Monday, October 31, 2016

Last Day in Copenhagen

We meet Pres. and Sis. Ingvar Olsson at the airport this morning and their moving van arrived just as we got back to the apartment, quick service from Stockholm.  Our things will arrive the end of November.
Both presidencies met in the temple for lunch in the kitchen and then we walked through with our counterparts and gave as much information as possible to them.  I'm sure they will not remember all of it and will work things out in their own way.  But at least they have an idea of what they will need to do.
   While Jesper Paulsen took Jim and our luggage out to the hotel at the airport, I cleaned the apartment we have been living in the past two weeks.  I took things to several neighbors with the final clean out.  Jana and Hanne have become special friends.
 Final Family Night at Larsens...We will miss these good missionaries.  Ravn-Petersens are the First Counselors in the new Temple Presidency.  We are so happy for them.

Everyone wave good-bye!
And we have now check into the hotel so we only have to walk across the street at 4 a.m. in the morning to catch our 6 a.m. flight.  We will get to Salt Lake about 2 p.m.  Love the direct flight from Amsterdam to Salt Lake.
  I will  probably post tomorrow and then begin a new blog called Williams World Weekly, as soon as I get home and my daughter can help me figure it out.....

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Twice Blessed

For our last Sunday we visited both of our "heart" wards.  We have spent half of our time here in each and love the members in both.  We went to Sacrament Meeting in Frederiksberg and the Combined Relief Society and Priesthood in Gladsaxe 2.  It was good to say good-by to a few we had missed earlier.  Since it is Stake Conference here next week it was Fast and Testimony Meeting and I managed a few Danish words.  It's a good thing people listen with their hearts and The Spirit.

We met Elder Adams, the grandson of Diane Johnson one of our friends in Holladay.  He is darling and a super missionary.
And we stopped to say good-bye to Ruth Hammerlund, one of our dear, dear friends who joined the church when we were here 10 years ago.



 

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Winding Down

Today was a calm, peaceful day after our busy day yesterday.  I used it to clean out files, closets, etc.  But I also took the opportunity to do the ordinances in Danish one last time.  I don't know that there is much call for that in the Salt Lake Temple, but I'm ready, if there is...
Afterward, Trudy Larsen, Ilene Andersen and I took the bus to Tivoli for some last minute shopping.  We were there with the rest of Copenhagen....It felt a lot like Disneyland on a busy day
.And just to make sure we have enjoyed every minute, we went out to the Halloween Party at Maglegaards Alle.

 Would you  believe her mother is a professional seamstress...An-marie Kofod.  the jaw moves.
 Fun trunk or treat cars....The mouth one from the dentist was my favorite...

Friday, October 28, 2016

What A Day This Has Been!

In farewell, the stake encouraged people to fill the temple all day today.  It was a wonderful and we were full in all areas most of the day.  It was pretty tender to say good-bye to many of these dear people.
To top it all off, they had a reception at the Nitivej Church after our last session at 9 pm for us, the Nilssons and Buurs.


 We were overwhelmed with the fabulous array of gifts they had prepared for each of us.  I get teary just thinking of their kindness.
 Mette and Jesper Paulsen were a big hand in organizing it, but a huge thanks to all of our dear, dear friends here.  We will surely miss them, but look forward to meeting again, if not here, on The Other Side.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Projects - Finished

At the beginning of our call here in the Copenhagen Temple, several projects were identified that needed to be done.  Happily, most of them were accomplished.
The Temple Quest House was finally remodeled.  They made 8 smaller rooms from 4 big ones which gives a little more privacy and there are two couple rooms.

The Reflecting Pool was totally redone and is beautiful. Unfortunately there is still a leak, but this time in the drainage system and not the pool itself.  Something for the new president to do....
New carpet was installed on the lower two floors...
 The facia all around the top of the building was replaced

The front door was refinished and today they finished the columns in front!  They are absolutely beautiful!



