(**Note to reader: Clicking on the highlighted words will link to additional information about the words and phrases mentioned in Elder Madsen's email. Clicking on the photos will enlarge them.)
Mar (Mom),
I actually had a ton of fun on Thanksgiving. Coach fed us and we got it approved to watch the Lions play because it was the only game that was on here, haha. Well, we didn't really end up watching much. We got caught up talking about better things, but it was great. He even Skyped his family, so we got to talk to them. He is a great guy.
This week was kind of crazy, but just so much fun, and just outstanding. The Lord is hastening His work and it becomes more and more apparent every day. To start off, we had splits with our district leader, Elder Swenson, and his companion, Elder Meacham. Elder Swenson is going home next transfer and is training Elder Meacham. Bomb Elders...very good.
We went to work and started by just getting the day ready. We had a couple of appointments, but a couple fell through. As we went throughout the day, we started to get a feeling that we all needed to go visit Coach, the American. So all four of us went to go do that. While there, he opened up a ton, but still didn't let us pray. He was very anxious to have us over on Thursday for Thanksgiving, so we solidified our plans and went home. Actually, we missed our train and had to walk about 7 kilometers home.
We got home late and had to wake up early to catch a train down to Fredericia for district meeting. Trying to keep in mind that there are four of us, I woke up an hour early, so we could be ready and at the train station. After all that, we still missed our train and had to wait until 10 for the next one to Fredericia. While waiting we figured that we could get some breakfast since we didn't get to eat. After just chatting, we decided to make our way to the train and realized that is was 10:01. Yes, we missed it again.
So all four of us just got on the next train at 11 and got into Fredericia at 12:30. Our day was just running away from us. We had an appointment with a less active lady who I really didn't know anything about. After about 7 hours of trains and travel we hadn't eaten since 9 and it was 3 o'clock. Very depressing. But we went to this appointment where we found out that the less active lady lives with her boyfriend and that her father in the Branch President in a nearby city. We got to talking and find out they both love America. The boyfriend in pretty interested in chatting with us, so we talked and start teaching. Way cool couple. They wanted us to come back but we couldn't pick a date because they are really busy. We also called up two of our referrals and started to talk to them and set up appointments with them. So this day of trains turned into a day of future appointments and some way exciting people to talk to.
Then Thursday we had a great dinner with Coach, and he even let us pray. When he Skyped his family, we also got to talk to his brother who is a very strong atheist. He has read the Book of Mormon and he and his mother told Coach to read the book. His mom really likes us.
Well, anyway, Saturday come along and we had a service opportunity at 2 o'clock. So we started our day like normal, then the people who wanted us to do service told us they missed their ferry so they would not make it. So now we had an extra three hours of not really knowing what to do, so we sat down asked for inspiration and decided to go knock this higher middle class area in Hammerum.
While there, we talked to many really nice people but none of them were interested in learning about the gospel. They did want to wish us a Merry Christmas. While knocking, we went to this house and as soon as we got to the door we could see the kids. They were staring at us. It was one of those really awkward situations, but we knocked anyway. They got their mother and we began to speak with her. She said she was intermission (??) but really wanted to hear our message about Christ. While speaking with her, she said for the most part she felt we believe in the same things as her pertaining to Christ. She then asked what the differences were. We talked about the Book of Mormon and it went great. We ended up teaching the whole first lesson, and she and her husband, who walked in half way through, told us that if we ever needed anything that we could just swing by. They want to feed us dinner. They said they will read the Book of Mormon, and told us to come back whenever. So, not a specific date or time. We will be following up on that soon. We had a great chat and the Spirit was very strong in their home.We could tell as soon as we went in that they tried their best to follow the Bible in all things and be very good Christian people.
We also received a referral for a man that lives in the most southern part of our area. So we decided to go on Sunday. It was pretty much the same story as the one mentioned above. The let us in and wanted to know what we believe and what the differences are between our beliefs. It was great. They told us to come by sometime and they want to feed us.
This week has been great and full of blessings. I am really loving it out here. My favorite scripture that we have used quite a few times this week is Ether 12:27, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." The Lord is speaking here. I like to relate it with trials and hard times. Everything we have in life is because the Lord has given it to us. But if we humble ourselves and come unto Him, having faith that he will help us, those weaknesses or trials can become a strength. They will be something to look back on and say, "That was then, and now look." The Lord loves us all so very much that He is willing to make those things as if they were nothing. I know this to be true. If we humble ourselves before our Heavenly Father and have faith, our weaknesses will be made strong!
I love you! Have a great week and pray for missionary experiences.
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Madsen
Sacrifice Brings the Blessings of Heaven (November 26, 2013)
Gift of Love (December 10, 2013)
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| Christmas tree going up! |
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| Herning is so beautiful! |
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| It really does happen...my shoes are worn out! |
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| My replacement shoes from a thrift store. They should last me about nine months! |
