SIGNS OF SPRING

Now here is a sure sign of spring.  Every Easter, Emily and Jordan take their children for pictures all dressed in their spring finery.  Add some bunnies and you've got spring at its best.  Couldn't resist sharing all this cuteness from across the miles.  We chatted with Shay and Tacy and their families who celebrated and worshiped together (their Easter baskets were a bit out of control, though),  saw other family activities on Facebook,  and read an e-mail from Elder Long who shared a powerful testimony from the mission field with the family.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

Spring is struggling a bit here in Copenhagen.  The weather is a flirt.  Just as you get feeling brave and put away the winter scarves, the wind sneaks in from the north and brushes cold fingers down your neck.  The next day, with scarf firmly wrapped, you nearly suffocate from warmth.  Fickle.  The weather makes the  daffodils a tad timid:  taking their time raising their heads high enough for the cold wind to ruffle them, and hugging close to the ground for protection.  They are short, but colorful splashes of sunshine against the still-green grass.  The crocus are more brave.  There are no rules for them.  They bloom in beds, against buildings and right in the middle of the lawn if they wish.  Big puddles of purple. Cheeky.  It's like they're laughing at you.  But, we all smile indulgently and walk carefully around them anyway.

Easter means pots and bunches of blooms are back on the sidewalks.   Ramped up from winter.  Every grocery has flowers spilling out the doors onto the brick. Trays and crates of them.   Bright splashes for pots and window sills.  Every block has a florist, as well.  Or two.  More exotic blossoms lure you in to shop.  Eye candy for flower lovers.

The top picture is the grocery store just below the mission office.  The intense color of the primroses actually hurts your eyes.  They should be declared illegal.  The bottom picture is one of three floral shops on our street.  Almost every pedestrian has a bundle or pot of flowers carefully cradled to take home and plant or display in windows.

We have enjoyed our Easter here in Denmark.  It's a week-long celebration starting with Palm Sunday and ending the day after Easter Sunday.   Many business and shops are closed for most of the week.  Even the grocery stores.  And schools are closed.  You do see Easter eggs, but not like the states.  It's really a holiday from school and work.  It seemed fitting to have Easter and Fast Sunday together this year.  The testimonies were about the Savior and his atoning sacrifice for us and were truly touching. One brother in our branch was diagnosed just a month ago with terminal cancer.  He is relatively young, though his children are raised.  His testimony was strengthening, inspiring and up-lifting.  He and his wife are facing the future with determination and strength based on everything we celebrate at this season.  Lovely people.  In addition, the church web-site was a treasure trove of Easter messages and thoughts and music and brought Easter joy to this little corner of the world.  God Påske!