One thing about it...

...no two days on our mission are alike.  Today we got on the bus to go to work and as we were riding, suddenly the bus driver took the old route of bus 10 - not the current one.  Everyone looked and gasped.  A gentleman about our age, went up and told the bus driver where the new route was.  I panicked when this gentleman got off before we were to the train station.  However by that time the central office was in control.  We were still let off a different stop than usual.  We will see what tomorrow brings.

On our side of the building today was  just Steffan and Mikkel.  I have never spoken with Steffan much before today.  We had several really good conversations today.  I have always liked him but like him even better now I have had the chance to actually visit with him.  Mikkel is always asking us about the Bible.  He read it in the Greek when he was in school and hasn't read it since.  I told him he should comparison read, the Greek with the Danish.  He would learn a lot.  He smiled and said he just might.

We worked for 5 1/2 hours of camera time today.  Mondays are always less camera time because of the shipping of the shuttle and other 'office' work that needs to be done.

Sunshine in my Soul...

...because there is no sunshine outside.  Came home early from church because I was getting a headache and sore throat.  It takes over an hour to get home for a trip that would take 15 minutes in a car.  The rain was pouring down as we left the church.  Fortunately during our long waits - the rain slowed or stopped all together.  It didn't start raining on our apartment until after we had been home for a while.

We have been reading the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament in Danish then English.  As we were reading about David and Bathsheba, it says she was washing herself after she was unclean in the King James version of the Bible.  In the Danish version it said she was washing because her menstruation had ended.  I love how they don't pussyfoot around in Danish.  It can get a little out of hand though with their acceptance of anything and everything.  Jeppe has a restaurant at the folk festival that is apparently a big deal.  The Rolling Stones opened the festival last night.  It was broadcast on TV.  Behind the group were nude pictures of women.  Jeppe had offered us tickets to go to the concert but we declined for a variety of reasons.  We don't enjoy the Rolling Stones, it would not be a proper missionary activity and we knew there was no way we could keep the Holy Ghost with us an go there.  The last two reasons were the most important.  Even if we had not been on a mission, we would not have attended because we know what kind of entertainment is okay here - is not our idea of acceptable entertainment.

It has been a good week.  We look forward to a new week and a new month.

Not much to say today...

We did the usual Saturday things.  We are ready for church tomorrow and the coming week at work.  Looking forward to the new week.  Have a good Sabbath.

Graduation Danish Style

Today the seniors graduate from Gymnasium (High School).  They wear a hat that looks like a British Sailor hat.  There is a wide band with the school insignia on it.  The boys have a small bill on theirs.  I think they look ridiculous but they are proud to wear them.  They have been riding around in different kinds of trucks (grocery trucks, construction trucks and even a fire engine) yelling and screaming.  One just went by that looked like a circus wagon!  You wear the hat until you take it off in public.  Then you can never wear it again.  Kind of a fun tradition.

We went to the temple today.  The movie was in Swedish so we definitely had to wear the headset.  It was nice to hear it in English after so long.  It was a lovely session.  The funny thing is that only one sister had a Swedish nametag.  There were 7 English speakers - making up the bulk of the group.  Oh well.  It worked.

My mother always said it took at least 6 months to feel at home in a new area.  I think she is right.  We are starting to feel very comfortable here.  I did the whole order in Danish today for the bakery.  It was new young woman.  She responded in Danish - never attempting English.  She either felt very sorry for us or I did pretty well.  I hope it was the latter.

I think of so much to say when I am not on the computer!

And The Thunder Rolls...

Today we had an afternoon of severe thunderstorms.  I was afraid we would have to shut down but we were okay.  We had our best day ever with 9 books and over 6 hours of camera time.  However we got our first rejection.  We will have to wait and see what it is all about.  I am thinking they think we are cocky and needed to be knocked down a peg.  It just seems fishy to have 436 pages out of focus.  One or two, I could understand but not practically a whole book.  If they are looking for perfection - they won't find it in these books.

