You really must forgive me....I am awful company this evening and I can hardly wait to get into bed. I have been working on the book, and must get it ordered today.
I was up very very early....we drove an hour away to inspect one apartment and then another 35 minutes to get to another one.
We had our Danish class this afternoon, and I enjoyed it....I did my visiting teaching to a wonderful woman....I so enjoy our visits. She is interesting and fun and kind and sweet....did I mention talented?
It has been a beautiful day....and perhaps another day I will share some of the nice details of this day, but it is time to order the book and go to bed.
I have cakes to bake and a dinner to make and a lesson to ......what rhymes with bake and make?
Good Night......
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
On the Road Again
We are inspecting missionary apartments. We have quite a few to do, and while we are trying to spread them out over the quarter each time, schedules are such that we are beginning to feel crunched. Today, we inspected only two, but it took an hour to get to the first one, and then a half hour to the second. So travel time and inspection time and it ends up taking up a good chunk of the day.
But as dull as it may sound, it is absolutely delightful to meet with these young people and get to know them just a little bit. As my father used to say, "It makes you glad to be alive." We have a lengthy checklist of things to inspect....everything from "Any faulty wiring?" to "Do you know where your fire extinguisher is and does it work?"
We look at their freezer to see if it needs defrosting, and their oven to see if it is being kept clean. We ask if their vacuum works, if they know how to change the bags....and if they DO change the bags. We check to see if their appliances are all working.
We inquire if they are keeping apartment regulations, if they are being good stewards with utilities and water, if they wash their shower curtain regularly. We look at the shower and the toilet and if necessary instruct about products that will help keep them clean. You get the idea.
We have seen a lot of apartments and we have met quite a few young individuals...every one unique...and every one with a story to tell about his life and what brought him on a mission to Denmark. These are good young people. And they are trying to do what is right, and most often they are experiencing real joy along the way....punctuated with discouragement and disappointment.
We had a grand time. We will see a more apartments an hour from here tomorrow morning and next Monday and Tuesday. Then we will begin again in June, and in July and August. It probably doesn't sound like much, but it does add to the busy-ness of our weeks, which seem to be getting fuller.
After returning home, I walked to the central train station where I took the train out to Amager. I visit taught a marvelous young woman from New Zealand. She is so interesting and so cute. She is one of our YSAs - at least for 2 more months when she finishes up her studies here.
We talked at length about her time here in Europe and her future. I love the courage of these young people. I don't remember what I was like at her age, but I am positive that I wasn't so wise nor so brave.
Still working on that book. It has got to go to the printer by tomorrow.....so I am just going to have to send it as is.....I am still missing entries from 2 out of the 33 couples who have served with him. That isn't too bad, but I wish I could have had 100%. I do have a very secret advantage....don't tell a soul....but I have an editor who is at this very moment working her magic on what I have put together.
Isn't it lovely to have someone come after you and make your work look good?
There is a gospel talk there.
But as dull as it may sound, it is absolutely delightful to meet with these young people and get to know them just a little bit. As my father used to say, "It makes you glad to be alive." We have a lengthy checklist of things to inspect....everything from "Any faulty wiring?" to "Do you know where your fire extinguisher is and does it work?"
We look at their freezer to see if it needs defrosting, and their oven to see if it is being kept clean. We ask if their vacuum works, if they know how to change the bags....and if they DO change the bags. We check to see if their appliances are all working.
We inquire if they are keeping apartment regulations, if they are being good stewards with utilities and water, if they wash their shower curtain regularly. We look at the shower and the toilet and if necessary instruct about products that will help keep them clean. You get the idea.
We have seen a lot of apartments and we have met quite a few young individuals...every one unique...and every one with a story to tell about his life and what brought him on a mission to Denmark. These are good young people. And they are trying to do what is right, and most often they are experiencing real joy along the way....punctuated with discouragement and disappointment.
We had a grand time. We will see a more apartments an hour from here tomorrow morning and next Monday and Tuesday. Then we will begin again in June, and in July and August. It probably doesn't sound like much, but it does add to the busy-ness of our weeks, which seem to be getting fuller.
After returning home, I walked to the central train station where I took the train out to Amager. I visit taught a marvelous young woman from New Zealand. She is so interesting and so cute. She is one of our YSAs - at least for 2 more months when she finishes up her studies here.
