Christmas Morning

Christmas Week

It has been a very good week. Me and Elder Gifford have had the opportunity to try to get contact with as many RCLA's as we could. We set a goal of visiting and achieving 8 RCLA's this week. We got close of making it to 7. We did our best and a couple of the RCLA's canceled on us. We have had a lot of things happen this past week. It has of course been a tough week also.

We spent Monday night with one of the best Danish members I have ever been with. I can't even say all the things that we did. I don't think i would be able to finish emailing everyone. I will try to be fast. We had a phillipino dinner.(First time I have ever had that) Could barely taste the shrimp. Technically it was my fist time having shrimp haha. Don't judge, I grew up partially as a picky kid. I at least ate the whole entire dish they gave me. Never ate so much in my life. We had this type of Rice porridge, Ricsen Grøl (I think that probably spelled wrong ahhaa), where you put cinnimon and butter on top of this hot porridge. So delicious! Than we danced and sang around the Christmas Tree. Played musical chairs with presents where we had to pass the presents around and try to open through layers and layers of gift wrapping when the music was off. Than we followed the leader and sang and ran around the house. Than we had presents on the table and played like a white elephant game. The family wrapped all sorts of supplies that A missionary might need. I WON candy, toothbrush, shaving cream, dish washing soap, cookies. Eleif, one of the coolest members in Denmark, gave all of the missionaries the 2 different of the same skinny. So we can coordinate and wear the same tie on Sundays haha. We than ate some ice cream. Than while waiting for the bus gave a quick message and watched one of Elief's missionary videos from serving in England, the normal day version of the Prodigal Son haha.

Next day, Danish Christmas, we visited a less active. Than went to Church and asked the Bishop's wife when she was expecting us over for Dinner. (We were thinking around 6ish) She replied 4:30 at the latest haha. What the!?!?!?!?! So to make her happy we went over at 4 haha. After the program we were with the Bishops family. their son Mattias, I forgot to mention this, apparently I found out when I first got here that he served in the same mission as me in Chicago. He even had the same mission president. We did alot of the same activities as the previous night. But he ate Rics Alimon. Which is the same rice porridge, but cold. It has chopped almonds in it except for one and the objective is to eat and find the Almond. Out of the 3 times we have done it, I finally found the ALMOND yes! I ended up winning one of the best chocolate mints in Denmark haha. I loved being with this family it was awesome. (For dinner we had fleskistie, not sure on spelling haha, straight up pork with a layer of hard cooked fat around the pork, man it is so delicious can't find it in America without asking the butcher) But being with this family, it truly felt like home: peace, love, and friendship! it will probably be one of the memorable Christmas's I will probably ever have.

Next day we went caroling at an old folks home. Found out that it was as effective as knocking. We had a lot of grumpy people and people shutting the doors in our faces. Won't do that again haha. A senior missionary couple that lives in our ward, we dropped by them and they appreciated us caroling to them haha, The wife let us in and just fed us haha. I love that family! After we biked like crazy to go give a blessing. And guess what happened on Christmas day..... Yep I got a flat tire =( So upset with that. Had to pump my tire and ride as fast as we could. Stop and do it again just so we would make our train. Got to the station rode the train for 20 minutes and found out that the people that wanted a blessing were at the hospital now. So we traveled back and than took the buses and were about to do drop by's witht the Hillerød elders and than they got a message saying to come back. Well we didn't have time. We returned back to our apartment and fixed my bike and the other Elders went to give the blessing (it was in their area anyways ahah) We than had the opportunity to Skype the family later that night after a dinner appointment. It was so awesome to see them all in Duck Dynasty attire haha. I miss and love them so much! It completed the Christmas =) Love you Read Family!! Kia is such a fat dog ahaha

We have many miracles this past week of dropping by members and asking them who could be bring a bunch of cookies to. Someone who could need them during this Christmas time or possibly might be interested in a message. It has been positive. Many people who we dropped by were shocked and they thanked us. They saw us and many of them called the members and told them thank you. But we are sure this arrised questions. It helped the members have the opportunity to answer who we were and what we teach. One of the miracles came when at the beginning of the month me and Elder King prayed for families that we could do to it specifically and ask them for referrals. We visited this past week with the members and they told us to go to a family relative that was an excommunicated member. We visited and the family was really happy to see us! They invited us in. The wife, not a previous member, had many questions about us as missionaries. We shared a quick Christmas message and thanked them for letting us come in. The husband, excommunicated, even invited us to come back with the other 2 missionaries and help him with as he said it ''true missionary work'' service in his yard. We gave him our number and we found out that they have a daughter that is about the age for baptism! It was a wonderful miracle!

We also made contact last night with the Swedish/Danish family that called out to us from across the street. (Asking us if we were the Mormon Missionaries) The husband didn't seem interested at the time. They have 2 children and they showed us their mini nativity set. They wanted to show us what they thought of Christmas, the true meaning. The husband left the room and we gave our Christmas message. The wife loved it and was maybe interested in coming to our church. We gave her an address and were about to leave, when the husband out spurted that he found Jesus in Peru, he's there too you know. They seemed like the perfect family! We are planning on dropping by again in the very nearby future and hopefully share the Plan of Salvation with them.

It's been an awesome week! I hope everyone has felt the Saviors spirit as I have this Christmas Season. Love you all and thank you for everything! Continue to share our wonderful message of the restored gospel and about the savior. Until next week, <happy New Year!

Love Elder Jantzen Richard Read

 

 

GOD YUL~ Merry Christmas from Denmark

 

New Companion Elder Gifford~ Mom's missionary Christmas tree in the background

   We didn't get the chance to teach Brother Andersen's neighbors because Elder King was sick the whole day! Karma I know right. So I spent the whole day preping the apartment, cleaning and planning for the next coming weeks. Man it got boring after a couple of hours haha. The next day (Wednesday) we had Transfers. Met our Zone Leaders and made the exchange with Elder King. He went with Elder Pitts. And than I waited for Elder Gifford to arrive, than we made the exchange and made our way back to Birkerød.

What a wonderful week we have had. Elder Gifford just came from Nykøbing. He loves to exercise and was the Safety at Alta High School. He lives in Draper Utah. Utah I know a real shocker haha. But he spent 7 months in Nykøbing and finally moved here. He spent a lot of time knocking there, so he's a professional. haha. Also met up with Elder Call again from my MTC group for the 1st time since the MTC. That was awesome to find out that he was with Elder Ogden and now I have 2 Elders from my MTC group now in my District group haha. Me and Elder Gifford have spent much time in finding new investigators this past week. We have been trying our hardest to build up a teaching pool again. We have had many miracles this past week. One was where we knocked on this one man's door and told him we were Mormons and that we have the Book of Mormon. He replied that he just ordered a copy! We set up an appointment this next week to teach him! We have had similar experiences while knocking as well. More than I have ever had while serving a mission.

