Some Reasons We Hate to Leave......

As we walked into our little Amager Branch today, this sign was posted:

.

It says "Yes it is the unfortunate truth!  Sister Hamblin, Elder and Sister Madsen are leaving us soon!  Come and say farewell to them......"

 It touched our hearts, and it jolted us.  We love the dear members of this Amager Branch, and for the last two years, they have been family to us.  With so few people in the branch, we have had the opportunity to get to know them well.  Most have given several sacrament meeting talks, many have given a lot of lessons, most have borne their testimonies, and all have made comments in conversations and in lessons, and during socials.  We have sat through lessons and meetings with them, we have passed missionary literature out in freezing weather together, we have played competitive and funny games out in some of the lovely Amager parks, we have been in many of their homes for a meal and shared wonderful traditions.  We love them.

Our branch president is one of the kindest and wisest men I have ever known.  He loves the gospel and expresses the desire to become what our Father in Heaven wants him to become....he seems always striving to be a better man.  I think he is one of the best.  His wife Hanne is his equal.  She has served as our relief society president, and is spiritual, humorous, caring and kind.  Do they sound incredible?  If not, I have described them badly.

And of course, you know their daughter is our fairy-tale princess....as good and kind as she is beautiful.  She gave the relief society lesson today and I got emotional thinking about how very much I have enjoyed our association with her and her dynamic prince.  I love them, and will miss them terribly.  As with her parents, there is a total integrity with Christina and Sebastian.....no facade....just simple goodness.

I looked around at the members of the branch with an aching heart.....Katja, a lovely dedicated teacher who works hard to help the school children in her charge.  She has a marvelous sense of humor, she is direct and capable....and reminds me of the very best of my school teachers so long ago.  "A teacher changes eternity."  I know that is true of Katja.

Her tall and handsome husband has had leadership positions in the ward and stake for years, but is still enthusiastic and diligent in looking to the needs of the branch.  They have two beautiful daughters....one a YSA, and the other a sweet child of 10 who is learning English.

I adore a dear sister named Else who has been my sweet friend since we got here.  She is a little older than I and speaks English far better than I speak Danish.  But both she and her husband have been very patient each Sunday greeting me in Danish and encouraging me to speak their language.  She is a temple worker and has a strong testimony of temple work.  I know we are family....because I feel like we are closely related.

Ellen and Joern are another couple like that, with a  lifetime of experiences that have contributed to their testimonies and wisdom, and they have greatly enriched our lives.  We adored celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with them and other friends.

The Valgren family is a mainstay of the branch.  Torben is Ellen's son, and has also served in the stake as a family history specialist.  In fact, he and his wife Vicki have traveled all over Denmark encouraging people to get on with the program....they have done great work.  They are also the YSA parents of the ward....meaning they do what they can to encourage the YSAs to meet and to participate.  One of the ways they do that is by serving a Sunday meal once a month and inviting all Amager Gren YSAs ....and oh, by the way, us ...to come and enjoy the food and company.

In case you didn't know it....their son is Kasper....the chef....and he comes by his abilities naturally.  Vicki is a fantastic cook.  Their other son Joakim is also an excellent cook....he often grills for our YSA group.  He is a little older than Kasper and is one of our YSAs, but hardly ever comes to the center, because he goes to bishopric meetings instead.  He serves in our branch presidency as a counselor.

Their daughter just returned from a mission in California, and is now translating for the branch.  She was fluent before she left, and she is a cutie.  I am so glad she is back.  We saw her off..... a year and a half ago.  She is the same, only better.  She is a little more self-assured, she is an excellent teacher, and she makes very insightful comments in Gospel Doctrine.  And she is even prettier than when she left......isn't it interesting how missions change young people?

I wonder if that ever happens to old people?

Then there is our relief society president and her American husband and their blended family of 8....who are doing a wonderful job of raising their children, working and staying very actively involved in the church.

Anna, a wonderful friend who translates and teaches and plays the piano and conducts the meetings when the R.S. president isn't there.  I visit teach Anna and it is always a treat to spend time with her.  She has a delightful laugh and quick sense of humor.  She and Sister Hamblin have become good friends and I don't know who will miss whom more.

Ulla, a sister who is devoutly dedicated to her family, and who is well-grounded in the gospel.  She has no children of her own, but is a doting aunt.  She served a mission as a younger woman and often shares her faith and good gospel sense.

Jytte, our YW president is exactly what you would hope for in that position....faith-filled, fun and down-to-earth.

Anna, a YSA who moved in recently with her sister Teresa is a returned missionary from Finland. She is so fun.....and used to give SK a real run for his money at the CRUD table.  Amager truly needs both of these young women and their strength....I hope they will be able to stay.

Teresa is our young baker....she makes bakery creations that you dream about!  I think she is the reason I am going home so much heavier than when I left....she is also a cute friend.

Thea....a lovely young thoughtful woman gives the lesson in Sunday School once a month and I always look forward to it.  She is gentle and kind and spiritual, and has the most beautiful blue eyes ever.

We have spent some wonderful times with Lone....a sister who has had some heartaches about her twin brother's  health and her mother's declining condition (she is far away in Canada), yet continues with hope and faith.  She is an inspiration to us.

You can tell, we love all of these dear individuals.....and I haven't even written about all of them.

But you are probably tired of reading, and I have to get up very early to head out for missionary apartment inspections.

Happy Sabbath....what is left of it!

The day was even prettier than it looks....brilliant sunlight and a cool breeze....ah....it doesn't get any better than that here in this beautiful kingdom.

Sister Hamblin and Ellen having a little laugh together.  Ellen is a treasure house full of knowledge about Denmark, Copenhagen and church history.  Her wisdom and compassion are a strength to all of us in the branch, and I am sure, so many others.

And there is Ellen's husband Joern, our organist....what would we do without him?