Hej hej!
So, I ate my words last email. That afternoon was lovely and there were little leaf buds on our trees outside. We also saw our first flowers. Yay! No trees yet, but I'm sure they'll be creeping out soon. We went on a bike ride on Monday to test out our bikes. It was a gorgeous day and all you needed was a light jacket. I was supposedly the bike expert as I think I said last time since I had some bike experience recently. So, I took the lead. We were going along nicely for about 10 minutes until the sidewalk suddenly ended and I tried to stop and turn around. Bad idea with 1/2 an inch of loose gravel still on the sidewalk from the winter. My bike skidded sideways and I took a dive head first off the side of my bike. I really wasn't going very fast, so I just scraped up my left palm and dirtied my right knee. All-in-all not so bad, but still maddening. Luckily there wasn't anyone on the street so only Sis Wood saw my spill. So much for my expertise. We had to buy Sis Wood a new seat since hers is rather uncomfortable. We found some great seats at the store that I may need to invest in as well. We biked to church on Sunday. It was only 3 km or so, but we'll have to work up to the 10 km rides we had planned on. It's been awhile since Sis Wood rode a bike. I'm surprisingly in ok shape still I think.
So, Dad, my area is specifically from Ekerö to Äkalla and Bro to Spånga. We are taking in another area that's closing too which is past Äkalla, starting at Sollentuna and going somewhere to the North and East. Clear up to Märsta, but we probably won't be doing too much work up there.
We've been getting a lot of referrals from other missionaries and our investigators this week. It's been great! Hopefully we can get a good group of Africans coming to the ward, so they all feel more inclined to keep coming. We had 5 total at church on Sunday. We also had a big lunch afterwards for the Bishop's dad's birthday. They had two huge smörgås tortas (sandwich cake) and princess torta. Both really good! Smörgås torta has layers of meat or other sandwichy spreads on flat bread and is covered with creamy cheesy stuff and vegetables. It's pretty!
Another interesting thing this week has to do with the complications of being a Sister missionary. I have a hard time talking to men on the street because I don't know what they think my intentions are especially with the cultural mix that we have in our area. Not everyone would view us the same way. On Friday we went to visit one of our investigators at the library. The lesson took an interesting turn when he started talking about marriage and expressed his opinion that we were all just trying to find a place to put our hearts. Then he asked about if we could go out with people while we were on our missions and are we on our missions forever. We told him no, no dating and no, we are normal people that do this for a short time. He insisted that we should take opportunities that arise on our missions since we are building our homes while we are here. We quickly ended the now-awkward lesson and left. We had our suspicions that he liked Sis Wood after that and sure enough he sent a text message expressing that. So, now we don't know what to do. He came to church on Sunday and left after Sacrament Meeting. We aren't sure if he's been coming to church and taking lessons because of Sis. Wood or because of the gospel. I guess this happens to missionaries a bit on the mission.
Anyway, I'm out of time. We are teaching a lot (for here). Our goal is 18 lessons a week. Well, we found a flute for me to play at our music fireside next week. Yay! And thanks Grandma Win for all your letters! They are so great! Love you all. Be good. Play nice.
Love,
Sis. Maxwell
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Week 3
Hello all,
Spring here is hardly Spring at all. There are no leaves on the trees. There are no flowers. There is lots of wind and gray. Luckily, those days are becoming fewer and fewer. We are hoping to take the bikes out soon; though, I tried riding them and they are only såder (so-so). One of them had a hard man-seat and the other one has a rack on the back which scrapes against the tire. It also has a gear looking thing that rolls along the tire. I don't know what it's for exactly, but it creates more resistance. There is also a wire basket on the side of both bikes. Most people seem to have those on their bikes, but I'm not used to it, so when I tried to get off the bikes (on an uphill--we have a steep driveway), I fell off and got a nice bruise next to my knee. This happened both times. Not like I was riding both bikes at the same time. That would be impressive.
So, we had our first baptism this week. It went off really well. Sister Wood was freaking out the whole day about the font getting full enough and then that Lawal would actually come and then that everything would be perfect. Not to worry, the font got full, in part because Lawal didn't show up until right when the baptism was supposed to start. All the missionaries in Stockholm came because they were going to bring investigators. They didn't end up having anyone come, but they made up half of the congregation, so that was good. Also, 2 of them were the ones that found Lawal, so they came and took part. I said the closing prayer. I feel like I helped a little because I got to teach him most of the commandments. Yeah!
So, we just hope that he stays active. One of the problems they have here which is the same the world over is that people who don't speak the language and come from another culture have a hard time staying active in the church because they feel like they don't have a place or role. We actually have a number of African males that we have been teaching and another one that joined the church in November. If they all came, they would have a great group and be a great support for each other. Another problem is that transportation is expensive here as is everything else, so it's a burden to come to church. Lawal for example takes an hour to get to church because he takes the tunnelbana and pendetåg (trains) instead of taking a direct bus because he can't speak Swedish and it's easier to buy a ticket for the train with a real person than trying to use the machine to buy a bus ticket. That's our theory anyway. The awesome thing is that he got confirmed yesterday. He was 40 minutes late, but he brought a guy he met on the train with him! He loves saying hey and talking to all the African guys on the street. It's great.
So another struggle I'm facing is the missionary culture. I suppose I should just accept it. Sis. Wood has missionary voice really bad. And she loves to decorate her planners. And tell lame jokes. And let go of personal appearance (not that I ever was very big on looking so fashionable). It's not just her. It's everyone. I realized those things and other things I can't recall at the moment are very important to her and I need to find a way to compromise. We are going to decorate our planners. I will just make mine classy. Don't worry, this isn't affecting my testimony.
