We have had one amazing week this week we have just seen miracle after miracle in this area and I have learned so much from my companion and from the members and investigators in this area. Its cool to see all of the things that start happening in an area and the people that are so ready to hear the gospel or the members that are so willing to share it and just want to strengthen their own testimonies. I think that the thing that has made the biggest impression on me the past couple of weeks is the generosity of the people that dont have too much but that are willing to give some to us because they want to. Its taught me a lot about how its what we do with the things that we have and not how much do we have that really matters. Its way more important to give a little time and give of that you do have to the people around you and try to share that joy with everyone.
On Monday we had a couple of investigators that we taught at a members home in Ronneby and it went super well. Its always fun to have the members come with us and open up their homes because there really is a special spirit that is there in the lesson when it is done in a members house. They both loved the Plan of Salvation and think that it makes so much sense and we are going to be teaching them more. One of them is named Kamal and he has to be one of the nicest people that I have ever met in my entire life and he also is looking to be baptized in the church later on next month. He came to the baptism a couple of weeks ago and washed all of the dishes afterwards.. in church on Sunday he helped one of the older members out to her car and talked with her for awhile before she left. Of course everyone loves him and he is just so willing to do whatever for people all of the time. Such a good example to us and to everyone else about how we should be. I will keep you uppdated on how it goes with him over the next couple of weeks.
This week we also had the opportunity to do some service for a less active woman that lives outside of Karlskrona and that was another great experience for us. She is planning on coming to General conference this week and we are really excited to see her there. We have just seen some of the coolest things happen with the people around us and with her. She trusts us a lot and even has started to bring her friend over when we do service and we are able to talk to her a little about the church and everything else. Its exciting to see her excitement build about the gospel and then being able to share it with the people that are closest to her.
Everything is going really well with quite a few other investigators that we have and we are expecting there to be a good turnout for general conference on Sunday and we are planning on having a little potluck for the people that are here to be able to watch conference from 2-4 and then eat some dinner before the next session starts and get some of our investigators to interact with some of the members and have them together in a little more relaxed environment that they can ask questions and just get to know eachother so we will see how that goes.
We have another investigator who is super positive and works in the ctiy. We have really started teaching her about the gospel and invited her to also be baptized and she has accepted but we need to set up that date. Its super fun to see the progress in others and see their understanding change and develop and see that lightbuld click for them when the begin to understand the message of the gospel and start to grasp how fantastic it really is Im not sure that members who have been that way their whole lives really understand the significance of the things that we teach other people and each other every Sunday. We cant take it for granted.
In other news, we travelled to Göteborg to have a Zone Conference which was actually my last zone conference. Even though I have a lot of time left they made me give my last testimony as they do for everyone who is leaving. It was an eye opener to see almost all of the elders in my group that came to Sweden with me give their testimonies in Swedish. Its so cool to see the growth in them and to realize how much I have grown. That is one of the biggest miracles of a mission for people is to grow in the gospel and to grow in their knowledge and relationship with our Heavenly Father. I know how grateful I am for this mission and what it has meant for my life and the lives of the people that I have had and am currently having the honor of serving. In total we had about 12 hours of train rides in 2 days to get there but it was well worth it and we were able to have some conversations with the people on the way and give away some Books of Mormon so that is always a plus!
For Easter we had some really good food from some members one of which is a professional cook so we were definitely spoiled by him! We had a couple of other dinners and were able to have that Easter spirit with everyone in the ward. On Sunday Elder Benson and I had two musical numbers. We played the cello and the piano and then I sang and he played the piano. It was a really special meeting for us and we had the stake president and his wife from Utby there visiting so it was super fun to see them again and the Ståleks from Gotland and Christina from Umeå was there so everyone has their roots in Karlskrona apparently and it was so much fun to see them and to get to speak with them a little more. We had quite a few non members in church and we hope to see more during General Conference.
I love this gospel and I love being a missionary, if anyone wonders what the best "job" or thing to do in the world I would say that it is missionary work! Get to someone this week and invite them to General Conference! It is such a good opportunity for them to listen to the general authorities and listen to the prophet! If there is anyone that is pretty good at explaining the gospel its him so get some people there to watch it or invite them over to your house to watch it!! I love you all thank you so much for your support, the gospel is true.
oh and also, I found out that Fidelis, who was taught in my last area was baptized last week!! That was pretty amazing to see and Lennart in Göteborg will be recieving the Melkizedek priesthood very soon. Absolutely incredible-- Ha det gött!!
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