Safe arrival of your missionary

Dear Parents,

We wanted to let you know that your missionary arrived safely in Sweden this morning. They were in good spirits and excited to be here. We will be e-mailing you some pictures in a few days and your missionary will be e-mailing you on Monday.

Syster Clouse

Correspondence Secretary

Here are the new missionaries in front of the famous Stadshus in Stockholm

Arrival

Gamla Stan

Week 6- Last P-Day in America!

Wow! Crazy to think that I will be heading to the airport to fly to the coolest country ever! Well behind America of course.  This week, we sent off the rest out zone, it was really sad to see them go, but I am so excited to hear about their adventures in Finland and Denmark!  As for the Nords and the Swedes, we head out Monday morning at 4:30 a.m.! Yesterday, we got some new missionaries in our zone! 5 new Danes and 5 new Finns to replace the old ones.  They're all way cool and super fun. I'm kind of bummed we only get to hang out with them for 4 days, but what can you do?

So, this week was awesome devotional wise. We were able to hear from Bishop Waddell, 2nd Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric. He is so awesome! He talked a lot on a quote Elder Bednar said a while back, "Start right, Stay right and Finish right" He also talked about the difference between an inward and an outward missionary.  It was nice to be able to humble myself and look at what I am doing wrong and fix that rather than looking at what others are doing wrong.  He said two things that really stood out to me. They were, "Seek and ye shall find whether it be for the good or the bad" so true! If you look for the good in someone or something, that is what you will find! Same goes the other way around, if you look for the bad, that is what you'r going to find.  The next one is "How can you expect a perfect companion if you're not one yourself"  I invite you all this week to seek out the best in people! Look to their strengths, not their weaknesses.

Yesterday, we had a Worldwide Missionary Broadcast held by the Executive Missionary Council. It was super cool to hear all of their insights on missionary work.  They also made a few changes! So now instead of having 9 "key indicators" (the numbers that we send into church head quarters) We only have 4. They also changed the schedule a bit. Now it's a lot more on the missionary on when to do things. Not everything is so set in stone. P-days we get a little more time and best of all, we can now go to bed at early as 9:30!! Never in my life I thought I would say that. I'm so drained by the end of the day, I can't wait to get to sleep. 

Other than that, pretty normal week here at the MTC! It's weird to already be packing up and getting ready to leave! Sometimes I feel like I just got here, and other times I feel like I have been here for 2 years! I'm so excited to get back out into the real world and teach the people of Sweden!  Pretty soon I will be one of the chosen frozen :) 

Have a great week! and Keep the Faith

Us and our teacher Brother Cheney

The Scandinavian Zone together for the last time.

The Swedes.

Me, Elder Fielding, Sister Zander and ??

Week 5...of 104 LOL!!

Hey everyone!

How are things? I don't have much time today, so I'll keep this short.  This week was okay not going to lie. It is definitely hard to be with the same group of people for this long.  I'm sure I'll get used to it.  But there were some highlights! The rest of our zone got their flight plans last Friday so they leave on Monday! Super sad for them to leave, but way excited for them to get out there and to hear about all of their adventures!  Also, we should be getting our flight plans soon, which is super exciting! We only have 11 days left here which is crazy to think.

Some funny stories from this week, so since all the Finns are moving out on Monday, We get to inherit all their crap. But, there is some good stuff like a giant NERF gun. And random stuff like that.  When you are on a mission, you get really excited about small things. Also, today, during our free time, we decided to make a Steam Room in the bathroom! It was totally wicked. We covered up the air vents and closed the curtains turned the water heat up all they way and sat in there for like 45 minutes. It was wonderful. haha. Elder Buchanan was able to fit 52 cheese-its in his mouth just about an hour ago. It was awesome.

Spiritual Thought for the week, I was reading in the Second Chapter of Mosiah, if you have the chance, I highly suggest you read that.  But its the story of King Benjamin on the tower. It's so awesome how he is this very wealthy and powerful king, yet he is so humble! He teaches people about service towards the Lord as well as others. One of my favorite chapters of Mormons Bok (sounds weird to call is the Book of Mormon anymore haha) seriously so awesome! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Learn lots, keep the faith, be humble and stay out of trouble.  Especially you JP. haha

Love,

Elder Charlie Carl Baggett IV

Sweden, Stockholm Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Äldste Buchanan and I.

We're leaving to SWEDEN!!
Top: Liljenquist.Me, Peterson
Bottom: McCarl, Buchanan and Schwitters

Companions for a a time...Brothers for Eternity!

It's getting real!  We are ready to get the heck outa here!

Elder Fielding Brother Neillson (He's just like Chris Farley) and myself.

Week 4- MTC Already 4 weeks down!

Hi everyone! 

