HEJSAN VÄNNER!
Two quick apologies. 1- that this first email is coming a month into my mission, and 2- these may be long, I have grandmas to update 😊
Really all I can say is that life is incredibly beautiful. The MTC is a very special place. It's hard to put into words all that I've learned in the 3 weeks I've been here in person.
Being a missionary.
It has been confirmed to me over and over again that this is where I am supposed to be. This is truly the Lord's work. Everyone tells you all the time here that your calling is sacred, that it is going to be hard, that there is so much joy ahead- all those promises hit different here. There is a special special spirit surrounding sharing what you know to be true- whatever that looks like. Heavenly Father giving us all of us a blessed confirmation that we are part of something amazing. We had a beautiful hour last week of apostolic confirmation of the joy that is in this work- we all felt it immensely. It is so beyond what the missionaries are doing- it's every one of us. Full-time is a special feeling, but it is also just feeling like this is what I need to be doing with my whole life. WILD. Beautiful. I feel very very blessed to be where I am, and beyond excited for this next chapter.
Mina kamrater
OH HOW I LOVE MY COMPANIONS. Syster Olson and Syster Payne are straight from heaven. Countless hard belly laughs, incredible scripture talks, tears from the spirit- it is the best trio. I pray in gratitude for them every day. We often marvel just how lucky we are- it is the cutest thing. These are women that I will treasure for the rest of my life, I can tell already. I love them!
SVENSKA
I LOVE learning Swedish. We are in complete immersion- progress is slow but steady and we are all simply loving it. It's a beautiful language. I love everything about it is the truth! I love learning Swedish. That's about it for that. I love it. There aren't any Swedish actors to fake lessons with us, so this week we have the chance to call a dear member IN SWEDEN to teach her and practice the language. We are all incredibly excited about it all.
Beautiful people
The sheer goodness of people is something that astounds me- getting to simply meet so many people here is something that brings me a weird amount of joy. Sweet highlights..
-My branch presidents. MY SWEET ELLIE'S MISSION PRES. The sweetest non-coincidence. They are powerful teachers and invite the Spirit so quick, we learn so much from them.
-Teeny tiny literally hundred-year old lady Elder Turner helped out of the temple today. Could barely walk and was spending time in the temple. Inspiring!
-My sweet sweet ward members- those who work here taking pictures with me for my parents, getting care packages and thoughtful emails from beloved young womens leaders and dear friends, it takes a village and mine is the best! I love you all.
-Every stranger who gives compliments. There are sweet people everywhere.
Updates- important to include I guess. We have two and a half more weeks here, then off to the field! For me the update is that I will probably be reassigned. Still waiting on an embassy visit, from there it will be anywhere from 0-4 weeks until I have a visa and can go to Sweden. Good news is, God's children are everywhere!! The work is happening everywhere. I feel peaceful about it.
I have learned so much.
About so many things- the one I'll share today is the confirmation of God's power in this work. The feeling of inadequacy to share God's word is so present on a mission, and in life in general. We all wonder if we are good enough to be servants of an all-knowing God! If our little testimony can make a difference to anyone. To learn the workings of the Spirit, and the courage to share what we feel. It can feel daunting. The comforting answer to this feeling that I've had this week- is that faith is not just faith in God, but in His ability to work through imperfect people like us. Faith that His love will reach people through my imperfect Swedish. It's a simple idea, but really hit hard this week. That I want to be someone God can trust to have faith in His faith in us.
Mormon 8:16
And blessed be he that shall bring this thing to light... it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God.
How incredible is that. The power of God is the power by which His gospel will be brought to the earth. It is His power! He needs people to bring it forth, and be a vessel for His power to reach His children, and He is kind enough to bless those that do. How wonderful is that?
I love you all and hope you are doing well! I am grateful to be part of this work with you. There is simply so much love to be shared. The gathering of Israel is real, and it is happening. You can and will be a part of it.
Hurrah for Israel!
Gud finns!
Syster Child
Pics-
Walking out of the temple today a sweet sweet woman asked if she could take pictures of us to advertise her flag-making business. So no I'm not going to Brazil, and yes we all have Swedish tags, but I will put in a shameless plug for Missionary Times because they were actually beautiful.
My beautiful companions on the church news when Elder Soares came!
Krokodilen- had to be there. We've been rolling on the ground about it for weeks. That's all
More photos I can't fit them all here:
JAG ÄLSKAR ER VI SES!
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