ON THE BACK BURNER---TWO YEARS OF THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY---OVER AND OUT

OVER AND OUT

Well nearly 8 months later, I am writing to finish the last week of my time as a missionary. My mom has been pushing me to do it for some time now, but I never got around to it. In the rush of everything: coming home, registering for classes, finding housing, and looking for work, I put this on the back burner. My wonderful mother reminded me again that I never wrote my last entry, so here I am. 

TWO YEARS OF THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

One of the benefits to waiting this long, is being able to have some time to reflect on the last two years. Different experiences and people pop into my head all the time as I go throughout the day. Even the snow and cold here at college brings back those wonderful memories of the bitter cold. As I have gone back and looked through pictures, read some of my entries, and reflected on it all, I can't believe it is over. It feels like it was an entire life of experience crammed into two years. Two years of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Two of the best years I've experienced, and two years of meeting some wonderful, lifelong friends. I am grateful for the time I had, and I think it's awesome that my two younger brothers are going through a similar experience.

OVER AND OUT

Demetri Sweat, over and out

This was just across the tracks from the train station. I had my bags with me, and I remember being in awe at the stillness of the water. Inside, it was a much more turbulent sea. 

What more can be said?

My last day was spent planting flowers at the temple. It was made even better having two of my previous companions there.

I figured this was nothing a little duct tape can't fix... but I had no duct tape.

Elder Muirhead dropping me off at the train station, and me trying to look tough and pretend like it's no big deal.

*Note from the editor. I stumbled upon this photo in an unread message from an angel mother from Utah who was traveling to Denmark and was taking a train to Sweden and ran into Aldste Sweat.  06/21/2015

A FACE TO A NAME, HE ACCEPTED, RECOGNIZE THE GOOD, PROGRESSING FORWARD

A FACE TO A NAME

It's been interesting the way this last week has come together. We were walking along talking to people on the street, and we noticed someone who seemed to be waiting for us. When we got to him, he introduced himself as a member in our ward. I hadn't met him, so I was going through people in my mind and asked his last name. I found out he was the husband to someone we had been trying to get in contact with for the past three transfers. We had a great conversation and I walked away amazed that after all this time, I now had a face to a name. 

Handen

HE ACCEPTED

As we were out and about, I noticed one of my good friends, Dmitry. I've been able to talk with him a few times and he always asks us how the work is going. He's fairly committed to his own church so he's quick to let us know he's not converting, but he has a lot of questions. As we spoke, we had the opportunity of giving him a Book of Mormon and challenged him to read. He accepted. 

The Mall of Scandinavia, it has been finished in the past few months and is now the biggest mall in Scandinavia. It's pretty impressive inside.

RECOGNIZE THE GOOD

Last week I mentioned that Fredrik watched all four sessions of General Conference, but when we visited him, we found out he finished the fifth as well. It starts at 10 PM here, but he stayed up to watch it. We talked a lot about conference and why he liked it. He didn't really have a specific reason to why he kept coming back, other than he thinks it's something good. We talked about the influence of the Holy Ghost and how that influences us to do those things which will help us. He talked about other times where he has experienced that, and it was awesome  to see that he is able to recognize the good. 

Elder Muirhead, Alex, and me

PROGRESSING FORWARD

On Saturday, Alex, Jodie's husband was baptized. I think Jodie was the most excited of us all. The baptism went smoothly, and I smile to think that both Alex and Jodie have now taken this step. It is a step that will continue to help them throughout their lives, and they recognize that. Alex bore his testimony after his baptism and spoke of the blessings in his life that led to this point. I was happy to have a chance to take part in this decision in his life, and I am excited for their family to continue progressing forward.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR, CONFLICTED WEATHER, I DIDN'T SEE IT COMING, GENERAL CONFERENCE GOODIES, HE CAME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Last week I posted Aldste Sweat's 52nd blog entry.  He didn't start blogging until exactly 1 year into his 2 years of missionary service.  I have thoroughly enjoyed posting his letters and photos this past year.  It is with a joyful heart that we are about to welcome our son home from Sweden on Thursday, April 14, 2016.  He will be participating in our Sunday Services on Sunday, April 17, 2016.  All are warmly invited to join us at 1:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3865 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto, CA  94306 to listen to him speak and celebrate his return!  We hope to see you there!

