Gazing out the window this morning, one would have thought it was still winter. The trees were barren against a foreboding sky and the lake reflected muddy gray. The wind - a near constant friend here - did not sound friendly. Inside our apartment, we wore layers to keep off the chill.
After breakfast, we donned our coats and went for a brisk walk along and around 3 of our 5 lakes. Much to our delight, we found out that Spring is creeping back into the city. The trees - which looked so bare from our windows are dotted with tiny sprouts of green, and some of the shrubs along the lake path have tiny tiny beginnings of blossoms.
Our favorite swan couple have refurbished their nest and one of them was sitting contentedly on it, neck curled against its body. We think it was sitting on some eggs. We saw several duck couples....the male standing nearby the female on the nest, looking very sentry-like. (What can a duck do to protect itself anyway....much less his sweetheart?.....honk?....wait...quack?)
We have made phone calls and studied (We both started the Book of Mormon again with many of our YSAs who are answering a Book of Mormon challenge to read it in the same time period it was translated.) We have lessons ahead to give, Danish classes to be prepared for, meals to fix and miles to go before we sleep...hah...had to get some Robert Frost in there.)
My sweet friend Doris has had some severe trials lately, and as of tonight has found some answers and relief. She has been praying and has felt the Lord's response to her faith. I am very happy that things are working out for her.
Prayer is an amazing thing. We call out from the depths of our souls, reaching as far as our faith will allow.....and miraculously those pleas for help are heard. Little impressions and thoughts bring help and knowledge, and sometimes dramatic assistance arrives. One common admonition in the scriptures is a variation of "Knock and it shall be opened up unto you." It appears that our efforts, even though small, bring the attention of heaven.
What a blessing it is for us to pray.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree.....Real Soon
I love the cold dark short days of winter here....I know....I think I am daft....and perhaps I am. But there is something magical about December, January and February.
But the Spring is amazing. Nothing has blossomed, yet in the clear bright sunlight there is something in the air...a feeling....something wonderful is about to happen. I hear it in the lilting melody of the little bird outside our window early in the morning, I feel it in my bones, I sense it from the happy Danes who eagerly sit outside soaking up the Spring sunshine. And I remember from last year the lavish display of blooms everywhere, the warmth of the sun and the earth's reawakening.
Instead of going to the center, we left home around two in the afternoon to travel to Christian's home out in the country. He will be leaving Wednesday for the MTC in England and then will serve in Scotland/Ireland. A tall and lanky fair-headed young man, he has a quick smile and we love him. We will miss him.
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He has been the secretary of our YSA organization and the resident computer genius. You think I am kidding? His father told us that when he was four, he was at an office with a relative who asked him to empty the garbage cans. He dutifully went from computer to computer "emptying the garbage cans" until the man said, "Hold on there....there may be something there we ought not get rid of. I think he was hitting the recycle button or something.
We spent a couple of lovely hours there at the open house. They have their own beautiful lake in the front yard....think Pemberley, and a yard so large that his father hasn't fully explored it. They moved there last year. Their lovely big home sits comfortably amid rolling fields, forests and orchards, set apart by a white washed board fence (two vertical boards attached to evenly-spaced posts).
At one point, his grandfather gathered all of his children and grandchildren (direct line) to get a picture of them wearing their clan tartans. Is that fun or what? We got the story from him. They descend from a Scot who emigrated to Denmark several generations back. So Christian will be returning to the land of (some) his ancestors.
We came back to the center, where we spent the rest of the evening. We had a good turnout, despite the fact that this was the end of the Easter holiday. We thought many would still be on vacation. We had our message and then watched Temple Grandin, a movie based on a true story about a woman with autism....who got a college degree, masters and then a doctorate....eventually leaving her mark in her field of study and autism as well.....not bad.
We walked into our apartment well after 11....just as the phone was ringing. It was my friend who is having serious problems. She was desperate for help so SK drove me over to her place. I stayed with her a couple of hours and am now back ready to settle in for the night.
But the Spring is amazing. Nothing has blossomed, yet in the clear bright sunlight there is something in the air...a feeling....something wonderful is about to happen. I hear it in the lilting melody of the little bird outside our window early in the morning, I feel it in my bones, I sense it from the happy Danes who eagerly sit outside soaking up the Spring sunshine. And I remember from last year the lavish display of blooms everywhere, the warmth of the sun and the earth's reawakening.
