LONDON, BRUSSELS, BRUGE, KEUKENHOF, AMSTERDAM AND PARIS

    A FABULOUS SISTERS TRIP!!!

     Meeting the Eurostar Express from London

 

Lindsey                 Paige                                     Heather                    Jordan

                    
What a thrill it was for us to welcome four of our married daughters, coming from Utah and Tennessee, for a short six day visit.  We all regretted that our sweet Ashley could not make the trip, having just been here with the boys for Christmas.     WE MISSED YOU ASHLEY!!! 

We met the girls at the Midi Train Station at 10:30 p.m., having arrived after a day in London!  They were a sight for sore eyes!!!!!  We took the metro back to our Shuman stop, where Dad had parked our mini car to transport the bags, while the girls and I walked the block on the cobblestone sidewalks to our Square Ambiorix apartment.  We were all so happy to see each other, that on the metro going home, we were all very chatty and laughing about everything, as they recounted their London adventures!  We noticed that several usually stoic  passengers were enjoying our exuberance, and they couldn't hold back their smiles.  One particular fellow was from London, so he especially liked overhearing their tales of London town, and said so!!


                                       OUR FAVORITE MARRIOTT CHEF
                  

Early the next morning we took our favorite # 63 bus to downtown Bruxelles, for breakfast at the Marriott!  It is like our second home, and we are there so often that the staff all greet us warmly by name, and gives us the VIP treatment!  The girls couldn't believe it!!!  Our good friend the Chef and a fabulous omelet maker,  even took the time to leave his stove for a quick photo opt with our beautiful daughters!

We enjoyed a breakfast feast of waffles, omelets, buffet and anything our heart's desired, and then were surprised by the chef treating us to fresh fruit smoothies topped with  strawberries, that are not even on the menu!! Many happy memories will go with us.



         BRUSSELS STREET SCENE: WHAT IS MOM EXCITED ABOUT POINTING OUT?

With the Bruxelles Stock Exchange in the background, we enjoyed pointing out some of the scenes of the city!  Belgium and much of Europe has had a late Winter so we were very happy to see the sun and a glimmer of Spring in the air.

                                      

                                                           THE BRUXELLES OPERA HOUSE

                              David and I try to attend the Friday afternoon concerts here in this
                beautiful and ornate hall in the Opera House.  These performances features members
                of the Opera orchestra in duets, trios and small ensembles. It gives them a
                         chance to shine individually and display their superb musicianship.     

          This particular concert featured the piano, flute and cello.

It was beautiful, and allowed us all to sit back and enjoy the peace of the moment away
from the busy city outside. Afterwards, we struck this pose around the Steinway for a family picture and David could hardly refrain from playing his standard repertoire known so well to the family.

 

AN AFTERNOON JAUNT TO BRUGE

 

 

We spent the morning walking the streets of the Grand Place in Bruxelles, which was cold and rainy, and then departed on the train for an afternoon in quaint and charming Bruge .  Despite the cold, we opted to go on the boat tour of the old canals of this medieval city with the Captain!

 

 

 

Following a tour of the Chocolate Museum and other interesting sites, we were tired, cold

and hungry and in search of a good place to eat!  On one of the side streets, we finally came upon this small family restaurant called "Humpty Dumpty".... which turned out to be an awesome choice!!!!!!

 Good food, great company and lots of fun with the owner family.

 

 

 

 

Once again, we were having so much fun laughing and interacting with the chef, son, mom and daughter, who were all family and staffed the restaurant, that when some of the customers had finished and were leaving, they stopped to chat with us also, and told us that they were with the Jehovah Witnesses!  Notice that even the customer on the left is laughing with us!  The meal was very good, and by the time we left, Paige had hooked the son up with her daughter's Facebook, had told the daughter about Morgan, and we were showing photos of our family.  As we left, Paige and I tipped the waitress daughter five euros each, to go for the car she was saving for!   (There is no tipping in Belgium, as it is always included in the bill.)  WE HAD SO MUCH FUN there, that when we left we felt like they were "family"!   There are really some good people out there!!!  We are sending their contact info in for the missionaries to perhaps have lunch at "Humpty Dumpty's" too!

