It took a little longer to get to church this morning because of the rain. We passed some roads with flooding and traffic was heavier. Police cars rushed by us with sirens blaring and work crews were out in force trying to clean things up.
SK and I heard nothing last night, but Erin and Ethan said the thunder was quite magnificent. When we awakened this morning, there was debris all around the area and it was raining still. It has rained most of the day with waves of heavy rain followed by light sprinkles. I need to quit telling people how much I love it.....it is causing trouble and damage.
It was fun to introduce E&E to all of the dear branch members today. They were all warm and welcoming....as they are to anyone who comes through the front doors of the church. We had two excellent meetings with the Baileys speaking about their mission to photograph archived death records all day every day for the entire 18 months of their mission - in sacrament meeting, and Hannah (our relief society president) giving a fantastic lesson in the second hour about the great need to care for one another.
Kasper handed out the headphones and then translated the meeting for us. It is so nice not to have to miss anything that is said. A dear woman by the name of Anne translated for all the English speaking sisters in Relief Society.
The four of us had a lovely afternoon together eating a Danish meal - a dear friend gave me the recipe for pork medallions in mushroom onion gravy. Ethan followed the recipe and cooked it up...it was delicious! We had good Danish potatoes, green beans and warm rolls.
Later SK and I went to a meeting of our council with all the YSAs, which was nothing less than inspiring. Morten and Lea will do an outstanding job of getting our new center underway with increased attendance, and a Fall calendar that will hold great promise for all of the YSAs.
As usual, I sat listening with all my focus, and then suddenly there was a gentle voice in my ear translating for me. Joakim leaned forward and gave me the English equivalent as everyone spoke. These guys are amazing....they listen and speak simultaneously, and open up the meeting for me.
After we got home, we had an incredible concoction that Erin and Ethan fixed for us. Sugary fat Belgian waffles, warm and spread with nutella, topped with bananas and then whipped cream. With the vanilla they brought, I flavored this rich delicious whipped cream. What a treat!
While we happily ate the waffles, we also played Rook...Erin and me against Ethan and SK. The men won.....and my playing was ahem...far from spectacular. Oh well. The chocolate makes anything taste better.
As I type this post the window is open and the sound of the rain and wind is absolutely wonderful. I can feel a cool breeze on my cheeks and the steady dripdripdripdripdrip of rain outside. I am hoping that with all the flooding, our little apartment (probably below sea level) stays dry.
This entire day has been a treat.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Capturing the Castle
The weather has been overcast all day with occasional....OK, maybe frequent showers. It has been slightly chilly...perfect for a light jacket and of course the Mary Poppins umbrella!
Between the weather and the fact that Erin and Ethan are suffering from jetlag, we decided this day would be a great day to do some sightseeing from the car.
We traveled over to Sweden (so Erin and Ethan could say they had been there) and stayed for a few hours. On the way back, we crossed the Baltic Sea (at the shortest distance between Denmark and Sweden) and stopped at the Kroneborg Castle, otherwise known as Hamlet's Castle.
It is the most famous castle among many in Denmark and it was spectacular. We toured through the castle and then took the coastal drive down into Copenhagen.
It is past time to be in bed, so I am off...big day tomorrow.
Between the weather and the fact that Erin and Ethan are suffering from jetlag, we decided this day would be a great day to do some sightseeing from the car.
We traveled over to Sweden (so Erin and Ethan could say they had been there) and stayed for a few hours. On the way back, we crossed the Baltic Sea (at the shortest distance between Denmark and Sweden) and stopped at the Kroneborg Castle, otherwise known as Hamlet's Castle.
It is the most famous castle among many in Denmark and it was spectacular. We toured through the castle and then took the coastal drive down into Copenhagen.
It is past time to be in bed, so I am off...big day tomorrow.
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| The Inner Courtyard |
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| Erin and Ethan in the Castle Chapel |
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| Inside looking out |
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| The Ballroom |
Friday, August 29, 2014
Does it Get Any Better Than This?
The grand news of today is that Erin and Ethan are here!...in Denmark!!!! in our little apartment.....dead tired.
They arrived around 11 this morning.
We got them home and settled, and after a brief rest took them on a tour of copenhagen, starting with the Church of our Lady. We continued on down the walking street where we had a real Danish hot dog from the hot dog street vendor. We sat under cloudy skies by a large fountain sculpture happily munching away....and watching an endless array of passers by. The hot dogs took care of their hunger, but they were both so tired. They somehow managed to endure as we went from the walking street to nyhavn, a very iconic little harbor street that has stolen my heart. The look of it is utterly enchanting.
We stopped in a couple of souvenir shops, then we went to LaGlace....a very famous cake place. We sat together and each had an impossibly delicious piece of cake of our choosing. We walked back home where we regaled each other with treasures. I showed them my little cache of vikings, and they showed me the spectacular treats they brought to us....brown sugar, vanilla, our magic pills (special vitamin pills that are most certainly a magic feather...like Dumbo's magic feather that helped him fly), beef soup base from Costco, make-up remover cloths from Costco....etc etc etc.
It was better than Christmas.
They are settling down for the night now....and SK and will try to settle down as well.
How can you do that when two of your favorite people in the world have come to share in the splendors of beautiful Copenhagen?
They arrived around 11 this morning.
We got them home and settled, and after a brief rest took them on a tour of copenhagen, starting with the Church of our Lady. We continued on down the walking street where we had a real Danish hot dog from the hot dog street vendor. We sat under cloudy skies by a large fountain sculpture happily munching away....and watching an endless array of passers by. The hot dogs took care of their hunger, but they were both so tired. They somehow managed to endure as we went from the walking street to nyhavn, a very iconic little harbor street that has stolen my heart. The look of it is utterly enchanting.
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| I don't know what happened to my camera! I guess I happened to it. |
We stopped in a couple of souvenir shops, then we went to LaGlace....a very famous cake place. We sat together and each had an impossibly delicious piece of cake of our choosing. We walked back home where we regaled each other with treasures. I showed them my little cache of vikings, and they showed me the spectacular treats they brought to us....brown sugar, vanilla, our magic pills (special vitamin pills that are most certainly a magic feather...like Dumbo's magic feather that helped him fly), beef soup base from Costco, make-up remover cloths from Costco....etc etc etc.
It was better than Christmas.
They are settling down for the night now....and SK and will try to settle down as well.
How can you do that when two of your favorite people in the world have come to share in the splendors of beautiful Copenhagen?
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Last Night at the Center
SK and I took off this morning - again to explore ways to get to the new center. We took a bus planning to get off at a certain stop, only to find that it no longer stops at that place! We ended up walking a lot farther than if we had actually set out walking to the center in the first place. We were happy though to find that the center was open and there were workmen finishing up.
We walked through, which took very little time, because it is much smaller. The kitchen was beautiful. I think I would be thrilled to have one exactly like it in our Arizona home. There is no room to seat people around a table....there may not even be room to put a table! But the cabinets, appliances and countertops look great.
