SPRING HAS SPRUNG

I have never seen spring come so fast in my life.  We had utterly leafless, budless, brown bushes and trees one week and by the next, full blown greenery.  I had literally examined branches  looking for buds by May, because I was more than a little worried.   Well.  Not to worry.  The buds popped out from wherever they were hiding, unfurled their leaves and ushered in a new season with a flourish. Endless rows of blossoming trees and parading tulips unveiled their colors and released lovely fragrances. And you should see the brilliant fields of rap seed (canola).  Literally hurts your eyes.
I  L O V E   S P R I N G!!

Every missionary in Denmark has his/her picture taken in the yellow fields in May.  So............. On our way to Frederiksbergs Slot, we couldn't resist.

Our company arrived just in time for the display.  Anissa, Courtney with husband, Jackson, and McKenzie flew in early in the morning after a 16 hour lay-over in Reykjavik, Iceland  where they caught a 10-hour tour and saw a bit of the unique Iceland landscape:  ice, hot springs and waterfalls.   We warned them to sleep on the way over because we had to hit the ground running in order for them to see everything.  After a short stop at the apartment, we grabbed a train to Roskilde to the Domme Kirke where all the Queens of Denmark are buried.  The church is full of caskets from years back. Many families constructed a whole chapel and attached it to the main church to house their ancestors, and the caskets are magnificent.   Many crafted from marble; gilded and carved by famous artisans. Scores of them.  Have to see to believe.

Chapel of the Magi.  Wonderful frescoes and 2 sepulchres made by Dutch artists as small antique temples.  

The next day, we hopped on a canal boat for a water tour, then went to Frederiksberg Slot in Hillerød. The National Museum.  We toured all three floors, and the outside as well.  Courtney and Jackson had a selfie-stick and well, what can I say? They used it.  A lot.  Goofy.  But you can take some nice shots of yourself if you can keep from laughing out loud.

Frederiksberg Slot

The family attended church with us on Sunday and I think they enjoyed it.  All in Danish.  The kids met all the branch members (not a long process) and the mission President and his wife were there as well. Great spirit in all the meetings. I had to play the organ because our organist was in the USA to a grand-daughter's wedding.  Playing hymns from the Danish Hymnbook is an adventure on several levels:  the page numbers are different,  the key is often different, the titles don't translate so well and there are many unfamiliar Danish hymns which we don't have in our book.  Also, many of our hymns are not in theirs.  When I play the prelude music from the hymn book,  every page is a surprise...........  Oh and one more thing, you sing all the verses.  Yes.  Every.  One. One of their songs has ten verses.  I just told the R.S. president to wave her hand when we got to the last verse on that hymn, so I would know when to stop.  It's interesting how much you rely on the words when you play a hymn, and feel panic if you can't read them.

Lots of steps and cold Baltic

Stvyn's Klint

After church, we drove down the coast to Stvyn's Klint.  The dark clouds rolled in, but we hiked down to the Baltic and dipped hands in the water - too cold for toes.  The clouds made the lighting perfect for a picture of the bay.

Vor Frues Kirke - The original Kristus

By Monday, we had played hooky from the office long enough, and we had a holiday and transfers looming, so we turned our guests loose and they saw all kinds of touristy things on their own.  They were getting pretty confident with the buses.  We joined them later at Vor Frues Kirke to see the Kristus. And we got a bonus:  someone was practicing the huge old pipe organ on the upper floor for a concert.  Let me tell you, these old churches were made with acoustics in mind.  The music swelled and swirled and floated.  Furious runs ending with tiny golden notes hanging in the air.  Glorious.

The day wore us out, but they were all about trying some Danish food, so we ate frikadeller, a   popular, Danish  meatball.  Anissa's motto for the trip was "A pastry a day,"  so dessert was no problem.

Holgar Dansk, himself

On Tuesday, new missionary day, our brave company took a train north to Helsingør, booked the ferry to Sweden and back, and toured Kronbørg Castle.  By themselves!  Anissa remembered the statue and story of Holgar Dansk from her dad's old mission slides and finally found him in the dark maze-like rock tunnels under the castle.  Dimly lit and creepy tunnels.  But worth it.  She was thrilled!  Bought a miniature statue of the famous viking in the gift shop.

Vore Frslers Kirke

That night, we went to Tivoli (amusement park) and it was deserted.  Don't know why no one showed up, but we had fun and loved having no lines and no crowds in the souvenir shops.   Next morning, they (you'll notice I didn't say "we") climbed the tower on the outside of Vore Freslers Kirke.  This narrow stairway spirals up the outside of the church several hundred feet in the air and gets narrower, the higher you get.  You climb right to the top.  Courtney was petrified!!!  Crying petrified!!  Jackson has video proof.

The craziest way to spend money, ever.

But, she  got even when we went to the Fish Kiss Spa and Jackson squealed like a girl when the fish "kissed" his feet.   The manager of the spa was wise to put us in the basement or Jackson would have scared all the customers away.  He was in agony.  Courtney has video proof.  It's a stand-off.

We were able to do a session at the Copenhagen Temple one evening.  I love being in the temple with family.  Anissa and her girls love to be together, and I know exactly how they feel. We were sad to say goodbye after such a fun week, but end-of school for Anissa, and beginning of summer for the rest. Loved having them here!