA Center in Rotterdam. They are the first Senior Couple that have had to relocate. They are taking the place of Elder and Sister Woodhouse, who had to return home for medical reasons.) We took a car load to the recycle station, and will get the rest on Tuesday when we have the Mission van. We also went grocery shopping early this morning. With all the stores closed on Monday, the stores are all a shoppers nightmare now. We kick into the cooking mode now, preparing Sloppy Joe's for tomorrow's Gouda, and Monday lunch at the Mission Office. Have we mentioned, 'never a dull moment':)

Cheryl, you ask if Quincy had received his Mission call yet. NO. All the time he THOUGHT his papers had been sent to SLC, they were still being 'looked over' by someone here. It is very discouraging for the young men, as we have watched the process of two JoVo's waiting for Mission Calls. It seems to take six weeks to two months to get everything processed.....and we don't know why. Quincy is not dating Kim anymore, as he wants to focus on his Mission. YAY Quincy. We will let you know soon as the call comes. We hope to see him tomorrow at Gouda. I'll give HIM a hug from all of you.

We send our love. Again blessings have been ours, as Shelby has returned home, hopefully to NOT return to the hospital for A VERY LONG TIME. Dylan is feeling better, and we also hope he will not cough again for A VERY LONG TIME. We pray for ALL of you each day. We just received the Graduation announcement from Corey. Corey, Opa and Oma will be on the front row in Spirit, both there, AND at you Missionary Farewell:) You have a busy week, and two years, ahead of you.

We love serving the Lord. Psalms 118:24......"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." We ARE glad, and rejoice, to be in this day.

Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Happy Mothers Day

Dear Mothers.......and all the rest:)

We hope you have a GREAT day, and are thankful that you are mothers. Alexis.....isn't being a mom amazing. We have so enjoyed seeing all the pictures of Lincoln.

Well, this week has been an unusual one for us. We have been in the Mission Office each day, using our little bit of knowledge, to 'train' Elder and Sister Winmill. Elder Winmill is very confident about his duties, but poor Sister Winmill still has the 'deer in the headlights' look. They have both told us, that the training they received in SLC before they came, does not help. Each Mission is so different, especially those that are Foreign. We have Zone Training this coming week, and that in itself is a big undertaking. So much to learn in such a short time. With so many more Missionaries, the Missionary Supplies that we have on hand are just not enough. Sister Winmill will be ordering all the time, just to keep up from one Zone Training to the next. We need to get back to our JoVo's, and apartment furnishing. We have 4 more to do before June 10th, so we hope next week will be the last full week we will need to be in the office.

Speaking of apartments. Tuesday we went into the Mission Office at 9:00 am. At 2:00 we had an appointment in Zaandam, which is back towards Amsterdam. Dad signed all the contracts and got the keys. At 5:30, we had an appointment in Scheidam, which is by Rotterdam....clear back past Leiden, where we started the day. We put 288 Kilometers on the car that day. We get the keys to that apartment on the 15th, so things are looking good. Needless to say we were very tired.  We are seeing lots of the Netherlands, but as we told President van der put.....we are not having time to 'smell the tulips.' We want to start furnishing these apartments as soon as we can, so we can enjoy our last month here without feeling so much pressure. 11 more apartments need to be found and furnished by July 23rd.....and the list goes on. A Senior Couple could be called just for apartments.

Monday night at FHE the Elders were teaching two men from Romania, so we invited them to stay and have dinner with us. Being in Amsterdam, we sure have a 'melting pot' of different nationalities. We love this! For FHE we watched the DVD 'An Unlikely Mormom, The conversion Story of Glenn Beck.' Even if you are not a Glenn Beck fan, this is a DVD we would encourage you to watch. Very inspirational. He bears his Testimony at the end, which is very touching. After we watched the DVD, Kim, our FHE coordinator asked if anyone would like to say a few words. This turned out to be a mini Testimony meeting in itself. A young lady that the Sister Missionaries are teaching, was in tears, as different YSA's bore Testimony as to how grateful they are to be members of the church. We expressed our love to the JoVo's, and how blessed our lives are to have served this Mission. A very powerful evening. Wednesday at Institute, we fed 21. The Chapel was just buzzing with Elders and Sisters teaching investigators. It is so amazing to see the happiness on the faces of the Missionaries, as they are teaching.  . We ask one young lady being taught about her family and if she had grown up with religion in her life. Her dad believes in some ancient Egypt God. and her mother is a Catholic. She expressed how simple and beautiful this , the Mormon Religion is. She said she really loved knowing about what happens after we die. We were able to bear our Testimony about having a living Prophet on the earth today. Our knowledge that we know we have a loving Heavenly Father that knows each of us personally. Missionary moments we love. Another young man is attending Institute, Daniel, that has no belief in anything. He is reading the Book of Mormon, and comes each week with more questions. We hope to see both of these young people enter the waters of Baptism. Amazing!!!! And the stories go on. Daniel was at church today for all three meetings.

