I apologize up front. I am typing on a Danish keyboard, so you might have
to decipher here and there. =) Well Everyone has received there VISA's that has
been in my MTC District. We are all here. From what I hear, everyone up to
January has received there Visa's. So pretty exciting. We left the airport on
Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. and
had a 7 1/2 hr flight to London. Long flight but worth it in the end. I had the
privilege of getting to know someone who was sitting next to me on the plane. He
was on his way to Amsterdam and he was a carrier. Delivering parts for a
stranded plan and he got a call 4:30 p.m.to be at the airport in a
couple hours. I chatted with him before we took off. When we were in the air he
put his headphones in and practically ignored us the rest of the way. After a
long flight, luckily with some sleep. And waking up at 3 am (Chicago time) for
the plane to be landing soon (10 am London time.) I took the opportunity and
got him to talk about family history. I was interested. I asked him before
everyone started getting there luggage if he would like a card. He said no
thanks because he saw my book. I explained that mormon.org was
a website that shares our beliefs and you can actually talk to people like us or
members about our faith. But I told him that I was writing down familysearch.org. I explained it was a free website
that the church offers, for people to dig and look at their family history. He
gladly accepted the card and said he would show it to his Brother, because he
loved family genealogy. So I will probably never see him again but I know that
the Lord sparked an interest. So there is a possibility that his whole family
might have desire to look at the family history and also mormon.org. You never know.
We arrived in London, had to go through security again. And we had a
goal to contact someone who sat
by us. So all four of us Elders Scattered, within sight and sound of each other,
and waited for some one to sit by us. I was in a bad/poor area. No one came by
me and I was already feeling the Jet Lag. We had Elder Huffaker talk to 2
people. So exciting. We found out where our gate was went over there and waited.
My previous companion. Ældste Durrant, from thew MTC showed up. Had a bit of a
joyful reunion. Than we sat down
again. Me and Ældste Huffaker didn't have enough room to sit next to the other
Elders so we moved behind them. We ended up sitting next to four Danish people.
I was excited and filled with anxiety. I could understand nothing was the
problem. haha. I tried to communicate with them and apparently my Danish is
really rusty. It was pretty cool but it was for a short 20 minutes. Got
separated again on the plane and flew to Denmark. Out of both the times flying
the greatest miracle was I didn't have a problem with taking off our landing. I
was totally calm. I know it was because I tried relying on the Lord. Me and
Elder Ockey (my previous MTC District Leader) said a prayer in our hearts to
help me with flying. What a huge blessing for me because I was able to handle
both the flights only because I was relying on the Lord for help.
Arrived in Denmark. Elder Hansen, one of the elderly missionary
couples, and Elder Whitlock, one of the Assistants to the President; picked us
up from the airport. It was colder in Denmark that's for sure. going from 70-80
F to like I believe 16C. Whatever that is not quite sure. I know it was cold
haha. We drove in a monster black van, shuttle van, to the mission home. As soon
as we got there we saw the rest of the group of missionaries that came to the
MTC the extra week I was there. We had a total of 15 missionaries come that day.
President Sederholm was doing interviews like crazy. As soon as we walked in,
Ældste Elsbury, the other Assistant to the President told me to go get
interviewed by President Sederholm. After just walking through the door I
thought I would have more time to think about what I was going to say. Nope.
Walked to where President was holding interviews told me I get first picks on
which bedding I wanted. So I thought that was a bonus. But I think I picked a
girls one..... not quite sure, but it was green. And they are so warm at night!
I was sweating my first night! Huge difference than freezing in Chicago. I'm
wearing a t-shirt and shorts to bed instead of thermals! Awesome. Had my
interview than waited to have dinner. Gathered around together and had dinner.
Danish pastries are awesome!!!!!! Not sure what I ate but it was good. We had
like open faced sandwiches. Grab a slice of bread but your toppings of meat on
it than eat. Pretty weird but it was good. Milk and juice containers are
different and apparently they go bad after 3 days of opening them. After dinner
President Sederholm explained the areas that he was assigning people and
announced because of new missionaries coming in he was opening up I believe 3
new areas! Crazy! Had testimony meeting and went down to get ready for bed. Half
of us took showers. I got in and I was SO CONFUSED. The handles to the shower
were different. I couldn't figure out why you needed to different knobs to turn
the shower on. My shower was quick because it was blazing hot. Couldn't figure
it out. I was later told that one was the amount of pressure and the other was
temperature. How was I supposed to know that haha. There Ovens are even
different. And also there Doors.
Next morning had breakfast than went to the Church in Copenhagen. Looks
like a huge apartment building. Got to see the Temple right next to the church.