After work we went to a reception at city hall for a Facebook group called Old Copenhagen.  They had booths and pictures.  For a treat they had Danish pancakes with vanilla pudding and glazed almonds rolled inside.  It was served cold as a dessert and was wonderful.  It might be a treat we make when we come back.  Elisabeth, one of our colleagues at work, was talking to me about Danish pancakes.  I told her I grew up with sugar in the middle.  She laughed and said the poor people's way.  Then she was a bit more serious and said that is how most Dane's love them but sugar is very expensive here so the find ways to stretch it.  I am so glad we went because Jeppe was really tickled to see us.  Apparently it was a must attend for everyone in the office because everyone that was at work today was there.

I cannot believe how much better I feel now we are going a different way to work PLUS it is a long enough ride that I can knit.  I know the reason we are working better and longer is because we both feel really good instead of dragging and feeling miserable the whole time.  It is a real blessing.

Happy Birthday Nathanael!

Happy Birthday Nathanael.  I hope you have a good day.  We are so proud of you and the man you are becoming.

I can't believe Radar is a year old now!  I am sure you are taking very good care of him.  You are thoughtful and caring.  Love you so much.

Today we did 8 books and had 6 hours of camera time.  It was a very productive day.  Our office mates hold a meeting every Wednesday to report on the their projects and have breakfast.  I knew the meeting was today, so I brought in banana bread to share with every one.  Their breakfast this morning was muskox bacon from Greenland, scrambled eggs and banana bread.  They said the bacon was too fatty and VERY smoky.  Those that loved it - really loved it and everyone else told Lars not to share with them again.  The funny thing is Lars didn't like it either.  I doubt he will spend such a premium price for that again.  My banana 'cake' was a big hit though.

 

 

Today while Clyde was setting up a book, Mads came and poked him.  Clyde said, "I didn't do it."  Mads said, "No I did!"  Just Mads presence in a room makes it a happy zone.

Midsummer Night

In Denmark, no matter when the summer equinox occurs - here it ALWAYS celebrated on the 23rd of June.  Last night we had a party at a member's home in the Branch.  We had grilled sausages with a curry spice in them.  We had hamburgers that were just basically ground beef, meatballs and liver with bacon wrapped on a skewer.  It was interesting!  I promise never to serve liver with bacon on a skewer when we get back!

We sang songs that are specifically for equinox.  There were bonfires everywhere.  The summer equinox is the only time you can have open fires and the air was filled with smoke all the way home.  Most of the people in the Branch stayed until it got dark.  We did not.  I realize now that I was starting to get sick.  I ran a fever all night.  I rested today.  I hope to be able to go to work tomorrow. 

We have decided that taking the bus in the morning and the train home is the way to go.  We realized that in the morning when we walk to the train, we walk through a heavily wooded area that is dank and moldy.  We are both very sensitive to mold and mildew.  This was basically ruining us for the day.  Now we feel good and by the time we walk home in the evening, the smells is gone because the mildew and mold can't survive in the sun.  For the last several days when we get home, we are both invigorated and not ready for bed.  This seems to be a good solution. 

Summer Sunday

It is interesting that even though the sun is down by 10:30 pm - it is never fully dark.  There can be clouds in the skies and it is still not as dark as it gets in the winter.  The sun will be up for 17hours and 33 minutes today.  I can't think of a more fitting thing for a SUNday. 

Sometimes the transit system here makes me nuts!  There has been an ongoing strike in Sweden that is affecting the trains and downtown busses. That has caused train delays and just a lot of congestion.  Then today, unbeknownst to us - there was a triathlon run in downtown Copenhagen.  4A bus was diverted and given a completely different route.  Ordinarily we catch it at Mozart's Plads and then take it straight to the church building.  Today we ended up getting off the bus and waiting at the Bella Center for almost an hour.  I wish I had taken my camera today because I have wanted to take a picture of the Bella Center for a long time.  Oh well.  We sat and waited with another Danish Gentleman.  Between his broken English and our Broken Danish, we ended up communicating quite well in Dansklish.  We finally got to the Church almost 45 minutes after we should have been there.  Clyde has a meeting early on Sundays with the missionaries.  He missed it.

Well I have a bunch of stuff to do - especially if we end up going out with the Sister Missionaries sometime this evening.

