Once again, the YSAs were out early to attend the institute class taught by Jens Andersen. I estimate that we had over 200....which is astonishing considering that many of them were up until 1 or 2 a.m.....or even later/earlier for that matter. Many of the young men looked just a little bit rumpled...with hair sticking up in all directions, and many of the young women arrived with wet-just-shampooed hair.
But all were attentive. Jens began by asking the question, "What desirest thou?" We read some scriptures and then he asked us what questions we have been pondering. At first, there were no questions forthcoming, and then hands went up everywhere. You might think that some questions might be a little on the trite side, but every single one showed a depth.
"How can I know that I am doing my best?'
"How can I know Heavenly Father loves me?"
"How do I know it is personal revelation and not my own wishes?"
"How do I find motivation to repent?"
There were many others, but I will share just a few things Jens had to say as he taught from the scriptures, and as YSAs volunteered answers.
"The measure of success in my life is if I feel the presence of the Spirit."
"The measure of happiness in our lives is to know who we are and our relationship to God."
"Love is the greatest motivating power in the world."
"We often hear 'Forget yourself and go to work.' It is equally important to forgive yourself and go to work."
Class was followed by a bite of breakfast, a leadership meeting, a wonderful wonderful devotional where our new mission president and his wife spoke. They each talked briefly...yet gave dynamic and interesting and spiritual messages. I know they will be marvelous as they try to fill the very big shoes of the Sederholms.
When the devotional was over, we helped set up 80 round tables and 800 chairs. We helped set them with goblets, plates, napkins....you get the idea. That took right up til lunch time.
After lunch we had another leadership meeting, followed by a meeting with our area supervisors from Germany. In that meeting, we (all senior couples working with YSAs from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland) shared some of the projects we have worked on. I wrote as fast as I could and thought it was very exciting to have some great ideas to take back to Morten and Helen, our YSA chairmen.
Tonight was the gala....the crowning event of Festinord, where everyone comes in their finest and dressiest outfits, and they come in dates if possible. They have a marvelous meal served and then they dance the night away.
I served at one of the serving tables, along with the rest of the seniors. It was great fun to see all of the beautiful dresses and beautiful young women, as well as the many handsome young men. I do think Scandinavia has some of the most beautiful people in the world.
SK and I sat down at one of the tables with several of the young people from our center. That was fun too. We helped serve dessert.....then I helped clean up while SK went to the dance to take pictures. Do you have any idea how long it takes to clear 80 tables? I left after 2 hours and they were almost done, but there was still a fair amount to do. I wanted to go see the dance, and actually there were several members of the local ward taking care of it.
The dance had as a theme "New York," and had a beautiful New York Skyline along one wall of the arena. The decorations were incredible. The music was a little more romantic - there were quite a few couples dancing together...in each other's arms!
By midnight, we left....but the party will go on until 2 a.m.
We have to be back to serve breakfast, and we must check out of our little hotel room before we leave. So I will sign off with a promise to post pictures sometime in the near future.
For now....I am off to bed!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
A Full Day
Thursday, Day 3 of Festinord continued the string of great activities.
We were up again in time to attend Jens's institute class....and were well rewarded. His topic was "Jesus Christ - the Messiah." With two late nights behind us, I suspected that our numbers would decrease daily. This morning there was still at least 200 people in attendance....that is nearly a third of the number at Festinord.
Similar to the last two days, Jens taught from the scriptures, and asked questions that brought forth some amazing answers. He also used quotes from general authorities. He is an excellent teacher.
We had our leadership meeting, followed by the morning devotional. We were given assignments and yellow "Helping Hands" vests and sent forth into Randers to serve. Buses were employed to take large groups to places that needed a lot of help, as well as deliver groups as small as 2, to private homes of older people who needed help with yard work.
We opted to stay at the Randers Arena, where most of the conference is taking place - to paint. We were supposed to be doing service, but I was having way too much fun to realize I was "working." We were painting little cartoon children and animals on a linen wall hanging which will be sent to orphanages in areas of the world that are in need. SK decided he would be my moral support, so he just sat and watched, making comments along the way. He also took pictures.
The event was covered by two different newspapers, and there were a lot of pictures taken. It must have been a great success, and we think we will hear some of the many positive stories tomorrow morning.
We had a leadership meeting in the afternoon and helped with dinner immediately after. Helping with dinner means serving, which is kind of fun. I served in the "special diets" section, which was most interesting. Some were gluten intolerant, some lactose intolerant, some were vegetarian, and some were a combination of two or more of those things.
We all met together in the very large arena....had a song and prayer and then divided into 3 groups of over 200 each. The groups held testimony meetings that lasted two hours. In the goup we were in, within 10 minutes of the first testimony, there were about 30 YSAs, up and waiting patiently to share their witness of the truth. They kept going up, and when the meeting ended 2 hours later, there were at least 20 who weren't able to get up.
Some of the testimonies were tender and heartfelt....some were funny....some were halting and slow to speak in English.....some were just expressions of gratitude. But I enjoyed them all.
One young man shared with us that he had gone through periods of depression and doubt. But he discovered that he always felt joy when he attended his meetings. He said with conviction, " I chose to believe....to place my faith in my Savior." It was a wonderful meeting.
We are back at our tiny motel and ready to go to bed. Tomorrow is the last full day...and we want to be ready!
We were up again in time to attend Jens's institute class....and were well rewarded. His topic was "Jesus Christ - the Messiah." With two late nights behind us, I suspected that our numbers would decrease daily. This morning there was still at least 200 people in attendance....that is nearly a third of the number at Festinord.
Similar to the last two days, Jens taught from the scriptures, and asked questions that brought forth some amazing answers. He also used quotes from general authorities. He is an excellent teacher.
We had our leadership meeting, followed by the morning devotional. We were given assignments and yellow "Helping Hands" vests and sent forth into Randers to serve. Buses were employed to take large groups to places that needed a lot of help, as well as deliver groups as small as 2, to private homes of older people who needed help with yard work.
We opted to stay at the Randers Arena, where most of the conference is taking place - to paint. We were supposed to be doing service, but I was having way too much fun to realize I was "working." We were painting little cartoon children and animals on a linen wall hanging which will be sent to orphanages in areas of the world that are in need. SK decided he would be my moral support, so he just sat and watched, making comments along the way. He also took pictures.
The event was covered by two different newspapers, and there were a lot of pictures taken. It must have been a great success, and we think we will hear some of the many positive stories tomorrow morning.
We had a leadership meeting in the afternoon and helped with dinner immediately after. Helping with dinner means serving, which is kind of fun. I served in the "special diets" section, which was most interesting. Some were gluten intolerant, some lactose intolerant, some were vegetarian, and some were a combination of two or more of those things.
We all met together in the very large arena....had a song and prayer and then divided into 3 groups of over 200 each. The groups held testimony meetings that lasted two hours. In the goup we were in, within 10 minutes of the first testimony, there were about 30 YSAs, up and waiting patiently to share their witness of the truth. They kept going up, and when the meeting ended 2 hours later, there were at least 20 who weren't able to get up.
Some of the testimonies were tender and heartfelt....some were funny....some were halting and slow to speak in English.....some were just expressions of gratitude. But I enjoyed them all.
One young man shared with us that he had gone through periods of depression and doubt. But he discovered that he always felt joy when he attended his meetings. He said with conviction, " I chose to believe....to place my faith in my Savior." It was a wonderful meeting.
We are back at our tiny motel and ready to go to bed. Tomorrow is the last full day...and we want to be ready!
From My Point of View.....
I was deeply touched by her determination and courage. I spoke with her at length, and will attend one of her workshops on Friday. I heard today from some of the YSAs that the class she taught was excellent.
She is a therapist with advanced degrees. She is a mother of 7, I believe, and a wife. She helps people, specifically people who are having problems of a very personal nature. She knows a lot about how to help people who have pornography addictions. She has been very outspoken about the deleterious effects that come with them. She has spoken in Geneva to large groups and has spoken to many groups here.
She is fighting a difficult battle in a country who proudly proclaims that it was the first to legalize pornography, but slowly, many people all over the world are beginning to see how harmful it is.
Today, she spoke about the fundamental differences in the natures of men and women, and why that is important. I would have liked to hear it, but we were assigned elsewhere. To my thinking, she is doing great things....she is a hero.
Festinord today was terrific...again. We got to the institute class in plenty of time to find a good seat. The late-night dance and the length of activities of yesterday took a toll this morning. There were still over 200 there....dressed and combed and neat, toting notebooks and their electronic scriptures (phones, ipads, etc.).
Jens spoke about Light....what it is, what it isn't, what the effects are, what the loss of it is. It was a wonderful time to listen. He asks questions and receives answers from these early risers that are profound. There is always a wonderful spirit when he teaches.
