2 Nefi 2:8‏ - May 16, 2016

Me in front of the Frederikshavn building

 8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

View from the tower.

Everyone,

Last week was great. It was also the last week of our transfer. Before calls Elder Shuppy and I totaled all of our numbers. We taught 45 total lessons with 10 of the being member presents. We were both so happy. Last transfer was a record one for both of us. Today is a holiday here in Denmark, so transfers will be happening tomorrow. I will be getting Elder Olsen, and Elder Shuppy is headed down to Herning to open a new area there. Big things are happening here.

Elder Francis and Elder Shuppy at a train station.

We got back in contact with Jesper last week. He was so happy to see us. We went over a few points on the restoration with him. He says that he wants it to be true, but still needs a witness from God. He is also doing really well with his smoking. So far he hasn't wanted to set any goals with us, and wanted to stop by himself. He said that he should be done in about a month and a half. His plan is to smoke less and less each week, and he seems to be holding it so far.

Last P-Day the Blackums took us to this tower several kilometers from Frederikshavn. Here are a few pictures from the top, and 1 of the tower.

May 9, 2016 - Matthew 5:16

We had a fun Mother's Day Skype call with Ben on Sunday, May 8th. He couldn't believe how big Nico is! He also told us that their area is taking off and he loves it there. We met his companion, Elder Shuppy, and the couple missionaries in the branch. He spoke in Danish for us. Ben was happy, bright, and we all cried after we hung up!

Park in Hjørring

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Everyone,

We had lots of fun this week here in Frederikshavn. Splits was in Aalborg, and I spent the day with Elder Williams. The weather was amazing as we contacted, knocked, and did stop bys. Their area is on the other side of the fjord from their apartment. There were lots of boats out, and we were able to see the bridges go up to allow a sail boat through. We felt really sad when we came home because it was just the two of us again.

Moses 6:33‏ - May 2, 2016

Good luck on your AP Chem test, Sam! (Niels Bohrs was a famous chemist from Denmark.)

 33 Say unto this people: Choose ye this day, to serve the Lord God who made you.

Go Sam!!!

Everyone,

This week we hit one of the biggest highlights of my mission. We had a lesson planned for almost every day of the week. This is big news because most days we find all day. This coming week looks promising as well with our investigators.

This ice cream shop made the front page of the Frederikshavn weekly newspaper

Jesper and Malene are doing really well. We taught Jesu Kristi Evangelium followed by Visdomsordet. They both listened carefully, and understand that they need to stop smoking in order to be baptized. One problem we are facing is that neither will commit to go cold turkey, or to set a date on when they will stop. Other than that they are trying to join in all the ward activities. Jesper came to floorball last week, and should be coming to choir tomorrow.

April 25, 2016 - 3rd Nephi 9:13

3 Nephi 9:13EverEveryone,

Light at 9pm!

Everyone,

Lots of things happened to us this week here in Frederikshavn. Our zone goal is to find 8 new investigators in four weeks. Elder Shuppy and I worked really hard, and we found 4. We are so thankful for this blessing, and we want to continue to help these new found friends progress.

Michael is still doing great. We had a lesson on the Restoration. At the end he committed to come to church. A few minutes before Sacrament started he walked in! We were so happy to see him. The best part was guest class. After watching "The Restoration" film we had our new members share their testimonies. The spirit was so strong, and Michael said that he wanted to come again.

Scale model of Sæbø

We knocked in an American looking area in Hjørring. Big houses with a prominent front door, in the actual front of the house. We didn't have to search around the backyard to find the door. One man was really rude to us, so that was hard. The next house was were we met Jesper (Not the Jesper from the past few weeks). He invited us in, and we started talking about the Restoration. Turns out that three years ago he had met missionaries in Aalborg. He already had a Mormons Bog, and said that he wanted to know more. Hjørring finally has investigators again.

Alma 17:2 - April 18, 2016

Looking at Frederikshavn

2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

Everyone,

This week has been great. Each day had its own high points.

Looking out the bunker on Bangsbo

We met a new member named Muhammed. He was baptized in Frederacia. We showed him how to find the church, and got to know him a little bit. We found out that his native language is French. On Sunday he came which was great, and John is our ward was able to speak French with him. They got along really well, and Muhammed surprised us in guest class with great comments on faith and repentance.

Bangsbo House

This week was zone training in Århus. There were three main points to the trainings. We need to expect the success, use the tools that we have, and teach the apostasy clearly. You may wonder why the apostasy was on that list. Denmark is a Christian country, and they believe in God. Many believe they have the truth, but some think that Christianity is falling apart. The apostasy is a new concept for them, and answers many of their basic questions about the church. The whole training was wonderful, and both of us are excited to implement what we have learned.

Cool birds in the park

Our apartment was checked by Elder and Sister Blackum. They said that it is the cleanest they have seen it in months. They checked our mattresses, and were rather shocked at the condition. On the way home from Århus we stopped and bought new ones at IKEA. It was a fun adventure, and they have made our beds and backs feel better.

Mormon 9:15 ~ April 11, 2016

Watching conference

15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

Uncle Jake sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for the first time during the Sunday afternoon session.
Pictured here lower right.

Everyone,

We finished watching conference on Tuesday night. The choir started singing, and we talked about how good they were. I told Elder Shuppy that my cousin, Sarah, had written in her email that she had seen my Uncle, Jake, in the choir. A few seconds after I had said that the camera shot changed, and Jake was in the center of the screen. That was a special miracle, and I loved seeing a familiar face.

Outside the school in Skagen

Michael is still doing well. This week we taught him with the Blackums. Michael knows that our church is true, but he doesn't want to leave his Methodist congregation. During the lesson we emphasized prayer and reading in Mormons Bog. He is committed to come to church next Sunday, and we think that he will feel a special spirit when he comes.

Fun sign

April 4, 2016

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Our District

Everyone,

This was a great week here in Frederikshavn. The biggest blessing was watching Conference. The branch thought that we would know how to set up the satellite, so they had us try for two hours. We had to leave for an appointment, but they were able to set it up before Conference started. The signal was really bad and everyone ended up watching it in English from the internet. Danes are very good at English, but we think that some of the Conference language is hard for them to understand. During Priesthood Session Elder Uchtdorf made the Chewbacca joke, and Elder Shuppy and I were the only ones laughing.

World War II bomb shelter (hill with bushes)

Contacting brought great blessings this week. Last week we met someone who was interested in our message on finding God in their lives. We called them, but they never answered. Thursday they stopped us on the street wondering why we hadn't contacted them. They are still interested, and we have an appointment with them this week.