Another Fire Filled Frenzy Week.
I have never had a week like this. I cannot describe how I feel right now. I have never been more grateful for anything in my life. These last two weeks I've 'struggled to know my standing before God' as I've tried as hard as I could to know what I'm supposed to here, and how. It would take a lot more time than I currently have to go into every detail of every effort that I've put in to just know what I need to do. Things have happened throughout this week, with investigators and companionship studies that built my faith.. but it all happened yesterday.
This week went fast, and my mind was running faster. We were going to have a Ward Conference here in Visby so there was a meetings, all day. We were invited to a few of them, and those were all spiritual outpourings. We met with the Stake President as a branch, talked with Per Palm about some crazy things, and had a one on one talk each with President Blomberg. The Spirit was tangible for me that day. We taught the Sunday school lesson, and presented the ribbon cutting ceremony plan to the members. We get them fired up. We were all alive with the Spirit, and it's a feeling I've never before experienced. I know that God is going to accomplish large things here in Visby.. and I can't express to you.. or God.. my gratitude for what I've received. It is so cool.
I've been called as a counselor in the Elders Quorom Presidency in the Visby branch. Elder Miles is the other counselor. We are to help Torbern Stålek as the Elders Quorom President, in helping him fulfill his responsibility. We asked the branch President at the end of this crazy Sunday what this meant exactly, and now we have another mandate to do even more specific work WITH the ward.. and have specific responsibilities.
It's impossible to tell you all the Spiritual Experiences that have resulted out of my praying, and studying. I've received blessings, talked with some of the most spiritual men I've ever met, and felt like I can see my purpose.. and what I'm supposed to do.
But crazy things are happening here.. this work is going forward faster than any of us really know.. I am just grateful to be a part of it
It's not like opening a closed area (with previous disobedient and even commandment-breaking missionaries) with a greenie is easy. Or fun, even if there are viking ships 20 minutes from the ocean I now look out over. I've stressed every day. Trying to figure out what to do, how do it, if I can do it, and I've had every question under the sun. I've wondered why I'm here, I've had every doubt, weakness in the past come up over and over again.. but.. I'm doing awesome. I have learned the power of prayer, the power of this Gospel, and I have had some very real experiences spending hours praying and studying.
As was always true I like being alone more than out on the streets with people, but as a missionary that doesn't work great. So I've tried to visit people, knock doors, and just do something. I'm being guided, and I can truly feel it. My language skills aren't rad, but I can understand and communicate with little problems. Life goes on, and I'm literally feeling the power of the priesthood work through me (thanks to a letter from Mother, another cool experience)
Life just goes, rapidly at that, and I just try to hang on. I'm nearing a year and that scares me.
I'm just trying to do everything I can, while at the same time fighting all my weaknesses. It's a 15 sided battle I never rest from. So yeah, my life is a bit out of control, but I feel myself being built for the rest of my life.. because that's what it's all about. Right?!
Have a great week. I love you all! Elder Sargent
I have never had a week like this. I cannot describe how I feel right now. I have never been more grateful for anything in my life. These last two weeks I've 'struggled to know my standing before God' as I've tried as hard as I could to know what I'm supposed to here, and how. It would take a lot more time than I currently have to go into every detail of every effort that I've put in to just know what I need to do. Things have happened throughout this week, with investigators and companionship studies that built my faith.. but it all happened yesterday.
This week went fast, and my mind was running faster. We were going to have a Ward Conference here in Visby so there was a meetings, all day. We were invited to a few of them, and those were all spiritual outpourings. We met with the Stake President as a branch, talked with Per Palm about some crazy things, and had a one on one talk each with President Blomberg. The Spirit was tangible for me that day. We taught the Sunday school lesson, and presented the ribbon cutting ceremony plan to the members. We get them fired up. We were all alive with the Spirit, and it's a feeling I've never before experienced. I know that God is going to accomplish large things here in Visby.. and I can't express to you.. or God.. my gratitude for what I've received. It is so cool.
I've been called as a counselor in the Elders Quorom Presidency in the Visby branch. Elder Miles is the other counselor. We are to help Torbern Stålek as the Elders Quorom President, in helping him fulfill his responsibility. We asked the branch President at the end of this crazy Sunday what this meant exactly, and now we have another mandate to do even more specific work WITH the ward.. and have specific responsibilities.
It's impossible to tell you all the Spiritual Experiences that have resulted out of my praying, and studying. I've received blessings, talked with some of the most spiritual men I've ever met, and felt like I can see my purpose.. and what I'm supposed to do.
But crazy things are happening here.. this work is going forward faster than any of us really know.. I am just grateful to be a part of it
It's not like opening a closed area (with previous disobedient and even commandment-breaking missionaries) with a greenie is easy. Or fun, even if there are viking ships 20 minutes from the ocean I now look out over. I've stressed every day. Trying to figure out what to do, how do it, if I can do it, and I've had every question under the sun. I've wondered why I'm here, I've had every doubt, weakness in the past come up over and over again.. but.. I'm doing awesome. I have learned the power of prayer, the power of this Gospel, and I have had some very real experiences spending hours praying and studying.
As was always true I like being alone more than out on the streets with people, but as a missionary that doesn't work great. So I've tried to visit people, knock doors, and just do something. I'm being guided, and I can truly feel it. My language skills aren't rad, but I can understand and communicate with little problems. Life goes on, and I'm literally feeling the power of the priesthood work through me (thanks to a letter from Mother, another cool experience)
Life just goes, rapidly at that, and I just try to hang on. I'm nearing a year and that scares me.
I'm just trying to do everything I can, while at the same time fighting all my weaknesses. It's a 15 sided battle I never rest from. So yeah, my life is a bit out of control, but I feel myself being built for the rest of my life.. because that's what it's all about. Right?!
Have a great week. I love you all! Elder Sargent