January 23 - Thursday - We shoveled snow in the morning (snow that had been all packed down by our snowball fight - and it was really a job) We studied and went to a cottage meeting, where I gave an afval lesson, and called on call backs. We went up to Geitenkamp where our appointment fell thru and I lost my bicycle key. I left my fiets at Peters and took the bus home.
January 24 - Friday - I got my extra fiets key and retrieved my fiets. We tracted and visited with Sister Westerhoff. We cleaned the building in preparation for District Conference. Our appointment fell thru in the evening.
January 25 - Saturday - We shoveled snow in the morning, fixed lunch, and then held a very inspirational testimony meeting. (2:00 - 4:00) President + Sister Sperry were present, along with nine elders. We had lunch after (Toasted cheese sandwiches and yogurt with fruit) We held a film evening where Elder Winkel showed four films, and we sold bami-balls and punch for the benefit of Freek Kramer, soon to be called on a mission. We collected over 40 guilden.
January 26 - Sunday - There were many elders and members staying here at the church and there were two boys from N’jmegen sharing my bed with me. We all got ready and attended district conference (10:00 - 12:00). There were 18 elders present and President + Sister Sperry. It was a very nice meeting and talks were heard from four elders and President Wolthuis, 2 members, and Sister Sperry. We all purchased food for lunch sold by the relief society and attended the baptism services at 2:45 in the local swimming pool. It was a very nice service and the confirmations were held after in the church.
Baptismal -
January 26 - The other meeting of the conference followed and talks from 7 elders, one member (Freek Kramer) and President Sperry, were heard. It was also a very uplifting meeting. Fne of us elders then went to Bosvelds for dinner and films. Elder Butler, Elder Childs, Elder Smith, Elder Sieverts, and I were there. LeFevres were there from Ede and we really had a good time
January 29 - Wednesday - We tracted in the morning and had no luck. Elder Stewart and I went to Bennekom to Zr. V. Kootens. We ate dinner, played games and had a good time there at the Ede O.O.V. party. V. Kootens, Lefevres, and Wassinks (just recently baptized), were present. (also Meervelds) We took the bus to the station, and rode the train home, late (12:00)
January 30 - We had no luck in the morning, and had two cottage meetings in the afternoon (I gave one herstelling lesson), and in the evening we had a cottage meeting with Bergmans (Lesson 6), and an afval lesson in Geitenkamp, both lessons were very good.
January 31 - Friday - I studied, we went thru a museum, and we tracted, (one cottage meeting). We had one cottage meeting in the evening and showed slides at Westerhoffs.
February 1 - Saturday - I studied all day and then we played basketball (2:30 - 6:00), the four of us elders, Freek and Benny Kramer. We held dance practice for the O.O.V. dance festival in the evening.
February 2 - Sunday - We held Priesthood, Sunday School, and fast meetings (9:00 - 1:00), went to Zr. V.D. Vlists for dinner (chicken). And I had to leave dinner early to catch a train for Enschede. Freek Kramer and I went there to speak. I gave a 2 ½ minute talk in sunday school and a testimony in fast meeting. We went to family V.D. Laan in Hengelo for dinner (bread meal), and then Freek and I took a train home.
February 3 - Monday - We tracted and held three cottage meetings, tracted again in the afternoon and had one cottage meeting, and visited with some pinksters (holy rollers). We ate with Fam. Bosveld and had a cottage meeting there and then gave a first principles lesson to Fam. V. Dongen in Rheden.
February 4 - Elder Poelman and I held one cottage meeting, Elder Stewart and I held two more, and Elder Poelman and I tracted in the evening after our appointments all fell thru. We had no luck.
February 5 - Wednesday - We visited Zr. V.D. Vlist, tracted with no luck and then held a cottage meeting with Men. Dibbetts. I gave my first Book of Mormon lesson and we showed a film. We tracted again; no cottage meeting. We held O.O.V. in the evening.
February 6 - We held one cottage meeting in the morning, visited one investigator., ate dinner, then held a cottage meeting with Fam. Bergman. We showed a film on the early history of the church. We got another appointment to eat also. We held another cottage meeting after and I gave an afval lesson.
February 7 - Friday - Elder Stewart and I went to Bennekdm in the morning to visit recently baptized members, Brother and Sister Wassink. They are an older couple and really fine people; they had been investigating the gospel for a very long time. We held a lesson and then had a very lekker dinner, after which we had to run to catch our bus and train for home. I went tracting with Elder Sieverts and we held two cottage meetings our afspraak fell thru in the evening so we returned home, showed slides, and I took the Kleine Meisjes home that had been making our beds.
February 8 - Saturday - I got a haircut, went shopping and bought a sweater for Diane, and went to the gym in the afternoon. I studied and wrote letters in the evening.
February 9 - Sunday - We held meetings in the morning and went out to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. We splurged and had their dinner (4 guilden); shark - fin soup, a loempia, rice with a kerry-kip (chicken and hot stuff) sauce. It was hot but lekker. Then we caught a bus for N’jmegen, where we were to speak. They had a good attendance (18 people). Then we went to the home of Zr. V. Duuren. Also the cost house of the elders working in N’jmegen. She is a real sweet sister, with eight cute, but very mischievous children. We ate there and returned home.
February 10 - We tracted in the morning and afternoon without luck. We ate at Bosvelds, held a cottage meeting there, and then we held another cottage meeting at V Dongens in Rheden (Plan of Salvation). We had very good response by Men. V. Dongen.
February 11 - E Stewart and I visited two members (Sister Osterloh), and two inv; E. Poelman and I held one cottage meeting. We held a branch meeting here and then went out to appointments, all of which fell through.
February 12 - We did some tracting and branch work in the morning and afternoon; while helping with the primary. We held O.O.V. in the evening; with the O.O.V. learning dances for the coming conference.
February 13 - Thursday - We tracted all day and finally got in twice just before quitting time. Both cottage meetings were useless though. We went out to eat at family Bergmans in the evening and had Huspot, a mixture of potatoes and carrots. We held a cottage meeting there and gave them standard works and a word of wisdom lesson. Our other afspraak fell through.
February 14 - We tracted and had no luck, in the afternoon we had one cottage meeting. And then E. Poelman, E. Sieverts, and I went to ZR. Pols for a real lekker meal. It was an afscheids mean for E. Poelman, his last day in Arnhem. We had one cottage meeting a herstelling les, in the evening.
February 15 - Saturday - We held a district class in the morning with only six presidents. We walked down to the station to pick up two new missionaries coming into the district, and then went to a Chinese restaurant and had a dinner of Losmpias and Kip-Sorp. The New Elders were Elder Porter, Numegen; and Elder Alston, Arnhem. I went to the gym with Beppue and Winnie and we ate here at the Church afterward. Elder Manwarine and Elder V. Leevwen from Amsterdam were staying here for the evening.
February 16 - Sunday - We attended MTOS. in the morning, ate lunch, studied, and caught the bus for Appeldoorn. ZR. Rouw; recently released from her mission; Elder Seiveets, and I spoke. We returned home and went to a genealogy fireside MTG. at ZR. V. D. Vlists home.
February 17 - Monday - We tracted and had three useless cottage meetings; had another in the afternoon and fietzed out to Westervoort. Over the ussel River, swollen by thaws. We ate at Bosvelds, Held a Les. there, and went out to Rheden for a MTG. with V. Dongens. They showed us very much interest in the Gospel. We returned home very late.
February 18 - Elder Alston, a new elder just three weeks, and I tracted with no luck. Elder Stewart and I held one cottage meeting. I gave an afval les, and then we went to the archives to look up some genealogy. Elder Sieverts and I held one cottage meeting in the evening.
February 19 - We checked on inactive members, went to Odsterbeyk, and went to Bussinks A.N. The O.O.V. held a swimming party at the near swimming pool and Elder Sieverts and I watched.
February 20 -Thursday - We visited Bussinks, ZR. Pol, and ZR V. D, Vlist, and then went to Bussinks for lunch, Huspot. We went to family Bergmans for dinner, zoorkoos, and had a cottage meeting with men. Scherpenzeel, in Alteveer. Our other Afspraak fell through
February 21 - We tracted, and held one cottage meeting, Decorated the church for the gold and green ball and ate dinner, Lekker soup from ZR. Pol. We had one cottage meeting. A Book of Mormon les to MEN Nuenhuls of Geitenkamp. It was my second Book of Mormon les
February 22 - We studied in the Morning, I went to the gymnasium in the afternoon (2:00 - 5:00). We ate a Lekker meal here and then held a “gold and green ball,” in the evening. We had a very good turnout and we three missionaries and Freek Kramer put on a skit after the theme of the dance, “Interplanetary space ball.” We wore rock and roll socks, long johns, basketball trunks, masks, and self made space-helmets. Frieda Kramer was chosen Queen. We sold soup, lemonade, worstues, and cookies and collected 35 guilden.
February 23 - Sunday - We attended meetings in the morning; and I, as new 1st counselor in the Sunday school, had the leading in S.S. We ate here and studied and went to SAC. MTG. in the eve, then we studied afterward
February 24 - Monday - We had one cottage meeting in the morning and another in the afternoon, then we went to Bosvelds for dinner. It was very lousy weather; snow, rain, and slush; so we rode the bus instead of our bikes. It had been snowing and raining all day and was even worse than usual, which is usually pretty bad. We had a lekker (hot and spicy) meal of nasi goreng, soup, and shrimp. Then we caught another bus to Rheden, and walked about a mile to our appointment. We had a cottage meeting with V. Dongens and showed a film (8:00 - 11:30). We carted our projector and transformer back to our bus stop and waited about two hours for our bus, which never came. We went to the train station, and the trains had also stopped running, so we tried to thumb a ride after walking for about a mile, we were picked up by the veld police and were carted by the paddy-wagon into the Veld Police Station and asked quite a few questions. We gave them a few tracts and showed them our passports and then they gave us a ride to our door. We got home at 2:00 in the morning and were dead tired, soaking wet, and frozen.
February 25 - Tuesday - I tracted with Elder Stewart and gave one cottage meeting; and then with Elder Alston for two more cottage meetings. It was raining and snowing all day and when Elder Alston and I finished tracting, our bikes were covered with a half inch of solid ice and we had to chip it all off before we could begin our cold trip home. We 4 elders and Freek went to a show that evening, “Brigette Bardot.”
February 26 - Elder Sieverts and I went to Nijmegen (10:30 - 4:00) to see a Men. Frequin, editor of “The Gelderland Press” He was an acquaintance of Elder Sieverts father. We were treated to a heerlijk dinner (7 guilden) in a cafe on the Waal River, over 400 years old. We took a tour through the press and returned home for O.O.V. in the evening.
February 27 - Thursday - We held one cottage meeting in the morning and two more in the afternoon. We went to Bergmans for dinner, boerkool (a mixture of potatoes and cabbage). We showed them a film over the ruins in S.A. our other appointment fell through again so we were through early.
February 28 - Friday - We tracted morning and afternoon and only held one cottage meeting. We held one cottage meeting in the evening and then we went to see our other appointment at the place of his work, a museum. He was Men. Nijenhis and he had to work so we attended a very uninteresting show there at the museum.
March 1, Saturday - Elder Alston and I tracted and visited with one investigator. We went shopping and then studied. Four of our little girl-friends cooked our supper that evening and made up our beds and cleaned our bedroom. Our companions were gone to Amsterdam to purchase diamonds and didn’t get home till the next morning.
March 2 - Sunday - We held priesthood, sunday school and fast meetings, studied, and then caught a train for Enschede. We held sunday school and fast meeting there and then went to V.D. Laans in Hengeld for a bread meal. (6:00 - 9:00) Then we caught our train again for home.
March 3 - Monday - We visited Zr Pol, did branch work, and tracted in the afternoon (1 cottage meeting). We went to Family V. Dongens in Rheden for dinner, 5:30. We had a real lekker meal, fish, especially prepared potatoes, and a delicious fish sauce. Then we had slagroom for dessert. We visited another family there in Rheden and gave a godhead lesson.
March 4 - We, Elder Stewart and I, tracted in the morning and had one cottage meeting with an ancient lady. Elder Alston and I tracted and held two cottage meetings then all four of us went to Bosvelds for dinner. We had a regular dutch meal; gehakt, potatoes, sauerkraut, and ? - We called on two appointments afterward, both of which fell through.
March 5 - We visited investigators and members and had one cottage meeting then we attended O.O.V. (Dance Practise) and visited Men. Nijenhuis afterward. We showed slides and talked (9:00 - 11:00)
March 6 - Thursday - We visited members, and studied in the afternoon we went to Fam. Bergman for dinner and we had a lekker maaltijk. (vegetables, aardappels). We didn’t hold a cottage meeting there but went to Mev Schaerpeifeel in Alteveer for a cottage meeting (an afval lesson to a lady who doesn’t believe in god). We visited Bramer for a Huis-Bezoek later.
March 7 - We tracted and had one cottage meeting, visited Zr. Osterlom and Zr Westerhoff, and did some shopping. We called on call-backs, all of which fell through; and visited Fam. Peters for a Huis-Bezoek lesson.
March 8 - Saturday - I got a haircut, weighed myself (163 lbs - 74 kg. - exactly 20 lbs heavier than before I came on my mission). The eight elders in the district held a testimony meeting and it was again a very inspiring meeting. We all had dinner; via Elder Sieverts; hamburgers and hot chile. It was really a treat. There were also two investigators from Enschede present and they, Elder V. Dyke, Elder De Leeuw, Elder Sieverts and I went to the show. It was a German musical, Casino de Paris. We had a lemonade after in a very smoky restaurant, ate some french-fries for dinner and retired. Elder Van Dyke and Elder De Leeuw stayed here for the night.
March 9 - Sunday - We held meetings as usual and studied before leaving for Adeldoorn for our speaking assignment. We had a good crowd there (20) and a good time and walked through a snow-storm back to our bus-stop.
March 10 - We visited Zr. Pol in the morning and she was very sick since sunday night. We salved her and prayed for her there. We visited Zr. De Haas for ward teaching and Zr V.D. Vlist for a ward teaching lesson and a lekker meal. We had a cottage meeting and tracted and then fietzed out to Rheden for a cottage meeting with V. Dongens, a lesson over the word of wisdom; and for another cottage meeting with Beijens, an afval lesson (7:00 - 10:30).
March 11 - Tuesday - Elder Stewart and I visited four investigators in the morning, Elder Alston and I tracted in a very poor section of town and held three good cottage meetings. Elder Alston and I went to Bosvelds for dinner; Zooricool, worst, and pudding. We called on two callbacks, went back for a meeting, and then Elder Sieverts and I held another cottage meeting in the evening. (a godhead lesson).
March 12 - Wednesday - Elder Sieverts and I held two cottage meetings in the morning, ate lunch with Bussinks. (potatoes, red kool, appelmdes) We tracted in the afternoon. We held O.O.V. dance practice and afterward we talked with Elder Wolthuis and Elder Coomans, here for visit.
March 14 - Friday - Elder Coomans, from the Hague, and I tracted and had one cottage meeting Elder Wolthuis, the second counselor of the mission, and I held two cottage meeting after walking all over the tracting area. We, Elder Sieverts and I, went to another good cottage meeting, an afval lesson with a Men. Vos in a very poor section of town, Rijnwijk. We held another cottage meeting with Fam. Nijenhuis, and showed a book of Mormon film. Mev Nijenhuis even showed a little interest and Men N. had read some of the book of Mormon.
March 15 - Saturday - We went tracting and held three cottage meetings. We ate lunch with the two elders from the Hague and then held a district class. We recened instruction from Elder Wolthuis and Elder Coomans. Elder Sieverts and I held another cottage meeting with an ouderling from the Gereformered Kerk. Then 5 of us elders and Albert, a young investigator, went to the show, “The lonely Man.”
March 16 - Sunday - We held our regular meetings and I had the leading again in the sunday-school. Brother Bosveld, a recently baptized member, and his daughter, Antje, gave 2 ½ minute talks. We ate a delicious meal at the church with six elders here. Elder Van Dyke and Elder De Leeuw were here from Deventer. The meal was cooked for us by Sister V.D. Vlist. We ate chicken, Vegetable salad, and Heerlijke tart for dessert. Elder Sieverts and I then went to Nijmegen to speak. We returned, missed our bus stop, and then decided to have a banana split on the way home. It wasn’t anything compared to Snelgroves. We got home early, studied, wrote letters, and hit the sack.
March 17 - Monday - We studied and looked at cars and travel bureaus (my companion has gotten his boat ticket-net). We went to Bosvelds for a lekker meal of lever, potatoes, beets, peas. We fietzed out to Rheden again for a cottage meeting on Tiende with FAM. V. Dongen and a herstelling les with MEN. Beijen.
March 18 - Tuesday - Elder Stewart and I tracted with no luck, and we went to bussinks for lunch, all four elders. We had huspot with lekker vlees, and a heerlijke pudding. Elder Alston and I traced when three C.B. fell through and still had no luck. We ate here at the church in the evening, soup and pudding, compliments of the ZR. POL. Elder Aston and I had 7 C.B fall through and finally managed one useless cottage meeting.
March 19 - We tracted all day with no luck at all. We four elders and Elder Stage and Elder Lemon from Den Haag went to ZR. V. D. Vlists for a lekker dinner. (Steak, aardappelen, doop erwten, and pudding). We went to O.O.V. and visited with one IIN. after
March 20 - Thursday - We held three cottage meetings during the day. One evening appointment, with MEV. Schaerpenzael, fell through, so we tracted with no luck.
March 21 - Friday - We tracted all day; no luck. We visited with Bussinks, ate, and then we three elders; Elder Sieverts, Elder Alston, and I called on Afsprakjes; still no luck. Elder Stewart was away for the day to a D.P. MTG. We three Elders saw a show afterward; ¨An Affair to Remember,¨ a real good movie, and then wrote letters.
March 22 - Saturday - We studied, washed, enter - Trained Kleine Meisjes, and then went to an eating appointment with Bergmans. We ate a bread meal and , after MEV. Bergman had given their two boys a bath in a tub in their combination living room and kitchen, we held a very nice cottage meeting, a review of the first six lessons. We returned home, played ding-dong, wrote letters, and studied. We had a slight let up in the cold rainy weather we had all week and the sun even shone a little bit.
March 23 - Sunday - We held meetings (9:00-12:00), studied, ate lekker chile, and had the assignment to speak here in Arnhem (5:00). I spoke 10 minutes, my companion, 20. We went to a genealogy fireside, 8:00 at ZR. V. D. Vlists. We showed films over temples, ate lekker snoepjes and had a good time.
March 24 - Monday - Elder Sieverts and I went up to Zr. De Haas and Zalved her little boy, Hans, who was sick. We had one cottage meeting, ate at Zr V.D. Vusts; Voerkool, Worst, and pudding. We held another cottage meeting and then went to bosvelds for dinner; Fish (Sole), Potatoes, Carrots, and Pancakes (with Spek). We then held a cottage meeting with C. Dongens in Rheden; A film over the ruins in S.A. Men. V. Dongen said he had a Testimony and that he would come to church Sunday.
March 25 - Elder Stewart and I held one cottage meeting with an old Indonesian man, Elder Alston and I had on cottage meeting with an old Lady in Risnwirk, who had three beautiful daughters (two in Hollywood) Elder Sieverts and I held another cottage meeting in the evening.
March 26 - Wednesday - We vis. Zr. Pol, Zr. V.D. Vust, and Bussinks for Dinner (zuurkool met verse worst) we tracted and held three cottage meetings, Attended O.O.V. and were disappointed by our Afspraak again.
March 27 - We tracted all day and managed three cottage meetings about four appointments fell through and we had one more cottage meeting in the Evening. We vis. Zr. DeHaas (Her son was Feeling Better) and took a walk thru Beautiful sons Beek Park.
March 28 - Friday - The Weather remained very warm, as it had been the past two days and a day of tracting earned us two cottage meetings (both to staunch, unchangeable, stubborn Catholics) we had about five more afspraaks fall thru during the day, so we took in the 9:00 show at the Luxor theater, “The Sun also Rises.”
March 29 - Saturday - We vis. One inn. In the morning in Arnam South, a Lily Schweitzer (A so called prophetess) She was an investigator earlier but couldn’t be baptized because she refused to keep receiving and relating visions. We bought a song book from her another appointment fell through. So we studied and did some work outside in our “garden??” Because it was a beautiful day.
March 30 - Sunday - I had the behandeling of the priesterschap les, and also the leiding in the sunday - school. We were invited out to dinner by zr. Van Der Vust (Elder Stage, Elder Lemon, Elder Sieverts, and I). We were really treated to a feast (Chicken - Soup. with hunks of white meat, potatoes, peas, Behakt, and other meats, fruit salad, lemonade, and boterkoek). We were really full on our train trip to EDE, where we went to speak. There were only seven members there. We returned home, studied, wrote letters, and talked to Benny and Freek Kreamer.
