10-26-15

Hello beautiful people!

I don't have much time today, but I would like to share a little miracle with you that we experienced this week. As you know, Elder Vance and I have had some good relations going with this little congregation of people from the Congo here. Well once a year, they do as Christ commanded and they go out and preach the Gospel (basically they go street contacting once a year for an hour and call it good). They invited Elder Vance and I to tag along so they could learn from the pros, but we ended up breaking off from the main pack of them who were preaching violently to people on a busy walking street.

As we started doing our own thing, we walked into this tiny little alleyway in the middle of two ancient Danish homes on this cobble stoned street right next to a canal like the ones in Venice. As we walked through, there was a man standing there smoking a cigarette looking very contemplative. We approached him and started the contact in Danish as we always do, to which he replied ''sorry, what?''.

''Perfect'', we said ''we're from America! Do you speak English?'' Of course he did. We quickly found out that he was from Italy and was only here for the week due to the fact that his brother had just passed away who lived here in Århus and was here to attend the funeral. We showed sympathy, but immediately went into testifying about the great Plan of Salvation. He said that he had a hard time wrapping his head around the fact that he could see his brother again, but he said that it was definitely something he hoped for. BOOM! Perfect. Alma 32:21.

We testified to him that he would see his brother again and that their relationship and happiness could go on eternally if he would do some things that God has asked us to do. He desperately asked what he should do and said that he would do whatever it takes.... we taught him about baptism and enduring to the end and eternal covenants with God. He asked us where and when he could do these things!! Haha we said it would only take about 3 weeks to get started if the missionaries came often enough and he worked at it. By the end of the conversation his mind was set on doing whatever it would take to see his brother and mother and father again. We prayed with him and got his information to the missionaries in Italy. As he hugged us goodbye with tears in his eyes, I asked him what his name was. He replied ''Antonio''.

''And your brother?'' I said.

''Luca''.

 I got a massive smile on my face as I thought of Jordan and Antonia and their new born baby Luca.

Anyway, that was the miracle for the week. I know that God leads us to certain people in our lives. His hand is in each and every one of our lives. He loves us all. I love you all so much :) I hope you know that. Have a great week!!

Elder Jed Bradshaw

10-19-15

Howdy,

How are all you guys and gals doing?? It's a beautiful clear day here in Århus! It's been raining like crazy all week long, but today is just perfect. Today is also transfer day!! I'll be staying here in Århus for at least another 6 weeks so I'm not moving (WOOHOOO!!!), but we just finished getting all of the missionaries in the zone onto trains around the country. Let’s hope nobody gets lost this time. 

We had zone training on Thursday which went great, but to be honest it's always such a relief when they're over. Just so much to plan and worry about. We also had a district activity after the training where we carved pumpkins!! I've got to say that mine was pretty dang awesome.... I'll try to attach a picture if I can. But Halloween is coming up and... haha well it doesn't affect Denmark at all. But I think we're going to try to throw a Halloween party and see if we can't get the members excited about it.

It's strange being in Denmark during the holidays because they don't celebrate Halloween of Thanksgiving, so the ''holidays'' start in December. Don't worry though, we always find fun ways to celebrate something or another in the apartment. We currently have 7 carved pumpkins sitting on our eating table...

Our investigators are doing great! I think our biggest struggle is just trying to keep our teaching pool going even though we don't have much time for ourselves. But things are still going great despite the hindrances! We're trying to focus on the HOW instead of the WHY NOT.

We have two great families now that we teach from the Faroe Islands. Just this last week the young mother of one of the families gained a huge testimony of the plan of salvation through some miraculous story she just had! And she's loving the Book of Mormon! Mostly, we're just excited for the new transfer so we can start fresh with lots of things. Gosh this is so much fun!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!! 

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Ældste Bradshaw

10-12-15

Glædelig Jul og Godt Nyt År!!

JK.

Well, happy week 66 everyone!!! 

Yesterday was the best day ever!! It's been a slightly tough week with investigators due to the fact that we haven't been in our area enough to visit them all, so we really weren't expecting anyone to show up to church yesterday... But we were wrong!! We stood at the door for half an hour and greeted member after member after member, but no investigators. Then the meeting started. We sang the opening song and the bishop read off announcements, then during the Sacrament Hymn, in walks *F*!! Then 10 seconds after him in walks *S*!! Then *J*, then *R*, then Mr. T (yes, that's his real name). It was such a beautiful sight and I couldn't help but grin as big as I could at everyone the rest of the day :D I love the little mercies like that which the Lord gives us every day.

