Temple Day/Snow day

We attended the temple today.  It was wonderful to be in the temple and quietly sit there.  When we left - it was snowing hard.  By the time we got home we were soaked to the skin.  I was glad we had nothing going on today other than the temple.  I really don't like doing anything when it is snowing hard like that.

We are doing well and enjoying life.  Tomorrow we prepare for the Sabbath.

Our Last Work day this week

We are going to the temple tomorrow so today was our last work day.  We completed more books than ever before and tied are second best production week.  It has been a wonderful week at work.

It was bitter, bitter cold today.  I don't like it when the real feel is at 0.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Not a lot to report.  We are doing well and can't believe how quickly time is moving.  

A Tragic Day

Yesterday, Carl's (Carianne's husband) sister Tamara was killed in a car accident between Fredericksburg and Kerrville TX.  She hit an ice patch, spun around and struck a car on the opposite lane.  She had her 3 year old daughter, Chloe in the car with her.  Chloe was taken to the hospital.  She has a few cuts and bruises.  The rest of the family is in total shock.  We talked with Carianne via Skype a little while ago and she has cried so much her face is puffy and her eyes are almost swollen shut. 

It is times like this that I hold on to my testimony even harder.  I am so glad we know that our families are forever.  What a blessing to have the temple sealings available.  The temple is our greatest blessing.

I ache for Pat Pfiester.  No mother should have to bury a child.  I wish I could be there in person and hug and help.  For now prayers are the best I can offer.

Thankful Tuesday

I am thankful for our warm apartment.

I am thankful for easy transportation to use.  I am grateful we don't have to drive in this winter mess.  It is next to impossible to find a parking spot - so I am grateful we don't. 

I am grateful we have a temple close by.  I look forward to going on Friday.

I am thankful for considerate office mates.  We have a 'united lunch' every Tuesday.  When we first started attending, everyone spoke English.  Now they speak Danish unless we look totally lost, then they will explain.  They want us to pass the test we have to take to live here, next month.  They are constantly drilling us about things.  We are so blessed to have the situation we have and be called to this marvelous work we are doing.

Let It Snow! Make it Stop!

It has been snowing for most of the last 36 hours.  We have about 5 inches on the ground.  It isn't a heavy snow but very persistent.    Our commute home was a nightmare.  The train was so packed that no one could move.  We almost missed our stop to get off because no one was going to give up their spot.  I have a bruise on my knee from someone pushing their bike onto the train and into me!  There was no room left but they were unwilling to wait 9 minutes for the next train.  I limped home.

We did 3 huge books today.  The most pages we have ever done.  We started a 4th book but now the books are broken down to 2 or 3 months instead of 6 months to a year.  The large books take more time because they are so unwieldy.  We also met the director of the Copenhagen archives. Our lunch usually lasts less than 20 minutes but today we spent almost an hour because we were visiting with Christian.  He is so impressed with our work and our set up.  It was very enjoyable.

I have a funny memory today.  I was looking at the people on the bus and women my age rarely darken their eyebrows.  We all have basically flesh colored eyebrows that blend into our skin.  My mother hated that and was always trying to dye mine black so they could be seen.  I hated it when she did that because it was too much and I always looked angry.  She started dying my eyebrows when I was 5.  I would let her periodically because she would dye my eyelashes too and it looked like I was wearing mascara.  The only thing I can think is that she could only get black dye.  She would go crazy here with all the eyebrows that need dying!

It is also interesting about wedding rings.  When I lived in Germany, the Germans would wear their wedding bands on their right hands.  My generation, some switched to their left hands but not all.  In Denmark it is the same way.  People my age wear their bands on the right hand and younger people, our daughters' ages, wear them on their left.  I know that is random but I thought it was interesting.

I hope you each have a wonderful Monday.

Sondag

We had a great Sabbath today.  We did have very long waits between the buses and the temperature is in the teens (F).  The wind is blowing and it is snowing.  I do not look forward to the commute tomorrow. 

Today in Sacrament Meeting a young man named Sebastian said something that has made me think all day.  He said we should live everyday as if we were attending the temple that day.  When we know we are attending the temple, we conduct our lives in a more Godlike manner.  I have been pondering that statement all day.  I imagine I will ponder it all week. 