The Netherlands have a Holiday for everything. Last Thursday was 'Ascension Day'. All the stores are closed and no one goes to work. It was a good thing we knew about the Holiday, or we would have wondered what was going on, as there were very few cars on the freeway as we drove into the Mission Office. On May 20th, is 'Pentecost Day', where again, no one goes to work and all the stores are closed. Those who do not know the dates, are caught empty handed if they need something at the grocery store. We think, after the 'Pentecost Day', there are no more Holidays for awhile....but someone may come up with a new one just to have the day off :)

The daylight hours are getting longer each day. We think it is early evening, look at the clock, and it is 9:00. It is still light now at 10:15. and it just keeps staying light longer. Remember, we told you how last summer it was still light after 11:00 pm. Hard to get ready for bed while it is still light out. Last weekend we were basking in temps of 80 degrees. We knew it would not last.....wind and rain the past few days, and temps down to 50. Most of the tulips have been cut, so the fields are just green now with no bright colors. We have heard that they cut the flowers off, so all the strength goes to the bulbs. The color was nice while it lasted.

Well, we once again tell of a 'Phone call tale.' Dad has been sitting in on the teaching before FHE, a couple of times with the AP's, as they have taught a young lady, Catharina. We have been visiting the other Wards and Branches, as we have told you, but today Catharina was being Baptized, so we planned to attend the Amsterdam Ward to support the Missionaries. Catharina is a YSA, but has only attend FHE once, so we really are not that well acquainted with her, like we have been with some of the others. 7:00 am our phone rings. "Hello, is Elder deLeeuw there. Does he know he is Baptizing Catharina today? "No, I don't think he is aware of that, but let me have you talk to him." "Elder deLeeuw, Catharina has requested that you do the Baptism. Sorry we haven't gotten in touch with you earlier." Good thing we had planned to be in Amsterdam today :) The Baptism was to start at 1:30, right after Sacrament Meeting. 1:15, Catharina was not even at the church. FINALLY, she shows, the Sisters hurry to get her in her white clothes, then we want to take a few pictures. 1:45. 2:00. 2:15.......all the family is there but one brother, so the Baptism service is started. Songs sung, talks given.....time for the Baptism. Everyone goes into the room where the font is, and Catharina is standing in the hall waiting for the brother. At one time we even thought she was going to back out of the Baptism....Finally a phone call is made, the Brother, his friend, and girl friend are just a few blocks from the church, so Elder Li jumps in the car to go get them. Oh my......the Brother had to stand outside and finish smoking his 'weed'. He is a very nice guy, but was very happy.....dad was waiting by the font, and did not know what was going on.....the rest of us Missionaries were waiting at the door to greet this last group of people. The brother walks in, dressed in black leather, tattoos, very happy.....looks around and says "man, this is awesome." We could hardly hold our laughter. Finally, we get Catharina into the Baptismal Font ready for the Baptism. There is a new Ward Mission Leader in the Ward, and this was his first Baptism. Usually an announcement is made, that no pictures are to be taken during the Baptism, because of the Sacred Nature of what is being done. The announcement was not made....so you guessed it. Flash after flash while pictures were taken. The poor Elders that were the witnesses didn't know what to do. Dad did the Baptism among all the flashes, and it was over. This might hit youtube:( As we were leaving the service, we, with the Missionaries, said this made the top 10 list of most unusual Baptisms. There were  other investigators there as well, and they asked some questions about the few 'unusual' things that happened. We assured them that the reason we were there, was for the Baptism, and that everything else was just 'worldly things'. The Sacred Ordinance was done, and that was the most important thing. This was #6 Baptism for dad, and one for sure he will remember. Dad feels blessed to have been asked to do the Baptisms. We are doing more than shopping, cooking, and apartments. Hopefully, in the next week we won't have to go into the Mission Office but once a week, so we can do more with the JoVo's and Missionaries.