We then had a meeting for leaders, then the devotional...super....then workshops and sports. There was an amazing array of both. We watched Denmark's soccer (football) team play against Norway. It is an interesting thing to watch a soccer game when you know the players. I really enjoyed it, and worried when our men appeared to be hurt. But all turned out well....except that no one scored. So technically, it was a tie....I guess.
We had another meeting in the afternoon with our area supervisors from Sweden. There were about 14 or 15 senior missionary couples. It was very beneficial in the sharing that took place. And I must say.....it was absolutely lovely to be with other couples who do the same thing we do. We felt understood!!!! And we understand them.
We took the honor of being the "oldest" couple out....having been out 22 months (one month from today we will be on a plane flying west), There was another couple who have been out for 4 months...so they are the "youngest."
That meeting was followed by another leadership meeting....evaluations about how the day went - what could have been better....followed by dinner. I helped serve. I stood in the serving line for an hour and a half, dishing up salad. I have never been told thank you - so genuinely - so many times in such a short amount of time.
After dinner, we went to the dance - a bedouin theme - and just enjoyed everyone's company. Morten, whose costume for last night (theme: Blue Hawaii) was hilarious, tonight dressed as a sheik, and looked quite dashing. Others wore elaborate and beautiful costumes, but most just dressed in casual attire.
I sat in the dance hall and watched. They were cute, they were all having fun, and they were enjoying the music. And while their dancing looked like fun....not to mention a really good whole body workout, I couldn't help but think they might really enjoy a waltz once in awhile....holding each other in their arms and moving gracefully to easy music.
The music tonight had a near constant 2 beats per second. People were dancing every which way, and sometimes in a circle of sorts, sometimes with neighbors and friends and sometimes by themselves. Two guys looked like they were pretending to throw a large ball at each other....catching it and returning it to the sender. People wandered in and out...sometimes dancing part of the way. As far as I could tell, there was no one way of dancing.
But from my vantage point, they were having good clean fun. That is something the world would not understand at all.
It is a great vantage point.
She is a therapist with advanced degrees. She is a mother of 7, I believe, and a wife. She helps people, specifically people who are having problems of a very personal nature. She knows a lot about how to help people who have pornography addictions. She has been very outspoken about the deleterious effects that come with them. She has spoken in Geneva to large groups and has spoken to many groups here.
She is fighting a difficult battle in a country who proudly proclaims that it was the first to legalize pornography, but slowly, many people all over the world are beginning to see how harmful it is.
Today, she spoke about the fundamental differences in the natures of men and women, and why that is important. I would have liked to hear it, but we were assigned elsewhere. To my thinking, she is doing great things....she is a hero.
Festinord today was terrific...again. We got to the institute class in plenty of time to find a good seat. The late-night dance and the length of activities of yesterday took a toll this morning. There were still over 200 there....dressed and combed and neat, toting notebooks and their electronic scriptures (phones, ipads, etc.).
Jens spoke about Light....what it is, what it isn't, what the effects are, what the loss of it is. It was a wonderful time to listen. He asks questions and receives answers from these early risers that are profound. There is always a wonderful spirit when he teaches.
We then had a meeting for leaders, then the devotional...super....then workshops and sports. There was an amazing array of both. We watched Denmark's soccer (football) team play against Norway. It is an interesting thing to watch a soccer game when you know the players. I really enjoyed it, and worried when our men appeared to be hurt. But all turned out well....except that no one scored. So technically, it was a tie....I guess.
We had another meeting in the afternoon with our area supervisors from Sweden. There were about 14 or 15 senior missionary couples. It was very beneficial in the sharing that took place. And I must say.....it was absolutely lovely to be with other couples who do the same thing we do. We felt understood!!!! And we understand them.
We took the honor of being the "oldest" couple out....having been out 22 months (one month from today we will be on a plane flying west), There was another couple who have been out for 4 months...so they are the "youngest."
That meeting was followed by another leadership meeting....evaluations about how the day went - what could have been better....followed by dinner. I helped serve. I stood in the serving line for an hour and a half, dishing up salad. I have never been told thank you - so genuinely - so many times in such a short amount of time.
After dinner, we went to the dance - a bedouin theme - and just enjoyed everyone's company. Morten, whose costume for last night (theme: Blue Hawaii) was hilarious, tonight dressed as a sheik, and looked quite dashing. Others wore elaborate and beautiful costumes, but most just dressed in casual attire.
I sat in the dance hall and watched. They were cute, they were all having fun, and they were enjoying the music. And while their dancing looked like fun....not to mention a really good whole body workout, I couldn't help but think they might really enjoy a waltz once in awhile....holding each other in their arms and moving gracefully to easy music.
The music tonight had a near constant 2 beats per second. People were dancing every which way, and sometimes in a circle of sorts, sometimes with neighbors and friends and sometimes by themselves. Two guys looked like they were pretending to throw a large ball at each other....catching it and returning it to the sender. People wandered in and out...sometimes dancing part of the way. As far as I could tell, there was no one way of dancing.
But from my vantage point, they were having good clean fun. That is something the world would not understand at all.
It is a great vantage point.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Maybe Not AsYoung as we Thought
We are about a fifteen minute drive from the school campus where Festinord is being held. We had the option to stay "on campus" where most of the YSAs are staying. The young people are sleeping in sleeping bags (some on air mattresses) in large meeting halls.....I think about 150 to a room.
They shower and dress in the shower rooms provided for P.E. As you might imagine, with over 300 girls trying to get ready for any activity, it must be difficult....to say the least. Except for saying they are tired from the constant noise throughout the night as people were arriving, there have been few complaints....just happy and enthusiastic smiles.
Nevertheless....I am happy with our little motel room.
We were up and dressed and at the school by seven for institute...which was awesome. Jens Andersen taught it (our institute director)....the topic was the apostasy. I love the way he teaches, the questions he asks, the thoughts he prompts, the spirit he brings to the lessons. There must have been 350 YSAs there this morning. Impressive....yes?
Afterwards we had a meeting for senior couples and various and sundry other leaders. What an undertaking this is! It has been well-planned, but you can imagine there are glitches here and there. We were given our assignments and then excused to go to the devotional.
We had a 2-hour opening devotional which was entertaining, inspiring and funny. Four guys prepared a little presentation set to music which had us both laugh out loud. I hope to get the video link for you.....it was last as funny as the one from last year.
We spent several hours outdoors in a local park manning and timing one of the many activities planned for today. The sky was dark and beautifully dramatic....and poured down on us for awhile....and then bright beams of sunlight. SK is sunburned!
Someone delivered a sack lunch to us...which tasted soooo good. We left late in the afternoon to go back to the school for dinner and then a dance. Everyone is in high spirits. We sat in the darkened danceroom for a few hours, yelling conversations to various people and watching those who were blissfully dancing.
We took a lot of pictures, but since I am still not using the computer keyboard, I also can't access the pictures for this blog. I will get the posted!
It has been a truly lovely day, and if I get into bed within a few minutes, I'll get 7 hours of sleep, which is a whole lot more than the YSAs will get!
Yes....I think I'm a little too old to keep their schedules!
They shower and dress in the shower rooms provided for P.E. As you might imagine, with over 300 girls trying to get ready for any activity, it must be difficult....to say the least. Except for saying they are tired from the constant noise throughout the night as people were arriving, there have been few complaints....just happy and enthusiastic smiles.
Nevertheless....I am happy with our little motel room.
We were up and dressed and at the school by seven for institute...which was awesome. Jens Andersen taught it (our institute director)....the topic was the apostasy. I love the way he teaches, the questions he asks, the thoughts he prompts, the spirit he brings to the lessons. There must have been 350 YSAs there this morning. Impressive....yes?
Afterwards we had a meeting for senior couples and various and sundry other leaders. What an undertaking this is! It has been well-planned, but you can imagine there are glitches here and there. We were given our assignments and then excused to go to the devotional.
We had a 2-hour opening devotional which was entertaining, inspiring and funny. Four guys prepared a little presentation set to music which had us both laugh out loud. I hope to get the video link for you.....it was last as funny as the one from last year.
We spent several hours outdoors in a local park manning and timing one of the many activities planned for today. The sky was dark and beautifully dramatic....and poured down on us for awhile....and then bright beams of sunlight. SK is sunburned!
Someone delivered a sack lunch to us...which tasted soooo good. We left late in the afternoon to go back to the school for dinner and then a dance. Everyone is in high spirits. We sat in the darkened danceroom for a few hours, yelling conversations to various people and watching those who were blissfully dancing.
We took a lot of pictures, but since I am still not using the computer keyboard, I also can't access the pictures for this blog. I will get the posted!
