As Sisters in Zion

The grand highlight of this day was a meeting for all girls and women age 8 and above.  It was held in the meetinghouse that has been doubling as our stake center near the temple.  SK drove me in and I hurriedly found a seat next to our newest member, a sweet young woman who was baptized on Sunday morning.

We visited for a little while, and then because of transmission problems we all changed seats, and I ended up near a wonderful young woman whom I have felt a closeness to since we first arrived in Denmark.  We only had a minute to visit before the meeting began.

Elder Bednar and Elder Ballard both spoke, and they were both inspiring.  Before they spoke we heard from Sister Kearon (her husband is in the area presidency), Elder Teixeira (the area president), and Elder and Sister Hallstrom.  All of the talks were wonderful...every last one.

The meeting was broadcast from Germany to 39 countries throughout Europe.  It was historic in that there hasn't been a women's gathering of that size in Europe ever.  We who attended were richly rewarded. There were not enough of us to fill the chapel and overflow, but our stake covers all of Sjaelland which is fairly large....it would require a fair amount of travel from those living farthest away...especially on a week night.

But I was deeply touched as I sat there singing with all the sisters.  I looked around and realized that a good number of the women sitting there were YSAs!  Many of them came by bus and train and would have taken an hour or more each way to be there.  They are stalwarts....so good.

The messages we received tonight were about our hearts....about our steadfastness in a troubled world.  It was uplifting and encouraging and enlightening.

Before he dropped me off, SK told me to call when I was ready to come home and he would come and get me...and Sister Hamblin and Sister Swena.  As soon as the meeting was over, Sister Swena appeared and said, "If we leave right now, we can get the #12 bus home."

I thought that would be good and then I wouldn't have to bother SK.  So we hurried outside into the night.  I had gone about 5 feet and realized it was raining, so I quickly put up a small (very small) umbrella that I sometimes carry just in case.  We ran, and as we ran the intensity of the rain increased.  By the time we got to the bus stop it was torrential!  Sister Hamblin appeared out of nowhere and we all huddled together waiting for the bus.

Soon it came and we scrambled aboard.  We were all pretty wet.  I hadn't worn a raincoat...just a sweater.  Sister Swena only had a light cloth coat, but Sister Hamblin was well-prepared with a raincoat and an umbrella....so she wasn't quite as soaked.

Normally, the walk home from the bus stop would have been a pleasant 4 block walk, but tonight I called SK and asked if he would come and get us.  He got there right away....and just walking from the apartment to the car drenched him!

We got home in good order....my wet clothes are hanging up to dry...and my purse is also drying out.

Between the rain and the wonderful meeting, it was a great evening!  I still hear the pitter patter of the raindrops outside my open window.  There is also a goose out there somewhere who scolds someone every minute or so.

You would almost think we were in Gilbert, Arizona!  (except for that noisy goose)