Christmas in Sodertalje Sweden

 Sankta Lucia

  Elder Jones and I on Santa's lap

Christmas decorations close to where we live

Me and the guys at the Christmas party

 Hej Family and Friends,

    Merry Christmas!  Christmas is getting closer and closer but still no snow that's sticking to the ground.  Very weird for Sweden, but I'm sure we'll not be sorry for a shorter winter. Yet winter has just started so who knows.  As long as there is permanent snow for Christmas we'll all be happy.  

     This last week, we had the opportunity to participate in the ward Christmas party and to see the Sa
nkta Lucia ceremony in the Swedish church.  The ward Christmas party was wonderful.  I know how important a ward family means to so many but I was reminded of it again.  It makes me happy to realize that I have a family to spend Christmas with no matter where I am around the world.  The St. Lucia festival was amazing.  It was cool to see more of the Swedish culture and some of their Christmas traditions.

   The work is still going very well.  Hopefully, we have someone getting baptized on the twenty-eighth of this month.  But it is depends on whether or not they can quite drinking before then.  They have a firm testimony of the church and the Book of Mormon but they just need to begin to live the commandments in order to be baptized.  We have others who should be baptized soon.  I'm so happy to have the opportunity to serve and to try to help people change their lives for the better but the real change comes from within.  I'm really grateful that I get to be a missionary during this Christmas time.  When I focus on the true meaning of the season I can feel myself grow closer to my Savior.

   Yesterday was definitely hard.  I got bad food poisoning and was throwing up most of the day.  As I got to rest I thought it would be good to stay in and rest but it didn't feel good.  About halfway through the day, I woke up feeling a bit better and had to go out.  Even when sick it didn't feel good being inside when we should be out trying to reach others.  Even though, I was still feeling bad we did as much as I could.  I woke up today a hundred percent better and so thankful for my health and ability to go out and serve others.   

Puss och Kram,

   Äldste Moe 

A plan for success

Hej everyone, 

     I must apologize that I haven't done the blog justice of late.  There hasn't been a lot of down time.  Most of my time on preparation day has been running around to get ready for the coming week and trying to find a little time to relax and refill the battery.  But being busy isn't necessarily a bad thing.  We have a lot to do and tons of work right now.  We are working with quite a few people who are getting close to baptism.  Sometimes in can be frustrating when people don't do the really simple things they say they will.  We just have to remember that everyone has their agency and can choose for themselves.  Although we know something is better for someone we have no right to impose it upon them.  I just think about the capacity for frustration God has with us. 

    We have been seeing blessings this last week and I have found my personal formula for doing hard things.  This is something the mission President talked about and I have definitely worked to apply it and hope to keep this skill after the mission as well.  If we want something we need to create a vision, we need to lay out what exactly it is that we want to see changed.  A lot of the time we become overwhelmed by these visions or goals that we set because the things we want are big.  So next we need to plan it out, we need to think about what we want and when we want it then plan out baby steps.  We just have to break down the end goal into many smaller time bound goals.  Then we need to be obedient to the plans that we make.  We need to be diligent in following up on those little steps because then no giant miracle is needed, the execution of your vision is simple.  Lastly is faith, the secret to success, at all times we need to know that we can accomplish our vision.  So the formula for doing great and hard things is, Vision, Planning, Obedience (to the plans we set), and Faith.  I have seen the success from this plan.

   Right now we are in the Christmas season here and the spirit of Christmas is all around.  The Swedes love this season and there is joy everywhere.  I am very excited to be heading into my first Christmas in Sweden and my second as a missionary(last year I was visa waiting in VA).  I am doing my best everyday to remember Christ and all that he has done for me.  To really maximize my baptismal covenant to remember him.  And one of the best ways I can do that is by serving others.  I think the best birthday present we can give to Christ is really living the two highest laws, love the Lord thy God and love thy fellow man.  And it's when we show this love through charitable acts that we really serve the lord.  The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of Christ.

