Saturday, January 31

Today we got word that my father is now in an assisted living center.  The big decision we have is do we go home for a funeral if that is to be or stay our full mission.  As hard as it was to come to the decision, we will stay until the end.  It seems silly to head home just to go to a funeral.  It would be wonderful to be with family but we will just have to work that out for a real reunion some other time.  It has been 2 days of prayers and considering all the angles to come up with this decision.  I know there will be some that think we don't care but we do.  However a big part of our decision is that this is what my father would want.  I have always tried to make him happy.

Not a lot to report.  We did the things we always do on Saturday to prepare for the Sabbath and the coming week.  Life goes on.

An 'interesting' 2 days

I guess 'interesting' is a good way to describe this.  Wednesday evening I literally came home and went to bed.  I have had a sore throat and aches for days.  It just got the best of me Wed.  Yesterday I had to go with Clyde to the Raadhus because Helge was showing us the new project we are starting and giving us an idea of what we are in for.  The books are as big or bigger than the 'elderly' records we just finished.  We will have to take the camera up to the rafters again.  I came home immediately after that because I felt so bad.  Clyde wanted me to go to the temple with him this morning.

I awoke today and could swallow again without pain.  We had a wonderful session - in English!  That was a surprise.  Clyde and I both had prayed to understand more today and it happened, but in a way we did not expect.  It was good to be in the temple but by the time we got home - I was totally exhausted.  I slept for a couple of hours and now feel at least well enough to get dinner on the table.

We received some kind of bad news today.  My father has asked to be put in an assisted living center.  He has fallen several times in the last week and he feels that being in there would be a better place for him right now.  My mother's cousins have a wonderful place in Ephraim (about 12 miles from Manti) and I am okay with it.  I just hope he isn't giving up.  We need him there for at least a little while when we come home.

Three More Months

I cannot believe that 3 months from today - we will be home.  I get a bit panicky when I think about it because I have so much to do to get ready.

Lars came in this morning and said that he was tired of the dark and cold and the miserable world.  I said that it will get better soon.  He said that yes the weather would but not necessarily the world but he would live with it. 

I told Mikkel what a cute son he had.  He said, "He might make you laugh but there are times he makes me want to scream."  I said, "Welcome to the world of parenting." 

Tomorrow we will spend the morning at the Raadhus and figure out our last few series we will be doing.  We are just about finished with the divorces.  We got 8 books done today.

I am Mormor or Farmor

I have acknowledged my title of Grandma or GaGa for years now but it always surprises me when a child not from my family calls me 'grandma'.  Today Matthaeus was at work with his dad Mikkel.  He kept asking his father if he could come see the farmor (father's mother) and say 'hi'.  He would run and see me and then get shy but it still made me smile.  He couldn't leave until he came to say Hej Hej - which is 'hi hi' and means goodbye.  He giggled all the way down the hall.

A couple of weeks ago we were sitting across from a woman from Nigeria and her small son.  He kept calling me 'mormor' which is mother's mother.  His mother kept smiling and telling me she thought it was funny.  I thought it was sweet because our coloring was polar opposites.  When he got off the bus he too told me 'hej hej'.  So I guess I am now officially old and grandma!

We got 7 books done today.  They were twice as thick as yesterday's books so we did quite a bit today.  It was a good day - all in all.  Jeppe was trying to get things in order for our leaving.  I tear up every time we talk about it.  I am going to miss this group. 

Clyde asked me if he had sent in our time card for last week.  I told him I gave him the information and assumed he had.  15 minutes later, Chris called because he had a question about the time card.  Do you think the Lord was listening and answered our question?  I wouldn't be surprised.

Busy but wet Monday

The books were really cooperative today and so we got 9 completed.  However on the way home we had to wait almost 30 minutes for our bus to come and it was raining a steady stream.  We were soaked by the time we got in the door PLUS we were 40 minutes past our time we usually arrive home.  I am still trying to relax.

It was a good day at work.  This is the perfect mission for Clyde and me.  We are working on divorces and separations from 1800-1850.  I am really shocked at how many there are just for Copenhagen and the said thing is the numbers are rising every year.  There are at least 300 in each book.  Kind of sad to know it will just get worse.

The Wintry day descending to its close....

I love the melody and most of the words for that hymn.  So sorry that some of it is not politically correct so it can't be sung anymore.

