Grateful....We Praise Thee

A day like today is sheer delight.  SK went to general priesthood meeting at 11.  It was broadcast at a building which is a block away from the temple.  It is a lovely building that consists of several stories.  The chapel is a multipurpose room with stackable chairs instead of benches and hardwood floors.

After priesthood meeting, SK and Elder Thorne had enough time to drive home and pick up Sister Thorne and me plus all of the vegetables, fruits and cookies we had prepared for dinner.  We got there with a little bit of time to mingle.  The YSAs were invited and about 15 of them came.  There were about 55 missionaries plus the YSAs.

We watched the Saturday afternoon session of conference (we watched it from 2 to 4 today - which is Sunday), and then had an hour and a half for dinner.  The mission president's wife had made 70 sandwiches, and we (the senior missionaries) took cut up veggies and fruit.  Cookies were assigned the YSAs who came.  Sister Sederholm also brought chips.  So it was a very nice meal.

We watched "Music and the Spoken Word" at 5:30 and then Sunday morning's session.  Is there any way I can tell you how sweet it is to be able to watch our living prophets speak to us while we are sitting in the midst of 50 young missionaries?  Would the world even believe that 18 and 19-year olds would be willing to sit in a church for 6 hours to watch talks given by older men a half a world away?

Some of the young elders smiling around between sessions.

And some of our beautiful young YSA women and handsome men in the background....why aren't they sitting with the men??????  Cute Helene is in the far corner.....she sneaked back between sessions to get a short nap!

Here are the two elders we met on our walk one day.  Their cheeks were rosy with the cold and we were just coming out of a chocolate shop.  I took their picture today to send to the parents, since I missed that golden opportunity a while back.  Do you see the sister facing the right side of the picture but in the very back?  That is Sister Bishop from ..  of all places!....Gilbert, Arizona!

And here they are goofing around with Sister Hamblin, one of the sisters who holds everything together at the office.

The talks we watched today were awesome and I can hardly wait to read them and study them.  The music also was so very moving and beautiful.  I hope that if we go to lds.org and watch the session again, we will be able to see and hear all of the music again.  I particularly enjoyed one hymn from Sunday morning's session....and I can't remember what it was!  But the arrangement was beautiful

President Uchtdorf spoke about something near and dear to my heart....gratitude.  He was eloquent, as always.  He said that if we focus on being grateful, no matter our circumstances, we will find joy.  He said gratitude heals the heart and expands the mind.  What an amazing talk...from an amazing man.

I am deeply grateful to be taught by great men and women, and to be able to hear them and see them here in Denmark.  I am grateful for the clarion call to live righteously in a world that does not value righteousness.  I am grateful for this mission.  I am grateful for a dear dear family who supports us and lifts us.  I am grateful for the many individuals who are treasured friends who have enriched my life beyond words.  I am grateful for our Savior and what He has done for us.

I am grateful for my sweet sister Judy.  The older I get, the more I treasure our friendship.  She received the lion's share of talent and ability, especially in her music and production ability.  She is a blessing to her community of Evanston Wyoming.  Among other things, she is the driving force behind an annual "Hats Off to Broadway" concert, which uses all local talent.  The community and her stake love it, and will simply not let her quit.  With her daughter Jenny and son Jason, she brings something wonderful to all.
Thanks for letting me follow you all these years my dear sister.  Happy Birthday!