Week 23: The Best Birthday Present

January 27, 2020

Week 23: The Best Birthday Present

Natasja's baptism

I hit the big 2-0 on the 16th and I simply can't believe two decades of my life have already flown by! Time is a mystery that I ́m still trying to figure out - I don't think I ́ll ever crack the code of why short periods of time seem long and long periods of time seem short. With all the presents I ́ve received on my birthday throughout the years, nothing comes close to the joy I felt as I witnessed Natasja be buried in the water and come up spiritually reborn. What a sacred event to behold!

Ældste Brown and I were beyond grateful to participate in Natasja ́s baptism, undoubtedly a monumental moment in her life. She had previously asked us to help so Brown performed the "baptism of water" on Saturday and I performed the "baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost" on Sunday. To briefly explain what the terminology, baptism of water is the part of baptism that involves submerging a person under water to cleanse them of sin. Baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost involves laying hands on a person ́s head to give them the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a spiritual being that acts as communication between us and Heavenly Father. This special spirit can be felt by anyone, but will always be with us when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and remain worthy. We remain worthy by keeping a promise to take upon us the name of Jesus Chirst, always remember Him, and keep his commandments.

I don't remember much of what I said while I gave Natasja the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday, but I do remember that I had an overwhelmingly strong feeling of love, peace, and comfort in the process. I cannot even explain it completely in words! She is now an official member of the Church and already has a few people she would like to introduce us to. There was another miracle that came out of Natasja ́s baptism. Mathilde came up to us balling her eyes out and told us that she wants to meet with us this upcoming week because she noticed another sign during the baptism. Seeing Mathilde cry was shocking because she has a harder personality that is often hard to crack, but we believe that this sign was God communicating to her through the Holy Ghost in a way unique to her needs. We will be meeting with her in a few days and might even extend a baptismal date to her. Thoughts and prayers would be greatly appreciated! :D

The baptism was the biggest highlight of the week, as you can obviously tell from two massive paragraphs explaining it. In other regards, Ældste Brown and I also traveled a lot the past few days so that he could complete some more baptismal interviews. Both of them were held in Slagelse so that was quite the commute. Ralf and Chenk passed their interviews! Ralf ́s baptism was on Wednesday and I bet that the Slagelse Sisters were all feeling the same way the APs and Roskidle Elder felt up here. As a missionary, there is nothing more amazing than seeing a baptism. I can attest to that!

My birthday was two days before Natasja ́s baptism and it just felt like a typical missionary day. The zone leaders needed to go on splits with us, so Ældste Farr came to Roskilde and Ældste Brown went to Frederiksberg the whole day. Ældste Farr bought me some raspberry & apple pastries, we blew up a ton of balloons, and we started doing a puzzle. It was kinda weird not celebrating as much as usual, but luckily Brown and I are going out to running sushi (sushi that goes around a restaurant on a conveyor belt thing) tonight to celebrate both our birthdays! We ́re really hungry so that buffet is going to get devoured!

The day after my birthday was pretty legit! Natasja messaged us to come to Burger King and I immediately suspected that there would be a surprise waiting for me since I had previously helped with Brown ́s birthday party. Turns out, I was right and the Nørrungs, with Natsajs and Mathilde, popped out of hiding spots upstairs and screamed SURPRISE!! Of course, I had to act surprised, LOL. I just have to say that bishop ́s family is the nicest that I ́ve ever met and they ́re extremely clever (my king is a nickname I've gained while in Roskilde so picking Burger King was ingenious). They bought everyone dinner and I got the Bacon King 3.0 with large fries. I don't think I ́ve ever eaten a bigger burger in my life!

Just to let you know, Brown and I are posting here in Roskilde. We were so stoked when we got the call to stay here and cannot express how grateful we are to continue working here. We love this city, this ward, and this people! God is so good! :)

I just wanted to end with a scripture that sums up my emotions throughout this amazing week. D&C 18:15 says, "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" This pure happiness has definitely been felt this weekend! I thank God for setting Natasja in our path and preparing her to receive the fullness of the gospel! I know, without a doubt, Jesus Chirst is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and all things are possible through Him!

I love you all so much and wish the very best this upcoming week. Make it a great one! :D

Jeg elsker jer højt,

Ældste Moore

P.S. RIP Ældste Walton. He's my first AP and he ́s heading home tomorrow. I ́ll miss that man A LOT!! :(