Normal (What is That Anyway?) Sunday

For those unsuspecting foreigners who packed away their winter coats last week, this morning was a rude awakening.  The sky was obliterated by dramatic black clouds, rain came down in sheets, the lake was opaque pencil-lead gray, and even the ducks sought shelter.

The Mary Poppins umbrella, SK and I set out for the bus.  That umbrella did just great, and we have learned how to keep it from inverting in the fierce winds.  When it is windy, the umbrella protects your head and shoulders, but not much else, and my skirt was wet when we arrived at church.

There are several members at church now who kindly speak Danish to me....although we are somewhat limited in our topics.  I am grateful for the practice.  We have a new young elder in our branch, and he seems like a good solid young missionary.  I am not sure if these young people realize how they raise the morale in a ward or branch.  Their youth and enthusiasm are so important.

Ironically, this morning was the time for our apartment building's water heater to die....I mean it is really sincerely dead.  The water was COLD, and washing my hair and showering were an adventure.  But it is a good thing I showered, because the water will be off the entire day tomorrow.  It is a bit of a worry since we will have two other senior couples staying with us Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Wednesday we will be having a senior missionary conference here in Copenhagen, at the center.  We will have speakers, lunch and a good time.  This is great for me because I can press the other senior sisters for recipes!! If anyone can offer compassion and help...it is they.

We will be having a meal on Saturday this week, as well as Thursday.  We think we will have about 35 people at the Saturday meal.  We will have Friday to shop and prepare for that one.  It will be a training meeting that will last for the better part of the day.  Can you identify with me when I say that deciding what to have is half the battle?  Of course making the meal, and making it big enough for that many people is an ongoing challenge for a woman whose best resource used to be Costco.

The week after will also be a 2/meal week, again one on Thursday and one on Saturday.  That is four meals I must plan sometime soon.  I am thinking tacos and lasagne....that leaves two more.  Potato soup is always good, especially if it still cold and rainy.

We watched a CES broadcast in the evening at the center.  It was originally broadcast a week or two ago, but in order to watch it live, we would all have to be at the center at 3 in the morning, and I don't think anyone wants to do that.

It was an excellent talk by the general Relief Society President, Linda K. Burton.  I understood completely when she pointed out that learning to hear and recognize the voice of the Spirit is a little like learning a new language.  I get it!  

She mentioned the power that comes with fasting, and also admonished us to write down the impressions we receive. I know from a long life of experience that if I don't write down the events of the day as well as my impressions, I will lose them or confuse them with other occasions.  I have not been a faithful or consistent journal-keeper, but I have been very grateful to have the things I have recorded.

We had 12 YSAs at the broadcast, one of them is visiting from the States.  He had a couple of weeks vacation and decided to see Scandinavia.  His visit is winding down and he has seen some wonderful places.  He ended up attending the Sunday meetings last week in a very small northern Norwegian community....a small branch with about 10 in attendance.  As it happened, this little branch had just had a baptism the night before and spoke English all through the meeting for their new member....which was wonderful for the young man from America.

He entertained everyone for a good hour with stories of his mission in Kiribati.  His experiences were similar to Elder Groberg's missionary experiences in the book and movie, "The Other Side of Heaven."  He and his companion were often the only missionaries on their small islands, and had to learn quickly how to administer all of the church's programs.

Every mission is unique and amazing in some aspect(s).  Most of us enjoy hearing about the varied experiences from people who serve...and I find them very interesting whether they are assigned to Provo, Utah or Kiribati!

It is kind of fun to think that now I too will have stories!  I have met so many wonderful people, each with life experiences to tell.  But they aren't just stories....they are real and they are dear to me.

Wear green tomorrow!