We talked at length about her time here in Europe and her future. I love the courage of these young people. I don't remember what I was like at her age, but I am positive that I wasn't so wise nor so brave.
Still working on that book. It has got to go to the printer by tomorrow.....so I am just going to have to send it as is.....I am still missing entries from 2 out of the 33 couples who have served with him. That isn't too bad, but I wish I could have had 100%. I do have a very secret advantage....don't tell a soul....but I have an editor who is at this very moment working her magic on what I have put together.
Isn't it lovely to have someone come after you and make your work look good?
There is a gospel talk there.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Monday....and a Rainy Day.....I'm in Heaven!
Sister Sederholm has been keeping a blog since she arrived here nearly three years ago, and it is almost entirely pictures!!!! I have been downloading pictures of senior couples - during every bit of spare time I had, to supplement the pictures I have received for the book. There are two couples that I have not heard from, and I am afraid that I will just have to order the book without their input, but pictures only.
I don't know what to do beyond that, because we are right out of time. I have to have the book to present to him on June 19, and that is barreling down the pike towards us. We have got to get it ordered right away.
I am also still trying to catch up with the Book of Mormon challenge. You only read 6 pages a day....which I will do when I have read the 50 pages that I have fallen behind on. But there are other ways too that I need to spend time on....I have the lesson for Thursday evening. All those things take time.
We had a grand turnout for Family Home Evening tonight. Ulrik gave a superb lesson. He is quite handsome and just as nice as he is handsome! He asked many good questions and got many great answers. I sat at the back of the room while he talked. I watched as he asked questions, and watched as individuals raised their hands to answer. A lot of people made comments and they were insightful and faith-filled.
It struck me that this is the way it should be....excellent lessons taught by YSAs and very very thoughtful answers from the group. I don't know, maybe it is like that all over the world, but I really think these young people are a cut above.
We had 3 young people who are being taught by the missionaries....all really nice individuals.
Plus it is always so nice to have the young missionaries with us. We played a game of charades of sorts....I even drew a picture of Jerusalem....and they guessed it immediately.
Before it all started, I had a great discussion with a tall, fair and handsome young returned missionary. He always teaches me something (he never tries, but he is so interesting, in the course of a normal conversation, I always learn something!). Tonight, he told me about a special day in the beginning of May that is called:
Our cute co-chairman (woman), Helene is in the throes of exams....as are many of the YSAs, but she is not discouraged....just so tired from keeping late-night hours studying. I am so glad I don't have to do that anymore! But I enjoyed a few minutes with her, as well as a cute young returned sister missionary from Temple Square. She fixed the refreshments tonight....a very Danish dessert which I really like....sweetened sour or buttermilk with little cookies in it. SK turns green at the thought of anything soaked in milk, but I love to dip cookies so this was right up my alley. Yum!
One young man stayed after everyone left to help us put up the chairs and clean up. He is always pleasant and helpful and he has a wonderful head of thick dark red hair. (I know women who would kill for that hair...well not really....but you get the idea.) He is being taught by the missionaries and I think he fits in so well with the group. I like him.....and hope he stays with us at the center.
SK and I walked home in the rain with the Mary Poppins opened as big as possible, but nevertheless holding on to the brim, lest the wind invert it. I thought it was great fun. SK didn't. He got home and his pants and shoes and socks were wet.
But now he is warm and dry.....and sleeping to the sounds of the rain.....I'll will be doing the same very soon.
I don't know what to do beyond that, because we are right out of time. I have to have the book to present to him on June 19, and that is barreling down the pike towards us. We have got to get it ordered right away.
I am also still trying to catch up with the Book of Mormon challenge. You only read 6 pages a day....which I will do when I have read the 50 pages that I have fallen behind on. But there are other ways too that I need to spend time on....I have the lesson for Thursday evening. All those things take time.
We had a grand turnout for Family Home Evening tonight. Ulrik gave a superb lesson. He is quite handsome and just as nice as he is handsome! He asked many good questions and got many great answers. I sat at the back of the room while he talked. I watched as he asked questions, and watched as individuals raised their hands to answer. A lot of people made comments and they were insightful and faith-filled.