I have had another headache that has lasted 2 days.  Hopefully tomorrow I will be up and ready for work.  I hate sending Clyde places alone.  I will take some Nyquil and head for bed as soon as it is truly evening. 

Not much to report. 

It's Friday and I am fried!

For some reason I ache all over and have had a splitting headache all day.  I was good and stuck it out but came home and had a hot shower.  It helped a bit but now the aches are back.

Lars and Mikkel were getting lunch ready today and were fussing and fighting with each other like 6 year olds.  Mikkel seemed to be getting more and more aggravated.  I finally put my arm around him and asked if he was okay.  He said that Lars was just plain stupid.  Then he felt bad he had said that and tried to make it okay.  I said the Lars only has himself to worry about and sometimes that makes him a bit insensitive.  That sent Mikkel off about WHO would want to marry the guy.  1 hour later the two were working on a project together and having a ball.  Men!

Everyone kept saying the new couple will have big shoes to fill.  I finally said - throw our shoes away and let them have new ones.  Mads loved that and kept telling people that they new couple will get their own shoes.  Those guys make laugh. 

We did 8 books today and still finished early.  These books are cooperative and easy to do.

Finding Family Search ID numbers

We finished the project we started in May.  We couldn't start the new one because there were no Family Search numbers.  It turned out that the first series on our list got dropped somehow and Family Search didn't give them the proper codes.  We spent 2 hours trying to figure out what to do but then got 3 books of the series finished.  This one will go quick but the next couple to come will be finishing this project.  It is at least 7 months of work - maybe more.

It was good day.  The sun was shining until well after 4 p.m.  We had Cheese puff for dinner it was the perfect ending to a good day.

Today while we were working I ran across the last name Otto about a dozen times.  When I was little and lived on Infantry Post, my hero was Susan Otto.  She was at least 2 years older than me and was a wonderful friend.  Her dad was my dad's boss.  Colonel Otto and his wife became fast friends of our family and remained so until the senior Otto's deaths.  I have many fond memories of them.

On the way home today I was looking at the amazing spires with the 'queen's hat on top'.  That was what Marianne and I would say about the top of Brooke Army Medical Center.  It made me laugh that was thinking hat instead of crown.  I admit - I am weird.

Migraine!

This morning, Clyde got hit with a full blown migraine.  He was so sensitive to sound that he decided it would be smarter to work through it rather than trying to take the bus and travel for 1 1/2 hours.   Finally about 1 he felt a bit better but not over the top.  I have been fuzzy all day but just think I am fretting about packing and getting home.

We told the archive about our replacement couple.  Lars said they are not us - so he doesn't even want to think about it.  He said that he will not like them (he has always been the most accepting of the techs with us.  The new couple will love him.)  Elisabeth said 'how is that good news?  The good news would be your are staying."  She knows we can't but it will be hard to leave here.

Carianne had surgery again today and it went well.  Hopefully no more surgeries for the rest of her life!

Happy Cheese Lover's Day!

I will miss the cheese here.  It is so creamy and good!  Oh well.  I have learned that full fat cheese is so much better than any other kind and I don't eat as much because I am satisfied with it.

We had our last interview with President Sederholm.  We did find out a new couple will replace us in June!  Happy day.  Time is flying.

We did 4 books today and if we get 4 done tomorrow - we will be finished with this project on Thursday.  We have a meeting with Helge and Jeppe on Friday.

Whatta Day!

I was going to say that 'tragedy has been averted' but then put things in perspective.  Let me explain.  Last night my Kindle quit.  Those of you that know me KNOW that I panicked and almost cried myself to sleep.  I tossed and turned all night thinking about how I will spend the next 14 weeks without a Kindle.  This morning, Clyde very sweetly offered me his Kindle Fire.  I went in to check one more time and not even a green light.  I fixed breakfast and started to get ready for work and my Kindle was on!  Don't know why or how.  Pam said it just needed a long break.  Whatever - I am so grateful it is up and running again.  I cannot get through a day without it!

The bus ride home was interesting.  There were NO shock absorbers on the bus - whatsoever!  We literally bounced and shook all the way home.  I kept thinking of the song "The Wheels on the bus" - when you talk about the People.  'The people on the bus go Up and Down!'  We certainly did that.

It was a good day at work.  The books are HUGE and have some damage but were able to get about 2000 paged done today and that is good.