It has been a truly lovely day, and if I get into bed within a few minutes, I'll get 7 hours of sleep, which is a whole lot more than the YSAs will get!
Yes....I think I'm a little too old to keep their schedules!
Monday, July 27, 2015
Young Again
We have checked into our tiny little motel room in a hotel just outside of Randers on the mainland of Denmark. Our travel through the countryside and across the water on a ferry was lovely.
The room, including the bathroom (you can stand in the middle and touch all walls...the shower takes up half the room) is spotless, and contains two twin beds, two small reading lamps, two overhead lights, a single window, and a few small shelves and is about 8 by 10.
We checked into Festinord, had some sandwiches with other senior missionary couples we know who are serving in other areas of Denmark and Norway. It is SO fun to touch bases with them. SK has had two sweet missionary discussions with strangers. We have greeted several of our wonderful YSAs.
We don't have Internet access so I am doing this on the phone and it is tedious! We need to get into bed so we can rise early early early to be at the first institute class. Then breakfast and then a preparation where we get our marching orders for the day.
I feel like a kid again!
The room, including the bathroom (you can stand in the middle and touch all walls...the shower takes up half the room) is spotless, and contains two twin beds, two small reading lamps, two overhead lights, a single window, and a few small shelves and is about 8 by 10.
We checked into Festinord, had some sandwiches with other senior missionary couples we know who are serving in other areas of Denmark and Norway. It is SO fun to touch bases with them. SK has had two sweet missionary discussions with strangers. We have greeted several of our wonderful YSAs.
We don't have Internet access so I am doing this on the phone and it is tedious! We need to get into bed so we can rise early early early to be at the first institute class. Then breakfast and then a preparation where we get our marching orders for the day.
I feel like a kid again!
Sunday, July 26, 2015
The Spirit Speaks All Languages
Our Sabbath began and ended with Church. We attended our little branch where Kasper and his sister Emma spoke. She is just home from California where she served her mission in San Jose. She looks wonderful and gave a lovely talk. She didn't appear to have problems with Danish, although I have heard young people get up to give a talk after living in England or the U.S. and mention they needed to get back into the Danish language.
We had a nice group in Sunday School. We meet with the YSAs of the branch, and if there are no investigators, the young elders also attend our class. They are always so eager to answer questions and make comments. I love those young men and so enjoy their enthusiasm and excitement for the gospel. They both speak Danish quite well.
Relief Society was also (as always) interesting and inspiring. Our fairy-tale princess gave the lesson...two conference talks....one about music, which of course was a perfect subject for her. She was inspiring as she warmed to the topic and bore her testimony about its power in our lives, comparing it to the gospel.
We had a little while at home before I did my visiting teaching. I normally do it on a week night, but I don't think I have had any free nights so far this month. Visiting Teaching here is a joy and I love Anna....the one sister I visit since Sarah left to return to her home in New Zealand. Anna translates in our meetings and also works at the Liahona during the week translating the Ensign, Friend and Era into Danish. She is a cute friend and I always love to visit with her.
From there we went to the center where we visited awhile with several of our YSAs before our ouncil meeting. We are missing several of our council members, including sweet Emilia who is now serving her mission in Manchester England. There are others whose lives are getting busy with other things who weren't there....but that is kind of the nature of the YSA program. They are all in a state of flux to some extent, and their lives can change from moment to moment.
Our sacrament meeting tonight at the center was lovely and was interesting. This is the night before most of the YSAs will leave for Festinord....a four-hour trip to Jutland (the mainland) which begins officially bright and early Tuesday morning. We were missing many of our regulars, who, no doubt, were home getting ready. In fact, we had only 5 Danes! But we had several from Spain, 2 from Mexico, 1 from Canada, 1 from the States, and 4 or 5 from England. They are all here on their way to Festinord.
As luck would have it (luck really has nothing to do with it) two of the speakers (Ceasar from Mexico and SK from Gilbert Arizona) prepared and gave their talks in English. The third speaker, Helene, a Dane and our Co-chairman of the program, prepared and wrote out her talk in Danish. When she realized that the majority of the congregation could not understand Danish, she read her talk (written in Danish) and simultaneously translated it for us into English....just once or twice she came to a word and said it out loud in Danish in a questioning tone, and each time Morten or our high Councilor Thomas gave her the English word. Even in English, much of her talk came straight from her heart and I was deeply touched with her ability to express sublime thoughts in another language.
Festinord is always held in English because that is the language nearly all Scandinavians speak very well, so it is the most commonly spoken among these northern countries when they are together....even though their mother tongues are similar and can often be understood from country to country. English is also the common denominator among other European countries so I am happy about that!!!! I understand everything that is said in English!
We will be heading out in the morning too for Festinord. We will drive and take the ferry, which will save some driving for SK. I am looking forward to it, but I know from last year that this is really where our age shows. Last year, we never got enough sleep, and I think we are heading into it this year feeling tired. Typically, people stay up into the early morning hours and get up early to participate in activities.
They leave for their homes at the end of the week pretty well spent. But it is a good thing, and we know personally of several marriages have come of this yearly tradition....good strong temple marriages. Many of our young people will come home with names and email addresses and will start up correspondences that just may turn into something wonderful.
We may be sharing a room with another senior couple. If that is the case, I don't know when I will post, but I will give it my best shot. With just slightly over a month left in this mission I don't want to fall short just as we near the finish line.
Until we talk again.....
We had a nice group in Sunday School. We meet with the YSAs of the branch, and if there are no investigators, the young elders also attend our class. They are always so eager to answer questions and make comments. I love those young men and so enjoy their enthusiasm and excitement for the gospel. They both speak Danish quite well.
Relief Society was also (as always) interesting and inspiring. Our fairy-tale princess gave the lesson...two conference talks....one about music, which of course was a perfect subject for her. She was inspiring as she warmed to the topic and bore her testimony about its power in our lives, comparing it to the gospel.
We had a little while at home before I did my visiting teaching. I normally do it on a week night, but I don't think I have had any free nights so far this month. Visiting Teaching here is a joy and I love Anna....the one sister I visit since Sarah left to return to her home in New Zealand. Anna translates in our meetings and also works at the Liahona during the week translating the Ensign, Friend and Era into Danish. She is a cute friend and I always love to visit with her.
From there we went to the center where we visited awhile with several of our YSAs before our ouncil meeting. We are missing several of our council members, including sweet Emilia who is now serving her mission in Manchester England. There are others whose lives are getting busy with other things who weren't there....but that is kind of the nature of the YSA program. They are all in a state of flux to some extent, and their lives can change from moment to moment.
Our sacrament meeting tonight at the center was lovely and was interesting. This is the night before most of the YSAs will leave for Festinord....a four-hour trip to Jutland (the mainland) which begins officially bright and early Tuesday morning. We were missing many of our regulars, who, no doubt, were home getting ready. In fact, we had only 5 Danes! But we had several from Spain, 2 from Mexico, 1 from Canada, 1 from the States, and 4 or 5 from England. They are all here on their way to Festinord.
As luck would have it (luck really has nothing to do with it) two of the speakers (Ceasar from Mexico and SK from Gilbert Arizona) prepared and gave their talks in English. The third speaker, Helene, a Dane and our Co-chairman of the program, prepared and wrote out her talk in Danish. When she realized that the majority of the congregation could not understand Danish, she read her talk (written in Danish) and simultaneously translated it for us into English....just once or twice she came to a word and said it out loud in Danish in a questioning tone, and each time Morten or our high Councilor Thomas gave her the English word. Even in English, much of her talk came straight from her heart and I was deeply touched with her ability to express sublime thoughts in another language.
Festinord is always held in English because that is the language nearly all Scandinavians speak very well, so it is the most commonly spoken among these northern countries when they are together....even though their mother tongues are similar and can often be understood from country to country. English is also the common denominator among other European countries so I am happy about that!!!! I understand everything that is said in English!
We will be heading out in the morning too for Festinord. We will drive and take the ferry, which will save some driving for SK. I am looking forward to it, but I know from last year that this is really where our age shows. Last year, we never got enough sleep, and I think we are heading into it this year feeling tired. Typically, people stay up into the early morning hours and get up early to participate in activities.
They leave for their homes at the end of the week pretty well spent. But it is a good thing, and we know personally of several marriages have come of this yearly tradition....good strong temple marriages. Many of our young people will come home with names and email addresses and will start up correspondences that just may turn into something wonderful.
We may be sharing a room with another senior couple. If that is the case, I don't know when I will post, but I will give it my best shot. With just slightly over a month left in this mission I don't want to fall short just as we near the finish line.
Until we talk again.....
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Pondering the Gift
Erin, Ethan, Andrew, Lauren, Anna and Ben are all now home, and probably feeling pretty tired. It was a long day of travel for them. They had a glorious week here.