   This last week a man who we have been meeting with came to church, he's Swedish and and faithful.  He knows more about religion then any investigator I've met so far.  He has read about every book on religion out there and before we even met him he knew two of them were true.  The Book of Mormon and the Bible.  When I first met him he was quoting the Book of Mormon and he has never met with missionaries before.  Right now he is half way through the Doctrine and Covenants and came to church yesterday.  He loved church service and has agreed that he needs to find out if this is the one true church.  And when he knows it is he said he would be baptized. 

   I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season.  I'm happy to be here and serving the people of Sweden.  

love,

  Äldste Jon Moe

Home teaching and Christmas decorations!

Helping members string their Christmas lights

JulStjärnor 

 The six missionaries in Södertälje.  Elder Jones and I, Elder and Sister Lowry, then Sisters Faux and Chesley

 

Käre Vänner (friends),

This last week we have seen quite a few miracles.  They have been manifested in church attendance.  This week we had around 100 people in church.  This last summer there were always around 60-70 people in church.  And this last week there were a hundred!  It's fun to see so many people coming to church.  In Priesthood meeting we had to stand up because we didn't fit into the room we were using that day for Priesthood.  

   Winter is definitely coming.  Everyday is windy and cold now.  Most of the last couple days have been in the negative (Celsius) degrees.  There was a three day stretch where we did not see the sun because it was dark and we had clouds all three days.  We should be getting snow this week.  The days are getting shorter and shorter in regards to sunlight and winter is definitely upon us.  Winter this far north can be a challenge. A lot of people go into hibernation.  We don't see as many people as often.  Teaching is harder.  But we're up for the challenge.

    This last week some members invited us to go on splits and help with home teaching.  The calling of a home or visiting teacher is one of the greatest callings someone can receive.  The responsibility to be there for some of our heavenly fathers children is great. It's amazing how much trust God puts in our hands.   It is through home teaching that we grow but also that the Kingdom of God will grow.  I believe that to be the biggest difference someone can make in their ward or branch.  To serve as a loving Home or Visiting Teacher.

     It may seem a little premature but the Christmas music has been busted out.   We have been listening to the hymns made for the season and lots of JulStjärnor (Christmas decorations) are making an appearance.  These are star shaped decorations that Swedes hang in their windows during the Christmas season.  It's a representation of the new star which was seen on the day of Christ's birth many years ago.  It's exciting and very important to remember that is what this season is for.  When we keep the Christmas spirit we keep the spirit of Christ and his birth alive.  What a great time of year to reflect, ponder and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. The best present we can give the Lord is a humble heart and a contrite spirit.  When we have these things we can learn and grow.     

MVH,

   Äldste Jonathan Moe

Be happy!

A group of missionaries in my area!

My MTC group a year later (missing two people)

 Hello everyone,  

     This last week has been very cool, a lot has happened.  But I guess a busy life isn't a bad life at all.  It just means a lot of stuff is happening.  And considering that all of the stuff has to do with missionary work there is no way I can complain.  A lot of annoying, frustrating, depressing, defeating, horrible things happen to missionaries all the time.  We have to deal with all of that while trying to meet with people.  It's taught me to have faith, patience, diligence, and to always try to be happy.  The only reason why I am as happy as I believe I am is because it's God's work.  True happiness is to be found in the work of salvation and service, its waiting for all of those who want to take part.  I really am happy, even in the hardest of struggles.

   A struggle we have really been seeing is having people follow through with commitments.  There is a point when you have to realize that the agency of others exists.  And we need to respect it, our agency is one of the greatest gifts God has given to us. We have to honor everyone's free agency.  Even if someone does not come to church, or read after saying they would, there is a point where we just have to be happy with the work and the efforts we have performed.

   So this last week there was a transfer, Elder Tomlinson (whom I'll miss) has left and I now have Elder Jones from Stansbury Park, UT.  He is a good missionary and we're both excited for the time we have here in Södertälje.  I'm always sad to see companions transferred but also excited for the opportunity to work with someone new.  It's bittersweet!