Today the Sacrament Meeting program was of course honoring Mothers. The Primary children sang, and it is amazing to see all the Nationalities of Children singing....Spanish, African, American, Dutch. After they sang, each child took a 'goodie bag' filled with candy and cookies, to their mothers. After one of the talks, all the men in the audience were asked to come to the front and sing "Love at Home." After the meeting, some yummy pastries were served to the WOMEN.......NO MEN:) It was a nice program. Mothers are honored ALL over the world........GO MOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our prayers are with Shelby, Mark and especially Kristine....we KNOW prayers have been, and are being answered in their behalf. What a blessing in itself, to live when we have such good medical care. Dylan, we hope you get over your cold soon too. No fun to be sick. TOOOOOO many ballgames to play.

Today in RS the lesson was "Sacred Family Relations." I loved the quote from President Snow, as he talked about the family gathering that was held for his 70th birthday. He asked, and as I quote him, this is want dad and I want for our family as well. "That not a single member of this family be lost by deviating from the straight and narrow path, but may we all prove ourselves worthy to come forth in the morning of the first resurrection, crowned with glory, perpetuating in immortality the family union, and continue to increase down through the endless ages of eternity."

We love you all. You are ALL in our prayers. We are blessed to be serving the Lord.

Vader and Moeder

Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Time is flying

Dear Family and Friends,

Wow, if the time keeps flying like this past month, we will be home before we have our bags packed. It seems like we just start a Monday, and a new week, and it is Monday and another new week before we know it.. Guess that is what keeping busy does. The office is training two new Elders and we are preparing for the arrival of twelve new Missionaries this Tuesday. WE DID IT!!!!!!! Six apartments found and furnished. We do have to go back to Groningen and Leeuwarden, the two most Northern apartments this coming week to take some beds, as President Robinson is putting three Missionaries where we thought there would be two, and some 'extra' items needed in an apartment we thought was furnished with everything. But, pat on the back for what we accomplished. Now we can almost take a breath, as we only have  four apartments to furnish, we have them under contract, before June 10th. Then another big push, as eleven have to be found and furnished by July 23rd. You think we know our way around the grocery store. You should see us at IKEA. Stay out of our way! This past week, the Mission Office has looked like a 'mini IKEA', and finally yesterday, it again looks like a Mission Office. With so many Missionaries arriving, there is no room at the Mission Home, so the new Missionaries will stay at a Hotel right across the street from the Mission Office. Something new, and it will be interesting to see how it goes. With us working in the Mission Office, we are sure we will be involved in some way. The new OFFICE couple will arrive this Saturday....YAY......and we have been asked to help get them settled into their apartment, and show them a few things around Rijnsburg, where they will live. We are SOOO happy they are finally coming. We think we have done a pretty good job at keeping things going. We laugh when the phone rings and a question is asked, and we DO know the answer. I even got to call SLC the other day, and talk to someone at Church Headquarters. We still don't know what will happen for the next two months with our calling. We think we will still be helping with apartments, along with our JoVo calling, and hope we can stay in the apartment we are living in now. Another Senior Couple will arrive the middle of May, and it is still undecided where they will go. I am starting to clean, just in case we are asked to relocate. Never a dull moment for sure! Friday when we came home, dad took a two hour nap, and I was in bed at 9:00, just from pure exhaustion. Dad has pulled a muscle in his leg from lifting heavy refrigerators and washing machines, and can hardly walk.  I hope we get home without having to be wheeled off the plane in wheelchairs :) We know this is the Lords work, and we are being blessed. Dad made the comment the other night, that we are going to have some adjusting to do when we get home. Maybe we will have to dig that hole in the backyard for the swimming pool. We give thanks to the other Senior Couples serving here, as they have been such a great help. When we know which apartment needs to be furnished, we give them a call. They in turn get members of their Ward or Branch to meet us, help carry all the things purchased, and put all the IKEA items together. The Elders have been so great to help as well. They help with the heavy lifting and disposal of containers. We could NOT do this all by ourselves.

The weather this week has been beautiful. FINALLY the trees are starting to show signs of green. The plastic has been taken off the Tulips, and the fields are a blaze of color and beauty. As we drive through the country, there are little lambs everywhere, and tiny ducklings following their mothers. The stork on the the church steeple, we think, has had her eggs hatch, as she stands on the edge of the nest and looks around, like she is trying to look for juicy bugs to feed her babies. The cows are once again back in the fields, and they can't but help enjoy being in the fresh air again. The Netherlands is a beautiful place.

