Monday, February 27, 2012

hey all!

It's been another good, busy week in Copenhagen. It ends up we didn't get to go to the ruins last week, we ended up exploring downtown copenhagen and nyhavn instead. But we had a great time. This week has been full of finding hours... putting in a lot of time talking to people on the street and visiting members and getting to know the area. Its tough, it really feels like we're building from the ground up. We've got nothin but a foundation right now, but we're hoping this week is the week where everything starts to snowball.

It's a completely different work on this side of the country. People are busier and generally more rude in the big city. So we're trying to figure out how to work effectively. Its coming along though, slowly but surely.

As for the area, I'm really loving it. The CUV center and ægetpar are great, lots of missionaries in the surrounding neighborhoods, and the city is just a fun place to be. I'm hoping I'm here for a while. We actually met up in Søborg this morning and played basketball. The church building is very american- cultral hall, basketball court, kitchen, the whole nine yards. So that was a good time. I haven't played basketball in forever though! My shot was a little rusty to say the least.

But, great news-- I'll probably be heading up to Frederikshavn again twice in March! We have two baptisms coming up and i've been asked to be there. I'm really excited. I miss that area a little bit. I'm gonna have to find the funds to make two trips, so we'll see how that goes. But I'm excited. Good times all around.

Something i've come to realize more and more every day is-- big secret-- missions are pretty dang fun. Haha. I'm havin a really good time out here.

So that's about it, not a ton of nyhed today, but its just been a good 'ol working week. Finding where the rubber meets the road. Hope you all are doing well and had a happy valentines day! Its not celebrated too much in Denmark, so that was kind of different.

Gotta run, but i hope all is well, keep me updated with your lives!

med venlig hilsen,

ældste logan wooden

Monday, February 20, 2012

Well, it's been quite a week!
Transfers went smooth enough, we had to overnight in Aarhus, where Ældste Broschinsky was serving, and catch a train at 6.30 in the morning to Copehagen, which was a bit of a drag with a ton of luggage, but it all went as smoothly as it could have. Considering that everything i own magically fit into three suitcases, it worked out ok.
We got here and pretty much hit the ground running. This area couldn't be more different, but I love it. I'd forgotten how much I liked big cities. We have a CUV center, which is kind of like an institute building in the states i guess? Its the stake's center for young adults, where we have family home evening and activities and stuff. Its a really nice flat, and its good to see so many young people come! It's fun. We've been to one activity there, a little open house on wednesday night. It was alot of fun. We also have an ægtepar in the area, so that's great! (That's a senior missionary couple.) They run the CUV. And make great food. Always a plus. 
In terms of the work, this week's been quite different. We've pretty much been going by old investigators and less actives, and street contakting as we walk to our next destination, trying to find someone to teach. After 8 hours of this, it's a little tough sometimes. Definitely tries your patience. But thus it is with whitewashing an area. We're building from the ground up. And Rome wasn't built in a day. 
But the overall awesomeness of the area kind of compensates for the hard times. It's one of the coveted areas in the mission. Everything is so close! I can look out my window and see the windows of the mission office on the next floor down and across the way... weird. Funny story actually. I was just chillin in my p-js this morning, playing the uke and eating, and I happen to look out the window next to me and down at the street. Who do I see? President Andersen, just chillin in his car at the stoplight waiting for it to turn green. Whoa. Weird. I quickly turned my attention back to my granola. We only live on the third story, so we could have easily made eye contact, but I don't think he saw me. Not that I was doing anything wrong, its just that quick moment where you double check and make sure you're solid. Kinda like when you see a cop in the lane next to you on the highway. It was funny. Definitely a new area.
We're going to some castle ruins that sit underneath downtown copenhagen today, so that should be cool. Lots of things to do on P-day now!
We use lots of public transportation. A combo of S-tog (subway-ish) the metro (like bart or trax) and buses. Its alot of fun. Big cities are the way to go. I miss F-havn and its hygge, no doubt. But this is definitely fun too. 
More to come!

MVH,
Ældste Wooden

Monday, February 13, 2012

So... some bittersweet news. I had a gut feeling I would be transferring, and that's exactly what's going to happen tomorrow. I'm heading out. Big bummer, because we have two baptismal dates coming up in March, but I can travel back and see them. So i'm hoping that will be possible and go according to plan. I had to say goodbye to the branch yesterday and it was tough. They're the most tight-knit, hyggelidt branch i've ever seen. I will most definitely be coming back to Frederikshavn one day. Without a doubt.

But now for the exciting news. My new area is Frederiksberg! It might sound similar to Frederikshavn, but I promise, it's only the names that resemble each other. Frederiksberg is a neighborhood in downtown Copenhagen! haha and you'll never guess who my companion will be... Ældste Broschinsky, who was my MTC companion just 4 months ago! I was shocked when president told me. I was like, are you serious? Just us, really? He thinks we're up to the task I guess. We're excited. But it couldn't be more different, let me tell you... Æ. Broschinsky and I will be living with the AP's in their sweet apartment, literally a block away from the mission office and two blocks from the temple and church building. In comparison, I have been walking 30 minutes to get to church in Frederikshavn for the past 4 months. So its going to be very exciting. Lots of change. Big, busy city here we come. Æ. Broschinsky has been serving in Aarhus for the last 4 months, so he knows the big city feel a little better at least. And we're not completely alone either, the AP's and a sister companionship work the same area, but the AP's don't have a ton of time to do peasant work, as you can understand. haha so that's that i guess! I leave tomorrow. I'm already mostly packed.

It's been a great week otherwise. Lots of breakthroughs with investigators. Things are just getting good and now i gotta leave. Its like walking out of TRON with an hour of the movie left. Who does that?

So i will surely have lots to report next week. My world is about to get rocked. Æ. Poulsen was on Amager for 10 months, which is right next to Frederiksberg, and he says its like a whole different mission. I'll be street contacting for about 8 hours a day, and apparently half the people don't speak danish, so i'll have to brush up on my english. hehe

Looks like mom and dad will have to move to a big city like the rest of the family. You back-country folk are just outdated. haha :)

Miss you all, hope all is well.

 

mkh,

ældste logan wooden