Some pictures from Denmark

I know, I haven't posted in a while. I will.... after the new year!!! So, here are a few pictures of my favorite Denmark Missionary. (I will post some pictures of my favorite Texas Missionary on her blog soon too!) I'm so excited to get to talk to both of them on Christmas! I can't think of a better Christmas present!!!

Aeldste Kleisler with Yang, Aeldste Meyer, Ray, and Roy
They met the three of them playing basketball in Roskilde and now they've all been baptized! So does that mean that basketball is now a missionary activity?!?!?

Aeldste Grover and Aeldste Kleisler in Arhus.
It's getting cold in Denmark!!

Mia Maid Rappelling Adventure

Two weekends ago I went with my Mia Maids on an overnight Stake Camp Out/Rappelling Trip. No, I'm not a camper and I've never been rappelling. But I decided that you only live once!! We had a great time and I ended up bouncing down a 90 foot cliff. I guess I'm becoming a little bit of a daredevil - maybe Kristi's rubbing off on me just a tad!?!

My girls: Cori, Shaela, Cierra, and Moniek chilling in their tent

The very ominous looking cliff

Here I come (I know, a very flattering shot!)

I made it!! Can we go again?

Two Kleisler Missionary Plaques!

I finally got both Kevin's and Kristi's missionary plaques up on the missionary bulletin board. They're official now!

Sister Kristi A. Kleisler
Texas, San Antonio Mission October 2008 - April 2010

Elder Kevin C. Kleisler
Denmark, Copenhagen Mission April 2008 - April 2010

SIX MONTHS!

Yes, believe it or not, Aeldste Kleisler has been out on his mission for SIX MONTHS! Some days it feels like he's been gone for two years already and some days it feels like it's just flown by. He is having great success with both the work and the language. Last week he and his companion taught 31 discussions!! That's unusual in Denmark! He's so busy I haven't gotten a letter in the mail from him for over a month!! (But I get weekly e-mails, so it's all good!) I miss him like crazy but I wouldn't want him to be anywhere else! Keep up the good work Kevin!

Kevin at Roskilde Ford.
This is the picture we put on his mission plaque.

Kevin- pondering!

The Roskilde District
(Aeldste Kleisler and his companion Aeldste Meyer on the left)

Almost an Empty Nest

So, my last little chickadee is about to fly away from the nest on Monday. I'm not sure how I really feel about this. Yes, I'm thrilled that she and Kevin have made the decision to serve the Lord and will be off in far parts of the US and the world, but I'll sure miss having my nest full, loud, and always busy! Now the mama bird will have to find other things to define herself. Hmmmmm. I've been "mom" so long- who will I be now? I guess that just goes to show you that we're always just a work in progress!

I'm so happy for Kristi (Hermana Kleisler), she'll be such an awesome missionary!!

Missionary Bulletin Board

I finally got the bishop to let me redesign the Alma First Ward Missionary bulletin board. It has needed updating for a long time and now we have more missionary plaques to put on it. I've had three of them for a while, but I couldn't get the parents to get me a picture! So last week the bishop told me to put them up picture or not! So I told the parents that if I didn't get a picture I would put their son's plaque up with a stick figure drawn on a post-it!! That worked!! We now have 5 plaques up and we'll order 2 more next week. Then when Kristi leaves we'll have 8 up!! I put up Kevin's picture of him harvesting the fields. People really liked it and had to look closely to tell that it wasn't a picture I purchased! I am planning on getting candid pictures and letters from the missionaries and putting those up too. So, here's the beginning pic- we'll see how much it changes!!

Lest We Ever Forget

On Friday after work I went over to Tempe Beach Park to see the Healing Fields. The Healing Fields is a memorial for the victims of 9/11. There is a flag for each victim of that terrible terrorist attack, over 3,000 of them. It was a humbling sight to see that many flags and to understand what each one meant. Each flag had a name of one of the victims on it and the ones for the children had stuffed animals attached. Some had notes from family taped to the poles and others had flowers next to them. There was also a Unity Flag which is three stories high and contains the flags of all fifty states and the names of all of the victims of 9/11. It was amazing to see how our country came together after that tragic event. As I walked among all of those American flags I was reminded of how blessed and privileged we are to live in this great country. We must never forget.

Aeldste Kleisler's Mission Address & Some Fun Pictures from Denmark

I realized this weekend that I haven't posted Kevin's address in Denmark. I will do that so that anyone who reads this will be motivated to write him a letter. He really loves getting letters from home! Yes, it takes a 94 cent stamp, but just think of it as an investment in the uplifting of a dedicated missionary!!! So, now that I've guilted you enough, here's his address!

Aeldste Kevin C. Kleisler
Denmark, Copenhagen Mission
Borups Alle 128, 1. Tv.
2000 Frederiksberg
Denmark

Thanks for all the support that Kevin is getting on mission!