Queens Day is alive and well. I told you last week how everything was turning orange. Well, you should see this place now. Everything IS orange. FHE has been cancelled, because the JoVo's have to come from Central Station in Amsterdam, and Monday night people are getting drunk already, preparing for Queen's Day Tuesday. They don't want to even come close to Amsterdam. The Missionaries here have been asked to be in their apartments by 4:00 Monday afternoon, and NOT to go into large crowds Tuesday. All bus and Trams do not run on Tuesday, so if people want to go places, they walk or ride their bikes. Several other Centers are not having FHE because of the same reason......too many crazy people out. We will be welcoming the new Missionaries Tuesday, and we are going to tell them that the celebration is for them :) 

We were happy to see pictures of Corey with his 'cap and gown'. Congratulations on your graduation, and with high honors. One chapter of your life closed, now another BIG chapter opens! Shelby, your music is beautiful. You should make your own CD. Thank you for sharing on Facebook so everyone can enjoy. Cameron for his award. Holywood next???We are anxious to hear news of the birth of Lincoln.....it will be so fun to have a 'little one' in the family. So many hugs waiting to be given. We love you ALL, for all your talents. We could just keep going mentioning everyone.

Well, with the Netherlands turning Orange this week for the Queen's Birthday, and a new King being crowned, or whatever they do......we LOVE the color of white. This past Thursday dad had the blessing of Baptizing Fabien. She is the young lady from the Ukraine that we have helped love and teach the Gospel. She loves dad, and said that IF she were to be Baptized, dad would be the one she would want doing the Baptism. When we arrived at the Haarlem Chapel, Fabien was so nervous, and I was afraid she might back out. She had purchased her own white clothes, and when we finally encouraged her to get dressed, she came out of the dressing room looking like an angel. The clothes she had purchased were so her style. She had asked me to give the talk on Baptism, and what a privilege that was. The Sisters have been teaching her for over a year now, and two of the Sisters that have transferred out of Haarlem, were able to be come and be in attendance that night. The four of them sang "Teach me to walk in the light." Fabien told dad to keep her under the water for a long time, so she would know she was clean...and she did have to be Baptized twice, as her hand came up the first time. After the Baptism, dad told her to just stand there for a minute, and feel the Spirit. The room was full of that Spirit! After she had dressed, and came back into the Chapel, her comment was: "I feel so different, soon as I came out of the water, I felt different. I feel calm." She has had some struggles in her life, and she told us, "I want to start a new chapter in my life, a clean life." Amazing what the Gospel does in people's lives. After a talk was given on the Holy Ghost, the Bishop asked Fabien to say a few words. She stood at the pulpit for some time without saying anything, then expressed again how she was feeling. She thanked the Sisters who had taught her, and then turned to dad and I and expressed her love for us. She said she felt like she was our daughter, and she looked at us as her Father and Mother. Kleenex moment!!! Her dream IS to come to Utah and stay with us. The Sisters wanted to give her a gift. They had called me a week before and asked if I knew where we could get a small statue of the Christus. Would you believe that we had just such a statue here in our apartment, that we had found in an apartment left behind. I wrapped it and we all wrote in a card for Fabien.  When she opened the gift she just gasped...."Oh this is beautiful, just what I wanted to have in my apartment." She just sat and looked at it, turning it from side to side. Her whole countenance had changed, from when we came to the church, to her 'Gospel Glow' after the Baptism. She asked that dad Confirm her as well, so today we attended the Haarlem Ward, and after Sacrament meeting, she did not want to be confirmed 'with so many people watching,' dad confirmed her and gave her a beautiful blessing. After days of shopping, driving from city to city to get keys and meet Realtors, cooking, cleaning, wondering if we can make it another day......we have a sweet experience of seeing what Missionary work is all about. It is hard to express the feeling of seeing someones life change. To see them so happy. We are so very blessed to have the 'Gospel Glow' ourselves. Now share that 'glow' with someone who does not have it! 1 Peter 2:9 " Ye are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an Holy Nation, a peculiar people." Aren't we a happy 'peculiar' bunch :)

As of right now, our release date is still July 9th. Our plane tickets home can come earlier, we have been told, but as of TODAY, July 9th is the ticket time.

We love you, we asked that you keep all the Missionaries in your prayers, as the Lord is Hastening his work. Have a GREAT week.

