Wild Mountain Abroad

The whole world has its eyes on the Odense Center for Young Adults

2010-11-29T05:37:00.000-08:00

On Thanksgiving day, November 25, I opened Facebook and discovered this beautiful, happy picture.. of Julie and Brynjar Hafsteinsson. Snow has returned to Denmark and with it a flood of memories of the good "kids" that we left behind. How I miss the snow, and those "kids."

Julie's family lived only a few houses down from us near our country cottage in Odense and Brynjar is from Julie's favorite land, (another part of the Danish Mission) Iceland.

Brynjar was a student in Horsens, Denmark (about two hours from Odense)..when he met the Elders. He was baptized a little over a year ago on November 20, 2009 by two of our favorite enthusiastic missionaries- Elder Christiansen and Elder Ramsey.

This is Horsens where Brynjar began his life as a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
He and Julie became good friends through the year and often attended activities, Family Home Evenings, church and celebrations with us at the Center for Young Single Adults in Odense.

Before the New Year, Julie and Brynjar were a couple. In a land where dating almost never happens, and a with a center full of men and only a few girls..this was a small miracle

Julie had met her "Knight in Shining Armor." Love this picture. They are on one of Julie's family's black horses- who was also our fine neighbor in our pasture behind our house in Odense. (remember to click on the pictures if you want to see the pictures enlarged)

Just after we left Denmark for home, Julie and Brynjar were married during the late summer of 2010. Our Young Single Adult Center was designed to provide a place for young single adults to gather, grow spiritually and socially, make life long friends, and some even fall in love.

Julie is a returned missionary and Brynjar has now been a member for a year. What a happy couple.

I am so glad that Odense has a safe haven for young single adults- a place to find a refuge from the storm and chaos of single life in Europe.

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For a place that serves no alcohol, offers no cigarettes, and seldom hears a word of swearing, (except maybe during a game of Crud at the pool table) it is a very fun and lively place to be. I can still hear Jonathon, Julie's brother, with our guitar in the computer room, singing "I can swallow the Ocean for you," while Elder Wilberg was doing the dishes in the kitchen, and I was listening to Japanese poetry from Dan's fancy telephone..In the game room a wild group of young adults were playing a championship game around the pool table, and an active game of foos ball.. while eating rice crispy treats (called "rice crispy cake" by the Danes) and having a fine relaxing time at the end of a great Family Home Evening. Who could ask for a better place to be?

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This fall I noticed an increase in the number of people from all over the world- looking at our blog. The little flags on the side of the post kept track of the countries that were looking for all kinds of things, from "the whole armor of God," to "steadfast soldiers are not made out of tin." I discovered that mormonmission.blogspot.com had written another article about our center in their blog. What a nice surprise. Here is a copy of that article. (click to enlarge it as well as press on the increase size scale on bottom right corner of the post)
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It is a welcome extension of our mission to continue the stories, memories and sweet testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we shared while we were privileged to work in the basement of our little center in the middle of Odense, Denmark.

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In this article you can discover why the Church, at great expense and care, has established over 60 centers for young adults all over Europe. Senior Couples, at their own expense, are called to serve as managers and enthusiastic supporters of these programs. We work with our very capable student leaders who are in charge of the many activities and spiritual events that take place at the center. Our main purpose, above all the great activities and scripture classes that are taught,..our Main purpose is to "Bring people to Christ."
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And when you get home from a mission like this, you have a connection with these young adults that you will never forget. There are phone calls, and facebook messages, and fine friendships that continue across the sea. What a blessing to have been in their lives for eighteen months. What a privelege it is to watch them to continue to grow. We are looking forward to hearing about other romances at the center. I wish for every single young man that was looking every week for his "eternal companion" at the center- that each of these deserving young men will take more than five minutes to discover the art of dating.. I think that since we have left there have been some effort to do just that. Enough said for wishes.

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One theme that I used over and over again as we lived and worked in Odense was a scripture from 1 Nephi 16:29, D&C 64:33..
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"And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things..Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."
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There were times that the center was alive with students, and other times when there were only one or two. Sometimes it was discouraging. The students had to come from far and wide, by train, by bike, sometimes all together in one car.. but I loved the small, intimate gatherings the best (though it wasn't always good for our attendance records)..

This was a fine place for real friendships to grow..a place for food, lots of hungry students,..a place for enjoying one another..a place for young adults to use their Priesthood to bless and even baptize one another.

The spirit of missionary work is always at the center. In Odense we have had at least two young Elders and two young Sisters to teach young adult investigators, and new members. They are a spiritual arm of our center..working together with the young adults to gather Israel one day at a time. They are fine examples to for our students. They often had mini-missionaries (young men and women) who stay with them for several weeks..going tracting, teaching and learning what it is really like to become a missionary. Many of our students are preparing to go when they become 19 or 20.

Thank you for noticing that in Odense, Denmark..we have a great center with the most amazing young single adults.

We have been given a basement of furniture, computers, a library, a well used guitar, a pool table, a foos ball table, a kitchen, a full refrigerator, chalk boards for great lessons, Institute Manuals for
studying the scriptures, comfortable leather chairs, and wireless internet..What a fine place to be.

During this Thanksgiving season, as I look at this little snow covered church in Odense, I am so grateful that we were sent to this lovely place and were given the opportunity to serve these fine students.
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In D&C 67: 2 the Lord says.."Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you and the heavens and earth are in mine hands- and the riches of eternity are mine to give." I know that His eyes are on this little basement center in Odense. What a wonderful gift we have been given.

So here's to the best Center for Young Adults in all of Europe..thanks again for the opportunity we have had to serve you. May God bless you all. We love you, Sist W

Remember "Semper Gumby"...

2010-10-15T17:12:00.025-07:00

At the risk of saturating our blog with another chapter about Jens Jacob Simonsen, there is a new post that needs to be recorded. So here's to JJ and to all of you who have been following his remarkable story..especially to his good family in Qaqortoq, Greenland on the southern tip of the largest island in the world. Your son has a new assignment.

This is a glimpse of the world that you are about to enter.. This is the Wasatch Mountain range.

You will love these mountains. They anchor all of Northern Utah. You will never get lost if you look to the mountains. I once asked an Elder from our mission in Denmark what he missed most about leaving his home state of Utah. He said: "more than his family, he missed the mountains. For some reason, Heavenly Father wants you in Northern Utah.

Throughout our mission in Denmark, our President Olausen gave us many short phrases and quotes for us to remember. We often repeated these phrases out loud as we went about our daily missionary work. One phrase used frequently by all of us is a reminder for us to be "Semper Gumby." This was sometimes an annoying reminder because it meant that out of the blue- we had to change our plans to meet the needs of our mission, our district, or newly arriving missionaries.

"Semper Gumby" is a real Latin phrase that is an unofficial motto for the US Navy Seabees... it means "always flexible." Gumby is a little green rubbery man who can be bent and twisted in many ways. He always has a smile on his face and never seems to break. President was a former US Navy Chaplin and he lived in a world in which plan A did not always work. If you are "Semper Gumby" you are flexible enough to change to Plan B at a moment's notice.

JJ, a few days ago you received a "Semper Gumby" letter in the mail from Salt Lake. You thought it was airline tickets to prepare you for your mission in the Utah St George Mission. Instead it was a change of your mission and departure date. Welcome to the world of missionaries who are ready and able "Semper Gumby" experts.

JJ is now called to the Utah Ogden Mission...and will enter the MTC on December 14, 2010.

There are many blessings that follow a "Semper Gumby" experience. Since we talked on the phone a few days ago I started to collect these blessings as I pondered over the change.

Elder Neal Maxwell used to say that "coincidence is Heavenly Father's method of micromanaging the universe."

It is no coincidence that your mission call has been changed. By the time you complete the two years that you will be serving in Northern Utah- you will probably discover many reasons why you have been blessed to serve there.

Here are some of the blessings that I know that you will appreciate as you enter your beautiful new misssion. For a boy who grew up in the crisp, cold land of southern Greenland, surrounded by snow covered mountain ranges-- you will never get tired of those mountains.

I know that you will miss your family and Christmas in Greenland. But in your new mission, you will probably have a white Christmas and a snowy new year. It may surprise you how cold Utah and Idaho can get in the winter. You may have to bring all one hundred of your many coats to keep warm. --pictures: Southern Greenland, JJ's home town of Qaqortoq

Greenland has villages that dot the mountain side and water that reflects its constant beauty. So does Northern Utah. There are streams, waterfalls, icy rivers, and the Great Salt Lake. They reflect the most beautiful sunsets and welcome crazy lightening storms during the summer. You will soon learn what it means to go "up the canyon." You may even see the "point of the Mountain" before you enter the MTC.

This is a map of your mission in the United States. You will live and serve in some of the most frequently visited Mormon areas in all of Utah- Ogden, Logan, Bountiful, Brigham City, and even "Star Valley Wyoming." You will be in the center of the Church often called the "Heart of the Church."

Your mission covers parts of three states- Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming.

This is the official map of the Utah Ogden Mission. I was surprised how many important cities are in this mission. The city of Ogden is about 23% Hispanic... and only 50% of its population is LDS. Your mission baptizes between 180-200 converts per month. There are about 150 stakes. (click on the map to enlarge it).

Welcome to some of the amazing cities along the Wasatch Front... this is near Brigham City, Utah.

Ogden, Utah...

Logan, Utah....

Part of your mission is in the Northern tip of Salt Lake City. There will be a time when you can attend general conference in person and see the Prophet of the Church.

This is a view of the many ski resorts along this mountain range. The people of Utah love the out of doors. You will see more SUV's, campers, boats, pickup trucks, and motor homes than you probably have ever seen in your life. There is a pheasant season, fishing season, deer season, bow and arrow season, elk season, and any other season that someone comes up with that will take you "up the canyon" to build a campfire, sing "Come Come Ye Saints" , and make some'mores all in the same night. (click on this map to get the full picture)

Winter storms that affect Utah generally come from the North Pacific Ocean, where cold Artic air encounters the relatively warmer Pacific waters. Does that Artic air come from Greenland by any chance?

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A Lesson in Utah Snow: (especially for Elder Simonsen who is knows all about the weather)

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It is the structure of the snow crystals that makes Utah snow unique. Utah is the second driest state in the nation (after Nevada). The cold, relatively dry conditions produce light, crystalline snowflakes called "Dendrites"..pictured above. These snowflakes are thick and symmetrical and float slowly through the cold atmosphere to the surface, accumulating as fluffy powder in the mountains. Often, storm fronts that move through northern Utah are followed by brisk northwest upper-level winds, which are aimed directly at the mountain peaks.

Additional moisture is drawn from the warmer waters of the Great Salt Lake, which never freezes and snowfall in the mountains may continue for days, even after the main storm has passed. It is not unusual to see an additional 24-36 inches of snowfall in the day or two following a storm, all because of this norwesterly flow of cold air across the Great Salt Lake and over the Wasatch Mountains.

They must be doing something right in your new mission.

The Utah Ogden Mission has within its boundaries.. three temples with a fourth under construction. Elders and Sisters often attend the temple regularly- on P days. This is the Ogden Temple.

The Bountiful temple....

The Brigham City Temple... (under construction)

And this historical, old Logan Temple... Some time I will have to share with you the many miracles written about the building of this temple.

In June of 2010, the Utah Ogden Mission just got a new Mission president.. President Brent Olson and his wife Sister Dianne Mickelsen Olson. I found a radio interview that they made discussing your mission.

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Here are some of the highlights..

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1. President and Sister Olson came from Philadelphia at the end of June to oversee the mission which extends north into Idaho, east to Star Valley, Wyoming and south to North Salt Lake

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2. Two of their seven children live in Ogden.

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3. President Olson grew up in Washington, D.C. area and Sister Olson grew up in Denver. He is

an attorney and former Stake President.

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4. There are at present 188 elders and sister missionaries as well as five couples who proselyte and ten other missionaries who serve in the office in the Ogden Tabernacle. There are 18 single sister missionaries.

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5. The four Utah missions had more baptisms than any other missions in the United States last year. Ogden had 2,050 --more than any mission in the U.S.

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6. The Olsons said they feel the high baptism rate is because of the fellowshipping by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

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7. About half of the baptisms in the Ogden Mission

are children or spouses from part-member

families.

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8. There is a perception the Bountiful and Ogden have more members of the church than they actually do. President said that Kaysville has the highest percentage of members in the area, while Ogden has 50% members.

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9. Missionaries come from around the world to serve in Northern Utah. There are 38 Spanish-speaking missionaries who serve in the 23 Spanish wards and branches. Other missionaries come from many countries including Mongolia, Cambodia, Denmark, Sweden, Samoa, Fiji, and Canada.

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10. President Olson counsels each new missionary to read five pages of the Book of Mormon each day and underline in red where it testifies of Christ. He says-"they are able to testify with a lot more strength about the Book of Mormon and the Savior."

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11. There are three sets of missionaries on the Utah State University Campus, and one set of

on the Weber State University Campus.

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12. About one-third of the missionaries live in members' homes and they all have dinner in

members homes.

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13. Cars are furnished for about 2/3 of the missionaries while the others walk or ride bicycles.

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14. When the new missionaries arrive and again when they leave, they spend the night in the Olsons home.

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15. President interviews each missionary every six weeks.

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16, There are three zones that each meet every six weeks, usually around the time missionaries are released to go home, when new missionaries arrive and transfers.

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17. Each General Conference, the mission is given a number of tickets so some of the missionaries may attend at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Presiden Olson plans to take some missionaries who have nearly completed their missions to the Conference, as many may not have the opportunity again.

1. There are about 150 stakes.

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2. There are hundreds and thousands of good members, they encourage their friends, they have friends in their homes to have them taught the gospel, but there are also thousands and thousands of good people who have moved int Utah or who have lived here before for many years who have not had the gospel.

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3. We tried to impress on our missionaries that there was a special reason for them being in Utah, in Ogden, and that there were people there that only they could teach. One night the mission president had a call from a man in Logan and he had gone through 14 sets of missionaries and now agreed to be baptized. What he wanted was the 14 set of missionaries there, and they couldn't but the current missionaries were just the ones who were able to touch his spirit..that's why they were sent there and that happened so often.

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4. We had 150 missionaries who would cover the whole mission in English and then we had another 30-35 who covered the mission in Spanish and they would worry about "I've got to speak the language perfectly" and we'd teach them "It's not you. You know, the language doesn't matter. It's your spirit that will teach." And that happened time after time after time.

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5. I got to teach particularly with the Spanish Missionaries... I noticed all the time- you'd sit there and just watch these young missionaries, and they would teach with such power and suthority. As soon as they got the feel of the scriptures and the knowledge that Heavenly Father answers prayers, they would just go teach with that authority and power..I used to just sit back and feel and look amazed..they could teach inthat kind of situation infinitely better than I could.

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6. When I was interviewed by President Faust for this mission he said: "You will not be judged on the number of baptisms but on how your missionaries turn out in 20 years time." It occurred to us a little bit into the mission that in 20 years time most of our missionaries will be married and preparing their sons to serve missions. We took that very, very seriously. We had essentially two goals for our mission. One was that every one of our missionaries would be worthy, sealed husband or wife, father or mother, and that was the primary goal. And the second goal was to baptize 200 worthy, ready converts every month in our mission and to exceed that from time to time. We worked on that very, very hard. We focused very much with our missionaries on teaching them the spiritual skills- how to pray, how to study the scriptures, how to receive revelation through the scriptures.

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7. We are blessed, very very blessed to have three temples (a fourth under construction) in our mission so every missionary pretty much lives within a half an hour or so of the temple and could go every preparation day morning. So with those three things- knowing how to pray, knowing how to study the scriptures, the opportunity to go to the temple almost every week- that was a tremendous spiritual growing factor for our missionaries and you could see the change that would take place.

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8. In Utah nearly every convert is a joint product of members and missionaries working together. You don't go very far as a missionary in Utah if you don't work with the members.

