Brian's baptism, and new comp Elder Warner in Viborg

Thanksgiving Miracles and Blessings

Well me and Elder Warner were able to hit it off great. The transition was really smooth and we love being with each other. We have both made finding our prime thing to being doing together. We started the week by making a goal of contacting two people each time we leave the apartment (and not coming back in until we do so). Even when we wanted to buy some butter at the store right across the street >=( I actually contacted a man who works in the store in our building. He knew us and walked away haha. We have seen a huge success with this. We have found and talked to many people. By Friday we both decided to up the goal to five people each time we leave the apartment. We tried ever so hard to get two new investigators this week, but we came out with only one. We tried our absolute best. But we both know we can do it this week!
As far as things are going, things are going great in Viborg. Elder Warner even says that we both have turned things around since we've been together. We are excited to be out together.

It was great to go back to Aalborg for the baptism of Brian Ilsø. It was a funny experience for me because with my time there I felt a prompting from the Spirit. That my responsibilities with Brian and Aalborg are done. It actually gave me a confirmation that I am truly called to serve in Viborg right now in this part of my life. But the Baptism was a great expiernce. Me and Elder Wilsher had to push Brian down a little to make sure that he made it under the water all the way but Brian had a great time and could truly feel the Spirit.

Thanks for everything. This is going to be a shorter email but I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving! This is the only thing that I would want in my life right now is to just serve the Lord. I am so grateful for being a missionary, great family (that includes friends, hey we are all brothers and sister right?) and the people that I am serving everyday. These things have been huge blessing in my life. I hope that everyone can feel of the blessings and see the blessing that they are in other peoples lives. We are all blessings in the Lords eyes! Have a wonderful week!

Ældste Jantzen Read

Missionary Work=Tiredness!!!

Well it good to say that we found Elder Wilsher a bike. Luckily another elder left his bike, which is pink =) so he should be getting it today. And I am not going to lie, I am just really tired from Elder Wilsher's year mark meeting and this morning. So this might be a short and not as exciting email. But me and Elder Wilsher have been working non-stop to find more people this week. We have found so many more new potentials.

We had an eating appointment over at a members home with a man who is getting baptized this week! Yep his name is Brian and he is the bomb diggity. Me and Elder Wilsher found him at the beginning of the transfer. Man that is just crazy to say. See miracles do happen!! He very much had a good time and could feel the strength and the testimonies of the members. Brian had his interview last week, which I heard went amazingly. He is meeting with the bishop tomorrow just to get to know him. But everything sounds set in stone for the baptism this week.

On Wednesday Elder Wilsher had his year mark meeting. He went to Copenhagen and I went to Horsens. Somebody messed up on our travel plans because we got up at 4 in the morning and we didn't get home until 10:30. Needless to say we were wasted the next couple of days. But I was able to be with my old companion Elder Christensen for a day in Horsens. But this week has been full of finding people, teaching Brian and getting the baptism set up for this week.

But to be honest that was pretty much our week. I got up at 5 this morning and missed the train. Actually not true the train just drove away. I was a the station with 10 other people. We all pushed on the buttons to get into the train than the train just drove off. Needless to say there were a lot of unhappy people. Especially me. I could have slept in for a half hour hahaa. But now I am in Viborg with my good old friend and MTC buddy Elder Warner. We got some great things planned for the area and Christmas =). So We are both excited. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

MVH,

Ældste Jantzen Read

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-10-1030-can-ye-feel-so-now?lang=eng

Getting transferred to Viborg

Well I just want to begin on saying that it's been an interesting week. It just seems like we have been having more time spent inside the apartment than outside. We found out that on Wednesday or Tuesday that Elder Wilshers bike got stolen in Copenhagen. We have had to repair 4 flats from the sisters bikes that we borrowed and on top of that my bikes chain/gears broke last week as well. We tried making the necessary repair for my bike and borrowed bike but it is safe to say that my bike costs more than it's worth to fix. The blessing in the story is that we found someone who was selling a bike close to our home and I was able to get it for really cheap! So I seem to be covered but Elder Wilshers bike situation is still not solved. We've borrowed a Sisters Old bike but it's just kept breaking down. And plus it doesn't fit Elder Wilsher very well! =(

But does anyone want to find out about transfers......... because I wish I didn't find out at all! But Elder Wilsher will be our district leader here in Aalborg. No that's not the reason. Because he is getting Elder Pike. We found out that after my short time in Aalborg I will be transferring to Viborg with Elder Warner. Which is really awesome but really sucks!!!!!!!!! I was anticipating having Christmas here!!! Oh well let the Lord's will be done. There is so much happening in the area. It will be sad to leave.

But I am moving in with my good old buddy Elder Warner. We have known each other since the MTC. And it's going to be awesome being with him! But I am pretty sure that I will be coming back for Brian's Baptism. Yes everyone! I will announce it now because it's happening!!! We have an awesome investigator named Brian and he wants to be baptized on the 22nd of November! We are extremely excited for him! He truly has a testimony of the Restored Gospel. Things really are going amazingly here!

We had Zone training this past week and I got to see President catch a touchdown pass! It was great! But I've actually got to make this one short today. But I guess I will see you all in Viborg. But have a wonderful week!

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

My dear brethren, will you please look inside your hearts and ask the simple question: “Lord, is it I?”

Have you disengaged—even slightly—from “the … gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to [your] trust”?⁶ Have you allowed “the god of this world” to darken your minds to “the light of the glorious gospel of Christ”?⁷

My beloved friends, my dear brethren, ask yourselves, “Where is my treasure?”

Is your heart set on the convenient things of this world, or is it focused on the teachings of the diligent Jesus Christ? “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Just so you all know... miracles do happen!!!

Well this week has been full of serve projects and just straight out busy. We met with one of our boss investigators this week 3 times. We gave him a copy of the book of Mormon in Danish audio to him on Monday. We have found out as of Friday he has read to 2 Nephi!!! He has had so many questions and he has actually experienced and believe the Plan of Salvation. He just really can't get enough. He came to church yesterday and they actually blessed some oil for the sick during Priesthood. He was confused about that. I explained to him that we believe in giving blessings for the sick and that Priesthood holders can bless the sick. He thought about it and said ''Is it too late to get some!!!!'' haha going to take a little more explaining. But he is on his way!!!