Becca Sweat  

CONFLICTED WEATHER

The view from our window in the apartment. The weather was conflicted that day.

I DIDN'T SEE IT COMING
This Friday, I had the chance to go on splits with Elder Bradshaw. It was quite momentous, because nearly 18 months ago, I took him on his first splits. And now, he has taken me on my last. We were in Jordbro and had a good day. Doors were knocked, people were stopped, and we did a lot. I think the best was when we stopped a lady and started by saying we were missionaries from our church, and she smiled and pulled out some pamphlets saying she was also a missionary. I didn't see it coming. But we had a nice discussion and went our separate ways. 

GENERAL CONFERENCE GOODIES

Some conference goodies

HE CAME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN

We had a nice surprise with General Conference as well (which was great if you haven't seen it yet). Fredrik is someone we have been working with, but he has not had too much of a desire to come to church. He told us he would come to the Saturday Morning session, which started Saturday night for us. After the meeting, we invited him to the following morning. He was a little uncertain, but said he would try. 11 AM, he was there again. He liked it, and we invited him to the next one. Again, he said maybe. 2 PM he was back. Then again at 6 PM. There was something that kept bringing him back. He loved being at conference, and I think it's because he felt the worth of the words which were spoken. It was cool seeing him come back again and again, and it also helped me remember how cool it is that we have modern-day revelation. Prophets and apostles warning us and giving us counsel. 

STOCKHOLM * CHRIST---THE FRIEND OF FRIENDS * PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION * IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, THEN TRY, TRY AGAIN * MY LAST CHANCE TO GRAB A PIECE OF HEAVEN * ELDER ROWLEY, THE PIANO AND THE VIOLIN

STOCKHOLM

A beautiful P-day in Stockholm

CHRIST---THE FRIEND OF FRIENDS

This week we had Zone Conference. It was my last one, and it was a great conference. The entire focus of the conference was on Christ. Who He is for us, and how we can gain a personal relationship with Him. It gave me a great opportunity to reflect on how I see Him and how He sees me. Christ is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Friend of Friends. One who has the majesty of these titles is also the one that will stand by us no matter what. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation in Stockholm is taking a step up.
It's only a temporary setup, so we won't get this treatment for long.

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, THEN TRY, TRY AGAIN

This week I also had the opportunity to go on splits with Elder Banks in Västerhaninge. We were down in Nynäshamn walking along a road, when I saw a guy coming down the other side of the street. This was a side road with no sidewalks and not much traffic, but it was still an awkward distance between us. I closed the gap and started to talk to him. He told me that he got stopped by us (I was in Handen) yesterday. I remember thinking that was too bad, but then he continued. He said yesterday he had no time to stop, but then it led into a great discussion on Easter. We gave him The Book of Mormon and talked about it's purpose, and he turned out to be very positive towards it all. If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again. 

MY LAST CHANCE TO GRAB A PIECE OF HEAVEN

                              I am holding in my hand, a cheese bread.

                       It doesn't look like much, but it brings joy to my soul. 

                  It's only sold in Lidl, so when I was on splits in Västerhaninge, 

                        I took my last chance to grab a piece of heaven. 

ELDER ROWLEY, THE PIANO  AND THE VIOLIN

The highlight of the week was Saturday. Elder Rowley is in the area just north of us, and a member asked if he would play at a retirement home. I got to come along, and he played piano and I played the violin. Some of the residents were very lively, and one even got up to do a jig. They asked us where we were from, and we got to talk a little about what we do here. Several family members were visiting their relatives in the home, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. But I think we enjoyed it the most. 

