Speak of the Savior - January 25, 2016

Elder Francis and Elder Pike

Everyone,

The beginning of this week was really slow for us. We taught Anne Marie, and finished up some of her family history work. She is so happy that we could help her with it. While we were there she showed us two of the bedrooms in her house. They were full of Legos, and in one corner she had a Lego train. She buys sets for her grandkids, and when they come they build them. Elder Pike and I couldn't believe how many she had. Next time we go I will see if I can take a picture of them.

We did lots of calling this week to potentials and old investigators. For the ones that we couldn't call we stopped by their addresses. Several of them had moved, but we did find one who is interested in our message again. When we had time we contacted and knocked. We have two potentials who live in Hillerød, and we hope that with the Spirit we can help them to progress.

Riding the ferry.

Thursday was a great day for us. We watched the missionary broadcast with both zones here on Sjælland. We needed to hear every part of the broadcast.

Zone Conference photo.

Afterwards we had a great discussion on how we can apply it now. I would recommend that anyone who is planning to serve a mission should watch it. Some of the principles can be applied even if you aren't a missionary.

Sweden in the distance.

After zone conference Elder Pike had a leadership meeting. When he was finished we traveled to København for splits with Bornholm. Because Bornholm is in our district the district leader is allowed to go to Bornholm for splits every other transfer. Elder Pike is the district leader, so I got to go with him to Bornholm. We took a bus to Sweden. 

Road between Sweden and Denmark (from the internet).

The road is halfway under water, and halfway over it. It was cool to see Sweden in front of us, and look back to see Denmark. At one point I saw a flashing sign that said last exit in Denmark.

Bornholm from the ferry.

Bornholm is a beautiful island. It looks like Denmark in the old pictures. There aren't many houses that look modern. We helped the Elders do some finding while we were there, so we drove to several points on the island.

Trying to take pictures using a bush!

Elder Adams and I went knocking before dinner. We found a potential for them, but most people didn't let us say very much before they closed the door. We received a referral to try a specific house. The gentleman who answered wasn't really interested, so we both thought that he would say no. He randomly said that it was cold outside, and that we should come in to warm up. (We were both very happy for this.) We then had a 45 minute conversation with him about how our church in different, and how we can have a personal relationship with God. At the end of our discussion he accepted a Mormons Bog. This was truly a miracle for both of us, and we were able to see the Lord's hand as we spoke.

Piano for the Bornholm Branch

In front of the chapel on Bornholm.

I got to meet several people on the island. The Johnsons are the senior couple there, and they fed us breakfast one morning. They are both wonderful people, and really want to help as best they can. 

Eating breakfast.

One of the Assistants who met me at the airport my first day was Matt Mogensen. He is from Bornholm, so we were able to see him for a little while. It was different to see him when he wasn't a missionary. He misses the field a lot, and goes on splits with the Bornholm Elders quite often. 

Elders Francis, Adams, Sakurada, Pike

Coming back to Hillerød was quite sad after our fun experience on Bornholm. Everything was very quiet in our apartment.

Round church on Bornholm.

The biggest miracle of the week happened last night as we were knocking. We knocked in some upgangs, and it seemed that we were talking with a lot of families. Elder Pike made the comment about how great it would be to teach a family. The last door in the upgang was answered by a man who let us right in. He was interested in what and why we believe. About ten minutes later someone else entered the apartment. He had a wife and three kids. The wife was very interested, so we had a lesson with both of them. They accepted a Mormons Bog, and we have an appointment with them for next Sunday. We both thanked Heavenly Father for the wonderful blessing that He had given us.

I heard that Becca and Sarah have their papers in. I talked with Elder Pike, and we have our guesses. Becca will go to Texas, and Sarah will go to Boston. If you wonder why they are both stateside it is because our foreign guess is the best mission ever, Den Danske Mission. I hope your calls come soon. I want to here were you are going. Missions are wonderful. I know because I am on one now. You can't see the path ahead, but you can cling to the rod with all you might, mind, and strength.

Ældste Francis