Preparation Day Can Be a Lot of Things

Back to Danish class!  It seems like we have been away longer than it really a week.  There were only seven there this afternoon.  We have had nearly 20 from time to time, but our numbers have been shrinking, and currently we have about 12 in the class.  I truly enjoy all of our classmates.

One...Mary, is from India.  She is in her 20's and has the most delightful Indian accent when she speaks English.  Her voice is soft and gentle, and her manner is as well.  Both she and the other young Indian woman have what is called a bindi or a little red spot on their foreheads.  Mary's is just below her hairline, and the other has one between her eyebrows.

Mary has pointed out my birthmark several times.  It is a little red square between my eyebrows and it gets redder when I am very tired or feeling stressed.  She noticed today that it was popping.  Isn't that funny?  I have another friend who told me years ago that it is a "worry" mark.  I hardly ever notice it......but to my way of thinking, I believe it should be identified as a "beauty" mark.  If only that was all that was needed to be beautiful!

We took a detour on the way home and walked through Tivoli.  What a lovely little spot that is.  There was a live band performing.  The entire audience was white-haired.  The band reminded me of Lawrence Welk's orchestra.  There was a soloist who did  a very good impression of Dean Martin singing "That's Amore."  People sat in lawn chairs, on the grass and on benches.  The sunlight made everything sparkle.

Flowers were blooming and trees are getting greener by the day.  We sat for awhile and watched a little duck couple waddling through the park and quacking a conversation.  There were magnificent peacocks strutting around the grounds and geese and other birds....all very tame.

Even though there are thrill rides, the atmosphere is much more relaxed.  There are people of all ages, but it seemed that there were more seniors and teens than any other age group.  I am sure as the season progresses there will be more young marrieds with little ones.

We have been listening to conference talks.....what a wonderful thing it is to have all those talks so immediately available to us.  They are inspiring and motivating.  We will have our stake conference this weekend, which I am looking forward to.  We also have two senior couples coming into town to be ready to be released from their missions.  They, along with the Hansens will leave bright and early Tuesday morning.  So from this point on, the week is going to be packed with activity.

Preparation days are a good thing.  I think I will try to schedule a weekly preparation day even when we are through with this mission.  It is a great tool in so many ways, and giving myself a day to prepare physically (laundry, cleaning, planning, organizing), as well as emotionally and spiritually goes a long long way to keeping me calm!

For now, it is time for early bed.  Good night.