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
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