But it is small. And I do not know where we are going to put the 10 boxes full of kitchen stuff. We will unpack on Monday, and then I will have a better idea of what we can do. It looks like from here on out, every meal will be eaten on laps, so that will automatically change the menus we have heretofore been preparing.
You cannot eat with any amount of grace using a fork and a knife on a plate on your lap, all the while trying to hold on to a drink. Danes - like other Europeans eat with their knives in their right hand and their forks in the left. It is highly efficient, and I am trying to develop that habit. It is a dead giveaway that we are not Danes when we eat with our right hands, changing every time we want to cut something with a knife!
So we will try to fix things that are not liquid, or that don't have to be cut. It will still be difficult, because another reason to eat with your fork in the left hand is so that you can deftly scoop things onto the fork with your right hand! I guess we will get it figured out.
We spent the afternoon getting things ready for the center tonight....we had to carry in everything we needed to use since everything else is packed. Institute was great, with Brother Andersen using the time for questions and answers. He is an excellent teacher, and uses the scriptures extensively.
He had some great questions, and he takes each one to the beautiful and simple basics of the Gospel. Afterwards everyone ate cake until it was gone, played CRUD until they couldn't play any more, visited until they were all talked out. We cleaned up, closed the windows, turned off the lights and locked the door. We will miss that place.
On a side note, a young man interviewed SK for a university project. He spent quite a bit of time with him, and told me after that SK speaks excellent Danish but he has a little bit of an American accent, that his classmates will find interesting. He recorded SK's answers and will edit them down to the appropriate amount of time. The young man who did the interview is kind, funny, helpful, handsome and very nice. He returned not too long ago from a mission and is a temple worker in his spare time.
We had another good turnout this evening....I hope they will continue to come to the new center. They enjoy each others' company so much, that they might not even notice it is smaller!
We walked through, which took very little time, because it is much smaller. The kitchen was beautiful. I think I would be thrilled to have one exactly like it in our Arizona home. There is no room to seat people around a table....there may not even be room to put a table! But the cabinets, appliances and countertops look great.
But it is small. And I do not know where we are going to put the 10 boxes full of kitchen stuff. We will unpack on Monday, and then I will have a better idea of what we can do. It looks like from here on out, every meal will be eaten on laps, so that will automatically change the menus we have heretofore been preparing.
You cannot eat with any amount of grace using a fork and a knife on a plate on your lap, all the while trying to hold on to a drink. Danes - like other Europeans eat with their knives in their right hand and their forks in the left. It is highly efficient, and I am trying to develop that habit. It is a dead giveaway that we are not Danes when we eat with our right hands, changing every time we want to cut something with a knife!
So we will try to fix things that are not liquid, or that don't have to be cut. It will still be difficult, because another reason to eat with your fork in the left hand is so that you can deftly scoop things onto the fork with your right hand! I guess we will get it figured out.
We spent the afternoon getting things ready for the center tonight....we had to carry in everything we needed to use since everything else is packed. Institute was great, with Brother Andersen using the time for questions and answers. He is an excellent teacher, and uses the scriptures extensively.
He had some great questions, and he takes each one to the beautiful and simple basics of the Gospel. Afterwards everyone ate cake until it was gone, played CRUD until they couldn't play any more, visited until they were all talked out. We cleaned up, closed the windows, turned off the lights and locked the door. We will miss that place.
On a side note, a young man interviewed SK for a university project. He spent quite a bit of time with him, and told me after that SK speaks excellent Danish but he has a little bit of an American accent, that his classmates will find interesting. He recorded SK's answers and will edit them down to the appropriate amount of time. The young man who did the interview is kind, funny, helpful, handsome and very nice. He returned not too long ago from a mission and is a temple worker in his spare time.
We had another good turnout this evening....I hope they will continue to come to the new center. They enjoy each others' company so much, that they might not even notice it is smaller!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Dusk in Denmark
Today was glorious! Warm temperatures and sunshine with patches of clouds. We worked on several projects that needed to be taken care of. SK walked several blocks to get his hair cut. We got some shopping done for tomorrow night.
We will not have a meal, but since it will be the last time we will meet in the old center, we thought we ought to have some special refreshments. We will be soliciting help from YSAs for next week's meal, so I decided to take care of this week by myself.
We got everything we needed for cheesecake, both strawberry and blueberry and a chocolate cake. There should be something there to please everyone -- except people who are abstaining from sugar.
Everything is ready as of now except the topping for the cheesecakes and the chocolate cake. I want to make a special filling and topping for the cake and I want the freshest berries, so we will buy them in the morning.
In the afternoon we took all the soda pop bottles( collected from the center) to be redeemed. That brought in about $16 for the center funds. Not bad.
As the sun was sinking low, we walked to a nearby park and strolled through. The peace of the surroundings was soothing. We finished our walk by going around the lake path. Our little swan family was there. We saw the four of them earlier out in the middle of the lake gliding serenely through the choppy waters. The dad was off on his own, but the mother and her two adolescent children were sitting on the edge preening.
The sky was still pale blue but the shadows were deepening over the lake. It was warm enough to be without a jacket. Lights in windows began to twinkle on and a hush was settling over the city. Those times always tug at my heart. The world is so beautiful.
We feel so blessed to be here.
We will not have a meal, but since it will be the last time we will meet in the old center, we thought we ought to have some special refreshments. We will be soliciting help from YSAs for next week's meal, so I decided to take care of this week by myself.
We got everything we needed for cheesecake, both strawberry and blueberry and a chocolate cake. There should be something there to please everyone -- except people who are abstaining from sugar.
Everything is ready as of now except the topping for the cheesecakes and the chocolate cake. I want to make a special filling and topping for the cake and I want the freshest berries, so we will buy them in the morning.
In the afternoon we took all the soda pop bottles( collected from the center) to be redeemed. That brought in about $16 for the center funds. Not bad.
As the sun was sinking low, we walked to a nearby park and strolled through. The peace of the surroundings was soothing. We finished our walk by going around the lake path. Our little swan family was there. We saw the four of them earlier out in the middle of the lake gliding serenely through the choppy waters. The dad was off on his own, but the mother and her two adolescent children were sitting on the edge preening.
The sky was still pale blue but the shadows were deepening over the lake. It was warm enough to be without a jacket. Lights in windows began to twinkle on and a hush was settling over the city. Those times always tug at my heart. The world is so beautiful.
We feel so blessed to be here.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
SK Himself
Seventy-one years ago today a little one stole into this life...unique in all the world. He was a month early, and it would seem that he has been early for everything since.
SK delights in getting places early and relaxing until the event starts. After 46 years of marriage, I am generally by his side....although I still prefer to relax at home and stroll into the meeting or whatever with only a few minutes to spare. It is a small thing and we have pretty much worked it out.
Since Tuesday is generally our formal P-day, we did the usual things but added a little more celebrating to it. We went to a little sidewalk cafe and tried falafel....last two syllables rhyme with waffle... the accent on the la. They were excellent.
Everywhere we go these days, SK tries to communicate with people in Danish. He is getting better and better. People always understand him. Several people have told me that his Danish is very good. The difficulty for him, and more so for me is understanding what is being said.
