Hope of Israel

We left at 9 to go to Stake Center for a missionary zone conference at our Stake Center.  There were nearly 60 of us.  There was a general meeting for all of us which included the new kids on the block bearing their testimonies  (I guess we are still considered new kids).  It was the 6 relatively new seniors who have arrived in the last 2 months.

They called 9 young missionaries to come to the front of the chapel who will have birthdays in December.  A very funny Danish rendition of a happy birthday song was sung, and then one by one each of the nine stepped forward while hands went up in the congregation.  Each one who was called upon stated something they admired about that missionary.  The answers were amazing from these kids "She can turn any situation no matter how awful into something good."  "He is so humble and so kind."  "He is such a great guy, I am going to someday have him babysit my children!"  "He has more faith than anyone I know."  "She is good to have around when you are sick."  There were several great statements about each one, some hilarious and some completely serious, unvarnished expressions of respect and appreciation.

The rest of the morning, the time was spent with instruction from the APs and a couple of other young elders, followed by a member of the Stake Presidency and then the Mission President.

It was all very tender to me.  We have two children who have been on missions, and three sons-in-law who served, and we have a whole bunch of grandchildren who are preparing to go one day.  I listened and watched as these 18, 19, 20 and 21 year-olds instructed each other, and as they thoughtfully answered questions, as they assembled to eat, as they visited with us, as they served the food and then cleared up quickly to go back to training sessions.  They are choice beyond words.

Towards the end of the training session President Sederholm got up (the mission president) and taught.  He began by asking what feelings they had had today as they listened to all that had been said, and what had they learned from the Spirit.  Hands reverently went up and the answers were everything a parent longs to hear their child say.


"I learned that if we place our trust in Jesus Christ, there is nothing we can't accomplish."

"I learned that because of the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, we can become so much more than we are, that we can be forgiven of our shortcomings and sins and look forward to one day living with him again."

"If we do the work of the Lord, we will be strengthened."

And so it went.

President Sederhom looked at them and spoke of hope.  He said, "Hope of Israel.. you are a part of Israel."

And I realized that they ARE the hope of Israel.  It was a sweet experience to spend the day with them.

We had a magnificent Christmas feast, Danish style....and then we did a few million dishes -washed and dried -- by hand, with one sink.  This time we did not have the help of the young missionaries because they were still in training meetings.  But by the time we left, they were out in their shirtsleeves in the dark and loading the vans for transfers.

It is young people like these here in Copenhagen who are my hope for the world.

Ris ala monde - a traditional Danish dessert served at Christmas.  Rich rice pudding, cooked in milk, then cooled and mixed with chopped almonds and rich whipped cream, flavored with vanilla bean, and topped with cherry sauce.  In all the pudding served, there were 5 whole almonds.  The five people who got the almonds while they were eating, won a little prize.  Everyone loved it!  A great tradition for families of Danish descent!!!!  (or anyone else for that matter)