Hugs and Loves,

Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Busy week

We can't believe how quickly the week whizzed by,

When we picked the girls up at the airport, we made the comment that it would seem like just a day, and we would be taking them back. That is exactly how is was. It was so fun 'showing off' our four daughters to everyone. We kept them on the go, and we think they will be happy to get home and 'rest.' These Dutch stairs we have in our apartment really was an 'eyeopener' for them, to see what we do each day, MANY times a day. They said they didn't feel guilty about eating all the yummy pasties and chocolate, because of the stairs. They were able to be in the temple with us on Tuesday for Zone Conference, and meet many of the Elders and Sisters that we love. Monday night they went to FHE so the JoVo's could meet them as well. We took them into Amsterdam on  Monday on the Tram, but they wanted to stay longer than we could. So, here are four 'UTAH' girls, on their own, in busy downtown Amsterdam. We told them where to catch the Tram # 9 and what stop to get off. They were like pro's :) Thursday, Dayna Lee spent the day  with us shopping for apartment needs, while the other three returned to Amsterdam and spent the day. GO GIRLS!!!! Tuesday after the Temple we visited Haarlem where many scenes of 'The Best two years' were filmed. We also visited the Corrie Ten Boom House (Hiding Place). It was COLD and WINDY that day, and we all wished we had worn warmer coats, as the day started out bright and sunny, and we were thinking, yay, a warm day! Wednesday we walked through the Keukenhof Gardens which is suppose to be full of thousands of BLOOMING flowers. This spring being so cold, we could not believe how many flowers had not bloomed. There were boxes of flowers on the walkways, that were put there to add the color that the flower beds were suppose to provide. It was beautiful, but in another week it will be breath taking. Yesterday as Opa and I drove to the Mission Office we noticed that FINALLY, the tulips in the fields are ready. The Netherlands is a beautiful place to be in the Spring. I could just keep tying all the things we did. Many pictures were taken, so someday we will have a party and put all the pictures together and have ONE big show. We SO enjoyed their visit......just like having four 'little girls' around again.......sometimes they acted like 'little girls':)

We wanted the girls to experience a day in the life of us shopping, for all the new apartments that are needing to be opened these next few months. Thursday, it was decided that having all of us shop would maybe be to much. Dayna Lee stayed with us to shop, and the other three went into Amsterdam. We started at 10:30 am, and returned home about 6:45 pm. We spent two hours in Ikea alone. We had 5 shopping carts filled to the brim, plus the Office Elders had met us with the Mission Van, and we filled that with the large tag items......bookcases, wardrobes, tables, mirrors. Yesterday, Saturday, we drove to Leeuwarden with all the items needed, to get that apartment ready for the next transfer May 1st. President Robinson sent Opa an email yesterday informing him of what is needed in the coming few months. We have two apartments ready, and will do four this week, for the six needed for this transfer. Nine sisters and three Elders will arrive April 30th. THEN-----four more before June 10th, eleven more before July 23rd, and twelve additional before September 3rd. And this is just the Belgium/Netherlands Mission. Yes, I cry, and Opa has a knot in his stomach lots of the time, but we are trying to take 'one day at a time.' The Mission Office looks like a small Warehouse with dishes, bedding, mattresses, rugs, mops, buckets, towels, and the list goes on. We have them in 'like' piles, so I just go down the list and grab what is needed for each apartment. The other Senior Couples are helping us when we have an apartment in their area. We show up, unload, and they have people there to put all the IKEA things together, and set things up. We received some sad news this week about one of the Senior couples. The Elder had a hernia that needed surgery, so they returned to Utah thinking they would return in four to five weeks. During the surgery a cancerous tumor was found, so they will not return. They had been here just six months. They will be missed.

Two weeks ago we told you about the students coming from Amsterdam University to visit our Institute. 25 came!!!! We fed 62 that night. I had made Sloppy Joes, and those who had never had them were going crazy. We had taken what we thought was enough buns and cookies, but Milt had to run to the store for more. One young man ate 5. The night was amazing, as we watched the JoVo's answer questions, and bear their Testimonies. We had taken 'pass-a-long' cards and Books of Mormon to give to the students. A couple of the students wanted to know if they could buy a Book of Mormon, and were thrilled to be given one free. We also had the four Elders and two Sisters serving here in Amsterdam there. We did not leave the Church until after 10:00 pm, as everyone just stood around and visited. The JoVo's all said that this needed to be done again. We hope some 'seeds' were planted, and someone will want to know more. That's what it's all about!!!! Gotta love these YSA's.

