Some of Jay's first letter from Jakobsberg- 10/14/2013
Dear World, This week was an amazing one. We hit the ground hard, as they say, and good ol' Äldste Schindler put me to work even though technically I'm training him. We met tons of people, had some amazing experiencs, and new people to teach seem to be falling out of the sky. Let me explain. We found a less active named Helen who actually isn't really less active, just physically inable to come and she recieved a blessing from my companion, and it was a fantastic experience.. and we're excited to get her hometeachers and bring her the love this church brings to all! With referrals coming in, Elder Schindler motivating me to contact and doing it well himself, and massive ring stunds we are meeting lots of people and both getting excited even more about the work. This week I was to present myself and give a short talk afterwards, and despite my preparation I felt as if I stumbled over my words and had an overly ineloquent talk. As I sat down discouraged, I opened the bible and it fell to Hebrews 12:6-7. ''For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?'' Immediately after the children choir sang and their voices powerfully brought the spirit over me showing me the need for me to be child-like. That's been the message of the week as in my own way I've become relatively prideful. I've had some struggles with certain minute things, and God showed me in a very humbling way what I need to do better. The cool thing was though, was how good it felt. Sure I felt a bit embarassed because I stumbled during my talk, but I felt a love come over me, and embrace me during Sacrament Meeting like I've never felt before. Then that scripture came. It was unbelievable, and then afterward lots of people came up to me and thanked me for my talk. The point being, is that God is leading us. If we're doing things the wrong way he'll course correct, but in a loving way, and a way that illuminates the trials and seemingly dark times of the week. We really don't need to worry about being perfect. We need to worry about doing the best with what we have, and trusting God will eventually lead us to our destination. . as we can't always see where that needs to be. This week was amazing. Love you all! -Äldste Sargent That time has come, to depart Skåne … it feels as it was merely a day, a moment in passing . . but I have learned so much from this place. It's a fantastic city, and I've had some amazing memories down here, with all the people I've met. I feel extremely lucky to have been a part of it.
This week was a solid ending though, as my last months have been rather difficult for me, in a several ways; I figured it out though. It all started last Monday when we were having FHE with a member, and Helen (the Columbian woman), was supposed to be there as well. But, she was sick, so at the end of FHE a member had the idea that we should go give her a blessing. It was getting a bit late, but we went anyway — and it was a great thing we did. She was very willing to receive the blessing, and the spirit was strong. Elder Carpenter gave a fantastic blessing, and everything was great. The real miracle though was that her friend was there, and from the instant we denied the coffee invite, she was pretty interested in what we had to say. So, we kind of just hovered. . and then when the time for the blessing came we had to explain it in full, so everyone knew what was going on. After the blessing, this girl, Danie, requests one herself and I gave a complete stranger a blessing, but honestly I've only given people I don't know very well blessings, go figure. The experience was super cool itself, and that was how I was feeling the entire week. Motivated and upbeat. The low point of the week is that despite a really good lesson with Any on Thursday, and her being quite excited, I called her Friday night to confirm a ride and get everything set up for the baptism and she decided to delay it a week. We're not sure why, other than some flaky reason, but apparently next week would be better. Unfortunately, neither of us will be here next week … so that was extremely frustrating, but it'll happen. I'm not too worried. I just won't get to be here for it! I was pretty sick for three days, had a bad head cold/sinus infection. I'm honestly not sure what it was, but I took lots of pills, and slept a bunch. We still got pretty good work done though, as is always is the case with Elder Carpenter. I feel very good about what we did here in Malmö. We said our goodbyes to a bunch of people, and continue to do so. My favorite kid in the world, Jakob in the pictures, we play frisbee with every Saturday night so I got to hang out with him one last time.. that kid is amazing. He's 13 years old, and we have a great time talking about all the games he plays. . I love him! My studies recently are dedicated to preparing meaningful member messages that can be applied to all, and really help people. I gathered most of the scriptures in my study journals and read all of them and put together a short lesson plan and memorize it. The first one I did was in Moses 6:31-32 when Enos is almost complaining to the Lord about how he can't do it, and there is no way because everyone hates him, etc, etc. The next chapter goes on to describe how the Lord did help him. I closed my scriptures, satisfied with the message and began getting ready for church. I got a call about 10:00am and someone hadn't prepared a lesson for the extra 20 YSA's that would be in church because of the ''Create'' youth thing that went on all weekend bringing many YSA's to Malmö. So, apparently it's the missionaries job to fill in for someone's lack of preparedness. . and as much as I disagree with us just being people's ''back-up plans...'' I remembered my studies, and thought that maybe there was a point behind this. With my new sense of Spirit, mind organization, and determination I planned the lesson with Elder Hills during Sunday School and the whole experience went really well.. thus showing that God really does support those who put their trust in him, even when they feel they are extremely weak of speech. I love Malmö, and all the people here and it will be extremely sad to leave. I will be going to Jakobsberg (a suburb of Stockholm) on Wednesday this week, and I will be finishing the training of an Elder Schindler, than getting another greenie in November. I talked to the President about a new assignment and I told him I'd rather train new missionaries than be a Zone Leader; I