Happy Second Christmas!

In Denmark there are 4 days for Christmas. Little Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and second Christmas day. I hope you are all enjoying your second Christmas day!

It has been a slow but good week. We were able to visit some of our investigators over the holidays and bring them cookies. They loved that. One of them even came to our wards Christmas concert. I have loved being with a lot of the members over the past few days and getting to know them. 

We had a zone conference on Thursday. We got to watch finding Dory and have a big dinner. It was great except that all of our packages were stolen. Someone broke the window of the mission van that was holding all the presents and took 2/3 of what was there. All of my packages got stolen. It was sad but that's not the important part of Christmas.

Something Crazy that happened though is that the members of our ward heard about our presents being stolen and they put it on Facebook. Then they all brought tons of gifts to one of the members we ate with. We were overwhelmed with the love and how freely our ward gave to us after hearing about our gifts. 

I guess even though it was hard to go forward with a lot of missionary work over the past few days us and those we have been with have been filled with the spirit. Definitely one of the best weeks of my mission.

I love you all and hope you have had the best Christmas ever. I hope you have pondered over the birth of Jesus and the amazing blessing that is in our lives. Thank you for the support. Have a happy new year!!!

Love, Elder Smith

Pictures for the week:

Hey Mom!

I loved Skyping you all yesterday. It was good to see your faces. I'm sorry about the gifts, I was sad about it and I got over it quick, but I feel bad for you and anyone that sent me gifts. I was also sad when I found out you made a quilt. I hope you forgive me for not crying. I hope whoever stole the gifts likes the picture of my grandparents.

It's okay that you don't pronounce things right. I'm sure if you lived here you would be better than me at Denmark. It is fun learning a new culture things.

I haven't read that talk but I will. I actually read one on the 23rd in the stack of questions I got also by Elder Holland. It was about the same kind of thing. I liked it.

Thanks for being the best mom ever. I love you more than anything. I hope you have a super happy awesome new year. Keep being amazing.

See you on Mother’s Day! 

Elder Smith

Hey Dad,

I loved talking to you yesterday. I am definitely happy. I'm sorry for all of you that the gifts got stolen. I feel worse for you than for me. I can live without things. I have definitely put on a few pounds. I don't care what I look like as long as I feel healthy. They running has been helping with that. I will keep trying to do better. The Christmas season has helped me gain a bigger love for the people. They are a lot nicer when Christmas is involved. Don't worry I won't get homesick because of you, but it was so fun to see you. I loved it so much.

What did you all do for Christmas? I hope things get better with Cooper. I will keep him in my prayers. Did he get a nice guitar? I like playing around on instruments. I don't have time really practice but it is sometimes fun to play little things. I wish we had a punching bag in our apartment. We just have like one 40 pound weight. I just try to do push ups and stuff.
A Garmin watch would be fun. You've turned into mom when it comes to exercise haha. Are you going to lose more weight? Do you have an end goal? 
I'm sorry we aren't little anymore. Now you've had kids on missions the past two Christmas seasons. I'm glad you saw the videos as well.
I hope the weather here doesn't get too much worse. It has been super windy today and rainy. Did you have a white Christmas? Ours was grey.
I love you lots. Thanks for being such a great dad. I'm so grateful for everything you do. Have a happy new year!
Love, Elder Smith

Glædelig Jul!!!

I wanted to wish you all a merry Christmas since my next email won't come until after. It's been a great week! Me and a bunch of other missionaries toured Denmark and put on Christmas concerts. It was an awesome experience!

So we had our first concert on Tuesday and everyone loved it. You could just tell on people's faces that it was way better than they expected.

On Wednesday we traveled to Fyn and we caroled on some of the gågader. While the choir sang, other missionaries handed out Mormons Bøger and talked to people. It was amazing. The Danes were so much nicer and open to talk and it was cool to see.

We had three concerts in all. One in Copenhagen, one in Odense, and one in Århus. I am excited to continue to hear the great things that come from the traveling music group.

