A Day to Rejoice

Have you ever gone to a meeting with high expectations of a spiritual boost?  We set out for the stake center this morning....about 15 minutes away.  We had an area conference originating from Edinburgh Scotland.  Elder Jeffrey Holland was the visiting general authority.  Of course we had high expectations!

We were met outside by several of our YSAs, all dressed up and excited to be there.  I wondered how they would arrange it, since it was to be broadcast in English, and there are a lot of older Danes who don't speak English.  It was quite ingenious really.  Everyone who wanted the broadcast in Danish went into the chapel, and everyone who wanted it in English went into the cultural hall, which had a huge screen.

The following two hours were truly amazing.  Every speaker hit a home run - out of the ball park!  The first speaker was a member of the Seventy.  He spoke with compassion and tenderness about all those who "are heavy laden.".....specifically with grief over the loss of a loved one.

He was followed by a young mother who spoke very compellingly about her calling as a stay-at-home mom and the trials as well as the blessings that come from that.

A dynamic young stake president from Edinburgh Scotland talked about "Rescue.'  He read from the Book of Mormon ...about Alma the Younger and his rescue.  He told about one of the greatest rescues in modern history - the Miracle of Dunkirk, during World War II and it was truly a miracle.

I loved listening as he alternated between accounts of the miracles of WWII and the miracles of rescue in church history as well as modern day.

A young woman waiting to receive her mission call spoke next, followed by our area president's wife and then the president, Elder Teixeira spoke  Their talks were so beautiful and so compassionate.

The final talk was given by Elder Holland.  I started out writing notes, and finally threw up my hands in despair of capturing all of his main points,  He spoke with powerful eloquence about the Book of Mormon.  I wish I could have a recording or a video of what he said.  About halfway through I noticed SK was sniffling.....so was I.

The whole meeting was deeply moving....spiritually inspiring and strengthening.  Notes don't even begin to capture the power of being there and hearing what we heard.

We came home to have a bite of lunch and then took the pilgrimage to Torslunde....the birthplace of Peter Madsen.  The drive is magnificent but I missed most of it....asleep!

The castle sits atop a small hill and overlooks the sea.

The little town is so beautiful and the church equally so.  How could those early pioneers leave?

On the way home we passed castles and a beautiful beach on the North Sea.  I love this place.