Moving into Facebook Finding

On Wednesday evening, January 15, 2014, President and I traveled to Antwerpen to met with Bro. Geens from the Gent Branch regarding the successful Facebook project he has been piloting in the branch.

We also had Diedrik Lenders, who is the Technical PR person for the Church over the Netherlands, attend the meeting.  Our purpose was to start moving this successful Facebook project into the four stakes serving the Dutch speaking members of the church.  We, President Robinson and I, have been aware that Bro. Geens is highly successful with his project and many people are learning about the church and are asking to be visited and taught by the missionaries.  Gent Branch has had baptisms from this project.  This project has really only been going for about 4 months, however, we have seen great potential in its use in missionary work. 

Sister Robinson, President Robinson, Bro. Lenders, Bro. Geens

Bro. Lenders is now going to work with the four Stake Presidents and will begin moving on the Facebook Project throughout the Belgium Netherlands Mission.  We have approval from the Church for the official Facebook Page.  Exciting things are starting to happen.  We will continue doing missionary work the way we always have done, except now we will begin to have the assistance of every member of the church in the Belgium Netherlands Mission working on the Facebook Project which has been proven to result in referrals, investigators, baptisms and new members.  The new members found through the Facebook Project are so grateful to have found the Church because they were aware they were missing something in their life and didn't know where to find what they were missing.  Through this Facebook Project, members can share the gospel as never before with greater success.

 It fits perfectly with what

 Elder L. Tom Perry spoke about in Hastening of the Work.

When I was a young missionary, we were able to speak with contacts on the street and knock on doors to share the gospel. The world has changed since that time. Now, many people are involved in the busyness of their lives. They hurry here and there, and they are often less willing to allow complete strangers to enter their homes, uninvited, to share a message of the restored gospel. Their main point of contact with others, even with close friends, is often via the Internet. 

The very nature of missionary work, therefore, must change if the Lord is to accomplish His work of gathering Israel “from the four corners of the earth” (2 Nephi 21:12). 

Just as missionaries must adapt to a changing world, members must also change the way they think about missionary work. In saying this, I wish to make it clear that what we, as members, are asked to do has not changed; but the way in which we fulfill our responsibility to share the gospel must adapt to a changing world.

Our Personal Testimony:  The Lord is in the work.  He is opening doors, inspiring members, and preparing people to find the Gospel.  This IS 

 Hastening the Work of Salvation.

NOTE:   Yes, we decided to meet at Bryce Canyon, Utah.  What a treat it was for us to walk into the conference room, in a business building in Antwerpen and see this wall mural.  President and I knew immediately where this was, as it is about a two hour drive from our home in Utah.  Bro. Geens laughed and said we were the first people who knew the location of this photo.  

Most people ask him if it is the Grand Canyon.  So, throughout the entire 

meeting, President and I feel very much 'at home'. 

Just look at the bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds. 

Goodbye to Elder Douglas

January 8, 2014 Elder Douglas packed up for his last transfer. 

We met him in the Mission Office for his last interview with President and his final check out with the Legal and Financial Elders.  Afterward, we went to dinner to enjoy and share about the wonderful work Elder Douglas has done while serving.  We have watched Elder Douglas grow over the last 18 months to become a valuable leader in the mission.  Elders like Elder Douglas are hard to replace.  However, the Lord always has the next leader prepared to step in and keep the mission moving forward.

Elder Lewis, Assistant to the President, and Elder Douglas

 Elder Van Komen, Assistant to the President, and President Robinson

 Back at the Mission Home we enjoyed our fireside testimony meeting.  Elder Douglas, thank you for everything you have done for the Lord as you have served Him in the Belgium Netherlands Mission.

 Elder Douglas, President Robinson, Sister Robinson

 Friendships made on a mission are friendships for eternity.

Elder Douglas and Elder Van Komen

 Elder Lewis, Elder Douglas and Elder Van Komen

Next morning, bright and early, we say goodbye to Elder Douglas.  