Queens day is the 30th of April, and the Netherlands is slowly turning orange for the occasion. Remember that this County gets a new King this year so the day will really be celebrated. Many of the manikins in the store windows are being dressed in orange. Orange everything is on sale in the stores. Even the pastries and candy are all orange now. Between New's Years Eve and Queens day, this place knows how to party. Guess we will put on our orange, and party with them:)

This coming week, with all the coming and goings with the apartments, we will have a Missionary night. The girl from the Ukraine, Fabiena, that we have been helping to love into the Gospel from Haarlem, is being Baptized Thursday, and Opa is Baptizing her. We are so happy! She has asked that I give the talk on Baptism. She has had some struggles understanding the Gospel, and several Sister Missionaries have taught her the lessons. Two new Sisters came to Haarlem, and started from the beginning. She caught the spirit, and will be baptized this week. She is another one of 'our Mission daughters,' and so wants to come to Utah for a visit. Another joy of Missionary work.

 We want to end with the Facebook posting we received from Junior this week. He is the young man from Brazil that come to Amsterdam, met the Elders, was Baptized, then was kicked out of the house by his stepfather because he had been Baptized. His stepfather has now turned his mother against the church, and Junior. This is what he wrote: " I spoke at Stake Conference last Sunday and it was awesome. Well, I was pretty nervous of course, but everything worked out. When I finished my speech, the Stake President, the Mission President and one area Seventy came to me and said:" you are already prepared to go on a mission." That was such a wonderful thing to hear. I love this Gospel and I love when people say I'm a good example to follow. This Gospel is powerful and it changed my life. I'm much more blessed today. I've been invited by the Mission President to go on a mini Mission so I'm really excited. My mother did not like that and she said she'll stop paying for my stuff. I did not know it would be so hard to be the only member of the church in my family. Although my family is absolutely against the church, I'm sure I made the best choice of my life when I joined the LDS church. I know good things will come. Can you believe I'm already getting things ready to go on a full time Mission? I miss you and think of you each day. What more needs to be said!

Express your gratitude each day, to a loving Heavenly Father, that you are a member of HIS church. We are SOOOOO blessed.

We send 'hugs from Holland'

Opa and Oma

Vader and Moeder

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw

Happy Easter

Dear Family and friends,

You are getting your Sunday letter on Saturday this week because tomorrow, Sunday, we will be doing Missionary work all day. It will be interesting to see what happens at church tomorrow.  It is suppose to be  'Fast Sunday', but a big Easter Program is planned with a ward choir and an invitation for all members to invite their non-member friends. I will tell you next week what happened.  After Sacrament meeting I guess the Bishop brings a special Easter Bread and everyone visits.  The Amsterdam Ward has more 'Mix and Mingles" than we have even known.  The ward members see each other so seldom they just love to stay after church and visit.  There will be two Baptism's at 2:00, then we will leave for Rotterdam for a concert put on by Brother and Sister Gruppman.  They are world renown Dutch musicians.  Brother Gruppman was the one who started the Orchestra on Temple Square and often directs the choir and orchestra on Temple Square now. They are expecting about 300 people to attend because this couple is so well known.  It will be a busy Sunday:)

Starting with 'fun facts'.  I gave dad a haircut this week and I am now a Barber along with baking cookies. I was so nervous, but with him not having much hair, I did a great job.....not much to notice missing, and dad was very pleased.  One of the pictures I am sending this week is of two Stork's that are building a nest on the tower of the church.  We laugh because we say they are building  and 'eternal family'. People that live around the church are really keeping an eye on these birds because it is the first time in 3 years they have seen any storks around.  The nest is HUGH,and it is fun to watch the birds bring in the big twigs to build the nest. Another funny thing we see around here.  We sent you the picture of the garbage cans that are around the apartments......people set chairs, desks, pictures, all sort of items by these garbage containers....others come along, see what they want and off they go.  We left a chair and a filing cabinet and left it by the containers...several hours later they were gone.  Who needs DI?

We have talked to the neighbors that live in the apartment on the right of us.  One evening the man, we don't even know their names:( came in and showed us a picture of his little grand daughter and we were able to show him the picture of our family.  One day when looking out our office window I noticed 2 cats in their back yard. The next time I saw him I inquired about the cats and he said they had three.  I told him I loved cats and ask if I could come over sometime and see the cats.  Well, yesterday the doorbell rang and when I opened the door, the woman, wife, was standing with a box in her hands.  She smiled and said:"We brought you an Easter cake." I was really taken back.  I gave her a love and thanked her.....cats, cake and then a Book of Mormon?  We have been told that Dutch people are not friendly with their neighbors so we were really happy.  I will take her some flowers next week, play with the cats and find out what their names are.  Isn't that sweet.

