New Year's Eve!

I will have to make this short.  I really don't know where the day went but we need to be ready to go in less than an hour.  We are going to the Madsen's for our Second Annual New Years celebration.  Our last one in Denmark.  I hope everyone stays safe tonight and has a wonderful celebration - no matter how you do it.  I will write more next year!

New Years Eve Eve!

Yesterday we went to Tivoli and found this peacock and peahen busy eating seed from the snow.  It took quite a while to get this picture.  They kept their backs to us most of the time.

I think most everyone knows that I collect 'Santa Claus'.  I have quite a collection going of everything from pillows to salt shakers.  Clyde usually adds one or two for me each year.  This is my addition this year.  They are made from the same composite as Willow Tree Figures. 

I have just few examples of Mrs. Santa.  This is so typically Danish with the bike and their expressions.  Very pleased with it.

Today we went to the 'Blue Planet'.  This is Copenhagen's new aquarium.  It is just 2 years old.  It has the 'tube' that surrounds you with ocean life (and makes you very dizzy).  It was so much fun.  Not sure if we will go back again or not but it was a wonderful afternoon there.  The thing that surprised me is that they had a whole wing of tropical household fish AND that was how it was labeled.  I do have to say, I kept thinking about my Nordell family as we walked through.  This is supposed to be second to the one in Okinawa.

 

Tomorrow evening we will spend time with the Senior Missionaries in the area and watch the incredible firework display over Copenhagen.

Happy Birthday Carlye! Happy 42nd anniversary to us!

Happy Birthday, our sweet Carlye.  Hope you have a wonderful day and an incredible year!

We woke up to snow again this morning.  I love how the 'gold' glints from the bushes and trees as the sun comes up.

Another scene from our backyard.

Another with the 'gold'. 

Elder Thorne let us into Tivoli today.  We had a good time wandering around and looking in the little shops.  This is the main concert hall of Tivoli.  Mads once told me that if Denmark had a national bird - it is the swan.  Then he paused and said, "Maybe it is!"  They use swans a lot and there are a lot of them around.  I think I notice because swans have always been my favorite bird.  A bit of trivia.  Victor Borge was the act for the opening week of Tivoli - in this concert hall - from 1950-1999.  He died in 2000.

Right is in the center of Tivoli is this beautiful Christmas tree with Nisse and the Christmas heart tree.  This is what Christmas looks like here.  We had a wonderful day and got hot chocolate with a Danish Pancake (with raw sugar in the center).  Tasted just like ours do.  It will be a day we will remember for a long time.  More pictures tomorrow.

The Last Sunday of 2014

As I write this, fireworks are going off outside our window.  From the middle of December until January 2 - people shoot off fireworks - and not like we have in the States.  It is a full fledged fireworks display - like professionals.  It is a very big deal here.

Today in Church, I was so relaxed and filled with such peace.  It has been a long time since I have felt that calm.  Sebastian spoke about setting goals.  He said that there are 3 "P's" for setting goals.

Prioritize: Decide what your wants are and then decide which are most important to you.

Plan: Set up a plan to follow to help you gain the success you want, whether it is to say your prayers everyday or lose weight.  Without a plan, you will have no success

Put into Practice:  The final way to be successful is to simply 'do it'.  When you start saying your prayers or working out - you will feel good about moving forward.  That should keep you motivated to continue.

I don't set my goals in January.  For the last 10 or 15 years, I have been setting my goals in April and October, when General Conference occurs.  From those inspirational messages, I choose my goals.  One of my current goals is to make the Sacrament a more meaningful experience.  It is becoming a very special part of my Sabbath.

Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer!

For some reason, all day long, I have felt off.  I don't really have any pain (other than arthritis) but I don't feel good.  I am so sleepy that I could sleep all day.  I think the problem is that I am not under the lights at work and a bit of S.A.D. is creeping into my life.  We were outside for a while but it wasn't enough.  Maybe taking so much time off is not such a good idea.  Oh well, there is not a thing we can do about it.

Typical Saturday.  We shopped and got bread.  Nothing earth shattering.  We are going to the Madsen's again on Wednesday to celebrate New Years just like last year.

