Subject: There are feathers in the bushes again
Hello all!
So, I wrote this a week ago and just found it in my drafts! I wondered why Dad said you hadn't gotten much. This week was terrible as far as numbers go, but we've had a good week. We've met a number of interesting people and the weather was terrible, but now it is absolutely beautiful. Therefore, we are happy again. We have loved being just two of us again. We miss Sis Lövgren terribly and often shed a tear or two when we put ketchup on our pasta or walk past the liver paté in the grocery store, but two is so much easier to take care of. It's been good for me and Sis Jenson to finally get to know each other. We also don't feel so self-conscious about our Swedish but have to carry a dictionary around again :)
I forgot to mention that we found a large American foods section at one of the grocery stores here (we were tipped off by a member in the ward. He's from San Jose, actually...). We bought Reese’s, Dr. Pepper, maple syrup, and black beans. I was so excited to find black beans. That's one thing I really did miss when I first got here. I also realized how much I didn't miss anything else. I don't really need to go home, actually. I'm perfectly happy here. I've even started using the deodorant. :)
Well, our week started off well with a visit to a man from Gambia who is Muslim by birth, but is seeking the truth with his grown up kids. He was a name left us by the elders, but he hasn't had time to receive visits. We went there, and he started off by talking a lot about his family and then told us that it had taken him a long time, but he'd finished the book they gave him and he thinks it's the right path to follow. Turns out he was talking about the Book of Mormon. His daughter in England has read it and he's giving one to his son as well. The funny thing was that he didn't even know who Joseph Smith was. We left him the Restoration DVD and set up a return appointment. He knows it's true but isn't in a hurry to be baptized. He said we could come once a month. We compromised with once a week if the visits were very short. :)
We met with the Rastafarian man from Barbados we met last week. Turns out he lives in the Elder's area, but he said he'd rather go to church in our ward because it was more acceptable. I'm not going to lie, I want to keep teaching him. He's awesome! He said that everyone has an inner Rastafarian, but many people are afraid to accept it. I was almost convinced to try dreadlocks when I get home :) He talked about how Isaiah 11 prophecies about the Rastafarian way of life. It was a really interesting interpretation and I'm pretty sure not exactly in keeping with what the Bible actually says. He was quoting stuff I've never read before.
We also met a guy contacting who is a member of the Exclusive Brethren. I hadn't heard of them I don't think, but their website is exclusivebrethren.com. He said there are only 400 members in Sweden. He seems to have a very strong faith in Christ, but they take the teachings of Paul about women and their role in church seriously. They have a role, he said, but they don't preach.
C is doing really well. He made a comment in the combined Sunday school yesterday at ward conference about Jesus Christ and asked me when he'd get his membership number because he really wants to pay tithing. He's so great!! He feels great and he looks great. Such a complete change is a miracle.
Well, life is good. We are rallying for the last few weeks of the transfer. We're actually both hoping we'll stay, but we'll see what happens. I hope everyone has a glorious Easter. I don't feel like I can put into words how grateful I am for this opportunity we have to dedicate a weekend to Jesus Christ and his atonement. I hope you all have an opportunity to reflect on it. Love you all!
Amy
Subject: A little sun makes all the difference
Hey all,
So there was a question about how many Swedish investigators I've had. I've actually had quite a few Swedes that I've taught, but most come from other places. C, who just got baptized, is Swedish through and through. Swedes are looking for truth too, turns out.
We had zone conference on Tuesday and it was lovely. I gave a surprise five minute talk (we do that every zone conference, but I hadn't given one yet). I had a feeling it was my turn the day before, so I was ready. I also played the piano and sang for the musical number. Elder Wood and I sang 'The Lord's Prayer'. I heard it for the first time at the MTC. It's beautiful! But the singing was a little rough because we weren't next to the piano and he got behind us, so I cut out on the high part. Oops! Surprise Elder Wood solo! I was also going to talk a little about our recent baptism and following the Spirit, but that got cut because of time. It felt a little like the Sis Maxwell show. I love that!
On Wednesday we went to eat with a part member family. The husband is Swedish and uninterested, but we started our little lesson and it turned into a 45 minute discussion about whether or not the wife could be sealed to the husband because she'd been married in the temple before to a man who didn't keep his covenants, but has since died. There seemed to be a lot of pent up bitterness about the whole thing and I kept wondering how we'd gotten in the middle of this. It worked out ok. We got the Spirit back and felt prompted to make some pretty big promises to him if he'd just try. It was cool.
