We had a very unique and memorable Thanksgiving. Every year Americans in Holland come together to celebrate Thanksgiving together in the Pieters church in Leiden, Holland.
The history of the Netherlands and the USA come together in Leiden where the Pilgrims lived from 1609-1620. They cam from England searching for religious freedom. They found life to be free and tolerant. They lived in Holland for 11 years. These are the same people who eventually boarded the Mayflower in September 16, 1620.
We were greeted at the door by these two young pilgrims.
We met our District Leaders of our mission in Leiden at the PietersKerk, for a wonderful non-demoninational Thanksgiving Day service to commemorate the 401st Anniversary of the arrival of the Pilgrims in Leiden, the Netherlands, with about 200 other Americans, in this beautiful centuries old church in a very quaint part of town
Just imagine being in the same church where over 400 years ago, the pilgrims who came to Plymouth on the Mayflower lived and worshipped here. We felt a feeling of belonging to those who have gone before us, and paved the way so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today.
We were the benefactors of a very uplifting and inspiring program. I felt very proud to be an American as we pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. It was a pleasure for me to learn about the ties that we had to Holland. We sang one of my favorite Dutch Hymns.
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessings
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
the wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name he forgets not His own
An American family from Wassanaar Branch are immersing themselves in the Dutch culture.
Sister Tibitts and I had a Thanksgiving surprise waiting for the missionaries at the Leiden Ward. We all went to our church after and Sister Tibbitts and I served them Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. They were all delighted! They were all like stuffed birds after, but dad was able to keep them awake as he trained them for two hours. They are the most important teachers in our mission, and it was wonderful to be with them on Thanksgiving day!
They were all like stuffed birds after, but President Brubaker was able to keep them awake as he trained them for two hours. They are the most important teachers in our mission, and it was wonderful to be with them on Thanksgiving day!
"Leadership is communicating to people
their worth and potential so clearly
that they are inspired to
see it in themselves."
STEPHEN R. COVEY
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