Another miracle happened this week where we received a text message during an appointment with our new investigator. Earlier that day was not going good. We went out knocking and we had no success. We ignored the message so that we could finish our appointment. The appointment went okay, but we quickly left and biked all the way from Birkerød to Sandholm so that we could teach Bunmi and Adeshina. We later found out after biking our hardest to Sandholm, that that text message was Bunmi saying that she would be in Copenhagen signing some traveling paper work. At this point I felt everything was going wrong. I didn't know what to do. We were stuck. Elder Gifford tried offering ideas but they didn't work out. I never have prayed so hard for Faith and what to do in my missionary life. I tried to stay positive and keep my chin up. I finally thought okay we can go try visiting with a less active (that we tried earlier that morning). She lived near by and I thought she possible would be home. We got there and found out her husband wasn't home. So we scheduled a time we could share a message this next week. After that I had the thought to visit with the neighbors who were members and ask for referrals with cookies. I had to pull out the map to find which street they lived on. While looking up the street a woman and her two kids called out to us ''Are you the mormon missionaries!'' Yes we are, how do you know us. She replied that she had family living in the States that were Mormons and she loved that we were out sharing our message. She told us she like it and thinks that everyone needs our message. We asked if we could come by next week and share a Christmas message. She replied yes! She is Swedish and her husband is Danish! But now we have the opportunity to teach a family!

What a miracle, because if we wouldn't have read that text message from Bunmi after our appointment, than we would have never met her. If the less active's husband was home than we would have never met her. It was a testimony to me that the Lord truly puts people in our path, especially when everything is going wrong and being at the right place at the right time! But we have found a lot of potential investigators this past week. What a wonder time to share this message! The work is truly going forth! What a miracle, what a blessing!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I am so excited to skype on Wednesday! See you on Wednesday Read Family!

''Some years ago in our meetinghouse in Darmstadt, Germany, a group of brethren was asked to move a grand piano from the chapel to the adjoining cultural hall, where it was needed for a musical event. None were professional movers, and the task of getting that gravity-friendly instrument through the chapel and into the cultural hall seemed nearly impossible. Everybody knew that this task required not only physical strength but also careful coordination. There were plenty of ideas, but not one could keep the piano balanced correctly. They repositioned the brethren by strength, height, and age over and over again—nothing worked.

As they stood around the piano, uncertain of what to do next, a good friend of mine, Brother Hanno Luschin, spoke up. He said, “Brethren, stand close together and lift where you stand.”

It seemed too simple. Nevertheless, each lifted where he stood, and the piano rose from the ground and moved into the cultural hall as if on its own power. That was the answer to the challenge. They merely needed to stand close together and lift where they stood.

I have often thought of Brother Luschin’s simple idea and have been impressed by its profound truth. Tonight I would like to expand on that simple concept, “lift where you stand.” President Uchtdorf.

''Brothers and sisters, fear will be replaced with faith and confidence when members and the full-time missionaries kneel in prayer and ask the Lord to bless them with missionary opportunities. Then, we must demonstrate our faith and watch for opportunities to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to our Heavenly Father’s children, and surely those opportunities will come. These opportunities will never require a forced or a contrived response. They will flow as a natural result of our love for our brothers and sisters. Just be positive, and those whom you speak with will feel your love. They will never forget that feeling, though the timing may not be right for them to embrace the gospel. That too may change in the future when their circumstances change.

It is impossible for us to fail when we do our best when we are on the Lord’s errand. While the outcome is a result of the exercise of one’s agency, sharing the gospel is our responsibility.

Trust the Lord. He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep, and His sheep know His voice; and today the voice of the Good Shepherd is your voice and my voice. And if we are not engaged, many who would hear the message of the Restoration will be passed by. Simply stated, it’s a matter of faith and action on our part. The principles are pretty simple—pray, personally and in your family, for missionary opportunities. The Lord has said in the Doctrine and Covenants that many people have been kept from the truth only “because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12).

The Lord knows us. He knows we have our challenges. I realize that some of you may feel heavy laden, but I pray that none of you would ever feel that reaching out in normal, pleasant ways to share the gospel would ever be a burden. Rather, it is a privilege! There is no greater joy in life than being anxiously engaged in the service of the Lord.

The key is that you be inspired of God, that you ask Him for direction and then go and do as the Spirit prompts you. When members view the work of salvation as their responsibility alone, it can be intimidating. When they view it as an invitation to follow the Lord in bringing souls unto Him to be taught by the full-time elders and sisters, it is inspiring, invigorating, and uplifting.

We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just “one” between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior.'' Elder Ballard

And it is not to late! We still have Time =) Keep trying the Lord will bless you in your efforts! NO effort is wasted!

Love you all and GOD JUL!

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

 

Christmas in Birkerod

                                                                                                                                                                     
Decorating a "REAL" Christmas tree... so much fun!




                       Lighting Christmas tree in Allerod... fun Danish tradition

Santa photo bomb...good old Santa

Drum roll for transfers...Elder King the new 007!

Last Wednesday, President Sederholm called about transfers. Initially when I answered the phone I thought he want to come on a teaching appointment with us. I pulled out my planner and set it next to our map. We were on a bus making our way to Kokkedal. I answered and found out President Sederholm wanted the phone on speaker. We were on a bus? Really? Yep haha. So I put the phone on speaker and he announced transfer calls. Elder King got called and will be transferred to the Gladsaxe ward. (President's ward) He will be not a District leader, but now will be replacing Elder Peterson as Zone Leader!!!!!! Whoa! Didn't see that one coming, but I know he will do an awesome job. Elder Read will be staying in Birkerød........ I will be now companions with Elder Gifford (He has been out on his mission over a year). Come to find out he was one of Elder King's companions haha! I will be taking over the area and showing Elder Gifford around haha. Elder Gifford will be the new District leader! Yah. This is going to be awesome. I hear he cooks awesomely haha. But he works out like crazy so I'm feeling pretty good haha. I'll let you know on further details.

But after we found out that I would not be training a new missionary, which took a lot of stress off my plate, me and Elder King were just talking about what would be happening next week. ..What Elder Gifford is like etc. We got up and got off the Bus. We started walking away for about a 1/4 of a mile. And found out guess what My Planner slipped probably in between me and Elder King and was left on the bus!!!!! Guess who was so happy to find that out. Not ME!!!! I'm still so mad about it. But it's lost for good. Which stinks. 6 weeks of my life just... poof gone. Hope I kept a good detail journal hahaha. But enough of that news.