It's actually been a pretty cool week. We've had some good teaches with a few people who are really positive, but just need a push to get their motivation in the right place.
This week was also a musical number week. I sang and played the piano at the double baptism the zone leaders had yesterday. I sang a Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief and Elder Rowley played the guitar. It was folksy and awesome. We were going to do a dramatic reading for one of the verses, but decided it was a little much. :) Our investigator, E, was there and said he felt a really strong, indescribable feeling when the baptisms were performed. He's our most positive investigator, but he's from Iran and might be moving back there, so he probably can't get baptized anyway, but we'll keep helping him prepare, I suppose.
Yesterday we had a lovely dinner with the Utby and Kungsbacka elders and Elder and Sister Anderson, the couple that work at the center. We felt prompted to go over and visit F, the one who got baptized a month ago. We made him an Easter basket and went to his apartment. He was alone, so we talked to him at the door. It turns out he'd been talking to his wife who wants to divorce him. We all cried together, and we wished so much we could help in some way. We took him with us to dinner and were really glad we had. We hope it cheered him up. He really respects the elders and I hope enjoys our company.
We also got a visit from the Brays!! That was surreal, but really fun. We went to a really nice Greek restaurant and Sis. Bray's re-enactment of your excited to see me hug was perfect, Mom! She did it justice. :) They came to the baptism Sunday morning and then to church and were on their way. It was perfect! Brother Bray said I have a lot of the same mannerisms as you, Mom, so I'm very pleased to know that I haven't totally lost my identity over the years. More and more I feel like I'm regressing to become a 21 year old boy. Yuck! :)
Well, that's the news this week. The weather is beautiful!!! Love you all!
Syster Maxwell
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Week 55
Subject: Short note
Hey all!
This week has been wonderful. Right now I can't recall what has actually happened, but I remember Saturday perfectly well. It was an amazing day. We had a great teach in the morning with E where he said that every time he opened the Book of Mormon he got a good feeling. We then had a well-attended Swedish class with 5 priesthood holders at the center. The rules of the center are that we have to have a Melchizedek Priesthood holder here with us. We've been having a hard time getting one there, so we had all of them at once :) We thought it was highly ironic.
We then went to the sweetest baptism I've ever been to. C's son is a member of the church in Denmark and came up to baptize him. He was so happy to be there. He was so kind to him the whole time, leading him through the process. He helped him fill out the baptismal record and get changed and stay upbeat and excited. The baptismal service itself was amazing. The Spirit was so strong and everything was beautiful. I finally understand mom's experience as choir director with the angels coming and filling our mouths. Even though it wasn't the most musically pleasing musical number I've ever heard, it was one of the most beautiful. I was playing the piano for one of our zone leaders and the other 2 sisters. There was so much emotion after the baptism and C shared some words at the end and everyone was touched. I wish I could really put into words the experience. It was a wonderful day to be a missionary and I was so grateful that I could be a part of their lives. I felt that day that I really have done something special on my mission.
Sorry, I'm out of time. I love you all. Sis Lövgren left this morning. I'm really sad, but we'll see her again, hopefully.
Sys Maxwell
Hey all!
This week has been wonderful. Right now I can't recall what has actually happened, but I remember Saturday perfectly well. It was an amazing day. We had a great teach in the morning with E where he said that every time he opened the Book of Mormon he got a good feeling. We then had a well-attended Swedish class with 5 priesthood holders at the center. The rules of the center are that we have to have a Melchizedek Priesthood holder here with us. We've been having a hard time getting one there, so we had all of them at once :) We thought it was highly ironic.
We then went to the sweetest baptism I've ever been to. C's son is a member of the church in Denmark and came up to baptize him. He was so happy to be there. He was so kind to him the whole time, leading him through the process. He helped him fill out the baptismal record and get changed and stay upbeat and excited. The baptismal service itself was amazing. The Spirit was so strong and everything was beautiful. I finally understand mom's experience as choir director with the angels coming and filling our mouths. Even though it wasn't the most musically pleasing musical number I've ever heard, it was one of the most beautiful. I was playing the piano for one of our zone leaders and the other 2 sisters. There was so much emotion after the baptism and C shared some words at the end and everyone was touched. I wish I could really put into words the experience. It was a wonderful day to be a missionary and I was so grateful that I could be a part of their lives. I felt that day that I really have done something special on my mission.