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9 We had many missionaries who really had no parents and we were their parents. One missionary who came on his mission had parents who were very antagonistic toward the church. They sent him literature about the church- anti literature. They tried everything and eventually he got a letter from them saying that his father had cancer and could he come home. He was devestated but he elected to stay on his mission. Six weeks later, another letter came. Father had died. And he still didn't go home. Bless his heart. But it wasn't until another two months that he had a letter rom another member of the family. No cancer, no death. It was all jsut trying to get him to go home. How do you deal with that? You love him and you talk to him and you love him more. That particular missionary- we attended his temple sealing while we were still on our mission. He got sealed here in Utah and we were able to just go and share that blessing with him. Now he lives in the mission- very happily married.

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10. Since we have been released; we have the blessing of living in Draper and a lot of our missionaries come back to Utah to go to school. Some of them are up in Idaho, some of them are down in Provo, and in Ogden at Weber State University, and up in Logan, and so we just get sometimes floods of missionaries coming to see us. We keep up with them, we see them progressing, we see them dating and forming relationships, we see them getting engaged, and we had the opportunity to go to the temple with them and see them sealed. These blessings will just continue and they're so excited -

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they facebook us or write to us and tell us when they are having a child or when something exciting is happening in their lives.

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I signed up for facebook just two or three months after our mission. I thought, "Alright I can deal with this" the next morning 550 e-mails.

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Mission families are eternal families too. And they know we love them.

JJ, I know that you are very busy trying to earn a little money as you prepare for your misssion in a few months.

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This "Semper Gumby" opportunity that you have been given this week is truly filled with so many blessings that are in store for you in the coming two years. I have just mentioned a few.

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One of the most significant blessings that I see as I think about your new call is that many of the Elders and Sisters that taught you in Denmark now have returned home to this area.

Their spirit will be there with you. Many are going to school in the cities within your mission. Some are only a few miles away from its boundaries. Their prayers will be be with you. They may even help you teach from time to time (if that is allowed).. like you so generously helped them teach in the cold snowy days of Denmark.

I so appreciate these men and women. And all the elders and sisters who have served in our mission while we have been in Odense. They will be your life long friends. I am so grateful for their service and your willingness to serve along side of them. I won't forget Elder Clayton ..

and the strength of his companionship with Elder Barnard.

They will never forget the experiences that they shared with you.

Again, thank you for your willingness to serve.. your new mission in the Utah Ogden Mission, is really your second mission. You have been serving the Lord in our mission- ever since you entered the waters of baptism.

You already know that missionary work is not always easy. I appreciate the long hours of work that these two Arizona boys gave to our mission in Odense- Elder Shreeve a brand new elder, and Elder Brown- now home. Love his good friendship. They are so looking forward to your successful mission. I am sure that you will see them again.

When you enter your new mission you are entering Utah territory.. where some of your best friends, Elders and Sisters.. are going to school, and living. These are eternal friendships- I so appreciate them all: Sister Reed, and Michelle (our sweet mini-missionary),

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"Burton and Roberts" as you fondly call them- the sisters who were there when the Lord found you on a quite street in Svendborg. I am so grateful that they came on their missions to find and teach you. I am grateful for the enthusiasm and love that you received from Elder Francis and Crosley. The Lord is watching over us all. I am grateful that you are now ready to go out and find some new brothers and sisters who are waiting for you to teach them. It is quite a circle.

We are all looking for the next chapter to begin in your life. Welcome to the possibilities of your new mission. The Lord is keeping an eye on you.

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After a freezing day in the middle of a harsh Utah winter, you may miss the warm summer days of Greenland. Thank you for your strength and your example. You are "semper gumby" ..."always flexible" .. you do not crack under pressure. Looking forward to saying "goodbye" to you just before Christmas at the MTC.
We love you, sist w

Good Bye, Aske- The Blue boy of Odense

2010-10-01T16:11:00.024-07:00

Dear Aske,

It is time to say goodbye to another well prepared missionary from Odense, Denmark. In a few days you will begin an experience that will change your life. I really mean this.

You are leaving behind wonderful life long friends.

You are saying "good bye" to your family.

What a fine life you have had. We all know that you are very strong and full of enthusiasm for this mission. We wish you well. This is not an easy thing to do.

Today, you are leaving a comfortable, full life... to serve the Lord. You will be truly blessed ,day by day as you become a full time missionary and say "good bye" to all the good things at home.

You have chosen good friends, worthy to go to the temple with you. They will not forget you.

It has not been a struggle for you to follow the Savior. You have a very soft heart. It has been a pleasure to be with you as you have prepared yourself for this mission.

Maybe you can bring the game of "CRUD" to Germany and Austria... a good gospel message should always end with a friendly game of "CRUD." (better check with your mission president- but this has worked well in Odense)

You have many friends all over Denmark. These boys gathered together in Alborg and asked me to take their picture- they discovered that everyone at the table was named "Mark." They even spelled it out for me. What a bunch of fun-loving kids. You know how to enjoy life. That will be part of your mission.

When you enter your mission you will be twice blessed- once when you enter the MTC in Provo- and fill your days with a spiritual feast of German, Preach My Gospel, The Book of Mormon, and all kinds of bright ideas and inspritation from the Holy Ghost.

Then, after lots of hard work.. (remember, it is called,"missionary work)"- you will fly to one of the most beautiful "Sound of Music" places in the whole world...a new mission- The Alpine German Speaking Mission.

Wish I could go there with you. What a beautiful place.

You will begin to teach the Gospel to total strangers. You will learn to love these people, like you have never loved anyone before- It is a gift from the Savior. I can't tell you how important these people and this country will be to you. I didn't realize until I returned home from Denmark how much all of you mean to me. You won't know this until you are well into your mission.

The Savior promised,

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days, and bring, save it be but one soul unto me- how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father !" D&C 18: 14

The Savior places great value on every soul that you teach.. He said: "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God." D&C 18: 10

He has promised that you will find great joy as you gather his children into the Gospel.

I have traveled with you across the "fifty dollar" bridge to Copenhagen to do baptism for the dead, and have heard you sing with Rene, all the way home- every Primary and camp song that you've ever heard. We should have paid you and Rene an extra fifty dollars to stop. We laughed all the way home.

I have seen you spend four hours to turn blue for "Festelavn".

Then Grethe Hillgaard turned blue.. it was quite a night.

A spooky blue night.

As a blue boy, you had the strength of ten men until you hit the barrel so hard with a bat that it bounced off the barrel and hit your head instead. You entered the hospital for stitches that night- the blue boy from Odense with Emil, our worried chef.

You returned to the party with blue stitches and another bat, to continue the madness of the night.

Getting ready for a mission does strange things to you in Denmark. At the same time you turned blue that night, JJ came to the center as the Phantom of the Opera... lurking in the shadows with his face half black.

In a month or so, you and JJ will be in the MTC together. Both of you are going

to newly formed missions- You to the Alpine German Speaking Mission and JJ to the St George Utah Mission. They have no idea the kind of amazing men the Lord is sending from Odense. I don't know whether the world is ready for both of you.

You have sung your last song in Alborg.

You have danced your last dance at Festinord with James Bond and the gang.

You will have to give up howling at the moon, and growing strange wooden claws at midnight.

But you are ready...more than ready to do the Lord's work. You may already be in Utah by now. You might not want to show your new companion these last few photos. He may be afraid of Danish werewolves.

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63 years before the birth of Jesus Christ an army of 2000 young sons joined Helaman on a mission to fight for the right. Helaman loved them like his own family. He said:

THis little force which I brought with me, yea, those Sons of mine, gave ..great hope and much joy" to those whom they served. (Alma 56:17)

Helaman saw their courage and said: "Never had I seen so great courage, nay, not among all the Nephites... They had never fought yet they did not fear death. They thought upon the liberty of their fathers more than they did upon their (own) lives.

They had been taught by their mothers- that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them."

(Alma 56: 45-59)

They were "true blue" through and through. Scriptures record-

"They were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted... for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before Him."

(Alma 53: 20-21)

Why are these boys willing to give up two years of their lives to serve the Lord in these last days?

Elder Boyd K. Packer describes the world in which they will teach:

"The world is spiraling downward at an ever-quickening pace. I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better. I know nothing in the history of the Church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstance. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds the wickedness and depravity which surrounds us now. The first line of defense - the home is crumbling. Surely you can see what the adversary is about. We are now exactly where the prophets warned we would be."

(BYU J Reubon Clark Law Society Devotional- Feb. 28, 2004)

Thank Heavens that in this world of Chaos and confusion, the Lord has reserved his best for the last. These "Strippling Warriors" are prepared and willing to go anywhere to serve Him. They are some of his best and most obedient children.

I am grateful for the example that Elder Crosley, Francis, and Clayton set for Paul, from China, and JJ, from Greenland. I am thankful for Sister Burton and Sister Roberts who

took the time to cross the street and introduce JJ to the Gospel a little over a year ago.
We will say good bye to him during Thanksgiving, where we will all meet him in Utah before he goes into the MTC- preparing for his Spanish Speaking Mission in St George Utah. (See the previous blog post for his story).

A few months ago, we said goodbye to our first "strippling son" from our little missionary training class in the basement of the Odense First Ward. Emil is the first of the three- He landed in Greece just weeks ago... bore his testimony on Mars hill in athens, and then suffered from food poisoning that landed him in the hospital for several days. He spent his time there becoming good friends with the staff - I am sure that they have not heard the last of Elder Emil Held.

Emil, with these other Elders are now serving in the Greece Athens Mission.

To Aske, who begins his mission this week, we say thank you for preparing so well to serve the Lord. He will take care of you and we will not forget you...The Blue Boy of Odense.

We will miss this little army of three who spent time with us in the center. We feel very much a part of your mission.

In this old church we lived and learned together. This mission has changed our lives. Your missions will do the same.

Have a fine stay at the MTC, Aske...and then on to Munich- what a great adventure.

The world will remember the true "Blue Boy" from Odense.

A marvelous work is about to come forth - Good Bye to our three strippling warriors of Odense. God Bless You. We Love you all and will not forget this happy ride. Love, Sist W

Happy Birthday JJ - A story of this 9/11 boy

2010-09-10T22:09:00.032-07:00

On September 11, 1986, a little boy was born in Copenhagen, Denmark far from his home on the southern tip of Greenland. He had a rich heritage...a native Greenlander.

He grew up in a beautiful town called Qaqortoq- near the sea. There are no roads that lead to Quaqortoq. To visit his homeland you have to come by helicopter or boat.

He grew up surrounded by a family who loved this boy- He was a chosen son from the beginning.

They named him "Jens Jacob Simonsen."

We Call him "JJ."

This is his flag... and this is the magnificent sky and sea that he learned to love.

It was a good life.

JJ was a boy of promise.

For several years JJ has been studying to be a maritime officer. He hopes to be a sea captain. He has traveled all over the world, learning how to do everything on a ship-- how to be a cook, an electrician, a navigator, a weatherman, a computer expert and a strong, decisive young man.

A little over a year ago, JJ was concerned about some of the things in his life, too many parties, a lot of alcohol, too many lost weekends with a blur of friends. He wanted to strengthen his life. He had been taught, as a child- about God, about Jesus Christ, about goodness and about living an honest and productive live. He had been taught from the Bible many comforting things. But now he was in Denmark as a student, without an anchor. He decided to look for a book- the one he remembered from his childhood- The Holy Bible.

One day he was walking down an unfamiliar street in Svendborg, Denmark, where he was going to Maritime School. On the other side of the street were two girls coming his way.

He saw them cross the street to talk to him. There was no one else on the street. He politely said "Hello", but they asked him what he was doing. He told them he was looking for a book. They told him.."We have a book for you."..and gave him the Book of Mormon. This began an adventure of learning from these young Sister Missionaries- Sister Burton, and Sister Roberts

They taught him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. JJ is a very curious, and soft hearted young

man. He recognized the truth when he heard it. He was baptized and received the Aaronic Priesthood. He began to pass the Sacrament.

His sister and "auntie" came to visit and they saw JJ baptize our dear friend Paul. (Li Cong)

He received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Elder Wilberg and then became an Elder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We went with him to Esbjerg (two hours from Odense) where he received his Patriarchal Blessing.

JJ began a process of changing his life. He moved closer to Odense to make a few new friends and find new things to do. He moved into an apartment right behind us, Senior Missionaries called to serve 18 months in the Odense Young Single Adult Outreach Center.

He has made many new friends here. and we have enjoyed his friends

In November of last year, we invited JJ to come with us- to our American Thanksgiving celebration in Horsens...one of the only Thanksgiving turkey days celebrated on that day in Denmark. It was a day of American football in the mud and rain, playing games, and a fine spread of turkey, dressing, and homemade apple pies.

All the missionaries on this side of Denmark and JJ, joined in the event. At the end of the day, when we returned home, JJ said he wanted to talk to us.. He said, after this day, he had decided to go on a mission.

On June 26, we began a weekend of what JJ described as an "Awesome Week." We had just returned from Arhus where we celebrated St Hans Aften..the longest day of the year.

JJ wrote about this experience..."We got back from Arhus around 3 o'clock. and I went to my apartment to relax..when Sister Wilberg called. She said that she had a computer problem, so I went there and decided to wait until they got back from downtown to pick up the new couple that are coming here to Odense next month to release the Wilbergs. Riedel had a letter since the morning. And couldn't handle to keep it from me any longer. So he asked the Wilbergs- when should I give it to him. She said that they would like to wait until the couple arrived.

So they waited to call me until like 7 o'clock in the evening. he he

So the Wilbergs were there, and the new couple- the Groonestadts from Canada, the Riedels, Brother Kari Ove and Brother Kurt- who were home teachers of the Riedels.

Sister Wilberg called me and asked me to come over to meet the new couple. (I had already met them in Copenhagen, but she really wanted me to come QW.)

When I got in, everybody was gathered and I said "Hi to them... and Sister Wilberg said that since everybody is here that we are going to have a family home evening. So she told me to sit down. (She told me to sit down there !) which was unusual, she never tells me where to sit !

So I sat down, and she said, "JJ, I have something for you..." then she pulled out the letter from under a pillow, and said, "It says "Dear Elder Jens-Jacob Simonsen..." I was like "Noooo, Nooo way! no way ! ha haa, Then she came over- gave me a hug and gave me the envelope, I was just out of it ! ha haa.

I opened it right away, and started reading it... "Dear Elder Simonsen, your are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

You are assigned to labor in the Utah, St. George Mission!... ha haa! I was just out of it !

Then a little bit after..."You should report to Provo MTC on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language." ha haa. It took a while to realize! but it was great ! then about 30 minutes after, I started to call everybody up ! he he, I can't wait to leave ! he he Christmas at the MTC !

It was an "Awesome day." We went to Sister Williamson, and Sister Reed's apartment. We had all just returned from our St Hans Aften Celebration and then to Elder Christiansen and Elder Oakey's apartment.. what a happy day !

The next day JJ went along with us to take Dan and Aske to get their Patriarchal Blessing in Espegerg. Aske had also received his mission call --to the Austrian German speaking mission. We went to Ribe- the oldest city in Denmark and then to Esbegerg- the youngest city.

We gathered on the beach of Esbjerg by the giant white seamen guarding the north sea.

We took pictures of our own "army of Helaman" standing at their feet..ready to conquer the world.

Then we went to the Patriarch's home where Aske and Dan received their Patriarchal blessings.

During this memorable week, on the lightest days of the year, our St Hans Aften celebtation with bonfires on the beach, and our trip to Ebletoft in the nose of Denmark, JJ's call, then Esbjerg.. we were all grateful for JJ's "awesome week. What a week !

On this anniversary of 9/11, on JJ's birthday, I want to thank JJ's parents for raising such a fine son. It has been a pleasure to be his friend. There is a sense of peace about him that comes from home.

He will take his many talents and skills with him when he becomes friends with the Spanish speaking people of Southern Utah.

Within these boundaries of his new mission are many things that remind me of the Greenland that JJ has described to us.

St George and southern Utah is surrounded by a circle of famous rock formations. It is a wonderland of national parks and canyons.

I have seen the awesome rock formations all around JJ's hometown. It seemed like he was immersed in nature as he was growing up.

In southern Utah, JJ will be near the Grand Canyon...

Arches National park.....

and Bryce and Zions National Parks...

I have seen pictures of glaciers and blue ice in Southern Greenland.