Midsummer's Day

One of my favorite movies is Enchanted April.  In that movie, one of the women comes in to supper and announces that she has had another good day.  I feel like that.  Today was spent relaxing, doing laundry and getting the shopping ready for a week.  We also went in and got our hair cuts done because the place where we go shuts down next week until the first of August.  One of the co-owners that does our hair, is going with her family to Turkey.  That is where her parents are from.  She loved telling me all of her plans.  I really like going there just because she is not terribly expensive and she is a genuinely nice person.

I keep forgetting to post this.  The other day there was a school class getting  off of the train.  They were all hurrying along except for Sofee.  HE was dawdling and lagging really far behind.  Just as the train started pulling out of the station, Sofee reached out and touched the moving train.  He was so proud and thought he had gotten away with something.  One of the men in the group came and picked Sofee up by the arm and lectured him up the escalator.  How do I know his name was Sofee - he had a nametag on.  What did this remind me of - Nemo in Finding Nemo, touching the BUTT!

I guess if we start going the new way to work, I will miss my quirky commute associates.  There is the lady with the very curly and quite ugly mullet.  There is the little man (he is my height) that comes to the train everyday just 2 minutes before it pulls in.  There is the lady that always smiles at me and gives me her seat.  Nodding acquaintances but a bright spot to my morning.  I am sure the same thing will happen on the bus. 

Midsummer is a big deal here.  We will have 17 1/2 hours of daylight today.  That is our payoff for 17 1/2 hours of dark in December.  There was a wedding on the green between our house and the houses and apartments next to us.  I was serenaded all afternoon with Beatles songs and some other fun 60's and 70's music.  This has been a beautiful day.

A Very Productive Day

This morning started off a little different from other mornings.  We took the bus because it was raining so hard, by the time we walked to the train station, we would have been soaked.  My shoes were wet by the time we got to work even though we had not walked that far.  We got to work and were the only people on the floor.  There was a big meeting at the City Hall announcing and new position that basically takes the archives and museums belonging to Copenhagen proper and putting one director over all.  Christian, who has been the archive director, was made the director over all until the new one is found.  Everyone returned to the office about lunch time.

We did 7 books today and 6 hours camera time.  We were both just flying today.  For some reason, because we were not tired before we ever got to work - we were more productive and invigorated.  We are reconsidering our morning commute now.

Yesterday as we were going through the Copenhagen Central station to catch our train, I got a very small can of Coke (less than 1/2 cup).  I was sure glad I had it in my purse.  It helped knock my head ache out that I have had pretty much all week.  Tomorrow we prepare for the Sabbath. 

Short Post

It is thundering and raining hard so I am going to shut down the computer.  It was a good day but a hard one. I have fought a migraine since early this morning.  I have got to quit going in when I feel so rotten.  However we got 9 books done before leaving a bit early.  Life is good.

Mesmerized

Today I was reading in the Danish Historie Magazine and found out that Franz Anton Mesmer was the first person to do hypnosis on people as an entertainment.  His audience was 'mesmerized' and that is where the word mesmerized comes from.  Basically from being fans of Mesmer.

We walked in this morning to stacks and stacks of books.  Soren must have pulled all of the books we ordered for this week and next.  We only got 4 books done.  The first two were huge and took a lot of wrestling to get through.  The last two were easier and a good note to end on.  We started to do one and the first and last 10 pages were in such bad shape, we couldn't get a good image.  I ran the book over to Anni for Conservering (that is the Danish word - what is the English?)  She will look at it on Friday. 

It was good day. 

Fire Drill

This is the foot bridge that leads across the bay from where we work to where we catch the train. 



Like the bridge in Paris where they put locks on it, this one is that way too.  This is a less populated cable than most.  When a cable gets to overloaded, they replace the cable and recycle the locks.  Obviously someone either wanted pacifiers for convenience or to give them up.

Looking across the bridge to the bike path and some traffic on the river.

Todays workday was a mess.  We got to work and the fire alarm went off.  We had to walk down 4 stories of stairs to get to the waiting area.  Clyde and I got back and then just as we finished our first book of the day (a very small book), they went off again.  Down the stairs again.  This time the sirens were heard so it must have finally counted.