   Something that is very important in missionary work is contacting on the way.  The Lord told Joseph Smith that there is no need for his elders to move swiftly while there are people on the wayside.  We try and reach out to those we pass on the street to introduce the gospel to.  I have seen blessings from contacting those on the way.  All we need to do is remember that we are all just Brothers and Sisters trying to make it through this life. 

    I love being here in Södertälje.  The work is going very very well, but it's the Lords work, so no surprise there.

 

Med Vänlig Hälsningar,

     Äldste Jon Moe

11-12-13

Södertälje with the autumn leaves!

Hej everyone!

   These last two weeks have been some of the busiest for me.  At the beginning of the week, we ran by someone whose name we found in missionary records.  He lives right near our apartment and so we decided to go by instead of going home early for dinner.  We didn't know why missionaries stopped meeting with him and neither did he.  We met with him and began talking about what he had learned before from the missionaries.  We found out very shortly that he believes in the Book of Mormon and in the Church.  As a matter of fact, baptism is something he has always wanted to do.  At the time though it was a little too hard for him.  After meeting with him we set a goal and hopefully hell be baptized in December. 

     On Sunday November third we saw two people we had been teaching be baptized.  They are so solid.  Such strong testimonies, and both had only been in contact with the church for four weeks.  One was the son to a very strong member family we have here in Södertälje.  There is not much that could bring more joy then seeing Boakai Sandy Sr. baptize Boakai Sandy Jr.  That's what its all about, eternal families.  

   We did very well together but sadly Äldste Tomlinson is transferring out from Södertälje.  He is needed elsewhere.  My new companion will be Äldste Jones from Utah.

   Just a couple of days ago we had the opportunity to go to the temple in Västerhaninge with some long time and some newly baptized members  It was really cool seeing them go to the temple for the first time.  There is a special spirit in the temple that only exists there.  It is where heaven and earth meet.  

   I am privileged to be serving in Sweden during a very exciting time.  This last week a branch which normally has 20 people in church had 52.  Prayers are being answered and through faith miracles are happening.  We have met a few people who would like to get baptized here in Södertälje.  The members here are among the best in the world I am sure.  They support our missionary work and seek out their own opportunities to do missionary work.  

Älskar,

   Äldste Moe

One of the best weeks of my mission!

Happy Day for us all!

Hi,

Jonathan didn't send a blog post this week just some awesome photos.  He and Aldste Tomlinson had a great week as you can see by the attached photos.  Please keep the missionaries in your prayers especially the ones unaccounted for in the Philippines.  Let's keep everyone hit by the typhoon in our prayers.  Such a sad time.

Lots of love,

Marilee Moe

Finding strength from reading the Book of Mormon daily

 Elder Held, Elder Judd, Me, Elder Geddes

 Looking out over Södertälje, grey clouds are common now with winter around the corner.

Hej all,

Time is flying by on my mission.  It doesn't feel as if it was just a week ago that I was here emailing.  I can only email once a week so it's a good way to mark the passage of time.  And it definitely doesn't feel like a year ago that I was on the mission.  I've actually been out over 13 months now.  I can't believe it. Time is going way too fast.  

  Earlier this week we went and taught a family about the Book of Mormon.  About the blessing it is for us in our life, what it is, and why we have it.  Every time, I count the blessings in my life, that I have through the Book of Mormon, or I tell others about it I feel my testimony of it strengthen.  The Book of Mormon does so much for me personally.  Joseph Smith was not lying when he said a man would draw nearer to God by abiding by its precepts then by any other book.  When we read the Book of Mormon daily we receive strength, faith, and light which is needed to go on through every day.  As missionaries, we are very blessed to have time given every day where we can personally study the scriptures.  I can say that the Book of Mormon is a true book.  It testifies of Christ and brings us closer to him.  It has blessed my life.  And when I see others accept it and really begin to understand what it can do, I feel joy, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to tell people about it.

