S6:E2 "Elders in Denmark, sang as they ate, and ate, and ate..."

Hello everybody! I hope you all had a great Christmas! Because I sure did. :D It was also nice talking to you all, and having a nice video connection so you all can laugh at my accent. Haha.

As for the run down of my week, we had a good Monday, we spent most of the day looking at coats for Elder Christensen, then when he found a coat, we found out that he can only use 80 dollars a day... so he couldn't buy it, but has been pulling out money from an atm every day since. After that we just tried stopping by Jesper Dahl and some other less actives.

Tuesday was Christmas!!!! YAY! So this was an exciting day. We had a little church service on that day, and this started at like 1. So after doing all our studies, we went out to catch a train to the service. Then I thought the trains weren't going because it was Christmas, so we decided to ride our bikes... all the way to Søborg. So we rode, and rode, and rode for 50 minutes, then we got to the church just in time for the closing song! :D It was awesome. But we say David Barrett and his Dad there! Which was sweet. So we talked to them for a little bit. Then we went over to our Christmas appointment. Where we played the one pirate dice game (Davy Jones and stuff) which was fun. We all talked like pirates. Then we ate a ton. (A ton of American candy) and stuffing, and Flæskesteg, and everything good on this earth that is edible. Then we read the christmas story in the scriptures, and actually had a way in depth conversation about the time line of... everything in the world in relationship to the scriptures. That was also fun. Then we danced and sang around the Christmas tree. (I will bring this back to the states) And we ate risalamande (Another thing the states needs) Then I got a huge tub of peanut butter because I found the almond in the risalamande. After that we went home, and lit a candle and had a nice Christmassy chat as a companionship.

Wednesday, Christmas! (American style) I woke up and opened presents!!! Thank you for everything that you sent me. I am enjoying all of it. We played the bible trivia game for our companionship study that day. After that we went caroling with the sisters in our area to some less actives, which was fun. Then we went to our Christmas day eating appointment, Where we talked, and ate some open sandwiches. Then we got to skype home... which was weird. It was a clashing of two worlds, and it almost made my mind explode. But it was also nice talking to all of you. :D Then we went home, and I passed out.

Thursday, we started off the day by having a sweet district meeting. Talking about diligence in missionary work. After that we had apartment checks so we went home and cleaned, then met the ægtepar who was going to check our apartment, and that went pretty well. (We hid everything well enough) Then we had yet another eating appointment with the Hornslets. This is a family I love, he was the first person I went on splits with and had some good conversations with. So we ate, and ate, then played some games, then ate some more.

Friday, was one of those empty days, where we went finding, but didn't really feel anything. We found a sweet kolligium, but only had time to knock one door. Then we went home from that area.

Saturday, we stopped by a way nice less active named June, and dropped off some cookies. Then we tried to stop by a way nice lady named Gertrud Jensen, who wasn't home. After that we went to another less active, with the sisters because they told her that we were good at cleaning windows. So we did some service for her, and ate some cake and drank tea and stuff. Then we stopped by David Barrett. To give him some strength to never give up, and we also talked about the baptismal program, and how it will go down. All in all it was a way good day.

Sunday, we went to church, David and his friend Mikkel were there. We had 9 guests in church overall that day! Our district is on fire. So we had a way good guest class on the plan of salvation. We think that Mikkel is awesome, and he is interested in coming back again and also hearing more about the church. Then we tried setting up some appointments with members, then went home. :)

Now I'm here, and doing well. I hope you all have a good new year!

Ældste Swan

S6:E1 "A new baby, +20 pounds"

Hello everyone! So I'm not sure how long this email will be because I am watching poems, and we will be talking in 2 days, but I can say a little about my week.

Monday was good, we wrote home, then we went and hung out at a big mall, because Elder Petersen was going home, and transfers were happening. So we just walked around and talked for the day. After that we ate some dinner, and went searching for a less active to talk to, with no luck.

