Äldste Charlie Baggett:Serving in Sweden: December 2016

Hey y'all! How is everything?

This week went actually super good! It was weird not being with my friends and family during the holidays, but Christmas at the MTC honestly can't be beat! First, even though I've only been gone for 2 weeks, it was really good to talk to my family! But, on Christmas Elder Dalin H. Oaks and his family came for our Sunday devotional. They spoke and played songs and it was so awesome! I loved it. Then Sunday night, we had a music devotional and David Archuletta came! I wasn't able to go though, Äldste Buchanan and I had to clean our room. You couldn't even walk in there is smelled so bad. I was really bummed, but everyone told us about it so that was cool!

So, I don't really have any funny stories this week, but just a cool experience, I had the opportunity to be a New Missionary Host yesterday! It was really cool to be on the other side and see all the new missionaries coming in they were all super cool! I could tell a lot of them were crazy nervous, especially the moms. haha but I did my best to tell them how great this place is! And I wasn't lying, this place it the best! The spirit is so strong every where you go!

This week, our Tuesday Devotional was Elder Arnold of the Seventy. When I first heard he was coming, not going to lie, I was kind of bummed because I had no idea who he was. but his talk was AMAZING. He is probably one of the best speakers I've ever heard! He talked a lot about returning home with honor and no regrets. I loved it. After we were all able to go up and shake his hand, so I did. Then after everyone left, our district was still talking. And he came up to us and chatted for a second. Then as we were leaving, he grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me dead in the eyes, and said "Elder, You can do it" Oh man it was so cool! It really makes me want to make him proud, even though he hardly even knows me. Another thing that stuck out to me during his talk, was when he said,"You don't have to be perfect, you just have to do your best, get back up and keep trying" and I love that, because its so true! We feel like we all have to be perfect. You don't! Just do you best and the Lord will make up for the rest.

Love you all and hope you have a great week and a fantastic New Year!

Godspeed,

-Äldste Baggett

It's a winter wonderland!

Christmas Day. From left to right, Elder McCarl, Buchanan, Me, Rumsey, Schwitters, Morgan and Hamp

The Swedish Crew!

3 Amigos

Vänner och Familj,

Well first week in the MTC has just been fantastic. It's been sooo much work, but so rewarding at the same time. I've been trying to decide how I wanted to do these group shindigs, and I think every week I will hit the ups and the downs, one funny story and a spiritual thought. I think that will be suffice. Oh and pictures. Mom said she wants pictures. If you have any questions or concerns you can bring it up with Tamara.

So this week. Wow, so much happened. First day you get thrown into this foreign place and you barely have enough time to get your head on straight before they take you to your first class. Where they speak nothing but Swedish. That was interesting. But I have loved every second of this place. I have the coolest Zone, District and Companion. Funny story about my comp, he is my cousin Hailey's, Fiance's Brother! Super weird. haha Speaking of the Weenigs, if anyone has Spencer's email, I need it. I met someone he knows from the Marshall Islands! Mom you'll be so proud of me. I woke up at 5:30 this morning to do my laundry, and I haven't even taken a nap yet. But since it's p-day, that will be happening shortly. So at the MTC, on your 3rd day, they have you teach a lesson in your mission language to an investigator. The first lesson was so bad. We had no idea what he was saying, and I'm sure he couldn't understand us. But he's been back twice, and were teaching him again tonight! He such a cool guy. He's from Boden, Sweden. But all I can say about that, is that the Gift of tongues is REAL. The first time I heard someone speak Swedish was 8 days ago. Now, I can pray and testify (very simply) IN SWEDISH. So cool. So we have had two Devotionals since I got here and here. At the MTC you don't know who is speaking until they walk in the door. SO Sunday when the Piano Guys walked in the door, I just about passed out. They spoke and performed for us and it was the mosh amazing experience. and on Tuesday, Elder Zwick of the Seventy and his wife spoke and it was so beyond cool to have a Prophet of God shake your hand and say, "I'm so proud of you" no other feeling like it.

So funny story, We were in our evening class on Monday, and their 3 hour long classes. So we were taking a break and all of us were messing around. In case you didn't know, missionaries are flippin' weird. Including myself. So we were all doing squats in the hall way, and Äldste Buchanan and I had the wonderful idea of putting in on my back to have some resistance right? And I'm sure you can guess what happened next, POP!! BAM!!, there goes the seat of my favorite pair of pants. It was really funny. Luckily, it just ripped on the seam. So it should be able to be fixed. So the next day, so Tuesday night, Sister Freestone, (our branch President's wife), was hanging out with us and I told her the story and she couldn't stop laughing. But the she asked where I got them, and I told her Jos. A. Bank. So she made me give her my pants and she's going to take them in and see if she can get me a new pair. She's so amazing.

On a spiritual note, Samuel Smith, Joseph and Hyrum's brother, was the first missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. If you haven't heard his story, I suggest you read it.

https://history.lds.org/article/samuel-smith-missionary-to-prophets?lang=eng

Super cool story. But in summary, he was one of the 8 witnesses. So while he was showing people the Book of Mormon, and they would say, of that's a bunch of crap, he would open up to the witness page and show them his name which was starred and underlined. And he would say, "look, I've seen the Golden plates, I KNOW they're true." He ended up converting Brigham Young so super cool. If you get a second, got read his full story. But I like to relate to us. We may not be one of the 3 of the 8 witnesses, but we can have our own true witness from Heavenly Father. We just have to pray sincerely to know of it truthfulness and we will receive an answer. When we share the Book of Mormon, we can tell people," I am a witness of this. I know it is true"

Sorry I know this is long, but I had a lot to say. haha Have a wonderful week and have a Very Merry Christmas.

Much Love,

Äldste Charlie Carl Baggett IV

This is our zone which consists of Scandinavian missionaries. There are six Swedes, seven Fins, two Nords, and a Dane. The one sister is Syster Olsen. (Charlie was friends with her in High School). She is what they call a solo missionary because she is the only sister to a scandinavial mission right now. All the elders call her "Mom". During the day her companions are the elders and at night she rooms with sisters going to the philippines.