Years ago glaciers covered the mountain ranges and high plateaus in Utah. Ice covered the Unita Mountains and the Wasatch Range had over 60 glaciers, some descending as low as 5,000 feet in elevation. This is a map of some of the major glaciers. JJ's mission field was at one time covered with Glaciers and ice flows.

I have seen the new petroglyphs carved by local artists in JJ's hometown. Southern Utah has many petroglyphs carved by ancient native people called the Anasazi Indians. They lived in the southern part of Utah as early as 200 BC. Other Native Americans still live in Utah with a rich heritage of carving in stone.

In a few months, JJ will begin his mission. I want his family to know that he is well prepared to love and teach the Spanish speaking people of the St. George Mission. The Lord will bless him and his family for the things that he does in the next two years. It will prepare him for the rest of his rich life. Thank you for being such a great influence on him. He loves and respects you.

These are a few faces and events that we have shared with this good friend. Thanks for the memories.

Thanks for being such a rock star.

Thanks for always being ready to be a missionary and teaching us how to be one.

Thanks for helping to find and teach friends who get lost in the wilderness. You know how to be a friend.

Thank you for your great sense of humor and fun.

Thank you for helping us enjoy our lake in the backyard. I am sorry about the "poppy" incident.

Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me in Svendborg with two of my favorite friends. It was the best.

Thank you for jumping into life with both feet. This is quite a remarkable talent. You are surrounded by friends because you take the time to enjoy them.

Thank you for the love that you have for your family. That is a rare thing. Love the quick phone calls from your Dad, and their frequent visits. There is love and concern in your family. You are truly blessed.

Thank you for making friends with all ages and being willing to serve others at a moments notice. This is refreshing.

Thank you for the taste of drama in your life. Always willing to take a chance on joining in on fun celebrations. Thanks for really learning how to party. No more sleeping on the sidewalk after hours.

Thank you for being a master at halloween games and for making lots of bats and spooky decorations for our pumpkin carving extravaganza. Loved the grim reaper in his own bed sheets.

Thank you for your joy of living. I know that you will find time for fun on your mission. It is a gift that you will share with those sweet Spanish speaking people in St George.

Thank you for being such a good Family Home Evening Man. Love sharing lots of food, good lessons, and especially the activities. And thank you for patiently coming to our little friendship family nights --I could always count on your good spirit and kind heart to lift up people who are down.

Thank you for being such a "Greenlander"... I loved learning all about your culture and your beautiful country. I know that I use the word "Beautiful" to much. But when I look at the place where you grew up...the only word that fits is "Beautiful." Thank you for testing the ice cold water in at the Odense Harbor. I don't know whether that showed strength, courage, or just plain craziness..but Paul is still talking about it. (talked to him a few days ago on the Phone)

For all of this, we can't thank you enough.

Thank you for being there when you were most needed.

Thank you for taking the time out for your mission. You will be truly blessed for that decision. When you get home you will prosper and achieve all that you and your family have hoped that you would achieve. Thank you for having the faith that you can do this.

It is great to spend a little time with a Birthday Boy. 9/11 is your lucky day. Hope you had a great celebration with a huge bon fire and lots of good friends. We will miss this celebration.

Hope that you had lots of candles and cake this year. I especially hope that you are happy, and enjoying this fine day.

Happy Birthday, Elder JJ. We love you !

Thanks for the memories.

Gratitude Chronicles- Looking Back- "Farvel"

2010-09-02T15:44:00.050-07:00

On August 11, 2010 we landed on American soil for the first time in many months. It was so good to be with everyone. All of our children were there to greet us.

God bless America!

Thank you for meeting us in the nation's capital...what a great place to be, what a family. We visited the Washington DC temple where Nick and Emily and Nan and Robert were married.

When we left for Denmark, we left behind five children and fourteen grandchildren. What a group. It has been so fun getting reaquainted with the best kids in the world. (I am not biased- they really are the best kids in the world). Now we have an even fifteen perfect grandchildren. We are truly blessed.

During our Washington DC week.. we held a "Sisters Cookbook Night." There are many cooks among us (see wildmountainfoods.blogspot.com). We like to make food, read about food, write about food, and debate about food.

With the help of Nan, we have had chocolate tasting parties, root beer tasting parties, (never buy Ikea Root Beer)- and now thanks to all our children we gather to remember one cookbook ...The Sisters Cookbook...given to all of us by my mom- (She is a seasoned homemaking history teacher who loved to cook- a favorite daughter of Sisters, Oregon- where she spent the last part of her life- thanks Mom for the legacy)

During our visit we tried to pose for official family pictures. Here is the Nick Wilberg Family posing for posterity.

--Zoe, Emily, Nick, Max (perfect smile), Zack getting squised by Abby

On Sunday, we went to Kathy's ward right next to the temple. There the men in our family held our newest little grandson and gave him a "name and a blessing." His new name is "Seth Matthew Brooks." In Kathy's family there is a "Samuel the Lamanite", "Jacob- the father of the ten tribes, Cameron- can't find his name in the scriptures (but I am sure it is there), and now there is "Seth."

When they decided to name our new baby "Seth" I discovered that he would carry the name of Seth, the son of Adam. Here are a some of the things that I learned about our ancient brother "Seth."

1. Seth is a good son of Adam

2. Modern revelation provides additional insight into the life of Adam's noble son, Seth.. He "was a perfect man, and his likeness was the express likeness of his father, insomuch that he seemed to be like unto his father in all things and could be distinguished from him only by his age." (D&C 107:43, Moses 6: 10, Gen. 5:3)

3. Seth was second only to Adam among the great patriarchs who met in the valley of Adam-ondi-ahman, three years prior to Adam's death. (D&C 107: 53)

4. He was an obedient son who "rebelled not, but offered an acceptable sacrifice, like unto his brother Abel." (Moses 6:3)

5. Seth was born when Adam was 130 years of age. (Moses 6:10, Gen. 5:3-5)

6. Seth was "ordained by Adam at the age of 69" (D&C 107:42)

7. Seth lived to be 912 years old and was survivved by his son Enos, whom he taught "in the ways of God." (Moses 6: 13, 16)

8. President Joseph F. Smith saw Seth as one of the "great and mighty ones" assembled in the "congregation of the righteous" at the time of the Savior's visit to the spirit world following his crucifixion. (D&C 138: 38,40)

It has been a pleasure having Samuel the Lamanite, and Jacob- father of the twelve tribes in our family. Now we have "Seth" the perfect son of Adam. What a name ! What a boy!

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On August 11, 2010 we flew home to Sacramento, California.

We are home...we left our home in Denmark -a simple cottage with a field of pheasants, rabbits, and horses. We were truly blessed with dear neighbors that became our family.

Now our "Cup Runneth Over"... our Sacrameto Home - has Stephanie, and Vaughn, an almost teenager Jonah, two lovely creative girls- Gretta and Sasha, and a little busy two year old boy named Simon...I forgot to mention the two new dogs, Penny and Olly, and four tame chickens who have names like fluffy, red, Dottie and Gerty. The other day I came out in my family room and Fluffy climbed out from under the buffet. It is a wild and crazy world that we have moved into...but we just left a wild and crazy world in Denmark. We are again, truly blessed surrounded by loved ones and animals. Heavenly Father must have a smile on his face as I learn the "Star Spangled Banner" in homeschool with all the rest of these eager little students. I don't think we ever grow up. Tomorrow I think that we will learn about bones. I will keep you up to date.

This Sunday we gave our homecoming talks. So many memories, so hard to leave behind. We still have one foot in Odense and one foot in Sacramento. I am so happy to be here...I am so sad not to be there. I am so happy to be with my dear family, ...I miss so much the dear friends we left behind in Denmark. I will include our homecoming remarks when I get a chance. I am so grateful that we have ways to communicate with those who don't live near us. I am learning the ways of facebook...to keep up with those who are use to short text messages, and quick chats to keep me up to date on the news from Denmark. It is a good time to live. In a few days we will have a chance to call by phone - Denmark, and all of the USA. I am anxious to talk to Paul from China- I think he is still in Orlando. I want to talk to John Elvis who has been found in Copenhagen. I need to talk to Kim and help him feel comfortable in a white shirt. I haven't talked to the Reidels, or the Andersens, and on and on and on. This is an eternal experience, a mission. Looking back, I can see things I didn't see when we were in the middle of our mission. I am so grateful for the privilege of being with you all for a short time. But our job is not over...I didn't realize that until I got home.

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On July 26, 2010- We left Odense for Copenhagen to spend our last night in the mission before we left for Norway. As we were packing and boxing up our lives in Odense, and Carl and JJ were driving back and forth to the post office to send home the stuff that we had collected -- we decided that we didn't want to leave JJ behind...so we brought him to Copenhagen with us.

The next morning he would be the last, hardest goodbye that we had to make at the close of our mission.

Until we made this trip, I did not realize how unique and pristeen the Scandinavian Countries were. We have been living in a "garden of Eden" and didn't know it. Denmark is very Danish, and Norway is very Norwegian. I have learned to love the sea. We were surrounded by water on our mission. Little canals and rivers go in and out of Odense. We were only a half an hour from sea ports and boats of every kind. Swans, sea gulls, ducks and geese loved the wet, cold weather and I have always thrived on green. I loved Norway...the home of the first Wilbergs.

The name "Wilberg" we have been told is "Wild Mountain" in Norwegian. All of our blogs begin with "wildmountain."

Near the water in Oslo, is the Kontiki Museum. It was built to house the famous Kon-Tiki and other rafts built and used by a Norwegian named "Thor Hyerdahl." a famous explorer and archaeologist who organized an adventure to prove that the currents and tradwinds of the Pacific could float a primitive papyrus reed boat...tied together only with ropes- that would sail from Peru, South America to the Polynesian Islands- a four thousand mile trip. This fete was accomplished successfully in the year 1947... with a Parrot and a pet crab aboard.

These explorers read all about ancient Peru and were convinced that some Peruvians drifted on primitive reed rafts from the American mainland to the Polynesian Islands. For three months they sailed across the Pacific depending on the ocean currents and trade winds for their power.

They proved that this ancient boat design could successfully survive a 4,000 mile trip during the long voyage to the pacific islands.

Now that you have had your history lesson for the day... you might want a scripture update. What does this voyage have to do with the Book of Mormon.

1. It proved that long voyages can be successfully made in ancient boats across the sea.
2. It proved that there were trade winds and currents that could sail reed boats in the direction of

the Polynesian Islands.

3. It proved that both the Jaredites and the Mulekites could have sailed using trade

winds on their inspired voyages to the Promised Land. And that there are many things that we

can yet learn about ancient boats and the people who traveled the seas to settle in new lands.
Helaman 6: 10, Ether 6. (Hagoth in the year 55 BC.. built and launched many boats-

Alma 63: 5-8 )

From Oslo, we traveled through the green farmlands of Norway to a little harbor town of Moss- home of the first Carl Wilberg was born.

We stayed near this great little park in the center of town. In this square lives a full sized statue of a moose. It probably is the first place where they would sing our familiar family song..

"Land of the silver birch,

home of the beaver,

where once a mighty moose

wandered at will,

blue skies and rocky shores

I will return once more..." (boom - da- dia- da- boom, boom).

(Not sure if they have beavers, and silver birch in Norway.. But we know they have moose, or meece- plural).

I think that you need to watch out for the moose in Moss. I wonder how they say that in Norwegian.

We found the street where our first Carl Wilberg lived. His father made roof tiles for a living, and had a home big enough to house his own family and other tenents.

He lived on one of the few cobblestone streets left in Moss. We loved this beautiful pattern of cobblestones that the Scandinavians meticulously place on their old streets. They have a great imagination.

There were many old homes on this street and we discovered this old fancy home now used as an art gallery and restaurant. What a quaint little town.

There were old rock walls and dancing ladies in front of the library.

This is Norway by the beautiful sea.

We visited one of the only cemetaries in Moss. Though we did not find any Wilberg tombstones, we know that many of Carl's ancestors were buried in this town.

Many Scandinavian burial plots are like little rooms carefully landscaped with seasonal flowers. This was the season for hydrangeas...what a site. There are no silk flowers and flat insignificant tombstones in this garden. Some are made out of giant boulders with names of family members carved simply in stone.. Others are pyramids, or round sculptures with rotiron gates. This place is ready for resurrection day all nicely trimmed and polished with green grass and ivy. Maybe there will be a Wilberg Reunion right here on this spot when that day arrives.

It was a wet, rainy day in the beginning of August when we visited the shores of Moss. What a peaceful place. It was guarded by a watchful "Norwegian Lady" who promises to wish all men at sea a safe return home.

There were many fine homes in moss covered with beautiful flowers spilling over their balconies and along their drive ways. We found many Wilbergs in the phone book. We wondered if they lived in one of these fine garden homes.

Or this beautiful farm..

Or maybe some of the Wilbergs live here. Who knows. Wilbergs come in every size and shape.

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Then we went crazy--on the wrong side of the street going around in circles (round-abouts) in England. We will show you some of the sites later, the disappointing London Bridge, the fine Big Ben, the mass of humanity by the Queens Palace, and the huge ferris Wheel along the river.. that was the taste of London that we had for just a few days.

We followed our ancestors to Preston, England and witnessed the place where my grandmother heard two elders preaching from the steps of the town square.

Here she heard for the first time, that a new gospel had been restored. When she and her family did join the Church, her husband lost his job as a caretaker in a cemetary- because they were "those crazy Mormons"...

As I look back at the last 18 months and ponder over that experience,... after our grand homecoming, and living with the chickens, the new dogs, and all the sweet grandchildren and children here in this fine country...I realize that we are still "those crazy Mormons." I often say, "I am going crazy" when I have had a day full of disappointments or computers that refuse to work... but I am so happy and proud that my great grandmother decided to become a "crazy mormon." My life has never been so full as it is right now...full of rich memories, and good people who have decided to become "crazy" like me and our ever so "crazy" family.

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To those we left behind...

On our last Sunday in Denmark we gathered with some of our best friends in the basement for the last time. We had said our "goodbyes" upstairs to the ward members and then Elder Christiansen and Oakey, and Sister Reed and Williamson, prepared a little goodbye time downstairs. These are some of the most lovely people I know. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you all. Each of you have been such a great example of what the gospel is all about. I have learned so much from you. I cannot let you go. These are eternal bonds. It has been a fine ride. (click on the small square below this and it will enlarge this picture...love these faces)

I am so grateful for this little house out in the country where we lived so comfortably during our mission. The Lord has blessed us with the best weather in the world, the most beautiful backyard full of living surprises every day- rabbits, horses, cows, our dear little adopted cat, quarelling pheasants, deer,.. two bats that visited us everynight on schedule to see what we were doing. Thank you for this peaceful place where we could settle in for night, have long conversations and ponder the moon.

I am so thankful for the Riedels who provided this home for us...for Yvonne, who has such a kind gentle heart...who longed for all of her family to enjoy the full blessings of the Gospel. She is such a cultured, well organized, concerned friend. I enjoyed many long conversations with her through our open window..when she came to stay a minute, and we ended up talking for an hour. Hope to see you again soon.

I am so grateful for this man. Detlef Riedel...for his stories from Germany, a hard childhood during and after World War II, for his testimony and the many things he shared in our Family Home Evenings with Kim...for the wisdom that he has. I loved the evening visits as we sat outside with JJ watching the bats go by talking about all of our experiences and remembering bits and pieces of our childhood.

We come from so many different cultures- It is always so surprising how much we have in common.

Thank you for your friendship. You will not be forgotten.

Kim never wants to say "goodbye." It was a hard thing to leave Kim and Lotte. We have had such a wonderful time with them. They are amazing people who don't know that they are amazing. Kim, you have given us so much care and attention. You are always on our minds. We are so grateful that you were in our lives while we were in Odense. You have so many talents..you can gather a group of people in a moments notice, bring them together to share friendship and great food. You have been one of the most reliable friends that we have ever had. We have loved your phone calls, your concern for people who are in need, your willingness to come by and hear our little Family Home Evenings. You were our first friends in Odense...bringing chocolates and help in the parking lot of the center- on our arrival. You were our last dinner appointment in Odense- with a real Danish goodbye.. good food, flags, candles on the table..it was a feast of food and friendship. I will remember your black shirt forever...looking forward to the time when you wear that white shirt in the temple. Keep doing the good things, and moving past the bad ...you have the courage and energy of a hundred men- you can do it. We love you both and pray for you often. We brought you home with us --so many good times, so many things to remember.