It has been an interesting week. Not exactly what we were planning this week. We started off great with the Bornholm Elders coming on Splits this past week. It was great, besides the fact that both of our appointments cancelled on us last second. So me and Elder Madsen did our best to go and find people. We didn't get immediate success, but I was grateful to learn some insight from Elder Madsen. We later had a dinner appointment of American style Beef Stew, not too bad, (The wife is Danish and the Husband is American haha, doesn't like the Danish ways and has a lot of American Pride in him haha) and then went with Elder Wright to go teach a less active family. We had the opportunity to give a Priesthood blessing because the husband was having surgery the next morning.

I later woke up the next morning not feeling so good. We believe that somehow I got food poisoning and I was sick the whole day. To be honest it was my worst missionary day that I have had on my mission. I had to stay in bed the whole day. Elder King was forcing me to rest and sleep so that I had a higher chance of working the next day. I hated it the most because as I told Elder King, I was doing nothing. I wanted to so badly to go out and work, and I couldn't. To be honest it is the worst feeling for me. I hate doing nothing, work is in my blood... just how my father raised me. =) Don't worry Mom, Sister Sederholm has been checking up on me and taking good care of me haha. I am feeling much better. It was really just a 24 hour deal. I am as healthy as can be! DON'T WORRY MOM! I know you do anyways!

While I was sick, Elder Ogden and Elder Earl came on emergency splits with us so that I could have a babysitter and we could get our very important appointments. Elder Earl and King went to visit Michael Williams and found out that he feels like his conscious was telling him the time wasn't right for him to get baptized this Saturday. Which they pointed out it was the Spirit telling him that. He wants to learn more and come to know that it is true. He is still positive and still wants to meet and has come to Church. He wants to find out so badly that we missed his bus yesterday for church and started walking. haha. Luckily we got him a ride. But we are looking into January for his baptism.

We sang Christmas Carols and gave out Book of Mormons last Saturday in Helsingør gågade (Shopping street) with our District and the Zone Leaders again. Super more effective this time, there were tons of people there. We had 22 Book of Mormons and we gave them out in 20 minutes.We saw much success last Saturday when we went caroling. It was amazing to see the miracles go before us. People were clapping, crying, asking about who we were and watching us as we sang carols. I truly believe that the Spirit touched many hearts that day! I hope that we can continue to do that the next couple of weeks.

Later that day we did service for the Rosenkilens. They are an amazing family! Love them dearly, they treat the missionaries so good! After service they wanted us to set up the Christmas Tree! Ja Tak! It felt like we were home with the family. It's weird how you take setting up even the Christmas tree for Granted haha. It was fun. (Practically All Danes do not buy plastic trees, they buy them fresh every year! They even throw tinsel on them!!! What that was a first haha.) Than we ate Mexican Tacos!!!! Yah it was good! haha

I hope and pray that me and Elder Gifford can keep up the work in Birkerød and continue having success. I believe that we will still continue to do wonders here. I believe that we have some more prime opportunities to find this week. I am going to miss Elder King, but now he is my Zone leader! And his phone number is now 007 haha. (He's a big James Bond fan, fits him perfectly) It's been fun to have Elder King. I know that President Sederholm was truly inspired to put him with me to train me and to teach with him to certain people. Training is over and now it's just learning Danish and making sure me and Elder Gifford stay busy. =) haha. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. And continue to encourage you to keep taking Elder Ballard's Challenge. Christmas has not passed yet. Just 1 Person =) And we have had an excuse now to talk about Christ! The whole world is doing it already. =) ''Brethren (and Sisters) of all ages unbind your tongues and watch your words work wonders in the lives who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it!''-Elder Holland. I hope and pray that we all can continue to find people and truly have them get to know our Savior and His message! Because we do have the TRUTH. I love you all Merry Christmas.

Haste to the battle, quick to the field;

Truth is our helmet, buckler, and shield.

Stand by our colors; proudly they wave!

We’re joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.

-Elder Jantzen Richard Read

I am alive! Survived the Hurricane!

It has been a wonderful week. We watched Ephraims Rescue at Zone Confernece. The movie ''Ephraims Rescue'' has been going over my mind over and over this past week. I saw it before I came out on a mission and it was a good refresher. It helped to continue motivating me. Knowing that if we have the faith we can do all things and nothing is impossible. Elder King has been having me practice teaching Danish principles to him, it's been quiet a challenge, sometimes I don't understand something fully enough to explain it. It's been a bit frustrating and stressful but it has been helping me teach myself what the principles mean. This morning I was studying diligence and read Alma's counsel to Shiblon (Versus 4 and 10) and D&C 75:2-5. A quote to my mind while studying this. ''With this staff... you shall do My Wonders'' and the song ''Through Heavens Eyes'', By Brian Stokes Mithcell from the Prince of Egypt. Made me think that through Christ we can do all things. I've been trying my best to have patience and to rely on our Savior. Another quote just comes to my mind now from Only a Stonecutter. It goes something like ''I would rather die with my face pushing my handcart toward Zion, than to falter by the way side''. Enduring is the key when I have studied these attributes this past month. Elder King keeps reminding me Elder Holland ''I didn't say it was going to be easy, I just said it would be worth it.''

We have been able to teach Brother Andersen's neighbors daughter and her friend English and it is slowly progressing in the right direction. We talked with them over dinner and they asked many questions about missionary life and the church in general. They don't seem to have much interest, but they want us to keep teaching their daughter and her friend. At the end of the lesson the friends mother came to pick up her daughter. We were able to meet her and it opens up another door to teach the friends family! And now it opens up another door to share the Gospel with that family also! The Lord has truly prepared people that are ready!

We were also stuck in the apartment, because of the Hurricane. We managed to use our time effectively. We wrapped Book of Mormons' for Saturday's gågade caroling. We also did our weekly planning and were able to go through what needed to be done these next coming weeks before Christmas. Glad everyone is ok, we understand it was a really rough hurricane.

On Saturday we went our Caroling, before the Ward Christmas Party, in Allerød's Gågade. We as a district of 6 and the Zone leaders sang and gave out Book of Mormon's. It was a huge success. We saw many smiling faces when caroling and saw miracles when we talked with them and gave out Book of Mormons. I saw Elder Ogden contact a person. She didn't know Danish. She was from Brazil. He gave her a wrapped Book of Mormon and she was very interested in learning more about the Mormon religion! It was a huge success that we are going to do it again this or next Saturday.