Sorry, I'm out of time. I love you all. Sis Lövgren left this morning. I'm really sad, but we'll see her again, hopefully.
Sys Maxwell
Monday, April 4, 2011
Week 54
Subject: Wonderfulness
Hello all!
This week was a great week filled with miracles, the Spirit, and great insights. We had our sister's training in Stockholm on Tuesday and Wednesday and then with General Conference, we had a week of uplifting experiences. We played Ultimate Frisbee for the first time this season last Monday, and it was awesome. I'm ashamed to say it took awhile for me to remember how to throw a Frisbee, but it came back fast and our team dominated.
We had a nice train ride to Stockholm and my first nap in two months. I sat beside the most talkative Swede I've ever met who cried a number of times and told me most of her life story (before my nap). She was really cool. I also realized how long it's been since I've been on a real train. The work here in Göteborg is so much faster paced than my other areas have been. I like it except for being more exhausted than usual. Sisters' training was so good. I think you had to be there, but there was a perfect mix of girliness, story telling, laughter, and good missionary work. (We might have had a hairy winter legs contest and I might have won...) My favorite part is going out with the elders to contact because we get to see a different style. They are always a lot more forward than I am. Go figure. I also want to say that I love President and Sister Anderson. The more I interact with them, the more I realize that they are perfect leaders/examples for me. They have taught me so much in the last year. I'm really grateful I've had so many opportunities to get to know them.
While we were gone, the zone leaders were contacting by the Institute Center and met one of our potential investigators on his way there. They got to know him a little bit and gave him the phone number to an Iranian member in Stockholm. They called each other and talked for 3 hours about everything!! On Saturday we had one of those miracle teaches where his questions were guided by the Spirit, and he recognized that what he was feeling was the Spirit. It's just incredible. I also was prompted to ask a member to come with us on the teaches who turned out to know him from school. Pure inspiration. He's the perfect fellowshipper.
C is also still really excited about his baptism next week. He smoked once this week, but said it was nasty. He loved Conference and had such a glow about him when we all walked home together last night. Wonderfulness!
I love this!! I hope you all remember to share the gospel with you friends just like we heard yesterday. It is possible if we just seek the opportunities and they may not come in the form we expect. I really hope I can continue to be a good example and missionary after my mission. I got really excited this last weekend about the future. It's going to be marvelous.
Love,
Amy
Hello all!
This week was a great week filled with miracles, the Spirit, and great insights. We had our sister's training in Stockholm on Tuesday and Wednesday and then with General Conference, we had a week of uplifting experiences. We played Ultimate Frisbee for the first time this season last Monday, and it was awesome. I'm ashamed to say it took awhile for me to remember how to throw a Frisbee, but it came back fast and our team dominated.
We had a nice train ride to Stockholm and my first nap in two months. I sat beside the most talkative Swede I've ever met who cried a number of times and told me most of her life story (before my nap). She was really cool. I also realized how long it's been since I've been on a real train. The work here in Göteborg is so much faster paced than my other areas have been. I like it except for being more exhausted than usual. Sisters' training was so good. I think you had to be there, but there was a perfect mix of girliness, story telling, laughter, and good missionary work. (We might have had a hairy winter legs contest and I might have won...) My favorite part is going out with the elders to contact because we get to see a different style. They are always a lot more forward than I am. Go figure. I also want to say that I love President and Sister Anderson. The more I interact with them, the more I realize that they are perfect leaders/examples for me. They have taught me so much in the last year. I'm really grateful I've had so many opportunities to get to know them.
While we were gone, the zone leaders were contacting by the Institute Center and met one of our potential investigators on his way there. They got to know him a little bit and gave him the phone number to an Iranian member in Stockholm. They called each other and talked for 3 hours about everything!! On Saturday we had one of those miracle teaches where his questions were guided by the Spirit, and he recognized that what he was feeling was the Spirit. It's just incredible. I also was prompted to ask a member to come with us on the teaches who turned out to know him from school. Pure inspiration. He's the perfect fellowshipper.
C is also still really excited about his baptism next week. He smoked once this week, but said it was nasty. He loved Conference and had such a glow about him when we all walked home together last night. Wonderfulness!
I love this!! I hope you all remember to share the gospel with you friends just like we heard yesterday. It is possible if we just seek the opportunities and they may not come in the form we expect. I really hope I can continue to be a good example and missionary after my mission. I got really excited this last weekend about the future. It's going to be marvelous.