   Earlier in the week however we were feeling a bit down.  We had a day where almost every appointment fell through.  Then towards the evening we got a call from David.  Someone we met and began meeting with here in Södertälje but shortly after moved to Örebro.  He was so prepared to receive the gospel it was inspiring.  We sent the elders there his number and new address.  And hadn't heard much about it for a few weeks.  Just yesterday he called.  Then on the day when everything seemed to be going awful he called, he is being baptized soon, he told us that he literally cannot put the Book of Mormon down, and was thankful for the "journey we have started him on".  It may not be someone joining the ward here in Södertälje, but it is someone coming closer to Christ, and news of it came at the perfect time.

   When it comes down to it, everything relies on our faith, our faith in Christ, in the Gospel, in myself, in my companion, and in God.  If we go out and do the small and simple things with big faith then we can bring large miracles to pass.  We have been teaching a couple of people who will be baptized soon, every time we teach a commandment we can see the dedication with which they decide to live it.  Their faith is inspiring because it is helping them do hard things and make hard life changes.

   Hope all is well,

   Äldste Jonathan Moe.

Getting ready for winter! My new companion Elder Tomlinson

Elder Tomlinson and myself

Hovsjö area

Hej mina nära och kära.

  Well, the colds back.  The past three mornings we've woken up there has been frost everywhere and all three days have been around 0 degrees, which is around thirty in Fahrenheit.  So, its definitely getting colder. It's time to buy a good scarf, hat and everythingto stay warm through the long winter.  Although it's cold and cloudy everything still looks pretty in the fall colors.  I really do love being here.  Every day is getting darker sooner and sooner, I feel like there was no fall this year.  Everyone has been saying that we have had an unusually long summer and now it feels like winter is starting.

   But enough about the weather.  The work is going really well, we are seeing miracles here in Södertälje and all over Sweden.  This week we taught someone else who has a strong will to follow Christ and they will be baptized soon.  We are currently working with four people who are very excited about being baptized and we have tons of other friends who are close.  This last week we were in Stockholm four days so we didn't get to spend as much time working in our area as we would have liked but it was worth it.

    This last Saturday and Sunday was stake conference so everyone from the Stockholm South stake who could make it was there.  This meant that I got to see a lot of people from both Eskilstuna and Vendelsö.  I love seeing those old friends who I haven't seen in a while but it's always good as well to make new friends and meet others.  A very strong theme of conference was Building Zion.  This is the ultimate goal we all should have as members.  to build Zion where we are.  Sweden a hundred years ago had a large wave of immigration to the United States, many were members, going there to build/join Zion.  We know that today our job as members is to build Zion where we are.  And whether in New York City or Sweden I will always be working towards that goal.  In faith we need to share the gospel, serve actively in our callings, and be an example of followers of Jesus Christ.  Seeing so many Swedes and other members gather is inspiring.

    I love being here in Sweden and having the opportunity to build Zion here.  Maybe as the weather gets cold and the sky darkens the gospel will just become that much warmer and it's light that much brighter.  I am looking forward to all that is ahead.

MVH,

   Äldste Moe

Teaching family history in our area.

Driving in our car and the beautiful Sweden countryside.

Fall colors

Sweden is so beautiful in the fall, with the changing of the colors the Swedish forests are beginning to match the Swedish sunsets with bright reds, oranges, and yellows.  With the change of the seasons that means a change of weather.  This last week, has been pretty warm but its been getting darker faster, and colder every day.  Winter is coming fast and you can see everyone preparing for it.  I heard someone say that the first snow should come soon.   