Tuesday, we had district meeting. Which was fun. This last district felt more like a family than a district. So I decided we would just kinda do a testimony meeting. It went well, although it was sad to say bye to some of the people. After that we went finding, then we had an eating appointment, where we ate dominoes pizza and ben and jerry's! :D How awesome is that??? Then we went to a little ward coordination meeting.

Wednesday I said bye to my icelandic friend, but he was quickly replaced by a new kid. His name is Elder Christensen, from Orem, Utah. (Crazy am I right?) So we went through the little orientation meetings, then got SOME MORE DOMINOES!!! I ate like a kajillion pieces again. Then we headed out to our area. Where we started off by stopping by a less active named Jesper Dahl, and we talked for a while. (or I talked, and he tried to stay awake) Then we ate some dinner, then went knocking for an hour or so. He knocked his first door, the first day he was here. :D Because that's what jerk trainers do...

Thursday,  we spent most of the day in the police station. Just because they had to get my fingerprints so I could stay in the land a little longer. So that took a really long time because our train got stuck in a place for an hour. But on the train we talked to a nice lady, who sadly wasn't interested in the church, but offered us over to her house for a cup of coffee. :3 Then after that we went caroling for like 30 minutes, which was a fun experience. Our caroling involves a christmas card from a friend (A member) but on this particular one, they rejected caroling, AND the card from her friend. So that was exciting. Then we had another eating appointment, which was a danish christmas.

Friday, we go to the commune to check in Elder Christensen to the land. So that took our morning. Then we weekly planned. Then we went to yet another eating appointment. And it was Danish Christmas again. But this time, it was the best food I have had in Denmark thus far. So I ate a whole ton of food. Then we went home and slept.

Saturday we had choir practice in the morning, then as a district we went to a busy walking road and started singing while 2 elders were giving out Book of Mormons, wrapped as presents. So that was a lot of fun. Then we ate a nummy sandwich. After that we stopped by a half deaf less active, where I finally got the point across that we weren't Jehovas Witnesses. So we had a nice chat, and took a huge step forward with her. Then we had yet another eating appointment, where it was flæskesteg sandwichs. I ate a lot of those too. Then we stopped by some random chick we knocked into and invited her to the concert that was happening the next day.

Sunday rolls around, David shows up to church and he has his family with him. :D So that was sweet to get to meet them and teach them a little bit about the church. We had a way good lesson in guest class on prayer, and I definitely could feel the spirit there. Then we had the concert that night, and it was awesome because all of David's family was there, as well as that random chick from the night before. So we sang, then ate some refreshments, then got home and slept.

Now we are here!

Just so you all know, I will be calling from skype on the 25th, around noon. (Thats noon for you guys, 8pm for me) I hope that works out for you all.

Love you!

Ældste Swan

S5:E6 "Lights, a baby, and Christmas!!!"

Hey everyone, I hope you are all doing well. I'm doing great over here in the land of vikings! We had quite the exciting week, so I will share some bits with you all.

Monday, I sent home a Christmas package, so that should be arriving sometime soon. (hopefully) Then we went caroling. We started off our splits that night as well. I went on splits with Elder Pitts, and it was his birthday, so we celebrated by eating some Æbleskiver, lighting sparklers, and talking. It was fun.

Tuesday rolls around, and we Work way hard. We spent most of the day just finding, but we found quite a few nice people through bonking on doors. After that we tried stopping by some members, and less actives, but no one was home. :P and to close it all off, we had an eating appointment, which was a lot of fun, and we shared a good message about the power of prayer, and that we all need to pray for the same goal.

Wednesday was Tivoli!!! :D We started off the day by having a district meeting, then eating some asian food that I made for the district. Then we headed Down to Tivoli for a day full of adventures. Sadly I was lame and didn't get the all rides pass. So I was just walking around taking Pictures and talking to two other missionaries. But I plan to go back Again and ride the rides. (I hope anyways) Tivoli was way pretty. It was so Christmassy, there were lights everywhere, and it was just a happy place. I have put a ton of Pictures on a drop box, you can... some how deal them out. There was a way awesome light show that we saw at tivoli too. But that was pretty much our Whole day, just stalking santa, and seeing deers and Things. We also found out transfers this day, big surprise!!! I'm training! Yet Again!! Always training :D

Thursday we went to the hospital so my companion could get some blood tested Again. then we ate some lunch and tried stopping by some people in Søborg, but no one was happy to see us or home. So we started street contacting, and didn't have a super positive experience, but we talked to some nice people. We finished the day off with an eating appointment with our bishop, which was fun.

