( it is almost December).
So I have this little notebook at the apartment where I write down things that happen during the week so I can remember to write about it in my email..... but I left it at the apartment...
Well we had Zone Conference this week. It was so good! The President and Syster Beckstrand came down with the assistants to put it on. The focus was companionship unity, obedience, and how to be an extra ordinary missionary. There were rumors going around that we got to watch "Meet the Mormons" but those were only rumors :( But Zone Conference was awesome to say the least. I love the President and his wife, they are the best mission president and wife in the world (Sorry Elder Faldmo, you were wrong ;) )
Funny story from ZC--
After the conference, we were doing a little socializing and a group of older missionaries were huddled around in the corner. Äldste Simas and Äldste Miles (ps Miles is my great great gpa, he trained Ras' trainer) beckoned me over to them. Simas then said and I quote--
"Äldste Hemmingsen, we have been watching you carefully you over the last few weeks and have found you worthy to enter into the Op Dak society. We (pointing to the others in the group) are going home soon and need to pass on the legacy of Op Dak on to a worthy heir. Äldste Hemmingsen, you are the chosen one."
I guess that Op Dak is something that some äldste made up to make himself feel special, it means nothing but after December 30th (when those äldster go home) I am the new leader of Op Dak hahahaha don't know what I did but obviously it was something right!
Ok that was completely irrelevant to missionary work but it made me laugh
We also had splits this week and Äldste Barns came down to Malmö with me. It was nice to be in charge in a way. We visited my favorite less active, his name is Innocent. He was not feeling too well so we gave him a blessing. The next day he called me and said that whenever he gets sick, he is usually down for two weeks but he said that he felt a lot better! He is the coolest guy ever and I just want him to come to church!
My favorite event of the week had to be with another less active named named Erik. Over the last few weeks he has been coming to church every week and if he came to church this week, he would be fully active again. Erik is a great guy and loves to talk about American Football! He lived in Salt Lake for a few years so that is why he likes it. Anyway, so we were praying that He would make it to church this week but he didn't show up to sacrament meeting :( or Sunday school :( but He made it to priesthood!! We talked to him after church and he said he was riding his bike to church (his house is a 45 minute bus ride from the church so I don't know how long of a bike ride that is) and his bike broke down.... so then he locked it to a random light pole and walked the remaining 2 HOURS to church. What a guy! I was so proud of him!
This P-Day has been crazy. It was Äldste Schwabedissen's birthday so we decided to go hit up a restaurant to celebrate. We went to Texas Longhorn! It was good to have a nice "american" burger again! They had random license plates up on the wall and one of them was from Iowa!!! Shout Out to my home state!! Then we came to the church and had carrot cake and I taught everyone how to play schmagma! Life is good in the deep south :)
So I also had some thoughts this week when we were with Erik. He was talking about how when he lived in Salt Lake, life was good. He had a good job, he was going to school, he had some good friends; but he didn't like it. I then thought to myself "Isn't that what you wanted?" But then he said "I didn't like it because I was too comfortable, I wasn't progressing, I had kinda just leveled off. I didn't like it." It made me think of a ton of things:
1. Our testimonies. A very very very wise man I know named, Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmingsen, once taught me a life principle. (He has taught me many life principles but here is just one of them) he said that your testimony is never staying the same, it is either increasing or it is decreasing. In order for the adversary to win, we have to do nothing and your testimony will slowly begin to die. But, if we put in the effort, our relationship with God and our Savior will flourish and countless blessing will be poured upon us.
2. Missionary work. As a missionary, it is very easy to "get comfortable". It is easy to visit the same less actives, visit the same members and teach the same non progressing investigators. You should always, always, always, be trying to expand your teaching pool by contacting. Keep finding those people who are willing to listen and willing to change. Keep looking for new ideas and ways to improve yourself as a missionary. Keep asking for referrals from members. I could go on all day!
3. Life. Like good ol' wise man Erik said, life is about making yourself the best you can! Don't settle for anything less than you're capable of! All my coaches would always tell us to never be satisfied. Even if you're up by 30, don't stop playing hard. You have to put in 110% all the time! I wish I would have figured this out in high school but better late then never right!
Well I love you all! All is good in Sweden :) Don't worry about me :) S/O to my homie Claire for killin' it in Des Monies!! You're a stud sis! And congrats to the Royals for a great season! No one thought they could make it 90ft from being world series champions! I love you all! Thanks for the pics and emails!! Have a fantastic week!!
Äldste Hemmingsen