Spring Equinox

Did you know that today is Spring Equinox?  It is supposed to be the day that most closely matches its counterpart on September 21 (or so) as far as number of daylight hours.  Some people look at it as the first day of Spring.

March 20 and clearly we are on our way to Spring.  This was a beautiful day for our senior couples from outside of Copenhagen to do some sightseeing before making their way to their respective homes.  The sunshine has magically brightened everything it has touched.

It was business as usual for a Thursday.  Our day - no matter what else is planned - works to a crescendo with "The Meal" and then slowly winds down to murmured conversations....it is nearly midnight and the voices that have been raised in shouts of approval and disappointment throughout the deafening games have lowered.  They have played the last CRUD game, the last pingpong game of the evening and are now quietly cleaning up.  There is sweeping to be done and dishes that were left out.  The vacuum is purring away with someone at the helm, and chairs and tables are being set right.  There is still much energy out there, but I believe we may get home tonight before 1, and that is just fine with me.

We served tacos!  I fixed nothing else because we had several good-sized salads left over from yesterday's lunch with the seniors and the people responsible for the food asked if the YSAs could use it, and I said yes!  The reason for tacos is that we found "taco kits" at the Costco wannabe - Metro, for 6 krone (about a dollar and twenty cents). Normally the kit costs 7 dollars.  It had 12 taco shells, a packet of taco seasoning (which wasn't too bad), and a small bottle of salsa.  When we found that smoking good deal, we bought 10 kits!!!!

We bought extra bottles of salsa, but they don't seem to go for  that.  For toppings, I put the usual suspects (tomatoes, cheese, meat, salsa, lettuce) - minus the guacamole - too expensive this week, and also put out chopped red, green and yellow bell peppers AND cucumbers.  Everything was gone by evening's end except the green onions and salsa!  I keep forgetting that green onions aren't that popular.  The peppers and cucumbers are not exactly an Arizonan-Mexican food condiment, but they eat them with everything here.

Once again, I had some time with a couple of special young adults.  One, who is a lovely young woman, will be leaving this week to work as an au pair in Paris.  I will miss her bright smile and cheer.  The other is a young man who served a mission in Greece a few years ago.  They talked about her possible upcoming mission and his past mission and missions in general.  Both expressed faith from different perspectives, but it was FAITH.  I love the way they expressed themselves and mostly just listened, chiming in from time to time.

They are charming in their courteous use of English when they converse with each other in my presence and I always feel a warmth at their kindness in including me.  They were asking me about our applications for missions and if we were happy with our call.  I told them with every ounce of sincerity I could muster that this was the best of all possible missions and we have felt profoundly blessed to be here.

It is similar to what King Benjamin tells us in the Book of Mormon.  The Lord blesses us and we try to thank Him by serving Him...but we find ouselves still much in debt, because the more we try to return payment for blessings recieved, the more we are blessed.

By the way....do you know why Easter seems to be all over the March/April calendar?...why it is not just always on the second Sunday of the month or some stable date like that?

It is because it is always on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox. There you have it!

Senior Conference

Our senior conference started out with breakfast at the Hansens....and it was a feast of a breakfast!  We can't keep this up or we'll all be buying new wardrobes.  There were 10 of us at the table, and it is a joy to be with this group of people.

We came to the center right after breakfast, not knowing beforehand what was on the docket.  We were all standing around waiting to go into the classroom where our conference would officially convene, when a tall handsome man appeared through the door.  As Elder Hansen pointed out, it was amazing to see the reaction of all of the sisters as they lined up with cameras to get a picture with Thomas Kofod.  Of course I was one of the fans.

Brother Kofod with Sister Middlemas and me!

We all finally settled down and our conference began with an opening hymn and a prayer. Immediately Elder Hansen turned the time over to Brother Kofod.  He is articulate in Danish or English and happily for me and most of the female seniors, he spoke in English.  He spoke without notes.  It is impossible to describe his bearing and mien and expression....but I will try.

He speaks humbly, quietly, gently, almost deferentially, yet he speaks with clarity and conviction.  He has beautiful blue eyes that mist up occasionally as he speaks of things close to his heart.  He has been a member for 20 years, and as you may know played the part of Jesus Christ in the legacy films.  Elder Hansen requested that he tell us a little bit about that and he did, but only a little bit and I would love to hear more.

