Friday, July 31, 2015

A Small World

One of the best parts of our Festinord experience was meeting people we have crossed paths with before.
 These were some of the missionaries we worked with at the England MTC.  There were probably 8-10 we met from various parts of Europe and even Japan.
 Jim and Marie Van Epps Nelson grew up with me in Ephraim.  They are  Out Reach Missionaries for the YSA in Norway.  It was so fun to visit with them, like a slice out of my youth.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Festinord

Festinord is a Young Single Adult Conference for the Scandinavian Countries.  But through the years it has grown and this year there were over 700 from 20 plus countries.  It was held in the big Randers Arena and they stayed in two schools in the area.
  We were invited to do several workshops and Jim had a 15 minute devotional to help start Wednesday off.  Wednesday was also the day for the big soccer tournament, I imagine half of the kids participated in or watched.  We had 25-50 in our groups and had a good time and hopefully the youth came away with stronger testimonies and dedication to living a righteous life and enjoying the blessings of the temple.

We  enjoyed lunch with the crowd, but took these pictures on our way out and didn't wait for dinner.

 The beginning of the line.....

and it went on and on... They had all sorts of activities including dances, swimming, sports, treasure hunts, video production, institute classes, workshops etc.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Randers

We drove to Randers for Festinord  (report on that tomorrow).  Tuesday offered these adventures.
 The 18 Kilometer Storebelt Bridge is always fascinating
Downtown Randers looking for someplace to eat.


 Our hotel  (Kro)looked great, but left a little to be desired with the only an extra large single bed.  The second bed was up in the loft....
But our neighbors were great.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Visiting Teaching

I finally finished my visiting teaching this month.  I especially enjoy it when I  find a new bike path.
 Not so much when construction makes a detour however. There is a lot of construction all over Copenhagen, mainly new stations and track for the expanded metro system.
 My mother always used to say that after the 24th of July, things cool down. But this is ridiculous!

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Home Teachers

Elder and Sister Brooks, archiving missionaries here in the Frederiksberg Commune, are our home teachers.  We have a standing appointment for the fourth Sunday afternoon right after church.  Having  a set time is such a good idea.
 They are a great couple and love their mission.  Neither of them know Danish and but get along fine.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Saturday Sights

We have had lots of visitors from out of the country at the temple this week.  Today there were several Young Single Adults coming into the country to go to Festinord next week.  This is a huge YSA event.  We've heard there are over 700 registered from 20 countries.  More on that later as we are doing several workshops there.
    This afternoon I met the Andersens, a couple revisiting his mission field  from the Tooele Area, and took them into Tivoli on my gold card.  These are some of the sights in downtown Copenhagen today.
 The Turban Festival.

 Latest in adult costumes

 Cecilie Andersen and her girls party before her marriage in the temple August 7.


Friday, July 24, 2015

Friday Fare

Friday nights we get home an hour earlier so have time to make dinner.  Our usual friday fare is an omlet with bacon.  It is fairly fast and you can keep everything on hand.  I freeze left-over peppers and mushrooms and pull them out and throw them in to brown with the onions.  We've discovered we like the "smelly" Danish cheese the best in them.
The bacon here is the best and another example of healthy Danish eating.  It is very, very thin, just eough to give the taste with few calories.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Guest Home

  Remodeling the temple guest home has been on the to-do list for  5 or 6 years.  This year they have finally got it done.
The guest home originally had 4 big rooms with 4 bunkbeds in each room.  So you could sleep with 7 of your best friends and hear them snor.
 They divided each room and now there are 8 small rooms.  6 have two sets of bunk beds and 2 are couple rooms with just two beds.  Two rooms share a bathroom.  It is much nicer for privacy.
 And there is air conditioning.  The beds are larger and the bunks higher so you can sit on the lower bunk and not hit your head.
The curtain should be up soon.  People are getting used to the change and I think will like it much better.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Bequeaths

When all missionaries move or go home, it becomes necessary to leave some treaures which enrich the lives of those left behind....
These tall orchids are very popular here.  Hoges have nurtured this one for a year and now it is blooming again..
Clothes that just won't fit in the suitcase ,and you are tired of them anyway, are happily received by new owners tired of the two suitcases of clothes they brought.  Thanks Pam.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Best Youth Conference Ever!