Not a whole lot to report.  We had lunch of chicken soup, bread and cheese.  The bread was cut very evenly because Clyde did it.  We were reminiscing about my Grandma Tuttle (Omi) and how she could cut bread evenly most all of the time.  It was a funny memory but a warm and cozy one anyway.

Have a wonderful Sabbath. 

P-day

Saturday is our p-day.  For the rest of the mission it is Tuesday but because we work in an office - we rest on Saturday.  We do our shopping and any errands that we need to run.  I must admit that I would love a day where I didn't have to go anywhere and do anything but I don't see that happening anytime soon in my crystal ball. 

It was bitter cold today, again.  Even the Danes were dressed with hoods and gloves.  I am so grateful for my warm winter clothes.  I hope we can get some for Clyde soon.  We had barley-beef stew for dinner tonight with 5 grain bread.  So good!

Because this was such a laid back day - there really isn't much to report.  We are studying the lesson for tomorrow and will leave at 7 a.m. for Clyde to be at the Church in time for his meetings.  We will get home after 2.  I wish the buses kept the same schedule every day of the week.  Would make our waits so much shorter.

Thank Goodness it is Friday!

We had a full production week.  We did lose 2 hours on Monday but still got 3 good sized books done.  Today we were 1/2 hour late getting in because our bus never showed.  We thought we might have missed it, but people that ride the same bus everyday with us were waiting too.  Must have broken down.

We had our best production week so far too.  It was a good week and we feel good about our accomplishments.  Hopefully on Monday we will get a hard drive that is programmed correctly.  We desperately need more memory because our downloads are so big.  Hopefully someone somewhere will get it worked out.

It was bitter cold today.  We had a wind chill factor of 11F this afternoon coming home.  I was a bit uncomfortable but not as cold as Clyde since I have Danish winter gear now.  So grateful for that.  It was light by the time we got to work and light when we got home!  So excited about that.

Hopefully we can go grocery shopping tomorrow and then stay home for the rest of the day.  I would love a day that I didn't have to go anywhere!

A Great Distruction

Today we did some of the records for the Great Copenhagen fire of 1795.  We did two of 4 books and over 2500 names.  What a tragic time.  We are also in the throes of the Influenza Epidemic of 1919 and 1920.  So sad - especially when you realize it took the 19-25 year olds in vast numbers.  There have  been few of that age group until now.

Would you please pray that Clyde's retirement is resolved soon.  Things are getting tight here because NOTHING has happened.  We cannot stay in limbo much longer.  We know this is where we are supposed to be.  I am sure it will be resolved soon - but probably at the 11th hour.

We are having Sister Hales and Sister Rogers over to teach Connie again.  We will have them for dinner tomorrow night.  I need to think of something fast and good.  I won't have much time to fuss.

We found out last night that we are going to have to take the language test to stay in Denmark, next month instead of April.  Everyone assumed it would be from when we entered the country but it is from when Denmark said you could come.  Our visas were on hold in the Church offices because our Family Search program was not ready yet.  We need to study.  I have never tested well and this will be a challenge.  We do have some office mates that have decided to that they will speak nothing but Danish to us from now on in order to help us.  We are grateful.

We got home tonight just as it started to snow.  Good timing on our part.

Happy Birthday Chris, a day late! It was a good day.

I forgot to comment on Chris Davis and his birthday yesterday.  Chris, you are a wonderful addition to our family.  We are so grateful to have you for a son-in-law.  You are an amazingly patient person, a wonderful father and husband too.  Thank you for sharing your home with us for so long.

Today was a good day at work.  We only did 3 books but they were by far the longest books we have done up until now.  Each book took 1 1/2 hours at least - one took 2.  We are coming into the influenza epidemic.  There is at least one influenza death on every page - and we just did April to September.  Imagine what the winter will bring. 

Mads had his 6-year-old son, Mio at work today.  Mio was sick and not feeling good but after lunch he got his second wind.  Bo played video games with Mio for almost 2 hours because Mads had some meetings he had to attend.  Mio would laugh and squeal saying, "Bo, Bo nigh" which means, Bo - no.  Mio also calls his father, Papa.  It was fun listening to his sweet laugh

We received the protocols for the great fires of Copenhagen for 1796-1799.  It will be quite fascinating to work on those tomorrow.

