Week 25: Trying To Befriend Jack Frost

Binkie Tree

Hvad så venner og familie?? Apparently my attempts to befriend Jack Frost are failing because I'm starting to get some of the same symptoms I had about two months ago.. :/ Ældste Brown can attest that I always have three or more layers on with gloves covering my hands, a beanie covering the top of my head, and a scarf covering my neck and mouth. Jack Frost doesn't seem to notice these layers because he lets the freezing, damp mist and secondhand smoke penetrate through them. I guess that's the joy of a cold, humid winter in the wonderful land of Denmark. Oh, how deeply I long for the Green Man to pay a visit here soon!

Thankfully these symptoms haven't hit me too hard so I'm not wasting away in the basement like I did last time. My birthday package with bronchitis medicine, extra thermals, more shirts and pants, hot drink mixes, and heaps of food arrived this week - perfecting timing, I might add. Brown and I have been doing contacting sessions followed by napping sessions to ensure that the sickness doesn't get any worse. I also drink Emergen-C every morning and have some apple cider every night. I have discovered that extra rest plus a ton of Vitamin C consumption is the formula to prevent bronchitis from returning, at least I hope. On a positive note, I ́m grateful that these minor problems haven't gotten in the way of my duties as a missionary. I definitely feel God strengthening me through the time I set aside to pray and read the holy scriptures. I testify that He is there to help and comfort us in all stages of life. I have felt that so much this week!

Miracles were happening up in Ballerup during our zone leader splits. I was with Ældste Appleby and we were contacting around the city to kill some time before our train to an eating appointment. We stopped this lady that believed in reincarnation and she kept asking us deep questions. Her concerns allowed us to explain who Jesus Christ is and what happens after this lifetime. After a long discussion, this lady still couldn't grasp the concept of a resurrection and asked how it would happen. This made me personally think a little bit because, in all honesty, I don't know exactly how it's going to happen. All I know is that it ́s possible through Christ and that's what I decided to tell her. She did not like that answer and demanded scientific proof to show her how our spirits and bodies could be reunited again. This response made me ponder even more and recognize that many truths in the gospel are things that we cannot and will not physically see. We need to exercise faith to believe in them. Faith is the key not eye-witness.

But wait, there's another miracle connected to this story. :) While we were talking to this lady, we noticed that we missed our train but continued the conversation anyway. Almost immediately after concluding our chat, a random guy came out of nowhere saying, "Hey, why didn ́t you call me? I've been looking for you." Appleby identified the person as Thomas, a man that he and Ældste Ngatikaura had found on the street two transfers ago and sadly lost contact with. They had been given the wrong number last time so this time he got the correct information and called him right there to make sure it was legit. We ́ll see if that goes anywhere for Ældste Appleby and Ældste Kresge this next week! 

The day after zone leader splits consisted of traveling home followed by three appointments in a row. I applaud all those missionaries around the world that travel a lot and have multiple lessons in a single day because it's incredibly draining. We had language study with Annette (our Danish grandma) and there was a different feeling throughout the visit since she was much more willing to talk about missionary work and church topics. She told us that feels strong love when she is with us and wondered how that could be possible. We told her that it is part of our job as missionaries to love as Jesus Christ did and that He fills us with that love. Afterward, we met with Natasja and discussed where the limited-use recommend allows her to go - the baptistry in the temple. Attending the temple February 15th is looking more and more like a reality and we are getting pumped! The temple is the best! Our last appointment was dinner with Lotte. We always enjoy our time in member ́s homes and the ideas they give us to improve our work. Lotte reminded us to remain bold and excited about inviting others unto Christ. That's a constant reminder we always need.

Zone Konference was a nice, humble gathering. The theme was finding reasons to remain obedient, which we ́ve heard a billion times but oh well. Something that really stood out to me was in the zone leader training. The story of Naaman was briefly mentioned when we read the following verses out loud. 2 Kings 5:13-14 says, "And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean." Sometimes we find ourselves in Naaman ́s position, wishing that we had been told to do something greater or better than the simple command we ́ve been given. This is a prideful attitude and prevents us from using "small and simple things" to bring "great things to pass" (Alma 37:6). Why wish to do more when we could simply remember Christ, take His name upon us, and keep His commandments? God is the master of simplicity.

Make a great week! Love you all so very much! Hopefully Jack Frost isn't bothering anyone else too much. :o   

P.S. Happy belated birthday to my favorite momma!! I hope you celebrated nonstop and recognized how great you are!! You are a light in my life and a wonderful example of leading a Christlike lifestyle!! I LOVE YOU!!!

P.P.S. Shoutout to Kalyn with her baptism and confirmation!! It brings me great joy to see a dear friend choose to follow Christ into the water and receive the Holy Ghost!! Welcome to the fold, Kalyn!!   

Medieval Roskilde Miniature Replica

Dansk Vand

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Don't mess with me 

View of Domkirke from the Gå Gade