Hej Familie!
Week one is already come and gone. Man that was fast! Been staying busy.
Yesterday before we went to
class, I was still in wonderment. I was thinking of what is my real purpose? I
was begining to think that I was out here for myself more than anything. I
wasn't feeling my testimonly or the spirit that much for myself, other than
devotionals. Brother Stacey challenged us on Saturday to testify to 10 people in
danish before Sunday was over. I accepted and did the challenge. So yesterday came and we had a surprise
that our investigator was coming earlier than expeceted. so we had to translate
our lesson as fast as we could! I taught Morton ( our investigator) about the
restoration and Elder durrant was teaching him how to pray. this was our 3rd
lesson to Morton and I really wanted to connect with the spirit. So I recieved
mom's package with the family photo that morning and decided to use it. Such a
blessing to have and actually connect with Morton and his family. A real ice
breaker, thanks mom. Anyways I used it and taught Morton the restoration. We
teach him by writing down what we want to say and translate it to danish, than
read word for word. After I was done about the restoration, I had my notes in
hand, I put them down and testified!!!! I remember that I said that God loves
Morton and our families, but during my testimony I actually felt the spirit! It
has been the strongest since I have been Here! And it was in Danish. I told my
companion that I feel like I have found my purpose again. I now look forward to
doing it again with the Plan of Salvation Wednesday. After teaching Morton I totally had a spiritual
high (according to elder durrant) for like an hour. I was so happy to testify
with meaning! And it was in Danish!!!!! We have a new teacher and he will be
teaching us, his name is brother Pullan. He just got back from california from
vacation. I totally thought he was gay because of his voice, but he just acts
like it when the elders start talking about girls. We all laugh. He's an awesome
teacher and I'm learning more from him than Brother Stacey. Crazy!! We have to
wear suits every sunday and tuesday, because of devotionals and you
can't go to the devotional because it's against the rules. Which is a "trial of
faith" that is our elder language for a another word. We're trying to make our
language better so that we can represent the Lord more effectively. Oh which a
trial of faith is, is that we are not allowed to chew gum!!!!! I'll probably
send that back to you. makes me so mad, but I have to remeber that I'm
representing the Lord. Everybody thinks I have a Texas accent and make fun of me
and we joke aroond. I'm fine with it haha.
Elder Durrant is from Mapletown, he has 2 younger brother, one of them
will probably recieve his call before we get back. So there is a chance that
Elder Durrant will see his younger brother off. He's is an awesome companion we
really connect, especially when teaching.
First off Everybody "IF YOU ARE GOING TO RIGHT ME THROUGH DEAR ELDER....
USE MY FULL NAME..... ELDER JANTZEN RICHARD READ" I have found my supposed twin
sunday night. And he has been
recieving my letters for the past week. I'll send you a picture of him, he's
pretty cool we chatted, he gave me my letters back, and he's about ready to head
out this week. He lives on the same floor as me and I had now Idea till last
suday. Crazy
to answer everybody's questions...
Mom,
Yes I am getting your packages, everybody is jealous and thinks I
have a few girls back at home. Or I am really popular. But they mostly think it
is the girls =). I don't remeber my facebook account I practically ruined the
password last time. My hotmail account is if you
want to reset my password on facebook and upload pictures and my emails I will be good with
that. I really want my friends to know what's going on in my mission, if they are interested. I'm not sure when Alan's farewell is, I would ask Tami. Everybody wants me
to thank you for the treats they love them and love you already. Thank you for
sending them. I'm still trying to get rid of my first stash, so not to much =)
Love you mom, miss you & I really really really miss your cooking. This is
practically a fast food joint. I'm trying to watch what I eat, you really can
put on some weight here haha. I'm going to find that out tomorrow.
Lewiee,
I really thought uncle scott emailed me =) sneaky one you are (smeagal
voice!!!!!) the language on my ipod that I bought is practically nothing like
here. I can pick out some stuff, but I have to fix some of the words I already
know. But it was good prep before I came here. So cool. and I'm learning it so
fast maybe because the other elders are learning with me, but I know I would not
be able to do this without the Lord. We have a total of 14 new Danish Denmark
missionaries. All from Utah except one the New jersey elder. 13 Elders and 1
sister missionaries, her companion is a dutch missionary going to the
netherlands, so she is a solo sister. We're supposed to treat her like our
younger sister, since she is the only one from our 2 districts.
Districts/Classes compose of 6 and 8. I do miss kia alot but I'm still finding
kia hair all over my clothes and the other elders suits. So it's funny and
reminds me of her. Love you.
Thanks for the hand written letter pais!!! I sent you one back not to long
ago you should recieve it shortly. Mom sent me that family photo and everybody
was asking how old you are. I keep telling them that she's to old for you haha.
They like to harrass me about like you. because you wrote me. They think you're
my girlfriend, but now they changed their minds and say how they're going to see
you and date you after our missions. Or Morton our investigator talked about you
and asked if you go to BYU, I told him no, he's going to BYU, But now the elders
think Morton wants to come and date you and I will have a Danish brother in law.
I said not a chance. =) Love you and miss you.
Dad,
I like the idea of using dear elder for answering questions, that would
work better. But hand written ones are always nice. Me and like 3 other elders
are the only one who recieves mail, everyone's jealuus haha. I can only go get
my packages myself when I get notice from my district leader. Because there are
so many missionaries here they assing the district leaders to go get the mail.
He checks it twice a day and he's already tired of us harrassing him about
getting the mail. haha. Loving life and missing you family (can't say guys
anymore, apparently it's slang and dude.) haha. Companion is cool and works
hard, when he is working. He gets sidetracked sometimes and it's frustrating
when preping a lesson. But he's an awesome companion. Miss you guys tons. I'm
being fed well and I'm already using my ear plugs. Lights are out at 10:30 and
my roommates won't be quiet till 11. so happy I brought them!
Friends Love to hear what's happening, I miss you all! thanks for being
awesome friends. Prep well for your missions! It's hard work out here in the
MTC. Study preach my gospel and the book of mormon as much as you can. Remeber
what elder holland said. "strict obeidence, and if your not having fun than
you're doing it wrong". Just remember to push through it and remember who you
represent. The Lord will bless you for you desire and work to share the gospel.
Can't wait to see you in the MTC.
Thomas I found the dutchies going to west indies they leave this month and
told them about you. They said you'll be island jumping alot. Skyler I'll come
looking for you Wednesday, and be
ready to say hi to everyone and be welcomed. You'll lose your luggage for a
second with your host. You'll go get your badge and pick your luggage up and
place them in the dorm and go to class. Like a 10min process. A bit overwelming
for sure. Becuase they throw you in the water to swim the first day. But it gets
easier and harder haha, if your learning a language. Not sure on the English.
haha
Love you all and I'm so excited to serve the lord thanks for pushing me to
this point in my life.
Elsker -Elder Jantzen Richard Read
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