Caldwells in Belgium and The Netherlands: Stake Conference, Working with the Hills, Ward Temple Trip

On Saturday October 17, we attended the adult session of stake conference (and the priesthood leadership session) in Antwerpen. We enjoy these activities because we get to see members from throughout the southern part of the Netherlands and the Flemish part of Belgium. We also get to see the missionaries serving in both the Antwerpen and Eindhoven zones. We have great love and admiration for the leaders of the stake here and the conference sessions were particularly enjoyable because Elder Hans Boom of the seventy was presiding.

The sister of Sanna Brandenberg, Lucia and her husband Hyrum Boom in Antwerpen

Elder and Sister Hill, who just arrived in the mission attended conference as well and spent the night with us so that they did not have to travel back to Eindhoven. We really enjoyed getting to know them better and we are so grateful to have them in the mission. We desperately need more couples at the moment, so please tell friends and family members to put in their papers and let President Bunnell know that they are interested.

On Sunday, October 18, Bonnie celebrated her 68th birthday and we attended the general session of stake conference at 3:00 PM in the Brussels building. There are two wards meeting in that building (from a different stake) so we had to wait until the building was free. This large building did a nice job of supporting the many members at stake conference. Bonnie was also thrilled to get FaceTime calls from both of our children (and grandchildren of course).

The two Brandenberg sisters with Sister Caldwell

Waiting for Stake Conference to Start (in Brussels)

After our district class on Tuesday, October 20, Sisters Bradley and Young drove with us back to Mechelen before catching the train to Turnhout. It saves them considerable time when they do that. Later that afternoon, the Hills arrive to spend a couple of days with us learning the ropes of senior missionary life. This was a brilliant innovation of President Bunnell. We decided to start the orientation with a trip to Makro in the north part of Brussels. It was very helpful for them to see the various European products available to substitute for American ones.

Sisters Caldwell, Bradley and Young

Elder and Sister Hill checking the Makro invoices on our way out.
Sister Caldwell was helping with the translation.

The Hills digging into local culture. Soup and Bread for 1 Euro 50.

We did splurge for a Brussels waffle after.

On Thursday, we took the train to Brussels to meet Kevin and Courtney Jenkins and two of their boys for dinner. They had a whirlwind tour of Europe and we were grateful they were willing to work us into their hectic schedule. They had convinced the boys that there were no French fries in Belgium. We had to break the new to them that French fries were invented in Belgium and that they were only called French fries because of the French cut of the potatoes. In Belgium, they fry the potatoes twice. Once at a low temperature to cook the potato and the second time at a high temperature to create a crispy crust. The boys had to admit that Belgian Frites beat McDonalds.

Despite the late night, we wandered down the street toward the Manneken Pis and also found that one of the better Brussels waffle shops was still open. It made the perfect end to a lovely evening together.

Grote Markt (Grand Place) in Brussels

Connecting with Kevin, Zander, Ryan and Courtney Jenkins in Brussels

Digging into mussels and frites, Belgian style.

More Brussels waffles. Zander and Kevin reported that they tasted good.

Courtney enjoying Manneke Pis

On Saturday, we drove back to Zoetermeer to attend the temple with the Leuven Ward. It certainly adds a different feeling when you attend as a ward family and it was wonderful to see so many faithful members there dressed in white. We attended an early session that was English speaking and then the second session was in German. Our ward attended the second session, but we also enjoyed attending the first session with Elder and Sister Robison being the witness couple.

The following Monday, Elders Drenth and Drinkwater visited Mechelen for the Preparation Day. We really enjoy working with these great Elders in our ward, They came to the city at about the same time and have done a great job of picking up loose ends and getting missionary work going at a fast pace. In a few weeks they have gained the love and confidence of the ward members. They are even beginning to understand Flemish.

One of the interesting symbols of Mechelen is called Op Signoorke. This was a wooden doll tossed into the air on festive occasions and dates from 1640. In the 1700s it was thought that someone from Antwerpen kidnapped the doll and it was renamed "Up signore" since folks in Mechelen called people from Antwerpen signores. The original is now in a museum (with the last kidnapping in 1950 by students from Antwerpen pretending to be American tourists). There is a small statue next to the city hall, but a large sculpture near the Church where children could play on it. The Elders decided to demonstrate their climbing ability.