Frankfurt Temple trip & dinner with our welfare and self-reliance team
THE HAGUE
The office was closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday so after working half day on Thursday we drove to the Netherlands for a four-day Easter weekend. Elder and Sister Mulleck accompanied us. They are from Centerville Utah and joined our team in February. Upon arrival we enjoyed an Indonesian feast called Rijsttafel (a Dutch word meaning ‘rice table’) in The Hague. It is a quintessential Dutch food experience, and it cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Even Indonesians recognize that it is a Dutch tradition from the colonial age. Although each dish served is authentically Indonesian, the presentation, combination and origin are completely Dutch. Some say it was a way to use leftovers. You place the rice in the middle of your plate and then a little of everything else around it. Our favorite were chicken skewers in peanut sauce. Spekkoek was served for dessert- an Indonesian layer cake that contains cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
On another evening, we enjoyed a meal at the beautiful Hotel Des Indes, built in 1858. It is on a beautiful tree-lined street where several embassies are located.
AMSTERDAM
Our day began with a miracle- finding a parking space in Amsterdam right next to the dock our canal cruise sailed from. We enjoyed our peaceful morning cruise complete with Suikerbrood (delicious Dutch sugar bread). Many people live in house boats along the canals.
Homes were originally taxed by their width, so they are very narrow. This presents a problem on moving day. Hooks still hang from each home and furniture is hoisted through windows rather than carried up narrow stairways. We saw a modern version of move-in-day- a sort of conveyor belt.
Later on, on our walking tour we found a quite garden with two churches. One was the Pilgrim Church where the organist was practicing. Ed was in heaven. Our Pilgrim ancestors spent several years in Holland before they sailed to the New World.
We saw several Lending Libraries, and hundreds of the 1 ½ million bicycles in the city. The small cars are considered mopeds and can be parked anywhere they want without being towed or ticketed. Notice how well Europeans take care of the birds in their cities.
Sobering Stumbling Stones and the home from where they were taken.
We ended the day with a visit to the Anne Frank House Museum. It felt like a sacred space as we walked through the rooms where the Frank family went into hiding.
Delicious Dutch Delicacies: Dutch Pancakes- BIG (Pannenkoeken) and small (Poffertjes) at the Pancake Bakery
Stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf
Stamppot at Café Sonneveld (mashed potatoes with carrots & onions)
KEUKENHOF GARDENS
Tulips were introduced to the Netherlands in the 16th century from the Ottoman Empire. In the 1630’s the Netherlands experienced “Tulip Mania”, a period during which tulip bulbs became extremely valuable, leading to speculative trading and a financial bubble that ultimately burst. Keukenhof Gardens is one of the largest flower gardens in the world showcasing over 7 million tulips each season.
SUNSET DINNER ON THE NORTH SEA
KINDERDIJK
MAESLANT BARRIER at the Hook of Holland
THE HAGUE TEMPLE
Attending a session at this beautiful temple with several of our missionary friends was the beginning of another perfect day.
EASTER SUNDAY
As we entered the chapel to attend a sacrament meeting at the Zoetermeer ward, we were surprised to find Elder and Sister Gong there. They shared sweet, powerful testimonies of our Savior. We were all invited to stay for an Easter lunch. Elder Gong greeted each person as he passed out the plates and napkins. It was a tender experience to watch him minister to the Dutch saints.
COLOGNE CATHEDRAL
We stopped to tour the magnificent Cologne cathedral on our way back to Frankfurt. It’s construction spanned over six centuries, starting in 1248 and completed in 1880. It was a somber tour as we mourned the passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.
We loved the oldest stained glass window made in 1260, with Old Testament stories on the left panels and a corresponding New Testament story on the right. The relics housed in this gold case are said to be the bones of the three wise men.
Ostereierbaum (Easter Egg Tree)
In Germany eggs are hung on branches of outdoor trees and on cut branches inside. In this centuries old tradition, the egg symbolizes the empty tomb of Jesus from which he was resurrected.
“Jesus Christ has many titles, and each one teaches us something important about Him. He is known as the Redeemer, the Prince of Peace, the King of kings, the Light of the World. On Easter we honor the title He taught to His friend Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) He is risen and because He is risen, all humankind will be resurrected and live again, including you and me. Death is not the end; no tragedy is final…Everything that seems so unfair about life can be put right. The wounded will be healed, the heartbroken will be comforted, and all that is lost will be restored. All because He is risen.”
Lloyd Newell ‘The Spoken Word’ March 31, 2024
We hope you had a joyful Holy Week and Easter celebration.
With love, Elder & Sister Lamb (aka Ed & Debbie, Mom & Dad, Pop Pop & Tu Tu)
Lambs in Central Europe 