Week 98 - Great week!

Hello again my friends!

Another week in the books here in Sundsvall! Great week as usual! Since last Monday, not too much has changed. We haven't seen the sun and it hasn't stopped raining all week! So that's cool I guess. Haha nah, it really has been a good week. Maybe we can hit some highlights! I got a much needed haircut last Monday. We had our regular lessons, as well as met with some new people! We had coordination meeting. Went out with our ward mission leader and visited some members, had district meeting, FHE, we were able to get out and work on the farm!! And had a party with the branch. :) and knocked a lot of doors! Awesome week really.

So, Saturday was an awesome day. We were able to spend a ton of time with the members! The district president (stake president) here in Norrland lives in our branch. And he owns a farm!! His wife has been in the hospital and he hasn't been able to do a lot of work at home. We were able to offer our four hands to head out there and help! We moved a lot of stuff, fed some horses, took out trash and helped him prep for winter! It felt great to get out and get our hands dirty! It was also super cool to talk with him and get to know him better. He is a STUD. :) that evening, we had a branch party! There are about 20 or so Persian members in the branch, so they wanted to put on a "culture night"! They made Iranian food, we danced, we played games. Man it was a riot I tell ya! Sometimes I honestly wonder what country I am serving in. Haha they made SO MUCH FOOD and gave the missionaries ALL of the extras. Haha I don't know how or if we will eat it all. Biggest legends. We had a few of our friends who were able to come. We also had like 10 less active members there! So I would say it was a success!!

This week I was also able to give a talk in sacrament meeting! I used to HATE giving talks man. Haha absolute worst. But, now that I have done it more I have grown to tolerate it. :) still not my favorite thing, but, it's coming. And I do love how much I learn every time. :) but I was asked to speak about the Book of Mormon and what it means to me. Sweet! Preparing for my talk, I was able to think back to when I remember taking Moroni's challenge (Moroni 10:3-5) to heart and receiving an answer about the Book of Mormon. It was so cool! As I thought about it, so many of the feelings I had then came back to me and it was another confirmation to me that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God. I would invite you all this week to think back to your conversion or your turning point or your answer; whatever you call it. And write it down! As you do, you will be able to have those same feelings and it will give you the spiritual boost you need to keep going! :)

Short guy this week, but like always I hope y'all have a great week! And Keep the Faith!

Love,

Elder Baggett

Week 97 - Halloween in Sweden

Hey everyone!

Yet another week in the books! A great one here in Sundsvall as usual. :) Really not too much out of the ordinary, just a lot of missionary work! Surprise, that's what I've been doing for the past 2 years. :) lol no, but this week, we had quick a few lessons! The usual people as well as a few new! Man, I love teaching people about the gospel. That which has given me the most happiness in my life and being able to give that to others. Amazing. :) we did some service at a members home. They're building onto their house and we when over there twice to help him put up insulation and dry wall. Way fun! Love being able to work with my hands. :) This last Wednesday was Halloween, not my favorite holiday in the world. Haha but it's not a super big holiday here, but there are some Canadians in the world that set up a little trick or treat for the ward, so we were able to head out there and help out. Loads of fun! Fun to see all my little friends dressed up! We had one member meal and we had choir after church which was sweet. Mom knows how much I love choir. Haha. Then the rest of the week was filled with finding! Knocking doors and talking to people in the streets. :) great week I would say!

Cool story! So on Saturday, we were out knocking doors, and we found this neighborhood with some way sweet houses. We knocked a few, not too many home which was kind of interesting. But we kept going. We knocked on this house and we start talking to this lady, she was putting up a wall and being kinda sassy at first. Then we just starting talking about life, she opened up and said that her sister was a member in the states! She said that she is with another church but knows "all about us" hahah nah, she invited us in, we talked and she showed us pictures, she even took us to her backyard and showed us where her and her husband grow grapes. Let us try some. Way yummy. :) and showed us where they make wine as well! Way nice lady. Said she wasn't too interested in the church, but who knows what will happen in the future!

This week for some reason, nearly every lesson we taught, it somehow came back to receiving personal revelation! It was kind of cool. We were able to invite all of them to read president Nelsons talk from April general conference. So that means I got to read it myself as well! And as I read, I thought a lot about how having the spirit with me and a companion, a guide, a comforter has truly blessed my life! I am so grateful that we have a loving heavenly father who trusts us enough to allow us to make our own decisions. I know that God and Jesus christ live! And love each and everyone of us. I know the holy spirit is there guiding our thought and actions. As long as we stay worthy, he will ALWAYS be with us. :) listen for the small promptings you receive and act on them! You will be blessed for it. :)

Well my lovelies, I hope you have a fantastic week! I love you and miss you so much! Thanks for you love and prayers. :) As always Keep The Faith!! :)

Love,

Elder Baggett 

Week 96 - Snow!

Hello my wonderful friends and family!!