Me and Elder Wilsher had an interesting experience last Wednesday. We biked out to vodskov which is like a 30 minute bike ride. Than after a lesson with a less active we thought we could stop by another which wasn't too long from the city. (about 20 minutes =) ouch. Didn't feel like it. But we biked out there and missed the house. Turned around and a man pulled up in a truck. He asked us ''Hey elders, you looking for me?'' ''that depends do you know us?'' haha. He just invited us on in like we were family. Has an awesome Harley Davidson. Come to find out that we just 'coincidently' timed that perfectly. He actually left and forgot a few things and happened to come back home just at the moment we showed up.... yah right coincidence. haha

Turns out that he is an excommunicated member and has had a desire to come back to church. He says that he has tried many times. He owns a bar, leaves and somebody calls to have him come back and break up a fight haha. He came to church yesterday with his son. Ironically we timed that as well perfectly because his son wants to be confirmed in a church. (Danish possibly) But he's been advising to get baptized and confirmed into the Church of Jesu Christ of Latter day Saints. Because it is a place where he could possibly come back to and be active in if he desired. Yah ironically. Don't think so!!!! They both enjoyed church and we hope to meet with them again. It was sad we lost track of time and we had to leave for an eating appointment with some members. We biked as fast as we could that hour long sucker. We showed up 30 minutes late. But we called ahead of time and told them we were with a family that they possibly knew. Come to find out that it turned out to be there Uncle that we visited and they were all for joy that we were late because we found their family again!!

Had a Halloween party on Friday and a huge shout out to my Grandmothers famous chili recipe. It was a huge success! And got some actual home cooking! We dressed up as a motorcycle gange (because of our Harley Davidson buddy had some coats and helmets we could borrow) =) He references is the key haha.

But just so you all know Miracles do happen!!!!!!!! Just get out there work and open your mouths and the people who are ready will just come!

Love you all! Have a great week

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Aalborg

Tell me, How can you find out if Joseph Smith was a Prophet....READ AND PRAY

Well if anybody would like to know about that man we gave a Book of Mormon to last Sunday. We met with him last Wednesday. We taught him the Restoration. He had some questions about what a prophet was. At the end of the taught part of the Restoration we asked him if he would read the Book of Mormon to find out if it's true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet by praying to God. He responded ''I've already done that with Joseph Smith'' Wait WHAT!?!?!?!? We asked him what he ment. He responded ''Well I checked out the Website that you gave me for Mormon.dk and read about Jospeh Smith and the Introduction to the Book of Mormon.And he said that he prayed to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and I got an answer that He was a prophet''........... uh........... what?!?!...... Is this really happening? So we just kept on going and invited him to Baptism. I was wondering why we picked a specific date so quickly. It was because he is ready to get the invitation now. Even though we just met him ahaha. It was just great to be apart of inviting him to baptism. We later came back two days later and had another appointment with him and he was just all for joy! We are going to meet with him again this Wednesday. Wish us luck!! Elder Wilsher and I have continued to see the success come from our work. We have found more people than ever in the past week.

One night we had a good hour of knocking, we had practically no success. Everyone kept saying no. We had one appointment that night and Elder Wisher thought it was time to go. I just had the thought nah we could finish this apartment before we leave. We have enough time. And it was amazing to see that the next door we knocked on was a young African woman. And she was currently rooming with two other people who come from Latvia and Bulgaria (Unfortunately both men), and another we found out comes from Hungary. (A woman). This was just a room of college students. We talked with them and having Elder Wisher and his personality we were able to be accepted to come back another day. We later dropped by last Thursday of the idea of making an appointment but turned out they just let us in. Three new investigators in one appointment. We just so happened to have copies of the Book of Mormon in their languages =) and they were so excited! We have another appointment for tonight!

That's pretty much the big news of the week. We are doing amazing here in Aalborg. Elder Wisher and I are truly seeing the Lord pour out his blessings upon us and especially this area. Words cannot describe the joy that I've experienced since I've been here. So much has been learned and much has been worth it in the long term. I recently read D&C 31 this morning

''....my son, blessed are you because of your faith in my work.

2 Behold, you have had many afflictions....

3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.

4 You shall declare the things which have been revealed to my servant, Joseph Smith, Jun. You shall begin to preach from this time forth, yea, to reap in the field which is white already to be burned.

5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire.''

I'm not saying that I am completely cure of everything but I do know is that I'm back in the game for more of the right reasons and more desire. I'm sure that I will have more hardships and you will be the first that will be told. But I know this work to be true. This time is truly priceless and I am not willing to trade it up for anything. Have a wonderful week! Love you all

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Well this email is probably going to be a shorter one today. I am in the process of downloading the Book of Mormon in Danish for our investigators. But I just want you all to know that everything is going amazing in the Aalborg II area!!! We were able to meet with ur awesome invetigator twice last week, he came to a baptism and also came to church!!!! (Also asked if we could find a way to download the Book of Mormon in Danish because the website is down). But our investigator is so amazing! Happiest man as anyone could be! All smiles and awesome! Me and Elder Wilsher had an interesting experience where we planned on teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ but investigator started asking about Christ and if he was just a prophet (because that's how he understood it). Immediately we both had the thought to say ''oh that will be taught in church or next time, or we haven't planned that''. We both knew though that we needed to teach the Plan of Salvation and focus on Christ. It actually helped a lot because that's all I could hear in church yesterday was Christ being our Saviour.

He also is willing to live the Word of Wisdom like a champ! We just read the revelation in the pamphlet and he said you know what I have experienced this of more energy!!!! And agreed to just live it and give up drinking coffee! We are so excited to meet with him again this week.

We also have been doing a ton of service. We actually had to move a piano 2 flights of stairs and back up 3 flights of stairs. Luckily Elder Wilsher and Elder Zalewski had harnesses and biceps of steel haha. But it's been a good week.

Well Hope you all have a great week! That's all folks. Love yah!

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Aalborg

Stop Being Picky and Learn to Eat!

Well this will probably be a boring and short email. We actually had a ton of service this past week. Been helping two people move apartments. I am really sore from all of it haha. Actually to tell you the truth, I have never had so many service projects in the past week that occurred, in a weeks time, on my mission. We have had the opportunity to help move a less actives daughter (who is not a member) and even talk with her. We haven't had any immediate results but I feel like we left a good impression. We also helped another member move to another apartment. But we have been really busy!

Found out this past week that It is especially possible to get under 25 minutes. We have had eight lessons this past week which were under 25 minutes! this was one of the challenges that was given to us 2 mission conferences ago to have shorter lessons, 25 minutes or less, and visit with people more often during the week.We have had a busy week here in Aalborg.

I would say though that the highlight of the week was with our appointment with a Family that are new converts. We had an eating appointment with them. This is hands down the weirdest thing I have ate on my mission/ life! If anybody really knows me I don't really like fish all that well. Personally it's on my last thing to eat before dieing of starvation. But I had my first Greenlandic Dish. It was soup and bread. Not bad right? But what was in the soup? Noodles. Ok great! Shrimp! Ok what's wrong with that (other than it's fish, and actually the first time I have ate shrimp haha) Than Salmon even more fish! Than to top it off I ate Muscles! Took all my strength to eat 2 bowls full of it!!!! Moral of the story for all those preparing to serve missons..... Stop being picky and learn to eat! Because you cannot tell someone no after preparing a meal all day for you!! But the best part was the lesson we had. They talked with us about some career decisions that they were thinking about making. We found earlier that morning and shared from this months copy of the Liahona. (or in english the Ensign) Where the 1st presidency shared about education. We actually had no idea that we would be talking with them about this. We just found it in the Liahona and thought it was a good thing to share with them. And emphasis on scripture study and prayer. We talked with them on the importance of continually learning than had them read the section with President Eyring's remarks. The wife read the first section and she was immediately touched by the Spirit. The husband read the next section and we could tell that it hit him as well. Testified to them about putting the spiritual things first than they can get revelation from our Heavenly Father on anything that he knows that we needs to learn. It was an amazing spiritual experience to be apart of.

