Letter sent April 10, 2017:
This week went by at the speed of light and the speed of a snail. It was a good week though. We had a zone conference in Handen (in Stockholm). I love conferences. They always give a good boost of energy and ate a great time to feel the spirit. We had to give our farewell testimonies so that was super weird. It feels like last week that Sister Jackson and Elder Backman were giving theirs while we were down in the promised land aka Malmö.
This week we watched the rest of general conference, talked to people, taught people, and biked everywhere. Have I mentioned that I'm bringing the bike trend back to Logan? I am. It's the best. Logan just needs to cater to my needs and build bike trails throughout the whole city.
At zone conference they talked a lot about attitude and living beyond your excuses. How our attitudes determine so much. I was also reading in my journal after conference and read about this one day when I was in Malmö. Sister Jackson and I didn't really have any investigators and this one Wednesday we had set up a lot of appointments with our "golden investigators" except they were just random people we were meeting for the first time haha. I told sister Jackson the whole week leading up to Wednesday that Wednesday was going to be the best day of my mission. Well Wednesday rolled around and pretty much everyone canceled. The only lesson that went through was with a lady and her brother was there the whole time just smoking in the house so we probably lost 10 years off of our lives. But I read what I wrote about that day and I absolutely loved it. It was such a good day even though nothing happened that I expected. I really do believe that you can choose to be happy. My faith in Jesus Christ makes me happy and gives me peace regardless of my surroundings or situation. I'm so grateful that I know God exists and that he's our Father in heaven.
Hope you all have a swell week. Until next time,
Xoxo
Syster May
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Splitsies with Sister C
Letter sent Monday, April 3, 2017:
Tjena på er!
I can't believe another week has passed already. Where is the time going?? It's so exciting and super sad and scary all at the same time. It feels good though. This week was seriously so good though.
On Monday we went by one of you sort-of-investigators, Anosh, pretty sure he had been drinking a little bit he came out with his guitar and we talked on a bench for a while. We asked him why he drinks and had a good conversation about that. When we said the closing prayer he cried and then blamed it on the weather haha. Then he gave us his guitar so he was maybe a little tipsier than we first thought haha. He's in India right now and comes back April 20th and said we can give him the guitar back then.
Tuesday we cleaned the church and then went and had dinner with a lady named Ann Britt. She was all in a fuss because I didn't drink the påsk must she had boughten. Swedes are so kind and are always wanting to please and provide the best for their guests. I insisted I like water better but I don't think she believes me. After Ann Britt we had interviews with president. He was basically just like, "well sister May, you don't have much time left. Are you enjoying your days?" Then talked about logistics of going home and some self reliance thingy the Pettits are doing for all of us who are going home. I really am enjoying my time though. Being a missionary in Sweden is hard and tiring and you don't see a lot of physical results but it's the best thing in the whole world. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Then Tuesday night the STL's came in. I got to start my wonderful 24 hours with Sister Christensen. We talked to people on the lovely cobble-stoned streets of örebro all day long. We had the best. Contact ever with this guy named Daniel. At the beginning he was just trying to disagree with everything that we said but then in the middle something changed and he softened. The spirit came in so strongly. He asked us so many real, good questions about what the Book of Mormon actually adds to our knowledge of Christ. How it actually helps us day to day. Sister Christensen and I were just working and teaching so well together. At the end of it all he decided not to meet again but there's just some experiences that are unforgettable.
The rest of the week went by so slowly just waiting in anticipation for general conference. Saturday finally came and we met with a guy named Weam at 15.00. We ended up staying with him like all day long because he decided to stay and watch conference with us which didn't start until 18.00. So while we taught some other people he just joined the women in watching the women's session haha. He's a good sport. Whenever there's a lull or silence for a second he asks us if we think Sweden or the US is more beautiful.
Conference was so so good. It was a little throw back to last conference in Malmö because ex sister Jackson was here in Orebro so we watched it together again. I loved President Eyring's talk about family history and gathering gods family was so good. And of course I just loved Elder Holland's talk. I loved how he said that God invites everyone to come join the church as they are but that we shouldn't expect to stay as we are. Because the gospel changes people when you put your whole heart into it. Well, I guess I shouldn't say the gospel changes people. It's Jesus Christ who changes people. I'm so happy for that he came to earth and that he loves us.
I love you all! Ha en fin vecka!
Syster May
Tjena på er!
I can't believe another week has passed already. Where is the time going?? It's so exciting and super sad and scary all at the same time. It feels good though. This week was seriously so good though.
On Monday we went by one of you sort-of-investigators, Anosh, pretty sure he had been drinking a little bit he came out with his guitar and we talked on a bench for a while. We asked him why he drinks and had a good conversation about that. When we said the closing prayer he cried and then blamed it on the weather haha. Then he gave us his guitar so he was maybe a little tipsier than we first thought haha. He's in India right now and comes back April 20th and said we can give him the guitar back then.