We also received a phone call from Finn last night. Asking if we could come over and talk with him. His summer house got flooded and a tree fell on top of the summer house during the storm. We went over as soon as we could. We shared with him John 14:16-18 &26-27. We talked about how he has the Holy Ghost now and he can have that peace and guidance. He can ask for help from 1st the Lord, than members and missionaries. I recall talking about verse 18 with him and saying that our Heavenly Father will never leave you alone. He will be with you always. I remember that I was able to speak very smoothly. Better than I think I have in the past. It was a huge miracle to see that the Lord was able to bless me with the Gift of Tounges so that I could talk with Finn. Also it was funny to see that Finn's dog, sillia.... accidentally pooped inside. Reminded me of Kia. =) Finn wasn't to happy.

The day before the storm, I had the opportunity to contact a gentleman at a bus stop and talk with him. By the time we got on the bus and at the train station I had the impression to give him a card and a Book of Mormon. As soon as we got off, I told him that I had a Christmas gift for him and tried to give it to him. He said that I could give it to someone else who could better use it. He said he wasn't religious. I tried explaining it was for everyone. But he said thank you anyway and started walking away. I smiled and said Merry Christmas to him. Even though it wasn't a huge success I remember what Ephraim said before healing Thomas Dobsen with the Priestood. ''I try''. And that was what kept my head up the rest of the night. I tried. I'll do the best of what I can and try to act on every impression. I know that alone I will fall short every time. But it's is through our Savior, Jesus Christ, That we can accomplish all things! God Jul!!!

                                   Copenhagen temple

 

 

              Marmokirken (Marble Church) Queen's residence

 

 

                               Famous little Mermaid
 

 

Finn playing the flute at the ward Christmas party

 

Wrapping up Book of Mormons to give away

 

Dancing around the Christmas tree... Danish tradition

 

 

Copenhagen Temple... What the? 5 months have gone by!

 

 

                                                    Marmokirken (The Marble Church)

Copenhagen Temple

 

I received an email from a friend stating I've been out for 5 months.... What happened there!?! I feel like I just came out! A little nerve racking thinking that I have just left the 20's for good, until I get to the point of being out on my mission for that long, but I'm sure I won't be thinking that way haha.

   We had preparation day on Saturday so that we could go to the Copenhagen Temple!! Also went to the Marmokirke, both things was awesome loved every minute of it. After that was over I found out that my memory card was full. I got home that night and put a new memory card in. Ironically it turns out that I have not taken pictures since than haha. Whoops =). Also for bad news, no joke. GUESS WHO GOT ANOTHER FLAT TIRE! Ah I was so mad. Turned out me and Elder King both got a flat tire within 10 minutes of eachother. Spent an hour last night and an hour this morning fixing it. Luckily I had the tools and a repair kit. And luckily I have an awesome Father and Scout master, who taught me how to change a tire. Just to happened to be on the back tire >( So it was time consuming. Not happy about it, but hey what can you do haha.

Anyways, It felt so good to go back to the temple. It has such a warm homely feeling that I have missed dearly. Something in Utah I took for granted. They are still showing the old film, most likely the new film won't be over here until possibly after December. But we did a session, we met the new temple president, and awesomely the previous previous Denmark Mission President. And we also met 2 Swedish missionaries, We did a session and because we are Danish missionaries we did it all in Danish! Coolest thing ever! Probably the last time I will see the old film, understood a +90% of it which was a miracle. But I am excited for the new film for sure.

We are having essential preparation day today. Were we only get food, wash our clothes and email everyone. Because we went to the temple on Saturday. But it was awesome on Saturday. Went to Nyhavn again, when everyone was Christmas shopping. Went to where the Queen lives and saw the oprah house across the bay. We also saw the National guards switch out so that was interesting. Than went to Marmokirken (The Marble Chruch). We were able to talk with people from the Netherlands (Yep Grandpa that's right =) They thought we worked for the church, but really we were getting a tour. But we were able to answer their questions about our church that they had. We wanted to give them our card with a number on it, possibly a Book of Mormon, but the tour guide stopped us when they left. Turned out he had some questions and he was very interested in learning more about the Mormons. We talked with him at the top of the Marmokirke for 1/2 hour, which was beautiful, could see all of Copenhagen and over to Sweden. but he had lots of questions. Turns out that that was his last tour that he was doing and he got a better job some where else. Just so happened that 6 missionaries were in his last group. Coincidence I think not! haha. Gave him a card and a Book of Mormon as a thank you to him and an early Christmas gift. He said that he was going to go check out the church where he lives and he was going to start reading that night! What a Miracle. The Lord truly puts people in our paths that are ready!

We started an English fast from Tuesday night to Friday night. And on top of that. Elder King was having me take over the area. He didn't have any input on anything. He wanted to prove to me that I am now capable of taking over the area, doing things on my own without his help, improving my Danish and preparing me for the possibility of training. It has been a stressful week but rewarding! We have found 2 new investigators. They both came from actually knocking!?! can you believe it haha. 1 out of a million I sware. But we met with a woman named Mearon (From Ethiopia) and her Husband Daniel (Danish). They have an 8 month old child named Noah. We taught them both the Restoration. They even began the conversation by saying they wanted to come to church! Check haha. Daniel is sometimes really busy, Works sometimes on weekends as like a brain specialist and works for sometimes 15hrs in one day. Crazy. But he gets to be with his family! They are very interested in our message and they accepted the invitation to be baptized when they find out that it is true. So we are waiting on them. But they are the perfect family! Love them already!

We also made a journey to a previous investigators home. the route we planned on the internet/ Rejseplan took us out to the middle of the woods. Which was awesome because it felt like I was in the mountains again, but we had to walk forever to the previous investigators home, talk with them and see if they wanted to investigate agian than walk all the way to Slangerup. We calculated about 6km that we walked in all.

We also were able to teach Brother Andersen's neighbors daughter and her friend. (FYI, there is a thing called Rejseplan, like google maps. Type in both addresses and the website will plan your bus, train, metro routes. for you.) Turns out for the 1st time it failed us. We missed our bus by like 10 minutes in Frederikssund and had to run about mile in church shoes again! to their home. Man I was feeling the Shin splints coming on. Man I'm out of shape haha.

But Sicillia and Matilda, Brother Andersens neighbors. We began teaching them English and getting to know them. They both are only 11 years old and there English is amazing! They already know so much! But it's when we start speaking fast, is when they have a hard time understanding. Huh weird, wonder where I've heard that before. Gave me a good look in the mirror. To see and feel what others might think of when speaking in my native language. But they are amazing. Sicillia's father, Klaus, had to be in the proximity (3rd man rule) and his wife, Rekke, came home later with their I believe 1 year old child. They invited us to Dinner next time and thanked us and they said they enjoyed getting to know us from the other room hahaha. They are super postive! I love them to death. I want to start teaching them to badly but we are waiting for them to ask the questions. Because we know it's there. We are excited to much for the future for them. Because they are gaining the trust in the missionaries, getting to know us and the Spirit is already in their home when we are there!