As if on signal, today it was blustery, cool and raining....as a matter of fact, we were told that all of July's annual rainfall will fall today....a deluge. We are waiting for that to happen....I will love it. However, in the meantime, at 10 p.m. we have had a few moments of dramatic thunder and lightening, a few periods of rain, and mostly a steady drizzle.
At one point this evening, as I sat at the computer, the rain started down most sincerely, and all of the walkers on the lake path ran to stand under the trees. They clustered close together under the great canopies until it stopped, which was about 5 minutes later. A few brilliant souls were out strolling with opened umbrellas.
We spent some time with Kasper today. He has been gone for a few months. He is currently living in London and very happy with his work (he is a chef) and all other things, like his ward and living conditions....but mainly a beautiful young woman who seems to be in sync with his plans for the future. We hope for a happy announcement sometime in the future. We love this guy.
As if on signal, today it was blustery, cool and raining....as a matter of fact, we were told that all of July's annual rainfall will fall today....a deluge. We are waiting for that to happen....I will love it. However, in the meantime, at 10 p.m. we have had a few moments of dramatic thunder and lightening, a few periods of rain, and mostly a steady drizzle.
At one point this evening, as I sat at the computer, the rain started down most sincerely, and all of the walkers on the lake path ran to stand under the trees. They clustered close together under the great canopies until it stopped, which was about 5 minutes later. A few brilliant souls were out strolling with opened umbrellas.
We spent some time with Kasper today. He has been gone for a few months. He is currently living in London and very happy with his work (he is a chef) and all other things, like his ward and living conditions....but mainly a beautiful young woman who seems to be in sync with his plans for the future. We hope for a happy announcement sometime in the future. We love this guy.
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| We are at a little kebab shop that Kasper told us about a long time ago. The owner was kind enough to snap our picture. He knows what we like to order.....even if we haven't been in for a couple of months. He is always very cheerful.
I have been studying the Gospel Doctrine lesson for tomorrow in Sunday School and have been struck by how all of the Savior's disciples must have felt after His death. They must have been heartsick and frightened and somewhat baffled by all of the events leading up to and including the crucifixion. Because of His sacrifice and gift to us all, there is a possibility of hope and peace in this world, and sweet reunions in the next.
It was pivotal in the history of this world, and more meaningful to me than ever. I watched again the short video "Because of Him" which was released by the Church about a year and a half ago. It is powerful to me. I think I will show that at the end of the lesson tomorrow.
Please take the 3 minutes and watch this awesome video....it will give you great hope, and strengthen your faith in the Savior.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU
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Friday, July 24, 2015
Pioneer Day
As we hurried along the cobblestones on our way to the train station, Ben leaned in to me and said, mournfully, "I really don't want to leave here."
I understood perfectly. Erin and Ethan both expressed the idea that I might have a difficult time returning to Gilbert, the heat, the scorpions, the travel-by-car-everywhere-you-go mentality, the closed-up houses until the heat drops enough to turn off the air-conditioning, and the walk-around-the cornfields-for-entertainment outing. I am a little concerned myself.
I think having family nearby will help....that and listing all of the many many positive things about living in Gilbert.
SK took Erin, Andrew and the luggage to the airport in the rental car (missionaries the world over are not allowed to take non-missionaries in their cars), while Ethan, Ben, Anna, Lauren and I walked to the train station and caught a train there. I love taking the train, and am still hoping that before we leave here, we will take a train as far as our train passes will allow, and then home again. They are clean and fast and pleasant.
Before he left this morning, Ben whispered to me that he had lost his very special souvenir. He is eight years old, and was careful and decisive about selecting a few certain mementos of his trip. The first one he purchased...which he knew immediately that he wanted was a very small plastic replica of the Christus. He was much saddened this morning as it was nearing time to go and he had not found it. He told me he said a little prayer and then looked under the bed... there it was!
It was difficult to say good-by, but it was one of the easier good-byes during our time as missionaries. We leave for home in the U.S.A. five weeks from tomorrow. And Monday we leave for Festinord in Randers Denmark....over on Jutland. It will last until Saturday morning.
As yet, we don't know what our assignments will be, but I hope whatever we do, we will be able to interact with our YSAs. I think just about everyone is going, and everyone is excited about it. It should be outstanding this year....since Denmark has a reputation for doing things up right.
I have been doing laundry since Erin, Ethan and family left....our washing machine takes minimum 2 hours a load. I am not sure why, but it seems to be common here.....just the way it is. If I were to do cottons on the regular cotton load, it would take 3 hours and 15 minutes! I believe it is because the washing machine heats the water, instead of taking it hot from the pipes. Hot water is enormously expensive in Denmark. I wanted to get everything clean, pressed and ready to leave, and today seems like the best time to do that.
I worked on the Sunday School lesson, and Visiting Teaching lesson.
In the evening, SK and I went out to dinner with two of our dear friends from the branch, Sister Hamblin and Elder/Sister Thorne. We have been waiting for a TGI Friday to open for a year. We saw the signs a long time ago, and it finally opened a couple of weeks ago. It is right on the walking street....Stroeget.
We had an enjoyable time. We had at least 4 different waiters/waitresses serve us and every single one was delightful. Sister Hamblin handed out the pass-along-cards and we told them about what we are doing here in this beautiful land. You just never know when some of those contacts may bear fruit.
Erin/Ethan and family have landed in Newark, and will still have another 12 hours of waiting in terminals and flying to get home. That is a long long time en route.
Before falling asleep tonight, I will pause a few moments and read something about our pioneer forefathers and the remarkable faith and fortitude it took for them to do what they did. I am in awe of their sacrifices.
Have a great Pioneer Day!
I understood perfectly. Erin and Ethan both expressed the idea that I might have a difficult time returning to Gilbert, the heat, the scorpions, the travel-by-car-everywhere-you-go mentality, the closed-up houses until the heat drops enough to turn off the air-conditioning, and the walk-around-the cornfields-for-entertainment outing. I am a little concerned myself.
I think having family nearby will help....that and listing all of the many many positive things about living in Gilbert.
SK took Erin, Andrew and the luggage to the airport in the rental car (missionaries the world over are not allowed to take non-missionaries in their cars), while Ethan, Ben, Anna, Lauren and I walked to the train station and caught a train there. I love taking the train, and am still hoping that before we leave here, we will take a train as far as our train passes will allow, and then home again. They are clean and fast and pleasant.
Before he left this morning, Ben whispered to me that he had lost his very special souvenir. He is eight years old, and was careful and decisive about selecting a few certain mementos of his trip. The first one he purchased...which he knew immediately that he wanted was a very small plastic replica of the Christus. He was much saddened this morning as it was nearing time to go and he had not found it. He told me he said a little prayer and then looked under the bed... there it was!
It was difficult to say good-by, but it was one of the easier good-byes during our time as missionaries. We leave for home in the U.S.A. five weeks from tomorrow. And Monday we leave for Festinord in Randers Denmark....over on Jutland. It will last until Saturday morning.
As yet, we don't know what our assignments will be, but I hope whatever we do, we will be able to interact with our YSAs. I think just about everyone is going, and everyone is excited about it. It should be outstanding this year....since Denmark has a reputation for doing things up right.
I have been doing laundry since Erin, Ethan and family left....our washing machine takes minimum 2 hours a load. I am not sure why, but it seems to be common here.....just the way it is. If I were to do cottons on the regular cotton load, it would take 3 hours and 15 minutes! I believe it is because the washing machine heats the water, instead of taking it hot from the pipes. Hot water is enormously expensive in Denmark. I wanted to get everything clean, pressed and ready to leave, and today seems like the best time to do that.
I worked on the Sunday School lesson, and Visiting Teaching lesson.
In the evening, SK and I went out to dinner with two of our dear friends from the branch, Sister Hamblin and Elder/Sister Thorne. We have been waiting for a TGI Friday to open for a year. We saw the signs a long time ago, and it finally opened a couple of weeks ago. It is right on the walking street....Stroeget.
We had an enjoyable time. We had at least 4 different waiters/waitresses serve us and every single one was delightful. Sister Hamblin handed out the pass-along-cards and we told them about what we are doing here in this beautiful land. You just never know when some of those contacts may bear fruit.
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| Lone (pronounced Loan-uh) and Sister Hamblin |
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| Anna and me |
Erin/Ethan and family have landed in Newark, and will still have another 12 hours of waiting in terminals and flying to get home. That is a long long time en route.
Before falling asleep tonight, I will pause a few moments and read something about our pioneer forefathers and the remarkable faith and fortitude it took for them to do what they did. I am in awe of their sacrifices.
Have a great Pioneer Day!
