Cops Interfere But Cannot Stop the Work!

We have had a wonderful week! It has been amazing to see many miracles this past week. We were able to make a baptismal date with familie Hansen!!!! yahh!! (the family Elder Ludlow and Okey found on the street) They have set a goal of the 24 of May. They are such an awesome family. Truly wanting to find the truth! I am so excited to be working with them and in Taastrup with Elder Ludlow! We have found many potential's this past week, one of them Elder Ludlow and Elder Eniss were able to teach last Saturday! From what he says is that she is very postive and we have a return appointment with her this coming Satruday.

While on splits with Elder Zalewski in Holbæk, we were both able to give out two Book of Mormons and one of them was on the Street. Elder Zalewski was so excited because they got a return appointment with that man for next Satruday! That was both of our first times giving out a Book of Mormon on the street! Hope it all goes well! I must say it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO nice to be in a car agian. They also had seat warmers!!!! Oh my goodness! It was so nice haha. It was also fun because me and Elder Zalewski were able to catch up from Chicago and the MTC. Good times!

Oh funny story! While knocking really late at night (between 8:30 til 9 =( )haha. We were able to start talk with a man at the door. All of a sudden I hear the door open to the main entry way to the apartment complex. We both turn around and see 2 police officers...... They asked for identification. Here we are talking to the man at a door and we have to stop because of the police. go figure. But the police were okay just checking for theives and thought we were them. Than we turned back and gave a book of mormon out!

Okay all my emailing time just got shot.There was actually a Swedish woman who contacted me and said that I type really fast. And of course she was curious of who I am so I was able to share about the Book of Mormon. And I just got her contact information. She wanted me to tell mom and dad that I met a really nice Swedish woman. haha but I have to go!

Familie Hansen is doing amazing! The daughter and son came to church yesterday and they absolutly loved it! the daughter told us that she was going to bring her kids next week! We have a return appointment with them this Thursday and we are so impressed to see their faith to find the truth! Me and Elder Ludlow we're recently talking about this, and we both were able to say that we are truly blessed to be teaching this wonderful family!
Me and Elder Ludlow are doing great! We love and respect each other and are dedicated to the work, and both want to do our best with the time that we both have! We have been spending a lot of time finding and trying to build up our teaching pool. There is so much work to do! The Lord is truly preparing His people to hear His message of hope and truth, and His wonderful plan of happiness! Families can be together forever! It's time to hasten His work! Tell all your friends! Have a great week!

Happy Birthday to me and my new companion! Where have 19 yrs, and 8 1/2 months gone?

It has been an amazing week! I have enjoyed my time serving with Elder Ludlow! It's amazing how I have felt insecurity at the begining of the week. I didn't realize how much knowledge I had in my last area. I never fully anticipated that I would have zero knowledge about how to work in a new area. I feel like there was a crutch that I was able to lean on in Birkerød and I lost it when I came to Taastrup. But I have been able to learn fast, all thanks to Elder Ludlow. Elder Ludlow is an amazing missionary and a wonderful friend! He has taught me so much! He loves to work every second of the day, staying obeident and constantly being a great example of a Disciple of Christ Missionary. He is always wanting to invite others to come unto Christ. He is now 20 years old, as of last Firday. He comes from Sandy, Utah. Loves to workout, stay in shape, riding his motorcycle and listening to music =( so sad haha. and have a great time! He is the first in his family of sibilings to serve a mission.
We both have had a wonderful week. We have had the opportunity to teach the Hansen Family! They are a family (of 5) that Elder Ludlow and Elder Ockey Contacted on the street. They are super postive, Danish, and are awesome! There daughter sat in on the lesson and she became a new investigator. They have so many questions and they are sincerly trying to find the truth! They are a remarkable family! The mother and father came to church yesterday and they loved it. We were a little worried because ward conference was going on, but they very much enjoyed it and want to come back next week with their daughter and grandchildren. I look forward to working with them.
We also have had a fantastic week using Family History in our finding efforts. So many people have been interested in learning more. On our way to drop by's we use the time to contact along the way. Elder Ludlow is a perfect example to talk with everyone! He finds and takes the opportunity to talk with everyone. He has helped me to come out of my shell a little more (I've actually been struggeling with talking to random people on the streets, I've been biking for the last 5 1/2 months, not used to walking and talking to people on the way) and try contacting people when they cross our paths. Everytime we contact people are surprised, sometimes confused, but excited to talk about family history! I just realized the goal to empty our pockets by next Zone training, and I realize that I've got a lot of work to do. I still need to give out 30 pass along cards before April 4th AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been a good week of finding. We have found many people, who we hope in the future will want to hear more. We just happened to be knocking last night, before calling it a night, and we gave out 2 book of Mormons and got a return appointment for next Satruday. We both are so excited to be seeing so many miracles already! And there is a 40 day fast that the ward is doing is that I am sure is helping
It was so awesome to go to church yesterday. I am currently serving the the biggest ward in Denmark. About the size of the ward back at home. So many people. Over 150 at minimum. So many to get to know. Also there were many people that came from the Allerød Ward, because they have stake callings. I cannot describe the joy as I was able to talk with Søster Koch, Broder and Søster Andersen, and Søster Rosenkilde. Man I miss that ward so much. I didn't realize how much they were family to me! I just about cried when I saw Søster Rosenkilde. I totally consider her my mom! Sorry mom, as a missionary we just collect people to try to come close to our parents while on a mission haaha. I hope to see her again becuase I didn't get a picture with her! Cross my fingers that she'll come back haha.

