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

(No Sub

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.

Halleluja: Følg Ham of find nyt liv‏ - March 28, 2016

Fish bought downstairs below our apartment

Everyone,

This week has been a real rollercoaster starting on Monday. Elder Shuppy popped his knee cap out of place, so we spent Monday night at the hospital. This doctors were able to pop it back in, but they needed x-rays of it. He has a cast and crutches now, and cannot bike. This has really slowed us down, but we have walked quite far this week. The Blackums and the members here have really helped us out several times.

Waiting at the hospital

Tuesday we had two great member present lessons. The first one was with a Syrian family who knows John, our most recent convert, in the branch. It was a different lesson because they couldn't understand our Danish, but when the member would say it they understood it all. They had great questions for us on God. Their religion is a mix a Christian and idol worship. They don't have any sacred texts, and it is spoken to their children. It has been passed down for many generations. It will be a stretch for them to accept our message, but they have shown some interest which is great.

Lære og Pagter 56:5-6‏- March 21, 2016

Everyone,

My joy is full as I have worked this week. Yesterday was incredible. I can't explain in full detail how spiritually high Elder Shuppy and I feel right now. We were talking to the members before church started when one of our investigators Meratu walked in WITH his uncle. Both of us were so surprised because we hadn't expected them to come. We translated sacrament meeting for them, and afterwards they asked when we could come to teach them. The branch was really kind to them, and hopes that they will come again.

Closer to dinner time we went knocking. I didn't feel right about where we were, so we decided to do some stop bys on the southern end of town. First one we did was Henriette. She wasnt' there for our planned appointment, and we couldn't seem to get in contact with her after that. The window to her apartment was open, so we knew someone was home. No one answered when we knocked, but just before we left she opened up to us. Our lesson with her was on the Restoration. The Spirit was really strong as we taught, and we were able to answer all of her questions. She said her oldest daughter accepted the Mormons bog that we left last time, so our next appointment will be with both of them.

March 14, 2016

Biking

Everyone,

This week has been one of the best since I have been on a mission. We hit 6 other lessons, 3 progressing, and 2 new investigators. Elder Shuppy and I are trying really hard to use everything that we have been given, and it is starting to pay off.

Frederikshavn Church

Henriette is probably are most positive investigator now. After canceling twice on us she let us come back on Thursday. She has a strong desire to do what is right, and was excited to receive a Mormons Bog. We had a short lesson on Frelsesplanen with her, and she really enjoyed it. This week she is committed to start reading and praying. We are so excited for her, and hope to invite her to church this Sunday.