So, another thing about Swedish people that's very interesting is that they have a wall up against religion. They were painted to me as a cold, closed people, so I was pleasantly surprised when people were pleasant and even friendly to us when we had a question or needed help. But bring up religion, and there's nothing. Not even a discussion about it. Unless you are talking to a Jehovah's Witness or someone who isn't originally Swedish. We got preached to by a young Islamic man this week. He told us to go home and sincerely pray to God to know that he was there and that he promised us we would receive an answer. He also talked about the perfection of the Quaran and told us to read it to know that it was the word of God. We were like, "Hey! That's our line!" It was funny. Anyway, one of the members in the ward said that she thinks they may not talk about it because they have no way to defend their beliefs because they have nothing backing up their non-belief. That's interesting and I want to understand that better.
Anyway. I need to get going. We have zone conference tomorrow. We have Sisters staying at our house tonight and tomorrow, so I get to see Sis. Page and Gotberg from my MTC group again. Yay! It will be a kärleksfest! I hope I've explained that, so it doesn't seem weird. It's an inside joke (See 'Come Ye Disconsolate, verse 3).
Well, I am starting to see the miracles happening. Scriptures I happened to read being perfect. The bus being 5 minutes late when we are too. People seeing their lives improving and becomíng closer to their Heavenly Father. So, things are picking up and I'm still happy to be here.
Love,
Syster Maxwell
Spring here is hardly Spring at all. There are no leaves on the trees. There are no flowers. There is lots of wind and gray. Luckily, those days are becoming fewer and fewer. We are hoping to take the bikes out soon; though, I tried riding them and they are only såder (so-so). One of them had a hard man-seat and the other one has a rack on the back which scrapes against the tire. It also has a gear looking thing that rolls along the tire. I don't know what it's for exactly, but it creates more resistance. There is also a wire basket on the side of both bikes. Most people seem to have those on their bikes, but I'm not used to it, so when I tried to get off the bikes (on an uphill--we have a steep driveway), I fell off and got a nice bruise next to my knee. This happened both times. Not like I was riding both bikes at the same time. That would be impressive.
So, we had our first baptism this week. It went off really well. Sister Wood was freaking out the whole day about the font getting full enough and then that Lawal would actually come and then that everything would be perfect. Not to worry, the font got full, in part because Lawal didn't show up until right when the baptism was supposed to start. All the missionaries in Stockholm came because they were going to bring investigators. They didn't end up having anyone come, but they made up half of the congregation, so that was good. Also, 2 of them were the ones that found Lawal, so they came and took part. I said the closing prayer. I feel like I helped a little because I got to teach him most of the commandments. Yeah!
So, we just hope that he stays active. One of the problems they have here which is the same the world over is that people who don't speak the language and come from another culture have a hard time staying active in the church because they feel like they don't have a place or role. We actually have a number of African males that we have been teaching and another one that joined the church in November. If they all came, they would have a great group and be a great support for each other. Another problem is that transportation is expensive here as is everything else, so it's a burden to come to church. Lawal for example takes an hour to get to church because he takes the tunnelbana and pendetåg (trains) instead of taking a direct bus because he can't speak Swedish and it's easier to buy a ticket for the train with a real person than trying to use the machine to buy a bus ticket. That's our theory anyway. The awesome thing is that he got confirmed yesterday. He was 40 minutes late, but he brought a guy he met on the train with him! He loves saying hey and talking to all the African guys on the street. It's great.
So another struggle I'm facing is the missionary culture. I suppose I should just accept it. Sis. Wood has missionary voice really bad. And she loves to decorate her planners. And tell lame jokes. And let go of personal appearance (not that I ever was very big on looking so fashionable). It's not just her. It's everyone. I realized those things and other things I can't recall at the moment are very important to her and I need to find a way to compromise. We are going to decorate our planners. I will just make mine classy. Don't worry, this isn't affecting my testimony.
So, another thing about Swedish people that's very interesting is that they have a wall up against religion. They were painted to me as a cold, closed people, so I was pleasantly surprised when people were pleasant and even friendly to us when we had a question or needed help. But bring up religion, and there's nothing. Not even a discussion about it. Unless you are talking to a Jehovah's Witness or someone who isn't originally Swedish. We got preached to by a young Islamic man this week. He told us to go home and sincerely pray to God to know that he was there and that he promised us we would receive an answer. He also talked about the perfection of the Quaran and told us to read it to know that it was the word of God. We were like, "Hey! That's our line!" It was funny. Anyway, one of the members in the ward said that she thinks they may not talk about it because they have no way to defend their beliefs because they have nothing backing up their non-belief. That's interesting and I want to understand that better.
Anyway. I need to get going. We have zone conference tomorrow. We have Sisters staying at our house tonight and tomorrow, so I get to see Sis. Page and Gotberg from my MTC group again. Yay! It will be a kärleksfest! I hope I've explained that, so it doesn't seem weird. It's an inside joke (See 'Come Ye Disconsolate, verse 3).
Well, I am starting to see the miracles happening. Scriptures I happened to read being perfect. The bus being 5 minutes late when we are too. People seeing their lives improving and becomíng closer to their Heavenly Father. So, things are picking up and I'm still happy to be here.