Tuesday we cleaned the church and then went and had dinner with a lady named Ann Britt. She was all in a fuss because I didn't drink the påsk must she had boughten. Swedes are so kind and are always wanting to please and provide the best for their guests. I insisted I like water better but I don't think she believes me. After Ann Britt we had interviews with president. He was basically just like, "well sister May, you don't have much time left. Are you enjoying your days?" Then talked about logistics of going home and some self reliance thingy the Pettits are doing for all of us who are going home. I really am enjoying my time though. Being a missionary in Sweden is hard and tiring and you don't see a lot of physical results but it's the best thing in the whole world. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Then Tuesday night the STL's came in. I got to start my wonderful 24 hours with Sister Christensen. We talked to people on the lovely cobble-stoned streets of örebro all day long. We had the best. Contact ever with this guy named Daniel. At the beginning he was just trying to disagree with everything that we said but then in the middle something changed and he softened. The spirit came in so strongly. He asked us so many real, good questions about what the Book of Mormon actually adds to our knowledge of Christ. How it actually helps us day to day. Sister Christensen and I were just working and teaching so well together. At the end of it all he decided not to meet again but there's just some experiences that are unforgettable.
The rest of the week went by so slowly just waiting in anticipation for general conference. Saturday finally came and we met with a guy named Weam at 15.00. We ended up staying with him like all day long because he decided to stay and watch conference with us which didn't start until 18.00. So while we taught some other people he just joined the women in watching the women's session haha. He's a good sport. Whenever there's a lull or silence for a second he asks us if we think Sweden or the US is more beautiful.
Conference was so so good. It was a little throw back to last conference in Malmö because ex sister Jackson was here in Orebro so we watched it together again. I loved President Eyring's talk about family history and gathering gods family was so good. And of course I just loved Elder Holland's talk. I loved how he said that God invites everyone to come join the church as they are but that we shouldn't expect to stay as we are. Because the gospel changes people when you put your whole heart into it. Well, I guess I shouldn't say the gospel changes people. It's Jesus Christ who changes people. I'm so happy for that he came to earth and that he loves us.
I love you all! Ha en fin vecka!
Syster May
Stolen Bicycles
Letter sent March 27, 2017:
Hello one and all
This week we discovered the bikes. The elders say we stole them from them, hence the email title. But they have always been in our possession. I think that I've had bikes in all my areas except Malmö but I've never actually ridden them (besides a failed attempt in Jönköping when the tires had less air than a vacuum pack bag). THEY ARE THE BEST. And the worst. They are the best because they save us so much time. The bus system to the church here in Örebro is low key the worst and we end up wasting time waiting for busses. Or we try to be effective and talk to people between busses and end up missing them. Moral of the story: bikes are good. Bikes save time. They are also the worst because the wind tries to sabotage me every time I get on them and blows at me at approximately 100 kilometers per minute. But I have grown new appreciation for 1) swedes leg muscles and 2) how beautiful Sweden is. This city was built for bike riders. There's all these paths and tunnels and I feel like I'm just discovering this whole new side of Sweden. It's great.
This week we met with some people, got bloasted (when they just don't show) by some people, talked to some people, and went to zone training in Södertälje. We got to see the new Easter video the church made (I think it comes out this week) and it's so good! So intense. So beautiful. I have a new love for Easter since being here. Before it was all about Easter baskets and Easter egg hunts and now it's all about these massive Easter eggs that swedes fill with tons of candy. It's the one thing that Sweden does bigger than America. No but actually I've just really grown an appreciation and understanding of the resurrection. I think it's an often overlooked part of the atonement and we always just think of Christ's suffering. I'm so so grateful that Christ was Gods son so that he had power over death so that we can all live again and continue to progress.
Also general conference is this weekend and I'm probably even more excited to see that than I am to see the new beauty and the beast. The women's session on Saturday was so good and so uplifting and I can't wait to learn more from the prophet and apostles.
Also I'm wearing no coat today. Spring is coming. So so happy. Life is so good.
Ha det så bra!
Syster May
Hello one and all
This week we discovered the bikes. The elders say we stole them from them, hence the email title. But they have always been in our possession. I think that I've had bikes in all my areas except Malmö but I've never actually ridden them (besides a failed attempt in Jönköping when the tires had less air than a vacuum pack bag). THEY ARE THE BEST. And the worst. They are the best because they save us so much time. The bus system to the church here in Örebro is low key the worst and we end up wasting time waiting for busses. Or we try to be effective and talk to people between busses and end up missing them. Moral of the story: bikes are good. Bikes save time. They are also the worst because the wind tries to sabotage me every time I get on them and blows at me at approximately 100 kilometers per minute. But I have grown new appreciation for 1) swedes leg muscles and 2) how beautiful Sweden is. This city was built for bike riders. There's all these paths and tunnels and I feel like I'm just discovering this whole new side of Sweden. It's great.
