Day Three...."Have Pen and Form, Will Travel"

You have to be at least 65 to understand the reference in the title!

Day number 3 of our great and wonderful missionary apartment inspection tour began with a cool breeze and overcast skies.  Today we traveled north to the city of Hamlet's Castle, otherwise know as Helsingoer.  We have been there a few times, mostly to see the castle, but also to inspect the apartment there.

The city itself is a lovely little hamlet.  Quaint little homes sit primly next to newer ones in a spirit of harmony, and businesses edge the main streets without ostenstation.  Huge trees, shrubs everywhere and even wildflowers along the highways broadcast summer.....yet there is a feeling....every once in awhile a brown leaf fluttering to the ground....of Fall coming.

We visited our two first elders....on splits....they have traded companions for the day.  One was fairly new in the mission field, but both cute.  So far, everywhere we have been, elders and sisters have been in regulation missionary attire.

As in yesterday, it took us well over an hour to get to our first destination, and then at least a half hour in between the next few.  All the while we were seeing country roads and small towns of this beautiful land.

Next stop, Hilleroed....to a little basement apartment.  It is a nice apartment with some large spaces and - as most missionary apartments we have seen - inspiring things on the walls.  The basement apartment is nice, especially with all of the green right outside the windows, but could be a challenge in the long dark days of winter.  That is probably the reason for the bright and cheerful wall colors.  I have heard that is one reason many old Danish homes have such colorful exteriors.

Birkeroed was the third stop on our list, where we saw the companions of the first two missionaries we saw today (on splits, they had traded companions to do some training).  They were just as amiable and cheerful as the others we met with.  I enjoy their sense of humor. We forgot to get a picture.

For the last visit, we went to Charlottenlund, and since it was later in the day, ended up waiting just a bit for the missionaries to get home from an appointment.  They are all working with people, praying for them and teaching, and hoping they will accept the great message of the gospel.

Honestly.....you can't do this without being struck by their youth, their optimism, their determination and eagerness to make a difference.  AND their willingness to keep a clean apartment!

We only got to four apartments today, which leaves 5 for us to get to yet.  There will not be so much travel time involved because they are closer to where we live.

This evening we went to the home of our talented friends, the Brydes.  It is the second time we have spent some time with them, and the second time we have had dinner with them.  Their home and yard are unique and beautiful.  When you step into their yard, you feel like you have just stepped into a picture from "Better Homes and Gardens."

Their home is equally stunning.  And as if that weren't enough, when they fix a meal, it is stunningly beautiful as well as being delicious.  We ate ourselves silly.  Everything was so good.  And to top the meal off, she had two desserts!!!!!  One was the famous Roed Groed Med Floede......and it was superb.  I was in heaven.

The other was a puff pastry with marzipan and fresh strawberries topped with whipped cream.  Now, you won't have to ask why I am heavier than when I left.....you know why.

This photo doesn't begin to do justice to this fabulous spread.

They are a wonderful couple....dynamic and talented and kind and interesting.  Their nephew was there....Jonas.  He is a YSA and we think the world of him.  It was fun to have him there and have the opportunity to hear more from him.

As we were just about ready to leave, another nephew came in....a YSA also, and his friend...another YSA!  Stephen and Benjamin.....so we stayed a little while longer.  That was all kinds of fun.

During the course of dinner, Henrik asked us what we would say about Denmark in our homecoming talks.  I had to think about that one.....and I will continue to think.  I have no idea how I could condense the experiences we have had into a single theme....or a 10 minute talk.  It is all so near to my heart.  Perhaps I will get lucky and we will be assigned a simple gospel topic!

For now, I will concentrate on getting the inspections done, and the full calendar of events in this next 2 1/2 weeks.