It was also my Birthday on the 13th and Elder Ludlow's Birthday on the 14th. We partied it up haha. We were able to meet with a few people(Hansen family) on both of our birthdays and teach them. We had a dinner appointment with Bishop Jacobsen and his family. They sang to both of us and gave us ice cream. Søster Jacobsen tried to give me and Elder Ludlow money, but we had to decline, (rules) so she said that she was just going to have to buy something for the both of us. haha. I love this ward so much! They are so awesome!

They love the missionaries. We had our ward party last Saturday at the church. So great to start to get to know them. We were a little late because we went to the temple in the morning. Elder Ludlow got permission from President Sederholm to go to an a re activated memeber that Elder Ludlow considers to be his grandmother in Silkeborg. It was amazing session. Elder Ludlows first session in the Denmark temple. Danish. And because I was his companion I was able to go with! I was shocked after the Endowment sesson they got up and flagged me to come with them. I was able to witness my 1st sealing ´to a family. And it was in Danish. The reactivated, her husband and sister got sealed together with their family. It was an amazing expierence that I hope that I don't froget!

Well got to get going thanks to everyone! I am so grateful that I can serve here in this wonderful country. There is no where Else I would want to be! I look forward to serving the people in Taastrup! I love you all! Thanks again!

-Elder Jantzen Richard Read

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/unto-all-the-world-hastening-the-work-in-europe?lang=eng

For all those European Missionaries haha. Keep Finding!

New Bike Stolen... Tough goodbyes

Wow a lot has happened these past couple days and week. I'll start with the bad news. Right after Zone training we found out that my bike was stolen. So we reported it to the police and gave them the office as the contact if they find it. But I mention this because Elder Whitlcock was willing enough to give me his bike. It's amazing how fast 5 1/2 months go. I still remember my first day being picked up by Elder Whitlock and Elder Hansen from the airport.
We had Zone Conference on Tuesday and President Sederholm gave us a challenge to contact someone about Family History. (It's one of the low/underused resources in our mission, whoops haha) Right after Zone training me and Elder Lindstrom took the challenge and wanted to contact people about family history on our way back from Zone Conference. I didn't have much of an opportunity on the bus ride to the train station. Elder Lindstrom was able to contact someone though. When we got on the train though, I looked around and I was about to contact the lady who was sitting across from me. She ended up getting off and I only had a couple stops left to Farum. So I looked around and saw a lady behind me with a computer and phone. (Normally I don't contact those people because they seem really busy) But I had my fan chart and pedigree chart at the ready. I thought why not and so I asked her where Præsto was (some of my relatives came from their). She asked me if I spoke English. She showed me where it was, and we had a conversation for the next 15 minutes. Her name was Lillian and she came from the Ukraine. She recognized me as a missionary because she actually lived in Utah, with a member family, as in exchange student. She actually met with the missionaries a couple times but not too much was explained. She asked me what my beliefs were. I responded that we believed that we had a living prophet on the Earth today. She got really excited and actually wanted to research that more! I was able to give her a card with lds.org on one of the family search pass along cards. We came to the end of the line and we said our goodbyes. I've been kicking myself in the back of the head because I forgot to ask her for her number address if she was interested. Lesson learned.
Two minutes later, Elder Lindstrom wanted to get on a bus to visit a less active family. I saw the bus driver outside smoking and asked her when she drove. She reponded in five minutes. I was able to talk with her too about family history! Turned out her family comes from Germany and her father was able to date their family history all the way back to 1200's. I offered her a card after the five minute conversation and she said that she would check out the family history site. After that I had a moment of thinking, ''I have been in Denmark for 5 1/2 months and I was able to talk to a bus driver about family history all in Danish!'' I can truly see the Lord's hand in this work! I know without a doubt I wouldn't have been able to do that with only being in the land for over 5 months on my own.But after all the excitement we found out that my bike was stolen. so I haven't been a happy camper for the past week haha. I can also testify that family history truly works! It's alot more comfortable and not as much sales approach on door contacting.This past week Me and Elder Lindstrom were able to knock on a person's door. At first she wasn't interested in converting, because she saw our name tags. We told her that's fine we are just out to talk about family history. I honestly have a testimony and saw the Spirit of Elijiah work through this woman! She had interest and wanted to check it out! Elder Lindstrom is going to follow up with her when he gets his new companion.