Friday, we had weekly planning, and caroling. So we sang a lot, and that was a lot of fun. We had a way awkward visit because the sisters wouldn't commit to it, so I ended up having to take over... I don't like when that happens haha.

Saturday was a good day. We started off in the morning inviting lots of people to the Christmas concert we will be having at the church, so that went well. Then we went to holt and found a less active WHO wasn't interested in coming back. :( Then we walked in Copenhagen a Whole ton trying to stop by potentials. We also partied it up with Elder Petersen WHO is going home soon, and a recent convert named Elijah. That was fun.

Sunday, church day. David Barrett was there of course. He hasn't smoked in 2 weeks, and he told us that he is getting baptized in January. So we are excited for that. :D Church went well, and right after church, all of the missionaries had an eating appointment, which was a lot of fun. Eating lot's of mashed potatoes and beef. Then our bus didn't come for 40 minutes, so we got home way late.

And now I'm here :D as for calling NeXT week, plan on the morning of the 25th, I'm not sure when, because I haven't found a place to do it. It will be via Skype though.

Love you all, have a great week.

Ældste Swan

 

S5:E5 "A little something to make me sweeter "

Hello friends and Family! Happy 9th of December! I hope you all are having a good time with snow, and shoveling it.

 

Monday was a sweet day, we wrote home, then bought some food, then we had an eating appointment with a way cool Family that told us one of the funniest proposal stories I have ever heard. Luckily we gave the lesson that night so we got to stay for an hour longer. This was also the first night I had real Æbleskiver, before I only had the frozen ones. So Monday was a good day.

 

Tuesday was Zone conference, so we talked about the characteristics of Christ a lot. It was very spiritual, and I learned a lot about how we should act, and how we can become better people through Christ. I also learned a lot about Christ's love for all of us, and that we all have the oppurtunity to show others that love. After the spiritual uplifting, we ate a Danish Christmas dinner, Again. It was way good, as it always is. Then we watched a movie called "Ephraims Rescue" It's a pretty good movie, so that was a lot of fun. After that happened we went on splits with another Ward and just went around home teaching. I love doing that, because I get to hear other members' testimony on the church, and their experiences.

 

Wednesday we started off the day by going to the hospital because Elder Gudnason had to get some blood taken out to make sure that he is doing okay. Then we went out finding for a bit, and found this fairly positive girl that had met with missionaries before. She said that she wasn't super interested, but she said that we could talk with her some time. Which was nice. :D After that we had another eating appointment, where we got interrogated by the Family about our lives. Which was fun as well because we got to toss eachother under the bus on certain Things.

 

Thursday rolls around and we start off the day by visiting the bishop and eating some lunch with him. (Standard rugbrød lunch) and we talked with him for 2 to 3 hours about less actives in the Ward, and also testimonies. So that was a lot of fun, and he taught us about how important it is to study our living prophets Words. After we left the bishop's house, we got a phone call telling us to go home because a huge storm was coming in. So that's what we did, and I ended up making a way nummy home made lasagna. (And ate some turtles) :D

 

Friday, we were inviting people to the Ward Christmas party that was happening the NeXT day. Sadly no one was home, so we shoved the flyers in their mailboxes because that's what good missionaries do! ;) But after that we went to the office to pick up some Things for the district and for Elder Gudnason because his Family dropped off some presents. Then we stopped by some people up in Holte, where we found out that a referral moved, and that a less active is decently interested in the church. So that was a good night.

 

Saturday, we try finding in the morning, then we go eat some Ice cream at IKEA for Sister Pearson's birthday, then we go to the Christmas party. It was a lot of fun and David Barrett was there, which made it even better. David pretty much already is a member, especially because he hasn't been smoking since last Monday!!! I'm way pumped for that! So we sang and heard a Christmas story, then ate some delicious flæskesteg sandwhiches. After that we went out carolling with the other missionaries, which was fun as always.