Love,
Amy
Monday, March 28, 2011
Week 53
Subject: Read this when you’re in the mood
Hi everyone.
So this has been a really good week. Not quite as good as last week. We were really busy. Spring is coming, and I'm starting to catch back up on sleep. We are looking forward to Sister's Conference tomorrow. I'm going to be leading one of the discussions with Sis Sumner, and everything else should be really fun. Especially the 3 hour train ride. It's been a long time since I was on a train. It's weird.
I have had a really interesting week and a lot has happened. I know the Lord takes care of His missionaries. I left home with nothing and am returning with so much. I'm starting to see what the future will really be like and realizing that it is all going to be ok. I know the daughters of our Heavenly Father have a special role to play. We are just as important. It's hard for me to see that sometimes, but I am understanding it more and more. I hope I can live up to the examples of the wonderful women who have gone before me. I have two wonderful grandmothers who are pillars of faith and hope and an extraordinary mother who seemed to learn it all on her own through her diligent study and self awareness and improvement.
I also have grown tired of doubt, pessimism, and fear. There will always be nay-sayers to everything. It's just up to us to decide what is most important and stick to it. In the end, it's the Spirit that we feel that determines how we should act. People always have an angle and can find 'facts' to back anything up. If you take everything that's 'true' and put it all together, there seems to be a mess of doubt and contradictions. I've heard a lot on my mission. Numbers of people telling me they know what they know to be true because of such and such a reason. They all make sense and they all are sound reasons, but I cannot deny the experiences I've had. If what we are doing today wasn't of the Lord, why all the miracles? Why the joy? Why the manifestations of the Spirit?
I just want to bear my testimony that I know that God lives. I know he strengthens His children when they turn to Him. He never forgets us. I don't understand how He does it, but I know that it's true. I found my Spanish speakers this week. Over a year of searching, and I've found them. They are three teenage boys that live below a Spanish-speaking member of the ward. I know the gift of tongues is real. The power in the room was tangible yesterday as we bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith in the language they understood best. It had been a long time since I spoke Spanish last, but it came back almost completely. I can testify that the hand of the Lord is in this work. I want you all to remember that. I am so grateful to be His representative. My mission just gets better and better. I'm so looking forward to these last three months, but I know that I will have a joyful return, knowing I gave it my all. I love you all, and I hope you have a wonderful Spring and General Conference Weekend. It should be glorious!
Syster Maxwell
Hi everyone.
So this has been a really good week. Not quite as good as last week. We were really busy. Spring is coming, and I'm starting to catch back up on sleep. We are looking forward to Sister's Conference tomorrow. I'm going to be leading one of the discussions with Sis Sumner, and everything else should be really fun. Especially the 3 hour train ride. It's been a long time since I was on a train. It's weird.
I have had a really interesting week and a lot has happened. I know the Lord takes care of His missionaries. I left home with nothing and am returning with so much. I'm starting to see what the future will really be like and realizing that it is all going to be ok. I know the daughters of our Heavenly Father have a special role to play. We are just as important. It's hard for me to see that sometimes, but I am understanding it more and more. I hope I can live up to the examples of the wonderful women who have gone before me. I have two wonderful grandmothers who are pillars of faith and hope and an extraordinary mother who seemed to learn it all on her own through her diligent study and self awareness and improvement.
I also have grown tired of doubt, pessimism, and fear. There will always be nay-sayers to everything. It's just up to us to decide what is most important and stick to it. In the end, it's the Spirit that we feel that determines how we should act. People always have an angle and can find 'facts' to back anything up. If you take everything that's 'true' and put it all together, there seems to be a mess of doubt and contradictions. I've heard a lot on my mission. Numbers of people telling me they know what they know to be true because of such and such a reason. They all make sense and they all are sound reasons, but I cannot deny the experiences I've had. If what we are doing today wasn't of the Lord, why all the miracles? Why the joy? Why the manifestations of the Spirit?