 

 

 

KEUKENHOF GARDENS OF HOLLAND

 

 

Early the next morning after another great breakfast at the Renaissance Marriott near the Parliament, we departed for a drive to Holland and the beautiful tulip fields of Keukenhof.  Because of the cold spring here, the fields were three weeks away from fully blooming, however, we did enjoy strolling through the beautiful gardens at the Visitors' Center that were groomed and planted     for the  thousands of annual visitors that come in April to see the tulips. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AMSTERDAM 

 

They say you can live in Amsterdam for years without realizing that most of the streets lie below sea level.  It enjoys a maritime tradition that goes back beyond the 15th and 16th centuries when the Netherlands ruled the waves and sent out trading vessels to the four points of the compass. Its
unique canal system provides a ring of waterways resembling a spider web of mysterious looking
canals, restaurants, hotels and shops.  We loved it!


THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE

 

The Anne Frank House at No. 263 Prinsengracht is a 17th century canal house. It is  now well known as the hiding place of a young Jewish girl, Anne Frank, for 25 months during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Anne kept a diary which is now read throughout the world.  It contains many

observations through the eyes of a 14-year old, who wished for a happy life which was so cruelly

denied her. She was just fifteen when the police burst into the house and arrested her Jewish family, deporting them to the infamous Bergen-Belsen death camp in Germany, where she died of typhus in 1945. Otto Frank, her father, survived and was later given the scattered pages of her diary by a Dutch woman who retrieved them from the floor after the family was arrested.

A very interesting life-style exists for those who live on houseboats tied up all along the canals throughout the city!
 

 BACK TO BRUXELLES

 

 We are always proud to introduce our family to the wonderful members of the Bruxelles 2nd Ward.
Our members come from Russia, Armenia, Congo, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, England, Peru, Brazil, Tanzania, and the United States.

 

 

After Church, while I was at home preparing food for our Open House that evening, Dad took the girls to the Grand Place for one last visit. Here they are walking along the Galleria built
in the 19th century. It is a sunny day and "the Ambassador" is out for a stroll with his lovely daughters.

 

OPEN HOUSE
 

 

With everything beautifully arranged and prepared, we were finally ready to welcome our guest during the hours of 6:30-8:30

 

 

 

 

We have adopted our dear friend Regina and her daughter Louisa into our family!!

 

 

 

 

So glad to have a photo that includes my three dearest friends, Christina, Regina and Rebecca!!!  I love them all!  Christina is my nearby neighbor from Columbia, and my gym buddy!  She has tutored me on the fine art of surviving and thriving in Bruxelles!!  I don't know what I would have done without her!   Regina is so much fun, and loved by all who know her!  Her homeland is Zambia, and she is the friend you want to go shopping with!  And my dear Rebecca is an angel from Switzerland, and feeds me spiritually by her example of Christ like service in working with the homeless. 

                                         I will never forget these three special ladies!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a lovely evening with many friends dropping by, and we are always happy to include the missionaries

(and to send them home with the leftovers!)

 

 

 

BEAUTIFUL PARIS

 

 

 

The Fabulous Bakeries of Paris!
(I'll take one of everything!)

 

 

 

There are Bakeries and Sweet Shoppes on every street!!!!   Forget about the waistline when in Paris!!

 

 

Even with our great guide, we were often confused as to which way we should go!!!

 

 

 

Taking the famous "Red Bus Tour" in Paris is a must!!!

 

 

 

Here is a Parisian restaurant specializing in Escargot since 1832, at the same location along a fabulous side-street to which Lindsey directed us.  As she said: "the most fun is to get off the beaten track and then just get lost!"