Hope everyone has a joyous Sabbath.

Second Chrstmas

This is for my sister more than anything else.  These are the billboards they have used in Europe forever.  This is actually an old fashioned one.  The new ones are lit up and the pictures change out every few seconds.  They are quite amazing.

Last week we did a book that took us the longest of any book we have ever done.  Here are a few pictures.  We are not sure if any information can be extracted from this or not.

Multiple little pieces of paper were attached into the binding that had to be photographed as well as the original pages with nothing attached to them.  It was a long and tedious.

Hopefully we will never have another book like it again.

Today is what is known as Second Christmas in Denmark.  It is a holiday and very few businesses are open today.  I guess it is to recuperate from the last 2 days.

 

We have had quiet day of reading.  We did run to the corner store and get some milk but other than that is has been a true day off.

 

 

Christmas Offering:

 

You little children, in whose eyes

Undimmed the light of heaven glows,

Whose dreams are bright with paradise,

Whose souls are whiter than the snows,

From holy lips and undefiled,

Breathe your soft prayer to Christ, the Child!

And you whose thinning locks are sprent
With unreturning Autumns rime,
Whose heads, like wind-worn trees are bent,
Beneath the savage storms of time -
Pray Christ, the Child, to be your guide
Past the dim shoal, where shadows bide,
O saving hands! O Christ, that hears
A mortal mother's lullabies;
That feels our agony and tears,
Whose bosom trembles with our sighs,
Give us pure hearts and undefiled,
Make us like Thee, O Christ, the Child.
~ Unknown ~

Merry Christmas 2014

Scripture of the day:  Mosiah 4:16

It has been a wonderful day.  We woke up to snow

This is taken from the kitchen window

This picture is taken from our bedroom window.

Taken from the front window.  It is now pretty much all white.  We got over an inch of snow.

Our completed Lego Advent village.  It was a fun treat to put together this season.

We had no presents to open today.  That was planned somewhat.  We told the children not to mail us anything because we would just have to mail it back home in April.  We had some store bought aebleskivers for breakfast.  I have decided we just don't enjoy the flavor of cardamom.  It is a very common spice used here in Denmark.  For our Christmas dinner we had roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy with broccoli and a vegetable plate.  It was very good.  We have watched Toy story 2 and 3 - one in Danish and the other in German.  It has been a fun and relaxing day filled with Christmas videos on the internet and reading Christmas stories.

 

My Christmas Offering today:

 

I love Charles Dickens Christmas Carol  - it is one of my favorite things to read at Christmas time.  I also watch any Christmas Carol offering on video or TV.  This year the spiel from the nephew has been running through my head.  I would like to share the printed version today.

 

"There are so many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited.  Christmas among the rest.  But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round - apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that - as a good time; a kind forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by common consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really are fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.  And therefore, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God Bless It!"

 

May you all have a joyous day.

Christmas Eve 2014

The Scripture today is going to be a little different.  I was thinking about the Spiritual Gifts I have been given and wanted to share this scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15

We did nothing spectacular today.  I watched some of the Christmas TV they had today.  However this afternoon I was trying to figure out what Annie or the Sound of Music had to do with Christmas.  I finally turned everything off and Clyde and I spent 2 hours watching Mormon Channel videos after reading the scriptures.  It has been a fun day.  I am trying so hard not to be lonesome and weepy.  I do miss my family.  This is our third Christmas without family and I am frankly looking forward to noisy and wild celebrations with lots of grandchildren underfoot.  So looking forward to being with everyone we love next year.

Christmas offering:

O Holy child of Bethlehem
Descent to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
Oh come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel.
~ Phillips Brooks ~

'Twas the Night After Christmas

~ Clement Clarke Moore ~

 

'Twas the night after Christmas,

And all through the house

Not a creature was stirring excepting a mouse.

The stockings were flung in haste over the chair,

For hopes of St. Nicholas were no longer there.

The Children were restlessly tossing in bed;

For the pie and the candy were heavy as lead;

While Mamma in her kerchief and I in my gown,

Had just made up our minds that we would not lie down,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I went with a dash,

Flung open the shutter and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave the luster of noon-day to objects below.

