Week 29: Ogden Round 2

Vi ses Elder Brown 😭

Ældste Brown and I impatiently awaited the inevitable transfer call from the big man, Præsident Olsen. He was fashionably late for his standards and the suspense was killing us. Finally, we heard the missionary appropriate ringtone and raced to answer. The deep voice over the phone told Brown to prepare for an assignment as zone leader in Århus. After a few seconds of silence, the deep voice told me to prepare to welcome someone I knew very well to come to Roskilde. I immediately thought, "Oh, looks like I'll be comps with an Elder from my MTC group." Nope. Turns out, Ældste Ogden will be my companion once again. My jaw dropped and I felt endless emotions of excitement and confusion at the same time.

The corona virus has found its way to Denmark. I read a bunch of emails from friends in different missions and thought that it would never come here. I guess I was wrong. There's two people, one in Roskilde and another in Århus, that tested positive for the virus and are in quarantine. Some Danes are going to the extremes and avoiding any social gatherings (*cough *cough - like one of our friends, for example). The media is definitely exaggerating the illness in Denmark - 2 is nothing compared to the 80,000 in China. The Church is still taking precautions by having all the wards in Denmark prepare a three-day emergency food kit. Not a bad idea to be safe rather than sorry. Still, I'm not worried about it because I know that if I keep good hygiene all will be well. 

Good thing I was in Ballerup a few times to avoid the plague in Roskilde. ;) One of those days, I was on splits with my "grandpa", Ældste Kresge. We had a packed schedule that included around two hours of biking time. We started the day right with service. We helped a young couple set up electrical wiring in a house they are building themselves. The whole process took three hours and we satisfied our hunger pains with some durum kebab, which always tastes better after a good chunk of hard work. We had a lesson with Katarina at Ikea's (Præsident Olsen's mother's) apartment suite. We covered the Restoration and answered all sorts of funky questions; one she asked was, "Why do women serve missions since Christ was a man?" It was really nice to have a native Dane who was baptized later in her life. She explained a lot and shared a bunch of personal experiences. When Katarina got confused, Ikea slowed us down to take a moment to explain until she understood. Members always make lessons flow smoothly!

We had a Super Saturday that combined both our previous Super Saturdays together. Søster Montgomery challenged us to hand out as many Books of Mormon as possible during the first half of the day and then recite The First Vision as many times as possible during the second half of the day. Throughout the course of the day, we were able to share 1 Book of Mormon and 1 First Vision account. While walking through pouring rain, we stopped a young woman named Rebeka and asked about her faith. She told us that she believes in some higher power but isn't sure what's out there. We then talked about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and introduced Mormons Bog. She gladly listened, took the book, and marched away. We're hoping that something comes out of that but we probably should've gotten her number, oops.

There was a wonderful farewell party for Ældste Brown at the Nørrungs. Two progressing friends, Gitte and Mathilde, were there and Natasja prepared a feast with homemade sushi, roast beef, and baked potatoes. We were happy with the company and stuffed to the brim from the delicious food. We played foosball and discovered that Danes are exceptionally talented at it. We were focusing so hard to try and win that we burned all the calories we ate. Haha! Good thing there was some ice cream waiting for us afterwards. Once the dessert was mysteriously missing, we talked about President Russell M. Nelson's invitation to read The First Vision and ponder over it in preparation for General Conference. We then shared The First Vision account and all the members present bore powerful testimony of the Restoration. I'll say once again, members make all the difference! :D

I thought to conclude by inserting President Nelson's invitation and encourage every reader to follow his counsel. Nelson said, "In the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel. You may wish to begin your preparation by reading afresh Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price. Our course of study for next year in Come, Follow Me is the Book of Mormon. You may wish to ponder important questions such as, “How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?” or “How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?” Also, with the Book of Mormon videos now becoming available, you may wish to incorporate them in your individual and family study. Select your own questions. Design your own plan. Immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration. As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable." 

Follow the prophet and prepare for this special conference. We have one month left, what will you do to prepare? What are you willing to do to make this conference unforgettable? :0 Remember that I love you all so much and wish the best to all those who come across this email. God bless you all and may you continue to have joy in the light of Christ!

Jeg elsker jer højt,

Ældste Moore 

Elder Ogden has returned 😎🤓

Roskilde Fjord

Roskildes deck

On the deck 

The Last Supper in Roskilde 🍲