Dear friends and family,
What a slow week for
S.Schneiber and I. I would have to say that there are real things that
work against us. I have seen how important is is to have a goal that we
are striving for but to take it moment by moment and day by day and
Heavenly Father is proud when we do our very best. He also blesses us
for our righteous desires. I laugh a little because then I wonder if my
desires are to have baptisms too... haha I know they are though! I can't
say that is my drive though. My drive is the hope and faith I have that
I can help God's children come closer to him. It really comes down to
just finding them though. We have been blessed with many member friends
here that we teach and we have much hope. If it ends in baptism we will
just have to see. Its important that everyone has their agency and
chooses it.
We got two new investigators. One is a referral from another
area and he is 83 years old.. super cute old man. Not sure how positive
he will be but we were happy to teach him about being able to see his
wife again. Then another old man. He lives on the floor right below us.
Has lived with the missionaries for 15 years now and says he is just
curious. He says its a shame people wont listen to us and said he would
love to. We go past him all the time because he sits outside on a bench
80 percent of everyday. I love older people!!! I was also given a hat
from an investigator.. the same one that gave me the socks. Man I love
Rune! If only he would get baptized before I leave. I feel like it will
be soon.
Thursday was 4th of july party in Göteborg. We grilled food and played frisbee. It was fun and after we went to a baptism for a guy named Kenneth. We actually met Kenneth a few months ago. He is from the states and he went to SVU to play basketball. That is where he found the church. But he never decided to become a member. Well! he walked into the YSA center in Göteborg because he was needing help and he knew he could get help there. We were there that day
and invited him to join us for pancakes. I even got to teach him just
the week before on splits and he was ready to be baptized just afraid to
set the date. I think i wrote about it home... well! He got baptized! Super cool...and the sisters had another investigator named Alana coming to the baptism and they wanted S.Sch and I to take care of her. We met Alana outside of the building and then showed her around the church. When we walked into the chapel.. she just started crying. I was blown away... I was not on the same level as she was. As she cried she explained how she has been searching her whole life for the truth and she just felt that this was the right place. We sat with her throughout the service and she continued to explain how she just felt such happiness and that this was true. I couldnt help but feel the spirit sitting next to this pure woman who wanted so badly to know how to come back to her Heavenly Father. She asked.. when can I get baptized!? :) It was neat to be with her and know that there are people out there who really want to know and really want to have the gospel be a part of their lives. Right after they set a date for the 15th haha one week for all the lessons. Awesome!! She is ready.
Friday was Zone Conference and I was the very first
interview. The president and his wife are amazing. I love being around
them. I received so so so much inspiration during this Conference. I
also got to see Elder Jenkins from my MTC group. That is the first time
since we got to Sweden one year ago. We learned about the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and how to better teach it of course. We did a whole bunch
of role plays that we awesome! In one of them.. I asked this woman to be
baptized and she had a concern for me. She said, "I don't know that I
can get baptized because my sister is homosexual and I don't know what I
would say to her or how I can love and accept her after I do that."
Wow.. after that I chocked... and cried but was able to tell her that
she could love her sister because I myself have a sister who is
homosexual and I know that I can love her sister no matter what.
Honestly though I feel that because of my understanding of God and his
Son and the plan they have created for each one of us.. I can find a way
to love everyone. Because they love everyone and the plan is for
EVERYONE.
I read an amazing talk today that I felt really helped me
not worry so much about my future. I guess getting closer and closer
starts to freak me out for just not being here and i'm sad and happy and
just being normal again seems scary. It was Elder Todd Christofferson
and the talk was "Give us today our daily bread." He spoke about taking
things one day at a time and relying on the bread of life, Christ,
daily. He even spoke about everyday prayers and asking for help and
thanking him for the help we receive everyday. I actually started this
thing a while back because of something S.Newell(presidents wife) and
Elder Warner said. S.Newell talked about consecrating and sanctifying
our days through prayer with our morning and nightly prayer and Elder
Warner says he makes one or two goals specifically for that everyday.
Weaknesses to work on or somethings to keep up. I love it. It gives a
focus for everyday and I feel its really important because I decide what
that thing is when I'm santifying my day at the end and can figure out
what I need for the next day. I love the power of prayer and how through
the power of the atonement all can be better people. I hope to really
help more people in these last months access that same power in their
lives.
Commitment: Read Elder Christoffersons talk
Thank you for all your help and love.
Much love, Syster Sprague
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