To add onto crazy news we spent the night in Horsens last Saturday. We stayed with the Elders there! I was able to catch up with my previous companion Elder Christensen! Man we had a good time. Reason being was because we had Stake Conference in Aarhus. And than the next day we would be traveling to Silkeborg for the 2nd half of Stake Conference. To add on to the craziness we knew that we were getting a new Stake President. But the thing we found out was the unexpected. Our Bishop has been a bishop for 3 months now and he just got called to be the 1st counselor in the Stake Presidency. We were all just mind blowned! So we get to find out next week who the new Bishop will be haha.

But that is all I have for today! I love you all and wish you all a wonderful week! thanks for everything and may the Lord bless you all throughout your daily lives!

Med Kærlig Hilsen,

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

The Bloody Towel Exchange

I had the opportunity to go on companion exchanges with Elder Nielsen, here with the other Aalborg elders. He is an awesome missionary! I could tell that he was nervous about taking over the area (Only 2 months in the land) and it was interesting to see the same concerns with him that I had when I first got to Denmark. Amazingly he is doing great! We had the opportunity to teach Rizk, one of the legendary investigators of Aalborg, and he told me of his situation of that he wants to be baptized but his family is very against the idea of it. He asked me what I would do. I tried putting my feet in his shoes to think of what I would do. Interestingly the impression wasn't to express what I would do. I asked him if he remembered the story of Moses the the Israelites. He responded with the story of Moses getting the 10 Commandments and the experience there after. I than asked him to think a little bit earlier. I told him how that when they came to the Red Sea, Pharaoh and his army were on there way to kill the Israelites. But God sent down fire to block them off. Than after that they crossed the Red sea on Dry ground. God provided that. Than after that Pharaoh's army than came after them again. Than God destroyed them with the Red Sea. I than opened up the scriptures to 1 Nephi 3:7. I told him that when you obey the commandments God will provide a way to have his family's hearts soften. He really like that. And without invitation he said that he would like to meet with the bishop so that he can take another step forward to being baptized. See what else he can do to get closer to being baptized. Elder Nielsen gave a wonderful testimony and we both committed him to pray about a date.

Right after exchanges were over we went and played/watched basketball in the city. Something the missionaries do weekly with members and try to get other non members to play as well. Great contacting tool. We showed up and there was a man from Bulgaria who wanted to play. I had my stuff from exchanges and we started playing. The game ended with someone accidently hit the bulgarian's nose and he started bleeding all over the place. And of course we had no napkins or tissues and the only thing we could find was my hand towel that brought for splits. Oh brother. Suffer it for the mission/ investigators haha. So he practically bled all over my towel to stop the bleeding. He was very greatful and he gave me back the towel.... great.... thanks ahah. Hope the blood stains come out haha.

For the past month we have been trying to apply Elder Texira's 3 challenges that he gave to us for the mission. 1) To find more people where we have people (investigators members ect.) 2)Hold shorter lessons (between 15-25minutes visits, this one is probably the hardest haha) 3) to ask baptismal interview questions in every appointment. It's been really hard this past week because everything seemed to not work out and we weren't able to meet with practically anyone. But I truly know that all these things are possible. It's been promised to us, as a mission, that this will help further the work of Salvation in Denmark! We are excited just need to meet with everyone.

Elder Demordaunt is a wonderful missionary! I have seen that he truly wants to work all his heart out the best that he can! It is such an honor and a privilege to be serving with him. I have witness him teaching and he really seems like he tries to follow the Spirit the best that he can. We are excited for the upcoming weeks that we have as a companionship. Well I hope everyone is doing great! Thanks for everything again and have a wonderful week!

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Surprised and Being Transferred

Well had a crazy week! Tell you all the truth I really don't remember the beginning of last week. But based on the title I think you all can guess it. We kind of made jokes that we would get an emergency transfer call in Sønderborg. Because there is an Elder in our mission who needs medical help and will be sent back to the USA for medical treatment. He will still be a missionary in our mission and won't be realsed. He is planning on coming back. He is one of my dear friends also!

But me and Elder Kinch were in the middle of our companionship study. Elder Kinch got up for a drink and the phone started ringing. The fun thing with our phone is that we can have a fake call go off. So a time is set by clicking a few buttons than it goes off in 30 seconds. We played this joke on each other saying President Sederholm or the Assistants called haha. But I looked at our phone and saw that it really WAS President Sederholm. AAAaHHHHHHHHHH! Elder Kinch didn't belive that I was on the phone until he could hear somebody on the other end. President Sederholm told me of the situation and said that he needs to move a few missionaries around. He said that I will be transferring to Aalborg to be with Elder Demordaunt! And that Elder Kinch was going to be in a tri companion ship with Elder Durrant and Elder Willardson for the rest of the transfer. He anticipates that there will be 4 missionaries again in Sønderborg by October.

I was even more shocked to be told that I need to start making arrangements fast. I thought that I was transferring on Monday. President Sederholm told me that it actually makes more sense to send me this Saturday at the mission conference!!!!! What the!!!!!!!!! That means that I have to pack all my luggage before we leave to Copenhagen on Friday! I had less than 2 days to pack everything. GREAT!!! It stinks because I didn't get to say goodbye to as many people as I would have like to. But hopefully I see them at Stake Konfernece!

so with all the madness of this unexpcected I had to hurry. So I packed everything up luckily, and rode in the getto car with All of our luggage (all 4 missionaries) It was packed and we took a train to Høje Taastrup. Dropped my bike off. Than brought me and all my other luggage to Ballerup and stayed the night there. man I got to much stuff. That was a lot to carry around ahhah. Luckily I had other missionaries.

But the next morning we travelded to Copenhagen and had an amazing mission conference by Elder David A. Bednar! It was so amazing! He asked us to read three of his talks on faith and asked us what we learned. It was really a huge Question and Answer session with an Apostle of the Lord! To know that he was 50 feet in front of me was just crazy. I saw also Elder Sakurada and was able to talk with him for just a second. But pretty much Elder Bednar called us to Repentance and to move to a higher plane without saying it. haha. It was one of the craziest expeirences ever! But I want everyone to know that I have had it confirmed to me by the Spirit that those Apostolic keys are RESTORED to the Earth! Elder Bednar and 14 other men hold those essential keys! They are the same keys the apostles of the Lord had when they were on the earth. I have felt the power and authority of that. This church is truly the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It is being led by a prophet of the Lord. Called of God and has the right and Authority to exercise all those keys. And his name is President Thomas S. Monson. He is a prophet and this work is true!