Instead of going to the center, we left home around two in the afternoon to travel to Christian's home out in the country. He will be leaving Wednesday for the MTC in England and then will serve in Scotland/Ireland. A tall and lanky fair-headed young man, he has a quick smile and we love him. We will miss him.
He has been the secretary of our YSA organization and the resident computer genius. You think I am kidding? His father told us that when he was four, he was at an office with a relative who asked him to empty the garbage cans. He dutifully went from computer to computer "emptying the garbage cans" until the man said, "Hold on there....there may be something there we ought not get rid of. I think he was hitting the recycle button or something.
We spent a couple of lovely hours there at the open house. They have their own beautiful lake in the front yard....think Pemberley, and a yard so large that his father hasn't fully explored it. They moved there last year. Their lovely big home sits comfortably amid rolling fields, forests and orchards, set apart by a white washed board fence (two vertical boards attached to evenly-spaced posts).
At one point, his grandfather gathered all of his children and grandchildren (direct line) to get a picture of them wearing their clan tartans. Is that fun or what? We got the story from him. They descend from a Scot who emigrated to Denmark several generations back. So Christian will be returning to the land of (some) his ancestors.
 |
| Do you see our sweet fairy-tale princess on the bench on the left? Her father and our branch president behind her (third from the right) and next to him to the right, Morten our fearless YSA President. |
We came back to the center, where we spent the rest of the evening. We had a good turnout, despite the fact that this was the end of the Easter holiday. We thought many would still be on vacation. We had our message and then watched Temple Grandin, a movie based on a true story about a woman with autism....who got a college degree, masters and then a doctorate....eventually leaving her mark in her field of study and autism as well.....not bad.
We walked into our apartment well after 11....just as the phone was ringing. It was my friend who is having serious problems. She was desperate for help so SK drove me over to her place. I stayed with her a couple of hours and am now back ready to settle in for the night.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
SK Reinventing Himself
It hasn't really felt like the Sabbath all day, and it hasn't felt much like Easter either. But it has been a glorious day when we have been richly blessed by gospel messages from our general authorities.
SK was supposed to go to the stake center to watch the priesthood session of conference at 11. But, bless his heart, he got up at 2 a.m. to watch it on the computer, and then instead of going to the church, went to the center with me. He helped me carry all of the stuff we needed to take, and he stood in the kitchen and made pico de gallo....all by himself! I think by the time we get home, he will have become a master pico de gallo chef.
We were there until 9:30, a long but beautiful day.
While SK stood chopping tomatoes and onions, I sat - slicing peppers of every color, red onions and chicken breasts....which I cooked in the oven. We watched Saturday afternoon's session today at the center at 2 with 11 YSAs. They arrived hungry and were really hungry by 4.
We served fajita quesadillas....something I kind of made up. We served it with some seasoned sour cream and SK's awesome pico de gallo. I figured the chicken/peppers/onion mixture would go a long way, but when I began to make them, I loaded them up with cheese and the meat mixture. Everyone there....EVERYONE wanted at least one more, and some two more. I ran out of the meat mixture after seconds had been had by all, and then made cheese only quesadillas. Either they were pretty good or the YSAs were pretty hungry.....or maybe both.
We watched "Music and the Spoken Word" at 5:30 and then the Sunday morning session at 6 p.m. Throughout the evening, I had the wonderful sugar cookies out, and served chocolate pudding with whipped cream. It was a fun recipe made from sugar, cocoa, milk, cream, vanilla and corn starch....with real dark chocolate stirred in after it had thickened. It was a little like eating a semi-solid chocolate bar with cream.
The conferences were absolutely wonderful. I loved every single talk. The theme of marriage and family seemed to run through everything and every talk....no matter the primary subject, related back to those subjects.
Elder Holland began by speaking about 2 teen-aged brothers who climbed the sheer vertical walls of a canyon, and who then experienced a desperate situation where one was in grave danger of losing his life. The way that Elder Holland related that to the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus was very touching.....and inspiring and faith-promoting. There were other talks too that filled my soul with their message.
Elder Cook spoke of his Uncle Vaughn who lost his life in World War II, and read some of an article he had written that had been published in the May 1944 Reader's Digest. He seems like a very sweet man, who always speaks of his family with great fondness. If you would like to watch Elder Cook's talk, go to this internet address:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4154381044001&cid=12
SK and I cleaned up, wiped down the countertops and stove top, started the dishwasher and trudged through the evening light to the bus stop by Tivoli, where we caught a bus that brought us within a block of our home. Ah. Great to be in pajamas with my feet up!