A beautiful but bitter cold Sunday

The sun tried hard to shine today but never quite got there.  It was -1 (Celsius) but did get to 0 when we were coming home.  Translated - we were right at freezing all day but the feel like temperatures were in the teens.  The meetings this morning were wonderful - as always.  I renewed my goal from October to pay more attention to the Sacrament and to scripture study.  I visited with a sister after church (that kind of reminds me of the 'bag lady' in Labyrinth - the Jim Henson production) and has up until this week somewhat avoided me.  For some reason - after I thanked her for her wonderful words on the importance of prayer and scripture study - she opened up to me.  We had SOS (sandwiches and slaegtshistory - or genealogy in English - it just isn't as catchy) but Ulla and I visited through most of it.  She seemed to need someone to just listen to her.  She is not married and is really intelligent.  It was a wonderful visit.  She asked how much longer we had and I told her.  She teared up and said that she would really miss Elder Bailey and me because we have tried so hard to become one with the branch.  Mona Pedersen-Loftus, our R.S. President, told me exactly the same thing.  We are comfortable here and we do love this mission and the wonderful people we associate with every day. 

I thought today how grateful I am for the Gospel in my life.  I am so blessed to have the fullness of the Gospel as part of the fabric of who I am.  I know that this is the true and living Gospel of Jesus Christ and I am thankful for every commandment I have kept, every covenant and commitment I have made in association with it.  What a blessing it is that my forefathers (and mothers!) saw fit to come into this religion and set such a good example for me.  I am so blessed.

Happy Birthday Pam!

This is not the most wonderful picture but it does capture Pam!  Today is her birthday.  Pam, may you have a wonderful birthday and an incredible year.  You deserve that.

We are doing well.  It is starting to get quite cold though.  However it was daylight until 4:30 this afternoon!  YAY!  Life is good.

And our departure date is....

April 28.  We arrive in Salt Lake City at about 2 p.m.  Starting to get a bit 'trunky'.  Our last day at work will be the 24th.  Hard to believe we are getting so close.  We will be able to celebrate our grandson Dane's birthday with him  It would be nice if we could celebrate our son-in-law Carl's birthday with him too but we will just have to call him.

We went to the temple today and had a wonderful day.  It has just been a really spiritual day.  We have a busy day for tomorrow though.  Just the mundane things that have to happen to prepare for the week ahead.

It is awful out there!

We ran out of books and came home a bit early today.  It was raining and blowing so hard - the rain was coming at us sideways.  We fortunately went from one bus to the next with little delay and sat in the warmth and dry of the bus until we arrived home.  Love it when we can so effortlessly go from one bus and walk 1/2 a block and get on the next.

We got 6 books finished and ran out of books.  We had thought they would be bigger and that we would have to struggle to shoot them.  These books flew by because they were so cooperative.  Tomorrow is our temple day - so no worries.

The word for speed in German and Danish is 'fart'.  'Din Fart' is over the sign that checks your speed on the roads.  We have another Senior missionary couple that send 'fart' signs to their grandchildren in Arizona.  Lately their older grandson has started saying things like, "Excuse me - I have to 'speed'.  His grandfather thinks that is so funny - actually so do I.

We are doing well but not looking forward to colder temperatures and more blowing precipitation. 

Happy Birthday, Marcus!

This is our oldest grandson, Marcus Andrew Bahlmann.  He turns 13 today.  He was the only grandchild I got to see every day as a baby.  He is an amazing young man.  Marcus, I hope you have a wonderful day and an amazing year.  Love you so much.

How many IT guys does it take to change the pedals on a bike?  At least 5!  Mikkel was changing his pedals on his bike so that he would have reflective pedals, today at work so he could use the tools there.  Jeppe came to help him and then Soren came.  Pretty soon Lars and Mads were helping too.  When I asked how many IT guys it took, Mads counted and said, "At least 5!"  They make me laugh so much.

 

Today when we went to work it was misting and pretty mild.  Then about 10 a.m. a driving rain hit with really high winds.  All of the sudden snow started falling with the biggest flakes I have ever seen.  On the way home the sun was shining with just a light breeze but the temps are falling.  I loved basking in the sun on the way home.  Now very cold temps and high winds are going to plague us until Monday and then the snow comes.  So much fun!

Backy to work - finally

I was feeling so much better today but after lunch I was completely washed out - so we came home a bit early.  I will make an early evening of it.  Glad to be well though.