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Time....the Great Mystery
Erin, Ethan and company filled their last day here. SK and I went with them in the morning to the open air museum: Frilandsmuseet. It is a very large community of buildings taken from all over Denmark....disassembled carefully and then shipped to the museum and painstakingly reconstructed.
Each one is an authentic home or stable from time periods past and has been furnished with beds, tables, chairs, utensils and wall hangings salvaged from those eras as well. It is fascinating to realize that even the homes that were considered "fine" required a great deal more work from the inhabitants than today, and were far less comfortable than what we have. Nevertheless, there was much about them that left me in admiration for their ingenuity and (no doubt) hard labor.
It was fun to see that each of the children carefully observed....often with wonder....all of the interesting structures there.
We took the opportunity to have lunch together at the little cafe on the premises, which was very reasonably priced and also very Danish. One thing I love about the whole area (spread over 86 acres with about 100 homes) is that as we wandered around, the only language we heard was Danish....spoken by the many families we saw there today. It is obviously much loved by the Danes, as it is a place where they can learn about the lives their ancestors lived.
After that, SK and I came home and changed, and then headed to the center, where we stayed until later this evening. It was our institute class tonight and Jens Andersen taught a lesson about Lorenzo Snow. He teaches with the spirit and hearing him teach is always a treat. Tonight was one of those bonus nights for me because we had three visitors who didn't speak Danish, so he switched at the last minute and taught in English.
How would that be to be able to switch languages with such ease that you can actually teach an adult-level religion course with no problems?
We were both so happy to see Kasper who is back this week for his sister's homecoming. He has been working in London and loves it. His sister has been serving in California, and was one of two missionaries we said goodby to and now hello after their 18-month missions. I am so happy to have these beautiful young women home....but I can't believe it was 18 months!
I talked to one young man who showed up freshly shaven....that is significant because ever since I have know him, he has sported a well-trimmed beard. I asked why he decided to shave it off....expecting to hear that he had just gotten tired of it, or that a young woman had asked him to.
His answer was that he is starting this week as a temple worker and that was required. I loved his attitude and willingness to do it, even though he would prefer to have it.
We had a small turnout - again....vacation time, but we loved our time with the great young YSAs who were there. I talked to Theresa for a little while...she, like everyone else is so looking forward to Festinord next week.
Wasn't it just a little while ago that we were in Finland at Festinord??????
Time continues to be a mystery to me.
While we were at the center, our little Arizona family visited one of the castles in Copenhagen to see the crown jewels and other treasures, which they loved. They returned to the walking street one last time to get some souvenirs, and something to eat....and one last ice cream cone as Paradis...."is" means "ice cream."
They got home before dark to start packing up. We will walk to the train station in the morning to ride the train back to the airport. It can't have been a week since we took the train home from the airport with that cute family.
Gratefully, it won't be too heart-wrenching to say goodbye in the morning. I know - from a great deal of personal experience - that it will just seem like a few days before we will be home with them again...in Arizona.
Each one is an authentic home or stable from time periods past and has been furnished with beds, tables, chairs, utensils and wall hangings salvaged from those eras as well. It is fascinating to realize that even the homes that were considered "fine" required a great deal more work from the inhabitants than today, and were far less comfortable than what we have. Nevertheless, there was much about them that left me in admiration for their ingenuity and (no doubt) hard labor.
It was fun to see that each of the children carefully observed....often with wonder....all of the interesting structures there.
We took the opportunity to have lunch together at the little cafe on the premises, which was very reasonably priced and also very Danish. One thing I love about the whole area (spread over 86 acres with about 100 homes) is that as we wandered around, the only language we heard was Danish....spoken by the many families we saw there today. It is obviously much loved by the Danes, as it is a place where they can learn about the lives their ancestors lived.
After that, SK and I came home and changed, and then headed to the center, where we stayed until later this evening. It was our institute class tonight and Jens Andersen taught a lesson about Lorenzo Snow. He teaches with the spirit and hearing him teach is always a treat. Tonight was one of those bonus nights for me because we had three visitors who didn't speak Danish, so he switched at the last minute and taught in English.
How would that be to be able to switch languages with such ease that you can actually teach an adult-level religion course with no problems?
We were both so happy to see Kasper who is back this week for his sister's homecoming. He has been working in London and loves it. His sister has been serving in California, and was one of two missionaries we said goodby to and now hello after their 18-month missions. I am so happy to have these beautiful young women home....but I can't believe it was 18 months!
I talked to one young man who showed up freshly shaven....that is significant because ever since I have know him, he has sported a well-trimmed beard. I asked why he decided to shave it off....expecting to hear that he had just gotten tired of it, or that a young woman had asked him to.
His answer was that he is starting this week as a temple worker and that was required. I loved his attitude and willingness to do it, even though he would prefer to have it.
We had a small turnout - again....vacation time, but we loved our time with the great young YSAs who were there. I talked to Theresa for a little while...she, like everyone else is so looking forward to Festinord next week.
Wasn't it just a little while ago that we were in Finland at Festinord??????
Time continues to be a mystery to me.
While we were at the center, our little Arizona family visited one of the castles in Copenhagen to see the crown jewels and other treasures, which they loved. They returned to the walking street one last time to get some souvenirs, and something to eat....and one last ice cream cone as Paradis...."is" means "ice cream."
They got home before dark to start packing up. We will walk to the train station in the morning to ride the train back to the airport. It can't have been a week since we took the train home from the airport with that cute family.
Gratefully, it won't be too heart-wrenching to say goodbye in the morning. I know - from a great deal of personal experience - that it will just seem like a few days before we will be home with them again...in Arizona.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Oh for Perfect Recall
What is it that will stay in the memory of a child?....or an adult, for that matter.
While Erin and Ethan have been here, I have tried to check the children's pulses on what they like about this place. For the most part, when I ask that question, I get short responses - and non-committal at that. They are unsure what exactly to say about this place. But I know that some decades from now, they will remember something about Denmark.....what?
Today was a marvelous day for them. Their dad took them up to the top of Vor Frelsier's Kirke, or Church of Our Savior. The stairway is on the outside and quite spectacular. It is a spiral staircase, and they had a good sense of safety. They loved it. The 360 degree view of Copenhagen is remarkable.
Erin and Ethan did some shopping at Inco...a Costco Wannabe which they enjoyed. The kids also enjoyed a playground....which was definitely a cut above. Finally, they visited Bakken....the oldest continuous amusement park in Europe. It reminds me of Lagoon, 50 years ago, except that it is much larger, and has a LOT of restaurants. They went on one ride and played several games, coming home loaded up with small stuffed animals.
If those places aren't enough to make great memories, there were the food experiences. They had Schwarma for lunch (no, that isn't exactly Danish, but the owners SPEAK Danish....doesn't that count for something?), Is Maigeriet for premier ice cream, to Frida's for the quintessential dessert known as roed groed med floede (red pudding with cream) and Drommecake (also a classic dessert here) in the evening. And they sampled some churros somewhere in there.
Of course, I love to imagine what they are seeing, hearing, smelling, thinking about this place. Only time will tell. After nearly 2 years, and completely against my will, I am looking at everything around me with delight, but also with some familiarity. This is all completely new to them.
I hope as they recall being in Denmark, they will remember a small country full of kind people who speak their language as fluently as they speak their own Danish, a beautiful city full of quaint and magnificent old buildings, bicycles everywhere, history going back a thousand years and more, castles of pomp and glory, stately old churches that inspire reverence and the Baltic Sea within arm's reach from so much of the country.
I hope that I will be able to recall all that and so much more.
While Erin and Ethan have been here, I have tried to check the children's pulses on what they like about this place. For the most part, when I ask that question, I get short responses - and non-committal at that. They are unsure what exactly to say about this place. But I know that some decades from now, they will remember something about Denmark.....what?
Today was a marvelous day for them. Their dad took them up to the top of Vor Frelsier's Kirke, or Church of Our Savior. The stairway is on the outside and quite spectacular. It is a spiral staircase, and they had a good sense of safety. They loved it. The 360 degree view of Copenhagen is remarkable.
Erin and Ethan did some shopping at Inco...a Costco Wannabe which they enjoyed. The kids also enjoyed a playground....which was definitely a cut above. Finally, they visited Bakken....the oldest continuous amusement park in Europe. It reminds me of Lagoon, 50 years ago, except that it is much larger, and has a LOT of restaurants. They went on one ride and played several games, coming home loaded up with small stuffed animals.
If those places aren't enough to make great memories, there were the food experiences. They had Schwarma for lunch (no, that isn't exactly Danish, but the owners SPEAK Danish....doesn't that count for something?), Is Maigeriet for premier ice cream, to Frida's for the quintessential dessert known as roed groed med floede (red pudding with cream) and Drommecake (also a classic dessert here) in the evening. And they sampled some churros somewhere in there.