So I'll finish with one of my favorite experiences from the trip. On Friday we were singing on the gågade in Århus like we did on Fyn. At one point in the song someone in the choir motioned toward a girl that another missionary was talking to. We circled her and continued singing and she just burst into tears. One of the missionaries handed her a wrapped Book of Mormon. We finished our song and she thanked us. The Spirit was so strong and it was just great to see the impact it had on her. I love how the Spirit of Christmas can soften the hearts of many and give us a little window that we can share a gift that was given to us. That we know can help them as much as it has helped us. Remember to share the gift that Christmas is all about and #LightTheWorld of everyone you meet.

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Stay warm and happy!

Love Ældste Smith

P.S. I know you are all going to hate this but I don't have pictures right now. I have a lot from the music trip though. I will send them later.

Hey Dad

I'm doing good. My toe is doing much better. Trains are fun. They aren't very fun alone though. They are fast. The funny thing is you don't realize exactly how small Denmark is until you do a tour across the whole thing haha. The scenery is either fields or there are thick trees or something so you don't see that much but you get good glimpses. There also aren't very big hills so it's hard to see big views haha. The singing was awesome. My big email has everything about it. It was fun being gone but at the same time it was hard leaving the area for a week and hard with my toe just being fixed, but it was definitely worth it.
Yay driving! Why did you go to Colorado? I like drives but I guess they wouldn't be as great when you have to do them so much.
That sounds like a fun weekend. I like Pho. I ate food that a vietnamese lady in Odense made. It was pretty good. I did get pho that one time though. Why did mom play such an expensive violin? That's fun. I really liked the violins in our Christmas concert. Anyways that sounds like a fun time. I'm glad it was fine haha.
Church was short for me this week. We were in Århus and we had sacrament meeting and watched the Christmas devotional and it was really good.

Yeah things haven't been SUPER cold yet but I hope it doesn't. We have no snow though so I don't know if we'll have a white Christmas. Just be glad you don't bike in the cold haha.
So I know we have a family that we are skyping from their house but I don't know the exact time. The problem is that I don't know when. I told our mission leader that we needed to do it early enough because you had church so fingers crossed that it all works out. I will let you know more if I find out.
Thanks for everything. I love you. I knew about Lindsey but not Lauren. Who is she engaged to? That's so weird.

Have a good week. Godjul!
Love, Elder Smith

Dearest Mother of Mine,

Thanks for the songs haha.
I can't believe we get to talk on Sunday! I'm so excited! I don't know all the details for it yet.
Sorry that us missionaries aren't good at lighting the world. We try haha. We had our Christmas concert in Odense for the music day and a lot of other things we did fell into place with it so that was fun. It was a good week. I like that you went to President Basset. I bet he liked that.

My toe is doing good. It isn't all the way healed yet, but much better. It didn't hurt as much as other times in fact not at all, but it has taken a little more time to heal.
I'm glad Sister O'Bryant put up the videos so you could see them. I was right in front of her and president for that song so I was pretty nervous haha. The medley one was in Danish. I'm glad we made you cry.
I thought the stories about the sculptures were cool. They aren't really about all my ancestors but his on the other side, but they are still cool stories.
What songs are you doing for sacrament? I want to hear your violin. I really liked when the two sisters played Dejlig er Jorden on violins for the concert. I cant remember what it is in english. Beautiful Savior? It made me think of you.
Haha don't you wish you were a primary teacher? That would be fun.
I don't have tons to tell you so I'm glad you will have questions. I will try to think of some stuff. I will get to talk from 45 minutes to an hour. I'm super excited!
I love you lots and hope you have a good week. I hope you have the best Christmas ever and I hope you can really feel the love of our Savior. I looooooooooove yooooooouuuuuuu soooooooooo muuuuuuuch!!!!
Godjul!!!

Love, Elder Smith 

Jeg elsker jultid

Well I hope you have all had a great week. Alot has happened so I hope I remember everything.

