I thought I would share my message that I sent to President Sederholm this
week:
'' A bit of a trying week I would say. It was awesome though, we
were able to teach the African family 2 times this past week. Turned out it was
just a husband and wife. And to make it difficult, his culture is different. He
says that when men talk about the word of God than the woman is to leave the
room. And after we leave he than goes and tells her what he has learned. He has
so many life changing stories. We had to get him a Book of Mormon in French
because he doesn't understand the English text very well. He said last night that he was going to study
and read a lot from it last
night, after we left. He was so excited to read it in French. He's
practically accepted the invitation to be baptized. He first wants to read the
Book. We are so excited and are pretty sure we'll have a baptismal date with him
in the nearby future.
But on the down side note, Finn Poulsen called us two times during
our appointment with this family. Previously in the week, while on splits with
Elder Pitts, Finn called us and asked us to come over ASAP. We go over and found
out that he went over to a friends house the night before and they offered him a
drink. He has been stressed out with his mother moving from a hospital to a
plejehjem, his daughter was kicked out of a crisis center for drinking again,
and his summer house was destroyed by the last storm we had. He wanted to relax
a little bit. So he accepted the drink. He felt really bad and was concerned
that he couldn't be a member anymore. I think he was partially drunk when we
were both over there, because he didn't seem himself.
But after the appointment, we called Finn back and he told us
that he doesn't want us to come over anymore and that he doesn't want to be a
member anymore, because of the decisions he has made. He said that it was okay
to come over real fast. Again he seemed out of character. We get there and he
puts out his cigarrette, he also seemed out of character. We try to be positive
with him. We testify to him about the Savior, that he doesn't need these things
to be free from it all. All he needs is the Savior. We started asking him parts
of the Baptismal interview questions and he still believes it all. He randomly
got up and called Lone (Friend that lives across the street, me and Elder King
made a baptismal date with her back in October if you can remember her.) Very
wonderful lady, just got offended with the church we had in Allerød. He calls
her and tells her that he asked us to leave and we wouldn't (which never
happened), and that if she could come and help kick us out. He hung up the phone
and we asked him if he wanted us to leave. He responded no and we could stay for
a little bit longer. We again testified and he asked if we could say a prayer.
He asked me to do so. We ended and asked if we could come again this week.
Possibly every day. He responded that we can call him next week.
We met Lone while unlocking our bikes. I walked over and talked
to her. She let me have it, saying that ''Finn isn't feeling well with what's
going on in his life. I will get him to a Crisis Center and get him to stop
drinking, I will get him to the Birkerød Menighed and have him get back to
church, it is a wonderful church and I've been their a couple of times.'' She
gave both of us a hug and was about to walk away. I responded to her Lone
''right now Finn needs a Friend, and possibly the best option is you, Lone.''
She responded Guds Fred and went inside to be with Finn. We later biked home and
immediately called Bishop Nielsen and notified him. There was nothing more we
could do. We later came to the realization that Lone wasn't talking about our
church she was talking about the Danske Folke Kirke in Birkerød, because she has
only been to our church once, not a couple of times.... So maybe she wasn't the
best option.
President I am trying to take what you told me to heart. But I
found out that it's hard to be happy right now. I have just witnessed everything
that me and Elder King had, destroyed before my eyes. Almost everyone that we
have taught and found has either moved, lost contact, or doesn't want anything
to do with the church. I am sad for Finn Poulsen, I have gotten to know this man
for the past 4 months. I watched this man be committed to baptism with you,
baptized by Brother Jens Andersen, seen how much the Gospel has changed his life
with: members, us as missionaries, guest class, his testimony growth. All these
things and so much more, gone before my eyes in a week. I won't give up on him,
it killed me to leave his apartment with how he was. He shook Elder Gifford's
hand, he walked out. I than shook is hand and gave him a hug. I told him ''that
he is my friend and Brother. I love him and he is a good man. Choose to do good
Finn, Don't give up.'' He smiled and we said Vi ses.
I read the section of PMG this morning under ''A successful missionary''. I have had
mixed feelings of what has happened before me. I found it interesting that it
said that you will be disappointed and saddened, but you will not be
disappointed with what you have done as a missionary. I feel like me, Elder
Gifford, Elder Pitts, Elder King, You, Everybody that Finn has met with the
Church has done our very best. But I found that we can't control his agency. He
is the only one that can make that decision. It is one of the saddest things I
have witnessed, this is his Salvation.
I have thought a great deal of what has happened. I have
wondered ''Is it possible to leave this area better than how me and Elder King
Started it? Is it possible to not have everything destroyed on what we all have
built up and established in this area? Is it possible to leave now be satisfied,
happy and knowing that I did my very best?'' Ironically, this morning for companionship study we
read in the White Handbook pg. 59. Saying ''A leader's proselyting area should
be a model for other missionaries. They can learn from it and use it as a
pattern for their work.'' I kills me to see this happen to my area. I find it
interesting that it doesn't say a good model, or a perfect missionary model. But
I hope that this can be a model for other missionaries to learn from. The Lord
has wanted me to know these feelings that I am feeling now. But my testimony,
faith, hope and charity stands true and stronger than it did before I went on a
mission. President, I know that through the Savior ALL things are possible, I
tried to explain that to Finn. The Spirit testified to me last night that what I was saying was
true. I know from the bottom of my soul that this is God's work. We will face
disappointments, be upset or even sad. But in short I have learned that the
Gospel is here and will bless us as we push forward having that Faith, hope, and
Charity in our lives along with all the other Christ like attributes that we
studied in the past two months.''
To close off, I would love to share a quote that my mom sent me
last week it says "Hold fast to the perfecting promises of the Atonement of
Jesus Christ. Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every
other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those
miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s
own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong,
trusting in happier days ahead."
~ Jeffery R. Holland
No doubt we will all have trying times in our lives. Whether on our
missions, or as regular people, members or non members. We all will suffer. But
it's through all Savior that we can do all things! Truly! Exmalation Point! The
Lord loves us and wants us to learn and grow. One way or another we must never
give up! Always have the faith and hope! Some blessings come soon, some come
late and some don't come til heaven, but for those who embrace the Gospel of
Jesus Christ... they Come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and look for
good things to come''- Elder Jeffery R. Holland (Of Course)
In 3 days it will mark a year since I submitted my paperwork to serve a
mission. And I do not and will not REGRET it! this is truly the best thing I
have ever done! I have learned so much in these short and fast 6 months and I
know that the Lord will have me continue to learn more! I love you all. Gud ved
med dig til vi ses igen!
-Love now and Forever
Ældste Jantzen Richard Read
Yes this is the original Christ statue! Awesome!
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