This week we met with some people, got bloasted (when they just don't show) by some people, talked to some people, and went to zone training in Södertälje. We got to see the new Easter video the church made (I think it comes out this week) and it's so good! So intense. So beautiful. I have a new love for Easter since being here. Before it was all about Easter baskets and Easter egg hunts and now it's all about these massive Easter eggs that swedes fill with tons of candy. It's the one thing that Sweden does bigger than America. No but actually I've just really grown an appreciation and understanding of the resurrection. I think it's an often overlooked part of the atonement and we always just think of Christ's suffering. I'm so so grateful that Christ was Gods son so that he had power over death so that we can all live again and continue to progress.
Also general conference is this weekend and I'm probably even more excited to see that than I am to see the new beauty and the beast. The women's session on Saturday was so good and so uplifting and I can't wait to learn more from the prophet and apostles.
Also I'm wearing no coat today. Spring is coming. So so happy. Life is so good.
Ha det så bra!
Syster May
Tjena Tjena!
Letter sent March 20, 2017:
This week has been a good one (as always...sorry I think I say that every week. So repetitive.) Last Monday Sister Davis and I went up to Vaxholm. It's this little island in the north part of the Täby area. There's a castle there that we were going to go see. But too bad when we got there the little ferry to the even tinier island with the castle was closed. So we just walked around Vaxholm and it was real pretty. Then we went down to Stockholm and met up with sister Christensen, sister Campbell and sister Dargan. We were just standing there by the central station and these three asians ran up to us and were like, "can we take a picture with you!?" We were like sure and proceeded to begin posing. Then the asians were like ooohh a picture with native swedes so we had to break it to them that we weren't swedes, that we were American. And they were like "ohh that works too!" We're posed again and the little lady in the middle was like, "Thank you so much. You are like celebrities to us!" Felt like a legit celeb for a second but then the moment passed and they were on to bigger and better things.
Tuesday we did the funnest thing ever aka GREENIE CONTACTING. The new missionaries got in Tuesday morning so when they got down to täby we met with them and the beckstrands and office elders and ate lunch with them and then we each went out with one of the sisters and contacted with them for an hour. I was with a girl named Sister Demordaunt and it was seriously so much fun. She was so cute and would forget how to say hi in Swedish and just say it in English and no one could resist her. We also did a lot of contacting on Tuesday without the new missionaries which wasn't quite as fun but still so good. I just love missionary work. Especially the grind. Tuesday night we met with Mustafa. We talked about Jesus Christ and it was good. Talked about why Jesus Christ being Gods son is important and what that means for us in actual day to day life.
Then Wednesday...transfers! I took a short train over to Örebro! Sister Pickett and the elders (elders moulton and anthon) were waiting to help me with my luggage. Life savers. We brought my stuff back to the apartment and then went out contacting. Man it's nice to be in a bigger city again. There's SO MANY people here compared to Täbs. We also went over to Vedel's for fika and lesson. He's a member in the ward. His wife has already reached and is still maintaining model status. She is beautiful. All their kids have grown up but I guess they have us and investigators and other people over once a week. They're great.
Sunday was church and it was fab. I gave a little talk and the relief society sung this arrangement of "As sisters in Zion" and wowza it was so pretty (got roped into singing again...unsure how this always happens). Everyone was so kind and welcoming. Weirdest/best part was that Savannah (aka ex sister Jackson) was there and sat by us. It felt like I was jut sitting my companion again. Except she had a phone. And no name tag. But it was the absolute best to see her again and reminisce on some good Malmö memories. Haha those were some of the best days. <3
Sunday night we went over to the Knutssons. I love them. Tony is a wizard on the piano and Maria is just adorable. We ate dinner and talked. They're so good about talking to their friends about the gospel.
Basically I just feel really at home in Örebro. Since the moment I arrived it just feels so good, so right. I'm loving being wth sister Pickett. She's great and fun and chill and just a nice person to be around 24/7.
Love you all mucho.
Kram kram,
Sister May
This week has been a good one (as always...sorry I think I say that every week. So repetitive.) Last Monday Sister Davis and I went up to Vaxholm. It's this little island in the north part of the Täby area. There's a castle there that we were going to go see. But too bad when we got there the little ferry to the even tinier island with the castle was closed. So we just walked around Vaxholm and it was real pretty. Then we went down to Stockholm and met up with sister Christensen, sister Campbell and sister Dargan. We were just standing there by the central station and these three asians ran up to us and were like, "can we take a picture with you!?" We were like sure and proceeded to begin posing. Then the asians were like ooohh a picture with native swedes so we had to break it to them that we weren't swedes, that we were American. And they were like "ohh that works too!" We're posed again and the little lady in the middle was like, "Thank you so much. You are like celebrities to us!" Felt like a legit celeb for a second but then the moment passed and they were on to bigger and better things.
Tuesday we did the funnest thing ever aka GREENIE CONTACTING. The new missionaries got in Tuesday morning so when they got down to täby we met with them and the beckstrands and office elders and ate lunch with them and then we each went out with one of the sisters and contacted with them for an hour. I was with a girl named Sister Demordaunt and it was seriously so much fun. She was so cute and would forget how to say hi in Swedish and just say it in English and no one could resist her. We also did a lot of contacting on Tuesday without the new missionaries which wasn't quite as fun but still so good. I just love missionary work. Especially the grind. Tuesday night we met with Mustafa. We talked about Jesus Christ and it was good. Talked about why Jesus Christ being Gods son is important and what that means for us in actual day to day life.
