We had the chance to be in Västerhaninge twice this week, once for the temple, and once for an amazing Christmas concert. It was seriously so spectacular, it rivals that of the Sharon 3rd Choirside. I absolutely loved it.
The scripture of the week this week came to me in the Temple while pondering a question I've always had. In Alma 31 it talks about Alma and Amulek getting ready to go preach to the blasphemous Zoremites. . and after his mighty prayer there's a short little gem at the end. Alma 31:38 talks about how all of our afflictions, will be swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Whatever the affliction may be, social awkwardness, difficulty speaking, physical pain, all of these things and more are gone in the joy of Christ when we are giving him our all. Not that the pain won't exist, but when I think about swallowed up I imagine that it really doesn't matter in comparison. Every little difficulty we experience, it goes away compared to the joy we receive in Christ. It's pretty straight forward, but a new way to look at it.
We've been going over the lessons super hard for Elder Allen in Preach My Gospel, and we had a cool lesson where we were placed in a situation to teach 2 of one of our investigators friends, along with his less active brother. In teaching all 4 of them, the material in the lessons intertwined with the Spirit made a really good teaching opportunity for his friends to learn more. I felt just like a preacher as I sat there and talked to these kids, and read Mosiah 3:19 and expounded on the scriptures. The Spirit was clearly guiding me, but it was a super cool experience.
Right now we are on the wards errand (did you like the pun?) to go and check up on all the members on the ward list to see if they want visits, or want out of the church. We've already had three people say they would like visits from us, and although we only got 1 new investigator. . we're excited to strengthen the ward here.
One of them was actually Sweden's truck pulling champion in 2004. . Biggest guy I've ever seen. I'll get a picture with him before I leave here.
Another one was a lady who had a stroke a while ago, so she can't formulate any kind of sentence, but you could tell she loved that we came and we're having the ward organize all kinds of hometeaching and visiting teaching visits. It's moments like these where you love the church even more, to help those that have struggles in this life. We saw degrees from universities on her wall and it just makes you reflect on life. . how easy it comes and goes and how much of an influence we have on people.
More news on the less actives next week, although one of them came to the concert in Västerhaninge and loved it! It was super good.
At the concert last night in Västerhaninge I had 4 people come up to me and say, hey I know your mom! And things like that. This one blonde girl (Taina)waved at me, and being super confused I waved back awkwardly not wanting to do that thing where they're actually waving at the person behind you. . but she was definitely waving at me. Turns out she's married to my cousin Samuel, who woulda thunk. I felt super dumb for not recognizing her. She laughed and I guess I've only really been around her once. I got to talk to Samuel and meet their newborn child! That was super cool. Oh, I also saw Zilip (Samuel's brother)in the temple this week. I love Sweden, and our family.
We're doing well though, the first snowfall came and it's looking a little bit more like Christmas, and the temperatures aren't quite as scary as Norrland. But we continue to talk to people, find less actives and baptize the prepared!
Love you all!
Ä Sargent
The scripture of the week this week came to me in the Temple while pondering a question I've always had. In Alma 31 it talks about Alma and Amulek getting ready to go preach to the blasphemous Zoremites. . and after his mighty prayer there's a short little gem at the end. Alma 31:38 talks about how all of our afflictions, will be swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Whatever the affliction may be, social awkwardness, difficulty speaking, physical pain, all of these things and more are gone in the joy of Christ when we are giving him our all. Not that the pain won't exist, but when I think about swallowed up I imagine that it really doesn't matter in comparison. Every little difficulty we experience, it goes away compared to the joy we receive in Christ. It's pretty straight forward, but a new way to look at it.
We've been going over the lessons super hard for Elder Allen in Preach My Gospel, and we had a cool lesson where we were placed in a situation to teach 2 of one of our investigators friends, along with his less active brother. In teaching all 4 of them, the material in the lessons intertwined with the Spirit made a really good teaching opportunity for his friends to learn more. I felt just like a preacher as I sat there and talked to these kids, and read Mosiah 3:19 and expounded on the scriptures. The Spirit was clearly guiding me, but it was a super cool experience.
Right now we are on the wards errand (did you like the pun?) to go and check up on all the members on the ward list to see if they want visits, or want out of the church. We've already had three people say they would like visits from us, and although we only got 1 new investigator. . we're excited to strengthen the ward here.
One of them was actually Sweden's truck pulling champion in 2004. . Biggest guy I've ever seen. I'll get a picture with him before I leave here.
Another one was a lady who had a stroke a while ago, so she can't formulate any kind of sentence, but you could tell she loved that we came and we're having the ward organize all kinds of hometeaching and visiting teaching visits. It's moments like these where you love the church even more, to help those that have struggles in this life. We saw degrees from universities on her wall and it just makes you reflect on life. . how easy it comes and goes and how much of an influence we have on people.
More news on the less actives next week, although one of them came to the concert in Västerhaninge and loved it! It was super good.
At the concert last night in Västerhaninge I had 4 people come up to me and say, hey I know your mom! And things like that. This one blonde girl (Taina)waved at me, and being super confused I waved back awkwardly not wanting to do that thing where they're actually waving at the person behind you. . but she was definitely waving at me. Turns out she's married to my cousin Samuel, who woulda thunk. I felt super dumb for not recognizing her. She laughed and I guess I've only really been around her once. I got to talk to Samuel and meet their newborn child! That was super cool. Oh, I also saw Zilip (Samuel's brother)in the temple this week. I love Sweden, and our family.
We're doing well though, the first snowfall came and it's looking a little bit more like Christmas, and the temperatures aren't quite as scary as Norrland. But we continue to talk to people, find less actives and baptize the prepared!
Love you all!
Ä Sargent