Raya & Her Really Rad Riprolling Ride

Oct 16

Danish Word of the Week: iøjnefaldende.  Det her ord betyder ''conspicuous'' eller ''striking'' på Engelsk.  

Danish Fun Fact: Danes LOVE licorice with a passion.  It's in all of their candy, all of their herbal tea, all of their chocolate, and even in their gum.  I can tell you right now that licorice gum is quite the experience.  

So guess what? Your little missionary put on some big boy pants and got herself a bike! Well, actually the ægtpar got it from the store in a box and the Elders put it together BUT that is beside the point.  The point is that now I am a full fledged Danish missioary with my own white cycle! This was quite a big step for me.  Thank you for all of your support and prayers of encouragement.  They were greatly appreciated.  So riding a bike is something I have been able to do since the time I was a wee little thang, but heed my words when I tell you that Danish bikes are not American bikes.  The brakes are different, the handle bars are different, the gears are different.  Basically a lot is different, so I've kinda had to ''relearn'' how to ride a bike.  It's been qutie the adventure.  But it has actually way fun! I really like biking! For my first time riding my new cycle, I didn't quite know what to expect.  It was raining a little, but it didn't look THAT cold, but I also had to take into acount wind velocity and drafts so I decided to play it safe and wore tights and socks, big skirt, 2 sweates, my rain jacket, and a scarf.  You know, just in case I'd be cold.  All of those layers were definitely not needed.  The first hill came and my face turned a wonderful tomato hue as I heaved and huffed to conquer the hill.  But it's still so fun.  I love our 30+ min rides into our proselyting area.  It lets me think about life and it's many interpretations.  It's a good time.

In other happenings this week, we had Zone Conference! I love Zone Conference! It was a great one, except for the small little event in which we got flu shots.  I had a mini panic attack but it wasn't even that bad and I reproved myself for my unnecessary fear.  UNTIL THE NEXT DAY.  The next day I woke up with a pounding headache, a stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, and an extremely tender shoulder where the nurse shot me.  I was not in a good state of mind or body.  On the bright side, Søster Dietch also got sick so we were sickies together.  That was reassuring.  Needless to say I am better now after many many glasses of herbal tea and prayers of health.  I get a flu shot to avoid getting sick, and I get sick the next day.  How ironic :)

Anyway, I don't know if I have said anything about one of our new investigators! She is from China and is so excited to learn more about the gospel.  She has been trying to pray every night and read the Book of Mormon! We taught her a wonderful lesson about repentance and I honestly don't think it could have gone better.  She is so happy to try repenting and feeling the burden of her sins lifted from her.  We love going over to teach her every week! She is well on her way to coming closer to our Savior! 

So that pretty much sums up the happenings of my week! Good things are happening here in Hammerum! People are beginning to open their hearts to the light of the gospel and smile back at me.  My little åndelig tanke is about smiles.  Smiles are beautiful.  Smiles are contagious.  Smiles are important.  In 3 Nephi 19:25, Christ smiles at the Nephites and their hearts swell ''his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them.'' When Christ smiled, the people could also see His illuminous soul.  They saw His divine spirit.  That Light of Christ is in us all, and it is our duty to share that with the world.  So my invitation to you all this week is to smile.  Smile when you have a bad day.  Smile when you are happy.  Smile at people you like, and smile at people you don't.  Just smile :)

Husk at jeg elsker jer alle sammen så meget og jeg vil gerne at I har lykke den her uge.  Jeg elsker muligheden jeg har at tjene her i danmark.  Det har været den bedste velsignelse, jeg nogensinde har haft.  Jeg er så glad næsten hver dag.  Jeg elsker dette evangelium og jeg elsker min frelser Jesus Kristus.  Jeg håber at I alle sammen kan få en rigtig god uge! Hej Hej!

Søster Esplin 
raya.esplin@myldsmail.net




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