Then Wednesday...transfers! I took a short train over to Örebro! Sister Pickett and the elders (elders moulton and anthon) were waiting to help me with my luggage. Life savers. We brought my stuff back to the apartment and then went out contacting. Man it's nice to be in a bigger city again. There's SO MANY people here compared to Täbs. We also went over to Vedel's for fika and lesson. He's a member in the ward. His wife has already reached and is still maintaining model status. She is beautiful. All their kids have grown up but I guess they have us and investigators and other people over once a week. They're great.
Sunday was church and it was fab. I gave a little talk and the relief society sung this arrangement of "As sisters in Zion" and wowza it was so pretty (got roped into singing again...unsure how this always happens). Everyone was so kind and welcoming. Weirdest/best part was that Savannah (aka ex sister Jackson) was there and sat by us. It felt like I was jut sitting my companion again. Except she had a phone. And no name tag. But it was the absolute best to see her again and reminisce on some good Malmö memories. Haha those were some of the best days. <3
Sunday night we went over to the Knutssons. I love them. Tony is a wizard on the piano and Maria is just adorable. We ate dinner and talked. They're so good about talking to their friends about the gospel.
Basically I just feel really at home in Örebro. Since the moment I arrived it just feels so good, so right. I'm loving being wth sister Pickett. She's great and fun and chill and just a nice person to be around 24/7.
Love you all mucho.
Kram kram,
Sister May
Monday, March 13, 2017
ÖREBRO (insert five hundred hearts)
Letter sent March 13, 2017:
I'm going to Örebro and I'm so so so excited. This is what I wanted and expected all transfer long and I'm just thrilled to get to go out there. I've heard so many wonderful things about it from Sister Davis and Sister Jackson and basically everyone that has ever served there. I'm going to be companions with Sister Pickett who is just finishing getting trained. Words cannot describe my ecstasy.
Friday night was Jeremie's birthday. Jeremie is one of the best members here in Täby. He's always asking us how we're doing and always has a sassy comment to throw at us. The bishop had a surprise birthday party for him at his house so we were at that. It was the best mix of English and Swedish ever. I love how many ethnicities are in Sweden. I feel like I've almost met someone from every country in the world here. I may be missing a few from Africa and South America. All the other ones, you name it, I've met it. Haha some missionaries here can teach about the book of mormon in Arabic and almost everyone knows at least a little persian or arabic. I love Sweden.
I'm going to Örebro and I'm so so so excited. This is what I wanted and expected all transfer long and I'm just thrilled to get to go out there. I've heard so many wonderful things about it from Sister Davis and Sister Jackson and basically everyone that has ever served there. I'm going to be companions with Sister Pickett who is just finishing getting trained. Words cannot describe my ecstasy.
 |
| Catharina |
This week we went to the temple with Emilliano!!! I got to bring some names that I found doing family history and he was baptized for the males and I got to be confirmed for his grandmas and great grandmas and it was so so happy. I love the temple. People may say that it's hard to keep the commandments but I'll tell ya, that when you go into the temple it's all worth it. It's so worth it to be worthy to go in there and feel the God's spirit so strongly.
 |
| Temple |
After the temple we went down to Södertälje to talk to Cecilia and tell her more about what we believe. I love her. She's super sweet. Barbro made us waffles which was so so nice and also kind of distracting so we didn't get to teach like a full on lesson just everything a bit scattered. And then her brother Roland showed up with Ulla and that was super fun to get to see them again. They were losing their minds that Sister Davis and I were understanding everything that they were saying. It was fun to get to talk to them!
 |
| Stockholm |
On Wednesday we met with Mustafa again. He's great. We also went over to Marimba's and did a little lesson with her and the girls. We learned "I am a child of God." We had drawn out a poster before we went over so then we colored it together. They have a keyboard at their apartment. One of those ones where you press the button and the piano sounds different so we sang I am a Child of God many different ways. It was super fun. They are the most perfect little family and girls. I love them with my whole heart.
 |
| I Am a Child of God |
 |
| CTR Ring Club |
On Thursday we taught Jean Jac and Amaer. They are both so great. Then we had ward council. It was amazing. I've never witnessed a ward council like it in Sweden. The bishop here is so great.
On Saturday we we taught a guy named Henrik. Then we were supposed to meet with this less active guy named Parminder. He came in, we said a prayer, and then literally like mid sentance he was just like, well, I've got to get going. Stood up. Left. He was out the door by the time we said bye. It was the funniest thing.
Sunday the Spach's from good ol' Logan, UT, were just standing in the Täby chapel when I walked in. I was so surprised. My two worlds coming together, I almost couldn't process it. Actually, I couldn't process it and for a good 3 minutes I think I just stared at Julie. BUT we had 4 investigators in sacrament meeting this week!! And none of them were just random peeps who we knew would never come back. They're actually all just solid people.
