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.