    These last couple weeks have been stress full and busy but I have seen miracles from them.  One of these is from last Sunday night.  We called a friend to see if we could still come over and talk. He said he could not meet with us because he was sick, and so we offered to give him a blessing.  We got to his house and he was laying on the living room floor.  He had a bad cough and had no energy, it wasn't anything life threatening but he couldn't move around that much, and he had been inside all week.  We explained the priesthood to him, how the priesthood we have today is the same priesthood authority that Peter, James, and John had.  As well as, all the Prophets of old.  We told him that we knew a priesthood blessing could heal, but it was contingent on faith.  We told him that power comes from faith, and that if he had the faith he could be healed.  We gave him the blessing and told him to get some rest.  We saw him the next morning walking through the centrum (town center).  He came up to us and told us that he was finally able to get to sleep, and stay asleep, but also that when he woke up he didn't feel tired, or sick at all.  This experience was significant and really shows us and him that this is Gods work, the same work which prophets and disciples of old were engaged in.  Therefore it will be followed by the same miracles and blessing of old. Also, Heavenly Father really cares individually for each of us.  He knows our needs and we just need to remember him and to ask for his help.

      Recently, there's been an increased emphasis on Family History work in Sweden and using family history as missionaries.  Not our own, but helping others with their family history.  Just the other day, I was sitting on the train and had a conversation with the man next to me. We talked about quite a bit of different things, but like most Swedes whenever religion gets brought up the topic either changes or conversation ends.  But then we began talking about family history, and doing our family history. I referred him to the Church's website familysearch.org.  He said he would definitely be using it.  From there a discussion of eternal families came almost naturally.  There is a real Spirit of Elijah covering the Earth.  The Earth has the biggest family history database ever.  Getting people in touch with their roots is itself a blessing.

   The work is going really well, we are working with a few people who have a desire to follow Christ and to be baptized.  And as always we are Preaching the Gospel. Things are going good here.  I LOVE Sweden and the people!

Love to everyone back home,

 

MVH;

Leaving Stockholm on the train at sunset.

   Äldste Jonathan Moe

Södertälje in the fall!

Södertälje centrum with clouds and fall colors

This month, I've been working on having the Christlike attribute of humility.  While studying in Preach My Gospel on this topic, I came to a big realization about asking for blessings in humble prayer.  Even asking for things is an expression of both faith and humility.  It shows faith because we know that by asking the Lord will bless us.  It shows our humility because it shows that we cannot do it ourselves and that we know this, and that we are humbly coming to the Lord for his divine aide. 

Paella is yummy!

We have a family in our ward that feeds us quite frequently and this week they made us paella.  It looked good but tasted even better.  I'm in a very diverse area with members from all over Europe, Africa, Middle East, Russia and a lot of native Swedes.  I love my area and the work is going good.
      This next week we will be training in Linköping.  Elder Tomlinson and I worked as hard as we could, we were tired every night, hungry, exhausted, but very happy.  We felt joy as we worked hard. I am very proud of the entire zone and I know the day is soon when Södertälje zone will be experiencing the blessings of the second harvest.  We have many progressing investigators and a few with baptismal dates.  Hard work is paying off.  Thanks for the prayers and letters.  Keep the letters coming.  I love to hear from home and especially to hear from friends since I hear from my parents weekly.  

Love to all,
   Äldste Jonathan Moe

A week of Miracles!

Swedish Sport of Innebandy

 Hi all,

Just a short experience this week.  Elder Leirimaa and I were driving to a lesson and when we got there, the lady we were suppose to teach said she couldn't meet with us.   So we went to teach a different investigator and taught very powerfully about the role of Jesus Christ in our lives. This person felt the spirit so strong they should be baptized in the coming weeks.  But, the miracle of the day started after that.  It was 8:30 at night so we should have went home.  But we felt as if it would be really good to go to the church.  The Bishop was there in a meeting and shortly after we walked in so did a lady named, Aissata.  Aissata came in and shared with us about how she had walked by the church building for a couple months now and felt as if she should come in a couple times.  On Friday she listened to that spirit and came in, saying she was looking for a church.  We told her she found the one for her, to which she explained that she is looking for a true church.  We taught her how the Gospel was restored through Joseph Smith the living Prophet and how the Book of Mormon is a divine witness of this Church.  Now with a book of mormon in French she said she will be reading as much as she can.  She is a true seeker of the truth, and we were there to help.  She lives on the other side of Södertälje.  So yesterday, in Church we introduced her to the sisters so they can continue to teach her.  For me it is a fulfillment of Gods promise to us, as we search diligently for people to teach we will be lead to them or they will be led to us.