One of the things I love about the Danes is that when they talk to you - they look you in the eye and totally listen to you.  It isn't something they do just for us.  It is the way they are.  They turn to each other and talk face to face on the bus and train.  When one of our office mates comes in to talk to us, they always want to make eye contact - to the point they will come behind the works station to see us.  It makes you feel like they care.  In the US - we seem to do every thing but speak face to face.

It is cold and windy.  It is playing havoc with my knees.  I was in so much pain tonight that I could hardly walk.  I have got to get on top of this.

Thankful Tuesday

I thought I would list some of the things I am thankful for.  I am constantly thanking Heavenly Father for little things.  Here a few in no order:
Warm winter coat
Ear muffs
Warm boots
Warm gloves
Thermal underwear!
Warm socks
Warm pajamas and slippers
The fact I get to wear pants every day instead of having to wear a skirt and freeze.

That will do for today.  Reading back over the list reminds me of some letters I got from Marianne while she was one her mission.  It is pretty much a duplicate.

We did almost 20,000 names today.  We worked on the biggest protocols we have had up until now.  We are starting on 1919 - the beginning of the great influenza epidemic that literally spread around the world.  Those are even bigger than today's.

I was reading an article in one of the Danish magazines.  It said that Alfred Hitchcock was fined for a kiss in the movie, "Notorious" because it last longer than 3 minutes!  When I looked the scene up, they are talking to each other with their mouths close to a phone.  Weird.  By the way Notorious in Danish is Berserk!

Clyde is at ward council and won't be home until 10 pm.  I am so glad I have permission to stay home while he is out in the snow and wind.  I just can't do it anymore today.

The Age of Aquarius!

Today is the beginning of your time - those of you who are Aquarius.  Enjoy.

Clyde got the glass in so much faster this time.  It still took 2 hours but we were able to get 3 protocols done and they were very big books - over 700 pages each.  We are now breaking into 8000 names a year.  It will only get bigger.

Ani came in and talked to us about what to expect with the 1796 protocols.  She is cleaning and repairing them right now.  We will have them Wednesday afternoon and they want them done as quickly as possible.  This set of records are from the great fire in Copenhagen that wiped out over half of the city.  After that you couldn't have wooden roofs.  Everything is ceramic or metal until recently.

It was windy and bitter cold.  The wind just about knocks you over and it is so cold.  Today was the first time since we have been here that the weather is similar to what we experienced in March 42  years ago.  I think I can handle any kind of weather but wind.  I never have liked it.  When it blows outside, I just want to curl up and sleep.

I think my day of literal rest yesterday did a world of good.  Hopefully I can keep going for a while.

An Okay Day

We went to the dinner last night at a party for the senior missionaries and I think it made me sick.  It was delicious but the first course was fish.  I had a very small piece of salmon and have had an upset stomach ever since.  The prawns were fresh and wonderful but I should not have had the salmon.  There were several other kinds of fish but I knew I couldn't eat them.  For the main dish we had cabbage and pork again.  This time there were roasted mushrooms, pickles and 5 kinds of olives to accompany it.  It was an interesting meal.  For dessert it was fruit and cheeses.  I had the most delicious brie I have ever eaten.  I  had been fighting a headache all day long and finally after Clyde and I had finished eating, we decided to come home.  We just left our little $2 gifts behind.  Apparently there were not enough gifts so we didn't get anything. I told one of the other couples we were leaving and to collect our gift.  There wasn't one to collect.

I was up all night with a very upset stomach, so I didn't even try to attend Church today.  Having to sit on buses for 1 hour one way was just more than I could handle and then knowing we couldn't leave once we got to Church until 4 hours later, clinched the deal.  I slept all morning.  So because I have had such a boring day, there isn't much to blog.  I hope I am feeling better tomorrow.  But if I am going to miss - tomorrow is the day because Clyde will be replacing the glass and that took 4 hours last time.

An Early Post

This post is earlier than usual because Clyde and I have a party for senior missionaries to attend this evening.  I am not looking forward to taking 2 buses and walking in the snow and wind but that is life for the next little while in Denmark. 