March 31 - Monday - Elder Ashton and Elder Stage arrived here early in the morning to plan their trip with Elder Stewart. We all ate a heavy breakfast of Elder Sievert’s specialty, Pannekoeken (very thin and very large-we have to roll them up to eat them.) We held one cottage meeting. Visited members and went to ZR. V. D. Vlists again for dinner (liver, potatoes, vegetables). We visited some more members and then went to family Bosvelds for supper. (We were filled up again with zuurkool and cookies) We held one cottage meeting with V. Dongens in Rheden over “Kerk Organizaties and Deinst Wilking”, another cottage meeting with Beuens, I gave them a Book of Mormon lesson. We were lucky and had the wind with us on our return trip, and made it home in record time (~20 minutes).
April 1 - Tuesday - Elder Stewart and I tracted and held three cottage meetings; one with a lady with an english, dutch speaking parrot, one with a crazy Christian Scientist who claimed she wasn’t there ( I didn’t think she was quite all there), and another with an Indonesian lady who also wasn’t all there. She was the most ignorant lady I’ve ever attempted to talk to. She said she was married when she was 15 (and her husband was 38). He was an African hunter, two years ago died. Elder Alston and I went to an old sick lady again and heard her recite almost the whole Catechismos of the Catholic Church to us. We went up to ZR. Pols and got a big pan of “rice with kerrie” from her. It was “buitengewdon lekker”. All our call backs fell through in the evening, so we wrote letters and studied.
April 2 - We held two nice cottage meetings during the day and attended O.O.V. in the evening.
April 3 - Thursday - We tracted and held four cottage meetings during the day; two useless Godhead lessons and two good Alval lessons. In the evening we held one cottage meeting with a family Bruin. They seemed very interested and very humble people.
April 4 - It was a good Friday, a holiday, and we had very little luck tracting. We talked to one investigator, who read some blasphemy about the Mormons to us out of his encyclopedia, and held one cottage meeting with two men, certainly chain smokers (what a stink)
April 5 - Saturday - Elder Alston and I held one cottage meeting, a Book or Mormon lesson. With MEV. Hardeman. It turned out very good. The 8 Elders in the district held a class and testimony meeting. And then we ate some lekker chile. One new Elder in the district, Elder Halliday, was present. We then showed slides here and were treated to a dinner by the Kramers ( Freek, Frieda, and Rukie). We ate chicken, doves, salad, ice cream, and apple tart. We all went to the show afterward, “Pedote”. (There were six missionaries and five members). We had to clean up the mess from the dinner afterward; until 2:00.
April 6 - Easter Sunday - We attende PR., S.S., and fast meetings; four from Idaho Falls, Strobels, and seven from California, Farkings. They were both families of old missionaries, We caught a 2:00 train for Enschede and held a very nice S.S. and Testimony meeting. Almost everyone there gave their testimonies (10 leden present). We visited ZR. Stuiver, back from Australia, and salved her. She was still suffering from having a baby, three days earlier. We ate a bread meal there and talked and then returned home.
April 7 - Monday - It was the “Tweede Pasdag.” (Another snipper dag) The gemeente went on an outing “naar het bos.: There were 47 children, about 10 baby sitters, and four Elders. The children all climbed aboard the bus and we rode our bicycles to the grove. We had an easter-egg hunt, took many walks through the forest, played games, and became exceedingly tired. (10:00-5:00). We rested, took showers and then treated Elder Alston to a dinner at a restaurant (Zijn Verjaabdag). We ordered weiner-schnitzel (veal cutlet), and had an ice-cream after. (Win gingen heel moe naar beo).
April 8 - Tuesday - Elder Stewart and I tracted and so did Elder Alston and I afterward, no success. We were invited to Sister Pol’s for an “Afscheids dinner” for Elder Stewart, we had “een verrukelijke maaltud.” (Carbonade, aaroappelen, bonen, and pears for desser). Elder Alston and I tracted and held one cottage meeting in the evening.
April 9 - Wednesday - Elder Alston and I held one cottage meeting. All day and at 5:00 all four of us Elders went to ZR V. D. Vlists for another “Afscheios dinner” for Elder Steward. We had roast tongue, potatoes, peas, soup, lekker shew, and tart. We were really full; we rested for a while, and then went to O.O.V., a speech festival. Elder LAdle, my new companion, and I, then went out to a C.B. and visited with an old man for a few hours. We got to bed very late that evening. It rained quite a bit during the day and I really came down with a cold.
April 10 - Elder Alston and tracted, had one cottage meeting, and had three appointments fall through. We visited bussinks. Ate supper, and tracted again in the evening.
April 11 - Friday - Elder Ladle and I tracted, no luck. Elder Alston and held three cottage meetings in the afternoon. (One fifth lesson; my first; one third lesson., and one Godhead lesson). Elder Ladle, Elder Alston, and I all went out, visited Bussinks, held one cottage meeting, and visited Albert.
April 12 - We got haircuts, studied, ate lunch (lekker erwten soup from ZR. Pol). And then I worked out in our garden, burying rocks and rubbish. After supper we four Elders decided to fiets out to Numegen to the Z.H.V. bazaar there. (16 kilometers=10 miles). We attended the bazaar, bought a few articles, drank some lemonade, and after looking for a good movie there and failing to find one, we turned out noses to the wind and towards Arnhem. We ended up very tired and all fietzed out.
April 13 - Sunday - We, Elder Ladle, and I attended PR +S.S meetings. (9:00-12:00). We studied, at lunch and went to sacrament meeting, at 5:00. We had a very nice meeting. And afterward, we studied, wrote letters and……..
April 14 - Monday - We did branch work, held two cottage meetings, and in the evening held two more, one out in Rheden, MEN. Beijen. We showed him a film on the Book of Mormon.
April 15 - Tuesday - Elder Sieverts and I held one cottage meeting and Elder Alston and I had neits. Elder Ladle and I held one good meeting with family Bruin, a 2nd + 3rd lesson.
April 16 - We visited ZR. Dol and did branch work; we took care of jeugd werk (only six children) and held one cottage meeting. We attended O.O.V. in the evening (practiced skits).
April 17 - Thursday - We went tracting; no luck in the morning. One cottage meeting in the afternoon, a 4th lesson. We held another meeting in the evening.
April 18 - Friday - We took the train to Bruummen in the morning and walked about five miles in the rain to the home of ZR. Beumkes, we visited there and gave here to guilden charity and then returned home (10:00-1:00). We did some shopping and in the evening visited BR. Heijser, and afvallig ovderling.
April 19 - Saturday - We studied in the morning and prepared for the bazaar in the afternoon. I fietzed out to Bosvelds, through the countryside with Beppie, Winnie, and Stientje. The Z.H.V. bazaar (7:30 -10:00) was a huge success. There were about 50 people present, and they sold clothes, goodies, and played games. They made about 250 guilders for the night. We visited a kermis or carnival in the town afterward.
April 20 - Sunday - We attended meetings (9:00-12:00), ate lunch, studied, and travelled to Appeldoorn to speak. It was a beautiful day and everyone and their dogs were out in the country picnicking. We had about 15 out to meeting, and afterward we talked to BR. Ten Hove and anointed ZR. Stomps. We studied and visited BR. Westerhoff in the evening.
April 21 - Monday - We tracted, no luck, and had callbacks fall through in the afternoon. We visited ZR. Mathijssen and Willemsens. We went to Bosvelds for supper; lekker soup, potatoes, sla, meat, and pudding. We visited Brovwers and held a cottage meeting, a fifth les, with MEN. Beijen in Rheden. We also talked quite a bit about Beinst Wijking.
April 22 - Tuesday - Elder Sieverts and I tracted and had one cottage meeting. Elder Alston and ai had one cottage meeting in the afternoon. We had a lekker maaltud, rice with kerrie, gratis ZR. Pol. Elder Alston and I held another cottage meeting in the evening with a strong catholic, the vrouw being from russia.
April 23 - Wednesday - We visited ZR. Pol, tracted with no luck and in the afternoon, took care of Jeugdwerk. (2:00-3:30) We played games outside because it was a beautiful day. We tracted in the afternoon without overcoat and without luck. We attended O.O.V. and out appointment fell through again.
April 24 - We tracted, two cottage meetings in the morning, none in the afternoon. We visited Kramers, and in the evening held one cottage meeting with a leraar from a school (elementary), who was very intelligent, and our other afspraak fell through.
April 25 - Friday - Alber, an investigator, visited us and we studied. Ie was raining cats + dogs outside. We held one cottage meeting in the afternoon, with an intelligent lady who was a professional babysitter. Wim Mathijssen, a member in the branch. And I went out on Huis-Bezoer and visited three families. Beukhoffs and Duuts, both very inactive, and ZR. Van Der Vlist, where we watched a sermon show on her T.V.
April 26 - We studied and cleaned up and at 3:00 held a testimony meeting. (Eight elders and President and Zr Sperry). We had a very nice spirit there, and all had a lekker meal after (Uitsmijters and mushroom soup). We held a gezeluge avond at 7:30. They had a dance and did skits and served goodies. We had to clean up the chapel before conference the next morning.
April 27 - Sunday - We went to the first session of the conference at 10:00. Talks were given by Elder Sieverts, Brother Bults, Elder Ladle, myself (My first conference talk - ging tamelijk goed, considering), Elder Vriens, Zr. Westerhoff and President Skippers. We held another meeting (priesterschap) 12:00 - 1:00. We ate soup and broodtjes. Via zhv., studied, and then attended the 4:00 session. Elder Russell, Brother LeFevre, Elder Halliday, Elder Van Djik, Brother Frousch, Zr. Schrammade, Elder Van Boerum, and President Sperry spoke. It was an excellent service. Elder Ladle and I visited zr. Bussinks and Fam. Peters (ice-cream and chocolate.) (8:00 - 10:30).
April 28 - Monday - We studied, did branch work, and visited with Albert in the morning. We tracted and held two proselyting meetings. We ate at Fam Bosvelds (Mushroom soup, potatoes, gehaakt, salad, pudding). We tracked and Elder Ladle interviewed Brother Bosveld for the priesthood. We visited an inactive member there in Velp, Men. Jansen, and his wife.
April 29 - Elder Sieverts and I tracted in Geitenkamp, one cottage meeting. Elder Alston and I held two proselyting meetings, one with a very unreasonable “Naasteliefea”. Elder Ladle and I gave a “huis bezoek” lesson to Zr. Gieling, after we four elders partook of lekker soup from Zr poc. We also visited Zr. V.D.Vlist, Returned home early and studied.
April 30 - Wednesday - We studied in the morning and took care of Jeugd-work (2:00 - 3:30). An appointment fell thru, we took some pictures, ate supper, and attended O.O.V. (7:30 - 9:30). After that we went with the O.O.V. to the fireworks display in Sonsbeek park, a huge park here in Arnhem. Benny, Karel, and I went together, climbed the fence, and watched from a prima vantage point. The place was loaded with people, probably the whole population of Arnhem (about 200,000). The fireworks display (10:00-10:45) was beautiful. Aerial four stage fireworks, loud ones, colored ones, and a tremendous ground display built on wooden supports. They had huge shooting, turning, fiery displays and ended with a brilliant crown and a “long live the queen” sign. The cause of all this hulla-bulloo was the queen’s birthday, a national holiday here, and everyone was dressed in their sunday best, parading thru the sheets and shouting ”Lang zal ze leven”
May 1 - We went to Doetinchem in the morning to visit a member, Zr. Radstake; Huis-bezoek. (10:00 - 1:30). We tracted and visited Zr. De Haas in the afternoon. We held one good cottage meeting and visited with some other crazy people; a scientist, catholics, and a pinkster all in the same house. We really had a great time. Trying to to get a few words in edgewise.
May 2 - Friday - We tracted in Geitenkamp with no luck; and in the afternoon with one cottage meeting, quite useless. It was another heerluk day and it was even a little warm. There was hardly no one home when we tracted the doors. Everyone was out enjoying the weather. We visited V. Westerhoff and Theo Westerhoff in the evening. We had quite a discussion at Theo’s, with his wife, Zr. Mataijssen, and his daughter all chipping in.
May 3 - Saturday - We went to Brummen in the morning to Zalv. A daughter of Zr. Beumkes (10:00 - 12:00) It was a beautiful day and we walked about 5 miles there from the train station. On the walk back we walked through a mooi bus and then barely missed our train. We studied in the afternoon and evening.
May 4, Sunday - We attended three meetings (9:00 - 12:30); ate a bread meal after fasting, and studied. We had another meeting, 5:00, and had to speak in it. We ate, and then went to Bosvelds on the bus for a hartvuur (Fireside) evening. (8:00) I gave a short boek van mormon lesson and Elder Ladle showed some slides - 11:00. Then we returned on the bus, 9 persons.
May 5 - We studied, did branch work, and tracted in the afternoon. We talked with one old Seventh day Adventist, an old man with a long beard. We ate at Bosvelds and later went to Rheden for a cottage meeting with Men. Beijen; A lesson on openbaring, we fietzed home against the wind, vresolijk - 10:30
May 6 - Elder Sieverts and I held an appointment with Mev. Grosman in Alteveer. (10:30 - 12:30) after doing some Gem work. She is a very humble woman who is having a little trouble accepting the gospel, Elder Alston and I tracted with no luck at all and returned home against a vershrikkelijke mind that stopped us still at times on our fietzen. Elder Ladle and I held two cottage meetings after dinner; rice met currie via Zr. Pol again - Heerlijk. One cottage meeting with a radio engineer, a Joseph Smith story and another with Fam. Bruin, a boek van mormon lesson. They are very humble people, she very religious and he having trouble believing in a God, being a scientist.
May 7 - Elder Russel, the 2nd counselor in the mission, and I went tracting (9:30 - 12:30) We held one cottage meeting with an old man in bed. He was giving us a sad story of how he was recently kicked out of the Gerlformgerde Kerk. He agreed to the lesson very well. We also met with another lady, who had the elders before, and we got a call-back there. Elder Ladle and I took care of Jeugd-werk (2:00 - 3:45) We had about 25 kiddies there, mostly investigators from the spoorwegstraat. We cleaned up the mess afterward. Elder Ladle and I went out to one very nice cottage meeting and the rest of our call backs fell through. We visited Brother Westerhoff, the 1st counselor in the branch after that. It was about a bit of robbery that has been going on here in the church.
May 8 - Thursday - We did branch work, visited members, and held one cottage meeting in the afternoon, A Book of Mormon lesson to Mev. Mollema. We visited the fam. Beumkes, out in Brummen (6:00 - 9:30). We held a sacrament meeting there with 10 aanwezig, Brother Beumkes (A non-member), Zr. Beumkes and 6 children.
May 9 - We visited members and investigators including Gijk. Kramer, Freek’s brother, in the hospital (automobile accident). We caught a train to Amsterdam and shipped our fietzen with us. When we arrived there it was raining as usual, and our fietzen were late coming. We left our bags at the home of a nearby member, Zr. Out, and waited for our fietzen to arrive. Then we fietzed to the home of an old investigator friend ol Elder Ladles. We had to Fietz clear across Amsterdam in a soaking rain, and we even got wet through our raincoats. Then we fietzed to the Doelen hotel, on another side of town. (Zonder Regen). We met a Mr. and Mrs. Rigby there about 6:00 - The hotel was really a ritzy place, a little too high hat for me. The rigby’s were neighbors to Elder Ladle in Rexburg, Idaho, here on vacation. They were real nice people and very well to do also. We all walked a few blocks to the :Five Flies Restaurant”, one of the ritziest places in Amsterdam. It is an old eating place, dating back to 1627. The Rigbys treated us to dinner there. It was really a quaint old restaurant., composed of five small rooms, old creaky staircases, antiques all over the place, candle-light, and delicious food. We ordered shrimp salad (buitengewoon heerlijk), turkey soup, roast chicken smothered by mushrooms and vegetables, and a dessert of ice cream (with sparklers). Elder Ladle ordered the flaming chicken and his was flaming with a blue-flame when brought to him. We really filled up and then took a tour through the rest of the restaurant. It was really a fantabulous place, with fantabulous prices too. Mr. Rigby got a check for 71 guilders for the four meals. We then took a walk up the Kalver-straat. The famous shopping street of Amsterdam and looked at all the buys. We returned to the hotel later and Elder Ladle and I fietzed across town to ZR. Outs, to stay there for the night. The head chef at the “five flies” was Brother. Meijer. A member of our church there in Amsterdam.
May 10 - Saturday - We woke up early, had breakfast with SR. Out and her three children, and headed for central station in Amsterdam proper. We took a train to Haarlem, taking our fietzen with us, and fietzed to the church there in Haarlem. I changed into my sport clothes there in the church and Elder Ladle, and I started off on our fietzen towards the flower-feilds. We met about six other missionaries on the way and finally ended up with over 20 missionaries together to watch the parade. The parade came by about 12:00 and we watched and took pictures. There were some beautiful floats, filled with gorgeous flowers. The fields all around were gorgeous too. The parade lasted about an hour and then we all fietzed over to Keukenhok. A very short distance, to see more flowers. We parked our fietzen and eight elders and two LM.’s walked out in a field and had a picnic lunch. We then went to Keukenhok (kitchen gardens) and walked all over there. It was very beautiful with its many multi-colored tulip beds, carefully manicured lawns, and quaint rock gardens with waterfalls. Beautiful swans (black and white), ducks, and adorned the many lakes and ponds. We met a lot of other Elders and Sisters there also, and American tourists everywhere. We began fietzing back after a few hour of wandering. (13 km back to Haarlem). I changed clothes again at the church and we caught a train to Arnhem, shipping our fietzen again. We met Elders Van Dijke and DE. Leeuw on the train and we all traveled to Arnhem and took a bus home int he rain (still) we ironed our rain soaked clothes, studied, and went to bed.
May 11 - Sunday - I had to go up to ZR. V. D. Vlists early in the morning to pick up flowers for mother’s day and help ZR. V. D. Vlist get into her house, and we finally had to break a window after trying everything else. WE held a very nice mother’s day program in sunday school and passed our beautiful bouquets to all mothers. Six of us Elders went out to a restaurant, to eat, then we studied, and spoke here in Arnhem at 5:00. Elder Ladle and I went to the home of the family Peters after meeting for a bread meal.
May 12 - Monday - We visited ZR. Pol, did branch work, and held one cottage meeting in the afternoon. We visited BR. De Heus about the loss of some of his money and went to Bosvelds for a lekker meal (soup, potatoes, vegetables, heerluk varrens vlees, and pudding). Then we went to Rheden for a cottage meeting with Beijens, “met plan Van Zaligheid Les.” We had a very nice meeting there and fietzed back back --- 11:00.
May 13 - Elder Sieverts and I had a cottage meeting with MEV. Grosman a les. On doop and kinder-doop. All four of us Elders went to ZR. V. D. Vlists at noon for a heerlijk maaltijd. We were stuffed with soup, potatoes, peas+carrots, sla, steak (delicious) and a lekker pudding with strawberry sauce. After resting and digesting Elder Alston and went tracting with little success. We then went to ZR. Pols (5:00) for another lekker meal, pannekoeken (very thin, very large pancakes - half eggs, half other). We all downed about 6 or 7 apeice. Elder Ladle and I held one cottage meeting with family Bruin, a Book of Mormon film. The neeting was very good and the Bruins were very interested in the Gospel. We also met with another investigator.
May 14 - Wednesday - We did branch work, visited ZR. V. D. Vlist and Zr Pol. And took care of primary, 2:00. We had one cottage meeting after primary but had two others fall thru. We met with two investigators, in the evening, one a very learned Catholic teacher. He had some kind of explanation for everything. And was extremely intelligent, but not so very humble.
May 15 - Donderdag - Hemelvaartsdag - or the Ascension day. This is another National Holiday here in Holland, and everyone and their dog goes on a trid somewhere, mostly op feits. We planned a first-tocht for the day with the mutual and about 15 odd go-ers, with bicycles, raincoats, and lunches, started out about 9:30, we fietzed to Rheden, (10 kilometers) and fietzed up a canyon road for awhile and then on a cow-path down again; rocky, grass covered hills. After a few accidents and hauling our fietzen up to the top ov one hill, we stopped to rest and eat lunch, 10:30. We then fietzed along the cow-path a little more and arrived at the “post-bank.” the highest point in the region around Arnhem. We found crowds of people all over, playing bad-minton and Dutch football all over the hills. We all continued fietzing down again and through the “Onzalig-Bossen,” or unholy groves. It was really beautiful in there, a thick forest with only a fietz-pad running through it. We rested there for awhile and went on the fietz-pad around the loop and back out again, then fietzed on again, coming out on the highway at the Steeg, and eating place, and, continuing further up the road. We fietzed past Ellecom, stopping for an ice-cream and for a brief rain-storm, and then turned OKF and went to Doesburg. We then got on the road along the Ijssel river and continued along the river. We went past a lot of small towns, stopped to pluck flowers and watch a farmer milk his cows (with an electric-milking machine no less), and we finally arrived at the highway again near Westenvoont. We then continued home. Traveling in all about 45 kilometers, or over 28 miles. Back at the church, 5:30. We ate a little supper and Elder Ladle and I visited an investigator, had another afspraak fall through and went to a show, “The Glen Miller Story.”