Since nearly everyone we know speaks English to us, we are not hearing Danish enough. So we are going to try more to be in situations where we have to speak and listen in that language.
In the evening, Elder Thorne challenged SK to a ping-pong match. SK was like a kid who had been asked to go out and play baseball. We delayed dinner so he could go play a round.
He was happy about dinner....fresh Danish corn on the cob and the season's last Danish strawberries among other things.
Don't you just love that? He so enjoys a good game, a friendly competition, simple food, a telephone call to one of our children, the grandchildren. He loves reading and studying the lessons for Sunday School and Priesthood meeting each Sunday. He loves being with the YSAs....getting to know them better, playing CRUD.
He has a certain zest for so many things in life. I hope he never loses that. At age 71, I don't thing he ever will.
SK delights in getting places early and relaxing until the event starts. After 46 years of marriage, I am generally by his side....although I still prefer to relax at home and stroll into the meeting or whatever with only a few minutes to spare. It is a small thing and we have pretty much worked it out.
Since Tuesday is generally our formal P-day, we did the usual things but added a little more celebrating to it. We went to a little sidewalk cafe and tried falafel....last two syllables rhyme with waffle... the accent on the la. They were excellent.
Everywhere we go these days, SK tries to communicate with people in Danish. He is getting better and better. People always understand him. Several people have told me that his Danish is very good. The difficulty for him, and more so for me is understanding what is being said.
Since nearly everyone we know speaks English to us, we are not hearing Danish enough. So we are going to try more to be in situations where we have to speak and listen in that language.
In the evening, Elder Thorne challenged SK to a ping-pong match. SK was like a kid who had been asked to go out and play baseball. We delayed dinner so he could go play a round.
He was happy about dinner....fresh Danish corn on the cob and the season's last Danish strawberries among other things.
Don't you just love that? He so enjoys a good game, a friendly competition, simple food, a telephone call to one of our children, the grandchildren. He loves reading and studying the lessons for Sunday School and Priesthood meeting each Sunday. He loves being with the YSAs....getting to know them better, playing CRUD.
He has a certain zest for so many things in life. I hope he never loses that. At age 71, I don't thing he ever will.
Monday, August 25, 2014
An Ending
SK and I went to the center for several hours earlier in our work clothes. I did more packing in the kitchen....trying to keep the larger boxes lighter as opposed to heavier. I emptied out the refrigerators and washed them clean. I scrubbed the stove and wiped down shelves. In the meantime SK was busy wrapping all the pictures from all the walls and redistributing weight in large boxes full of books.
We returned to the apartment to have lunch and clean up for family home evening. We got back by 4 and continued with lighter work until our weekly missionary committee meeting with the full-time elders and sisters and the YSA missionary committee members. Family Home Evening followed.
After an inspiring message from Hannah, everyone decorated cupcakes and then ate them.....followed - of course - by CRUD. A "Napolean Dynamite" wannabe movie followed with popcorn. ...and back to CRUD. It was an interesting evening as we assembled in empty rooms or areas littered with boxes filled with items we will take to the new center.
Everything even sounds different. The rugs are gone. All but two couches are gone. Bookshelves and bulletin boards are no more to be seen. All of the little decorative items are missing....plants in the windows, scattered copies of the Liahona in Danish and English, the guitars that people like to pick up and play, throw pillows and small tables. Voices raised in conversation and laughter echo through the rooms.
SK and I have only been here 10 months....a little over, and we have become quite attached to it. It is a wonderful place. A group of 40 seems to fill it up. How will we do in a place a third the size?
I guess we'll find out.
In the meantime, we'll just enjoy the time we have left here.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
There is Beauty All Around
In a day touched with sunshine and rain there was so much beauty to appreciate today. We had the car, so Mary Poppins stayed home.
We got there in plenty of time to enjoy visiting with some of the members of the branch. They are faithful brothers and sisters who come every week and are attuned to each others' needs. The home teaching and visiting teaching reflects a love for each other and a desire to keep everyone close. Each month there are activities that draw people together to enjoy each other and to enjoy good times and great occasions.
It was announced today that on September 8, there will be a Europe-wide broadcast for all women age 12 and up. Speakers will be Elders Bednar, Ballard and Hallstrom. That will be a special occasion. I wonder if we will have access to it at the new center, or if all the YSAs will meet with the greater population of women at our Copenhagen church building....which isn't that big.
Last night a member of our branch presidency texted us and asked us to spend 15 minutes between the two of us bearing our testimonies. SK began thinking about what he would say (in Danish) and I decided that since he was busy, there was no way I could elicit his help ... so I just decided to give it in English. I know that is a cop out. But I got a good night's sleep!...no worrying.
When it came time for me to speak, a dear woman from the ward (who translates for sacrament meeting a couple of times a month) stood and walked to the pulpit with me. I would say a sentence or two in English and she would repeat in Danish. She is wonderful at that, and it seemed to go fine....neither of us had to be quiet for long. I was able to express the tender thoughts of my heart for the Gospel and I sat down happy.
SK got up and spoke for 8 or more minutes. I understood a lot of what he said....and he did a great job. He spoke of his great grandfather who was born not far from here in Torslund. He talked about the Book of Mormon and his testimony of its truthfulness. He was great.
We spent quite a while visiting after the meeting and then came home to a lovely and restful afternoon and evening. The sky darkened and the rain poured down....it was such a peaceful sight that I just sat on the couch for some time watching and listening.
Later in the evening, Sister Hamblin dropped by to return something and we visited with her. SK shared some of his thoughts about special scriptures and she did too.
Don't you love days like that?
We got there in plenty of time to enjoy visiting with some of the members of the branch. They are faithful brothers and sisters who come every week and are attuned to each others' needs. The home teaching and visiting teaching reflects a love for each other and a desire to keep everyone close. Each month there are activities that draw people together to enjoy each other and to enjoy good times and great occasions.
It was announced today that on September 8, there will be a Europe-wide broadcast for all women age 12 and up. Speakers will be Elders Bednar, Ballard and Hallstrom. That will be a special occasion. I wonder if we will have access to it at the new center, or if all the YSAs will meet with the greater population of women at our Copenhagen church building....which isn't that big.
Last night a member of our branch presidency texted us and asked us to spend 15 minutes between the two of us bearing our testimonies. SK began thinking about what he would say (in Danish) and I decided that since he was busy, there was no way I could elicit his help ... so I just decided to give it in English. I know that is a cop out. But I got a good night's sleep!...no worrying.
When it came time for me to speak, a dear woman from the ward (who translates for sacrament meeting a couple of times a month) stood and walked to the pulpit with me. I would say a sentence or two in English and she would repeat in Danish. She is wonderful at that, and it seemed to go fine....neither of us had to be quiet for long. I was able to express the tender thoughts of my heart for the Gospel and I sat down happy.
