Week 54 - Bella Notte

"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep," John 21:17

Transfer update: I'm staying in Slagelse with beloved sister Webb. Thank heavens I was scared that I would leave. I cant leave my people!!!

Tuesday was Mimi's birthday. Mimi has a chronic illness that causes severe sensitivity to light. She is also immunosuppressed, which makes disse corona tider even harder. She was baptized about a year ago, is Hawaiian, and probably the most Christlike person ever. She lives with Nile (still trying to figure out if Nile is her mom or her sister) and their brother from another mother Dennis. Dennis is not a member, but he is a friendly black guy from Indianapolis and probably our favorite human on the planet. We have been getting to know them over the phone since we got to the area.

But anyways, there wasn't much we could do for Mimi's birthday, because of her condition, but we had to do SOMETHING. So we mustered up all of the crafting skills we could and heart attacked their door. She ended up being really happy about it and was even able to come outside for a bit. We took some pictures and they shared cake with us from a distance.

Restaurants have opened up again, with a few restrictions, and members are starting to want to have eating appointments. Saturday afternoon we got a phone call from an Italian member, Tinne. "Do you guys have dinner plans?" She asked.

We did not. But, we also cannot eat with people, members can give us food, but we can't "dine together" in that way.
We explained the situation to her.
"I know, I know, don't worry, I just want to leave you some food, here's my address,"

We drove to her house later that even to grab dinner and realized that it was in fact not her house but her fancy shmancy italian restaurant on the beach. Oh no, here come the water works. Are we princesses? So we walk in. Her husband is there in the kitchen and Tinne points us in. There was no one else in the restaurant, and candle-lit table sat waiting for us by the window.

!!!!!

It was so sweet! They let us order off the menu like we were real customers and everything. Kept all of the rules, washed our hands a bunch, and shared a spiritual thought at the end about focusing on the Savior.

Later in the week, after finding ourselves upon a large hill- (Alligev l var den lige så stor som de kan være i Danmark) we were admiring the view when we discovered a small flock of sheep grazing not to far away from us. 

We did what one must naturally do when seeing a group of fluffy animals that are afraid of you. You go towards them and demand they accept your love and affection. But alas, they were sheep. So they would just run away. AND THEN out of no where this one cute one just looks at me and comes walking over- JUST TO ME. Anyways it let me pet it and love it and followed me around and it was the cutest thing ever.

Last night, Brad Wilcox held an online devotional and spoke about the Saviors Atonement. He spoke of grace and shared some cool insights.
Here's some of my notes:

Grace isn't a get out of jail free card, nor is it something we have to work super super hard to obtain. Grace enables us. Grace is a free gift that if we utilize we can become better. Grace is like a scholarship. It opens the door for us, we don't have to pay the price, but it doesn't guarantee learning or graduation. We have to work for that part.

The Atonement is about so much more than consolation. It is about transformation.

As far as the work,, things are going well. We have some really positive people we are teaching. It's kinda frustrating because we're hitting walls with a lot of them trying to get them to hold commitments and just do the basics. Praying is so hard for a lot of people here and you really have to coach them through it. But I hvert fald, things are going well. We started teaching three more people this week, one was Divi, a referral from a member, Buster who was previously taught by missionaries here, and Moses who was found over Facebook by the Vejle sisters.

So as you can see, Slagelse has truly been a fruitful part of the the vineyard this week.

Tune in next time for more action, adventure, and literally no romance, with yours truly, mkh,

Søster Felt 🇩🇰

Elsker jer

Week 53 - Be thou humble

I guess you know your in full-on missionary mode when the only songs you can think of that fit your mood towards the week are hymns.

See mom? I guess they are changing me!

Haha or at least I hope so.

We had a week full of lessons, miracles, and meetings and to be honest I just blinked and it was over. I can remember some of it though.

I hit my "one year on a mission" mark on friday and it was kind of cool to look back and think about how much I have changed.

For one thing, I like watermelon now. I didn't like watermelon before my mission. I don't know why, it tastes really good and is quite refreshing. I guess I just didn't appreciate it before. Oh well, now I do and I make yummy fruit salads with it.

Our friends are doing good. We finally got a hold of Dorthe, she is still interested and keeping commitments. She opened up about some home problems that really cleared stuff up for us. She assured us that she is still in,, and told us, "dont give up on me, even when I dont respond," that gave us lots of comfort.

Oscar is also doing good, he is a good kid and just like a genuinely nice person. Sister Webb and I agree we would both be legit friends with him in our normal lives. We hope we dont screw this up hahaha.

We had interviews this week,,, in between interviews we sat eating pizza with Sister Olsen. We were talking about hairstyles and let me tell you trying to explain mullets to a Danish person is harder than you think. Let's just say I think sister Olsen's opinion of the US of A went down a little bit.

I Know God lives and loves you. I know God answers prayers. So hit your knees and just talk to him!

Hope you all have a wonderful week! Elsker jer!

Søster Felt 💗🇩🇰

Week 52 - It is well, with my soul

Flash backwards

170 years ago on May 11th a boat docked in Denmark, Copenhagen and a missionary greeted his new home. Peter Hansen set feet on Danish soil at 4am where he began his journey that would impact the lives of thousands of individuals, create the history of the Lords church, and change my life forever.