May 16 - Vrijdag - We did Branch work in the morning, visited family Peters in the afternoon, and had a very nice cottage meeting with MEN. and MEV. Mollema. We showed a Book of Mormon film and talked over everything. It was the first time MEN. Mollema was thuis. They invited us back to dunner before our next appointment.
May 17 - Zaterdag - Elder ALston and I went tracting with no luck (10:30-12:30). We returned, got a haircut, went shopping, and studied. We ate a good warm meal here and went to the show, “Tea and Sympathy.”
May 18 - Zondag - We held Sunday School and priesthood meetings and BR. Bosveld gave the lessons in both. Sunday School was a very good meeting, good attendance and good participation. We ate, studied, and had the 5:00 meeting, a farewell for Freek Kramer. It was a very nice meeting and we had a very good Spirit Aanwezig. Freek was 2nd counselor in the branch and president of the O.O.V.
May 19 - Maandag - We tracted in the morning, got in once. In the afternoon we held one cottage meeting. We ate at Bosvelds; soup, macaroni with meat, stampot, and egg. We gave a huis-bezoek cottage meeting with family Jansens there in Velp, visited a few old investigators, and returned home. We had a visit from two wayward missionaries from Denmark, on the way (by car) to the fair in Brussels.
May 20 - Dinsdag - Elder Sieverts and I went to visit Mev Ganon and Achterstraat, we talked mostly about painting. Elder Alston and I tracted and had no luck in the afternoon. Elder Ladle and visited family Deters, and had a very nice cottage meeting with fam Bruin; a fifth lesson. MEV. Bruin was very enthusiastic and had read a lot of the Book of Mormon. We went home and I waited up for Elder Sieverts until 11:30 and then we both took a few worms and some fishing equipment and fietzed down to Sonsbeek Park to do a little fishing. We fished in the little stream coming out of Sonsbeek where we had seen trout swimming earlier. First we caught two Eels which gave us a good fight, and I caught two rainbow trout, (11:30-2:00 A.M). We returned, cleaned the fish, and went to bed.
May 21 - We all had eel and trout for breakfast, really lekker. We visited Zr. Theo Westerhoff in the morning and took care of jeugd werk in the afternoon; then we visited Zr. De Graac, excommunicated a while back, and heard a lot mor gossip about members in the branch. We went to Zr. V.D Vlsits for dinner and got stuffed with soup, potatoes, beans sua, and heerlijk vlees, and pudding. We fietzed home and at 7:30 had a farewell party for Freek Kramer. There was a good crowd present (45) and a good time was had by all. We heard some beautiful poetry, songs, and we zendelingen put on a skit on how tracting would be.
May 22 - We visited Peters, a tiende lesson, and in the afternoon had three appointments fall through and visited fam Bussinks, and Zr. Pol over Z.H.V. troubles. We then went to Fam. Mollema for dinner, we had soup, heriljk vlees, aardappels, spinach, and pudding, it was really a treat. Our appointment fell through again so we visited an inactive member, Mev. Visser, up in the Geitenkamp.
May 23 - I received an express letter early in the morning telling me I needn’t buy a retour card to Rotterdam. I was “overgeplaatst” or transferred to Den Haag the next morning. I packed my trunk and suitcases in the morning; visited members in the afternoon; Zr. Pol, Zr. V.D. Vlist, Bussinks, and Peters. I sent off my trunk, crammed everything into my suitcases and prepared to depart the next morning.
May 24 - Zaterdag - After missing one train and packing suitcases, flannel boards, and fiets down to the station, Elder Ladle and I caught a train for Rotterdam, (~9:00) - We vitstadt in utrecht and arrived in rotterdam just in time to be 20 minutes late for our 10:30 missionary choir practice. We practiced - 12:00, bought some Broodjes and lemonade, and talked. We went shopping afterward and I bought me a sleeping bag for ƒ65.00. We fietzed around and arrived, late again, to the dance festival, clear on the outskirts of town. The festival was very nice and most of the dances and musical numbers were very good. We returned to the church, Rotterdam nootld, said hello, goodbye, and went to a movie, “The Long, Hot Summer,” with Elder VanMoudfiland, Elder Ladle, and a dozen others. We then fietzed to the lost house of Elder Reids’ and Elder V.M. Frans’ to stay there for the night. Elder Ladle and I tried out our new sleeping bags.
May 25 - Sunday - After a somewhat sleepless night on the hard floor, we went across town to choir practice at 8:00. We sang in the 10:00 session of the conference, “The pilgrims chorus” and one other song. The session was very good - We then ate some bore brood and lemonade, talked, and walked, and attended the other session, 3:30. That was an extremely good session, and a lot of us elders had to sit way in the back on the steps because all the seats were taken. Attendance ~
We, Elder Ladle and I went wandering with a few acquaintances of his, had fries for dinner (and lemonade), and returned to the music festival at 8:00. The program was also very good, a portrayal of life, and the church. The music was furnished by the mission-koor, members and missionaries. We returned again to the cost-huis of Elder Reids and spent the night.
May 26 - After a better nights rest, we fietzed to the church in a soaking rain, the first of the conference. The dance festival was held outside and luckily, no rain fell. The tennis tournament was postponed because of the rain, but we still decided to try a little football. We changed clothes in a tent, and after it stopped raining a little, we chose up sides and had a football game. The game ended 0 to 0 and then they chose up a California vs Utah elders teams. After a long, bitter struggle, Utah finally won 18 - 12. We then played baseball for awhile and afterward began the game between the elders and the dutch members in dutch voetball. We had two teams, trading off each quarter, and their one team still ran us to death. We still did pretty good in getting beat 3-1. That was officially the end of the conference, and we all returned to the church, muddy and tired. We washed, rested a little, and some of us started off fietzing to Den Haag. I had sent my bags with other elders traveling on the train, so I could fietz. We arrived in Den Haag about 6:30, Hurtstikke Moe; and after resting, eating (bread), and showering, I turned in for the night in the church in Leersumstraat, finally in a bed, and after meals of only bread, french fries, and lemonade for three days.
May 27 - Elder De Vries, my new companion (here 11 months) and I went down to check in with the police and housing. Then we went tracting and gave on lesson. We had cooking detail so we returned home, fixed a meal, and in the afternoon Elder Anderson, a new elder, and I went tracting. We had one cottage meeting and another while tracting in the evening. I wrote letters after returning home.
May 28 - Wednesday - We got up, 6:00, cooked breakfast for nine, and Elder De Vries and I tracted and held two cottage meetings. We had two more in the afternoon and after a good supper, Elder Anderson and I held one cottage meeting with a catholic man. All five cottage meetings that day were practically useless. It was nice weather; no rain. The proselyting was a little different than in Arnhem because the people were a little friendlier here. I had a terrible cold so I treated it and went to bed
May 29 - We tracted with no luck but one useless cottage meeting in the morning, and Elder Wight and I had no luck in the afternoon - Elder Wight and I called on call backs all over town; visited our investigators, and held one cottage meeting.
May 30 - Vrijdag - Elder De Vries and I had no luck in the morning or afternoon. It was a lousy day and we got soaked by a drizzling rain while fietzing, all day. Elder Timmerman and I went out in the evening, after the weather had changed for the better, and held one good cottage meeting with a very nice family. We also called on an investigator, and call-backs; all in different parts of town.
May 31 - Saturday - Elder De Vries and I tracted and met with a hersteld apostolische, whose church was much the same as ours, and begun in the same year. We then fietzed downtown to do some shopping, and returned home to another lekker meal. We worked on lessons, and held a song practice for the newly - organized Elders choir. We worked on lessons some more, and then Elder De Vries and I fietzed out to Scheveningen to take pictures of the sunset, which turned out a bit cloudy. Scheveningen is a tourist attraction on the beach, big hotels, restaurants, and beaches. The people there wear the old dutch clothes all the time so it is quite a sight.
June 1 - Sunday - I attended my first meetings in the new Den Haag building this morning. It was really nice to just sit and enjoy the meetings, under the leading of branch local members, we usually have to worry about all the meetings we attend. We attended priesthood, sunday school, and testimony meetings. There was a turn out of about 120 people to sunday school and we had one family of investigators present. The meetings were very nice and inspirational. Four of us elders went out to eat after fasting, we went to an indonesian restaurant and had a good plate of bami-goring, (12:50). We attended the 5:00 meeting; under the leading of the sunday schoo, had ice cream and cookies for supper, and went to a cottage meeting. Elder Beswilk, Elder De Vries, and I went to the cottage meeting; A Book of Mormon film to a family with six daughters (ages 4 - 17) -
June 2 - Monday - Weather remained hot and sultry, unbelievable unlike Holland. Elder Vries and I tracted and held one good cottage meeting in the morning. Elder Harris, the District President, and I tracted without any sign of luck on the afternoon, and Elder De Vries and I held two cottage meeting in the evening. One with a strong Catholic, Godhead lesson; and the other with a woman and her daughter, a first principles lesson. The husband was against the church and stayed away. We had a nice meeting however, and knelt and prayed at the end of the meeting, earlier Elder Harris, Elder Soper, Elder De Vries, and I visited a cost-house to see if we could move in soon.
June 3 - Elder De Vries and I tracted morning and afternoon, and met nothing but mean, uninterested people with no time, we held one cottage meeting with a Catholic lady in the evening, a Godhead lesson.
June 4 - We tracted and held one cottage meeting with a lady who had two huge dogs and a cat; quite a noisy meeting, then we had a cottage meeting; a Plan of Salvation lesson. It lasted two hours and was a good meeting; with a lady, MEV. Touw and one of her six sons. In the evening, after a very lousy meal at the Leersumstr, we held a very nice cottage meeting with a young couple, a first lesson. We then had another 6th lesson scheduled, but the people didn’t know about the other five so we had a review. (Over everything) → 10:45.
June 5 - We tracted in the morning and had a long talk with an old lady with a problem. We held a cottage meeting in the afternoon with a lady with 11 children; and in the evening we had a cottage meeting with a young student, and another with MEN+MEV Tromp, a young couple with two cute children. The lesson was a Plan of Salvation lesson, and they were very interested and enjoyed it very much. We got in bed very late, tired but feeling good. Earlier we had one of the members cook us a heerlisk meal; bami, cream pies and egg, and fruit pie. (Veerukkelijk). All 10 of us Elders living here really enjoyed it.
June 6 - Friday - We held one cottage meeting in the morning and another in the afternoon, both Godhead lessons. In the evening we met with a hereformed man who wouldn’t believe anything and ranted and raved. Then we held a cottage meeting with MEV. Van Deudekom, a good Plan of Salvation lesson. She liked it very much and we kneeled in prayer to end the meeting with a very good spirit. I wrote a letter and hit the sack. (12:00)
June 7 - Saturday - In the morning we tracted, first in a drizzling rain, and then the sun shone. We got in twice; once with a very nice lady who used to be a Jehova Witness but is now looking for something else. WE had a very nice cottage meeting. We then went downtown to do a little shopping, then we went to get an ijs and a gebakje for lunch. After that nine of us got together for a game of good old American Football down on the beach. We played right near the ocean on the sand and had a very nice game. The team I was on won 18-12, cheating a little. I made two touchdowns on passes. After that we fietzed home, showered, and Elder Woper and Timmerman and I caught a train for Rotterdam for choir practice. We arrived 15 minutes late for the 7:00 practice and sang till 9:00. Then we had hamburgers, milk, and popcorn at Rotterdam, and returned home, 11:00, after stopping for another ijs.
June 8 - Sunday - We attended meetings, and had five investigators out to sunday school; MEV. Touw and her 24 year old son and MEV. Keijkiel and her two small children. We ate the leftovers from an Indonesian meal, studied all day, and attended the 5:00 meeting. Then we ate a huge IJS, french fries and a gebakje for dinner here. I studied, wrote a letter, and went to bed.
June 9 - We got up, 6:00, washed, shaved, ate breakfast, and went out at 9:00. Elder Soper and I tracted and held two cottage meetings. One was an afval and herstelling lesson, my first for a long time. Elder Harris and I had no luck in the afternoon. After a good meal, Elder De Vries and called on two crazy inn; a big fat man and a man who insisted on speaking English we couldn’t understand very well. Then we fietzed clear across town for a cottage meeting with five people, which ended up in a debate till 11:00. We couldn’t put over the afval lesson because they wouldn’t agree with anything.
June 10 - Tuesday - We held one cottage meeting in the morning, and Elder De Vries, Elder De Haan and I went to two cottage meetings in the afternoon, Elder De Vries gave a Godhead lesson and I gave an afval to a Catholic lady. I gave another Godhead lesson in the evening to a very intelligent man and his wife. Then we went to Fam. Keijmel for a review, almost in pitch blackness. Their lights were out of order. They were very promising and had been out to church a few times before.
June 11 - We held a cottage meeting in the morning with a very old couple, and two in the afternoon, one with a very nice lady with a cute little squeaky voice, and another with a rich Indonesian lady out in Rijswijk. She was very religious and had quite a few bijbels in huis. We met her through a friend who was in contact with the missionaries. In the evening two good meetings fell through, but we called on call backs and got in twice. One was a very intelligent man and the other was a very promising couple, Fam. Homs. They were very interested in our message.
June 12 - We tracted in the morning and got in twice; one useless cottage meeting, and another with a lady who had never been in a church before. In the afternoon we had a meeting with mev. Touw, the 2nd part of the plan of salvation about temples and baptism for the dead; then we had another cottage meeting with a nice man, a first lesson. In the evening, we had a good meeting with Fam. Tromp, and answered questions all night. They had been given all the tracts and brochures available, and had all sorts of questions.
June 13 - Friday - We tracted and two cottage meetings all day. In the evening we held three more cottage meetings; one was a very nice couple, planning on moving to Canada, one with an old lady, her huge dog, and her two sons, and one with Mev. Deudekam. I gave her a review of Lessons 5-6 and a Doop Voor De Doden Lesson.
June 14 - Saturday - 9 Months - At 8:00 we held a testimony meeting for the Den Haag District, 22 missionaries and President Sperry being present. It was one of the most wonderful meetings I had ever attended, and lasted until 11:00. We had two Afsprakjes fall through, tracted for an hours, grabbed a sandwich, and changed clothes for our football game, Elder Butler, Kramer, De Haan and I Vs. Elder Soper, Putnam, Springer, and De Bries. After a hilarious game we won 48 - 6, and Elder Soper and I left for choir practice at 3:00. We practiced and had our pictures taken till 5:30. Then we saw a show. “Three Faces of Eve.” (7 of us elders) and took in an ijs for supper.
June 15 - Sunday - We attended priesthood and sunday school and had two investigators out at sunday school, Mev. Touw and her son, eight of us, fietzed out to Scheveningen to eat lunch. We ate in a swiss chateau. We ordered spaghetti and breaded veal with a heerlijke sauce. It was really a verukkelijke meal but expensive too ƒ4.25 and a .75 tip figured in. Then we all took a walk along the beach and watched the sights. The beach was really crowded, about one square foot per peron. It was really hot summer weather. We had an ijs and returned to church at 5:00. I studied and wrote letters in the evening.
June 16 - We were on cooking committee so we arose at 6:00 and fixed breakfast. Elder Soper and I tracted and had three 1st lessons and had a Book of Mormon lesson fall through. Elder Harris and I tracted and finally had one cottage meeting. Elder De Vries and I held two cottage meetings and had our 9:00 appointment fall through, which was clear on the other side of town. I washed clothes, took a shower, and hit the sack.
June 17 - Elder De Vries and I held two cottage meetings in the morning, one godhead, one afval. In the afternoon we tracted and then held one cottage meeting with a Jehovahs Witnesses lady. We traded tracts and I gave a Joseph Smith story to her. In the evening we held two cottage meetings, one godhead and one talk with Men. Keijmel who sounded like he was giving the whole thing up; he wouldn’t pray -
June 18 - We held one cottage meeting in the morning and two others in the afternoon, all tamelijk nutteloos, two with old ladies and one with a baker who wouldn’t let us pray. In the evening after helping fix a whopping meal for 10 elders at supper, we held two very nice isbbes, and I gave an afval and herstelling lesson to Fam Homs. They took the lesson very good after fist trying to call it quits. We got another call back. Report on supper = Potatoes, roast, gravy, peas, salad, and cake with whipped cream and bananas for dessert. It seems as if were holding a contest to see who can fix the biggest meals and spend the most money. Fl. 17.00 per week in the pot + sunday meal. Weather Report - Sunny and cloudy off and on - miraculously little rain.
June 19 - Thursday - I had received my camera the day before; a retina I-B, including light meter for about $57.00 from the P.X. in Germany. A former elder brought it over for me.
In the morning we held three cottage meetings; not too coog. We held another in the afternoon with another Jehovahs witness after another good meal, we had one cottage meeting in the evening with a nice family, the lady being a former Buddhist from Thailand. Two other good appointments fell through. I ironed my suit, and went to bed - 11:30 -
June 20 - Friday - We tracted; one cottage meeting in the morning. We held two in the afternoon; one with a Men. Van Hoorn, an english student. We gave him a herstelung lesson, and he promised to come to church the next sunday. He was going back to England the next week. Then we met with Mev. Touw, a cottage meeting lesson about celestial marriage. We could tell she was praying and getting a testimony over the gospel. In the evening we held a cottage meeting with a family, mother and friend. (catholic). And then two other appointments fell through.
June 21 - Elder Soper went out with me in the morning and held two cottage meetings. We went shopping and studied until 4:00 then we attended a baptismal where two nice people were baptized, Mr. + Mrs Welling. We had three investigators out, Mev Touw, and Z. V. Kampens. We stole a snack in the kitchen and had choir rehearsal at 7:00. We had 3 or 4 new songs to lean, negro spirituals.
June 22 - Sunday - We went to priesthood and sunday school in the morning. We had 4 investigators out to sunday school, Mev. and son Touw, and Mr and Mrs Hoedt, an Indonesian couple. We stole another snack and I made up a lesson before sacrament meeting. Mev Touw was out to meeting again. We studied in the evening.
June 23 - Elder Harris and I tracted and held one cottage meeting with a scary looking boy and his mother. Elder Soper and I held three cottage meetings in the afternoon, all Nutteloos. Then in the evening, Elder De Vries and I held three more cottage meetings, one with a young student, and afval and herstelling lesson. He was very honest and interested, and had the Joseph Smith story almost memorized then I gave an Afval lesson to a Men. De Wit, and we met with Men. V.D. Berg. His wife was sick, but we gave him a herstelling lesson. The meeting went very well - 10:30.
June 24 - Tuesday - We tracted and held one cottage meeting, a godhead lesson, in the morning. In the afternoon we met with Mev. Touw and gave her a call to repentance lesson. She took it very well, but still wouldn’t pray at the end of the meeting. We then had another cottage meeting in the evening. We met with family Dek, and talked over almost everything. We then met with Fam. Sibbes, a herstelling lesson. Her mother was there also, Mev. Bakker, who had had the lessons before.
June 25 - We had one cottage meeting in the morning and another in the afternoon, with Mev. Plug, an afval lesson. After a delicious indonesian meal cooked for us by Zr. Oskamp, we held two more cottage meetings, one godhead, and one afval, to 4 people, 3 different religions.
June 26 - Thursday - We held one cottage meeting in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening. Two were afval lessons and the other was the Smit family. We gave them a herhaling, and they were very interested and also very promising.
June 26 - Thursday - We held one cottage meeting in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening. Two were afval lessons and the other was the Smit Family. We gave them a herhaling, and they were very interested and also very promising.
June 27 - Friday - We all got up at 5:00, got ready, ate breakfast, and caught a tram down to the station. We caught the bus there about 7:30; the Amsterdam District already being aboard. We travelled through Rotterdam, over the Belgium border, to Brussels; and arrived there about 11:00. We changed our money into Belgian Francs (5:00 = 247 Fr); paid 30 Fr. entrance fee, and began looking at the fair. Elder Springer, Timmerman, De Vries, and I went through the Russian building, a huge building full of massive statues (Lenin) and other exhibits of power (Their building was full of propaganda sayings and brochures). Then we went through the U.S. Building, a huge round building, with beautiful modern architecture and a large lake in the middle. We stayed there awhile, watched a fashion show, and ate lunch. We bought a banana-split afterward (41 Fr) We bought post cards, took a ride in a ski-lift past the Atomium, and looked around the Belgian and the Belgian-Congo sections, covering most of the area of the fair. We saw a lot more spectacular exhibitions there and in the French building. It was overcast in the morning and the sun shone for a good part of the afternoon. I only took about 10 pictures the first day. At 6:00 Elder Springer and I went down to meet Elder Gary Chard of the French mission. We met him and his companion and looked around the fair with them till 10:00; it really looked beautiful at night. I then went down to the entrance and we all caught the bus again back to Antwerpen. There were about 35 of us elders staying there in the Antwerpen Chaper, above a saloon. I had my sleeping bag and a new air mattress, and slept heerlijk.
