(**Note to reader: Clicking on highlighted words will link to additional information. Clicking on photos will enlarge them. Some names are omitted for privacy.)
Mom!
Hi...
Well, it was way good to see you over Skype. I am not going to lie, it took like an hour to refocus but it was way good. Well shucks, you looked great too. No, I didn't mind talking to everyone. It was fun. I just hoped it did not take all your time, that was all. I am also way happy to hear Braden’s voice is getting deeper. I can't believe he is so tall and his voice is that deep. Freak, I haven’t been gone that long! It feels like I just left, seriously, it does. Well any way, it was great to see you all and talk.
This week was a little rough, work wise, because in Denmark the Christmas holiday is three days long so we can’t really go knock doors. So it stunk in that way, but we had some great appointments set up beforehand. We were able to be with less active members or investigators every day of the holiday, so I could justify not being able to work.
Yes, to answer your question, the New Year celebration in Denmark is pretty crazy. People die every year, so we are not allowed to leave the apartment unless a member comes and gets us from our apartment and then drives us back. So that will be fun. I have heard fireworks randomly all throughout this week, and it’s not just little pops, it’s like bombs going off! You know the fireworks I usually get from Wyoming? Yah, those times 10! Crazy Danes :) S** told us that the law is that you have to have a 0.2 blood alcohol level to operate the fireworks, and he said that it is usually the first thing that happens before lighting them, haha. I guess it’s pretty insane, so I am way excited. We will be with the Amdi's for New Year’s Eve. They are just the best.
On Saturday we could actually go do something, so we went to see S**. It had been so long. He wasn't there the first time we went around, and his step daughter said he would be gone for a couple hours. So as we were driving with the ægtepar (senior missionary couple) to the next person we wanted to visit, we got this feeling that we needed to go back to S**'s. Again, relying on the Spirit never fails. While talking to him, he said that he has gained a lot of trust in us and that he was happy to see us again. So we are going to keep trying to meet with him.
It's been a great couple of days. The Christmas season is wonderful, and I encourage you to keep the Lord's spirit with you, and to share your love with others even after the day is over. The love and charity that everyone feels at this time of year can be felt everyday if we keep our eyes set on what really matters...the pure love of Christ.
I love you and am way thankful that I was able to talk for so long. Have a great New Year’s Eve and be safe. Don’t let Jared touch the fireworks! He almost killed me two years ago :)
Med Kærlig Hilsen,
Ældste Madsen
Merry Christmas from Denmark! (December 24, 2013)
Fireworks and Lessons Learned (January 6, 2014)
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| Santa Madsen |
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| Christmas PJs |
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| Elders Wilsher and Madsen showing what's left of their missionary muscles |