I believe he has been an actor all his adult life.  When Keith Merrill began the Legacy films for the Church, he was asked to use an actor who was an active member of the Church and strong in the faith, and so a search began.  Brother Kofod knew nothing about it, because he and his wife did not have a computer (he said they could not afford one) nor did they have access to email.  

On precisely the same day that they got a computer and set up an email account, they received their first email from a good friend in the states who had heard about the search for an actor and thought he was the man.  So they replied that he was interested.  It sounds like it was an incredible experience for him.

He told us a little bit about the journey he has come on...he is the only member of his extended family.  Neither of his parents, nor any of his three sisters are members....and he sometimes wonders why he is so fortunate because he feels that they are all better individuals that he is.

What a sweet story he told!  His father was always supportive of him but never interested in the church.  One day Brother Kofod asked his father why he wasn't interested, and he said "Because I am afraid."

His father passed away 2 1/2 years ago, and he got to him soon after he died.  His father was at work and simply leaned against a door and slid to the floor, and died immediately.  He had a little time alone with him ...he knelt on the floor beside him, kissed him and promised him that he would be visited by missionaries who would teach him at whatever speed he was ready for, and they would not push anything on to him.  And then he added, "And you won't be afraid."

Then Brother Kofod added, "And if it is at all possible, could you just let me know?"

Some time later Brother Kofod was sitting in stake conference listening to the speaker, and in his mind he saw his father standing above the floor, in white.  He reached out his hand to his son and said, "I am ready."  Brother Kofod was astonished and emotional, and then the same thing happened again.

He bore a beautiful testimony about the help we receive from the other side of the veil.

This is lengthy, but I must share with you another story he told.  A few years ago, he was one week away from a performance he was in....he was tired, his time was stretched tight and he was sick.  One night his little son was sick and he got up with him to comfort him.  As he was trying to soothe the child, he thought to himself rather petulantly, "I'm tired and I need rest....just please go to sleep!"

At that moment he suddenly felt surrounded by the most beautiful feeling of love, and he looked at his little boy and wondered if Heavenly Father could possibly love him (Brother Kofod) as much as Brother Kofod loved his little boy. And at that moment it was as if our Father whispered to him that He loves him more than he is capable of imagining.....as He loves all of His children.

It was a marvelous talk, followed by beautiful testimonies from several senior missionaries who will be leaving for home within the next two months, as well as some of the others who will be staying.  Our dear mission president and his wife both addressed us, and then we had a delightful lunch and visiting o'plenty.

If you thought about it a couple of seconds, you might guess what happened after lunch....SK organized a CRUD game!  I think everyone enjoyed themselves at it.  It was nowhere near as noisy as when the young people play....and it proved to be a much more "gentle-manly" game.

Sister Swena just got an amazing shot and you can see the varied reactions from (l to r) Elder Middlemas, Elder Koestor, Sister Middlemas, Elder Garriot

 It was a grand day.  Several of the out of town missionaries went to a temple session in the evening....I baked cakes for tomorrow!  We said goodbye.  We may not ever see some of those dear people again in this life.  But it was so wonderful to have time together to share some of our concerns, our worries, our joys and our faith in our very different missionary callings.

What a blessing it is to serve with so many outstanding individuals!

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

SK went our separate ways this morning to get different errands done, and we met up in class.  I stayed until the break and then returned to our apartment.  I got home just before our friends arrived.  They traveled the better part of the day and got here around 2:30.

The Middlemases, Johansens, Hicks and Gerriots all came for the senior conference which will be held tomorrow.  They were excited to be in Copenhagen for a couple of days and perhaps see some of the many fascinating and famous places here.  They had decided to take a scenic boat tour.

They came in for a little while and relaxed for 20 or 30 minutes and then coated up, pulled out all of the umbrellas (even the Mary Poppins umbrella was pressed into service) and set out for the bus stop.

Somewhat disheartened, they returned soon after.  The black skies had opened up and they felt that today really was not the best time for a boat ride.  There are many wonderful places to see not far from here, but there was quite a brisk wind today --making it very cold, and the rain was just one more setback.  I think they were disappointed.  I hope there will be time for them to do a little sight-seeing tomorrow.