SK got up and spoke for 8 or more minutes. I understood a lot of what he said....and he did a great job. He spoke of his great grandfather who was born not far from here in Torslund. He talked about the Book of Mormon and his testimony of its truthfulness. He was great.
We spent quite a while visiting after the meeting and then came home to a lovely and restful afternoon and evening. The sky darkened and the rain poured down....it was such a peaceful sight that I just sat on the couch for some time watching and listening.
Later in the evening, Sister Hamblin dropped by to return something and we visited with her. SK shared some of his thoughts about special scriptures and she did too.
Don't you love days like that?
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Each in His/Her Own Way
Except for a couple of shopping excursions, I have been at home ironing! Yes, I let it creep up on me again. Those 14 white shirts lull me into thinking I can get to it later, and then suddenly the closet is bare. But once again the white, and the two light blue (for p-days) are hanging primly on hangers, ready to be worn.
It was a sunlit day with occasional showers and it was lovely. SK served in the temple today for several hours, while I was the apartment drudge....but it felt good to clean and do some scrubbing. After lunch we walked to a store where we did some shopping.
Later in the day SK went with the missionaries to teach a young man who is very interested in the Gospel. He enjoyed that immensely. He spent extra time there and was able to share his testimony with him about the Book of Mormon. Meanwhile, back at the apartment, the drudge was creating more ironing by doing more washing.
It's OK....really! That fact is that once in awhile it just plain feels good to do that. Besides, I listened to some fantastic CES Fireside talks.
We both had a very productive day.
It was a sunlit day with occasional showers and it was lovely. SK served in the temple today for several hours, while I was the apartment drudge....but it felt good to clean and do some scrubbing. After lunch we walked to a store where we did some shopping.
Later in the day SK went with the missionaries to teach a young man who is very interested in the Gospel. He enjoyed that immensely. He spent extra time there and was able to share his testimony with him about the Book of Mormon. Meanwhile, back at the apartment, the drudge was creating more ironing by doing more washing.
It's OK....really! That fact is that once in awhile it just plain feels good to do that. Besides, I listened to some fantastic CES Fireside talks.
We both had a very productive day.
Friday, August 22, 2014
I am Going There Someday
Today was a temple day. We did some cleaning in the morning and then after lunch headed to the temple where we stayed until it closed.
It truly is a peaceful and peace-producing place to spend the day. I enjoy all of the ladies I serve with, and SK loves being there. He spoke Danish in nearly all of his assignments - in fact, he is speaking more and more everywhere we go. Even making calls (the dreaded telephone calls are the most difficult in another language) does not seem to bother him anymore.
At the end of our shift, we both changed and went into the little waiting room outside of the recommend desk. This is the room where you hang your raincoat/winter coat and deposit your shoes before going into the main building. We were utterly delighted to see 5 of our beautiful YSAs, hair wet from baptisms. They all sparkled. Their bishop was there with them.
He is a dynamic man who has more energy than anyone ought to have and seems to be perpetually in a cheerful mood. He is funny and witty and friendly and I am sure that his ward members adore him. He is in his 40's, is tall and dark blonde....it is easy to imagine that Joseph Smith was a little like him. His wife and two daughters and just-barely-returned-missionary son were in the temple too....they are a beautiful family and a marvelous example for our YSAs to emulate.
The temple is wonderful. I am grateful that we have it so close to us. In the car, we can be there in under 15 minutes, and walking 45. Since beginning to serve there, I have done temple work for many different ladies who lived in the last 300 years. I would say 3/4 of the names I have done have been for women named Anna.
It always takes my thoughts to faraway Gilbert Arizona...
I have a feeling that before I know it I will be in Gilbert, dreaming of faraway Copenhagen...
It truly is a peaceful and peace-producing place to spend the day. I enjoy all of the ladies I serve with, and SK loves being there. He spoke Danish in nearly all of his assignments - in fact, he is speaking more and more everywhere we go. Even making calls (the dreaded telephone calls are the most difficult in another language) does not seem to bother him anymore.
At the end of our shift, we both changed and went into the little waiting room outside of the recommend desk. This is the room where you hang your raincoat/winter coat and deposit your shoes before going into the main building. We were utterly delighted to see 5 of our beautiful YSAs, hair wet from baptisms. They all sparkled. Their bishop was there with them.
He is a dynamic man who has more energy than anyone ought to have and seems to be perpetually in a cheerful mood. He is funny and witty and friendly and I am sure that his ward members adore him. He is in his 40's, is tall and dark blonde....it is easy to imagine that Joseph Smith was a little like him. His wife and two daughters and just-barely-returned-missionary son were in the temple too....they are a beautiful family and a marvelous example for our YSAs to emulate.
The temple is wonderful. I am grateful that we have it so close to us. In the car, we can be there in under 15 minutes, and walking 45. Since beginning to serve there, I have done temple work for many different ladies who lived in the last 300 years. I would say 3/4 of the names I have done have been for women named Anna.
It always takes my thoughts to faraway Gilbert Arizona...
I have a feeling that before I know it I will be in Gilbert, dreaming of faraway Copenhagen...
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Moving......for Better or for Worse
This day has alternated between brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies, cool wind and black dramatic clouds, rain and gusts.
We went to the new center again this morning....we drove this time. We almost wished we had walked! There are one-way roads that make getting around a block very difficult and a lot of road construction....you would think we were in Gilbert. We finally pulled up right in front of the center just to see if anyone was there...there wasn't. The workmen were nowhere in sight.
We still don't know how much room we have in the new kitchen, and I am still trying to sort through what we have in the old to decide what to take and what to toss. Everything I look at, I think about the replacement cost, which works to an extent. At this point, it is all about space.
I taught Institute this evening, which proved to be something of an adventure. There were comments the like of which I have never before heard or considered. It was interesting, but a bit difficult to stay on topic. There were also some excellent comments.
There was much laughter and visiting afterward for a couple of hours, even though the couches are mostly gone, and the rugs have been given away. The place seemed bare.
I had some interesting conversations with YSAs afterward. There was an investigator tonight who has been there before, a very nice young man who was born and raised in Denmark to parents from India who had moved here. His parents have lined up a wife for him from India. He traveled there last month and spent several weeks getting to know her.
He is not sold on the idea of the arranged marriage, but he sees much about it that it drawing him in. He told me a lot about his trip. He spent a great deal of time with his intended sightseeing. Her parents and his parents all traveled around together.
He sees the value of a woman who has a good education, who is committed to family, who is willing to change for him (they spoke candidly about things they would like changed about the other.) who has the same values, and who is someone he can talk to and look to as a companion.
He told her frankly that there were a few things he would like her to change, and she was willing. tried to be kind in the thoughts expressed but he was surprised at her kind response and agreeability. (That may not be a word....but you get the idea.)
He would like her to learn English better so they can communicate, and he would be happier if she could cook. The day he left she had enrolled in an English class. He feels that they could be very good friends, and they will work on that primary relationship.
They agreed to a year to think and prepare. At the end of the year, (if all goes well) they will marry. He will work hard and find an extra job and they will stay in contact. He can see the value of someone who is willing to work to build a life together.
