2.24.14

OK - so I'm sure how I feel about my son being brought into a back room "little India," made me a little nervous.....but I guess it all goes with the experience.  Glad he's happy and working so hard that he loses the time....as well as missing a lot of trains!  Love you all!  Thanks for your love and support of Conner!

Crysi

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From: "Conner Ludlow" <conner.ludlow@myldsmail.net>
Sent: Monday, February 24, 2014 3:25:27 AM

Hej!

 

So I say that a lot of weeks go by fast... but this week went by fast. Most weeks the fast is just when you look back and realize that quite a bit of time has gone by, but this week literally flew. I have no idea where that time even went. Well, I kinda have an idea. It was an awesome week. We taught some lessons, donned some turbans as we were sang to by an Indian Sikh priest, and I almost caught a rabbit! Crazy right? The rabbit was running really fast too. Oh well. Next time maybe.

 

Ok, so I can't really skip over the story of the Sikh priest. It's too good. On splits last week Æ. Ockey contacted a guy who said we could come talk to him. He is from India and was totally dressed up in the Indian garb, turban and all. He told Æ. Ockey he could teach him how to fly, so naturally we had to go back. We made an appointment with him, and he remembered it and invited us in. It started out great. He explained how he came from India, talked about how he liked Denmark, and then the conversation started drifting to religion. We got talking about the bible and about his religion (we had no idea what he was at this point), And so he says: "I can show you the book I believe in!" so we said ok, but he just kinda sat there and smiled... so we said "yeah, can we see that?" Still no response, just sat there and smiled. Then after a short pause, he points to his turban and says "you'll need one of these." Æ. Ockey and I just looked at each other and tried to hold in our smiles as he got up and went and grabbed a couple of orange rags. He walked over to us and carefully started wrapping our heads in these turbans. So he does that, and we had no idea what to think, it was just way too great. We sat there thinking he would bring out the book now that we were looking the part. But no, it was way better than him just bringing out a book. He waves his arms and motions for us to follow him. So we walk behind him as he leads us to a little room in the back of his house. He opened the door and told us to go in, so we did, and it was like we walked into little India. There were pots with scents of spices and India, exotic rugs on the floor, pictures of Indian buildings and guys with turbans on the wall, and then in the middle there was this little mini "tenty-temple" looking thing. He told us to make this Indian peace sign by touching our foreheads and nodding towards the temple thing, and then had us sit down on one of the rugs to the side of it. He took his place at the head of the little temple, breathes in... and begins to sing an Indian song. He grabbed a little stick with some decorations on the end and started waving that around as he was singing, and was really just belting out this Indian song. After a minute or so the song kinda slowed and he reached into the tent thing and uncovered this MASSIVE book, all written in Indian. Punjabi, I think. And he began to read, also in Indian, and also in song. We just kinda sat there, not really knowing what to do, and a little afraid that we would offend the religion in some way, so we just waited until he stopped. He then covered the book and took us out of the room and then we started to talk about religion again. Still in the turbans of course :) Turns out he is a Sikh priest, but he had never heard of our church before and was actually pretty interested. He didn't believe in Christ, but liked his teachings, and when we told him about the Book of Mormon he was super interested and requested one in Punjabi! (hopefully they make one in it... we have to special order it) So we get to go back and give that to him and hopefully teach him again!! Oh, and just in case you were wondering... Yes, we snagged a picture:

Pretty great, eh? So that was our crazy experience of the week. Super funny.

 

We found a castle this week too!!

How crazy is that?! It was unreal! And we really did just find it. We had just finished a service project in a tiny little town and missed our train by like 2 minutes, and it was another hour til the next one came. We saw on a little sign that there was a castle close by, so we thought we would give it a try as we waited for the train. We were in our P-day clothes so we couldn't really knock, and had some extra time saved up from a preparation day that we had to end early so we thought we would use that preparation day time on this. And it was totally worth it!! It was called Ledreborg Slot, and I guess technically it's "JUST a summer home", but it was incredible. It felt like walking into a fairy tale. The gardens were amazing, It was all old, and it just felt super unreal the whole time. So it was a good find. Crazy part is: people still live there! Wouldn't mind that...

