Looking Back, Looking Forward

The official weather report this morning said "foggy" but that was such an inadequate way to describe a glorious day with clear blue skies, sun streaming brilliantly over tree and lake and a a light mist hovering over the water and ground.  Both yesterday and today were no-jacket days.

Elder and Sister Johansen came into Copenhagen today on their way home to Orem, Utah.  They have served in a city on Jutland for the last 23 months, and went to the mission president's home for dinner where they were honored for their service.  All of the local senior missionaries were there except for SK and me, who were at the center.

They came by in the afternoon to drop off some things they will need for tonight (they are staying with us) and to visit for a little while.  I peppered Sister Johansen with questions.  Has it gone fast for you?  How are you feeling about leaving?  What is your best recipe for the Bosch?  (She is the very kind person who bequeathed her bread mixer to me.)  How was your mission?

She patiently and frankly answered all my questions.  "Yes...I am ready to go home, even though I wasn't before...I feel like we did what we needed to do."  We have not had time before now to visit with them, so it was nice to get to know them.

They left for the mission office and we left for the center.  As I write, they are asleep upstairs and will  probably be at 4 a.m. to be ready to leave for the airport.  Our mission president is always the one to drive departing missionaries there.  He is a great leader who leads the way in service.

Everyone tells me that it will be over so fast...especially the last half.  I know that must be true since the first half flew by.  Our mission started 1 year ago on September 30 as we entered the MTC.

At Family Home Evening tonight we had a pretty good group of 30 .... perhaps a few more, with two Americans.  One has already been with us many times and is working here temporarily, and the other one is a twenty-four year old from ..... Gilbert, Arizona!  He just graduated from college and gave himself a month-long trip to Europe, starting in Denmark (brilliant choice), then to Paris, and then to London.  He majored in art...graphic design.  I had a great visit with him.

His family lives about two miles from where we live.  But in Gilbert, 2 miles can put you not only in another ward, but often another stake.  He went to Highland High School.  He told me about about a very famous painting he saw in the Danish National Art Museum which we haven't seen yet...I can hardly wait.  It is an original Matisse.

We had a great message from a handsome young returned missionary who talked about turning your life around.  Very inspiring!  It was followed by a lively activity and then mini-pizzas made by one of our dynamic young friends.  Another enjoyable evening at the center.