It struck me that this is the way it should be....excellent lessons taught by YSAs and very very thoughtful answers from the group. I don't know, maybe it is like that all over the world, but I really think these young people are a cut above.
We had 3 young people who are being taught by the missionaries....all really nice individuals.
Plus it is always so nice to have the young missionaries with us. We played a game of charades of sorts....I even drew a picture of Jerusalem....and they guessed it immediately.
Before it all started, I had a great discussion with a tall, fair and handsome young returned missionary. He always teaches me something (he never tries, but he is so interesting, in the course of a normal conversation, I always learn something!). Tonight, he told me about a special day in the beginning of May that is called:
5 May - Denmark's Liberation
After having been occupied by Germany since 9 April 1940, Denmark became free again on 5 May 1945. When the liberation was announced in the 8.30pm BBC broadcast on 4 May 1945, many Danes spontaneously placed lit candles in their windows. This became a custom that is still kept up by many Danes.
His family always puts a candle in the window.....they (like so many here) are fond of candles and the atmosphere they bring. I would really like to do that in Arizona.....just light a candle in the window. Isn't that a great way to commemorate a holiday....and what a simple yet fun way to celebrate.
I also spent some time with a young man who will be leaving on his mission to England in 2 months. Many men in his extended family have served where he will be, and he is understandably excited about going out. He seems very mature and he is easy to talk to and he is knowledgeable. I am positive that he will do very well.Our cute co-chairman (woman), Helene is in the throes of exams....as are many of the YSAs, but she is not discouraged....just so tired from keeping late-night hours studying. I am so glad I don't have to do that anymore! But I enjoyed a few minutes with her, as well as a cute young returned sister missionary from Temple Square. She fixed the refreshments tonight....a very Danish dessert which I really like....sweetened sour or buttermilk with little cookies in it. SK turns green at the thought of anything soaked in milk, but I love to dip cookies so this was right up my alley. Yum!
One young man stayed after everyone left to help us put up the chairs and clean up. He is always pleasant and helpful and he has a wonderful head of thick dark red hair. (I know women who would kill for that hair...well not really....but you get the idea.) He is being taught by the missionaries and I think he fits in so well with the group. I like him.....and hope he stays with us at the center.
SK and I walked home in the rain with the Mary Poppins opened as big as possible, but nevertheless holding on to the brim, lest the wind invert it. I thought it was great fun. SK didn't. He got home and his pants and shoes and socks were wet.
But now he is warm and dry.....and sleeping to the sounds of the rain.....I'll will be doing the same very soon.
Doing What I Do Best
It is not sitting on the couch, although I am very good at that. No, what I do best is be an appreciative audience for people who have the gift of music. That is my particular talent. I believe I have mentioned it before.
My father was also gifted in this way. He loved nothing more than sitting in his recliner at the end of the day listening to my mother play the organ. His whole body relaxed and caught up in the beauty of her music. My sister can bring that kind of response as well.
After a wonderful day of gospel messages at church, we traveled to our stake center in the evening for the Spring Concert. (It is indeed Spring, although the rain, hail, wind and cold made me think otherwise.) It lasted for over an hour and a half. It was a lineup of musical numbers from individuals and ward choirs from all over the stake.
In between the musical numbers, a brother from the stake gave short inspiring messages about the particular songs or about life in general. During the musical presentation, beautiful images were flashed on a large screen at the front of the chapel. The combination brought the tears more than once.
We have a young elder who is gifted at arranging and playing musical numbers. He arranged "If You Could Hie to Kolob," - which was hauntingly beautiful. I felt like my dad....I went limp just listening. The images on the screen were actually slow-motion videos. They were short scenes of a family. They were masterfully done to give a sense of nostalgia.
There were several children - siblings - living on a farm in years gone by. In one scene, a father stands with his arms out and his son races into the embrace and is picked up and swung around. In another, his three children all run, clamoring to him and he somehow embraces them all....like a mother hen. In yet another, two little boys are racing through a wheat field toward their home. Each one just made me happy.
Our fairy tale prince - the one who can do anything was responsible for all the technical wizardry, as well as the images that played across the screen with perfect timing.