 

Ha ha one last story. Man this week was funny. For all you Lion King lovers: our downstairs neighbors had a birthday party on Friday and it was nuts. They were going the whole night. No joke. It was going when we got home on Friday and they were still playing music when we did studies on Saturday morning. But at around 2:30 (keep in mind they are TOTALLY wasted by this point) they started playing the LION KING soundtrack. Haha!  I don't know if anyone has heard Lion King being played at a big party with a bunch of drunk people, but its pretty funny! Just shouting "Oh I just can't wait to be king!" at the top of their lungs and not necessarily at the right note haha... so that was funny. It was pretty good with "can you feel the love tonight" too. But that party made for a little bit of a lack of sleep for us so it was a very tired weekend. But a fun weekend, so no complaints.

 

Well, I've written a novel of an e-mail now, but I hope you all had just as great of a week! Hope all is going well and that everyone is having fun. I love you and miss  you all!! Have a great week!

 

-Aeldste Ludlow

 

 

2.17.14

Hej!

 

Well... I've forgotten how to play baskeball. And I'm not too happy about it. I was on splits on Saturday in a city called Holbæk. We were on our way in for dinner and I heard the rare sound of a basketball bouncing, so I turned around to see a guy beginning to play ball at this little basketball court outdoors in a park. So I stopped just like any good American would and walked over to him and asked if he needed someone to play against. And he sayed "yes!" So I was super pumped. I took the ball in my hands and started dribbling and man it felt great. I looked at the hoop, stopped dribbling, picked up the ball, and shot... just to watch the ball fall about two feet short of the hoop. It wasn't even close. I don't know what happened. But it was not good. Luckily though, after a few minutes of shooting around it came back, no worries. But it was quite the scare. And it turned out to be a way good game! Because the guy ended up being super religious, and after playing for a couple minutes and breaking the ice, he totally opened up and told us about his religious background and how much he loves the bible and Christ. He was really interested in what we do as missionaries and thought that it was sick that we go around like we do, so he gave us his address so we could come and tell him more about it! Gosh I love basketball. Haha Danes sure are funny to watch play it. Their lay-ups are a little strong... like they shoot it overhand and the ball just goes flying off the backboard because they do it so strong. Good times :)

 

But yeah,  It was a sick week! We had a really good time. It was sunny almost all week!! And there are flowers starting to come up! Hopefully it is a sign that the winter is starting to die down... fingers crossed.

 

We went to go visit this investigator in Solrød Strand who is super positive, just way busy. And we thought that we would bake her cookies because we knew it would totally make her day. We were a little limited on supplies but finally found a recipe we could make. We got it from the other Elders in Holbæk, and it looked a little fishy.... called for a TON of oil. but we thought, "ok why not" and just went for it. Well... our assumption about the oil was right... it was a lot of oil.

 

But we cooked them anyways and they turned out alright. They were good... just super oily. So we didn't eat alot of them cuz it was kinda gross. We still brought them to the investigator, but brought along some chocolate too haha because the cookies weren't super great. But hey!  It's the thought that counts, right? It was a really good little trip. She was super happy to see us and we talked for a good amount of time and she said she would try and make some time that she could have us over for dinner! So that is a great sign and hopefully she gets the time...

 

I saw the ocean finally! 

 It was great :) and I saw a truck. Like a full size pick up. Don't see those at all in Denmark so that was crazy. So It was a great week! Oh, and I drove! on splits. Holbæk has a car. So I made sure that I got to drive. And It was amazing! I drove from Rinsted to Holbæk, and it was on this little country one lane road in the middle of nowhere with all these curves and rolling hills... It was so great.

 

So yeah, It was a great week! I'm really liking Tåstrup. I hope all is going great with everyone and that you all had a great Valentine's day! Have another great week! I love you and miss you all!

 

-Conner

Another name tag pic. They are kinda fun

2.3.14

Conner finally let us know that he did have 2 scheduled baptisms leaving Silkeborg and they both are very committed.  The baptisms are March 8th but he will most likely not be able to go since it is so far away!  Details kiddo!  Any tips on how to squeeze out some details from this cute Elder, I would appreciate it!  Love his letters though and am so grateful he is such a hard worker!  He definitely labored while in Silkeborg and was blessed!  Love you all and thanks for supporting Conner!  Crysi

Hej!

