Christmas 2010 Aalborg DK

At the most northern point of DK two sea met. I am pointing to the North Sea and Jerry is pointing to the Baltic Sea. It was cold today...
Land of Jerry's and Jordan's forefathers. It is situated in the most northern parts of DK.
We spent Christmas Eve with Bishop Mattisen's Family. We ate traditional food, sang and danced, and left a message. Elder Lee accompanied us with his guitar as we caroled to about 20 homes delivering cards and candy through Aalborg. We had 4 dinner apt. for the 4 days of Christmas. I believe we all gained weight.
Okay, we had a romantic moment... This is Fredrickborgs Castle with Jerry and I dancing in the grand ballroom.
We loved having Jordan with us for 8 short days. We saw a couple of castles, the Kristus, Skagen (northern most point of DK), Shopping streets, and best of all we ate dinner with four different families. We ate traditional food, danced around the Christmas tree and sang. It was so fun.
On the bow of every ship a wooden carving distinguished each ship. This is one tough looking Viking Woman.
A door at Hamlets Castle. I have been accused of taking pictures of far too many doors. I find them so interesting. While Jordan was here visiting we explored the expansive rooms of Hamlets Castle. It is thought Shakespere took his inspiration for Hamlet from this Castle. Every Summer the play is performed here.
While in Copenhagen, we spent some very inspiring time at the Vor Fru Kirke, this is the original Kristus. In additon, there are 12 statues of the Apostels leading up to the Kristus. They are all probably twice the size of a normal man.
Jordan joined us for 8 wonderful days in DK. Here he is pictured with a Giant Lego Man. Lego was born in DK and still popular the world over.
Robert Bordinggaard, the Clox Maker. We found this cobbler and felt lucky to have done so. He lived about a 2 hour drive south of Aalborg. He made a pair of these clox for each of our 5 families. It has been our tradition from the beginning days of our family to set out the clox for Santa to fill on Christmas Eve.
Sidney attended church today and came to our apt for lunch. He told us of customs and culture of his native country of Nigeria. Unfortunately he is living in a refugee camp awaiting a job and learning Danish. He has been a member for one year. He is excited about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was pretty darn amazed to see the Nigerian Temple online.

Thanksgiving, Jerry's Bday, and Christmas

At the Aalborg Center we talk, we laugh, we listen, we play Wii, and we share some good times together.
Aldolfo from Italy, started coming to learn English. He like CFYA and kept coming back.
Missionaries, YSA, investigators, and food for FHE. Aalborg CFYA Dec 2010
Elder Ence prepared to baptise Tobias Vienbreg the following Sat.
Maria and her Mom Briggette. Brigette is a new member and we are visiting Maria this week.
We had Bday lunch at Spisehuset Kniv and Gaffel, the building was built in 1540, Maren Turis
Happy Birthday to Ældste Jensen Dansk style, Lagekage, yummmmmm
Elder Ribble's personal Thanksgiving Plate. 30 Hungry Elders for dinner....

Viking Graveyard & Knarly Sheep

A small herd of these Knarly Sheep keep the Viking graveyard neatly trimmed.

I think this must be the oldest graveyard I've ever walked in. 700 AD to 900 AD

This is the headstone I would like someday, just not too soon

The oldest graves are at the top of the hill. The grave site rocks are formed in the shape of a viking ship. Burial practices changed and in later years the vikings were cremated, but then again they returned to the practice of burial. I hope I am not leaning to hard on someones headstone.

A Viking Graveyard dated 700AD atop a hill overlooking Aalborg, DK.

This week we had a family to visit West of Aalborg. It was at a resort town called Blokhus. We met with a wonderful couple. They served us a delightful lunch, for dessert I ate my first Lagekage. It was an layered cream, raspberry, chocolate on top and wrapped with marcipan. I nearly cried with deliciousness. We took the opportunity to walk along the very cold beach and a walk in a nearby forest where you see me hugging my first Danske Tree.

November 1, 2010 Aalborg, Denmark

This building is at the town square. It was built in 1624 by a weathly land owner. The first floor was used as an Apotek ( pharmacy) which it still is today.
Here is one door I think I missed when I was in Aalborg 38 years ago, since the building is so old I am sure it was here, I just did not make it. No one answered.