We watched the last session of conference together sitting on the couch. When it was over we looked at each other and said, "It's over til October!"....which always makes me a little sad. Conference is so inspiring for the 2 days we soak up the inspired words. At the same time, the realization washed over us that when we watch general conference again, it will be in our home in Gilbert.
To quote SK: "That makes me so happy!.......and sad." I couldn't have said it any better.
SK was supposed to go to the stake center to watch the priesthood session of conference at 11. But, bless his heart, he got up at 2 a.m. to watch it on the computer, and then instead of going to the church, went to the center with me. He helped me carry all of the stuff we needed to take, and he stood in the kitchen and made pico de gallo....all by himself! I think by the time we get home, he will have become a master pico de gallo chef.
We were there until 9:30, a long but beautiful day.
While SK stood chopping tomatoes and onions, I sat - slicing peppers of every color, red onions and chicken breasts....which I cooked in the oven. We watched Saturday afternoon's session today at the center at 2 with 11 YSAs. They arrived hungry and were really hungry by 4.
We served fajita quesadillas....something I kind of made up. We served it with some seasoned sour cream and SK's awesome pico de gallo. I figured the chicken/peppers/onion mixture would go a long way, but when I began to make them, I loaded them up with cheese and the meat mixture. Everyone there....EVERYONE wanted at least one more, and some two more. I ran out of the meat mixture after seconds had been had by all, and then made cheese only quesadillas. Either they were pretty good or the YSAs were pretty hungry.....or maybe both.
We watched "Music and the Spoken Word" at 5:30 and then the Sunday morning session at 6 p.m. Throughout the evening, I had the wonderful sugar cookies out, and served chocolate pudding with whipped cream. It was a fun recipe made from sugar, cocoa, milk, cream, vanilla and corn starch....with real dark chocolate stirred in after it had thickened. It was a little like eating a semi-solid chocolate bar with cream.
The conferences were absolutely wonderful. I loved every single talk. The theme of marriage and family seemed to run through everything and every talk....no matter the primary subject, related back to those subjects.
Elder Holland began by speaking about 2 teen-aged brothers who climbed the sheer vertical walls of a canyon, and who then experienced a desperate situation where one was in grave danger of losing his life. The way that Elder Holland related that to the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus was very touching.....and inspiring and faith-promoting. There were other talks too that filled my soul with their message.
Elder Cook spoke of his Uncle Vaughn who lost his life in World War II, and read some of an article he had written that had been published in the May 1944 Reader's Digest. He seems like a very sweet man, who always speaks of his family with great fondness. If you would like to watch Elder Cook's talk, go to this internet address:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4154381044001&cid=12
SK and I cleaned up, wiped down the countertops and stove top, started the dishwasher and trudged through the evening light to the bus stop by Tivoli, where we caught a bus that brought us within a block of our home. Ah. Great to be in pajamas with my feet up!
We watched the last session of conference together sitting on the couch. When it was over we looked at each other and said, "It's over til October!"....which always makes me a little sad. Conference is so inspiring for the 2 days we soak up the inspired words. At the same time, the realization washed over us that when we watch general conference again, it will be in our home in Gilbert.
To quote SK: "That makes me so happy!.......and sad." I couldn't have said it any better.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
The Family is Ordained of God.....
Don't you love General Conference? I look forward to it, and enjoy every minute of it when it comes. Today's sessions did not disappoint.
It was another lovely day in Copenhagen with high cotton balls of clouds racing across the sky set against that deep blue. The temperatures are creeping up....and I do mean creeping. It is in the 30s and 40s, but if the sun is shining and the wind isn't blowing...and you have a warm coat and scarf on, it is beautiful.
We did some shopping for the meal tomorrow. Every business we passed was open for business and doing very well. Since everything was closed on Thursday and Friday, we kind of expected more of the same. But I guess Saturday is a big business day...everything will be closed on Sunday and Monday. It is a big holiday, and Danes take their holidays very seriously. It is a time for feasting and family. It is a marvelous tradition.
We took the wonderful rolling cart and filled it nicely. It is great to bump along over the cobblestones carrying all kinds of heavy stuff. I think it truly is Spring. In another week the forecast says it will be in the upper 50s. Trees, shrubs, flowering plants - all seem perched on the edge, ready to burst into riotous colors and glorious greens.
We went to the center for the women's broadcast. I wondered if anyone would come, since they broadcast it at our stake center for all women. Two came, so the three of us sat together and watched (not counting SK, who sat on the couch kind of attending to the talks). We were amply rewarded by the talks and music.
