Christmas is.........

Christmas is BIG in America….and not so big in the Netherlands.  It was mid-Dec. before we saw a Kerstbomen (Christmas tree) lot.  We were fortunate, our dear friends the Oostveens had an extra tree complete with lights that they offered to let us use.  Also the use of their darling daughter Julia to decorate the house for us while I cooked for our YSA party!

 We missed the Den Bosch ward Christmas party due to Joe’s being sick and the Utrecht ward didn’t have a party.  The English speaking ward in Zoetermeer joined with another ward and had a wonderful Christmas program on Sunday evening the 11^th.  There was a large choir, strings, piano and vocalists….the Christmas hymns in Dutch and English along with the Christmas story narrative. It was the real kick off for Christmas for us.  I’m sorry I didn’t take any pictures! 

One of the highlights of our Christmas season was the open house we hosted for our neighbors!  We decided we needed to get to know the so created an invitation to take around.  It was hard to go out in the dark to knock on the doors of strangers.  (think missionary work every single day!)  To our surprise everyone who answered the door was enthusiastic and excited!  One neighbor commented that it was too bad it took Americans to move in to get the neighborhood together!  It turns out almost all of the neighbors didn’t know one another!

 So I prepared Dutch treats (snoepjies), went to our local cheese store and got a cheese tray, made mini banana muffins and hot spiced apple cider.  We had no idea if everyone (we invited 20 households) or no one would come!

We had 25 of the kindest, warmest neighbors come!  They were so excited to meet each other.  One family brought 2 children.  I had made play dough and set up a kids table to entertain any children who came.  The kids loved the play dough!  The adults stood around the table, visited and ate for an hour and a

half!

We played a Tabernacle Choir Christmas program on our TV as background music. 

They viewed it more as a “housewarming” and all brought presents!  Mostly beautiful flowers. 

We didn’t RSVP on the invitations but we received lovely notes from some of those who couldn’t come.  It was so sweet. They all want to do it again so we will organize another social in the spring.   It turned out to be a wonderful evening and hopefully the neighbors have had a positive experience with Latter Day Saints! 

We also got in an hour or so of Christmas shopping in the Gouda Centrum.  We delivered Christmas packages to the elders there and it looked so enticing we decided to stay and shop!  And of course I need those hot, yummy “frites” (fries) they sell on the plazas : ) ! 

Although we missed our family this season, between our neighbors, missionaries, YSA’s and the warm greetings from home we felt the love of the Savior and our Heavenly Father : )