 

 

 

 

 

No trip to Paris would be complete for the Peterson family, without having dinner at the famous  Restaurant de l'Entrecot.  The restaurant has two sittings a night, and if you want to eat there you must stand in line at least a half hour before the doors open in order to get in!! 

 

 

 

The only thing on the menu is steak with a "secret" green sauce, and Fritz!

 ....and they serve you with two helpings without asking! We have been
coming here for many years whenever we are in PARIS, and want to enjoy a good
French meal in the local style.

 

 

 

 

 

During dinner the girls let the waitress know that we were celebrating my upcoming

birthday. So when it came time for dessert, three "french maid waitresses" appeared at our table           singing Happy Birthday, before my blowing out the flaming candle!!  So Fun!!

                                                  


        
                                                   What a Fabulous two days in Paris!!!!     
                                 We bid you a fond adieu from Notre Dame and the City of Lights!

               THE DIPLOMATIC MILIEU
                         IN BRUXELLES

                                                

 

 

CERCLE ROYAL GAULOIS

  

 

The Cercle Royal Gaulois is a private Belgian club founded in 1848, with which Elder Peterson is affiliated. This picture highlights the elegant setting for many diplomatic conferences which he attends.  Hyperbole aside, the CRG website says: "The voices of Mozart, Bonaparte, Baudelaire, Churchill, Ysaye, Ensor, and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium still resound in our magnificent ballroom."

One recalls Henry Van Dyke's famous poem upon departing from France as the American

Ambassador: "I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack, the past is too much with her and the people looking back." It is still so!  For the splender of this club, however, see the

                                             full panorama of photography on the website.

 

 

  

 

EUROPE'S WORLD 

 

 What a surprise to open "Europe's World - The Only European-wide Policy Journal"and see this photograph with my friend, Giles Merritt, Secretary General of "Friends of Europe", a Brussels "think-tank" of no small reputation. The opportunity to meet European decision-makers at such meetings has been by virtue of the "Spirit of Revelation" which opens doors for us daily and places very important decision-makers in our path. Here you can see Lars Hoelgaard, EU Commission, Directorate General for Development; Alex Taylor, a prominent U.K. journalist; Isabelle Durant, VP European Parliament and MEP from Belgium; and Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia and Vice Chairman of the Reflections Group on the Future of Europe.

 

Who's that serious looking guy in the background! 

 

 

 

 

BIBLIOTHEQUE SOLVAY - BRUXELLES  

 

 

The magnificent Bibliotheque Solvay is home to the "Friends of Europe."  Situated in Leopold Park in the heart of the European Quarter not far from our home, it contains a rich decor of precious wood, mosaics and stained glass windows. Financed and built by the Belgian industrialist Ernest Solvay, it is a top venue for many international conferences.  The Solvay Library website is a treasure of pictures from the past and present. 

 

 

AMBASSADOR PIERRE VIMONT
OF FRANCE

 

 Ambassador Pierre Vimont of France is the first Executive Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), equivalent to the U.S. foreign service. We have become very good friends, and first met when he was the Ambassador of  France to the United States (2007-2010).  His

current rank in the French civil service is "Ambassador de France," which is properly not a rank, but a "dignity" bestowed upon a French diplomat for life. He served as chief of staff for three French Foreign Ministers and his many accomplishments merited him the honor of being made a knight of the National Order of Merit.  What a great friend -  I like this picture because we look like two

missionary companions!

 

THE BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN MUSEUM

 

On this sunny and cool spring day, we travelled by metro and then the tram, to visit the beautiful African museum, along with several other Relief Society sisters from our ward.  The tulips were blooming and the air was crisp.  The Museum was just weeks away from closing for renovation during the coming two years, so we were happy that we got to see it .  It was situated on beautiful grounds, with rolling lawns down to the wooded river's edge.   The museum was well done and very interesting.

 

This museum was established by the King of Belgium many years ago, and reminded us of an earlier era when it was the Belgian Congo in the heart of Africa, and a colony of this European country. The museum is filled with many interesting artifacts brought back by the first Belgian explorers.  A great deal of wealth was extracted from the Congo, and very little invested into making life better for the people there.   In the entrance foyer were several beautiful gold statues like those below.

