Senior Moments

One of our senior elders has been in the hospital for the last couple of days.  Elder Brookes has always been healthy, but has had what appears to be a severe case of pneumonia.  He has fluid in his lungs and is worn out.  He and Sister Brookes have been spending long hours in the national archives photographing old records in books.  They work in the basement of a large old building and get so focused (that was not an intentional pun) on what they are doing that they forget to take breaks and quit at the normal time.

SK and I took Sister Brookes over this morning to spend the day with her husband in the hospital.  Then we continued on to a little town north of Copenhagen to a bakery where one of our sweet young women works.  We had a good visit with her (she was sick all of December with pneumonia too and was just too tired to do much beyond what was required of her), and then did the natural thing....we bought two small cakes!  (Oh the things we do for our YSAs!)

We arrived back in Copenhagen in time to take both Elder and Sister Brookes back to their apartment to rest before going out to President Sederholm's where we all had dinner to honor Elder and Sister Hicks before they leave for their home in New Mexico.

We left around five to pick up Elder and Sister Bailey and continue on to the Sederholm's house.  We sat around their large dining room table...there were 13 of us. As is always the case, Sister Sederholm fixed a feast and did it with such seeming grace that I am in utter awe.  We all sat around the candlelit table enjoying each other's company and the wonderful dinner.

Afterwards, President Sederholm asked Elder and Sister Hicks to each bear their testimonies.  They have been hard workers while here, seeking out people who have fallen away.  They have been diligent in trying to reconnect and nurture many individuals.  They have had doors slammed in their faces, but they have had many sweet sweet experiences by helping people bring the Gospel back into their lives.  They told us about a few of the men and women they have gotten close to and about how much they love them.  They spoke with great emotion and tears as bore their testimonies that God lives and loves each of His children.

While here, they helped one young woman from another European country  prepare for and receive the blessings of the temple.  There were miracles involved with every step of the way and they felt the Lord's guiding hand.  They worked closely with the young missionaries and came to love them like their own grandchildren.  They taught and organized and loved.  I know they will return home with a heightened love for Denmark and its people, for the Gospel and for Heavenly Father.  They can return home knowing that these months in the mission field were a blessing for them and that they were good missionaries.

One of the many blessings for us here in Denmark is to come to know the other seniors who are here serving and see the sacrifices they make, the diligence they give, the love and service they offer and the faith they show.

We continue to learn from our friends, no matter what their age.