Jan 28 - We awoke, 6:30, and Elder De Vries looked around Antwerpen and changed some money before catching our bus at 9:00. We arrived at Brussels at 10:15, paid another 30 Fr entrance fee, and started seeing another section. We looked through the Dutch, Tunisian, Palestine, Switzerland, German, English, and Mexican exhibitions, among others. They all had fantabulous showings, Dutch oceans; Swiss power machines, English kings, crowns, swords, and Mexican Ruins (Book of Mormon evidences) Elder Timmerman and I walked around the Belgian exhibits some more, bought a lekker meal; a half chicken, french fries, and salad for 45 Fr. We looked around, walked back to the Atomium, but didn’t have time to go up, took some quick pictures, and returned to the entrance, 5:00. We caught the bus there and returned home, 8:00. I showered, wrote, and went to bed.
June 29 - Sunday - We woke up late, 8:30, and attended meetings. (8:00 - 12:00). Elder De Vries, De Mik and I went out to eat at an Indonesian restaurant and had a Verrukeujk meal for ƒ13.15 - We went to meetings at 65:00 and choir practice, 8:00 - 10:30. We had 3 or 4 new songs to learn.
June 30 - Elder De Vries and I started our packing in the morning, found a Bak-Fietz, and peddled all our trunks, suitcases, books, etc. our to our new home, Goeveneurlaan - We unpacked a little and I had to make a 2nd trip to get everything. We ate our last meal at the Leersumstr., Yogurt and strawberries. Elder Soper and I then tracted all afternoon and finally got in, a godhead lesson. We had a good meal at our new home and held two appointments in the evening. I gave a Book of Mormon lesson to a young man, Men. Sackman, and Elder De Vries gave a herstelling lesson to V.D. Bergs, and got another call-back.
July 1 - Tuesday - We held two cottage meetings in the morning, a godhead and afval, and three more in the afternoon. In the evening I gave an afval lesson to Men. Weldorp, and got an undecided call-back and we gave Mev. Devdekom a review. Our other appointment fell through so we returned home and talked with our cost-vrouw, Mev. Francken and another Man, Men. Bevk.
July 2 - We had one cottage meeting in the morning and had a verschrikkelijk rain storm coming home. We tracted all afternoon without luck, and in a lousy drizzle. In the evening, we held a cottage meeting with Men. +Mev. De Wit, a herstelling lesson. They are a very nice couple, but were a bit skeptical about the herstelling. Then we met with Fam. Homs, and had a Book of Mormon lesson. They accepted it good and bought the book from us.
July 3 - We had one cottage meeting, with a catholic lady, and in the afternoon had two more (Fair & poor) It really rained again at noon, and we got soaked coming home, walking most of the way. The thunder & lightning was really turned on too. Our first appointment fell through but we held two cottage meetings, a herstelling lesson to Kuipers (Man and Indonesian lady); and a review at Touw’s, to her son (Lessons 1-4).
July 4 - Friday - We got up at 6:00 as usual; got dressed and studied. We tracted in the morning, no luck, and called on a call back and had a cottage meeting with a very nice family, De Klerk, (Godhead lesson) They accepted it very well and were very interested in investigating further. Then we went to a 4th of July party at the home of the U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Young. There were hundreds of americans present and all Den Haasse Zendelingen. We had little sandwiches and orange juice, talked and started tracting again, 1:30. We had one meeting on the stairs, a Joseph Smith story, and in the evening we held three cottage meetings, one Joseph Smith story; a herstelling lesson to Fam. Lantrok (very good - 7 day adventists - wel thuis in Bijbel); and a Book of Mormon lesson to a Jehovah's Witnesses lady and her two daughters, accepted very well, considering. -Bed 11:30
July 9 - We held two cottage meetings in the morning, Godhead, Afval, and one in the afternoon, Godhead. Then we had two more Book of Mormon lessons in the evening; family De Wit, woman found Herstelling hard to believe, and family V. D. Berg, a very good lesson, accepted well.
July 10 - We held three cottage meetings in the morning, 2 Godheads and one Afval. In the afternoon we held a meeting with MEV. Touw; I gave her and her son a First-Principles lesson on the flannel board (my first). She said she would like to be baptized, maybe next month. Then we made another appointment with family Tromp (troubles??) In the evening we had three more cottage meetings; a Book of Mormon lesson to family Kuiper (previously to Church).
He had many honest questions and seemed very interested. Then we had an Afspraak fall through, but called on a call-back and held a Godhead lesson, then gave another Book of Mormon lesson to family Lantrok, 7th Day Adventists. They served us lekker strawberries and tart, but were a bit skeptical about het boek van Mormon
Total=9 Book of Mormon Lessons in five days
July 11 - Friday - We had two cottage meetings in the morning, one Godhead, one Afval, we held two more in the afternoon, another Godhead, Afval, in the evening. We had a J.W. appointment fall through, called on a call-back; Godhead lesson with a Schilder. Then we went to family Kok, a lady, 4 young men, one Dollie, one grote hond (of Paard??) - We had an Afval, herstelling lesson there, 8:00-10:30. A fairly good meeting.
July 12 - We went tracting 9:00-12:00 and held two cottage meetings, 1st lessons. Then we returned home. Ate lunch, and went to th church for a district class 1:00-3:00, then we had choir practise, 3:00-6:00. I took a quick shower, and then Elder. De Vries, Timmerman, and I fietzed to our cost-avis in a drenching rainstorm. We arrived, soaking wet, dried out for 30 seconds, and went into the raid again. We went to a show downtown and saw “The Inspector General” with Danny Kaye (really funny). We bought an ijs and went home; I studied and pressed my rain-wrinkled pants - 11:45.
July 13 - We went to PR. +S.S. Meetings.(9:00-12:00). Mev Touw, SON, and MEN. Kuiper were there for S.S. We came home, had a warm meal, studied for awhile, and left for Delfth, OP Feits. After a half hour ride, against the wind, we arrived there and went to the Kost-Huis of Elders Ferwerda and Lohiting (3:15-4:30). We spoke there at Delft; I, Elder De Vries, and Brother Diender from den haag. (5:00-6:30). Then we headed for home, a vreselijke wind about blowing us in the canal. Our Afspraaks all fell through so we studied, write letters, Ek.
July 14 - 10 MONTHS - Elder Harris and I tracted, one cottage meeting, and then fietzed over to his area for a call-back, which fell through. We finished tracting there. Elder Soper and I held three cottage meetings that afternoon. One was with a J.W. girl. We talked over a hele bowl dingen and sort of completed a lesson 2-3 and J.S. Story. We exchanged tracts and left. I then gave Godhead lesson to sweet old lady, and an Afval lesson to another lady. After another greasy meal, we had a meeting fall through, but made a C.B. a cottage meeting. We talked with one family and then went to a family V. Krampen. We talked for quite a while, 3 Church lessons?, and they were impossible to talk to further. We took back a Book of Mormon and left.
July 15 - We had a cottage meeting with MEV. Keus, an Afval lesson. She is a very nice lady, had to go to the hospital to be operated on, back. We visited MEV. Giel, and showed her the two Book of Mormon films. She still couldn’t believe in anything but was still very friendly and wanted to hear more, we held two cottage meetings in the afternoon, and in the evening, we got soaked traveling to our first Afspraak, a review, Godhead for family Claessens. They seemed very nice people, we got drenched again fietzing to the other end of our area, appointment fell through, and back again. We showed the two films on family Klein, and had a talk on belief in God. He couldn’t believe in Jesus Christ or Joseph Smith, but we wanted to hear more.
July 16 - Got up 6:15 - had a 9:00 appointment with a MEV. Ijkparian. She had an Armenian name, Armenian man. We gave her an Afval lesson and she took it very good; she used to be a Jehovahs Witness. We tracted the rest of the day and had one more cottage meeting in the evening, another J.W. Two of our evening appointments fell through and the other one almost did. We held a cottage meeting with MEN. De Wit. His wife was away and had told him not to talk to us any more, but he was a very meek man and let us in. We showed the two Book of Mormon films and talked over his problems (he used to be a sailor, cook - went to prison - wants to go back to sailing, cooking) meeting (8:00-10:00).-
July 17 - We held three cottage meetings in the morning; one with an old man, daughter & family (a lot of arguments), another with a nice old lady, MEN. Herwaarden - I gave her a Herstelling lesson and she accepted it very good. In the afternoon, we went down town to buy show tickets and to visit some distant relatives of mine. (Reinkenst. 107). We belled on the bell and climbed up two flights of stairs to the top of the apartment. It was a very old house, but very well furnished. We met Antje and Jantina Westra, first cousins of my father. Another sister, Antje (Annie) also lived there but was not home. We talked, drank lemonade, and showed photos of the family. They were daughters of Jan. O. Westra, Brother of Grandpa. They had a lot of information written up on cards about the family. I received some photos from them of Grandpa’s family, John, ETC. They didn’t seem to want us to come back again however. They had five other Brothers and Sisters living in the Hague. We held a C.M. later that afternoon. In the evening we went out with some of the new elders who arrived a few days ago (7 of them). Elder Cooley and I had two cottage meetings; a herstelling lesson to an old family and an Afval lesson to a younger family - then we tracted - 9:30.
July 18 - Elder Odle, and old friend from Roosevelt JR., and I tracted and finally held one cottage meeting - with an old man who was a very religious philosopher. We talked for an hour (12:00-1:00, J.S. story) but couldn’t manage a callback. I had to fiets Elder Odle home to the Leersumst and came right back with two more Elders. I quickly gulped down a few sandwiches and then Elder Limburg and I tracted with absolutely no luck (2:30-5:30). Elder Breluster and I went out in the evening, all our appointments fell through so we tracted and at 9:00 held ont 10 minute cottage meeting; J. S. Story. We returned home and waited for Elder De. Vries and workman-11:30.
July 19 - Saturday - I fietzed to the Church for choir practice (8:00-12:00) after a quick breakfast. We held a good practice and took een hele boel fotos. I took a quick shower, returned home for lunch, and returned for a baptismal (3:30-4:30)- A lady and little girl were baptized. We talked to the new Elders - genealogy - went home for supper, 6:00, and left for the movie. Elder De Vries, Springer, Timmerman, and I went, and saw “The Ten Commandments”. I really enjoyed the picture - Second time I had seen it (7:30-12:00).
July 20 - Sunday - We went to meetings (9:00-12:00). MEV. Town, son, and girl friend of another son, came to S.S. We returned and had lunch 1:00; MEV. Franck, 3 sons, MEN. V. Beek. Then we studied and finished drying off from our previous rainstorm. We held a cottage meeting with family Lantrok, Seventh Day Adventists over the Sabbath Day - a very nice meeting. We partook of lekker cake and lemonade and left in another rainstorm. We dried off a little and took off for the Church again, 5:00 meeting. It was good weather again and we really sweltered in Church. We returned home, ate, studied, and went to a 9:00 cottage meeting with family Kok. There were seven people there and we had a great time trying to please them all - 10:30 - washed up, and hit the sack.
July 21 - Elder Harris and I tracted in the morning - Elder Soper and I in the afternoon - All with absolutely no luck. -Six appointments fell through. Elder Cooley and I went to MEN. Sackman, a First Principles lesson. He took it very good, although his mother strayed us off the subject. He had read I Nephi in the Book of Mormon. We then went to a call-back and had a Godhead lesson. The man didn’t believe in anything.
July 22 - Elder Clark and I went out in a miserable rainstorm - he without a rain-coat. We tracted and then talked to a young man and wife on the door for about 30 minutes. We had a very nice discussion. Then we held one short cottage meeting and another with MEV. Girl, a review of (lessons 2-4), (11:15-12:30). After lunch (Elder Whiting and Ferwerda were also here), Elder De Vries and I tracted and visited MEV Touw. I gave her and her son a review (1-5). Then Elder De Vries reviewed lesson 6. It was a very nice meeting. I went out with Elder Beal in the evening. We talked with one stinky old man on the door, tracted, and called on a call-back and had a cottage meeting - nice old lady with real nice (looking) granddaughter - J. S. Story. Then we had another cottage meeting with family V. Beveren, a nice young couple. He couldn’t believe in Jesus Christ - so we gave him a Book of Mormon lesson - 10:00 .
July 23 - I got up late, 6:45, studied, went out tracting with Elder Brewster. We held two cottage meetings then and Elder De Vries and I held two more in the afternoon, all first lessons. We met three of the cutest little girls I’ve ever seen, while we were tracting - Thea, Carla, Mona. - They tracted with us for a while. In the evening Elder Thompson and I tracted and I tracted and held two cottage meetings, one with three ladies, 2 young, 1 old. The young ones were interested. Then we spoke with a student and his father who didn’t believe in anything but had the biggest and oldest Bible I’ve ever seen, 1674. Our 9:00 call-back fell through.
July 24 - Donderdag - Elder Cheney en ik deden een beetje tractact werk s’morgens een hadden twee cottage meetings. Een was met. Mev. V. Herwaarden, een Boek Van Mormon lesson. Zij was heel vriendelijk een aanvaardde de les heel goes. De anderf cottage meeting was met een oude man die tegen alles was in de afternoon werkte ik met Elder Cooley een na een possje we hadden een cottage meeting, noch een oude man, oie een philosopher was s’avonds werkten Elder Beal en ik tezamen. Wij hadden een hele goed cottage meeting met familie claessen, lessons 2-3. Zij hadden veel interesse - herstelling lesson - en hadden een hele boel vrage. Hij had wat mer in het Boek Van Mormon Gelezen.
July 25 - Elder Workman and I tracted, one cottage meeting. Elder Beal and I held two; one very staunch catholic lady and one staunch vrijzinnig here-formed lady - I was al uitgepraat. After supper we (Elder Cheney & I) held three cottage meetings. The first one was a very intelligent spiritist man. Two appointments fell thru but two callbacks went thru and we had one Joseph Smith story and one Book of Mormon lesson and sad story.
July 26 - Elder De Vries and I went out on a lousy, misty day - tracted and held two cottage meetings - first lessons. We ate, fietzed to the church in a rain-shower to take a shower. I stayed there for choir practice 2:00 - 3:30 and then the haagshe zendelingen fietzed out to a small hospital on the outskirts of the Hague where we had a singing engagement. We had a nice concert - about 35 patients - Elder V. Dam sang solos - I fietzed back, ate, studied - Elder Timmerman came over and we fietzed downtown and met Elder Springer and De Vries and went to a show - Perri - Walt Disney - A very good film. Then I pressed my pants and went to bed - 12:30.
July 27 - Sunday - We attended priesthood and sunday school meetings. (9:00 - 12:00), Returned home, ate, and held a good cottage meeting with Men. + Mev. Lantrok, a first principles lesson. They accepted it very well. We studied and went to church, 5:00. We studied and wrote letters in the evening.
July 28 - Elder Cheney and I held one cottage meeting, with two old ladies, one German - and talked on the door (½ hour). Elder Beal and held two cottage meetings - one stubborn old lady - one nice young man - I got a haircut, ate dinner, and Elder Odle and I held two good cottage meetings, both godhead lessons. - One with Fam. Sdaans, a very nice man, a good prospect - One cottage meeting with two men - one woman - friendly and interesting.
July 29 - Elder Thompson and I tracted and held 3 cottage meetings - One with a tailor of the royal-house and zoo keeper. Elder De Vries, Whiting, Ferwerda, and I ate lunch together, and Elder De Vries and I tracted and held 4 cottage meetings (a record), none of them were promising though. Elder Beal and I called on callbacks in the evening, after a dinner with the whole family + visitors. We held two cottage meetings - one old lady and Fam. Wagner (An Afval-herstelling lesson) fairly well accepted. (Tied record - 9 cottage meetings)
July 30 - Wednesday - Elder Brewster and I tracted, had no luck, Elder De Vries & I held two short cottage meetings, and then started to move all our luggage, clothes, books over to our other place - from this goeven-eurlaan 443 - Genestetlaan 204, just around the corner. We made three trips over, went back to the old place, ate, and I went tracting with Elder Thompson, one cottage meeting, finally - godhead lesson.
July 31 - Elder De Vries & I visited with Mev. Tromp (troubles with family - divorce), then we showed a book of mormon film to Mev. Herwaarden, held a cottage meeting with two catholic young men. (Herstelling). We had two more cottage meetings in the afternoon, one with Mev. Touw, a standard works lesson. After our last dinner at the Goeveneur laan, spaghetti, we went to three cottage meetings, Elder Limburg & I. One argument over the godhead, one real good godhead lesson & film: Family Begman, one Book of Mormon lesson & film: family V.D. Nor. then Elder De Vries & I raced out to scheveningen to see the fireworks. I took a few pictures. We spent our first night in our new kost-huis, to bed 12:30.
August 1 - Friday - Got up, 7:17, ate breakfast, held two cottage meetings, Herstelling - Joseph Smith story. We ate lunch, Mev. Zauter, Daughter Joyce, and held two more cottage meetings in the afternoon, first visits, In the evening after a Verukkeujk Maaltijo (carbonade), we heldd three cottage meetings; two with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Elder De Vries gave an afval lesson to one and I gave an afval, Joseph Smith story to the other. Then we met with Fam. Kok, only 4 present this time, ruins films. - 11:00.
August 2 - I got up, ate a quick breakfast - traveling on my fiets - went to pick up Elder Timmerman, and we arrived 15 minutes late to the 8:00 choir practice. - We Practiced til 12:00. I fietzed home, ate lunch - and Elder De Vries and I went downtown; bought him a suit - and then took a few pictures of Den Haag.; peace palace, windmills, traffic scenes. Then we fietzed over to the Kost-Huis of Elder Timmerman and Springer and showed slides.
August 3 - Sunday - We went to Priesthood meeting, Sunday School, and fast meeting. - We had a grand total of 6 investigators out to meeting, Mev. Touw, son, girlfriend of other son, Men. Kuiper, Mev. V. Herwaarden, and Mev Landlok. The testimony meeting was really nice and upbuilding, especially for our investigatortjes. We came home, ate a bread meal, had an appointment fall through, studied, and went to meetings at 5:00. We came home to a very lekker meal, studied, and sacked out.
August 4 - Elder Harris and I tracted, no luck. Elder Soper and I held two cottage meetings, first visits. (very old people). Elder Cheney and I (after another Heerlijk meal) went to Men. Sackman, review (lessons 1-5), and standard works lesson. Then we called on a callback and got in - a nice Geman lady, Man - godhead lesson.
August 5 - Elder Brewster & I tracted; 2 cottage meetings One with a heel drukke jongen, one with a catholic lady. Elder De Vries and I visited Mev. Plug, 2 daughters, Herstelling lesson and had nog een cottage meeting. Elder Thompson and I held two cottage meetings in the evening.; a (lesson 2-3) with Fam. Bergman (daughter), very good reception. The other cottage meeting with Fam. Homs, a drie-kerk lesson. They had no more time for us to speak to them; said they’d call us. That day I received a transfer to Amsterdam, assigning me to Elder Van Wagoner - First assignment as senior companion.
August 6 - Elder Clark and I held three cottage meetings, not much. Elder De Vries and I held one cottage meeting, and then after a Heerlijk indonesian meal, Elder Beal and I held three more cottage meetings, one argument, one short Joseph Smith story cottage meeting. (very good), one Book of Mormon lesson - Ruines film meeting with Fam. Wagner + girlfriend. (8:45 - 11:00). He bought a copy of the Book of Mormon.
August 7 - Elder Cheney and I held one cottage meeting with Mev. V. Herwaarden - a first principles lesson. She took it very well. Elder De Vries & I went tracting and held a cottage meeting with Mev. Touw & zoon, a review (Lessons 6-7), they both showed signs of retaining a testimony. We were soaking wet from fietzing in the mot-pegen. Elder Gooley and I had one useless (R.K) cottage meeting - after another lekker maaltud - lever.
August 8 - Vrijdag - Elder Clark and I went tracting and had three poor cottage meetings. Elder De Vries and I held one poor cottage meeting and one good one in the afternoon after dinner (fish), we, Elder Beal and I, went out in the lousy Mot-Regen again. It was just a thick falling mist that really soaked you when you fietzed. Our first appointment fell through, a Book of Mormon lesson. Then I said goodbye to family Kuiper (2 darling little indonesian children), and famije Landrok, (seventh day adventist couple) Also Mev. Girl - got a Book of Mormon back. - Then we held a cottage meeting, Joseph Smith story, with a few, smoky people and went to our other appointment, which also fell through, Men. Sackman - Plan of Salvation lesson. Two fell through - Lessons 4 - Lesson 6 (Another Record). - We came home early again in that lousy rain - I was soaking wet, talked with cost - vrouw - packed, went to bed.
