It has been in the 50's as far as temperature since we arrived. It is mostly gray and cloudy and the lake outside reflects deep gray which stands in stark contrast to the white swans and seagulls. There are always people walking or jogging on the path between us and the lake, some with dogs, some very fashionable, some determinedly striding forward and some casually strolling, some bicycling. Soon I hope to be one of them....got to get on some kind of routine!
Ever since we received the call, and some time before, Stan has nurtured a small hope of finding a man whom he taught 50 years ago. Stan and his companion had been by there many times and been refused entrance. After one very long day tracting, the two missionaries decided to try this family again, and were invited in! They taught them, but before the family was ready to be baptized, Stan's 2 1/2 years as a missionary ended and he went home to Bountiful.
Stan has been asking members if anyone knew him. He kept hearing reports of his family and his circumstances. Yesterday, someone gave him an address....and it is actually within walking distance of our apartment! So today we walked there...along Fall-clad streets. We arrived at the building and were able to visit the man and his wife for about an hour. Brother and Sister Johannessen. They were delightful. They are around 80 years old and a cute couple with a beautiful apartment with original art all over the place. Once again I was left to my own devices....between Sister Johannessen's little bit of English and my little bit of Danish, we managed a decent conversation. We promised to go back and visit.
In the afternoon we went to the center. Stan attended a session with the young adults, and I stayed at the center to help other young women get the activity and refreshments ready for after the temple. It looks like we will usually get home between 10:30 and 11:00....and we will be at the center 5 nights a week. There are many other meetings which we will attend, and we will be attending Sacrament meeting all over the stake, but we are assigned to our little branch/twig, where we will have callings as well.
What an amazing thing to come back and see him!! I am still completely in awe over how well that worked out. How you are blessed!!
ReplyDeleteEverything you talk about is so exciting! How precious to be able to visit Brother and Sister Johansen. I'm guessing Dad was overcome. How fun to be at the center every night. What will you be doing? Will you take pictures of the center? What time will you get there in the afternoon? What will you be doing in the mornings?
ReplyDeleteYour Dad was quite overcome with emotion....the tears started when he first heard they live in the area, and have continued ever since. He cried when he rang the doorbell, and when he hugged Bro Johansen goodbye. They talked and talked and talked and I have never seen him listen so hard....he is distressed that he doesn't know the language better.
DeleteIn the mornings we have a great deal to do. There is much to do to get settled and organized in this apartment. After a weekend with so many people in and out, I must vacuum and mop and clean, and it is quite the adventure, because I have a bunch of bottles of something....but I don't know what is window cleaner and what is oven cleaner!...not quite that bad, but I can not only NOT read the label as to what the product is, but I also cannot figure out to use it and what strength to use. We have been gone most mornings to get our cpr card, bank stuff figured out, and grocery shopping, which seems to be done every other day or so. I also have to get a coat and boots. Everything right now takes longer because we walk to most places or take the bus and we are not real sure where everything is. I have a load of laundry in the washing machine right now.....long cycles and small loads add up to many hours of washing, and after the weekend I had a ton of towels and sheets to wash.
I think when we have figured out what we are doing, we will be leaving for the center around 1:30 or so. This week the YS had a temple night, and Dad has been a witness for baptisms, so that changed the dynamics of each day...but maybe that IS the way the days will go. Dad needs white shirts, so tomorrow morning I will be ironing.
YES! I already took a bunch of pictures of the center - as well as other things on my non-hooked-up-to-any-network telephone. They are in the phone, but I can't send them to my computer, and although I connected it with cables, I could never figure out how to get them off the phone and on to the computer. I'll figure something out!
Hi Madsens - What a wonderful, worn-out feeling - just hearing all you are doing and enjoying. It will all settle in soon - I am sure. You will be such GREAT missionaries! Love you!
DeleteWow! That is wonderful! And to be within walking distance of the Johansens! What about their children? Are they still active? I feel like there is still more of the story to be told!
ReplyDeleteHere it would be considered very late to leave a church building each night at 10:30. Is that just the way it is there? Is it usual to be out so late?
I answered but my internet connection was broken, so I Will try again on the i-pad and hope I Am not repeating this on the blog! As far as I know, he only has two living children...one of whom married an American, is living in Denver, has several very active children, and is coming to Denmark in a few weeks. She has at least two sons who have served missions. Both brother Johansen and his wife are active.
ReplyDelete10:30 is very late, but I think the idea is to let them have plenty of time to socialize, and they all enjoy each other's company very much.
We share the car with the missionary couple who serves in the mission office, and they have arranged to let us have the car on the nights we are sure we will be that late. Otherwise, we would be on a bus and have to change midway....and even here in wonderful Copenhagen it is not always safe. So on the nights that we close down early (when everyone leaves early), we'll take the bus home.
Do be safe - always!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy! I was so happy to see your name on the blog....one of my favorites, between you and my sister. All is well. Has your little family gotten into their home yet? That will be a great day for them.
DeleteYou stay well....so many love and need you.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Love,
Janis
Who is this other Judy writing to you? We will have to be careful not to confuse comments. This is your sister, Judy. I love reading all your blogs. They're wonderful. We are all so curious as to your every move. Thanks so much! It sounds wonderful so far. Sure love you! Take care,
ReplyDeleteThe Other Judy
Hello My Dear Sister! It is so good to hear from you!!! The other Judy is my dear friend from the Mesa Temple who by the way is from Bountiful!
DeleteI'm glad you are enjoying the blog. I am at the center now, alone, waiting for someone to come by. But since it is a holiday here, it is unlikely. Stan is a few blocks away at the temple witnessing baptisms and will probably be here within the hour. I am trying to picture you and what you are doing. It is about 8 in the morning there...you are just starting your day. Have a good one!
Sure love you.