    This last week has likely been one of the greatest on my mission.  We found others as well to help introduce the gospel to and to invite to follow its teachings.  We had a record in the lessons that we taught.  I'm seeing daily miracles and we are finding a lot of people that will listen to what we have to teach.  My heart is full of hope.

   For the first time on my mission, I got to play the Swedish Sport called Innebandy.  It is like floor hockey but with very small goals and a wiffle ball.  It's fun but really technical and hard to get the hang of.  Swedes are quite good at it though. 

Love to all,

Aldste Moe

   

Having small successes every day!

Hej allihopa,

  This last week has been pretty cool.  We had another person join the ward through baptism here in Södertälje.  Someone who the sister missionaries had been working with. The ward is rapidly growing.  We are seeing missionaries in the members.  That's how it should be, the gospel should seep through every bone and bit of our body until sharing it becomes just as natural as opening the door for someone with their hands full. 

   At the baptism on Friday we had one of our investigators there.  He happens to be a friend of the woman who was being baptized.  So we started talking to him about baptism and he said, "you know what, your right".  He then went up to the bishop and asked to have a meeting with him, they came out of the meeting with the plan for him to be baptized on the twelfth of October.   It is a good goal that they set and we hope to help him make it.

   Probably my biggest inspiration of the week came from Preach my Gospel. I was studying again about patience and really learned about problems we face in life. When everything is storming against us and we seem to have these giant obstacles in life and we get frustrated and feel defeated it is not these obstacles or the storm that is our problem. Instead it is our short-sightedness, it is our desire for a quick painless solution that is our problem. That is where the pain is derived. With patience our quote on quote "problems" are not even problems, they are just experiences which might have been hard but we learned from. I love the perspective the gospel puts on our lives and the peace we can find in it.

   Sometimes it does not feel as if we, as missionaries, see the results of the work we do, but every time we do, its worth it.  We had a member who hadn't been to the ward since they moved in a while before.  We were praying over who to go by one time and felt as if it would be good to try and find that person.  After hunting them down (there was a wrong number and address on the list) they said they would come to church.  Since then they've come every Sunday and been very helpful to us as missionaries.  Just yesterday they told us, "Thank you, thanks for seeing my name on the list".  The person was extremely grateful for the love we extended.  That is what we do as missionaries we only extend Gods love he has for everyone.

Hej då Kött och Blåbär,

Äldste Jon Moe

BLOG,

Hej family, I love all of you so much.  I hope everything is going really well.

love,

  Jonathan Moe

My life isn't complicated by trivial things!

 Early morning fog on the tracks in Södertälje

A dock near Hovsjö

This last week was AMAZING!  We saw some real miracles happen.  Not only in our area but in the entire mission.  Yesterday, in Church the Chapel was almost filled.  We thought we were going to have to stand but there was barely enough room.  So many people who we have been visiting are now starting to come to church regularly.  We have also made plans for Hawas daughter to be baptized soon.  Hopefully it won't be long. I'm really excited for her and her entire family. 

    Personally, the thing I have been working on is diligence.  Already I work hard and come home tired.  But even when home there is more to be done then sitting on the couch and relaxing/reflecting on the day.  There is always something to be done and I just need to make sure I am trying really hard to always do something productive. My life isn't complicated by trivial things.  I have one purpose and I'm trying very diligently to do that one thing and that is to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  To do as Jesus would do.