Between the women's broadcast and the Saturday morning session (we watched it live at 6 p.m.), we pulled out all of the leftovers from Thursday's meal and everyone ate their fill...until it was mostly gone. We had 11 at the 6 p.m. broadcast. We broke out the cookies. After 2 days in the refrigerator, they were even better! Everyone enjoyed them, but we still have at least 2 dozen for dessert tomorrow! (I had given about half of what was left of all the food to missionaries....a good cause,)
With it being such a big family day, I am wondering if we will have even as many as we had tonight. The difficult thing is having enough.....and not having too much...by 75%
We'll see.
The talks from the women's conference and the first session were excellent....every single one. I was interested to see how many focused on family and marriage. They were thought-provoking and inspiring. One of my favorites was the president of the general relief society. She was acutely aware of the many who do not live in ideal families - if there is such a thing - but she also made an impassioned plea to be kind to each other....in our marriages and families.
Elder Packer also talked about marriage. He was occasionally difficult to understand. He is 90 and wears oxygen, and is sometimes hard to understand. Even our English-fluent young Danish friends didn't understand everything he said. He once said about the Twelve, that they have the unfortunate fate of dying onstage. His talk was very very good, and will be great to read. I am sure that it is frustrating for him to struggle so to make himself heard and understand.
Most of the young people there had small writing pads in which they took notes. I didn't see anyone with telephones or ipads playing games or sending messages. They all listened reverently and attentively.
I love these guys!
It was another lovely day in Copenhagen with high cotton balls of clouds racing across the sky set against that deep blue. The temperatures are creeping up....and I do mean creeping. It is in the 30s and 40s, but if the sun is shining and the wind isn't blowing...and you have a warm coat and scarf on, it is beautiful.
We did some shopping for the meal tomorrow. Every business we passed was open for business and doing very well. Since everything was closed on Thursday and Friday, we kind of expected more of the same. But I guess Saturday is a big business day...everything will be closed on Sunday and Monday. It is a big holiday, and Danes take their holidays very seriously. It is a time for feasting and family. It is a marvelous tradition.
We took the wonderful rolling cart and filled it nicely. It is great to bump along over the cobblestones carrying all kinds of heavy stuff. I think it truly is Spring. In another week the forecast says it will be in the upper 50s. Trees, shrubs, flowering plants - all seem perched on the edge, ready to burst into riotous colors and glorious greens.
We went to the center for the women's broadcast. I wondered if anyone would come, since they broadcast it at our stake center for all women. Two came, so the three of us sat together and watched (not counting SK, who sat on the couch kind of attending to the talks). We were amply rewarded by the talks and music.
Between the women's broadcast and the Saturday morning session (we watched it live at 6 p.m.), we pulled out all of the leftovers from Thursday's meal and everyone ate their fill...until it was mostly gone. We had 11 at the 6 p.m. broadcast. We broke out the cookies. After 2 days in the refrigerator, they were even better! Everyone enjoyed them, but we still have at least 2 dozen for dessert tomorrow! (I had given about half of what was left of all the food to missionaries....a good cause,)
With it being such a big family day, I am wondering if we will have even as many as we had tonight. The difficult thing is having enough.....and not having too much...by 75%
We'll see.
The talks from the women's conference and the first session were excellent....every single one. I was interested to see how many focused on family and marriage. They were thought-provoking and inspiring. One of my favorites was the president of the general relief society. She was acutely aware of the many who do not live in ideal families - if there is such a thing - but she also made an impassioned plea to be kind to each other....in our marriages and families.
Elder Packer also talked about marriage. He was occasionally difficult to understand. He is 90 and wears oxygen, and is sometimes hard to understand. Even our English-fluent young Danish friends didn't understand everything he said. He once said about the Twelve, that they have the unfortunate fate of dying onstage. His talk was very very good, and will be great to read. I am sure that it is frustrating for him to struggle so to make himself heard and understand.
Most of the young people there had small writing pads in which they took notes. I didn't see anyone with telephones or ipads playing games or sending messages. They all listened reverently and attentively.
I love these guys!
Friday, April 3, 2015
Playing Hookey
The alarm went off this morning and I could not get myself out of bed! I slept late and still yearned for more rest. SK went to the temple without me, and I did very little for the remainder of the day except sleep some more, read and just relax.
I have enjoyed this entire week, but I am exhausted. In the past, I think I could have done all this with relative ease, but after a 16-hour day of cooking, cleaning and socializing, I am spent. Kasper gave me a welcome four-month respite....what a great young man.
