Getting settled in Groningen, the Brussels Tragedy and a Great Visit with the Andersens

We started our week with the regular third Sunday trip to Gouda for the fireside and sacrament meeting for the Young Single Adults in the area.  We left with a car full of our last belongings to be moved to Groningen.  We were blessed to have Paul Brandenberg with us from Gouda back to Groningen and he helped us move the belongings, including Sister Caldwell's keyboard up to the apartment.  It certainly made things go faster after a late night and a very long day.

On Monday May 21, the elders and sisters from Groningen met at our apartment to begin our P-Day activity together.  We ate breakfast burritos prepared by Sister Caldwell and then headed off to Leeuwarden province to visit the site of the first baptisms performed in the Netherlands.  The elders and sisters were happy to pull the weeds to keep the monument in good condition.  This was a tradition started by Elder Brent and Sister Suzanne Romig which we are happy to carry on.

Posing by the monument 

Starting the cleanup

Sister Duncan tossing the moss.

Sisters Duncan and Wilkinson

After visiting the monument, we stopped at a wooden shoe factory and the missionaries purchased souvenir shoes.

The Sisters went for the traditional.  26 Euros each

The Elders opted for the fancy souvenirs with personalization

On Tuesday, March 22, we were shocked to hear to the bombings in Brussels.  We had regular updates from Elder Rochow, the Australian Barrister serving at the Church EU liaison office.  From him, we learned of Elder Norby's injuries.  These are two great couples who have a big impact here in Europe.

We attended our first district class in the Groningen district.  Elders Crowson and Walker were well prepared and the instruction was impactful and helpful.  We did miss the two Elders from Leeuwarden.  It is certainly fun to see Elder Walker in action as a mature and polished leader since he started his time in the mission in the Leuven Ward with us.

On Thursday, March 24, we attended the special Easter service of the Apostolic Church.  They allowed the Groningen Ward to meet in their building while the Groningen building was being remodeled and the Church allowed them to meet in our building while their building is under renovation.  The Elders, Sisters, a couple of Young Single Adults (Jovos) and us attended.  We enjoyed the service and the members were very warm and friendly.  We also enjoyed the choir.  Since the Apostolic Church originated in Wales, it is not surprising that the choir tradition is alive and well.

On Friday, we returned to Belgium to prepare to welcome our friends, Mark, Laurie and Jacob Andersen.  They lived in our neighborhood in Kuwait and now live near Rigby, Idaho so they have remained more like family members than simply friends.  We also began some of the deep cleaning of the apartment to ensure that it is ready to welcome the Olivers.

Mark and Laurie arrived a little after 2:00 PM on Saturday.  We took them to our beloved chocolatier, Sjolaa so they could experience the best of Belgian chocolate.  We then walked into the center of Mechelen to show them the sights and let them visit Leonidas, their favorite Belgian chocolate company.  In true Middle East fashion, we ended our evening with a trip to the local kabob place, just around the corner.  It is run by a Catholic Syrian family.  They are nice people who prepare good food at a reasonable price.

On Sunday, March 28, we all headed off for Leuven for our last Church service in the Leuven Ward.  The Bishop asked us both to bear our testimonies and then presented us with a huge piece of chocolate with a picture of The Hague Temple on the white chocolate in the center.  After the services, the ward had prepared a lovely lunch and we enjoyed associating with the members we have come to love and admire so well.

In the afternoon, we headed off to the Waterloo battlefield.  They had opened a new underground museum last year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle and it really added a lot to the visit.

In a few minutes we will greet the Olivers and start their orientation to Mechelen and Belgium.  We have enjoyed visiting with them over the last few weeks and are looking forward to seeing them in person.  We hope and pray that they will come to love this area as much as we have.