WARD REPORT

Our grand-daughter, McKenzie, was asked to give a  report on our mission, on the 5th Sunday in church in Mendon,  and I sent the following for her to share.  I though it would be a good thing to share on the blog.  Sincere apologies if you have heard this before.

We’ve really enjoyed our mission and even though we miss our friends and family, it has been the place we know we should be.  We are constantly amazed at what happens behind the scenes to run a mission.  We have about 100 missionaries and it takes 2 full-time and 3 part-time older missionaries to keep things going.  And to think this is repeated in hundreds of missions in the world! 

Our Danish experts:  (top) Elder Bryner (apartments)  and Elder Warnsdorf (phones, cars and language test);  (above) Sister Warnsdorf (immigration and VISAs),  and Elder Buxton,( finance)

We have had some wonderful experiences especially with the young missionaries.  They come to us as young as 18, but they seem much older than that, especially spiritually.  We have attended conferences with them, fed them, gathered materials for them, prayed with them, given them blessings,  and rejoiced in their progress as missionaries and young adults.  They have such positive attitudes and want to spread the gospel to all they meet, and even though they don’t get as many opportunities as they want in Denmark, they remain faithful and committed.  In addition, we have literally seen the Gift of Tongues poured out on these young people. 

Our Grandson, Elder Long,  is serving simultaneously in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and we have been uplifted by his very spiritual letters to our family.  We see that same spirituality in the missionaries here, and even though we are not "actively" proselyting, we feel of their spirit and enjoy having them teach in our home, and discuss gospel topics with us.  The mission is producing some outstanding teachers and leaders.  It is hard to see them leave, but we feel they will add so much to wherever they land "on the other side."

They sometimes look a little goofy, but don't let that fool you.  Turn them loose, and watch out.

We belong to a small branch here in Denmark and have 2 missionaries assigned there with us and two other couples.  We have 1 young man, 3 young women and 5 primary-age children.  The ages range from elderly down to 1 year old Elliot, the “branch’s baby.”  Elder Buxton is the Young Men’s President and Sister Buxton is the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society.  The testimonies of these branch members is strong and firm which is amazing living in a culture which is very permissive.  Many of them have few of their family who are active or even members of the church, yet they continue to hold fast to their testimonies.  We have several professional genealogists in our little branch and have been blessed by them generously sharing their knowledge every third Sunday when the whole ward stays for SOS:  “sandwich og slægtsforskning” (sandwiches and genealogy).  We have been blessed to take names of Danish ancestors to the Copenhagen Temple which is one block from the mission office.

The center picture on the top is President Olsen and his wife, Hannah.  This branch can really put on a dinner!

We are also blessed by the  other couples serving here.  They are wonderful, caring couples who love working for the Lord.  Our mission president is a powerful, spiritual leader as well,  and is wife is also tremendous.  They are the spiritual core of the mission here in Denmark.

Two couples work in record preservation for Family History and the center couple is YSA, and our neighbors.  From the left:  Ottleys, us, Parkers, Brookes.

We know that the gospel blesses the lives of all who keep the commandments and strive to live worthily of having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.  We have felt the Lord’s peace and love especially as we went through the sad and sudden loss of a beautiful grand-daughter.   We learned much about grief, gratitude, love and most of all the importance of family.  Even though it was very painful, it has been a testimony strengthening experience. We know the church is true.  We love the Danish people and we love our mission here.