Mission Week 45, Alkmaar Week 6

So, I'll start off with replying to your other email. The zone conference was fun. I exchanged the yellow and blue striped tie (I found it in the apartment in Breda). The fondue was interesting. I think it was the first time I'd ever had cheese fondue.
So, the whole year, Dutch people are allowed to set off fireworks from 10 a.m. on December 31 until 2 a.m. on January 1. So, naturally, all last week we were hearing what sounded like gunshots (Dutch people haven't figured out that if you want to hear gunshots, you can get a CD of warfare and listen to it really loudly with headphones; it's cheaper than burning your money for something you can't even see). And they set them off everywhere. We were required to be inside by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and while we were waiting for the bus to go home, there was a girl setting off fireworks right in the middle of the bus station. We spent the six-and-a-half hours where we were required to be inside before bed time listening to music and talking. I may or may not have taken a nap. I can't remember.
At midnight, I was rudely awoken at the ninth stroke of the bell of the big church by us by a constant stream of fireworks. It sounded like I was next to an active machine gun, without earplugs, for an hour straight. I eventually got back to sleep, around 1:30, and woke up super-tired on Sunday morning. We went to church and spent the rest of the day visiting various members and the non-member mother and nephews of a member and wishing them a happy new year. (It's a big thing here.) By the way, happy new year!
This week we had another good lesson with Jeroen, and his parents walked in toward the end. They were actually supportive, and his mother appreciated the explanation we gave her about who we are and what we do; she's unsettled by Jehovah's Witnesses.
We also went all the way back out to Medemblik and taught the lady there. She's interested, but she doesn't yet see the need for one, true church.
Life here's going well. I hope things will start picking up when I get a younger companion and we can do more. And things will definitely pick up because everybody's home from vacation, or at least comes home soon.
I love you all.
P.S. I'm still not sure what's happening with transfers. But we are getting 30 missionaries in the next 12 weeks. And I'm most likely staying in Alkmaar.