Kära familj,
Happy Almost Mothers Day! I'm excited to talk to you! Honestly the plans are not quite set in stone yet, but here's as much as I know. We'll be Skyping from Bishop Lundahl's house. We have a dinner right after church but they feed us at the church so we're going to try and keep it quick so we can get to Bishop's as soon as possible. The Elders skyped there for Christmas and said that they have plenty of computers for both of us to skype at the same time. They'll also be skyping their son who's in Salt Lake on his mission. Hopefully they have enough internet for that all to work out. I believe it should be fine. I wish I could tell you exactly which time we'll be able to be there. We're going to plan to be there by 16:00 here (8 AM Utah time) but the busses don't run so often on Sundays so I think it's more likely that we'll be there at 16:30. What time do you start church? Should I just plan on calling Matty's skype account again? Sorry I can't be more specific but I guess just stay logged in to Skype all morning until I can call. I would say I'll send another email later this week to confirm that but really it depends on us getting out of dinner and catching our bus so I won't know until Sunday. But if anything changes from that I'll let you know! I hope I don't make you late for church...
I love Syster Byrd! She's from St George, and she graduated from BYU the winter before we went to the MTC. She majored in dance. But she doesn't know any of my folk dance friends because she did contemporary. She turns 25 on Wednesday, so we're going to have a birthday party in district meeting. Then since my birthday is on P-Day we're going to do something for both of our birthdays then. It will definitely include ice cream. I don't think she has any history of hunting. She doesn't speak Spanish but she's really good at Swedish. We would always chat together in Swedish in the MTC. She also likes to cook, thank goodness. We've already made some delicious enchiladas and pizza together since we got together on Wednesday. We've planned to make taco soup and tuna casserole this week. It's going to be the best!
So this week has been crazy! We had so much to do! On Monday we were basically just running everywhere to try and get everything done that we had to do. Syster Haynes had to pack, we had to make eclairs, and then we caught a train to Fritsla to do service and have dinner and our meeting with our ward mission leader. Then Tuesday was even crazier. We visited Ulrika, set up the font, did last-minute family history with Irma so Syster Haynes knows what she's doing on her own, made chocolate balls for the baptism, had fika with May, then went to the baptism. Margarita was really excited and it was a great service! Syster Haynes was actually the first one to contact Margarita, about a month and a half ago. Her mother and daughter were both baptized in Uruguay but have since passed away, so Margarita knew a little about the church. She was interested in meeting and gave Syster Haynes her phone number, but she said "Don't call until next week, because it's my birthday this week." Between that and when we planned to call her, she saw the elders walking through her neighborhood, and called out to them that she wanted a Book of Mormon and wanted to learn about the church. So they started teaching her. It was perfect because she actually lives in their area so we didn't have to try and figure out who should have taught her. Äldste Mangum did her baptism in Spanish and she was confirmed yesterday by Brother Trejos, also in Spanish. She's the sweetest little lady! We got home at 9:30 and still had a lot to do with packing, cleaning, and updating the area book.
Wednesday felt very long, because we got up at 4:30 AM. We had to catch the bus from central station by 7:00 and we didn't know how long it would take to get all of Syster Haynes' luggage down the five flights of stairs, onto the bus, and from Södra Torget to central station. We made it in plenty of time and actually ended up taking the bus from Borås at 6:25. Syster Haynes got on her train to Stockholm at 8:00. Syster Byrd and Syster Randall met us there and I stuck with them for the next few hours. We went back to their apartment on the outskirts of Göteborg where I made pancakes while they did their own packing and cleaning. It was really nice that Syster Byrd didn't have to transfer too far. We came back to the station to pick up Syster La Fontaine (also from my group) who is now companions with Syster Randall in Göteborg, then Syster Byrd and I got on the bus back to Borås. The whole day I was dreading getting her suitcases up the stairs to our apartment, but it ended up not being too bad. We went and dropped by Masoume so she got to meet Syster Byrd. Then we taught this guy named Steven who tried to teach us and wouldn't listen to anything we said. He didn't like that we had rules and couldn't come into his house. SKETCHY! Wednesday was a holiday called Valborgs Afton, where they welcome in the Spring. It's basically another excuse to drink, so we weren't supposed to be proselyting past 5:30. We went to a barbecue with the Ågrens, the bishop, the stake president, the ward mission leader, and the elders. Äldste Roosendaal transferred to Vendelsö, and our new elder here is Äldste Sandquist from Riverton! We know all the same people and he even knew Rich and I knew his girlfriend, but we've never met each other. The Swedes thought that was outrageous because in Sweden, if there's another member in your school, you know them. It was a really yummy dinner with really yummy kladkaka.