What a privilege it was to have a car in Denmark. Our elders and sisters had to go out in all kinds of weather. Their bikes were often unreliable. Our home became the repair shop for many sick bikes. For them the weather was sometimes wet and uncomfortable. We had many times at the center that they would have to come in out of the rain to dry off and begin again.

We, on the other hand, loved all the weather...the snow, the cloud bursts, the sunshine, the ice-cycle days, the late night drive home- We were in this little car, or the cozy center looking out. I am so grateful for the car- it helped us get acquainted with our students as we drove them to a once a month Sacrament meeting in Fredericia- fourty five minutes of talking and singing old primary songs.

We learned about Bishop Held (who has never driven a car, he is a bus man) coming home from a long day at the church. We learned about old Danish Folklore and spirit of missionary work from Emil, and Aske, and JJ- (who all were nearby neighbors) home from the center. We used the car to take us over what we called the fifty dollar bridge (really a thirty seven dollar bridge-one way and thirty seven dollars on the way back)- we used it every time we went to Zone Conference or to the temple in Copenhagen. I am so grateful that we had this luxury. I would never have been able to fit a large pan of sloppy joes, potato salad, "Tequilla Sunrises"- (a newly discovered drink), and all of our computers and stuff that we carried every day to the center. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this wonderful car. I forgot to include driving Dan home everytime he missed his bus. It was a real time to talk and learn about what was on his mind.

I will never forget this blue-eyed boy. I am so grateful for Dan. He helped me to understand how to be Danish...how to speak it, (the few words that I knew), how to celebrate Danish holidays-we never knew why the stores were closed or what the next "festi" was going to be. He showed me how to use the internet to find Japanese poetry, and how to use "Facebook." He was a very patient friend who spent hours talking to me about all kinds of things. Once we didn't see him at the center for about four months- We talked to him often on the phone, but he was having some struggles. One day we called him and invited him again to Family Home Evening at the center. He sounded not sure...then I said, "Dan if you don't want to come to the center can we bring Family Home Evening to you..." He said: "Of course." That night he came out to the center and he has been coming ever since. We asked him what he did to bring him back to us. He said, "He began to read the Book of Mormon again. and with every chapter he would say to himself- "either Joseph Smith is very, very, smart or the gospel is true." With every chapter he decided that it was true. Now we have him back. I am so grateful, Dan, that you would miss the bus often, so we could take you home. It gave us the opportunity to talk all the way out in the country, and to see this wave goodbye when we dropped you off at your apartment. You are missed. Thank you so much for creating a blog just for us- It is such a tribute to your sweet kindness and your many talents. Continue to grow and learn. Next time we see you you will be a famous graphic computer man.. but you will still be a "blue eyed boy" to us.

When it is time to leave a mission you worry about who will take over your job. By the time we were ready to leave, and go home to our family we discovered that our family was right here in Denmark. What a hard thing it is to leave home and return home. These new friends have been chosen to take our place. They are full of humor and fun...ready to jump in with both feet. We are leaving in their hands all of our good friends...our old concerns and problems, unfinished business, lots of things to fix and people to bring back to the center. A mission is never done...thank heavens. In Denmark this little center helps to provide a safe haven for lots of kids who pop in and out of our lives. We never know what impact the center has on them. Some may never return, but there is a sweet spirit in the Young Adult Center in Odense...it is the most wonderful center in Denmark-I am not biased at all. Thank you for bringing some of Canada to Odense. Welcome to Elder and Sister Gronnestad from Vancouver, British Columbia. I will remember you fondly when I think of red poppies growing by our neighborhood "lake."

Give my love to all the boys, and handful of girls that we left behind. I will continue to write about our experiences with them, but you get to continue to feed and help them to find their "eternal companions." We were not too good at that. I know you have already discovered what responsible leaders you have. Rene is a fine man to work with...and there are many from the Young Men and Women who are already great leaders and trained "EFY"ers who may be still wearing their EFY writsbands from this summer's spiritual feast at EFY. Much love to you, much success with your Danish, and may God be with you as you discover what your mission in Odense is.

And now to the son of Greenland, our dear friend and neighbor- Jens Jacob Simonsen. He has been a missionary since he joined the church a little over a year ago. I have never heard him say a harsh word or criticism about anyone. His eyes are always open looking for someone he can help. He comes from strong roots in Greenland, his grandparents, his parents, and his good friends have prepared him for who he is today. He is such a willing listener..sometimes I do all the talking while he patiently listens- and then he offers a solution in one sentence.. and we both become wiser. Whenever my computer turns on me...I will remember to Reboot. (his one word answer). Whenever I need to heat up ableskivers ...I will remember to put them on a rack with a little water under them to keep them moist in the oven. Thanks to JJ-I know where to find Jupiter and Mars and what to watch for during a full moon. Can't wait to see what he does with the "windows of heaven" in St. George, Utah-where he will take two years of his well planned life, to serve the Lord.

Here, in this little basement, I have been with some of the best men in the church.
On this day Paul (Li Cong) was just given the Aaronic Priesthood surrounded by Elder Wilberg, Elder Francis, Paul, Bishop Held, JJ, and Elder Valgreen.

Another sacred day ---with JJ, Sister Riedel, Bishop Held, Brother Riedel, and Elder Wilberg...JJ is given the Melchizedek Priesthood and is ordained an Elder by Elder Wilberg.

I think that JJ is now the only native Greenlander to hold the Priesthood in all of Greenland. He is the only native Greenlander that has had the privilege of going through the Temple...and I am pretty sure that he is the first native Greenlander who has been called on a mission. What a fine young man Heavenly Father has chosen to be his messenger from the largest Island in the world.

These are some of the memories that fill my heart as I look back (and look forward) ...I am so grateful for all of you. I will not forget. Thank you for spending your time with us.

Good bye for now...

God be with you,

Till we meet again.

Ebeltoft - in the nose of Denmark (with a little cold)

2010-08-05T19:47:00.020-07:00

This summer, during the weekend of St. Hans Aften and Zone Conference, we took a day trip to "the nose of Denmark." Most travel brochures do not describe this place as "the nose of Denmark" because if you look closely---the nose has a bit of a cold....but the Danes know where their nose is.

In the nose is a little village called "Ebeltoft, derived from "Aepplaetoftae"- which means "apple garden." Their giant apple sculptures are all over this little apple town.

Ebeltoft became a city in the year 1301 but it was a natural harbor for Vikings long before it was called "Ebeltoft." It is one of Denmark's oldest market towns.

JJ and Carl are standing by the longest wooden frigate (ship) in the world. It is a royal battleship launched in 1860 named "Fregatten Jylland" (Ship Jutland--after the pennisula of Jutland, Denmark)

This man-of-war ship was retired from the Royal Danish Navy in about 1908. At that time it was auctioned, and later brought to Ebletoft harbor where it was restored and combined with a maritime museum. (opened to the public in 1994).

This "largest wooden ship in the world" is guilded with a royal shield and fine wooden ornaments.

The figure head on the prow of the ship is a mythical Goddess of the north sea. She holds a crook to catch drowning sailors who have fallen overboard.

Carl and JJ are resting on one of the muzzle loading cannons from the ship. There were forty four of them -- used for broadside shooting during a battle. (click to enlarge)

Sister Williamson and Sister Reed celebrate our arrival in Ebeltoft...in front of the big wooden ship.

In our summer of hollyhocks and cobblestone walking streets- (Gagades- pronounced "go-gathah") we enter the land of artists and fishermen. The old cottages and shops have been there for centuries.

Ebeltoft has been a thriving market center since medieval times. Today it is still a fine cobblestoned village full of beach loving visitors from all over the world. There are over 7,000 summer home here waiting for a taste of summer in the nose of Denmark.

What a colorful summer place..

I am sure that green ice cream cones with whipped cream on top were introduced by the vikings during one of their long hot summer vacations between invasions.

--Sister Williamson, Elder Wilberg and JJ eating traditional Ebeltoft summer foods.

I think that the Vikings would love pink whipped cream.

I Love the signs and flowers on the "Gagade"... (walking street)

In 1576, 200 years before the signing of the "Declaration of Independence",

Ebeltoft decided to build the smallest town hall in the world. Later they rebuilt it and added a clock tower and a dark, damp dungeon.

Here are some Ebeltoft summer visitors waiting for the two night watchman who come to the town hall to sing their nightly songs. There is not much for a town watchman to do in a lazy summer in apple town.

-- Sister Williamson, JJ, and Sister Reed who never did get to hear the watchmen sing..

Ebeltoft is in the center of what is called the "land of the Mols"...They are

known as "Molboere" or Mols residents. Many unflattering false stories have been written about the Mols who live in the nose of Denmark. They are often described by wealthy summer visitors and curious authors- as unrefined people who are not too smart. We only found one, not so smart, stuffed "Mol" on the "go-gathah". Can you tell which one is a "Mol," and which one is a Sea Captain from Greenland?

We won't forget the lightest days of the year -- spent in the middle of Denmark with the some of our favorite people...the Elders, the Sisters, JJ, and the Mols of Ebeltoft.

I wonder what we will all be doing next St Hans Aften.

Our Last Summer in Odense

2010-07-14T21:35:00.019-07:00

We are well into our last summer here in Denmark.

In a few weeks we will leave our little country cottage here in Odense and..

lock up the basement of the old church building where we have worked for eighteen months.

The seasons have flown by. Every season brings new color to this garden island- the island of Fyn.

When the Savior was here, he used the seasons to prepare us for what was to come.

He gave us this summer parable:

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree--When its branches are yet tender,

and it begins to put forth leaves,

(you) shall know that summer is nigh at hand.."

"So likewise, mine elect, when they shall see all these things,

they shall know that he is near, ----even at the doors." -- Matthew 1: 38-39 (JST)

Through the months we have tried to help strengthen the tender branches of the church here. Our summer has been full of little events that have nourished the great young people with whom we have been privileged to work. Many of our kids have developed strong roots in the Gospel. I hope that with some of these summer posts and collection of memorable events, you will see that we have tried to help the Lord...in some small way, to plant strong testimonies in the hearts of the dear friends that we have made here.

It is hard to say "goodbye". The summer is here...the trees are not fully grown, but we know that the new senior couple (Elder and Sister Gronnstad) are real farmers from Canada.

We also know that --at our center, even when there are only a few students during the summer, ---(like the parable promised) the Lord is "near,--even at the door." It will be hard to give back our keys...but there are many good things left to do and many colorful seasons to enjoy. Here are some of the memories that we have been collecting during our last summer in Denmark. (remember to see the pictures up close...click on the picture) At the end of June, all the missionaries on this side of Denmark gathered in Aarhus for our last Zone Conference with President Olauson. He completed his three year mission on July 1, 2010.
He has been our President for almost our entire mission. (Our new President Andersen, our former Church Education Director in Denmark, will be our own president for only a few more weeks)

-- Elder Christensen (top), Elder Faylor (relaxing), and Elder Dalton (on the right).

The theme of our Zone Conference was : "Sometimes the greatest change brings about even greater opportunity."

This Zone Conference was all about change...

One by one each of us have been asked to make major changes in our lives. I've often said that I feel like we have been lifted off of one planet and placed here on another. We learn how to eat new foods, live in someone else's house, eat with people we've never met, help people from all over the world, work with Elders and Sisters until we learn to enjoy their great enthusiasm and energy...then they are transferred to another city leaving an empty spot that is very hard to fill. The final change takes place when we are lifted off of this planet in Denmark and placed back on our home soil. Sometimes I can't even remember the names of the stores and main streets that I used to travel on every day when I lived in Sacramento. One thing that we can count on here every day...is "Change."

When I am back in the land of cream of chicken soup, chocolate chips, and saltine crackers, I am going to miss the chocolate ballers, frikedillers, aebelskivers, and fresh licorice that have become my favorites here.

While President and Sister Olauson are facing major changes in their lives when they return to Orem, Utah...I think that they would agree with me when I say that one of the hardest things to do when we prepare to leave our home away from home in Denmark ...is to say "goodbye" to our good friends and fellow missionaries.

--JJ (our friend, neighbor, and soon to be a missionary) from Greenland, Elder Oakey from Idaho, and Elder Arsnes from Norway.

I will miss Sister Olauson's healthy reminders to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Each zone conference I decide to change my drinking habits when I return home but I am not very good about remembering to change.

Before we come to each Zone Conference, we are asked to prepare a 5 minute talk about the monthly theme. The President then calls two or three of us up to give a talk. This is a great way to get all of the missionaries to study the subject that he wants us to focus on for the month. I have had to give at least three of these surprise talks. I was sure that this time I would not be called to speak. Just in case, I stayed up for three hours the night before trying to prepare a five minute talk. (I'm a slow learner). The President said that he wished that he had had a camera to record the look on my face when, once again, he called on me to speak. I will include my little talk in one of these posts before I go home. As a result of this monthly assignment I have lots of five minute talks that I have never given at zone conference, that I use throughout the month in little family nights that we give whenever someone needs a friendship family night- any night of the week.

-- me, Sister Olauson, and Sister Jepson (Senior Missionary)

When Zone Conference was over we enjoyed taking lots of "Good Bye" pictures.

--Sister Williamson, President and Sister Olauson, and Sister Reed (Missionaries from Odense)

President welcomed JJ, who had his papers in to go on his mission in the fall. President Riedel -- our landlord and friend (with Elder Wilberg) was released after six years service as a Councilor to the last two mission presidents.

---Elders from top: Elder Wirig with the President and Elder Faylor, Elder Andersen and Elder Christensen.

Good Bye, President. We miss you already.

--- Elders Faylor, Wirig, President, Okey, Dalton, and Elder Camp

At the end of the day we went to the most delicious bakery in Aarhus, Denmark to pick up all kinds of pastries- chocolate mouse shaped like a cone, little tarts, almond kringle, and lots of other treats. This was the beginning of a traditional midsummer holiday called "St Hans Aften", the longest day of the year.

--- Elder Wilberg with JJ in Laenges Bakery, and JJ with the sisters (Reed and Williamson) eating the wonderful treats.

Then we all went to the shores of Arhus to celebrate the night.

On the evening of June 23- the entire coast of Denmark is lit up with hundreds of bonfires to celebrate this ancient holiday (begun in the days of the Vikings). After Christianity became the official religion of Denmark (in 965) this midsummer solstice was renamed by the church after St. John the Baptist. (St Hans)

--Sister Williamson and Reed

It was a beautiful beach. The sun was shining long into the night.

We all gathered around a large pile of firewood.

The sign read "The Fire will be lit at 10:00."

After a game of frisbee and football, the missionaries got their cameras ready celebration.

At exactly 10:00, everyone stood to sing and celebrate the longest day of the year, like the Vikings did...with a great bonfire.

Long live the brave Vikings (and Elders) in the land of Denmark. Happy St Hans Aften !

Finally, the sun went down.

---Elders Champenois and Christensen

Almost everyone in Denmark gathered round their own campfires to say good night to the longest day of the year.

We will always remember the day the lights went out in Arhus.

..And we will never forget these faces.

The Elders know a lot about "Light" here in Denmark. They are here in in this land to do what the Lord asked them to do.

He said: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." --Matthew 5: 16

The end to a perfect day is a full moon on the beach of Aarhus.

Time to go home. I think the Missionaries are supposed to be home by 9:30. It is way past their bed time.

Sister Reed, who served in Aarhus for many months, helped us find a great Danish family to give us a place to stay for the night. Our morning breakfast was a traditional cheese and marmalade, or thin chocolate- on toast. Thank you Flemming and Inge Trap-Nielsen for your wonderful, late night hospitality.

Good bye President and Sister Olauson. In a few weeks you will probably be gathered around another campfire on the 24th of July- celebrating with the pioneers, a good old fashioned picnic. Hope you will remember the land of the Vikings and all of us who so appreciate your many years of service. Thanks for your great influence on this fine country. We will miss you both.

