Well hello my wonderful family and friends.
I guess the best way to
start his letter is by saying (drum
rolls)............................................... WE GOT A BAPTISM this
saturday!!! We went over to Hjalmar's house on Tuesday. We encouraged him that
he can still quit snus by December 6th. But he said "No, I need more time than
that. How about we make the new year our deadline. I will get baptized at the
first of the year. New Year, New Man." So we said ok, BUT, 2 days later he calls
me on the phone. "Hi. It's Hjalmar." He says. "Hi Hjalmar! How are you today?"
Then he says "Just awful. I haven't taken a snus in 2 days. I am in a withdrawal
right now." I was like "WHAT! HJALMAR! THAT IS SOOOO AWESOME!" and both me and
Elder Peterson were FREAKING OUT. He only has to be off snus for 1 week in order
to be baptized. So we are back on track for December 6th! Now, just a reminder
on this guy. He has been investigating the church for 10 years. He has been
snusing 8 packs a day for many years. He went from 8 to 2. Then from 2 to 0 in
like a 32 hour period or something crazy like that. He told us "yeah I just woke
up one morning, popped in a snus and it tasted disgusting. So I took it out, put
in a Fishermans Friend (Fishermans Friend is just a breath mint, but has also
been found to help quit snus). And since then, I didn't take a snus." So he's
been off for 5 days! The first 3 days of quitting are the hardest. Then he came
to church on Sunday which was fast and testimony meeting. He got up and bore his
testimony and invited the whole ward to his baptism! IT WAS SO AWESOME! Now, the
Bishop who is away in India this week, had no idea. Hjalmar wants the Bishop to
baptism him. So we texted Bishop and said "hey bishop. Surprise, Hjalmar quit
snus and is being baptized saturday at 6:00pm and you're baptizing him." He text
back "perfect. I get home on Friday. Call me then." Super super super super
awesome! FOR SURE I will be talking about his in my next letter, along with a
bunch of pictures!
We've been on fire this week. The zone leaders
have called several times saying "wow. you guys are doing such good work up
there!" President came and interviewed us, also. We have 2 new investigators. We
had like 15 lessons it's about the highest i have had in my entire mission. Its
just been a killer week.
So today we went to Göteborg for the day.
I love being in Göteborg. It brings back so many memories. I really hope I get
to serve in Göteborg before my mission is over. It is such a neat city. We ended
up meeting up with some Zone Leaders in the Västra Frölunda area, and our
District Leader and his comp from Skövde, and the sisters from Trollhättan went
too. It was really fun. We got McDonald's for lunch. When Swedes see 8 Americans
all nicely dressed, it makes for good contacting. We sat next this guy at
McDonald's and he just wanted to know everything about us. Nothing turned up of
it unfortunately. But we also ended up talking to a sales clerk in a store. She
seemed interested, but then nothing. Plus, there were several people that just
come up to us and ask us for directions. Why? No idea. But, its really fun to
see.
AHH I almost forgot! So after church yesterday we went over to
Samuel, David, Bjorn and Andreas' house. All of them are Young Single Adults in
our ward. Every Sunday we have institute at the Bishops wife house, but they are
gone on vacation. So we went to their house instead. We had a pot luck dinner to
go with institute. The 4 of them made RIS GRYNS GRÖT the sisters brought apple
cake, and we brought bread. It was totally awesome! With the Ris gryns gröt, the
Julmust, the open faced sandwiches, and the christmas music, it was just HEAVEN!
It was so much fun. The 8 of us just having a good time and an amazing dinner. I
honestly don't know what I would have done if I didn't go to Sweden on my
mission. Its the best mission anywhere in the world. Sorry Sister Wood, this is
better than frog legs. And sorry Elder Taylor, Elder Barlow, Elder Stilson, its
not going to be a warm chirstmas here. I will stop bragging now ;) You're all
awesome and I am proud of ALL my fellow ward members who are serving missions.
But, yes. This is going to be a really good Christmas. I am really excited for
Lucia on the 13th and then the 24th and 25th. Oh and by the way, since we
celebrate christmas on the 24th in Sweden, that is the day I will call home. So,
be prepare you family members of mine. I will let you know times when it gets
closer.
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