August 9 - Saturday - In the morning at 9:00 we held a Testimony meeting for all the Den Haag District. #1 wonderful testimonies were given and there was a very inspirational peeling there (9:00-12:45). Then I packed my trunk, ate some Leftovers there at the church, and attended choir practice, 2:00-5:00. When I returned home, Elder De Vries and I had supper (soup - Pannekoeken - fruit) - We were really stuffed. Then I returned to the church with a trunk to finish my packing. Elder Bradford, Timmerman and I went to our singing engagement on fiets. It was out in Kijkduin, a hospital. We sang before. A fair sized group of people, about 50 - most of which were in beds. (Polio hospital - mostly older people some young children - one investigator of ours. MEV. Keus was there also). Our music wasn’t too good, but we still entertained them. Then we returned to the church - I made another packing trip (Wegens Vergissing). I finished packing - took a shower - Washed - Went to bed - 12:30 -
August 10 - Sunday - We attended President & S.S. meetings. Three investigators - MEV. Touw, Zoon, MEN. Kuiper - ONE. member - MEV. Neijmeijer. We held an appointment with family Landlok, a doop voor de deden lesson, very good response. We attended sac. Meeting, speakers - br. Jansen - Panman - Elders Lemon (Atschscheios toespraak) Elder Bradford (axscheios - Rotterdam toe). I then fietzed out to Scheveningen to take a few pictures before leaving the hague. I hurried back in time for an 8:00 cottage meeting with kam sibbes. It was ontzentend warm and I was really sweating. We gave them the two Book of Mormon Films - Good Response Ook. I finished a little packing, studied music, and went to bed - warmest day in Holland (so far).
August 11 - Amsterdam - Monday - We got up early, ate breakfast, 7:30, Got ready - Elder Clark arrived - 8:00 - And we three took off with all our trunks (my trunks) We kietzed over to the H.S. Station - Barely missed getting killed by trucks, trains- Left Elder Clark there with the luggage Eco De Vries and I took three Fietzen over to the S.S. Station - sent my kiets over to Amsterdam, and then I took Elder Clark’s Fiets over to check out with the police. Elder De Vries and I then rushed back to the H. S. Station - Sweating but on time. We met Elder Brewster there, bought the tickets, and even had to wait 10 minutes for the 9:37 train. Elder Brewster and I caught a train to the church at Amsterdam bhWe unpacked - had lunch with Elder Van Kampen, Andrus Lemond (who just left for home an hour later). Then Elder Andrus and I trammed down to the station to meet Elder Thurgood. We caught another tram back, went shopping for tonights dinner. I then went down to the station again or Elder Andrus’ Kieter - my new companion still hadn’t arrived . I waited till he came - 7:30 - We ate a little supper - He unpacked - and then it really started to rain ( it had been a vrbelilk warm day so far). It poured down - the church building was leaking all over. We placed pots and pans all over under the dripping spots. I worked on my geneology, took a shower, and went to bed. - 11:45.
August 12 - We got up, ate, and Elder Andrus, Thurgood, V. Wagoner and I took a tram down to the Amsel Station to pick up out fietzed. Then Elder Van Wagoner and I tracted and held two cottage meetings - none in the afternoon but we talked to a nice American family. Aftera hamburger dinner we tracted in the evening - one cottage meeting with some rich Jews. Our tracting area is full of rich, old homes & people.
August 13 - Wednesday - We tracted morning and afternoon - two worthless cottage meetings. After a good dinner, we tracted with no luck in the evening till 9:00, washed clothes, studied, and went to bed.
August 14 - We held one cottage meeting in the morning with a very intellligent young man - 20 - math - 4th dimension, etc. We held a two hour meeting and talked over everything. We visited some investigators in another part of town - Ternigans. Then in the evening after a heerlijk nassi supper - (zusters ook daarbu), we held one cottage meeting, two intelligent men. Three other call-backs fell through. We got our cameras and took a few night shots of the city.
August 15 - Vrijdag - We checked in with the police - tracted, and held two cottage meeting, one pretty good one. We held another with a nice old couple in the afternoon, and visited with another man, Erg Rijk. We ate dinner, including another heerlijk tart by my companion. Then we tracted and had one good call-back go through. We held a good cottage meeting, Godhead, with a mother & daughter. They seemed very interested and wanted to hear more.
August 16 - Saturday - The Amsterdam District held a class and Testimony Meeting meeting, 8:00-10:30. We had a text quiz in class - the testimonies were also inspiring & upbuilding. There were 18 missionaries present. Then Elder Brewster & I went shopping, we all ate lunch, and then raced down to the station and caught the train for the Hague. We got there at 2:00 - the choir practice lasted from 2:00-5:30. Then I fietzed over to my ood cost-huis; picked up a typewriter, letters, etc., and patate prizes, ij’s for supper. Then we held a talent show at 8:00-11:00. “The choir sang four numbers - brothers Stam, two quartets, Elder Andrus, Elder Bradford (piano), Elder Vandam (guitar), Elder Soper, Elder Oaks (pantomine), Elder Hulet all performed. We sold punch and apple tarts for money for choir expenses. Then we all caught the bus, train back to Amsterdam - fietzed home. We all devoured a lekker chocolate cake that evening, talked, went to bed 1:00.
August 17 - Sunday - Got up, 7:00, got ready, studied, and went to President Meetings, 9:00 and Sunday School, 10:30 - 12:00. We ate lunch - Studied - wrote letters - and went to Sacrament Meeting, 6:30; Elder Bradford, Elder Van Kampen, ZR. Allen, and another local Zuster spoke. I studied in the evening - weather report - lovely, warm, sun shiny day -- surprise.
August 18 - We tracted; one hurried cottage meeting - ate lunch - traced the rest of the day, evening - no luck at all. Then we went to visit the family Ternigan (friends of the family Metro; members in Rotterdam). We watched T.V. and proselyted a bit.
August 19 - We got out and worked straight through 9:30-5:30 - we held two cottage meetings in the morning, one fairly good one with a Russian lady (Meegemaakt Veel) in the afternoon, after a lunch of a Gebakje, ij’s, we met with a student, and old Indonesian lady (she told us the sad story of her life, in detail about a fire in her house and all her new clothes that were burned); then it started pouring so we waited awhile on a dry doorstep, got in at the home of a nice lady (she felt sorry for us) we talked over everything, got a call-back (two darling daughters). Then we came home, fixed the dinner - “S.O.S.” - salad - two appointments fell through in the evening - we tracted, held one cottage meeting with a man who was staunch Catholic. We had a very good cottage meeting, a Godhead lesson - 9:00
August 20 - Wednesday - Elder V. Kampen, Brewster, Van Wagoner, and I took a train to Ijmiuden in the morning. We looked around for fietzen and went to our new cost-huis, Alexander Bellstr. 58 - MEN. Van Der Liefste (from the most loved). We talked and looked at our rooms (two of them). Then Elder V. Wagoner and I borrowed two of their fetzen and went to visit a few members in Ijmviden.
We visited ZR. Stottelaar and ZR. Kaus. Both were baptized when they were younger and they hadn’t been to church for years. They were both recently married and they didn’t want to talk to us. We ate lunch; banana, dates, soda pop, candy bar. We fietzed over to Beverwijk - over the Sluizen (locks) - (said to be the biggest in the world). WE visited a few members who weren’t homem talked to a relative of one member. Then we fietzed back to Umuiden.
We visited another member there. BE, Barends, Who was too busy to talk to us. We returned our fietzen and walked to the train station. We had a burnt offering for dinner (Nasigoreng) and went out to appointments - they both went through - both first lessons to very nice people, but they were satisfied with what they had (one niets, one oude kathouetke). No call-backs. We returned studied, ate yoghurt, went to bed. 12:15.
August 21 - Donderdag - We held three cottage meetings in the morning (niets bijzonders). We went downtown to get our pictures taken (roto-foto); at the Buenkorf. Then we went to see MEN. Schippers (to get my watch repaired and to see a few diamonds). We tracted, no luck in the evening.
August 22 - Vrudag - We tracted and held one cottage meeting (ook niets buzonders). We cooked a warm meal for Middag (corn on the cob - hamburger, steak - potatoes - yoghurt). Then we went to an appointment with a Dominee Van De Oude Katholieke Kerk. (a minister of a church). We had a good talk with him, we asked first about his church, and then gave him a mixed up 1-2-3 lesson. We got a return appointment also. We held tao cottage meetings - one Godhead - one (Afval - Herstelling), fairly good.
August 23 - Zaterdag - Wij werden wakker, 5:30, aten ontbijt, en fietzen naar het station toe. Dan herbenwin een train naar den haag genomen, en een bus naar de kerk genomen voor de koor oefening (8:00 - 1:00) Dan heb ik Elder Whitings klein fietsje gen. - omen, en ben ik naar het huis van Annie Westra gefietzed. Ik heb haar ontmoet, en heb lunch met haar, gegeten dan ereeg ik veel gegevens imtrent haar famile voor de geneologie, (1:00 - 3:00). Zij had al de informatie opetijpt (?) voor mij. Zij was een heel aardig en vriendeujk vrouw.
Dan fietzte ik terug naar de kerk, nam en bus, trein naar Amsterdam. Ik at een daar Boterramen, en dan ging ik naar de road show hier in de kerk. De zendeling gaven een talent programma, 9 leden van het sendelingen koor habben gezengen (dry bones - halls of ivy), Elder Stam, De jel, Andrus, U. Kampen Hebben lieden gezongen en graapjes verteld. Dan de Amsterdamse gemeente heeft een road show - circus - gespeld. Het was heel goed gedaan - 10:30. Dan hadden wij wat verprissingen en niemand wijden naar huis gaan went er was navwekijks een verschrikkelijk regen bui en neimand had hun regen jassen mee gebracht. Zij hebben al de onze gellend. Dan hadden wij zes. zendelingen, yoghurt en tart. - 12:30.
August 24 - Zondag - We attended meetings at 9:00, 10:30, and all the B.Y.U. tour was present. We studied in the afternoon and went to sacrement meeting. Eleyosman and Manwaring gave very good toespraaks. We studied more in the evening.
August 25 - Maandag - We held two fairly good cottage meetings, Godhead lessons, in the morning, and three others in the afternoon, 2 Godhead and one Joseph Smith story to a sweet little old lady (three high - over 90 years one - gave us a guilder for the church). Then our appointments fell through and we tracted zonder luck. WE got an ijs in town, studied, went to bed.
August 26 - Tuesday - We held one good cottage meeting in the morning, and Elder Brewster and I held one more in the afternoon, both good meetings. Elder V. Wagoner and I held two more cottage meetings that evening, first visits - one afval, one Godhead - both unbelievers. I did some washing, went to bed.
August 27 - We held two useless cottage meetings during the day and in the evening we tracted and had a good cottage meeting, Book of Mormon lesson to a nice, staunch Catholic family. They didn’t believe much, but were still a nice couple.
August 28 - We held one cottage meeting in the morning, a talk about God, tracted in the afternoon - very warm day - talked to two men in a garage. For dinner we had three guests from America, three little girls, waiting for their mother. We talked with one family in the evening, over just about everything. They were a nice family but had had little interest in the Gospel -- 10:30.
August 29 - Friday - We had one cottage meeting in the morning, 3 more in the afternoon; one Book of Mormon lesson to the “Old katholieke priester”. He took it fairly well - we couldn’t get another afspraak though - Another cottage meeting was a good godhead lesson to a very intelligent young med student two appointments fell thru in the evening, but we got in a call back and held a very good cottage meeting, godhead.
August 30, Saturday - We got up early and caught a train for Den Haag - arrived ½ hour late. We practiced (9:30 - 12:00), ate lunch together (Hot dogs, lemonade) and practiced 1:30 - Elder De Vries informed me that I was to baptize someone that afternoon and to be ready. The baptismal service was at 3:30, and four people were to be baptized. (Sister Touw; her son, Rien; a daughter of an american couple, a son of member in Den Haag, indonesian). I baptized Rien and Elder De Vries baptized Zr. Touw, in very little, very warm, water. After we had changed clothes, we confirmed the new members - I confirmed Zr. Touw, and Elder De Vries confirmed Rien. The meeting was very nice and inspirational - 5 other investigators were present. Four of us Elders practiced a bit (Quartet?). Elder Smith, Elder Allen, and I talked, rolled out our sleeping bags, and sacked out. For the nite.
August 31 - Sunday - We awoke early, studied, attended Priesthood meeting, sunday school (7 investigators), We practiced for awhile, 13 of us went downtown on the tram to eat at an indonesian restaurant (Bami) - We all returned to hear a talk from apostle Hugh B. Brown, 3:00. He gave us a wonderful talk about his former missionary experiences in England. (Baptized 17 families first thing) After that the choir practiced, 4:00, and Sacrament Meeting began at 5:00 - We sang, “O my Father”, “The Lord’s Prayer”, “Come Come, Ye Saints.” The songs really went good and we had just been practicing a short while. Elder Harris and Elder Russel gave afsheids toespraaks, Sister Brown spoke and apostle brown gave a very good tak. Br. Jongkees was the interpreter. It was really wonderful to hear the inspired words from an apostle. Elder Child, manwaring, Andrus, and I went home to Haarlem, Amsterdam - 8:30. Elder Andrus, De Leeuw, Thurgood, and I rode over to the sisters cost-house and had ice-cream and cakes, talked - 11:00.
September 1 - Monday - We held two cottage meetings this morning, one intelligent doctor, one nice indonesian family (call backs). Two more cottage meetings in the afternoon, one very nice man, Men. Pereira, lessons 1-2-3. After a lekker macaroni supper we held three more cottage meetings, a good one with a nice young man, a not so good one with an old lady, and a very good one with family duller - Elder Van Wagoner gave his first afval lesson, I gave a herstelling lesson. They were very friendly and seemed interested in going to church. We received word that evening that Elder Van Wagoner was to be the next assistant secretary, so I would be getting another new companion.
September 2 - Elder Van Wagoner and I held one fair cottage meeting in the morning and Elder Thurgood and I worked together and changed a lot of our appointments - to Elder Thrugood. We met with 3 nice families - After dinner, Elder Thurgood and I went to one cottage meeting, and the raced out to a meeting - “Wat is het mormonisme” by Elder Van Kampen. He gave a very good talk about the history and teachings of the church to a soual club. They had some good questions afterward and were very interested. Many brochures were given out and a few appointments were made. They danced-smoked-drank after the talks and we left - 11:00.
September 3 - Woensdag - Elder Van Wagoner and I packed our trunks, checked out, tracted (no luck). We held two nice cottage meetings in the afternoon and after I fixed us a Nasi supper, we held three cottage meetings, two first visits - one 2nd visit (talk about preexistence, Book of Mormon - Alles) - Niets. - 11:00-
September 4 - Thursday - We had an early breakfast and left for Den Haag. I sent my fiets off to Ijmuiden, and we proselyted on the train, bus - arrived ½ hour late for choir rehearsal. We practiced till 12:00 - waited for a ride - President Sperry took Zr. Hulet, Elder Van Boerem and I over to the hoofdkantoor (head office) for lunch. We returned for choir practise, Elder Russels Volkswagon, and returned again to the office for dinner (Heerlijk nasi goreng - again??). (We had 10 for dinner). I studied, helped in the office - reports - went to bed.
Friday - September 5 - I worked in the office, proof-read primary books, worked on reports, and in the evening got ready for the temple trip - went to bed ~ 12:00.
September 6 - We got up at 5:15, got ready, and caught a tram for the train station. We caught the bus there - met the Amsterdam district - about 7:15. After a long, bumpy ride thru Holland, Belgium - We arrived at Oosteinde, Belgium about 12:30. We caught the ferry there - practiced a little - proselyted a little, and saw the “White cliffs of Dover” as we arrived into England ~ 6:00. We went from Dover to London on our buses (3 of them). After getting lost in London, we finally found our hotel about 10:15. We looked around a bit, got our rooms - Elder Van Wagoner, Stam, Hyte and I got rooms in another hotel (our group took 4 hotels in all). I met Elder Ray Jensen (Norway) in our hotel also. We looked around and finally got to bed about 12:30.
Our choir wasn’t able to sing. President Joseph Fielding Smith led the hosanna shout - President Sperry opened the meeting - We all went on a small tour thru the temple and saw President McKay outside. I had some refreshments, took some pictures, and the choir all left on one bus to travel to London to sing in the So. London Branch. We arrived about 7:15, fifteen minutes late, and marched in from the back door to sing two numbers, “O My Father”, and “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” B. Brown, shaking our hands. We went to the hotel, and took a subway (underground) to the “picadilly circus”, The downtown section of London. There were big buildings, bright lights, hamburgers (We ate at one of the eating places there). I had two hamburgers, 3 glasses of Orangeade, one milkshake. Elder Read, Elder Horne, and Elder Vand Dyke and I continued looking the place over for awhile (thousands of girls - dressed fit to kill) We took a subway home - I went to bed - 12:30.
September 8 - Monday - We got up about 5:00, ate breakfast at the hotel, and left for the ferry, 6:30. We arrived there ~ 11:00 ate lunch on board the ship - chicken - about ƒ7.50. We boarded the bus and, after a long and uneventful ride, arrived in the Hague about 10:00 - We took a tram to the mission home - I sacked out - dood moe!
September 9 - Tuesday - I got up late, ate breakfast, (pancakes - heerlijk), and Elder Van Boerum and I took a tram to the station to pick up two fietzen. (10:30 - 12:00). We had lunch, and I worked in the office that afternoon and evening - “Ster” Records.
September 10 - Wednesday - I worked in the office - Ster - Branch (Temple) Records. In the morning and afternoon till 4:15. Then Elder Jan Kruyer, my new companion, had finished checking in, and I packed and trammed down to the station to meet him. We overstepped in Haarlem, and arrived in Ijmuiden, about 7:00. We walked to the cost -huis - Talked with Men. Alderliefste, ate a bread-meal supper, unpacked, and went down to the station after our fietzen. They had Elder Kruyers but mine was at another station so we rode the one fiets to the station (flat tire), got my fiets, picked up his other trunk, and finally arrived back home. I unpacked some more, went to bed in my Klein Slaap- kamertje, (Change of original deal). - 11:45
September 11 - Elder Kriner and I did a few necessary things - checked in with the police, and visited an old sister, Zr. Boes En Haar Man (81 yrs - 79 yrs). We had a nice talk,returned home for a bread meal ( 4 slices) and held one cottage meeting while tracting in the A.N. We also held a cottage meeting the evening - a “v.w.”, overalls - natuurlijk.
September 12 - We tracted in the morning and held 4 cottage meetings (2 Godhead lesson - 2 U.S. Stories, one to a member of a gereformeerd study group). We held two more cottage meetings in the A.N.. one here in ijmulden in the evening, and then fietzed to the pont (Perry- Boat), rode it across to the other side, and visited a member further in beverwijk - Pieter Verstegen (no help at all)
September 13 - Saturday - We studied in the morning, caught a train , 11 :00 for den Haag, and arrived there about 12:30 at the home of my companions parents. (Calckenboskade). We ate lunch with the (Warm meal) - Elder Kruyer had been in Canada for 8 years, and had joined the church there, He was born in Holland, near Zwolle - His parents weren’t members. I left at 1:30 to walk to the church for 3:00 choir practice - we practiced until 5:00 . We waite around - 60t ready for the concert 8:00 - (I took a shower)-(No shower in our cost-Hui’s in Ijmuiden). The concert went very well, Elder V. oam sang good songs with his guitar - Gordon B. Hinckley was present. There were a lot of members & investigators also present (Elder De Vries- 19 inv) my companion took a shower - we took a bus, train to Haarlem, and found that we had missed the last train, bu to ijmuiden (one horse town) We hauled our two heavy suitcases to the church in Haarlem and tried for 30 minutes to ring and pound the Elders Out of sleep. After we almost gave up, Elder Childs very sleepily opened the door and let us in. (1:00). We made up two beds sacked out - 1:30.
September 14 - Sunday - ONE YEAR - We woke up, at 9:00, ate breakfast, and attended Priesthood, Sunday School, 9:00 - 12:00. We then arranged to go out and eat by members in Haarlem, At ZR. V. D. Horst’s house - ZR. Kolk and ZR. V. Zeben were also present (laughing - joking). We ate a heerlijk meal, retrieved for Sacrament meeting, 5:00, then we attended a genealogy class, went with Elder Leydsman to an appointment out in Santpoort (8:00 - 10:00). The lady theorem MEV. goes, wanted to be Baptized as soon as possible. Elder Leydsman had laryngitis so he only gave a short lesson, Word of Wisdom. We fietzed back to Haarlem (double), and Elder kramer and I gathered up our trunks again and staggered to the station. There we caught a bus to Ijmuiden, arrived about 11:30. Weer dood moe.
September 15 - Got up, 8:00 - Ate a dry bread breakfast - tracted (10:00 - 12:30) - three cottage meetings (I tried the Three Church lesson twice), and got some good call-backs. We had two more cottage meetings that afternoon, one fairly good. After a good meal, we held one cottage meeting, tracting (old couple), and visited some members, Badends (rich - radio T.V. store). We were pretty encouraging - said they’d support the meetings.
September 16 - Elder Van Kampen & Elder Brewster came to work with us, and Elder Brewster and I held 3 cottage meetings in the morning, first visits. We all had lunch together and Elder
V. Kampen and I held two cottage meetings, fairly good ones. After dinner Elder Kruyer and I held two cottage meetings, neither one was very promising.