 

Well... I'm in Tåstrup!! I transferred this morning and am in a new area! It's a city in greaterish Copenhagen and it is going to be sick. Exact opposite of Silkeborg haha. Big city, and we are serving in the biggest ward in Denmark. Apparently it's like a utah ward! crazy right? And I think their church has a basketball hoop in it... not sure. I haven't been yet since I just transferred this morning (crazy transfer by the way, Æ. Nelson transferred too and getting all of our bags plus his bike on the train was nuts... some of Æ. Nelsons bags didn't make it. But it's ok, we got them. I think. He had to go back to get them with some other elders and I had to keep going on to Tåstrup). But yeah, Its going to be a really fun transfer. My new companion is Æ. Ockey from Nephi, UT, (lived in the house about half way up Nephi canyon with the campground) and it's going to be a super fun companionship. It was weird leaving Silkeborg, but I was there for the perfect amount of time to leave. Long enough that I didn't feel bad about leaving, and not too long that i was sick of it. As I was giving Æ. Durrant the low down on the area getting ready to leave, we made a map of all the places that I had knocked...

Got pretty good cover of Silkeborg in my time there! It was a great area and I had a ton of fun. Wouldn't have it any other way!! So it was good. And all the members are going to come say hi to me when they come to Copenhagen to go to the temple :) so that will be fun.

 

It was a great last week in Silkeborg. Crazy busy, but really fun. We went to Copenhagen on Wednesday so that Æ. Nelson and Durrant could take their language tests for their visas, and I was able to drop off my bike in Tåstrup so it made for an easier transfer for me. And we ate Mexican food!! 

I know it sounds sketch, Mexican in Denmark, but it was surprisingly good. Like amazing. Idk if it was just because I haven't had Mexican food in six months. But it was incredible. The owner was from mexico and he liked missionaries (they must go there a lot haha) so he gave us a discount. That was a plus too. Way fun being in a restaurant like that again. So that was a fun little trip.

 

Other than that, It was work, visiting people before I left. We had a ton of eating appointments and got to say bye to all the members. I got a picture with the whole branch. (yep, this is the whole branch. only a couple people missing. The best!)

Most of our time was just running to appointments with investigators and trying to get ahold of investigators that I wanted to visit before I left. So it was pretty busy, we were definitely rushed around pretty good. But it was really fun and a great way to end my time in Silkeborg.

 

Well, Hopefully everyone is looking forward to a great week and not too bummed about yesterday. Know that I am feeling it with you :( but hey, its all good. Have a great week!! I love you all and miss you all!!

 

-Conner

1.27.14

Hej!

Well... Its winter! It's finally here!

Its been pretty chilly all week but we got a good little storm this morning, so we went out and played in it for a bit before coming to email.

So. This is most likely my last email from Silkeborg :( kinda sad. We will be getting transfer calls tomorrow morning, so I'm not sure where I'm going yet, but I'll find out soon enough! I cant believe i have been here 6 months... but I'm way happy that I have been able to stay here for so long. I have had a ton of fun and love this place. I'll miss views like this


But I'll be excited about wherever I go. Transfers are on mandag and I'm not sure if I will get to email, so if you don't get anything from me next week, that's probably why! The suspense of waiting to find out where I'm going is killing me...

I played hockey this week!!! That's right! We were on splits in Horsens and they had built a little ice rink in their town square and as we were walking by on our way back in, these people were playing hockey, so I stopped and asked them if they had extra skates. They didn't. But they had an extra stick!! And they let me use it! So I ran around on the ice and played hockey with them for a little bit and it was amazing!Way fun haha. And then after we talked for a little bit about where I came from and how I was a missionary and what I did and stuff. They unfortunately weren't too interested in all the stuff about the church, but it was still a fun little chat, and who knows! Maybe next time they see missionaries they will stop them or be more open if they get stopped by missionaries. But I was just a little bit stoked about that... way fun.