The glazier said he would call if he could deliver the glass yesterday.  We received an email last night that the glass had been delivered about 10 am.  We were so frustrated.  We waited all day for the call from the glazier and it never came.  However, Ani and Jeppe have some suggestions for us keeping the glass scratch free.  Ani said there is a type of glass that resists scratches and suggested we order that.  She also said to brush the glass table down with a soft bristle brush before cleaning it.  We are going to get grittier books for the next little while because sand was used to dry the ink on the page.  We are doing a special request by the archive of records from 1795 to 1798 because the books are being rebound and currently they are just loose pages.  We are now figuring out how to digitize this with the least amount of hassle.  It was interesting because the Archives contacted the head of Family Search to see if it was okay if we stopped our current digitizing and worked on this project.  It was okayed by Salt Lake.

We have done our shopping and will have homemade chicken soup for lunch.  It is leftovers from the other night.  Today just seems like a good day to go with that.  Have a good Sabbath.

Happy Birthday Pammy!

 Pam looking at a wall in a restaurant we had lunch in one day.  Dane is drawing with chalk on the wall.

Pam with baby Molly.  We love you so much and are so grateful to you and your family for letting us mooch off of you for 3 months.  We love skyping with you and the boys.  It makes it seem like we are somehow nearer than we really are.  Have a wonderful year.

Another Scratch!

This  morning as we were setting up, Clyde cleaned the glass and noticed a scratch in the lower part of the glass.  It was hardly noticeable so we continued taking pictures.  As we set up the second book, we saw a scratch clear across the top - about 6 inches long.  The warmer the glass got, the more pronounced the scratch was.  We came home at noon and ordered another piece of glass.  We cannot afford $60 every 10 days for one thing.  We don't understand where it came from.  We have been extremely careful  Somehow some grit got caught on the cleaning cloth and scratched it.  It is the only thing we can think of.  I would think there is a way to polish it out - but guess not since no one has offered that option.  The glazier said he will try and get it delivered tomorrow but it could be Monday or Tuesday of next week.  Why do these things keep happening to us?!

We took the Danish Immigration test to give to one of our officemates whose wife is from Chile.  He was delighted that we would do that for him.  As we were leaving, he was sharing it with someone else whose wife needed it.

It is snowing and cold.  I really could hibernate all winter without a problem.

Very few in Denmark use blinds or curtains.  I have gotten very good at not looking in the windows in the morning on the train.  I have seen too much already.

Can a coat be too warm?

With the winter weather finally hitting us - Clyde bought me a new coat on Monday.  It is an 'IcePeak' brand and supposed to go to -20 degrees.  It is the first coat I have ever had that I am truly warm.  In fact if I put it on too soon, I get overheated indoors in it.  From my toes to the top of my head, I am toasy.  Sometimes my nose gets a little cold but that is it. 

I somehow bruised my little toe and the one next to it on my right foot.  By the end of the day I am hurting quite bad.  I dread the walk home.  I am not quite sure how I did it - but it hurts.  I thought I might have broken one of my toes - but it is the side and tip that hurt the most.  Oh well - this too shall pass.

I am so grateful to my sister, Marianne.  The last few weeks I was still stateside, she helped me get my wardrobe together, making several tops for me and a sweater that I wear so much.  I would say, that I wear something of hers almost everyday.  I always get compliments on what she made me.  She was getting two missionaries ready to go at the same time and did a beautiful job - plus making Molly something new to wear every Sunday. 

We are not getting as many books done BUT we are doing more names.  It used to be our books topped out at 6,000 names but new we go into 8,000 and do over 700 pages per book.  We are doing as much work as ever, but it can't be counted in volumes as much as pages right now.  We are into 1913.  Should finish the week with the big influenza epidemic of 1918 and 1919.

There is a magazine at work that is called Historie.  It is history articles and is fascinating.  The articles are not terribly long and are pretty easy to read.  There was one article about how in the 1930's the flight from London to Sidney took 3 days and had 30 stops.  The airplane even came with a sleeping cabin for each passenger.

Frederick was talking to me this morning about how the work was going.  He asked me if we would have to take the immigration test and I said that we would but that we had a copy to study from.  He asked if he could get one because his wife is from Chile.  He said that in the next little while several of the wives will have to take the test.  Interesting.  I hope to get a new copy from the mission office just for our office mates.

Marcus - you are 12!

 Today is our oldest grandson's birthday.  Marcus Andrew Bahlmann was born 12 years ago in Mount Pleasant, Utah.  The next month - to the day - I was in the same room to have surgery.  The above picture is not the best, but shows the love the Bahlmann's have for each other.  Heidi and Marcus, along with Anneke are sharing a quiet moment at the fountain in front of the Las Vegas temple.