Love,
Syster Maxwell
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Week 2
So, week two. Seems like things are still going well. Mom, your Easter basket was at the mission office the first night I came. It made everyone sick and they exclaimed how typical it was that I would have mail. Not in the least, my friends! I didn't actually get that many packages in the mtc, thank you very much. It's ok. They won't make fun of me for it any more because they are gone. All over Sweden that is. Not home. I got your first letter to me grandma and, mom, your two. This weekend was Easter weekend, so the libraries were closed and there was no post. Yes, I said 'post' to be cool. They celebrate Easter here with witches, trick-o-treating, and decorating with feathers and birch branches. I saw Elder Dean who was in the MTC with me at conference on Sunday. He said they saw a girl dressed up as a witch dancing on top of a felled tree in the center of Västerås with feathers everywhere. It has to do with Easter chickens and the coming of spring, but I don't know what the witches are all about. We were out tracting a little on Friday and people kept coming to the door with treats and we had to skip a floor because there were kids going around with faces painted like they were cats (I think--mice maybe?) Mostly we had to deal with people being gone and busses and trains that ran less than normal. We bought and drank some Påsk Must which gave me a headache, but it was good. Luckily we had conference this weekend, so we didn't have time to do much finding work. So the way conference worked here was they broadcasted it to a few stake centers in the area in Swedish, English and Spanish. There were actually more people in the English because so many people understand it and I assume they preferred listening to it in the original language. We watched the Sat morning session live at 6pm then went home. The next day they watched the taped priesthood session at 10 or 12 I think. Then we came and saw the taped Sat afternoon session at 2pm and waited for the live Sunday morning session at 6pm. We didn't watch the Sat. afternoon session at all and will have to catch it in the Liahona next month.
So, we have had a lot going on besides that. I think I mentioned last week that we have a few investigators from Africa (Nigeria and Cameroon) one (we hope) from Russia and one from Peru and a Swedish lady. There are some other people we are working with (less actives and recently baptized) that are from Chile and Peru. So, we don't seem to speak Swedish very often and it still freaks me out and I still have only a slight idea what people are saying to me. I still do silly things when I teach, but I know that when I bear testimony of the important things, the Spirit is there, so that's a plus. I've gotten over the first week of feeling lost and wondering, "Is this really what a mission is like?" We seem to spend a lot of time on busses which Sister Wood says is not typical, but we have to because our area is so large. The church gives us a card that works all year in the Stockholm area, so we don't have to worry about paying or having enough money for busses and trains. It's fantastic!
I still get freaked out by stopping and talking to people mostly because my Swedish is so bad and I feel awkward. Sis Wood reassuringly told me that a mission really is one long awkward moment. Great. I feel ok about it though because we are out to talk to people that want to talk to us. If they aren't interested, they aren't interested, and we find people who are. A few times people are interested in chatting about religion, but not hearing about ours, so they will spew their (oftentimes cynical) viewpoints all over us and we smile and let them go in peace. It's fun because I get to just listen and nod knowingly. I love that! I usually have to ask Sis Wood what the heck they were talking about, but I usually get the gist.
So, the style for young women here is no pants. We as sisters have the tights part down, but the long skirts really set us apart :)
Anyway, I think that's everything. Baptism on Saturday. Everyone is still nice. Elders are awkward but funny. Running for 15 minutes in the morning really doesn't cut it. Oh, and it snowed yesterday, but it's lovely today.
I'm starting to like this. I love sharing my testimony with people who are eager to hear it and truly seeking the truth because I know how and where to find it. I love that!
Love,
Syster Maxwell
So, we have had a lot going on besides that. I think I mentioned last week that we have a few investigators from Africa (Nigeria and Cameroon) one (we hope) from Russia and one from Peru and a Swedish lady. There are some other people we are working with (less actives and recently baptized) that are from Chile and Peru. So, we don't seem to speak Swedish very often and it still freaks me out and I still have only a slight idea what people are saying to me. I still do silly things when I teach, but I know that when I bear testimony of the important things, the Spirit is there, so that's a plus. I've gotten over the first week of feeling lost and wondering, "Is this really what a mission is like?" We seem to spend a lot of time on busses which Sister Wood says is not typical, but we have to because our area is so large. The church gives us a card that works all year in the Stockholm area, so we don't have to worry about paying or having enough money for busses and trains. It's fantastic!
I still get freaked out by stopping and talking to people mostly because my Swedish is so bad and I feel awkward. Sis Wood reassuringly told me that a mission really is one long awkward moment. Great. I feel ok about it though because we are out to talk to people that want to talk to us. If they aren't interested, they aren't interested, and we find people who are. A few times people are interested in chatting about religion, but not hearing about ours, so they will spew their (oftentimes cynical) viewpoints all over us and we smile and let them go in peace. It's fun because I get to just listen and nod knowingly. I love that! I usually have to ask Sis Wood what the heck they were talking about, but I usually get the gist.
So, the style for young women here is no pants. We as sisters have the tights part down, but the long skirts really set us apart :)
Anyway, I think that's everything. Baptism on Saturday. Everyone is still nice. Elders are awkward but funny. Running for 15 minutes in the morning really doesn't cut it. Oh, and it snowed yesterday, but it's lovely today.
I'm starting to like this. I love sharing my testimony with people who are eager to hear it and truly seeking the truth because I know how and where to find it. I love that!
Love,
Syster Maxwell
Monday, April 5, 2010
Week 1 in Sweden
29 March 2010
Hello all!