But it all turned out well!  We sat in the warm apartment and visited..  We knew two of the couples, Elder and Sister Middlemas and Elder and Sister Hicks, and we met Elder and Sister Johansen and Elder and Sister Gerriot for the first time.  It was so pleasant just to have that time together.

At one point in the afternoon, I needed to go to the store...a short walk from the apartment.  I needed to buy fruit for the morning.  All of the men were ready for a walk and so we all went!  SK wasn't there, but it was the first time I have gone to a grocery store here and haven't had to carry any bags home.  I got apples, oranges bananas, strawberries....you get the idea. It would have been really heavy to carry home.  What a luxury!

At 6:30, SK went to a meeting at the center....the main planning meeting of the month, which is usually attended by a member of the Sake Presidency and the Mission President.  There is news about a new center, but it is not a done deal as yet, so we continue to wait for information.

The rest of us walked across the street to a little Turkish restaurant.  Inside it was cozy and warm with tablecloths and long-stemmed glasses glimmering in the candlelight.  There were 12 of us there and they quickly arranged tables to seat us all together.  For nearly 3 hours we sat together enjoying fantastic food and delightful company.  These are great people with strong faith and motivation to serve, and it is always always such a joy to be with them.

A great time was had by all.   

This piece of salmon was very large, and sooo good.

This little restaurant knows how to do things up right.  Dessert was baklava with whipped cream, ice cream and hot fudge.  YUM!

The conversations were so interesting.  With all the former Danish missionaries there, it was impossible NOT to talk about their missions way back when.  I never tire of hearing about how it was then and how they all adjusted and came to love this little country.  More than ever I am in awe of the young people they were...who set out to serve the Lord without a single Danish lesson.  Several described the feeling of being brand new here, and being sent - all alone - to their new assignment somewhere in Denmark.  Or being sent with a fist full of coins to a store to make a purchase.

I marvel at how they came to speak the language so well....and probably a lot faster than I am learning it now.  I think it is amazing that they gave 2 1/2 years of their lives, `came to cherish the Danish people and the country, learned leadership in wards and developed patience with members and investigators, learned the Gospel, and learned how to get along with all kinds of companions....all the while trying to learn a new language without the use of the MTC, Danish courses, the Rosetta Stone or any other number of language education helps.

But it is especially fun now to hear them count the blessings of being back.

A while back, I wished that I could help parents back home (wherever that is) realize what great young missionaries their kids are.  I wish tonight that I could help families back home see what wonderful missionaries their parents are.

More Rainy Days and Mondays

What's not to love about rainy days OR Mondays?

Lia mentioned that I say a lot about our Danish class, but I don't say how my Danish is doing.  Interestingly enough, one assignment in class today was to interview a classmate, and ask how they are feeling about their Danish.  I said that I am getting better at reading and writing the language, but I still get frustrated listening and understanding.  Copenhagen Danes notoriously speak fast, and often leave me behind in the dust.

Tonight at the center we had a meeting before family home evening began.  The young man who conducted spent two years on a mission in South Chicago (in case you are wondering, he said there were things he never mentioned to his mother!), and his English is great....but I was amazed to realize that I understood the better part of what he said in Danish.  Even the parts I didn't understand were decipherable to me because I could pick up on words that gave me  a sense of the meaning of the message.  That realization was heady!!!!

Doris is cute and says often, "By Christmas, we will be speaking Danish!"  I hope that is true.

A young 23-year-old woman from India is here for possibly another 3 months before returning home with her husband.  She is always well-prepared for class, she asks very bright questions and she is quick with correct answers.  She doesn't hesitate to challenge the teacher (in a very kind way), and she will press her point if the teacher doesn't understand what she is trying to say.  SK and I marvel that she is so diligent about learning a language that is only spoken in this little country, and which she will probably never have a need for once she is in India again.  We love her beautiful Indian accent in English.

The 37-year-old Latvian man is a dedicated husband and father of two children.  He brought his little family here because his wife is studying at the university in Copenhagen.  She will be here 2 years doing that.  His children are learning Danish in school, and he would like to get a better job so he is working very hard to learn.  It seems that every week we see his progression.  He is speaking and understanding more and more.

