Copenhagen - Part 1

Copenhagen, DENMARK - Part 1

August 24 - 29, 2016

On our way north, we stopped to meet an LDS psychologist in her home. She is also a graphic artist and I loved how she had decorated her home. I couldn't resist taking a picture of this great piece, done in wood chips.

Ken was planning to drive on the bridge crossing the North Sea going from Germany to Denmark, since it was much less expensive. Instead, we found ourselves at the ferry, miles away from the bridge! I'm sure it was the Navi's doing, sending us on the most direct route to Copenhagen.

This looked a little too deja-vu-ish for my comfort! (Like the Euro Tunnel train we were stuck on for 7 hours under the English  Channel.)

 We weren't allowed to stay in our cars, so decided to enjoy a Scandinavian buffet and the beautiful sunset on our 45 minute "cruise."

 After landing in Denmark rather late, we couldn't get a room in the hotel we had booked for tomorrow in Copenhagen, so we started looking for one in ........ Every hotel was booked. One desk clerk told us that he'd just called several places for another customer, all rooms everywhere were taken for the night. What? It wasn't even the weekend! (Found out later, that it is still holiday time in Copenhagen, and, since the weather is warm right now, everyone is out to enjoy it.)

We had a "no-room-at-the inn" experience. We were given a room that they use for overflow...beds set up in a meeting room, with access to a bathroom down the hall (but no discount in price).

 When the desk clerk saw our name badges, he asked about our church. Ken told him a little about it and we gave him a pass-along card. I told him that I was sure he was the reason we had come there. If he looks up the Church's website it will be worth our poor night's sleep. 

 The next morning we drove to Copenhagen, checked in early to the hotel, and set out to see the city.

Number one on our list of important places to see was the original CHRISTUS statue by Bertel Thorvaldsen!!!! 

 The statue was completed in 1838...interesting timing coordinating with the Church's beginning. 

 Since being on our mission, I've read, The Christus Legacy, by Matthew O. Richardson, which gives interesting details about the Christus becoming an icon for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

 The sides of the chapel are lined with beautiful statues of Christ's Twelve Apostles. These marble carvings were done under the supervision of Thorvaldsen.

Matthew.

 The hostess took us upstairs where there was a small museum (showing the evolution of the pastoral robes), a photographic history of the Church of Our Lady, and a tiny store selling souvenirs of the statues.

The church has burned down and rebuilt several times over the hundreds of years since it was first built.

It was obvious this was an active congregation. These are hand embroidered "Roses of Jericho," each uniquely done by different people. Here is the beginning of a tapestry project.

 The colors they choose for the rose are symbolic.

Well, look what I saw among the children's drawings!!! I'm still curious to know about the artist!

I told the women that this was drawn by a child from our Church who has been taught to 

"Choose the Right," obviously wishing he/she were in Texas.

 Downstairs again, we took a closer look at this beautiful angel who holds a shell for baptismal water, also carved by Thorvaldsen.

 One more look, soaking it in as long as possible.

I was later told that the local LDS Church is often permitted to hold meetings here in this Lutheran cathedral (firesides or youth meetings).

 Our last view of the Church of Our Lady Cathedral of Copenhagen.