We have known for months that 60 youth were coming from the Neumunster Stake in Germany today for baptisms.  We are not ordinarily open on Tuesday, but temples are here for the people, so of course we welcomed them with open arms.  They were well organized and came in 3 groups starting at 2 pm.
   So coming from Germany to Denmark for baptisms is great, but coming by sailing ship was amazing.  Their conference theme was "Embark in the Service of God." So they actually embarked on 3 sailing ships in Germany and have sailed for three days to get here.  They leave in the morning and will another 3 days to sail back.
 "Hanging out on deck."  Great arrangements, you have your housing and food all taken care of for the week.  They docked right outside Amlieborg palace on the main harbor.  The very same place the first missionaries to Denmark docked.

Bunks in every little space.

 Cozy eating, recreation area in each ship.
 Stake President with Elder Muller one of our missionaries from the MTC.
There were three ships with about 25, including 4 crew, on each ship.  The kids were trained and did a lot of the work with the sails, cooking, even steering.  They were divided according to age and strength.  Really, such a great youth conference.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Increasing Church Attendance

Passed this church on our way to dinner the other night. I wonder if it is used for  part of the services or just to increase attendance....
At first I thought the church had been turned into a community center and the climbing wall was for added activities.  Nope, it is a real church with services.
A very nice dinner at Knudsens'  tonight.  A small group, only 12 senior  missionaries.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Garden House

Irma and Jorgan Warnsdorf invited the Senior Missionaries in our ward to dinner at their garden house this afternoon.  There are  these amazing little lots and houses complexes all throughout the city.

 They have running water and electricity, but a community bathroom.

True to Irma-style, there are plenty of fun knick-knacks and treasures, especially for children all around.




Pam and George Hoge's last dinner in Denmark.  They fly home at 6 a,m, in the morning.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Good Things




This cute couple were married today amid many tears of happiness and gratitude for their being able to make it. There have been some struggles and loving arms to welcome back.
We topped the day off with more good things:  ice cream with the Hoges.  This place out in Amager, always has a line and makes their own ice cream and sorbet..delicious!




Friday, July 17, 2015

Health

This sculpture was originally done inside the tree. This year  they cut the old part part away and left just the part of the tree that is still alive.

Like the tree, this month  we have heard of  many major health problems.  We  have seen miracles and blessings along with the challenges.  For those of you who know the following, please keep them in your prayers.
   Sis. Karin Nilsson, one of my Assistants to the Matron, had surgery last Monday for colon cancer.  The miracle is that they made 5 small holes, took out a foot of the cancerous bowel, found no more and patched her up.  She is already eating and coming home tomorrow.  Amazing, not even major surgery.
   Lasse Toft, late 40øs, whose wife is the Primary President suffered a major stroke.  Fortunately she is as nurse and felt inspired to check on him when he went to bed tired.  He will have a long recovery, but everyone is being positive.
   Lars Lunddhal, another temple worker, discoverd a large brain tumor,  They have taken out as much as they can and will do chemotherapy.  Anna-Lena Andersen has something wrong with her blood, Bro. Grabe had a major stroke.......Our prayer rolls have been extra long...

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Swan Check

I biked by the Lakes today to check on the swans.  I could only find 4 of the signets.  Hopefully the other two were out visiting.  However the duck family were out in good form.
 One of the signets

 The rest were nibbling among the reeds.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Samples

Food samples in grocery stores are not quite as common as in America, but we are seeing more.  One of our neighborhood stores,  called Super Best,  is now called Meny and has been totally rearranged with  modern enclosed cooler shelves for fruits and vegetables.  Not nearly as inviting to me.  But they have started doing more samples.  This is what I found yesterday:
 YELLOW watermelon, tastes the same but a whole different look.    Notice all the different kinds of melons in the background.
.
Carrots which a lot of people picked up to eat as they shopped
    Sorry no picture of the delicious cinnamon bread samples from the bakery, ate them too fast.