Honey Bee

I think our weather has officially crossed into 40+.  We have always been surprised by how few degrees it varies from day to night time.  The slightly distressing thing to me is how very pleasant it feels to me when it is 48 degrees outside.  I am still wearing my raincoat and a scarf and when we walk, it keeps me sufficiently warm.  I am wondering how we will acclimate to 110 degrees.  The good news is that we will be home at the end of summer, when it is beginning to dip below 100 during the day!

SK went to the monthly planning at the center this evening.  We are still a work in progress.  There are so many things that must be decided for the center here in Copenhagen instead of relying on guidelines from anywhere else.  We are currently using the center 3, 4 and sometimes 5 days a week.

Brother Andersen is still hoping to having it open at least 12 hours 5 or 6 days a week.  Since it is in such a great central part of Copenhagen, it would seem that it is easier to get to for many of the young adults who work and go to school here.  His vision is that it would be a place for them to drop in and relax or study or just get away from the world for awhile.

He is hoping to set up at least one or two classes on other nights, perhaps a "Preparation for Marriage," or "Missionary Prep" class.  The council listened, but no conclusion was met as yet.  If that is decided, it would be a good thing for the center, and certainly make more use of it.  It would mean that we would need to be there earlier in the day every day, but I don't think we will be expected to spend 12 hours a day 5 days a week there.

Whatever is decided will be great with us, and hopefully will give us stronger direction in what we do here.  We have spent many long afternoons at the center with no one there, but with a new push and more classes offered, perhaps we could draw more people to join us.

I went to Relief Society.  It was a card-making meeting where we made Christmas cards.  The lady who taught it is somewhere around 80 years old and an amazing woman who has raised an incredible family....two of her children live in the branch and 4 grandchildren.  She has done tremendous work in family history, and she is a historian (you can ask her anything about Copenhagen and she will give you the full story).  She is fluent in English and teaches Relief Society once or twice a month.

We had about 9 or 10 there and it was warm and inviting and enjoyable.  I love our branch.

On a completely separate note, 35 years ago just past midnight a little girl came into this world.  She was born on the day that we expected her, and she was born on the birthday of a sweet older friend of mine, who helped me in the early months of pregnancy when morning sickness sapped me of strength and motivation.  When my friend heard that I was expecting in early November, she said "Have that baby on my birthday!"  And we did.

After she was born, she was brought to me all bundled up with a little knit cap on.  It made her sweet face look all the rounder.  The nurse held her almost upright in her arms and cradled close, yet Melissa was straining to see everything.

She is still where she is supposed to be early (usually), or at the very least on time.  She is still taking great joy in discovering what the world has to offer.  She is still mindful of friends and their needs, and she serves....with joy and compassion.

She is well named.  Melissa means honeybee.  She is industrious.

Happy Birthday to our little honeybee.  We love you.