This week was another crazy week! A lot of firsts have happened here in Sweden, from driving in bumper to bumper city traffic in a big blue van, to getting a tick. This was a fun week! Monday was our day to reminisce a little on the beauty of Stockholm and my time as a greenie. I got to see some cool sights, and we even saw the king! That was pretty cool!
We had a bunch of big problems come up this week, which was kind of upsetting because we had a great proselyting week planned out! Sadly we didn't get to do much work in our area, but we got lots of needed stuff done in the office. We also got to go on splits this week. I loved that day because it relit a fire in me to talk to everyone I see about the gospel and really how simple it is. I just would go around to people and say, "Hey we're talking about faith, what do you believe?" They would usually say something, and I would pull out the Book of Mormon, or some doctrinal point and bear testimony of it, and try to set up a follow-up, and got a few phone numbers out of it. It was way fun. I learned that it is really important not to just assume that people won't listen or that it will be awkward to talk to someone. We talked to a couple people across the train, and it worked pretty well. Plus, none of us thought it was awkward.
We had a great district meeting this week, almost 100% talking about our people. It was great and we got lots of good ideas bouncing around. We were focusing on helping and not just hoping. Our mission is working hard to be even more effective in our work right now. This week in the office we restructured our iPhone inventory database because it wasn't built right. I realized one day that it wasn't keeping track of iPhones at all. So we had to do some work on that, and verify which iPhone was where, and put that all in the database. It now looks professionally built, and works really well. While working on it I realized the importance of examining our ideas and thorough planning. It's not enough just to say we will do something and do it. Most of the time it doesn't go well the first time. But just like that database, if we would've planned the structure out well and made sure that what we were doing was actually doing what we wanted, it would have saved lots of time, and caused fewer if any problems.
We got to go on splits with some ward members as well this week, and I got to go out with an active technology guy who also likes to do lots outdoors, and a now active recent convert who loves technology and having a good time. We went around visiting inactive people, and had a great time together. At the end we all got together again for a barbecue at a less-active's place, and had another wonderful time together. It's beautiful to see the spirit that comes when missionaries and members unite in doing the Lord's work. It really helps the work hasten until it fills the whole earth. Each one of us has the special privilege of living where we do, when we do, and we should take advantage of that privilege by sharing what we know with those we know who the Lord has prepared. But the only way to truly know if they are prepared, is to find out! You won't know how warm the water is until you get in. Who knows, maybe it's a nice cool pool on a summer day, refreshing, relaxing and ready for you.
In sacrament meeting we had a great experience hearing from our wonderful bishop here. He's one of my favorite people in the world. He's such a great example of living the gospel. We've been challenged to double the attendance here in Stockholm in a year by everyone taking one friend with them to church. So he's been inviting his friends, and working with the youth, and encouraging them to get active, and going on splits with missionaries to visit investigators and less-actives, all to serve the people that he loves. His primary and solo motivation is love. And he really does a great job in fulfilling his calling. People just can't help but loving him. He taught me this week to learn from my daily experiences. Every experience we have is for us to learn and grow. So how often do we learn and grow from those small daily experiences. Even more important, do we remember them, and share them? That's one thing I'm working on improving. I'm excited for this upcoming week and the challenges and experiences it will bring. I am excited to learn and grow from the challenges and trials that will help me be closer to my savior Jesus Christ.
Mvh,
Äldste Liddle
A viking grave on an old church site in Märsta.
Picture of Visby's city wall. Really old!
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