Week 10: Moving Already?

Biking in Storkær

Hejsa everyone! This week has been totally unexpected, as you probably guessed from the title. Ældste Ogden and I got a call from Præsident on Saturday night and we knew right away that something was up. When Præsident calls right before transfers there´s gonna be some shocking news! We were told that Ældste Ogden would be moving to Frederikshavn and I would be moving to Roskilde on Monday. No one saw this coming since I´ve only been out for five weeks and Ogden was just on Jylland! According to Præsident, I will now be in the "land of milk and honey" and Ogden will now be in the "desert". I trust that we're needed where we're going so I'm not gonna stress about it!

Before we all had gotten our calls, our entire disctrict speculated that either Ældste Nielsen or Ældste Friedbaum, or even both, would be transferred elsewhere since they've both been in their areas for nearly six months. That obviously didn't come to pass... Missionary work sure does keep us on our toes with all the curve balls that are thrown at us! The thrill of serving a mission is to wake up everyday unsure of what´ll happen that day. Another thing that's very cool is that you can choose to do and be better each day and find unique ways to do that. Way fun! 

Speaking of fun, my new companion's literally the definition of it! His name is Ældste Brown and he comes from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has three younger sisters and loves to tell stories. I think I've already gotten about five stories out of him! He enjoys rock climbing and golf and wants to be an entrepreneur. We've decided to motivate each other to eat healthy and workout every morning. We are also going to look for ways to strengthen each other spiritually and emotionally in unique ways. I'm way excited to work with Ældste Brown!

Okay now I'm gonna backtrack a little to the beginning of week. We´d recently been spending a lot of time knocking at apartments on this street called Storkær so we decided to give it two more tries this week. The first attempt was with Ældste Ogden on Tuesday and the second attempt was with Ældste Cook on Wednesday (since the zone leaders needed to plan our zone training). The first time, we returned to people that said to come back. Two of them answered when we knocked. One was an older man that told us to come back again another time, although this time it was super awkward because a delivery man came up to the door to bring him some food. The other was a man who was very high and basically understood nothing that we said. It´s so interesting to see all the ways people respond to our knocking! The second time, we finished up all the apartments with nothing showing even the slightest interest. Ældste Cook and I decided to take a bike photo shoot so we could get pictures of us riding our bikes to please our mothers. Ah, the joys of having photomaniacs as mothers! 

Besides the pictures, there were a few actual important things this week that really made me happy! To start, Ældste Cook and I found a family that was interested in hearing more about the gospel. It was really cool because we set up a time to come back. Next, I was able to testify to a man that God is our loving Heavenly Father, He hears and answers our prayers, and families are the center of His plan. It´s the most I´ve ever been able to say because most Danes disengage after about 2 seconds of me talking about religion, haha. To continue, I was able to make some cards to show Casper how the Book of Mormon and Bible support each other instead of oppose each other. I rediscovered that Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness and that is explained by the Book of Mormon, two or three witnesses testify of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Lord has other sheep to lead. Those are all very solid arguments! Luckily, that cards are with Ældste Nielsen and Ældste Cook so they´ll be using it when they go to Casper´s in our place. Let's hope that it goes well for them!

We had zone conference this week and I loved the subject that Ældste Ogden and Ældste Nielsen decided to focus on! What is it you might be asking? GRATITUDE. Our zone is great with obedience, yet we are still struggling quite a bit. Overall, there has been little to no expression of gratitude and we want to fix that! We want to thank God for all He has blessed us with, whether they be triumphs or struggles. It's easy to thank God for triumphs. For the struggles, we want to thank Him for the lessons we learn from them. We are adopting a new attitude of gratitude! It kind of reminds of my family saying "make a great day". It is always up to us to see the goodness around us and it's an amazing way to live! I'm thankful that I was taught by my wonderful parents to always make the best out of any situation in life. I can never thank them enough for their righteous example to me!

Along with zone conference we had stake conference (and perfect timing too)! I was again reminded that it takes valiance and consistency to maintain a thriving relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. During the meeting, I frequently thought about a talk I read earlier in the week given to BYU students called "True to the Faith" by Gordon B. Hinckley. He quoted Geoffrey Colvin, who once said, "Nobody is great without hard work." This is a good way to describe the meeting! I remembered that we need to continue to work hard, especially in missionary efforts and the temple ordinances. I heard every person on the pulpit stress both of these important works! I know that if we each focus our lives on bringing the knowledge of the gospel to people on BOTH sides of veil, then we will be blessed tremendously and experience pure joy forever.

I am so grateful that I have a purpose in life and a hope to become something more than I can imagine. I am so grateful that I have started to see others as God sees them. I am so grateful for the atonement that helps me repent from my sins, overcome my weaknesses, and find the joys in life. I invite all to look in the mirror and think of yourself as God would. I invite all to look at others and think of them as God would. Trust me, it'll make life so much more enjoyable! It has made mine greater than ever before! I love everyone who reads these emails and felt that I should remind you of the wonderful people you are. I would not be here without you and I can feel the support through your thoughts and prayers. Life is so great and I couldn't ask for more!

Jeg elsker jer højt,

Ældste Moore

Last UV splits in Copenhagen

Cook and me on splits

Signing map in Rødovre