I just want to bear my testimony that I know that God lives. I know he strengthens His children when they turn to Him. He never forgets us. I don't understand how He does it, but I know that it's true. I found my Spanish speakers this week. Over a year of searching, and I've found them. They are three teenage boys that live below a Spanish-speaking member of the ward. I know the gift of tongues is real. The power in the room was tangible yesterday as we bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith in the language they understood best. It had been a long time since I spoke Spanish last, but it came back almost completely. I can testify that the hand of the Lord is in this work. I want you all to remember that. I am so grateful to be His representative. My mission just gets better and better. I'm so looking forward to these last three months, but I know that I will have a joyful return, knowing I gave it my all. I love you all, and I hope you have a wonderful Spring and General Conference Weekend. It should be glorious!
Syster Maxwell
Monday, March 21, 2011
Week 52
Subject: Our apartment smells like tobacco now
Hey everybody!
What a week it has been! I've been having some trouble sleeping and haven't had much of an appetite, but otherwise, I'm holding up just fine. There's always some kind of challenge... I woke up at 3:30 this morning and was wide awake, so I got up at 4:30 and cleaned the kitchen and bathroom. It helped to make our p-day smoother, so maybe it was a tender mercy in disguise :)
This week brought so many unexpected surprises. Our contacting miracle, D, the one who came up to us, came to FHE on his own on Monday and just joined right in! Everybody loved him, and the Institute president begged to come on teaches with him :) Funnily enough, after our teach with him on Thursday, he asked us not to bring a 'chaperone' who talks 90 percent of the time and doesn't let us fulfill our role. It was refreshing, actually. It's really frustrating taking members who take control of the lesson. I wonder, though, if he saw it as a male-female thing. Being dominated by the opposite sex and all... It was a good lesson though, and he stuck around for a long time talking to Elder and Sis. Anderson afterwards. He's played World of Warcraft professionally before and was in one of the top guilds. Not my thing, but that's pretty awesome.
We also had that surprise with C. We met him on Tuesday and felt impressed to just ask him how it was going quitting smoking. He said he had reduced his smoking, but wasn't quitting, per se. We asked him if he'd like to and he agreed to go on the program! It has been a really special week with him. He gave us his pipe, so I decided to keep it as a souvenir. We've got it sterilizing in bleach in our apartment. It's awesome! We went to clean up his apartment too, and absolutely scoured the place. It needed it. There was loose tobacco everywhere, and he was very grateful afterwards. Poor Sis Lövgren used an entire roll of paper towels in the bathroom and I took wads of tobacco, cigarette paper, and leftover food out of the old dish water in the sink. We hoped it would help him not fall into the habit again if everything was fresh. He helped us with the baptismal program for Fadi and then came to the baptism in a suit his son had bought for him!!! He looked so good, clean, and happy. He said that he had had one cigarette, but it was nasty to him. I was so proud of him. And then during the closing hymn of sacrament meeting, I felt like I needed to just go over to him and ask him when he wanted to get baptized. I asked Sis Lövgren about it, and she gave me the go. So, I did just that. I went over and said, C we've been wondering when you would like to get baptized. He said that he'd actually felt that at the baptism yesterday, that it was leading to that, and that he'd like to. So, we decided on a date! It felt so good and he was so excited! We've still got a little ways to go, but he's basically ready. He's made so many big changes, going from being anti-religion to ready to be baptized in just over 6 months. It's a miracle. He also has really awesome longish, shaggy hair that I half hope he doesn't cut.
Saturday was also a wonderful day. Everyone in our district had a baptism, so it was a full, fun day! We baked a ton of cookies and sang 'Be Still My Soul' three times. The last time was the best because we did it a cappella right in front of the baptismal font, so the acoustics were awesome. F's baptism was really sweet. I'm grateful we were able to help him get there despite all the texts about my beauty. It was S's first time baptizing and he just couldn't get the prayer right, so he had to do it three times. The Spirit was so strong the whole day. It was wonderful. The confirmation was done in Arabic and everyone in the ward thought that was really cool.
I have been so grateful this week for how much the Spirit has been with us, guiding us. I know more and more that the Lord really is always with us. I'm just so grateful for all the miracles this week.
I also made my first from-scratch layer cake for Elder Carlisle's birthday. It turned out really good! You would have been proud, Dad. Oh, I also decided that I'm going with the money, so I'll be going to Utah State for my master's program. I never thought I'd go back to Utah, but I dont' think it will be that bad :) Plus, I have mission friends who will be there, so I won't be as alone as I would have thought. Well, we have to go play some football now, so I best be off. I love you all! Keep me in your prayers, if you will...
Love,
Amy
Hey everybody!
