Last week took an L but this week I'll bounce back

Ældste Stowe and I

Hey everybody! It's your favorite elder back at this boy again! Let's dive in!

I started off this week by feeling anything but money. I felt sick from about Saturday night to Thursday but we were working hard anyway. (I wasn't about to take a day off soooo) God decided that he wanted to give us some miracles this week to compensate for my sickness. He dropped us an awesome lesson with Maria! If you can't remember her, she was the lady who just waltzed into church on her own last week. We got a lesson with her on Tuesday. We whipped up on our bikes and I legit thought that I was gonna black out in front of this lady's apartment building.... but God had some other plans in store. We walk on in with one of our member friends named Bjarne who is super dope! Maria serves us some herbal tea and we immediately dive into how she found our church. She was told by a friend to attend the Mormon church because Mitt Romney had voted to impeach Trump and had mentioned his faith. Her friend of course thought that this was awesome and that his morals were wayyyy good. His kids were successful and competent people so that was a draw too. So I guess I'm gonna give a shout out to Mitt Romney there. Anywayyyyy...This lesson starts bopping and the spirit was way strong. My herbal tea was also a little strong but I didn't mind because Maria would be called by all missionaries, GOLDEN. She told us how much she felt the spirit while we talked about the Book of Mormon and about prophets and the Restoration and First Vision. My jaw dropped as I thought "this is how South America feels" and then I quickly picked it up to tell her that God loves her. Then she hit me with the "I want to be a member of your church. How can I do that?" Yeah, I nearly fell out of her comfy sofa. If I would have been sipping my tea I'm sure I would have spit it out. So of course I invite her to be baptized and she said YES! Dead. I was fully dead. So I just read the baptismal questions to her and she just was like ah yeah, that's doable. I'm sitting there like heck ya it is Maria. She gives us a beautiful closing prayer and then says, "I have 2 children that are over 8 that I would like to be baptized as well." At that point I thought I was gonna wake up from a dream. Nah, it was real. So we're praying over a date for her to be baptized right now. Yeah you could say it was a good week. A bounce back if you will.

My usual lunch (too much jam though)

This email just got way long way fast so I'll finish up real quick. 

We also went on splits to Aarhus again with Ældste Stowe and that was a party. It's always fun getting to know other missionaries!

I've been practicing the piano a lot so if I get any good, just know it was because of Hymns Made Easy. Shout out to my mom for sending that over. 

Also, I finished up Saints Volume 2 this week. Church history is so interesting and I love learning about it. I'm so fascinated by it and it gives A TON of shout outs to Denmark so that is lit.

We had 3 people in church this last week with Maria, Wahida and Maria's son Stephen. That is the first time that has happened in a while here in Randers and the members just love and embrace them so much! I love Randers! I hope to stay here but transfer calls are on Saturday sooooo we will see! 

Just a little thought from my dad today. Work on the things that you personally are in control of, and let God do the rest. I have a testimony that God really will make up the difference. 

Love you all and shout out to my Cougs for beating Gonzaga. 

GO JAZZ

-Ældste Modersitzki 

How far I am from Ældste Jaursch, but
still willing to walk that distance for him

Miracles, Bowling, Saints (part 2), Snow!

Tate runs still runs a 5k every week! The race is
run by members and the missionaries help out.

First off, we saw snow on Tuesday! I was so sad that I hadn’t seen it this year... then we saw big flakes falling for like half an hour! It didn't stick at all, but I saw snow in Denmark! To be fair, the cars here would not be able to last through a big snowstorm. 

We celebrated hitting our mission baptismal goal of..... (drum roll please)..... 10! My district all got together and went to a favorite spot (Burger Shack) and then we went bowling! I played terribly, but we had such a good time. The burgers were WAY good, the fries were way good, and the Dr. Pepper was stellar. Overall, it was a really fun day!

Saints, Volume 2 came out this week! I love that book so much and I started to love it even more because it gave a couple of shout outs to Denmark! It was so fun to read about places that I am really close to. Shout out to Church history and to Denmark!

Burger Shack round 2 with Ældste Ogden.

This week, I also ate at Burger Shack with ZL Ogden when we were on splits together... that makes 2 times in one week... I think I've gotta work out harder in the mornings from now on… WHATEVER THOUGH.

Saturday was a rough day for me. We were given a challenge to give out two copies of the Book of Mormon for each companionship. We were feeling good and spiritually hyped! We went out and worked really hard for hours in the wind and rain.... unfortunately, we weren't able to give out a single copy of the Book of Mormon. Lots other companionships did, which is good, but it was a little discouraging for us. We did end up stopping by a little burger place to grab a quick snack—some fries.  We ended up talking to the owner for like an hour and it was a great conversation. Although we didn’t give out a Book of Mormon, we did end up making a new friend!  He even invited us back whenever we wanted—and gave us two free coupons. We were psyched.  It's the little things..... 

We taught a lesson to a wonderful new friend (she was a referral) that came to church last week! It was a great lesson. We all felt the Spirit.  She told us about where she was from. We talked a lot about the similarities that we have in our religions and talked about the Book of Mormon and its important role. We had a member there and he really helped. I really think she will continue with the lessons. We also had a miracle this week on Sunday. We were expecting some other friends to come to church, but they didn't make it—which was kind of a bummer.  But, back to the miracle…I’m sitting up at the sacrament table, ready to bless the sacrament…and this lady walks into the chapel. My companion and I didn't recognize her.  Our ward members immediately embraced her.  One of the members helped translate the sacrament meeting talks for her AND she stayed for both hours of church! My companion and I talked with her and some members after the meeting.  She told us her life story for about an hour. We set up a teaching appointment and gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon! It was soooo awesome. We are so excited! 

Shout out to my parents for hitting their 28-year anniversary!! 

Go Jazz and have a good week! Love y'all!

-Ældste Modersitzki

Bowling with the district

6 month mark

Tate's mom's favorite picture. If you know you know.

First off I hit my 6 month mark this week! I have been away from home for a solid 6 months but it has gone by so freaking fast it is crazy! I'm soooo happy out here and Denmark is throwing everything at me to slow me down and make me not as happy with weather and how people are responding to us.... Can't slow me down though. We are cruising. Time is picking up so fast it is crazy!

I got to spend my time with Ældste Jensen on splits that day in Aarhus and we had a really fun day! We walked out of the city and walked along the beach at night. It was way cool to see the skyline of Aarhus against the clouds while watching the waves. It was surreal. We also got to hang out with the ZLs and it was way fun! Jensen and I headed out to grab some sushi for his birthday and to celebrate. We also of course burned a tie to go with it! Lots of fun! We also had a lunch with some of our investigators and it went really well! We were able to get to know them better and increase our relationship with them. Plus we got some good food and some way good shakes! I had a really good time!

 

Ældste Jensen and Ældste Mod celebrating 6 months
on the mission and Jensen's bday.

We walked into a store this week and heard the songs "God's Country" and "Old Town Road." It was a highlight for sure! Shout out to America!

There was a big old hail storm that started today and has been on and off all day so let's hope it doesn't continue.... It's a downpour or hail hahaha. But it's not too bad at all! 

We had Burger Shack again and that was a big W. We also did a face mask with my boy Ældste Laurence! Way fun! 

Also, I highly suggest reading the Book of Mormon, maybe even out loud. Take in what it is saying and try to understand it. Don't read to finish, read to learn! I have felt the spirit so much through reading to learn, not to finish. 

Super fun week though. Love y'all!

-Ældste Modersitzki

Aarhus at night

On splits with Ældste Jensen

Burning a tie for his 6-month milestone. (This is a thing elders do.)

Poor ties.