After the mission confernece we travled all the way to Høje Taastrup got my bike and had a crazy adventure all the way to Aalborg. It was a long 5 hour train ride. But Elder Demordaunt is an amazing missionary. He is a hard worker. I am excited for the work here. It's going great so far. I love you all and wish you the best! Have a wonderful week! Love always,

Ældste Jantzen richard Read

Last time in Sønderborg =(

Beautiful Sondenborg

Don't take my word for it!

To be honest we have been really busy but not much to report on haha. Okay Lies I just remember a few things. hhaha. Exciting knews is that Elder Sakurada is in Denmark! I am so excited to see another living person from Roy Utah! And even more surprising is I will be seeing him at anther mission conference in Copenhagen this Saturday. And the speaker will be the one and only Elder Bednar! We, as a mission, are so excited for this huge opportunity to hear from him! This is going to be a great week!

I would dare say that me and Elder Kinch had an interesting appointment with an investigator that we found. We had hopes of inviting him to baptism actually haha. We taught the Restoration and the Spirit was just amazing in there! Testified of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon but amazingly even though we testified and the Spirit was present he took a second and said that Christ was the last prophet to live on the earth and there will be no other after him.... What? The Spirit was immediately withdrawn. We tried to explain and use actually bible references of the need for prophets today! But he was set in stone. But what his case that he made was just un clear to me and didn't make sense. It reminds me of The Restoration movie where the priest came to Joseph Smith and said that ''There are no such things as visions and revelations in these days''. Really why? Tell me why does God ceased to be God? I invite everyone to read Moroni 7 in the Book of Mormon. But can someone explain to me that the Windows of Heaven are shut today and that God no longer talks with his children. That CAN NOT be now and WILL NOT BE AGAIN!

I testify with all my soul that I know that the Windows have been opened again. This is Christ's Church here upon the earth! Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God and that we have a Prophet of God on the Earth Today. President Thomas S. Monson. We need prophets today because we are changing everyday and our Heavenly Father will give us our own revelation, when we are doing his will, it can be through the scriptures, a friend or even the apostles and prophets (His Servants) themselves! The Authority to act in God's name was lost with the 1st twelve apostles but God has reached out again and restored that Athority! Just watch President Monson at past General Conference! By his Fruits you shall know! Do not take my word for it though! Do not take President Monson's words for it. Take The Testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is more than just another History book. It is more than just a random civilization that lived in the America's. It is the word of God and has the fullness of the Gospel restored to us! It is the only way of truly knowing! It has been brought forth by the power of God himself to one of his prophets, Joseph Smith. Read the Book of Mormon and than ask if it be true to a Father in Heaven who will tell you the truth of all things if we are willing to find the answer to it! Our Father in Heaven is a Father! He wants to communicate with his Children like any other loving father to his loving children on this earth! If you don't have a testimony of it than get on your knees and ask for one! Just because you cannot see him doesn't mean he is not there waiting on the other side of the telephone! Just do your part and pick up YOUR telephone and desire to know more happiness. I challenge everyone to pray about the Book of Mormon. Do your part first and read it! Don't expect something you haven't worked for. Some answers come sooner than others. Some come even before you finish reading the Book of Mormon. Embrace the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and they will come! Ask and you shall receive. That is our invitation to you and the world! Will you all do it this week? I know that God will answer you! Just asking a specific question ''Are you there?'' makes all the difference in life. I have done this invitation this past week and I know that God lives! And that the Book of Mormon is true!

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Slow down a little and look for the good things in life. The trees, lakes, mountains (wish we had those =) They have made a difference to think of how it all came to be this past week. I love you all! You all are truly my Brothers and Sisters. Thanks for your love and support. This past week they have truly been felt! Love always!

Med Kærlig Hilsen,

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Moving up in the world-Transfer from Sønderborg1 to Sønderborg 2

I apologize that you all are getting this a day late. But you all probably guessed it! Sadly though I will be transferring. I know it is sad I only have been in Sønderborg for 1 transfer. But I will be moving to Sønderborg 2. hahaha =) Yep I am opening up a new area with Elder Kinch. He just came from Odense and has been out just as long as Elder Willardson. So this is my second younger missionary. Actually Elder Willardson was MTC companions with him. And Elder Willardson will be getting Elder Durrant! If any body can remember him, yep he was my MTC companion!! So that means that we all will be in the same apartment having a MTC riot! haha. Weird to think that I have 3 companions in the same apartment haha

Elder Kinch and Elder Durrant accidently missed their bus yesterday and we didn't have time to email. So that is why we are emailing a day late haha.

Might I just say how awesome this past week has been! Me and Elder Willardson have been so busy with trying to get the two new areas started. (We actually have been doing a lot of ''office work'' Setting up area boundaries, splitting investigators/people up, remaking what we call Bankbogs. It took us about 7 hours to complete. What a night mare ahah. We did do weekly planning in the middle of it but that was that haha.

But I would say though that the Culture night we had in Sønderborg was a huge success! Our mission leader, heard that we were at the Esbjerg Ship Races, and he gave us an idea to go to the culture night in Sønderborg last Friday. So we scheduled to have the Esbjerg Elders come down for companion exchanges. It was deeply needed. Oh! Before I forget, me and Elder Redd had an appointment with a man that me and Elder Willardson found in our old drop by list. We met with him and he is amazingly positive! Me and Elder Redd talked with him and he was in agreence with everything we had to say. It seemed more informational at first. Elder Redd bore his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Spirit was really strong. We invited him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and he said yes! The amazing part was that we made a return appointment with him and he was me and Elder Willardson's first new investigator! We are really excited for what is to come in our areas.

Right after that, we were at the Culture Night, I was with Elder Reimschussel. We were unsure on how we were able to contact or talk to people about the Church. We walked around to see if there was a good spot to contact. No options seemed present. It seemed like time was wasting more than it was being productive. We came across Elder Willardson and Elder Redd and Elder Redd encouraged us to try harder and see what we can do. So tried another idea of walking to an area. Me and Elder Reimschussel came across an open gap on the gågade/havn. Elder Reimschussel had an idea of just standing here and handing out Mormon.org cards. I looked around and a man who was doing the same thing, who had a tent set up/permission to be there, stare at us. I got a little scared and thought that it might not have been the best idea. We proceeded to the spot we thought about earlier. We got half way there and Elder Reimshussel's idea was just nagging at me. So I thought well the spot we are going to hasn't had much success. And what do we have to lose by at least trying the idea. So we turned around and tried giving out Mormon.org cards.

