It's been an extremely busy week. A little short on the actual lesson side of things (we may or may not have been only able to have 2 official lessons within our area this past week...difficult), but it's been full of other great activities.
Last Thursday was Sweden's National Day. It's funny,
because it's only been an official government holiday for about two years
(meaning before that they didn't get off work/school to celebrate)... anyway we
had a ward activity last week which was a lot of fun. Each family brought
their own meat to BBQ and then we had all brought cakes that everyone was free
to try out. Syster Land and I made one of those Better Than Whatever
Cakes (will two mini ones actually... long story) and it was a real hit.
Definitely very American (which is what we were definitely going for) and they
loved it! We had a bit of a competition going with the a member named
Samuel about who's cake would be finished first. Ironically neither one
was completely eaten, but we both had two pieces left in the end. We also
played soccer with the ward (totally in our skirts and all) and my team totally
won. Just saying.
On Friday we traveled across the country to Stockholm. It
was a lot of fun since we had 10 missionaries on our tåg. Syster Land and
I ended up being one of the only companionships that actually stayed at a
hotel. With the senior couples. Yep, we're cool =)
Saturday morning we had a mission conference with all of the
missionaries in the Sweden mission. It was the first time there has ever
been that large of a gathering of missionaries in Sweden (we have I think 130
missionaries now in the mission, not counting the Senior Couples).
Elder M. Russell Ballard, Bishop Gerald Causse, President Jose A. Teixeria
(Area President of Europe) and President Newell spoke to us. Can I just
say that I love Elder Ballard? It's always cool seeing general
authorities in a more relaxed setting, because we actually get to see their
more human side. And Elder Ballard--he's so funny! He was
cracking jokes left and right and yet he most definitely knew when to get down
and do whatever possible to draw in the Spirit. And before you ask...
yep, I got to shake every single one of their hands!
Anyway the conference was amazing. After the conference
everyone in the mission got to go on exchanges and we were sent out into the
Stockholm area to go contact. I was assigned to be with a Syster Taylor
from Arizona (she's one of the new sisters and she's awesome) and we got to go
to Kungsträdgården which is central downtown Stockholm. The thing
with Saturday, it was the Princess of Sweden's wedding day so Stockholm was
packed with people. Now just think about that...the one day that every
single missionary in the country of Sweden is Stockholm is the one day that we
have the most tourists in the area... how cool is that? We were able to
do some great contacting. (Over 18 legit conversations, which is huge
honestly. I have a hard time getting over 5 or 6 a day most often)
That night all of the missionaries were invited to attend a YSA
fireside with Elder Ballard and it was pretty awesome as well. He
basically told everyone get married, make it a priority, and realize that the
future of the church lies on our shoulders. We're the ones that decide
how the church will look in 20 years from now. We can't forget our own
responsibility.
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| Mission Home at 10:00 PM |
Sunday we have the Nordic Regional conference with the same
speakers plus a broadcast from Sister Esplin in the primary presidency and a
short message from President Monson. Let me just say that my heart goes
out to President Monson. I don't think that I've ever seen him look so
sad. But his love of the saints here and his love of Christ were most
definitely evident.
We then were able to travel back to our area (we did have a
lovely 2 and a half hour delay with our train though) with 14 other
missionaries.
In other news...I believe that I will be transferred this
week. I'll let you know more next week.
Favorite scripture of the week D&C 123:17 "Therefore,
dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power;
and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of
God, and for his arm to be revealed." I think I need to keep
this in mind as much as possible in the next coming weeks.
Ran out of time, but I love you all!
Allie
Love this post. Wonderful words you shared from Elder Ballard. I've met him too and he's so comfortable. I'm glad your having such progress. Great scripture to help me to remember to really do all I can, not worry, and the Lord will take care of things.
ReplyDeleteThanks