Is this working?

Góðan daginn! Hopefully this email works. I can't seem to get my email list to work. I've been using google contacts to send everyone the emails and it's been working really well, but now I don't have access to it very often. My first two weeks in Iceland have been pretty insane! The weather is abnormally good, which is awesome. (except for that it's probably from climate change) I've eaten horse a few times, it's pretty good. We've made it into tacos. Honestly I probably couldn't tell it apart from ground beef. I haven't seen the sun go down. It only goes down in the middle of our sleep schedule, so we've precariously stacked pillows around the window because the curtain doesn't quite do the job XD. I got here right in time for a Baptism! A sister got baptized my first saturday here. She's so sweet, and I could just see how much happiness her baptism has given her. I'm serving in the Kópavogur area. It includes part of Reykjavik and goes south a long ways. (several hours drive) It's really cool! The Reykjavik branch is pretty awesome! We have church translated into 2 additional languages. Icelandic, English, and Spanish. There's a few hispanic families here that are about 1/3 of the branch! One of the families moved apartments, and we went to help them. Then they had a little house warming party and all the other hispanic families came. That combined with the weather and the food made it feel like a crisp fall day in Texas. Even in Iceland, hispanic food is top tier. I've also attempted to dust off the very small remains of my spanish classes I took six years ago... I'm going to say I've been super duper successful, and you guys are going to know that I'm being sarcastic so that I'm being honest in all my dealings without saying I'm not good at spanish. I've not been doing horrible at the language! In fact I've been doing better than I've expected. I wish I was fluent, but I know that as long as I'm putting forth the effort, talking with faith and doing my studies, the Lord will use me to say what He needs me to say. Yesterday we walked to church because the Bus schedule is different on sundays and we had to be early to clean and set up the chairs, so we walked like 45 minutes there. It was an awesome way to see a bunch of pretty scenery and enjoy the beautiful weather, but I must confess. I was dripping with sweat by the time we got to the church. Hopefully I didn't have BO with anyone haha. I'm the 9th and final Elder in Iceland until around October when we get a few more, but some of the Elders here will go home by then so I'm not sure what the numbers will be. I'm in a trio again! Elder Christensen's my trainer, and Elder Brown's with us too. They're pretty awesome! The first few days in Iceland I had jet lag so bad. I fell asleep during person study once and my comps took a photo of me which is pretty funny. I've been able to talk to several people in Icelandic! It's not all totally flying over my head, but my vocabulary is so small. I do good at understanding untill there's 2-3 words in a row that I don't know. Which happens fairly often... I've met a whole bunch of super awesome people! I must say, the Icelanders I've driven with a very polite and safe drivers relative to the States. I've had Brazilian, Phillipino, and I believe it was Venezuelan food, but I haven't gotten to enjoy the fermented fish, or sheep head yet. Also, the missionaries and members of Iceland are working on this project were we dance to a song and we're planning on posting it online to get a whole bunch of reach with its message. I've been in Iceland for 12 days, but it doesn't feel like I'm new here. All the other missionaries I've met are super nice and everyone's really polite. Even the impolite people are relatively polite when we're finding. I met president Mattsson (my mission president) He's so amazing! I look forward to working with him over these coming years. Anyways, Iceland's great! Being a missionary is greater! I love that I get to share this gospel. There's not a temple in Iceland, so the members are taking a trip to Denmark, which is our designated temple. A family is getting sealed there. The Husband/Father taught elder's Quorum yesterday and he was so happy. He and his family are from Ghana! Reykjavik is so diverse, it's awesome. Helaman 10:7 says: "Behold, I give unto you power, that whatsoever ye shall seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven; and thus shall ye have power among this people." This is when Nephi, son of Helaman gets the authority to perform sealings. This is one of the most amazing blessings of the restored gospel. Christ taught that the two great commandments were to Love the lord thy God, and to live thy neighbor. Both of these commandments, that the Savior himself taught, are centered on love. And because of the restoration of the sealing powers on earth, we can be with and love the people we hold closest in our hearts for all eternity. What sweet joy this sentence gives me. Not only will I be able to spend forever someday with my future wife and kids, but for two years I get to share that message with the people of Iceland. Nothing brings me more peace, than knowing that through Christ, despite all my weaknesses, I can be made strong enough to be with my family forever. I'm so privelaged and blessed by the opportunity I have to share that peace as a representative of Christ and his Church to the world. There's nothing that brings me true joy that's not connected to this gospel and to Christ. I don't know who all is reading this, but I want to bear my witness to you that I know this gospel and doctrine is true. I know that Christ suffered and died, then was resurected for each and every one of us. He lives to quiet all our fears. The joy I've felt from him is too pure, too powerful to be fake, or to be some scheme of the prophet Joseph Smith. God loves you. He knows each of us individually, and he's put forth a plan that will bring us more happiness than our mortal brains can comprehend. Come, thou Fount of Every Blessing - The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square I love you guys! Öldungur Rasmussen

