Senior activity in Volendam, A Wonderful Baptism, An Amazing Airshow in Leeuwarden, Summer BBQ and Sanna Farewell

I am now realizing that I am more than a month behind in updating this blog.  This should at least catch everything up to about a month ago.

One of the blessings of a senior mission is the opportunity to rub shoulders with the other senior missionaries and President and Sister Bunnell at senior activities.  On this activity, we met at the Amsterdam chapel and then drove to the historic city of Volendam.  Of course, we had to have our picture taken (again) in Dutch costumes, eat a fish lunch and take the ferry to Marken.  

President Bunnell offering to take their picture for them.

Sisters Jansen and Gout

Elder Hill showing us how big the herring is that he plans on eating.

Elder Oliver and Elder and Sister Van der Put by the herring stand

Sisters Van der Put and Caldwell waiting for lunch.

Sister and Elder Oliver also waiting for lunch

Elder Hill and his buddy

Sister Bunnell cozying up with a local fisherman.  President didn't seem a bit jealous

The Olivers on the boat.

The Hills doing a little window shopping

Elders Jansen and Gout walking along the streets of Marken

Sister Gout looking for ice cream

The Van der Puts and Buddy Gout also looking for ice cream

Buddy Gout showing the water mark during the great flood

President Bunnell - always on call

The Jansens holding down the fort

The Bunnells boarding after some last minute shopping.  Just in time.

The Olivers and the Caldwells

The whole bunch

Volendam got us all again.  I am happy with my fake cheese.

The Elders in Groningen were blessed to find two sisters from China, but who grew up in St. Martin. They were the ultimate golden contacts and joined the Church in a short period of time.  They have been a great blessing to the Jovo (Young Single Adult) group and participate in every activity.  Yenny and Fiyen Mo were baptized on June 4.

On June 7, we went into the center of Groningen with Sanna Brandenburg and her friend Ane-Rebekka Mikkelsen from Norway.  There was a flyover of the new F35 on its first visit to Groningen.

Sanna waiting for the flyover

The only picture I got of the F35 flyover 

Bonnie, Ane-Rebekka and Sanna in front of the Martini Church

Watching the poffertjes (small round Dutch pancakes) being prepared.

Ane-Rebecca and Sanna digging into their poffertjes with strawberries and whipped cream.

On June 9, we held the Institute class at the home of Buddy and Beryl Gout.  They served a delicious BBQ.

On June 10, I was able to attend the Leeuwarden Air Base air show with Buddy Gout.  More than 200,000 people attended, so it was quite the event.  It was the first time that the new F35 appeared in the Netherlands.  Of course, I was also happy to see my old friend, the C-130 from the Dutch Air Force in action as well.

Buddy Gout looking like an ace fighter pilot.

On Sunday, June 26, we held the Branch Conference in the Leeuwarden Branch and also had the farewell talk of Sister Sanna Brandenburg as she prepares to depart for the Mission Training Center (MTC) in Preston, England than then to serve her mission in the Hawaii mission.  She will be a fabulous missionary.