September 17 - Wednesday - Elder Kruyer and I held one cottage meeting, Afval (1st visit), and daarna fiets to Beveruuijk, after stopping off to purchase a rain-coat for Elder Kruyer. We visited ZR. Blom, and had a heerlijk meal with ZR. V. Zeben (12:30 - 3:00) she talked about everything, then fietzed back to Ijmuiden and held one long meeting on a door, (Catholic), and another meeting, Godhead, with an uninterested man. We had another lekker warm meal at our cost huis (fish), and held two cottage meetings - one with a very nice Indonesian man, another with 4 “J.W.”’s, we talked over alles + alles meer.
September 18 - Donderdag - We tracted and held three cottage meetings in the morning, two in the middag - one with a dominee (fatso), (Hereformed Church). He said a lot of blasphemy against The Church (polygamy) In the evening, we held 3 more cottage meetings, one old couple (2 sons) - one very intelligent man - one 2nd lesson, MEV. Busse & daughter - very good prospect - 10:00.
September 19 - Elder Manwaring & Leydsman came in to work with us in the morning (fietzed in from Haarlem). Elder Leydsman & I talked to another predikant (dominee), from the Gereformed Church, he was a lot nicer than the previous one, but still very unreasonable (Book of Mormon). We had another cottage meeting also. Elder Kruyer held 3 cottage meetings in the afternoon - useless ones. Then we had one cottage meeting in the evening, Ouderling - 3 other fall through’s. We returned home 9:00, made candy, pressed suits, etc.
September 20 - Saturday - We caught the 8:25 train - I went down to Amsterdam and waited until 10:00 for the bus. Six elders from Amsterdam rode to Utrecht - den haag - Rotterdam. 12:00 - and held a practice there 12:00 - 2:00. We then rode on to Antweroen, had a short practice, and then walked around and saw the town - (Red-Light District with Elder Stolk as leader). Elder Manwaring Olster ---- we returned to the church, walked over to the rented building, and held the concert (8:00 - 9:30). We returned home in Amsterdam about 2:00 in the morning and 4 of us slept there that night on the floor (2:30 - 8:30).
September 21 - Sunday - I attended meetings 9:00 - 12:00 - ate bread, jam for two meals - took a shower, studied, and caught a train to Haarlem to speak there, 5:00. Elder Kruyer and I spoke, returned to Ijmuiden, studied, went to bed, 11:00.
September 22 - We held 7 cottage meetings during the day, two in the morning (niets), three in the middag (two fairly good), two ‘savonds - one with MEN. Pangalielle, Book of Mormon; one MEV Busse & daughter, a good Herstelling lesson. -10:00.
September 23 - We had one cottage meeting (old couple), three more smiddags (two first visits - one Book of Mormon lesson MEN Abershon). We had two more in the evening, one good meeting; 1st visit - one 2nd meeting, argument with Pijlmans, over Alles.
September 24 - Wednesday - We held one cottage meeting, morning; 4, middag - all first visits, one with a “Hoofdonderwijzer”; 2 avond; both lesson 2&3 - with two nice families, the wives of both families were very interested and good prospective investigators.
September 25 - We tracted with no luck, went and checked out with the police, housing for Elder Kruyer who had just been transferred to Rotterdam. Then we fiezted from the ferry almost to the Sluizen for an appointment - all the way against the wind. We held a cottage meeting with a lady who was sick in bed. We held 3 cottage meetings in the afternoon, first lessons - one with a Hersteld Apostolische. After another horrible meatless meal, we held a good meeting with a family Adtroot (2nd visit - Book of Mormon lesson). They didn’t believe in a church but were extremely nice people.
September 26 - Friday - We held 7 cottage meetings during the day - two in the morning, one very good one with a MEV. Vietnam, Godhead lesson. She had been looking for a church and so far couldn’t find one to her liking - she seemed very interested in our message, and already inquired about Baptism. We held 3 more cottage meetings in the afternoon - old people, uninterested, and 2 more in the evening, one group of five people, Afval, one other uninterested couple.
September 27 - Saturday - We woke up early, 6:00, got ready, ate breakfast, and rushed to catch the 7:25 train. We had to take Elder Kruyers two big bags plus two smaller bags, and we almost didn’t make it to the station.
We rode to Amsterdam, deposited his bags there at the station, and took a tram to the church, 8:30. We then attended a very inspirational testimony meeting (9:00 - 12:00) by each other. Then we had a meal prepared by the Sisters (chile - sambol style, - really hot). Afterward we went over to the concert hall to practice for an hour, and then walked back to the Church and practiced until 4:30. We had dinner at the Church at 5:00, an Indonesian meal prepared by BR.& ZR. Le Frandt (building funds - 1.10). Then I took a tram downtown and tried to shop for birthday presents (no luck - stores closed). I returned to the Church, and we all walked over to the concert hall . 7:30, and waited around until 8:15 when the concert. We sang very well except for a couple of numbers then we all walked back to the Church; arranged our beds (I had my sleeping bag, air mattress), and we all sacked out about 11:30.
September 28 - Sunday - We all woke up about 6:15, got dressed, and Elder Kruyer and I ate our lunches for the day before. (Dry bread and lunchmeat also dry). We waited and studied until the conference began at 10:00. Elder V. Kampen, Goble, Childs, Manwaring, and President Sperry all spoke. Then we ate broodjes, soup, lemonade for lunch, and Elder De Leeuw and I walked downtown before the 3:00 session. Elder Stam, De Jel, Vriens, V. Slooten, and President Schippers spoke. Both sessions were very good and good attended. Then we went upstairs, Elder Thurgood and I Fiezed our to ger Ijs and we 5 Elders feasted on ijs (f. 1.10) and broodjes with cheese. I took a shower, caught a tram and caught the train for Ijmuiden - 9:30. I visited with the people Beneden, studied, and hit the sack.
September 29 - Monday - I got up, ate breakfast, studied genealogy, and then I went our to change appointments and to shop for birthday for Mom and Dad. I purchased them, returned home to wrap them, and went down to the station at 12:00 to meet my new companion, Elder Schaffer. He had missed one train and was a half-hour late. We got his fiets and we fietzed to our cost-huis with our luggage. Elders Childs & Dalebout were waiting for us at the cost-huis. We talked, ate (“raw meat”), and unpacked and went out 2:00 - 5:00 for two cottage meetings. We ate supper downstairs with the family and went out 7:00 - 9:30. We had very good cottage meetings with MEV. Busse and daughter, review, and a first visit with a leader of the Oud Katholieke Kerk.
September 30 - We held 5 cottage meetings during the day - none of them any good; 3 morning, old people - one middag - sick man in bed, and one evening - strong Catholic. My new companion, Elder Schaffer gave 2 of the lessons. He had been in Holland for 3 weeks. He was from Ogden and his parents knew Grandpa & Grandpa very well. They came from the same town, Achlum (“Scheffer”).
October 1 - Wednesday - We held one good cottage meeting with a very nice looking girl (Juffrouw), Godhead lesson. She was from the “Gemeente Gods”. We checked in with the police and housing, ate a bread meal, and went tracting 1:30 - 5:30. We held one good cottage meeting in Driehuis, old lady with Bible pictures. We ate a greasy meal and went to an appointment with a so-called Predikant, MEN. Ginkel. Then we held a good cottage meeting next door, 3 kerk lessons, and then two other appointments fell through but wet met with MEN. Pangaliele and reviewed the Book of Mormon lesson for the 2nd time - 10:00.
October 2 - Thursday - I got a haircut early ($1.25) and we went tracting in Driehuis, 9:30 - 12:30 - no luck. We looked for a cost-huis in the afternoon (V.V.V) because we had to pay extra for warming our room in the winter (we were paying $130.00 per month). We could pay for coal for a kachel ($40.00 per month) buy a petroleum kachel ($75.00 + fuel), go without and freeze, or find another place. We looked for a few places - most of the places were only for summer vacationers. Another reason for moving was our lostvrouw and her food? - She hadn’t taken a bath for months, and her food was just about as greasy as she was (Ugly too). We held one cottage meeting that afternoon and in the evening held two good cottage meetings - one Book of Mormon lesson with family Niekerken (talkatne lady and 3 children). Then we held another Book of Mormon lesson with a very intelligent man, MEN. Movessie. He argued over every little point but purchased a copy of The Book and said he’d read it. (7:00 - 11:00).
October 3 - Vrudag - We visited with 3 cost-huis prost that morning - one in velsen; one investigator sick lady. In the afternoon after another geasy warm middag meal, we held two cottage meetings; one with MEV. Aberson. Lessons 2-3. (very good). After that we went to het bad-huis to take a shower, and then we fietzed over to Velsen to check about the best cost-huis prospect. It was a real ritzy place; we spoke to a MEN. Spek about it and decided to take it ($130 Per Month). It was a large house, and we had a large room, well furnished - bath, heat, study facilities, and a lot cleaner and better than our other place. We fietzed to an appointment which fell through - went back home - and returned to two more call back cottage meeting that evening - returned 9:00, studied, wrote in journal.
October 4 - Saturday - Got up, 7:00, studied, ate breakfast, and I caught the 10:25 train, and overstopped in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Arnhem. I met a few others in Utrecht, and we arrived in Arnhem about 1:00, we practiced 2:00 - 5:00 in the Church and singing hall, and Elder Timmerman and I walked to Sonsbeek park to take pictures.
We walked back to the church and then over to the rented hall for the concert (8:00 - 10-00). I met a lot of old friends from the Arnhekise & Nijmegense Gemeentes. The concert went very well and was really well attended. Elder Brewster and I walked to the station, and caught a train to Amsterdam. We got there about 1:00 and sacked out (I in my sleeping bag).
October 5 - Sunday - I got up about 8:15, and attended Priesthood meeting in Amsterdam,, and went to Sunday School and Fast Meeting in Haarlem - 1:00. Then I and ZR. Kolk took a bus to her house and we had lekker elen there (rice and kidney sauce - apple tart). - Heerlijk - 4:15. Then we walked to the station and I took a train to Ijmuiden. My companion and I ate a bread meal and then went out to visit an investigator, family Groen, for an hour.
October 6 - Elder Schaffer and I went to Beverwijk in the morning. We fietzed over the Sluizen and I took my camera and got some good pictures. We visited ZR. Nap and BR.? Wijstra. They were willing to accept visits. We held 3 lousy cottage meetings in Ijmuiden (middag), and after a tamelijk good meal (pork!), we held two cottage meetings in the evening. One meeting was with members of the “Gemeenie Gods!” (8 of them - all with bibles). We had a nice visit and also made a return appointment.
October 7 - Tuesday - We had a visit from the DP, Elder Van Kampen, and Elder Andrus. Elder Van Kampen and I held one cottage meeting and visited the cost-vrouw in Velsen. We all ate a bread meal and Elder Andrus and I held one cottage meeting., and they left at 4:30 from Driehuis. Elder Schaffer and I then went tracting and held two good cottage meetings (both real nice ladies) - 5:30. We had a greasy meal and held two cottage meetings in the eve (2 fell through). One cottage meeting was with a hersteld apostolische couple. We had a good cottage meeting with them. (They believe in Baptism for the dead - Visit by Elia- Holy Ghost - But they don’t have any Priesthood) - Fam. Alders -
October 8 - We held two cottage meetings in the morning - old people; three more that afternoon, one not too tough “J.W.”, two other useless ones also. That evening two appointments fell through but we held one cottage meeting, men aptroot -Book of Mormon, war, church, alles. He didn’t believe in a church at all.
October 9 - We held two cottage meetings, morning - one “vrije evangeliezatie.” We had a good cottage meeting with a mev munnik that A.N. We moved over to our new coast-huis during the day and we moved the back of luggage over in the car of our new cost man men. Epek. Then we all ateA “verukkelijk” meal together. (men. Spek and his son, Lex - meb. And her daughter, liesje) We had pork-chops, potatoes, sla, heerink, apple-moes. We held a very good meeting with family niekerk, A Book of Mormon les on the plannez Board. (man, wife, 3 children) They were very interested and talkatne ( bees, honey, buna alles -11:00). Then we returned home and talked with men wek until 12:00 over hot chocolate. (11 ½ proselyting hours) -
October 11 - We woke up, 7:30, ate a good breakfast, and rushed to catch the train at 8:30. We arrived at the Church in Haarlem about 9:00 and Elder Val Butler and I went tracting (9:30 - 12:30) We held one real good cottage meeting - his first Godhead. Then we returned to the church and Elder Childs, V. Kampen, Manwaring & I took a bus to the station and the train to Rotterdam, we practiced there (2:00 - 4:00) and Elder Childs, Elder Goble and I took a walk through Rotterdam and had a delicious bami dinner ($1.75).
We returned to the Church in Rotterdam, waited around and sang there (8:00 - 10:00). The concert was our best so far. The crowd was also very good. We returned to Haarlem that night and I laid my sleeping bag out on a mattress and sacked out. (1:00).
October 12 - Sunday - We woke up, ate breakfast (toast) and attended meetings (9:00 - 12:00). Then we 6 Elders Fietzed over to ZR. V. D. Horst’s where she and ZR. Kolk had a huge heerlijk bami meal waiting for us. We were really stuffed with bears + apple tart on top. We rested and fietzed back to the Church where at Sacrement Meeting President Sperry, Brother Kirschbom, Elder Childs & Elder V. Kampen spoke. Brother Kirschbom was set apart as new gemeente President then Elder Schaffer and I returned to Ijmuiden, had one cottage meeting, family Groen, and another with the cost - parents - 11:30. Wrote in journal - 12:45. Weight - 162 LBS.
October 13 - We got up late, went tracting (10:00 - 1:00) and held two cottage meetings, one Catholic and one reincarnation. We tracted and just about froze in the afternoon. Then we held a cottage meeting with MEN. Aberson, a First Principles lesson. After another heerlijk meal, we fietzed a terrible mot-regen bul to MEV. Busse’s home where we showed her and her daughter, Alma (13); a Boek Van Mormon film. She wasn’t further interested however and didn’t want to speak with us any more. We then visited a Jehova’s Witness, and argued over the Afval, Paul, 144,000, ETC, ENZ. - 11:30.
October 14 - Elder Van Kampen and Elder Brewster came to work with us and Elder Van Kampen and I tracted in Driehuis and held 3 cottage meetings in the morning, one good. We all had a heerlijk warme maaltijd together and talked with the familie. Elder Brewster and I held 3 cottage meetings, one good - Indonesian. In the evening Elder Schaffer & I held two cottage meetings, one very good, family De Haan, and one stubborn, silly Catholic. We had chocolate with our cost-parents and studied - hit the sack - 12:15.
October 15 - Woensdag - We went out tracting in a vreselijke wind, rain, hail storm (10:00 - 12:30). We held one cottage meeting - strict Catholic. We ate warm and then fietzed out to Santpoort. We held 3 cottage meetings there, two one men one nice lady (man was Schriftgeleerd), we went to Beverwijk in the evening, over the Pont, and visited MEN Wijkstra (a member). We held a cottage meeting there, 3 Church lesson, and returned home 9:30.
October 16 - Donderdag - The wind was still blowing as hard as it could, and had blown a couple of ships ashore on the bier in Ijmuiden. We held one cottage meeting S. Morgens - went shopping (my companion bought an overcoat - sister) (&1.142.00). And we went to the post-office to mail it after a bread meal + soup. We fietzed to Driehuis and held a cottage meeting, intelligent lady and two sons (also intelligent) (3:30 - 5:30). Then we fietzed home, against the sind, and had a lekker meal (puree & hasjee?) We met with family V. Veen (Gemeente Gods) for a Book of Mormon lesson. They were a really nice family - very religious.
October 17 - We went out in a terrible rain storm and visited family V. Veen (daughter - Book of Mormon). We got out of the rain for awhile, and then went to visit a MEN. Rijken who had talked to the Elders in Haarlem. We went out and looked at the ships on the stormy sea - we walked out on the long pier, and the waves were crashing right up against it. We fietzed home, had a lekker warm meal, and held two cottage meetings in the afternoon. We met with family Niekerk that evening and showed them the Book of Mormon film. They showed a lot of interest. We returned home and talked with the people here about the Book of Mormon - 11:00.
October 18 - Saturday - Elder Schaffer and I, - got ready and rushed to catch the 8:00 train, but missed it by one minute. We arrived ½ hour late for the 9:00 class in Amsterdam. I gave a short lesson, Elder V. Kampen, ZR. V. D. Meene, talked to us. - 11:30. The choir Elders the caught a tram and train for Utrecht. We arrived at the Church there about 2:00, practiced there until 4:00, and walked over to the place we were to sing at. We had an Indonesian meal ( 2 loempias - $1.00), practiced at the Erasmus house, and gave the concert there (8:00 - 10:00). There was a very good crowd present and we sang a good concert. Then Elder Childs, Elder Manwaring and I returned to Haarlem (with a huge fish net - vissers bal). My companion was there and I slept there also on my sleeping bag - 12:30.
October 19 - Sunday - We got up, 8:00, attended President Meeting; 9:00, S.S. at 10:30 - 12:00. We four Elders went over to ZR Koues home for dinner (pork chop) and Elder Schaffer had to gulp down a heerlijk meal and catch a train at 1:30, it left at 1:28 and we missed it (again?). We waited ½ hour for the next one and traveled to Den Haag for a Baptismal at 3:33. We got ready and 8 people were ready for Baptism - 4 investigators of Elder De Vries & I. Familie Begman (3) and MEV. V. Herwaarden.
I baptized MEN. Bergman and Elder De Vries Baptised MEV. Bergman and MEV. V. Herwaarden. Elder Clark baptized Linda Begman. We got ready and attended the 5:00 Sacrament Meeting. I confirmed MEV. Bergman and MEV. V. Herwaarden. There was a truly wonderful spirit there and a lot of investigators were present - nol - kuipers - koks - wagner. - Towns, doing great in the Church. Elder Schaffer caught a train for Ijmuiden - 8:45. We had a bowl of chicken soup, sandwiches - studied, wrote in journal, and went to bed.
October 20 - We fietzed out to Sant Poort and tracted (9:30 - 12:30) and held two fair cottage meetings. My companion was sick in the afternoon and I went out and did some shopping and looked for a meeting hall. Elder Schaffer was feeling better that evening and we got in one call-back and one appointment finally went through - MEN. Aptroot, a very nice man but he had “geen behoefte aan een kerk.”
October 21 - Dinsoag - Elder Van Kampen and Elder Brewster came to work with us and we tracted a few housed, Elder V. Kampen & I, and got in twice - (one crazy lady and one nice lady with an intelligent won). We all enjoyed a terrific warm meal that middag, and Elder Brewster & I tracted a few doors and held 3 cottage meetings. One was with a Catholic Indonesian lady (Afval) - two other fair cottage meetings. We rode to the station where Elder Brewster caught his train for Amsterdam, and I fietzed home, my companions (Elder Brewster fiets was stuck (flat tire - broken baggage carrier), so he “sprang maar achter op” on my fiets and we had four appointments fall through that evening. We returned home and showed a Book of Mormon film to our cost-parents (MEV. V. D. Heide (De Vreis) - MEN. Spek), and sold a Book of Mormon - 11:00.
October 22 - We held one cottage meeting, Book of Mormon lesson, with a MEV. Pomas. In the afternoon after a lekker meal we had 3 cottage meetings, one first visit with a lawyer, one 3k - Book of Mormon lesson to a nice lady, MEV. In’t Veld, one lesson to MEN Aberson, Godhead lesson. In the evening we visited with familie De Haan, lesson 2-3-4. They seemed very interested (but were Osborn fans). Our other Afspraak fell through - (Pangauela).
October 23 - Thursday - We ate a quick breakfast and raced out to Haarlem (10 minutes) to meet the other Elders. We waited 15 minutes before they came, and then I worked with Elder Manwaring and Elder Schaffer worked with Elder Butler. We held one cottage meeting and visited with a member. The other Elders didn’t meet us at the appointed place, so we waited awhile and I left for home, thinking they had already gone. I took the wrong road, but arrived in Velsen alright - but Elder Schaffer hadn’t yet arrived.
We waited about 1 ½ hours and he finally showed up. He had been in a fiets accident, and had also lost his way home. We ate a warmed over meal about 3:30, and went out again in the afternoon. We gave out 3 Books of Mormon - fietzed out to Heemskerk to visit a member there, ZR. V. D. Boom. Then we went back to Beverwijs and had erwten - soed & brood with ZR. V. Zeben. (5:30 - 8:00) - she told us her lifes history again. Both Afspraaks fell thru in Beverwijk, so we returned early - pooped.
October 24 - We fietzed out to Santpoort and tracted (9:45-1:00) and held a record 6 cottage meetings, none of them very good. We held 3 more in the A.N., one good; and we held one good cottage meeting with Fam Niekerk in the evening; it was a 1st principles lesson and they were thinking quite seriously about it. Then we held a cottage meeting with men. Rijken, an indonesian man (worried about expectant wife - troubles with in-laws) We gave him a 3 church lesson - 10:30. We made a new record for cottage meetings that day - 11 of them.