Your Travel to Iceland Next Week

Dear Elder Rasmussen, You will soon arrive in Iceland to begin your service in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission! We are excited to welcome you! Here is some practical information for your packing and when you arrive. Please pack in your carry-on enough clothes and personal items for a couple of days in case your luggage gets lost. If luggage is mishandled, it can sometimes take two days for the airlines to get it to you. It is a good idea to take pictures of all your suitcases to help them know what to look for. Important Things to Know When You Arrive at the Airport in SLC and Iceland 1. You may have to pay for a 2nd checked suitcase for the flight on Iceland Airlines. If you leave SLC on Delta, they allow you to check 2 bags. But, when you change planes in Boston, Iceland Airlines will only allow you to check 1 bag. You will need to pay for the 2nd bag. Pay for that 2nd bag with your debit card and get a receipt. When you arrive, we will reimburse you on your MFS card. 2. Have the following documents with you and handy when you land in Iceland: a. Physical Passport (Have a photocopy of your passport in your carry on luggage) b. The printed copy of your Iceland residence/visa permit When you arrive at the airport, follow the other travelers and signs to “Passport Control”. (Be aware of your surroundings, noticing signs, and the direction other passengers are going. If you feel that you are lost, ask an attendant for help.) After having your passport checked, you will be directed to the baggage belt assigned to the airline you traveled on. Use a baggage cart to put your bags on. (In the event that your baggage is not on the belt, contact an attendant there, who will help you. Sometimes your baggage may be late and not lost.) Practice responding to questions about what you will be doing in Iceland by saying something like: “I will be giving service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” If we call it missionary work, it may suggest to Iceland officials that you will be paid for what you do, which is not the case at all. After getting your baggage follow the “ÚT” signs that will lead you to the waiting area, where we will be! Just in case, if you need to contact us Elder McGary’s cell phone number (with the country code) is: +354 773 4090. See You Soon! Elder and Sister McGary Mission Coordinators, Iceland Mobile Phone: +354 773 4090 Lyngás 1 H305, Garðabær Iceland

The Final Countdown

Sæll and sæl! This week has been so long! So much has happened. I got my travel plans! I check into the travel office at the MTC on monday at 3 30am! Hopefully I wake up. It was a whole mess and a half to get everything squared away. So last tuesday my name got submitted for reassignment because my visa wasn´t in yet. On wednesday I got it, so I didn't need to be reassigned. Thursday I got my reassignment to San Jose California, but I got my visa so I didn't need to go. Friday I got travel plans to leave Tuesday the 10th, but monday I got updated travel plans to leave the 9th for Iceland. I'm so excited. Also, I finally figured out how to swap between keyboards (Icelandic and English) on this bluetooth keyboard my dad so wisely told me to bring. Thank you so much Father <3 Ég sagði á vinni Kennaris á Íslensku og þau sagði ég tala mjög goður! If I did that right it says "I talked to friends of my teacher in Icelandic and they said that I speak very well"! that's pretty exciting. The language has been coming along fairly well! My teacher said she was impressed with me yesterday which is awesome. I'm so excited to get to Iceland and be immeressed in it, even though I probably won't know a lot of what they say. I played a whole lot of spikeball this week for my exercise time. It's really fun! I recommend it as a christmas or birthday present to anyone. Also I believe it would make an extremely fun youth activity or just past time. Don't ask my companions, but I'm definitly extremely good at it... Anywaysssssss, yesterday was my last choir practice. I'm gonna miss it so much. Brother Egget's awesome. I 12/10 recommend all missionaries go. It's awesome. Elder Mebius and the ASL class got here last wednesday! He's definitly an awesome Elder! I also want to bare witness of the Power of Patriarchal blessings! It's been an amazing source of comfort for me adjusting to missionary life, and seeing what the lord wants for me. Read yours! also, try to prepare to get yours if you haven't! It's like scripture just for you. Amazing. The polish class and the Persian elder left on monday, and the indonesian elders also left today. Several of my friends in other districts are gone now, which is so weird because they've been here for so long. I'm so excited for everything though! I'm gonna be in the field so soon! Attached is a missionary meme inspired by brother Egget. He was talking about how much he loved the Apostle John because of the way he described himself in the New Testament. When they Ran to the sepluchre, he talked about how he was faster than Peter. A much needed detail about the importance of outrunning the prophet. It sounds like I've got some work to do though. If president Nelson's as fit as the other Apostles say, I don't know if I could make the same claim as John. My next email will be when I'm in Iceland! P-day there is monday, which is when I'm flying there so It'll be a minute before I can type another one! Ég elska þið! Öldungur Rasmussen

Travel Itinerary and Instructions

Dear Elder RASMUSSEN, Your training at the Provo MTC is nearing completion. We hope you have found your time here inspiring and productive. Attached you will find your itinerary for travel to your mission. Please read over the information carefully. The attachment includes your airline(s) and flight information along with luggage allowances. We recommend forwarding this information to your family so they will know your travel plans. There is no need to print this itinerary. Please note the check out time and you will receive a copy of the itinerary when you depart. As you prepare to depart the MTC and travel to your mission, please adhere to the following guidelines: 1. As soon as possible, please watch "Travel Day Video" found in the My MTC app under Services > Travel. 2. Frequently clean hands with soap or sanitizer. 3. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze. 4. Avoid close contact with anyone, to include handshaking and hugging. 5. Please do not depart the MTC if you are not feeling well, your travel can be booked for a later date. 6. Upon arrival to your mission, please notify your mission president if you are not feeling well. If you have questions, please come to the Travel Office in T4-136 between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Sincerely, MTC Travel Office