Week 19: Motivation Through Tally Counters

December 23, 2019

Week 19: Motivation Through Tally Counters

Christmas Mission Conference

What has the world come to that we have the need for tally counters to keep us motivated? Never thought that would happen, but here we are! With all the cold, rainy weather and dark, cloudy skies, Ældste Brown and I just needed a little boost by turning contacting into a counting game. It actually makes our 15+ weekly hours of street contacting and knocking a whole lot more enjoyable. We ́re getting pretty desperate out here in Roskilde, people!

We had our Missionwide Christmas Conference this week!! :D We had some brief trainings from the APs and Præsident / Sister Olsen to start off the annual gathering we'd all been waiting for. The APs spoke about effective finding through testifying, asking questions, and teaching. The Olsens reviewed the new handbook called "Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ". We played a Kahoot to see who paid attention and guess who won? Hopefully you guessed me and Brown cause we won. :) We then had a mini-concert, ate a traditional julefrokost (Christmas lunch), played a roll the dice gift exchange game, watched the live action Lion King, and received our Christmas gifts that were sent from home! Ældste Walton, Jensen, Brown, and I sang a hilarious rendition of "Langt, Langt Herfra" during the mini-concert just to make the audience laugh a bit. Nothing beats a day of pure hygge!

Well, actually I can think of one thing that beats that: three lessons in one week! That might not be a lot for some missionaries reading this but, trust me, it definitely is an upgrade here. How did this happen, you might ask? I honestly have no idea so I ́m giving all the credit to God. I can testify that Heavenly Father works in mysterious and marvelous ways that are usually way different than we personally have planned. I have seen the power of Jesus Christ's gospel and atonement first hand and in the lives of close friends and complete strangers. In reality, we are all sons and daughters of God so that makes us all just one big family. As a human family, it's our job to look out for and uplift each other just as Christ does!

One day, we returned to an area that a lady had previously demanded us to leave and never come back. We weren't really sure why but we felt a "spiritual pull" in that direction for quite some time. Ældste Brown likes to say that it was just him being mad but that's not how a missionary should feel so we ́re doing with the spiritual pull. ;) The first door we knocked on was opened by a very nice lady who politely told us that she wasn't interested, but respected our work. The third door we knocked on was answered by a cheerful old lady named Mette who had recently been baptized in the domkirke. She invited us inside and asked what made our church different from other Christian churches. We discussed the Book of Mormon, living day prophets, and personal revelation. We invited her to read about Jesus visiting the Nephites and to pray about it. Mette told us to come back another day, so we´ll be swinging by after the busy holidays.

I know that I talk about Natasja every week now, but how could I not since she's been so prepared by the Lord! The Roskilde Elders and APs team taught her again this week. We decided to re-stress the importance of the Book of Mormon, sincere prayer, and personal revelation. We also agreed to send her classic chapters from Mormons Bog every day and to hold a mini Book of Mormon study group a few times every week. We have noticed that she is becoming happier and brighter every time we meet with her. She is definitely getting very close to baptism, no doubt about that. It's truly amazing to see the growth in her! Brown and I are planning to set her on date to be baptized on either January 11 or January 18. Please pray for us and for Natasja this week because this is a ginormous life decision that has been months in the making. We ́ll see what happens this upcoming week! Tune in next time to find out!

Ældste Brown and I had the privilege to team teach one of my lifelong friends, Kalyn, with the Reno Sister missionaries and Mama Moore over Skype. We taught about the priesthood and the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We testified that the same church that was established by Jesus Christ Himself has been restored on the earth in modern times. We also witnessed that the gospel is the same no matter where we are in the world or what language we speak. I have to say that it was probably the most I've felt the spirit during a lesson even though it was given through a screen thousands of miles away. I was actually starting to tear up a bit (real men cry, okay). I think I felt God's presence so powerfully because I ́ve known Kalyn for as long as I can remember. It brings me so much joy to see her invite God into her life and seek after Christ ́s perfect example. God is so good!

I gotta say that the holiday season is a wonderful time to talk about Jesus Christ and His birth. A lot more people are open to talk about religion and attend church services. We had around 25 non-members show up to sacrament meeting. :0 The Roskilde Elders and APs were hustling around trying to meet everyone before they ran away. Sharing what we know to be true about Jesus Christ with others is a wonderful task and a huge blessing! Our job is simply the best! Just to conclude, I want to share a classic scripture that describes why Jesus Christ was sent to the world. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He lives and through Him all may be saved. He is the path, He is the way, He is the light. What a precious gift He is!

Jeg elsker jer højt,

Ældste Moore

P.S. GLÆDELIG JUL to those in Denmark!!! MELE KALIKIMAKA to those in Hawaii!!! FELIZ NAVIDAD to those serving in Spanish-speaking missions!!! And last but not least, MERRY CHRISTMAS to those back home!!! I love you all so much and remember to celebrate God's greatest gift, Jesus Christ!!!