For some reason I have been thinking a lot about my 'Omi' or Grandma Sarah.  She was always my hero growing up.  If she was utterly passionate about anything, I would say it was the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She read her scriptures every day and wrote in her journal daily.  I remember having problems and discussing them with her.  A little later I would find her by her bed praying on how to answer my needs.  She never gave you the answer.  In fact she was very good about turning things and saying, "What do you think should happen?"  Only one time did she ever tell me what to do.  I was getting ready to leave Clyde and give up on my marriage.  She made me promise I would not make a move until I attended at least 2 temple sessions.  I received the answer I needed in the temple.  I will always treasure that advice.  She loved the scriptures and attending Church.  The sacrament was so sacred to her that when she became housebound, she would quietly weep while the sacrament was prepared just for her.  She didn't have the priesthood in her home for most of her adult life.  She knew to call and ask for help.  I am grateful to the Wheeler's for watching out for her for so many years.  She loved them like family.  I cannot do her justice but I love/loved her so much.  I miss her everyday.  I am so grateful that she was such a big part of my life. I am truly blessed to have a grandmother like her.  

I am feeling much better!

In Denmark, Donald Duck is Anders And.  Curious George is Peter Pedal.  I am not sure why Curious George became Peter Pedal.  Pedal means to pedal or the pedal on a bike.  But and does mean duck.  Apparently there are more names that were changed but I don't have a chance to delve that much into children's literature here.

I finally feeling like myself again.  I stayed home and pretty much slept the day away.  Tomorrow will be a great day, I am sure.

A new week

I sure hope that whatever is going on with me is gone by tomorrow.  This is not fun.  Looking forward to a better day for the first day of the work week.

I understand now...

I have been feeling awful all week.  My left ear is leaking fluid - so not a completely ruptured eardrum, but close.  I have done nothing today but stay in bed.  I am running a low grade fever but not anything to be alarmed about.  I will stay home tomorrow and be good as new on Monday!

It is still raining and windy outside.  Welcome to January in Copenhagen.  The Jetstream has changed so the western part of Denmark and Norway are getting slammed with snow.  We are having early spring or late fall weather.  Okay by me.

Another dark and dreary day

It rained all morning.  This afternoon the sun came out but the wind was 25 mph gusting to 50!  I HATE wind.  Oh well, we lived through it.

We got 7 books done again today.  It was a very productive day.  I am still achy all over.  Maybe it was not a good idea to take 2 weeks off and quit using these muscles for so long!

Dismal, dark dreary day

After yesterdays bright sunshine, we had rain, wind and general darkness all day long.  It never got light enough to make things out across the street or plaza today without artificial lighting.  Tomorrow more of the same.

Mads came in and announced it was Elvis Presley's birthday.  I said it was also International Bubble Bath Day.  Mads said he will celebrate when he gets home but probably more bubble bath than birthday for Elvis.  He cracks me up.

We got 8 books done today and have had a very successful week so far.  We are both sore though.  I hope it is just getting back into the grind and not that we are coming down with anything. Can't believe tomorrow is Friday.

Sunny Day!

It started off a dreary rainy morning and ended up quite warm, with glorious sunshine.  I love it!

It was kind of interesting.  The Brooke's are our fellow Family Search couple that work in the area.  Mads came in today during our lunch and was very grave.  He said that Jim Brooke's was taken by ambulance to the hospital from the Fredericksburg archives, Monday afternoon.  The Fredericksburg people did not know how to contact them.  We got the information and passed it on.  A little later, I could tell Mads that Jim was coming home and the doctors were puzzled about what went on.  More tests coming.  Mads said to be sure and keep the Brooke's in our prayers as did Daniel.  I found it quite fascinating that they were that concerned and they knew we would pray.  Hopefully some day they will understand the big part prayer can play in our lives.

We had a good day - 7 books.  We even finished a few minutes early so we could get our bus passes.  This evening we are having dinner at the Sederholm's.  The Hicks (the senior support missionaries from Randers) leave on Friday.

A Better Day

Have I said lately how much I love my husband.  He has a meeting this evening that will take him 1 hour to get to.  Then the meeting (Priesthood Executive Council) will start at 8pm and then he will take 90 minutes to get home.  He won't be home until 10:30 or 11.  He is in finishing drying the dishes because I hurt so bad all over, I can hardly stand.  He is my hero.

