Importing and Exporting Missionaries

We awoke to a glorious sun-filled day with blue skies and crystal-clear air.  The contrasts look so clean and crisp.  I love the light here.  The drive to and from church showed that I am not the only one.  On a day like today there are droves of people everywhere....still bundled up, but out enjoying the sunshine.  Bicyclists and baby buggies are ever present and people look happy.

Our temple president and matron spoke in sacrament meeting today.  They are both amazing people.  He was here on a mission 50 years ago, shortly before SK served. They were here when he was a mission president 10 years ago.  They know a lot  of people, they speak the language (he is fluent, and she is in the Wednesday Danish class with me....she is coming along really well), they know their way around and they are just plain fun.

Sister Williams is in her early 70's I think, but looks and acts much younger.   With a helmet covering her blonde hair she bicyles all over Copenhagen.  Everywhere she goes, she strikes up conversations with total strangers and hands out pass-along cards.  She is a great missionary.  She has more energy than anyone has a right to.  About 5'2" and a youthful slim frame she is a force all by herself.

After our block we drove back into Frederiksberg to the church by the temple, where Katarina was speaking.  Her open house was last night, and her "farewell" was today.  She did a lovely job on her talk.  She is a beautiful young blonde woman with blue blue eyes and rosy cheeks....she absolutely sparkles with anticipation about this mission.

She told how she was not even thinking about serving.  She was living up north, had a new apartment and had a new job that she was happy about, when out of the blue she just felt that she needed to go on a mission.  She quit her job, gave up the lease to the apartment and moved to Copenhagen, where she initiated the application to serve.

Within a couple of weeks she will be in the MTC in England and then to her mission in Manchester.
All of the young people who have been leaving on missions have a sweet attitude about wanting to serve....wanting to give back to the Lord.  I have loved watching the process from entertaining the idea, to submitting applications, to opening "The Call," to the open houses and farewells and then the true fare wells.  It is truly a joy.

At Katarina's farewell today, I talked with the mother of the first missionary to go out during our time here.  Her name is Sarah and she is serving on Temple Square in Salt Lake.  We were still fairly new here when she invited us to her home for her open house.  We knew very few people and we went and felt a trifle awkward....but it was warm and inviting with people wall to wall and a glorious selection of food.  Everything was so new to me.

Sarah is coming home in a month!  Our first missionary to come home here.  I can hardly wait.  Her mother is going to have a little gathering for her...not an outright open house.  I asked if I could bring something or help.  Do you know what she said?

"Yes!  Bring those carrot cake cookies that you made for Katarina's open house last night!"

Only for the YSAs....