Marcus with his cousin, Bella Nordell and Anneke running in the background.  We were at the natural gardens by the chocolate factory in Las Vegas.  It was a fun outing with the Nordell and Bahlmann families.

Marcus, you are an amazing young man.  We are so proud of you.  We look forward to being there for your 14th birthday!  Love you!

Let it Snow!

Today started off bitter cold.  We went to work and my feet, hands and head were warm but the rest of me was freezing.  On the way home, Clyde bought me a new winter coat for this area.  It has real fur surrounding the hood.  It is okay to wear in the weather but don't wash it.  The laundry detergent destroys the fur.  I have seen a lot of full length fur coats - in the rain, snow and just blowing weather.  I guess if it is water resistant for the animals that it must keep some of those properties thereafter.

We had a day that I hope we won't repeat again soon.  Jeppe found our hard drive shuttle and brought it in to us.  We downloaded the files - and it did erase some of our old files.  But it gave us new programs for Italy again.  Our field coordinator and the two of us are very confused why Salt Lake can't seem to get us the right stuff.  We had to discuss the problem with Chris, mail another hard drive shuttle to Salt Lake and yet we still got 4 books done.  These are the longest books we have yet digitized.  Over 700 pages in 3 of the books. 

Mads is back and the whole office perked up with his return.  He has been in Venezuela for the last month.  I need to ask him if it was pleasure or business.  He gave me a big hug and told me he had to go and say hi to Clyde.  He was astonished at all of the things that had changes while he was gone.  We got our new monitor, new chairs and we are half way through the protocols we were initially assigned.  Mads said we must be slacking.  He thought we would be finished by now - and then he laughed.  When he did find out how much we have done, he was astonished and thrilled.

It was snowing so hard after work that people couldn't ride their bikes.  Everyone was on the train or busses trying to get home.  I kept collecting snow on my shoes and it was making me have elevator shoes.  I had to stamp my feet every few steps.  It as amazing how quiet snow makes everything.  Even with our set backs today - it was a good day.

Sweet Sabbath

Sometimes it is frustrating to ride the busses here on weekends.  The rejse planer (travel schedule for the public transportation in Copenhagen) told us we must catch the 7:30 bus 10 in order to catch 4A in time to get to the church by 8:30.  The problem was that no one got on the bus except us - so we were at the church in less than 25 minutes (usually it takes at least 45).  We were over a half hour early for Clyde's missionary planning meeting.  No one came to the church until after 8:30.  It was a bitter windy morning - BUT - my feet weren't cold.  We are going to go and buy warmer coats tomorrow that are rain proof and warmer than what we are wearing right now.  On the way home, it was blowing so hard that we had are hard time warming up.  I am just now starting to feel comfortable.

The meetings today were wonderful.  I am trying hard to not use the headsets so that I get used to hearing the Danish.  The problem with that today was that one of the speakers spoke Spanish and her husband interpreted in Danish.  I finally put the headset on and listened that way  because I was just getting confused.  It would have been fun to sing, "Does the Journey Seem Long" in Relief Society but it is not in the Danish hymnbook.  I blew my left eardrum out about 3 weeks ago and now I am deaf in that ear while it heals.  Hopefully I will get most of my hearing back - but that is the ear that always blows out and I am getting more and more deaf in that ear.  The interpreter was sitting on my left side and to the back of me.  I finally gave up trying to listen to her and concentrated on listening to the teacher.  I was astonished at all I picked up.  I didn't get it all but I got most.  I had read the lessons before I attended so I know I got the gist.  There were some beautiful promises in that lesson today and I was glad I was there to feel the Spirit.

Clyde and I just finished supper because we were watching "Pirates of the Caribbean - the end of the world".  It was fun and we got so caught up in it that we didn't realize how late it was.  Now I will be behind for the evening to get ready for work tomorrow.  It is supposed to snow - according to the Danish forecast and be bitter cold.  I sure hope not.  I have liked having this easy winter.  But it is what it is.

It's the Day we get ready for Sunday

We did indeed spend the day getting ready for tomorrow.  We  have to leave by 7:15 in order to get to meeting with the missionaries tomorrow.  Saturday is now our only day we get to sleep in at all and even that is not every week.  Oh well.  That is not why we are here.

