Brugge- The Venice of the North

Brugge, Belgium is known as the "Venice of the North". Beautiful medieval buildings,

canals meandering through the city, untouched by progress, Brugge is truly a historical gem!

Here we all are-enjoying a P-Day in Brugge.

The sisters found a friend- an American from St. Louis Missouri at the top of the Belfort.

It was beauty to our ears to hear an American speak English!

The missionaries enjoyed talking with her about her studies in Brugge

and sharing a message with her about the Gospel.

We enjoyed getting a birdseye view of the medieval city of Brugge.

We all climbed the 366 steps up the tower of the Belfort! It was well worth the view of the city!

French Sisters Share A Precious Moment Together

All the sisters wanted to spend their last P-Day in the Belgium Brussels Netherlands Mission by going to Brugge, Belgium. Brugge is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and this would be their last opportunity! They invited me to go with them. Soeur Bagwell put a bug in my ear when we were in Charleroi for interviews. She asked me if it was possible for the soeurs to spend the night at the mission home. All trains go to Brugge through Brussels, so it just made sense to provide a place for them to spend the night! Right!

Tonight was such a special time for us all to be together. I love my sister missionaries!

We were able to let out some of our pent up emotions and just be our crazy selves with each other! It was almost worth the boundary changes to have this special night together. The Lord knows what he is doing and I know this is no exception. It is just taking my heart a little longer to adjust to the change that will happen.

You'll be in my heart!

Soeur Hulet and Soeur England

We had fun sharing jelly bellies with each other. Soeur Kohler knew just the right combinations that were so tasty! Pink lemonade and mango was the favorite!

Soeur Kohler, Soeur Flood, Soeur Gappmaier

Soeur Clark, Soeur Curran, Soeur Carson

Soeur Powers, Soeur Thompson, Soeur Nielson

(missing) Soeur Shannon and Soeur Burgoyne Soeur Bagwell

They were given the opportunity to bare their testimonies I love these soeurs so much! I told them when I had my first child I couldn’t imangine being able to love another child as much as the first, but when the next child came my love expanded and grew and I loved Tiffany just as much as Ben. I said this is how it is with you. We never knew it possible to love our missionaries so much, but that love just grew and continues to grow, and we will always have a special place in our hearts for our French missionaries!

New England Power and Light

Soeur England and Soeur Powers are in Brussels together. President calls them "New England Power and Light." They have turned Brussels upside down with amazing miracles! President Brubaker asked missionaries to keep track of how many people they talked to in one week, as he is encouraging missionaries to talk to everyone. These two sisters talked to 360 people during the week! They are both young missionaries and have so much faith and love for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone they meet! We love you both so much, and hope you can stay together in Brussels!

Liège How We Love You

We spent the day with our great missionaries in Liège, Belgium. President Brubaker talked with them before starting interviews. He asked the missionaries what they felt the culture of our mission had become during the last 8 months. This is the culture of our mission according to the Liège missionaries. He admonished the missionaries to take this culture with them, and be like the armies of Helaman. Our missionaries are strong, full of faith and love the Lord, and will be a great blessing to the France Paris Mission.

Soeur Shannon and Soeur Thompson

Some people leave footprints

in our hearts....

and we are never

the same.

We recruited the Skousens before we left on our mission. They just arrived a few weeks ago, and are already blessing the lives of the missionaries and members in Liège. They are in the process of opening a Center for Young Adults in Liège. We wish they spoke Dutch and we would whisk them away with us!

President Brubaker presented each missionary with a Belgium Brussels Netherlands certificate.

Having Completed Honorable Service to the People of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands

As a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints

Is hereby welcomed into the elite group of the Belgium Brussels Netherlands Mission Alumni

May you never tire of service to God and His son Jesus Christ

May you hold dear the memory of you Missionary Service

and the People with whom you served.

May you continue to speak and love your mission language.

May Faith, Hope Charity and a Love of God and All Men

Always be your attributes.

"May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

the rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

An Irish blessing

Congratulations Vicki and Caleb

Today was a momentous day for Vicki and Caleb!!! Vicki and Caleb were married on Wednesday! A few months ago we were in Leiden, Holland attending a wonderful baptism. Vicki and Caleb attended the baptism. Caleb was being re-activated and his girlfriend was being taught by the missionaries. After the baptism, Scott took Caleb aside and asked when the wedding date was. He answered hesitantly that they had no date so far. Scott suggested that today would be a good day to propose to Vicki. He told him we would provide the flowers for the wedding. Well, Caleb took him seriously and proposed right there in the foyer of the church!

The Leiden Relief Society sisters provided the decorations, and I kept my promise.

A member of the ward helped me with the Bridal bouquet!

Vicki was so excited to be baptized today! I have never seen happier missionaries!

This day was a dream come true for them!

Vicki was beaming from ear to ear, and she got her wish to have all white flowers for her reception!

Vicki's precious son enjoyed all of the festivities after the baptism!

St Quentin and Arras Missionaries

Sorry to be so behind on the blog-to be completed soon.

A Memorable Day With Our French Missionaries in Lille, France

President Brubaker and I spent the day in Lille, France with our French missionaries serving in the Lille Stake. President Brubaker interviewed each missionary and had one last opportunity to share his love, and encouraged them to take all they had learned in the Belgium Brussels Netherlands Mission to the France Paris Mission. We have the best missionaries in the world!front row: (left-right) Elder Rutman, Elder Paoli, Elder Rogers

1st row: Soeur Gappmaier, Soeur Brubaker, President Brubaker, Soeur Kohler, Elder Darguence 2nd row: Elder Carpenter, Elder Porter, ElderArhets, Soeur Arhets, Elder Dungan,

3rd row: Elder Bertrand, Elder Schaunig, and last but not least dear Elder Harper

"Missionaries, be courageous.

Don't ever be afraid to stand up and testify fo the truth.

Stand up for the Church.

Stand up for what you teach.

Stand up for you testimony

Be a missionary of courage!

Keep the culture of the Belgium Brussels Netherlands Mission burning bright in your hearts, as you carry it with you to the France Paris Mission

Thanks for the blessing you have been to President Brubaker and I.

Go forward with Faith.

May He Watch over and protect you.

And Keep you in the Hollow of his Hand.

Charleroi With Our Dear Missionaries

(Sorry to be so far behind on the blog -to be completed soon)