Most people
would assume that "Steak Conference" is simply a misconception that
missionaries don't think to explain to people when they come to church. But in
reality, it's just a good description of the past week for us!
Monday was
delicious! We did all the normal stuff like buying food. We also had an
appointment with an Indian man who was interesting. He told us his name, but I
honestly didn't catch it. But he was very nice and talked about how he believes
we all need to take care of each other, which required at least 4 stories to
illustrate his point. Immediately after that, we biked as fast as possible to
Flammen in Frederiksberg to celebrate Ældste Moulton's 20th Birthday! Flammen
is a quite fancy restaurant which I've never been to before, but it was
good! It's a meat buffet which is kind of like a Tuchanoes, from what I'm told.
(A little less fancy than the Texas-Brazil BBQ in SLC) It was really good! So
that's where the Steak came into play this week! My favorite was probably
Ribeye or duck. (I've strangely grown a love for good tasting duck on a
mission.)
Tuesday included
the normal, weekly necessities. Physical Therapy! So we walked a lot that
morning and had some fun talking with college students. This time, Ældste
Throckmorton was given a large elastic band to take home and exercise with to
strengthen the muscle. It's helping thusfar, so that's good! After some normal
finding activities again, we had Branch Council meeting! We usually only go if
Torben (Mission Leader) can't, but he wasn't sure he could get back from Sweden
in time. (He was visiting his first grandchild in Sweden, so it was a great
reason!)
Wednesday
was splits with Frederiksberg! I was with Ældste McBride in Frederiksberg,
which turned out to be quite exciting! We got an assignment as the "Office
Elders" to figure out how to connect an iPad to the projector, but after
searching the entire office for any type of lighting adapter, we determined
that we needed to purchase something that would connect to the world of Apple
products. We had a lesson in the church, which went fairly well even though the
woman we taught wasn't too excited about being baptized again, she took the Law
of Chastity in stride. We then had an eating appointment with a member who the
Elders hadn't ever met, nor could remember how the appointment was made. But we
showed up to Troels Jepsen's house (I was stoked because we had the same name),
and we apparently had the time wrong, so we were two hours early... We didn't
believe it was actually my nametag, and asked where I had gotten a Jepsen tag,
but we just came back later to eat with him. A bit out of character for me, I
asked if Andreas Jepsen meant anything to him. He said yes! Andreas is his
great-great-great-great (or something) grandfather's brother, who joined the
church and then emigrated to the USA! And thus we learned that we're family!!
Troels also served a mission in Pocatello Idaho, which is where Ældste McBride
comes from! So basically, divine intervention 100% set up an eating appointment
with the two missionaries Troels needed to meet! (We're trying to scheme that I
can come again on splits and meet him and his parents again to talk a bit
more.)
Thursday
included a crazy morning of switching companions and then heading off to a
lesson with Rasmus (who we met last Thursday). He is astoundingly interested
and religious! He listened intently and asked good questions! We taught quite a
bit of almost all the lessons before we realized we'd taken up an hour and a
half. He's super cool and wants to meet again, so we're really excited! He was
also happy to receive his own copy of Mormons Bog. (And fun side note, he's
friends with Mikkel who did exercised while we taught him!)
Friday was
another All Mission Conference! We were visited by President Paul Johnson and
Elder Tunnicliffe. It was pretty good. It was also fun to talk with the
missionaries serving in the areas I had to see how people were doing.
Saturday
included weekly planning, as usual. We also had a lesson with a man named Alf.
He had met with the Sisters beforehand, but simply lost contact with them. We
were able to track him down and make an appointment. We reviewed Joseph Smith's
First Vision and the purpose of Mormons Bog. The Spirit was extremely strong
and we pointed it out to him, which he clearly could feel. He gladly accepted
to read daily in order to feel the same peace and strength from the Holy Ghost.
After the amazing lesson, Ældste Throckmorton and I were just astounded! It was
so simple and powerful! It was amazing!!
Sunday was
more Conference! We had Stake Conference at Maglegårds Alle 83, where we saw
all the Sjælland missionaries again. The Stake Presidency was reorganized as
well. It was a good conference. We were luckily able to drive with Torben and
Vicki Valgren. That evening, we ate dinner with Elder and Sister Sorensen and
Elder and Sister Flake. It was pretty fun! They all temple missionaries, so
they take good care of us.
Spiritual
thought: This week has been full of super cool little connections! Both where I
was able to connect to Troels Jepsen and confirm some decisions he is making.
And then also being able to have such a powerful and simple lesson with Alf. It
was just an awesome testimony to me that God is in the details of our lives! He
really does arrange things to our benefit if we will follow His lead. Trust in
Him, and He will direct your paths! And what gorgeous and joyful paths they
are!!
I hope you
all have a wonderful week!!
--
Ældste
Jepsen
- Some
Bornholm gems (from the week before)
- Flammen
- Flammen