Michael W. also came to church yesterday! He needs to come 2 more times if we are going to make it to December 21st. We met with him after church in Sandholm. And he really enjoyed church, doesn't love the language barrier, because he's from Ivory Coast. But he loves the members. The members have stepped it up and took the initiative to be nice and great him and get to know them! Taught Michael the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he still wants to make December 21st his goal!

Man it has been a good week! Crazy the transfer is almost over again. We will be finding out the plans most likely, not this week but next week. But I am so grateful for the time I have been in Birkerød. It has been a blessing to watch the Spirit of the Lord work through the people around us! I am so grateful for the Savior and am grateful that we can celebrate his birth this Christmas Season! And where we all can focus on what the Savior would do and how we can serve others! Thanks again! I hope you all have had a wonderul Thanksgiving! Love you All and God JUL (Merry Christmas!)

-Elder Jantzen Richard Read

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello Everyone,

I hope everything is going fine and well back at home! HAPPY THANKSGIVING! If anybody asks, it doesn't exist here. Bummer.... Oh well we had a Zone Conference and the Senior missionaries made us an American Thanksgiving so that was fantastic. After Halloween was over they started setting up for Christmas! Even today we saw a huge truck bring a huge Christmas Tree to Birkerød.

I've had a few people ask about Danish Christmas's and to make it short they have a lot of traditions. Which I am sure I will be sharing with you in the coming weeks. I know one thing is that we eat A LOT! This will be interesting.... =) Can't wait for it to warm back up so I can go running again haha.

Well me and Elder King have busted out the Thermals. Man it makes such a difference. We have also converted to our winter socks. It's getting colder here. We stayed over night with the Hillerød Elders (Elder Ogden and Elder Earl). We came back to the train station and their was frost all over my Bike!!!! Yah it's winter. But the GRASS is still GREEN! What's up with that? But because we have the thermals and the winter socks we are having a hard time staying warm and being over heated! No doubt I am warm all the time now, but because we are on Bikes, it gets hot really fast inside our wind proof/ winter jackets. So when we get a moment we have to air ourselves out after riding hahaha. Elder King says this is about the coldest it gets. Which is not to bad I must say. So Mom don't worry! =)

Update for the week, we have been able to meet with Michael Williams and he is super positive. He believes everything that we have said and he has gotten an answer about our message. He told us that anything to do with Jesus Christ he likes and believes. We are still pushing with him to keep reading and prepare for December 21st.

Also we received a referral from Brother Jens Andersen (previous Mission President of Denmark and our ward mission leader). While we were doing service for Brother Andersen, a couple weeks ago, we were able to meet with his neighbors and help them out with planting hedges. We thought it was a fantastic opportunity to share the gospel with them. They were super positive when we left and they are potential investigators. But Brother Andersen's other neighbors were planting hedges as well and heard us Elders speaking English. They talked with Brother Andersen and they want us to teach their daughter and her friend English! We are met with them last night after Brother Andersen's open house. They are super positive and we made an appointment to go teach their 11 year old daughter.

It is just a miracle that we had the intention of going to try to find interest with Brother Andersen's 1st neighbors. But instead the Lord put his other neighbors in ear shot to hear us speak English. And now we have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them. They want to pay us, but Brother Andersen already explained the situation that we won't take money but we will take dinner! So we get dinner out of this and the opportunity for them to ask us questions and to learn our message. I am so excited because their are 3 potential investigators. Than Elder King told me this is a wonderful opportunity to have my Danish explode. I hope that to be the case.
I will admit that it has been a miracle and a blessing with how much I have learned and have in the Danish language. We met with Finn P. and I thought about it for a second... ''Man 2 months ago I didn't understand this man at all'' And here I am having a conversation with him. We also had in encounter with American Exchange students on the train. They have been taking Danish since August and not to judge, but their Danish wasn't great. haha. I know that I have been truly blessed with what I have now. I am so grateful that the Lord blesses his children with these gifts, so that we are able to communicate our message with everyone in their native lands.
Well I thank you all for all the support and love you have given me. I hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving and Black Friday haha. (Turns out our black friday/ monthly thing is in January. Side note. haha) I hope everyone gets the opportunity to take Elder Ballard's challenge and to help find one person that they can help bring to this Gospel. The clock is ticking.. I'm looking at my watch and we have one month left. I know as you truly look for opportunities to serve the Lord will give you his Spirit. The time is now. And even after Christmas we can continue to help others. This is something that has been asked of us. ''Every Member a Missionary.'' ''Hasten the Work of Salvation'' ''The time is NOW''. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to share the Gospel this Christmas season with the people in Denmark. As President Sederholm has said, ''Let us focus our thoughts on the Savior this next month and what we can give'' I love you all!
-Elder Jantzen Richard Read
One of the best Flint finding moments I found by the Train Schedules. Love you FLINT!


I didn't forget about you (Paisley) and Mandie. Unfortunately I am unable to see this on my mission. hahahah. Love you PAIS!!!
Frederiksborg Slot (Castle) Last preperation day.

Largest Burger in the World... having fun in Birkerod

 

Teaching people from Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Farjoes Island in Denmark what?

Hello Everyone,

Holy cow it's almost Christmas. It has been an amazing week! What an amazing week we have had! We have had the opportunity to have attended a baptism, Nicole. The Lord is tuly blessing our District. I am so grateful and happy that I can witness all these miracles. I do know that they have come because of our willingness to serve.

We have also had the opportunity to teach Kaavah before the baptism on Saturday. We met him and later his brother, while contacting. (They were converted Muslim to Christiananity because of their father, who was a previous investigator who we taught) We taught him the Restortation. Elder King wanted me to do the quote the 1st Vision to him in Danish. I was so nervous. I tried rehearsing it to Elder King a couple weeks ago, but found out that my MTC Danish was still far from actual Danish. We got to talking about Joseph Smith. I remember saying a quick prayer in my heart. It was amazing! The result was that I was able to feel the Spirit testify so strongly!! I was grateful because I was able to say the first vision with maybe a couple of mistakes. We later found out that he had concerns because in the Bible it says to beware of false prophets. But he took a Book of Mormon and told us he would read from it. And he wants to come to church and learn more! He is super postive and we look forward to teaching him.
His brother is the same way! Super interested in our message but he was unable to attend our appointment because of work. But our goal and plan is to get ahold of their father again and teach the whole family. I believe they are a family of seven. We are so excited. The Lord is truly blessing Birkerød! I do believe there are people now who need to hear my testimony!
Speaking of Finn, we planned on him getting his interview for the Priesthood yesterday, but was unable to make it because he was with his daughter for the day. We also were able to meet with him saturday night with his daughter. She was smoking and drinking a can of beer when we got there, she's been going through a hard time in her life, and she was staying over with Finn for a couple days. Finn asked us not to talk about religion when she is there. But we were able to go over and she asked questions. Because Finn asked us to come over it opens up new doors. I fully believe one day she will ask more and talk with the missionaries. How great is this work of the Lord!