As I sat there, I looked around the packed chapel and at the people performing and my heart swelled with love for them. The first song was sung by Kasper's father....he has a marvelous deep voice and sang a beautiful song that is dear to the hearts of Danes. The last song was song by Thomas Kofod with 4 of the young sister missionaries. They sang "Come Thou Fount." If you haven't heard him sing, you are really missing out.
Five of our YSA women sang a lovely medley of two hymns without accompaniment.
Sissel, one of our very talented YSAs arranges the hymns and organizes the practices and then coaches everyone through it. I am not sure what she does, but they always sound (and look) like a choir of angels.
One very sweet thing was the presence of the young missionaries. The program would have been sadly lacking without them. In two ward choirs, the young voices were the mainstay of the groups. One young elder and one young sister were the pianists for several numbers. One sister was the violinist accompanist. They all looked so beautiful and happy as they participated. (I'll deny it if you tell the young elders I called them beautiful! ...but I mean beautiful as in clean and neat and brightly shining).
The whole thing was done to perfection. I will go to bed humming "Come Thou Fount."
No....I'll go to bed thinking and reliving that beautiful performance.....listening in my mind and heart....doing what I do best.
My father was also gifted in this way. He loved nothing more than sitting in his recliner at the end of the day listening to my mother play the organ. His whole body relaxed and caught up in the beauty of her music. My sister can bring that kind of response as well.
After a wonderful day of gospel messages at church, we traveled to our stake center in the evening for the Spring Concert. (It is indeed Spring, although the rain, hail, wind and cold made me think otherwise.) It lasted for over an hour and a half. It was a lineup of musical numbers from individuals and ward choirs from all over the stake.
In between the musical numbers, a brother from the stake gave short inspiring messages about the particular songs or about life in general. During the musical presentation, beautiful images were flashed on a large screen at the front of the chapel. The combination brought the tears more than once.
We have a young elder who is gifted at arranging and playing musical numbers. He arranged "If You Could Hie to Kolob," - which was hauntingly beautiful. I felt like my dad....I went limp just listening. The images on the screen were actually slow-motion videos. They were short scenes of a family. They were masterfully done to give a sense of nostalgia.
There were several children - siblings - living on a farm in years gone by. In one scene, a father stands with his arms out and his son races into the embrace and is picked up and swung around. In another, his three children all run, clamoring to him and he somehow embraces them all....like a mother hen. In yet another, two little boys are racing through a wheat field toward their home. Each one just made me happy.
Our fairy tale prince - the one who can do anything was responsible for all the technical wizardry, as well as the images that played across the screen with perfect timing.
As I sat there, I looked around the packed chapel and at the people performing and my heart swelled with love for them. The first song was sung by Kasper's father....he has a marvelous deep voice and sang a beautiful song that is dear to the hearts of Danes. The last song was song by Thomas Kofod with 4 of the young sister missionaries. They sang "Come Thou Fount." If you haven't heard him sing, you are really missing out.
Five of our YSA women sang a lovely medley of two hymns without accompaniment.
Sissel, one of our very talented YSAs arranges the hymns and organizes the practices and then coaches everyone through it. I am not sure what she does, but they always sound (and look) like a choir of angels.
One very sweet thing was the presence of the young missionaries. The program would have been sadly lacking without them. In two ward choirs, the young voices were the mainstay of the groups. One young elder and one young sister were the pianists for several numbers. One sister was the violinist accompanist. They all looked so beautiful and happy as they participated. (I'll deny it if you tell the young elders I called them beautiful! ...but I mean beautiful as in clean and neat and brightly shining).
The whole thing was done to perfection. I will go to bed humming "Come Thou Fount."
No....I'll go to bed thinking and reliving that beautiful performance.....listening in my mind and heart....doing what I do best.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
The Kindness of Friends
I fry chopped onions and garlic, add tomatoes and tomato paste, ground beef and sausage and seasonings and let it simmer for a few hours. I boil pasta, drain it and put it in a large serving bowl. I make garlic bread, and perhaps a green salad. Everything is out on the counter and people pick up a plate and dish up some spaghetti, salad and bread. Each grabs a napkin and some utensils, and then gets himself a drink.
Dinner at the Madsens.
I am learning here about how to be a gracious host.....and that begins with setting the atmosphere. I am seeing a pattern here, and I love it. But I am not sure I can duplicate what I have seen.
