Danish phrase of the week: Tillykke
med fødselsdagen! (Til-lookah mell fool-ses-day-en!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! [Why didn't they include that in the Happy Birthday Primary song?]
I was so spoiled on my birthday
yesterday. It was seriously one of the best! I woke up to the Sisters in my
zone yelling happy birthday, and a chocolate muffin from the vending machine.
(that's about as fancy as it gets around here). It was perfect. I basically had
a heart attack but in a fun sort of way.
Aunt Anna, you sneaky lady, thank
you so much for the ten-layer cake! I got called down to the Health
Clinic early yesterday morning and could not figure out why! I was confused
until I got there and the receptionist told me that Karen wanted to see me! And
then I remembered. She is so great! She delivered the cake and gave me a big
hug-hopefully you've seen the picture by now. It made my day and I loved
sharing it with my district! And thanks to the whole White family for the sweet
card! I miss eating your food. :)
The MTC bookstore has a pretty
amazing selection of cheesy anniversary cards, so I got about four from some of
the Elders in my district. They also put together a box filled with random
presents like candy, hand sanitizer, a keychain, and Gas-X. ... ... thanks
Elders. But really, it was hilarious and I loved it. Except the Gas-X. I threw
that at Elder Porter.
Also, because of Sister Moseley's anxiety, she has
connections at the counseling office. Last week through the counseling office, we met the most glamorous 75 year
old Danish woman. Her name was Lisbeth Hopper. She talked to our
companionship all about Denmark-the people, the traditions, the food. It was so
fun. We talked for like 2 hours. But she told us about this amazing traditional
Danish cake that she always makes for her grandchildren on their birthdays. My
companion was like, "Sister Van Orden's birthday is in four days!"
and Sister Hopper got so excited and was like, "I'll try to sneak you a
cake!" And she did!! Right after I got called down to the Health clinic to
get my amazing cake from Aunt Anna, Sister Moseley got called down to the
counseling office-and this Danish cake covered in Marzipan frosting was
waiting for us. 2 surprise cakes! Plus the mustache cake from you guys-which
didn't quite make it in one piece but I could tell it was a great one :). So
spoiled. Thank you all!
AND-for Tuesday night devotional,
the Young Women General President came to speak to us! She and her husband were
Temple Matron and President in Sweden, and all of her kids served missions in
Scandinavia (one even went to Denmark!) so a lot of the Scandinavian
missionaries went up to talk to her afterwards. She gave all of the Sister
missionaries hugs, and she gave me an extra one when she found out it was my
birthday. I HUGGED A MORMON TEEN IDOL YOU GUYS. :)
Since my birthday came the
day before P-Day, the sisters in my zone decided to have a sleepover to finish
celebrating. We pulled extra mattresses into our room and ate cake and popcorn
and stayed up WAY past our missionary bed-time. It was such a fun day.
Other exciting news-TRAVEL PLANS. We
got them last Thursday! We leave the MTC for the Salt Lake Airport on Monday
morning at 6 am.
Leave SLC at 11:15 AM
Arrive Chicago at 3:30 PM
Leave Chicago at 6:10 PM
Arrive London at 7:50 AM (the next
day, Aug 26th)
Leave London at 9:55 AM
ARRIVE IN COPENHAGEN AT 12:50 pm on August 26th.
ARRIVE IN COPENHAGEN AT 12:50 pm on August 26th.
So basically we can't wait! Also, I
can call home from the airport! I'm going to buy a phone card from the MTC
Bookstore. So I can call between 7 am and 11 am on Monday morning or between 3:30
and 6 Monday afternoon. DearElder me and let me know what time works best for
you all!
I have learned so much about how to
be a good missionary here at the MTC. I'm excited to get back into the real
world and grow even more! One of my teachers, Brother Williamson, has been an
especially fantastic teacher and friend to all of us. He tells so many stories
to help us understand how to teach people as individuals. Also a lot of
hilarious and off-topic stories, but he really does have such an amazing love
for the people of Denmark and he has inspired all of us to work hard! He said
that if we leave the MTC with a desire to love and serve the people, then he
has done his job well. We are so excited. I
can't wait to get there and meet everyone and become a part of this new place!
It really is so important to get to know people on an individual level. The
message of the gospel is for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's generic. It's
specific and highly personal to each individual who hears it. Jesus Christ
taught people one by one. He served people one by one. As representatives of
Him and His church, that's our job too! Really it's everyone's job. I have such
a testimony that we're put here on earth to help each other. That's why we have
families! My companion who is struggling with anxiety has received so
much strength from her family over the last few weeks because they know her and
love her on a deep, personal level. I constantly receive strength from my
family. Every time I hear from each of you and hear about the wonderful,
amazing individuals you are it just lifts me up. I am so proud of all of you. Take
the time to help each other and talk with each other. We are not meant to be
alone. Genuinely reach out to people who need a friend; everyone has something
important to share!
Thank you so much for the letters,
cards, and the wonderful Birthday Box from home! My birthday was a great one
because of all of you!
I love you all!
~Sister Van Orden
Oh! And Hayden (personal shout-out, you should
feel so important)-thanks for all of your DearElders! I wrote you a letter back
a couple of weeks ago-I'm not sure if it got to you. Mail is sketchy sometimes!
But send me your email address so I can keep in touch once I leave the MTC!
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