You Don't Need a Badge

It was Thursday.

I think we have a routine going here.  As soon as I got up, I began preparing food.  By 2:00 I had most of it ready to put in the oven.  I showered and cleaned up and we headed for the center.

It has been dark all day....it really looks like twilight out there, and I am not talking about vampires.  I am using the word the way it was originally meant to be used.  It looked like the sun had dropped below the horizon for the night and we were left with the last vestiges of daylight.  It really is very pleasant.

We had all the lights on at the center, and when we turned the oven on and started to bake, it made it especially nice to come into.  I had 6 nine by thirteen pans to bake, and it took a few hours to get everything heated up and baked. But everything was ready to eat by the time they finished the Institute classes.

We had a large turn-out tonight....over 40, which is good.  They come through the door laughing and talking as they peel off coats, hats and boots.  I think they enjoy coming in out of the cold to something that smells good in a warm kitchen.

I spent some time with a stunning young woman from Germany.  She has a porcelain complexion with a smattering of attractive freckles and beautiful red hair.  She is well-grounded in life and in the Gospel.  She is here for another year as an au pair.  As soon as she got here, she got involved in Church and the Institute program.  She speaks four languages and is learning Danish.  She has had some great discussions with other members of her class about her religion.

I talked with a young woman from Brazil who is also here as an au pair.  She works for a wealthy family here in Copenhagen and they love her.  They are a prominent family in Danish society.  They are wonderful to work for and treat her with great kindness and consideration.  She will also be here for at least another year.  They appreciate her high values and goodness.

Another young woman I visited with is one of my dear young Danish friends who spent a year in the States as an au pair.  It was an amazing year for her since she was with a very affluent family and the opportunities were marvelous.  She traveled a fair amount in the States and enjoyed the children in her charge.

It is interesting to consider the impact these young women may have had on the families they were with.  They all live their religion and are trustworthy and impressive to look at and speak with.  They are great ambassadors for their beliefs, the Church and their countries....and missionaries.

On the other hand, other very effective missionaries are the host families to foreign exchange students.  One of our very sweet young women lived with an LDS family in the states for a year, attended church with them, seminary, YW and participated in family homes evenings, family scripture study and prayer.  She sought out the missionaries when she returned to Copenhagen and got baptized and is amazing.

We have heard of several others who have done the same.  They had such a terrific experience for that year and they have kept in touch with the host families....establishing long-lasting ties.

Missionary service comes in many different job descriptions and can be done anywhere.  The rewards are sweet.