 

When what to my long anxious eyes should appear

But a horse and sleigh, but old-fashioned and queer;

With a little old driver, so solemn and slow,

I knew I a moment it must be Dr. Brough.

I drew in my head and was turning around,

When upstairs came the Doctor with scarcely a sound,

He wore a thick overcoat, made long ago,

And the beard on his chin was white with the snow.

He spoke a few words and went straight to his work;

He felt all the pulses and then turned with a jerk.

 

And laying a finger aside of his nose,

With the nod of his head, to the chimney he goes:

"A spoonful of oil, ma'am if you have it handy;

No nuts and no raisins, no pies and no candy.

These tender young stomachs cannot well digest

All the sweets that they get; toys and books are the best.

But I know my advice will not find many friends,

For the custom of Christmas the other way tends.

The fathers and mothers and Santa Claus too,

Are exceedingly blind.  Well a good night to you."

And I  heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight;

"These feastings and candies make Doctor's bill right".

 

Thought this would be a fun follow up from yesterday.  Merry Christmas to all.  We love you dearly.



Christmas Eve Eve!

Scripture of the day: Article of Faith 13

We are off from work until January 5.  So glad.  I need this break.  looking forward to doing nothing but read and laze around!

Christmas Offering:

 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

[A Visit from Saint Nicholas]

~ Clement C. Moore ~

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads;

And Mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap-

 

When out on the lawn there rose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter,

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon, on the breast of the new fallen snow,

Gave a luster of mid-day to objects below;

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick,

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;

Now Dasher! Now Dancer!  Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet! On Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen-

To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!

Now dash away.  Dash away.  Dash away all!
 

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So, up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With a sleigh full of toys - and St. Nicholas too!

And then in twinkling I heard on the roof,

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney Sta. Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,

And his clothes where all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack;

His eyes how the twinkled!  His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath,

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed like bowl full of jelly.
 

He was chubby and plump - a right jolly old elf;

And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work

And filled all of the stockings, then turned with a jerk,

And laying a finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of the thistle;

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

~ ~

 

A bright and happy Christmas to you!

Lift up yourselves to the great meaning of the day, and dare to think of your humanity as something so sublimely precious it is worthy of being made an offering to God, and then go out to the pleasures and duties of your life, having been truly born anew into His Divinity, as He was born into our humanity on the first Christmas Day.  ~ Philips Brooks (author of the Christmas Carol, Away in a Manger") ~

 



What a wonderful day

Scripture of the day: James 1:27

This will be short today.  We spent the evening at Jeppe's home and had a wonderful duck dinner with his wife, Sabrina and their two children.  Can't tell you the last time we enjoyed an evening so much since being on our mission.  Such a sweet family

Today at work the guys gave us a book called Gummi Tarzan (Rubber Tarzan).  It is a childrens book and is delightful.  I was going to go and buy it after Christmas but once again they took care of my Danish literary needs.  They also bought a box of Danish classic candy.  We gave every one Kinder Eggs.  They loved them.  Jeppe saved the eggs for home and the kids didn't want the toy in the egg but the container for the toy!  So typical.

Tomorrow I promise to get back in the swing of a more Christmasy post. 

Sweet Sabbath

Scripture of the day: Titus 3:8

It was a beautiful meeting for Sacrament today. I love the Christmas program - no matter how elaborate or simple.  However I tend to like the simpler ones better.  It was a lot of congregational singing and a few testimonies.  So beautiful.

Joke:
Why is it so cold on Christmas?
~ Because it is in Decemberrrrrrrr~

 

This is the Piano Guys and Angels We have heard on High - I hope.

 

Oh the angels know the blessed day,

And strike their harps anew

Then may the echo of their lay

Float sweetly down to you.

And fill your heart with Christmas song

That your heart shall echo

Your whole life long.

~ Havergal ~

 

Soggy Saturday

Scripture of the day: Matthew 25:35-40

Today we went to pay our internet bill and see if we could find an aebleskiver pan.  Everyone buys the frozen ones now and so pans don't sell.  Such a tragedy.  Homemade - as in all things - are just better!  We did get our Christmas chicken bought and are looking forward to the next couple of days.  Tomorrow is our Christmas program at church.  I hope Jeppe comes and brings his family.  I so want to share this with him.  I have been fighting a really bad headache all day.  I finally gave in and took a Nyquil.  Hopefully that will ease the pain and be out of my system by tomorrow morning.

