This week was pretty crazy, but was good overall. On Tuesday we met with an investigator who we met only once before. He is a kind of missionary in his church, so when he texted us and said to meet him by his church to meet his friend, we thought it was pretty likely his friend was a priest who would try bible bashing. But then we got there and it was just one of his friends who goes to his church. She actually turned out to be very positive and helpful, because she speaks good English and French, so she could translate to French so that we could communicate better with our original investigator. Elder Stafford and I are hopeful she will be interested in the church, because the lesson went well.
On Thursday we had zone training, so we took an early train up to Umeå. Most of it was about something called the Christmas Initiative. Basically it is a huge plan to help more people learn about Christ. The Church just put out a new video, kind of like the one called Because of Him that was made for Easter, except this one is about Christmas. The Church has made special Christmas contacting cards that are about this video and about Christmas.Mormon.org. Also the Church will be playing the He is the Gift video on four big screens in Times Square in New York City, and on December 7th the only ads on youtube will be for He is the Gift. I think
it´s amazing how much is going on to get this video out to people. We (as missionaries, and as members) have been challenged to share this video with as many people as possible, and use it to invite people to learn more about Christ. During the Christmas season people think about Christ more than usual, so it is a great opportunity to share the gospel with others. I think there is a lot about it in the Ensign and Liahona, with quotes from Apostles about it.
it´s amazing how much is going on to get this video out to people. We (as missionaries, and as members) have been challenged to share this video with as many people as possible, and use it to invite people to learn more about Christ. During the Christmas season people think about Christ more than usual, so it is a great opportunity to share the gospel with others. I think there is a lot about it in the Ensign and Liahona, with quotes from Apostles about it.
Also, there is an article about the Church in Sweden in the Ensign!! I haven´t gotten to read it yet, but it seems cool. We had an early train home from zone training, so the zone leaders were driving our district to the train station. They had to make two trips, and I was in the second group. We were looking at the clock, and by the time the zone leaders got back to the church to pick us up, we had about 6 minutes until our train left. We said a prayer, then headed out. Pretty much every light changed to green for us, and we got there with about a minute to spare. So that was a cool experience this week.
On Thursday night we got to go over to a member family´s house for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a lot of fun. The food was really good, and we got to play with the kids a lot. They weren´t too crazy, so it was better than other times we have been over there, haha. I got to help do a coloring book, and a little fishing game, haha.
On Friday we drove down to Hudiksvall, and had a bunch of lessons (4) with less-actives and an investigator couple. Our last lesson with the investigators was not so good, but this time it was really good. They say they know they need to get baptized, and they know the Church is true! They want to get baptized in May when it is warmer, but we invited them to pray about a baptismal date. Next week we have a special sacrament meeting down in Hudiksvall, so that will be really good. All the people who live too far away to come to church very often will be coming.
This week I have been reading a lot in the New Testament, and I have been impressed by how the Apostles and disciples were so willing to suffer for Christ´s sake and how they stood up for their faith no matter what the consequences were. Sometimes they were delivered out of danger, but sometimes they weren´t. But in the end it was worth it for all of them. We today also face persecution sometimes because of our faith. We need to remember that it is important to stand up for what we believe in, and we will be blessed. I was especially impressed how when Peter and another apostle (I feel bad that I don´t remember who) were beaten by the Jews for testifying of Christ, that they rejoiced that they were worthy to be beaten for Christ. I thought that was a great example of being patient in tribulation and having an eternal perspective.
I hope everyone has a great week!
Elder Smith
Pictures!!!
1) A big Christmas tree in the town square
2) Coloring
3) Super fancy member dinner. That wasn´t all we ate, the plates were just decorated fancily.
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