"We love thy house, oh Lord"...Belgium/Netherlands Mission Temple Days!

We have just experienced two of the sweetest days!  Twice a year, the entire Belgium/Netherlands Mission gathers to the Den Hague Netherlands Temple for special missionary sessions.  Because our mission size has grown from 60 missionaries last year to 160 missionaries this year, it requires four sessions to accommodate all the young elders and zusters, with the Senior Couples participating in each session. 

Yes...the sessions are all done in Dutch (with no interpreters or headsets).  We had an incredible surprise when Elder Romig was called into the Temple President's office and set apart as a temple worker.  Another opportunity for service.  As we looked at the young missionaries from the front of the room, it was like being with the armies of Helaman!  There was a great feeling of strength and power being with these young Elders and Zusters whom we love, on each of these two days.

After the Missionary Sessions at the temple, we had the opportunity to go to the church in Leiden (also where the Mission Office and the Mission Home are)  to have lunch and then be instructed by our Mission President & Zuster Robinson and Assistants.

We left this wonderful experience with missionaries to drive 2 1/2 to 3 hours back to Drachten where we met with our Branch President, Pres. Brandenburg, for a Branch Presidency Meeting (Elder Romig is a counselor) and Primary Presidency Meeting with Zuster Brandenburg (Zuster Romig is her counselor), have dinner with them, and then drive the Zusters to Leeuwarden and then return to our home in Groningen and much needed sleep!



What a beautiful place to be!

 

Following Wednesday Temple Sessions...

Missionaries finding old friends and companions...

Elder Winmill trying to get our attention for the large group
picture...   :)

This is Elder Burton (who we would gladly accept as another son!)
Elder Burton was Assistant to the President until the last transfer, when he
asked to go back into the field for the end of his mission. He lived in the
Amsterdam Elders Apartment (in Diemen) until his transfer to Vlissingen.

Elder Armstrong is from Cedar City and his family lives in Teresa's & Chase's ward.

This picture represents one half of the missionaries (Wednesday's group). 
We didn't get a picture of Tuesday's group and we are taking the pictures.

The BOXES (65 of them!) being made ready for a hungry missionary meal!  After a spiritual feast at the temple,
this was the meal at the Leiden church building each day for lunch following our time at the temple.

Eet smakelijk!  (Enjoy your meal!)