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
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