This Week Has Been Amazing

I never see the sun set... It is still up when we go to bed and up way befoe I am!! It is cool.

This week has been amazing. Karlstad has been quite slow for a while and we have been needing some new investigators. So, we have spent time talking to old investigators, and talking to new people. It is amazing to see how when we trust in the Lord, he makes things happen and, when we follow instruction, blessings come. Last week when we got the weekly letter, I read through it. I was surprised to see that we were to challenge every investigator that we taught unless prompted not to. I wondered what would happen, but with my companion we decided to do it. The next day we went to teach Sasha. The teach started off really awkward and slow...but as we began to talk about God and what we believe, the spirit came and guided the discussion. We started talking about baptism, he told us that he had talked to Jehovas and they had said he would have to be baptized again, but he didn't like that. We began to explain what baptism really means, why it is important, and how Christ showed us how we should perform baptisms. he then told us that his baptism was wrong, that it was not good. Then, following promptings, and advice, we gave him the baptismal invitation. He accepted and was very excited! He started asking what he has to do to be baptized and what we believe. We taught the Word of Wisdom, he stopped everything on the spot and talked about how we would have to meet, come to church and everything. He was sooo excited, it was amazing. And the spirit was super strong as well!!! If all goes well, in two weeks time we will have had a baptism in Karlstad with Sasha!

I love seeing the Lord work miracles and me being able to help and to be there to witness the changes that happen in people.

It is amazing being able to learn and to grow, to be out in the field of the Lord, seeing how He works and shat it takes to help people to take off the blinders in life, to be able to see the whole perspective! I love this work and this opportunity!

May the Lord bless you all and keep you safe! I love you all very much and love hearing from you!

Love,
Aldste Maxwell

People Need an Example

My week has been good, as usual. After I tell you that Sweden is different than what is happening weather wise in New York, it is the same! It has gotten hot and I currently feel like the sweaty, nasty, damp...not too much fun. Especially since the deodorant they have here is nowhere near as effective! At least nothing I have yet found. The good thing is that outside it is usually windy and feels quite good... Though it makes it easy for the people to continue in their VERY immodest wear... but that is just another thing that Satan tries to use against his servants. IT WON'T WORK!!!

This past week has been good! All of our investigators have begun the "avoid missionary/too busy" stage and so we have had a slower time. I got to go on splits to Jonkopping though and teach, which went amazing, and got in contact with several super positive people, inviting to church and getting people to come to play basketball with us later that night!!! It was amazing! Now I just need to figure out how can we make that happen in Karlstad? We have begun talking to more people, we need some new investigators, people that want to make progress and join the church, learn of Christ! It is hard watching people turning away an opportunity to be really happy!

Today me and my companion were stopped by a man on the street, usually that is really good, so I was getting excited. Then, after he finished his other conversation, he turned to us and said, "To me, you are Al Quaeda". That was quite shocking, I have to say. He went on explaining that we do the same things as they do, that we teach religion and if people attacked us we would also become aggressive and kill people like them. At that point, me and my companion knew that it was pointless to counter what he said, and let him finish his rant about how we are evil and telling us to leave religion, to do something else. I am sad to see people like that who are so confused in the world. It is sad to see the hold Satan has on people, the ability that he has to blind them from the truth, and make them unwilling to even see the truth when it is given to them!!

In this world people need an example, they need someone to follow. They are not willing to follow Christ, but they see us every day. As members of the Church we covenant to take upon us the name of Christ. As they are not willing to look for Christ, we must do our duty and show them who Christ is through our own lives. I know that it is not easy to be perfect! I am myself far from perfect. But it is easy to smile! It is easy to say hello to someone, ask how they are doing! It doesn't take much! And who cares if it is "weird", what isn't "weird" about who we are, what we stand for? I know that people notice us, and all the things that we do. They know who we are. Be different! Be happy! Show everyone that we have something, because we really do have an amazing gift! And they do want it! And we want to share it! How is that for babbling? ha ha, I know this church is true, it is truly a church of happiness, of peace and service.

I am very grateful for all the examples that I have had through my life, the people that taught me truth and were able to help me understand who I am. I love being a missionary, it is the best feeling in the world to share the message, and even when rejected, I know we are blessed! It is never bad to be rejected, they just don't understand or are not ready, but the time will come and they will remember!