Another miracle of the week! We went through our Area book and found a man whose name is Michael Williams (Investigated the church begining of this year and took a couple of lessons at Bunmi's home). We called him up and he was interested in hearing our message again. We met with him yesterday. He is from Liberia, Ivory Coast. And his roommate sat in and watched in the back of the room about our message. Roommates name is Badu and he's from Ghana!!! Yah Elder Western I found one! They speak English amazingly and they have a christrian background. We taguht them the Restoration and they accpted everything we had to say. We presented them the Book of Mormon and invited them to baptism. They both agreed to read and find out for themselves. We invited them to Dec. 21st. They were completly shocked. It's only a month away! Badu thought it was too close. But we gave the assurance and I remember saying to them, I know without a doubt that if you both put forth the effort, Read, ponder and ask God, Than you will have an answer before Dec. 21st. Michael Agreed and said that if he got an answer by than than he will be baptized on that day. We didn't get much of a confirmation from Badu but they are super postive. We are so excited for them! We hope to get a date with him next time.

We also met with Adishena, Bunmi's husband who lives on the Farjoes and was visiting Bunmi. Super positive and accepted everything we had to say. He wants the same thing that Bunmi has and is willing to do anything. He already agreed to live the commandments without even talkng about it. We invited him to baptism and he agreed. He said he would like to. Bunmi punched him and said he would love too haha. She was so funny. He is flying back to the Farjoes here maybe this week. But as long as he is taught everything he can be baptized when he comes back to visit Bunmi! President is planning on coming with us to another teaching appointment this week to visit him. Because Adishena is under President Sederholms jurisdiction and President is Adishena's Ecclesastical leader. So we are super excited for him and his family to all be part of the FULL Gospel of Jesus Christ! What an exciting time! The Lord is truly blessing our area. I am so grateful to have a part in this great work.

I love you all! Hope you have a Fantastik week! Have a good one and always follow your hearts! And LOOK for opportunities to serve!

Love,

-Elder Jantzen Richard Read

Prayers answered at 8:26

It has been an amazing week. Been tough no doubt. We have recieved 2 new Elders to our District (Elder Peterson, trainer. and Elder Lawless, trainie) to Helsingør. They are awesome missionaries. I made a goal to speak to at least 1 person everyday, who I did not know. It has been amazing! I have seen the Lord truly bless me with the Danish Language. I am understanding more than I ever did before. I have seen miracles one of which is meeting a young woman named Sarah.

We were on the Bus, working our way back to home. It was a longer bus ride. There was a woman on the bus. I thought about contacting her and asking her what a certain Danish word on the bus meant. I was about to ask her when she turned away to the window. It didn't feel very good if I reached out in front of her and asked her what it meant. Just had a feeling the timing wasn't right. I waited a little longer, then all of a sudden another young woman got on the bus. I thought she could be contacted. She sat right across the ailse from me. It was a perfect set up. She was on her phone txting. I was a little worried. Thoughts came to my mind, ''She's busy on the phone, is she too young? Is this a good idea?'' I turned to the Lord and asked in my heart. Should I ask her? If I should than when should I ask her. I waited for a feeling, prompting, or something to let me know to contact her. Nothing came. I thought okay fine. I looked at the clock to see 8:24. I said another prayer. Saying Heavenly Father, I have a plan. I am going to contact her at 8:26. Will you help me. Closed my prayer. I figured either way it would help my Danish.

The clock turned to 8:26 I looked over and noticed she finally got off her phone! The set up was even better haha. I leaned over the aisle and asked her what does that word mean in English? She responded in English (She had amazing English, I was shocked that she was Danish) and we sat there for a second. She finally asked why? I responded that I had been here for a month and was trying to learn Danish. ( All in Danish) She reponded back in English and stayed in English. I tried to revert back but she wasn't budging. Non the less I was able to contact her. She found out that I came from Utah and she got excited! She and her friend were going to take a road trip to the USA next year, with Utah as part of their journey. She asked where my destination for the night was going to be, I replied Birkerød. She said that we would be taking the same train with her friend. She apparently was going to be meeting with her at the train station. We than spent the next 20 minutes talking about Utah, my purpose as a missionary, Denmark ect. We met with her friend and were able to talk for another 15 minutes. Before getting off the Train we gave our card with our number if they were interested in learning about our message. Totally Postive!!! (Even though they were going to a club ahaha oh and also she turned out to be 19 so SAFE haha) I am still hoping that she (her name is Sarah) and her friend will contact us.

We have also began teaching a man that we met door contacting. His name is Feroz and he is Muslim. It was so cool because when he answered the door and talked about what we shared he invited us right in. WHAT!?!?! Totally my first time being let in the door on the first knock. It was awesome. We taught him a little about the Church. His is totally open to hearing our message and researching other churches. We see potential in that. And are now waiting for him to call us after he has read from the Book of Mormon.

Man many miracles have come this past week. We even had Stake confernce in Danish. I didn't understand a ton of the talks but I was able to talk with lots of people. I am so grateful for the Lord for blessing me in learning more in the Danish language. Especially understanding.

I love you all and hope you have a fantastik week. Vi sis på næste uge!

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

BIKES! YIKES!

Hello Everyone,

Come to find out that I will not be getting transferred right now. I will be staying in Birkerød with Elder King. A bit of a relief that I am not training right now. Because it really is a possibility with all the new missionaries coming it. I am grateful that I am staying because I get to learn the language for another 6 weeks with Elder King.

Well the reason the heading is bikes is because since last Wednesday we have had bike problems like no other. These past 5 days have been really busy. It feels like we have had bike problems everyday. My bike recieved a flat in Slangerup and Elder King's bike has recieved two flat tires along the way. We have been enjoying the ability to walk this past week. We realize that it is a huge blessing that we have our bikes. It has been a crazy week

We also got out of a dinner appointment and missed our bus by 6 minutes. And had an hour before the next one came. It was 8 at night. We tried to go visit a previous investigator but he said come again next month. And we couldn't go knocking, because A, We don't like to go knocking because it is not effective. B. it was late at night so it wouldn't even work if we did go knocking. C. We had no other option but to wait and plan for tomorrow and make phone calls. Worst part of the week is when we are not working.