I'm sad to be leaving Täby but so pumped for a change. I love Sweden and being a missionary. This is the best thing that I've ever done with my life. I recommend it to all.
puss och kram,
Syster May
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Happy
Letter sent March 6, 2017:
This week has just flown by. It was so much fun and was just so spiritually uplifting and I got reunited with all the best people. On Monday we switched with Jakobsberg for splits and I got to go to Jakobsberg with Sister Wilson and it was the best ever. I love her. so much. She gets missionary work and it was so fun to be with her and share organizing ideas and just talk.
 |
| The Original District |
 |
| The Girls plus Elder Banks |
This week has just flown by. It was so much fun and was just so spiritually uplifting and I got reunited with all the best people. On Monday we switched with Jakobsberg for splits and I got to go to Jakobsberg with Sister Wilson and it was the best ever. I love her. so much. She gets missionary work and it was so fun to be with her and share organizing ideas and just talk.
On Tuesday we switched back and went over to Pontus and Sussi's. I understood about 20% of what Sussi said as normal. I don't know what it is about the way she talks but Sister Davis and I left and looked at each other and were just like, "What?" I love them so much though. They are the sweetest, best people in the world. They made salmon for me to teach me that Swedish fish is better than american fish and I succumbed. It was good.
On Wednesday we met with Emilliano and he is still perfect. He just blows my mind with how he talks to God in prayers. And with the understanding he has for Gods plan for us. He's amazing. We're probs going to the temple with him on Friday. Then we went on an eternal bus journey to Norrtälje to visit an inactive lady named Veronicka. She told us missionary work is only a job for missionaries. I hope none of you believe that. It's for everyone and everyone can feel the blessings and the joy that comes from sharing the gospel with our friends and also just random people. The Wednesday night we finally made it out to Gribbylund (a little city in our area that we've been feeling we need to go to). We tracted and met the sweetest people, one of whom we met on Saturday morning again.
Thursday was incredible. We had mission tour. President Kearon came and spoke to us and he is the most in-tune person I've ever met. So many missionaries from 4 zones came together to the chapel in Handen and it was so fun to see everyone! President Kearon talked a lot about happiness and how we are meant to enjoy this and that we need to "be the message." Apparently our mission tour wasn't supposed to be until after the Beckstrands leave but President Kearon changed the schedule and assigned himself to come be the speaker because he just wanted to come say thank you and see what had changed to make the work in Sweden go forward so much this year. I just wish every one could have been there. He talked also about asking yourself and being able to explain Why you believe. Thinking about each principle of the gospel and thinking back to why you believe that that is true and then being able to tell others (investigators), in simple words that they'll understand, how you came to your faith. It's really good. I've been doing it since then and it really makes you think and then solidifies your testimony. Like, what happened or what did you feel that made you actually believe that God is your father in heaven? It's good. Do it.
 |
| Uppsala+Malmö+Täby |
 |
| Me and Syster C |
 |
| McClatch |
 |
| With the Garcias from Jakobsberg |
Thursday night the Uppsala sisters and the Malmö sisters stayed over with us because on Friday we had another mission leadership meeting with President Kearon. Once again, incredible. No words to describe it. One of the best parts was seeing Sister Christensen two days in a ROW. I love her. Friday evening we taught a guy name Amaer and he was so sweet and open and just really wanting to know what is true when it comes to God and religion. So excited to keep meeting with him.
Saturday we taught Farnaz and Tomas in the morning and then went and helped Azam move around some massive chests of drawers. By moving them around I mean moving them into her apartment from the balcony via the window. Haha she's hilarious. She was cracking Sister Davis and I up. We were laughing so hard. She was getting all heated about Swedes lack of ability to provide enough food when they invite people over for dinner (she had just served us mountains of rice) and the fact that they just live in the dark and never turn on lights and say it's "mysigt" (cozy). In every area missionaries have a sort of mother figure. Azam is our mamma in Täby. <3
Sunday we went to Gubbängen for church because there was a broadcast for a lot of Europe that Elder Ballard and some other general authorities did in Utah that we watched. And the Jakobsberg ward was also there!! They were all losing their minds and Sister Davis and I felt like celebrities because we all took pictures together and it was perfect. Lisbeth was there and I got to talk to her and actually understand everything that she was saying this time around and just wow. I have so much love in my heart for those people. After the broadcast we went home with President and Sister Beckstrand and ate lunch with them and got interviewed by President. It was so fun. I love them. President told me where I'm going next so now I'm just in agony not telling anyone until transfer calls go out on Saturday. BUT I'M SO EXCITED. Sunday night we went and visited a member named Jannike who is the sweetest. She has two dughters who weren't there but they all have pet rats that they got together and I know that sounds creepy but it was so cute in her cozy apartment.
I love Sweden and I love Täby and I just love missionary work. I'm so so happy and I'm going to keep being happy forever because I have the gospel and I'm never letting it go. It's the best thing in the world.
