Think of All The Good Things Ahead
If you were to ask me what my favorite thing about Denmark was, there would be such a long list that your eyes would roll back and you would regret you ever asked. But at the top of the list were the wonderful young people we came to love so very much, both YSAs and young missionaries.
Our hearts have already been won over by the incredible young people we work with here. In Denmark, we enjoyed the missionaries a lot, but already here, we have done so much more with them in Oxford, and I can only say that they feel like family and we love them.
Our little Oxford district consists of Elders Hill and Tshendabo, and Sisters Porter and Mattos. And of course Elder Madsen and me. We meet together weekly and Elder Hill leads us in the business of the mission, training, and challenges. He is a sweet young leader, and I have no doubt that he will be a force for good in this world after his mission. Elder Tshendabo has the kindest and sweetest personality. He is from The Replublic of Congo and has a very strong testimony. He is obedient to a T. He went to school in India for several years and was away from home and family, and told me that he was asked all the time to go out to parties with classmates. He did for awhile, but found that he served mostly as the designated driver and that the atmosphere of the parties was not conducive to his spiritual well-being, so he just quit. I love talking to him. His native language is French, and he has the softest french accent. I love to listen to him.
Sister Porter is warm and outgoing and so thrilled to be here. She doesn't let much get her down for long. As you can imagine, these young missionaries experience a LOT of rejection, but they persist. Her companion is from Brazil, Sister Mattos - and she is adorable. She just took two very long exams in London trying to pass the English test so that she can attend college in the states. She has been studying a book that must be 4 inches thick.
They came to our flat today for the regular district meeting, along with the zone leaders (9 sets of missionaries in this zone.) I set the table with the best we had, glasses, ceramic plates and my little Halloween decorations in the middle. I served them white chicken chili....it is ALWAYS a hit. They ate it til it was gone and would have eaten more. Even though you serve corn chips with it, I also serve warm dinner rolls because it is an inexpensive to finish filling up tummies. And they were full by the time they finished.
Then they had the meeting and training. Did I mention I really love these young missionaries? They work hard, and they are good kids.
After cleaning up, SK and I went over to Westgate Mall, a newer shopping center within 2 blocks of our home. I know what you're thinking...."It seems like everything she talks about is within walking distance!" And you are right! It is...and that is part of the charm of this place.
It has three levels. One one level we found a kitchen store going out of business. Eureka! We don't have enough teaspoons in this flat to serve 20 people dessert. So we got a dozen spoons and a few other things. That was fun.
Then we went up to the top where there were small sparkling lights everywhere. The third level has a movie theater and restaurants, all sparkling behind shining glass windows. Each had a menu posted and it didn't look like they were enormously expensive. We decided one day we'll go over for lunch. It was so enjoyable to just hobnob with other shoppers and window shop. There is already an air of the holidays ahead. People are beginning to put up Christmas.
I remember how marvelous and exciting and cozy Christmas was in Copenhagen. I have a feeling it will be all that in Oxford.
As my father used to say, "Think of all the good things ahead, Christmas is only (you plug in the number) days away. I'm not kidding, sometimes it was over 300! He was like a child about Christmas and looked forward to it with giddy excitement. That is how I am feeling about the months ahead
Only 54 more days. I'm going to love every single one.
Our hearts have already been won over by the incredible young people we work with here. In Denmark, we enjoyed the missionaries a lot, but already here, we have done so much more with them in Oxford, and I can only say that they feel like family and we love them.
Our little Oxford district consists of Elders Hill and Tshendabo, and Sisters Porter and Mattos. And of course Elder Madsen and me. We meet together weekly and Elder Hill leads us in the business of the mission, training, and challenges. He is a sweet young leader, and I have no doubt that he will be a force for good in this world after his mission. Elder Tshendabo has the kindest and sweetest personality. He is from The Replublic of Congo and has a very strong testimony. He is obedient to a T. He went to school in India for several years and was away from home and family, and told me that he was asked all the time to go out to parties with classmates. He did for awhile, but found that he served mostly as the designated driver and that the atmosphere of the parties was not conducive to his spiritual well-being, so he just quit. I love talking to him. His native language is French, and he has the softest french accent. I love to listen to him.
 |
| The sisters missed their train this morning and were about 20 minutes late, so the elders, delighted to "play" with the guitars set about to make some music. Elder Campini sat down to the keyboard and they made some very fine music together! |
Sister Porter is warm and outgoing and so thrilled to be here. She doesn't let much get her down for long. As you can imagine, these young missionaries experience a LOT of rejection, but they persist. Her companion is from Brazil, Sister Mattos - and she is adorable. She just took two very long exams in London trying to pass the English test so that she can attend college in the states. She has been studying a book that must be 4 inches thick.
They came to our flat today for the regular district meeting, along with the zone leaders (9 sets of missionaries in this zone.) I set the table with the best we had, glasses, ceramic plates and my little Halloween decorations in the middle. I served them white chicken chili....it is ALWAYS a hit. They ate it til it was gone and would have eaten more. Even though you serve corn chips with it, I also serve warm dinner rolls because it is an inexpensive to finish filling up tummies. And they were full by the time they finished.
Then they had the meeting and training. Did I mention I really love these young missionaries? They work hard, and they are good kids.
After cleaning up, SK and I went over to Westgate Mall, a newer shopping center within 2 blocks of our home. I know what you're thinking...."It seems like everything she talks about is within walking distance!" And you are right! It is...and that is part of the charm of this place.
It has three levels. One one level we found a kitchen store going out of business. Eureka! We don't have enough teaspoons in this flat to serve 20 people dessert. So we got a dozen spoons and a few other things. That was fun.
Then we went up to the top where there were small sparkling lights everywhere. The third level has a movie theater and restaurants, all sparkling behind shining glass windows. Each had a menu posted and it didn't look like they were enormously expensive. We decided one day we'll go over for lunch. It was so enjoyable to just hobnob with other shoppers and window shop. There is already an air of the holidays ahead. People are beginning to put up Christmas.
I remember how marvelous and exciting and cozy Christmas was in Copenhagen. I have a feeling it will be all that in Oxford.
As my father used to say, "Think of all the good things ahead, Christmas is only (you plug in the number) days away. I'm not kidding, sometimes it was over 300! He was like a child about Christmas and looked forward to it with giddy excitement. That is how I am feeling about the months ahead
Only 54 more days. I'm going to love every single one.
Comments