 

Soren forgot to deliver books to us.  He came in as we were shutting down because we ran out of work.  Soren quickly ran to get us some books but after an hour, Clyde and I left.  We took the walking bridge to go and pay the internet bill.  We were home by 1.  Because of all of the walking and walking up and down stairs, my knees were in awful pain.  I finally took 1200 mg of Ibuprofen to get some relief.  Thankfully that worked.

Congratulations to the Spurs and Their Fans

This morning as our office mate, Daniel walked in - instead of saying 'Good Morning' like usual - he said, 'Congratulations!'  I knew the Spurs has won then.  Daniel was a 'Heat' fan but has switched.  He has decided that the Spurs are a more fun team to watch and follow.  Daniel loves any US sport.  I am glad I could help him see the light!

We had a good day.  We did 8 books but it only took us 5 hours of camera time.  Tomorrow's books are even smaller. Hopefully we will get a delivery in the morning.

I was lamenting this evening and wondering if I will ever come home and not be bone tired.  Clyde said to look how far we have come.  At least now I am not coming home and going straight to bed.  I guess things are getting better.  I need to revamp my walk home.  Currently when I hit the steps at the train station, I let down.  I need to put it off to the steps of the Apartment.  Don't know how I will do it, but I need to try.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my father, husband and son-in-laws and any other man that is important in my life.  You make mothering easier because of the men you are.

Not much to report.  We had an amazing Sunday meeting.  I finally got permission to stand for the intermediate hymn.  We have done it 2 weeks now.  I have had nothing but positive feedback on it.  I am glad.  We sang 2 Danish hymns that are not in the English hymnbook.  They are beautiful and were sung with great gusto.  It was a joy to listen to them.

We learned about the friendship of Jonathan and David today.  As I was listening to the discussion, I thought of how Pam and my Grandma Sarah instantly gravitated to each other from the time that Pam was a very small baby.  They had a close relationship all along.  I KNOW they were best friends before this life ever began and were thrilled to find their kindred spirits again here on earth.  It was a very special memory.

St. Alban's Church of England

On Monday, behind the fountain of Gefion, you see a pretty little Gothic Church. It is St. Albans Church of the Church of England.  It was commissioned for the British people.  It was the British Queen and the Danish Queen that worked together to have this built.  As we were walking to the bus, we noticed it was open, so we went in.

The front of the Chapel was beautiful.  The stained glass was inspiring.  In the background was music.  It suddenly dawned on me that it was "Beautiful Zion Built Above."  I wonder what their words are.

Beside the pew we were on was this stained glass.  I decided to take a picture because I have been to a lot of churches but have never seen this portrayed.  It is the young Jesus among the learned men, telling His mother that He must be about His Father's business.  It was beautiful.

We had a short week at work.  Monday was a holiday and Tuesday was Zone Conference.  Wednesday and Thursday we had more camera time than we have managed before in one day - which is good.  I had to stay home yesterday so that they could have access to the apartment for our internet.  Turned out they didn't need access - it was a messed up cable.  All work was done outside.  I am just glad we are back up and going.

 

On Wednesday, I brought in some banana bread.  They kept calling it banana cake.  Everyone enjoyed it.  In fact they are saving the extra bananas for me so that I will make more.  There were several ways it was enjoyed.  Some put sour cream on it, others butter and a few ate it with Havarti cheese sliced on it but most liked it just plain.  I was just glad they enjoyed it.  I brought it in on Wednesday because that is the day of the office meeting.  They always have goodies to go with their coffee.  I thought this would be fun for them.  Turned out to be a good call.

 

Thursday was Lars birthday.  They brought in a chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and almonds on it.  It was good but kind of reminded me of a DingDong.  The cakes here are very dense.

 

Clyde said that yesterday was Lisa's birthday.  They had a fresh strawberry cake with chocolate filling.  Sounds interesting.  Clyde said it was okay.  He got about 4,000 images done yesterday.

This evening Sister Hadley and Sister Barrett came by to see us.  It was a short but very fun visit.  So glad they feel like we are close enough to check in with us.  This is what we wanted.

