Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

SK went our separate ways this morning to get different errands done, and we met up in class.  I stayed until the break and then returned to our apartment.  I got home just before our friends arrived.  They traveled the better part of the day and got here around 2:30.

The Middlemases, Johansens, Hicks and Gerriots all came for the senior conference which will be held tomorrow.  They were excited to be in Copenhagen for a couple of days and perhaps see some of the many fascinating and famous places here.  They had decided to take a scenic boat tour.

They came in for a little while and relaxed for 20 or 30 minutes and then coated up, pulled out all of the umbrellas (even the Mary Poppins umbrella was pressed into service) and set out for the bus stop.

Somewhat disheartened, they returned soon after.  The black skies had opened up and they felt that today really was not the best time for a boat ride.  There are many wonderful places to see not far from here, but there was quite a brisk wind today --making it very cold, and the rain was just one more setback.  I think they were disappointed.  I hope there will be time for them to do a little sight-seeing tomorrow.

But it all turned out well!  We sat in the warm apartment and visited..  We knew two of the couples, Elder and Sister Middlemas and Elder and Sister Hicks, and we met Elder and Sister Johansen and Elder and Sister Gerriot for the first time.  It was so pleasant just to have that time together.

At one point in the afternoon, I needed to go to the store...a short walk from the apartment.  I needed to buy fruit for the morning.  All of the men were ready for a walk and so we all went!  SK wasn't there, but it was the first time I have gone to a grocery store here and haven't had to carry any bags home.  I got apples, oranges bananas, strawberries....you get the idea. It would have been really heavy to carry home.  What a luxury!

At 6:30, SK went to a meeting at the center....the main planning meeting of the month, which is usually attended by a member of the Sake Presidency and the Mission President.  There is news about a new center, but it is not a done deal as yet, so we continue to wait for information.

The rest of us walked across the street to a little Turkish restaurant.  Inside it was cozy and warm with tablecloths and long-stemmed glasses glimmering in the candlelight.  There were 12 of us there and they quickly arranged tables to seat us all together.  For nearly 3 hours we sat together enjoying fantastic food and delightful company.  These are great people with strong faith and motivation to serve, and it is always always such a joy to be with them.

A great time was had by all.   

This piece of salmon was very large, and sooo good.

This little restaurant knows how to do things up right.  Dessert was baklava with whipped cream, ice cream and hot fudge.  YUM!

The conversations were so interesting.  With all the former Danish missionaries there, it was impossible NOT to talk about their missions way back when.  I never tire of hearing about how it was then and how they all adjusted and came to love this little country.  More than ever I am in awe of the young people they were...who set out to serve the Lord without a single Danish lesson.  Several described the feeling of being brand new here, and being sent - all alone - to their new assignment somewhere in Denmark.  Or being sent with a fist full of coins to a store to make a purchase.

I marvel at how they came to speak the language so well....and probably a lot faster than I am learning it now.  I think it is amazing that they gave 2 1/2 years of their lives, `came to cherish the Danish people and the country, learned leadership in wards and developed patience with members and investigators, learned the Gospel, and learned how to get along with all kinds of companions....all the while trying to learn a new language without the use of the MTC, Danish courses, the Rosetta Stone or any other number of language education helps.

But it is especially fun now to hear them count the blessings of being back.

A while back, I wished that I could help parents back home (wherever that is) realize what great young missionaries their kids are.  I wish tonight that I could help families back home see what wonderful missionaries their parents are.