January 2018 "Thirty day In"," My Plan", arrival of Elder and Sister Fonnesbeck

Finally... we were able to welcome these newest arriving missionaries  (and their trainers) into the mission home for the "Thirty Day In the Land" training.  Due to their arrival date, they arrived and enjoyed Christmas Zone Conference right away.  They went with their trainers to their areas the second week in the land.  We have been very anxious to be with them for this three day training.  This is President's and my favorite training of all.  Why?  Because it reviews all of our most effective zone training provides us the time to become acquainted with each of our new missionaries.  It is a very busy three days, with much role playing, teaching from our apostles, reading of scriptures, and training them simply to be more effective finders and teachers.  They arrived Tuesday night, ate Kabobs, and then we got started.  

                                                In the training room.  Beginning with our "Where's Waldo" Photo:-)

Role playing is such an effective tool

...when missionaries find your phone...

                                          We end each night with a few games of ping pong.....

They think we "redheads" stick together...and we do:-D

                                                          ...as well as a bedtime snack.

                                     Breakfast comes early...with traditional breakfast burritos.

We have talented missionaries...even budding beauticians..

                                  After breakfast, they prepare the table for that night's dinner...

                                ...sit around the "happy" light, before sacred scripture study time.

                                              Lunch was down the street at McDonalds.

Dinner was homemade fettuccine alfredo, parmesan crusted chicken, salad, garlic french bread and    brownies with ice cream for dessert.

He returned the ball...just a little more to the left Elder...

                     Breakfast comes early again with traditional baked french toast and eggs.

I will say that I'm not a big breakfast eater.  I'd rather have an apple or a bowl of quick oatmeal, but today they convinced me to sit with them....Who told them it was my birthday???  Don't they know I'm not having anymore birthdays???  But I was a good sport...

....until this elder decided to make an announcement...that each missionary would take a moment and tell what they liked best about Sister O'Bryant... :-O

It was very sweet, and only a few made me cry...

Afterwards, we went to the church in Copenhagen to finish our training.  We invite the "My Plan" missionaries to join us this day.  We meet for about an hour so our most experienced missionaries can give counsel to our newest arrivals.

Here they are.  Our most experienced missionaries.  We begin their "transition after mission" 8 weeks before they depart.  Today they will give important counsel to the younger missionaries.  They have learned so much.  In fact, truly they have changed and become more like Christ by developing Christ-like characteristics.  We are honored to have known and served with them.

              Lunch is provided by the senior missionaries from "Dominos" pizza...a favorite.

Below is Elder and Sister Johnson.  They keep our office running smoothly.  I believe they also stayed later to clean up today.  We missed them in our temple picture:(  Sister Johnson is a very good baker.  She brought  beautiful flowers, birthday cupcakes and cake :)

                                 I love this President...never a dull moment with him around...

A perfect ending to our training with a temple session together.  Life doesn't get better then this.  We love serving with these enthusiastic, diligent, faithful missionaries.  They truly are disciples of the Lord.  They are bold, yet not overbearing.  They serve everyone and strive to teach the word of our Savior to those who will listen.  They are selfless and endure whatever necessary to bring salvation to the people of Denmark.  They see daily miracles.  We love these missionaries and we love the Lord.  Denmark is blessed!  

The next day, we received two new senior Missionaries...Elder and Sister Fonnesbeck.  They will serve in Jylland with the YSA program.  They will also serve with the missionaries.  Our missionaries have been waiting with anticipation for their arrival.  The Lord continues to provide Denmark with the best.  We love the Denmark Copenhagen Mission<3