So, I'm in Sweden. It's finally hitting me that I'm actually in Europe. It was all surreal the first few days, but the different architecture, food, and language not to mention the fantastic public transportation system are starting to sink in. Everyone told me that Stockholm was one of the most beautiful, clean cities they'd ever seen and that the entire country of Sweden followed suit, but what I found when I got here was a gray, grimey place with just as much litter as in similarly grimey US cities. It came as a shock, but after a few days I realized these were effects of the still-clinging winter and my companion says they clean up all the gravel and junk when winter is over. I started trying to imagine what it would look like when everything is green, and I can say that I'm very excited for the summer to come.
The darkness is normal now. It's light by about 5 in the morning I believe and gets dark about 6:30 or 7, so that's not too much different yet. The sun has only been out half of the time, but they tell me it is also sunnier in the summer more often. I came at the end of the worst winter they have had in 40 years, so I'm very grateful for the timing. On our last Sunday in Utah it was beautiful! I swear it was in the 60s, sunny and clear. A lady came up to us and enthusiastically let us know it was going to be like that all next week. We told her we were leaving the next day for Sweden. Oh the irony! It's been in the 30s when it's cloudy and the 40s when the sun is out, so I've just been wearing a jacket another sister left in the apartment. There's a huge bag of clothes in the apartment that I'm going to sort through today and see if there is anything worth the wearing. I'll save my big coat for next winter. It will be perfect!
So, the 11 of us going to Sweden plus 2 senior couples going to other European couples had an overnight flight to Paris. The airport was lovely and we all bought something French to eat, so we would feel like we had officially been there. I got a stamp in my passport. It might just be an exit stamp, but it's a stamp nonetheless. I got to see a bit of England and France, though it was mostly clouded over, but on the next flight, it was fun to fly over what might have been Denmark. Lots of lakes. I sat next to a lady from Scotland who's lived in Sweden for many years. She was nice when I actually had the nerve to talk to her since she looked so severe at first. The food they served was the prettiest airplane food I'd ever seen. French airplane food! I wish I'd taken a picture, but I felt silly.
So, president and sister Anderson met us at the airport and were very kind. We spent a couple of nights at the mission home getting acquainted with the country and the culture. We did a session at the temple all in Swedish and went contacting in Stockholm later that day. Not a good experience, but it's gotten better :) We went to the young adult center they have in Stockholm. I didn't know about these, but they are like institutes with a missionary focus and have lots of activities. They have them all over Europe and have been really great for the young single adults here. I didn't realize that Elder Kopishka (sp?) is the Area President for this part of Europe (all of Europe?). Cool. You did say that you were on good terms now, right, Dad? Also, Sis. Anderson was your mom's visiting teacher for years, Aubrie, and they said their son climbs up mountains with your dad. Ted, you really should try that new-fangled-emailing-missionaries thing. It's awesome.
Well, we got our assignments on Thursday with the usual pomp and circumstance. They have you read a letter with your assignment and trainer, but the trainers don´t have their nametags on when they come in. The goal is that you´ll go and talk with each one in Swedish to figure out who it is. Luckily for me, we had met my trainer on Wed when we did contacting and she had accidentally revealed her true identity then, so I just went and gave her a hug. We all then had kebob pizza (i.e. pizza with kebob on it. So good!)
So, I'm now in the Jakobsberg area which is the northwestern part of Stockholm. It's the Järfälla commune. I live in Barkarby specifically. I think that's ok to say. Our area is fairly large and we take public transit everywhere, so half of the day is spent traveling it seems. Swedes don't talk to each other on the bus, so mostly we've been striking up conversation with people who don't look Swedish. Half of the ward is Spanish speaking, so I should technically be able to speak spanish to them, but I now have a problem speaking all Spanish and not mixing in Swedish. It's very distressing. Anyway, I should wrap this up. I love the ward. They are all such wonderful people. There are about 30 people that come and about 200 or so on the ward list I think, so we have a lot of inactive finding and visiting work on our plate as well. There is also one investigator with a baptismal date. He is way cool. Also, we are starting a Swedish class for people who've just moved here, so we've been putting up a lot of posters for that. It's very exciting, and we're hoping to have a great transfer!
Oh, and my companion is Sister Wood from Cedar City, UT. She's outspoken and very nice. Also very patient. I hope feeling like dead weight will soon pass :)
This email is far too long, but I am feeling great. I am getting less and less self conscious about my clothes, and more and more excited to share the message of the restored gospel with those that are ready and willing to hear it. I have so much more I could say, but I should probably save it. Love you all. Pray for the members here. They need it!
Syster Maxwell
PS Jet lag is not too bad. I feel like I did all through school.
Hello all!
So, I'm in Sweden. It's finally hitting me that I'm actually in Europe. It was all surreal the first few days, but the different architecture, food, and language not to mention the fantastic public transportation system are starting to sink in. Everyone told me that Stockholm was one of the most beautiful, clean cities they'd ever seen and that the entire country of Sweden followed suit, but what I found when I got here was a gray, grimey place with just as much litter as in similarly grimey US cities. It came as a shock, but after a few days I realized these were effects of the still-clinging winter and my companion says they clean up all the gravel and junk when winter is over. I started trying to imagine what it would look like when everything is green, and I can say that I'm very excited for the summer to come.
The darkness is normal now. It's light by about 5 in the morning I believe and gets dark about 6:30 or 7, so that's not too much different yet. The sun has only been out half of the time, but they tell me it is also sunnier in the summer more often. I came at the end of the worst winter they have had in 40 years, so I'm very grateful for the timing. On our last Sunday in Utah it was beautiful! I swear it was in the 60s, sunny and clear. A lady came up to us and enthusiastically let us know it was going to be like that all next week. We told her we were leaving the next day for Sweden. Oh the irony! It's been in the 30s when it's cloudy and the 40s when the sun is out, so I've just been wearing a jacket another sister left in the apartment. There's a huge bag of clothes in the apartment that I'm going to sort through today and see if there is anything worth the wearing. I'll save my big coat for next winter. It will be perfect!