That was exciting to finally see one! We went through orientation received your
package mom. Haha Than President announced where we would be serving. My
companion is Ældste King. We are one of the few who are opening up a new area
in.... Birkerød! Northern area of Sjalland So awesome. I think he has a superman
look to him ahaha. He is an awesome trainer. He is the new District Leader also.
He is one that I have noticed from day 1 that he wants to serve and help
everyone! He has been a lead by example person. Always helping others around him
without being asked. Super awesome to have him. He has helped me with my Danish
so much already. He is surprised how much I know now and have held on. It was a
comfort to hear that from him. After the meeting we and Elder Earl(Elder King's
previous companion) and Elder Ogden(New missionary) drove with the Assistants to
the train station. Bought a monthly pass and The Trainers wanted to see if me
and Elder Ogden could do it. They were having trouble with the check they
received and we had no idea what the lady at the register was saying so the
Trainers had to step in. Mind blown. After like 30 minutes they fixed the
problem and we got our passes. Went over to H and M (Denmark Wal-mart) and bout
myself a bike. Man I am out of shape. Still working on it. A miracle Elder King
and Earl said was that we got the bikes for like 1/2 price! Awesome but it felt
like I was spending a ton. It was like 1000 Danish Krones. I little shocked but
went with it. Later that night we went and had my first Lamb Kebab. That was so
delicious! And it was cheap. Than picked up my luggage and got on the bus with
them and started home. We had to end up walking like a 1/4-1/2 mile with my
luggage because no busses were going in our direction at the time. Got to my new
apartment and we both unpacked because it was both knew to us. Elder King knows
the area in Allerød pretty well i think. He served with Elder Earl there before
me. Our apartment is so small. Very nice but probably 1/2 the size as my
previous one. I forgot to take pictures of that. I Will get them and send them
next week.
There is a thing going on in our Ward where the Bishop asked every
member to fast on a seperate day than have the missionaries call them and tell
them how there day went and if any miracles happened. (Last 2 things) I
personally had a miracle in my opinion. We went over to a members house for
dinner last Friday. Husband was
Danish, couldn't understand him, and Wife was Norwegian, could understand almost
a good portion of what she said. We had Norwegian meat balls and Danish ice
cream. So good. Had a small spiritual message on Faith. Then the søster Asked me
what is a testimony. Didn't know at the time that she was a member. After we finished eating, the Søster, asked me what is
a testimony and why not go to Africa. I explained a little bit in Danish. She
asked me again what was a testimony, because she knew I would be asked this
question on my mission. I don't remember exactly what the reply was. I know that
I was overcome with the Spirit. I remember saying a testimony is what I know and
I have been called of God to declare this message to the people in Denmark. And
I remember talking about the Plan of Salvation. She seemed surprised that I
communicated that to her. To be honest, I surprised myself. Spirit was so strong
when I was talking. What a huge blessing that I can still testify in
Danish.
We watched Saturday morning session live Saturday night. And came back the next day to the church to
watch the replay Priesthood session than watching the recording of Saturday Afternoon General Conference.
At 2 on Sunday afternoon in
Denmark. At 6 we watched live Sunday morning session than went home for bed. We have to
watch conference sunday afternoon
on our own time. But the Downfall, After the Saturday afternoon session was over we planned on eating
Dinner. But The Assistants asked Ældste King to come and help with
a member I believe. She was recently baptized and was doubting her testimony on
the Book of Mormon. Elder King and one of the Assistants taught her the follow
up lessons after her baptism. Not sure if I was supposed to go with or be on
splits, because I could quite understand all of what they said in Danish, along
but I followed my companion. They never said anything to me so I hope it went
well. When we went over to this Søster apartment they immediatley began
teaching. I was trying my best to understand. I think that I understood probably
80% of what was being said. Which was a miracle in itself. It seemed everyone
(Ældster King and the Assistants) gave their testimony. I had the prompting to
give my testimony. The Spirit was so strong in the room. I missed my
opportunity. For the exact reason of what Elder Ballard said two things ''Fear
and Misunderstanding''. I didn't know exactly what was going on or what was
being said. So because of that misunderstanding of lack of knowledge, I had the
fear that I might say something wrong or at the wrong time. We left and I hope
and believe that I learned my lesson. I don't ever want to feel regret of not
acting on a prompting. It might have been a simple, sloppy in Danish, testimony.
But I feel it might have made a difference. Ældste King has been good to me he
has given me much encouragement. Has wanted me to learn from this experience and
than I will know what to do next time. Lesson learned never doubt a prompting
from the Lord. Even if it feels uncomfortable or unknown.
Well that's my report. My time is coming to a close. I love you all and
miss you. Danish is coming great so far. I know I have truly been blessed to
come here and learn and teach. Have a good week. Until next week. Jeg Elsker
Jere!
-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read
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