Expanding Life

What a lovely day!

Of all of our activities for this June 16, the one I enjoyed most was visiting teaching.  I set out for the train station to catch a train out to Amager, and discovered halfway there that I didn't have my telephone.  So I walked back, and had to get SK to drive me there, because by then I was going to be late.  He kindly obliged.

It was rush-hour traffic but he got me there only 5 minutes late, and then had to join the stream of traffic to get home.  I hurried into Fields, arguably the largest mall in Scandinavia.  It is very large, and very beautiful.  I believe there are at least 3 stories, and I always meet Sarah on the third story, where there is something of a food court.

These past several months I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing her monthly.  She comes to the center when she can....she has had some marvelous opportunities to travel this past semester, yet is always in church on Sundays when she is in town.

I have admired her strength and courage...it can't be easy to travel across the world to a country to study, knowing that a different language is spoken there, and not knowing anyone.  She has made some good friends that she will probably long remember fondly and many that she will keep in touch with.

I love to hear about the places she has been and what she has been able to see.  That in itself is an education.  Denmark is a beautiful country, and it is no sacrifice of comforts or conveniences to serve here.  (The water right out of the faucet is delicious and cold!)  People here are much like people from my home in the States.  So there was no culture shock.

But I have learned from being here....learned about myself and learned a little bit more about Europe and I have learned to step back and view my country from afar, perhaps through the eyes of a foreigner.  It has been very beneficial and very interesting.  There are things you learn about visiting other countries that you can learn in no other way.  Books are great, but they have their limitations.

Denmark has to be the kindest gentlest country to learn in.  I think this experience has been good for Sarah too.

Each month we meet, we choose a place to eat (they are all very reasonably priced), we order, and then we find a nice place to sit.  We always bow our heads and bless our food together and then we talk....and eat.  She is delightful company, and it seems that we never run out of topics.

She will be returning to her home in New Zealand next week.  She stood in Relief Society and in a most gracious way told everyone how much she has appreciated being in our little branch.  She has volunteered to make her delectable chocolate cake for Family Home Evening at the center next Monday night.  So she is saying her goodbyes.

Our turn will come soon enough, and like Sarah, I will go home much enriched by my experience here.  We spoke of journals and ways to remember this chapter of our lives.  She is young and has a quick mind and good memory.  I am certain that she will take home amazing memories of exciting places and events.  I will take home amazing memories of young people like her who have greatly enlarged my life.