We went to the bakery to pick up our bread.  There was new girl waiting on customers.  She was getting our order and the one that usually waits on us came in.  I am not fond of seeds on my white bread.  The new girl started to get seeded French bread for us.  The other girl stopped her and got me a fresh loaf- no seeds.  Then before I could say it she said, "And she wants a 5 grain loaf" in Danish.  I told her thanks for taking such good care of us - in Danish.  She told me my Danish gets better every week.  Made me feel good!

Back Online

In a little while, I will post a decent blog.  This is to say that we have been offline for the past 3 days.  Thankfully the issue has been resolved.  We are fine and love you.

Zone Conference

Sunday evening as I was working on the computer, I watched 20 trucks (some with trailers) from the Balzo Circus, roll past.  I can honestly say I have never seen anything like it.  The animals were obviously in the trailers because the stench was in the are for over an hour afterward.

Today is Zone Conference.  I am not sure when we will get home.  It has been a wonderful weekend.  We are so blessed to be here.

Here is a picture from Viggo's baptism.  Viggo is in the middle.  Elder Brady is on the far left, then Elder Willardsen.  On the right of Viggo is Elder Jewkes and then Elder Zenger.  Elder Zenger and Elder Brady are currently our full time missionaries in the branch.

Whit Monday

Today was a holiday, so we went sightseeing.  The museums are not open today plus it was a Gorgeous day - so we went and visited the Little Mermaid.  Here are 2 pictures of her.

I have always loved Hans Christian Andersen's stories but The Little Mermaid (both the original and Disney's) is my favorite story of all.  It is like so many of us.  We are not content with who we are and what we have.  And sometimes, we as parents have to let our children be who they are.  There are so many lessons to learn from that story.  They had her way out to sea but for some reason brought her back in closer to the harbor.  I think they can train cameras on her better there.  She has been beheaded and vandalized A LOT!

This is St. Alban Anglican Church in the background.  I will post more pictures of that later.  The fountain in the foreground was one of my Grandpa Brugger's favorite fountains.  It is the goddess Gefion (or Gefjon) plowing the sea.  She was told she could have all the land she could plow in one night.  Gefion turned her 4 sons into oxen and created the island of Zealand (pronounce Zjay-land).  This is the island that Copenhagen sits on.  The water sprays everywhere.  It was very refreshing.

Here is another view of her.  It an amazing fountain.

A scary looking lady - wearing a paper hat.  I looked up the care instruction on the this hat and found out it was made in China and 100% paper.  I can't get it wet and it really can't be cleaned.  Good thing I only spent $10 on it.  Hopefully it will last the summer.

At the base of the fountain are these 'men' spitting water.  I probably should have put the camera on video mode for this but I didn't.  Those that have been there understand how beautiful it is.  It was a very pleasant holiday.  Even for all of the walking I did, I feel remarkably good.  We are having dinner a the Sederhom's tonight.  A couple from Iceland are going home to St. George tomorrow.  Tomorrow is Zone Conference.  It has been a 'dejlig' day.

Whit Sunday

Today is Pentecost, the day the Holy Ghost was restored to earth after Christ's Ascension.  Today Viggo, a gentleman that was baptized on Friday, received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  What a way to commemorate Whit Sunday.

Today is a National Holiday.  Everything is closed.  Tomorrow will be the same way.  The next big holiday - Christmas Day.

I bought a chocolate bar yesterday with hazel nuts in it.  In Danish hazel nuts are called, Schweitz nuts or Swiss nuts.  However you say it - it is sure some tasty chocolate.

Today for the first time, we stood for the rest hymn.  They had never heard of such a thing.  I had a lot of people thank me because their arthritis freezes their joints and it is nice to stand and stretch half way through the meeting.  We will continue with the practice.  I know how hard it is to stand after sitting for an hour - no matter how much you stretch your legs in your seat - in the interim.

It is a beautiful day.  We just made it to 70F.  A very beautiful Sabbath.

An Abundance of Bananas

At the archive, we receive a box of fruit every week.  In it are bananas, nectarines, peaches, pears, apples and oranges.  It is a huge box and everyone is invited to have fruit everyday.  For some reason, this week the box did not show up on Monday like it always does.  It came on Wednesday when everyone was taking a 5 day weekend.  When Clyde and I went in on Friday, almost all of the fruit was still there.  There were 15 bananas that were over ripe yesterday - so imagine if we left it until Tuesday.  We would have had fruit flies galore.  So I brought them home and stuck them in the freezer.  Yesterday we bought a couple of loaf pans and today I finally made some banana bread.  It turned out pretty good.  I forget with a convection oven that you cut the cooking time, but I still ended up with really good banana bread.  I only need to make 8 more loaves to use up the bananas in the freezer!  I am sure more will be coming this week.

