Week 22: Bornholm and Back Again

January 19, 2020

Week 22: Bornholm and Back Again

Roskilde boys in front of the Kristus

God dag venner og familie! As you can see, we got schemed into accompanying the president ́s assistants to Bornholm this weekend because we got connections with those boys. There ́s usually only two Elders out on the island so the Elders from Ballerup and Roskilde, along with the Sisters from Lundby, drove in the mission van over the Denmark-Sweden border and took a ferry from Ystad over to Rønne. Why rush Roskilde when you could rush Bornholm?

Just for some information, Bornholm is a little island that is the most eastern point of Denmark and has a strange dialect that blends Swedish and Danish together. I got to use my Swedish background to help me understand what the people were saying. It's good to see that all those years of Swedish haven't gone to waste! The ferry rides were also quite an adventure. A lot of sea sickness and throwing up was going on so I'll just put it at that. When we arrived to the church building, we were given lunch and sent out to different parts of the island immediately. I was assigned as Ældste Appleby ́s companion in a city on the opposite side of the island called Nexø. The best way to describe it would be with two words: ghost town. We saw next to no one as we contacted and knocked doors for five hours. We did get a bunch of cool pictures, had some really deep discussions, and skipped some rocks on the ocean. I know it sounds kinda boring when reading it but the key is enjoying every moment.

We have also been enjoying the many opportunities to teach people about the gospel and inviting them to come to church. We had another lesson with Mathilde in which we taught the entire Plan of Salvation and Gospel of Jesus Christ. We also answered a few questions she had from hearing about baptism for the dead and families being together forever. We explained that we don't ́t baptize actual dead people, but that we act as proxies in their name and that families can be sealed together in the temple for time and all eternity. She's moving closer and closer to baptism and she told us that she wants to visit the church that she grew up in again then come back to see if she notices a difference again. We talked a lot about the spirit and how we personally recognize it and we know that she ́s felt the Holy Ghost before so we ́re chilling.

We also met with Rehné and Mette again this week. Both of the lessons were dominated by hygge chat (catching up and learning about them), but we did get to teach about our purpose as missionaries and also the importance of service in both appointments. They are also very nice to us every time we visit them! Rehné got us pizza and Mette got us candy. They are truly christlik people. I ́ve noticed that when I ́m teaching it's a lot easier to notice miracles and love others. A teaching missionary is a happy missionary! :D

Alright, I don't have much time left because we got to head out soon. We just finished up a baptismal interview in Slagelse and we have an hour long drive back. I just want to conclude by expressing my gratitude for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and their great plan for me. Roskilde is a wonderful place and I'm kinda scared of transfers for once because I don't really want to leave here. We ́re finding out where we go this weekend so you´ll hear about it in next weeks email. I see God's hand in my life through the people he sets in my path. Natasja ́s baptism is this weekend and I cannot wait to bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost on her. What a miracle that my companion and I have been placed here in the perfect moment to find someone who's been prepared so well. God is amazing!

Kærlig hilsen,

Ældste Moore