We will only serve meals until the end of May or early June, when institute ends, and then we will be at the center, but not cook. Until then, I will concentrate on simpler meals. I really don't know how to cook without standing up...do you? Going from stove to refrigerator to sink all require standing, and moving around.
With the lovely rest today, I am ready to be at the center tomorrow for 8 hours and Sunday for 10, serving a meal and refreshments.
The only real down sides of the day were missing the temple, and missing a gorgeous day in Copenhagen! The skies were a deep beautiful blue with patches of clouds and a brisk breeze. I am sure it would have been lovely to take a walk down one of my many favorite streets.
I am looking forward to watching conference this weekend. The way we have scheduled it at the center, the only session we will miss is the last session on Sunday....which SK and I will watch at home one morning this week. Isn't it amazing that we can see all of conference practically at the same time our dear ones in the States will be watching?
It is a wonderful thing to live in this world today.
I have enjoyed this entire week, but I am exhausted. In the past, I think I could have done all this with relative ease, but after a 16-hour day of cooking, cleaning and socializing, I am spent. Kasper gave me a welcome four-month respite....what a great young man.
We will only serve meals until the end of May or early June, when institute ends, and then we will be at the center, but not cook. Until then, I will concentrate on simpler meals. I really don't know how to cook without standing up...do you? Going from stove to refrigerator to sink all require standing, and moving around.
With the lovely rest today, I am ready to be at the center tomorrow for 8 hours and Sunday for 10, serving a meal and refreshments.
The only real down sides of the day were missing the temple, and missing a gorgeous day in Copenhagen! The skies were a deep beautiful blue with patches of clouds and a brisk breeze. I am sure it would have been lovely to take a walk down one of my many favorite streets.
I am looking forward to watching conference this weekend. The way we have scheduled it at the center, the only session we will miss is the last session on Sunday....which SK and I will watch at home one morning this week. Isn't it amazing that we can see all of conference practically at the same time our dear ones in the States will be watching?
It is a wonderful thing to live in this world today.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
In the Kitchen Again
How do you plan a meal for 12 people.....and possibly 40? This has been an ongoing problem since we first arrived here and began cooking.
Kasper is busier than any person ought to be....but it is all good and we are so happy how life is working out for him. He will not be able to cook for April. Sad for me, but at the same time I am so grateful for all the cooking he has done for the past months...and the things he taught me. It was wonderful.
Yesterday, I did a lot of the shopping for the meal we served today. I found ground beef on sale for a very good price, and we had seven large bottles of potatoes at the center, so I fixed sloppy joes and roasted potatoes with dill, and steamed peas. I prepared enough sloppy joe mixture to easily make 48 sloppy joes, but only purchased 30 buns.
I spent my morning making a double batch of great sugar cookies. I got the recipe from Erin and Ethan....it is a copycat recipe for the cookies sold at Swig....a great little place in Utah. They are really tasty. But it did take a few hours to get them all made, baked and frosted.
Today, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are holidays....the Easter holiday to be sure. I had forgotten that last year, we were dismayed to find out there were no mail deliveries for 5 days!...and what is worse was that there were no stores open during that time.
SK embarked on a small marathon this morning walking around the neighborhood to see which store might be open. He finally found one that is open nearly every day of the year. He picked up the remaining items I needed. I finished up our preparations, and we left for the center in the car. While having everything closed for the weekend is a great inconvenience, a bonus for us is that parking is free.
Since the country is taking a holiday, the church is as well. The calendar says that there would be no institute this evening, but our guiding committee decided that we would watch a devotional speech and have a meal.
Eleven people ate dinner! Two others came for the evening, but they had already eaten. So I have about 4 pounds of sloppy joe mixture left over, a couple of cups of peas and a pan full of potatoes. And I have about 45 out of 60 cookies left also.....I must tell you that I can't be alone with them....so I will try to dispense them tomorrow.
Even though our group was small, it was a beautiful evening. We heard an excellent speech, and I visited with Anne Marie - who has a remarkable understanding from one who is so young. And several games were undertaken with enthusiasm.
SK and I left shortly before midnight, driving past Tivoli, which has just reopened. I love to see the lights on again, and see the crowds milling about. Except for the occasional bleep on the radar (Denmark had snow on Tuesday!) we are definitely getting into Spring.
A lovely time to be in Copenhagen.
Kasper is busier than any person ought to be....but it is all good and we are so happy how life is working out for him. He will not be able to cook for April. Sad for me, but at the same time I am so grateful for all the cooking he has done for the past months...and the things he taught me. It was wonderful.