    The church is growing here in Sweden.  Things are moving and soon we will likely have stakes covering all of Sweden.  That will be a major prophecy fulfilled for this country.  Not only is Sweden seeing a lot of people converted to the Church but a lot of people coming back to activity.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here during this time and have the blessing to help the church in this country grow.  Right now there are close to 170 missionaries in Sweden.  God wouldn't send so many if there wasn't something big to be done. The church has a debt to Sweden in a way, since so many of the early converts to the church originated in Sweden and sacrificed so much for the early church. 

   The area I'm currently in, I feel as if I speak more English with Investigators then Swedish right now.  The area has a large African and Middle Eastern population.  Because Sweden accepts so many refugees I really do meet people from all over the World.  It is a unique experience.  It is also very humbling seeing these people who come from their homes and do their best to build a life here in a country a lot colder then their's and a language quite foreign to their own.  My companion and I speak Swedish to each other and throughout the rest of the day though.  

    This last week we had a member come with us to an Investigators house to help talk about the Book of Mormon.  This Investigator in the past has never seen the real importance of the Book of Mormon.  We taught him and we testified of the power the Book of Mormon has but also of the reason we have it.  We have it for a few reasons and we talked about all of them.  He began to connect the dots and as the member testified and they shared why the Book of Mormon is so important to him the spirit came in and testified of all that had been said.  Afterwards the man said, yes I see why it is important, but I have to find out for myself if it is true.  He is reading furiously to try and receive his answer.  I know God well enough to know that he will answer.  I've learned to trust in God in all things.

Love,

   Äldste Moe

 Me on a horribly rusted car.

Beautiful Sweden!

It's been an amazing week!

View from a hill near Sodertalje.

Planning our schedules

Hawa from Liberia got baptized!

Hej alla,

   This last week has been quite amazing.  Someone we've been working with for a while was baptized.  We had Elder Lowry the senior couple Elder in our ward baptize her.  The Sodertalje font hasn't really been working so we only had cold water.  We were really trying to make it warmer but the cold water just had to do. 

    Another really cool part of the story is when we were over at our investigators house for the Baptismal interview.  Her husband has been studying with another church group and is okay with her being baptized but hasn't ever given us attention.  While the interview was going he asked a little about baptism and about the church.  Just yesterday we were talking with our bishop and he asked about the whole family and we said that we haven't had an opportunity to talk with the entire family.  The Bishop said that he wanted to come to their house next time so that he could help make sure the entire family is taught.

     We are working really close with our Bishop right now and he really is a blessing from God.  We are working with him and the ward mission leaders to really create good relations all throughout the ward, between members, missionaries, and non-members in our area, that includes just about everyone.  President Hinckley said, one time that anyone associated with missionary work knows there is a better way then knocking doors, and that is through the members.  I  know his prophetic advice to be true.  It is only when members and missionaries come together that we see miracles in the work. 

   The baptism was the perfect example of members and missionaries coming together and bringing to pass great things.  I'm so happy for her and her family.

 MVH,

     Äldste Moe

Södertälje! My new area.

Hi Everyone,

Well, the transfer happened and now I find myself in Södertälje.  A city to the south east of Stockholm, it's a beautiful city with a great ward.  It is not quite as big as Vendelsö but is still large.  The city is like Eskilstuna and has a large population of immigrants, so we meet with people of every nationality and have members here from all over the world.  For the time being this area also has a car and so I have had the opportunity to drive around Sweden and really see how beautiful the country is.  

   My new companion is Elder Leirimaa from Finland.  I have a great responsibility ahead of me and I hope we're together for a while.  Already we've been working so good together and we've been seeing miracles.  We're meeting with a women from Liberia who's finding/demonstrating strong faith in Christ.  This last week we've taught her the commandments that the Lord has given us.  Although she lives in a humble situation she embraced the law of tithing and is excited for the blessings that the Lord has promised us when we follow it.  She is on the road to be baptized the seventh of September.

   Another time during the last week after teaching a lesson and on our way out the wife of the house came to us and told us she always feels peaceful when we talked and when we're there. I responded  with "Det är inte oss" (that isn't us).   She then asked is that the Holy Ghost?  Both Elder Leirimaa and I then had the opportunity to testify of the Holy Ghost.  It's times like these that make being a missionary so rewarding.  

