Copenhagen, Denmark

We were given special permission by our Mission President to go to Copenhagen to attend the Temple wedding of one of our Young Adults. Our friends from Gera offered to take us

After a few hours sleep in Gera, we left at midnight and traveled six hours to catch the Ferry. You can see the sun coming up if you look closely.


Because of the generosity and love of Stephan and Madlen we were able to travel to Copenhagen and enjoy the wedding, the Temple and sightseeing.

Inside the Ferry

Getting Ready to Leave the Ferry
Notice that the road is not level with the Ferry yet.

The First "Sign" That We Were Getting Close

Approaching the Church and Temple

The Sign on The Church

This is a six story building directly behind the Temple. This building also houses a Distribution Center and a small hostel where we spent the night. We shared the space with families from Iceland who come once a year to attend the Temple. This was a sweet experience for us (and they spoke English) We are sorry we did not get a picture of this building.

The Sign on the Temple

The Copenhagen Denmark Temple

The Wedding

Marcus and Celeste found each other on the internet. Both are returned missionaries, love to travel and speak English (their common language since he is from Germany and she is from Denmark). The wedding ceremony was conducted in three languages. The first part was given in Danish with a German interpreter and the sealing was done in English.

Both Families

All the Girls

A Danish Wedding Tradition

Several times during the wedding dinner the guests would begin to tap on their plates with their knives until the bride and groom stood on their chairs and kissed. They would then stomp their feet until the couple got under the table and kissed again.

This was a most delicious wedding cake!

Sightseeing Before We Head Back to Germany

We love the colors.

Would you believe we saw not one, but many 7-Elevens in this city?

A Park By the Copenhagen Harbor

As in Germany, the children are put on wheels at an early age.

Somewhere in this harbor is the resting place of the "Little Mermaid" but they had sent her to China on a good will tour.

The Amalienborg Palace

The Palace is in Frederiksstaden, the oldest section of Copenhagen's inner city.

One of the Palace Guards

The Statue in the Middle of the Palace Courtyard

This area is dominated by the dome of the "Marble Church". It was originally Catholic but now is Protestant.

The Front Alter

Looking Up Into the Dome
Can you see the Twelve Apostles?

The Old Organ...

...and the New Organ

Another Interesting Church We Passed

We finally found the church where the original "Christus" stands but could not get close because they were having a service. We took this from the foyer.

The New Underground Subway

Bicycles Everywhere
Thirty six percent of all citizens commute to work by bicycle.

The McDonalds Where We Ate Lunch

This is the trash container in McDonalds and is the one Danish word we know, "Thank you"

We didn't know Denmark had windmills.

Back into the Ferry to return to Germany

A Solemn Remembrance

Buchenwald Concentration Camp

Another memorable P-Day with some of the Missionaries of our Zone. This time we went to a concentration camp near Weimar. Many of the buildings were closed but we saw enough. It's hard to think about what happened during those war years and in this camp. How can man be so cruel and inhumane.

Watch Tower

Then...

...and Now

One of Many Cement Stones Placed Around the Grounds for Memorials

Little Camp Memorial

Read this to understand why this particular area of the camp was an especially moving experience.



The architect of this memorial was a former prisoner of "Little Camp"and is now living in the USA. His name and number are written on a plaque.

The Back of the Camp

The Road the Guards Patrolled.

One side is where the prisoners were kept and the other side is the mass graveyard.



This is the graveyard where the remains of thousands are buried. Look closely for the metal poles which are the memorials.

There are no names, only numbers.

There were fresh flowers at the base of this cross.

The Crematorium

This building was open.

The Ovens

The Back of the Ovens Where the Ashes Were Removed and Taken to the Graveyard

It was in the cellar of this building where we saw the large hooks around the wall. They would hang the prisoners until they strangled. This method was used mostly for the young. At this point we were so distressed we could not take any more pictures.

To Cheer Us Up

We went to Weimar, (one of the places where Goethe and Schiller lived) to enjoy ...

...Ice Cream...

...and the Mall.

JAE Activities

Fireside With Elder Christian

Elder Christian, a retired professor who spent time at the BYU Jeruselem Center, gave a wonderful presentation about the last days of Jesus Christ and the Holy Land.

We all enjoyed this special evening.

Singing and Playing with Ian

At his house

At Our House

An Evening in Brazil with Antje

As an exchange student in Brazil, Antje learned to love the people, food, traditions and music and enjoyed sharing them with us.

Jena Branch

Jennica and Jessica discover the new white board before Primary. They love to draw.

Is there a likeness here?

Alejandro and Ralph say goodbye to Ronny as he is moving to another Branch.

Missionaries (continued)

After all the changes we finally get a picture of our new District.

The missionaries enjoy the treats we bring to District meeting.

This is our Swiss Elder, who speaks French, wearing his favorite
BYU hat.

A Surprise Call

Before we had a chance to get acquainted with Sister Hadfield, Sister Monson got a call from President Pimentel. When the new missionaries arrived at the airport that morning, four sisters got off the plane instead of two. It seems these extra sisters were "fast tracked" because they already knew the language but someone forgot to notify the President. We had two very capable sisters and an apartment recently vacated by the Elders here in Jena. Sister McCall and Sister Jensen would be arriving late that evening to be trained by Sister Monson and Sister Hadfield. We all hustled to get two apartments cleaned, ready and show up at the train on time.

Sister Hadfield Welcomes Sister Jensen

Sister McCall is Welcomed by Sister Monson

Going home...

...their separate ways.

How did this happen?

Six Heads are Better Than One

A New District Picture is Taken

Sister McCall, Sister Hadfield, Sister Gill, Sister Monson, Sister Jensen, Sister Wells

Elder Foch, Elder Allenbach, Elder Killpack (our new District Leader), Elder Ulrich