Thursday we had a cool miracle happen. We had a random awkward hour of time before our bus to the Baqueros so we planned to contact and teach someone at Södra Torget. We were standing on the sidewalk talking to each other there when this guy came up and just started talking to us. He was Christian and really interested in knowing more, so we sat down and taught him about the Book of Mormon. It was great and he committed to come to church! (More on that later.) The Baqueros are doing really well and it was fun to go out there and visit them again. They need the strengthening.
Friday we taught our three most positive investigators. First we taught Rida and she's still doing awesome. She watched Finding Faith in Christ and she loved all the miracles that Christ does. She's still working on developing faith that He's the Son of God. But everytime she talks about it she says "I don't believe in that yet." I love that she always says "yet!" She even said the closing prayer with us, which was a big step! After Rida we taught Daniel who likes to speak English. He's doing really well also and he'd even prayed since we last met with him! He said he might come to church sometime as long as he can bring a friend with him. We were happy to oblige. Then after that we taught Masoume again, with Mojgan on the phone to translate. We taught the word of wisdom. It was a little rough-she smokes a lot and drinks a lot of coffee-but luckily Mojgan was in the exact same situation before she got baptized, so she's perfect to help understand the blessings that come of it! Masoume said she wants to stop and she's going to try but it will take some time. PRAY FOR HER! She still wants to be baptized on May 31st if she's ready by then. It will take a lot of faith and prayers, but she can be ready.
Saturday we taught Jessica. She's doing well but she's pretty stubborn. Basically she said she'll come to church someday, but she has to wake up on Sunday morning and feel like going to church.
And Sunday. We were THIS CLOSE to having investigators in Sacrament meeting. It was ridiculous! Kam, the guy we taught at Södra Torget, actually showed up Sunday morning to take the bus with us. We rode the bus together and were walking to the church when he got a phone call and had to go because his friend was in the hospital. LAME! So we'll hopefully get him all the way in next Sunday. Masoume also came to church for Relief Society and Sunday School, but then she had to go home and take care of Helia because she was up to no good. So she left right before Sacrament Meeting. DOUBLE LAME! Rida couldn't come because she has this new job that she had to study for or something. And Jessica didn't wake up feeling like comeing to church. But it was a great meeting anyway. We taught Masoume again last night and Mojgan talked to her a lot then said "Sisters, I think this would be a really good time to teach the Law of Chastity." I think Masoume had just had a fight with her boyfriend so the Law of Chastity was even more powerful right then. It was scary to teach it without any preparation or even a pamphlet, but Mojgan did most of the teaching. At least I think they were talking about chastity. I don't know Persian. Masoume asked if there are any more commandments. Once we get past tithing we'll be home free. Again, PLEASE PRAY FOR MASOUME! She has the most sincere desire to be baptized and she definitely will be baptized. We're doing everything we can to help her prepare for May 31st.
Today we're going to Göteborg to go shopping at a place called Geckos(?) that's apparently really big and really cheap. So hopefully I can find some summery clothes I like. I can't believe Diane and Randy got a trampoline! Jump on it for me! Have a wonderful week and I'll see you on Sunday! Jag älskar er!