Kind of crazy to think that I've been here for 4 weeks! It is hard to be cooped up in here, but I am learning so much! 18 days and I get to get out of here! This week was so slow.. It felt like an eternity. But I made it to another P-Day so that's good! This week Elder Buchanan and I were assigned to be the Zone Leaders of the Scandinavian zone which is pretty cool! Its weird I have to carry a phone around with me know and it throws me off sometimes. Then again, it can only call the front desk. LOL. Some of the Elders have been here of 8 weeks and they're looking to us for advice and council and it seems weird, but I love to help people! 

This week, we are getting a new MTC presidency so we had a special Devotional where Elder Neil L. Anderson and 6 of the First Quorum of the Seventy and it was so cool. He had such an amazing message for all of us, and after he even walked around and shook all the missionaries hands that he could! It was really cool. Elder Arnold was even there again! I got to talk to him for a few seconds again which was awesome :)

So yesterday, we were in class and we were talking about the Atonement and we were reading a verse in Isaiah Chapter 1 verse 18. It talks about how even though our sins be a scarlet they can be as white as snow. Somewhere along those lines. One of my favorite verses. But Elder McCarl, he always comes up with an analogy for everything, says "Christ's Atonement is like the ultimate "SHOUT" it gets all the stains out" and we all busted out laughing! It is so true though. (Dad, I thought you would like this story) haha. 

Well that's all I have for this week! I hope you all have a wonderful week! I would love to hear from you guys if you would like to shoot me a quick note :) Love you all and don't forget to keep the faith!

Love, 

Elder Charlie Carl Baggett IV

Sweden, Stockholm Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Back: Peterson, Liljenquist. Buchanan
Front: Me, McCarl and Schwitters

PDay at the temple

Our classroom

Buchanan and I

The entire Scandinavian Zone with the stars that my mom made.

Elder Bailey, Elder Baggett, Elder White, and Sister Olsen.  Bingham friends in the MTC

Always love to run into friends at the MTC!

Week 3- MTC

Well, this week was an adventure! Everyone in my zone told me that the third week here at the MTC is the hardest and it definitely was! I was tired all week and it seemed like it drug on forever! But I made it through, so were all good now :) haha Remember how I ripped both of my suits? Yeah I'm still mad about that by the way. My wonderful mother got right on it and sent me a new one! She's so great! Thanks mom! And it fits perfect without it even being tailored HUGE tender mercy :)

So this week, as you guys know it snowed a ton! and I love it :) but the other night, it was some of the BEST snowball snow I have ever seen. So obviously, as soon as we got out of class which is at 21:30 everyone rushed outside and had a massive snowball fight! It was grand. People were slipping and getting tackled in the snow keep in mind everyone is in shirt and tie and dresses. haha it was a blast. ( and no mom I wasn't wearing my new suit, don't worry)

Sister Oscarson, the General Young Women's President, was at our Tuesday Devotional! She is so awesome!  Whenever anyone comes to speak to us, they all give a shoutout to where they served. So her husband served 3 missions in Sweden and She served 2! So cool! So at the beginning of her talk she said,"Where are the Swedes at?" and we were literally sitting on the front row, we all raised our hands and felt special for like 10 seconds. It was fun :) Then after we went up and shook her hand and spoke a bit of Swedish! But she talked how we can get the most out of our missions and I really enjoyed it and learned a lot! :)  All the visitors we have here are super awesome :)

During my personal study, I set a goal for myself to finish the Book of Mormon before I get to Sweden! In order to do that, I have to read 8 chapters a day, while getting the most out of it I can! Its a pretty hefty goal, but I think I can do it. This week, I was reading in 2 Nephi in Chapter 9 verse 45 and it reads " O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake of the chains of him that bind you fast; come unto God who is the rock of your salvation." I love that so much! It is so true! No matter what you have done in the past, you can ALWAYS be forgiven. My new favorite Hymn in number 243, Let us all press on. I invite you all to read and ponder the words of that song. It is seriously the best message!

Love you all and hope you have a great week!

Godspeed!

Love,

Elder Charlie Carl Baggett IV

The Scandinavian Crew.

Me and Äldste Fielding chillin' with the cheese can.

Week 2- MTC

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

Week 1-MTC Check!

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. 

It's official

The District, plus some. From left to right, Me, Peterson, McCarl, Rumsey, Morgan, Hamp, Schwitters, Liljenquist, and my companion Buchanan.

Christmas lights at the MTC!

Pondering.

Vanhin Fielding and I <3 (Vanhin is "Elder" in Finnish)

The District, Me, Äldste Buchanan, McCarl, Schwitters, Liljenquist and Peterson

My companion Äldste Buchanan.

A package from Keira.

LOL.  No comment!

And you wonder why your suits are ripping?? (Comment from the Mamma)