We went shopping today and the stores were so crowded we could hardly push the cart down the isle.  Easter is a BIG celebration here.  We don't know why because most people are not religious....they celebrate tomorrow, Sunday, and we just learned that all the stores  are closed on Monday for the 'second day of Easter.' Why? I think I am in trouble because I shop for FHE dinner Monday morning.  The JoVo's may be having crackers and water this Monday.....so many funny things they do over here.

Last Thursday we had the Elders and Sisters here for dinner.  We asked what they wanted and guess what they said....breakfast.  We had french toast, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fruit and milk.  There is a young couple from Utah living here that attend the Amsterdam Ward so we invited them as well.  There were 10 of us and it was like having our family around us.  We have a unique situation here having 4 Elders and 2 Sisters in the same Apartment complex.  They become 'our kids away from home." We had a great time.

Today being our wedding anniversary dad bought me some beautiful roses and gave me a Hague Temple made of crystal beads made by a sister here in the Amsterdam Ward.  We went to dinner in Rijnsburg  with the Pankratz's and the new couple that just arrived this week, the Moore's.  We have a real bond with these Missionary couples all being away from home, serving in the Centrums, being the same age.  We will have years of fun reunions when we all return home. It was great tonight because dad and I could tell the Moore's a few things that we have learned in the past 21/2 months.....it was so nice GIVING some advice.  Sister Moore is from Holland and speaks Dutch.  Elder Moore used to sing in the Tabernacle choir and told us of some of the tours they went on with the choir.  The Morre's will serve in Den Haag which is the other Centrum in our Stake.  We will work together when Stake functions come about.  They are super sweet people.

It has been an up and down Missionary week.  Cheryl, you said you wait to read our emails to see who to pray for the following week.  Pray for the Missionaries.  We went last Tuesday night with Elder Larson and Elder Cundick to visit Levi.  Even before we went into her apartment dad said he just felt something was not right.  When we walked in, there was a spirit that was not good and we felt it.  I was asked to offer the prayer, and I asked that the Spirit of our Heavenly Father would be in attendance.  As the discussion started, Levi was crying and had her head in her hands...she was suppose to be baptized tomorrow...Easter Sunday.  She had a very stressful day and had smoked.  Elder Larson who has been teaching her just went pale when she said she had slipped and smoked. He was SO looking to this baptism.  I was able to put my arms around Levi and love her...she was miserable.  Dad bore his testimony and asked if he could give her a blessing.  We were so glad we were there with the Elders.  Dad gave Levi a beautiful blessing and told her all would be okay, and that her purpose was to be baptized and do the Temple work for those of her family.....she was in tears for another reason when we left, and the Spirit of the Lord was once again in her home. The Elders have visited her each day this week and so far so good.  They taught her about the Temple and she is so excited to do her families work......she will be baptized next Sunday and dad will be giving the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Satan does NOT want Levi to be baptized because he knows what a special person she is! Keep praying for her as well.

That same day, Tuesday, we met with the Missionary Sisters as they taught Rose.  This lady has been coming to church and we thought she was a member already.  She told us that her mother and dad were Catholic and her dad never felt like he had his questions answered about Religious questions.  Rose said he died of stress not knowing the answers to his questions.  Her uncle was a Monk and left the Monastery because he had questions about religion that he had not found answers to.  He too died not having found the 'right answers'.  One day Rose prayed that she WOULD find answers to questions her dad and uncle had....went outside and there were the Sister Missionaries. Don't tell us the Lord is not looking after those who are seeking.  I am going to ask several of our JoVo's and members of the ward to write their conversion stories so we can keep them in our Mission Memories.  We had a new young woman come to the the Centrum Monday. She had just arrived from Poland that day and called to find the church after she had been in Amsterdam just a few hours.  She is 21, has been a member for 4 years. Her mother was an alcoholic and her dad was in prison.  A member of the Jehovah's Witness contacted her and started teaching her.  They told Dorthy, the girl from Poland, not to listen to the Mormons because they would want her to be baptized into their church.  She always remembered the word Mormon and when the Missionaries contacted her she was ready to listen and believe.  What a strong Testimony she bore to us. Another young man was there. We did not get his name, but he is was baptized Friday night.  He had smoked 30 cigarettes a day and was hooked on porn.  With tears running down his face he told us how hard it was for him to repent and to overcome so many things in his life.  He said he was SO grateful for the Missionaries and the principles he had been taught.  He was so excited to be baptized. These are the stories I want in writing.  We are SOOOO blessed to have the Gospel in our lives.  It is hard to imagine what people have to go through to stop smoking, repent of things they have done...but what joy they have knowing that all they have done will be forgiven when they enter the waters of baptism. Missionary work is amazing!