Syster May
Monday, February 27, 2017
Chopped My Hair
This week I was so so looking forward to going to Jakobsberg on splits but then our train in Stockholm decided to never leave the station and take a year and a half and they had a member dinner to get to so we just rescheduled for tomorrow so I am currently in excited mode.
Highlights of this week were, number 1, Marimba and co. We went and visited her and her two daughters, Susanna and Angela, and did a family home evening with them and it was so cute and perfect and I am just obsessed in every way with them. They have a little bunny. Actually his name is Stefo and he's pretty chub. But so soft. And both little girls have the most adorable little lisps I could just die.
 |
| Susanna, Marimba, Syster Davis, Angela |
 |
| Stefo the bunny |
We also went and helped Azam clean out stuff at her house. She also made us Persian food which was the yummiest. She heaped our plates full of food. She was like, "Can you handle this much?" We were like do we have a choice? It's already on our plates in front of us. Sister Davis took a pic of her mound. I will attach it. There were also plates of chicken and salad not pictured. We were so full.
 |
| Mountains of rice |
We met with Mustafa this week and he decided that he needs to figure out some things in life first before he'll be ready for the gospel. So we won't be meeting with him anymore which was really really sad. But he said he'll still come to church when he can. I know his time will come. The gospel is the best thing in my life and I know it can be the same for everyone else. It's like Joseph says in the restoration video "But shouldn't there be one church that's right for everyone?" There is! The gospel of Jesus Christ is the same for everyone. You don't have to search and put together your own belief system of all the things that you think are good and positive about all the religions. God has already created the perfect plan.
 |
| The best human, Mustafa |
We went on splits with the Västerhaninge sisters. Sister Hale came to Täby with me and we had so much fun running around to less active peoples houses to teach them and serve them. I ironed a bunch of shirts for one lady, Sofia, and the whole time I just flashbacked to my young women days and one activity when Sister Wardle taught me how to iron a button up.
 |
| Splits with Sister Hale |
We tried to teach this guy, Gere, this week. He only speaks Tigrigna. He learned nothing. It was just funny mostly. I wish the church had the book of mormon in Tigrigna because it would be SO POPULAR here in Sweden. But alas, it's every missionaries eternal hunt to find a Tigrigna translator. They don't exist. Everyone who speaks Tigrigna, speaks only Tigrigna.
On Saturday cute Margereta got baptized. She's an old lady that the elders have been teaching. It was cute.
 |
| Täby Relief Society |
On Sunday we took the bus all the way up to Norrtälje and over to Rimbo which are forever away because Jai is back in Sweden! She's a less active that Sister Davis and I both met with a lot in Jakobsberg but she has moved into the Täby ward boundaries. It was so great to get to see her again.
 |
Jai and Kenneth's house in the middle of nowhere. It was built in the 1800's, but the
outside has been repainted and the inside is remodeled but wow it was so old!
|
Then Sunday after church the Pettits came and picked Sister Davis and I up and took us down to Södertälje to visit Barbro and Roland and their daughter Eva-Lena. It was so cool to get to see them. I've only seen the pictures of when mom came and visited Sweden and grandma tells me to visit them all the time so it was great to actually see them in person. I asked if they would like us to come back and actually teach them and they said no. But then a little bit later Barbro texted Sister Pettit (that was the only number they had) and said that her other daughter, Cecilia, would like us to come teach her!! I called president today and he said that that would be okay if we go down there again. So that will be really neat! I know that the spirit can touch anybody who is open to learn so I hope that Cecilia is open. That would just be the absolute best.
 |
| Eva-Lena, Roland, Barbro (and the new pups: Stina and Bonnie) |
Hej på er!
Syster May
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Tjena
Letter sent February 21, 2017:
This week was basically the same as all the other weeks have been. And I loved it. We met with a few less active members who are just the cutest ever. We also met with Mustafa and talked about prophets; how it's a pattern that God works through and how we have a living prophet today. Mustafa is the best. We love him.
 |
| Splitsies with Sister Hansen |
We also met with Jing. A lady in our ward's husband. He was incredible. He says the best prayers and I just know that he's going to find out soon that this church is Gods church.
We also went on splits with the Hägersten sisters! Hägersten is the ghetto. Haha I stayed in Täby with Sister Hansen. She's the cutest tiniest little ball of energy and hard work ever. We had so fun fun talking to people in the regular location: Täby C. We just motivated each other to go above and beyond and it was a blast.
 |
| Pontus, Sussi and Us |
Last Monday after we emailed Pontus called us and asked us if we wanted a tour of Täby. We accepted. He drove us all around and showed us everything and then took us to Stockholm's godaste glass (Stockholm's best ice cream). It was good. We got pepparkaka flavor and man, America is missing out.
I love my life. I hope you all love yours too.
Ha det fint.