Isn't that interesting? I can see where there is a great chance for success.
Now....if I could just get into that kitchen! We'll check again tomorrow.
We went to the new center again this morning....we drove this time. We almost wished we had walked! There are one-way roads that make getting around a block very difficult and a lot of road construction....you would think we were in Gilbert. We finally pulled up right in front of the center just to see if anyone was there...there wasn't. The workmen were nowhere in sight.
We still don't know how much room we have in the new kitchen, and I am still trying to sort through what we have in the old to decide what to take and what to toss. Everything I look at, I think about the replacement cost, which works to an extent. At this point, it is all about space.
I taught Institute this evening, which proved to be something of an adventure. There were comments the like of which I have never before heard or considered. It was interesting, but a bit difficult to stay on topic. There were also some excellent comments.
There was much laughter and visiting afterward for a couple of hours, even though the couches are mostly gone, and the rugs have been given away. The place seemed bare.
I had some interesting conversations with YSAs afterward. There was an investigator tonight who has been there before, a very nice young man who was born and raised in Denmark to parents from India who had moved here. His parents have lined up a wife for him from India. He traveled there last month and spent several weeks getting to know her.
He is not sold on the idea of the arranged marriage, but he sees much about it that it drawing him in. He told me a lot about his trip. He spent a great deal of time with his intended sightseeing. Her parents and his parents all traveled around together.
He sees the value of a woman who has a good education, who is committed to family, who is willing to change for him (they spoke candidly about things they would like changed about the other.) who has the same values, and who is someone he can talk to and look to as a companion.
He told her frankly that there were a few things he would like her to change, and she was willing. tried to be kind in the thoughts expressed but he was surprised at her kind response and agreeability. (That may not be a word....but you get the idea.)
He would like her to learn English better so they can communicate, and he would be happier if she could cook. The day he left she had enrolled in an English class. He feels that they could be very good friends, and they will work on that primary relationship.
They agreed to a year to think and prepare. At the end of the year, (if all goes well) they will marry. He will work hard and find an extra job and they will stay in contact. He can see the value of someone who is willing to work to build a life together.
Isn't that interesting? I can see where there is a great chance for success.
Now....if I could just get into that kitchen! We'll check again tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
You too Can Cook Like a Dane
Elder and Sister Parker pulled out this morning with their car loaded down....full of luggage. It is not that they had so many suitcases....but that the car is small. Most cars around here are pretty small. All of the mission autos are dark blue Opals. They had roughly 4 hours to the area where they will serve.
We enjoyed getting to know them, and we look forward to hearing great things from them.
This afternoon, we watched a bunch of you tube videos about making frikadeller....a very Danish dish. They are small types of meatballs and they are quite tasty. We are trying to plan something to serve at our first institute night on September 4. There could possibly be a lot of people there, since many have been invited. If we get a good turnout that night, we could have somewhere around 50 YSAs or more, plus special people from our stake and center neighborhood.
Frikadeller are not too expensive and not too difficult (famous last words). They are made from ingredients similar to meatloaf and just like that popular American dish in that everyone likes their mother's best. So there are dozens of variations out there to be had.
On Youtube, I watched two Danish women demonstrate how to make them. They were speaking English with a delightful accent. I watched a Danish chef show us how to make them speaking rapidly in Danish.
Finally we went shopping for ingredients and (be still my beating heart) an electric skillet. This is a nice large one - 16 inches in diameter. Compared to everything else here, the price wasn't bad, and this little pan will get plenty of use.
I am now the proud possessor and user of a red crockpot, an electric griddle and an electric skillet. I'm telling you, these help more than you know! The crockpot has already been worth its weight in gold and the griddle is wonderful for quesadillas and sandwiches, pancakes and pitas (I don't make pitas, but didn't that sound nice?)
You see the results below of our foray into Danish cooking.
We will serve them with potatoes and gravy and red cabbage. I think it should be a good dinner. But I need to talk to a Dane to find out if they look and taste alright.
On the other hand, I could call them Madagascar Minniature Meatloaves. That would relieve some of the burden of trying to cook a wonderful national dish and getting it right.
I'll let you know.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Note to Self......
It is not wise to eat rich chocolate-covered cream-filled Danish pastry shortly before going to bed. It does not make for good sleep or good feelings waking up.
Otherwise, waking up is good.
It was chilly this morning...and windy....and kind of overcast....and rainy. That is the best kind of day to luxuriate in a warm bed, but only for a little while. It is a shame to waste such a glorious day. We walked over to the new center for the express purpose of ascertaining how much space we have for dishes, pots, pans, appliances, utensils etc.
It was a lovely bracing walk against the wind. Partway, we decided to take a bus...in order to see how close a bus could get us. The answer is ... not very. Actually, it would only be a couple of blocks, but there is major road construction that requires a detour of several blocks. By the time we walk to the bus stop, wait, the walk the detour, we could have walked all the way there!
We waited for some time, but no workers came, so we were unable to get in. Then we strolled home checking side streets for possible parking ($3 an hour - which is absolutely out of the question since we are usually there for 8 to 10 hours.) and possible grocery stores. We found neither. The center is in the center of the busiest tourist area of Copenhagen with all kinds of great places to visit. Parking is at a premium and costly, so we are still unsure what to do.
We usually have a fair amount of food to carry from grocery shopping and from food that I have prepared at home. Without a car, it would be difficult to carry that distance, and it would be almost as bad on the bus.
I think a wagon would answer our needs. But SK does not want to be seen pulling a wagon! We are still searching for answers. In truth, one of the reasons a car would be nice is for the many late nights we are out.
We had a good afternoon with the Parkers and then joined them and other seniors at President Sederholm's home where Sister Sederholm had prepared a feast. We had a lovely evening. Besides enjoying fabulous cooking, the company was outstanding, and as usual when we are in their home, we were fed spiritually as well.
That kind of feasting makes for a good night sleep.
Otherwise, waking up is good.
It was chilly this morning...and windy....and kind of overcast....and rainy. That is the best kind of day to luxuriate in a warm bed, but only for a little while. It is a shame to waste such a glorious day. We walked over to the new center for the express purpose of ascertaining how much space we have for dishes, pots, pans, appliances, utensils etc.
It was a lovely bracing walk against the wind. Partway, we decided to take a bus...in order to see how close a bus could get us. The answer is ... not very. Actually, it would only be a couple of blocks, but there is major road construction that requires a detour of several blocks. By the time we walk to the bus stop, wait, the walk the detour, we could have walked all the way there!
We waited for some time, but no workers came, so we were unable to get in. Then we strolled home checking side streets for possible parking ($3 an hour - which is absolutely out of the question since we are usually there for 8 to 10 hours.) and possible grocery stores. We found neither. The center is in the center of the busiest tourist area of Copenhagen with all kinds of great places to visit. Parking is at a premium and costly, so we are still unsure what to do.
We usually have a fair amount of food to carry from grocery shopping and from food that I have prepared at home. Without a car, it would be difficult to carry that distance, and it would be almost as bad on the bus.