We returned the rest of my tonic water bottles that I have been hoarding.  We made 32 crowns or about $6 that goes toward groceries in that store.  There was no 5 grain bread at the bakery today.  We had to settle for 2 loaves of French bread to last for the week.  We get 2 loaves and several rolls and freeze the bread for the coming week.  Not as good as when it is fresh but better than packaged bread.

Not a very eventful day.  I hurt my knee last night and have been in pain all day but hopefully tomorrow will be better.  I won't have to walk as much tomorrow.  It is Relief Society.  That is harder because it is all in Danish.  Hopefully the 'gift of tongues' will strike soon!

A fun Friday

This morning we left about 1 hour later than usual because we had an interview with President Sederholm.  It was a fun chat.  He keeps abreast of all we do via our emails to family and friends - especially Clyde's.  We did the 10:00 session at the temple right after that and I did it without headphones.  I have no clue what to say to enter the Celestial Room so I have to do that in English.  I saw Sister Christensen again and we had a wonderful visit. 

We filled out the paperwork in the mission office that we were supposed to fill out when we got here.  We will be scheduled to take the Danish Immigration test in April.  We also picked up this months Liahona - in English.  They didn't get enough Danish magazines so the missionaries are only getting one per companionship with none left for the old people.

We have been invited to a party next Saturday for all of the senior missionaries.  It should be fun.  We are to bring a small gift.  We bought a little stuffed fish and a stress ball.  Both were just 10 crowns each.  We aren't sure if each of us need a gift or we need 1 gift per couple - but we are prepared.

We are finally expecting snow on Monday.  There are some really good sales going on so I got some boots that go just above my ankles that are lined.  They are so warm and comfortable it is like walking with slippers on.  I love them because there are zippers on each side - so you can unzip them and dry them well.  I think they will be just what I need for the next 2 winters.  They were only $65.

I came home and fell asleep.  I slept for over 2 hours.  I have not done that since we arrived in Denmark.  Oh and just as I predicted, Clyde got home just after 10 last night - but the meeting did not let out until 9 - so he actually made good time.  President Williams, the temple president would have brought Clyde all the way home but Clyde just had the president drop him off at the train station.

Hopefully we have hard drive shuttles in the office come Monday - otherwise we will be on a forced vacation again.

I don't like...

it when I have to send my husband off  - in the dark - to a place he doesn't know.  Our stake center is actually 2 trains and a bus away.  If he doesn't make his connections, he may as well come home because the bus by the stake center only comes every 40 minutes after 6pm.  It is longer after 8.  I don't know when I will see him again.  If it is like Tuesday night- about 10 or so.

Today was a good day and we have had a good week production wise.  We did 19 books this week, a record for us.  Hopefully we can keep on doing 5 books as day.  Makes you feel good when you do that much work.  We did over 2000 pages just today.  They want us to do more but I think we are working at our full capacity right now.  But I thought that we never get beyond 3 or 4 books.  Five books is a good days work now.

There are two things quite characteristic with Danes.  One is the big 'Hans Christian Andersen' nose.  I am amazed at how big people's noses are here.  Not everyone but quite a few.  There a quite a few tall people here too.  Clyde is one of the shortest people in the office but there are 2 other guys about my height.  Danes are really short or really tall.  It is quite fascinating to people watch here.  It is one of my favorite past times.  The other thing I find interesting is that Danes do not like Muslims and yet they have quite a large Muslim community here.  I think their biggest gripe is that the Muslims speak in their native tongue and don't go out of their way to become a part of Danish Society.  If you are going to live in Denmark then you must try and be Danish.

Annika, one of our co-workers, told me today that she is going to start speaking nothing but Danish to me.  She said I know more than I think.  We will see.  Clyde is going to the Stake Center for Stake priesthood meeting and it will be in Danish.  He knows he will understand nothing but needs to be where the Lord wants him.  That is a good thought to live by.

Wonderful Wednesday

We had another good day today and got 5 books finished and loaded on the hard drive.  We also uploaded a program from Salt Lake for our camera and got that taken care of.  It took almost 2 hours to download it but fortunately it let us continue capturing images during that time.

