Christmas Dinner in Hilversum

President and I received an invitation to attend the Christmas Dinner and Musical Evening with the Hilversum Branch.  Wonderful evening. I love the members of the Church here in the Netherlands and Belgium! They always go out of their way to make us feel so welcomed and at home.  They always help us feel like 'family'.  Which we are--eternally.

 Elder and Sister DeLeeuw with branch members.

 Elder and Sister Lyons

 Elder Pimentel and branch members

 President and Elder Chantry

 Elder Pimentel visiting--heel goed Neterlands, Elder!

 It was a wonderful evening Hilversum Branch--thank you for the opportunity to enjoy an evening with you!

Senior Couples Council

On December 12, 2012, we held the Senior Couples Council in the Mission Home.  So much of the work here in the mission is done my our wonderful and faithful Senior Couples.  I would like to call them 'the glue' that holds everything together and keeps the wheels on the bus of the mission.  Thank you seems so inadequate, but thank you Senior Couples for never ending energy and strength of testimony.  None of us Seniors know how we keep going, but everyday we get up and do it all over again--just trying to keep up with the rest of the missionaries! :)

 Brother Scheltinga, from the Den Haag Stake, has been called to work with the Senior Couples that serve in the Single Young Adults Centers or Institute Centers of the mission.  He will coordinate with the four Stakes, the Stake leaders and Mission Senior Couples and oversee the program for President Robinson.  We were privileged to have him join us and share with us the new guidelines from the Handbook on how our JoVo Centers will change and look as we move forward.

Dinner is always great with the Senior Couples--the best cooks in the Mission.

 Elder and Sister Everton (in the doorway of the kitchen) share their parting testimony with us as they return home December 30, 2012.  We will miss you.  Thank you for your outstanding support to the mission.

 Elder Everton, Sister Everton, Elder Lyons, Sister Lyons, Elder Seiter, Sister Seiter, Sister DeLeeuw, Sister Pankratz, Elder Deleeuw, Elder Prankratz, Elder Kruizinga, Sister Kruizinga, Sister Spek, Elder Spek, Sister Anjewierden, Elder Anjewierden, Sister Woodhouse, Elder Woodhouse and President Robinson seated in front.

Zone Leaders Council at the Mission Home

Zone Leaders Council at the Mission Home is always one of my favorite days. 

 I love having the Zone Leaders here for the day. 

 We are taught and inspired by the Spirit and we can all feel the renewed commitment take place as the day passes.

As today was the last Zone Leaders Council that Elder Culkins will be in attendance, because he leaves for home before our next council.  He requested and actually set up this photo shoot.  Thanks Elder Culkins.  (In the back, behind President, holding and looking at an ornament)

 Zone Leaders Council  December 13, 2102

L to R:  Elder Wang, Elder Schulte, Elder Culkins, President Robinson, Elder Maughan, Elder van Rij, Elder Mortensen (back by tree)  Elder Burton, Elder Li, Elder Pitchforth and Elder Kunz

This is a very powerful group of missionaries.  Thank you for your strength and witness of the Savior.  Thank you for making President's and my job easier.  We love you!  We will miss you Elder Culkins!

Goodbye to Two Wonderful Elders

Saturday, December 15, 2012 we sent two more Missionaries home just in time for Christmas with their families.

We love Elder Da Cruz and Elder Pelaquim, we will miss you.  

 Elder Da Cruz, Elder Pelaquim, Sister Robinson, President Robinson

Happy Elders--Headed home to Brazil just in time to spend 

Christmas with their families.  

Thank you for your diligent and successful service to the Lord.  You both have made a remarkable difference here in the Netherlands.  We wish you success in your lives and know your future is bright because you are anchored in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Thank you for your strong witness of the Savior.  Goodbye are getting hard.  Tears just won't stay away. We love you.

Thanksgiving in the Mission

We attended three Thanksgiving Dinners this year!  Wow, and I only had to cook a turkey for one!  This was a year off for me.

November 16, 2012 We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Haarlem Ward.  Sister Stout and Sister Rigdon did a wonderful job on this Ward activity.  

Goed gedaan!

 The Zoetermeer Sister Missionaries, Sister Townsend and Sister Omozokpia brought two investigators to the Haarlem Ward Activity.

 Sister Rigdon serving potatoes and gravy with the Bishop of the Haarlem Ward.

 Sister Stout serving 'drinks'! :)

Following are pictures of the ward members and investigators that enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner prepared and served by 

Sister Stout and Sister Rigdon

On November 20, 2012 President and I had all our Senior Couples, 

Brother and Sister Bogart from Belgium and Hans and Reah Stok, who are our neighbors all came to our Thanksgiving Dinner in the Mission Home.

President had an item of business to take care of during the time we had together.  He had all the men sing a special song to the wives.  

I wish I had video taped this, "Ghost Chickens in the Sky" sung to the tune of "Ghost Riders in the Sky".  

 The wives couldn't believe President could get all these men to sing--but they did and we all enjoyed!

Thanksgiving Dinner  #3

On November 22, 2012 (The real Thanksgiving), we were invited to Amsterdam for Thanksgiving again.  

Thanks to the Single Young Adults of the Den Haag Stake and the DeLeeuw's, the Lyons, the Seiters, and the Pankratzs for a delicious dinner.