Charlotte Wiersma Has A BIG Family in The Hague!

Charlotte Wiersma - Dec. 30, 2011

Den Haag

Sister Ence, Sister Perry, Charlotte (Bep) and Sister Tanner

Wow, wow, wow. Where do we begin? Charlotte is AMAZING. She met the Zusters while taking a walk in the park about 8 months ago. She has always had a stong belief in our Heavenly Father but had never quite found a church in which she felt at home. After many months of careful study and prayer, she received her answer that she had finally found the right church. Charlotte has such a strong love for the Bible and the Book of Mormon. She has studied diligently and has sought earnestly to learn what Heavenly Father's will for her is. She is an example to us all of faith and endurance. She is willing to share her testimony with those she comes in contact with and her enthusiasm for the gospel is contagious! Charlotte is a great addition to the ward here in Den Haag and is a ray of light! We love her!! -- Zuster Perry and Zuster Tanner

'Tis the Reason For the Season

It's Christmas Eve.....

The office elders; Elder Jones, and Elder Benson along with Elder McCarlie, Elder Andrews, and Elder Mortensen and Elder and Sister Pankratz enjoyed a memorable evening together at the mission home on Christmas Eve.

After dinner, Elder Jones and Elder Benson were in charge of our nativity program. They assigned us all parts. We all dressed appropriately.

Elder Jones and Elder Benson even found their flock of sheep.

Elder McCarlie, Elder Benson, and Elder Mortensen made great wisemen.

Elder and Sister Pankratz were Joseph and Mary

President Brubaker was asked to be the narrator.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the

field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory

of the Lord shone round about them,

and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

"Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of

great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into

heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto

Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the

Lord hath made known unto us.

....and they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe

lying in a manger

and they fell down and worshipped him.

....the wisemen came from the east, bringing gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

President Brubaker and I sang

"Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella".

We enjoyed singing Christmas hymns during the acting out of the Nativity. Elder Benson played a beautiful Christmas medley. There was a feeling of gratitude and unity among us as we felt the true Christmas spirit.

Christmas in Holland Nannabecca and Grandpere

This is a little video we sent our children and grand children.

We thought you might enjoy watching it.

love,

President and Sister Brubaker

Belgium Netherlands Mission

Former Missionaries Return!

We had some wonderful visits to the mission home and office during December! Elder Waldie returned with his entire family! They are really brave to travel together for two weeks! I am sure they will make memories they will never forget!

We loved meeting his parents and enjoyed meeting all his brothers and sisters that we have

heard so much about!

Chantelle Fowler (Carter) and her new husband Seth came and visited us at the mission home.

We thought it was a great idea to spend part of their honeymoon here for Christmas!

Elder (Eric) Robinson and his family came and had lunch with us at the office! We had a great hearing about some of their adventures as they come to the Netherlands for Christmas!

In time of test, family is best. ~Burmese Proverb

So Hard to Say Good-Bye...

President Brubaker and I have decided that saying good-bye to our missionaries is the hardest thing we have to do! Seven missionaries came to the mission office to have their last interview with President Brubaker. Sister Pankratz had made a delicious lunch for all of us!

Elder Brockbank, Elder Mueller, and Elder Osmond showed me their beautiful plates that they will take home as a special reminder of their service as full-time missionaries.

After interviews, the missionaries arrived at the mission home. Everything was ready for a memorable evening together.

A request was made that we have the same meal the missionaries received when they first came to the mission.

Mexican Avocado Condiment Soup!

Chocolate fondue for dessert!

We were able to share with each other those things that are closest to our hearts.

A time to ponder and reflect...

Elder Brockbank and Elder Mueller took a restful moment to enjoy a 50 year old collection of books in the mission home.

The mission home was filled with beautiful Christmas hymns.

Looking through books of past missionaries.

Morning came quickly, and we all took the train to the airport!

Do we really have to go?

Elder Favero was relieved that he was able to stay for a few weeks longer.

He and Elder Cundick caught the train back to Heerleen.

l-r Elder vanDoesburg, Elder Brockbank, Elder Osmond,

Elder Bair, Elder Mueller, and Elder Alexander

Elder Jones and Elder Benson are going to miss Elder Alexander in the office!

Elder Jones was trained by the best!

President Brubaker wonders how our mission will survive without

these amazing missionaries!

Elder van Doesburg has had the privilege of serving in his own beloved country of Holland, and learned to love the adjoining country of Belgium, as he served most of his mission in Belgium! President Brubaker was pleased that Elder van Doesburg won't be too far to be a joint teach for his fellow missionaries!

Don't forget us...remember Love is the Key!

The Gospel Brings Families Together

Rachael Touwnaar and Deniz Lont

18 December 2011

Amsterdam

Sister Jeffs, Rachael, Deniz and Sister Larsen

Rachael and Deniz are two great sisters. We had a miracle experience meeting them. We had had an appointment in their area that fell through, so we decided to go look up their mother, who was baptized about a year ago. Happily, she was home and she let us in. We shared a message with her, and at the end, she said, "Can you come back next week? My daughters want to follow the baptism lessons." We came back the next week and met the two girls.

We set up a calendar with them in which they would learn all the missionary lessons in four weeks. They were super excited, and every time we came and taught something, they would run and get the calendar so we could cross it off. They loved reading the Book of Mormon and began praying together as a family. From the very beginning, they looked forward to the day of their baptism. This last week leading up to their baptism was one of the happiest and most exciting for them. They are excited to be baptized and coming to church!

Ernesto Has the Best Vacation Learning About the Gospel

Ernesto Francisco - Dec. 17, 2011, Den Haag

Brother Francisco was met in the park and given the invitation to come to church and to learn more. Because of a very demanding work schedule it was difficult to meet very often right at the beginning, but he would come to church every chance he could and continued to study the scriptures on his own. He spent his month of vacation... taking the missionary lessons!! (We think that's the best use of vacation time EVER!) Francisco radiates love and he serves others in his everyday life through his work. He chose to be baptized on his birthday to commemorate the beginning of his new life. What a great day to celebrate a spiritual re-birth! -- Zuster Perry and Zuster Tanner

The Leuven Elders Prepare Per for Baptism

Per Evans

17 December 2011

Leuven

Elder Wang, Elder Pitchforth, Per and his mother.

Per was found on a train in Liége reading a bible. The missionaries told him that they had a book that could answer all of the questions he was asking, and asked if Elders in Leuven could meet with him. He consented, and has read faithfully in the Book of Mormon to know if it was true. He got his answer, and has sacrificed a lot to join. We love him so much

Zone President's Training with the Rotterdam and Antwerp Zones

Our second day with our missionaries was spent with the Rotterdam and Antwerp Zones!

Sister Everton, Sister Anderson, and Sister Pankratz were so helpful in the kitchen before the lunch started.

Elder Anderson, Elder Everton and Elder Pankratz helped get the tables and fondue pots all set up while the missionaries were being taught and practicing with President Brubaker

President Brubaker slipped in to see if we were ready to begin.

He is our expert fondue tester.

Let the festivities begin!

The sisters from the two zones enjoyed being together!

The missionaries enjoyed a time to share stories and eating and just having time to enjoy this beautiful season together!

The tie exchange!

Missionaries loved receiving a new tie!

The sisters all were delighted with their choice!

What a joy to be with the other half of our mission!

We all were touched by

the message of " The Miracle of the Wooden Shoes"

I read to the missionaries.

A Christmas ornament was given as our gift to all the missionaries.

A treasure to always remember serving in the

Belgium Brussels Netherlands Mission.