There’s Something “Awesome” in Denmark

One of Darren’s favorite missionary companions in England was Elder Jensen (pronounced Yensen, please.)  Michael Jensen is from Denmark, but speaks excellent English with the most delightful accent.  As the tail end of an already planned trip to the states, Darren talked Michael into coming to Federal Way to visit.  What I found remarkable is that Darren knew the day and general time that Michael was coming, but had no idea what airlines he was on or where he was flying in from.  He  and Nathan were at the airport by 8 p.m. but by 9 p.m. were still looking for a missing mission companion.  They had tried to call him, but Michael’s cell phone was not working.  It appears that while Darren and Nathan were walking from one baggage claim to another, Michael was outside on the sidewalk, wandering.  Communication—a novel idea.

We tried to get a picture of these two, but we couldn’t seem to catch Michael with his eyes open.  To get a picture of Darren actually smiling for the camera was nothing short of miraculous.

  Take 2.

Trying again.  Take 3.

 

 By this time, Darren has smiled enough.  He is now going to take matters into his own hands.  Take 4.

Michael insists that he can do it on his own, but it’s too late.  It appears that Darren has already used up more than three years worth of camera smiles.  Take 5.

I was right.  Take 6.

At this point, I recognize that the situation is hopeless. Take 7.

All this effort has worked Michael into a sweat and he has to remove his suit coat, BUT  we have just successfully captured his big brown eyes and fabulous smile. And Darren?   What rotten luck.  Take 8.

 

What you don’t see are the 13 other failed attempts.  At this point, we are accepting anything with open eyes and both noses pointing forward.  Take 22.  Good enough.

We absolutely loved having Michael stay with us for those two weeks.  He just fit right in with the family.  He was polite and gracious, well read, and interested in many things.  One evening as the family was all gathered, he was nice enough to submit to our unrelenting interrogation about his life.  While he was here, he was also in the process of memorizing, “The Raven,” by Edgar Allen Poe.   One day during school, we had him recite all he had memorized, then finish reading it and talk about it with us.  The kids loved it.

It was sad to see him leave,  but we knew there were certain people anxiously waiting for this awesome guy to return to Denmark.   We miss him.

Me thinks I detect suspicion in yonder eyes . . . doth he suspect there be something rotten somewhere closer than Denmark, mayhaps?