Fest I Nord 2009 - a time to choose-Part 2

Fest I Nord in Randers, Denmark
Our days began in a big tent next to the kitchen. (see the school map-part 1)
Here we met and talked to sleepy Fest I Nord "campers" for breakfast (Lunch and dinner). This Italian (the boy with dark hair)- a returned missionary from Chile, told us that he was a nurse. I think that he was studying in Sweden. He knew at least four languages, loved to travel, but was ready to settle down. He joked with us about the idea of going from table to table asking each girl- "I am looking for an eternal companion, are you interested?" We laughed with him all the way through breakfast. It may take him at least a week to find his "eternal companion."

Our Danish breakfast was often mysli (granola), milk, fruits, vegetables (like these sliced red peppers), sometimes sausages balls, with orange and apple juice. My favorite new breakfast was thin rye bread spread with berry jam topped with a slice of white cheese.

Meal Time is a great way to get acquainted at Fest I Nord. One day, we sat across from Mark Hvistendahl who goes to school in Northern Denmark. He and his sister (also at Fest I Nord) are from Greenland. I think that he is a returned missionary. His parents are the only active members of the church in Greenland. I think, that he and his father are the only men who hold the Priesthood there. I asked him what kind of foods that he ate in Greenland. He said, "whale, boiled seals, and (his favorite) reindeer."

There are no trees in Greenland, but lots of bushes. Do you know why? Because the ground is frozen most of the year. You learn something new every day at Fest I Nord.

After breakfast, and an early morning devotional, the young adults had many choices. Some chose to go to spiritual classes taught in several tents and classrooms at the school

There were many good teachers. The Copenhagen Temple President taught a class on Temples: Past, Present, and Future.

Our stake president, President Fredericksen taught a class. Mark and Rene, some of our outreach leaders were there.

This year President Fredericksen's daughter, Anne, became a Young Single Adult. This was her first Fest I Nord. There were many activities outside during the day. There were all kinds of sports events. I will put some of the game rules on our outreach blog..wildmountainactivities.blogspot.com as soon as I have a chance.

Mads Larsen, one of our students, played in a football (soccer) tournament that lasted all week. There were boys and girls teams. The Norway Team of boys won the final game against Sweden.

I think the Sweden girls (wearing green and black-one girl even wore green hair) played to the finish...taking the Fest I Nord football championship.

There were many other games and activities. Rene- our student council President, and Mark (from Greenland) started the day with a short game of croquet.

There were jump-ropers, both girls and boys.

Rene, our great leader, teaches a group how to play ultimate frisbee.

Rounders is a very old version of baseball. It is a favorite ballgame all over Europe. It is often played with a flat bat and a tennis ball. (see our wildmountainactivities.blogspot.com blog for rules). I still cannot figure out how three players can be on one base and then run all together home for a triple score.

We signed up to help with sports because we wanted to be out with the kids. We handed out equipment, showed people where the different games were being played, and talked with kids who needed a friend, or had injuries that wouldn't let them play on a team. We played croquet with some friends from Sweden, the Helmstads. He is a new Bishop. He and his wife signed up to be leaders at Fest I Nord. We discovered that one of their daughters is studying to be a cellist in Odense. We are looking forward to meeting her and to attending her concerts. Though they are not musicians, all of their children have studied to be professional musicians.

The Helmstads easily won the croquet challenge. We went back to handing out sports equipment. We need some practice actually playing these sports.

There is an old Scandinavian Viking game that the kids love to play all over Europe. It is called Kubb. It involves tossing sticks to knock over blocks of wood. There is a queen in the center and a team of 4-6 on both sides.

There are blogs that describe with great enthusiasm, how to play this game. (I will try to put the rules on our outreach blog). They even tell how to make your own Kubb set. You'll feel like a true Fest I Nord Viking if you choose to play Kubb. It is also a good way for these Scandinavian (I Think) girls to meet two great boys from England.

There was a Gospel choir class to learn to sing a Gospel Song at our Fireside in the evening.

It was a week to find new friends, relax with old friends, and enjoy all kinds of great, memorable events and activities. Thank you Fest I Nord, for giving people from all over the world- a place to celebrate the good things of life.