Of course, I love to imagine what they are seeing, hearing, smelling, thinking about this place. Only time will tell. After nearly 2 years, and completely against my will, I am looking at everything around me with delight, but also with some familiarity. This is all completely new to them.
I hope as they recall being in Denmark, they will remember a small country full of kind people who speak their language as fluently as they speak their own Danish, a beautiful city full of quaint and magnificent old buildings, bicycles everywhere, history going back a thousand years and more, castles of pomp and glory, stately old churches that inspire reverence and the Baltic Sea within arm's reach from so much of the country.
I hope that I will be able to recall all that and so much more.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
It Just Doesn't Get Any Better
Denmark simply doesn't get any better than today. The sky, the weather, the humidity, the balmy breeze, the sunshine, the landscape in all directions were all in cahoots to make it perfect.
SK took Erin, Ethan and the kids to Sweden today and continued up the coast to where Sweden and Denmark are closest. They took a ferry across and back into this grand country and visited Hamlet's Castle, which was very close.
It was something Erin and Ethan had been looking forward to. It is quite a spectacular castle and fortress and the kids especially dere much impressed with the dungeons (such as they were....they were dark and enclosed and felt like you were deep underground, but I think they were actually the living quarters of the army during the winter),
They stopped at Theresa's bakery on the way home, and once again we sat around the table late at night eating goodies. I will spend the next year in Gilbert trying to lose the weight I have put on here in this great place.
Before it got dark, I took the kids out on the lake path to feed the birds. It was a simple and cheap hour's entertainment. It was peaceful and the ducks were delighted, as well as the seagulls and an occasional pigeon.
There was also a lovely little playground nearby that invited us to come and spend some time, so as the day waned, we enjoyed that too.
I was home all day....amazing how fast a day can go even when you are doing drudge work! More work on the computer, more white shirts, surveys for Germany. The area authority for our mission is in Germany....and so when we submit reports or surveys, or when we receive directions of any sort, they come from and go back to Germany.
But I had the windows open and the breeze was blowing through the apartment rifling through the blinds. It was a grand day
SK took Erin, Ethan and the kids to Sweden today and continued up the coast to where Sweden and Denmark are closest. They took a ferry across and back into this grand country and visited Hamlet's Castle, which was very close.
It was something Erin and Ethan had been looking forward to. It is quite a spectacular castle and fortress and the kids especially dere much impressed with the dungeons (such as they were....they were dark and enclosed and felt like you were deep underground, but I think they were actually the living quarters of the army during the winter),
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| It IS a Ballroom after all. |
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| Overlooking the Baltic Sea |
They stopped at Theresa's bakery on the way home, and once again we sat around the table late at night eating goodies. I will spend the next year in Gilbert trying to lose the weight I have put on here in this great place.
Before it got dark, I took the kids out on the lake path to feed the birds. It was a simple and cheap hour's entertainment. It was peaceful and the ducks were delighted, as well as the seagulls and an occasional pigeon.
There was also a lovely little playground nearby that invited us to come and spend some time, so as the day waned, we enjoyed that too.
I was home all day....amazing how fast a day can go even when you are doing drudge work! More work on the computer, more white shirts, surveys for Germany. The area authority for our mission is in Germany....and so when we submit reports or surveys, or when we receive directions of any sort, they come from and go back to Germany.
But I had the windows open and the breeze was blowing through the apartment rifling through the blinds. It was a grand day
Monday, July 20, 2015
Walt's Inspiration
SK and I spent some time today working on forms to be turned into the government before we return home. They were for the U.S. Government, so they were in English. But they weren't real easy to understand.....it is interesting to puzzle through some of the language of official forms.
While SK and I were doing such tasks, (and other mundane chores - like ironing a few thousand white shirts - ok, so that may have been an exaggeration), Erin, Ethan and the kids were at Tivoli.
It is a 10 minute walk from our home, and is a lovely place (the inspiration for Disneyland so many years ago --- Walt Disney walked through and thought to himself that he could surely do something similar in America). Besides being charming with flower gardens everywhere, blooming their little hearts out, there are enjoyable rides. AND there are thrill rides. I have it on good authority from more than a few that those thrill rides are hair-raising.
They were there this morning as soon as it opened. They stayed until it closed. Erin was pretty much done by then, and we happened to be going right by Tivoli in the car at 11:30, so we brought her, Ben and Anna home. It is a great place, and despite being small, an easy-to-spend-the-entire-day-there place.
SK and I have been at the center since early afternoon. We had a marvelous turnout for Family Home Evening. Ulrik gave an excellent lesson about "Words of Wisdom" which turned out to be the words of the ten commandments. I love it when many participate with answers to some of the great questions asked.
After the lesson, we had a really funny activity of charades. We all (about 25) put several names on pieces of paper and put them in a bowl, and one member of a team went up and tried to get his team to guess who it was....without the one in front saying the name. After the first round, they acted out the name without speaking.
That is when it got hilarious. Some of the funniest ones were the young elders, who made us all laugh out loud. We love those guys.
It was fun to sit around the table at midnight with Erin, Ethan and kids and talk about their day. They saw it all and rode on everything they wanted to. They marveled that on July 20, they were walking around outside with jackets on! The temperatures were in the lower 60's and there was a cool breeze. That is pretty amazing for someone from Gilbert, Arizona. We ate Danish pastry and strawberry taertes from Theresa's bakery.
Ethan took some great pictures of their adventures today:
Everything now is silent. Everyone has gone to bed, and probably everyone fell asleep the moment their heads hit their pillows. Outside, there is no one walking the lake path, no dogs barking, no rumble of vehicles on the roads, no laughter or loud talking from passers-by. I think everyone must be in their beds, slumbering.
That is what I will be doing very soon.
While SK and I were doing such tasks, (and other mundane chores - like ironing a few thousand white shirts - ok, so that may have been an exaggeration), Erin, Ethan and the kids were at Tivoli.
It is a 10 minute walk from our home, and is a lovely place (the inspiration for Disneyland so many years ago --- Walt Disney walked through and thought to himself that he could surely do something similar in America). Besides being charming with flower gardens everywhere, blooming their little hearts out, there are enjoyable rides. AND there are thrill rides. I have it on good authority from more than a few that those thrill rides are hair-raising.
They were there this morning as soon as it opened. They stayed until it closed. Erin was pretty much done by then, and we happened to be going right by Tivoli in the car at 11:30, so we brought her, Ben and Anna home. It is a great place, and despite being small, an easy-to-spend-the-entire-day-there place.
SK and I have been at the center since early afternoon. We had a marvelous turnout for Family Home Evening. Ulrik gave an excellent lesson about "Words of Wisdom" which turned out to be the words of the ten commandments. I love it when many participate with answers to some of the great questions asked.
After the lesson, we had a really funny activity of charades. We all (about 25) put several names on pieces of paper and put them in a bowl, and one member of a team went up and tried to get his team to guess who it was....without the one in front saying the name. After the first round, they acted out the name without speaking.
That is when it got hilarious. Some of the funniest ones were the young elders, who made us all laugh out loud. We love those guys.
It was fun to sit around the table at midnight with Erin, Ethan and kids and talk about their day. They saw it all and rode on everything they wanted to. They marveled that on July 20, they were walking around outside with jackets on! The temperatures were in the lower 60's and there was a cool breeze. That is pretty amazing for someone from Gilbert, Arizona. We ate Danish pastry and strawberry taertes from Theresa's bakery.
Ethan took some great pictures of their adventures today:
Everything now is silent. Everyone has gone to bed, and probably everyone fell asleep the moment their heads hit their pillows. Outside, there is no one walking the lake path, no dogs barking, no rumble of vehicles on the roads, no laughter or loud talking from passers-by. I think everyone must be in their beds, slumbering.
That is what I will be doing very soon.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Family History
Emilie spoke today in her ward, which we attended. She stood and bore her testimony about what joy the Gospel gives. I think after all these months, she is beginning to feel just a little bit stressed about being ready to go. But I believe she is mostly ready, and will no doubt be fine once she boards the plane for the MTC in Preston.
She quoted a favorite missionary scripture, and told two very tender stories. I was deeply touched by the spirit of her testimony and her talk. I know she will be an excellent missionary, and I am excited for her.
We visited with several other YSAs who were there to support her. I could tell how much her ward loves her, and we at the center certainly do.
In the afternoon, we did something very special. (I am using the royal "we.") We all drove to Torslunde...early home of Peter Madsen. Erin and Ethan hadn't been there before and they were delighted to look around the church/graveyard. The tiny town is so lovely....so old and quiet.
