February 11, 2018: Lindberg farewell

Mom in front of one of many churches.  They mostly looked the same.

North end of Fynn on the ocean

YSA group hug at open house for Christopher Lindberg

Christopher and his dad, Bishop Lindberg

3 Missionaries prepared to serve.  Chris needs to shave before his plane flight tomorrow morning.

YSA singing Called to Serve at Chris' farewell speech

Our YSA group  from our Kick-off Activity

Kære Familie Sunday, February 11, 2018

This has been a bit of a topsy-turvy week with some ups and downs.  At the first of the week, I spent some time playing middle man between our stake president and Elder Ellis, trying to arrange a visit for he and his wife to speak to members of our stake.  They are on a personal cruise out of Amsterdam at the end of May and offered to pay their own way to Copenhagen on either end of their trip.  It looked like it was going to work the weekend before their trip, but then after a High Council meeting, the stake decided there were already activities in the works that they didn’t want to conflict with.  I had to apologize to Elder Ellis, thank him for his willingness to come and tell him that it was not going to work out his year.  It’s too bad as I think it would have been a good experience for everyone.  One fortunate part of it, is that the Ellis’s would have been here May 11-13 and of course we leave here on the 9th.  It was tempting to try to change our plane ticket, which is already purchased.

Saturday, we planned an outing to the Island of Fynn. We left at 9:00 with Sister Johnson and the Jensons for a drive to the northern part of the Island.  We had previously talked about heading south has it has more touristy things to see, but Elder Jenson asked us to go with them to see some villages where some of his ancestors are from.  We visited a number of small villages and their churches, which were all closed.  All we could do was to walk around the grave stones and take pictures of the church and countryside.  He wasn’t looking for any particular buried relative but wanted to walk where they might have walked.  It was fun maybe for him, but not so much for the rest of us.  I think he basically did not want to rent a car and so we allowed ourselves to be a taxi.  Mom and I are the only ones who can drive a mission car, except for Elder Johnson and he did not want to come along.  The countryside was pretty but we paid $56 in gas and he paid $80 for the toll bridge to get to the island.  We did see the ocean on the East side of the island and on the North.  They day was cold, blustery and overcast. Despite all of that, we got away from the city for a day and had a Burger King for the 2nd time this week!  

On Monday, Elder Koch called around noon to ask if we could be in Slagelse at 3:00 to walk through a potential elders' apartment with the real estate agent.  He has hurt his foot and didn't want to travel.  We figured we could just get it done before we had to be at the Center for our class and FHE. Mom was helping some sisters transport luggage for a transfer and she returned shortly after 1:00 with the announcement that we had a nail in another tire and it was going flat.  We could not drive to Slagelse that way.  I was just finishing mopping the floor and hadn't showered.  We hustled and got out the door by 1:30 to drive to the tire repair shop.  The tire held up even though it was noticeably flat and they were able to take it right in and patch it.  We were on the road to Slagelse by 2:00 and made it to the apartment at 2:55 and back to the Center by around 5:00. The apartment looked really good and Elder Koch tried to rent it, but another tenant beat him out.  2 other parties walked through the apartment the same time we did.  Rentals are crazy here.  The rents are high and it is hard to find nice ones for affordable prices.  

Only Johan Johansen came for the My Plan class.  It is just not getting any traction - I don't think they see the value of the class or else they just have a lot of other things going on.  Johan won't be here next week, so we went ahead and had a discussion on Realizing Our Goals with just him.  It was a nice discussion and after the class he slipped a note into my book thanking us for a spiritual class.  He said it was worth the drive to be here.  That was very nice of him. He lives in the southern part of the Island and it takes him 75 minutes to commute.  He is working in Copenhagen though and commutes every day, so it is just staying later that affects him.  Johan is our most recently returned missionary and he served in Iceland, which part of our mission.  It is definitely a different experience because there are only 8 elders there.  They just swap companions every transfer or two.  We are impressed with him.  He is working as a plumber and is waiting for his brother to get home from his mission and they plan on starting up their own plumbing company.  He also wants to get some more technical schooling.  He just seems to be more focused and aware of what he wants than many of the YSA we work with.   

