In April 1893, Lars received a call to go on a mission to Denmark. This was a great decision for Lars since he now had five children. His only means of support was the lumber the hauled and the grain he raised on his land. He reasoned with Amy that he could not accept but she insisted that he accept the call. She had great faith that the Lord would provide. So Lars mortgaged his home for $500 to finance his mission and left his little family as he embarked for Denmark. Times proved to be hard for Amy. The children were sick more than usual, food and clothing were hard to come by, and when Luther died from complications from measles, she felt that she was most forgotten. But she continued to petition the Lord for help and somehow they managed until Lars was released June 25, 1895.
Upon his arrival home, he found his family trying to manage living in very poor circumstances. With this meager beginning he moved to Sterling to begin a new life, one of hope for better days. He continued to haul cedar posts and made every effort to become independent. His efforts were blessed from that day forward so that everything he undertook worked for his welfare. He prospered, never forgetting his tithes to the Lord. Family prayer morning and night were part of his life.
