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
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