Jokes:
What did the reindeer say to the elf?
~ Nothing.  Reindeer can't talk!

What is the best key to get at Christmas?
~ Tur-key!

How many presents can Santa fit into an empty sack?
~ One - after that it isn't empty!

Bobby's Christmas Wish

~ Arnie Lightning ~

 

"What's on your Christmas wish list?" asked Bobby's best friend Mark.  "I asked Santa for that new pirate video game, a new soccer ball and some Lego."

 

Bobby lowered his voice.  "If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone," he said.

 

Mark looked very curious.  "My lips are sealed," Mark said.

 

"Okay."  Bobby closed the bedroom door, just in case his nosy little sister Caroline was spying.  Then he told Mark, "I asked Santa for a sleigh ride."

 

"What!" Mark gasped.

 

"I couldn't really think of anything I really wanted this year," said Bobby.  "Then I thought, what could be cooler than taking a spin in Santa's sleigh?  I asked Santa to wake me up just as soon as he finishes stuffing the stockings and leaving presents for Caroline."

 

Mark shook his head.  "I don't know," he said nervously.  "Do you think Santa would do that?"

 

"I guess I will just have to wait and see," Bobby said.

 

On Christmas Eve, Bobby was so excited he could hardly sleep.  He tossed and turned for hours.  Then, just as he was finally dozing off, the clicking sound of reindeer hooves on the roof jolted him awake. 

 

"Santa's here!" Bobby thought, shivering with anticipation.  He lay very still, hardly breathing and listened as Santa as Santa climbed out of his sleigh and laughed a jolly, "Ho ho ho!"

 

Then Santa slipped down Bobby's chimney.  Bobby could hear him landing in the living room.  "This is too amazing!" thought Bobby, who had never been awake for Santa's arrival before.

 

Minutes ticked by.  Bobby imagined that Santa was filling the stockings and leaving Caroline's presents under the tree.  After that, Bobby figured he was probably resting a moment to enjoy the cookies and milk that were waiting for him.

 

At last, Bobby heard the sound he had been waiting for.  Santa was climbing the stairs to his room!  Did that mean that Santa was actually going to grant him his wish?

 

Bobby squeezed his eyes shut, pretending to be asleep.

 

A moment later, his bedroom door creaked open, and a kind voice said, "Wake up, Bobby!  Merry Christmas!"

 

Trembling with excitement, Bobby opened his eyes to see none other than Santa Claus himself!  "M-merry Christmas, Santa." he stammered.

 

"Are you ready to join me in my sleigh?"  Santa asked.

 

"Am I ever!"  Bobby couldn't wait to tell Mark that his Christmas wish had come true!  He put on his coat and boots and shinnied up the chimney with Santa.

 

There on the roof, stood Santa's sleigh, led by a team of eight reindeer.  The sleigh was shiny and red and loaded down the presents.  Bobby was still having a hard time believing his eyes when Santa lifted him into the sleigh for the best ride of his life!

 

"On Dasher, on Dancer!" Santa began, slapping the reins across the reindeer backs.

 

And before Bobby knew it, he was soaring through the sky in Santa's sleigh, just as he wished!

 

When the got home, Santa asked Bobby one thing.  He could never tell of his adventures to anyone.  Bobby didn't mind.  It has been a magical night.

Festive Friday

Scripture of the day: Matthew 7:12

We attended the temple today and got that wonderful feeling that you can only get in the temple.  This afternoon Elder Thorne took us to get a new microwave.  So nice to have that wonderful luxury again.  I photo bombed a picture of the missionaries that have been here 1 month.  I was leaving the temple and they were standing on the steps just outside the temple.  Clyde and I ended up taking pictures so that President and Sister Sederholm could be in the picture too.  Fun afternoon.

Jokes for my grandchildren:
Why was the computer quiet on Christmas Eve?
~ Because, not  creature was stirring, not even a mouse!