 (HAVE THE GRANDSONS CLOSE THEIR EYES.)

 

                                                                Oh........ the glory of Spring!

Entrance to the African Museum, and two sweethearts on their mission in Belgium!

 



In the museum we met a most distinguished and interesting fellow, which just goes to prove
that not ALL Diplomats wear suits!!!
 

 

  

 Taylor can tell you from his Safari in Africa, just how really huge these guys are!!!

 

 

 

 

A different view of the African Museum



THE TWELVE PATHS

 

We enjoyed an afternoon with our missionary friends, Elder and Sister Hall from Anaheim, California, at the Tervuren forest outside Brussels. We made an intense search for the spot where twelve paths converge in a beautiful grove, for it was there that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland dedicated the lands of Belgium and Luxembourg for the preaching of the gospel on May 26, 1998. 

 

In that prayer he said: "Now, as these nations move to become a powerful force in a united Europe, please, Father in Heaven, may the Gospel of Jesus Christ go forward in Belgium, Luxembourg, and this new European community. As part of our prayer and our dedication here today, we ask that thou would weld and link, inextricably bind the power of the gospel to the economic and political influence that will move out of Belgium into all the world. We think it not wrong, we think it not unfair to ask that the gospel message be central to the new European community because of our prayer today."

 

This has been in the background to our daily efforts and will find fulfillment through the work of inspired missionaries, who will follow our pioneering efforts in Brussels. We are very thankful to have been a part of laying the foundation for the Lord's work in this European capital, which for us will come to an end on July 1, 2013.

 

 

 

EU COMMISSIONER ANDROULLA VASSILIOU 
(Cyprus) 

 

 

Androulla Vassiliou (Cyprus) is one of 27 EU Commissioners representing each of the EU Member States. The Commission constitutes the Executive Branch of the European Union under a

President elected for five years. Currently, it is Jose Manuel Barrosa (Portugal) who holds this position. New elections will be held in 2014.   Given the financial crisis in Europe and the

economic disaster that continues to plague the Social Welfare State which is Europe, it is likely that

major changes lie ahead if the Eurozone is to survive. Androulla Vassiliou holds the portfolio for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth -  enough to keep anyone busy for a very long time!

 

  

 

 

The green box above describes the desperate job situation in Europe where there is 50% youth unemployment in countries like Spain and Greece! The EU is a bubbling cauldron of political unrest and, in some cases, hopelessness among the people. We believe that the Lord is humbling the great nations of Europe in anticipation of a new wave of Mormon missionaries going forth to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lowering of the ages for eligible young women to 19 and young men to 18 will swell the ranks of  the France Paris mission in the coming months from 150 to 250 missionaries! 

 

 

 

POLITICS MAKES STRANGE BEDFELLOWS 

 

 

In the course of a diplomatic conference at the European Parliament, I found myself at lunch with THE LORD HYLTON, M.A., A.R.I.C.S. (his capital letters) an Independent Member of the

House of Lords in London, and Dr. Jamel Zarrouk, Chief Economist, Banque Islamique de

Development, Saudi Arabia (educated at the University of Michigan). We enjoyed a rich and enlightening conversation largely centered around the figure of  father Abraham in Christian,

Islamic and Jewish religious history. What a surprise it was for them to learn of The Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, translated from papyrus by the Prophet Joseph Smith!

 

 

 

 YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SUMMIT 

 

 

Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 by 

Dr. Mary Shuttleworth. She is an educator born and raised in apartheid South Africa, where she came to appreciate first hand the effects of discrimination and ignorance of basic human rights. She now lives in Los Angeles and is an international motivational speaker teaching youth about the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how they can make the world a better place.. She does a lot of good and we look forward to seeing her in Southern California. The young man at the top right of the picture next to the Stars and Stripes, and holding the ROC flag, was from the Republic of China, and impressed everyone with his hope and enthusiasm for a better life for the youth in the Peoples' Republic of China (PRC).