We only had 5 YSA's at FHE when it started.  A few others slipped in a little late and we ended up with 8.  It is disappointing that so few are suddenly coming out.  Jonathan Leit was supposed to have the refreshments but he texted us at 4:45 asking if we could cover it for him as he was ill.  Mom ran to the store for oranges, bananas, milk and eggs and she made waffles.  They are always a good treat. They went through almost a whole large jar of Nutella, which they love on waffles and crepes.  The activity was speed dating with blindfolds on.  I'm not sure of the purpose of being blindfolded, but it did make it different.  I joined in because the numbers were uneven.  Mom was in the kitchen making the waffles. 5 of them were in no hurry to go home, so we left with Gismo's permission at about 9:30 as they were sitting around a table talking away.    

Tuesday, I took a walk in the late afternoon to get sunshine and fresh air.  The temperature was below freezing and the lakes are mostly iced over except for a few spots in the middle.  The ducks have congregated around those spots.  It was a beautiful afternoon with the sun setting behind the buildings and I took a couple of pretty pictures of the lake, sunset and the ducks.  It was good to get outside and feel and see the beauties of nature.  I will miss the views around our apartment when we leave to go home.  We are very comfortable with Copenhagen now and it is a very nice place to live (except for the darn language).  At 9:00 pm, we ran to the Lyngby sisters’ apartment.  They called this morning and had a full-length mirror that had fallen over and was broken and needed help getting it out of the apartment. That did not make a lot of sense until we got there and could see it.  The mirror was mounted on a wardrobe door and was indeed broken with some pieces falling off and others very loose but for the most part still intact, though badly cracked.  It was at least 6 ft long.  Mom and I carried the door carefully down the 4 flights of steps and got it to fit in our car by turning it on its side and pushing it clear to the dash.  The driver was squished to the side door but we were able to get it home where I broke it into 4 pieces the next morning to get it into the dumpster.  It was our good deed for the day.   

In one of my study sessions this week, I reread President Eyring's talk about keeping a journal. He has been consistent at it for many years. Remember when he said, "Each day I try to ask myself this question.  How have I seen the hand of the Lord in my life or my family's life today?"  That thought has reverberated with me and I am trying to consider that in my daily journal entries.  It has led to more introspection and recognition of the small things that happen every day that are special, when we recognize them and are grateful for them.  

On a morning run, I listened to a new BYU-I podcast that was on marriage.  It was really good.  Scott Gardner, "The Glory of Marriage".  There was one passage that especially jumped out at me. I need to strive every day to make my communications kind and tenderhearted.  I recommend the podcast to each of you.

I also wanted to share some thoughts from our preparation for our Institute class which was on Helaman 10-16.  These are from the teacher’s manual and I found them thought provoking as we consider our covenants of sacrifice and consecration.  

The first 3 are from Elder Neal A. Maxwell and have to do with the process of seeking God’s will and aligning ourselves to it.

“If we are focused on Jesus and His work, both our joys and our staying capacity are increased. … Nephi had not selfishly sought his ‘own life,’ but rather had sought to do God’s will. This gave him the extra and undivided energy which made his striving with unwearied diligence possible. Nephi knew in which direction he faced: toward God” (If Thou Endure It Well [1996], 116).

“Pondering, for most of us, is not something we do easily. It is much more than drifting or daydreaming, for it focuses and stirs us, not lulls us. We must set aside time, circumstances, and attitude in order to achieve it. In Alma’s words, we must ‘give place’ (Alma 32:27). The length of time involved in pondering is not as important as the intensity given to it. Reflection cannot be achieved in the midst of distraction” (That Ye May Believe [1992], 183).

“So very much of pure prayer seems to be the process of first discovering, rather than requesting, the will of our Father in heaven and then aligning ourselves therewith. …

“When we do conform to His will, God will pour forth special blessings from heaven upon us, as was the case with Nephi, the son of Helaman” (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [1979], 93–94).

