Our last President's Training Conference was in Kortrijk, Belgium. The members meet in Mouscron, Belgium which is right on the Belgium/French border. Very seldom do we have Zone Conferences or training in Kortrijk. The Kortrijk missionaries were excited that they didn't have to travel very far this time! We asked the Zone leaders to decide which ward or branch in their zone would want us to perform a Christmas program for their ward. President Le Monde was so excited for us to come, so we decided to go, even though it is inthe furthermost south west corner of the mission! Elder Kramer and Elder Leash are serving in Kortrijk, and accepted the invitation to be in charge of the Christmas program.
We started out the day with President Brubaker teaching. Our zone training focused on working with members and on helping members and others understand the true meaning of Christmas. He asked the missionaries if they knew the rest of this popular phrase, "Why, For fifty three years I've ........" and waited to see if anyone could finish the sentence. the only person in the entire mission was Sister Harrington who quickly responded, "I've put up with it now! I must stop this Christmas form coming, but how?" Inspired by President Uchtdorf's Christmas devotional address President Brubaker pointed out that we needed through love to help people repeat like the people at the end of the story, "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more."
Afterwards, we all gathered for our Fondue Lunch. This being our fourth time, it went together very smoothly, thanks to all the help from the Tibbitts. Elder Tibbitts had the fondue pots all figured out by now, and knew how to stretch the Christmas cookies so we would have just the right amount for the the Antwerp Zone. Sister Tibbitts and I finally figured out how to triple the fondue recipe, and cut bread, peppers, salami, apples in record time! Elder Tibbitts was an expert at making each stove work in each of the ward kitchens so we could have hot potatoes for the fondue!
The missionaries were delighted when they came in and saw the tables all prepared and decorated for Christmas with their individual presents on each plate. We tried to mix up the missionaries so they could visit with ones not in their district.
Harry, our eternal missionary participated in the celebration of the season with all.
Elder Fullmer was pleasantly surprised with his present!
Elder Brockbank, Elder Marshall, Elder Crittendon and Elder Kuttler enjoyed being the lucky ones to sit by the Tibbitts.
President and I were privileged to sit with Elder Sanford, Elder Keith, and Sister Fritz and Sister DeGroot.
Speculoos is a Belgian tradition. Cookies shaped like Sinterklass are a specialty from the North of France and Belgium, baked as a treat for St-Nicholas' day.
Elder Seaman tries a speculoos cookie in fondue!
Plenty of cookies left for all missionaries! We had happy content missionaries!
Elder Waldie and Elder Marshall share photos with Sister Fritz and Sister DeGroot of their last zone P-day.
The Antwerp zone was no exception for plenty of musical talent! I was enlisted to be their conductor! Sister LeMonde came early to accompany us. She was a huge help with many suggestions for our program.
Elder Sanford shared a solo of "Silent Night" accompanied on a guitar borrowed from a member.
Zuster Fritz, Zuster DeGroot, Elder Kramer, and Elder Matthews sang Away in a Manger
The Primary children stole the show with their well practiced performance
Zuster Fritz and Zuster LeMonde beautifully performed
"What Child is This."
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