Love You!
Aldste Maxwell

This Week Has Been Really Good

This week has been really good. I started making smoothies again, made a really good one last night!!! I found one of the stick blender things in the apartment, forgot what it is called in English... but it works really well! I also had a raspberry chicken (like we made, but not quite as good) And last night I made gourmet Ham and Cheese! ha ha It was really good, I enjoy cooking. My companion is scared of my food though, he doesn't know what I am doing with it! Like, I put spinach in the smoothie....ewww! and raspberry reduction sauce = raspberry stuff. It is okay though, I cook for me and he cooks for himself, he told me that is how he has always been with his companions. I can live off about 200 crowns a week for food! and it is good food too!!! I made broccoli too, I never thought I would have missed it that much!

I am continually finding more answers to my prayers, and being blessed by the Lord. In the past week there have been at least three people who have contacted me! I had never had that happen so far, but it is awesome! I was able to teach several new people and had a great time! One of them was on the bus back from Filipstad, we had gone to visit a less active family.

We got on the bus and it started going... I decided I had to use the restroom and so got up, told my companion and went to the little restroom in the back of the bus, it was just like in and airplane...tiny. Anyways, on the way back to my seat a guy asked me a question, I didn't understand at first, but soon figured out he had asked if i was a seller. (Woo Hoo!) I, of course, said I was a missionary. He told me he was a seller, along with four others with him, I, taking advantage of the situation, began talking to him and the others. (So far all in Swedish) He asked questions about me, missionaries, the church and what I did. I asked questions about him, what he believed and why. It was a great conversation and I really had a lot of fun. About half way through he told me I could switch to English if it were easier, so I did, his English was amazing. Anyways, I taught a lot and learned a lot, he had heard about our church because everyone asks him if he is one of the Mormons when he knocks on doors.... so he had a few questions about what we believed and a lot about why I would be doing what I do as a missionary, especially since I don't get paid in any way! (He didn't think blessings counted) Anyways, before I knew it the bus ride was over (it was over an hour long), I had some new friends, and we parted ways.

I ran up by my companion, got my bag, and on the way off the bus waved back to the others, they all waved back and my companion was super surprised! He didn't know what I had been doing the whole time! He was like, "How many people were you talking with? The whole back of the bus waved when you left! " That was truly an answer to my prayers because I was contacted by him and then given tho opportunity to talk in Swedish and teach- and all on the bus! I am going to try to do that a lot more, it is fun talking to people on the buses and a lot better than just staring off into space for an hour!

Jag vet att Gud lever. Han verkligen alskar var och en av hans barn. Det ar spannande for mig att lara mig om evangeliet, att Gud vill hjapla alla oss. Han sande hans son att lida for vara synder att vi maste inte. Jesus Kristus ar min fralsare och van. Jag kan inte allting men som Nephi sade jag vet att Gud alskar oss. Han kannar till vara provningar, han kan hjalpa om vi lat honom. Jag vill lara mig allt som jag kan medan jag ar pa min mission eftersom jag vet att det har ar livs chans. Dar finns manga saker som Gud vet sa att vi maste forlita oss pa honom i allting. Gud hor vara boner, och nar vi be med tro ska han gor vad han vill att hjalpa genom dem svart tider.

Jag alskar alla er! Jag hoppas att ne har det bra denna vecka!
Aldste Maxwell

(Note from Mom: I hope his testimony translates well for you, the way he wrote it, it translated well but I don't have all the correct accents/letters on my keyboard.)

Still an Answer

This week we had Grens Konferens (branch conference). It was amazing! First, we filled the chapel, I believe about half were people from the stake but it was still awesome! (and it was 2 1/2 hours) I loved it! I don't know if it is just because I am biased or anything but most of what they talked about was missionary work as a branch, to find people. And temples, I really miss the temple already... Overall, the spirit was powerful and the fact that there were people made it even better. It was a lot nicer being able to have a lot of people to sing!

So, this past week we spent most of our time with less actives and trying to get a hold of all of our investigators...I don't know why people try to avoid us, it just makes it hard on them when they see us around! They get all guilty looking and try to get away again as soon as possible! Not the way to live. Anyways, last week I had good food, made banana crumb muffins, they are really good. My companion doesn't like bananas either so...I had to eat them all.