Syster May
Monday, February 6, 2017
Täääääby
Letter sent February 6, 2017:
My oh my I am just loving it here in Täby. It's so tiny and cute and little and just ahh.
 |
| New/Old Comp |
Okay, let's just start off with last Monday night. We went over to May-Elin's for family home evening with all the girls and it was so fun. I don't know if I've said, but she makes cakes. And cupcakes. Galore. For birthday, weddings, you name it. She's a pro. Anyway, she made me a going away cake and it was ADORABLE. It was teeny and had a bear on top with all these flowers and I was just dying that someone made me a little personalized cake. Plus it tasted like heaven so that was a definite bonus.
On Tuesday we went and had lunch with Rosa and taught her. I LOVE ROSA. She is my little mamita here. When we were saying goodbye she teared up and looked away and my heart just shattered. I already miss my Malmö people so much. Then Tuesday night we went and taught the sweetest old lady. Remember our "fourth floor last door" lady. This was her. The lesson was so good and spirit led and she talked about how much guilt she feels from things she did when she was younger and how no matter what she's done she can't get rid of it. So we talked a lot about Jesus Christ and how the fullness of the gospel is back on the earth. And that baptism and the sacrament finns and it was just so good. Then at the end she said she didn't want to own the Book of Mormon so that was a major disappointment. But we still felt so good about the lesson. After the lesson we had dinner at Bellevue Pizzeria. Bellevues is the best pizza joint in sweden. hands down. Little pizzerias are Swedens thing. They are EVERYWHERE. They're all owned and run by immigrants and there's at least one on every street in Sweden.
Wednesday morning per request Syster McClatchie and I went on a run through Kungsparken. Kungsparken was my life there in Malmö those first few months and I have so many good memories there. Turns out I had already packed my running shoes so while Syster McClatchie ran I just took a walk down memory lane. And cried. And remembered all the funny and weird things that happened there. Obsessed.
I am a miracle worker and packed all my stuff into my three suitcases. And they were even liftable. Still feeling very proud about this. My train left at about one in the afternoon so I headed up to Stockholm. Sister Wilson and Sister Shin were there to meet Syster Davis and I at the station. Our trains got in at like the exact same time at the same platform so it was just ideal. Then we started traveling to Täby. On the first tunnelbana our phone died. Then the tunnelbana hit some strange bump and everyone got jostled and some lady kind of fell on Syster Davis and then when we stood back up a bunch of stuff was out of sister Davis's purse and the phone was gone. So. We got off to a good start. Luckily we had been in Täby a few times before so we knew how to get to Täby centrum. Then we were stranded. Haha. We asked this guy to borrow his phone and called the elders in Täby (they are the office elders and the assistants to president so they have cars hollah) and they came and picked us up and brought us to our apartment. But hey, that guy who we borrowed the phone from, his name is Muse and he came to church yesterday and we're meeting with him tonight. So like, God works in mysterious ways ya?
Anyways, we got to the apartment building and really thought our apartment was on the 3rd floor. Tried to unlock it. Definitely the 4th floor. Sorry if we scared you, neighbors.
So we went phoneless for a couple days. Found out täby is the size of a shoebox and had district meeting. Then we got a phone and things really got started. We met with a couple of the old sisters investigators and they are awesome! One is named Mustafa and we're going to meet with him again tonight. He's great.
We had church on Sunday and it was just strong. The ward here is strong. You can feel it when you come in. It was great. There is the sweetest new member, Marimba. Basically everyone on the mission has heard of her and I get to serve in her ward now! She taught her first ever relief society lesson yesterday and it was PERFECT. Oh my. She is so sweet and small. I already love her. I wish everyone could have been there. The way the whole relief society was just there for her even though she was so nervous. It was beautiful.
 |
| Täby chapel |
So yeah. I love Täby. I love Syster Davis. We're having so much fun being reunited.
My nights are spent cleaning the Täby apartment and I LOVE it. I get to just organize everything and chuck so much stuff out. It's so much better already. I feel like I should have a tv show or something.
Also it is currently snowing. It's beautiful.
Life is so good.
Syster May
Monday, January 30, 2017
Reunited for a Whole Transfer
Letter sent January 30, 2017:
HELLO!!
HELLO!!
Okay, so first things first, we got transfer calls!! I am going back up to Stockholm to serve in TÄBY! I am so excited! Täby is right next to Jakobsberg so I'm going to get to go back to my birthplace a few times. But to top it all off my companion is going to be SISTER DAVIS!!!!!! MTC companions reunited. Both the sisters that are currently in Täby are leaving and Sister Davis and I are moving in. We're opening up a new sister training leader area. So I'll still get to go on splits with tons of sisters in different areas. (SO SO EXCITED BECAUSE I CAN GO TO JAKOBSBERG).
It was so sad saying goodbye to the ward here in Malmö. I serviously love this place so much. I was surprised when a few tears slipped out as I bore my goodbye testimony yesterday. That hasn't happened since I left Jakobsberg. I'm so grateful that I got to serve in Malmö for six months. But Sister McClatchie has served in Täby and she assures me that it is the somehow also the best place. It will be hard to beat Malmö. But I am thrilled to move to Täby.
