Steak Conference

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