Yesterday, after Grens Konferens, we had dinner with most of the branch and stake people. Good food, nice people, and Nicholas got his temple recommend! He is going on his mission soon, it is all really exciting. Then we went to try to get a hold of some of our investigators in Skoghall, no one was there or just didn't want to talk to us... we went back to Karlstad and tried talking to people...no one was very interested. I decided that I would contact the next people we met on our side of the street. I saw a couple walking down the street, contacted them and they were really nice but not interested. They continued to talk with us for a couple minutes though, asked some questions, and asked a little about us (they could tell we were foreigners). They asked how long we had been in Sweden, and when I answered they didn't believe it! That made my day! They didn't think it was possible that I could know so much Swedish in that time! I told them that we get a lot of help. They asked some questions about the church and then continued on their way. They didn't want to meet again, but that was still an answer for me. I felt like Heavenly Father had sent them to help me. It was reassurance that my efforts are paying off, that I am able to communicate, and that I am doing what He wants me to do. I am so grateful that little things like that happen, that I can know someone above really, really loves me. I know that He is there, that He does want to help me, to help everyone and will make sure we are taken care of.

I am glad that I am here to serve and to continue to learn. I have had great examples in my life and I want to make sure that I fill my potential, living up to my rights and privileges as a tool and servant in the Lord's hands.

I am always amazed by the things that seem so little, but can mean so much to others. I love smiling at the Swedish people. There are very few that smile, so when I smile at someone and say "Hi", I get quite a variety of responses, from confusion, ecstatic smiles and happy reply - to those that push it away, avoid eye contact, and do not respond. The smiles back are my favorite, especially when mixed with surprise! It is cool to watch someone change from gloomy to happy and full of energy. Plus, it is easy to smile!

Thanks again for everything and all your prayers! Prayer is powerful, especially when you believe that it does make miracles happen.

Love you all!
Austin/Aldste Maxwell

Testimony

I am loving my time here searching for the people who do have their hearts softened and are seeking for the truth. I love the scriptures more than I ever have in my whole life! It is like they just came alive and that I am able to understand them so much better than ever before! I am so glad to have been raised in our family, to have a father and mother who taught me everything that is the most important in life: I was taught to read the scriptures, to pray to our Father in Heaven. I too pray every day that I can do more of what God wants me to do, to become his servant, and take none of the glory, for I know that I am nothing and that all that is done is done by God with his power. I know that My Redeemer lives, that He really did suffer for all of us, that we can make mistakes and be forgiven, that we can progress and do more, be better!!!

My Week was Great!

My week was great! It is rainy here now. Sweden is very interesting weather wise, it is unpredictable but nice. Mostly we have been getting sun, recently it cooled off a little and we got some rain, and then it will probably be sunny again. I have heard that they get thunder and lightening, though I do not believe that it is very common. (Meaning that I have not seen or heard either myself while being here.) I do enjoy a good thunder and lightening, it is always fun to watch and there is just a power in the sound.

I am sorry if I am beginning to make less sense. I was told yesterday that I said something very Swedish, grammatically anyways.

We taught about 11 lessons this week I believe, which was pretty good for Karlstad. We talked to most all of our investigators and got back in touch with some old investigators. One of the investigators is a little crazy. ... the branch mission leader started laughing and shaking his head when he saw the name in our report on Sunday. It was funny. We knocked on her door, she opened it and let us in. We basically had to crawl over an old couch and other junk to make it into the kitchen, which was a disaster, there was a rabbit cage on the ground...there was some rotting vegetables inside it and basically all over the floor. I never saw the rabbit though, or whatever it was that lives/lived in there. Anyways, we started listening to the lady (listening because she did all the talking) and she covered a lot! She began talking about some person that she believed in...I think he basically claimed to be a Christ or a similar thing to Christ, and she believed in what he wrote, or something like that, it was all in Swedish and she jumped around so much that I have no idea what she was really talking about. Of course she also talked about other things too, like the space brothers and how she went to see them, but you can't really see them with our natural eyes. She wondered if they needed some type of money to go back home and if that was why they are here. She told us about the space ship she saw and that she wanted to be baptized , but that she would have to stop drinking tea and coffee first, and then she talked about the first guy again, most of the same.... And then her husband went past the kitchen and opened the front door then went back in to watch TV...she continued to talk, he came and told us to leave, returned to the TV, and she continued to talk, and he came back to tell us to leave and that he did not believe in our church because God, the Holy Ghost and Jesus Christ were three and that doesn't work, so he doesn't believe in God... he was drunk I think, he also looked deathly sick. I am guessing that he has been drunk for years and undernourished too. Anyways we left and that was about it.... That was an exciting day.