just like that way of missionary life more. So I'm looking forward to it! Well, another fantastic week, sorry this email came out so late but with transfers and what not, we're busy all day every day. Godspeed, family. -Äldste Sargent Well, this week was a week of miracles. We have just been teaching all day, every day. We taught Any, who will be baptized THIS Saturday, she came to church yesterday and loved it! She's been interviewed, pumped, and ready to do the dang thing this coming Saturday. Noon! A member recently came into the ward from somewhere else in Sweden, she's Spanish, and strong in the Gospel. In the looking for an apartment, she found someone who was also looking for a church. They became friends quickly, and last week Helen, the non-member, came to church and enjoyed it. We talked to her there and set up a time to meet. We had just come from giving someone a blessing, and were trying to get everything set up but were running late. Luckily the member showed up with Helen, and we taught her. Her questions jumped around from God, to the Word of Wisdom, and we soon ended up on baptism. She told us how she wants to come to God, and we talked for a good hour and half total, showing her the font and discussing things. She was dead set, on being baptized on the 19th of October. That's the feeling the entire Zone got this week, everyone's coming to us with more baptismal dates, and things are picking up. The rest of the nights in the week were devoted to doing splits with the ward missionaries, and random members. We've been reaching out to a bunch of people, and for the most part being well received. Even just a simple home-teaching visit to a guy named Antal, who's going through a divorce, was an amazing experience to sit through as he just bears his testimony about this months Liahona message, about the seasons. The next day another Hungarian member cooks lunch for every missionary at the church, and we have yet another feast of a life time. With member meals planned for all 8 of us several times this week, it's safe to say that the members in Malmö are beginning to do their part.. and it feels amazing! We were at the church nearly all day yesterday, as there was a farewell for two Sisters leaving from the Malmö ward. The spirit was strong, and I spent the entire time just going around, chatting with people, entertaining Norwegian kids who just showed up out of nowhere, and having a good time with all the members. Being around the Gospel so much, the church, and everything that it's affiliated with is such a blessing. Sarah asked me a question in her last email that really got me thinking, and after all the miracles that happened this week (in terms of simple home teaching!) With seeing all of these things, and coupled with what I've learned while being out here (which is an entire book in and of itself); the last thing I will ever do in this life is deny the reality of the Gospel. It works. It's not just a hope. Not just a religion. It's a reality that this is all a large testing field, but a test designed to turn us into exactly what we all want to be. This is the basis to something that none of us can even fathom. And that, just gives me so much energy. Love you all. -Äldste Sargent Hejsan,
Although I can't get much more south in this blessed land, I had the delicacy of trying Norrlands finest – surströmming (fermented herring, to say it nicely). It was an experience not for the faint of stomach. After the district meeting, presented so graciously by Elder Simpson, we went out to the dock on the beach and for initiation, and the kickoff of the glorious district.. we all ate a piece of it. When we cracked the can, there were about 15-20 flies around us within a few minutes.. thus telling you how ridiculous awful this stuff is. We all pulled out the 5-6 inch long fish and one by one, being filmed, downed them. 5 of the 8 succeeded in successfully chewing, and swallowing the dang thing. It's not really supposed to be eaten this way, and only American Missionaries are stupid enough to do it.. but heck. Count one for me. The rest of the day we were smothering the lavender flowers outside of the church on our tongue, as well as the hot sauce and chocolate frosting in the fridge. That smell does not leave easily. Our J-Dub investigator we taught later that day gave us mints ... oops. That was just the entertainment of the week though.. as we saw lots of fantastic things happen on other ends. We finally got a baptismal date with Any, and she wants to be baptized SO bad. She is the cutest little girl ever. 9 years old, and the gnarliest Skånish you'll ever hear. So ridiculously sassy, kind of reminds me of Scotty in a lot of ways. Plus it's really really helping the less active mother out, who is amazing. The 28th of September! We have lots of work and planning to do though, in order for this to actually happen.. the biggest thing is just the ride to church because she lives 30 minutes out. Plus the rest of the Zone is on fire as well! Nearly half the companionship's have baptismal dates, and the goal of baptizing before conference is looking possible, and definitely the 3 per companionship before the end of the year. The biggest focus in all of this has been to focus and care for the people, and I've seen the missionaries really do that. I've seen the difference this has in peoples live when people live and understand, and teach the gospel RIGHT. What this gospel entails is not really fathomable, and when understood, and trusted.. miracles happen. I don't know how, I don't know why.. but God is there for us. I had the opportunity to go on splits with Elder Taggart this week, fresh out of the MTC and still on fire. We went to a ward council in Lund, which was one of the best ward councils I've ever been in, and a gentleman named Brynnolf Rönndahl came up to me after and was just beside himself about how cool it was that 30 years ago he was sitting in these kind of meetings with Dad (they were companions) and now he's sitting here with Dad's son. It really was super cool, as I sat there and translated the meeting for the Bybees, to see people in action that my father knew while a missionary. This church is so cool. We travel a ton, so I'm officially pro at the Malmö Bus System. I am learning a lot here, in the suburbs of Malmö. It's such a pretty place, I kind of forget because I'm here every day but I personally think it's as pretty as Stockholm Gamla Stan (old town). Hejdå, -Äldste Sargent It's funny 'cause it's true! (Spongebob, Scotty?)