 

 

 

Dr. and Mrs Peterson with Dr. Shuttleworth in Bruxelles 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Youth for Human Rights Summit attracted many interesting people, particularly

from Europe, the Middle East and the United States.  Below we are pictured  with two Muslim

participants: K. al Mousa Wy and Gedir Geybi from the Netherlands.  Interestingly, Darelyn was standing on the right side, however, they would not stand next to her for the photograph saying,

"It is forbidden"

 

 

 

 

 AMBASSADOR VLADIMIR CHIZHOV OF RUSSIA AND DR. DAVID PETERSON OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

 

Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov of the Russian Federation is a hard-line Communist as you might expect. He served in the Russian Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus (1985-2002) when vast sums from Russian oligarchs were deposited in Cyprus banks with no questions asked. He was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Moscow (2002-2005) and is an articulate advocate for Russia in the EU and very media savvy. We are seeking to make him a friend, however, it will take some extra effort and the help of the Holy Ghost to soften his heart. We think of lines from G&S's "H. M. S. Pinafore"

which go: "When I was a lad I served a term as office boy to an Attorney's firm. I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor, and polished up the handle of the big front door. I polished up that handle so carefully that now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee! As office boy I made such a mark that they gave me the post of junior clerk. I served the writs with a smile so bland, and I copied all the letters with a big round hand. I copied all the letters in a hand so free that now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!"

 

 

 

 

THE EURO CRISIS 

 

 

 

Here, Matt Reed, of the Aga Kahn Foundation, is holding forth at a conference on the Euro Crisis held at the Cercle Royal Gaulois.  Notice the expressions of intense concern on the faces of the other participants. A former EU official, fired for writing a book entitled "The Rotten Heart of Europe," has observed: "The European political class believes that the crisis hit its high point last summer, because that was when there was an imminent danger from their point of view, that their wonderful dream would disappear. But from the perspective of real live people, and families and firms and economies, the situation is just getting worse and worse." We continue to observe the frustrations of people in Europe where there is a growing "democratic deficit" and newspapers report many financial scandals at all levels of society. This scripture comes readily to mind: "The Lord God make you free, therefore, ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. Nevertheless, when the wicked rule, the people mourn. Wherefore, honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold; otherwise, whatsoever is less than these cometh of evil." D&C 98:8-10.

 

 

 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OPEN PRESS CENTER 

 

 

At almost any time of the day, you can see interviews with Members of Parliament taking place in this open area of the Altiero Spinelli Building.  Dr. Peterson has become a well known fixture at the Parliament, where his friendship with many MEPs has grown into a very respectful recognition of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Brigham Young University Law School, both of which he represents.  In fact, many come up to him at the Parliament thinking he is someone they should get to know, possibly because of his white hair and diplomatic demeanour!  On a side note,

Altiero Spinelli, for whom the building was named, was an Italian Communist politician and articulate Federalist, who became one of the Founding Fathers of the European Union. 

  

 

 

 

INTERVIEW IN THE GRAND PLACE OF CENTRAL BRUXELLES 

  

 

Not only do interviews take place in the Parliament, but also in the Grand Place in downtown Brussels, where paparazzi may appear for an interview when least expected!  Here my husband

provides his opinion on modern Belgian culture and the need to preserve traditional means and symbols for commemorating Christmas in a culture growing ever more secular.

 

 

 

THREE VOICES DEBATE THE FUTURE OF EUROPE

 

 

Jose Manuel Barroso (Portugal) will serve as the President of the European Commission for the period 2010-2014, making him the Chief Executive of the vast EU bureaucracy in Brussels; Ambassador Etienne Davignon (Belgium) is one of the "grand old men of Europe" and a leading advocate for the European project; and Duncan Niederauer, is CEO of the New York Stock Exchange.  Their summary conclusion: rough seas ahead, however, the EU will survive the storm.