Not much has happened besides trying to find more people to teach and fixing bikes every other day. We really want to find a new positive, progressing investigator to teach. Still looking and seaching. I am confident that we will find someone soon. We taught Finn P. on the new member lessons. Elder King had me teach the whole thing. I never taught the new member lessons before. So that was a challenge. We are working to get Finn the Aaronic Preisthood and have him work to go to the temple soon for Baptisms. We are so excited. He came to President Sederholm's open house last night and gave his Testimony!!!!!!! It was pretty awesome.

President has an open house/ fireside every month at the mission home for anyone. We live really close so we were able to go with Finn. President taught us in Danish, for conviance for all the Danish investigators and members there. He amazingly in Danish. Not just in teaching appointments but as a speaker as well. He taught about member missionary work and Hastening the work. He wanted us to think of someone right now who could hear the gospel. He wanted us to if we could or couldn't think of someone right now, than either way, we need to ask the Lord. Pray for a specific person and intoduce them to the Gospel. He used Elders Nelsons famous words ''Ask the missionaries they can help you'' He has such a strong testimony. I do enjoy hearing and feeling it when I am with President.

To be honest, serving a mission is one of the toughest things, it maybe THE toughest thing, I have done in my life. The hardest task for me is learning, understanding and speaking the Danish language. I have learned in Pontiac Illnois that I can teach in English just fine. Yes I had to learn how to do it, but the benefit was my investigators understood me and I understood them. It is a difficult thing to do when learning a language. I does get stressful. But what makes all of hard times and stress worth it, is when I give my testimony and I teach. When I rely on the Saviour for help, I am strenghtened. It is also when I am able to help others come unto Christ than I am able to feel good and confident that I am here to serve. I am truly blessed to be in Denmark. I love serving here. It is a challenge but it is all worth it in the end. (We just came to the conclusion that I am 1/6 the way done with my mission AHHHH!!!) there is no time to waiste. I am grateful to be a servant of the Lord. I love you all and thank you again for your support. Have a good week

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Finn's baptism and Bornholm

 Elder Read's one favorite food he can make himself... has the recipe memorized.. turned out good!

 

 Someone sent Jantz this sweat shirt right before he left on his mission, and there was no card or way of knowing where it came from. If you know where we got it from please let us know. So cute

Finn's baptism... he is the one in white with his arm around Elder Read

Pres. and Sis Sederholm with Fin at his baptism

Finn gets baptized... Adventures on Bornholm island

Hello everyone!

Fantastic week in Denmark. Finn was baptized last Saturday!!!!!! Yah!!!! Such a cool time. Such an awesome person. I will send pictures. Well the Lord is blessing Birkerød. We have been finding and re finding investigators. It has been amazing here. We were able to skype Bunmi's husband (He lives on the Farjoe Islands and is a professional soccer player) After Bunmi's baptism we found out that he wants to be baptized!! Well there is no missionaries on the Farjoe's, so we got to skype him. He is coming down in 3 weeks to visit Bunmi. We just got confirmation that if we teach him everything and if he is truly ready we can baptize him when he get here!!!!!! We are so excited and are hoping for the best.

Also many people have been put in our way so we can give our message and invite. We were visiting a previous investigator in Slangerup. We got off the bus and looked around for a cross walk. A man who got off the bus with us asked if we were lost. We replied just looking for a cross walk. He didn't hear us and asked again. We replied the same. He asked are you sure? We came to the realization that this man was put in our place to receive our message. We invited him and he was very interested. Gave him a Book of Mormon and our number and we got his contact information. So crazy!!!! The next day we were on splits with the Allerød Elders. And the exact same thing happened to Elder King and Elder Ogden. The Lord is truly blessing us.

We went to Bornholm Monday morning with President Sederholm. We drove through Copehagen and took the bridge to Sweden. We went in a tunnel under the Ocean which was cool! Got on the Ferry. I found out I rather Fly a Plane!!!!! I'll take that 10 minutes of take off and landing over a 1 1/2 roller coaster. We went when there was a storm coming in and the waves were rocking the boat so much! last 10 minutes I thought I was going to lose my breakfast. But we all made it.

Bornholm is beautiful! If I am every transferred there I believe I might get a little distracted. I was able to be on exchanges with Elder Madsen (my district leader at the MTC) he showed me around while we contacted in the streets. Beautiful cities and it has amazing sunrises and sunsets. And that is the closest place that I could find mountains. They showed us pictures of the island and if it weren't for the mission rules, I might have gotten in Canyoneering mode hahaha. So many cliffs on that island.

We traveled out and me and Elder Madsen's companion (Elder Mortenson) were planning on Contacting after we split up at our mid point bike ride. We got to the mid point and took some pictures of where this man carved pictures in stones. Really cool looking. The wind was picking up and my bike fell over and hit Elder Madsen's bike. We started biking to our areas and found out Elder Madsen's bike had a flat. Because of my cursed bike, my handle bars sliced and broke the nozzle where you fill the tires. So Me and Elder Mortenson stayed behind with the bikes while Elder Madsen and King went to go buy another tube. They came back after 20 minutes and found out that the mission closed down!!!! There was a storm coming in and we were told to get indoors immediately. We split up. Elder King and Madsen went with a member to their appointment and me and Elder Mortenson booked it home. The wind was so strong that we had to turn our wheels left so that we could bike straight. Coolest thing but also scary haha. As soon as we go home, we looked out the window and the rain was pouring outside. It was a miracle that night. Me and Elder Mortenson did not get hit by one rain drop what a blessing. On top of that after an hour of studies we had dinner. Elder King and Madsen joined us and Bornholm got 2 more investigators at that teaching appointment. What a blessing.

Next morning we found out that the storm has caused a huge mess in Denmark. Knocking over semi's, lifting up houses, destroying houses. Our apartments window broke and shattered haha. But we were all safe. We traveled back to Denmark and the Ferry and it was worse than the other day. Elder King finally gave up and had to move to the middle of the boat. We got to the middle and President started feeling sick. He went back to his seat. haha. Elder King got better though. Man waves were just hitting the side of the ferry like crazy!!! Again the longest roller coaster of my life. Me and Elder King's heads are still feeling it. But totally worth it to go to Bornholm haha.

The storm was so crazy that the trains here are shut down. The tracks are being blocked from debris from houses. Crazy. So we are stuck in Birkerød today. Still can work though which is nice. Well I've got to get going. Love you all. Have a good week.!!!

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Frederiksberg Slot (Castle) .... famous paintings... self haircut

Frederiksberg Slot (Castle)

Cool European Fender bike

                                             Original famous paintings of the Savior

Golden Stand that people observed in this room, and didn't even notice the paintings on the wall and WHO was actually the main person in the paintings... good lessson always look for the Savior

                                              Another famous original painting of Christ
       

 

                                      Self haircut with the clippers mom sent with Elder Read

                     Fixed haircut by Elder King... per instructions mom sent with clippers...not bad!

