Pages

Friday, September 19, 2008

Denmark Day 4: Copenhagen Temple, Mission Home (Part 1)

This day was Sunday. We'd now immersed ourselves in Copenhagen for two days and today was the day we were going to see more of Dad's mission, the Danish temple, and Copenhagen chapel.

But before any of that began, there was breakfast. Yummmmmmm! You'll never believe me but I actually lost 10 pounds on our vacation. And I attribute it directly to our Danish breakfasts. I had no idea that eating so much food that early in the morning could be so very, very healthy for you.

Danish breakfast



And the Kong Arthur knew how to put on a spread. We had a busy day ahead of us and a goal of leaving the hotel at 9AM sharp. So that meant many of us were hitting the breakfast table at 7:30AM. When we entered the sunny atrium, we always had a waiter or waitress greet us and ask our room number. I figured they just wanted to make sure we were actual guests at the hotel (you know, they could figure out if 10 people said they were from room 220 that somebody was lying and they would find the perpetrators and kick them out). In fact, that was the only reasonable explanation because we knew that breakfast was free with our stay. Dad had arranged all of our hotels and having breakfast included was an important budget-saving part of our plan.

100-2 Kong Arthur atrium



The food was delicious and filling that morning and I was actually starting to enjoy eating cucumbers and tomatoes on my open-faced sandwich each morning. Plus, I was drinking in our location. I believe now that if I could eat on a table spread with white linen every morning that I might actually turn into someone respectable.

100-3 Breakfast faces Adam, Brock, Julie and Michelle. Whose got the grumpy face?



Despite the beautiful atmosphere though, we did hurry ourselves through breakfast. I was bunking with Mom and Dad and Cassie and I knew that meant that Mom and Dad would be clearing out of the room by 8:30AM if they really wanted everyone in the car by 9AM. And I was right!

100-4 Kong Arthur Beds



We got to the front desk and the rest of the group started trickling in to the lobby, turning in keys and settling the bills for each room. But the price of the rooms seemed a bit excessive to everyone and Dad started reviewing the itemized list of charges. He discovered that hotel had tacked on a charge for each person for breakfast each day. And that breakfast was expensive. $50 a person a day. And while I have waxed poetic about their breakfasts here, I certainly was unprepared to spend that much money for a morning meal. We all were going to have to eat this unplanned-for expense (pun intended).

100-5 Chilling in the lobby



That is until we got Dad--the Most Fiscally Responsible Adult Alive, Bar None--on the job. He had guaranteed us a free breakfast and he was positive he had verified that with the hotel months before. But they weren't just going to take his word for it. So, what did our mighty leader do? He produced hard evidence.

100-7 Our Fearless Leader



Out of his black bag, he pulled the hotel confirmations and emails for every hotel on our trip. Meticulously organized, no less. He quickly located the Kong Arthur section of these papers and pulled out an email sent months before from one of the desk managers at the Kong Arthur verifying that our group of 16 would be staying for two nights and that BREAKFAST WAS INCLUDED. Free of charge.

The manager's face fell when he realized that the hotel had just eaten a $1600 charge. Oh, baby.

You gotta love Dad. Totally in his element. And totally making our day. He saved our bacon and we got it for free that day!

100-8 The back walk of hotel



After our rescue from these unexpected charges, we were popping each other on the back and grinning wide. What a way to start the day. We made it out of the hotel a smidgen past 9:00AM and loaded up the vans.

Our first destination of the day: The Copenhagen Denmark Temple.

Holy, holy house


We entered the address of the temple in our trusty navigation system and headed off. The drive was only about fifteen minutes, but when we reached the location that the navigation system led us to there was no temple in sight and the neighborhood didn't look right to Dad.

We were lost.

We pulled the vans over on the street and The Ones Who Read Maps (Dad, Ric, Rus, Adam) put their heads together and consulted.

That didn't get us anywhere.

So, here we sat in the middle of our second pickle of the day already. What would we do?

While the rest of us fretted and snoozed and applied lipstick, Spencer pondered. And thought deep and good thoughts. And in the midst of his deep thinking (and with his razor-sharp eyesight) he glanced out the window of the van and what did he see? Two missionaries walking straight towards us.

100-9


We were saved. For the second time in less than an hour. The missionaries were very kind and very, very helpful. They gave us minute and detailed instructions for how to reach the temple. They just pointed around the corner.

For yes, we were not more than half a block away.

Copenhagen Temple


What made this temple so interesting to all of us was the fact that when Dad was in Denmark as a missionary in the late 60s, this building had been the chapel. Thirty years later the Church converted it in to the first temple in the land of Denmark.

Chatting it up at temple
Michelle, Adam, Mom, Cassie


The plaza in front of the temple was beautiful. The grounds were serene and quiet and welcoming. We spent several minutes taking loads of pictures and then we sat and enjoyed just being there.

Sunday morning sit down


And then people started getting all romantic and thinking about when they were married just because we were at the temple. These two especially.

Matt & Cissy at temple
Matt and Cissy


And wanting their pictures taken together.

Brock & Julie at temple
Brock and Julie


Some were more serious than others.

Rus & Jenny at temple
Rus and Jenny


And then the oh-so-important group shot.

Group shot in front of Copenhagen Temple


And then more couple shots next to the plaque at the front of the temple.