Why did the snowman name his dog 'Frost'?
~ Because 'Frost' bites!

What do you get when you cross a peanut with a duck?
~ A nut-quacker!

As It Fell Upon a Day

~ Poor Robin ~

 

A handsome hostess, a merry host,

A pot of drink and share a toast,

Lots of treats and a good warm fire,

Are things this season doth require!



Last day of our work week

Scripture of the day: Matthew 5:16

We had a better day today.  I am still glad this is the end of the work week for us.  Tomorrow it is a session at the temple in the morning and then off to see about getting a microwave.  Hopefully all goes well tomorrow.

Jokes:
Where do mistletoe go to be famous?
~ Hollywood

Why did the thermometer break?
~ The temperature dropped!

What does Santa plant in his garden?
~ Christmas bulbs!

The Foolish Fir Tree

A little fir tree grew in the midst of the wood

Contented and happy, as a young tree should.

His body was straight and his bows were clean;

And summer and winter the beautiful sheen

Of his needles bedecked him, from top to root,

In a beautiful, all the year, evergreen suit.

 

But trouble came into his heart one day;

When he saw that the other trees were dressed like suns rays.

In the wonderful raiment that summer weaves

Of manifold shapes and kinds of leaves;

He looked at his needles so stiff and small,

And thought that his dress was poorest of all!

 

Then JEALOUSY clouded the little tree's mind,

And he said to himself, "It was not very kind

"To give such an ugly old dress to a tree!

"If the fays of the forest would only ask me,

"I'd tell them how I should like to be dressed,

"In a garment of gold, to bedazzle the rest!"

 

So he fell asleep, but his dreams were all bad,

When he awoke in the morning, his heart was glad;

For very leaf that his boughs could hold

Was made of the brightest beaten gold.

I tell you, children, the tree was proud,

He was something above the common crowd.

 

And he tinkled his leaves, as if he would say

To a peddler who happened to pass that way,

"Just look at me!  Don't you think I am fine!

"and wouldn't you like such a dress as mine!"

"Oh yes!" said the man, "and I really guess

"I must fill my sack with your beautiful dress."

 

So he picked the golden leaves with care,

And left the little tree shivering there.

 

"Oh, why did I wish for golden leaves?"

The fir tree said, "I forgot the thieves

"Would be sure to rob me in passing by.

"If the fairies would give me another try,

"I'd wish for something that cost much less,

And be satisfied with glass for my dress!"

 

Then he fell asleep; and just as before

The fairies granted his wish once more.

When the night was gone, and the sun rose clear,

The tree was a crystal chandelier;

And it seemed as he stood in the morning light,

That his branches were covered with jewels all bright.

 

"Hurrah!" said the tree.  "This is something great!"

And  he held himself up, very proud and straight;

But a rude young wind through the forest dashed,

In reckless temper, and quickly smashed

The delicate leaves.  With a clashing sound

They broke into pieces and fell on the ground.

 

Like a silver, shimmering shower of hail,

And the tree stood naked and bare because of the gale.

Then his heart was sad; and he cried,"Alas

"For my beautiful leaves of shining glass!

"Perhaps I have made another mistake

"I choosing a dress so easy to break.

"If the fairies only would hear me again

"I'd ask them for something both pretty and plain;

 

"It wouldn't cost much to grant my request,

"In leaves of green lettuce I'd like to be dress!"

By this time the fairies were laughing, I know;

By they gave his wish in a second; and so

With leaves of green lettuce, all tender and sweet,

The tree was arrayed, from his head to his feet.

 

"I knew it! he cried, "I was sure I could find

"The sort of suit that would be to my mind

"There's none of the trees has a prettier dress,

"And none as attractive as I am, I guess."

But a goat, was taking and afternoon walk,

By chance overheard the fir trees talk.

 

So he came up close for a nearer view;

"My salad!" he bleated, "I think so too!"

"You are the most attractive kind of a tree,

"And I want your leaves for my five-o'clock tea."

So he ate them all without saying grace,

And walked away with a grin on his face;

While the little tree stood in the twilight dim,

With not one leaf on a single limb.

 

Then he sighed and groaned; but his voice was weak

He was so ashamed that he could not speak.

He knew at last that he had bee a fool.

To think of breaking the forest rule,

And choosing a dress himself to please,

Because he envied the other trees.

 

But it couldn't be helped, it was now too late,

He must make up his mind to a leafless fate!

So he let himself sink in a slumber deep,

But he moaned and he tossed in his troubled sleep,

Till the morning touched him with joyful beam,

And he woke to find it was all a dream.

 

For there in his evergreen dress he stood,

A pointed fir in the midst of the wood!

His branches were sweet the balsam smell,

His needles were green when the white snow fell.

And always contented and happy was he,

To be the very best kind of a Christmas tree.

 

Wacky Wednesday

Scripture of the day: Doctrine and Covenants 81:5

What a day!  Clyde and I shot a book that took us three hours to accomplish today!  It is the longest we have spent on a book.  It was only had 263 pages but then it had little slips of paper glued into - all the way through.  We had to shoot  once to get the left page and then again to get the right page and then shoot each little slip of paper as an attachment.  Sometimes there were up to 5 slips of paper attached.  It took forever.  When we were finished there 811 pages in total!  Hope we never see one like that again.  I was ready to cry when we were half way through because it was so boggling.

Yesterday, on my way home from work, I saw the REAL Santa Claus (or Jul man here).  He was being followed by cameras and had a burlap sack that was very bulky.  Not quite sure what he was doing wandering around Copenhagen on the 16th of December but it had to be VERY important.

We had an office party today for all of the volunteers and then we were given a letter by Kristian.  He talked about Clyde and me in the letter  and how successful the team of Family Search has been with the archives.  Some of the volunteers were telling us we were world famous now.  They served Glog a hot wine and spice drink with fruit in it.  Apparently eating the fruit is what most people look forward to when having this drink.  Elisabeth made Clyde and me some with apple juice instead of wine.  Our was gone first!  Everyone loved it.  It was good.  I had never thought of putting dried apricots and dried apple in a drink but it was fun to eat.  We had such a good time.  After this morning, we needed a party.  I was still feeling pretty bad this morning but I am feeling very well now.  On the way home from work, Clyde bought me a wall calendar of scenery from Denmark.  Only one complaint.  We don't know where the pictures were taken.

My Christmas offering is an idea from the Liahona/Ensign with a twist from a Sister in our Branch.  The Church magazines suggest we think of the Gifts of the Spirit we have been blessed with and then use them to help others.  What Hanna Olsen suggested was to wrap a box as beautifully as you can with a slit in the top (Kind of like our Valentine Mailboxes in elementary school).  Then leave a notepad and a pencil or pen beside the box.  During the month of December, family members write down the Spiritual Gifts they are thankful for and drop them in the box.  On Christmas, this is the last gift opened.  Everyone sits and ponders about the gifts that Christ has given us, personally.  I think we might try this but open the gift on Christmas Eve.  The gifts can be acknowledged or just put in there anonymously - depending on the what the person wants.  I am grateful the gift of knowing how a recipe will turn out before I make it.  I also have musical gifts that I can share.  I am especially grateful for my gift of motherhood and my wonderful grandchildren!  Those are few of the special gifts I though of as I pondered this special present.

Tummy Trouble Tuesday

Scripture of the day: Mosiah 18:8-9

This will be a fairly short post.  I am feeling awful today and want to go and lay down.  I left work early and it turned out to be a wise move on my part.  We have the office party at work tomorrow and I really need to be there for at least that.  Hopefully I will wake up all better tomorrow.

Jokes:  What did the Gingerbread Man put on his bed.
~  Cookie sheets!

What did one Christmas light say to other?
~ You light me up!

What do elves learn in school?
~ The elf-abet~

Magic Monday

Scripture of the day:  Ether 12:33-34

It was a fast moving morning.  This afternoon did start to drag a bit but then I went down and talked to Mona and Elisabeth.  After that the afternoon sped by.  I wonder if we will ever come home not fried.  Probably the last week we are here!

Christmas offering:  Yesterday were given a Christmas Quiz in Relief Society.  I thought I would share.