We had a better commute today.  10 was on time and running period today.  That just made the rest of the day fall into place.  We only finished 2 books today.  They were 1000 pages each and had a LOT of damage so we were struggling with some pages for several minutes trying to unfold crimped pages so the information would be there.  Hopefully the images will pass and we won't have to deal with them again.  We really did do our best.

It was a good day.

We had our rest - now back to work!

This has been the oddest day.  Clyde decided that for fun, he would pull up the Copenhagen public transportation travel plan to see if we still had to get the bus at 6:55.  It said that bus 10 was not running today.  We took the train - like we used too and went to the main station and grabbed bus 250S.  On the way home we went to where we get 10 and waited over 30 minutes.  A bus driver on another bus shook his head and made us aware that 10 was not going to come there.  We ended up taking the train back home again and travel time had been 2 hours! Don't know what tomorrow brings.  We will see but are planning on taking the train. Apparently 10 and about 8 other routes were not running today.  Don't know why.

I saw this quote today - "Sometimes what you think you have is really missing." (unknown)  I decided that what this means is that we get comfortable with our lives, thinking all is well when there is something else we need.  The problem is that it will throw us out of our comfort zone - so we don't try it.  You can ponder this or not.


It was fun to be back at work and see everyone.  All had a wonderful holiday and were glad to be back at work.  We had a good day.  Frederick came in with a package from Chile that was literally covered in stamps of soccer players.  His son is going to go nuts when he sees it. 

The Sabbath has come again.

We had a beautiful Sacrament Meeting today.  I love testimony meeting.  I love listening to the sincere thoughts of the Branch members.  There were a lot of pauses today.  It kind of tickles me when people have a quiet gap.  I think some people rush up just to fill the void.  I like the quiet.  It gives me time to reflect on what is being said and be prompted in my own meditation.  I would love a meeting with a 5 or 10 minute ponder time.  But that will never happen.  People are to uncomfortable with silence - and themselves.

We are very blessed.  I was astonished today when someone pointed out 3 more fast Sundays and we will be heading home soon after.  Wow!  That is amazing.

I found this little poem that I would like to share.  It is something to ponder.
 

If your lips you keep from slips,

Five things to observe with care,

To whom you speak, of whom you speak,

And how and why and where.

Choose your words carefully,

You can never take them back.

A careless word might kindle strife,

A cruel word may wreck a life,

A timely word may level stress,

A loving word may heal and bless.

~ Unknown ~

The First Saturday of 2015

"If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else." ~ Yogi Berra ~

I kind of feel like that today.  I have not felt well all day but can't put my finger on what is going on.  I think I might have a cold but it is just that - a cold.  No sore throat and just feeling achy and crummy.  I sent Clyde to the temple without me and slept all day.  I am about ready to go back to bed.  Hopefully tomorrow, I will be all well.

The second day of 2015

I have not felt well.  I love that I had no where to go and could just stay cuddled under my blanket.  Clyde wants to go to the temple tomorrow, so he went shopping for me today.  I have read and not done much else.  I hope I feel better tomorrow.  I would love to go to temple.  Not much else going on in our lives right now.

Happy New 2015!

One of my favorite hymns is "Ring Out Wild Bells."  I know I am in the minority on this one, but I have always loved its unique quality.  I am giving you Tennyson's poem in total.  The poem is also called "Renewal."  Enjoy.

Ring Out, Wild Bells

~ Tennyson ~

 

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light,

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells and let him die.

 

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring happy bells, across the snow;

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

 

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here, we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

 

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

 

Ring out the want, the cares, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

 

Ring out false price in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love for truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

 

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

 

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

 

 

I had thought to also do 'Auld Lang Syne' but I don't  understand much of the language of that - so it is a no go.  You can look it up if you desire.

 

Once again, Copenhagen put on a magnificent show.  We had an enjoyable evening with the other senior missionaries (except the Brookes.  Jim was sick).  We also had 2 sets of young missionaries and had a blast.  These are 4 young men that I really enjoy being around.  One is an Ockey from Nephi and the another is a Vance from Denton, Texas.  So much fun.  I have been exhausted all day.  I didn't fall into a deep sleep until 5 this morning and was up by 9 with a headache.  Not much fun.  Glad there was nowhere to go and I could just lounge around.  Happy New Year!