I think a wagon would answer our needs. But SK does not want to be seen pulling a wagon! We are still searching for answers. In truth, one of the reasons a car would be nice is for the many late nights we are out.
We had a good afternoon with the Parkers and then joined them and other seniors at President Sederholm's home where Sister Sederholm had prepared a feast. We had a lovely evening. Besides enjoying fabulous cooking, the company was outstanding, and as usual when we are in their home, we were fed spiritually as well.
That kind of feasting makes for a good night sleep.
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| Working your way up the stairs and then to the right: SK, me, Elder Andersen, Sister Parker, Elder Parker, Sister Swena, Sister Sederholm, President Sederholm Sister Thorne, Elder Thorne |
Monday, August 18, 2014
Do Not Try This Diet at Home!
We held Family Home Evening tonight amidst packing boxes loaded up and ready to go to the new center. Instead of a comfortable ring of couches surrounding a large area rug, there was a two-man sofa and a few classroom chairs scattered over the bare hardwood floor, interspersed with bags and crates marked to go.
The CRUD table was camouflaged under a load of various and sundry items that may find their way over to our new address, but before everyone began to depart, someone cleared it off and two games were played. SK was the victor of one and proudly pointed it out to me later.
The young elder missionaries gave us a message for FHE and then a fun game was played. By nine, nearly everyone had departed. Two young sisters lingered and SK and I sat on the small couch ... they each had a chair and we talked until 11:30.
For a great deal of that time, SK was regaling them with stories of his mission, but later they talked about their missions and their lives. I love those times the best. They are both vivacious and beautiful young women who have a charming way of laughing and an ease in conversing...in Danish and English, but other languages as well.
The day was dramatically dark and rainy until around 5 p.m. when the sun broke through. It warmed up into the 70's and blue sky reigned for several hours. It was beautiful all day long, no matter what the weather.
We met the Parkers midday for lunch. They took us to an Italian restaurant, and then we toured another grocery store. They already have their bearings about where they are, and they already have a good idea about groceries and prices....I am sure they are going to hit the ground running in their new assignment with YSAs somewhere north of here. The elders delivered a car for them, and SK took Elder Parker for a spin. Some of the cars are semi-automatic....which must take some getting used to.
Tomorrow evening we will all (all the senior missionaries) go our mission president's home for a dinner to honor and get to know the Parkers. They do this for every incoming and every outgoing missionary or missionary couple. If more than one leaves at the same time or comes in at the same time, then the dinner honors them all....and they are always incredible dinners. Sister Sederholm is an amazing cook and always fixes something special.
When we got home, we found a superb chocolate frosted Danish sweet on the counter, left by Elder and Sister Parker. SK and I sat down and ate........ahhhhh. Great little midnight (or later) snack.
The CRUD table was camouflaged under a load of various and sundry items that may find their way over to our new address, but before everyone began to depart, someone cleared it off and two games were played. SK was the victor of one and proudly pointed it out to me later.
The young elder missionaries gave us a message for FHE and then a fun game was played. By nine, nearly everyone had departed. Two young sisters lingered and SK and I sat on the small couch ... they each had a chair and we talked until 11:30.
For a great deal of that time, SK was regaling them with stories of his mission, but later they talked about their missions and their lives. I love those times the best. They are both vivacious and beautiful young women who have a charming way of laughing and an ease in conversing...in Danish and English, but other languages as well.
The day was dramatically dark and rainy until around 5 p.m. when the sun broke through. It warmed up into the 70's and blue sky reigned for several hours. It was beautiful all day long, no matter what the weather.
We met the Parkers midday for lunch. They took us to an Italian restaurant, and then we toured another grocery store. They already have their bearings about where they are, and they already have a good idea about groceries and prices....I am sure they are going to hit the ground running in their new assignment with YSAs somewhere north of here. The elders delivered a car for them, and SK took Elder Parker for a spin. Some of the cars are semi-automatic....which must take some getting used to.
Tomorrow evening we will all (all the senior missionaries) go our mission president's home for a dinner to honor and get to know the Parkers. They do this for every incoming and every outgoing missionary or missionary couple. If more than one leaves at the same time or comes in at the same time, then the dinner honors them all....and they are always incredible dinners. Sister Sederholm is an amazing cook and always fixes something special.
When we got home, we found a superb chocolate frosted Danish sweet on the counter, left by Elder and Sister Parker. SK and I sat down and ate........ahhhhh. Great little midnight (or later) snack.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
I Have a Feeling We're not in Arizona Anymore
I was asked to teach a 20-minute gospel lesson this morning on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Kind of like saying "You too can master Danish in 10 easy lessons." It was a lot of wonderful material. I loved the opportunity to study it and try to come up with a much abbreviated form of message. We have two lessons every other Sunday since our block is only 2 hours.
The name of the lesson was "Happy is the Man Who Finds Wisdom." It covered 7 dynamite concepts....and I only had time to cover one. We talked about getting wisdom over knowledge. We had a lot of good comments.
Last night, I was sent a text asking if I would teach. I replied "Yes, I'd love to, and then I promptly forgot. I remembered this morning with a start. Something had to go....so I decided not to wash my hair. There has to be a proverb about the wisdom of putting off washing your hair so that you can prepare a lesson right?
The day has been delightfully dark and stormy, and while we weren't out much in the rain, Mary Poppins would have been very useful if we had been.
After church, SK took Elder and Sister Parker and me for a driving tour of the island the Church is on. As we drove we came upon a horse-drawn wagon of "old people" - that is how SK referred to them. Don't tell him, but I think they are about SK's and my age. They had matching umbrellas and were drinking something....maybe beer. They didn't look too cheery, but then would you if you had scheduled a delightful summer outing and it ended up looking like this?
We came back and enjoyed dinner together and then talked about Denmark. Elder and Sister Parker had some questions about food products, some of which we knew the answers to. They had some great answers for us about blogging and showed me a shortcut on downloading pictures....which have always taken me quite a bit of time to do.
We'll all drop off to sleep tonight with the sound of rain lulling us to sleep. Rain is predicted for much of the week....isn't that fun? Now my new hairdo will not only look windblown, but wet as well. It's OK....I love the rain. Ask any Arizonan. This is a treat.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Many Hands Make Work Light
Brother Andersen (Director of Seminaries and Institutes for Denmark)predicted about 20 YSAs would show up to help pack up the center. SK thought not. It has been a busy week for them - school just started, work and heavy church callings along with having already spent three evenings of their week at the center (or a birthday party).
We must have had over 25....many came just for an hour or two, some stayed the entire time. It was astonishing to see how much they accomplished in just a few hours. They worked at a variety of tasks. I had several in the kitchen with me packing plates, glasses, pots and pans, seasonings, utensils, paper products etc. We filled far too many boxes....where will it all go when we get to the new center?
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Brother Andersen said he would meet us on Monday to take a look around to see exactly how much storage space we have. That will help...as it was, I think I put a lot of things in the discard pile. The mission will take many things to put in missionary housing and some of the YSAs are needing furniture for their apartments, so most of what has to be tossed overboard in this move will be useful to someone.
