Monday, December 2, 2013

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
 

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