Who was John the Baptist's father?
a. A carpenter that worked with Joseph.
b. A soldier with the Roman legion.
c. A priest in the temple
d.  We don't know.

Where did the angels tell the shepherds to find the Baby Jesus?
a. in Bethlehem
b. in a manger
c. in a house
d. we don't know

Who sent the Wise Men to Bethlehem?
a. A Heavenly Angel
b. King Herod
c. No one.  A star guided them there.
d. We don't know

How many Wise Men were there?
a. two
b. three
c. five
d. We don't know

Where did the Wise Men find the Baby Jesus?
a. in a manger
b. in a garden
c. in a house
d. We don't know

How old was Jesus when the Wise Men found him?
a. a new born
b. a little boy
c. a grown man
d. We don't know

What gifts did the Wise Men bring to Jesus?
a. gold, silver and bronze
b. gold frankincense and myrrh
c. Nothing because they had to travel so far.
d. We don't know

What does Emmanuel mean?
a. King
b. God with us
c. prophet
d. teacher

When Mary, Joseph and Jesus came back from Egypt, where did they live?
a. They never came back
b. Bethlehem
c. Nazareth
d. Jerusalem

Today I was a bit off!

-

We will say Belgian Chocolate and THE Bailey's for Christmas.  This was too funny to pass up.

Scripture of the day:  3 Nephi 27:21

 

Today has been an 'off' day for me from early this morning.  We have oatmeal on Sunday's because it is easy and there is not inexpensive cereal to be had here.  I put a little bit of cream on mine but realized I put it in both bowls.  Clyde was not thrilled with his.  Then we were singing the opening hymn of Sacrament Meeting and I cut off - not singing the verses below because I didn't see them!  Danes ALWAYS sing all of the verses and this threw them.  It wasn't until after the meeting that someone pointed out what I had done.  The sad thing to that is they were my favorite verses!  We don't have any just 2 line verses in our hymnbooks in English for the Church.  I just assumed that it was authorship or music information and didn't look closely.  I have just felt like I have been off center all day.  I have been having difficulty seeing clearly for several week now.  I can't wait to get home and get my eyes checked.  This fuzzy outlook on life is not pleasant.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day.

 

 

My Christmas Offering:

 

Firstly, in Sacrament meeting today a sister said that all the Gift Givers of Christmas have one thing in common - they want to make life better for mankind.  The Nisse can be full of mischief but the whole reason they are in the home is to help and protect.  Saint Nicholas or the Jul man took these little people and made them his elves to help serve all of mankind.  That is what the Danes believe.

 

Mistletoe

Sitting under the mistletoe

One last candle burning low

All the sleepy dancers gone,

Just one candle burning on,

Shadows lurking everywhere;

Some one came and kissed me there.

 

Tired I was; my head would go

Nodding under the mistletoe

No footsteps came, no voice buy only,

Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely

Stooped in the still  and shadowy air

Lips unseen and kissed there!

 



Satisfying Saturday

Scripture of the day: 1 Corinthians 13:13

It has been a good day.  I got my haircut and feel so much better.  We just needed a day where we could relax and didn't need to push ourselves. Now I can face next week.

What comes at the end of Christmas day?
~ The letter Y!

What is the best thing to put into Christmas Dinner?
~ Your teeth!

My Christmas offering:

 

The Greatest Gift of All!

 

"I can't wait for Christmas!" Mary Cate yelled at the top of her lungs.

 

Her parents and sisters turned around to stare at her.  "Calm down, Mary Cate," chuckled her father.  "You'll wear yourself out with this excitement."

 

"I can't help it," said Mary Cate, though she did agree to try to be quieter.  Christmas was Mary Cate's very favorite time of year.  Christmas itself was the very best day of the whole season!

 

The fun always began on Christmas Eve, when Mary Cate's grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins came from out of state to spend Christmas with Mary Cate's family.  They would have lasagna and garlic bread with Christmas cookies for dessert.  They would stay up late, singing carols, reading about the first Christmas from the Bible and roasting marshmallows over the fire in the fireplace. 