What happened was absolutely spectacular! We were giving out cards like they were candy! After we ran out, in 30-45 minutes, we figured ''We need more''! So we jetted home and got more! We were there for about 2-3 hours. We gave out probably at least 150-200 Mormon.org cards! I had many good conversations with people about the Church and answered many questions. By the end of the night we gave out more other cards gave out 6 copies of the Book of Mormon (All 4 elders combined) and one phone number. We figured that it was a huge success! We also met with a newly converts friend and had a good chat with her! It was just an amazing evening! We were completely exhausted by the end of the night.

Me and Elder Willardson are not sure what just happened this week. But this entire week is booked for the both of us! So many appointments scheduled! We are truly seeing the work of Salvation go forth here in Sønderborg! Me and Elder Kinch are excited to be with each other. We are getting along just fine and he seems to be an amazing missionary. We are really excited to work and teach with each other. We have many good things planned. We actually connect very well. He is 19 years old and was born and raised in West Haven! Practically right down the street haha. But a man who goes to Fremont... haha. I really can see that he has an eye fixed on the Lord's work going forth! Have a wonderful week! Love you all!!!
-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Bike mode better than car

This has been a very fast week. I am not even sure where the time has gone. We have had a good week. We were able to teach Andrea Pedersen Again this week. She shared with us her testimony/conversion story. She charishes it and keeps it close to her. She is doing great and she is so excited to go to the temple in October!

Me and Elder Willardson were able to finally get my bike to Sønderborg after Zone Training,this past Wednsday. We had problems during the past transfer. So we have been getting back into biking mode to save gas Money for the car. (plus the bike mode is a lot better than cars, I don't like cars =) Last Satuday we finally made contact with a woman, WHO the missionaries knocked into awhile ago. We biked out to where she lived and she told us with a smile that we were welcome to come back. Unfortunately she had guests at the time. Again she is really positive and I hope to be able to Work with her. She is catholic probably 26ish and open to talking with us. We've talked with some amazing people also this week. Many people that we have contacted on the streets have had some previous contact with the church. Me and Elder Willardson were able to find and give two more copies of the Book of Mormon out this past week to two younger and faithful people. OUr potential pool is slowly Building up. We are so happy that the Work is still hastening here in Sønderborg.

We have met with one of our less actives this past week and we will be doing service for him this NeXT week. We also were able to meet with Rabitta (19 year old woman, newly converted 2 years ago) She shared with us her Testimony and conversion story. She loves the Gospel and the Church and it was really nice to meet with her and feel of that strong spirit.

We were also able to meet with Familien Steen for my first time this week. And might I say how unbelievabley ridiculous the husband is to becoming a member of the Church. We got to know them and we testified of the Book of Mormon and getting answers through prayer. It seems that Anders has never asked if the Book of Mormon to be true. He believes it to be true because of the they joy and impressions he recieves from members of the church when they talk about the Book of Mormon. He also added ''It's clean! There is no wrong with it... each time I open it and read a few scriptures I can just feel that it is right''. We challenged them to actually use prayer to get that witness for themselves. They seem to be really busy right now with Work and stressful problems that are going on right now. We hope all goes well with them. One thing I noticed personally for me is that I found out that I have not been using the commitment pattern fully. I found that I was asking questions throughtout lessons/visits but I wasn's truly asking a direct invitation. (Such as ''Will you read this chapter this week?'') I am grateful that we are studying chapter 11 this month. It was nice to know that I have improvement to make in this chapter. It has been a bit of a humbeling week. Lesson learned everybody needs to give bold commitments! Only way one can repent is actually being asked to live it!

Other than that, that has been pretty much our week. We have continued spending time finding. We are slowly but surely finding more! We are excited for this NeXT week. Lots planned and a mission Conference in Copenhagen on Wedneday. (We get to stay in the Zone Leaders Apartment while they are in Copenhagen for a meeting tomorrow haaha) Have a wonderful week everybody! Just Keep Swimming!!!!

Med Kærlig Hilsen,

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

I found the Denmark version of the MR. BEAN car!!!! haha Totally made my day =)

And because my bike lights and my bike rain guard got stolen last transfer I found another one on the road. This is officially becoming a red neck bike for missionaries =) haha I had to take practically a childs rusted rain guard and hammer it out to what I wanted haha. Hey it was free and I call that a Blessing haha =)

What happened to July? So thankful!

Well my mind has just been blown as July has just blown up and I passed another mile stone. haha. It's been a pretty interesting week. We have actually have many exciting Things happen this week. Again a lot of time finding so don't be too excited haha. Yes we got to see the Hulk! It was amazing! my life has been complete. haha. We have had many chances to talk with amazing people. Let's start the week off shall we?

We skyped in to District meeting. The Zone leaders wanted to cut back on cost and hassel to send us to District meeting by train everyweek. So we tried it out. And I couldn't help feel we were like the Bornholm out casts of South Jylland haaha. I have so much respect for the Elders serving on Bornholm. The sound system was junky and I heard about 40% of Distirct Meeting haha. The Zone Leaders were present to witness the catastrophe haha. We had a lot of technical diffictulties so the Zone Leaders said that we would just go back to normal and send ourselves to Esbjerg weekly haha. It was probably on my list of top 5 not so great district meetings haha. acutally it's number 1 haha.

On Friday we traveled out to Esbjerg (make up haha), and stayed the night, because the Bishop requested for more missionaries. On Saturday we had permission to do all day worth of contacting! There was a international ship racing that was going on. The last time it happened in Denmark was about 14years ago haha. We talked with a ton of people! We split up with members and went out contacting. I was with the mission leader of Esbjerg and it was an interesting expiernece..... we'll just leave it at that haha. lets just say that it was mainly me contacting ahah. Man it made me miss having a missionary companion. There truly is strength and help when two contact haha. I don't blame the man. He was a new convert and never contacted in his life. I give him props for coming out and doing it. He had a great time which was the best part. In all with 8 missionaries and tons of members we gave out 27 copies of the Book of Mormon. The sistters got some appointments. A few phone numbers and other requests. It was so much fun!!! and exhausting haha! We also got permission from President Sederholm and got home at 10 at night in Sønderborg haha.

Yesterday was a crazy day. We walked to church and it was barely drizzeling. After 5minutes of walking to the church Thunder and Lighting started picking up haah. It was a bit nerve racking but luckily we were in the church for the most part of it haa. Elder Willardson didn't grab a jacket or an umbrella and was soaked when we got to church. (Good thing the Stake president was there haha whoops haha) Than after church we walked back to our Apartment nad saw that there were some keys in a door. So we decided why not and knocked on a mans door. Totally could see it on his face he thought we were actually knocking. Asked if it was his car and he said no. and Said try asking the neighbor. So we knocked on another door ahah. He had the same facial expression but changed when we asked him. Than he came out and said that he didn't know the person WHO owned the car but possibly his son did. So he pulled out the keys from the door and walked back inside his home. I hope that the keys got to the owner haha.

