Not so much happened this week, haha. On Monday we went to Göteborg, but there weren't many other missionaries around for some reason, so we mostly just stayed in the YSA center.
On Tuesday we had a lesson with a woman named Mona Lycka. Last time we taught her she was talking to us about how she's in a community choir and loves to sing, so we decided we should sing together, and maybe Elder Dean could play violin. So this time Elder Dean brought his violin and after the lesson we sang/played How Great Thou Art together, all 8 verses in Swedish. It was fun :)
On Wednesday there was a global missionary broadcast, the first one in over a decade they said. So that was pretty cool. Most of it was about how we can teach more effectively, such as by learning how to work better with the Spirit. Something I thought was super interesting was in a video of Elder Bednar talking with a small group of missionaries about the role of the Spirit in lessons. The gist of it was that we typically think of the Spirit being our main tool in converting people. But really, we are the tools and the Spirit is in charge. It's our job to invite the Spirit, and then not get in the way. It is a totally different way of thinking about it and I think it is very true. Without the Spirit we can't do any of the work we do.
The rest of the week was just normal. It's started getting a little warmer than freezing outside! So now we are getting a little rain, but hopefully it won't be icy on the ground anymore at least. I hit my official 18 month mark on Saturday, so that was kinda weird.
This week I have been reading in Acts in the New Testament, and I read the story of the time that Peter and John were teaching, then were thrown in jail. They were miraculously led out of the jail, and were commanded to keep teaching in the temple, which they did. They were taken again, beaten, and let go. Instead of being upset that they had just spent time in prison and were beaten, it says that they rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." They had a truly eternal perspective, and instead of focusing on their current discomforts and trials, they realized that they would be blessed for their faith and obedience.
I hope everyone has a great week!
Elder Smith
Pictures!
1) Lots of bikes covered in snow
2) Fog on the frozen lake
3) We didn't take out the trash in time, so I made a trap for the fruit flies. This was after less than a day of it being out. I got the rest of the flies with the vacuum :)
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