Doris and Michael invited us to dinner for his birthday tonight. We were to be there at 6.
We took the bus across town and then walked maybe half a mile to their apartment. We got there at 5:50, so we stood outside in the rain under our umbrella....boy that is pleasant.....I love it. I am going to take the Mary Poppins umbrella home just in case it rains at some point in Gilbert after August 29.
We rang the doorbell close to 6 and were warmly welcomed in. Doris was bustling about the kitchen with her friend. Michael put a small platter of nuts and pretzels out. We visited for a few minutes before his mother, aunt and brother arrived. At that point Michael fixed everyone a drink and made SK and me a non-alcoholic drink that was very tasty.
We sat and visited for over an hour. I used more Danish tonight than I ever have. I had to. Michael's aunt spoke very little English, and I guess it was a mutual decision that my poor Danish was a better way to communicate. In the meantime, SK talked to Michael's mother, who seemed surprised as well as delighted to be able to talk to him. They chatted away about all kinds of things, and I was as enchanted as she was to hear him talk. He was quite entertaining, and I was grateful that I didn't have to talk very much. At one point, there were conversations going on in Danish, some in English and some in Spanish. (I even contributed some to the Spanish!)
I talked more to Michael's brother, who, like all younger Danes spoke fluent English. Both men are in their thirties. Michael was born in 1976......someone else I know (very well) and love (and has a broken foot) was born that year....a very good year.
Michael lit the candles and we were all shown to our seats at a beautifully set table. The goblets were filled (Doris called earlier in the week to see what we can drink, and so had Fanta and water for us), and the first course of Cerviche was brought out. Each plate had everything artfully arranged. It was delectable white fish in a very flavorful and light sauce served over a bed of lettuce with slices of sweet potato and zucchini. It had been cooked in lemon and cilantro. It was sooooo good! I could have ended the meal right there and been enormously happy.
Doris cleared the table....and we talked some more. About a half hour later she served each of us a plate with a chicken thigh, sliced white potatoes in a very unusual and excellent white sauce, and a lovely little mound of delicately seasoned rice...perfectly shaped.
We ate and talked and laughed. She cleared up the plates and we relaxed some more, talking about all kinds of things. Around 10:00, she brought out a dessert that looked and tasted a little like flan....but better than any flan I have ever had. It was truly delicious....a melt in your mouth marvel. After we ate that, Michael brewed up some coffee for everyone and made sure the water pitcher was there by us. We stayed at the table with everyone else, and around 10:30 began to wonder if it was time to make our exit.
About that time Michael brought out a layer cake that he had made. It was a boysenberry confection between thin layers of yellow cake and topped with chocolate ganache and whipped cream. I was already full, but I managed to eat a good-sized piece and enjoyed every bite. He told us that he normally puts a kind of alcoholic drink in the boysenberry stuff, but put something else in so that we could eat it.
We stayed until about 11:30 and then gave them profuse thanks for a wonderful dinner and evening. We hugged them, donned our coats and scarves, grabbed the Mary Poppins and walked back to the bus stop (we actually ran the last block when we saw the bus approaching....and we made it!...what luck at that time of night).
We got home a little while ago, and here we are again, the night owls of the Denmark Copenhagen Mission.
Doris was the dear friend I spent some late-night hours with a few weeks ago who was having some mighty struggles with panic and anxiety. She was able to get some help from the medical system here which has been very impressive in their response and assistance. She is doing so well now.
I wish I could adequately share with you what a sweet experience that was. I know Doris and Michael worked yesterday and all day today. She and her friend, Christine were on their feet cooking and preparing nearly the whole time we were there. They served each plate with such joy and delight. They served all of us as though we were royalty. Isn't that incredible?
Doris is familiar with us and knows we always wear our badges, but at first, all of the others looked at our badges uneasily...probably concerned that we were going to turn the evening into an uncomfortable time for all. And I think the perception of us is that we give hard sells similar to an Amway salesman.
And while I would absolutely love being able to share what is the core of our lives....about the Savior and the whole great wonderful Plan of Happiness, tonight was not the time or place. Maybe I will still have that opportunity someday. I would love to share it because it works...it brings joy and peace.
