Thanks for the Sabbath Day

When my children were small, Sundays were difficult.  It seemed like SK always had a calling that kept him gone from early Sunday until afternoon, which left me to get them up, ready and to church on my own.  And it seemed like being home in the afternoons was an even greater challenge as I struggled to find ways to help the children keep boredom at bay, peace in the home and the Sabbath Day holy.  I often retired to my bed on Sunday nights feeling like I could have done much better.

It wasn't all that bleak though, because there were some wonderful times as well.

Sundays have definitely gotten better over the years, but they have reached their zenith for me here in Denmark on this mission.

It seems to me that there is a simplicity and focus here that I haven't had before.

Church is always wonderful....always.  It is always uplifting and inspiring to me.

Today in Sacrament meeting, one of our sweet young adults - a recently returned missionary who served in the SLC Temple Square Mission spoke.  We had only a month or so to get to know her before she left and I loved her then, and now she has been back a couple of months and we love her even more.

She spoke of her mission and how much she loved it.  She said that she had experienced some really difficult struggles as well as some mountaintop joys.  That struck me.  I listened to her, saw the beautiful and cheerful face, the poise as she speaks and the strength she projects, and realized what a blessing that mission was for her....even though she was like that before.

Then I realized that looking back over my mission I may say the same thing.  In the nearly two years here, I have often felt like the most blessed missionary in the world.  How could it possibly get any better?  How could any spot be more beautiful?  How could the people we serve be any more dear?  How could the missionaries we serve with be any more delightful and good?

But there have been real challenges.  Most of you would have been able to do what I have done with your eyes closed!  But the cooking and organization and several other things have stretched me.  I have wanted to be a good missionary, but often fall short and wish I were better.  But I wouldn't trade a minute of this mission.

One of our YSAs taught the lesson in Relief Society....and I just think she is wonderful.  She always shares tender insights and asks thought-provoking questions.  Our Relief Society President gave the lesson in the 3rd portion of the block, and I came away much inspired.  Comments made be a respected friend - a teacher (so dedicated to her students and her responsibility to teach) were so practical and yet so encouraging and gave me more to think about.  Another dear dear sister who works in the temple shared a deeply moving and personal experience that she said was just for me.....and my heart was touched.

SK and I came home and we talked for well over an hour....about what we want to accomplish before we leave in 11 weeks, and what we want to do better.  The time seems so short.  Then we put on our coats....yes, on June 14 we needed our coats!....and we took a lovely long walk through one of our favorite parks....just a mile and a half away.

We sat down on a bench and gazed up at the towering and stately trees swaying gracefully in the wind, and basked in the beauty around us.  We feel so blessed.

A round of Nines with the Thornes and Sister Hamblin ended a truly lovely day.