Clyde has priesthood leadership tomorrow night.  He needs to take 2 trains and a bus to get there.  After 8 pm - the bus only runs every 30 minutes.  Last night we got on the right bus number but wrong destination so we ended up waiting for the other 4A bus at the Bella Center.  It was a 29 minute wait because it was after 8.  Then when we got on the right bus, there was an accident that blocked the intersection we were supposed to go down.  He traveled another  10 minutes to find a road big enough to take the bus down.  When Clyde got to the meeting - there was 10 minutes left!  We had to wait for 2 buses and ended up not getting home until after 9:30.  We were both exhausted this morning.

Not much to report today.  I am not going with Clyde to the priesthood meeting.  He can go out without me but I don't like it.  I would go and sit on the chairs in the foyer but our stake center has no chairs in the hall.  I can't attend priesthood meeting so it will be best to stay home for this one.

Terrific Tuesday

Today was a great day.  We made our bus and train connections and didn't have to wait forever.  We completed 5 protocols and had very little trouble.  We did have several people come into visit or we might have started a sixth.  Tonight we have to go to the Church.  Clyde has PEC tonight and he shouldn't go without me.  I might let him when it is daylight but to have to go both ways in the dark is a little disturbing. 

We are feeling good and doing well.  We are enjoying life.

Januar im Danmark!

This morning on the way to work, the weather was quite pleasant.  By the time we headed home, it was dark (and only 3:00) and misting.  It was also cold.  We have a friend that said, 'Being in Denmark in the winter is like living in a ping pong ball.  Everything is always milky white.'  I agree.  Saturday was glorious and it think it was to make the coming days bearable. 

I keep thinking of my sister, Marianne Dittmar.  We vacationed here in March and were bitterly cold and the wind never stopped.  It hasn't been that bad yet for a whole week, but on days like today I think of Marianne saying, "It was not a pleasant trip and never will be in my mind."  I quite enjoyed that time but March is definitely not the time to visit Copenhagen.  I so look forward to May - and we haven't even gotten through January yet.

We finished 4 books today and if anything the glass is helping the process along.  It is a bit heavier than our last glass and because it is totally scratch free - the images are brighter and crisper.  We probably could have done 5 books but I ended up with a blinding headache.  I think there is a front coming in because my head aches and my knees hurt.

It was fun to have everyone back in the office.  They kept interrupting us because they wanted to check in and see how things were going.  The most exciting thing to happen is that they ordered us new office and chairs and we should have them some time this week.

We are taking Friday off because we have our interview with the Mission President.  We will go to the temple afterwards. 

Sunday - January 2014

Today as I was sitting listening to the testimonies in Church, I realized that even if I don't understand everything that is going on, I still need to attend Church to have my spiritual self refreshed.  If we try to do our own thing, we miss gleaning from others people's experiences that can be uplifting and helpful in our own lives.  I am so grateful that I went to church today because it was just what I needed  to feel closer to my Heavenly Father.

I spoke with a young man that I have never noticed before in Church.  He came and said that we take the same train in the morning.  He was quite excited to realize it was us and he said now he won't be afraid to speak to us.  Danes are very shy.  He teaches High School Spanish.  I still don't know his name.

Clyde will be attending the Investigator's Class from now on.  I must admit that I enjoyed my Sunday School time today in the YA English speaking class.  They asked me to attend the first week we got here.

I guess it is good that I don't have as much to report anymore.  It must mean I am staying caught up.  We had 2 families ride the bus home with us today.  They too have been called by their Stake President to attend the Ama'r Branch.  One of the little girls in one of the families is Rebecca.  She loves that we have the same name and  has taken to calling me Sister Rebecca.  Her parents were horrified but I told them it was fine.  She comes into church every week and gives me a hug.  I love that she loves her name so much.  I would say she about 10.

The Day We Get Ready for Sunday!

It was a good day.  We did our shopping for the Sabbath and today we returned some of my tonic water bottles that are cluttering up our cabinets.  We ended up making about 20 crowns - which is 4 dollars.  I have more where that came from.  There are machines that you bring the bottles too and get store credit for.  Keeps people recycling plus they make a little on the deal. 

We read and got things ready for the Sabbath and Fast Sunday.  I bought a store made lasagna that was really bland.  It needs some more Italian Seasoning and cheese on it.  It was made will though.

I have spoken with Pam almost every day for the last couple of weeks.  That is such a joy.  Heather called last night and we visited for quite a while.  They are anticipating a lot of changes in their lives in the next few months because of the military cutbacks.