 

 

 

 

 AMBASSADOR DAVIGNON

 

 

I found Ambassador Davignon to be a very pleasant luncheon companion at a later event at the Cercle Royal Gaulois.  During our mission in Brussels, I have maintained a Journal record of

noteworthy persons it has been my honor to meet, at a great variety of venues and events. I retain the names, titles, affiliations, dates, event descriptions and make a brief commentary. The number is very large and grows daily.  We are blessed with abundant evidence that the LORD is in this work for it is His work not ours!

I told the recent conference we attended in Salt Lake City, that the petition of the Prophet Jospeh Smith to the Lord, which is contained in the Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple, is literally being fulfilled.  It states:
"Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the nations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the Constitution of our land by our fathers, be established forever.  Remember the kings, the princes, the nobles, and the great ones of the earth, and all people, and the churches, all the poor and the needy, and afflicted ones of the earth; that their hearts may be softened when thy servants shall go out from thy house, O Jehovah, to bear testimony of thy name; that their prejudices may give way before the truth, and thy people may obtain favor in the sight of all; that all the ends of the earth may know that we, thy servants, have heard thy voice, and that thou has sent us." D&C 109: 54-57.

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD IN TAIWAN
AMBASSADOR DAVID LIN

 

We have mentioned previously a  special evening at the residence of our good friend, Ambassador David Lin, of the Republic of China. Upon arrival, the fourteen or so guests were ushered into two groups, the women going with Mrs. Lin into a beautiful drawing room, while the men engaged in decorous political debate about world politics and the interesting times in which we live. When we reassembled and were taken to the dining room, we were very surprised to find ourselves the guests of honor!  Darelyn was seated next to the Ambassador on his right and David was seated next to Mrs. Lin to her left, at a very beautifully arranged round table. As each of the many courses arrived, Ambassador and Mrs. Lin  personally served us with great care and attention to our every need, as the cusine was artfully place on our plates by our gracious hosts. 

 

The week following this lovely dinner, Ambassador Lin asked David to appear on a luncheon panel discussion at the Republic of China offices, before a room full of international diplomats.  Not long afterward, while walking through the European Parliament, the Ambassador's aide told  David that Ambassador Lin had just been appointed the Foreign Minister, and was leaving unexpectedly in a few days for his new assignment!  This position is the equivalent of the Secretary of State in America and means that his door will always be open for the leaders of the Church in Asia. It was with great sadness that we warmly said "goodbye" in that corridor of the European Parliament not knowing if we would ever meet again in this life.

 

 

                                        WAN-LI WANG, Ph.D

        DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE, REPUBLIC OF CHINA

               

 

 

A few weeks after Ambassador Lin had returned to Taiwan to serve in his new assignment as  Foreign Minister, we were invited to a  reception at the Marriott Hotel to commemorate the 101st Anniversary of the Republic of China.  Ambassador Lin was also honored in abstentia.  At one point in the program, all of the Ambassadors present (numbering about fifteen) were invited to stand on the dias to raise their glasses in a champagne toast in  tribute to Ambassador Lin.   Elder Peterson was also invited by the Taiwan DCM, Wan-li Wang,  to join this prestigious group, and raised his glass of orange juice in honor of his friend! We felt this was wonderful recognition and symbolized our close relationship with our Chinese friends.

 

 

 

WELCOME TO THE 

NEW AMBASSADOR OF TAIWAN

KUOYU TUNG 

 

 

Reception welcoming the arrival of the new Taiwan Ambassador, Kuoyu Tung, 

hosted by MEP James Nicholson of the United Kingdom.

 

 

 

 

Flanked by the EU flags, there are always interesting photo opts in the Parliament. This spot was probably occupied the next day by a visiting Head of State or Government, but none could match the charm and poise of the diplomat featured above!