Hope y'all have had a great week! This week has been a crazy/ slow/ fast but overall really good week. :) first and foremost, we had transfers this week! Tuesday evening elder Dumas came in and we sent off elder Nelson on Wednesday! Kind of weird to send him off, I feel like we have been companions forever!! Crazy. Once we were back to "normal" we had a sweet week! We have had lots of time to find! We knocked quite a few doors and it felt great to be out. It had finally been getting cold and it even SNOWED!! Exciting. It was only a trace, but better than nothing. :) we met an amazing family!! Elder Nelson and I knocked into her but she was busy, she said to come back. We came back, talked a while at the door about eternal families then she said that we could come back!! So tomorrow is the day! We're way excited. :)) we had a few lessons with some members that don't come so often, we had a few lessons with the usual people. We had interviews with president which was sweet as always. We had a district leader training and ALL of my companions who are still in the field were there. So that was cool too see them. Over Skype, but still. Cool. :) Nothing too crazy. but sometimes, no news is good news right? Haha

Way fun story from this week, so on Saturday, one of the members here, safwan, wanted to invited us over for dinner and invite his neighbors. He said, they're from Africa. Come and speak english with them. :) so we did! And they were some of the funniest people I've ever met! We just laughed the whole time. And they even pointed out that they saw a light in us that they have never seen before. And we were able to talk more about the church and they loved it! We're going to get them some book of Mormons is Swahili and meet them again! People notice a difference in us! Make sure you are being a good example and representing your brother, Jesus christ, in the best way possible. :)

Elder Nelson and I also had a WAY cool experience last Monday. P-day ends at 18 and we work for the rest of the night. We had kind of a hard time choosing where to go. We prayed, then decided where we would go. It was a neighborhood we have been knocking for a while and we're just about done with, but thought it would be good. We get there, and got to work. We did our best but the first 30 doors or so shut us down. To say the least. Haha we kept our heads up feeling like something was coming. We then knocked on number 5 (thanks JP) and we introduced the book of Mormon. He said I'll give you 5 minutes. Come in. So we went in and he invited the rest of his family as well! Only 1 of his daughters came (the others were busy) we talked about the Book of Mormon and gave him one. He said, I'm scared to take it because I know I am going to get stuck in it and read the whole thing. Elder Nelson and I looked at each other and just grinned from ear to ear. We talked a little more and he said, the only reason I let you in was 40 years ago (he was 7 or 8 at the time) I lived in a place called Sollefteå. And I remember the missionaries! They were so nice. But I never knew what they actually did. But now I do. :) he invited us back to teach him and his family!!! So amazing. People are being prepared. 

We never know what effect we have on people. :) he met missionaries 40 years ago! And those missionaries have now idea the effect they had. It reminds me of the story of Abinadi and Alma. Abinadi died thinking he didn't convert a soul. If I were him I probably would have felt like I failed. But after he was gone, someone he taught became truly converted and he became an AMAZING missionary converting thousands as well as a prophet. Be an example! Plant seeds. Prepare others and help them along their path. :)

I was reading in the Doctrine and Convents and came across a few verses that I thought were really cool. :) it's in section 101:13-16 and it says, "13 And they that have been scattered shall be gathered. 14 And all they who have mourned shall be comforted. 15 And all they who have given their lives for my name shall be crowned. 16 Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God. " I love the hope is gives. No matter the hare things we go through we can" be still and know that he is God!" and we will provide. :)

Well, I love ya and miss ya tons! I hope y'all have another great week and a Happy Halloween! And I know it's not until Sunday, but Happy Birthday dad! You're the best! :) keep the faith and you'll hear from me in a week!

Love,

Elder Baggett 

Week 95 - Transfer Week! Last one!!

Hey everyone!

Sorry about last week, it was a crazy day. So I am writing this first today so I don't run out of time. :) BIG NEWS!! Transfer week! I will officially be ending my mission here in Sundsvall and the legendary elder Dumas will be coming here to finish me off. I've met him a few times before. Beast. Haha Elder Nelson will be heading to the promised land of Göteborg!! Lucky man. :) anyways. Let's tell you what happened this week. Last Monday, the reason we ran out of time to write was because the sisters were hanging out with a member and wanted us to come with. This member is a certified capoeira(this Brazilian martial arts thing) teacher so we did some with her! It was pretty sweet!! Good workout too. Haha I will sent pics and videos. That what happened Monday. The rest of the week was pretty normal. Nothing too crazy happened. Actually! We taught a good load of lessons this week!! Like 8 or something. So that was really cool. We taught everything from the restoration to repentance and the gift of the holy ghost. Man I love teaching. Just seeing people understanding and their excitement to change is so cool. :) love it. We were able to extend a baptismal date with a fellow named Mikael. For the 15 Dec!! He is so awesome. He is so excited. :) we had a member meal, we had coordination meeting with our awesome ward mission leader. It was Sister Nilssons birthday. So I guess there was stuff that happened this week. :) we sure do have a good time here. I love Sundsvall!!

Funny story from this week, we were out tracting, and it was like 7 or so in the evening. It was dark and we were kinda tired, but laughing and having a good time. Elder Nelson takes this door and the guy answers and just about as confident and you can be says, "God morgon!" which means good morning! Haha the guys face was priceless. Elder Nelson was good about it and laughed it off and kept talking We talked to him for a solid 10 minutes. Really nice guy! So moral of the story, if you don't have anything to say, say good morning. :)

This week, I guess in the past 2 weeks or so I have started the Book of Mormon from the beginning and am going to finish before I get home. I absolutely love the Book of Mormon. The simple truth it testifies of the spirit that it brings. I LOVE IT. But yesterday, I  came across a passage. It's actually my mission scripture! 2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." and it was a good reminder to me that everything we are doing is for Christ! The church is his and I testify of that. That is why there is such a focus on the name of his church. I love the gospel and I love Christ!! :) if there is one thing I have come to learn on my mission is Christ lives, and he loves each and every one of us. :)

Well, I hope y'all have a great week! Love you tons. Keep the Faith and do what you know to be right and you will be blessed for it! You hear from me soon!

Love,

Elder Baggett

Week 94 - No email :(

Sorry ran out of time for a group email.. But I will write a good one next week! :) sent pics though. Enjoy! Thanks! Love you. ️