What we did share tonight was friendship and enjoyable time getting to know each other. I love Doris, and the more I get to know Michael ...the more I love him. Probably for the same reasons I love Ethan, Derek T and Peter.....because they love my daughters.....love them tenderly.
His mother and aunt and Christine - what wonderful people. I feel profoundly blessed to have these opportunities to meet and get to know remarkable individuals.
My life has expanded more than I ever thought possible. ( My waist as well....but we'll talk about that at another time!)
Dinner at the Madsens.
I am learning here about how to be a gracious host.....and that begins with setting the atmosphere. I am seeing a pattern here, and I love it. But I am not sure I can duplicate what I have seen.
Doris and Michael invited us to dinner for his birthday tonight. We were to be there at 6.
We took the bus across town and then walked maybe half a mile to their apartment. We got there at 5:50, so we stood outside in the rain under our umbrella....boy that is pleasant.....I love it. I am going to take the Mary Poppins umbrella home just in case it rains at some point in Gilbert after August 29.
We rang the doorbell close to 6 and were warmly welcomed in. Doris was bustling about the kitchen with her friend. Michael put a small platter of nuts and pretzels out. We visited for a few minutes before his mother, aunt and brother arrived. At that point Michael fixed everyone a drink and made SK and me a non-alcoholic drink that was very tasty.
We sat and visited for over an hour. I used more Danish tonight than I ever have. I had to. Michael's aunt spoke very little English, and I guess it was a mutual decision that my poor Danish was a better way to communicate. In the meantime, SK talked to Michael's mother, who seemed surprised as well as delighted to be able to talk to him. They chatted away about all kinds of things, and I was as enchanted as she was to hear him talk. He was quite entertaining, and I was grateful that I didn't have to talk very much. At one point, there were conversations going on in Danish, some in English and some in Spanish. (I even contributed some to the Spanish!)
I talked more to Michael's brother, who, like all younger Danes spoke fluent English. Both men are in their thirties. Michael was born in 1976......someone else I know (very well) and love (and has a broken foot) was born that year....a very good year.
Michael lit the candles and we were all shown to our seats at a beautifully set table. The goblets were filled (Doris called earlier in the week to see what we can drink, and so had Fanta and water for us), and the first course of Cerviche was brought out. Each plate had everything artfully arranged. It was delectable white fish in a very flavorful and light sauce served over a bed of lettuce with slices of sweet potato and zucchini. It had been cooked in lemon and cilantro. It was sooooo good! I could have ended the meal right there and been enormously happy.
Doris cleared the table....and we talked some more. About a half hour later she served each of us a plate with a chicken thigh, sliced white potatoes in a very unusual and excellent white sauce, and a lovely little mound of delicately seasoned rice...perfectly shaped.
We ate and talked and laughed. She cleared up the plates and we relaxed some more, talking about all kinds of things. Around 10:00, she brought out a dessert that looked and tasted a little like flan....but better than any flan I have ever had. It was truly delicious....a melt in your mouth marvel. After we ate that, Michael brewed up some coffee for everyone and made sure the water pitcher was there by us. We stayed at the table with everyone else, and around 10:30 began to wonder if it was time to make our exit.
About that time Michael brought out a layer cake that he had made. It was a boysenberry confection between thin layers of yellow cake and topped with chocolate ganache and whipped cream. I was already full, but I managed to eat a good-sized piece and enjoyed every bite. He told us that he normally puts a kind of alcoholic drink in the boysenberry stuff, but put something else in so that we could eat it.
We stayed until about 11:30 and then gave them profuse thanks for a wonderful dinner and evening. We hugged them, donned our coats and scarves, grabbed the Mary Poppins and walked back to the bus stop (we actually ran the last block when we saw the bus approaching....and we made it!...what luck at that time of night).
We got home a little while ago, and here we are again, the night owls of the Denmark Copenhagen Mission.
Doris was the dear friend I spent some late-night hours with a few weeks ago who was having some mighty struggles with panic and anxiety. She was able to get some help from the medical system here which has been very impressive in their response and assistance. She is doing so well now.
I wish I could adequately share with you what a sweet experience that was. I know Doris and Michael worked yesterday and all day today. She and her friend, Christine were on their feet cooking and preparing nearly the whole time we were there. They served each plate with such joy and delight. They served all of us as though we were royalty. Isn't that incredible?