Let there be light !

2010-05-20T23:48:00.019-07:00

Long ago, in the beginning of time, God stepped into the darkness and the first thing he said was, "Let there be light." (Genesis 1:3)

---Picture- Lutheran Church in Aasum, near our home in Odense.

" Then He divided the light from the darkness" --and it was all "good."

Picture: Old home in our favorite little village- awsome Aasum (oh-some).

Since we have been here in Odense, I have learned to love the dark, snowy days of winter. I miss the beautiful swans resting in the middle of our snowy fields.

The snowmen have had a great winter. They finally toppled over on a warm, slushy day.

I've learned to appreciate the dark naked sculpture in the middle of town square--

...dressed in snow,

watching the girls go by.

Almost all roads lead to St. Knud's Kirken (church) in the middle of Odense. Even the frozen, naked man spends his days and nights watching, but never entering this beloved church. (just like most of the Danes).

There is a large, "brave" statue of St. Knud near his church. I miss the dark snowy St. Knud- the evil king who was upgraded to sainthood by his younger brother. They say that King Knud was stabbed to death at the alter -- because he demanded more and more taxes from his people. I guess that was a pretty dark day. The Kings dark bones are still haunting the basement of the church.

Now that spring has brought color back to town, the king looks like a saint. (but there still is more and more of a demand for higher taxes).

It was a cold season for our favorite little wooden horses (and a goat) in the woods nearby.

The woods turned green almost overnight. Hope to have a picnic soon here with our family when they come in early part of June.

Everyone here, except for us...we love the seasons...thought this winter was way too long. The spring thaw melted the slush and all the people of Odense went out for a walk.

This is our backyard. We watch the seasons change almost every day. The snow storms have passed and left us with a pattern of rain, sprinkles, and the warm sun...

Our cat (our adopted neighbor's cat), who hated to walk in the snow, now runs through the fields, climbs the trees, and has returned home with at least five little black mice. She loves the spring.

Our field has been full of animals. We have been putting bird seeds out since winter covered their food...and now we have visitors from all over Denmark. Last week, the door was open to our little office and two blue and white swallows darted in and out of the room over and over again looking for a place to build a nest.

Almost every morning we witness a battle between these two pheasants in our backyard. They get together almost nose to nose, and bob their heads trying to decide who should own our yard. Every so often they ruffle their feathers and back away from the drama, but then they return for another "head bobbing" war. I don't think either one of them is very brave.

We took a walk in "awsome" Aasum (Oh-Some) the other day to catch the spring before summer comes. It was a warm sunny day... full of tiny homemade bridges across the streams, old rock walls, and trees of every color.

We saw a rope swing and a tiny purple rock garden with a circle of lavendar tulips.

We took many pictures in the woods...what a beautiful green day .

This is one of the most beautiful gardens we have ever seen. It is freshly planted. Last summer we watched this garden grow. There was enough vegetables and fruit to feed all of Aasum.
Surrounding the house is a picnic area, a well manicured lawn, a rock wall that lines the stream and a garden of flowers, hedges, and rows of vegetables all growing together in perfect harmony.

There are many old homes in Aasum. This time of year tulips, and daffodils fill their front yards. Old gates hinged on stone pillars welcome visitors. It is a village where time stands still...and people really do like watching the grass grow.

Yesterday we drove, with the Sister Missionaries, out in the country to an old farm. We were there to help a friend who was sick and her husband, who had broken his wrist in three places the day before. (falling off a horse) They have a family, and were having trouble keeping their home in working order. We spent an hour or so cleaning her kitchen and then he showed us these brand new colts... born two days ago.

Can you imagine that these two colts are only two days old? They ran around the field--dancing in the spring weather.

The mother of this colt is this small black pony (on the left). She is 30 years. The little colt is 2 days old. We had a great time going out in the country (near Svendborg). What a day full of surprises.

When God says "let there be light" on the Island of Fyn in the early spring...we are surrounded by yellow.

Picture: near by Rasp field grown for cooking oil (like canola oil)

We are buried in yellow.

When we drive by the fields we smell the yellow. When we reluctantly walk in the fields we turn yellow.

We sometimes worry about farmers catching us smashing their perfect yellow fields.

In a few months we will be headed home. We will miss the spectacular seasons of Denmark. We have loved the dark days and the return of the light.

The bells are ringing in St Knud's Church. The people of Odense are rushing home from work but the swans are still floating down the Odense River . We are enjoying a nice breeze through the open windows of our basement center for young adults. Not one young adult is here. I think that they are all out playing in the sun.

When God divided the light from the darkness, and said "Let the earth bring forth grass..." and then gave us the seasons, I think that he saved part of the Garden of Eden for this part of the world. You can find it just on the outskirts of Odense in a little place that we call "awsome" Aasum. Hope that you have time discover spring in your neighborhood. Don't forget to take a camera.

A marvelous work is about to go forth- News from the Basement

2010-04-28T15:31:00.063-07:00

--Aske, Emil, Louise, Pernille, and Aske..at the center.

During the past few months we have had the privilege of teaching some of the most incredible young people that I have ever met. We meet in the basement of our old Danish Church. The church where Elder Wilberg baptized his first investigator, fifty years ago.

-- JJ, Mark (returned Missionary), and Emil

We have been asked by Bishop Held to help prepare five eager young adults for their missions.

--Benjamin (New convert), Elder Shreeve, Elder Brown, Emil, JJ.

and the Sister Missionaries, Sister Liljenquist, Stewart, and Roberts.

Many of them have already been on two week mini-missions...a time when they lived and worked with the full time missionaries here in Denmark. These kids (excuse me..young adults) have shared the gospel at the train station, on the walking streets of Odense, and with their friends at school.

--Elder Clayton, Paul, JJ, and Elder Barnard

JJ had been a member of the church for only a few months when he baptized our good friend Paul (Li-Cong) from China. I have never seen such enthusiasm for teaching and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have learned many things from all of them about how to be a good missionary.

---Aske and Emil

Through out our Missionary Training Class (MTC), we have used this theme-- from the entrance of every Brigham Young University (Provo, Idaho, and Hawaii). The Theme- that every missionary and every new member should enter their day to learn, or study hard to learn about the gospel, and then go out to serve. If we forget either one of these reminders we can easily get lost in the world of bright ideas, or distractions, and loose the joy we discover when we actually go out and serve the Lord and his children.

I have told these good students how blessed we are to be called to teach this rare group of Danes (and our dear Greenlander- JJ). They love to learn and they are eager to serve.

This is the story of the first of the five to be called on a mission from our little MTC (Missionary Training Center) in the basement of the Odense Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

--Emil, Aske, Rene

Emil Held has been called to the Greek Athens Mission. Congratulations, Emil !

--Athens, Greece and Emil and Aske (another "soon to be Missionary")

Emil (Eee-meal) is going to an old mission that was opened almost 2,000 years ago, only fifty years after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

In about 49 AD, missionaries for the church of Jesus Christ sailed to Greece (Acts 16:10) to introduce the people to the Savior. At that time, the city of Athens was full of idols to honor their favorite Gods. It has been said that, "It is easier to find a God in Athens than a man."

The town square was noisy and full of merchants and shoppers, so a group of Greek philosophers, leaders and intellectuals invited Paul, the strange Christian preacher, to speak on Mars Hill, just above the market place.

On the hill, this small, brown eyed man, stood among the "smartest" men on earth. He pointed to the magnificent temples and forty foot high ivory and gold goddesses. He did not deny the existence of these traditional gods. Instead, he made their gods seem uncaring, powerless, and unconcerned about the needs of the people of Greece.

The crowd enjoyed Paul's unusual, bold speech. It was their custom to listen to every new idea that came along. "Many spent their lives in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing." (Acts 17:21)

Paul was well received until he bore a personal witness that Jesus Christ had died and then had risen from the grave. The Greeks were astonished. They called him a "Babbler" (Acts 17: 18). They "Mocked and ridiculed him." (Acts 17:32)

He bore an eye witness testimony to the unbelieving Greeks --that he saw the Savior, Jesus Christ after he was crucified.

The Prophet, David O. Mckay describes the significance of Paul's testimony.

He wrote:

"Now, in the oldest authentic document in existence relating or testifying to the resurrection of Christ, we find Paul saying this to the Corinthians (about fifty miles from Athens)...

' For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all... He was seen of me, also....' " (1 Corinthians 15: 3-8)

Paul planted a seed on Mars Hill that day. He was disappointed at the response of the intellectuals that surrounded him. He left Athens discouraged, with only a handful of interested followers.
Later, when he traveled to Corinth, he had a visioin in the night. The Lord appeared unto him and lifted him up. He promised:

"Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." (Acts 18: 9-10) This city was so full of listeners, that he spent a year and a half bringing the gospel to soften the hearts of the friendly Greeks in Corinth. Emil Held has had much practice softening the hearts of the people of Odense, Denmark. He has been looking forward to being a missionary long before we arrived here on our mission. He graduated from Seminary last spring but still goes every morning to study the Book of Mormon with his friends.

I have seen him sit with our little "80's Ladies" who have their own Institute class during lunch on Wednesdays. He is enthusiastic about sharing the gospel with anyone who is willing to listen.

Emil has studied to be a chef.

---above, Emil and his brother Mads, at Super Saturday.

below, Emil at a Halloween party.

He, and his good friend Aske, have taken several years of Drama classes. He and Aske both love to act and dress up in unusual hats, and costumes. They both jump into life with both feet.

-- Emil, Bishop Held, and our mission leader, Steffen Haahr with his little daughter, Anna

Elder Wilberg enjoying the dishes with Bishop Held

Emil comes from a strong family who supports missionary work. His father is the Bishop of the Odense 1st Ward. He is always down in the center and has many ideas about how we can improve our mission here in Odense. He advertises our events and coming baptisms on facebook, encourages our International Nights, and even helps wash and dry our dishes. He is a leader of a very successful old fashioned family ward.

--Mads, Sofie, Emil's Mom: Lene, Bishop Held with a broken leg, I think from playing

frisbee with his sons, and Emil.

Emil hugs his brother Mads, and Emil, Sofie, and Mads...

The Held family lives just a few minutes from us in our favorite little village called "Aasum". We call it "Awsome Aasum" (pronounced "ahsome O-some). They live in a wonderful old farmhouse with a u-shaped barn. Both of the Held sons have served mini missions with the full time missionaries. They are all excited about Emil's missiona call. Bishop Held is busy finding out everything you ever wanted to know about the Greece Athens Mission on google.

-- Emil and Aske long time friends.

Emil and Aske saying "Good bye" to the year 2009- what a new year they

have in front of them. Aske just turned his mission papers in.

Soon, we will say "Good bye" to a great, dark eyed young man, who will bring his testimony and great love for the Savior to the people of Greece. At the end of June he will report to the MTC in Provo, for two to three months, then on to Greece. I am looking forward to hearing his voice from Mars Hill. He knows, like Paul, that Jesus Christ still lives.

He is ready to leave his good friends, and home ward. We will never forget him.

He is ready to leave his comfortable old Danish farmhouse.

He has been truly blessed. He is ready to serve the Lord.

Soon he will walk the ancient streets of Greece- preaching the gospel for which the Apostle Paul gave his life. Emil will give two years of his life for this cause.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memories on Mars Hill

Paul was not the last missionary to bear his testimony of Jesus Christ on Mars Hill. Through the years, Prophets, Church leaders, Mission Presidents, missionaries and members have stood where Paul stood. Mars Hill is no longer an alter for an "Unknown God".. it has become a "Sacred Grove." When you have a chance, read these testimonies given in the last few years. Begin with the voice of President David O. Mckay. (click on each page to enlarge the print)

Last year, Elder Eric Paul Mortensen climbed Mars Hill (in the rain) with his companion, Elder Enslin, and the Mission President of the Greece Athens Mission, President John Galanos. Elder Mortensen recorded his experience on his mission blog, missiongreece.blogspot.com

This is a record of their memorable experience on Mars Hill. (Click on the text to enlarge)

In the fall, Emil will join Elders from all over the world in this ancient cradle of culture and art. Who can describe the mission that awaits him.

--JJ, Pernille, and Emil

Until then, we will continue to learn together how to be a good missionary. I have a lot to learn. I am going to have a hard time saying good bye to these good friends..one by one by one.

Paul described the future of Emil and our handful of missionaries who have the courage to leave their comfortable homes, school, family and friends for two years of their lives.

"...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (Letter from Paul to the Corinthians of Greece- 1 Corinthians 2: 9)

A marvelous work is about to go forth. Thank you all, for your willingness to serve.

Steadfast Soldiers are not made out of tin.

2010-03-31T14:50:00.018-07:00

Warning: This blog could take a week to read... but it is worth every word.

This could be a good family home evening to celebrate the Aaronic Priesthood in your home. We could always be a little more steadfast in our lives. Here's to our sweet boys and what they mean to our family. (Welcome little Seth, our newest boy. Congratulations Kathy, Scott and three of the cutest boys in Washington, DC... we love you all)
A few years ago, our family went to Jamestown, and Williamsburg, Virginia to celebrate Thanksgiving. While we were there we visited historical sites where the first American armies gathered to defend our country before the American Revolution.

To establish order, they created laws and punishments for those who were not honorable, upright soldiers. If you were to break a law, you received a label to wear...warning all who lived in your camp that you could not be trusted.

Our honorable, and trustworthy grandson, Zac, tried on one of the labels and in a few minutes, we could almost believe that he was a real thief. In this world of chaos, and deception, it would be very helpful if everyone wore a sign to identify who he or she really was.

In our family, we have three boys who have promised, as Scouts, to be honorable and true, and to do their duty to God and their country. This means that they don't just stand and watch the world go by. They are boys who can be trusted and are willing to stand up for what they believe.

President Gordon B. Hinkley once spoke to the young men of the church, reminding them who they were..He said:

"You are not 'dead-end' kids. You are not wasting your lives, drifting aimlessly. You have a purpose. You have design. You have plans that can only lead to growth and strength. When your energies are harnessed, when your dreams are focused, marvelous things happen."

A few weeks ago, Zac Wilberg celebrated his 12th birthday. You have reached a great age, Zac, a time when you have the opportunity to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. By now, you have become a Deacon and have probably passed the Sacrament in your ward.
You have begun to serve your Heavenly Father in a brand new way.

A great, righteous and honorable King Benjamin, once gathered the people of America together during Book of Mormon times. Families gathered in tents around a great tower to hear him speak.

He said: "I have (spent) my days in your service, and have not sought gold nor silver nor any manner of riches of you....I have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes and that there should be nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne--

I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that when you are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2: 12-17

Thank you for your willingness to serve others, as well as your Heavenly Father. I have heard about the talk that you gave at your cousin's baptism on confirmation. Your mom said that "the spirit was strong and many people commented that these boys are the future leaders for our church."

Your mom also described other times when you so have willingly served others. She wrote:
"Zac was student council secretary at his school for the 5th grade and also a crossing patrol in front of the school. Teachers always rely on him because he is a very responsible boy. He is a very kind big brother and very patient and loving with Zoe and Max. I rely on him a lot to help me out with the little ones. Our neighbor has hired him to help with her kids whl she is out of town so the dad can get dinner."

These little acts of service show that you are well prepared to serve the Lord as a holder of the Aaronic Priesthood. Good job, Zac.

These are my very favorite Aaronic Priesthood holders in the whole world. We now have three boys in our family who hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Davis was our first, and he is a great example to us all. His mother has described him as one of the most honest young men that she knows. He is a kind and thoughtful soul. Jonah just became a Deacon this year. He has been called to be the Deacon's Quorum President. His whole family tries to find a place in Sacrament meeting where he, personally, will be passing the Sacrament to them. They are proud of their big brother who is so willing to serve the Lord every Sunday. I can't wait to receive the Sacrament from Jonah in his white shirt and tie. I know that all of you are becoming great leaders and men who love to serve. Thank you.

There is an old statue that we pass by every night on our way home from the Church in Odense. It is a soldier standing on one foot, ready and able to serve. He stands there day and night, no matter what the weather... we can always count on him to be there. Some people call him the "Steadfast Tin Soldier."