And from Elder Glen L. Pace. This seems to describe how we see Denmark.  The policies of the government and the way they affect the people over time, makes it seem like “a storm is blowing the moral fiber out of [this nation] of the earth and leaving the land in moral desolation.”

“The whole world seems to be in commotion. Today’s news is filled with accounts of large-scale famine, civil unrest, and natural disasters. Even more devastating in the long run is the spiritually destructive hurricane of disobedience to God’s commandments that is engulfing the world. This horrible storm is blowing the moral fiber out of the nations of the earth and leaving the land in moral desolation. Many people seem to be oblivious to this hurricane and have become so desensitized they don’t even feel a breeze.  We are following a cycle which was repeated over and over again in the Book of Mormon. As the Lord tells us, ‘In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me’ (D&C 101:8). We shouldn’t be too surprised, therefore, that the Lord is allowing some wake-up calls to jar us loose from apathy just as he has done in previous dispensations” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 13; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 12).

Love to all.  I hope you are having as much fun as we are!  Dad

Kære familie, February 11, 2018

How does one determine the success of a mission? Do you count the number of baptisms? Do you count the number of investigators you bring to church or the number of Books of Mormon you place? For us, is it the number of marriages that take place or the number of young adults who leave on missions? It can’t be any of those things—just like a Bishop can’t determine his success by how many temple recommends he gives, or how many full tithe payers he has in his ward. Or a RS President/High Priest Group leader can’t determine their success by the percentage of VT or HT. Success for any of us in any calling can only be determined by the progress we make towards perfection and how we have helped others on that path. But, that is very difficult to measure. That progress involves so many things—service to others, becoming more Christlike, developing unwavering faith and unyielding testimonies. In the end I think we all want to look back and say that we have done our best, with no regrets. But there will be regrets, or thoughts like ‘maybe I could have done more.’ That is where repentance comes in and the Savior’s Atonement, which allows us to try again and do a little better. My Dad once wrote on my perpetual calendar about hearing the words from the Savior: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” That is what I strive for and even though I have not yet earned the right to hear those words, I am motivated to do so. I would also like to hear the words spoken to Nephi, son of Helaman: “Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.” There are many things we are called to do which are difficult, or mundane, or seemingly unimportant—but if we can do it with unwearyingness, always seeking to do the Lord’s will in all things, and keeping His commandments, we will be blessed.

Christoffer Lindberg, one of our YSA, gave his missionary farewell testimony today. While I don’t count him as our success, I certainly can rejoice in his choice to serve a mission, and today is one of the Red-letter Days in our mission. He will make a fine missionary. We have watched him over the course of our mission grow in maturity and testimony. When we came, he was just graduating from gymnasium (high school). He was a fun-loving, carefree, jokester kind-of-a-kid (19 years-old). And while he still is all those things, (which is what makes him so likeable), he has also developed a strong testimony, a desire and willingness to serve, and has a huge, caring heart. There is a seriousness about him without taking away from the fun-loving side. He is going to Norway—his great, great, great grandfather served there in 1903. He goes to the airport tomorrow morning at 4 a.m. to board a plane for Utah and the MTC. Norwegian is very similar to Danish—only easier, so I think he will have no problem learning the language. He is very close with another of our YSA girls who left on her mission in November, so if this all works out, their marriage will be stronger for their missionary service. Just before he talked today, all the YSA’s in the congregation came forward and they sang “Called to Serve.” There were 25—friends, cousins, full-time missionaries. It was truly amazing. I had been asked earlier to accompany them. Christoffer’s mom was behind the impromptu choir and even she was surprised by how many participated. They sang with gusto and it was a fitting tribute. Another special moment for the memory bank.