Elder Vance and I have been continuing our tour of Denmark this week. First we were up in an area called Aalborg. I had been there once before and had managed to meet on of their investigators who was a music fanatic (but not as much as me ;)) who I played guitar and piano with. Well this time when I came back to meet him for the second time, he had a gift for me!! Apparently after I had left the first time he instantly went out and bought books by his favorite guitarists full of sheet music and how to make it to the top with the intent of giving them to ME! Well months went by since the first time I met him, but he kept the books for me and gave them to me just 3 days ago! Haha what a great guy. We had a great lessons with him and committed him to be baptized on the 20th of November. Hopefully I will be able to attend.

We were in Copenhagen on Friday for Mission Leadership Conference. That's always such a great experience to see so many great missionaries with an eye single to the glory of God! We were able to get lots done in order to help the mission. Elder Vance and I are now preparing for our upcoming zone training this Thursday. It should be a good one!! Our objective is to motivate and inspire in order to change missionaries mission expectations. 

Oh, one weird thing. We are currently a trio here in Århus because Elder Sakurada had to get emergency transferred to Bornholm, so we have taken Elder McBride under our wing for a week until his new companion gets here from the MTC. Exciting stuff!

I love this gospel. I know it's true. But regardless of whether or not it IS true, it improves the quality of the lives of those that live it. I am eternally grateful for what my Savior has done for me and for the opportunity he has given me to serve his precious people in Denmark. I LOVE IT!! :) and I love you all!! Have a great week!!

Ældste Bradshaw

PS congrats to Ethan for making it to the MTC!!! Bradshaw power for life!

10-5-15

Kære venner og familie,

Happy Conference week!!! I don't know about you all, but I absolutely LOVED conference, and I haven't even had a chance to watch all of the sessions yet due to time differences! Oh man it really is such an incredible thing that we have a living prophet of God on the earth today. And THREE new apostles called!! Did you know that it's been 100 years since that has happened?? What an exciting time we live in! I especially enjoyed what the last of the three had to say ( I can't remember all of their names). 

But here are a few nuggets that I took away from conference so far: 

• Sometimes we make the gospel far more complicated than it needs to be. The true principles of the gospel are all very simple. Simplify.
• The phrase ''journey of discipleship'' seemed to be a reoccurring theme. Exaltation (living as God lives) is the goal. Discipleship is the journey. A journey always starts with the first step, so start where you are. Don't worry about where you are not. Take the next step necessary to begin repentance. The sooner the better.
• The Holy Ghost can give very customized and practical revelation. Ask him what the next step is for you right now. If it is to be that you should clean your room, so do it. If he tells you to call your Mum and just chat with her, do it. 
• For the Lord, our direction is far more important than our speed.
• We must be temple worthy. Always.
• Today is a day of choosing. Chose to believe. The apostles seems to be focusing on that a lot recently. 
• Avoid debt at all costs. Pay tithing first, then live within your means.
• Dating: Observe the way the people you date act under difficult circumstances. Modesty is far more important than I previously thought. Live worthy of the person you are going to one day marry. We don't marry perfection, we marry potential. 
• Motherly love MUST be divine. My mother is the greatest example of Christ I know.
• The culminating act of all Creation was the creation of Woman. Women, you influence is far greater than you could ever imagine. I salute you.
• It's never too early, it's never too late.

I hope you got some of the same impressions as me and many more. General Conference is such a wonderful opportunity to bless our lives.

We were able to have 3 investigators watch conference in the church with us and hope to be going into the homes with many more this week to watch it with them once the Danish translation comes out. 

Here's a fun thing that's happening: I have been asked by a church here in Århus to gather together a band and play at an up and coming youth convention they will be having for thousands of youth across Denmark!! Elder Vance and I have been attending their weekly Bible study class and this last week after the class I was jamming out on one of their guitars on the stage and the Priest insisted that I come and play. Now the problem of finding enough talented missionaries/members to help me out! But this should be a great chance for us to have some good influence on thousands of young believing youth.

Other than that, we have only been in our own area for a total of 8 hours this week due to the fact that we have been doing a tour of the zone and visiting all 24 missionaries. It's been fantastic and we have seen so many miracles!! This is the Saviors work. I have no doubt about that. I love you all!!! Have a great week!!

Ældste Jed Bradshaw

PS my address is Åparken 6 st. 3, Århus 8000, Denmark. Try and use the weird Danish vowels if you can.