What a week it has been! I've been having some trouble sleeping and haven't had much of an appetite, but otherwise, I'm holding up just fine. There's always some kind of challenge... I woke up at 3:30 this morning and was wide awake, so I got up at 4:30 and cleaned the kitchen and bathroom. It helped to make our p-day smoother, so maybe it was a tender mercy in disguise :)
This week brought so many unexpected surprises. Our contacting miracle, D, the one who came up to us, came to FHE on his own on Monday and just joined right in! Everybody loved him, and the Institute president begged to come on teaches with him :) Funnily enough, after our teach with him on Thursday, he asked us not to bring a 'chaperone' who talks 90 percent of the time and doesn't let us fulfill our role. It was refreshing, actually. It's really frustrating taking members who take control of the lesson. I wonder, though, if he saw it as a male-female thing. Being dominated by the opposite sex and all... It was a good lesson though, and he stuck around for a long time talking to Elder and Sis. Anderson afterwards. He's played World of Warcraft professionally before and was in one of the top guilds. Not my thing, but that's pretty awesome.
We also had that surprise with C. We met him on Tuesday and felt impressed to just ask him how it was going quitting smoking. He said he had reduced his smoking, but wasn't quitting, per se. We asked him if he'd like to and he agreed to go on the program! It has been a really special week with him. He gave us his pipe, so I decided to keep it as a souvenir. We've got it sterilizing in bleach in our apartment. It's awesome! We went to clean up his apartment too, and absolutely scoured the place. It needed it. There was loose tobacco everywhere, and he was very grateful afterwards. Poor Sis Lövgren used an entire roll of paper towels in the bathroom and I took wads of tobacco, cigarette paper, and leftover food out of the old dish water in the sink. We hoped it would help him not fall into the habit again if everything was fresh. He helped us with the baptismal program for Fadi and then came to the baptism in a suit his son had bought for him!!! He looked so good, clean, and happy. He said that he had had one cigarette, but it was nasty to him. I was so proud of him. And then during the closing hymn of sacrament meeting, I felt like I needed to just go over to him and ask him when he wanted to get baptized. I asked Sis Lövgren about it, and she gave me the go. So, I did just that. I went over and said, C we've been wondering when you would like to get baptized. He said that he'd actually felt that at the baptism yesterday, that it was leading to that, and that he'd like to. So, we decided on a date! It felt so good and he was so excited! We've still got a little ways to go, but he's basically ready. He's made so many big changes, going from being anti-religion to ready to be baptized in just over 6 months. It's a miracle. He also has really awesome longish, shaggy hair that I half hope he doesn't cut.
Saturday was also a wonderful day. Everyone in our district had a baptism, so it was a full, fun day! We baked a ton of cookies and sang 'Be Still My Soul' three times. The last time was the best because we did it a cappella right in front of the baptismal font, so the acoustics were awesome. F's baptism was really sweet. I'm grateful we were able to help him get there despite all the texts about my beauty. It was S's first time baptizing and he just couldn't get the prayer right, so he had to do it three times. The Spirit was so strong the whole day. It was wonderful. The confirmation was done in Arabic and everyone in the ward thought that was really cool.
I have been so grateful this week for how much the Spirit has been with us, guiding us. I know more and more that the Lord really is always with us. I'm just so grateful for all the miracles this week.
I also made my first from-scratch layer cake for Elder Carlisle's birthday. It turned out really good! You would have been proud, Dad. Oh, I also decided that I'm going with the money, so I'll be going to Utah State for my master's program. I never thought I'd go back to Utah, but I dont' think it will be that bad :) Plus, I have mission friends who will be there, so I won't be as alone as I would have thought. Well, we have to go play some football now, so I best be off. I love you all! Keep me in your prayers, if you will...
Love,
Amy
Monday, March 14, 2011
Week 51
Subject: Decision time!
Hejsan allihopa!
So, this week was pretty good. It is light outside when we wake up now and the sun is starting to rise by the time we are getting home from our run. Härligt! It's also warm enough today that I didn't need my second sweater. Things are looking up.
We watched the Testaments with C on Saturday night and he was really touched. It was really sweet. He's the one who's son is a member in Copenhagen. He's had a really rough life and his turnaround the last few months has been a perfect example of the way the repentance process works and the power that comes with it. He is such a kind, sweet man, and we feel so privileged to be able to meet with him.