I received a text yesterday from the stake music chairman asking if I could accompany the choir in the Frederiksberg Ward. For some reason, they had no pianists for today. It seemed a little strange, but I am here to serve in whatever capacity. It made for a very long church day—but I didn’t mind. We had practice at 9 and Sacrament Meeting afterwards (and there was someone else to play the congregational hymns?!?). I then rushed to my own ward to play for choir practice and the congregational singing and finished by playing in Primary. After Primary, I was headed towards RS (the last 20 minutes), when I noticed a group of our YSA girls in the chapel. I poked my head in to encourage them to go to RS and ended up visiting with them instead. “Sit down, Sister Shurtliff,” they said. “We are having our own RS today.” They were visiting from other wards—just came to support Christoffer—and spent the last block of the day catching up on the YSA Valentine Conference which was held this weekend. Only one of the girls had gone, so the others were anxious to hear about who was there, what activities were offered, and who talked to whom, and who danced with whom. I enjoyed it. When church was over, and I got up to leave, one of the girls asked if we were going home for lunch—it was 3:30. I said yes, and they said they would come over so we could continue the conversation. I wasn’t sure if they were serious, but sure enough, about a half hour later they showed up with some frozen cinnamon rolls which we baked. I cut up some apples, sliced some cheese, put out some ham and crackers and chocolate milk and we had ourselves an English tea. I love talking with our YSA’s and we have developed a close relationship with so many of them.

On Monday, one of the YSA girls volunteered to make dinner for Thursday night. But she didn’t want to do it alone. Another girl volunteered to find her a ‘date’ to help her prepare dinner so they could do the Shurtliff Challenge. I asked if I could do anything to help and one who was making food asked if I could do the shopping. I said that would be fine—just send me a list of the things she needed. Well, on Thursday about 1 pm, I didn’t get a list of groceries; I got an “I’m too sick to prepare dinner” message. I had already planned on making brownie sundaes for dessert, but now I needed to plan dinner at the last minute. The next few hours were busy with shopping and preparing dinner. Someone once suggested that I have a meal in the freezer that I could pull out at the last minute for occasions such as this, but I have not done it. I always wish I had when I get these last-minute calls. The ‘date’ still showed up to help which was nice and we managed to get dinner ready on-time for 20+ hungry people.

It was also my turn to teach the institute lesson. We hadn’t taught anyone for so long, I didn’t worry too much about the lesson. I had intended to finish my preparations on Thursday afternoon before heading over to the center, but being responsible for dinner changed all that. Sure enough Miranda Bradshaw, our American volleyball player turned banker, came to institute that night. We had a great discussion, though, in the kitchen—the only available space for our class—about the end of the book of Helaman—the pride cycle and Samuel, the Lamanite. We had people drop in and out of the kitchen throughout the night, but it didn’t bother us. We included them in our discussion and just kept on going. We spent some time talking about following the prophet—to the letter—and how obedience brings blessings. We teach that to the missionaries—about obeying exactly. I think when we are obedient in the little things, it sets the precedence to be obedient in the big things.

We said goodbye to another missionary couple on Friday night at the temple (they go home next week). They have served for 18 months as temple missionaries and came out a few months after we came. I have enjoyed our weekly encounters in the temple and at other stake activities. It still seems so odd that many of these missionaries who came after us are going home already. The temple will be left with very new ordinance workers—all short-timers (3-6 months). The temple missionaries are the backbone of the temple—the ones you can always count on. We have anywhere from no additional ordinance workers to five or six workers each week. Some come every week; some come once or twice a month; and others are very irregular. But the temple always goes on and we manage to meet the needs of the patrons. It makes me feel needed and I am always glad to serve.

As you know, my thoughts have been occupied with my mom. I’ve wondered if I have stayed too long on our mission, even though I am anxious to see some things through to the end. I’ve wondered if I have been praying for the wrong things—that she will still be there when I return. Maybe I am interfering with the Lord’s plan. I would love to see her again, even if she doesn’t know me, but I need to accept that it might not be possible. I am grateful to Stephanie who has the lion-share of the responsibility for Mom, and Peter who has been a great support. And once again I realize just how far away I am. But I can pray for her and all those who care for her, and that gives me a small measure of comfort.

I hope you all have a great week. Thank you for the Facebook posts. I love seeing the kids. The children in Denmark are on vinterferie—Winter break, but it should be a normal week for us. We will start another round of apartment inspections this week and we have Zone Conference on Thursday. Please know how much we love you and pray for you as well.

Med kærlighed, Mom