Sederholm's Mission to Denmark: September 2013

August has already come and gone in a flash just like the last few months. On August 2nd we held a mission leadership council at the mission home. It nice to have all the leaders together to discuss the mission and enjoy a lunch once a month.

On the 4th we had an open house at the mission home for less active members, new members and investigators. I think we had the biggest group in attendance. Everyone enjoyed the message and of course the time to visit.

Elder and Sister Hicks arrived on the 6th after a long wait for their visas. They are going to be member leader support missionaries in the Randers area. We are very excited to have them here with us. They are very excited to serve.

On the 7th Sister Vige arrived from the MTC in England. She is from Norway so she didn't go to Provo for language training and was only in the MTC for 2 weeks. And then on the 13th we received 9 new missionaries, Sister Packard, Elder Madsen, Elder Call, Elder Parry, Elder Taylor, Elder Holbrook, Elder Warner, Elder Tuckett and Elder Talbot. 18 were scheduled to arrive but only half received their visas.

August 14th was a big day for Jarom and Heather, they started school. Jarom started his last and final year of high school and Heather is a sophomore. I've decided that I'm not happy with all my kids growing up. I would go on strike but I don't think that will help.

And then to top that off, 12 missionaries, Sister Guesne, Sister Christensen, Elder Hansen, Elder Sorensen, Elder Broschinsky, Elder Wooden, Elder McDonnell, Elder Arts, Elder Singleton, Elder Dunshee, Elder Wright and Elder Richards, departed for their homes on the 15th. We are getting new missionaries all the time that I consider family and after 18-24 months they leave me and go back to their real families. It makes me sad but I'm happy for them.

I had the opportunity to fly into Salt Lake with a couple of missionaries returning home. What fun it was to see them reunite with their family and friends after being away for 2 years.

I even had a warm welcome back to the states by Hilary and her boyfriend, Jens.

Jared and Dallas were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mt. Timpanogos temple on the 16th. What a beautiful wedding. The room was filled with family and friends. That evening, at the wedding dinner, Shawn, Jarom and Heather were able to Skype in to give some fatherly advice and visit with family. We all had a wonderful time.

On the 17th Jared and Dallas had a reception in Provo at Dallas's aunts home. The decorations were beautiful and the food was delicious. I think a good time was had by all that attended. I even had some return missionaries from Denmark drop by for a visit, Elder (Brian) Bailey, Elder (Garrett) Jones, Sister (Kendra) Arbon, Sister (Sydnee) Taylor, Elder (Jens) Jespersen, Elder and Sister Nielson. What a treat!

I also attended an open house in Tulsa and one in Arkansas. It's always fun to see friends that you have not seen in a while and spend time with family.

A senior couple conference was held here in Denmark on the 21st. Shawn was able to be with some of the great couples that are serving here. And then on the 23rd he made him monthly trip to Iceland.

Shawn had a special treat on the 26th. One of his companions, Marc Traasdahl, from his mission 30 years ago stopped by for a visit. Marc had picked up his son in Norway after completing his mission and stopped in Denmark to visit his old mission. They had a nice visit.

Jarom and Heather, along with the youth from our ward here in Denmark, have been working really hard to raise money this summer and had the opportunity to go to England. They attended the temple and saw a few sight in London. They left on Friday the 30th and returned on the 1st of September. What an opportunity they had!
Elder (Jacob) Sederholm is doing great. He is serving right now in Chehalis, Washington. He is a Zone/District leader and is serving with 2 companions. He loves missionary work, he said he cant believe he is saying this but" he loves knocking on doors." Got to love it!
What a wonderful, busy, crazy month. We are looking forward to many more!