Pizza was ordered and all sat around on the remaining furniture happily munching away and sipping Fanta. Amazing how good an ordinary little piece of pizza can taste so good.
After we got home, we walked with the Parkers to The Church of our Lady so they could see the Christus. It was their third try. Tonight, like the other two attempts was unsuccessful...it was closed. We are hoping they get to see it before they have to leave.
We stopped at a schawarma restaurant and had a sandwich, which was a little disappointing. Since we just discovered this delicacy, we have had two....from two different restaurants. Both others were superb. Hopefully the Parkers will have a chance to try a better one sometime.
We went on a grocery shopping expedition. I feel great sympathy for them with just starting this adventure. Grocery stores caused me much stress while I was trying to figure out ingredients, serving sizes and package sizes. They are much quicker than I and seemed to understand most everything.
To end the day, we sat around the table, opened a large white box full of bakery goodies and with knife and fork in hands, took a sample of each pastry. With a large glass of cold milk. Oh my.
We must have had over 25....many came just for an hour or two, some stayed the entire time. It was astonishing to see how much they accomplished in just a few hours. They worked at a variety of tasks. I had several in the kitchen with me packing plates, glasses, pots and pans, seasonings, utensils, paper products etc. We filled far too many boxes....where will it all go when we get to the new center?
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| Just a couple of cute pictures from our mission conference earlier. These cute guys are fantastic! |
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| Add caption |
Brother Andersen said he would meet us on Monday to take a look around to see exactly how much storage space we have. That will help...as it was, I think I put a lot of things in the discard pile. The mission will take many things to put in missionary housing and some of the YSAs are needing furniture for their apartments, so most of what has to be tossed overboard in this move will be useful to someone.
Pizza was ordered and all sat around on the remaining furniture happily munching away and sipping Fanta. Amazing how good an ordinary little piece of pizza can taste so good.
After we got home, we walked with the Parkers to The Church of our Lady so they could see the Christus. It was their third try. Tonight, like the other two attempts was unsuccessful...it was closed. We are hoping they get to see it before they have to leave.
We stopped at a schawarma restaurant and had a sandwich, which was a little disappointing. Since we just discovered this delicacy, we have had two....from two different restaurants. Both others were superb. Hopefully the Parkers will have a chance to try a better one sometime.
We went on a grocery shopping expedition. I feel great sympathy for them with just starting this adventure. Grocery stores caused me much stress while I was trying to figure out ingredients, serving sizes and package sizes. They are much quicker than I and seemed to understand most everything.
To end the day, we sat around the table, opened a large white box full of bakery goodies and with knife and fork in hands, took a sample of each pastry. With a large glass of cold milk. Oh my.
Friday, August 15, 2014
The Continuing Saga
I realize in the eternal scheme of things that one haircut amounts to very little. So a little perspective helps.
I went to the same lady who did a decent job last time. I took the same picture in to show her, hoping to get the same results as before. She speaks English....which is most helpful.
Have you ever read "The Crocodile's Toothache" by Shel Silverstein? A crocodile beset by pain visits a hack dentist, who gleefully begins to pull teeth right and left. The end of the story - which is not cogent to this report tonight - is that the old croc snaps his jaws down on the dentist, getting a meal for his trouble.
Well....the lady who did my hair was kind of like that dentist....she just kept cutting. I didn't realize how much until she got around to the front and snipped away at the left side. Well, at that point, the only possible thing left is to let her even up the right side. So it is short....but she did a good job on the short hairdo. Besides, another six months and it will look fine.
The Parkers arrived from Utah this afternoon. They are a lovely couple who will be assigned (we think) to the YSA center up north on Jutland. They seem young and energetic and are much needed. We spent some time visiting and then I abandoned them to go to the center. I hope they got some rest. Jetlag is kind of hard to deal with.
SK worked in the temple this evening....actually he left our apartment at 1:30. Our YSAs had a temple night tonight, so he was there with them, while I manned (womanned) the center. There was a birthday party held for one of our young women, so that took most of the YSAs that would have normally come to the center after the temple.
As it was, five came....one left early and the rest of us rummaged around in the freezer and cupboards and put together a half-way decent meal. We sat around a table snacking on our Swedish meatballs from the freezer with taco sauce from the refrigerator. We opened a can of corn and had rye crackers to finish the meal. It was great.
Two of the young women both served their missions on Temple Square and they loved that mission! They are lovely and so interesting to talk with. They both still have a strong missionary spirit and drive. I love to hear their experiences and their perspective. They are each remarkable.
We ate with a tall handsome young man from Sweden who serenaded us after dinner. SK would recite a line from a movie and Tony would immediately launch into a faithful and energetic rendition of it on the piano. He is a recently returned missionary and was here attending the temple with our YSAs.
The last YSA we ate with was a cute young woman who is the co-chairman of the YSA stake organization. She has a big job but does it very well. She is a cutie and I have enjoyed her since the first day I met her.
Interestingly enough, I sat at the table with them for over an hour......and not a single one noticed that my hair had been whacked. Now THAT really puts it into perspective.
I went to the same lady who did a decent job last time. I took the same picture in to show her, hoping to get the same results as before. She speaks English....which is most helpful.
Have you ever read "The Crocodile's Toothache" by Shel Silverstein? A crocodile beset by pain visits a hack dentist, who gleefully begins to pull teeth right and left. The end of the story - which is not cogent to this report tonight - is that the old croc snaps his jaws down on the dentist, getting a meal for his trouble.
Well....the lady who did my hair was kind of like that dentist....she just kept cutting. I didn't realize how much until she got around to the front and snipped away at the left side. Well, at that point, the only possible thing left is to let her even up the right side. So it is short....but she did a good job on the short hairdo. Besides, another six months and it will look fine.
The Parkers arrived from Utah this afternoon. They are a lovely couple who will be assigned (we think) to the YSA center up north on Jutland. They seem young and energetic and are much needed. We spent some time visiting and then I abandoned them to go to the center. I hope they got some rest. Jetlag is kind of hard to deal with.
SK worked in the temple this evening....actually he left our apartment at 1:30. Our YSAs had a temple night tonight, so he was there with them, while I manned (womanned) the center. There was a birthday party held for one of our young women, so that took most of the YSAs that would have normally come to the center after the temple.
As it was, five came....one left early and the rest of us rummaged around in the freezer and cupboards and put together a half-way decent meal. We sat around a table snacking on our Swedish meatballs from the freezer with taco sauce from the refrigerator. We opened a can of corn and had rye crackers to finish the meal. It was great.
Two of the young women both served their missions on Temple Square and they loved that mission! They are lovely and so interesting to talk with. They both still have a strong missionary spirit and drive. I love to hear their experiences and their perspective. They are each remarkable.
We ate with a tall handsome young man from Sweden who serenaded us after dinner. SK would recite a line from a movie and Tony would immediately launch into a faithful and energetic rendition of it on the piano. He is a recently returned missionary and was here attending the temple with our YSAs.
