Well... I'm pooped

This was a great, and busy week.

Monday included some contacting. We also gave one of our extra bikes to the Zone Leaders so they could take it to Ballerup. I also had a job interview over Skype, which was super weird, but pretty good. Then we had an appointment with a man named Christian. He basically just let us come to be nice, but our lesson was really poorly aimed for him. We tried to explain why the gospel would be important for him, but he didn't understand and didn't want to try.

Tuesday included some rain, which was fun! But it was perfectly timed as it would rain while we were inside, but then stop and be beautiful overcast weather as we were outside to work! But it was the first day in the transfer that we didn't have any appointments! And yet we had tons of things to do anyway, so we called and knocked all day! It was super fun! 

Wednesday was crazy! We had a lesson with Jon, which went way too long! He basically posed a bunch of different contradictions and objections to the Book of Mormon. Then we had to book it (that was a pun, did you catch it?) to take a bus to Farum. We had an appointment, so we bought some lunch and ate it on the way, but then the appointment was burned anyways. Then we had to get back to Allerød for our Coordination meeting, but Martin Carl (a member who lives in Allerød) just happened to drive past, so he picked us up and dropped us off up there! Then David Jansen picked us up and then drove us back to home after. It was pretty good. Sadly, he's switching wards, so he wouldn't be our Mission Leader longer. 

Thursday started with some service for the Nielsen family! We helped them pack up a trailer with stuff to move. That included catching their three chinchillas so we could pack their cage. We knocked in a kollegium (college), which was super fun! Everyone was willing to talk and have a good, deep conversation and wanted to hear us out! We got a couple potential people from that. We had a lesson with Oliver, which was pretty good. We discussed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and talked about prophets again.

Friday was supposed to include heading to Helsingør, but we ended up doing Weekly Planning instead. We went out contacting in the morning, where we talked with a man named Abu. (Convenient that Alladin posters are all over right now.) But while we were talking with him, I touched my tie, which had a very newly "wrapped present" from a passing bird! So I got bird poop on my hand and my tie. Conveniently, it had missed my shirt. Abu quickly got me a napkin to try and wipe it up, but the tie sadly did not survive. (Sorry Curtis, it was the tie you gave me!)

It was otherwise not a poopy day though. (Though it is a pun including the subject line, so take notice of that.)

Saturday was Zone Conference, so we had to head down to Frederiksberg. We had the Mission Leaders, Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidents also come, which was pretty cool! Our group was asked to share our "final testimony," which was surreal. It was cool though. Then we drove back and had a lesson with Rasmus. Ældste Walton and I taught with Jens Andersen (the Seminary teacher and former mission president). It was a good lesson, which got a bit sticky about homosexual marriage, but we explained it and he understood. We're still moving on now too. Now he's alright to meet with Jens replacing Ældste Walton, so we should be able to meet more often (hopefully).

Sunday included church! And I didn't need to translate. Mei was back from Spain, so we sat next to her. We also got an appointment with Lone and John Thomson. Then we got to meet with Bishop Reuter (who, fun fact, is the son of the Svend and Inge Reuter in Skive) about less actives he'd like us to get in touch with. Then he drove us back home because we locked the church for him. Then we contacted to the station to pick our bikes again. We just don't expect to get so many rides home!

Spiritual thought is kind of cheesy, but applicable. Our area requires a lot of travel money, which honestly wouldn't be enough for the entire transfer if we continue teaching people as often as we do. But this past week, we've been blessed with perfectly timed members driving just past where we need to go. We got a ride from Martin Carl, David Jansen, Richardt Andersen, and Bishop Reuter all which saved travel money. And now, to make it even better, we've got a car to cover the area! We're quite excited and feel very blessed.

Have a wonderful week!! 

--

Ældste Jepsen

- Frederiksborg

- The famous Frederiksborg Walker

- A bird pooped on my tie

Everything North of Holte is our Kingdom!

And let me tell you, that's a really big kingdom for only two missionaries and a set of bikes!!

Monday was insane! Basically, we were picked up in Birkerød at 8:30 by the Frederiksberg Elders, Ældste Myers and Ældste Moulton. We threw my baggage and some other things in the van and then drove up to Hillerød. There, we threw my stuff in the apartment, packed up Søster Allen and Søster Young, then drove back to the office! The rest of the day was a normal Transfer day for Office Elders, because I just hung out with them. So that included, driving people to different stations, buying tickets because people come late to their trains, getting calls asking about why missionaries didn't arrive on time, and then as a bonus, we got to pack up and empty the Birkerød apartment, which took some time and effort. We finally got back to their apartment to eat dinner after 8. It was a crazy day, full of fun jokes, and seeing a ton of missionaries!

