Caroling the day before Christmas

The YSA planned a caroling activity for the day before Christmas in the downtown shopping district of Utrecht. The missionaries talked to people who stopped to listen. It was very interesting how many stopped to listen, take pictures or videos on thier iPhones. Caroling in public is very un-Dutch.



These are the valiant warriors saved for the last day. It is a great privilege to work with them. Geerte with the red cap is  doing her medical residency. She was in the movie 'Best Two Years'.  Joachim is the Stake YSA leader, served a mission in Greece and is going to school. Sister Roberts found and taught his parents while I was on my mission. His parents were just released from the Temple presidency.  Derick, on the left, went on his mission to the Netherlands and is in the Elders quorum presidency. He is a student. Utrecht is a big University town. His two sisters with red hair are on the front row. Emma on the front row was recruited from another ward because she has a good voice. She would often pop out of the choir to give a pass along card to passerby. Desi did well singing the carols in Dutch.



After caroling we walk to this old church tower.

This is the base of the tower.

 

When I was on my mission, the sister in the middle got approval for each group of missionaries to come to Utecht for a dinner of poffertjes which are small 2 inch diameter pancakes. This is everyone from our group except for Sister Bartel who had left and Elder Ward who had to go home early because of knee problems. The picture is in front of the restaurant which is located at river level which is about 20 feet below the street level. The restaurant is close to the tower. It is remarkable that the President would allow this. Some Elders came from Belgium which would be several hours of travel. My companion and I drove our orange bug and parked it right next to the tower for free. The population of the Netherlands was then about 1/5 of what it is today. Downtown Utrecht had very little commercial development.