Sunday, January 31, 2016

Special Number

Jim sang in the Frederiksberg Sacrament Meeting this morning with Brett Manwaring and two missionaries: Elder Reimschussle and Elder Nielsen.  Jim sang the alto part which was impressive as his voice has been slow coming back after some colds.  It was good to see our many friends in our old ward.
  
Since I couldn't take a picture of the actual event, the music will have to do.  It is 'How Gentle God's Commands"

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Baby Shower

Tonight was a surprise shower for Anna Soderquist (she was baptized last week).  I drove out to Albertslund, about 15 miles away with two other sisters.  It was a fun night.
 After a short game of questions about Anna to help us get to know her better, she opened gifts and they collected all the ribbons and tied them together, then passed it around.  Whoever it stopped on was destined to have the next baby.  Fortunately they allowed grandchildren to count.  However, no worries, it landed on Anna...

 Refreshments included rolls, butter, cold cuts, peppers and cookies, brownies and home made ice cream.  I love that they usually have something healthy as well as sweet.

Friday, January 29, 2016

Norwegian Air

WE have had several groups at the temple in the last month or two who just flew over because they got such a great deal on Norwegian Air.  We were impressed with $499 and $399 direct Las Vegas to Copenhagen.  But yesterday we had three young girls who had flown  Oakland to Stockholm round trip for $299.  They were part of a group of 9 cousins from three families who had flown into Stockholm and then separated for three days.  Today they all met in Greece.  The girls here were 14, 18 and 21 +. The oldest was a returned missionary.  Apparently they have done this several years as the good air deals come up.
   If any of you are coming this way,  check out Norwegian Air.  You have to pay for food, $40 (the girls brought their own pizza) and luggage, but they were able to bring carry ons.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Rysers from Frankfurt

Katy and Randy Ryser are serving  in Frankfurt, Germany. Randy is the Missionary Medical Advisor for  half  of Europe.  Since their temple is closed they were able to come up here to visit our temple.
 They came for breakfast and then we did a quick tour to The Little Mermaid and Kristina before we had to go to the temple.  They had bus passes so were ready to explore on their own.  Missionary service is great!

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Erik de Stricker

Erik de Stricker was baptized just over a year ago.  He has become good friends with Anne-Lene and they have come to the temple regularly during the year.  Anne-Lene is a temple worker and Erik would do baptisms every day.  Some days we held a baptism session just for him.  Today he received his own endowment and was so excited and thrilled with the whole experience.  It really is wonderful when you realize it is something that has been in place since the world was created, and now to be privileged to be part of it.
Erik asked Jesper Paulsen to be his escort.  They have become acquainted on his many trips to the temple and often Jesper did the baptizing.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

More Clegg Fun

Today we went to Kronborg Castle in lovely clear weather.  We drove up along the ocean and had a great view of Sweden.  We caught an English tour at the castle and learned some great new interesting facts about the castle.  It was the home of Frederik II and Sophie of Mechlenberg.  Frederik had been very successful in battle, but at 36 decided it was time to marry.  He chose a girl from Mechlenberg and in the wedding entourage Sophie, who was 14 came with her parents the Duke and Duchess of Mechlenberg.  When Frederik saw her, it was instant love.  He send the other girl home and married Sophie and they lived happily every after.  They had 7 children, one of whom was Christian IV who became a major force in building Denmark's major landmarks and buildings.
 This amazing table canopy tapestry was a wedding gift.  I was taken by Sweden as war spoils and is on loan back to Denmark till or thru  2016.
 And who doesn't need a trip to the candy store.

Monday, January 25, 2016

So Many Sites to See

Roskilde is one of our favorite sites to show guests.  Usually it is a beautiful drive, but today, it was so foggy you couldn't see the fjord as we drove along it.  However, we all enjoyed the Viking Ship Museum even with the boats in storage....

Next was Roskilde Domkirke.  The present queen's site is ready and waiting.
 We bought a year pass to both places so now we can each take a person in free every time we come all year and  children 1-17 are FREE.We are set for family visitors.
Closed the evening with Family Night at the Larsens, a great day.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Company - Cleggs

Dan and Laurie Clegg, stopped on their way home from a medical meeting in Berlin.  Dan was Jim's partner at the U of U Medical School and we are good friends.  After church, we went down to Vor Frue Kirke to see the Christus.
It is always impressive and tonight it was especially lovely as they were getting ready for a service and had all the lights on,  We didn't see many coming, but it was ready.

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Close Encounters

We had three good encounters today.  Elder Wu from mainland China was in the England MTC with us. He has spent some time in Sweden since his mission in the London South and met this darling girl..but he is moving back to Shanghai for a job..not sure how or if it will all work out.
One of our temple workers who came home from her mission because her sister died, announced her engagement today.  We are so excited for Louise Andersen and Frederik Køster from Odense.
And the highlight of the day was Anna Soderquist's baptism!  She and Brian are both from the US but work in the same company here.  Brian has just come back into activity and now Anna is a member before their baby is born in March.  We are so thrilled for them!
They only invited the missionaries to the baptism, but we included, ourselves.  We celebrated with ice cream and cookies at the Manwarings, their home teachers.


Friday, January 22, 2016

Where IN The World

I have just started noticing where the products I eat and use here in Denmark come from.  Tonight my fruit came from Costa Rica, Spain, Belgium and ...
Don't know that I have ever eaten something from South Africa before...