It is just amazing! I've never been able to see it work so much more easiely in missionary work. I honestly want to use it in every contact now! haha But sadly yesterday was one of the saddest days I've had on my mission. It was so hard to leave all these people. The Allerød Menighed was absolutley family. I felt like I was leaving them like I did with my family to the MTC. So many wonderful people. Even Susan, it was so hard to say goodbye to her and her two children. I told all three of them that this is Vi Ses, not farvel! Interpretaion, We will see each other agian. This is not goodbye forever. Susan told me that she will and wants to see me again in the Allerød Church. I took her comments to heart that she knows that she's getting baptized and she wants me to come also. I gave my first originally magnetic name tag to her sone Giovanni. I let him wear it one Suday, during sacrament, and he ran straight to guest class with it on haha. I thought he would like to keep it. I also gave them a toy sling shot I got for Christmas from mom. (Their birthdays were coming up haha) They loved it. Man I will miss them. Love them so much!
I am now in Taastrup with Elder Ludlow. He already seems like an amazing missionary, obiedent and hard working! I look forward to serving with him in Taastrup. I truly feel like for some reason I am needed here, in some way or another. It's crazy how time flies by though. I hope everyone can just take a moment and think about what's going on around them. There is so much joy around us. I can't even begin to describe the joy that I have felt for these people for the past 5 1/2 months. Thanks for everything! Love you all!

https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#moments-that-matter-most

Si Robertson... my unlikely hero!

Si Robertson impersonation... That's a Fact Jack!

It has been a good week. We have had the opportunity to teach Susan again. We found out that she is really excited for her Baptism! More than she has ever been before. She still is a little nervous, but we are still working for it! We have also had the consideration to move her date a week later. Reason being is that her two sons would be able to attend the baptism and confirmation. We're thinking that might be a better option so that the family can be there together. We brought it up to Susan, but we will be following up with it this next coming week. She is so close I can feel it! She is one of the Elect! It has been amazing to be able to witness and teach her in my time here in Birkerød.

We have also had the opportunity to meet with two less actives. Both of them are really postive! One of them being the older gentleman, Hans Thorhauge. (the one Elder King found). And the other is one of the families me and Elder King found together. It's really cool to see your promise from Christmas come true. The recently opened up to us and told us they were talking to each other and they want to come back to church! They first want to learn and get rooted into the gospel. They are a little confused with a few things. We came up with the decision to re teach them the missionary lessons. (they were baptized over 10 years ago) We showed them the Restoration film. They never have seen it before. They loved it and the message it contained! We anticipate that they will be coming back in the next coming months.
We also had the opportunity to teach Finn Poulsen with President Sederhom this past week. We talked about Enduring to the End and shared Joseph Smith's Liberty Jail expirence found in D&C 121-123. He loved it! The Spirit was so strong in there. He brought up coming back to church himself! He got up during the lesson and called a member for a ride haaha. He seems to be doing well. Every time we go over or make contact with him he says that he has been smoking less every time. He's been doing pretty good. He enjoyed church, having you over for a visit, and being able to go toPresident Sederholm's open house. I am so grateful that he was made the choice to try again and come back!

That's weird the text changed back haha. Well transfers are going to happening next Monday. We are anticipating our call in the next couple of days. Elder Lindstrom, and the rest of the District >=P has me picked for leaving the area. I'm getting the feeling now. It is sad to say. I don't want to leave this area. Can you all believe that I have been here for over five months! Where has the time gone. I am so grateful for the time that I have had. I have see and taught many wonderful people. I am going to miss these people whether I leave now or 5 transfers from now. It's amazing how much it feels like home. Going to be sad to leave. I thank you all for your love and support. I know that I say that a lot but it's the truth and I don't say it enough. It's amazing how much my testimony has been stretched, grown and strengthened while being on a mission.

We just had an amazing Zone Conference this past Saturday. Like 6-7 Seventies showed up and taught us about using family history in our everyday finding activities. It was an amazing Zone Conference! Before it happened, Elder Lindstrom had to go to the restroom. As his companion I had to go outside and wait for him. While waiting I heard a bunch of noises coming up the stairs. And long and behold the general authorities were coming up. I was sitting in a hallway all by myself waiting for my companion. And guess who comes up the stairs Elder Packer and his wife. (fortunately it wasn't President Packer haha. It was his son, but still Awkward!!!!!!!!) They came up and the rest of the seventies and they both shook my hand and said hi. Elder Lindstrom came out of the bathroom and he whispered to me do we wait here. I said no! There is to much authority in this little area haha. And than we both went to sit with the other missionaries. So nerve racking haha.