 

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Out To Lunch

Today we went with our presidency: the Nilssons and Buurs to lunch at The Cypress in Fisketorvet Mall.  We like it because it is free parking and we like the whole salmon they always have as part of the buffet.  Ten years ago there were no buffets, now they are everywhere.

Afterward we drove the Nilssons to some of the high spots of Copenhagen  they have missed.
 The Little Mermaid.......
 Kristina....
Fall is here with wonderful colors.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Swan Lake at The Royal Danish Ballet

A couple months ago we put together a group of 20 to go to see The Royal Danish Ballet's production of Swan Lake tonight.  It was held in the beautiful Opera House on the harbor.  It turned out to be a fabulous, fun  evening.
  We organized cars and first went to dinner at Fisketorvet Mall at the Della Valla buffet.  It was perfect for 20 of us.

The production was wonderful and the first ballet for several.  We had excellent seats and all came out thrilled with the experience.  The Queen's sisters were there, so the company bowed to them first on all curtain calls.
The Opera House is stunning, inside and out.





Monday, October 24, 2016

Tom, Tivoli and Treats

It was a beautiful day today and we were happy to met Tom Pollard for lunch downtown and then went to Tivoli for......
excellent ice cream.  So excellent, in fact, it was voted one of the best 10 ice creams in the world by National Geographic in 2012 and by Fox News in 2013.

Tonight we had Family Home Evening and talked about temples and the great experience it is to serve in them.  Thanks Andersens.
 

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Nykøbing Falster

We were invited to speak at the Nykøbing Falster Branch this morning.  It is about 90 minutes away and was a beautiful trip through the fields and fall colors.  My last talk in Danish.....
 
Simon and Annie Johansen invited us for dinner afterward with their cute family of boys: Frederik, Peter and Jacob.  Simon and Johan the two older boys are on missions in Provo and Island.
Simon catches eels in his free time.  This is the type of net they use....So interesting.
 The eels can't get through the flat net, so follow it down and into the circular nets which lead to a net that only opens one way and they are caught in the last one.  Simon smokes them and they are a real delicacy.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Special People

We are starting to say good bye to some dear members who come regularly to the temple.  Today our Vietnamese friends came.  Our communication isn't great as my Danish lacks and the Vietnamese accent doesn't help.  But you can express a lot with hugs and smiles.
 Lan Le
Ly Lam.   She came to the temple for the first time while we were here.  She was converted via telephone with  a Vietnamese missionary from Salt Lake.  She always brings candy.


We celebrated making it through the week with these special people and went out to Cafe A for dinner.  With coupons it comes out to about $16.00 a couple including a free salad bar.  It is the best food by we have found.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Out of the Old, Into the New

They are resetting our apartment for Pres. and Sis. Olsson, so Monday we moved just down the hall to 4C which is often used for two single sisters when they come for extended time to work in the temple.  It actually is very comfortable, if we can just remember where we have put things.
 Not our ideal sleeping arrangements.
 This couch set we bought for the mission home 13 years ago...It feels an old friend.
 I've finally learned how to use the microwave...

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Week 42

Copenhagen Stake's Youth came today in three sessions.  There were about 50 in all.  I managed to get pictures of the two youngest groups.


They arranged an optional baptismal session for tonight at 7.  The kids could choose whether to stay at the church and play games and visit, or come to the temple.  We were very impressed when 25 came back.  Oh, I pray these kids will all hold fast and return to the temple often and to build The Kingdom here in Denmark.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Kudos

We are in the middle of Week 42.  School is out for the week which means that most of the YM and YW in Aarhus and Copenhagen Stake come to do baptisms for the dead.

   These three fabulous missionary couples are in charge in the baptistry on alternating shifts.   They are doing a terrific job keeping everyone organized, happy and in white clothes.


Thank you Barb and Boyd Mordue, Trudy and Bob Larsen, and Ilene and Kai Andersen. You are fabulous!