For months I have been gathering scriptures and stories about what it means to be "Steadfast."

We have been trying to be "steadfast", our missionaries are trying to be "Steadfast", and most important to us... we have a great desire and hope that all of our family will remain "Steadfast."... willing to serve the Lord, not just once or twice, but all the days of our lives.

The good king Benjamin, when he taught families that gathered in tents around the tower, said: "I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, and that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life,

through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all."

This is quite a promise.

There are many ways to describe a steadfast soldier. In the scriptures, in the "topical guide" under the word "steadfast" you will find that a steadfast soldier is- courageous, dedicated, dependable, diligent, faithful, honest, loyal, and obedient. He never gives up. You can count on him.

Our "Steadfast Tin Soldier" statue, on one of the oldest streets in Odense, belongs to a short story written by Hans Christian Andersen about 170 years ago. He is a very famous author of childrens stories like the "Ugly Duckling" and the "Emporer's New Clothes." He was born here in Odense and the folks here are celebrating his birthday this weekend. Now back to his humble (or proud..you decide) story about the one legged "steadfast tin soldier."

(revised a little..I am sure that you would never see the original tin soldiers at a bowling alley in the white house).

Here is the story.

There once was a tin soldier who grew up in a box with twenty five brothers. They were the offspring of an old tin spoon. When they were made, they were all dressed to perfection- each had a fancy gun and the smartest red and blue uniforms.

They all looked like they were paying attention...looking straight ahead as if they were alert, and knew what they were doing.

One day, they were all given as gift to a little boy for his birthday.

He was thrilled to have twenty five soldiers to play with.

He took them out of their box and one by one placed them on the table.

All the handsome young soldiers were perfectly matched in their fancy solder's suits..but one.

He was the last brother to be made. He was all dressed up but there wasn't quite enough tin from the old tin spoon to fill his mold. He ended up with only one leg.

When he was placed on the table, he stood as tall and straight as all of his brothers even with one leg, instead of two.

The minute this tin soldier was taken out of his comfortable box, he started a life full of adventures and fame. He became so famous that we still talk about him today...he is remembered all over the world as the "Steadfast Tin Soldier."

Some people called him steadfast because he could stand on one foot without falling over. But we will see if he was courageous, diligent, and dependable. Is he really steadfast?

Adventure number one:

He and his brothers were the first tin soldiers ever invited to bowl at the white house. But they never bowled, they just stood tall in their fancy red and blue suits while the birthday boy enjoyed the company of his loyal friends.

When they returned home, the soldiers were placed high on shelf where they could see all over the playroom. There were many things to do, and many people to meet.

The steadfast tin soldier saw a beautiful paper castle with a mirror pond and floating wax swans. He stood and watched. I don't think he ever visited the castle or fed the wax swans.

He saw a charming ballerina dressed in a guaze dress tied up with a dainty blue bow. He thought that she might be a good wife for him. She was dancing on one of her legs raised so high that he thought she only had one leg, just like him. But he just stood there on the shelf never uttering a word. Where was his courage, where was his determination?

Note: A wise old man (your grandpa Wilberg) once said.."If wishes were fishes we'd all have a fry." This one legged soldier was full of wishes, and dreams but was he really steadfast because he could stand on one leg without falling over?

Adventure number two:

It was time to go back in the box with all his brothers, but he continued to stare at the fancy dancer. He was not ready to go to bed. The room was full of toys and a warm fireplace. There were too many things to see and to do.

That night the tin soldier watched as the toys all came to life. He watched them play and dance, and even fight great battles on the toy room floor. He never stepped in to help or to make friends. He just stood there and watched... but he didn't fall over.

Adventure number three:

When morning came, and the boy got up, the tin soldier was still standing on the shelf. The windows were opened to let in a little fresh air, and a gust of wind grabbed the steadfast tin soldier and "pitched him out the window." He fell at "breathtaking speed" out the window and landed on the cobblestones below. His one leg "stuck straight in the air." The housemaid and the little boy ran down to look for him. They nearly stepped on him but the soldier never called out "Hear I Am !"

He thought "it contemptible to raise an uproar while he was wearing his uniform." He was more worried about the way things looked than doing anything about the real problems of the day.

Adventure number four:

Soon it began to rain. The drops fell faster and faster, until they came down by the bucketfuls.

Two young rapscallions found him stuck in the cobblestones and decided to send him sailing. They made a newspaper boat. Then they put the steadfast tin soldier in the soggy paper boat and set him a sail on a mud puddle near the Odense River. The boys cheered as he sailed away, into a nearby gutter and then down the drain. The steadfast tin soldier never said a word. He just stood in that soggy boat letting life float him down the drain.

The birthday boy was very sad about the loss of his brave tin soldier. He didn't know that his lost friend was in the gutter below his feet being washed out to sea.

Adventure five:

Hans Christian Andersen describes the next chapter in his soldier's life. The tin soldier "stood as steadfast as ever. Never once flinching, he kept his eyes front, and carried his gun should-high." Suddenly, the boat rushed under a long plank and it became very dark in the gutter. A sewer rat popped out of nowhere and demanded a passport from the strong soldier. But the soldier did not defend himself. Everyone knows that tin soldiers don't need passports. The rat chased him until the paper boat went over a waterfall and into the Odense River. The soldier did not say a word. He just stood tall in his fancy suit...staring straight ahead.

It is almost spring in Odense. The snow has melted and the river is full. The steadfast tin soldier had the misfortune of floating into a whirlpool and down he went into the deep, deep, river. "Then the water rushed over his head. He thought of the pretty little dancer, whom he would never see again, and in his ears rang an old, old song:"

"Farewell, farewell, o warrior brave,

Nobody can from Death thee save."

The paper boat broke beneath him," and he was swallowed by a most enormous fish."

It was dark and cramped inside of the fish, "but the tin soldier still was staunch. He lay there full length, (doing nothing) soldier fashion, with musket to shoulder."

The fish flipped and flopped in a most "unaccountable way" and then it was perfectly still.

Someone had caught the fish and taken it home for dinner. Much to the surprise of the steadfast tin soldier, he was home again in the birthday boy's house. The cooks knife cut into the huge fish and found the long lost tin soldier still holding fast to his useless musket.

It was a happy day when the long lost soldier returned home. What a brave, strong, steadfast soldier he was. The birthday boy couldn't believe that his lost soldier was back. They had a homecoming celebration. Children were invited to welcome him home.

The tin soldier stood on one foot without falling and saw the paper castle, and the pretty little dancer, near the mirror pond and the wax swans. It was a grand day for someone who has the courage to be steadfast.

But just as the steadfast soldier was about to step forward to give a brave speech "one of the little boys snatched up the tin soldier and threw him into the stove. He did it for no reason at all." The steadfast soldier did not object nor did he come to the defense of his beautiful dancer, when the little boy picked her up...

and tossed her into the fire as well. Hans Christian Andersen sadly describes the last of the story.."The tin soldier stood there dressed in flames. He felt a terrible heat, but whether it came from the flames or from his love he didn't know. He lost his splendid colors, maybe from his hard journey, maybe from the grief, nobody can say. He looked at the little lady, and she looked at him, and he felt himself melting. But still he stood steadfast, with his musket held trim on his shoulder."

The next day, when a servant cleaned up the ashes, she found the melted tin soldier.

He was in the shape of a little tin heart. "But of the pretty dancer nothing was left except her spangle, and it was burned as black as a coal."

As this tale comes to a close you might ask yourself do we really have a "steadfast soldier" here? When did he stand up to defend or protect the ones he loved? What did he do when he had a chance to help and be a friend to the birthday boy and his toy friends? What did he spend his time doing? Anyone can stand on one foot without falling over.

A steadfast soldier in these last days, cannot stand around and watch the world go by. He needs to roll up his sleeves and go to work.

I am looking here, at a real live steadfast soldier. A boy who loves life. He remembers the little things. His mom says, "He always says 'Thank mom, that was good' for dinner, even when it is something like grilled cheese or scrambled eggs. A very generous, giving boy. I often think he is too good to be true."

President Monson once said: The Priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others."

Here we have a boy ready to hold the Priesthood. He has already blessed our lives.

His mom remembers a time when he was only two years old. She writes:

"When he was about two years old we were visiting my sister's house and all the kids were in the backyard. I was in the house with the adults. All of a sudden I was up on my feet and out the door to the backyard. The Spirit had grabbed me and got me out to the backyard before I had time to form a thought or even have a prompting. Zac was in the wading pool under water struggling and I was able to get him out safely. I think we almost lost him that day so I have thought often how much I would have missed if he was not in our family. I am very thankful to know him." --Emily Sellers Wilberg

I am thankful for these three boys, Zac, Davis and Jonah. They are three young men who are willing to take on the responsibilities of the Aaronic Priesthood. Thank you for your willingness to serve the Lord. We know that real steadfast soldiers are not made out of soft metal that will melt under pressure. We are truely blessed to have real, steadfast boys in our family. Much love to our strong, soft hearted, Priesthood boys. Love from Grandma W

A final "steadfast" reminder from 2 Nephi 31: 20

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,

having a perfect brightness of hope,

and a love of God,

and of all men.

Wherefore, if ye shall press forward-

feasting upon the word of Christ,

and endure to the end,

Behold, thus saith the Father;

Ye shall have eternal life."

Keep up the good work, boys. Keep on "pressing forward with a brightness of hope !"

Return to the Holidays-Part 3- Deck the Halls

2010-03-11T03:01:00.016-08:00

We have just begun the month of March. Soon, daffodils will be blooming by the hundreds on Daffodil Hill, not far from Sacramento. Yesterday, we had an hour of snow, a little rain, and this morning, sunshine. Denmark is just starting to warm up The pheasants are gathering around the bird seed that we sprinkle by the leafless bushes in our backyard. I think that all the little animals are beginning to celebrate. Rabbits jump over the snow and ice to eat the little green sprouts that are just beginning to grow.

All the moles in Denmark have left hundreds of ugly bumps of dirt as they get their first taste of soft dirt. (I don't know whether moles eat dirt). Here in Odense, moles do make "Mountains out of mole hills."

While I wait for spring, I want to hang on to our long white winter...and memories of our one and only Christmas in Denmark. When we leave at the end of July, we will have enjoyed two springs, and two summers, but we will only have one winter to remember. We hope that it lasts a bit longer. This is our "Winter House."

And this is our "almost spring house." I better hurry with these holiday posts before you think that it is still snowing in July. I have lots of memories and stories to tell before we leave at the end of July. Hope that I have the time to tell them.

As many of you know, I play Christmas music all year around here. Join me with a collection of Jule memories, from Scandinavia. Here the Jule tide was celebrated long before it became "Christ's Mass."

In the beginning of December, the darkest month of the year, the Danes begin to "deck the halls" and windows with candle light and tiny ornaments. Centuries before Christmas, these dark days were known as "Jule." (Yule) .During, what is called the winter solstice, fathers and sons dragged the biggest log that they could find into their cottages. As long as the Jule log burned (about twelve days) there would be a great feast and party. While the Candles burned in the windows the chilly darkness stayed outside.

During this part of December we began to gather old Danish Christmas things from some of our favorite "Genbrugs" (gen-brew) or thrift stores.

We found the most wonderful bargains. In our favorite Genbrug...we found two tables full of Christmas Past. We filled two baskets with hand sewn table runners, lights (very expensive when new), hand crocheted Christmas doilies, and white Scandinavian paper stars. When we got to the counter, the cashier didn't want to count each item. She charged us $15 for both boxes full of Christmas treasures. She had no idea how many great ornaments, candle holders, wire, and Christmas textiles that we had found.

The Early Morning Seminary class gave us this candle advent calendar. Each day we lit a new candle.

I created a wall hanging advent calendar with Genbrug Christmas fabric and clothespin numbers. We have no fireplace for a Jule log, but we filled our little cottage with lots of color and lights. Our danish cat had never seen such a warm, cozy Jule.

At one Genbrug we found a tiny tree covered with straw stars and topped with a little glass bird with a broken tail and a broken beak. If you look closely you can see a tiny doll with curled ribbon hair. I found some clothes pin santas and a traditional straw goat.

Click on this picture and you will see lots of little Danish memories that will come home with us.. some of them we will leave out all year. The elf with the fury face in the right bottom corner was a memory from Tivoli in Copenhagen. Our cat likes to attack its real wool beard.

The red and white striped elves joined us from the Hans Christian Andersen village long before Christmas. They all gather around several Danish Flags..a favorite Christmas decoration here.

Our Christmas tree was topped with a glittered star from the Pajama Day at the Stitchin Post in Sisters, Oregon.

The ribboned ornaments were given to me by my mother...pins that she loved to wear. There were white paper stars, a locket with photos of Stephanie, Tina, and Nick that I gave mother years ago. There were paper angels with tiny faces and little brass cones that the Danes fill with Christmas candy.

Our table was set with small trees, and an embroidered table runner from our Pajama Day at the Stitchin Post.

Our good friends, the Benny Madsen family, gave us some real candles and silver candle holders to hang on our little tree. We brought a planter in from our backyard for the base and covered it with a lacy table cloth.

This little nativity was here in our window when we came with a ceramic Easter bunny. The little chubby danish doll came from our Genbrug. I found two little straw pigs to go with her.

This straw star of David was a perfect decoration for our door window. Love this snow scene in our backyard.

When Kathy was here, she organized Brother Riedel's German books according to the colors of the rainbow. (thank you Kathy- we didn't know what to do with a library of German Books)

We hung two Danish stockings up and put the most wonderful little tree next to our Christus. The tree is a hand blown green glass tree, with individual glass ornaments. It is a gift from the Riedels, our friends and landlords.

Last summer, brother Riedel asked us if we wanted this bright red old fashioned chair in our very beige cottage. We love it... especially during the Christmas Holidays.

Many of these little treasures come from the Genbrug. I purchased the felted balls on our candle holder from the Stitchin post. When I was looking for something to give to our Elders, Sisters and friends for Christmas,

Cindy told us about the gifts that they gave in Siberia. They bought pairs of stockings, put one inside of the other, and then filled them with treats. We did this...white stockings for the girls, and black stockings for the boys. It was a great idea. Thank you Cindy and Doug. We get lots of ideas from Siberia.

During the darkest time of the year, we had a very warm, happy Jule. Candles and twinkle lights can still be found when we drive through Odense at night. We all want to hang on to the warmth of the Holidays.

--Karsten Rasmussen (a new member this year) at a Christmas ward party

In the next "Return to the Holidays" post you will meet "Santa Lucia" and see a thousand torches of light on the streets of Odense.

Return to the Holidays- Part 2- Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow !

2010-02-17T08:35:00.018-08:00

---JJ and Elder Francis

For months our good friend and neighbor, JJ, has helped us learn all kinds of things about Denmark. He has taken the missionaries out on one of his school's boats. He has taught us many things that he has learned as he prepares to be a captain of his own ship someday. He knows the sky, the stars, and the weather. Many times he lets us know, before the weather man, what kind of day it will be.

The first part of December was crisp and green. Our weatherman and future sea captain, prepared to return to his home in Greenland for the holidays. He has been a member of the church for almost a year, and he was anxious to get his Patriarchal Blessing before he left for home. We decided to take a two hour trip to Esbjerg where the Patriarch was available to give him a blessing. It was a beautiful, "blue sky" day.

After church, we took our "Seaman" JJ to visit the giant four white "Seamen" along the Esbjerg sea.

(See our story about them in April, 2009 blog post)

It was sunny but there was a chill in the air. The sky was full of the most unusual "cloud sandwich"... a flat white layer of clouds on the top with a dark, ominous cloud on the bottom.

Our weatherman called this a weather front caused when hot air meets cold air- creating a cold front.

Little did we know the power of JJ's words.

When we returned home to Odense our home was still green. We began to get busy decorating for Christmas and planning a traditional Danish Christmas with our friends.

We were very comfortable as we began to "Deck the Halls." Even our borrowed cat enjoyed the mix of warm and cool air of the Danish winter. We have loved the seasons here.

(This is JJ with his two sisters, Melissa and Thresa, and his artist grandma- Thalitha)

JJ left for Greenland to be with his family... but before he left, he put a Christmas message in our mailbox. (Click on the letter to enlarge it).