We found out that there was a birthday in our branch of a new convert. So we dropped off some cookies and she loved them! She asked us about the process of going to the temple and the interviews. And we found out that we are going to have to make a class because her and another convert are going to the temple really soon!!!!!!!!! AHAHAAH we are so excited! So that was exciting news to find out!

Well It's probably a Little bit shorter today. But one thing that I have learned and am continuing to learn this week is Gratitude! We recently listed to President Monson's Gratitue 2010 Oct G:C. and President Uchtdorfs 2014 General confenrec on being Thankful ''in'' our circumstances. That's truly one thing I believe can change the World for the better we really can be thankful for anything that happens in our life. It is for our Growth and learning! The good and the bad times. The Lord really does shape us and molds us to the people he know that we can become! I hope everyone can take the moment and think of how thankful we can be in our circumstances that we have daily. It truly has helped me this past week! Good and Bad! I love you all and wish you a wonderful week!

Med Kærlig Hilsen,

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng&query=thankful

new pics from Sondenborg

The Legendary T-shirt

Well hello everyone! It has been a very first interesting week in Sønderborg. So of course I practically come on the trasfer when all the Danish people go on vacation for a couple weeks (in the summer). Me and Elder Willardson have been spending the week finding more people to share the Gospel with. It's amazing even though practically everyone is on vacation, there are still a few ´who would like us to come back. It's been quite the journey. Let me tell you about the crazy week!

This Whole entire week I have been fighting with the cities in Sønderborg, Taastrup, and Birkerød. For some reason the city of Taastrup never accepted me to live in there city (wow after 4 months of living there haha). So evidently I have been living in Birkerød for the last 9 months of my mission haha. We luckily had the miracle of getting the Whole problem resoloved. It took practically the entire week to do it. haha.

On the day for district meeting Elder Willardson got confused for what time the trains came and we missed our train by minuttes. So Elder Willardson drive like crazy (while abiding by the law =) and drove us to Rødkro because the next' train wasn't going to come for another 2 hours. We amazingly made our train and got there luckily 15 minutes early.

We were able to teach a new convert named Adrea Pedersen. She is so awsome! She has been a member for just under a year and is preparing to go to the temple in October!!!!!! She is so excited and we are so excited for her.

Let me put this in perspective of how many people are on vacation. Sunday we came to church and the entire Branch Presidency was gone on vacation. So because there were 10 people present (1/2 came from Germany for a visit and the other from Sjælland =) the branch President told the NeXT in charge to have a testimony meeting. It was a pretty neat expeirience!

Later that evening me and Elder Willardson were knocking. I saw a couple from inside there window, trying to flag us to get off their street. We ignored them and pretended like we didn't see them. So we continued on and tried knocking a families door. Danish doors sometimes are hard to find. And in this case we walked around 1/2 of the house than walked back. We heard some voices from inside and a slam of a door. So we picked the closest door and knocked on it. The owner/father came running out. Luckily he calmed Down after seeing there was no robbery. Than the neighbors started yelling at us from across the street haah. We talked with the father and he went back inside, not interested and with a smile on his face =) We went over to their neighbors, because they were still yelling at us. So we walked over. The man told me to get my hands out of my pocket haha. And told us (in the edited version and nice way) to please get off the street and we had no buisness being here. So we walked away, he went inside his home than we went to his other neighbor, he came back out and said ''Didn't you understand what I said'' ''Get off our street!'''. I couldn't help but yell ou ''So how do you know that they are not interested'' Than he told us to beat it and watched us all the way Down to the end of the street. The second time on my mission that I have been kicked out of a neighborhood haha. It was really fun-

Well one lesson learned is that there is always some people that will be closed off and sometimes aggrivated about us sharing the truth. But that's okay. We are here to help everyone and give everyone the chance to accept the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have to respect everyones Agency in the long run. But one thing to remember is that there are stil many WHO are looking for the truth because they know not where to find it. Sometimes they don't even know that they were looking. I hope you all have a wonderful week! Watch out for angry neighbors =) Love you all!!

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

P.S. We found this shirt in our Apartment. It's so legendary it has a few of my companions on it =) Love you Elder Lindstrom!

Transfer to Sonderborg

Well it has been a crazy week happy, sad and exciting. Me and Elder Christensen have been very busy this week. We have found more people, have taught investigators, less actives and members! But all in all it seemed like a goodbye week. And we'll see each other Again week. =(

But on Wednesday me and Elder Durrant were able to go to our ''Kingsmen secret combination meeting'' in Copenhagen. We got a call from President Sederholm that he would like our MTC Group to come back together and get training and inspiration. It was such an amazing thing. And even the Icelanders were there!!!!!! I haven't seen them since a year ago! Along with many other missionaries. It was so much fun. Than afte we went to the Temple. We did a session and the temple President had a surprise for us...... We got to see the new film!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so much fun. It was amazing and insprational! After that we ended up coming back home. But it was so much. Fun. Oh side note. I found out from that training that there was a man in my in Birkerød that was a member and after 45 years, we found him and he decided to come back to the church. I found out that he was interviewved by the Stake President and this past Saturday afte 45 years he entered Again into the temple!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow this is so crazy. The Elders in Birkerød taught him the temple prep class and he was able and worthy to enter the temple!!!!!! ''do miracles cease to exsist Nej!'' this was amazing to find out!

We later comae back and we went out to drop by some people. On the way me and elder Enniss got stopped by a Group of kids. They asked us why we were dressed up, where we came from, and so many other questions. It was really funny! One of them, she was the oldest in the Group, said ''you can speak English if you would like. If it is too hard to understan us'' No way Sister there is no way I am going to get this lame response or offer by a Young girl. I get this with every other grown up. I stayed in Danish with her. haha. But than there were younger kids that asked me to speak in English to them. Than I switched haha. It was so funny. Elder Enniss showed them how he tied his ties haaha.

We did some more service for that man that is trying to get to Arizona ASAP. He offered me a job of cutting tile. Oh man it was so much fun. He was happy that I had previous experience with that. Thanks DAD!!!!!! (And side note of Lynn Kraaimer '' the gomer'' =). Glad that I had that chance in life to learn that trade. My clothes got destroyed by the Water damage from the saw but it was very fun! OUr mission leader drove us to his home. We had dinner. He drove us and the sisters back to our homes. Man and did he drive like a mad man haha. It was so much fun. I'm seeing a pattern with Denmark drivers haha. He was so funny on the way and I am going to miss him!

