Medical Problems

Due to David's medical problems we returned home on 1 June 2010. We loved serving in Iceland.

P-Day 26 May 2010

Hjálparfoss




The small canyon of Gjáin in the south of Iceland. A bunch of small waterfalls makes this landscape very different and interesting. Gjáin lies near the volcano Hekla and the ruins of the historical farm of Stöng.



Háifoss is Iceland's second tallest waterfall at 122m. Nearby this waterfall sits Granni (the Neighbor).

Selfoss Elders

Elder Christensen and Elder Ellsworth are serving in Selfoss, Iceland. They are dedicated, faithful servants. They have helped Sister Ashby and myself in many ways. We appreciate all they do for us. They work together in unity and are a great support for each other. So far they have lost their cell phone only once each, that we know of. On Mother's Day they fixed a meal for Sister Ashby, althought the meal was of need of a little help, the thought is what counts. We enjoy their friendship and service.

Visit with Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland

We had the opportunity to visit with Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland. Elder and Sister Koyle and Sister Ashby and myself went to Bessastaðir the Presidential Residence. President Grímsson visited with us for an hour and half, we then went upstairs and to see some of the gifts that have been presented to the president from many different countries around the world.
President Grímsson is interested in what we are doing in Iceland as well of what we think of the economic conditions. He also wanted to know how his friends in Utah are doing.
He commented on how much the Icelanders in Utah have done to preserve their heritage. He is impressed with the Icelanders in Utah and specially all they do. The Icelandic Association of Utah, according to the president, is one of the best Icelandic organizations in North America. He is very impressed with what they do both in Iceland and Utah.
He commented on how good of man president Hinckley was. President Hinckley visited with him at Bessastaðir in 2002; as well as in Salt Lake City in 1997 and 2003; and Spanish Fork, Utah in 2005. They had a lot of respect for one another.
President Grímsson made us feel right at home. He is a gracious host. We all enjoyed our visit with him. He request that I stay in touch with him during our stay in Iceland. He said he would possibly come to our church and talk with the young single adults some evening. I look forward to seeing that take place.



The two statues pictured above were given to the president by the Icelandic Association of Utah; the angel (Messenger) in 2000, and the (Ascent) statue in 2005. What an honor it is to have these statues dispayed at Bessastaðir, the Presidential Residence.
I am honored to be a friend of President Grímsson and a member of the Icelandic Association of Utah.
President Grímsson made me remember what it is like to be part of an organization that has been around for over one hundred years and that has done a few great things. I am in awe at what the Icelandic Association of Utah has accomplished. What a wonderful experience this has been for Sister Ashby and myself.
God bless Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, President of Iceland and all the people of Iceland.

Volcano at Eyjafjallajokull

Iceland’s volcano Eyjafjallajokull is showing signs of increased activity, scientists say. High altitude winds are reported to be pushing the volcanic particles directly south over the Atlantic.
The cloud shot up as high as ten kilometers into the air earlier this week, higher than during April’s crisis, forcing large parts of Irish and British airspace to close. Geologists are measuring around to Eyjafjallajokull daily to see how much ash is falling. The experts say they are picking up signs of increased seismic activity deep under the volcano, indicating that magma below the earth’s crust is trying to force its way up.


Friday 7 May 2010 we made our way to the volcano at Eyjafjallajokull. We were traveling with Elder and Sister Shumway from Germany and Elder and Sister Koyle from Reykjavík. The Shumways were in Iceland to help advance the Young Single Adult Center in Reykjavík. The Center is functioning well and just needs some minor adjustments. Elder and Sister Koyle have done a marvelous service getting the center up and running. They spend many hours to make the center a success. After the training we toured along the south coast of Iceland and ended up near the volcano at 11:00 pm. This is when you can see the glow at the base of the ash plumb. The weather was clear so we were treated to a wonderful show. I am not sure the pictures do justice to what was going on.

Gugga and Kristjan

We had the opportunity to visit with Gugga and her husband Kristjan at their summer house near Selfoss, Iceland. Gugga and her husband own a tour guide service and they have been guiding the tours from Utah, (Lil Shepherd tours) for the last couple of visits to Iceland. We enjoyed our visit with them. They are fun loving people with lots of stories about Iceland.
They would someday like to visit Utah. I am sure they would have a great time in Utah. They know a lot of people in Utah and have learned about the Icelanders in Utah.

The Eruption at Eyjafjallajökull

The eruption at Eyjafjallajökull began 14 April 2010. These photos were taken 16 & 17 April 2010. We drove out along highway 1 to Hvolsvollur, the road was closed just past the town. I also took pictures from my appartment in Selfoss.