ON OUR WAY TO DENMARK, ANOTHER SIX WEEKS PASSED, UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC, COPENHAGEN TEMPLE---REST IN THE REFUGE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD, THE BRIDGE THAT GOES UNDER THE SEA, RETURN TO STOCKHOLM, LONELY TRAIN RIDE, SEAS OF GOLD, BOOK OF MORMON-MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR-MARRIAGE-BAPTISM---AND IT ALL STARTED WITH SOUTH PARK, BAPTISM AT THE SEA

 ON OUR WAY TO DENMARK

Magnus driving; his wife peeking out from behind the seat; Simone, their daughter; Yours truly; and Elder Taggart all on our way to Denmark.

ANOTHER SIX WEEKS PASSED

The transfer is, once again, coming to a close. Another six weeks passed. The time goes, and continues to go. My companion, Elder Taggart, must soon go the way of all the earth and return to the dust he calls home. With that being said, out with the old and in with the new. My next companion will be fresh from the MTC eager to being the service he has prepared so much for. 

UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC

This was one of those typical times when everything seems to go wrong when it had been planned out perfectly. We gave ourselves a cushion of time to get to the temple, but unexpected traffic created a concern for us. We hit road blocks three times. We made it just in the nick of time, but it was nerve-racking. 

COPENHAGEN TEMPLE---REST IN THE REFUGE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD

Also this week, we had the opportunity to go to the Copenhagen temple. We are lucky enough to have a member who comes from Denmark, and it made the trip even better. They showed us the city of Copenhagen in a way that no missionary could discover on their own. And we had the chance to be edified and uplifted as we took a rest in the refuge of the house of God. 

THE BRIDGE THAT GOES UNDER THE SEA

Øresundsbron. The bridge connecting Denmark to Sweden. At the end, it leads into a tunnel that goes under the sea. It's slightly eerie seeing the bridge end into seemingly nothingness. 

RETURN TO STOCKHOLM

On Friday, I had the opportunity to return to Stockholm, again. Another long train ride. But this time the purpose was to ensure that we had the tools necessary to bring another young man into the life of a missionary.

LONELY TRAIN RIDE

When I got on the train to head to Stockholm, it was kind of lonely. 

SEAS OF GOLD

The once brightly covered fields of yellow blossoms are now seas of gold.

BOOK OF MORMON-MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR-MARRIAGE-BAPTISM---AND IT ALL STARTED WITH SOUTH PARK

The highlight of this week, was receiving two new members to the fold. I have been conflicted on reporting their progress, because the story has been awesome from the beginning. And is it better to get the whole story all at once? Or see the growth bit by bit. Since the baptism occurred yesterday, you can guess I chose saving the whole story for the end. About one month ago, Elder Downing and Elder Beck were tracting. It was about to time to go home, but there were three doors left. The option to head home was tempting, but they decided to go for it anyways. On the second door they knocked, they met Brandon. (Now, a small side story. Brandon was in his apartment and he knew the Mormons were on their way. He'd seen South Park, so he had an idea of what the drill was. But he also had seen that Mormons were some the nicest people, according to South Park. So, he decided to open the door even though it was not something he would normally do). He was given the Book of Mormon, and they set a time to come back. Brandon started reading with his sambo, and they read through 1 Nephi 13 in the following two days. The next meeting led to more questions, discussions, and they set on their way. Brandon, anything but an avid reader, found himself engrossed in the stories and messages of the Book of Mormon, and the rest is history. Subsequent visits to their home found the sound of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir filling the home. They were married two weeks ago and entered the waters of baptism this last Saturday. The transformation in their demeanor, attitudes, and joy has been a wonderful strength to me. Brandon talked about how much his life has changed in this past month, all for the better. To see that progress is amazing. Malmös församling has received two wonderful members. Brandon and Stina will have children who will be blessed for generations to come. Two more people have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And it all started with South Park. 

BAPTISM AT THE SEA

Elder Downing, Brandon, Stina, and Elder Beck. Yes, we had the baptism at the sea. It's actually perfect for it. The water is still only waist deep at the end of the dock in the background, which was where we had it.