You probably weren't worried...... but you probably didn't know there was a HURRICANE last week.
Last
Pday we met up with the elders at the church to celebrate Halloween. We
were going to carve jack-o-lanterns, except we all forgot to buy
pumpkins. But I made chilli just like my mom does every year on Halloween. And we all made sugar cookies and frosted them with orange
frosting. Meanwhile there was a massive storm brewing outside... We
looked out the window to see furious wind blowing trees down and tossing
all sorts of things up into the air. All the ward members started
calling us and telling us to be careful, and then we got a message from
President saying that it was too dangerous and he didn't want anybody
going outside for the rest of the day. It was an Elf con 5 out there!
The buses stopped running and so did the trains and the 5 of us
missionaries were stranded in the church building for SEVEN hours. We
played the piano and guitar and sang songs and told stories around an
invisible campfire wile the storm was busy destroying things outside. My
imagination went a little wild and I was worried we might be trapped
forever with nothing to eat but sugar cookies and nothing to do but read
hymn books and church manuals.... but the storm calmed down eventually
and we were able to go home.
Despite the hurricane and the rain storms and the bitter cold wind, its been a really good week here in Denmark!
We went out for ice cream with our investigator Bettina on Tuesday.
It went really well and she was so excited for us to teach her about
the Plan of Salvation the next day. Which is why we were completely
shocked when we got a text message the next morning saying she couldn't
do this anymore.... She was too stressed and overwhelmed and canceled
our lesson and said she didn't know if she could meet with us again. We
got dropped. And we were soooo sad! Sister Grant and I prayed for her
all week.
And then guess who showed up to church yesterday??!! Ok not only
did Bettina come to church, SHE SHARED HER TESTIMONY in sacrament
meeting!! Well it was definitely more of a thankimony but it was so great I wanted to cry.
There is power in prayer. God really is there.
We
also had a wonderful lesson with our Italian investigator Francesco. He
has changed so much since we started teaching him and its been AMAZING
to see how the gospel has truly brought a new light into his life and
his eyes. I don't even speak the same language as Francesco! And he is
50 years old. Yet I feel like he is one of my best friends... Its
wonderful how the gospel brings people together. Because we really are
one family.
Also, Francesco makes incredible Italian food. that man should open
a restaurant, his pasta is to die for! And he always gives us heaping
plates of gourmet food that weigh as much as I do. He said its so I
won't be able to fit on the plane and have to stay here in Denmark
forever....
good thing we don't eat dinner with them every day, or else that definitely might come true.
One
of the questions I hear a lot as a missionary is "why do bad things
happen to good people?" or "if there really is a God and he really loves
us, why does he let so many bad things happen?" Well I read a really
good talk by Henry B Eyring this week and he answered those questions
better than I've ever been able to before. President Eyring explained
how "the Lord's way to help those in temporal need requires people who
out of love have consecrated themselves and what they have to God and to
His work." Heavenly Father hears the prayers of His children around the
world, and His way of helping them is through us. He has invited and
commanded us to participate in His work to lift up those in need. That
is why it is so vital that we serve each other!
So ask yourself-
Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not I have failed indeed...
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?
This week I want to challenge you to do something good in the
world. Help someone in need. I know that "the Lord sends the Holy Ghost
to make it possible to "seek , and ye shall find" in caring for others
just as He does in finding truth." Pray for opportunities to serve.
Heavenly Father will lead you to those who need you.
Happy November everybody!
I'm thankful for
the gospel. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to be in this
wonderful country and serve such wonderful people. I'm thankful for the
warm apartment I get to go hide in from the Hurricane that's coming again
today.
I'm thankful for all of you!
Have a GREAT week. Jeg elsker jer.
MKH
Søster Rogers