So, the 11 of us going to Sweden plus 2 senior couples going to other European couples had an overnight flight to Paris. The airport was lovely and we all bought something French to eat, so we would feel like we had officially been there. I got a stamp in my passport. It might just be an exit stamp, but it's a stamp nonetheless. I got to see a bit of England and France, though it was mostly clouded over, but on the next flight, it was fun to fly over what might have been Denmark. Lots of lakes. I sat next to a lady from Scotland who's lived in Sweden for many years. She was nice when I actually had the nerve to talk to her since she looked so severe at first. The food they served was the prettiest airplane food I'd ever seen. French airplane food! I wish I'd taken a picture, but I felt silly.
So, president and sister Anderson met us at the airport and were very kind. We spent a couple of nights at the mission home getting acquainted with the country and the culture. We did a session at the temple all in Swedish and went contacting in Stockholm later that day. Not a good experience, but it's gotten better :) We went to the young adult center they have in Stockholm. I didn't know about these, but they are like institutes with a missionary focus and have lots of activities. They have them all over Europe and have been really great for the young single adults here. I didn't realize that Elder Kopishka (sp?) is the Area President for this part of Europe (all of Europe?). Cool. You did say that you were on good terms now, right, Dad? Also, Sis. Anderson was your mom's visiting teacher for years, Aubrie, and they said their son climbs up mountains with your dad. Ted, you really should try that new-fangled-emailing-missionaries thing. It's awesome.
Well, we got our assignments on Thursday with the usual pomp and circumstance. They have you read a letter with your assignment and trainer, but the trainers don´t have their nametags on when they come in. The goal is that you´ll go and talk with each one in Swedish to figure out who it is. Luckily for me, we had met my trainer on Wed when we did contacting and she had accidentally revealed her true identity then, so I just went and gave her a hug. We all then had kebob pizza (i.e. pizza with kebob on it. So good!)
So, I'm now in the Jakobsberg area which is the northwestern part of Stockholm. It's the Järfälla commune. I live in Barkarby specifically. I think that's ok to say. Our area is fairly large and we take public transit everywhere, so half of the day is spent traveling it seems. Swedes don't talk to each other on the bus, so mostly we've been striking up conversation with people who don't look Swedish. Half of the ward is Spanish speaking, so I should technically be able to speak spanish to them, but I now have a problem speaking all Spanish and not mixing in Swedish. It's very distressing. Anyway, I should wrap this up. I love the ward. They are all such wonderful people. There are about 30 people that come and about 200 or so on the ward list I think, so we have a lot of inactive finding and visiting work on our plate as well. There is also one investigator with a baptismal date. He is way cool. Also, we are starting a Swedish class for people who've just moved here, so we've been putting up a lot of posters for that. It's very exciting, and we're hoping to have a great transfer!
Oh, and my companion is Sister Wood from Cedar City, UT. She's outspoken and very nice. Also very patient. I hope feeling like dead weight will soon pass :)
This email is far too long, but I am feeling great. I am getting less and less self conscious about my clothes, and more and more excited to share the message of the restored gospel with those that are ready and willing to hear it. I have so much more I could say, but I should probably save it. Love you all. Pray for the members here. They need it!
Syster Maxwell
PS Jet lag is not too bad. I feel like I did all through school.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Week 8
Hello All!
So, many thanks to everyone that has written me during my time at the MTC. I want to write to everyone before I go, but I may not be able to and it's really expensive to send a letter from Sweden, but I'll try! Ted, I found a scripture for you this week: Luke 2:23 and Exodus 13:2. I guess your ok after all. Also, thanks to Penny, Renee, Carter and Berkeley for the Easter basket! I love grown up Easter! Also, I shared with all the elders and they were VERY grateful :) They confiscated the light-up spinning egg toy and have been fascinated ever since. They will periodically take it out and stare at it. Probably not good for the eyes. We've been in a white cinderblock room too long. I think. Also, I got the bag Lisa! Thanks, Mitch! We had our training with Bro. Gruber and after that I completely understand the purpose of the first night activity. They were supposed to use the skills from "How to Begin a Lesson" in Ch. 10 of PMG. That's what was missing! We were all a lot happier about our role in this. Oh, 3 companionships from our district are being the missionaries that demonstrate getting to know an investigator for the new missionaries the first night. We think it's because we were awesome (we hope it wasn't because we are a bad example :)). Miriam Deaver is also in the group that is doing it. Mom, I saw Sarah Hite. She recognized me even though my hair was wet, my skirt was on sideways and I was going back for my name tag which I'd forgotten. It wasn't a good day for me ;) So, I had a break down on accident again this last week. Everyone was being really rude to me partially because I had been ornery all day. Fancy that. So, I was all contrite and going to say I was sorry and then they were really rude to me again. Imagine me when I was 8. 9? 12? One of those classic dinner scenes where I ran to my room crying. Really embarrassing. The only difference was that no one was laughing at me when I left. They all felt really bad.
So, we got our travel plans this week. We are flying through Paris. We go straight there from Salt Lake. It takes all night. Then we have a 6 hour layover and then go straight to Sweden. We get there at 6:30. So, Sweden is supposedly 8 hours ahead of Salt Lake, but there was some confusion because of daylight's savings here and there (they have it at a different time), so it might only be 7 now. We get to the airport here about 2:30 I think. So, I'll probably call around 3-3:30 our time, so 5-5:30 your time, mom and dad. I'll call until you answer. Ok?
