April 15, 2013

Hej! Busy busy week in Ballerup! Transfers once again kick off once again, but thankfully I'm keeping my feet planted. I'm with Æ. Berry now whose only one group ahead of me, and we basically ended up taking the work of two areas and combining it into one. It leaves for a particularly full week. Kinda like doubling the amount of work. I sorta feel greedy because suddenly we have lots of good things all to ourselves and have anything to share, except spiritual experiences. That and we've got 2 baptisms lined up for this Saturday. Two young girls of a previously less active mother. (now active :)) It'll be a good day. We actually taught them the last two commandments this week and I think it went ok. They understood the Word of Wisdom fine, and the pictures we made helped. Law of Chasity went... alright... as well as it could have I guess. I've taught the law of Chasity less then a handful of times on my mission and on top of that we needed to tailor it to a 11 and 9 year old... Can't exactly start using big grown up language if you get what I mean. We sorta struggled past the language barrier, but thankfully the member helped us teach in a very clear manner so it ended up going well. We talked with them on Søndag and it seems like the mom is really excited. They liked seeing the Dåb program. Also in church, the primary went up to sing a song and one of the girls went up and sang as well! So integration into the church I think is going great. There were actually lots of really good things that happened to us this week. Tirsdag was a particular jump. We found 2 new investigators, Æ. McDonnell and I and I feel like one of them has huge potential. There is actually an interesting story about how we caught him at home. Definitely a guided by the Lord experience.So we had an appointment to meet with a less active, but sadly she forgot and burned us. So with some extra time on our hands we stopped by some people in the area. One of them is a young guy and has never been home. But lo and behold this time he was! He let us right in and we talked a little bit. According to him has read about half the book of Mormon since we last gave it to him about 2 months ago! He said he didn't understand the ''bible'' language so much, but the fact he presses on is a inspiration to me! We went through a first lesson and gave a soft dåb invite and he said yes! His potential is there. Now all we need is to continue to meet these people. We've been getting much better at setting another appointments at the end of the lesson and its been paying off. Often it sets up our next week for us. He was sick sadly for our next appointment, but he texted us and told us so at least he has us in mind. Here's another neat experience. We were on the train down to the office to drop off the District Leader binder and randomly on the S Tog, a man asked us if we were the missionary s. We said yea, and soon started up a conversation about how he'd been to church about 4 years ago and had been taught by the missionary s. He really seemed to like us and so we traded numbers and he said once he moved into his new apartment, (Which we offered to help move) we could meet up! People are coming out of nowhere! Its really exciting. One of the biggest final notes of this week was our appointment with one of our new progressing friends. (still not sure on the last name... :p) After konfirmering the appointment the night before, we showed up, sat down, talked a little bit, and started teach Frelseplanen. Only got about halfway when the conversation started turning toward Faith. He was really open and said he had a quote. He told us not to think he was unserious or anything and then brought up a Winne the Pooh quote, how Pooh Bear says ''Something will show.'' and we all sorta expounded upon that. (Love Winnie the Pooh. Couldn't be more inspirational to bring that up!) Our member present was so great in bearing testimony all the time and I was really happy to add my testimony to his about the church. I'm very glad Æ. Berry and I were working as a team because he remembered to ask for a return appointment, and I remembered to invite him to baptism. His schedule was very tied up next week sadly, but he'll be coming to church, (maybe with his son) and I'll make sure to follow up a day or two before! So that's looking good. On Lørdag, Æ. Berry and I did some service for some members, who are moving. It was such a weird change of pace. We Americans are just like ''Ok! Get the big moving van! Throw it all in! Lets move!'' but these Danes were just way casual. We showed up and a lot of stuff just wasn't quite packed yet. But regardless, I think it helped build member relations. Then later we went and helped another member who asked us to help clean us after a wedding reception. That was actually sorta fun getting cake, but our help really wasn't needed. Thats the second wedding reception this month we've been invited to as the missionarys to help with. Everyone just seems to be jumping that boat. But regardless it's a win for the eternal marriage! In my own personal growth and spiritual thoughts this week, I've been studying about love, and how I can apply it better in my life. An interesting thought also occurred to me the other day in church. We were sitting there in Elders Quorum and the teacher asked us to share how certain aspects of the gospel bless our lives. So Æ. Berry and I start talking and as we talked a interesting thought was said. When we pray, the Lord ALWAYS answers our prayers, but usually never in the way we expect. Always in a better way. Often through other experiences. I feel there are some answers that won't come to you on your knees. The answer might come from a friend, from a scripture or even another experience. I love the thought that answers to prays will come though EXPERIENCES. Couldn't give an example but the thought intrigues me. Prayer is still the most important, and we must ask in order to receive. But the timing and way are always calculated to bless the most. So thats a super interesting thought to me. The companionship is going just great. I've basically known Æ. Berry since the start of my mission while he was in Randers. The apartment feels a little empty but I think that helps us focus on doing some things. Not letting hygge conversations distract us. I can almost feel as I tighten my routine into greater obedience, (for that is my goal.) I can feel all the gunk, fatigue or the spiritual influence interference being un-clogged and cleared out. Its a refreshing feeling and helps my mind feel clean and clear. Truly a manifestation of the blessings from the Lord with obedience. I'm excited to hear all the news going on in the mission. Things are really getting rolling now. I'm excited to see how it all unfolds. :) Speaking of unfolding, our mission is beginning to see great blessings throughout the land. There are 23 baptismal dates and 9 of them are in the month of April! This is the highest its been as far back as anyone can remember! (Except probably when they baptized people by the boatloads here in the 1800's...) As my mission President quoted, *''This is just a beginning of what the Lord has in store as He hastens His work. This is truly His work and no unhallowed hand will stop it.''*¨ The Danish mission is gearing up and rolling the ball. Better watch out you South American Missions. The 2nd Harvest is here. Thanks for all you do and your constant support and guidance and testimony! MVH? Ældste T. Christensen