Even though I find it so hard to tell these departing missionaries goodbye, I have to keep reminding myself that there is a mother that is so excited to see her son in a few hours, and there is a huge family reunion planned that will be a memorable and exciting.  We are genuinely happy for these Missionaries and their families.

 A final goodbye to President.

Sister Robinson, President Robinson, Elder Douglas

We love you Elder Douglas.  You have a special spot in our hearts.  Thank you for loving the Lord to such a degree that you allowed Him to teach and refine you into the wonderful missionary and young man you are because of your obedience.  The Lord has need of you in His work, remember, the name badge was only training wheels.  Tot volgende keer.

Goodbye to three more GREAT Missionaries

December has been hard with six missionaries going home--here are the last three to leave.  On December 26, 2013 we had Elder Huff, Elder Armstrong and Elder Harvey come to the Mission Home for their final evening in the Netherlands.

President Robinson, Sister Robinson, Elder Huff, Elder Armstrong 

and Elder Harvey

Elder Harvey, Sister Robinson, President Robinson, Elder Armstrong, Elder Huff

The morning of December 27, 2013 we arrive at Terminal 2 to say good bye to Elder Harvey and Elder Armstrong who will be traveling together.

Elder Armstrong and Elder Harvey, thank you for all you have done.  You have been an positive influence for our younger missionaries.  Because of your leadership, your influence will be felt for many months to come--maybe years to come.  Thank you.  We love you.

We are always supported by the Assistants.  Thanks to you both Elder Van Komen and Elder Lewis.

Then over to Terminal 3 to say good bye to Elder Huff.  

We love you.  It is hard to see you go, but I am so very happy for your family!

These three families have postponed Christmas until their Missionary arrives home.  Merry Christmas and thank you for your service.

Christmas Day in the Mission Home

December 25, 2013--Merry Christmas.  Welcome to my families tradition for Christmas Morning---what we refer to as 'Monkey Bread'.

We missed out on it last year because you cannot buy Rhoades Bake and Serve frozen rolls or butterscotch pudding in the Netherlands.

We had our daughter send us some pudding and I broke down and made homemade rolls.  And--wal-la--Monkey Bread.

Had to take a picture to send home to my kids and grandkids.  I would have loved to have shared it with them.  Instead, we loved sharing it with the Assistants, Elder Van Komen and Elder Lewis, 

who spent Christmas Day with us in the Mission Home.

Yes, it was as delicious to eat as it was to look at!

We had a wonder dinner in the Mission Home that evening.  We invited our friend, Ajdaimee, to join us.

President Robinson, Ajdaimee, Sister Robinson

Elder Lewis, Ajdaimee, Elder Van Komen

These three had a great time getting to know each other.  It was great to share our meal and time with Ajdaimee.  The Elders prepared and taught a Spiritual Christmas message for all of us and invited Ajdaimee to learn more about our Heavenly Father and his plan and purpose for him and all of God's children.

Elder Lewis, Elder Van Komen, Sister Robinson, President Robinson

The Assistants, Elder Lewis and Elder Van Komen

Elder Lewis and Elder Van Komen, it was a special treat for us to share the day with you.  Thanks for your love and support.  Merry Christmas!

New Year's Eve Dutch Style (Oud Nieuw)

Tuesday, December 31, 2013, we were invited to spent the last day of the year with member of the church who have become some of our best and dearest friends.

Tuesday morning, President Oddens invited President and me to a wonderful long walk along Scheveningen Beach. 

We walked for about 45 minutes down the beach toward a brown pile on the beach.  The closer we got, President Oddens explained that it was an annual event where shipping palettes are stacked up and at midnight, and a hugh bon fire is lit for New Year's Eve. 

Here is the results of 25,000 shipping palettes stacked on the beach.

We are still a ways off, but it is looking pretty impressive.