 

Sunday, we had a good day at church. Talked to David there, met some other people. Sang in Choir. During sacrament meeting I had to translate for a Group of girls from the phillipines. I never realized how hard that is until now. So that was exciting. After church we had a missionary meeting in the Ward, then we went out caroling Again to an old folks home to 2 less actives there. It was a lot of fun to see them, and give a Little bit of Christmas cheer away. :)

 

Thanks for everything that you all do. Thank you for the prayers and emails.

 

Love,

 

Ældste Swan

S5:E4 "Legends of the Satan Worshipping Priest"

Hello Again! Happy December everyone! It's finally that time of year and I bought a Kinder Christmas Calander to celebrate it. But I had a pretty good week. Although, I've been feeling weird recently. :3 I think because of the change, and transfers, I lost part of my soul, and I don't feel at home here. But I'm working on it, love and prayers are appreciated though!

 

So Monday, our eating appointment bailed so I made, and ate a Whole ton of cookies to cheer me up. So our back up plan was going out and finding. So that just meant knocking on some doors which was... alright.

 

Tuesday was a good day. It felt like it was the first day of actually working here in my new area. We started off the day by stopping by a less active. WHO wasn't ready for the day, so we couldn't talk to her. Then we went finding Again, and I had another experience where an older teenager opens the door, and we start talking to her. Then right before giving her a book of Mormon and all that, her mom gets off the phone and says that they aren't interested. -.- I hate it... the teenagers believe in God and their parents are what kills there faith. It make me sad everytime it happens. Then we stopped by David Barrett, this is the guy WHO had a baptismal date when I came here. He has such a strong testimony of the book of Mormon, and of the church. The only thing that's holding him back is smoking and drinking. So that appointment we just talked about what the gospel can do for us, and has done for us. It was one of the test the Water lessons for me. After that we had an eating appointment. It was Danish Christmas food! :D Way good. Lot's of potatoes, pig, and sauce. It can't get any better than Flæskesteg and Brown potatoes.

 

Wednesday we had district meeting, where we decided that for december we are going to go around caroling to people. So that's something I'm way excited for. A part of that was giving out some Joy to the World dvd's so me and Elder Gudnason went to the office to pick those up. then we ate a kebab and tried to stop by some less actives.

 

Thursday we went to the Hospital so my companion could get an IV for 2 and a half hours for his Chrons disease. So that consisted of me drawing some Things, writing some Things, and taking a nap. But then the nurse was way nice and gave us roll Things.  Then, once Again our eating appointment bailed, so we spent the rest of the night finding, with no luck.

 

Friday, a relaxed day where in the morning we stopped by some members. Then we went and helped this potential move in to his Apartment. Sadly the potential left half way through it, but his friend was still there and we talked with him for a long time. He had a way strong testimony about Christ because of this preacher he once heard WHO used to worship satan and then had a change of Heart. (That's the super shortened version) But he was willing, and wanting to share the message of Jesus to everyone that he meets. He was actually a way good example for what a missionary should be.

 

Saturday we knocked and actually found someone positive! He was just like, "I'm going to Work right now, but you should definitely come back a different day" and that was the first come back, the first positive thing we have found during finding. Then we went caroling to members, to show them what we are doing, (Living Christmas Card) so we could visit there friends for them. Then we met a way cool less active named Jesper Dahl.

 

Sunday, Jesper Dahl felt well enough to come to church! And David Barrett was there! So we went with David to the guest class and he said that now is the time to stop smoking. So Elder Gudnason gave him a Blessing, and you could see a physical change in David. It was such a spiritual experience. He said that he is done, and all of his cigarettes are gone now. :D Then we had a sweet fireside at presidents house that night, where I played a saxaphone and found out I was pretty bad now.

 

But that was my week, it was pretty good. :D I hope you all have had a good week, and email/write me plz. I like love!

 

Love you all!

 

Ældste Swan