Looking good on the Gå gade in Aalborg, it is a good thing Søster Jensen has not got the Kroner figured out yet. I am afraid she loves the fashions so much she would want to buy it all.

Not raining for the moment, but it is always a good idea to keep an umbrella handy. We love the old cobblestones and buildings.

November 1, 2010
Hi Family and Friends,

Another week of excitement, learning, teaching and exploring here in Aalborg, Denmark. The Aalborg ward is great. The bishop is an Orthopedic Surgeon and practices trauma medicine at a small hospital about 50 km south of Aalborg. The ward members are very friendly and helpful. I am afraid we are going to get fat from accepting all the dinner invitations. Our challange now is to remember all the names and their positions in the ward. Last night we had a lovely dinner with Flemming Klitgaard, who served his mission in Provo, Utah. So he was from Aalborg serving in Utah County and we are from Utah County serving in Aalborg. By the way he is a huge BYU football fan and I am sure if I really have the need to see a game, I could call Brother Klitgaard.

Saturday night we took the young elders with us and drove a ways out of town to teach a family that are from the Congo, they have lived in Tasmania for 10 years before moving to Denmark where they have been learning Danish. It was a little strange teaching a French speaking family whoses native tounge is Swahili in Danish. One of the ladies that we asked to give the closing prayer gave it in Swahili, so I am not sure if she was asking about the truthfullness of the Book or Mormon or not. By the way Swahili is a very beautiful language to hear.

Monday night we had 9 at the Young Single adult FHE. Again it was international night with one from China, one from Italy, one from Nepal, our YSA president from Greenland and Danes,

as well as four missionaries from the USA.

I have been asked by the stake president to serve on the high council as a representative for the YSA. We have been charged to out reach for young single adults in Aarhus, Randers, and Frederickshavn. That will keep us on the road a bit.

We continually are laughing about our stumbling with the language, money, operating equipment and finding our way about. It is certainly a new life for us.

Thanks for all your love and support. Keep the prayers coming, we need them.

Love Ældster og Søster Jensen

Den Danske Mission af Den Kirke af Jesus Kristi af Siste Dages Hellige

First Week in Aalborg

Dear Family,

Thanks to Brent, he set up our Jensen Juice Blog just before jetting to Denmark. Hopefully We will write at least one a week.

Yes, we have now been here 1 week. The mission Pres. was at the airport waiting for us. He wisked us off to the mission home and filled our heads with all kinds of things to remember. Un fortunately our heads were fairly fuzzy at that time. But I do recall him cautioning us to always check our mirror on the right before turning as there are usually bikes cruising by. If there is ever a bike-car accident, the bike is always in the right. Dad has made a silent observation, there are no obese people in Danmark, they all ride bikes.

We have had a fairly busy week, we have eaten with Dansk folk 3 times. We have spent one FHE with the single YA. We visited our first less active person. Dad actually spent time in her parents home close to when she was baptized as a child of 8. We were asked to bear our testimonies in Danish on Sunday. Dad was awesome, I did my basic 3 year old testimony. We met with our district today, I made Choc. Chip Cookies in an attempt to win their hearts. They are wonderful Elders, all 8 of them.

The rest of the time we have been trying to figure out how to operate the dish washer, washing machine etc. We unpacked our stuff and fit very comfortably in our little apt. Our mission Pres. gave us some dune comforters to snuggle into for the winter. We did not have to spend much to set up our apt, but we have managed to spend more than we should have on yogurt, real cheese, and amazing breads. The mission expects us to pay for the car, gas, and our food supplies but they pay for a good portion of the rent for the missionary couples. We are loving it here, especially your Dad. I have yet to know what people are saying most of the time. I am working on the language but slowly. These Dansk Women are blond, striking, and fashionable Women.

We hope you are all well and happy. We pray for your success and happiness. You can call at anytime you would like just remember DC is 6 hours, Highland is 8 hours, and DC 9 hours time difference. Dad was so happy he removed the sim card from the mission phone which is an antique and put it in his Blackberry. It worked hurray!!!! My iron needed an adapter but it still needed too much power and would not heat up. Dang...

Jill wrote us and we are hopeful the rest of you will post your blog, call us, snail mail, and email. We love you so much and miss you. Love, Mom