October 25 - Saturday - E. Schaffer and I caught the 8:00 train - he going to Amsterdam, I going only to Haarlem. I waited there at the church till 11:30 when Elder Van Slooten (2nd counselor) and his companion, Elder Springer picked us up in their black volkswagen. The 5 of us (Elder Childs and manwaring). Then rode us up to Groningen - thru the tunnel, over the Afsluit dike (33 Km long), thru Friesland. (11:30-2:30). We practiced in Groningen in the church till 4:00. Then Elder Goble and I walked to the train stations to see if we could get any train connections to Den Helder (we couldn’t) - We walked back to town - Looked around - had something to eat (Fish and chips) and walked to “Het Tehuis”- the place in which we were to sing. We practiced and then sang (8:00 - 10:00) there was a very good crowd in attendance and the concert went fairly well (Flat). We all piled into the cars afterwards, and Elder Goble and I made the black Volkswagen again, along with sisters Hulet and Thomas with Elder Springer as chauffeur. Elder Goble and I went to Den Helder, 12:30 - and the others continued on to Den Haag (Probably 3:00) Elder Goble and I walked to the church there in Den Helder and slept there (Tekker beds) - Hit the sack about 1:00.
October 26 - We got up about 6:30 - studied - and went to Priesthood meeting, 9:00 - 9:15 (3 members present) my companion came panting in 9:40 - He had lost Elder Sorenson in Amsterdam but had luckily managed to board the right train (without a ticked) get to Den Helder, and find the church Elder Sorenson came later. We went to S.S. and then Elder Schaffer and I went to eat (snack bar) Nassi- ice cream (0.75 - Heerlijk). We went back to the church, studied, and spoke in sacrament meeting, 5:00. I spoke for 25 minutes - my companion (5 min). We rushed out and caught the 6:17 train, went to the driehuis-zuid station and walked home from there (Door Het Bos). - The fam. Came home just as we got there (luckily - we had forgotten our key) We talked to them - 10:30 - Filled out reports - went to bed 11:30.
October 27 - Monday - We tracted in the morning, no luck at all. We held 2 cottage meetings that A.N. - got call-backs on both. We fietzed out to santpoort in the evening - appointment fell thru - We went back to driehuis for two cottage meetings, one 3k+Book of Mormon - Bought a copy), the other, a Joseph Smith Story to Fam. Hartsuijker. We raced back out to santpoort to talk with a schrift geleerd, calvijn specialist - didn’t believe us (Calvin wrote more pages than Book of Mormon).
October 28 - Tuesday - We fietzed like mad to get to Haarlem to meet Elder Manwaring and Elder Butler We got there 9:15 - started at 9:02 (supposed to meet them at 9:00) Elder Butler and I held 2 lousy cottage meetings, and we met the other elders and Elder Schaffer and I returned home. We ate lunch, and went to driehuis to a Cottage Meeting with some idiot old ladies (another Buddhist) We returned to ijmuiden for a real good cottage meeting with family De Haan, a Book of Mormon film. - 5:00 -6:15. In the evening we visited ould sister Boes. A member ( her man was sick -87). And then we held a cottage meeting in driehuis , Family V. Zandijk, - very talkative.
October 29 - We held one good cottage meeting in the morning (2 hours- men, vingerling). We gave him a Herstelling Les but he was vrijzinnig and didn’t need another church. We held 3 cottage meetings that A.N. - one in Santpoort - A good one in Driehuis with an English speaking lady. That evening we had a good cottage meeting with a Kleermaker, Jak. Krab (cost-huis?) - We had a good discussion but could get no call back. Later we visited with men. Spek - I gave him a Book of Mormon les- He couldn’t understand it too well. The whole day and the day before was nothing but mist and fog - Getting colder every day (winter? - already? - Perish the thought).
October 30 - Donderdag - We tracted in Driehuis (9:30 - 12:30) - 3 cottage meetings - nothing good. We held two more that afternoon - one good one. I fietzed home and caught the 5:00 train for Den Haag - (my companion - show with cost-parents Amsterdam) I went to Haarlem, met Elder Chilos + Manwaring there, and we went to Den Haag where we were to sing a concert for the radio. We sang fairly well, 8:00 - 9:00, then took a tram, train home. - 11:00 in Ijmuiden (it was the last night for sisters Hulet & Thomas - leaving for America that night - sob?)
October 31 - We held 5 cottage meetings (10:00 - 1:15) - two fairly good ones. We were soaking wet from a heavy, steady mot-regen (rain). It rained steadily all day. We swam out again and held one cottage meetings - MEN. Aberson (barber shop - we had to go look for him) - my collega had a hair-cut and I talked to MEN. Aberson - he was a little indifferent - uninterested. We had a lekker meal - haasje - puree - addecmdes. We had two good cottage meetings that evening one family, Van Putten - 3 K lessons (very good) - we got a Book of Mormon back from MEN. Pangaliele - visited with a cady and her son - she only wanted us to teach her English (250/hour); he seemed interested, Joseph Smith story.
November 1 - Saturday - We tracted the huizen aan de sluizen - no luck. We watched the ships going through the locks, returned home to a meal of soep en dannekoiken. Then we rushed to the station and caught the 1:00 train for Amsterdam, getting there at the church right at 2:00 for the testimony meeting. The meeting was very good- testimony in Dutch, and afterwards we talked and my companion and I left to catch a tram. We went down to see the red light district of Amsterdam, supposed to be one of the biggest in the world. Then we caught a train for home - 8:00. We visited awhile and studied and wrote letters.
November 2- Sunday - We took the 8:30 train to Haarlem, got there at 9:05 (a little late for priesthood meeting); we attended sunday-school and testimony meeting - 12:45, and then too a bus to sister kolk’s home, where we ate soup, stuffed peppers, paprika sauce, and rice - lekker - and apple tart met slagroom, Heerlkjk. We went to the 5:00 meeting in Haarlem (Owder Leiding Van Z.H. V. - Relief Society) Then my companion and I walked to the station, caught a train for Velsen, and went straight to a cottage meeting, 7:30, with familie Grogn. The lamp was burned out so our Book of Mormon. Film didn’t go, but we gave them a copy of the Book of Mormon - give them a Book of Mormon Les. Then we returned home and proseuited some more, ate wat addel-moes, Peers, lemonade, snoepjes - did Geneology work- 12:00.
November 3 - Monday - We held one cottage meeting (crazy lady) 0 and two more in the A.N. (Niet Veel) After a Lekker warm meal we went out and everything fell through - we finally got in one call-back (Niets Bijzonders)
November 4 - Elder V. Slooten and Elder Springer were to visit us in the morning, and arrived about 9:30. Elder V. Slooten and I took the projector to Jaarlem, returned to Santpoort, Driehuis - Cottage Meeting with reincarnation Lady (Book of Mormon Deugdniet) We had one other Cottage Meeting (no good) and returned home in the volkswagon - to a heerlink meal - Natuvrlijk. Elder Springer and I walked to one appointment that an. And then walked to Driejuis where we held 3 cottage meetings - one good one. We all ate a good break meal and Elder V. Slooten and I went to Fam Niekerk for a plan of Salvation Lesson. It went good - 7:30 -10:00. We returned, all proselyted with the family, and retired after some criticism and advice from Elder Van Slooten.
November 5 - We got up, 6:30, and studied - went down to breakfast, 8:00. Elder V. Slooten & Springer left for Haarlem, and we waited around for Men. Spek to pick us up. We went in the lar through Amsterdam, to Kampen-Aan de zuider-zee. (10:00 - 1:00) We went to ijsselmuiden, close by, where Elder Schaffer’s grandmother was in an old folks home. She was a sweet little old lady - 90 years, and was really surprised and glad to see him for the first time. Before we had stopped in Putten - men Spek had to Feliciteren Een Vriend. (Married 12 ½ years). He had worked there on the boeroerij during the war. - We continued on to urk - once an island but now connected on to land by a polder. Land pumped dry about 15 years ago. The streets there were too narrow for cars. We visited another relative of my companion, an uncle - who worked there as a look-watch . We then continued toward home - turu Friesland, Sneek (warm soup,) afsluit dike, (stopped at noodle powerpoint), - continued to alkimpar and then home - dood moe. We talked, my companion went to bed (big day - Headache). And I gave the family a first principles lesson - Taken good - (will think and pray about it).
November 6 - We tracted (9:15 -12:45) and held three cottage meetings, one good one (les 3 - gemeente Gods) , we Fietzed to Santpoort after a good warm meal ; Held one cottage meeting. There, two more in driehuis ( Niet Veel Aan), and then had a very good cottage meeting with Family De Haan . We gave them a first Principles lesson and they took it very good. Our evening appointment fell through so we called a CB and held a lousy cottage meeting (Catholic). We returned home early - the Speks weren’t home. It was vreselijk weer. Cold- rain-snow-wind - really turning to winter.
November 7 - We held 3 cottage meetings; one lady who never prayed - one lady the far end of Santpoort - Oles, - one filthy J.W.. and 6 sick, underfed kids. We had 2 more cottage meetings in Driehuis and that evening we held one of our investigators was interested in them - Hallelujah - Praise the lord - Amen. They really went crazy with their singing, organ and guitar music, healing, etc. One customer was “wederom Geboren “-Bekeerd?, that evening. We talked Beneden - 11:15.
November 8 - Zaterdag - We ate a fast breakfast and caught the 7:28 train for Den Haag. We arrived at the Church there, 8:50. I studied, my companion and others practiced for the Thanksgiving Program, and we ate our lunches (watery punch). The Choir recorded a few numbers (ging niet zo best), - 4:00, and we caught a train to Amsterdam - GESELLIGE AVOND - 6:30 - 10:00. We all ate a heerlijk meal; mushroom soup, klein doop-erwtjes, aardapdels, vlees, gebakjes; and then we had a talent show - Elder Schaffer, Singing, Elder Bradford, piano - Bouen, Elder Brewster playing his bottles, Brother V. Rijswijk, Ens. Then some of us left for Haarlem - tram, train, first - and Elder Schaffer and I slept at the Church.
November 9 - We attended President and S.S. Meeting, (9:00 - 12:00) - we 4 Elders went to eat with ZR. Kolk, ZR. V. D. Lende - lesson daarnaar. Then we returned to the Church for Sacrament Meeting - 5:00 - Elder Manwaring, Brother Mulder, and Elder Butler as speakers. We returned to Velsen - talked with MEN. Spek, (faught with Wesje) wrote in journal - hit the hay.
November 10 - Monday - Elder Schaffer and I fietzed over the “Pont” to Beverwijk, tracted there and held 4 cottage meetings (all no good - Catholic!). After a good warm meal we held a good cottage meeting, MEV. Munnik - lesson 5 + three cottage meetings in Santpoort. (2 fairly good - one very good - MEN. Hofman - 0). We met with a very nice man that evening, MEN. Seller. He was a Humanist - and had many good questions. He was a superb painter, and had painted excellent copies of well-known painters. He couldn’t understand the ideas of the world - our ideas ook niet - we got a call back. We returned and talked Beneden. - 10:45 took a shower - sacked out.
November 11 - Tuesday - We had caught, 8:00 - Elder V. Kampen & Brewster arrived 8:45 and Elder V. kampen and I tracted in Santpoort - 3 cottage meetings. One Catholic (niets), one nice lady (MEV. Kimmink - 3K lesson), one stijfkop gereformeerd. (aele maal niets) We all ate a heerlijk mean (hassjee) - appelmoes - vla. Then Elder Brewster and I went to Santpoort, 2 cottage meetings, one very promising lady (unpromising man), one fair meetings, We went to the Santpoort (4:41) - Noord Station, and he caught his train. Elder Schaffer and I met and we held one more 10 minute cottage meeting that evening was “Sint-Maarten”- or Dutch Halloween (little kids all over with candles - collecting snoep), we got in one call-back, and held a good meeting with some young girls - one really beautiful (I could hardly keep my mind on my work). We returned home early - 9:00 - talked - 10:00 - went boven.
November 12 - Wij had een huis - vergadering s-morgens - vier smiddags - (none very good). That evening we held one cottage meeting with Niekerk. We talked about everything from insects to carpentry work, and even talked a little about the Gospel; we gave them a review of the 5th lesson. She seemed satisfied with her own Church (Hereformed), but still was investigating the Gospel very well - the weather was really turning cold - musty - (getting a little cold.) - “id bij dose” -
November 13 - Donderdag - We held three cottage meetings that morning, one very good (Santpoort 0 lesson 2-3) - the other very lousy. We had one good lady that afternoon (lessons 2-3 - driehuis (B+) - Den ouden_, and we also met with family De Haan (5:00) we gave them part of the 6th lesson - Plan of Salvation. They seemed like excellent investigators, very nice and friendly - and interested. We had a cottage meeting that evening with a MEV. and her son (learn english - &1.75/hour) - (lesson 4). They were very skeptical about the brochures (argued against eerie fine point).
November 14 - We fietzed clear to the other end of Santpoort - (farthest place away from our cost-housr), and had a afval lesson with a MEV. Hobo - fair. We held three lousy cottage meetings that afternoon, and two fairly good ones that evening. One was hersteld apostolische - not completely satisfied with their own Church. One was rather strong Catholic.
Novemer 15 - Zaterdag - We tracted (9:30 - 11:30) and had two cottage meetings (one fairly good - doops geund) - one niet z0 goed - pinkster - ozborm. We came home - ate some pannkoeken, and ran for the train - Elder Schaffer naar den haag - I naar Haarlem. We attended the Z.H.V Bazar in Haarlem (parts - shuffleboard - games - prizes - alles). (2:00 - 4:30), then we left for amsterdam to play basketball (police gym). Just the five of us played (5:00 - 7:00) - Manwaring, Butler, Childs, Beckstead and I. We returned home -e with busters - Ijmuiden 9:00. We taled tot 11:30. The temperature was really dropping - the morning was freezing cold - lucky we got in.
November 16 - We ate breakfast, fietzed over to Beverwijk, 10:15. It was cold and misty, and we couldn’t see 10 feet across the canal. We held a meeting in Beverwijk, 10:30, in the home of ZR. V. Zeben. She and two members from Heemskerk (ZR. Booms + daughter) were present. I gave the S.S. lesson, we had the Sacrament, 2 ½ minute talkies, etc. We fietzed home, had a lekker meal, took a walk with Liesje in Het Bos, and fed; birds - ducks - deer - and fishes. Then we caught the 4:00 train for Haarlem, and spoke in the Sacrament meeting, 5:00 - 6:00. WE RETURNED HOME AND WENT TO AN APPOINTMENT IN DRIEHUIS - 2 hours. (Hartsijcker - wets aan) We returned home - talked 11:30
November 17 - Maandag - We tracted; 9:30 - 12:30, and held 2 cottage meetings: one, Dominee. Assendorp, Hereforemed Kerk; the other with a Catholic lady, MEV. Juckers. We held 4 more cottage meetings that afternoon: I. Mev Munnik (3 cats - 1 dog) - Afval lesson (good); one MEV, Dekker - O; one MEN. Eweg - Joseph Smith - ; one family Boerman, really Bible students, belonging to no Church. We had a very interesting talk with them. -- We got call backs on all the meetings. After a good dinner, we held one cottage meeting with a man who didn’t believe in anything and another cottage meeting with a man who didn’t believe too much; MEN. Seller, painter - architect - we sold him a Book of Mormon ($4.65) We then went to an appointment with the Hersteld-Apostolische Dominee, and he 8 didn’t have any interest, dus afspraak ging niet door. Edler Schaffer and I painted some signs for the Thanksgiving day bankuet - 1:00.
November 18 - We woke up late - received a phone - call from Elder thurgood saying he wasn't coming to work with us - we went out 10:00 - 12:30 and held two fast cottage meetings; both Catholic ladies (with little babies). We ate warm and then went to a cottage meeting, MEV, Denouden, Book of Mormon lesson (good prospect). We fietzed to Santpoort and had one standing cottage meeting - Joseph Smith - crazy lady. Our other appointment fell through so we tracted till 5:30 and fietzed home.
November 19 - Woensdag - We left about 8:00 for the meeting in Amsterdam with President Eldav L. Christiansen. We rode to Amsterdam (8:30) (Slotedijk) with MEN. Spek, and took a bus (14) and tram (10) to Weteringschaus. We got there 3 minutes late - 9:30. We had a testimony meeting - repent meeting (21 Elders) - Spiritual bath - (time up in morning - out on doors - study class - cottage meetings) We did pretty well - 36 cottage meetings last week. Meeting 9:00 - 1:00. - Then we all ate lunch together (soup, sandwiches, via Z.H.V.). Then we all had a short interview with President Christiaansen. Then some of us went downtown to do a little Christmas shopping (kallulrstraatbijenkorf). We returned to the Church, went down to the corner to eat “Poffertjes”, and attended a 7:00 meeting for Priesthood bearers. Then we attended an 8:00 public meeting. President Christiansen really gave them the word; his words were very strong and right to the point. We returned home, talked, went to bed - about 12:00.
November 20 - We got up at 6:00, held a 1 ½ hour study class together, and tracted 3 ½ hours in the morning; 3 cottage meetings - 2 neits aan; one very good - MEV. Deleeuw - Book of Mormon lesson - very promising. We ate a lekker warm meal for lunch, held 2 more cottage meetings; one very good, one with family De Haan; 2nd half of 6th lesson. They accepted it very well, had questions, said they would come to church next Sunday. We had one cottage meeting in the evening -, MEV. Koremans & zoon. We told them about the Book of Mormon; loaned them a copy - went home and studied - 11:30.
November 21 - Friday - We tracted the whole morning, only one cottage meeting. We held 2 more in the afternoon, all with old ladies - got call backs on the both. That evening after “Hitspot,” we held two cottage meetings, one with a Catholic family (lessons 2-3), Helderman - didn’t want to speak with us any more; one with an intelligent Indonesian man, EN. Wille - talked about Book of Mormon. Then we returned home and my companion gave MEN. Spek a restoration lesson - he took it very well.
November 22 - Saturday - I got up, 6:10, studied - cold in here. We tracted (9:10 - 11:45) and held 3 Nietige cottage meetings. We studied, had fights with Lex & Liesje, I wrote a Toespraak, and then we studied some more. I took a heerlijke doesje and went to bed 11:15.
November 23 - Sunday - We ate on bus, went to Beverwijk for S.S. meeting, 10:30 - three members preset; ZR. V. Zeben, ZR. V. D. Boom and daughter from Heemsicerk. We held a nice meeting - Avondmaal, Zijgen, Geued, Lesson, Ens. Then we fietzed home, and left again for Amsterdam. We spoke there, 6:30 - 7:45, and talked afterward. - (Elder Ladle - Afshelds Nemon). We caught a train for Ijmuiden - 9:00. Visited Beneden for awhile, studied, hit the sac.
November 24 - S-Morgens we held one cottage meeting - “J.W.” common (Afval lesson). Then we held 3 cottage meetings in the middag - one good one with MEV Munnik (she - 3 cats - 1 dog) - lesson 3. We returned home early because E.V. Slooten was going to pick Elder Schaffer up between 4:00 - 5:00. He finally came about 6:20 - Elder Schaffer was really getting worried. I ate a brood-maal, went upstairs to study and write letters (3 of them). Then I went downstairs again to visit. They had company (visite) because it was Lex’s birthday (11 years old) - we had given him a model airplane-. Elder V. Kampen, Brewster arrived with Elder Schaffer and visited and stayed here that night - 12:00
November 25 - We all got up, 6:30, and held a class, ate breakfast, and went tracting. Elder Brewster and I had 5 lousy cottage meetings that morning. We had a Heerlijk meal Tezamen (Hachee), and Elder V. Kampen and I held two cottage meetings - one fairly good. Elder Schaffer and I dropped them off at the respective stations (Santpoort - Velsen), and Elder Schaffer and I held two cottage meetings that evening - one while tracting (very nice lady), and family Niekerk - a sort review - 10:30 we got to bed early? - 11:15
November 26 - Wednesday - We held 3 cottage meetings in the morning - 2 fair and one very good, MEV. De Leeloul, a 5th lesson. She took it very good, and had been reading all the brochures. She also gave a very nice prayer to end the cottage meeting. We held 2 cottage meetings that afternoon - one no good - one very good Celestial Marriage lesson to family De Haan. They also took it very good and he gave a wonderful prayer to end the meeting. We tracted that evening and held one cottage meeting - smart people - Book of Mormon lesson. It was a nice discussion and we got a call back - 11:15 naar bed.
November 27 - THANKSGIVING - Got up, 6:15 - Got ready, studied, ate a fast breakfast on the run (2 bisuiten), and caught the 7:30 train for Den Haag. We went to the “Programma” practice (9:00 - 12:00); my companion sang and I got the job of pulling the curtain (aching hands). We attended a short business meeting, received our sleeping assignments (Wellings), and all settled down to the dinner, 2:00 - 4:00. We ate Heerlijk turkey, potatoes, stuffing, peas, corn, celery, cranberry, fruit cocktail and especially heerlijk pumpkin pie (via ZR. Sperry). Then we had the program (football day at “State U” - Elder Schaffer, Elder Oaks, Bradford, V.D Am, Shupe, V. Boerum, ENZ. took parts). Then we had a short movie - sunday School - “Feed my Sheep”, a very good film, Elder Goble, Warner, Ried, Schaffer and I then caught a tram to town to see a show - finally got all fouled up and didn’t see anything at all (Retnbrandt - quo vadis - Swedish film). We walked to our sleeping assignments, Wellings in Rijswijk, Burgemeester V. Elsen. Laan 185, and visited and sacked out 11:00
November 28 - We rose early, ate breakfast, and walked into Den Haag to catch the bus for the Church. We arrived there on time for the 8:00 Testimony Meeting. The Testimonies were really upbuilding and the meeting lasted until 12:00. Then we all got together for a group photo, ate lunch (yogurt, milk, hotdogs), and attended a proselyting meeting, (2:00 - 5:30). The meeting was also very upbuilding and we received many good suggestions for good missionary work. Elder Vriens, V. Slooten, Springer, Caks, V. Kampen, President Sperry all spoke to us. After the meeting we caught a train for Amsterdam and attended the Baptism there (8:00 - 9:00) - 2 people were being Baptized - Elder Thurgood - Elder Andrus. We took a train home, talked - hit the hay. The weather was nice for the week - no rain or wind - just mist - rather cold ook!
November 29 - Saturday - We tracted (9:15 - 11:45). And had 2 good cottage meetings - one to a nice enough lady. We ate lunch (soup - ham & eggs), and left in the auto to see the coming of Zinterklaas. He arrived with two Zwarte Pieten in a boat, came on shore to the singing of thousands of children, and met 22 more Zwarte Pieten there with motor scooters. They all climbed aboard and raced off with Zinterklaas to the next town. The kids were really excited. Then we went for a little ride in the auto to Wijk Aan Zee, and stopped for a lemonade in a sea-view hotel - we returned home - studied - made lessons, and retired - 10:00.
November 30 - Sunday - We got up early, 6:10, studied, ate a fast breakfast (2 biscuits on the run), and rushed to catch the 8:00 train. We found there wasn’t any train, so we decided to fiets to Haarlem. It took about 35 minutes to get to the Church. We attended President meeting & S.S. (MEN, Spek came to S.S.); and then we fietzed to ZR. Kolks and had a lekker meal - soup (Scotch Boersoep), bacon and eggs, bread. We tracted there in Haarlem for an hour and did’t get in. We attended Sacrament Meeting 5:00 - 6:00, fietzed home and held a cottage meeting with family Groen, lesson 5. Then we visited with the family till 10:30 -
December 1 - Monday - We had class for one hour, ate breakfast, and went out (9:30 - 12:30). We held two cottage meetings - one good one with MEV. Beijer (Pinkster lady - lesson 2-3). We held two good cottage meetings (2:30 - 7:30); one with MEV. Munnik, good review; one with Gerrit - sons, 2 ladies - Book of Mormon lesson. In the evening we went out tracting, call backs - which all fell through - we returned home because Elder Schaffer wasn’t feeling too well. He had had a tooth pulled that evening, and it was still aching. I visited downstairs, went to bed early.
December 2 - We fietzed out to Santpoort, MEV. Hobo’ and held a cottage meeting, my companion gave his first Book of Mormon lesson - very good. We tracted with no luck. We held 3 cottage meetings that afternoon - nothing good, and two cottage meetings that evening; ine fairly good first lesson, one cottage meeting with four people (MEV. Den Ouden, husband - another couple) We gave them a Book of Mormon lesson - went to bed late.
December 3 - We held two cottage meetings that morning; one with MEV. Ponds in Driehuis (Cheribiums - Aartsengels - Engls) - review - (we dropped her but sold her a Book of Mormon $4.65). The other cottge meeting was with a very nice young lady, Restoration lesson. She would have been 4 good investigator but her husband didn't want her to talk to us anymore. That afternoon we held 3 fair cottage meetings (w of the fair - one poor) (first visits - stubborn). Then we held a good cottage meeting with family De haan, review of lessons 2&3. They were coming along very well. We visited with Family Niekerk, finish of lesson 6 (Celestial Marriage). They thought the lesson was interesting bu they were satisfied with their own Church (Hereformed). We made another appointment however (strong review of Afval).
December 4 - Thursday - We held two very nice cottage meetings that morning (one with an intelligent man. The other with a nice lady - both first lessons). We held 3 cottage meetings that afternoon (2 fair - 1 poor) We held another cottage meeting that evening (MEV. Koremans & son); Godhead lesson - ate lekker Gebakjes. - 10:45.
December 5 - Zinterklaas - We got up late, went tracting for 2 ½ hours. (2 lousy cottage meetings - one Hungarian family - one stupid Catholic). Elder V. Kampen & Brewster arrived that middag (late for lunch). We all enjoyed a heerlijk meal (ham?, potatoes, soup, applemoes, vla). Elder Schaffer and I tracted in the afternoon - 2 more lousy cottage meetings. The other Elders tracted together, proselyted with the family - Elder V. Kampen & Brewster slept here that evening.
December 6 - We got up 6:30, and had separate classes with companions. We ate breakfast, and Elder Van Kampen & Schaffer - Elder Brewster and I - went tracting. We held 4 cottage meetings (nothing really good). After another good meal - soup, rice. Elder V. Kampen and I tracted and held two good cottage meetings 9one Salvation Army - one family Barbier). When we arrived home 5:54, Zinterklaas and his helper. Zwarte Piet (black pete), were there giving out their presents, Zinterklaas was all dolled up with a huge red hat, with a big white cross on it. And with red and white robes.
December 7 - Zondag - We studied, ate breakfast, caught the 8:30 train for Haarlem. We attended 3 meetings (Fast meeting), went to ZR> Kolks for dinner (chicken - heerlijk), and had a visit from two Catholic girls (proselyting time). We attended church; 500 (sunday school) - one investigator (MEN. De Haan) it was a good meeting; then we took a train home and proselyted with family Soek. We showed a few films to the Wadle family - trek across the plains - Book of Mormon) and talked till 10:30. - Good weather for December - no colds for 5 months.
December 8 - We rose early and held a good class together. We ate a breakfast and held 4 cottage meetings that morning; one with an old lady in Muichuis (nts aan), one with MEV. Bijev in Ijmuiden (Binbsten Bemeente) - Book of Mormon lesson. Then we held two more useless cottage meetings - fat old ladies. We had a good meal (huopot - potatoes and green cabbage mixed together, with worst). That middag we held a good cottage meeting with MEC. Munnik, another Book of Mormon lesson.
She seemed to be coming along very good. We fietzed out to Santpoort and held another book of Mormon lesson with a ME> Hofman. He said he didn’t believe it and never would so we left. Shaking the dust off our feet at the door. We then had a good cottage meeting with MEV. Gerritain and daughter - a very simple 5th lesson (good prospect). That evening we held two cottage meetings - interesting Book of Mormon discussion. (fital 10 ½ hours proselyting and 9 cottage meetings).
December 9 - Tuesday - We held two lousy cottage meetings in the morning (one liiht hidden); two good cottage meetings in the afternoon (Salvation Army man - family Khominburg, good prospect - Herstelling lesson) We held 3 cottage meetings that evening with MEV. Cheetah, simple 5th lesson (nheo not too present, but has intent). Our other appointment fell through so we returned home and proselyted with MEN. Spek. He is coming along good, has read 1 & 2 Nephi and all Brochures, and also gwien ant 2 or 3 brochures a day at his work (gets hidden by MEV. J. A. Heide however - just in fam).
December 10 - We fietzed out to Santpoort, farthest point in our tracting area, for our appointment with MEV. Hobo; bit it fell through, we held a cottage meeting with MEV. De Leeulw though, a way good review of lessons 2-3-5. She is investigating very good. We had another cottage meeting and returned for lunch. Then afterwards we held a good cottage meeting with a lady from the Salvation Army; lesson 2 (she gave a nice prayer). We had two more cottage meetings, one with family Le Haam. We showed them the book, the Mormon story, they were really coming along fine, he came to Church the Sunday before. We arrived late for dinner, haachii, and ate quickly to have another afspraak. We talked to MEN. Boeman, godhead lesson, and then a 3 hour cottage meeting with family Nichols - strong Afval lesson. She’ll talk with her dominee - return appointment over two weeks - 11:30.
Zwarte Piet had a black face, red lips, fairly colored clown costume. They gave out presents, told us we had better be good boys, and then left to visit other boys & girls. Then we all received lots of presents - candy cigars, chocolate letters, Marsurine, cookies, and handkerchiefs. There was wrapping paper over the whole house (we gave the family presents too: Liesje - toy lambs; Les - electro set; MEV. V. D. Heide & MEN. Spek handkerchiefs and a worst (real) and candy dog. Then we all ate sandwiches - Elder v, Kampen & Brewster left for Den Helder (MEN. Spek drove them to beverwijk). We went upstairs, studied, went to bed early; 10:30
December 11 - Woke up with rain pouring down, turning to a messy wet snow. We went out, 10:00 - 12:30, and held two cottage meetings - in Santpoort. One was very good, with MEN. V. D. Wel, Book of Mormon lesson (otudent); the other was a strong Catholic (gave us a golden for the sending). We held two fairly good cottage meeting that afternoon - one family Harlaan (lessons 2 &3), one MEV. Peetein in Santpoort (lesson 2 & 3) - very interested. That evening we were really busy (4 appointments and the first three went through) two of them were useless, one of them was a good cottage meeting with a very nice man (very intelligent - MEN. Mucldijh). Our last appointment fell through because we arrived there too late.
December 12 - Friday - We fietzed to Beveriuyle in the morning - visited ZR. Blom, and held three cottage meetings there. We got the Sacrament cups from ZR. Blom. We arrived late for dominee, 1:00, and left for another cottage meetings, with a MEN. Barbino, Book of Mormon lesson. He is a very nice man, promising investigator. That evening we went out in a soaking rain and fietzed lean to one and, 2 Ijmuiden, lovely cottage meeting with a man & wife. Then we fietzed further to MEV. Kozempne and son, and we nearly got drowned on the way. We gave a simple 5th lesson there, ate lekker gobikjio, and returned home about 11:00.
December 13 - Saturday - We held two cottage meetings in the morning (one fairly good one). Then we returned home, ate lekker pannenkoeken for dimonee, and after studying for awhile; we went in the car with MEN. Spek to Deeivleednlode - (close by Amsterdam - 15 minutes in the car - 50 minutes train) We naw a big chip along the way, the atlantee, cottage meeting American chip.
December 14th, Sunday - We ate breakfast, and then fietzed to het arthrele gebouw where we held a sunday-school meeting- We arrived 30 minutes early and got everything ready, and three people showed up, all investigators (Men & Mev De Haan, Mev Niekerk) The service went pretty good; we had sacrament, my companion gave a talk , and I gave the sunday school lesson. We visited a member, Zr Boes, after the meeting. We returned home and ate a heerlyk meal (delicious meat, potatoes, peas, carrots, pears, etc. Then we studied, and at 5:00 we attended the Herrormade Church meeting with family spek (in the auto). The dominee was all dressed up in his long black robe, and gave a fiery talk that I could hardly understand. We returned home, visited, studied, and hit the sack. . I did this before i hit the above mentioned “sack” till 11:30 -past my bedtime.
(My 15 month anniversary)
HALFWAY POINT of mission
December 15th, Monday - We had three call-backs fall through but got three cm. while tracting (nothing good). That afternoon we had two appointments fall through, but went tracting and held 5 cm (one rather good-4 niets) that evening we held two good cm; both on call-backs. One Gereformeerd couple and one intelligent seventh day adventist, We had a nice talk (Book of Mormon Lesson-7th day- and varkensvlees), We got call backs on both right cottage meetings. We had a total of 10 cm that day, all callbacks or tracting- almost hit our record of 11 for one day- 11 ½ proselyting hours that day.
December 16th, Tuesday- We waited for Elders Breuster and V. Kampon in the morning and Elder Breuster and I held two lousy cm. In the morning (people didnt believe in anything). We all had a good meal that afternoon (Boerkool, appelmoce, vont, etc) Elder Van Kampon and I went to a cm with Mevrouw Meermick - 2 Book of Mormon films. We rode out to Samtport but our appointment there fell through-we tracted and held one good cm. We retired home, listened to our choir broadcast on the radio, the other Elders left, we ate a bread meal, and held two good cm. that evening. The first one with family Kroonenberg- Book of Mormon Lesson- very good acceptance; the second after a long ficto ride to driehuis in a steady downpour, to 4 people- Mev. Den Ouden. After we dried out a little we gave a 5th lesson - lots of arguments but a good cm. 11:30 naar huis. Weer 11 ½ proselyting homes.
December 17th, Wednesday- We fietzed out to Samtport, tracted and held one cm- Catholic in a rut. Then we held a very good cm. With Mev. De Leeurs, the Plan of Salvation lesson. We held 4 cm. that a.m. one lesson 5 with Mev. Bes-Schetion Amy - good & one other fairly good - 2 others not so good. That night we held one fair cm. - first visit. We got home early, studied, and went to bed.
December 18th, Thursday - We fietzed out to Samtport and held 3 cm. one good one with Men. V.D. Wel - Lesson 2 & 3. We held 3 others that a.m. - one with a nice english speaking lady, one good one with a men. Schouten - Lesson 3, and then family De Haan - They were coming along very good and had gone through the whole lesson plan, and we were going to give them a “Call to Repentance” lesson. They said they had decided not to hear anymore. The Mev. didn't want to make any sacrifices (coffee, tea, etc) and the meneer said he had a vision and said it wasn't good (PINKSTER GEMFENTE), We talked to them awhile but couldn't convince them otherwise. It was very disappointing because they were our best investigators. That evening we held two cm. - one Men. De Vris and Wife - Book of Mormon Lesson - One Men. Duyin and wife (SCIENTIST AT HOOG-OVENS) - second visit - sold him a Book of Mormon and dropped him.
December 19th, Vrisdag - In de morgen deden wiz tractact werk en hield diel huisvergadermigen (nietz goeds)die middaz hadden wij een cm. Niet man. Barbiers - overeens over alles wat hiz las - Gologon Voful). Dan hadden gergen viz nbm santport wen en kield em cm. With man. & mav. Mealdyk. Wiz sproken over alles - Book of Mormon lesson, doop voor doden, gwoorl doop, enz. -11:30. Hiz was elm zeer intelligente man, en kinde de Bybelgoed ook. Goer call-back.
December 20th, Zaterdag - We went tracting in the morning and held 3 cm. - one family good - one argument with an intelligent catholic lady. We had a lekher meal - pannehoeher-soep, etc. and then went upstairs to study. I went to Velserbeek to take Elder Schoffer and I went to a movie (the first one in 5 months for me). We saw the “Titanic” - 10:30. I filled in weekly and monthly reports - new cm. Record for the week - 41 cm. 56 ½ hours. Monthly records also broken - 143 cm, in the month, 220 proselyting hours.
December 21, Sunday - We rushed to the train station, missing breakfast but barely catching the 8:30 train - we attended meetings, 9:00-10:30 - Went to Zr. Kolks, and had a heerlyh meal - MACARONI SMOTHERED IN MEAT AND MUSHROOM SAUCE WITH DESSERT (PUDDING WITH STRAWBERRIES) We relaxed and digested and listened to the radio. The we returned home, studied, and I wrote in the journal - bed about 11:00.
December 22nd, Monday - We tracted and held 2 cm. Morning - one cm, afternoon & nothing too good. I got a haircut in Dricherlo and that evening we held a cm. With man. & Mav. Hertog, showed them “mormon story” We returned home and held a good cm. With man. Ojek, and Mev. V.A. Heiae - a 6th lesson “The Plan of Salvation”. They took it very good and he seemed to pick up interest again ~He had lost it earlier when he read an anti-mormon article in a magazine. We retired early.
December 23rd, Dinsdag - We held two lousy cm. In the morning and then held a good one with Mev. De Heeuw - 6th Lesson completed. She took it very good. That a.n. Our two appointments both fell through so we tracted and had one fair cm. That evening we held a very good cm. With Family Kroonenburg - 5th lesson. They were very interested and had good questions. Then we went to Family Niekerk and had a good cm. there, but she couldn't see dropping her church and couldn't see the difference, so we decided to drop her ~ 11:30 naan ben
December 24th, Wednesday - E. Springer & V.S. Looten came to work with us that morning and E. Springer and I held cm. here at our house with Men. V.D. Wec, a student. A good 5th lesson. Then we tracted and held a fair cm. On the kanaal. We all ate together (Huspot. Gehaakt-Vla), and then V.D. Looten and I rode the volkswagon out to santpoort - tracted for 2 lousy cm. And met the other Elders at 3:00. E. Schaffer and I tracted further and held 2 more cm; one fairly good - the other not so good (Crazy man). We returned home- Brood Maal - went to an appointment which fell through - tracted - returned home, 8:45. Then we went in the car to Haarlem with Men. Spek & Leisure to the christmas service in the Hervorma church (Huge Bavo Church 10,000 people present) It was a beautiful church and the service was good also - lots of singing - dominant, etc. (10:30-12:30) We returned home and celebrated Christmas Eve - Bowl of fruit cocktail, gebakse- up till 2:00.
December 25th, Thursday - CHRISTMAS - We got up just before 8:00, had to hurry to catch a train for the Mig, was very good. We caught a train for home and opened up our christmas packages when we got there. I had 5 packages. I received 5 books (3 doctrines of salvation - D&C Commentary-Notebook) two raincoats, a box of cookies, sock with goodies, all from my parents. (sock (2 pair) from Stevie) - Tie from Diane- Mormon Game from the Amanns. My companion received a diamond ring, sweaters and goodies. After we had cleaned up the mess we settled down for a delicious meal, Chicken (5 of them), potatoes, applesauce, etc. We really ate!!! Then we rested, studied, proselyted with the family, and went to bed early. 11:00.
December 26th, Friday - TWEEDE KERSTDAG - We got up early, caught an 8:30 train to Amsterdam - came ½ hour late for 9:00 testimony meeting. The meeting was very nice, the spirit present was wonderful. Then we all (19 missionaries) ate yogurt and cake, and caught a tram for a show - “The Vikings” Then/we all returned to the church (self-made) where E. Winkel showed us his proselyting mm. We were ready to go when men. Sdek met us at the door and they gave us a ride home in the auto - 6:00. We ate another heerlisk chicken dinner and then I covered books, proselyted, rested, and went to bed - 11:00.
December 27th, Saturday
We rose 6:30, got ready, but it was raining cats and dogs outside and my companion was sick and we had to prepare talks. So we decided to stay in. He was sick all day so we didn’t get much work done - a lot of studying though.
December 28th, Sunday - We arose late 7:00, and E.V. Kampen & Brewster arrived about 9:15. We ate a short breakfast and fietzed to the church - to “het cultureel gebouw'' There we held a Sunday school service (10:30-11:30) and 5 investigators came. The meeting went pretty good, we returned, proselyted, and then enjoyed a heerluke meal ~ meat, mashed potatoes, dooperwten, appelmoes, pudding. We proselyted some more and then men. Spek, Lex, E. Brewster and I went in the auto up to Den Helder where we had to speak. Me. Spek and Lex attended the meeting, also, 17 other people. It went fairly well (5:00-6:15) and then we rode back to Velsen. I proselyted some more that evening, worke din my journal - 11:00
December 29th, Monday - My companion was still recuperating from being sick, so i studied and ran errands in the morning. That AM we went to a CM with Mev. Munnik, a good 5th lesson. Then we fietsden to Velsen-Noord to a fair CM ( Book of Mormon). And then we fietsden urther to Heemskerk where we met with some investigators from Utrecht, visiting their sick daughter for 6 weeks. We held a CM (Joseph Smith story to daughter) we had a good warm meal that evening and held two CM, one no good Humanist, one with Mev. Koremans and Zoon (Lesson 6). Probably still a waste of time? 11:30
December 30th, Tuesday - Elders Brewster and V. Kampen came to work with us. E. Brewster and I held 3 CM that morning. (All first meetings - all fair) We had a warm middag maaltiso (boerkoot- met worst appelmoes) Then we had to rush to catch the 5t train in santpoort. E. Schaefer and I held a very goood CM with family Kroonenburg - showed them “The Mormon Story” ~ 11:00
December 31st, Wednesday 1958 - Dudejaarsdag - E. Schaefer and I went tracting n Santpoort - 4 CM - one with men. V. O. Wel (he says that he believes the church to be true); the other three were short and poor ones. We had one CM that middag (men. Schouten - Book Of Mormon lesson) very good reacton. He was very interested in it. We tracted without luck and went home at 5:00. We stayed in that evening and celebrated new years eve - we had “bowl” (fruit salad) - oue bocen-appelle-vlops, talked and waited for the new year to come in (8 hours before it comes in at home) Lex and Liesje were pulled sleepily out of bed so they could see the new years fireworks outside - a little dampened by the rain.
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