I don't have much to report.  Tomorrow morning we have to leave early.  Clyde will start meeting with the missionaries before Church to keep things moving forward.

The glass has been replaced.

We finally go the glass replaced at about 12:30.  It was only $60.  Not bad.  Then Clyde took an hour and a half getting the cradle together.  We had hoped to at least one book done today but it will have to wait until Monday.  It was just Bo, Annika and Frederick in the office.

Not much to tell today.  We did take a walk before lunch because we had so much time on our hands.  I wish I had thought to bring my camera.  I think Copenhagen is a beautiful city.  There is a foot bridge across the river between Copenhagen and where we work.  We are looking forward to walking to and from the train station when the weather is nice.

We will have the weekend to prepare for next week.  We think we are going to buy a season pass to Tivoli.  Our bus stops literally across the street from it.  Why not enjoy an evening stroll through the gardens this summer.

We are going back to work tomorrow!

The glazier across the street, finally opened back up for business.  Clyde was able to order the glass for the cradle and it will be delivered tomorrow morning at 9.  So thrilled that we can just keep moving on.  Actually it has been a day of blessings.  Clyde walked into where I got my hair cut and she could fit him in today.  It looks nice.  We were reading on the internet about how this is supposed to be one of the mildest winters in Denmark in 80 years!  Hope that prediction comes true.  We are blessed we are not in Rhode Island facing Hercules - the Nor'easter.  It has just been a comforting and comfortable day all around.  The fact that we can get back to work is just a joy.  We had thought we wouldn't be able to go back until Monday or Tuesday of next week.

On New Years, we were given a package sent by Carianne with mail and pictures of the Pfiester Family as a Christmas gift.  Just before we left Utah, Pam had given me the cutest picture 'wallet' that I have ever seen.  It is now completely filled because Carianne sent us a variety of sizes.  We are going to see if we can find inexpensive frames but if that doesn't happen then we will just tack them to the wall for color and memories on the wall.

It is raining and it looks like it will be for the next few days.  I need to pack clothes to keep at work in case I get drenched going to work.  So far it has only been coming home.  I might get a pair of slippers just for work.  That is what our office mates do.

Happy 2014!

Another year is finished.  Can't believe how fast time goes.  We didn't get home until 2 a.m.  The fire works were going off pretty consistently as soon as it got dark until midnight.  While we were walking to the Madsen's, it was so loud that it reminded me of a war zone.  I could not believe how dressed up people were.  Formals and tuxes were the usual dress.  Public transportation was packed because if  you drive drunk in Denmark - your car is taken away and never returned plus there is usually jail time.  With cars so expensive anyway, nobody wants to risk it.

At midnight the fireworks were going off in earnest, all around us and the sky was lit up with color and then smoke.  I heard the last series of fireworks go off this morning at 5.  I could not believe how much money and time went into the displays.  We had to come home when the Sister Missionaries did - so there was a chaperone in the car.  As we drove down the streets of the suburbs, the roads were littered with boxes and shells from the fireworks.  There wasn't even a way to dodge them in some places.  For $100, you could buy a box of fireworks that were then lit from the outside of the box.  Whatever was in the box then would go up.  Some of the home fireworks were the kind the professionals use that shoot up in the sky.  Mostly the home ones are fountains and the noisy firecrackers.  The harbor last night was lit from one end to the other.  Then the glass buildings were reflecting the fireworks and making it even more spectacular.   There was no way to take a picture, or I would have.  It was beautiful but believe it or not, after watching for more then an hour - it was getting monotonous.

Today we just stuck around the apartment - because nothing was open.  I watched the original 'Wizard of Oz' and 'Singing in the Rain.'  The new 'Spiderman' is on right now.  I have tried a couple of times to watch that but I just can't get into it.  I also watched 'The Princess and the Frog' by Disney - but after I had watched it for an hour - almost to the end - I realized it was in German and I was understanding it.  I went ahead and finished it but I have to be careful and not watch too much German.

There is a ritual here that you plunge into the sea and wash away the last year.  The headline translation was 'Horny Danes Jump in the Copenhagen harbor'.  Clyde and I about died laughing.  We think they meant Crazy Danes.  At least in the video we watched, everyone was wearing a swimsuit.  Apparently that is now required.

Have a wonderful New Year.  Pray that tomorrow we can get the glass for our cradle that holds the books.  We don't want to be 'down' too long.