He prayed that Santa would bring a "Tiny bit of snow" so that we could feel "the warmth the
Christmas brings."

While he was flying over Iceland, on the way home, his prayer was answered...The snow began to fall. Our cat is less than a year old, and she had never seen the snow. She spends a lot of her time on our window sill or walking on the fence railing to avoid the wet, cold snow on her feet. She has white furry feet- and no warm boots.

The snow covered our yard.

It covered the old blue car and prevented us from picnicking and outdoor barbecues. (Not that we have been doing that lately).

At one point we had to get to the center. We planned an "International Christmas Night" and there was a lot to decorate and cook. Once we tried to go down our white road. When we got to a small hill we began to slide backwards...so we came home. We were buried in snow.

Carl tried to sweep the snow off of our car. But it just kept coming.

What a beautiful sight. Thank you, JJ, for your prayer. I don't think you have any idea how far a "tiny bit of snow" goes here in Odense.

We were snowed in for two days. We cancelled our International night and just settled into our cozy indoor mission home. There is nothing like a few surprise snow days, especially at Christmas time.

When the sun finally came out we found wonderful icicles dripping from our roof.

-- Sister Hatton, Liljenquist, and Stewart

The sisters rode their bikes out to see us. They found our giant icicles.

When we returned to the center there was no place to park.. and many members took and early Christmas Holidays. A few houses down from our Church is The Greenland House where students from Greenland live and where we can buy dried seal (not so tasty) and other unusual Greenlandic foods. Little "Greenlanders" come there once a week to study their language. They built the first two snowmen that we have seen here.

You know that JJ was flying into Santa territory when he flew home. On the way, there was a bit of turbulence, and the pilot announced that a sled had landed on the plane. In walked Santa himself with balloon animals and Christmas cards for all.

JJ spent several months in Greenland. He went to a traditional event on December 23rd, when all the people in town gather at the cemetery with candles. They place their candles on their family graves and sing sweet hymns in remembrance of their loved ones- at midnight. At the top of a small hill, traditional Christmas music is heard by the city choir to welcome in Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve they dance around their tree which is covered with real candles.

On a shelf in their home is an old Christmas couple with sheep's wool hair and woven shoes.. sold at Christmas time by a local neighbor. I want to order one of these little couples for my mantle next year. Behind them is the red and white flag of Greenland.

In almost every window in JJ's town you can see a large lighted star. When New Years begins to arrive the sky is filled with fireworks all over the city. He comes from quite an amazing place. Maybe next year we can all gather in Qaqortoq with his Dad (the mayor of three southern Greenland cities) and JJ's great family for a delicious Christmas feast.

I hear that Greenland has had quite a warm spell this winter. I think that JJ brought the cold back with him when he returned to Odense.

We have had the longest, "snowiest" winter in history this year. This is our snowy street in front of the Riedel's home (the owner of our little cottage and JJ's apartment- behind their house).

It is February now and the snow just keeps falling. We haven't seen the ground since JJ prayed for a "Tiny Bit" of snow to warm our lives. We have loved this weather...we love the change of seasons here. Our furnace stopped working a few days ago, and even then, the snow and our good friend JJ, continues to warm our lives.

We took a walk a few days ago by the Odense river - in the middle of town. For a while it was frozen over and the birds had a hard time finding food. But the swans and ducks are floating down the river now. I think that spring is on its way.

Until then, we are so grateful for our white, snowy mission. We have been truly blessed.

Join us in the next post- another "return to the Holidays." I want to remember our Holidays here in the land of Denmark. Even though the snow may begin to thaw and the daffodils return. I want to remember these precious days.

Love and miss you all. Have a great February

Return to the Holidays- part 1- Thanksgiving in Denmark

2010-02-04T10:38:00.015-08:00

It has been a while since we returned to Denmark from Sisters, Oregon and began a frenzy of Holiday festivities. I seem to always be behind one or two holidays and lots of birthdays. Please forgive me. My mind is always trying to catch up with itself.

I almost hate to say "goodbye" to my mother's posts. They are full of sweet memories that I don't want to replace with parties and fun. But that is exactly what she loved to do.. and if I could talk to her on the phone we would share all the details of these last few months together. I am sure that she has had a wonderful reunion during the last few months. I think that most of her friends and loved ones are on the other side of the veil. I wonder how the holidays are celebrated there. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you, Mom. I hope that you can read this blog and enjoy the memories of our holidays in Denmark.

There are many "Festi-" holidays here that surprise us. Every celebration is called a "Festi". We have been to "Festinord" (a huge internationaly Young Adult Conference), "The blum-fest" (a big flower display in the center of town), St Hans Fest- the bonfire extravaganza, and this month they are celebrating a type of Halloween in in February called "Festelavn." More about that later... We know that it is a holiday when all of a sudden, when we least expect it--the stores are closed, the students depart, and we are left sitting alone in the center staring at each other without a soul to teach, or a thing to eat. Life is hard in Odense !

Now I am starting to wander. When we left for Oregon, Odense was full of fall colors.

At our October zone conference, we had a theme about letting our light "so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven." Some of our Elders, including Elder Moulton , carved these spectacular pumpkins of the Savior kneeling in Gethsemane, Joseph Smith, President Hinkley, and our prophet today, President Monson. What a surprising, well done object lesson.

When we returned to Denmark we had a layover in Salt Lake City. We were surprised to discover that we were flying back to Denmark with 8 new missionaries and an LDS Airline attendant. We were well cared for. President and sister Olausen greeted us all in the Copenhagen airport. It was a grand homecoming. It is nice to be home.

( Sister Hatton and Sister Liljenquist busy baking)

The holiday plans had already begun when we returned to Odense. The Elders and Sisters on our side of Denmark were busy making plans to celebrate Thanksgiving. This day has no meaning to most of the Danes here. Some are not impressed at all with our pilgrim and Indian story, nor do they love the idea that America is often called the "promised land." But this American Holiday would not be forgotten by this handful of missionaries who baked four turkeys, candied yams, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade rolls, and of course, my Mother's famous cranberry jello salad. I brought bread cubes stuffing mix and spices from America. A good friend brought me some jello. Most of the young Elders and Sisters had probably never baked a turkey or made homemade stuffing by themselves before. This was quite an accomplishment.

Elder Francis and Elder Ockey spent long hours planning an American Football game- The Turkey Bowl. They created these handpainted T shirts for all of us to wear.

On Thanksgiving day, about twenty five of us gathered in Horsens, Denmark-- two hours from Odense. It was a beautiful, rainy day. Even the Horsens Chapel was decorated with fall colors...all the seats are a coral red.

Elder Faylor and Elder LeFevre came well prepared for our Thanksgiving Feast.

While everyone in Denmark went to their everyday jobs, we prepared to spend a day remembering the "red white and blue." It was not a day of suits and ties- it was the best "P" day (a weekly preparation day) of the year.

These brave Elders went out in the mud and rain to play what they call here- American Football. Welcome to the "Turkey Bowl" !

Every one chose their favorite number to be painted on the back of their T shirts. JJ is wearing my T shirt. My number was 14.5... chosen because we have fourteen grandchildren and one on the way (Kathy's baby). Elder Wiring tosses the ball. What a game !

The rain continued. The game could have been called the "Mud Bowl." The competition was fierce.

When the game was over the Elders gathered for a team picture.

The Turkey Bowl goes to the red team. The black team went down in defeat. Muddy, and proud the Elders returned to our Thanksgiving Day feast.

Elder Brown and number 14.5 (JJ) bravely endured the loss and the mud. Lots of muddy memories and muddy shoes.

Thank you- Elder Francis (and Elder Okey) for preparing a very successful American Football bowl. Sister Reed, Hatton, Davidson, and Liljenquuist were some of the sisters who stayed at the Horsens Chapel to help prepare the feast and "deck the halls."

Many gathered in the hall to play a card game. Looks like Sister Younkin is winning.

Many gathered in the kitchen to prepare the final touches for the big feast. It was a great gathering of some of the best members of the house of Israel.

Time to serve pitchers of gravy and sliced turkey. Thank you again, Elder Okey and Francis.

You can't serve a meal in Denmark without candles and colorful napkins in your cups. We created a huge Thanksgiving family table. All of us sat together to enjoy the harvest feast.

Elder Francis greeted the pilgrims and the Indians. The aluminum foil uncovered the warm turkey and trimmings. The old fashioned dinner began with prayer and Thanksgiving.

We are truely blessed here. It is a pleasure to be surrounded by all of these young, dedicated Elders and Sisters. They have given two years (18 months for the sisters) to ride all over Denmark on their bikes, through very cold, wet weather...to deliver a message that is not always well received. We were the only senior couple at this well organized event. The heroes here are the wonderful, organized, enthusiastic Elders and Sisters on this side of Denmark. Thank you, all for this event. Thank you for the great work that you do. We will not forget this day.

Thank you, Sister Liljenquist and Hatton for helping to prepare the meal and for keeping us on track setting the table and helping to serve the deliscious food.

Thank you Sister Younkin and Smith for your hard work and to all of the Sisters who stayed at the Chapel to "rattle the pots and pans" during the all American turkey bowl. It was fun working with you.

There was peace among the Pilgrims and Indians... and more than enough turkey and dressing to go around.

JJ became an Mormon Missionary and an American football player all in one day. Welcome to our feast, JJ.

I think that I have used the work "Great" way too many times in this post. It was a GREAT day.. shared with a bunch of great people....eating great food...made by these great people.

In no time we ate four turkeys, tubs of dressing, gallons of gravy, baskets of rolls, and some of us even ate the bones. (Nikolas and Elder Moulton).

Then, thanks to the Sisters, came the homemade American pies.

(Sister Younkin, Smith, Reed and Liljenquist- great pie makers)

Pumpkin pies, apple pies, berry pies appeared from all over Denmark. The Danes make tarts, and cakes but it is almost impossible to find pie tins and canned pumpkin here. This was a project of love. Thank you, again to all the sisters for being so determined about this traditional holiday experience. Thanks to you we had real American pies in rectangular "pie tins.

Can't you just taste this flaky pie. Maybe they will make you a pie...if you send some pie tins to Denmark.

These pies were so fancy that one of them contained a secret word. Click on the picture above and you will read a Danish name. Why do you think that word is there? Type the word into Google and you will find out why Sister Liljenquist put this word on her pie.

Great job, Sisters ! What a way to end our feast. (Do you see the secret pie word in this picture?)

Even Elder Ronnenberg (on the right), one of our only Danish Elders, finally relaxed and enjoyed this very American Thanksgiving Day. I think that after all of the strange dressing and cranberry jello, he was relieved to eat a piece of a good old fashioned American apple pie.

Many Elders found a place to relax after the dinner.

In the evening we enjoyed a guitar concert by our famous "Mormon Tabernacle Elders and Sisters Rock Band."

The crowd of Elders and Sisters were full of enthusiasm and anticipation. (and just plain full of our Thanksgiving Feast).

Elder Wiring and Faylor began the concert with some ballads with deep meaningful lyrics. Elder Ramsey played a great piano solo. (time to say "Great" again).

Sister Liljenquist joined the entertainers with her sweet voice. It would be the last time for Elder Peterson to hear her. He is the Elder on the left giving thumbs up to his cousin, Sister Liljenquist. Elder Peterson is now home from his mission. Thank you for spending Thanksgiving and part of your mission with us here in Odense. We miss you.

Elder Francis played some sad, moving songs. The crowd was moved by his performance.

Then Elder Peterson, one of our most trusted leaders, taught us how to be spies and murderers by playing a game of "Mafia."

I know that you can find the rules to this game on Google. It is often played at parties by

Young Single Adults in our church. They are not spies or murderers but sometimes it is fun

to become heroes in this dark world.

Everyone, one by one was eliminated in this dark underworld. I still don't know who murdered who. It was a Thanksgiving mystery. Elder Wilberg looks very guilty in this picture. But then again, so does JJ. Noone recorded the outcome...so we are still in the dark.

Life has been good to us here in Denmark this year. This month (February) we have been here for one full year. I am so grateful for our mission in Denmark. This was a great way to spend our first Thanksgiving Day outside of our homeland. Heavenly Father is watching over us all. What a fine group of Elders and Sisters we have here.

Time to leave this holiday and move on to the next. Before you know it, it will be Easter and I will still be hanging live candles on our Odense Christmas tree. See you in the next post- Christmas in Denmark.

Goodbye, Mom - part 4 The joy of family

2009-12-23T13:49:00.014-08:00

Our final days in Sisters ended with a fun celebration of Mother's life in this little town.

During our luncheon at the church, after mother's service, the sky filled with snow. The children danced in the parking lot...

With their mouths wide open to catch every flake.

Little Californians aren't use to the snow.

When we returned to mother's house the children shoveled the snow,

Played in it for hours,

Made snow balls,

and made tracks along the slippery roads.

It was a cold day but no one seemed to mind.

Everyone welcomed a taste of winter.

Jonah made dozens of snowballs and Sasha did not complain.

Margaret and Kevin brought Marina and Nicole to Mom's place this week...Here they are gathered around the computer to sing crazy songs with our children. It was so good to be with them and to spend long night hours talking to Glen.

Early Saturday morning, our last full day together, we decided to go on one of mother's favorite annual shopping sprees - The Stitchin' Post Early Morning Pajama Sale. We got up early, with

Bob, Doretta, Carl and Nick, and all the girls and went to mom's favorite quilt shop in our pajamas. The shoppers came in the snow, with warm slippers, curlers in their hair, and lots of flannel robes. We all got a coupon at the door that gave us 30% off every item that we purchased in the store. It was a perfect way to end the week.

Nick, Carl and Bob went to a near by diner for a hearty breakfast, while the rest of us began to shop. Nan found fabric for her first homemade quilt- Mom would have been so proud of that choice. I bought a green table runner for my Christmas table, and some unusual felted Christmas balls (you will see them in my Christmas post)...and of course, we bought Quilt books (you never leave the Sitchin Post without a quilt book). The author of our books was there in her pajamas too- Jean Wells (a very famous quilter and owner of the store). Some of her little quilt boxes are in this picture with Nick. What a colorful designer (both Nick and Jean).

Tina and Carl are browsing in the "Fat quarter" section of the store. I don't think that Carl has any idea what a "fat quarter" is.

It was such a pleasure to be shopping with our dear friends, Doretta and Bob. Here is Doretta in her pajamas with all the other brave, cold shoppers of Sisters. She fits right in..a part of this fun community.

It was a fine way to spend our last days together. We won't see each other until next July. What a memorable week in the middle of our mission... It has been a gift to return to be with family and friends at this time. Thank you for coming.

What a group ! You are the best of the best. (after four posts, I have run out of superlatives).

When we finished our successful shopping spree, all the girls went to The Gallery for breakfast in our pajamas. People were walking all over town in their pajamas.

We were too hungry to get pictures. This is a picture the second time we went to The Gallery with all the little kids.

Later, we dined at an old "gourmet" restaurant called the "Snow Cap Drive-In". It is not a Drive-In or a gourmet restaurant, but is a great place for big hamburgers, corn dogs, and greasy onion rings...food we have not eaten since we left for Denmark. I think that this place

is the oldest eating place in town. It is about the size of our living room in Denmark.

We decided to take a family photo. Maybe we'll use it for our Christmas Picture.

Vaughn, Stepi's husband, is not in a lot of these pictures. He has been on "Simon watch", and caring for two new little puppies that the Hormikos have adopted into their family. This is a picture of the very first walk that they have taken on a leash. I think that they are wrapped around Vaughn's leg. It was a very short walk.

Thank you, Vaughn, for being such a kind, patient father of one sassy little boy, two busy little girls with many bright ideas, and a great big boy who is growing up too fast. (he has lots of bright ideas too) We love having you all. I am so glad that you were willing to come to be with this crazy family of ours.

During this week we had some surprise visitors. Gretta came running up to mother's house to tell me that there were over twenty wild turkeys next door. They are the same color as the dirt so they are hard to photograph. But after this picture was taken, Gretta turned around and scared the poor gobblers by chasing them all through the woods. All I could see was a little red coat running through the trees.

