Bumbling, Ballet and Blessings

Today was a walking day.  SK finally got an app on his cellphone that will track our steps and tell us how far we have walked.  Since he didn't get it installed until after our walk, I am assuming that we walked 10 miles....OK, it was a lot less, but it felt like it.  It was 2 1/2 miles one way.

After the usual p-day things we set out to find our way to the Danish Playhouse, because we had tickets to tonight's performance of a ballet that our fairy-tale princess was in.  She is graceful and beautiful, but just like every fairy tale tells you...she is as kind and compassionate as she is beautiful.

Our foray into Copenhagen was to check to see how easily we could get there by bus/train, because Sister Hamblin was going with us to the evening performance and we wanted to make sure it wouldn't be too far for her to walk.  She works in the office all day, and the end of the month days are always long.  And walking long distances is hard on her knees.

The upshot is that we bumbled all over the place, and finally found it.  We went up the walking street which was already (in May) crowded with tourists, we went up Nyhavn (the picturesque wharf street with all the colorful buildings stuck together, and in general had a merry tour.  Sister Swena gave us the correct directions and so the evening's transportation was simple....no thanks to our earlier bumbling about.

The Playhouse is built right out next to the water and it is beautiful.  It was a large theater with a very large stage.  The ballet was a retelling of 3 Danish soliders' experiences in Afghanistan.  It doesn't sound like a ballet does it?

The music was amazing and the ballet was amazing.  The soldiers told their own stories and there was writing up on the screen from time to time, but I did not understand a great deal.  I did understand however, the emotions that were transmitted through the music and movements.  I loved it.

We hope to see one of the classical ballets that she will be in next Fall, like Swan Lake.

While we were waiting for the ballet to begin, Sister Hamblin shared with us some of the difficulties she has had on her mission (8 months .... she came the same time we did).  She also told us what prayer and fasting have brought into her life in the way of tender mercy, sweet miracles and a greater understanding of the Lord's love for all of His children.

I sometimes wonder if the great secret of a mission is that while you are serving the Lord, you are being stretched and schooled and blessed.  The great secret is that generally the mission blesses you - yourself, more than anyone else you have the privilege of serving.