Tuesday was less crazy, but still abnormal. I was basically on splits with Ældste Farr in Frederiksberg. He's super cool! He's from a the rural outskirts of Charlotte, North Carolina, and is basically deaf in his right ear. He's way nice and we had a good time going out contacting. Then we drove to the airport and picked up Ældste Heslop, who is Ældste Farr's new companion. Then we drove to the office, where Ældste Harding was waiting for me! We packed up and eventually got home through trains and busses. Helmi and Richardt had us come in and talk with them right as we got back. They gave us ice cream, but then sent us downstairs as Ældste Harding was falling asleep. (Jetlag does exist at least the first day.) We were able to buy food and then send some quick emails before coming home and crashing.

Wednesday started off the teaching race! We got some contacting in the morning before meeting at the library with Jon (Y-on). He's in his 30's and has met with the Sisters a couple times. He is agnostic and very curious, but has a hard time with social prayers because he thinks in pictures instead of words. Thus our lesson was very much trying to figure out what he needed. As we talked, a black guy came outside and asked if he could listen. After a bit, I asked Christian (that guy) how he prays. Wow did he take the invitation! He basically took over the lesson, using really good visual examples which helped Jon a lot! Christian isn't a member, but has investigated the church for a long time. He knows Helmi and Richardt really well because he came and ate at their house quite frequently. It was a crazy ride, but Jon committed to pray and read a specific chapter in Mormons Bog. Christian called us later to make sure it was alright. 

Thursday was almost a copy paste morning from Wednesday, except we met with Oliver at the library! He's a 18 yr old who is active in a Fri Kirke. He sadly didn't have much time though, so we only got to ask a couple questions about him and then gave him a chapter to read before he disappeared to play in a basketball game. Then that evening, we went to Allerød to eat with Mark and Anja. They've been taught by the missionaries beforehand, and are super cool people!! They're married and have a mixed family of two kids each. Mark's sons are 20 and 15 but Anja's daughters are 5 and 3. Mark is a faithful Christian and basically told us that we need to convince Anja, who has admitted that there is something out there. They fed us a wonderful dinner and we got to know them. They also said we're welcome to come back, so we're excited to see what that will bring!

Friday was a mess. We tried going contacting, but it was Store Bededag. It basically sounds like a Thanksgiving kind of idea, but no one really does anything even though they don't have work. But we ended up planning out the travel for the rest of the week, so that was good. During our Weekly Planning, we basically called and texted a ton of people! It's quite crazy how many people we've got to get in contact with. that evening, we barely missed our train to Helsingør, so we came a half hour late. But Annelise was just excited to share the 17th of May with, because it's the birthday of Norway. It was super funny! They made some good food and we had some interesting conversations while Norwegian TV is played in the background.

Saturday started by heading down to Maglegårds Allé in Søborg for our District Council. Ældste Campbell basically got us all stoked on involving each and every member in missionary work in one form or another. We've got quite a few slogans now, but my favorite is probably "I am a No-er to Satan!" We're just going to go ham and get all members active in missionary work! Then we took the bus/train to Farum and met with Werner! He's doing well. He hadn't done much differently than the last time we met him. But he said he'd come to church again next week, which is nice. We also got some new appointments with some interesting people in Farum. (Who knew we'd have to travel down to Farum so often?)

Sunday was exciting! Because we're going ham with members, Ældste Harding and I barely talked to each other at church. We were simply too busy talking and scheduling with members! I translated again, and Ældste Harding was also asked to bear his testimony! (That's a change since I got here, because I haven't even had the chance to yet!) Then we met and talked with Rasmus during Sunday School again. He said he'd prefer meeting with Ældste Walton and I, which made me worried, but he then explained that if it can't be done we'll just continue. So we're back on track with him! That made me really happy. We then went over to Bent and Charlotte Leit's again for lunch! Their super cool!! They opened their house up for us to teach there and are willing to help however they can! Some sad news though, David Jansen, our mission leader, is changing wards. So we're losing quite a champ.

Spiritual thought (sorry it's another rushed one): Elder Stephensen's talk about the Priesthood Playbook is super cool!! I've started writing things down for my own and it's super empowering!! I wrote down standards that I want to keep and ways that I will be able to keep those standards when I'm tempted or lazy. It's super cool! Active Repentance at it's finest! Try it yourself!

Have a great week!

--

Ældste Jepsen

- Ældste Harding and I in Birkerød with kebabs

- Me in our apartment

No Time to Breath, Just Travel

This has been a super crazy week! And it continues, that's why this email is a day late!