While there, Erin took pictures until her cameras died. She was taking them for the worldwide gravestone project. She took pictures of every grave and will go home next week, and enter names, dates, places on the Family Search Website. It is a lot of work, but it is a wonderful thing. to do.
It inspired me. SK and I could go to little cemeteries all over the place and take pictures. That would be a grand project to take home to Arizona....transcribing all those headstones.
On the way back into town, we stopped to see the Kristina statue, and the Little Mermaid. Both were quite a hit with the children.
It was a full Sunday....and one that seemed especially suited for Family History service.
I think I am seeing a new focus for my life!
She quoted a favorite missionary scripture, and told two very tender stories. I was deeply touched by the spirit of her testimony and her talk. I know she will be an excellent missionary, and I am excited for her.
We visited with several other YSAs who were there to support her. I could tell how much her ward loves her, and we at the center certainly do.
In the afternoon, we did something very special. (I am using the royal "we.") We all drove to Torslunde...early home of Peter Madsen. Erin and Ethan hadn't been there before and they were delighted to look around the church/graveyard. The tiny town is so lovely....so old and quiet.
While there, Erin took pictures until her cameras died. She was taking them for the worldwide gravestone project. She took pictures of every grave and will go home next week, and enter names, dates, places on the Family Search Website. It is a lot of work, but it is a wonderful thing. to do.
It inspired me. SK and I could go to little cemeteries all over the place and take pictures. That would be a grand project to take home to Arizona....transcribing all those headstones.
On the way back into town, we stopped to see the Kristina statue, and the Little Mermaid. Both were quite a hit with the children.
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| Posing with the Little Mermaid |
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| Posing with Kristina |
It was a full Sunday....and one that seemed especially suited for Family History service.
I think I am seeing a new focus for my life!
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Golden Days
SK, Ethan, Andrew and Lauren did baptisms at the temple this morning. They all looked so scrubbed clean and neat. Isn't that a great? A sixteen-year old and a fourteen year old who happily head off to the temple when they are on vacation....it is wonderful.
After they got home, we headed out to Roskilde to see the Dom Kirke, which is the grand old church of Denmark, where monarchs have been buried since the 1500's. It is a massive building, which boggles my mind. I can't understand how people in the 1100's, 1200's and 1300's could build such a magnificent structure, much less design it. They did it without benefit of computers, cranes or other building tools, gadgets and vehicles.
Standing inside, we gazed in awe up, up and up at the gothic arches. We wandered around marveling at the all of the details, as well as the overall design. We snapped pictures, and we climbed up and down stairways, looking at burial crypts, sculptures and paintings. Erin kept up, but it wasn't easy, and she was in pain most of the day.....but typical for a Madsen, she just kept going.
Outside the church, we paused for at least a half hour to take pictures. We have been in this country for nearly 2 years, and after all this time, SK took a tumble. We know a lot of missionaries, young and old who have fallen on the cobblestones, and I have been afraid of it happening. He was backing up to get a better picture of the outside of the building, and his shoe heel caught on a stone, and down he went, falling completely on his back, hitting the cobblestones from head to toe.
I didn't see him fall, or lying on the ground or getting up. But Lauren was over by the building posing with her family when he fell. She saw him, and asked, "Why is grandpa on the ground?" She thought he was trying to get a better angle of the height of the building.
He said he was fine....but I have a feeling he will be stiff tomorrow.
As we left the city, SK decided to stop for a photo op. He pulled over and stopped and told Ethan he was looking for a big orange sofa. Ethan's expression was priceless.....he looked uncertain about how he should respond to such a statement and I was sure he was thinking SK had hurt himself more in the fall than he thought.
We blundered around, until Ethan led us to it. It is a missionary favorite for pictures and we were happy to find it.
After having a fun time posing for pictures on that big couch, we came home and parted company. Ethan, Erin and kids went to Frederiksberg Park - a magnificent place to stroll. They loved it.
In the meantime, SK and I went to an open house for Emilie, our wonderful YSA who is leaving on her mission this week. We absolutely love her and are excited for her to serve ....she will be an incredible missionary. In the year and a half that she has been a member, she has been a shining light with her testimony, often expressing how much joy she feels since the gospel has come into her life.
Her apartment is in a lovely tree-lined neighborhood....the fourth floor, which means that we had to hike up 5 floors. My goodness! That is about 2 floors too many! Her parents are not members....they were lovely and gracious about entertaining all of the YSAs. We love visiting with them.
We got home before dark, but Ethan and Erin didn't get home until later.....they had walked through a lovely part of Frederiksberg to get to the park, and back....probably 4 miles at least. The wind was cool and the sun was shining. It couldn't have been prettier.
I hope the children will always remember these golden days in Denmark.
I will.
After they got home, we headed out to Roskilde to see the Dom Kirke, which is the grand old church of Denmark, where monarchs have been buried since the 1500's. It is a massive building, which boggles my mind. I can't understand how people in the 1100's, 1200's and 1300's could build such a magnificent structure, much less design it. They did it without benefit of computers, cranes or other building tools, gadgets and vehicles.
 |
| Andrew, Ben and Lauren |
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| Roskilde is a beautiful old city overlooking the inlet of the Baltic Sea. |
Standing inside, we gazed in awe up, up and up at the gothic arches. We wandered around marveling at the all of the details, as well as the overall design. We snapped pictures, and we climbed up and down stairways, looking at burial crypts, sculptures and paintings. Erin kept up, but it wasn't easy, and she was in pain most of the day.....but typical for a Madsen, she just kept going.
 |
| Do you see SK, Ethan, Erin, Andrew, Lauren, Anna and Ben directly across there? |
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| I wish I had noticed that big ugly trailer there on the left before snapping the picture, but look at Erin, Andrew, Lauren and Ben.....the tiny figures right in front of the right side of the church. |
Outside the church, we paused for at least a half hour to take pictures. We have been in this country for nearly 2 years, and after all this time, SK took a tumble. We know a lot of missionaries, young and old who have fallen on the cobblestones, and I have been afraid of it happening. He was backing up to get a better picture of the outside of the building, and his shoe heel caught on a stone, and down he went, falling completely on his back, hitting the cobblestones from head to toe.
I didn't see him fall, or lying on the ground or getting up. But Lauren was over by the building posing with her family when he fell. She saw him, and asked, "Why is grandpa on the ground?" She thought he was trying to get a better angle of the height of the building.
He said he was fine....but I have a feeling he will be stiff tomorrow.
As we left the city, SK decided to stop for a photo op. He pulled over and stopped and told Ethan he was looking for a big orange sofa. Ethan's expression was priceless.....he looked uncertain about how he should respond to such a statement and I was sure he was thinking SK had hurt himself more in the fall than he thought.
We blundered around, until Ethan led us to it. It is a missionary favorite for pictures and we were happy to find it.
After having a fun time posing for pictures on that big couch, we came home and parted company. Ethan, Erin and kids went to Frederiksberg Park - a magnificent place to stroll. They loved it.
In the meantime, SK and I went to an open house for Emilie, our wonderful YSA who is leaving on her mission this week. We absolutely love her and are excited for her to serve ....she will be an incredible missionary. In the year and a half that she has been a member, she has been a shining light with her testimony, often expressing how much joy she feels since the gospel has come into her life.
Her apartment is in a lovely tree-lined neighborhood....the fourth floor, which means that we had to hike up 5 floors. My goodness! That is about 2 floors too many! Her parents are not members....they were lovely and gracious about entertaining all of the YSAs. We love visiting with them.
We got home before dark, but Ethan and Erin didn't get home until later.....they had walked through a lovely part of Frederiksberg to get to the park, and back....probably 4 miles at least. The wind was cool and the sun was shining. It couldn't have been prettier.
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| Ethan took this panoramic shot....and the kids figured out they could get into the same picture 3 times if they hurried. |
I hope the children will always remember these golden days in Denmark.
I will.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Hitting the High Points
Ben and Anna were up early.....I mean early.....early early.....as in 4 a.m. or 4:30 a.m. They are sleeping in the loft where the early morning sun comes beaming in. They must have fallen asleep the moment their heads hit the pillows.
I was awake at 7:30 and Erin and Ben were playing Nines....so I stayed up to spend the time with them. Eventually, everyone got up, we had breakfast and then set out for a day of sightseeing. It was another perfect day in Copenhagen. It was sunny and clear as we headed over to see the Church of Our Lady and then on to Stroeget. We made just a few detours to check out wares in stores that drew us in with colorful displays.
We had lunch in there somewhere at a Max....a hamburger store from Sweden, which isn't bad.
The church - as always - was magnificent, and caused all of us to enter with reverence and pause before that beautiful figure of the Christus. We looked in the museum and down into the cellar to see the original foundation of the church from hundreds of years ago.