FIND NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST, MY FAITH IN CHRIST BRINGS GREAT JOY AND PEACE, THE OUTDOOR PING-PONG TABLE

FIND NEW LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST




MY FAITH IN CHRIST BRINGS GREAT JOY AND PEACE
This week has brought the much anticipated release of the newest Easter video from the church. It is more simple than the other videos they have done, but it has a powerful message. Different prophets from the Bible and the Book of Mormon are quoted, personal testimonies are given, and Handel's Messiah is the closing statement. The challenge is simple: find new life in Jesus Christ. This is something I've considered a lot for myself. I have grown up with the teachings of Christ. But I think one of the big differences between having the knowledge and finding new life is in application. I find that I continue to discover new strength and possibility from my faith in Christ. And I find joy in knowing that I am not alone in this faith. Because it brings great joy and peace, and that is something that everyone needs.

*Note from the editor. Here is the link for the new video.
https://www.mormon.org/easter#share

THE OUTDOOR PING-PONG TABLE

This is part of the playground to an elementary school.
The outdoor ping pong table is usually untouched.

ENJOYING OUR SUNDAY, THE GOSPEL---IT BRINGS ME JOY IN WAYS THAT NOTHING ELSE CAN, THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE, THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO SPEAK UP

ENJOYING OUR SUNDAY

                                                  Church on Sunday.

             Elder Banks and Elder Smith who are serving in Västerhaninge. 

                Then one of the members (Alex), myself, and Elder Muirhead. 

                                                Enjoying our Sunday. 

 THE GOSPEL---IT BRINGS ME JOY IN WAYS THAT NOTHING ELSE CAN

Last Monday, we were teaching Jodie, Alex, and Camila. It was a wonderful lesson. We began talking about the blessings that baptism and the gospel has brought to Jodie and the others. They started listing off all the different things that have changed for the better. Alex talked about how his children have begun praying for him, because he has pain in his knees that makes it hard for him at work. Camila talked about how she has been improving in school. Jodie talked about how her whole outlook on life has changed, and she has become so much more positive. I was beaming the whole time. Everything they talked about, all the positivity, has come because of the changes the gospel can make in peoples' lives. And I have taken the time to reflect for myself. How is the gospel working for me? It brings joy in ways that nothing else can.

THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE

                                         We have been having a lot of fog this past week, 

                                     and it seems to envelope us with a chill that bites to the bones.

                                       However, it also gives us a little variety in the weather.

                                It also makes it harder for the people to make out who we are.

               So next thing they know, the two shadows moving towards them start talking about God. 

                       To be honest, I don't think we need the fog to have the element of surprise. 

                    People don't seem to notice us until we open our mouths, and that's what we do.

THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO SPEAK UP

An inspirational sign that we saw last P-day.
That's why we need to speak up.
Because otherwise the world won't be changed.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR WEEK, WE GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE, IMPRESSED WITH MOM, WALK TO THE BUS, A GAGGLE OF MISSIONARIES, DELAYED BECAUSE OF DELAYS, THE FORGOTTEN DOLL

THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR WEEK

This was the highlight of our week. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it. :) 

WE GOT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE
Elder Richardson came in from Gubbängen, and we got to go to the temple with Jodie, Elizabeth, and her son, Victor. It's cool to see the progress people make. 

IMPRESSED WITH MOM
After we went to the temple, we made lunch for them in the church. We had three other people join us, so we were making food for 9. By the time we had lunch ready, I was beat. I've got to say, I'm impressed with Mom. All those meals. Countless breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for thankless children. I take this time to salute you. When Jodie and Elizabeth came into the kitchen and saw the mess we made, they began to laugh. Apparently we had pulled out every dish possible to make our food. I think they appreciated the effort. 

WALK TO THE BUS

The walk from our apartment to the bus stop. 

A GAGGLE OF MISSIONARIES

A gaggle of missionaries.

DELAYED BECAUSE OF DELAYS

Our bus was delayed because of delays...very informational.

THE FORGOTTEN DOLL

It's like in every sad scene from a movie.
 The forgotten doll on the side of the road.