Monday was really fun! We went up to Hillerød and ate ice cream at Parad-Is with the Sisters to celebrate their last P-day in the Ward. Then we headed down and played basketball again! All the Elders got a bit worried though because the two Sisters got a little more aggressive than usual... However, we did get Ældste Walton a new bike, which is conviniently a Sister Bike! (#SøsterCykel!) Then we headed back up to Allerød to email and bought groceries and such.

Tuesday included trying to fix the bikes! Mine had a flat tire, so we tried replacing that. We then headed up to Hillerød again and taught a Vietnamese lady named Thi (except that's her fake Danish/Vietnamese name). That lesson, though it went quite well, made us late to eating at Helmi and Richardt's. It was just them and the missionaries, which was super hyggeligt! They also gave us a tour of the basement, aka our new apartment. I just got way excited to take over Hillerød! They're super nice members and are 100% willing to support and help us in basically any way possible!

Wednesday included a stop in with Ole! After he came to church, we decided to give him another shot to learn about the gospel. He had read Alma 11-12 in preparation, but wasn't very interested in accepting a spirit can live without a body. So that was about all we could do for him spiritually. Though he does have a model boat that we tightened some screws on, because one of his arms doesn't work. We then went to the library to meet with a young girl named Astrid. We had simply knocked into her and she said we could meet. We were a little worried because she's still in high school and said she worked at a night club, but she ended up burning our appointment anyways! Though, we saw two people we had stopped by in the library! One of them was the Muslim man, Molly, who fed Ældste Walton and I Arabic food! But then we biked down to Farum to teach Werner! We met in the Kulturhus, and he bought us some Peppermint tea. It was super hot and it burned our tongues while we tried drinking it! But Werner was really enjoying it! He said he should probably drink more of that so he doesn't have to get energy from coffee. He's sadly not ok with us praying in public though, so we'll work on that. And if I hadn't written enough about the day, we also met with Rasmus! And David Jansen came along! David is a super excited and loud guy, which Rasmus definitely took into perspective. David tried to convince Rasmus, but Rasmus simply told him that's not what he needs. It was amazing how clearly and curdiously Rasmus told David that his method of teaching wasn't right for him. After David left for Ward Council (which we also were supposed to go to, but we taught instead), Rasmus really opened up and we had an amazing lesson about the rest of the Plan of Salvation! We have an amazingly good relationship with him and he simply shares his concerns and successes with us.

Thursday included another trip to Hillerød to meet Larry! He's a super cool dad from Kenya, but he's really busy. It was mostly just to get to know him. We also headed down to Frederiksberg again, where we ate with Ældste Walton's cousins, Stephanie and Shawn! It was super fun! Then we came back up to Allerød to eat at George and Jette's, which was super good! George is American and doesn't speak Danish, but the rest of the family (especially grandkids) speak Danish. It was super fun.

Friday morning, we had our District Activity! We met at the Maglegårds Allé church and played board games. It was quite fun! Then we had a testimony strong District Council, followed by a Blitz Splits! I got to go contacting with Ældste Anderson (again)!! It was really fun. Then we hurried up to the Rosenkilde Family for dinner, but because of bicycle problems and S-tog complications, we were an hour late! It was really awkward. But the appointment itself was really fun! Ramsus also came, and we had a Guacomole-Off! Eilif vs Ældste Walton! Officially, they tied (even though Ældste Walton's was better).

Saturday included Transfer Calls, more attempts to fix bikes (mostly Ældste Walton's new bike), and then a good old Weekly Planning! I am offically taking over all of Nordsjælland, and living in Hillerød with Helmi and Richardt! I'm super excited!! I also get, as my new companion, Ældste Harding! 

Sunday was Mothers' Day! You know what that means! I sing in church! Just kidding, but that did happen. We had Choir practice and it was decided that Søster Young and I would sing a duet at the beginning until the rest of the choir would come in. Even though neither of us had heard the song before that day! That went well though! Ældste Walton also translated this time, so that was good! We taught Rasmus in his own little Guest Class, which was really good! We talked about the Restoration, which was a lot of different information. But now he knows what Mormons Bog actually is, and why he's reading it! He also admitted that praying has a really positive effect, which was a step for him! Then we ate lunch at Mei's house, where she said goodbye to Ældste Walton, Søster Allen, and Søster Young. It was honestly quite sad. Then we had the chance to Skype home and wish my amazing Mom a happy Mothers' Day! My whole family is just awesome, so that's always a party. And then we hurried off to eat with Mika og Jette, who are a Finnish/Danish couple, and are super fun! Mika also has some really deep wisdom, which was good to hear.

Spiritual thought from Mika: Pull yourself together and get something done. Don't be wimpy and do something with your life! Find the drive you need, and get going places!

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

--

Ældste Jepsen

- Ældste Harding and I in Hillerød