 

Then they would go to bed and on Christmas morning, Mary Cate and her sisters and cousins would get up at the break of day, wake the adults up and rush downstairs to tear open their presents.  That afternoon everyone would have a big Christmas feast.  Then Mary Cate's father would put another log on the fire and everyone would reminisce about past Christmas's.  Finally they would all go to bed having had a wonderful day.

 

It was the most wonderful celebration of the whole year.  Mary Cate was on pins and needles for it to start all over again.  The days before Christmas seemed to drag by, but finally, Mary Cate woke up on Christmas Eve morning.  She bounded of bed and down the stairs.

 

"It's Christmas Eve!"  she yelled.  "Time for the fun to begin!"

 

But her good mood was quickly shattered the moment she arrived in the kitchen. 

 

"Have you looked out the window?" asked her dad.

 

"There is a blizzard going on," said her mom.  "I'm afraid no  will be able to make it through for tonight."

 

Stunned, Mary Cate turn to look outside.  She could see nothing but white.  It was true!  A blizzard had come to destroy her Christmas!

Never in all of Mary Cate's eight years had a thing like this happened.

 

As her mom explained how the snow would make traveling dangerous, Mary Cate broke down and sobbed.

 

"Cheer up, Mary Cate." said her sister Amelia.

 

"Yeah" added her other sister Jennifer.  "We'll have a wonderful Christmas anyway."

 

Mary Cate didn't see how that was possible.  She spent most of Christmas Eve, moping around the house.  But Mom still made lasagna and garlic bread, just like always and Dad built the fire so they could still roast marshmallows after dinner.

 

In spite of herself, Mary Cate still enjoyed the evening.  She sang out while they sang Christmas Carols.  She missed her relatives but was surprised to find she was enjoying herself after all.

 

By morning, Mary Cate was excited for Christmas again.  But the best gift she got that year was not wrapped under the tree.  The blizzard had stopped and during the night, Mary Cate's relatives had traveled to be with family for the Christmas Day. 

 

Mary Cate realized that year that family was the greatest present of all!  ~ by Amy Lightning

 

~ Wishing we could be with family this year but looking forward to being with everyone next year!

 

 

 



December in Denmark

This will be a picture Christmas offering today.  This picture was taken at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. It was raining and dark like this all day.  In fact this is the lightest it got.

Out the kitchen window at the office on Tuesday morning.  Just to give you an idea of how dark it is most of the time.

Our Danish Advent Kranz.  Clyde hates it because it is glitter and it gets everywhere (but he chose it and bought it).  We added the mushrooms and couldn't find any other green candles but these.  I love it.

Our Christmas corner.  The 'tree' is a bunch of twigs from the flower arrangement Clyde received from the archive.  It is fitting for a Danish Tree.  They use anything for a Christmas tree here.  If they use pine trees then they are usually still potted so they can be planted elsewhere after.  Looking out my window, I see few traditional Christmas trees.

A window arrangement we did with the bits and pieces we had left.  You have now seen all of our Christmas decorations.

Scripture of the day:  Matthew 5:43-44

More jokes:

What kind of bird can write?
~ A pen-guin

What did the big candle say to the little candle?
~ I'm going out tonight

What did the Christmas tree say to the ornament?
Aren't you tired of hanging around?

Love you all

 

 



Another Good day

We got so much done today.  I have a Danish Christmas Carol stuck in my head - to the point that I hum it and don't even realize I am.  Clyde is getting kind of tired of it.

Scripture for today: Doctrine and Covenants 24:7

Jokes for the grandchildren:
What do snowmen like most about going to school?
~ Snow and tell!

When is a good time for Santa to visit?
~ Anytime!

What can Santa give away and still keep?
~ A cold!

The Oxen

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock

"Now they are all on their knees,"

An elder said as we sat in a flock

By the embers in hearthside ease.

 

We pictured the meek mild creatures where

They dwelt in their strawy pen,

Nor did it occur to one of us there

To doubt they were kneeling then.

 

So fair a fancy few would weave

In these years! Yet, I feel,

If someone said on Christmas Eve,

"Come see the oxen kneel.

 

"In the lonely barton by yonder comb

Our childhood used to know,"

I should go with him in the gloom,

Hoping it might be so.