Written by Elder Kolby Madsen, serving in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaking Danish.
Mor (Mom),
It’s all going well. I really enjoy Elder Brindley. He is really great, and we get along fantastically well. Anyway it’s been great. It's beautiful in Randers. It's way different than any place I have ever lived before. It is like San Francisco in the fact that it’s all hills. It’s crazy biking, but it's good. I will get some pretty ham legs again. We eat that kebab every Monday. It's the best thing known to man, haha. Everything is good here and I am happy to hear that all is well back home.
This week was pretty fun. We did a lot of less active work for the branch, so there was not much finding and teaching this week, but there definitely is going to be this coming week. We actually got to make letters for every single less active member (and delivered them) so they can be aware of the branch conference coming up. That's when we will find out if the branch becomes a ward or not. It was weird to see more than ten people in church. I got to meet a bunch of people, and they are all very nice.
We had some really cool experiences this week as we went out to visit these members. While going around, we thought of some people that may not have been on the list and went to visit them to give them a blank letter. Well, when we got to this guy’s house, we rang the doorbell and he answered. He was on the phone talking about work, then when he hung up he said, in English, "What’s up guys?" So we started to talk to him and he was way nice. He told us his story and all. It went like this: He was sitting at home with his daughter and his girlfriend at the time, and they were just enjoying a nice day at home. When the doorbell rang, it was two young Americans in black and white. They talked about the Book of Mormon and he felt a little interested, so he took the book and said he would read it. That night he read the first chapter and went to bed. While sleeping he had a dream about a glowing tree and some fruit and a rod of iron. I was feeling the spirit so strong when I heard this. Anyway, he wanted to be baptized and so he did. In the process he had to leave his girlfriend and his house and move to where he is now. He told us that is kind of a miracle that he was home when we came by because he is only home 2 out of 10 days because of work. I told him it was a sign and he just smiled and we kept talking. He is a way cool guy we are trying to get time to meet with him again. Hopefully next week. He is a really great guy, but says he's only 85% Mormon now, but he is just going through some stuff. Just by talking to him, his faith is so strong. He told us that his favorite thing to do when he was investigating the church was to come to Zone Conference because he could feel the Spirit so strong. That was one of the big things that helped him get through the hard time of leaving his girlfriend, who was the mother of his daughter. He really loves the Lord and knows the church is true. He just needs to start living it now.
I am so happy that the Lord provided time for us to meet him. This taught me two important things. One, the Lord's timing is perfect. And second, in all things He is there for us, especially when we feel like he isn’t. That is when he is standing there, arms open to embrace us, always ready to take us back. It’s up to us to grab his hand and allow him to pull us back. His hand is extended, we just need to grab it. Matthew 14:25-35 is a great story and very applicable to all of us.
I will send a pictures next week. I don’t have one now. But to answer your questions, yes, we are very close to everything . It’s just like my first area, except not as big a city. The area is smaller than Herring, but bigger then Frederiksberg. And the hills are just huge. But, yes, it's great. I love it here. I feel so blessed. Well, I love you. Have a great week.
Med Kaerlig Hilsen,
Elder Madsen
Transferred to Randers (March 10, 2014)
Food, food, food.... (March 24, 2014)