We asked him about his family today.  He told us that his little 6-year-old son corrects the dad's Danish!  He is proud of the little boy and his 9-year-old daughter.  He is proud that they are all learning a new language, but he stated emphatically that in their home they will speak their mother tongue.  He does not want them to lose that language.  I was inspired by his devotion to them and to his country.

Melba was back today, still looking woebegone.  I didn't get a chance to visit with her today, but I hope things are improving for her.

SK and I stopped at a grocery store on the way to the center (after class) and each got a $2 hotdog.  It is just the weiner in a tunnel-shaped bun (it doesn't open like the hot dog buns in the states...the weiner slides down into the tube)  with a mysterious and delicious sauce, oddly enough, called "hot dog sauce."  Isn't it amazing how something so simple can be so fun?

Family Home Evening tonight was exciting and fun.  After the sister missionaries gave a sweet little spiritual presentation, a returned missionary from Russia organized a rousing game of zoo....whatever that is.  It involved clapping in unison, calling out the name of an animal while making the sign for it, and then exchanging places if you do it incorrectly.....or something like that.  We laughed just watching, and it appeared that everyone had a grand time.  That was followed by 3 noisy games of CRUD.

Now it is time for bed..slipping off to sleep with the gentle patter of rain on the windows.  Good night.

Normal (What is That Anyway?) Sunday

For those unsuspecting foreigners who packed away their winter coats last week, this morning was a rude awakening.  The sky was obliterated by dramatic black clouds, rain came down in sheets, the lake was opaque pencil-lead gray, and even the ducks sought shelter.

The Mary Poppins umbrella, SK and I set out for the bus.  That umbrella did just great, and we have learned how to keep it from inverting in the fierce winds.  When it is windy, the umbrella protects your head and shoulders, but not much else, and my skirt was wet when we arrived at church.

There are several members at church now who kindly speak Danish to me....although we are somewhat limited in our topics.  I am grateful for the practice.  We have a new young elder in our branch, and he seems like a good solid young missionary.  I am not sure if these young people realize how they raise the morale in a ward or branch.  Their youth and enthusiasm are so important.

Ironically, this morning was the time for our apartment building's water heater to die....I mean it is really sincerely dead.  The water was COLD, and washing my hair and showering were an adventure.  But it is a good thing I showered, because the water will be off the entire day tomorrow.  It is a bit of a worry since we will have two other senior couples staying with us Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Wednesday we will be having a senior missionary conference here in Copenhagen, at the center.  We will have speakers, lunch and a good time.  This is great for me because I can press the other senior sisters for recipes!! If anyone can offer compassion and help...it is they.

We will be having a meal on Saturday this week, as well as Thursday.  We think we will have about 35 people at the Saturday meal.  We will have Friday to shop and prepare for that one.  It will be a training meeting that will last for the better part of the day.  Can you identify with me when I say that deciding what to have is half the battle?  Of course making the meal, and making it big enough for that many people is an ongoing challenge for a woman whose best resource used to be Costco.

The week after will also be a 2/meal week, again one on Thursday and one on Saturday.  That is four meals I must plan sometime soon.  I am thinking tacos and lasagne....that leaves two more.  Potato soup is always good, especially if it still cold and rainy.

We watched a CES broadcast in the evening at the center.  It was originally broadcast a week or two ago, but in order to watch it live, we would all have to be at the center at 3 in the morning, and I don't think anyone wants to do that.

It was an excellent talk by the general Relief Society President, Linda K. Burton.  I understood completely when she pointed out that learning to hear and recognize the voice of the Spirit is a little like learning a new language.  I get it!  

She mentioned the power that comes with fasting, and also admonished us to write down the impressions we receive. I know from a long life of experience that if I don't write down the events of the day as well as my impressions, I will lose them or confuse them with other occasions.  I have not been a faithful or consistent journal-keeper, but I have been very grateful to have the things I have recorded.

We had 12 YSAs at the broadcast, one of them is visiting from the States.  He had a couple of weeks vacation and decided to see Scandinavia.  His visit is winding down and he has seen some wonderful places.  He ended up attending the Sunday meetings last week in a very small northern Norwegian community....a small branch with about 10 in attendance.  As it happened, this little branch had just had a baptism the night before and spoke English all through the meeting for their new member....which was wonderful for the young man from America.

