This week was great! We did lots of great work!!!! It feels so great to be out in the field again.
After last week, its easy to assume this week was a lot better. We had a lot of "Gold Nuggets" that I'd like to share from the week.
Gold Nugget #1: We had this little family home evening activity with some members and investigators, and were talking about the Atonement. Our branch president was there, and said, "If we translate [the Atonement] into Swedish it really simply means that tomorrow is spot-free." It doesn't translate too well from Swedish to English but basically what he meant was, every day is a new day. A new chance to be our best, and no matter what happened today, or yesterday, we have tomorrow as a brand-new start to the rest of our life, and this is because Jesus Christ performed the Atonement. I really liked that thought, and thought a lot about it this week as I tried each and every day to be the best I could be.
Gold Nugget #2: Another thought from our branch presidency in a council meeting. This is from the Branch President's brother. "Focus your gaze on the invisible." We need to look on the heart like Christ does, rather than looking on the outer appearance. I think that's especially important in the way he applied it, looking on people we see, and seeing how they could bless the branch. How we could help them become strong spiritually and bless others around them by living the gospel. As we do that, we really begin to see the love of Christ, and find those people that he has prepared for us. The people that will be baptized and remain active in the Church for life.
Gold Nugget #3: Zone training was this past Thursday. We focused on cooperative work with members. We talked a lot about different things and it really inspired me to pursue a goal we set here of having every planned lesson be a member present lesson. So far we're doing that. We've had members ready for every planned lesson we have. By working closely with the branch council, and communicating well with our members, we have already begun to see an excitement in missionary work in this branch. It makes me excited to be here to help be a part of this wonderful work!
Gold Nugget #4: One of our appointments fell through this week, and so we went out and did some street contacting. During that time, it was cool to see how the Lord blessed us for being diligent. We took a route we had never taken before through the city, and ended up meeting a guy who had gone through the 12 step program and believed in God, and was searching to feel inner peace all the time, and really wanted to know how that is possible. We taught him about the Holy Ghost, and invited him to come to church. He was so prepared!!! Then right after talking to him we said hi to this young boy, who gave us a weird look, and after we had passed, got our attention and asked if he knew us. We told him, probably not, since we'd only been here a week, but we got into a good conversation just talking to him, and after we got to know each other, he asked what we were doing, why, and then we asked if he wanted to hear our message, and received the opportunity to teach and testify of the restoration to him. The Spirit was strong in that lesson, and this young man said he would sincerely read and pray about the Book of Mormon.
Gold Nugget #5: The members here are absolutely incredible. We asked one of the families what their expectations for us were, and they showed their depth of conversion by explaining that we shouldn't be asking that question to them, and flipped it around to ask us what our expectations were of them. They expressed their desire to help the work go forward here, and I have found that as a common attitude among the members here. All the houses are open to investigators, and they love hearing about our experiences, and how they can help. I absolutely love this area and the wonderful members here. We had a powerful fast and testimony meeting on Sunday that was absolutely wonderful. The Spirit was way strong and we all felt the power that this church really has, and how possible miracles are in this area.
The Church is true, and led by Jesus Christ through his prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I am so excited to receive the privilege of listening to God's inspired prophets and apostles this weekend with General Conference. I know that they speak the will of God, and will give each sincere truth-seeking soul the guidance that God has for them in their life. Joseph Smith was God's prophet to restore His true Church on the earth again. We are so privileged to live in this time with the fulness of the gospel on the earth.
Have a great week!
-- Äldste Liddle
Picture: Elder Bliss and I at some ruins by Jönköping.
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