Also, I was sad to hear about Uncle Ray dying. Mostly because he felt like the patriarch of the maxwell clan and it's the end of an era. I'm so grateful I got to meet him last year. And turns out Grandma Maxwell was right.
All our prayers were answered yesterday when Quentin L. Cook came to speak. Every week we'd say, "this week it will be an apostle. We just know it!" So, we were so grateful we got to hear from one our last week. We sang "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands" in the choir. I remember when we sang it in the ward choir (right, mom?). I think that was one of those where you sobbed through it, right? I understand a little better why now. It has such a powerful message. So, what Elder Cook said answered so many of my prayers and concerns and questions. It was amazing! I knew it was for me. And everyone else felt the same way. It was so cool how it was so personal yet for everyone. Kind of like the atonement, yeah?
Well, the MTC has been great. We have loved it. There was a protester here yesterday. He's a paid protester who came all the way from England. I hope he's there today so we can see him when we go to the temple. We tried to go listen to him yesterday, but he was already gone. We won't talk to him, of course, but it's always interesting to hear.
Well, any last MTC words? It's like girls camp, but better because these are friends that we'll have forever. I will miss all the powerful speakers and meetings and my district, but they tell me the miracles haven't even started yet, even though it seems like they have. I love you all. The church is true.
Amy
So, many thanks to everyone that has written me during my time at the MTC. I want to write to everyone before I go, but I may not be able to and it's really expensive to send a letter from Sweden, but I'll try! Ted, I found a scripture for you this week: Luke 2:23 and Exodus 13:2. I guess your ok after all. Also, thanks to Penny, Renee, Carter and Berkeley for the Easter basket! I love grown up Easter! Also, I shared with all the elders and they were VERY grateful :) They confiscated the light-up spinning egg toy and have been fascinated ever since. They will periodically take it out and stare at it. Probably not good for the eyes. We've been in a white cinderblock room too long. I think. Also, I got the bag Lisa! Thanks, Mitch! We had our training with Bro. Gruber and after that I completely understand the purpose of the first night activity. They were supposed to use the skills from "How to Begin a Lesson" in Ch. 10 of PMG. That's what was missing! We were all a lot happier about our role in this. Oh, 3 companionships from our district are being the missionaries that demonstrate getting to know an investigator for the new missionaries the first night. We think it's because we were awesome (we hope it wasn't because we are a bad example :)). Miriam Deaver is also in the group that is doing it. Mom, I saw Sarah Hite. She recognized me even though my hair was wet, my skirt was on sideways and I was going back for my name tag which I'd forgotten. It wasn't a good day for me ;) So, I had a break down on accident again this last week. Everyone was being really rude to me partially because I had been ornery all day. Fancy that. So, I was all contrite and going to say I was sorry and then they were really rude to me again. Imagine me when I was 8. 9? 12? One of those classic dinner scenes where I ran to my room crying. Really embarrassing. The only difference was that no one was laughing at me when I left. They all felt really bad.
So, we got our travel plans this week. We are flying through Paris. We go straight there from Salt Lake. It takes all night. Then we have a 6 hour layover and then go straight to Sweden. We get there at 6:30. So, Sweden is supposedly 8 hours ahead of Salt Lake, but there was some confusion because of daylight's savings here and there (they have it at a different time), so it might only be 7 now. We get to the airport here about 2:30 I think. So, I'll probably call around 3-3:30 our time, so 5-5:30 your time, mom and dad. I'll call until you answer. Ok?
Also, I was sad to hear about Uncle Ray dying. Mostly because he felt like the patriarch of the maxwell clan and it's the end of an era. I'm so grateful I got to meet him last year. And turns out Grandma Maxwell was right.
All our prayers were answered yesterday when Quentin L. Cook came to speak. Every week we'd say, "this week it will be an apostle. We just know it!" So, we were so grateful we got to hear from one our last week. We sang "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands" in the choir. I remember when we sang it in the ward choir (right, mom?). I think that was one of those where you sobbed through it, right? I understand a little better why now. It has such a powerful message. So, what Elder Cook said answered so many of my prayers and concerns and questions. It was amazing! I knew it was for me. And everyone else felt the same way. It was so cool how it was so personal yet for everyone. Kind of like the atonement, yeah?
Well, the MTC has been great. We have loved it. There was a protester here yesterday. He's a paid protester who came all the way from England. I hope he's there today so we can see him when we go to the temple. We tried to go listen to him yesterday, but he was already gone. We won't talk to him, of course, but it's always interesting to hear.
Well, any last MTC words? It's like girls camp, but better because these are friends that we'll have forever. I will miss all the powerful speakers and meetings and my district, but they tell me the miracles haven't even started yet, even though it seems like they have. I love you all. The church is true.
Amy
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Week 7
Subject: 12 Days.
Hello All!
We get our travel plans tomorrow. Supposedly I get to call home from the airport. We'll see what they say. I'll let you know next week mom. We are all hoping to go through Paris. That's what they normally get to do.
Things are still really good. I asked Mitch to pick up the backpack for me, Aunt Lisa. Turns out we are going to be staying overnight for two nights at the mission home and they mentioned an overnight bag. I sure don't have anything like that and I don't want to carry that blue plastic bag they give you on the first day through the airport. If you don't have it anymore, I will borrow a bag from Sis Sumner. Thanks!