Ok I hope this isn't apostate to say haha. But after the conference we went to our fastelavnsfest. It the ward's annual tradition. All of Denmark does it. But they show up on a random day and dress up in costums. We had the privilege of dressing up ourselves. =) And thanks to my parents and their Christmas gift guess who I got to go as?........ Si Robinsen hahah The American Redneck. Yep that's a call out to you Redneck friends also haha. Everyone thought that I was the American style of Santa clause. But one of the members wrote down the quote that was on my shirts because he loved it ''That's a Fact Jack'' haha. Man I mis that Show. Yes Sister Barr that goes for your updates also haha.

I hope you all have an amazing week! Thanks agian for everything. Vi Ses næste uge!

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read

Letter to Mission President... good week!

Dear President Sederholm,

We have had another wonderful week. Numbers don't show, but it was a great week. We met with that less active again, Hans Thorhauge. He has already begun to read from the Book of Mormon again. Said that he loved church not yesterday, but the week before. (It was his son's or daughter's birthday yesterday). But he is looking forward to church this next week.

We were able to meet with Susan again this week. I feel ashamed to admit it, but I didn't act on the spirit at first. After our appointment with Susan the previous time, I had the impression that we shouldn't bring up the subject on Baptism. (Because we brought it up for the past four times). We than came to companionship study that morning, and the thought crossed my mind again. I originally brought it up to Elder Lindstrom, but after planning we somehow came to the conclusion to bring it up again. We arrived to meet Brother Thomsen and told him our plan. He asked us if it was to pressing to bring up baptism. Hde suggested maybe teach the commandments. We than went into our appointment and we asked how her reading was coming. (We gave her 2 Nephi 31 the previous time) She said that she read it both in English and Indonesian, and was able to understand it all. We asked her what her thoughts were for the 15th of March. She than expressed her concerns. She was afraid to make that decsion now when she feels she hasn't learned enough. She said that she wasn't even close to finishing the Book of Mormon yet. And she wants to be sure that this is the right thing to do. We asked her if she believed that the Book of Mormon was true. She responded yes. Brother Thomsen cut in and explained to Susan ''Sometimes the missionaries are the bad guys''. He explained that they sometimes pressure baptism to people and forget to go at your own pace. That pierced me to the heart. I was heart broken. I don't want to ever feel or even be the bad guy.

Brother Thomsen was able to see in a different perspective. He could see and feel what Susan might be feeling. And my testimony of member and missionary work has increased dramatically! We than went on to explain to Susan, that we are almost done teaching the ''required things before baptism''. We just wanted to see where her comfort Zone was. We explained that there are few things that we can teach her now. So we showed her President Monson's April 2013 General Conference on Obeidence. She loved it and we asked her if she would follow the prophet after she was baptized and she reponded yes!

Brother Andersen was still on vacation this past Sunday. So I taught guest class. I taught the 10 Commandments, with a more focus on the Law of Chastity and Sabbath day. I was a little worried that she wasn't understanding. But in the middle of the Lesson she was participating and she was able to comprehend it all. She asked a few questions after guest class, she took notes and she said that she was going to study them a little bit more. Both of her Children came to Church yesterday. We found out from last weeks appointment with Susan that Giovanni, her youngest 8 year old, wants to be baptized, just because! We are now just waiting to work with the father to see what he thinks on the matter.

We were able to meet with Finn Poulsen with Bishop and he committed himself to quit smoking agian. He told us on Thursday that he was going to completely stop by Saturday. He gave us a call the next day and asked to come and visit him. We checked up on him. He was doing fine. We asked if he was ready for Saturday, he said that he was, and that it usually takes a couple days to get over the cravings. We encouraged him to get a Priesthood Blessing to help him out. He agreed to it. We asked him who should give it. He responded ''Ældste Read''.......

My heart was beginning to pound. I thought he would ask Elder Lindstrom because he is better to understand. I asked if that was who he wanted and he responded yes. I said a quick prayer in my heart, but knew that I was called to do this. I can't remember very much, besides that I promised him through his willing efforts he would be able to stop smoking, that his Father in Heaven loved him and he could be able to get through it. We closed the blessing and Finn said that I spoke with very fine Danish. He could hear an American Accent, but he understood it all. We asked him how he felt and he said ''peace, relaxed and lifted up'' He was able to recognize the power of the Priesthood. It was an honor and priviledge to have Finn be the first person that I have given a Danish blessing to! The next day we met with him for a quick visit to see how he was doing. He responded that he didn't have much of a craving to smoke that day. What a blessing and what a miracle to be a part of this man's life. I will deeply miss him when I leave Denmark.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful week! Thank you all for your love and support. I hope everyone finds opportunities to open their mouths and be able to share their testimonies. It is a wonderful thing to do! Vi SES!

-Ældste Jantzen Richard Read