Flash forward.

To commemorate the arrival of Elder Hansen, on Tuesday May 11th, 2020 each set of companionship committed themselves to complete 6.5 hours of facebook finding. (The sum total of our hours spent finding would total 170).

So that is what we did.

Flash a little less backwards

I haven't been very happy, at least I wasn't very happy for a while. Probably for about a month or so, I'm not totally sure. I felt joy, when we taught and did missionary work. I felt the peace and comfort of my Savior. But in those little in between moments? When I didn't have something to keep me busy, I was just, down. And to be honest? I didn't understand why. All these missionaries around me talk about how they are the happiest they have ever been and this is the best time of their lives. And I just wanted that too.

I worked my hardest, I know that. I did my best to be exactly obedient, that was not an issue. And I truly did love the work and the people here as I do now. I prayed so much over this. I studied so much. But the sadness and pain and loneliness just wasn't going away for what felt like a really long time. It was really confusing.

With time, I did start getting some answers. I recognized God confirming to me through the spirit as I prayed and studied that this trial was not a punishment or a consequence of any misbehavior- it was just that- a trial. He told me that everything was gonna be okay and I just need to be patient. He just told me this is something that I need to go through right now. This gave me some comfort, but I was still hurting. And I didn't know why.

On the evening of May 10th 2020 I had had enough. I prayed to God and I told him that I want to be happy again, and I want to be his servant.

When I woke up smiling on May 11th I knew the Lord had work for me to do.

As sister Webb and I began our six and a half hours of work we quickly found a facebook group for people struggling with anxiety and depression. A place for them to be vulnerable.

Then, miracles came.

I just felt so much sorrow and empathy for these people as I read their stories and felt their pain for them. I could read them and think, "Yes! I get that!" And I knew what kind of help they were looking for-- because I had been searching for the same kind of help for over a month. I talked to all of these people and listened and validated their struggles for 7 hours. And shared with them what I knew could help them. We saw miracles.

I have gained a new understanding of the scripture:

"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

-Mosiah 24:14

Sister Webb and I just finished our first Skype lesson with Laura, a girl our age who says, "I will try anything to find peace at this time in my life, I have been praying so much to God to help me," We invited her to pray, and in her prayer she cried and thanked God for sending us to her. She was so open and asked if we could call twice a week. This is a miracle.

The Lord has helped me to gain the charity that I have prayed for in a way that I never would have expected. He has prepared me to be his tool in a way I would never have asked for, but am now so grateful for.

I know God's ways are different than our ways. Hold on to him, trust him, and one day it will all make sense.

Elsker jer! Ha en dejlig uge:)

Mkh,
Søster Felt

Week 51 - Thank You for the Music

First of: THANKS to all of you for the birthday wishes! This year's birthday was probably my favorite, and you all made it that way for me. So thankful I was birthed.

Tuesday: Began the day with a lovely burnt appointment. We waited at the church for the lesson. 20 minutes after the scheduled time, we called him. You know what he said? I'm on my way. I'll be there in twenty minutes. So? 40 minutes later we call again and come to find he's blocked our number. Sådan er livet.

It actually ended up being a really good day. We worked hard and taught a lesson over skype to Rebecca, one og my friends from Herning. We finished the day by visiting members and serenading them with hymns,, with social distancing of course.

Wednesday:
Not gonna lie, I think this was the best birthday I've ever had. My comps all did a lot to make it a great day.

It began with me, sitting on my bed, trapped alone against my will. 20 minutes later,,, sister Webb, followed by sis O'Connor and Nielsen, came in carrying an apple illuminated by the glow of 7 candles protruding from wonky angles. Still haven't gotten an explanation on that one. But they sang to me and guided me to the other rooms which were decked out and gave me some really sweet gifts.

The day just kept getting better as I received so many phone calls, texts, and emails from so many amazing people.

Later in the evening we went to a members house who had made food for us to come pick up. It was this sweet old couple, Anny and Leo. Anny made me a layer cake and they sang me happy birthday. I felt so loved. I started crying haha. They didn't even really know me and they were showing me so much love.

Thursday:
We had zone conference and some lessons. I'm sure there was more stuff but I can't really remember right now haha.

Friday: Went on splits with Søster Hepworth. Oh my gosh it was so fun we worked so hard it was like the best day ever. She is so bomb. Great at teaching. Great at Danish. Makes me laugh. Bomb.

Saturday: We had a bunch of lessons also a good day. We taught some of sister Webbs family which was really cool. We also had a coordination meeting with our mission leader Søren and oh my gosh that is always an experience. We tried to keep it focused on missionary work but instead it ended up with Søren making us stand up, face each other, and punch each other in the gut as a breathing exercise. Idk either.

Our friend Cenk also made us some traditional turkish mad. Which was super good.

Sunday: I got to call and talk to a family I know from home who means so much to me. It was really special to hear and share our testimonies of the Savior Jesus Christ.

We also had a lesson with our friend Oscar. It went okay. Wasn't the best. That evening we had a mission wide testimony meeting over skype it was way good.

I know God loves you!

So yeah, Great Week! Elsker her!
Mkh, søs Felt