F seems to be doing really well. We're getting his baptism all planned out, but the ward has been really confused about the situation. They keep wondering why the elders keep showing up to church. Luckily, no one has really demanded a reason, so that's safe with us. We texted him a scripture today and are trying to be kind, but not too friendly so he doesn't get the wrong idea. I remember being told once that I give out mixed signals. I never thought that would come in handy on my mission, but I think it saved me from making a wrong move. I think it's all going to work out fine.
We had a really fun teach with M this week. After debating about expressions of gratitude and whether or not they were good or appropriate, we finally helped him understand that the prophet doesn't preach social commentary. He's preaching God's standard. M said, "But giving without ever expecting anything in return is humanly impossible. So what you're asking me to be is humanly impossible?" "Exactly!!" we replied. It was a funny moment, but helped us tie in the Savior and why he's important.
I forgot to mention last time that Sis Jenson is from Draper. Well, I'm sorry this is insanely short, but I must be off. I beat the Elders bowling today! I've still got it. I have finally reached the point where I don't want to got home anymore. Luckily, the Lord has taken care of me, so I can go back to something. I just have to decide where that something is. (I got into grad school...ask my mom). Well, I love this work, and I know it's the Lord's. Ha en bra vecka!
Sys. Maxwell
PS I heard about BYU's seed in the NCAA tourney. Not bad. Not bad at all...
Hejsan allihopa!
So, this week was pretty good. It is light outside when we wake up now and the sun is starting to rise by the time we are getting home from our run. Härligt! It's also warm enough today that I didn't need my second sweater. Things are looking up.
We watched the Testaments with C on Saturday night and he was really touched. It was really sweet. He's the one who's son is a member in Copenhagen. He's had a really rough life and his turnaround the last few months has been a perfect example of the way the repentance process works and the power that comes with it. He is such a kind, sweet man, and we feel so privileged to be able to meet with him.
F seems to be doing really well. We're getting his baptism all planned out, but the ward has been really confused about the situation. They keep wondering why the elders keep showing up to church. Luckily, no one has really demanded a reason, so that's safe with us. We texted him a scripture today and are trying to be kind, but not too friendly so he doesn't get the wrong idea. I remember being told once that I give out mixed signals. I never thought that would come in handy on my mission, but I think it saved me from making a wrong move. I think it's all going to work out fine.
We had a really fun teach with M this week. After debating about expressions of gratitude and whether or not they were good or appropriate, we finally helped him understand that the prophet doesn't preach social commentary. He's preaching God's standard. M said, "But giving without ever expecting anything in return is humanly impossible. So what you're asking me to be is humanly impossible?" "Exactly!!" we replied. It was a funny moment, but helped us tie in the Savior and why he's important.
I forgot to mention last time that Sis Jenson is from Draper. Well, I'm sorry this is insanely short, but I must be off. I beat the Elders bowling today! I've still got it. I have finally reached the point where I don't want to got home anymore. Luckily, the Lord has taken care of me, so I can go back to something. I just have to decide where that something is. (I got into grad school...ask my mom). Well, I love this work, and I know it's the Lord's. Ha en bra vecka!
Sys. Maxwell
PS I heard about BYU's seed in the NCAA tourney. Not bad. Not bad at all...
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 50
Subject: Three's company
Hejsan allihopa!
The apartment feels a lot more spacious with just the three of us, but that might just be because we got rid of all the clutter that's been accruing. It was such a relief to clean off the desk.
The last few days have been crazy trying to get everything organized for the other sisters' departure. We tried to make it as smooth as possible, but we called one of their favorite investigators yesterday and he gave us the, "We're really busy right now" line, so we asked one of the members in the ward who has had them over for dinner before to ask them over if they have a chance (in a polite way...). We've also been calling a lot of people who have no idea who we are :) We've also picked up Swedish Class and Saturday Innebandy (like floor hockey--maybe even the same thing), so that's fun.
We are really grateful that someone said the words 'splits' because that truly hadn't crossed my mind. We hope we can continue to work as four (as our mission leader said yesterday) if we get those who are preparing for missions and the young women involved. We already see the need for it because as it always happens, everyone wants to meet at the same time... With the combination of the sister's teaches and our teaches, we killed the zone in numbers last week. It was awesome! (and cheating, really)
On Friday, Sis Jenson's first day in Göteborg and one of the elder's first day on the mission, we did a chalk drawing of the Plan of Salvation by a local shopping center. I asked the elders if this was legal and they said sure. Elder Francis said they'd only had a problem with the cops once... That didn't do much for my confidence, but we went ahead and did it and it was the prettiest chalk drawing of the Plan of Salvation ever. (Sis Lövgren is an artist...). We'd been there about an hour when a guy came up to us and got really mad that we were there and that we weren't planning on cleaning it up. He said it was illegal. We saw him on the phone talking quite angrily and realized he was calling the cops. We all panicked and left. I realized later that the responsible thing to do would have been to stay and clean it up... oops.
