On The Road Again

Yes, we were on the road again last Friday as we closed down our apartment in Eindhoven and moved to our permanent (we think) home in Deventer (pronounced Day' ven ter). Deventer is a city located in the Dutch province of Overijssel and is situated on the east bank of the Ijssel river (pronounced ice'l).  It's population in 2014 was 98,500.  It is an old city dating  back to 768 when an English missionary named Lebuinus built a wooden church on the east bank of the river Ijssel.  In January 772, the sack and burning of this church by a Saxon expedition was the cause for the first punitive war waged by Charlemagne against the Saxons.  The village of Deventer became important because a trading route crossed the Ijssel river at Deventer. While there are now bridges that cross the river they still have a ferry that takes people over and back.  The city was looted and burned by the vikings in 882. It was immediately rebuilt and fortified with an earthen wall, remnants of which remain and have been excavated and restored.  There are many buildings in the city dating back to the 1500 and 1600s. The Saint Nicholas Church (still in use) dates back to 1200 a.d.  The streets are all either brick or cobblestone and many of the streets are very narrow.  Enough about Deventer.

We have attended our ward in Apeldoorn (about 10 miles from Deventer), met with our district full-time missionaries, and had a family home evening and our first institute class with our young adults. Everyone we have met have been friendly and welcoming and we are excited to get into our calling full-time.  Our apartment is large and nice. On the main floor we have a large kitchen, a nice living room, and a large dining area for the YSAs and Elders.  Our apartment is the YSA center and we hold FHE here for the YSAs on Monday night and institute on Friday night.  On Monday's we provide FHE treats and on Fridays we provide a dinner. We also have the elder's district meeting here on Tuesday mornings and take turns with the Elders in providing a lunch following their meeting.

The Kleins, the couple we replaced, were with us through Wednesday, Nov. 11, when they left to return to the states.  We held our first institute class last evening (Friday the 13th) :-(    It actually went well.  There are several people called to teach institute so we don't have to do it, except on rare occasions. Last night a brother named Hans Noot taught.  He is a full-time Church employee over seminaries and institutes in this area.  He parked his car in Arnhem (about 26 miles from Deventer) and biked to our class in Deventer (just for the exercise and he says it's a beautiful ride).  The dutch people love to ride bikes.  I think there are more bikes per capita in the Netherlands than in any other country in the world.  We had 13 in attendance at institute (3 YSAs, 4 full-time elders, 2 full-time sister missionaries, the teacher, a guest and ourselves.  Before the lesson we provided a dinner.  Susan made sesame chicken, fried rice, served with brussels sprouts, fresh pineapple and a carrot cake for dessert. 

Looking ahead to the coming week:  Sunday we have church in Apeldoorn at 9:30 a.m. and also a meeting with all YSAs from the mission in Breda at 3:00 p.m. They hold this meeting one Sunday each month. Then we have our FHE with the YSAs on Monday evening.  On Wednesday we have zone conference with the full-time missionaries in Zwolle.  Us and another couple are responsible for feeding everyone at the zone conference (30 to 35 people).  We're planning on beef stroganoff.  Then on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning there is a semi-annual YSA camp for all YSA's in the mission. We are to attend but do not have specific assignments at this event.  It's a pretty full week. 

Susan said if you have any hints for easy meals she would love you to pass them along.  We are having a wonderful time and loving our mission.  The people are soooo nice and the country is beautiful.  We are grateful to be members of the Church and know that it is truly the Church of Jesus Christ. We love the Lord and our Father in Heaven who is watching over and caring for us.  We also love and miss all of you.

Elder and Sister Hill

  A picture of Deventer from across the river 

A Deventer street at night

A canal in Deventer

Getting Settled in Deventer

We have just moved to Deventer and are being "trained" by the Kleyns before they return home to South Ogden this Wednesday.  They are a wonderful couple.  Deventer is an older city with tons of character in architecture and quaint small streets.  We went for a short walk yesterday morning to get our bearings alittle.  When the Kleyns came on their mission, they were dropped off and had to go it alone.  I will be anxious to show you more next week. 

I am attaching some photos of some of the sights we have enjoyed.

We attended a performance of the Singing Elders of our mission.  This is Elder Hunter, a 'son' of the Wadleys from the UK.. He does love that family.  It was superb performance.

An entrance to a quaint flower shop. There are many here in Holland.

  The fountain is in the Hague here in Holland.

We made a trip to Brussels, Belgium to register and the one pic is of the center square there.  The buildings are faced in gold; hence the square is called Gold Square.  Elder Cook is the center missionary; he is from Viewmont and is one of those sharp Office Elders.

We visited a Sr couple for training up north in Gronegan and this was the view out their living room window.  This is a barge or Freighter boat loaded with grain or some commodity going up to Germany.  It sits low in the water so you know it is loaded.  The family lives on one end where the windows show.  At a closer look you can see their car on top.  A crane hoists the car to land when the family needs to go places when they dock.  Such a Life!!

In front of a country home where we found work shoes.

We had the Primary Program today in our new ward. The music made me cry as I thought of our own class and the program in our own ward and the music with its words.  Music speaks to you even when you don't understand the language.  The Primary songs were once again great this year.

David is picking up more and more of the language and we will find ourselves busier and engaged in our mission here in Deventer after this months training.  We still have traveling to Belgium to do for licenses, but it will be a few weeks yet.

We send our love and gratitude for your help.