                                   Bunmi's baptism... first Elder Read has witnessed on his misson

Fredriksburg Slot Castle... Finn getting baptized!!!

Well last Preparation day we had the opportunity to check out the Fredriksburg Slot (Castle) So cool. My first time ever touring a castle! The best part was seeing the original paintings of the Savior. Elder Simpson said that last time he came here with the old mission president that the President pointed something out. The big tall gold and silver stand, in the painting room of the savior, was in the middle of the room. Everyone that came in noticed the Giant gold and silver stand and walk out of the room. The president said that this stand represents the world. Because everyone takes time to admire the idol/stand and forgets the Savior. Cool object lesson.

I found out yesterday something awesome! The District leader has to do splits/exchanges with each of the members in his district. Usually 1 missionary every week. This week I will be on exchanges in my area with Elder Earl. (from Allerød) President Sederholm contacted Elder King and told us that he will be traveling to Bornholm next week. And we will be doing exchanges than. Because Bornholm is in our District!!!! Because Elder King is the district leader I get to go down with him. I am such a spoiled new missionary. Apparently it's the dream to go to Bornholm. There is only 2 missionaries on Bornholm at a time. Elder Madsen is down there now so that will be awesome to see my MTC district leader again and serve with him over there. We get to travel to Sweden next Monday and we will take a Ferry over to Bornholm. So I will not be able to email next Monday. So the heads up now. My email will come on Wednesday because President Sederholm is moving our Preparation day for then so we can go do exchanges. Oh I am so excited!!!

Well I don't know if I put this in my last letter. Lone the women at church that had a baptismal date for November 16th, she dropped us. Apparently she didn't enjoy church very much. She got offended about what some one said and she felt judged while at church. We are very sad about this experience but we can go see her again in a month.

Last Wednesday President came and interviewed and taught Bunmi L. with us. Such an awesome time to teach with President Sederholm has such an awesome spirit. On Thursday we had Bunmi's Baptism!!!!! #1 for me to watch. Such a spiritual experience I loved it so much. The reason she had her baptism on Thursday instead of Saturday was because it was her husband's birthday that day so that was cool to have her baptized on that day. After the baptism she was filled with joy. She was crying because the spirit had touched her and she could feel it. She knew and felt that she had been cleansed of all of her sins. She truly felt clean!

Friday we were able to go and help out at a mini missionary training for the youth. They really didn't have it organized well. We had about 10-15 missionaries there. They pretty much paired us up and said go out street contacting. Every missionary knows that this is the worst thing that you can do here. Street contacting is not very effective. We prefer different ways. Like through members, referrals, dinner appointments, recent converts, less- actives ect. We started out. Me and Elder King had 2 Danish youths. I could not understand them what so ever. We knew that we were getting no where with contacting. One of the young men suggested we visit a less active. We were so ready to went straight there. Much a better way. They invited him to a testimony that night at the church. And said that they would call him if he didn't show up ahaha. I hope they enjoyed that part of missionary work. We tried hitting the streets again we split up and took opposite sides of the road. Me and Elder King split up so that we could be within sight and sound. And it gave an opportunity for the youth to get one on one for contacting. I was with a 16-17 year old named David. He really wanted to talk with someone because he wasn't comfortable doing it. Well I am still in the same boat. And before this day I had not street contacted in Danish before. So this was going to be interesting. We didn't have any success with any one being interested. But we were able to talk with some people and give out some pass along cards. I hope and pray that David had a great time and hope he didn't think missionary work was just street contacting because there is just more to that. For example......

That night we had the opportunity to go teaching with President Sederholm to Finn P. We really wanted to put Finn on Date for baptism. And we truly felt that we could have a baptism next Saturday. Because he was our only investigator to be qualified to be baptized then. We went in and taught him. His mother was not doing so great. She is like 91 years old and in the hospital right now. President Sederholm shared his story about his mother back in December, the prophet losing his wife a couple of months ago, and Elder King shared his story about his Grandfather passing away while on his mission; I was held back. I wanted so much to share my experience of my Grandpa Denning. I wanted to share that experience in my mind. In my heart, I was told that everything that was needed to be said for Finn had been said. No more was needed to be added. A little bit different than my previous teaching opportunity where I regretted not sharing what the spirit told me. This time I learned that all that needs to be said is enough. The Lord will work everything out in the right way. I recall what Elder King shared with me earlier that morning, PMG Ch. 4 on ''A Word of Caution''. We need to keep our spiritual experience sacred and we need to treasure them. No more was needed to be said for Finn. Evidence is clear with Finn, where he is getting baptized this Saturday!!! It was a miracle. But I truly believe I was being with held to speak on that spiritual experience.

So excited we are having a baptism this next Saturday!!!! 2 in a row. So excited for Finn, he should already be a member. President Sederholm told Finn that he could not understand why he was't a member already. Finn replied that he didn't know why either. He totally has a testimony on everything. 5 more days!!!! YAH!!

Bunmi's confirmation was such a spiritual experience also. I was able to take part in her confirmation. I was in the circle. Brother Jens Anderson, the previous Denmark mission President, did the confirmation. When he said the we confirm the Holy Ghost to Bunmi I literally felt us giving her the Holy Ghost! I cannot explain it. But it was a marvelous thing. So cool to see that happen.

I almost forgot, besides Finn committing to baptism this week. Our other miracle is that we found an investigator! His name is also Finn last name starts with a B though haha. We started going through our previous investigator list. We began by stopping by and seeing if anyone was still interested, because everyone on our list has not been contacted for a couple months cause our area just opened up. We went and visited a woman. She wasn't interested in our message anymore. We asked if she knew anyone else that might be interested in our message. Normally people just say no to get us off their front porch. This time she gave us a name and an address!!!! Apparently this man that she referred us to also visited with the missionaries with her when she was taught. It was just down the street, but we went straight over there. Finn B. let us into his home surprisingly very quickly. We went inside and chatted about questions he had about our church. He as very receptive of everything. His questions ranged wide on both the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation. We were able to answer them very well. He also asked me personally if I had a testimony of our message. I let him have it. (This is all in Danish by the way) I was able to understand him very well compared to most Danish people. But I gave my testimony and I could literally feel the spirit confirming our message to him. At the end we asked if we could come over again and teach him more. He is a very philosophical man. He had a lot of information about our church especially. He even had a book by President Joseph Fielding Smith. He said that we could come again but he might not be here. He's like 80-81 years old and he thinks he could die any time. The man look like he could be in his 60-70's. Fairly young and very energetic. Yah we will be seeing him again haha.

Well that's my update. I love you all hope you have a good week and I will write again next Wednesday. Tillyke!

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read