This is how Kevin feels about getting letters on his mission!

He's always on the lookout for some cool old cars and knows that
his dad and brother will appreciate the pictures!

Kevin on a P-day by their car. Still stylin' over in Denmark!

Hiking with my Hubby!

I went hiking to Oak Flats with Kurt and the dogs on Friday. It was hot but very beautiful there. One thing I found out is that I am definitely not built for hiking - Kurt style. He doesn't hike on trails, he mountain goats up and down huge boulders and cliffs. I did my best, but my short little legs can only do so much!! Kurt found me an easier way down to this beautiful spot with a little waterfall and pools for the dogs to swim in. I will definitely go mountain goating with him again, but when it's a little cooler outside! Can I hope to grow longer legs between now and then?Kurt and Sandy

Sandy in mid jump!

Sandy and Pepper loved swimming around in the water.

Family Time!

Both of the last two Sundays Keith and Sarah came over for some family time and a fast and furious game of Scum. It was great fun and I really enjoyed spending time with the kids. The house will be empty all too soon!My crazy kids!

Kristi hanging out!

Keith and Sarah

Can you tell Kurt was having fun?

The Missionary Harvest

The Missionary Harvest

Aeldste Kleisler's classic missionary picture. I love this pic! It's just like the ones you see on cards and in books! I just had to share! If you click on the picture it enlarges and it looks really neat!

Some New, Very Green Pictures from Denmark

Here are some of the pictures Aeldste Kleisler posted on his mission website album. It is so green there, but Kevin said it's been raining like crazy so I guess that explains it! Last week for P-day they went to a castle called Ledreborg Slot. The castle was closed but they had a great time on the beautiful castle grounds.

The Midas Touch....... NOT!

Well, everything I touched this weekend did not turn into gold. Quite the contrary!! On Saturday I decided to clean my office. Okay, those of you who know me well, get up off the floor and/or pick your jaws up off the table! I decided to delve into the black hole that is my office and finally make some sense and order of it all! Anyway, in the middle of cleaning said office, I accidentally turned off the power switch that my computer was plugged into. I turned it back on and all of a sudden it wouldn't turn on, it just cycled through startup. OH NO!! I'm a little too dependent on e-mail, blogs, and the like and the thought of not being able to use my trusty computer anytime I want was more than I could handle! I panicked and called my husband and then my tech support- Keith. (Yes, I know, there are four other computers in the house, but this one is mine. We have a rapport built up, certain understandings, you know!?!)
Well, later that evening I decided to vacuum the carpet in said, much cleaner, office. Wouldn't you know it, I broke my wonderful Dyson Animal vacuum cleaner too!! AAAGH! The dog hair will take over the house! Kurt just shook his head and did his best. Now I'll have to go online (on someone else's computer, of course) and order a new part for my lovely vacuum cleaner. And no, the wreckage of the day was not over yet!! I decided to give up on machinery and organize my scrapbook stuff instead. I can't break that, right? I went to turn on the light that sits on a shelf on the wall and BAM, the shelf just falls off the wall!! Okay, by this time I decided that I needed to stop touching ANYTHING!! I'm not really sure what caused this turn of events- clutziness, bad timing, some weird shift in the universe, or just bad luck. I guess I just have to feel lucky that I have some very handy people in my life who can fix the things I break on my non-Midas Touch days!!

Kevin's Amazing Experience at the MTC

Elder Holland and President Packer talking to Aeldste Kleisler and
his two companions outside the MTC

In my e-mail today I received some wonderful pictures from when Kevin was at the MTC. I will tell you the story in his own words:

"So because of my solo situation all of my roommates left me on Monday morning, and my branch presidency told me to go to the front office to get a reassignment that morning. So, rather grumpily, my companions accompanied me to the front desk and scheduling department. Now, because of the seminar, security around that building is extremely tight! But, they of course let us through because I had to get a new room. So, we went in and started to make the change. On the TV i could see the seminar that was taking place literally 40 feet to my side as I sat in the office. President Eyring was addressing the mission presidents. It was a really powerful message, and as we were finishing up, he bore his testimony and got off the stage ( as I saw from the TV) this should have been a clue, but it didn't click for whatever reason. So, we thanked them for their help and we left. Thankfully now I am now living with my companions! So, awesome! But, that's not the story. So, we were walking back around the front entrance to the Wilford Woodruff building when we a saw a white Buick parked just outside the entrance of the building, directly in our path with a few men standing around it. Elder Mecham, oblivious as usual, didn't notice, but I sure did, as i said to him a calm voice, "yep, that's Elder Holland 15 feet in front of us." Sure enough, it was Elder Holland! They stopped us politely about 10 feet away from the car, and we watched as Elder Holland walked president Eyring to his car. I was thinking to myself, "Okay! That was awesome!" But Elder Holland was still standing around for some reason. I soon found out why, as President Packer came out of the building, walking carefully with his cane out towards the car. He spoke with Elder Holland briefly, then turned, and motioned toward us for us to come. As he did, the biggest of smiles turned on all of our faces as we walked toward the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. He shook our hands and asked where we were going, where we came from, and we talked with him a bit. He said at the end, "well, it's about to begin isn't it?" That's the awesome thing about apostles, you can never tell for sure what they are referring to! Just after that, President Holland came up and made a comment about being something like 1/22nd danish! So, yeah! A pretty awesome experience! Being a solo elder really paid off for once! So yeah, awesome experience! The tender mercies of the Lord! I was having a rough couple of days, and really thinking that I couldn't speak Danish well enough. But that coupled with a great meeting with my teacher, Bror Birk, really helped me realize the little things we have that make all the difference!"