In any case. My emails will be coming in a bit earlier, just so you all know . . around 8ish my time. Midnight yours.. My companion likes to email early, so I guess we do that. Life's not overly different, although Skånish is growing rapidly on me (it doesn't beat out your classic Göteborska) but in any case it's a cool language, and a sick place. Our super warm, pleasant, and humid summer is fleeting, and cloudy days and skies seem to be always present. I like it better honestly, as I can cover my American white shirts, that make me look like I'm wearing a large bed sheet day to day. We're spending a lot of time with the ward here, as member dinners went up to officially two a week, and we play sports twice a week with them. There are some sick YSA's here, and the Stake President is almost as cool as the Stockholm South Stake President. The solid members of the church in Sweden, are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. It's super cool to be so closely knitted with all of them when it comes to the work. The week was nicely broken up by a whole day in Stockholm, plus 8 hours of train on Wednesday. We went up for Zone Leader Råd (council), and talked about goals, reported on what we had been doing and told everyone where we were going to take our Zone. The scripture of the week is found in Jeremiah. ''I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.'' A good missionary who recently returned home emailed me recently, he said that God can judge us according to our hearts because of the Atonement. This scripture kind of put that into a better perspective, and reiterated that concept. I love it. It really helps me understand that God is there to help me, and wants to bless me according to my works. Another line I got from a friend was that in any way we don't contribute to the work, it's really us who loses out. This obviously motivates me to work, but puts God's love in a more real picture for me.. and as is always the case; it's easier to work and do things for those you love, than those you fear. My analogy is a little extreme, but you get the principle. In any case, the work is picking up here. We met with Any and established a scheduled meeting time with her, although no date, and she couldn't make it to church. Slowly and steadily though. We got in contact with a referral this week who was extremely positive, and continue to help out the less actives, new converts, and teach as many people as we can. Not an overly exciting week, but it was solid, and we should be having some solid birthday celebrations with more than one birthday in the Zone this week! Bowling, pizza, whatever we come upon. Love you all, -Äldste Sargent I apologize for the lack of letter last week.. We had planned on touring Malmö a little bit and then hitting up the laserdome. Which we did, and it was super rad, although the rest of the week I was ridiculously sore because I just crouched in the corner during the game and sniped the whole time. Ha, it was so good though.
These last few weeks have been super different from any other weeks of missionary work I've experienced, because that seems just to be the nature of Malmö. We lived in a four man for a long time, which is a party every night.. but makes it tough to plan and such. So we spent two days last week just moving our stuff to the new apartment, and IKEA shopping with the apartment couple (The Tolleys from Missoula Montana! Did not know Jordon or Katherine, but they did say they fed the Zone Leaders a few times, so they may have just forgotten) in order to stock everything, and they actually signed a fourth apartment here in Malmö... so we'll pull a Sundsvall and have 8 missionaries here in Malmö including the older couple come September. The mission is blowing up though with missionaries.. we get 20 or so every 6 weeks.. and we've now doubled the missionary force from last year at this time.. crazy stuff. The area we live in is super nice, and the apartment was furnished by the people selling it, not the mission.. so we walked into an apartment with a big screen TV and a PS2 ready to go. We turned on the TV and found out we have connected cable.. so we turned it on as a joke to take pictures and such and may or may not have ended up watching 20 minutes of a soccer game in our apartment. Ha ha ha. It was pretty funny. Don't worry, they're both in the storage now because it may have become a routine thing. The Malmö Festivalen (which is just like summer days or whatever you call it in Utah, but ten times cooler) has been the main tourist attraction this week. I've heard more American English on the streets than I have Swedish. The new convert Tabby (have I told you about her?) Takes us out to lunch frequently, and we had some super good food, and walked around listening to the free outdoor concerts, while getting free stuff from all the random companies. We'll hit that up a little harder today. There's this Graffiti wall in Malmö that's about 90 feet long, dedicated to just Graffiti.. it's totally legal and everything as well.. and last week the worlds best graffiti artists came and painted the entire thing! So cool. So with that, and the skateboard competition by the beach... we've had our share of random timefiller activities that keep us entertained when things are a bit tråkigt. Despite what I've described, we do actually do good work here in Malmö. Although coming here, and being in the midst of trials kind of made it hard to see that. Yet while riding a bus the other day, which we do all the time, I just realized Malmö II is doing better than I thought it was. It's been cool to see God guide the work in the midst of my afflictions. I've been a bit scatter-brained because of it, but still God is guiding people, and letting me see the Gospel effect and change people's lives.. even in the midst of all the worldliness around every day. It's been tough, but I appreciate everything so much more because of it. Love you all. Alma 36:3 -Äldste Sargent |