Sunday, June 29, 2008

Cargo Ship Containing Hundreds of Containers

Ward Harbor Tour Group

Rotterdam Harbor Tour

Saturday we went on a Ward excursion for senior citizens. It was a great time for us and we made better acquaintance with many older members. We first went to lunch at a nice Panekoeken Huis (Pancake restaurant). The restaurant was on the banks of the Maas River. We watched barges pass as we ate. Attached you will see a picture of the lunch plate. There is the soft egg on top of bread, which had meat and cheese on it. Under the cherry tomato was a mashed potato salad. There were a number of other things on the plate too. Then there was the soup and the ice cream. It was good, but there was way too much. We were told that it was a typical Dutch lunch. Then we drove to the Rotterdam harbor and got on a tour boat (see picture). The harbor is the 2nd largest in the world and handles cargo for most of Europe. It was awesome and we loved it. It will be a recommended trip for our visitors. The bonus was the fellowshipping with the older members and the bishop, who is only 33 (and a professional photographer).

Rotterdam Harbor

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Bro. & Sister Ng, & Us

Caroline, Elders Buck & Helton at Ng's Home

Pick a Language at Sunday Dinner

Today was a great day in Nederland. We first went to church, where Elder S. taught the High Priest Quorum in Dutch, and also related an experience in English. He related to them Pres. Monson's Righteous Example talk from April Conference. Then we enjoyed the Sunday School lesson from Alma. In sacrament meeting Elder Helton, our new "golden" Spanish speaking elder spoke in Dutch. Zuster S. had translations done for her some of the time. She is amazing with her ability to understand some of what is said. After church we first went back to our apartment with an investigator and spoke English and Dutch. Then we went to a Chinese/Dutch family's home for dinner. Also invited were three members from Brazil (Portuguese). One is married to a Dutchman, one is a nanny here, and the other is a BYU student (who now lives in Florida). Are you lost yet? During dinner you could just about pick whichever language you wanted. Several of those present spoke Portuguese, Dutch, and English. We didn't hear any Chinese today. Last night we had dinner and a lesson with a family from Suriname (near Venezuela) and taught in Dutch and English, and she read passages from the Book of Mormon in Papumento. What an avontuur (Dutch for adventure)we are having.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Elders & Ward Mission Leader

The Power of the Lord's Promises

We have had some great teaching experiences with the young Elders recently. We have talked with a wonderful man, who is very sincere and filled with the spirit. In the past week he has had discussions on the Word of Wisdom and Tithing. Both lessons were difficult for him. He wants to do what is right, but knows that it is not going to be easy. When we talked about tithing he said, "The amount that I have for food and other things, after bills, is the same amount that is asked of me for tithing, I don't see how that will be possible." Elder Buck told him that it was the Lord that was asking him to be obedient and pay tithing. He promised him that the Lord would bless him and it would be possible. We all bore testimony of the truth of the principle. Before we left he said, "I don't know how I am going to pay tithing and still eat, but I will do what the Lord asks so that I can be baptized." He then offered a wonderful prayer and we left. We all thought about him during the night. Then he called Elder Buck the next morning with more doubts. He was then assured and comforted that it was the right thing to do. Twenty minutes later, he called Elder Buck back and said, "I am sitting here with my mouth open in awe, my neighbor just called me and asked me to do some landscaping work for him. He offered to pay me more that the amount that I needed for food and tithing." He is also quitting smoking, which frees up more money. This was an amazing faith promoting experience for all of us. It was a great reminder that the Lord is mindful of all of us and that He is in charge. We appreciate your prayers for us and others that you do not know. We love the Lord and are so grateful for his blessings.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Location, Weather & Sports

We thouhgt that you might find it interesting to know that the Netherlands is located on the same line of latitude as Alberta, Canada. Thus it is further north than most people realize. The weather is cool most of the time. We are having mostly 65 degree weather and it rains most days for a little while. We are writing this at 10 pm and it is as light as dusk. One night I awoke and looked out the window at 3:30 am and it looked just about as light. It is beautiful and green here. The country is about 1/3 the size of Utah. The Dutch soccer team (Holland) has won its first two games in the Eurocup and play again next week. It is a VERY BIG thing here. There is orange every where (the color of the national team).

Missionary Success

We have been enjoying great success here in Rotterdam. The young missionaries in particular are really working hard to find and teach people. We really feel that angels are preparing the people to hear the gospel,(see Alma 13:24). We have been able to go out with them on several teaching appointments. With our young Elders, we have several investigators, and several baptismal commitments. The best success is coming from new converts who want to share with their friends. This past week we also pronounced a special blessing upon Rotterdam through fasting and offering a special prayer. It was for the people here to listen to those promptings from the angels to listen to our message.

Great Young Missionaries in our District

Water Closet (WC) "vay say"

Kitchen

View out our 2nd story livingroom window

Our apartment livingroom

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Saint Servaas Bridge in Maastricht, Netherlands (probably no connection)

Multiple Languages at the Temple

We had a great experience at the Temple again this week. This week we helped the French speaking missionaries make it through two sessions. At one point I had to listen to Dutch, and French, while I spoke English in return. Somehow we all made it through. The spirit was strong. Also yesterday and today we have had Stake Conference. Today was a broadcast from Salt Lake to western Europe. We could hear the English in the background and the Dutch translation came booming through on top of that. I understood most of it and Kae was able to listen through a headset to the English.