Well, wonderful family of mine.. wonderful friends of mine. How the heck are ya? I'm doing absolutely wonderful, in my last week in Norrland (Northern Sweden).
And yes, you read that right. I got the call this week (along with 33 other missionaries) that I am going to be training in March. It's a bit scary, but on the second hand not really. I've been out for long enough.. I should be ready to do this. I will be leaving Övik, and for this week that's all the information you'll get! I'm not really supposed to divulge, and it's not even sure anyway.. until you are in the new area. But I will say that the area is currently not open. I'm doubling in, with a greenie. Oo-rah! I'm pumped.
Well, to be honest.. this week was rather quick. And unexciting other than the call. Our investigators kind of kept being dumb, and we ended up knocking a LOT of doors. It's okay though, because that's part of missionary work.. and I really feel like I did everything I could in my power to spread this Gospel. Although it wasn't overly successful . I have this feeling of, okay. I did all I could.. and I can already see the blessings. Yesterday kind of capped of the week in stress, but it paid off. I gave my 4th or 5th 20 minute talk yesterday, so that's always a bit stressful.. in Swedish no less. But during church, I felt the spirit so strong. The entire time was just like a confirmation that everything I'd done that week wasn't in vain, although it kind of looked like it. I felt an overwhelming peace as I took the sacrament and when I gave my talk about the Atonement. It all just kind of fell into place, and it's hard to say if I honestly effected anyone with my efforts this week... but I felt very, very, at peace. It was much needed, and a much appreciated feeling of rejuvenation.
And to cap off a long, stressful week, (in a good way) yesterday we drove the hour and a half absolutely gorgeous drive to Sollefteå.
But, our car has the worst snow tires ever. If you don't have studs on your tires, your car is not fit to drive in Northern Sweden. And we don't have studs. Elder Kinnunen, although an excellent driver, likes to push our car to it's limits on the icy ways that connect Sollefteå and Övik.. and I was pretty scared.
But after we arrived, miraculously, we visited a few members who can't make the drive every week.
We initially weren't going to visit any of the old sisters, because of the rule.. but felt that we should anyway just to check up on them and see how they're doing even if not for a formal visit/lesson. If there's anything we can help them with, osv. First person wasn't home, although we stealthily got the pin code of their building so that was helpful.
But then we went to the next person, and she was glad to see us. Which isn't too normal knocking on strangers doors. She explained that she is too sick to invite us in, but kept saying how glad she was to see us. After we continued to converse with her, she said.. ''Can I tell you guys something?'' and explained that the previous Tuesday she had prayed so hard for us to come. To give her a blessing because she was sick. We had actually planned on coming on Wednesday, but those plans fell through and we couldn't make it. In any case, missionaries haven't been to Sollefteå in at least 6 months.. and we came within a few days of when she prayed for a blessing. I felt like I was definitely, a tool in God's hands. Needless to say, we gave her a blessing. Although it wasn't me who gave it, it's always a very spiritual experience to be involved in such an honorable thing.
All is well here, hope you guys have a wonderful day.
... and we'll see you on the other side!
-Äldste Sargent
And yes, you read that right. I got the call this week (along with 33 other missionaries) that I am going to be training in March. It's a bit scary, but on the second hand not really. I've been out for long enough.. I should be ready to do this. I will be leaving Övik, and for this week that's all the information you'll get! I'm not really supposed to divulge, and it's not even sure anyway.. until you are in the new area. But I will say that the area is currently not open. I'm doubling in, with a greenie. Oo-rah! I'm pumped.
Well, to be honest.. this week was rather quick. And unexciting other than the call. Our investigators kind of kept being dumb, and we ended up knocking a LOT of doors. It's okay though, because that's part of missionary work.. and I really feel like I did everything I could in my power to spread this Gospel. Although it wasn't overly successful . I have this feeling of, okay. I did all I could.. and I can already see the blessings. Yesterday kind of capped of the week in stress, but it paid off. I gave my 4th or 5th 20 minute talk yesterday, so that's always a bit stressful.. in Swedish no less. But during church, I felt the spirit so strong. The entire time was just like a confirmation that everything I'd done that week wasn't in vain, although it kind of looked like it. I felt an overwhelming peace as I took the sacrament and when I gave my talk about the Atonement. It all just kind of fell into place, and it's hard to say if I honestly effected anyone with my efforts this week... but I felt very, very, at peace. It was much needed, and a much appreciated feeling of rejuvenation.
And to cap off a long, stressful week, (in a good way) yesterday we drove the hour and a half absolutely gorgeous drive to Sollefteå.
But, our car has the worst snow tires ever. If you don't have studs on your tires, your car is not fit to drive in Northern Sweden. And we don't have studs. Elder Kinnunen, although an excellent driver, likes to push our car to it's limits on the icy ways that connect Sollefteå and Övik.. and I was pretty scared.
But after we arrived, miraculously, we visited a few members who can't make the drive every week.
We initially weren't going to visit any of the old sisters, because of the rule.. but felt that we should anyway just to check up on them and see how they're doing even if not for a formal visit/lesson. If there's anything we can help them with, osv. First person wasn't home, although we stealthily got the pin code of their building so that was helpful.
But then we went to the next person, and she was glad to see us. Which isn't too normal knocking on strangers doors. She explained that she is too sick to invite us in, but kept saying how glad she was to see us. After we continued to converse with her, she said.. ''Can I tell you guys something?'' and explained that the previous Tuesday she had prayed so hard for us to come. To give her a blessing because she was sick. We had actually planned on coming on Wednesday, but those plans fell through and we couldn't make it. In any case, missionaries haven't been to Sollefteå in at least 6 months.. and we came within a few days of when she prayed for a blessing. I felt like I was definitely, a tool in God's hands. Needless to say, we gave her a blessing. Although it wasn't me who gave it, it's always a very spiritual experience to be involved in such an honorable thing.
All is well here, hope you guys have a wonderful day.
... and we'll see you on the other side!
-Äldste Sargent