Tuesday was great, we found two new investigators! After that our week kind of died workwise. On Wednesday I had an operation on my toe because it got an infection. So after that I had to sit in a chair with my foot up the next few days. Friday was transfers and both Elder Olson and I are staying in Aalborg. On Saturday I rode on a train for 4 and a half hours to Copenhagen because we have a Christmas Music Group for the week. We will be doing a concert in Copenhagen, Odense, and Århus. I am super excited. We have been practicing over the past few days and it has been going great. That's about all I can think of for the week. Since I am feeling the Christmas spirit I will tell you all that it is truly an amazing time of year. We get to spend time with those we love and think of the gift of Christ. He is the light of the World. He loves us all and I hope we can keep our focus on him this time of year. I hope you all are having a great December. Have a good week! Sorry I can't send pictures right now. The computer I am at right now doesn't work. They will come later or next week.

Love, Elder Smith

Dear Mother Dear

I really love your light the World experiences. You are a good example. I thought I would be good at the initiative but it has been hard for me to find things. You're awesome. I love how you were able to help Iris serve others. That's awesome. What did the other missionaries have? It's not the Danes in the church just a few on the street. I haven't had anyone complain to me but some of the other missionaries were talking about it.

The toe surgery went well. It was like they have done before but they used a laser! Anyways I had to sit and do nothing for 3 days. Also transfers happened and Elder Olson and I are staying in Aalborg. Also the music group is this week so I am in Copenhagen right now. It is going to be really fun but I hope my toe keeps healing like it's supposed to.

Wow that was quick! I'm glad it came in time. Did you read the papers about Dennis Smith's sculptures? I thought that was cool. I hope the one that got inspected is the best one since it costs money now haha.

I haven't seen the Devotional yet but I really want to. I might just have to print it out and read it. Or download it and listen to it.

The ferris wheel wasn't too cold but it was chilly. It's just a little market with little shops with fudge or candy or hats and stuff.

The investigator that bought drugs was super weird. We won't go back there haha.

I'm pretty sure that you could make risalamande at home. I don't think it has any super crazy ingredients. I really like it. But I bet it would be better with like a raspberry sauce than a cherry sauce.

We wont be at the mission home for Christmas, just a zone conference at a church Building, but it should be really fun. I'm excited. You're the best person to recieve me for a Christmas gift! I love yooouuuuuuuuuu!

Love, Elder Smith

To Dad:

I am doing pretty good. I am finding joy all the time! I will try to be better at making use of our burned appointments. Sometimes we just shrug it off and go somewhere else. 

Mom told me a couple of her experiences with the Light the World initiative. She is pretty cool. That talk by Elder Hales goes perfect with the initiative. I wish I could hear your talks. Haha I'm not surprised you cried though. You are really busy with meetings. I would be tired too. 

Haha I have loved hearing from Grandma and Grandpa. Maybe it will be the perfect amount of "different" for grandma. I like the things that they send. I miss them.

I am super excited to Skype you. I hope plans work too. I told our ward mission leader about the times and he said he would pass the word on so hopefully all that goes well. I don't know if I have any good stories haha.

I love you lots thanks for everything you do. You're a great dad. I miss you. See you on Christmas. Have a good week!

Elder Smith

Christmas is coming!

Well, Christmas is coming fast and everyone is busy, so it makes missionary work slow down a lot. But it has been a fun week. On Monday we rode a ferris wheel in the Christmas market in Aalborg. It had a good view of the city.

On Wednesday Elder Olson was in Fredericia for a leadership meeting so I was with the other Elders for the day. It went well and we even had a lesson over in our area with a new investigator. The downside of that was that the new investigator turned out to be crazy and bought drugs from someone while we were there.

On Friday we had our ward Christmas party. That was great and we even had two investigators come to the party! It took a while for the members to help them feel welcome, but it turned out alright. The best part was the risalamande after dinner. Yum!

On Saturday we helped an old couple move they were some serious hoarders. They had so many things. We were moving things between houses for 6 hours. They had way to much stuff for their new house. I don't think it will fit, but it was a good service project.

Sunday we had fast and testimony meeting and I got up to bare my testimony. I don't have any super great experiences to share this week but I will share with you what I shared with the members here. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer. Because of his grace and mercy we can return to our heavenly father after our life on earth. I am so grateful to know that this church is true, and that I can share it with others as a missionary. I have felt God's love and I want others to feel it as well. I love you all and I hope you have seen all of our amazing blessings God has given us this Christmas season.