Viggo's Baptism

This evening was Viggo's baptism.  Viggo is about my age and has been investigating the Church since just after we came here.  It was a very spiritual meeting.

This morning on the train, the gentleman that I was sitting across from, scrutinized my name tag and then typed F-A-M-... into his computer.  He was looking up Family Search.  I hope it is of benefit for him. 

Lars was scrambling eggs the other day.  As he finished up - Clyde asked where was the bacon.  Lars said he would be eating the bacon of the North Sea - smoked salmon.

I am extremely tired.  I will write more tomorrow.

Constitution Day

Today is a day of National Observance.  Not all businesses will be closed but on Monday it is a national holiday and then most everything will be shut down.  Monday is Whit Monday. 

Yesterday when we got on the elevator with a woman we ride the elevator with most days of the week, she asked me about our name badges.  It caught me so off guard that I started to explain in English but then I switched to Danish.  She asked how long we would be in Denmark.  I said 'Until April'.  She said, 'Good'.  We have been riding the elevator with her for 6 months.  She even punches the floor button for us when she gets on and does hers. I just assumed it would be a nodding acquaintance.  Now she feels like she knows us. 

Tomorrow is a work day.  Hopefully we can put in a headache free work day.  Not much to report because we stayed at home all day except for Clyde going to the corner store for milk and ice cream.  He brought home white chocolate and hazelnuts.  Can't wait to have some.

A walk through my Wednesday

This morning on our way to work, I saw a woman about my age in a purple print broomstick skirt with 6 inches of 'yellow and green pajama bottoms' hanging below it and black and white high tops.  She was on her way to work.

Clyde found a little second grade penmanship booklet filled in by Margrete about 1895 (according to the copyright on the booklet).  It was beautiful cursive handwriting.  I didn't want it to get lost in the school protocols again, so I gave it to Elizabeth.  Elizabeth is over our end of the archives.  She was like a little girl with a new doll.  She fussed with that book all morning to try and find where they should put it.  The final decision was that they may give it to the National Museum for the schoolroom display from that era.  I said if the wanted to frame it and keep it downtown, they could loan it to the museum.  Elizabeth really liked that idea.

Mads, Lars, Jeppe and Elizabeth don't like that Clyde has to work by himself when I am not up to coming in.  They all welcomed me back today, making sure I was okay.  Mads kept doing a happy dance every time he saw me.

Clyde and I came home early with migraines.  I had the aura and 'black spot' in the center of my vision and Clyde had the twinkly lights that obscured his.  It was just not prudent to go on.  I came home and slept for an hour.  I feel some better but have the 'hangover' for my trouble.

Tomorrow is a holiday but no one seems to know quite why it is a national holiday.  How I love living here.

Trying Tuesday

I love how people get along with their bikes.  I just saw a man ride by with a cello in a back pack carrying case.  I didn't think something like that was possible, but he didn't seem to have a problem at all.

I am so frustrated with all of this sickness.  I keep getting dizzy if I walk too fast or stand too long.  I think I am better and then I am ready to fall on my face.  However today was much better than yesterday. 

It is so amazing to be here for the summer.  Everyone stays out until dark- almost 11pm.  It is like they can't get enough!

Still Home

I have developed a new symptom.  I am extremely dizzy to the point of almost blacking out every time I stand for a period of time.  It is very frustrating but I still have an earache and know that is the cause of my problem.  I can't go to work until I can stand/walk/sit without getting so dizzy I cannot see straight.  This is frustrating but I am sure it will pass.  I sure hope tomorrow leaves me symptom free.  We only have tomorrow and Wednesday to work.  Thursday is a holiday and Friday is our temple day.  No one even knows why we have Thursday off for sure.  Weird.  I don't know what I am worried about.  Clyde gets more done without me than with me there.