October came in with a return to cold, wet weather

Tuesday, October 4 was the last district class of this transfer.  Sister Harris and Elder Johnson have stayed in Groningen for most of the summer, so it was particularly hard to say goodbye to them.  Of course, we will also miss Sister Leman and Sister Taylor.

Wednesday the 5th of October brought the transfer.  These happen about every six weeks.  The large groups of new missionaries make the transfers more frequent and complicated than usual.  The mission also tries to minimize the time that missionaries spend away from a companion.  This time, we had to pick up Sister Nyakoh at the train station as she dropped off her companion for the transfer.  We had to wait about 45 minutes to pick up an Elder from Assen who spent a couple of hours with us while waiting to head back to Assen to meet his new companion.  Neither had eaten breakfast, so Bonnie addressed that problem in short order.

We received notice that there would be a zone training meeting on Tuesday, October 11.  Bonnie had scheduled a musical performance for that afternoon at a rest home in Groningen.  The President and Zone leaders graciously shifted the meeting to the morning so that we could still make the program.

It turned out to be well received, despite the fact that the musical talent in the new district is quite limited and we had little time to practice.  The missionaries did a great job of associating with the residents and everyone had a good time.

Elder Meister talking to some of the residents

Sister Lucero

Our "star" singer with Elder Hill and Bonnie

A late comer bemoaning the fact that she missed the concert

The missionaries got "schooled" and coached on this popular Dutch game called sjoelbak

On October 12, we received a visit from Julie Oliphant, her recently returned missionary Chase (from the Berlin, Germany mission) and her daughter Riley.  It was fun having a recent RM with us.  He was obviously very European and enjoyed his mission a great deal.  While we had little time together, we showed them the town (Groningen).

Riley, Chase and Julie by the Gold Office in downtown Groningen

Enjoying poffertjes with strawberries and whipped cream.

After a long delay awaiting a US visa Sanaa Brandenburg finally was able to fly to Hawaii to her assigned mission.  It was great having her serve for a few months here in the Netherlands.  She has now been assigned to the big Island and we are waiting to hear more updates.  She has been very busy for the last two weeks.

We normally hold institute on Thursday evenings and the missionaries often join us for dinner before it begins.  We had the three new sisters together that evening.

Sisters Lucero, Maughan and Abbot showing how hungry they are.

On Sunday, October 16, we attended church in Groningen and then drove with the two Mo sisters to Gouda for the third Sunday young single adult fireside and sacrament meeting.  We met up with old friends from the Antwerpen stake and the Olivers.

On Monday, October 17, we took the Groningen Elders to Scherjon's Klompen Fabriek in Friesland.  This factory makes the best wooden shoes in the Netherlands because they are the only ones who use willow instead of poplar.  It is definitely not a tourist shop for people from outside of the country.  The missionaries enjoy the place.  We were surprised that shortly after we arrived, four sisters from the Zwolle district showed up with a member.  Too much fun!

On the way back, we stopped by a farm that sold pumpkins.  They are not quite up to US standards, but the weather is quite wet here.  Bonnie picked out her two favorites.

Elder Hill dining on poffertjes before leaving for the klompen factory

These might be a tad too big 

Elder Meister seems to have the same problem with fit.

Surprise, the sisters from the Zwolle District showed up.

Showing the split willow logs 

Taking the treasure home to mail back to the US

On October 18, Bonnie celebrated her 69th birthday.  We had a cake for her at the district class and then I took her out to dinner that evening.  Her choice was Thai food.  We were able to get a reservation at the number one ranked Thai restaurant in Groningen.  It certainly lived up to its billing.  It was a lovely date.

Occasionally, we get to eat at a members home with the younger missionaries.  Sister Meier graciously hosted all four sisters and us for a lovely dinner.  The sisters were happy to do the dishes after the meal, as you can see from this picture.

Sisters Lucero and Abbot showing what to do with leftover krupuk (shrimp crackers).

We have started to hold occasional family home evenings in Leeuwarden.  We hold them twice a month on Friday evening.  We had two lovely sisters with us on this evening.

The entire summer, the monument placed to commemorate the first LDS baptisms performed in the Netherlands has been hidden behind tall grass and reeds and was not reachable on foot.  Jan Weening of the Groningen Ward rented provided equipment and the Elders from Groningen and Leeuwarden provided the manpower to clean out the weeds, remove the paving stones and re-level them.  The Elders from Leeuwarden rode an hour each way on their bicycles and I brought Jan and two Elders from Groningen along with the equipment.  Bonnie provided an excellent lunch.

Many folks from the local area stopped by to talk.  They are proud of the monument and were happy to see it being cared for.  They had a big celebration in 2011 to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the first baptisms (performed in 1861).  Jan Weening was in charge and made many friends in the local community.

Elder Waters and Swygart at work levelling.

Elder Meister cleaning the top.

Elder Swygart cleaning the tip-top

Relaying the pavers

Enjoying Bonnie's well prepared lunch

The picture was courtesy of a friendly local who also used a small ladder to take the picture.

The monument in its picturesque setting

The Leeuwarden Elders ready for the hour ride back.

On Saturday mornings they hold an open air market in Groningen.  In the past, we have seen fabric vendors there and since our dining room chairs were in a sorry state, we decided to see what we could find.  Alas, no fabric vendors this time.  We did find folks demonstrating how to make a lantern from a sugar beet for St. Martens day (on the 11th of November).  I think this tradition predates the pumpkin carving in the US.

Here, you can see why our chairs needed to be recovered.  We were able to find a fabric store specializing in upholstery and drapery fabrics and spent the afternoon recovering the chairs.

On Sunday, we had an hour and a half presentation on 72 hour kits that included making rain coats from garbage bags and learning to make donuts from nylon parachute cord for easier storage.  It kept everyone entertained and busy.  Afterwards, we had a lovely potluck.

Since Monday, October 31 was Halloween, Bonnie decided that we needed to have orange stuffed peppers for family home evening.  Elders Hill and Meister arrived a bit early to assist with the pepper carving and did a great job.  Family home evening was a great success and folks enjoyed visiting and playing games.

Thanks to Bonnie's hard work and creativity, October ended on a high note.  It also signals that we have only six months left on our mission.