Fødselsdag, Smuggling, and Apostles (Oh MY!)

Basically everything exciting this week happened in the first three days after last P-day. 

Last Friday was Ældste Gottfredson's Birthday, so we had a huge party, obviously. Just kidding, we don't have those kinds of resources (so we thought). We basically had some party hats from the last Finns and sang the Danish Birthday Song (Fødselsdag is Birthday in danish). It was basically hilarious! Sister Reed taught us the song, but it's pretty fast with a lot of short words that we pronounce slowly. But we sang and clapped nonetheless. Then as we went off to exercise, we ran over to the field to play soccer. It was a very intense game, and then some random people (non missionaries (what?! those exist still?)) came onto the field. Apparently Ældste Gottfredson told his brother to come and meet him there (which is totally illegal) and they brought us Taco Bell and JDogs! It was hilarious!! But instead of eating it there like a normal criminal, we smuggled it all in to the MTC with jackets and pockets. It was basically hilarious. And then I found out we also somehow got a whole cake in through security too!! It was like an 8 inch cake, but still! It had a box and everything! It was so weird! So the Danes feasted and it was basically the best smuggled food I've had. :) 

But that's not the only strange thing of the day! On our way back from exercise, there was a couple in the parking lot who had gotten locked out of their car. So obviously the missionaries are like "Service!" and a bunch of us start trying to help with pliers, coat hangers, and our bare hands. I ended up holding the door open while Elder Strong (Swede) pried it with pliers, and another Swede hooked the coat hanger around the lock in the car and opened the door!! It was crazy! Moral of the story: Always look for service where you are and you never know what kind of possible crimes you might assist! But we're pretty sure it was their car...

On a more spiritual note, Sunday was great! It was our first (and only) Fast Sunday here in the MTC. It was a really cool testimony meeting, but it ran out of time really fast so a lot of people couldn't share. Then our devotional that evening was with Jenny Oaks Baker and Company! The music was astounding!! The message was also pretty good. She talked about how the Lord truly looks out for what we care about most and how he takes care of us even through tragedy. It was a good story, but the music was the best part. Her family is all musically inclined and they all played together!! It was incredible! Then everyone in the MTC watched Elder Bednar's Character of Christ talk, which is always fabulous. I was able to take some great notes. The talk was centered around how Christ turns out and helps others when a normal person would turn in and pity themselves. So, I encourage all of you to turn out when you're having a hard day! It's truly helped me even here at the MTC through some rough spots, and I know it can help you!! Then after the video we all started to get up to leave, but one of the administration Elders asked us to stay there because "We have a surprise for you..."

"... Elder Bednar is in T3--" then he was drowned out by a wave of gasping and cheering. It was hilarious! Any apostle is a celebrity here, and we all love them!! Sadly, we were in S3 instead, but he spent half his time in both buildings!! He came and had a question and answer session with all the missionaries!! It was amazing!!! I have a ton of notes from things he said, so I'll share a few. He was asked how we can receive Spiritual gifts and he gave a really deep answer. He said that we have to want the gift and prepare for it, but we can't want it for ourselves. When we are worthy, the Lord can give us a Spiritual gift in order to bless others through us. So if we remain worthy and seek after those gifts in a righteous manner, we will be able to bless others when God needs us to! He was also asked about prayer and he said some incredible and simple things! He said "Prayer never Ends." We pray with faith in the morning and as we go about our day we show our works to apply that faith. It was super cool! We were all really sad when he had to leave, but super grateful Elder Bednar came and spent some time with us!

Our investigators are doing pretty well! We're kind of hitting a flat line with Jesper and Elise, but they're reading the Book of Mormon so they can receive their own answers and everything! It's great! We also had our first Skype TRC with a native Dane. I was super nervous that we wouldn't understand what they would say and it would just be awkward. I was partially right on that account. It was pretty awkward. We talked with a lady named Thelma. Her mom is Danish, her dad is Icelandic, and she lives in Las Vegas. We spent most of the time trying to keep her out of English because she wanted to correct how we pronounced pretty much everything. It was really strange, and I couldn't really talk because I have a sore throat. We didn't get through one scripture with her before we had to leave. I hope our next appointment works better though!

Not much else has happened though. I did see a ton of familiar faces yesterday though! I got pictures with Elder Cody Merrel, Elder Travis Brown, Elder Matt Van Leeuwan, and Elder Mason Vallace. I also saw the Debry family from my ward and my cousin Caleb Clayson on the tours of the MTC! It was awesome!! I'll put what pictures I have on my camera below. Thanks for reading my email and for all your support! Keep listening to the Spirit and following the promptings you get!! Have a fantastisk week!!

Vi ses! (See you!)

--

Ældste Jepsen

-The Danish flag was flown for the first time
-Neighbors/Friends with good friend, Elder Cody Merrill 
-with DeBry kids, ward friends

-by mural in new MTC building

-with friend, Elder Matt VanLeeuwan
-with Elder Mason Vallace
- Random Pictures that are obviously great... doing laundry
-words to Danish birthday song