Hey family and friends!
We went on exchanges this week, twice. Once in Aarhus (a 30
min train
ride) and once in Aalborg (a 2 hour train ride). It was
great. We
probably looked a little strange because we of course had to
bring our
own dynes and so we piled them in my huge purple laundry
backpack and
cycled on down to the station. I will have Sister Pearson
take a
picture today of what it looks like since tonight we are
traveling to
Odense.
Some of you may want to know more about the responsibilities
of Sister
Training Leaders since it is a new leadership position as of
last
year. Sister Pearson and I are over six companionships of
sisters. We
are to have exchanges with each companionship each transfer
(once
every six weeks). Every third transfer, we travel to the
companionships apartment, but the other two times they come
to visit
us. This transfer, we are traveling to them. Before we come,
they
double up plans so we can do twice the amount of work in
their area.
We get to meet members, investigators and contact new people
where
ever we go. Sister Pearson and I also are in charge of
looking over
their area book, planners and conducting a cleaning check.
At the end
of the exchange we all share what we have learned from the
other
missionaries and highlight their strengths.
As Sister Training Leaders, we are also in charge of
collecting data
for zone reports once a month. Basically, we call the
missionaries we
are over and type up monthly goals regarding missionary work
for the
coming month and follow up on the previous month's goals.
The report
also including gathering concerns or comments they have for
the
mission. We review these reports the following week at
Mission
Leadership Council and discuss how the mission is doing and
what the
theme will be for the coming month.
Okay, so now you know.
When we went to Aarhus, Sister Hale and I were on exchanges.
She
brought a guitar with her on the train so we could go stop
by
someone's how who hadn't been to church in a while and sing
to them.
She suggested we sing on the train while we were traveling.
And, we
did :)
This 50 year old man from Yugoslavia came over to talk to us
and thank
us for the music. We talked to him a little about the church
and got
his address so the Aarhus sisters could share a message with
him and
his son.
Every Thursday, we have an Institute class at church, or
"CUV" Centre
for Unge Voksener meaning, Center for Young Adults. There is
usually
only one Danish scripture study class. There are only 3-5
members from
the church that come. It has been a challenge recently for
the teacher
and us because we have had sometimes five extra people there
who we
need to translate for.
So, we have begun our own scripture class we teach in
English at the
same time. Last week was the first week and it went really
well! :) We
taught about the Restoration of the gospel. Sister Pearson
explained
how there was a pattern of God sending a prophet to earth to
give
guidance, but when the people are so wicked an apostasy
occurs, God
withdraws his authority from the earth. She drew a diagram
of a time
line where prophets were on the earth, including the Savior
in it as
one who brought back God's authority to the earth to act in
his name
and when God's authority was not on the earth. Since God is
the same
yesterday, today and forever, he continues in the same
pattern and
called a prophet to end the apostasy that occurred after
Christ. We
had an investigator there who asked, "What makes Jesus
Christ
different from the other prophets that brought God's
authority back on
the earth?" Another investigator answered saying,
"the sacrifice he
made for us." It was an incredible lesson. The spirit
filled the room.
The question was raised, "well what will people if they
lived on the
earth when God's authority was not on the earth and they did
not have
a chance to be baptized?" Unfortunately, we were out of
time, but we
are excited for the next lesson we will get to teach on the
plan of
salvation.
Usually after the institute class, we have dinner, a
spiritual thought
and then a game! :)
Last week, we played the couch game. You write your names on
a piece
of paper, throw them into a container, have every draw a
different
name (but they are not allowed to share it). Then everyone
sits in a
circle. We were divided into a boys team and a girls team.
The object
is to get your team on the couch. There is one extra seat in
the
circle. The person to the left of that seat in the circle
calls out a
name of a person to sit next to them, but they don't know
who is who.
You basically have to be a detective and remember everyone's
names so
you can win. It's fun. I used to play it at college for FHE.
Oh and we had dinner this week with Lorenzo from Italy and
Ankhaa from
Mongolian. Lorenzo made us homemade Italian spaghetti. It
was way good
and fun to finally try authentic Italian food! : ) We
brought him a
Book of Mormon in Italian. He was surprised we had one for
him and
said he is excited to check it out. For dessert, Sister Pearson
and I
made crepes, my favorite version: strawberries, nutella,
vanilla syrup
and whipped cream :)
Life's good. We ran to catch two trains this week and we
made both
just seconds before they left. We also contacted a referral
from the
Bishop in our ward. Turns out it is a family who is really
nice,
loving and positive. We will meet with them again next week.
Happy Spring :)
Love always,