I'm sure a lot of you have heard but this week we had a worldwide missionary broadcast and they announced a new schedule and new goals and key indicators. We just started the new schedule today and it was so nice. We have so much time on P-day. Also it was weird to do our planning for the day in the morning instead of on Sunday evening. Sister McClatchie and I have talked a lot about it and we can already see how all the new changes are going to help hasten the work. God really knows what He's up to.
This week I went on splits with Sister Gow. She's adorable. We tracted a massive apartment building and no one was super into being humble and wanting to hear about the gospel until we got to the very bottom floor. The first door we knocked on down there was a darling old Swedish lady who we're going to meet again tomorrow. I thought of President Uchtdorf's talk "Fourth Floor, Last Door" except for that this was "first floor, first door" but the idea was the same because we started at the top. I'm way happy that we just kept on going.
So basically all I really have to say is that I'm losing my mind that I'm going to Täby. Real winter is about to begin now that I'm leaving the southern heat. Hope you all have a great week!!
med kärlek,
Syster May
[Also, from another letter, a little more information about the new missionary guidelines:
The new schedule is good! I think that maybe our mission president has always been a little lenient with the schedule because we have always been able to switch up our schedule if we need to...maybe it was more strict in other missions. But we are really excited for the changes! They also changed our "key indicators." Like, we used to have to count how many people we talk to each day, how many lessons we teach, lessons with a member present, referrals received, referrals contacted, new investigators, less actives in sacrament meeting, lessons taught to new converts and less actives, baptismal dates, baptisms, and confirmations, and progressing investigators. Now we will only be counting baptism and confirmations, baptismal dates, investigators in sacrament meeting, and new investigators. It will be so nice. It already has been so nice.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Sass Snowstorms and Splits
Letter sent January 16, 2017:
Hejsan Hejsan! (currently missing Dudas saying this to me every night over the phone...ahh the Jönköping days)
 |
| Wednesday's snow |
What a week. On Tuesday we were up in Västra Frölunda. I got to be with Syster Davis!! So good to be reunited. Man, ya just love the people you were in the MTC with. It rained all day long. We also talked to people on the streets all day long. Hahah we were soaking wet and shivering but it was a great time! The time flies when you're with a different companion and everything gets a little switched up!
On Wednesday the church became our home because we were there teaching lessons all day long. It was the dream. It was so funny though. We came in and an alarm was going off SO LOUD. That had never happened before. But we found the alarm thingy...it was like an old school metal thing so I just stood on a bench holding it so that it wouldn't buzz so loud until we could figure out how to turn it off. Well, our investigator showed up. And a member. No one knew how to shut it off but our investigator, Emmanuel, took it into his own hands and just took both alarms all the way apart. Gotta do what you've gotta do sometimes. Anyway, our lesson with him was SO GOOD!! He was so happy to learn about the plan of salvation. It was great. Also it snowed so much when we left our apartment in the morning. Like a literal snow storm. But by the time we went home all the snow had melted.
On Thursday we talked to many people. I love being able to share the gospel on the streets everyday and to bear my testimony. I love being a missionary. It is the best. I'm so so happy that this was a part of God's plan for me and that He was patient in helping me realize that I needed to go! We also visited Rosa. She just got her foot operated so she just has to lay in bed hela tiden. I love her. We talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ--what he asks us to do to accept him. I've really learned the importance of those basic fundamentals of faith and repentance, baptism, the sacrament, the Holy Ghost. I remember a few months ago Anette telling us that there is no point in living righteously so that we can have the Holy Ghost with us if we don't actively seek after and follow impressions from the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful for the influence of the Holy Ghost and that I can know if what I'm doing is pleasing for the Lord or not.
On Friday we went on splits with Lund! I was with Sister Sidwell and she is just adorable and such a hard worker. She's confident in doing what the Lord wants her to do. I love being able to go on splits with so many sisters. I'm the one who benefits the most. I get to see so many ways to do missionary work and approaches and it is so good! I love it!
On Saturday we went over to May-Elin's for dinner with the elders. They are a hoot. Kaylee, the 8 year old, is a character. She's so sassy haha she had us all laughing the whole dinner long.
Yesterday Emmanuel and Isaac came to church! They both loved it and are coming back next week! Guys, the sacrament is so good. It's so peaceful and it's power is real. We really can start again every week as we come and take the sacrament with a repentant heart. Also yesterday we were tracting an apartment building and we normally just ride the elevator all the way to the top and then work our way downwards. We got up to the top floor and the elevator door opened and there was no where to go, it was just a door straight in front of us. So we tracted a penthouse. It was cool. Except that we had to keep sticking out our hand to keep the elevator door from closing haha. He wasn't interested. Too bad.
 |
| Penthouse tracting |
I'm just so happy. I love being a missionary and I love Sweden and holy cow do I love Malmö. Also way way happy because Sister McClatchie and I got a heater for our apartment so I can live in peace and warmth again. Hallelujah.
Ha det så bra!
Med kärlek,
Syster May
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)