What an amazing experience to begin his mission with!!

President Packer shaking Kevin's hand

Time For a Change!!

Well, I decided it was time to go back to my roots- both literally and figuratively!! I had been gradually darkening my hair but I suddenly chose to just go back to being a brunette all at once! And to top it all off, I decided to chop off all my hair too! So now it's a whole new me! I hadn't told anyone I was going to change my look, so I got quite a few surprised looks when I came home, especially from my husband!! So, here's the new me...... for now!

Pictures from Denmark!

Kevin posted these pictures on his page on the Demark Mission website. I just had to share a couple of them! "A somewhat rainy day out on Roskilde Fjord"

Isn't it beautiful there? I'm really hoping to be able to go pick him up at the end of mission in April, 2010. Roskilde is pronounced Ross-keel-a. Danish is an interesting language!
Aeldste Nielson and Aeldste Kleisler in Roskilde
Same old Kevin!!

My "Famous" Grandpa!

Grandpa Smokey's famous!!!! Okay, not really famous, but there's a cute story about his 100th birthday in the Arizona Republic today. Here's his picture from the paper with Tempe's Vice Mayor Hut Hutson and his official proclamation. Everyone who has seen it can't believe he's 100! We're so blessed to have him in our lives!

Happy 100th Birthday Grandpa Smokey!!

Today, July 14th, my Grandpa Smokey turned 100 years old! Happy Birthday Grandpa!! The senior center that he goes to for lunch on Mondays threw him a big party today. There were lots of people, Tempe dignitaries, a band, a big cake with dominoes on it, and the Vice Mayor came to declare it Charles "Smokey" Holt Day in Tempe. Channel 3 News was there too and they did a very nice little segment on the party that they ran at 4:30 today. It was so cool to see Grandpa's amazing smile and sparkling personality on the TV! Then tonight I made him a really colorful cake on a funny cake stand with feet. He loved it! Our family is so blessed to have Grandpa around for 100 years and counting! We love you Grandpa!!

Grandpa's colorful, funny cake

My fabulous Grandpa and me

The Birthday Boy with the Kleisler Crew!

My Sweet Hubby!

I absolutely love this picture that Sarah took when we did our family photography session in March. I can't believe we've been together for 24 years! He's still amazing, wonderful, patient,
a little goofy, and very handsome!! Am I lucky or what?

Aeldste Kleisler is in Copenhagen!

Aeldste Nielson (Kevin's trainer and first companion)
and Aeldste Kleisler

It is a tradition in the Denmark Mission to take your first picture with your trainer in front of the Christus statue that is in the building next to the temple. His first area is Roskilde which is southwest of Copenhagen. He is a little overwhelmed, but excited and happy to finally be in Denmark. I'm so proud of him and the choice he's made to serve the Lord for two years.

Isn't Copenhagen beautiful? Kevin took in some of the sights on his first day there before they went contacting in the square. He definitely hit the ground running, jet lag and all.

Aeldste Kleisler's on His Way to Denmark!

The lone Danish elder points to his desired destination- Denmark!

Aeldste Kleisler with his first MTC companion,
Elder Helton (dutch speaking)

Today was a great day! It was also a little sad. Kevin left the MTC this morning to fly to Denmark. He was very happy to start on his adventure, but also very hesitant about what a new country might bring. It was so wonderful to get to talk to him on the phone and to hear his fabulous voice! Everyone except Grandpa Jim was able to talk to him either when he called from Salt Lake or during his layover in Atlanta. He spoke a lot of Danish for us- he's really good already! It was amazing how much more grown up he sounded in just 9 weeks. It was hard saying goodbye to him when he had to hang up and board his plane in Atlanta, bound for Copenhagen. I really miss that kid! He's going to do amazing things and grow so much. Watch out Denmark, here comes Aeldste Kleisler!!!

Aeldste Kleisler, ready to take on the world, or at least Denmark!