Marissa's Mission Musings

Things are so good. - We got to be present when a priesthood blessing was given to one of our new members who was in the hospital this week. The spirit was so strong and she was the first to testify of feeling it. I am grateful for priesthood power! It was a beautiful chance to really feel that this week. - had the sweetest relief society activity that 3 of our friends could come to! I'm grateful for the welcoming of this little ward! - A bunch of friends came to church! - Including our awesome new friend Christian! the young swedish guy. He is such an honest seeker. Really someone who knows nothing about God-- nothing at all but wants so sincerely to learn. So kind and hilarious and reminds me soo much of Pontus. He loved church and is coming back! Please pray for Christian!!! - Syster Hope and I laugh a lot - played piano in a hemköp I got to speak in sacrament meeting for Swedish mother's day and loved this from Elder Holland : "No love in mortality comes closer to appr...

You guys. I have way too much to say First off-- I am in love with this city. I am seriously so so so so excited to be here in Uppsala. There are people everywhere!! It's absolutely beautiful. There are flowers everywhere and it is beyond green and there is the biggest church in scandinavia or something you can see from most of the town. The ward is awesome. More than anything-- the work is incredible. There is so much to do here. We have seen some real miracles in the last few days. Met some really cool people who are searching for more. I am really beyond excited. I adore Syster Hope my new comp and bestie who I served with back in the days of the gothenburg gang!!! My last days in Umeå were sweet. Saying goodbye to everyone was rough. My last lesson was with Gunvor and Valter-- probably the hardest member and the hardest friend to say bye to. Why not just knock out both at once? This has been one of the most influential parts of my mission. The people and relationships I will be...

Things are too good. there is so so much to try to get across. Transfer calls were this week!! And so much more. Transfers are always bittersweet. I'm going to miss Umeå hard. I love this little branch dearly, and have learned so much from the members here. I feel like I could talk individually about so many. Gunvor's fire for the Book of Mormon at age 87-- whose memory is going but still remembers the story of how she got it and read it and prayed all night to know if it was true. Maj-Lis's hugs and joy and the most melodic Swedish I've ever heard. Torbjörn's dedication to his calling, and hilarious loving quips about "gumman". Lars who faithfully came to every single lesson we asked him for. Nils who reminds me of my dad, and talked about Lord of the Rings in his talk yesterday-- case in point. Erik who would talk about choir music with me. Victoria who made everyone feel like her best friend. Karin who was so dedicated to cooking for us. Ann-Charlotte w...

It was a wonderful week. Zone conference was amazing -- the usual spiritual high, usual last minute musical number (shoutout Syster Johnson😊), and less usual eating of surströmming and burning things made for a memorable day. We`re close to retiring the sleeping bag coat but not quite there :) I love being a missionary and I love you all! Syster Barn