Week 54, Midsommar, Maypole, Swedish Pigs say "Nuff", Promptings and Baptism from O-Vik!

The lady singing for all of us (sångledare)

Hejsan!!!!!

Så this week was a little bit different because we had something called Midsommar here in Sweden which is basically a huge celebration of the fact that it is the longest day of the year... I didn't notice anything different because I literally haven't seen it get dark since I got here. But it was a really good couple of days and we weren't able to proselyte on Friday and Saturday because of the celebration. It was a good time and basically we were outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather with members and got to dance around the may pole (well just me the other missionaries thought it was dumb to do that) but you know me... super shy and self conscious. So, in other words I danced around the pole like a frog and a pig and sang swedish songs... good times. Also, fun fact, here in Sweden the pigs say "nuff" instead of oink. I cant decide if they are geniuses or just wrong. But that was a really fun time.

Making the May pole

Anyways, we started our week in Boden which is north of Luleå on splits in the highest part of the mission. That was cool, Elder Halterman and I were able to just go around and contact and teach all day which is sometimes a little rare that we can just have a normal proselyting day all day so that was super nice. Elder Krebs had the phone so that's why ;) We were able to find a couple more people that they can teach up there in the actual great white north... (which is beautiful by the way).

Later on in the week we had a cool little mirakel. Elder Krebs and I were canceled on by one of our investigators (which never happens so that was super weird;)) But we had two backup plans and decided to pray and figure out the area that we needed to go work in. We got a strong prompting to go somewhere else completely and go by someone that lived there and then just work in that area if he wasn't home. We got out of the car and started to walk to the apartment building and we saw someone on the other side of the parking lot getting out of her car. so even though it might look weird ( again I am very shy) we did a little about face and walked over to her. I can only imagine how intimidating that would have been for her when two men in white shirts and ties started walking from the other side of the parking lot at her. But we introduced ourselves and were able to teach her there about our syfte and the message that we wanted to share with her. She told us that we absolutely could and we came back the next day with a less active member to teach with us that lives in the same building. Wow, it was pretty amazing and we are looking forward to teach her more this week. You have my witness that God answers prayers and gives us guidance when we put our best effort forward and rely on Him as we do what we can.

I haven't changed too much... apparently :)

We also had that baptism from Ö-Vik on Sunday!!! They came up and had their baptism with us in Umeå so we took care of the clothes and the font and made sure that everything was ready to go. That is one thing that I appreciate more on my mission is how much planning and preperation it takes to get things running and going smoothly. But anyways, The lady that I had the opportunity of finding with Elder Ahlström was baptized on Sunday and it was an amazing service. She came out of the water and just said "Wow, that was the baptism. That was pretty easy!" Haha I think sometimes people have this big build up like they are going to have to jump through like 6 flaming hoops and get through an obstacle course before they get to be baptized. But the amazing thing is that even though it is super simple, that the spirit is so strong every time and that God allows people like me to set up and perform this sacred ordinance is pretty incredible.

Baptism!!!

I love this work and that I am able to be a small part of it. One thing that I read during the week was in Mosiah 26:38 where it says that the people in the church were, "teaching the word of God in all things" So not only were they teaching on Sunday or when Family home evening rolled around but they taught the people around them with their examples and how they handled situations. I think that is what God means when he said to have an eye single to the glory of God. that as we figure out how to be better that we teach those around us. Maybe in our words but in what we do and what we stand for. I know that this work is Gods work and we are expecting some more miracles here in Umeå så stay tuned!!

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