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. 

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

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. 

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

Happy

Letter sent March 6, 2017:

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