President Robinson and President Oddens 

From the fence it looks unbelievable!  It would have been fun to watch it burn.  That being said, watching it burn is definitely 

not a 'missionary approved activity'. ;0

Later that evening we were invited guests at the home of Brother and Sister Van Wermeskerken. We enjoy the company of President and Sister Gfeller, President and Sister van der Put, and Brother and Sister Jansen.

President Gfeller, Brother Jansen, Sister Jansen, Sister Gfeller, and Sister Van Wermeskerken showing us how to play and win!

President Gfeller, Brother Jansen, President Robinson, Sister Jansen

Never did learn how to add up the score--that's OK, I didn't win.

Actually, it was a fun game.  They give instructions how to buy one when we go home to Utah.

Well, the best part--Dutch treats for the Oud Nieuw, complete with 

'Appel Flaps en oliebollen'.

Sister Gfeller and Sister Van der Put

Then comes Midnight--and fireworks have been going off for hours, but at midnight everything breaks loose and it sounds like WWIII.

I realize this is an overload of 'firework' pictures.  It was just unreal to see these kinds of fireworks being set off in neighborhoods by regular people. For Americans this is unbelievable because these kinds of fireworks are only set off by the fire department for the 4th of July. In America, communities buy and set of these kinds of fireworks off for display for an entire community.  Here everybody has them, they set them off in front of their house for the neighborhood to enjoy--and hear!!

 For well over an hour it was non stop fireworks in 360 degree circle.  It didn't matter where you looked, there were fireworks going off.  At 3 am we could still hear them going off in random neighborhoods, it's hard to stay asleep.  Good thing a pillow over the head helps.   

January 1, 2014 here is the debris in the front yard of the Mission Home.

And the answer to that question is "No, President and I did not set of those bottle rockets off or the fireworks!"  But we heard them!

The street out in front of the Mission Home.

More debris.  Our great neighbors has it cleaned up that morning.  We truly love and appreciate our neighbors and our neighborhood.

This is what the street looks like--it continues around the corner and on down the street.  It was a great celebration.

The first New Years Eve we are back in America we will have a longing for just a few loud booms and a few aahhs for the sparkles in the night sky.  And President my have a longing for an oliebollen or two.

Senior Couples Council

January 3, 2014 was our first Senior Couples Council for 2014. What a great day with the Senior Couples.  We have five Senior Couples serving in our mission and three couples from the Netherlands.  The three couples from the Netherlands are serving in the JoVo Centers.
Elder and Sister Winmill   serving as Office Couple
Elder and Sister Seiter    serving in JoVo Center in Den Haag
Elder and Sister Evenhuis  serving as Member Support in Lelystad
Elder and Sister Romig  serving as JoVo in Groningen and Member Support in Leeuwarden
Elder and Sister Kruizinga  serving in JoVo Center in Eindhoven 
Brother and Sister Jansen serving in JoVo Center in Deventer 
Brother and Sister De Wilde  serving in JoVo Center in Antwerpen
Brother and Sister Klijweg   serving in JoVo Center in Ansterdam

President Scheltinga does a training for the Senior Couples which was geared toward helping our Single Young Adult Program  (JoVo) become more successful through the stake and ward leadership.

President Scheltinga also trained the Senior Couples that with their many other responsibilities--JoVo Centers, Mission Office duties, Member Support efforts, Missionary Support at District Meetings and Zone Conferences, apartment inspections, fleet maintenance--they are called and set apart as full time MISSIONARIES and not to get so caught up in the other duties to neglect their primary responsibility as missionaries.

President Robinson shared a number of 'turning points' from the scriptures.  Decisions that were made by individuals that changed the course of events.  He challenged all Senior Couples to make today and this year a 'turning point' in their mission and change the course of events in their mission.

What a great day with the couples!

Putting Christmas # 2 Away

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.  Thank you to all our family and  friends, members of the Church in both Utah and Belgium-Netherlands, and parents of our missionaries for the thoughtful cards, letters and treats we received.  It was very kind of you to remember us.  

We feel we do so little to receive such warm thoughts and love from you.  

But, Christmas has to be put away for another year, so it all went back into the boxes and bins until next year.