He entertained everyone for a good hour with stories of his mission in Kiribati.  His experiences were similar to Elder Groberg's missionary experiences in the book and movie, "The Other Side of Heaven."  He and his companion were often the only missionaries on their small islands, and had to learn quickly how to administer all of the church's programs.

Every mission is unique and amazing in some aspect(s).  Most of us enjoy hearing about the varied experiences from people who serve...and I find them very interesting whether they are assigned to Provo, Utah or Kiribati!

It is kind of fun to think that now I too will have stories!  I have met so many wonderful people, each with life experiences to tell.  But they aren't just stories....they are real and they are dear to me.

Wear green tomorrow!

Ferdinand the Bull and Other Kindred Spirits

The wind has been furious all day....it started sometime in the night and blew so hard by morning that there were few people on the path around the lake.  By afternoon more people were out and about....even us!  Actually, we took a walk this morning and later in the afternoon a longer one.

The sun shone all day, and I can't even describe the crispness of the contrast of lights and shadows here.  It makes me happy just to look around at how the light bounces off the bricks and stones of the old buildings.  It might have been a pleasant day as far as temperature goes, but with the wind blustering away, it felt chilly.

The lake was dotted white with ducks bobbing on the choppy surface....all facing into the wind.  At first I thought they were posing for a picture. I thought just to please them I ought to snap one...but SK thinks I have taken enough pictures of the lake!!!

This was a heaven-sent day.  I got laundry and cleaning done, and just sat in the light of the loft to study the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow...what a joy.  (Don't tell a soul, but I also ate chocolate as I studied .... it just doesn't get any better than that!)

SK and I have done some planning for next week ...which will be full, and have had a couple of good gospel discussions.  That was especially nice.

I have spoken to many who have really really difficult and stressful missions, and while I would not count this mission as either (for the most part)....I get worn down.  And days like today are what rejuvenate me.

You too Can Speak Danish

It is Friday already!  Both feeling much sleep-deprived, we dragged ourselves out of bed, opened the blinds to more heavenly sunlight and worked on our Danish.  We had to give two small presentations today....and as you might have guessed, SK goes over and beyond the simple assignment.  For those who have ears to hear, his little orations are quite funny.

At one point, the teacher explained how to pronounce the letter ø and there we all sat, repeating back to her the sound she had made.  We did it in unison and in the same tone.  It reminded me of a nest full of little birds opening their mouths for food.  She described it this way.  Make a circle with your mouth, put your tongue against the back of your teeth and say oooooo, as in boot.  Y...make a little circle with your mouth and try to say eeeeeeeeeeee.  And it comes out sounding a little bit like the beginning sound you make when you say "Eeooo....a scorpion!"  Now, everybody together.  

The walk back to the apartment was ever so pleasant.  It was nippy cold, but with the sun shining it was lovely.  Our teacher assigned us to write a little bit about our living quarters and way of life in our homelands.  Anyone who lives in Copenhagen simply could not comprehend how we live in Gilbert, Arizona.  

The idea of getting in the car to go get a carton of milk would not register, or getting in the car to go to church or school or the library or the mall or any other place that everyone goes.  A pleasant walk or a bus or train ride is the primary mode of transportation....and will get you just about anywhere you want to go, with less hassle than driving around the city trying to find a parking place.

We were met at the door by our little volunteer plant ...which has blossomed into a beautiful little flower.  Inside, we came home to this lovely little vase of tulips (one of the young women brought to me last night at the center).  I was so happy to receive flowers!  That led to a couple of cute discussions about how much the Danes love flowers....hence the pretty little flower shops on every block and in every grocery store.  Even the starving student types dearly love to have fresh flowers.

Teresa, the young woman who gave them to me is a dear.  I have had many good talks with her.  She just quit her job and got another one.  She had been working long hours with heavy workloads. The opportunity to work for another company with better conditions came up and she took it.  I have been happy for her,  She is a baker....and has received training for her specialty which is cakes.  I always worry a little about what I fix, because I am soooooooooo far from being a good cook, but she is encouraging and positive.  I love these kids!

Elijah, one of our YSAs came and visited us this evening.  It was lovely....He serves with the full-time missionaries often, when they need a member to go with them.  He is a sweet young man and it was fun to get to know him a little better.

One of our first selfies

The day ended with rain....but I love the rain, so this is a good thing. ...otherwise known as "noget dejligt".....pronounced known die-leet