Happy Almost Mothers Day! I'm excited to talk to you! Honestly the plans are not quite set in stone yet, but here's as much as I know. We'll be Skyping from Bishop Lundahl's house. We have a dinner right after church but they feed us at the church so we're going to try and keep it quick so we can get to Bishop's as soon as possible. The Elders skyped there for Christmas and said that they have plenty of computers for both of us to skype at the same time. They'll also be skyping their son who's in Salt Lake on his mission. Hopefully they have enough internet for that all to work out. I believe it should be fine. I wish I could tell you exactly which time we'll be able to be there. We're going to plan to be there by 16:00 here (8 AM Utah time) but the busses don't run so often on Sundays so I think it's more likely that we'll be there at 16:30. What time do you start church? Should I just plan on calling Matty's skype account again? Sorry I can't be more specific but I guess just stay logged in to Skype all morning until I can call. I would say I'll send another email later this week to confirm that but really it depends on us getting out of dinner and catching our bus so I won't know until Sunday. But if anything changes from that I'll let you know! I hope I don't make you late for church...
I love Syster Byrd! She's from St George, and she graduated from BYU the winter before we went to the MTC. She majored in dance. But she doesn't know any of my folk dance friends because she did contemporary. She turns 25 on Wednesday, so we're going to have a birthday party in district meeting. Then since my birthday is on P-Day we're going to do something for both of our birthdays then. It will definitely include ice cream. I don't think she has any history of hunting. She doesn't speak Spanish but she's really good at Swedish. We would always chat together in Swedish in the MTC. She also likes to cook, thank goodness. We've already made some delicious enchiladas and pizza together since we got together on Wednesday. We've planned to make taco soup and tuna casserole this week. It's going to be the best!
So this week has been crazy! We had so much to do! On Monday we were basically just running everywhere to try and get everything done that we had to do. Syster Haynes had to pack, we had to make eclairs, and then we caught a train to Fritsla to do service and have dinner and our meeting with our ward mission leader. Then Tuesday was even crazier. We visited Ulrika, set up the font, did last-minute family history with Irma so Syster Haynes knows what she's doing on her own, made chocolate balls for the baptism, had fika with May, then went to the baptism. Margarita was really excited and it was a great service! Syster Haynes was actually the first one to contact Margarita, about a month and a half ago. Her mother and daughter were both baptized in Uruguay but have since passed away, so Margarita knew a little about the church. She was interested in meeting and gave Syster Haynes her phone number, but she said "Don't call until next week, because it's my birthday this week." Between that and when we planned to call her, she saw the elders walking through her neighborhood, and called out to them that she wanted a Book of Mormon and wanted to learn about the church. So they started teaching her. It was perfect because she actually lives in their area so we didn't have to try and figure out who should have taught her. Äldste Mangum did her baptism in Spanish and she was confirmed yesterday by Brother Trejos, also in Spanish. She's the sweetest little lady! We got home at 9:30 and still had a lot to do with packing, cleaning, and updating the area book.
Wednesday felt very long, because we got up at 4:30 AM. We had to catch the bus from central station by 7:00 and we didn't know how long it would take to get all of Syster Haynes' luggage down the five flights of stairs, onto the bus, and from Södra Torget to central station. We made it in plenty of time and actually ended up taking the bus from Borås at 6:25. Syster Haynes got on her train to Stockholm at 8:00. Syster Byrd and Syster Randall met us there and I stuck with them for the next few hours. We went back to their apartment on the outskirts of Göteborg where I made pancakes while they did their own packing and cleaning. It was really nice that Syster Byrd didn't have to transfer too far. We came back to the station to pick up Syster La Fontaine (also from my group) who is now companions with Syster Randall in Göteborg, then Syster Byrd and I got on the bus back to Borås. The whole day I was dreading getting her suitcases up the stairs to our apartment, but it ended up not being too bad. We went and dropped by Masoume so she got to meet Syster Byrd. Then we taught this guy named Steven who tried to teach us and wouldn't listen to anything we said. He didn't like that we had rules and couldn't come into his house. SKETCHY! Wednesday was a holiday called Valborgs Afton, where they welcome in the Spring. It's basically another excuse to drink, so we weren't supposed to be proselyting past 5:30. We went to a barbecue with the Ågrens, the bishop, the stake president, the ward mission leader, and the elders. Äldste Roosendaal transferred to Vendelsö, and our new elder here is Äldste Sandquist from Riverton! We know all the same people and he even knew Rich and I knew his girlfriend, but we've never met each other. The Swedes thought that was outrageous because in Sweden, if there's another member in your school, you know them. It was a really yummy dinner with really yummy kladkaka.