So, Melissa wins the prize for first letter from someone in my immediate family writing me. And she wrote me an email! Dear me! So, thank you Melissa, I was really excited to get your email. I've been reading your blog, and things sound great (except for you all being sick all the time...ok, mostly the butterflies and other adventures sound great).
So, we had Bruce C. Hafen come and speak to us yesterday. It made me think of Grandpa Maxwell since Elder Hafen was the one who was made Dean of Ricks when they went to Brazil, right? I had the overwhelming feeling that Grandpa would be proud of me and is. I don't know how much interaction people who have gone before have with the spirits who are waiting, but I've always felt a special connection to Grandpa, so I felt really touched by that. Elder Hafen shared some amazing remarks about having a 3 legged testimony built on reason, spiritual feelings, and the test of experience. He related gaining a testimony to falling in love. :) Overall, it was fantastic and I wish I could write more about it, but the point was, give your testimony time. I love how all of the speakers who come are reflecting back to when they were 19 and just as unsure about things as the elders are now and we can see the fruit of their life long dedication to the Lord. It takes a life time for us to sometimes see the fruits.
I shared that yesterday in the district meeting we have after devotional where we discuss everything. I shared how cool it was that they look back on being our age, but in my mind I thought, "No. Your age." Decided not to say it. It's funny how my age will come up and surprise me every now and then. The sisters are all exactly Brian's age which I often forget. Sometimes they call me mom. Oh well. That's just part of my personality I guess.
So, I've been thinking. I want to collect conversion stories on my mission, so if you feel like reflecting on that, please, send me your personal conversion story. A lot of what we do is to guide that process, and I'd love to understand it better through all of your experiences, so don't forget that dearelder.com is free until I leave!
Ok, love you all, you are amazing!
Amy
Hello All!
We get our travel plans tomorrow. Supposedly I get to call home from the airport. We'll see what they say. I'll let you know next week mom. We are all hoping to go through Paris. That's what they normally get to do.
Things are still really good. I asked Mitch to pick up the backpack for me, Aunt Lisa. Turns out we are going to be staying overnight for two nights at the mission home and they mentioned an overnight bag. I sure don't have anything like that and I don't want to carry that blue plastic bag they give you on the first day through the airport. If you don't have it anymore, I will borrow a bag from Sis Sumner. Thanks!
So, Melissa wins the prize for first letter from someone in my immediate family writing me. And she wrote me an email! Dear me! So, thank you Melissa, I was really excited to get your email. I've been reading your blog, and things sound great (except for you all being sick all the time...ok, mostly the butterflies and other adventures sound great).
So, we had Bruce C. Hafen come and speak to us yesterday. It made me think of Grandpa Maxwell since Elder Hafen was the one who was made Dean of Ricks when they went to Brazil, right? I had the overwhelming feeling that Grandpa would be proud of me and is. I don't know how much interaction people who have gone before have with the spirits who are waiting, but I've always felt a special connection to Grandpa, so I felt really touched by that. Elder Hafen shared some amazing remarks about having a 3 legged testimony built on reason, spiritual feelings, and the test of experience. He related gaining a testimony to falling in love. :) Overall, it was fantastic and I wish I could write more about it, but the point was, give your testimony time. I love how all of the speakers who come are reflecting back to when they were 19 and just as unsure about things as the elders are now and we can see the fruit of their life long dedication to the Lord. It takes a life time for us to sometimes see the fruits.
I shared that yesterday in the district meeting we have after devotional where we discuss everything. I shared how cool it was that they look back on being our age, but in my mind I thought, "No. Your age." Decided not to say it. It's funny how my age will come up and surprise me every now and then. The sisters are all exactly Brian's age which I often forget. Sometimes they call me mom. Oh well. That's just part of my personality I guess.
So, I've been thinking. I want to collect conversion stories on my mission, so if you feel like reflecting on that, please, send me your personal conversion story. A lot of what we do is to guide that process, and I'd love to understand it better through all of your experiences, so don't forget that dearelder.com is free until I leave!
Ok, love you all, you are amazing!
Amy
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Week 6
Subject: Heysan! Jag kan (inte) Svenska!
Hey all,
So, we have started doing English fasts this week. We had our first one on Friday plus a food fast, so that spelled disaster. No food plus inability to communicate creates a very distressed Sister Maxwell. It was fine though. I got over it. Today is P-day (of course) and we decided to do another one except we can write in English to you all and when we go to the temple. Aldste Bloomfield is down the table from me entertaining some English missionaries with his Swedish. We don't even speak to other people (non-Swedes) in English. I think it was a bad idea to do this today. It's hard to run errands when no one else speaks what you are speaking. I guess that will be how it is when we get to Sweden :) So this week went by incredibly fast. We only have 3 weeks left. Am I ready? I don't know. Probably.
So just a few choice tidbits for this week. So in the MTC you can buy t-shirts with your destination country or state. I chose not to purchase one because I don't think I'll wear it either in Sweden or when I get home because it has a huge gaudy Swedish flag on it. I prefer something classier :) So, the rest of my district bought their Swede shirts and wear them to gym each week. Sister Page wanted to start doing a district 1/2 mile run around the track to start gym and foster unity in the Swede shirts, but we all nixed that idea because it was silly and would look too much like a gang. We already look like a gang when we all play volleyball.
So part of the purpose of my letters is to capture a little of what it is to be in the MTC for those that haven't been here. I was incredibly shocked when I got here and hadn't heard about most of the things that go on here, so I apologize if there are any returned missionaries that think this is dull.