Erin is hobbling along on crutches and wearing her boot, but she uncomplainingly followed along everywhere....except for the round tower which was a couple of thousand steps out of the way.....and up. She and I strolled down Stroeget, going in and out of stores, especially my two favorite dollar stores. We met up with SK, Ethan and the kids and continued to NyHavn, where after much oohing and aahing, we boarded a boat for the harbor tour.
It began to rain as the boat came back into its dock, and it was a chilly rain. And it was beautiful! But none of us had rain jackets or umbrellas. The forecast said no rain until night time. Erin, Anna and I caught a 2 buses home, and everyone else hurried back along Stroeget and home. They made a small detour for Lauren to try a Fish-Kiss....where little fish eat the dead skin of the feet. I am unsure what the fascination is with that place!
A short walk (2 blocks) at 9:00 p.m. took the family to an ice cream place....Paradis....and yes, it was excellent.
As of now, I have logged about 6 1/2 miles, and SK and Ethan about 10 or more.
I am sure everyone will sleep well tonight.
I was awake at 7:30 and Erin and Ben were playing Nines....so I stayed up to spend the time with them. Eventually, everyone got up, we had breakfast and then set out for a day of sightseeing. It was another perfect day in Copenhagen. It was sunny and clear as we headed over to see the Church of Our Lady and then on to Stroeget. We made just a few detours to check out wares in stores that drew us in with colorful displays.
We had lunch in there somewhere at a Max....a hamburger store from Sweden, which isn't bad.
The church - as always - was magnificent, and caused all of us to enter with reverence and pause before that beautiful figure of the Christus. We looked in the museum and down into the cellar to see the original foundation of the church from hundreds of years ago.
Erin is hobbling along on crutches and wearing her boot, but she uncomplainingly followed along everywhere....except for the round tower which was a couple of thousand steps out of the way.....and up. She and I strolled down Stroeget, going in and out of stores, especially my two favorite dollar stores. We met up with SK, Ethan and the kids and continued to NyHavn, where after much oohing and aahing, we boarded a boat for the harbor tour.
It began to rain as the boat came back into its dock, and it was a chilly rain. And it was beautiful! But none of us had rain jackets or umbrellas. The forecast said no rain until night time. Erin, Anna and I caught a 2 buses home, and everyone else hurried back along Stroeget and home. They made a small detour for Lauren to try a Fish-Kiss....where little fish eat the dead skin of the feet. I am unsure what the fascination is with that place!
A short walk (2 blocks) at 9:00 p.m. took the family to an ice cream place....Paradis....and yes, it was excellent.
As of now, I have logged about 6 1/2 miles, and SK and Ethan about 10 or more.
I am sure everyone will sleep well tonight.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Tender Mercies and Other Stories
I am not sure SK slept much last night....looking for news about Erin and Ethan and the children. They flew out of Phoenix yesterday on Southwest Airlines, a full five hours later than they were supposed to. Their flight was delayed because something was going on in Newark (where they were supposed to land) and they were told they could not land there.
This put Erin and Ethan in a terrible situation, because they had arranged it so they would have a layover in Newark of several hours before boarding an SAS airliner for Copenhagen. Instead of sitting in Newark, they sat in Phoenix.....trying every way possible to get to Newark before their SAS plane was to leave.
SAS told them that if they missed the flight, they would not be refunded the fares they paid, only taxes.....even if they missed it because of the airlines or the airport. SAS said they could get them to Copenhagen on Saturday for a mere six thousand dollars more.
The stress was great, but finally they decided to wait in the airport and pray for a miracle. That is what happened...a series of miracles. Many dear friends and family were praying for them. People helped in unexpected ways. They finally got on their flight, and it landed in Newark only 45 minutes before the SAS was to leave. They had been told, the minimum to pick up luggage, get it through customs and checked into another airline was an hour.
But people helped them all along the way. What seemed like an impossible task was accomplished and they all boarded the flight to Copenhagen with all their luggage in the nick of time. Ethan and Andrew, who had stayed behind to check the luggage, ran the long long distance to get to the gate where the plane was. Practically the whole concourse had shut down, and they didn't even see people there.
They were the last to board. There were many stories of people who helped in unexpected ways.
They were all understandably tired and still somewhat stressed from the day and night. But it was so glorious to see them come out of the airport, smiling and delighted to be here.
We all boarded the train at the airport, rode it into the main train station and then walked home, dragging the suitcases behind us. Everyone in the city here carts suitcases around, so we didn't look unusual. The weather was putting its best foot forward with enough of a breeze to mess up hair and cool us down, but not enough to be obnoxious.
We had a quick lunch, then I went to the center to finish up the Wilford Woodruff lesson and wait for YSAs to show up. SK and the family walked up the lake to take a little boat out to paddle around with the swans.....and sometime later did the quintessential tourist-in-Denmark thing....had a hot dog! They are really very good, and should not be missed. I got home at 11:30 and there wasn't a sound among them.....I think they are all lost in sleep.
My evening was wonderful. I truly enjoyed reading the lesson and studying it. What an amazing man Wilford Woodruff was! I am very impressed with his attitudes towards life and his resiliency. I want to be more like him.
During the evening I visited with some of the dearest young people. I gave out portions of the lesson and asked the YSAs to look them over and then share what they learned with the rest of us. I learned a lot from those great young people. I am continually amazed at how much they know. They seem too young to be so wise.
I loved being at the center tonight and watching everyone interact. I feel so blessed.
I know that Erin and Ethan will have a great week. This is such a beautiful place, so full of history and wonderful things. I am looking forward to seeing this land through 9-year old Ben's eyes, or 11-year old Anna's. It makes it all seem new to me again......and that is a good thing.
This put Erin and Ethan in a terrible situation, because they had arranged it so they would have a layover in Newark of several hours before boarding an SAS airliner for Copenhagen. Instead of sitting in Newark, they sat in Phoenix.....trying every way possible to get to Newark before their SAS plane was to leave.
SAS told them that if they missed the flight, they would not be refunded the fares they paid, only taxes.....even if they missed it because of the airlines or the airport. SAS said they could get them to Copenhagen on Saturday for a mere six thousand dollars more.
The stress was great, but finally they decided to wait in the airport and pray for a miracle. That is what happened...a series of miracles. Many dear friends and family were praying for them. People helped in unexpected ways. They finally got on their flight, and it landed in Newark only 45 minutes before the SAS was to leave. They had been told, the minimum to pick up luggage, get it through customs and checked into another airline was an hour.
But people helped them all along the way. What seemed like an impossible task was accomplished and they all boarded the flight to Copenhagen with all their luggage in the nick of time. Ethan and Andrew, who had stayed behind to check the luggage, ran the long long distance to get to the gate where the plane was. Practically the whole concourse had shut down, and they didn't even see people there.
They were the last to board. There were many stories of people who helped in unexpected ways.
They were all understandably tired and still somewhat stressed from the day and night. But it was so glorious to see them come out of the airport, smiling and delighted to be here.
We all boarded the train at the airport, rode it into the main train station and then walked home, dragging the suitcases behind us. Everyone in the city here carts suitcases around, so we didn't look unusual. The weather was putting its best foot forward with enough of a breeze to mess up hair and cool us down, but not enough to be obnoxious.
We had a quick lunch, then I went to the center to finish up the Wilford Woodruff lesson and wait for YSAs to show up. SK and the family walked up the lake to take a little boat out to paddle around with the swans.....and sometime later did the quintessential tourist-in-Denmark thing....had a hot dog! They are really very good, and should not be missed. I got home at 11:30 and there wasn't a sound among them.....I think they are all lost in sleep.
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| When the family got there, all the swan paddle boats were out (see in the background?), so they got just an ordinary little board that had to be paddled.....but they enjoyed it. |
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| Lauren and Ben surveying the lake....while a few curious swans perk up their ears (alright....I guess they don't have ears!.....it just "sounded" good.)...they no doubt were expectant that Lauren and Ben were there to feed them. |
My evening was wonderful. I truly enjoyed reading the lesson and studying it. What an amazing man Wilford Woodruff was! I am very impressed with his attitudes towards life and his resiliency. I want to be more like him.
During the evening I visited with some of the dearest young people. I gave out portions of the lesson and asked the YSAs to look them over and then share what they learned with the rest of us. I learned a lot from those great young people. I am continually amazed at how much they know. They seem too young to be so wise.
I loved being at the center tonight and watching everyone interact. I feel so blessed.
I know that Erin and Ethan will have a great week. This is such a beautiful place, so full of history and wonderful things. I am looking forward to seeing this land through 9-year old Ben's eyes, or 11-year old Anna's. It makes it all seem new to me again......and that is a good thing.
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