We met with the Hansen Family Sunday night. They were very sad that I was leaving but we helped them out with some concerns. The mom is having a hard time praying. We tried helping out with other Things. But at the end of the lesson we invited her to read from the Book of Mormon, but after that ask two Things. 1) is the Book of Mormon true and number 2) (And should be number one) ask if she is a daughter of God. And ask if He loves her. So loved the thought and idea of getting an anwser to that. She thought that if she could find that out, than she would be able to make a few more connections. Well why not? If everyone could get that confirmation in their lives, I am so postive that the World would be a better place. Just having that knowledge practically changes the World.

Well had a crazy day with transfers yesterday. The main reason for why I didn't email yesterday was because I missed my train. And it was not my fault!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had my tickets ready and was early. I began to start bording the train when the conductor told me he didn't have room for me. I showed him my tickets and he said I had the wrong train for my bike ticket. Are you kidding me I need this train. It's called companions. I need one 24 hours haah. I don't think he would have understood that haha. So he forbid me to get on the train. So I watched a Group of missionaries I was supposed to be with, drive off. haha. So we quickly decided to buy another ticket. I almost missed the NeXT train. It came less than 6 minutes. so bought another one and loaded my luggage in and Elder Christensen waved goodbye with a smile ahaaha. So here I am on the train for the first 2 hours of my life, on my mission, without a companion. Well I really don't want to do that Again. But it was an interesting learning expiernece for sure. That train conductor didn't even check my bike ticket. I was so mad!

I am now with Elder Willardson. He has been on his mission for 9 months now. My first younger companion! He did cross country and was into drama. He is great and we have a car haah. I am excited for what will happen in the coming weeks. Our area is literally the German border. It is huge! I live on the Island of Sønderborg. If there is ever a baptism in this area we have to go to Germany because there is no baptismal font in Sønderborg. (cross your fingers =) I am serving in a branch. I hear this is one, if not the best, most beautiful areas in Denmark. And that is just about all I know about this area after 24 hours haha. Well love you all! Wish me luck =)

The Boys are back in town!

           I literally just found out 20 mintues ago that I will be getting transferred to Sønderborg next Monday. I will be with Elder Willardson. He came to Denmark back in December. And guesss what? I get a car =) so excited but I really don't want it. I like biking haha. Ok so I will try to stay focused for the next 25 minutes and give my weekly update.

Man it is going to be really sad to leave Taastrup. this has been such a wonderful area. With so many wonderful people. Members, those who are ready for the Gospel, and just nice people. We have seen sooooooooo many miracles here. I really just don't know what to think.

Last Tuesday we took an essentials preparation day and went to the Domekirke. It was so much fun. Right afterwards we were walking back with Holbæk to their car to get a ride to the church. Roskilde Festival is still going on. So we saw a group of men with out shirits on. And they were in the direction of where the car was at. And one of them yells. Hey the boys are in town. than they all started yelling ''THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN.... THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN.....!!!!'''. One of them hugged Elder Enniss. He talked with us saying that we are great doing what we are doing and what we believed in, while swaring up a storm after every other word. Than One of them offered us a drink. And we declined nicely. ''Oh come on sunday is almost here''. ''Lose the shirts, and the ties..... get rid of those pants and have a drink'' Just one glass. NO! THANK! YOU! haha. Than one of them brought 4 cups over with a bottle of red alchohol and was ready to start pouring os each a glass. Told them no agian. We were a little worried that they would throw some of the alcohol on our shirts or grab elder Durrant and force him to drink it. haha. But they were really nice and drunk and let us go. =) 1st time in my life that I have been offered a drink haha.

Than we went to Slagelse with the Zone Leaders (Elder Ludlow and Elder Hardy-Hansen). Went with Elder Hardy-Hansen and ''taught/visited'' with some young Jehovas Witnesses. They tried and failed to shake our faith. It was sad that the only option was testify and leave haha.

Than on Thursday (on my year mark, can you believe it?) we had a crazy time with Familien Hansen!! We had a dinner appointment with Familien Kjeldsen and than the husband drove us to our appointment with the Hansens. Right off the get go, the mom showed much concern. She said that she is the only one in the family that is just confused. Than when we come over it just leaves her. Brother Kjeldsen taught the lesson and helped her realize that she was the only one really trying to read and find answers from the Book of Mormon. And so of course there is opposistion in all things. And Satan will do everything in his power to keep her confused. Because when she gets that answer that means happiness and Satan is all against that. There were many concerns addressed. Brother Kjeldsen gave a promise to the son that if he was to read from the Book of Mormon out loud everyday than his reading would get better exponentionally!! Than we closed with a prayer. The mom asked real quickly. ''How is one Married in the Church''.. Say what?!?!?!!?! Brother Kjeldsen quickly explained that there is one way with being married by a biship to death til you part. Or there is time and eternity in the Temple. We left,. That is the first time that they have ever brought up marriage. The Lord is truly working with them!!! What a miracle what a blessing!!!

Than we did some 4th of July service after Zone training for a non member. He is the bomb! We went with the Sisters in Roskilde and Ballerup. It was an amazing expierence. He wasn't expecting six people to come. He was very grateful for all that we did. He has so much work that needs to be done on his home before it can be sold. On the way back home, he drove us, we presented him the idea that the sisters had about getting more people to help him with his home. He said that normally he would decline, because he usually likes to do it himself, but his main driving force is to get to his family in Arizona as soon as possible. His wife has cancer and has two kids living in the USA. And he is trying so desperatly to get his home to sell. So he thought that would be a wonderful idea. And bonus! He has some sheetrock that needs to be done on his ceiling. Thank you DAD!!!!!!!!! I hope I get to do that before I leave!!! I miss it so much!

Well that is short version. I have actually run out of time. But I love you all. Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support for the last two years. This is truly the Lords work! i am a witness of it. I see it happening everyday! The hastening is here. We are in the Lords hands as his tools to be shaped and molded in to the people that he wants us and others to become. Have a wonderful week! Happy 4th of July and Independece in the USA!

Med Kærlig Hilsen!

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

want some more S'mores?

To be honest it really has been a long week of lots a service projects and staying busy hahaa. Where do I start..... So last Monday was a Denmark huge traditon of Witch Burning festivals and I totally missed out on it. didn't realize it til I got home. The Holbæk Elders came and stayed at our apartment and told us about it. Lame sauce. But the next day we did some service for a non- member. Spent a couple hours pulling weeds in her yard. Than went on a Splits eveneing with the Elders in the church quorum. And than drove back home in an awesome members car! It was so much fun haha.

The next day we had two appointments that we got burned at, so we spent the day finding, knocking, and kontacting people. It was really funny because at the close of our night two people drove up to us and said ''It's raining outside''. Well no duh. So we said yah......? And than they responded ''Are you the Mormons'' We said yes than the mans expression changed and he said ''oh I thought you were some of my colleges.'' They were Jehovas Witnesses. We are now under the impression that 'It's raining outside'' is code for something. haha.