There were lots of hungry deer in mother's backyard. They often came right up to the deck.

Carl is standing on a snowy road near her house. Sisters is located in what is called a "high desert." It has a mixture of sage brush, and tall evergreen trees. It is nature's paradise.

I grew up on the other side of these Oregon mountains down in the Willamette Valley. I love the lush green Oregon foliage and the dark brown soil of that valley. But there is magnificent beauty here with the Three Sisters snow capped mountains, and the clear lakes and rivers near mother's Sister's home.

During this week I was able to read (in person) the spooky Halloween stories that I wrote for this blog to Sasha, Gretta and Jonah. I got to play with little Simon and enjoy some of the best people in the world. I will long remember these days.

I have been accused by some of our family- of writing the longest blogs in "blogland." Consider the last four blogs as a place where you can come when you want to read about your grandma. Use it as a little album of her life. Read it on her birthday, or when you are thinking about her and wishing that she were here.

Use her life to lift you up and be grateful for the heritage that you have. Live a full life like she did...use all of your talents, work hard, and then take time to smell lots of roses, dahlias, and fresh green beans picked from your garden. Remember to plant daffodils in the fall so that you can enjoy them in the spring.. and hang gingerbread boys on your Christmas tree.

Thank you, Mom, for leaving us with these sweet memories. We love you, Belva

Goodbye, Mom - Part 3 The Farewell

2009-12-20T11:13:00.013-08:00

This is my mother's family tree. She is the oldest of four children. Her sisters is her last living sibling. She is 92 years old.

Arvilla was visiting mother when she died. We are so thankful that she stayed for the next week while we prepared for mother's funeral. She shared with me many little childhood stories that she remembered about their life on their Idaho farm. She helped me create mother's life story to be given at her service. This is a written copy of the story I told about my mother's memorable life. I have included two pieces written by two of mother's good friends, Christina Zandonatti and Shirley Lalli. (Remember to click on each page if you want to read the story)

Sue and Jim Anderson spent hours preparing the printed program for Mother's service. Thank you for this fine work.

This is the colorful front and back of Mother's Program.

This is the inside of the program.

Ladene and the Richins family surprised us with a beautiful floral bouquet. Thank you so much for remembering us and honoring our mom.

Thank you also, to Margaret, Kevin and Kathy Richins. They have been dedicated to caring for Mom before she died. Thank you also for helping us to prepare for her final service.

I am so grateful for our good friends, Bob and Doretta Henshaw. They took the time to drive nine hours from Sacramento to Sisters, Oregon- to be with us during the week.

What a joy, in the middle of our mission to Denmark, that we could come home for this special occasion- and see our dear friends, as well as some of our grandchildren and all of our children.

In all of the sadness, we have been truly blessed during this season of our lives.

In all the tragedy and sorrow, Heavenly Father fills in the gaps. For all of this, again, I am truly grateful.

Thank you, Bob and Doretta for connecting us to home with your thoughtful and unexpected visit.

On this day, the Sisters Branch was full of long time friends and family. Mother wore a brand new temple dress. She had spent three years looking for this dress and hoped to wear it in the temple. I had the sweet experience, with some of her very dear friends, to dress her for this event. She looked beautiful for her final goodbye.

The service was well attended. There was a feeling of love and sadness over the loss of this grand lady. In some way, all the family participated. I gave her life story and Glen, her grandson, told about his life with her, especially the last few years while he has been living in her home. (I am sorry that I don't have a record of his talk, or the rest of the service because our tape recorder failed to record the entire event.)

Kathy Richins spoke about her memories of mom. Thank you for your kind words.

The music was beautiful. The grandchildren and great grandchildren sang "Families can be together forever." Lisa Smith and Trisha Liddell provided the fine music that mother had requested long before she passed away.

Some of mother's friends, who had become family through the years, brought us hope through their testimonies and prayers. Thank you again Phillip, President Nyle Head, and Jim Anderson for the extra loving care that you gave so generously to our Mother. Thank you to all the members of this exceptional Sisters Branch of the Church. You really know how to watch over your own.

It was a cold, sunny day waiting to snow until after we all met at the cemetary to say goodbye to mom. Her dear friend, Jim Anderson, dedicated her grave. Thank you, Jim, for your strength and for the sweet words that concluded our day with mom.

It was a pleasure to be with Arvilla during this time. She was a peaceful, kind reminder of our dear mom. It was a pleasure to be with all of you.

The Relief Society provided a lunch at the end of the day. Thank you for preparing for us- a place of comfort and rest after a long emotional day. It was a time to be together and enjoy the blessings of friends and family. A fine way to celebrate the life of our Mom and grandma.

What a dear group. I can't tell you how much I love and appreciate you all.

We were surrounded by flowers. In the middle is a bouquet sent from Nancy's work in Washington, DC.- Thank you all, for helping us to remember Margaret Parker Richins - on this day.

I hope that it was the grand finale that you had been waiting for, Mom. We will miss you so much. Thank you for the life that you gave us. Thank you for all the things that we have forgotten to thank you for. You have been well loved. Can't wait to see you again.

Good bye for now, all my love, Belva

Goodbye, Mom - Part 2 Friends gather

2009-12-19T01:07:00.018-08:00

Mother liked to get up early, get her jobs done and then have the rest of the day to read, write, knit, sew, garden or cook things. She loved to celebrate. In one of her hundreds of letters she wrote: " We Celebrate anything..ha, ha !! ..I got up early and did my household chores. Now I can do special things. Might even do some sewing.."

She loved being surrounded by friends and family. She reminded us to "Keep your life in balance and remember to smell the daisies."

The last few months of her life she put up her fall decorations, had her teeth fixed, had her regular health checkups, and prepared to settle in for the winter. There was a grand celebration at the beginning of fall. It was her 95th birthday. Her family collected a treasured scrapbook of pictures and letters of appreciation for her.

Her branch sisters had a wonderful party in honor of the oldest member of the branch. (Sister's Church Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints).
The garden club gave her a life time membership to the Garden Club (I think it costs $15.00 a year) and in the spring, they plan to plant a tree for her in the park.

She worried about not having enough energy to properly thank everyone who had given her so much kind attention. She carefully wrote this thank you letter and then, as if she knew that her time was short, she decided to leave some important thoughts for all of her loved ones to read. She closed with a simple testimony. Here is the note in her handwriting, and then I copied her text on the computer.. The last step that she wanted before she sent out her final thanks.

(to enlarge the text, click on each of the letters and they will be easy to read).

This event was one of Mother's last celebrations. It was at Vickie Thomson's new home. (she was my old roommate from BYU) On that day some of her best friends gathered to honor mom on her landmark year- age 95.

It was a day of pictures, reminising, and deliscious food. Here is mother with two very close friends, Marty and Sally.

They prepared many of her favorite dishes and a beautiful cake. (I am sure that I am using far too many superlatives in this post)

They shared memories of mom about her years in Sisters, Oregon at the base of three snowcapped mountains called "The Three Sisters." They created a special song for her, and played the flute in her honor. It was a party fit for a queen. She couldn't stop talking about it and all the other friends and family who had gathered around her during the month.

When mother died, these old friends stepped in to help us put together an unforgettable funeral, one that she had been thinking about since our father died a few years ago. She wanted to include all her good friends and family.

She wanted to remember her friends in the community. She wanted a display of the scrapbooks that she was so proud of- showing off all of her family. She was always way to proud of the little things that we did. I am sure that her friends grew very tired of hearing about us. Mother wanted a beautiful flute number and one of her favorite singers in the branch. She wanted to hear from the best Home Teacher in the world- her dear friend, Philip Britain. She wanted her family to share our memories of her. She even mentioned several times a song that she didn't want sung at her funeral. I wrote it down but could not remember what song it was. I hope that in the end, we avoided it. She said it sounded too much like funeral music. Mother never thought that she was old.

Right after we discovered that Mother was gone, Emily sent this comforting poem. I so appreciated her kind, quick response. Thank you, Emily for your thoughtfullness. Thank you also for caring for the kids, so that Nick could come to Mom's funeral. And thank you to all of our children who flew in to be with us during this time. What an unexpected joy among all the sadness.

Through the weekend I wrote an obituary that was too long for Mom's weekly newspaper called "The Nugget." Philip received it by e-mail and sent it into the paper. I knew that it would be edited but we were in a hurry to travel from Denmark to Oregon. I think that Philip had some influence on the News staff. He convinced them that this 95 year old lady was an important person in this little resort town. She deserved a special, almost whole page for her story. When we opened the Wednesday paper to show our grandchildren.. they thought that their great Grandmother Richins was famous.

Here is her obituary as it was posted on their "NuggetNews.com" web page. (I added a few extra pictures- click on each page to read easily).

When some of our grandchildren arrived, we took Gretta, Sasha, and Jonah down to the florist shop to help us pick out some flowers. We were looking for flowers that reminded us of Grandma Richins- to go on top of her casket. We picked fall colors with colorful sunflowers.

These little kids love flowers just like their Grandma Richins did. The florist enjoyed their visit and when she brought the flowers, she stayed for the whole funeral. (This is Sasha, resting in a bed of impatients- and appropriate flower for her to rest in).

These grandchildren brought with them their sadness and concern for the loss of their Grandma Richins. It was a week to remember her... It was also a time to learn about hope.

I am so grateful that these brave little souls know that they will get to see Grandma again.

Goodbye, Mom. Part 1

2009-12-08T03:04:00.011-08:00

On November 4, 2009, my mother passed away in her sleep after 95 years of living. During this holiday season it is an appropriate time to say "Goodbye" to this great lady. She was a peacemaker, an anchor in our lives.

She was a quiet, concerned leader in our family. She had the strength and the wisdom to lift us up when we were discouraged or sad.

In the last few months, while we have been in Denmark, her voice of encouragement and thoughtful advice has given me strength to meet the day to day challenges of our missionary life. I will miss her voice. She would tell me about her full and active life in Sisters, Oregon:

as a quilter,

a gardener,

a teacher,

a spiritual leader and historian in her branch,

a thoughtful letter writer,

a lover of books,

and a great decorator and cook.

Then she would listen to my tales. I could tell her anything--worries and concerns about hard things on a mission (things that you don't write in a mission blog). She heard my good news about the daffodils in Denmark, castles we visited, a summer of teaching about the prophets. She helped me plan food to serve that each prophet might have eaten in his day.

She learned about our pheasants, and the little grey cat who has adopted us. She shared with us the great opportunity that I had--to teach Paul about Jesus Christ and help him to get his visa and go to the United States. (This is a picture of Paul with his best friend, Pho- We were picking him up to take him to the train to Copenhagen- Where he flew to America to study in California. We hope to see him when we return next summer). Mother wanted to know all the details. She was a great listener.

We shared recipes for our weekly Family Home Evenings at the center here in Denmark. I served her famous apple crisp and zuchinni squash casserole many times here. There two recipes have always been my favorites.

Heavenly Father knows when we need special attention. He helps fill in the gaps that are impossible for us to anticipate. He helps prepare and comfort us--for the stumbling blocks and hard times that come at the most unexpected, inconvenient times. This was a month that was full of hard things and unexpected blessings- a bitter, sweet month.

Mother's life ended the way she lived it--gracefully. After a few days of concern about an infection and heart problem, she entered the hospital for some tests. There she discovered that her kidneys and heart were failing. A few days later, she went home. Her sister, Arvilla, age 92, had come to visit. Mother was surrounded by friends and family when she fell asleep and passed away. What a peaceful way to go.

Little by little we gathered from all over the United States (and Denmark) to remember this dear lady. In the next few posts I will include the fine memories that we shared as we gathered to celebrate her life. It was a week I will never forget.

Thank you, Mother for the fine example that you have been to me through the years. I already miss our long phone calls. In the spring, your friends will miss your beautiful flower pots on the deck and a garden full of daffodils. We will miss you. Hope all is well on the other side of the veil. I know that you were concerned that everything would be white there... and you loved color. I suggested that if the Lord loved beautiful, colorful flowers, that he wouldn't fill Heaven with only white. I hope that you are not disappointed. More memories in the next post.

Twas a dark and Stormy night and the moon was shining bright...

2009-11-02T23:33:00.014-08:00

Twas a dark and stormy night...and the moon was shining bright
And somebody said, "Jack, my boy, tell me a story--and this is the story he told.

I think it all started when someone jumped into the icy Odense harbor

and swam through the dark waters of the sea.

Some called him a "Sea Man". Someday he was going to be the captain of a great ship.

Then he started lurking in the shadows near our house. He even helped us cook unusual foods at the center. Maybe there was something in the food.

His dark shadow could be found everywhere. He had great power and influence.

Even the horses loved him. I know that he fed them strange food.

Last Tuesday night we planned a nice, quiet Family Home Evening at the Odense Young Adult Center. I made ordinary food but when I began to serve it...it became:

1. Spider potatoes,

2. bloody vampire bat wings,

3. goblin drumstick bones,

4. mummy dogs,

5. and swamp salad

Instead of singing normal hymns, we all joined together to sing "My Darling Frankenstein" to the tune of "Oh My Darling Clemintine."

When we uncovered our favorite Rice Krispie Treats, a ghost was dancing on the top.

Some tasted the ghost and found it to be sweet and delicious.

We sang another spooky song called "Have you seen the Ghost of John?"

There was a chill in the air. (Click on the song so that you can sing it with us)

Loise was in charge of the Family Night lesson. She began to tell us about an ancient celebration called "Halloween." Some one was watching her .. was it the ice man from the harbor? It was a dark and stormy night. Mark just kept smiling.

Then I was going to give a spiritual thought, but it turned into a dark tale of a skeleton woman that got so cold and hungry that she ate herself and tried to eat her husband.

I felt the breath of someone dark .. breathing on my neck. (pause here)

I turned and saw..."The Grim Reaper !" He was dressed all in black, with a dark veil over his head. His robe looked suspisciously like black bed sheets. They were tied at the waist with a sailor's knot. (How interesting)

Our Family Home Evening took a turn for the worse when he began to tell a scary tale in a strange new language- Greenlandic Danish. We were chilled to the bone when a giant professional wrestling monster jumped through the kitchen door.

In a frenzy, we all ran to the pumpkin room in our center. (Most Outreach centers do not have a pumpkin room). We didn't know what to do.

Many grabbed knives and began to stab each juicy pumpkin.

For hours they scooped out seeds and chiseled faces in the pumpkins.

It was a gruesome sight...on this dark and stormy night. (And of course, the moon was shining bright).

Elder Francis couldn't stop carving. Every little cut had to be deep and sharp. Over and over again he stabbed the pumpkin. Paul just sat there trembling.

Allen could hear a wolf howling through the woods as he cut deep into the flesh of his pumpkin head.

Asker tried to warn us about the dangers of using sharp knives on Halloween but we just kept cutting.

Hours went by and the group was getting restless.

They were starving. They found a tub of apples floating in sea water.

Was the grim reaper trying to drown our hungry guests?

He challenged them to grab an apple before it was too late. They could only use their teeth. No hands were allowed. (He must be trying to drowned them).

Time stood still, as they frantically grabbed apples from the chilly waters. (I think that I have used the word "Frantically" too many times)...but they were very hungry.

The grim reaper was hungry too. Who could survive this terrible tale?

Mighty Asker saved the night and the grim reaper went down in defeat.

The dreadful night was almost over. The Grim Reaper tempted Elder Francis to eat one last apple. I still think there was something about the food.

The grim reaper looked on, as Rene lit the pumpkin faces. We ended the night judging each pumpkin. One was the most scary, one was the most cheerful, one was the most creative, one was the most Danish, one was the most well lit, and another was the most "Martha Stewart." (although few people know who Martha Stewart is here).

After that, all was well at the center. Asker, our hero saved the day. . or did he?

We don't know where the grim reaper went that night- Maybe back to the deep, dark harbor. But after the lights were turned out, and we were ready to go home, the pumpkin heads began to glow brighter, and brighter, and some say that some of us are still using sharp knives and eating crisp, juicy apples dipped in sea water.

It was a dark and stormy night, and the moon was shining bright,

and somebody said, "Jack, my boy, tell me a story" and THAT WAS THE STORY HE TOLD.