We had another trek out into the middle of nowhere again! I love those haha. That's one thing I will miss about Silkeborg. It was to visit a lady we had contacted on the street. We went out and she was way excited to see us and let us in. She was way cool and it was a way cool lesson. About 3 sentences in to the conversation she dropped this bombshell "min datter var kørt ned" (literally translated: my daughter was driven down aka. hit by a car) and we definitely weren't expecting her to say that! It was while we were taking off our coats and we were all just kinda like "uhhhhh..." because it was so unexpected and random, but she continued on to tell us the whole story, so we had time to kinda gather ourselves and listen after getting over that little initial shock. Her daughter got hit and was supposed to die. She was in a coma for 14 days and the doctors told this lady, the mom, to start getting the funeral ready. But then something changed, they aren't sure what, and the daughter made a full recovery and now she is completely fine and is back to normal! She told us how she didn't believe in God before, but she definitely does now. So it was a cool lesson, talking about all of that and telling her about the church, and we have a return appointment to go back tomorrow and tell her more! So that was really exciting! and I'm stoked that I will get to meet with her one more time before I get transferred. That's always a plus.

Well, Hope you all had a great week! ...And that you are making some crazy preparations to go all out this Sunday!! GO BRONCOS!!! I will be wearing my blue and orange tie all day and probably all night as a sleep. As well as my Broncos pajamas. I'll be giving my support as much as I can but make sure to cheer as loud as you can for me!! Really. Like go nuts. Every play. And when they win... yeah. Go crazy! SO STOKED!!! GO BRONCOS!!!!! Have a great week everyone! Love you and miss you!!

-Conner 

1.6.14

From: "Conner Ludlow" <conner.ludlow@myldsmail.net>
Sent: Monday, January 6, 2014 3:28:01 AM
Subject: GODT NYT ÅR!!

Happy 2014!!! Crazy right? New Year's here was absolutely insane. I miss America and all... but man Denmark absolutely destroys the states when it comes to New Year's. I thought it would just be a little more crazy... but it was nuts. We got to stay out until 1 in the morning with members and watch the fireworks... and I have never seen anything like it in my life. It was unbelievable. I took video that I will send back so you can see, but here are a couple of pictures. This was with the shutter open for just a couple seconds:

And this was in the suburbs. You could kinda see the centrum downtown and it was just a white ball of fireworks. You'll have to wait to see the videos, you can kinda see it on there. But yeah, the whole sky was just filled in every direction with fireworks. Pretty impressive.

So after jumping into 2014 (literally, that's how they do it here. its a big thing) We had the most amazing week of my mission so far. We found 18 new investigators... For us that's huge! It was incredible. Families, couples, young people, just all of these fun, way cool, super solid people! It was amazing! We are beyond excited for the work in this area right now. So it was an awesome week, and this week is going to be just as busy meeting with all of them again and trying to contact a few people that we didn't get to this week because it was so crazy. So things are going really well in Silkeborg! I love it. If my faith needed a boost, this week sure gave it one. "Greenie fire" doesn't even have anything on our excitement after this week haha.

So it was an amazing week! I really look forward to this year. It's crazy to think that it will be a whole year on a mission in Denmark. But then again, with how fast 2013 went, who knows how fast this year will go! I'm really excited and looking forward to every second of it. It is the year 14 after all. That's a good number :) Have a great week everyone! I love you and miss you all! Happy 2014!

-Conner

P.S. Don't forget to tell my bro Preston happy B-Day! He turns 9 on Sunday! Love you Preston!

12.30.13

Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 3:52:31 AM

Hej! How was everyone's Christmas??

Christmas in Denmark was amazing... I don't even know where to start... They go pretty crazy over Christmas here. It was a way fun week! Christmas was so cool. The traditions here were amazing! Singing around the Christmas tree, running around in all the rooms of the house, trying to be the first to find an almond that is hidden inside a dessert (kinda like the pickle ornament game, you get a present if you find it!) Just way cool. Here is a picture of me lighting the candles on the tree ( yep- they still use candles as lights on their trees!)

The trio is turning out way fun! Its a little on the awkward side when we knock or talk to people on the street, but It's working! We have had a good week, found a ton of people. We had a little Christmas message that we offered to share with people where we sang and played the guitar and it worked really well! Our goal right now is  trying to have a companionship of ´oh wells` instead of 'what ifs'. We have being trying to take advantage of all the opportunities we get and give it our all, so that when we come back at night we never have to say "what if we worked harder" or "what if we had talked to that guy," and it has been very fun to live that way!

All is going really well and I am still loving every second of it here. I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and have some good plans for the New Year! I love you all and miss you!

Don't miss em-

-Conner

12.23.13

GOD JUL EVERYONE!!!! I hope you all have an amazing Christmas!! Know that I love you and miss you all!