The next day after District meeting we did service for members in the ward. Pulled out another tree and leveled out the back of their yard of dirt so that they could plant grass. Than we rushed home changed into our church clothes met up with a member and went to a ? answer session at a Baptist Church. We got invited so that people could ask us questiions or we could ask questions. They sang an awesome church Christain song with a guitar and piano. Than the pastor thought the issue wasn't addressed enough the previous week so we ended up sitting there for 1 1/2hr talking about ''Hell'' Some how judgement and the nature of God came into picture.

the next day we were able to meet witht the Hansens again YAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! They invited us over for Dinner. After Dinner we showed them how to make smores! They had no idea and thought it was just brilliant. Than our Swedish member walked in and he cooked one also and he thought it was genious as well.´! I believe that we just brought smores to Denmark and Swedan in less than 10 minutes haha. I couldn't help but quote the Sandlot in Danish haha. Doesn't sound the same unfortunately haha. They are doing amazing! They are really trying to find answers to their prayers and are searching very hardly for the truth. They are going through a little hard time but we believe that they really want to find God in their lives.

We had an appointment with the Afriacan lady from last week. But she burned us and one of the members (Alexander) Drove us and with his brother who came back form a mission, to their house and we had lunch with them. Than afterwards we went to Roskilde and were on a Blitz Splits with Holbæk because they had a couple appointments that they couldn't do at the same time. It was so funny because accidently Elder Enniss left the area book ontop of their car and they drove off! haha The area book was scattered all over the church parking lot. we had an amazing time with the other Elders.

Sunday we stayed on Splits. I rushed Elder Enniss out the door so we could make our train to an eating appointment. Than when we got to Borup, the other Elders called and we found out Elder Enniss had the keys to the car. So Elder Christensen and Durrant had to take a train to their appointment haaha. Me and Elder Enniss got the chance to teach a couple. The wife is partially muslium. Really interested in learning more about other religons. And she is really curious. (And they also say curiiosity killed the cat =) they had so many good questions and they are awesome people. Than this morning we went and did Service again for a older lady. Not a member. She asked a member of our ward to send the missionaries for service. We got there and we spent a huge amount of time cutting branches off a tree and than she made us Smørebrød. Really delicous. Had a piece with fish and it was really good. Don't know what changed in me haah.

Well that is the update for the week. Not to mcuh. Moral of the story Service is very rewarding. I truly feel it helps in missionary work. It's another way of contacting people and establishing relationships with the people who may not be searching for something yet. Do good as Christ would do! have a wonderful week Love you all!

MKH;

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Eye Opener of Life!

So to start off with I accidently left my voice recording home. So sorry family, going to get a bunch next week =).

We had an amazing week!!! The reason for the tittle of this week is because we taught a blind man!! We met this Danish man at the train station. His name is Andreas. Very nice man and very beliving. One of the most amazingest things ever is that he litterally grabbed Elder Christensen by the arm and led him to his home and back to the station. Like he was pulling Elder Christensen the whole way!!! Than he walked around his house to grab water, his awesome brail machine and some coffee!! It's like how can you trust in yourself so much in this world. He simply replied that he has people everyday that come and check up on him and make sure that he is taken care of. Yah but how are you doing what you are doing?!?!?! We sat down with him and taught him the Restoration. He is very curious on what the ''Mormons'' Believe in. He has had en expiernece in his life where a woman invited him to pray with her. He said that he was a little weirded out at first but when they did it he could feel the Spirit!!!!! He loved the story of Joseph Smith! It just fascinated him so much! At the Ende Elder Christensen asked him ''When we talked with you about this story, could you feel the Spirit'' and immediately he said yes!!!! He could feel the Spirit while we taught. It was just amazing that a man that has been blind all his life can connect with the Spirit so strongly! We gave him a website off of Mormon.dk and he was able to download the Book of Mormon in Danish and listen to it. And he is so excited to ''read'' it!

So I am sure everyone is wondering about the Hansen Family. Elder Christensen and I went by them this past week with some cookies. They were very happy to see us and for the cookies =). They told us that they have missed our visits and want us to come back this Friday!!! We were able to talk with them for about an hour and it was great to talk about life and any questions that they had. The oldest daughter, whose kids will be taken away from her, is going through a hard time. She actually also jsut broke her foot. When we talked with her it seemed like she really really wanted to meet with us again. They came to church yesterday and for Sunday school we watched the Restoration. The mom was able to feel the Spirit and say it makes sense! We truly believe that they believe this to be true and they really want it to be true but they are still searching. Which is okay! It takes time but they are on their way!

Me and Elder Christensen had a crazy story last Saturday. Where we were reffered to this African family and have knocked on their door maybe 5 times. Each time one of their kids answered the door and said that she (the mom) wasn't home or was really busy. We met with her last week and made an appointment with her. We went in and she told us that she couldn't find our number and tried to call us. Said that she needed to go visit a friend in 30 minutes. But she wanted to listen to us before we left. She told us that she believes in Christ, the Bible, praying and fasting. Than she said what do you believe? What else can you offer me besides this Bible of yours? We said we believe in the same things! That we believe we have a prophet guiding us today. We gave her a short run down of what the Book of Mormon is. She loves it. She asked us what are your gifts that you have been given before your mission? What has God blessed you with? I told her that I have been blessed to come to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ! The Son of the Living God and our Saviour! And because I have been blessed with this knowledge I want to use this and help others. The line continued down to Elder Christensen and Alexander Kjeldsen!. She said wow that is amazing! To feel that when you testified to me! She then told us a story. How before we knocked on her door that she had a dream. She said in that dream their was a church. But the church was locked. than she saw two men dressed nicely with a Bible. she said that they showed her the Bible and taught her the Word of God. But the thing was it was new things!!!! Than she woke up and later on we knocked on her door. In her sons words, when we knocked ''we were dressed in suites and we were not Jehovas Witnesses'' =) She said that this is an answer to her dream and she wil read to Book of Mormon. Not just because it says Jeus Christ on the Front cover but she really wants to see if this is an answer to her dream! I SWARE THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE MOVIES! Me and Elder Christensen couldn't believe it. It was such an amazing expiernce!

Well I thought that I would share that with you all. I just want to say thank you so much to everyone. This year has gone by so fast. I thank you for all your support that you have blessed me with. Thank you for all your prayers. I love you so much! Have a wonderful week!

Med Kærlig Hilsen,

Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

 This man collects everything nostalgic... he even offered us to take something from his collection for ourselves... he said anything, whatever we wanted. He was a very kind man... so fun to meet him.

Dani and I attending a baptism

Elder Christensen and I

Elder Christensen and I can be serious

The incredible Hansen Familien

Love it here in Taastrup

The Pizza is Big in Taastrup

Celebrating a year for a misionary... Mexican Buffet style

Me and Elder Ludlow