Thursday we had a cool miracle happen. We had a random awkward hour of time before our bus to the Baqueros so we planned to contact and teach someone at Södra Torget. We were standing on the sidewalk talking to each other there when this guy came up and just started talking to us. He was Christian and really interested in knowing more, so we sat down and taught him about the Book of Mormon. It was great and he committed to come to church! (More on that later.) The Baqueros are doing really well and it was fun to go out there and visit them again. They need the strengthening.
Friday we taught our three most positive investigators. First we taught Rida and she's still doing awesome. She watched Finding Faith in Christ and she loved all the miracles that Christ does. She's still working on developing faith that He's the Son of God. But everytime she talks about it she says "I don't believe in that yet." I love that she always says "yet!" She even said the closing prayer with us, which was a big step! After Rida we taught Daniel who likes to speak English. He's doing really well also and he'd even prayed since we last met with him! He said he might come to church sometime as long as he can bring a friend with him. We were happy to oblige. Then after that we taught Masoume again, with Mojgan on the phone to translate. We taught the word of wisdom. It was a little rough-she smokes a lot and drinks a lot of coffee-but luckily Mojgan was in the exact same situation before she got baptized, so she's perfect to help understand the blessings that come of it! Masoume said she wants to stop and she's going to try but it will take some time. PRAY FOR HER! She still wants to be baptized on May 31st if she's ready by then. It will take a lot of faith and prayers, but she can be ready.
Saturday we taught Jessica. She's doing well but she's pretty stubborn. Basically she said she'll come to church someday, but she has to wake up on Sunday morning and feel like going to church.
And Sunday. We were THIS CLOSE to having investigators in Sacrament meeting. It was ridiculous! Kam, the guy we taught at Södra Torget, actually showed up Sunday morning to take the bus with us. We rode the bus together and were walking to the church when he got a phone call and had to go because his friend was in the hospital. LAME! So we'll hopefully get him all the way in next Sunday. Masoume also came to church for Relief Society and Sunday School, but then she had to go home and take care of Helia because she was up to no good. So she left right before Sacrament Meeting. DOUBLE LAME! Rida couldn't come because she has this new job that she had to study for or something. And Jessica didn't wake up feeling like comeing to church. But it was a great meeting anyway. We taught Masoume again last night and Mojgan talked to her a lot then said "Sisters, I think this would be a really good time to teach the Law of Chastity." I think Masoume had just had a fight with her boyfriend so the Law of Chastity was even more powerful right then. It was scary to teach it without any preparation or even a pamphlet, but Mojgan did most of the teaching. At least I think they were talking about chastity. I don't know Persian. Masoume asked if there are any more commandments. Once we get past tithing we'll be home free. Again, PLEASE PRAY FOR MASOUME! She has the most sincere desire to be baptized and she definitely will be baptized. We're doing everything we can to help her prepare for May 31st.
Today we're going to Göteborg to go shopping at a place called Geckos(?) that's apparently really big and really cheap. So hopefully I can find some summery clothes I like. I can't believe Diane and Randy got a trampoline! Jump on it for me! Have a wonderful week and I'll see you on Sunday! Jag älskar er!
Love, Delaney
Delaney, Margarita, Sis. Haynes