Have a great week!

Elder Smith

Hey dad.

Sorry my email wasn't that good last week. There was an annoying beeping noise and I couldn't think.

So I think the plans were to do it in the evening my time. I didn't think about church for you guys. I will see what I can figure out. I will do whatever I can to make it in that time. I can't do it at 8:30 because we have to be home at 9:30. We have to skype at member's houses as well so it also depends on them. I really really don't want you to miss church. It sounds like skyping is already just going to be a pain.

Sounds like you had a busy week. I'm glad you will have a set schedule.

It sounds like mom's concert turned out good. I wish I could have heard it. She seemed to really like it. That's not fair that grandma and grandpa can do whatever they want haha. I'm sorry you guys couldn't go to the party.

I'm glad you are doing well with exercise. I could always do better but it is really hard. Losing weight in a bike area is a lie. I just want to eat more. I'm working on it though. You will probably weigh less than me when I get home. Another hard part about it is that it is expensive to eat healthy. Vegatables and fruits cost a lot more than unhealthy stuff. But I'll do better.

Things have been good. I like my companion. We get a long well. I don't feel as close to him as I have my other companions but we do good and we talk a lot. The language has been going pretty good. I can understand a lot. People say it is really good but they said that when I first got here. They are actually surprised when they find out how long we've been here though. I have learned some slang. Sometimes people laugh when we use it but yeah. We haven't done anything super different while contacting. I've been trying to think of ideas. Our teaching pool has been getting smaller. We can't find anyone. We got 0 new investigators this week. But it's coming. We just need to keep looking. My prayers have definitely been better. I have been trying to listen and I feel like I have gotten a lot more guidance. I have  been doing the light the world initiative. It is hard on some things though. We have mostly done it on our own or as a companionship. 

Thanks for everything. I love you lots. Funny you mention the stories of ancestors. Grandma sent me an autobiography about Lauritz Smith in my birthday package so that was cool. Well have a great week!

Love, Elder Smith 

To Mom:

Hi! Things have been good. It's been a fun week. We have had a couple people listen to us.

I like that picture. That's how I feel. Sometimes I just want to ask them for hot chocolate and to let us in.

That's a lot of practice and performing! That guy (Tony Maiello) looks nice. He should join the church.

That lesson sounds really good. I love stuff like that. That is a cool picture. I like your thoughts to go with it.

I haven't had anything super amazing. We showed it to an investigator and she loved it. We gave her the calendar too. It was good. I've been doing all the things, but yeah I haven't had any awesome miracles yet. But they will come. What about you?

So oplysverden means light up the world. The problem is that oplys can also translate to enlighten or inform, so some danes don't like that.

I know that sister Stokholm in Roskilde was going to make a huge Thanksgiving dinner for the missionaries there, but we don't really get very many eating appointments here.

Yeah they used my bike because we didn't have any extra. My foot is stupid. I'm actually going in on Wednesday to get the toenail cut out like I've had done 4 times back home. But at least it will finally be better. I've spent like 30 dollars on medications and had 3 doctor visits so I just want it to go away.

That's okay that I didn't get your package. I had a good birthday. So funny story with the packages. I sent yours this week. But on Monday I got a call from the Elder in the office Elder Buxton. He said that I got a package and the Danish mail people decided to check it because they do that sometimes. They charged me 140 crowns to do the check because they make us pay for it and 60 in taxes for whatever was in it. So that sucks. I'm glad you sent some extra money because I have to pay 30 dollars to get one of my Christmas packages. It's okay though. Anyways I sent yours. I also sent home some letters and stuff that I don't want to carry around with me, but they are under a piece of cardboard. All your stuff is on top.

Was Adam in Italy? I haven't seen any nativity sets really. But If I see one I will keep it in mind. Danes loooove Christmas, but I don't think they really care about the Christ part of it. They just like the worldly things.

I love you lots and lots and lots. I didn't know the Christmas devotional happened which makes me really sad because I didn't get to see it yet. But that is cool. I love you! Have a good week!

Love, Ældste Smith