Doris is familiar with us and knows we always wear our badges, but at first, all of the others looked at our badges uneasily...probably concerned that we were going to turn the evening into an uncomfortable time for all. And I think the perception of us is that we give hard sells similar to an Amway salesman.
And while I would absolutely love being able to share what is the core of our lives....about the Savior and the whole great wonderful Plan of Happiness, tonight was not the time or place. Maybe I will still have that opportunity someday. I would love to share it because it works...it brings joy and peace.
What we did share tonight was friendship and enjoyable time getting to know each other. I love Doris, and the more I get to know Michael ...the more I love him. Probably for the same reasons I love Ethan, Derek T and Peter.....because they love my daughters.....love them tenderly.
His mother and aunt and Christine - what wonderful people. I feel profoundly blessed to have these opportunities to meet and get to know remarkable individuals.
My life has expanded more than I ever thought possible. ( My waist as well....but we'll talk about that at another time!)
Friday, May 15, 2015
The Sloth, or "Taking it Easy"
A sloth is a very slow-moving creature who does little.
I have been a sloth today.
SK went to the temple, and fortunately for me, they had plenty of workers, so I was not needed. I was most grateful, because every so often one needs a sloth day.
I did not walk anywhere....I did not go out the door. It was a glorious day, and I enjoyed it from the vantage of the couch in the loft.
I read the Book of Mormon, I read the Liahona, I read emails. I wrote letters of thanks to be mailed tomorrow morning. I wrote emails to very special individuals. I caught up on my 5-year journal. (each page holds 5 entries for the same day of the year, but different years. For instance, today's entries go on a page with entries for May 15 2014, May 15 2013, May 15 2012).
And I did some light cleaning.
And I worked on the book for our mission president.
I prayed.
You mothers of young children....I promise you days like that sometime in the future.
I have been a sloth today.
SK went to the temple, and fortunately for me, they had plenty of workers, so I was not needed. I was most grateful, because every so often one needs a sloth day.
I did not walk anywhere....I did not go out the door. It was a glorious day, and I enjoyed it from the vantage of the couch in the loft.
I read the Book of Mormon, I read the Liahona, I read emails. I wrote letters of thanks to be mailed tomorrow morning. I wrote emails to very special individuals. I caught up on my 5-year journal. (each page holds 5 entries for the same day of the year, but different years. For instance, today's entries go on a page with entries for May 15 2014, May 15 2013, May 15 2012).
And I did some light cleaning.
And I worked on the book for our mission president.
I prayed.
You mothers of young children....I promise you days like that sometime in the future.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Kaere Venner - Part 2
What a sweet sweet day! I want to remember this day always.
Monia (my friend from Italy, whom I met in our Danish class last year) came for the third time to cook for us at the center. She came two weeks ago and made lasagne, and was there also in November preparing lasagne for us.
She is such a nice person.....I have just loved getting to know her. She told me last month that she is ready for changes to occur in her life. She is returning to Italy after living away from it for at least ten years...maybe even 20. She is making changes in career, in country and has left the church she has been attending.
She came tonight and made stuffed peppers (she told me what it is in Italian and it sounded much prettier than stuffed peppers, but I can't remember what it was and I couldn't spell it if I could remember!). They were so easy....and so good.
We cut the peppers in half and scooped out the seeds. She beat up eggs, added a ton of salt and pepper, raw bacon and parmesan cheese. She baked them at 400 degrees for a half hour or a little more and they were awesome! She tossed a green salad together with Italian Seasoning and Olive Oil, we sliced some bread and voila! a magnificent meal.
We had no idea how many would be there since it is a holiday...an unapologetic Christian holiday....Ascension Day. I am not sure anyone actually celebrates the day Christ ascended, but everything is closed, so everyone gets a holiday. We ended up with maybe 20, which is quite a bit lower than usual, but it was a good group and I enjoy being with them.
I taught the lesson, so as soon as the meal was over I started the clean-up in the kitchen and Monia helped me. The Spirit whispered, so I sat down with her and told her how much I love the Book of Mormon and why it is precious to me. I gave her an Italian copy of it with a letter inside with my testimony.