 

 

 

 

CONCERT NOBLE VENUE

 

 

 

 

  Since David had meetings during the day, I took a taxi and met him at the old and beautiful "Concert Noble" in the heart of Bruxelles.  The occasion was a high level meeting on the Future of Europe.  We had registered earlier, so when we checked in, they said to us..."Oh..., you are to sit in the VIP seats, come right this way"!   (Our thought were, Yes, madame, we would be more than happy to sit in the VIP seats)!  We were ushered to choice seats on the center aisle third row from the stage.   Generally I like to sit on the aisle, just in case we want to make a quick exit should it be boring.   However, my husband insisted that we move in and leave two seats on the aisle, which didn't make me happy.   On the ceiling hung about eight of the most equisite and beautiful old chandeliers that I have seen.  A short time later, the speakers had taken their places at the long table on the stage, and the lights were dimmed.   

 

As we sat and visited quietly in the dimmed lights for several minutes, a gentleman hurried in down the center aisle, and seeing the two seats on the aisle next to us, asked if they were available, and we replied yes.  As we visited and introduced ourselves telling him what our assignment was here, we asked him what he was doing in Bruxelles?   To which he answered..."I am the Ambassador of Macedonia"!!!   SCORE!!  If I had had my way and sat on the aisle, we would never have met him!!!!!  (The lesson is, Sisters, always listen to your husband !!!!)  

 

We told each other of our families, and at the end of the program we said that we would love to meet his wife, and have them as guests in our home for dinner.   The Ambassador said that they would be delighted to come and that his wife would especially love to come and go to a real home with home cooked food for dinner.  He explained that they attend several receptions a week, and it is basically always the same passed hors de ourves.  

 

 AMBASSADOR ANDREJ LEPACOV OF MACEDONIA

 

 

 

 The next day David made an appointment with the Ambassador's secretary, and the meeting was scheduled for the following week.  In that meeting the Ambassador asked if there were members of our church in Macedonia, and  was surprised to hear that yes there were a few.  He asked what  he could do for us.  To which David answered that the missionaries were not allowed to proselyte door to door, nor could they teach in the town squares.  He answered that he would do everything he could to change that situation. 

 

 

 

AMBASSADOR AND MRS. LEPACOV OF MACEDONIA

 

 

When Ambassador and Mrs. Lepacov arrived for dinner, and my "helper" had not yet arrived....I knew I was on my own!  Actually in hind sight, it made for a much more relaxed evening, (for them that is) because it was just the four of us.  The Ambassador commented that they were thrilled to be invited to a "real home, with home cooking, instead of the hundreds of copy cat receptions that are constantly held in the Parliament that they are invited to.

 

 

 

 

Following a lovely dinner and a fabulous dessert  of "Ambassador Wives Pie" in his honor,  which  Ambassador Lepocov loved and thought was quite clever, we retired to the living room for a wonderful conversation about the importance of families, and that families can be eternal.



 

 

 

 

During the course of the conversation we learned that they had both lost their mothers to breast cancer in the past four months.  Elder Peterson spoke of our seven children, and our belief that familes can be together forever, and began to tell them about the Plan of Salvation.  Mrs. Lepacov became quiet emotional, and excused herself twice to go to the powder room to compose herself.

It was a beautiful evening and we felt that we had made  good friends for the Church in Macedonia. 



 

 

 

 

PALAIS D'EGMONT 

 

 

We will miss the many extraordinary diplomatic opportunities provided us in Bruxelles! Here is a good example provided by a conference of high-level Ambassadors, EU officials, and scholars at the beautiful Palais d'Egmont in the heart of Brussels.  

 

We are excited about the progress made in bringing the Lord's restored church out of obscurity and into the minds of European decision-makers and opinion-leaders in politics, economics and law as the spiritual foundations of civil society receives new attention among the European elite.

 

"And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, which I the Lord, am well pleased, speaking collectively and not individually....that all men shall know that the day cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion.

And also the Lord shall have power over his saints and shall reign in their midst."

D&C 1:30, 35.


AU REVOIR FROM THE PETERSONS