Adam & Michelle at Copenhagen Temple
Adam and Michelle


See the name of the Church in Danish there. Who can pronounce it? Who?

Spencer & Megan at Copenhagen Temple
Spencer and Megan

Yes, we got Megan out from behind her enormously huge camera every once in a while.


This shot was more of the "who is the only child left at home" shot. Really, what is everyone laughing about?

Dad, Mom, Cassie at Copenhagen Temple
Dad, Cassie, Mom


Then the couple-that-sings-together-stays-together.

Ric & Tami at Copenhagen Temple
Ric and Tami


And I'm not quite sure what to say about this one. He who flits and fleets and fleetly flies?

We flit, we fleet


He certainly had the flitting part down. Much to Jenny's consternation.

We fleetly flee, we fly


And where was the couple picture of little old me and my Prince Charming? Let's just say, I'm still accepting applications for that position. AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FILLED. (Anyone can apply. No white horse needed. All applications given serious consideration. Position needs to be filled immediately.)

After the couple shots were completed, things got a little crazy. Actually, a lot crazy for a day that was supposed to be worshipful and quiet and reverential.

'Cause people started walking like the Egyptians. For no apparent reason at all.

Walk like an Egyptian 2


These two blonde and beautiful girls, otherwise known as my sisters, were getting just a little bit funky and dancing to the beat of some drum that nobody else could hear.

Walk like an Egyptian 3


That is, we thought no one else could hear.

Until Julie came along. And the spirit of that music seemed to carry her away. Although, she seemed to be hearing more of Superwoman theme--as demonstrated by her excellent flying skills.

Julie flying



And the blonde-and-beautifuls just weren't quite sure what to do with that interruption.

Walk like an Egyptian 4


So, they passed off the dance floor to the funkmeister himself, Mr. Russell Clinton, of "the running man" fame.

New attitude

Or was that the "walk like a chicken" fame?


I digress, I digress. Shhh! Everyone listen.Simmer down. Fold your arms, zip your lips, and sit still.

Let's get back to the business at hand. The temple. It really was a very beautiful spot to be in on our first Sunday in Denmark. The sun was shining, there was just the slightest breeze that day. And we had survived quite a morning so far.

Side shot of Copenhagen Temple



So, some of us took naps. (Have I mentioned yet that this one has narcolepsy? Yes, you will see a few more photos of Matt sleeping his way through the trip.)

Sleeping at the temple



We just couldn't seem to get enough of this lovely spot.

Courtyard at temple



And we even got Dad to tell us some stories about his time here. Which was really the reason we kept lingering.

Discussing history of temple



Eventually though, it was time to go. Church services were beginning very soon in the new chapel down the street.

Side of Copenhagen Temple



So, we headed down the block.

Back of Copenhagen Temple



To the new chapel.

Copenhagen ward



This chapel was on residential street and except for this sign that Mom was standing in front of we would have missed it.

Sign on LDS church



Of course, we had to take pictures.

Take the shot



Once we walked inside the chapel though we realized that the main congregational meeting wasn't starting for two more hours. We had time on our hands. The perfect time to go find the mission home.

So, we packed back into the vans and went searching again for another address.

The double duty vans


And this is what we found. The mission home where Dad lived for several months on his mission.

Denmark mission home circa 1960s


And why did he live here? Well, I had heard my whole life about when he was "in the office" as a missionary. So, I assumed that meant he worked in the office like handling finances, or cars, or something. And that is what I continued to believe as I stood across from this tall, white home.

Megan taking the shot


I've been on a mission. I know that missionaries who spend a significant amount of time working with the president and in the office are usually assistants to the president (read junior executives and peer leaders).

Mission home


But Dad always referred to it more obliquely as "working in the office."

Telling mission stories


So, as he stood there telling us more stories about his time in this place as a twenty-year-old kid, it suddenly dawned on me that he had been an assistant to the president while he was here.

It just took me thirty years of hearing those stories for it to finally sink in.

Soaking up the history

Dad likes to err on the side of modesty. At all times. And in all things. And in all places.

He would certainly rather downplay his role in any walk of life rather than exaggerate it. Even if he brings a crew of 16 of us across an ocean and several countries to tell us his little story of "working in the office."

He's a man who likes to let his actions speak louder than his words.

But modesty or no, he's got eight kids who are happy to call him "Dad." And willing to shout about his goodness in the process.

Group in front of Dad's mission home



Day 4 (Part Deux) is coming soon. There's church to attend (with someone who sings extra loud), and a lunch experience that will curl your hair (at least your nose hair) and a record-breaking number of van stall outs. So, keep your eyes peeled for more exciting times to ensue.

----------------------------------------------------------
Read the rest of the journey:

4 comments:

Julie said...

Oh how I loved this post. I'm so glad the Denmark posts are back in session! It took me back and I had so much fun reliving Day 4! Now I can't wait to see what happened on day 5...see I'm already forgetting.

Cissy said...

Oh, Eden, Matt and I laughed so hard reading through this account. You are definitely the right Ras to document that blessed trip.

Kristin said...

I am so glad you started these again! I love reading them and seeing your pictures. I like the new layout too, the bigger the pictures the better :)

Rasmussen Family said...

Man, reading this and I felt like I was there...except I wasn't even a Rasmussen then:) Sounds like something that would happen on vacation with my family...the getting lost part!!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails