The Netherlands

Well, what can I say? We've been in country for 2 weeks now and sometimes feel like we're just not getting what we need to get done accomplished:(

We were able to ge a lot of paperwork done on the first day we flew in. Our sponser Juergen took us to the bases that we needed to have new ID cards made, had us talk to the driver license people and housing people and a few other things. We got into our Bungalow Park with some minor problems but the people here have been great. Due to the militaqry not taking into account that we would need our credit limit raised on our card, we've had some interesting phone calls. Needless to say, Ellsworth AFB really can screw you over since they don't have the same urgency at getting the military credit card paid off as quick as we need it. We were finally at a point where it looked like we could be evicted from this place before we were finally able to get them to raise the limit on our card to 15 thousand dollars. Once they actually start making payments on his card we will be ok.

This week we went to get Sheldons sofi card, the NL social security #, and they kept telling us that we didn't have all the right information. The guy even tried to call Brunssum the Nato base, and they said they lost our paperwork "temporarilly"! That didn't help our cause at all. When we talked with our sponser again, he told us we got "screwed over" not only by the sofi people but the nato base as well. We did have all the paperwork that was needed, and them not having our paperwork handy was "not cool". Well, what could we say? We have been trying to get back in to get eh number, but now have to wait until next Tuesday. Once Sheldon get's his sofi number, we can get a Dutch bank account then that will make it possible for us to rent a house and get our cell phones. Needless to say, there have been some frustrating days, but really nothing too bad.

I have to say we have been enjoying the cooler weather the past few days. The area is beautiful! Everytime we are out driving it eminds us of the different places that we've lived in or visited in the US. It's been fun to just soak in the countryside and watch the people.

We are really excited about the ward we are in here. The first Sunday we got here everyone was so friendly. Christian already had boys from the YM inviting him to come and play on their Rugby team. Jori had the YA inviting her to their activities too. We have had dinner invites from other families as well. One family, The Van Empels were not at church our first day there but she was so excited to meet us called and invited us for dinner. We went and ended up being instant friends. They have been just wonderful to us. We found out she has a daughter at BYU so Jori plans to go back and meet with her once school starts. They were even great enought to take Jori to Paris tis last week. They just happened to be going and we wanted Jori to be able to see Paris before going back to school. We wanted to go but have been dealing with all the problems with the military card and sofi number we just didn't feel like we could go. Jori came back so excited about her trip and it sounds like the 2 girls, Jori and Catherina are planning to go back next summer when she gets back in country.

Jori flew back to the states this morning. We ended up having her take the train to the Amsterdam Airport instead of driving her up. We're trying to conserve the miles on the rental car. She was fine with it since she felt more sure of herself after the Paris trip. I guess she went to a couple places while in Paris on the metro there by herself since the other ladies were tired, so she is feeling confidant that she could get off the train at the airport and get inside on her ;0 I really hope she had a good time for the couple weeks she was here. I know the first week the kids were stuck at the Bungalow Park while Sheldon and I went down to Germany to take care of his paperwork, but this last week has been a little better about getting out and seeing things.

Next week Sheldon starts work and I have to start dealing with the schools to get things ready for the boys. I hope things there go smoother than some of the things we've dealt with so far, but no matter what, it has been a good adventure and we are taking things as they come.