Yesterday, I did a lot of the shopping for the meal we served today. I found ground beef on sale for a very good price, and we had seven large bottles of potatoes at the center, so I fixed sloppy joes and roasted potatoes with dill, and steamed peas. I prepared enough sloppy joe mixture to easily make 48 sloppy joes, but only purchased 30 buns.
I spent my morning making a double batch of great sugar cookies. I got the recipe from Erin and Ethan....it is a copycat recipe for the cookies sold at Swig....a great little place in Utah. They are really tasty. But it did take a few hours to get them all made, baked and frosted.
Today, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are holidays....the Easter holiday to be sure. I had forgotten that last year, we were dismayed to find out there were no mail deliveries for 5 days!...and what is worse was that there were no stores open during that time.
SK embarked on a small marathon this morning walking around the neighborhood to see which store might be open. He finally found one that is open nearly every day of the year. He picked up the remaining items I needed. I finished up our preparations, and we left for the center in the car. While having everything closed for the weekend is a great inconvenience, a bonus for us is that parking is free.
Since the country is taking a holiday, the church is as well. The calendar says that there would be no institute this evening, but our guiding committee decided that we would watch a devotional speech and have a meal.
Eleven people ate dinner! Two others came for the evening, but they had already eaten. So I have about 4 pounds of sloppy joe mixture left over, a couple of cups of peas and a pan full of potatoes. And I have about 45 out of 60 cookies left also.....I must tell you that I can't be alone with them....so I will try to dispense them tomorrow.
Even though our group was small, it was a beautiful evening. We heard an excellent speech, and I visited with Anne Marie - who has a remarkable understanding from one who is so young. And several games were undertaken with enthusiasm.
SK and I left shortly before midnight, driving past Tivoli, which has just reopened. I love to see the lights on again, and see the crowds milling about. Except for the occasional bleep on the radar (Denmark had snow on Tuesday!) we are definitely getting into Spring.
A lovely time to be in Copenhagen.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
This Life is a Test
Years ago, the Church News published an account of a class at BYU. I believe the subject was New Testament. The students showed up for the final, which was going to account for a significant part of their grade. No one was there but there was a note on the board saying the location had been changed. They had only minutes to get all the way across campus to take the exam.
On their mad dash across campus (the most direct route to the other location) the encountered 3 individuals in great need....someone crying after a spill on a bike....and others. If they stopped for a single one, they would miss the test.
The profoundly interesting thing about that was that if they showed up on time for the exam about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ....they failed the test. The real test was whether or not the life and teachings of Jesus Christ had touched their hearts enough to know what is truly important in life.
I think about that test often....since we are all faced with similar situations in life. Today was one of those times of choice for me. I had plenty of things to do....many things I should do.....many things I would have liked to do.
A friend called in distress, so I left our apartment in the morning and spent a few hours with her. She seemed fine, so I returned home and SK and I had lunch. As I was cleaning up, she called again....so I went across town to her apartment and stayed awhile. Between time spent with her and traveling back and forth, that was kind of my day!
I don't know if that is what I ought to be doing here in the mission field, but I don't think I had anything more important to do. She was in need, and I was available. Most days, I wouldn't be able to spend time with her, but today it worked out. I hope that it was the right choice.
The Lord knows her and He knows me. I am here to serve Him, and I would like to think He is happy with how I served today.
On their mad dash across campus (the most direct route to the other location) the encountered 3 individuals in great need....someone crying after a spill on a bike....and others. If they stopped for a single one, they would miss the test.
The profoundly interesting thing about that was that if they showed up on time for the exam about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ....they failed the test. The real test was whether or not the life and teachings of Jesus Christ had touched their hearts enough to know what is truly important in life.
I think about that test often....since we are all faced with similar situations in life. Today was one of those times of choice for me. I had plenty of things to do....many things I should do.....many things I would have liked to do.
A friend called in distress, so I left our apartment in the morning and spent a few hours with her. She seemed fine, so I returned home and SK and I had lunch. As I was cleaning up, she called again....so I went across town to her apartment and stayed awhile. Between time spent with her and traveling back and forth, that was kind of my day!
I don't know if that is what I ought to be doing here in the mission field, but I don't think I had anything more important to do. She was in need, and I was available. Most days, I wouldn't be able to spend time with her, but today it worked out. I hope that it was the right choice.
The Lord knows her and He knows me. I am here to serve Him, and I would like to think He is happy with how I served today.
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