Baptizmo!!!

Käre Syskon,

We had an amazing week! We got a baptismal date for Tony. We are so happy for him. He took a little bit of work because of the language barrier.. we don't always know what he is thinking. He can't explain himself like he would like. We have Elder Smith to thank too. He touched Tony's heart so we are very thankful to him. The best day was probably Friday when Tony showed up with a friend, Jonas, he speaks Arabic, Spanish, french, and Swedish. Tony helped us teach his friend. The spirit was so strong! We know Tony has a testimony of the gospel and the book of mormon because of that teach. He bore testimony to his friend and now is friend wants to jump right in too. Jonas is actually in Utby's area though so now the elders can teach him but we are so proud of Tony!! 

Last Tuesday we had an interesting day as we worked on our areabook and looking at old investigators that we could contact again and see if they were interested yet. We all know they will be interested, some of them just haven't realized it yet! We got a few meetings set up and we shall see how it goes.

Wednesday, we had a lunch with a less active member and some friends. The spirit was strong as we talked about using our agency to do what we are supposed to be doing even if we don't really understand why we are doing it. We came to the center and went on splits so we could get more things done. We then had Swedish class, but since it is Christmas season many are on vacations and so no one came sadly. We had an unexpected visitor come for institute class. Syster Juker and I were contacted by a man on the street who was a little full (drunk). So I was on splits with Syster Jenson this time and he stopped us and recognized me.. crazy cuz I wasn't even in my red jacket either time and he was drunk the first time. They were surprised that we had never drank alcohol, there were a group of YSAs around saying they hadn't either. We hope to visit with them after they return from their Christmas vacation. They stayed for our old testament class. It was interesting. I'm not sure how sincere they are but if they want to learn more, we are the ones to teach!

Thursday, we had a district meeting on our purpose as our missionaries. It was super cool as we determined our "what drives us?" We were asked to draw a gas tank and write in it the elements that drive us. Äldste Nelson (my new co-district leader) and DeLeeuw gave us the situation, When the alarm goes off at 6:30 and its super dark outside, what makes you get out of bed? It makes you really think of what is important to us and why. You should do this yourself. It's a great evaluation of yourself! We then stopped by our friend Christer, hes been having a rough time so we want to visit him more and strengthen him when we can. He is a new member who has difficulty with things right now. We are trying to help him see the good and work harder for it. 

Friday, was super cool as we planned the night before to visit some less actives and give them a Christmas Message. Remember the reason for the season kind of a message. We made a scripture handout thing for them to stick up for Christmas. We all talked about what we had learned in personal study and went out to teach. We stopped by two different people but they weren't home, or didn't answer. We planned to stop by Irene. She is an amazing woman! Her husband is not a member and she is less active but they are awesome. We talked about Christ and about the Love of God and how praying will help you no matter the situation you are in. She hasn't seen her daughter in many years and she is my age now. We talked about how at times its difficult to be so far away from your family but no matter what if both parties are talking with Heavenly Father about the situation both are comforted. She promised us that she would do better at prayers. It was awesome! We were supposed to experience Lisberg at Christmas time with the YSA and our investigators but the weather didn't let us. Way too wet! So we had to chill at the center and played games together instead. Some ping pong, chess, and crocheting. Can you guess where I was?

Saturday we had an awesome teach with our investigator Hamdina! She is super sweet! We have always had a member present with us when we teach but this time we didn't and she really opened up a whole lot. It was a great lesson. We then went to the chapel to help prepare for our Ward Julfest. It was a big explosion in the morning as there was a miscommunication between the missionaries and the person in charge. It was determined that there wouldn't be enough food for all of our investigators to come. So we (the missionaries) weren't going to go so they could have our food. It got resolved in a few more phone calls and determined that they could come and not pay. We were excited to teach the ward Santa Claus is Coming to Town in English. The five of us, Äldste DeLeeuw, Nelson, Syster Juker, Jenson and I all sang it once creatively and we separated all of the tables and each table had a part and lyrics. It worked out well. We had fun. There ended up being 19 non members there and all but 2 want to meet with missionaries now. Its awesome! I'm so excited to see the ward get so involved in missionary work! We were asked to help with clean up. It is so much easier it seems to clean up the entire chapel after a ward activity here then it is at home. There is very little carpet I think in Sweden. Everything is wood floor or the like. Its awesome! I used a push broom and swept all the floors. Instead of standing around waiting for the one gigantic car of a vacuumn that exists in what seems every building back at home!

Sunday we had a great experience as we saw two of Zahers friends enter the waters of baptism making promises to the Lord that they didn't really understand at first. Ali speaks persian and a little bit of swedish. Khalil speaks english and persian. Zaher was our investigator who just recently got baptized who speaks persian. He translated for all of the lessons and the baptismal interview and really got to explain things in a complete other language then any of us missionaries know. He gave the closing prayer at the baptism and the spirit was super strong. He had to translate the whole baptismal service to them. It was an amazing experience I'll never forget I hope. We then got a ride with Äldste and Syster Anderson back to the center where we had a celebration with Äldste Olsen and his parents who came and picked him up. It was weird seeing another missionarie's parents but they were both super nice. And from Pleasant Grove! Crazy. We then had a dinner with the elders at the Murphy's house. He is an american (holy he cracks me up) and she is a Swede. At their house it feels pretty american ish. We all loved it! We shared a message of being thankful, which leads me to CHALLENGE TIME!

Challenge First, read Alma 37:37. Its one verse I know each and everyone who reads this can do it. Second, is to make a list of all of the things that you personally are thankful for. I guess literally count your blessings, name them one by one. Third, consider who you have received those things from and how you can repay it back. In Relief Society yesterday our teacher shared this poem, I don't know who its by but its good, 

" What can I give him, Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part. 
Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart."

I know there are probably a lot of things you want for Christmas this year, but try to remember the real reason for the season. Try to be thankful for the things you have and find ways to give back. I know that as you do this you will feel real joy and happiness. I know its real because it comes from charity and that is the pure love of Christ. 

I love and miss you all.

Love Syster Sprague