Missionaries R Us

This day couldn't have been more beautiful!  We have been feasting, both spiritually and physically all day.

The mission rented a large van to get all the seniors around this weekend.  We were grateful to have it.  But even though it holds 8, we had to use the little car as well.

Our stake conference started at 11 a.m. but for those in the know (which should have been everyone) it started at 10:30 with an outstanding choir singing several numbers, a soloist, a piano soloist and a father/daughter duet.  By the time the stake president stood up to open the meeting, we had already been much inspired.

Our stake president spoke first.  His talk was the first of many which lifted my soul.  He jumped right in with some thought about the importance of grace in our lives...the importance of works....the importance of balancing both....not running faster than we have strength.  How?  Seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  It sounds so simple yet it is profound.

Two of our YSAs spoke....they were both so articulate and wonderful!  One was the returned missionary sister from Temple Square who talked about missionary work and read a passage from "Preach My Gospel" which points out that there are people all around us who are searching for meaning.  They feel an emptiness....that can be filled by the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She also told us that the happiest day in her life was the day her family were sealed together in the Copenhagen temple... she was 16.

The other was a young man who has recently received a mission call to South Africa.  He told about the process of coming back into activity, feeling a growing desire to serve a mission and then submitting papers.  He told about the many ways the Lord has confirmed to him that he is on the right path.  His was a sweet testimony.

Elder Dyches, a counselor in our area Seventy admonished us to read scriptures every day.  He quoted for us “For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? -- Mosiah 5:13” 
He went on to say that life is uncertain and that we do not know how long we have to live, and that we must come to know the Savior.  The best way is to read about him daily.

Those are the highlights of so many inspiring thoughts...and then the choir with Thomas Kofod as soloist sang "This is the Christ."  Beautiful!  

Afterwards, we all milled about outside in the most beautiful weather we have experienced yet in Denmark.  The sunlight is clean and clear and crisp.

Look at these cute young missionaries with Brother Kofod!

 From stake conference we immediately went to an open house on the island of Amager where our little branch is located, as is also our fairy-tale prince and princess who hosted.  It was in honor of the Hansens.  The prince who can do anything and everything was grilling on the patio and the serving counter was filled with good things to eat.  After a lovely meal, we watched the fairy-tale princess (who can also do anything) decorate a giant cake with chocolate, writing "Hansen" on it.  There was a beautiful little tribute paid to them.

We made our way home and sat down for about a half hour and visited, and then set out for the 40-minute drive to President Sederholm's house.  They hosted the 3 departing missionary couples, the two single sisters and the remaining four senior couples for dinner. 

 (I know what you are thinking:  This is a mission?  --where do I sign up?")

Sister Sederholm made a lovely meal....we spent about an hour and a half talking and eating.  You'll be surprised to know that I had a 20-minute rudimentary conversation with a Danish sister who is my age.  Her English is better than my Danish, but she happily went along with me...talking Danish, correcting and teaching.  After that time, she called SK over and insisted I repeat to him what I had learned.

President Sederholm invited the 6 missionaries who are leaving to stand and bear their testimonies.  Two of them have had similar experiences to ours.  They were working with SYAs out in the smaller cities.  I was truly inspired by what they had to say.  One of the sisters gave a warning at the end of her testimony:  "Enjoy this time because it will go by so fast."  It reminded me of my mother who used to watch me with my little ones and say "Enjoy these years because it will be over before you know it.".....and she was right!

President Sederholm mentioned that the Church currently has only 40% of the seniors it needs. I don't know how many there are out, but that means they need more still to come out than are already serving!  As of right now, there are no replacements for the two couples working with SYAs who are leaving.

We bid them all an emotional farewell and came home.  It  was an incredible day.