I contacted a lot of people and had some fun responses. Sooooo many people believe in God and know that he is really there but do not want to admit it because they know that means they will have to change their lifestyle.

Food was generally pretty normal this week. Oh, Monday we visited a Bangladeshi investigator, he fed us, good food, almost like Indian, maybe better. They gave us some drink stuff, it looked like some kind of smoothie, I was thinking blueberry...he said it was to help with digestion so you can eat more. So I tried it, he said he thought we would like it. It was nasty. I am sure there was no fruit in it, if there was milk, it was definitely sour. It was kind of like drinking sour cream but didn't taste as good. Plus, he had given me a whole cupful!!!! It was great, I downed it as fast as I could, it took a couple goes... then at good curry chicken and rice to forget about it.

My new companion told me that he has always eaten separately with all his other companions, so i am now cooking for myself! I think that is good and bad, first, I can eat more of what I want. Second, I don't need to worry about what he likes or doesn't like. But it is really weird. He will never be in the kitchen when I am, so if I cook my food and eat it at the table, he waits until I am done and have done the dishes, and go to study or something else before he even goes in! He is a very quiet person, coming from me that is a lot! Really though he is a nice person, he talks a little more now with me when we are in the apartment or walking around. I have no idea what he did before coming on his mission, other than he is trying to major in theater, as a light tech. Members have even asked him what he likes to do and he has never answered them. So, that is my goal. I am going to find a way in and see who he is!

I have not done much sightseeing on p-days, I would like to go out and do more of that but my companions, so far don't seem to want to. There is a lot of water here, lakes and rivers galore! And, as a missionary I try to stay away... I might fall in... ha ha...

I even got a dryer hug today!!! (Pretending it was from you of course) So thanks for teaching me that! It is an easy way to remember being home for a little, not that I am homesick, this is too much fun right now!

Overall, a lot is happening and miracles are everywhere!

Love,
Aldste Maxwell

No Longer a Greenie!

All is great, yesterday was definitely exciting waiting for president to call with our transfer information. I am staying in Karlstad and getting a new companion. Aldste Rice... I think that is how it is spelled. I am super excited, first, I am no longer a greenie! Second, I get a new companion. Third, well, I am really starting to love the people here! I am finally learning my way around Karlstad and getting to know the people, plus we are getting some people who are really positive.

Swedish is becoming a lot easier to understand and I am beginning to develop my vocabulary. Still working on pronunciation in conversation, but I have a bit more time to work on it.

I get my new companion tomorrow. As I will be staying in Karlstad, I will most likely not be on a bike.... I still have not even seen a missionary bike. Transportation by bus here is a lot more affective, and is very good... So that is what we use the majority of the time - that, trains or little tram things in Goteborg.

Last Friday was Valborg, a holiday to basically do spring cleaning and begin yard work from what I understood. They have bonfires and help each other clean, of course, it is more of an excuse to get drunk. It is hard to talk to people when they are drunk.

This week was a lot of fun, we had our last district meeting before the transfers, that was fun but a little sad. It was also the most interesting so far... Elder Chipman was in charge of the activity, he brought some Chinese treat from one of their investigators... It was a bunch of little packets with .... guess first.... duck tongues!! So, he gave us a packet each and said, enjoy!! proceeding to open his, put it in his mouth, take some pictures and then eat it!!! I thought that was absolutely disgusting... especially when I found out there were bones and tendons and such which you can eat but don't have to if you don't want. I watched him and then our district leader eat them, then I opened my packet took out one tongue, gave it to Elder Lindford, and then took out another for me! Got people ready with my camera - and took a bite! It was not too bad, ...until I got a little bone... but I did eat duck tongue... I did not eat the whole thing, just the softer fleshy front part, not the sinews and tendons in the back.... That was exciting.

I had a great week, I think that every week of service is amazing! I am always amazed when I think about the day and all that has happened - how much we really are blessed! I have loved every day here, they have been challenging and a trial at times, but those are the times when we grow the most, right? I love missionary work! I love to see the changes that it can bring to people's lives.