It is 10;30 and I am tired, and you probably are too from reading all of this.  We will miss the family Easter party but are so happy you are getting together and keeping the Tradition alive. I will send pictures in a few days when I download the next set. We love you all....we love being Missionaries!

Love, Opa and Oma

PS: We think we have the Skype working...lets try it some night with someone:)

Suprise!

Dear Family and friends,

Yes, you re getting the 'weekly email' a day early, as this weekend is turning out to be a very busy one for us......but what else is new :) We are so excited for Conference. To hear from our Prophet, and those who serve with him. Tomorrow, Saturday, we go to the Amsterdam Church at 6:00 pm to hear the Saturday am Session live. Then on Sunday, Priesthood Mtg is held at 11:00 am. 2:00 Sunday, we hear the Saturday afternoon session, then at 6:00 pm we hear the Sunday morning session live. Hope you can follow that. The only session we don't hear is the 2:00 Sunday afternoon.....we can stay up until midnight if we want to watch that live on our computer. Isn't modern technology amazing, that allows us so far away, to be able to watch Conference live! At Institute last Wednesday night, the JoVo's ask if I was bringing 'conference cookies' for them to eat while they are watching Conference. Kids are the same ALL over the world. I always keep a bag of cookies in the freezer, just to stay one step ahead.

This week has been another 'looking for apartments.'  We know that we are being blessed, and prayers are being answered, as we found yet another apartment with flooring, curtains, stove, and a fridge. This apartment is in Delft, and oh my, another BEAUTIFUL city. We have not been there yet, but it is high on a list to go back and visit when we are not on 'Mission business." We got the keys for the Hilversum apartment, so this give us the six that are needed by the end of April. Today, we looked at two more in Rotterdam, that we will contract in the near future. NOW, we have the task of furnishing them all. Next Thursday we travel into Belgium, to Genk, to get that apartment ready. We notified a member of the church there, and they will have several Ward members waiting for us to help unload and set things up. I made a comment several months ago, that I would rather go to bed exhausted, than to just sit around . Dad has mentioned several times, that I need to be careful of what I wish for. Today we brought the Mission Van home, and tomorrow we will go to Ikea and purchase tables,bookcases, and Wardrobes. Monday, the appliances and beds will start to be delivered to the church warehouse in Hilversum......'Hastening' the Lords work is really WORK getting ready for the 'hastening! Dad is also having to deal with all the Mission dealings, and I have spent the week getting all the supplies ready for Zone Conference next week. We hope the new office couple know what and how to do lots, cause right now we feel like we are just keeping the boat afloat. We laugh at what some of the Missionaries want......I have had to tell them that we are NOT Desert Book, we are a Mission Office in the Netherlands!!

The weather has still been cold and windy. We heard today that the next two weeks are suppose to warm up to 16 degrees.....wow, in our language, that is 60 degrees!!!!!!!!! The trees have not even started to bud, and the fields are still brown. When spring does come, the Netherlands IS beautiful! We just may have to wait until summer this year :) We just hope the days will be sunny for the week the girls are here.

At Institute last Wednesday we had another young girl that is not a member of the church.  Everyone made her feel so welcome, and she told us how much she enjoyed the evening, and that she would be back. She lives in Diemen, so we will get her address and have the Sisters contact her. We are SO excited for this Wednesday,when  the students from Amsterdam University will be at Institute. There is a great evening planned, and we hope someone will feel the spirit, and want to hear more. Missionary work IS amazing!!!!

This is a short email, not sure if you will hear from us next week, as we will have FAMILY here! So much to see and do, so little time. Wish you ALL could come for a visit, so you could experience just a little of what Missionary work is all bout. Corey, you have an experience of a lifetime waiting for you......and Travin, you keep doing all that is needed to prepare for your mission. in just ONE year, you will be filling out your papers. AND, any of the grand DAUGHTERS, that want to serve.....something you will cherish a lifetime!

This week the Hymn, "Praise To The Man', came to mind. We give thanks to 'him' who communed with Jehovah, Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer. Blessed to open the last dispensation, Honored and blest be his ever great name! Please give thanks each day for this man who DID commune with Jehovah, and for the LIVING Prophet we have today. 'Come Listen to a Prophets Voice" this weekend.

We love you, and know we are being blessed by the prayers offered in our behalf. Thank you. We love the Lord, we love being Missionaries.

Vader and Moeder

Opa and Oma

Elder and Zuster deLeeuw