She smiled and then she held it close to her and thanked me with genuine appreciation. She exclaimed, "I will read it!" I was so happy that she reacted that way. She has become a valued friend and I wanted to share it with her. She was raised in the Catholic church but hasn't believed in Jesus Christ. She left after dinner.
Please pray that she will read it and feel the power in her life of its messages.
Everyone was great in participating in the lesson and then we had a chocolate cinnamon cake....it was the first time I had made it and it wasn't bad....but it wasn't wonderful.
One by one, YSAs said goodbye and left for home or other places. At 10:00 SK and I found ourselves alone! We had a lot of cleaning up to do, but we were amazed it was so early. We washed up all the dishes and vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom and swept.
Just as we were getting ready to leave, a young man came rushing in to get something he had forgotten. He and I began talking about various things, and before we knew it an hour had elapsed. He has been home from his mission for several months and is negotiating his way through education, ward and family responsibilities and some challenges to his faith.
He is good and he is very wise and he is close to the Lord. He thinks deeply. The time I spent with him was choice, and inspired me. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make life easier. But as I listened to him, I realized that his searching for answers and his faith are contributing to his strength.
I am so glad that I had that time with him and Monia tonight. My faith is strengthened by their goodness. And I can see with both of them, how the Lord answers prayers.
It reinforces to me how much the Lord loves His children.
Monia (my friend from Italy, whom I met in our Danish class last year) came for the third time to cook for us at the center. She came two weeks ago and made lasagne, and was there also in November preparing lasagne for us.
She is such a nice person.....I have just loved getting to know her. She told me last month that she is ready for changes to occur in her life. She is returning to Italy after living away from it for at least ten years...maybe even 20. She is making changes in career, in country and has left the church she has been attending.
She came tonight and made stuffed peppers (she told me what it is in Italian and it sounded much prettier than stuffed peppers, but I can't remember what it was and I couldn't spell it if I could remember!). They were so easy....and so good.
We cut the peppers in half and scooped out the seeds. She beat up eggs, added a ton of salt and pepper, raw bacon and parmesan cheese. She baked them at 400 degrees for a half hour or a little more and they were awesome! She tossed a green salad together with Italian Seasoning and Olive Oil, we sliced some bread and voila! a magnificent meal.
 |
| Isn't she pretty? |
We had no idea how many would be there since it is a holiday...an unapologetic Christian holiday....Ascension Day. I am not sure anyone actually celebrates the day Christ ascended, but everything is closed, so everyone gets a holiday. We ended up with maybe 20, which is quite a bit lower than usual, but it was a good group and I enjoy being with them.
I taught the lesson, so as soon as the meal was over I started the clean-up in the kitchen and Monia helped me. The Spirit whispered, so I sat down with her and told her how much I love the Book of Mormon and why it is precious to me. I gave her an Italian copy of it with a letter inside with my testimony.
She smiled and then she held it close to her and thanked me with genuine appreciation. She exclaimed, "I will read it!" I was so happy that she reacted that way. She has become a valued friend and I wanted to share it with her. She was raised in the Catholic church but hasn't believed in Jesus Christ. She left after dinner.
Please pray that she will read it and feel the power in her life of its messages.
Everyone was great in participating in the lesson and then we had a chocolate cinnamon cake....it was the first time I had made it and it wasn't bad....but it wasn't wonderful.
One by one, YSAs said goodbye and left for home or other places. At 10:00 SK and I found ourselves alone! We had a lot of cleaning up to do, but we were amazed it was so early. We washed up all the dishes and vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom and swept.
Just as we were getting ready to leave, a young man came rushing in to get something he had forgotten. He and I began talking about various things, and before we knew it an hour had elapsed. He has been home from his mission for several months and is negotiating his way through education, ward and family responsibilities and some challenges to his faith.
He is good and he is very wise and he is close to the Lord. He thinks deeply. The time I spent with him was choice, and inspired me. I wish I could wave a magic wand and make life easier. But as I listened to him, I realized that his searching for answers and his faith are contributing to his strength.
I am so glad that I had that time with him and Monia tonight. My faith is strengthened by their goodness. And I can see with both of them, how the Lord answers prayers.
It reinforces to me how much the Lord loves His children.
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