Someone told me before I left that Sundays are the best days at the MTC. Turns out that is true. We get to go see Music and the Spoken word in the morning which seems to have double the cheese than I remember from times I've watched it before Conference before. There was a choir from China this week. They were so good! And so cute (they were children--that's important to note). I ate it all up, but some of the other missionaries thought it was weird. Especially the instrumental numbers. We have Relief Society meeting after that. This week Pres. Monson's daughter came and spoke to us. She was really good. Had some different insights for us. Also, she told us Pres. Monson's favorite color is yellow and one of his fav scriptures is Provs 3:5-6. I had a dream we met him the night before. He was very personable and made a thumbs up sign to Sis Page :) We have sacrament meeting after. We all have to prepare talks each week and they randomly call 2 of us up to speak. I already spoke, so there's less pressure every week. Then we have another lesson with our district, then we go to the temple and then we go to choir and then we go to dinner and then we go to a fireside. The fireside on Sunday was the director of the missionary department. He told all these stories about disobedient missionaries that ended up going home, in jail or dying, etc because they didn't follow the rules. All of us sisters agreed that we didn't want to listen anymore. It was a bit of a downer. They aren't all like that though. Then we get to watch a movie or talk! We watched Mountain of the Lord this Sunday. I am glad that LDS cinema is slowly but surely improving. That's all I will say.
I had to put out a fire this week. The District Leader has been mean to us sisters, telling us to be quiet when the other elders had been loud just a few minutes before. The sisters didn't like being so unjustly called out and embarrassed. So, I had to talk to him. He actually was rude to me when I went to talk to him, so I was a little sterner than I was planning on being. He's a great elder, though, and we worked it out. They have started treating us with more respect now and we are trying to be quieter and more on task.
Mom, I liked your thought yesterday. Covenants I think also mean nothing anymore because we don't really value keeping our word anymore. A verbal commitment has no weight. We also can't often see immediately the effects of breaking covenants in their full force.
Well, can't think of anything else to start with two minutes. I love you all. I love the gospel. My love and understanding is growing every day. Thanks for the letters! Keep 'em coming.
Amy
Hey all,
So, we have started doing English fasts this week. We had our first one on Friday plus a food fast, so that spelled disaster. No food plus inability to communicate creates a very distressed Sister Maxwell. It was fine though. I got over it. Today is P-day (of course) and we decided to do another one except we can write in English to you all and when we go to the temple. Aldste Bloomfield is down the table from me entertaining some English missionaries with his Swedish. We don't even speak to other people (non-Swedes) in English. I think it was a bad idea to do this today. It's hard to run errands when no one else speaks what you are speaking. I guess that will be how it is when we get to Sweden :) So this week went by incredibly fast. We only have 3 weeks left. Am I ready? I don't know. Probably.
So just a few choice tidbits for this week. So in the MTC you can buy t-shirts with your destination country or state. I chose not to purchase one because I don't think I'll wear it either in Sweden or when I get home because it has a huge gaudy Swedish flag on it. I prefer something classier :) So, the rest of my district bought their Swede shirts and wear them to gym each week. Sister Page wanted to start doing a district 1/2 mile run around the track to start gym and foster unity in the Swede shirts, but we all nixed that idea because it was silly and would look too much like a gang. We already look like a gang when we all play volleyball.
So part of the purpose of my letters is to capture a little of what it is to be in the MTC for those that haven't been here. I was incredibly shocked when I got here and hadn't heard about most of the things that go on here, so I apologize if there are any returned missionaries that think this is dull.
Someone told me before I left that Sundays are the best days at the MTC. Turns out that is true. We get to go see Music and the Spoken word in the morning which seems to have double the cheese than I remember from times I've watched it before Conference before. There was a choir from China this week. They were so good! And so cute (they were children--that's important to note). I ate it all up, but some of the other missionaries thought it was weird. Especially the instrumental numbers. We have Relief Society meeting after that. This week Pres. Monson's daughter came and spoke to us. She was really good. Had some different insights for us. Also, she told us Pres. Monson's favorite color is yellow and one of his fav scriptures is Provs 3:5-6. I had a dream we met him the night before. He was very personable and made a thumbs up sign to Sis Page :) We have sacrament meeting after. We all have to prepare talks each week and they randomly call 2 of us up to speak. I already spoke, so there's less pressure every week. Then we have another lesson with our district, then we go to the temple and then we go to choir and then we go to dinner and then we go to a fireside. The fireside on Sunday was the director of the missionary department. He told all these stories about disobedient missionaries that ended up going home, in jail or dying, etc because they didn't follow the rules. All of us sisters agreed that we didn't want to listen anymore. It was a bit of a downer. They aren't all like that though. Then we get to watch a movie or talk! We watched Mountain of the Lord this Sunday. I am glad that LDS cinema is slowly but surely improving. That's all I will say.
I had to put out a fire this week. The District Leader has been mean to us sisters, telling us to be quiet when the other elders had been loud just a few minutes before. The sisters didn't like being so unjustly called out and embarrassed. So, I had to talk to him. He actually was rude to me when I went to talk to him, so I was a little sterner than I was planning on being. He's a great elder, though, and we worked it out. They have started treating us with more respect now and we are trying to be quieter and more on task.
Mom, I liked your thought yesterday. Covenants I think also mean nothing anymore because we don't really value keeping our word anymore. A verbal commitment has no weight. We also can't often see immediately the effects of breaking covenants in their full force.
Well, can't think of anything else to start with two minutes. I love you all. I love the gospel. My love and understanding is growing every day. Thanks for the letters! Keep 'em coming.
Amy
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