From Frederikshavn to (insert
applicable city here). Across the plains of Denmark. From one side of the
Shining sea to the other side of the Shining Sea!
*This joke is under the pretense
that the reader is currently within the boundaries of the United States of
America. If not, the author apologizes for the lack of variable humor. Please
forgive him.*
Monday, we did stuff! We basically
had an eating appointment with Ella Damgaard to help her take down some
curtains, wash them, and then set them up again. We also climbed on that
awesome jungle gym! (see pictures from last week) We also went knocking and
stuff. It was pretty relaxed.
Tuesday was the "Meet and Greet
President and Sister Olsen!" We drove down to Aarhus with Ældste and
Søster Ravn. I'm convinced their car is cursed! I have the hardest time staying
awake while they give us rides! It was pretty awkward... But the Conference was
wonderful! We first met with President and Sister Olsen (along with their daughter,
Mikala) as companionships. Then we all gathered in the chapel in a giant circle
and they introduced themselves! Their family includes 4 children. Two of them
live in the mission home with them, so those are the ones I know. Christian is
22, served in Scotland on his mission, plays the piano, and is currently
working for his brother as a part of his father's business. Mikala is 19, plays
the violin, also just graduated gymnasium (like high school but a year longer),
and she's heading to dental school soon. President and Sister Olsen are also
wonderful! I'm excited to work with them! The meeting was (yes, you're right)
in Danish. Which was actually really fun! Those who didn't speak Danish (come couple
missionaries) had some missionary translators. It was a fun day! The Olsens are
just incredible, so we're all excited! I also fell asleep (again) on the drive
home and then we got in some stop by's that evening.
Wednesday was pretty prideful. I
woke up and turned on the only song we have about America, which is Dallin Vail
Bayles and MoTab singing God Bless the U.S.A. We also began planning with a
prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. I also convinced Ældste Moulton to wear a
red tie so we could match wearing red, white, and blue! Other than that, the
day was super normal. We talked to a Norwegian lady for a really long time. She
said that she would join the church if she was going to join a church.
So that was a fun conversation. She was really bold, so we dared her to pray
about it and then contact the missionaries (who she already has some contact
with) in Norway. We also went knocking and some other missionary like
activities that day.
Thursday was good! We had a lesson
with Nerkiz and Tage Holm Larsen came along! It kept being interrupted by her 4
year old son, but she said that she wants to come to church before she moves to
Sæby. So she's more positive now, but doesn't want to feel pressured. We also
knocked into a former member (which happens surprisingly often). She talked
with us on her porch and gave us chocolate milk, saft, and cookies. We just
shared some things from the Book of Mormon with her. After we left, Ældste
Moulton said that the saft (juice) was literally the worst thing he has ever tasted.
So that was funny!
Friday happened as well. We did some
service with Ældste Ravn in Sæby for a less active member named Rita. She is
older and has some health problems so she can't take care of her little yard.
After that, we met with Hans Christian and did some Sprog Study! That was fun.
Then we went knocking, so that was also good.
Saturday was basically a lesson with
Zibar, Weekly Planning, and then knocking. Zibar said he wants to be baptized,
so that was cool! We're just working on his understanding of what that means so
he can be an awesome member! He also gave us
some really good watermelon! Also, knocking on Saturday evenings is
basically rubbish. No one is home and those who are have something going on.
Sunday was fun though! We had church
with some Norwegian guests! Then we had an eating appointment in Strandby with
the Ørtegren family! Bent and Jeanett Ørtegren are super fun! She's just an
awesome mom and makes sure everyone is happy. We also talked with Bent about
Formula 1 cars, which is obviously my stronghold. They're a fun family! After
that, Ældste and Søster Ravn drove us around the city so we could follow up
with some old potential records! (And no, I didn't fall asleep in their car!!
Miracles have not ceased!)
That was our week! Not too much to
report, but it was a good week! As for a spiritual thought, Ældste Moulton
challenged me to use this scripture: 3 Nephi 8:24 (well... that's what you get
for asking for ideas)
In this verse, we see the people
realizing their mistakes. This shows the importance of obedience. God gives us
commandments because we don't fully understand why these things are harmful. As
we trust and obey, we will be blessed and will eventually learn the reasoning
behind them. This is something a lot of people have a hard time with, taking
commands from someone else. But it's different than taking our agency away, we
can still choose. We just also receive blessings! It's like doing something
your parents ask you to do, even though you disagree. Eventually, they'll let
you learn how to drive in their car or they'll babysit your kids when you’re
trying to have an evening with your spouse. Blessings come from being obedient
even when we don't fully understand. On the other hand, we can learn why.
President Nelson said in his last conference talk: "The privilege of
receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children."
We can receive revelation if we are willing to do what it takes to receive it.
So there's something to think about!
I hope you all have a wonderful
week!
--
Ældste Bryant Jepsen
- Our American Pride!
- I also made BBQ Pork Chops (That's
pretty American, right?)
- Ældste Moulton and I at Palmstranden
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