The last YSA we ate with was a cute young woman who is the co-chairman of the YSA stake organization. She has a big job but does it very well. She is a cutie and I have enjoyed her since the first day I met her.
Interestingly enough, I sat at the table with them for over an hour......and not a single one noticed that my hair had been whacked. Now THAT really puts it into perspective.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Oh What a Beautiful Day!
You would be surprised at the ease with which 6 senior missionaries got ready for the conference this morning sharing one bathroom! SK and I are the night owls of the group (staying up late with our YSAs has us on a late to bed/late to rise routine), so we gave the early morning hour to the early risers - Elder and Sister Middlemas, then Blackhams and finally us. We were all ready to be at the church by 8:30 or so.
We were a much smaller group today than yesterday with just the senior missionaries. Our mission president and his wife and the temple president and his wife plus about 20 seniors were seated in the relief society room at 9 a.m. when the meeting began.
Elder Teixeira and his wife each spoke for about 45 minutes. Each spoke without notes and seemed to be speaking straight from the heart. Each used scriptures as a foundation, and Elder Teixeira referenced "Preach My Gospel." The powerful messages they gave and the spirit in the meeting left us filled, yet hungering for more.
The words they spoke strengthened us in a very real and personal way. SK and I agreed that it was one of the very best meetings we have ever attended.
From the sublime to the mundane......the afternoon was spent at the center. We have begun the process of moving. We will be moving to a facility about one third the size of the current one. There is an accumulation of games, papers, props, reports, records, manuals, office supplies, fliers etc from a dozen or so years, and I have little idea what to do with most of it. Much will be tossed in the trash, much given away and a fraction of it all will go to the new center.
Didn't I just do this? Packing up and moving is not easy.
We are still on summer schedule and so didn't have a meal. I gave the institute lesson to the people needing it in English. We had 8 YSAs there and it was a joy to teach Joseph Smith - History (Pearl of Great Price). I am in awe of the prophet Joseph Smith. I hope someday to meet him.
There were may insightful and wise comments and I loved their participation.
I loved visiting with many young adults....I visited with one young woman who is going through some stressful changes in her life, but is so far doing well. Her faith is strong and her determination to live her beliefs is firm.
Tomorrow will be more sorting, packing and getting ready for the move, as well as the activity evening at the center. Saturday will be more of the same. We also have another senior couple arriving from the U.S. who will be with us 5 days until they leave for the city of their assignment.
It is now nearly 1 a.m. It has been a long.....wonderful......inspiring day.
We were a much smaller group today than yesterday with just the senior missionaries. Our mission president and his wife and the temple president and his wife plus about 20 seniors were seated in the relief society room at 9 a.m. when the meeting began.
Elder Teixeira and his wife each spoke for about 45 minutes. Each spoke without notes and seemed to be speaking straight from the heart. Each used scriptures as a foundation, and Elder Teixeira referenced "Preach My Gospel." The powerful messages they gave and the spirit in the meeting left us filled, yet hungering for more.
The words they spoke strengthened us in a very real and personal way. SK and I agreed that it was one of the very best meetings we have ever attended.
From the sublime to the mundane......the afternoon was spent at the center. We have begun the process of moving. We will be moving to a facility about one third the size of the current one. There is an accumulation of games, papers, props, reports, records, manuals, office supplies, fliers etc from a dozen or so years, and I have little idea what to do with most of it. Much will be tossed in the trash, much given away and a fraction of it all will go to the new center.
Didn't I just do this? Packing up and moving is not easy.
We are still on summer schedule and so didn't have a meal. I gave the institute lesson to the people needing it in English. We had 8 YSAs there and it was a joy to teach Joseph Smith - History (Pearl of Great Price). I am in awe of the prophet Joseph Smith. I hope someday to meet him.
There were may insightful and wise comments and I loved their participation.
I loved visiting with many young adults....I visited with one young woman who is going through some stressful changes in her life, but is so far doing well. Her faith is strong and her determination to live her beliefs is firm.
Tomorrow will be more sorting, packing and getting ready for the move, as well as the activity evening at the center. Saturday will be more of the same. We also have another senior couple arriving from the U.S. who will be with us 5 days until they leave for the city of their assignment.
It is now nearly 1 a.m. It has been a long.....wonderful......inspiring day.
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| You remember how hot it has been, and how much I have complained? Well....Lia sent this and it was so funny, I had to share it with you. |
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Behold a Royal Army
We left early enough to be in our places by 9:40 a.m. The chapel was filled with missionaries....each so happy to be reunited with past companions and friends. The Mission President arranged for every missionary to be to the conference today to be taught by Elder and Sister Teixeira.
At the signal everyone quieted down, sat down, and bowed their heads to study scriptures or pray. A young sister played a quiet prelude until 10 when the meeting started. One of the elders conducted, we were led through a recitation of D&C 4 in Danish, our purpose from "Preach My Gospel" and the we heard from President and Sister Sederholm, President Olsen (counselor to the Stake President), Elder Teixeira, and finally his wife.
Every talk was excellent and so inspiring. President Olsen told some wonderful stories and concluded with the message that we must accept ourselves and then do our very best....so that the Lord can use us. We are instruments in His hands for the furthering of the Gospel.
In the evening, 10 of the seniors went across the street to the little Turkish restaurant......Delicious food and wonderful company. As we were crossing the street back to our apartment, the Blackhams drove up (They had been at the conference and they had dinner with some of the family members of a man he baptized 50 years ago.) and so we all visited out front for awhile, came back in and visited some more, and now all are on their way to bed.
The messages we heard today were beautiful and I am so grateful I was there. Perhaps I will share them with you sometime.
We will meet back at the same church tomorrow at 8:40 for a senior conference with the Teixeiras, and I want to be alert and awake!
Good Night.......
o
At the signal everyone quieted down, sat down, and bowed their heads to study scriptures or pray. A young sister played a quiet prelude until 10 when the meeting started. One of the elders conducted, we were led through a recitation of D&C 4 in Danish, our purpose from "Preach My Gospel" and the we heard from President and Sister Sederholm, President Olsen (counselor to the Stake President), Elder Teixeira, and finally his wife.
Every talk was excellent and so inspiring. President Olsen told some wonderful stories and concluded with the message that we must accept ourselves and then do our very best....so that the Lord can use us. We are instruments in His hands for the furthering of the Gospel.
In the evening, 10 of the seniors went across the street to the little Turkish restaurant......Delicious food and wonderful company. As we were crossing the street back to our apartment, the Blackhams drove up (They had been at the conference and they had dinner with some of the family members of a man he baptized 50 years ago.) and so we all visited out front for awhile, came back in and visited some more, and now all are on their way to bed.
The messages we heard today were beautiful and I am so grateful I was there. Perhaps I will share them with you sometime.
We will meet back at the same church tomorrow at 8:40 for a senior conference with the Teixeiras, and I want to be alert and awake!
Good Night.......
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| These missionaries sang "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning" set to the tune of "Come Thou Fount" which was beautiful. |
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