Thursday, January 21, 2016

New Skills

As senior couples serving, we find we have opportunities to develop new talents, skills and interests.  It is a combination of new needs, more time and broadening our horizons.
  This week I have been working on putting some histories and pictures on to My Tree.  But first I needed to learn how to scan and get the sheets as 8 x 10 instead of legal size.  Today I got the history of my Uncle Alphonse ready to put on.  Now I wonder if these pictures will work....


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Goodbye Rigmor

Rigmor Fischer (third from left)  was called as a temple worker here in the Copenhagen Temple even before the temple was opened.  She is originally from Norway and is now moving back to be close to her children.  She has been our coordinator on Wednesday for many years.
The Nørrungs and Erna Nielsen have been a core part of our Wednesday shift also.  Rigmor  has brought Erna (red coat) with her from Roskilde for many years.We will miss both of them.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Senior Stampede

There were 10  Senior Couples at the Knudsens for dinner tonight.  They are so good to have us every month.  They also have the young missionaries once a month.
 This is the Parkers last time.  They go home in two weeks.  The Blackhams came down from Frederikshavn to say good-by.  It was fun to see them again, they are from Sanpete, my home county.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Birthday Celebration

To celebrate Trudy Larsen's birthday we went to the Fisketorvet Mall in quest of some Mexican Food, her favorite.  There is a Mexicansk Buffet there.  Not sure how authentic it was except for the chips as it also included Greek salad, salmon and several other Mideastern dishes.  But it was good.
We continued the celebration at Family Night with introductions  from the Mordues and the Laderhoffs, The Laderhoffs are serving for three months from Aalborg.  Bro. Laderhoff was inactive for 42 years and came back into the church three years ago.  He is serving in the bishopbric and the stake president gave him a leave of absence to serve in the temple for three months. They are loving it.




Sunday, January 17, 2016

The Troops at Warnsdorf's

Fortunately the Warnsdorfs have an extendable table to fit all the temple missionaries.  Tonight we were there en mass and had a very nice dinner and evening visiting.  It was cold, but we made great bus transfers both way.

This sisters in the group: Irma Warnsdorf, me, Barb Mordue, Sue Manwaring and Trudy Larsen.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Holiday Board

The Frederiksberg High Priests hold their annual Holiday Board (Christmas Dinner) in January to avoid all the December activities. It is a traditional set up.  You eat the fish dishes first. These and all else are eaten with dark bread.  I did manage the curried herring, smoked salmon, fried filet and shrimp.
Then you go back for the main meats: boiled ham, fleskestaege, liver postei, beef, rollerpolser,  There were hard boiled eggs and all sorts of condiments plus red cabbage, beets and dried fried onions.

 Kudos to these cooks

We came in force from the temple including Larsens and Mordues who just arrived.

 We all brought small gifts and played the dice game to choose and steal gifts. The third course followed with sliced peppers, fruit in whipped cream, grapes, cheese, crackers, dates and olives.  It was a very pleasant evening
I remember the first one of these we went to two years ago.  I kept wondering where the potatoes and gravy were.  Not part of the tradition....

Friday, January 15, 2016

Welcome to the Mordues

Barbara and Boyd Mordue arrived this morning at 10 a,m, They fill out our allotted compliment of three missionary couples for this temple.  We are thrilled to have them and pretty sure they will be equally excited after a good night's sleep...
Boyd was here on a mission at the same time as Jim and Brett Manwaring.  It is fascinating to see how the Lord has worked over the years to keep building his kingdom here in Denmark.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Snow Day

The snow has finally found Denmark.  Last year there was only one day with an inch.  This year we have already seen a couple good storms.  This is what it looked like this morning.. Notice the only place cleared were the bike paths and there were bikers streaming by.  The blurred one in front is someone with their kids in the front.


 The Square looked beautiful and even with the storm we had patrons.  Some were three sisters from Atlanta, Georgia.  One was with her husband on business and the other two came along for the trip.  They have been to 5 countries in 7 days and  were not expecting snow....


Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Bike Loaner

This bike was parked next to mine in our bike storage this morning.  Who knew you could get a loaner bike while yours was in for repair?
The sign says:  My cycle is being repaired. This is a free cycle loan.
With a bike shop every block, it is good to have something unique to pull customers in.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The beginning and the end.

Sue and Trudy have joined Hanne and me for line-dancing first thing on Tuesday mornings.  We have a good time down by the Family History Center at the Nitivej building for an hour before the center opens. We are progressing and all enjoy it.

We finished the day off with the largest second -Tuesday special temple session for the Frederiksberg and Roskilde Wards.  We had 38!
 Great sandwiches and treats afterward....

Monday, January 11, 2016

Family Night - Connecting

Since the Stake Presidency has asked all of the temple missionaries and presidency to go to different wards, we look forward to connecting at Family Night.
The Mordeaus started their week of temple missionary training today and will be with us for our next family night.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Denmark's Future

I was so excited to see so many Aaronic Priesthood lined up for a picture, I had to take one too, These boys are in the Gladsaxe 1 Ward.  Unfortunately our ward, Gladsaxe 2 only has a couple.  But we do have lots of babies...

"Now what are we supposed to do?"