On Saturday we finally had a teach with the guy who came up to us on the street. He's really smart (IT guy) and knows a LOT about the church already. We skipped over the restoration because he basically told it to us, but he missed the spirit world on the plan of salvation when he explained it to him, so we taught him that :) He loves the sense of community and thinks we're really interesting. He just needs to pray and understand the spiritual part. We had a very talkative member with us, who hijacked our lesson, but it went ok anyway. Saddest thing was that he said he requested a Book of Mormon from representatives 2 years ago on mormon.org and never received a visit or the book. He had another friend with the same story. If there's anyone out that that reads this and knows how to fix that, that might be an important thing to know. Maybe it was the missionaries' fault. I don't know. We are very glad he passed by us, though.
We met with Si, the other sisters' baptismal date, and found out he didn't realize he had a baptismal date or what baptism even was. So, that was too bad, but once we helped him understand he seemed ok with it eventually...
Sis Jenson is from Utah and likes math. She was studying Engineering and Technology Education at USU. She likes math. She's also really sweet and gives killer back massages. She says I have good posture. Well, that's all for this week. Love you all!
Hejsan allihopa!
The apartment feels a lot more spacious with just the three of us, but that might just be because we got rid of all the clutter that's been accruing. It was such a relief to clean off the desk.
The last few days have been crazy trying to get everything organized for the other sisters' departure. We tried to make it as smooth as possible, but we called one of their favorite investigators yesterday and he gave us the, "We're really busy right now" line, so we asked one of the members in the ward who has had them over for dinner before to ask them over if they have a chance (in a polite way...). We've also been calling a lot of people who have no idea who we are :) We've also picked up Swedish Class and Saturday Innebandy (like floor hockey--maybe even the same thing), so that's fun.
We are really grateful that someone said the words 'splits' because that truly hadn't crossed my mind. We hope we can continue to work as four (as our mission leader said yesterday) if we get those who are preparing for missions and the young women involved. We already see the need for it because as it always happens, everyone wants to meet at the same time... With the combination of the sister's teaches and our teaches, we killed the zone in numbers last week. It was awesome! (and cheating, really)
On Friday, Sis Jenson's first day in Göteborg and one of the elder's first day on the mission, we did a chalk drawing of the Plan of Salvation by a local shopping center. I asked the elders if this was legal and they said sure. Elder Francis said they'd only had a problem with the cops once... That didn't do much for my confidence, but we went ahead and did it and it was the prettiest chalk drawing of the Plan of Salvation ever. (Sis Lövgren is an artist...). We'd been there about an hour when a guy came up to us and got really mad that we were there and that we weren't planning on cleaning it up. He said it was illegal. We saw him on the phone talking quite angrily and realized he was calling the cops. We all panicked and left. I realized later that the responsible thing to do would have been to stay and clean it up... oops.
On Saturday we finally had a teach with the guy who came up to us on the street. He's really smart (IT guy) and knows a LOT about the church already. We skipped over the restoration because he basically told it to us, but he missed the spirit world on the plan of salvation when he explained it to him, so we taught him that :) He loves the sense of community and thinks we're really interesting. He just needs to pray and understand the spiritual part. We had a very talkative member with us, who hijacked our lesson, but it went ok anyway. Saddest thing was that he said he requested a Book of Mormon from representatives 2 years ago on mormon.org and never received a visit or the book. He had another friend with the same story. If there's anyone out that that reads this and knows how to fix that, that might be an important thing to know. Maybe it was the missionaries' fault. I don't know. We are very glad he passed by us, though.
We met with Si, the other sisters' baptismal date, and found out he didn't realize he had a baptismal date or what baptism even was. So, that was too bad, but once we helped him understand he seemed ok with it eventually...
Sis Jenson is from Utah and likes math. She was studying Engineering and Technology Education at USU. She likes math. She's also really sweet and gives killer back massages. She says I have good posture. Well, that's all for this week. Love you all!
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