    I hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying the blue skies and summer days.  All too soon we're going to get hit with a lot of snow and winter.  However, even the winter here in Sweden is beautiful in it's own way.  

    I'm doing great and love my new area.  I'm able to drive in this area now.  I get to travel all over my zone and so I'll see more of Sweden and meet more people.

 Stockholm

 Leirimaa and I driving

 Norrköping

My companion and I share this car!

Love,

   Äldste Moe

Getting transferred to Södertälje area tomorrow!

Hey all,

 Well, it's when you begin to get comfortable that things get shaken up.  President Newell called and I will be transferring to the Södertälje area tomorrow morning.  My new companion will be Elder Leirimaa.  He is from Finland and pretty cool, he was the assistant when I first came to Sweden. I'm fortunate to be comps with him and to be in Södertälje.  Södertälje is in a district with Eskilstuna, so hopefully I will be able to visit Eskilstuna and see some of the people I grew to love there.

   This last Saturday a member called and asked us to come by and give her a copy of the Book of Mormon.  We went kind of wondering why she would want a copy of the Book of Mormon.  We went over and she shared with us an experience she had at work bearing her testimony to a friend who said that he felt the spirit and wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon.  She had been praying for a missionary opportunity.  She has every excuse not to do missionary work, her Swedish and English is not the best, being a native Spanish speaker and her family is not members but she still looks and seeks out opportunities to share the gospel.  As she was explaining her experience with her friend we felt the spirit so strong.  Members have the potential to be such effective missionaries, it's amazing.  I'm grateful to have spent time in this area of Sweden where the church is a little bit stronger and to see the possibility.  It keeps me motivated and inspired seeing how happy people can be.  

   

 

 Elder's Muirbrook and Newkirk and me

Vendelsö's ward mission leader and me

Love,

   Äldste Moe

The work is slow but steadily moving forward!

Hej all,

family photo-Elder Geddes, Judd, Nightingale and Moe

  This last week has been quite cool.  We had an amazing lesson with someone named Claes who is really fighting a smoking addiction and using the gospel to help.  He has made such good progress and is an inspirational example to me.  I am so happy for him.  We talked about the tree of Life and quite a bit about 1 Nephi 8 and Lehi's vision of said tree.  He talked about how the gospel does help motivate him to continue.  We then realized that the house he moved to is in a different wards area but that is better for him anyway as it will be easier to go to church as the building is a lot closer.  

   On Friday we had Zone Conference which was so uplifting and inspiring.  It was all about member missionary relations and how we can work with members and help them be effective missionaries.  President and Syster Newell have a son who just returned from his mission in the Paris, France mission.  He bore his testimony and it really is crazy to see missionaries who just came home and to talk to them.  It reminds us that the mission does have an end.  And with that comes some happiness but also some dread for its end.  At zone conference, elders Geddes, Judd, Nightingale and I were there so we got an awesome family picture.

Stockholm Sweden South Zone

Elder's Nightingale, Moe and Judd

Elder Nightingale and I

   This weekend we had the opportunity to find a few more people to teach who hopefully we will be able to meet with sometime.  This next week is looking very good and it looks like some exciting things should be happening here in Vendelsö!  I'll keep you posted!

I do love my mission and the area I'm in.  It's a hard mission but I'm learning and growing a lot.  I'm immersed in the work and it's rolling forward and I'm happy to be a part of it.  

Love,

  Äldste Jonathan Moe

Enjoying Summer

 Hej all,

All is well here in Sweden, it has been extremely hot here in Sweden, but its not bad compared to summers back home in the City.  Its similar though especially because of the humidity.  We have been enjoying the summer though.  One of the really cool parts about summer here is the fruit.  In Sweden there is a law saying that things which grow from the ground and aren't fenced in on someone's property can be used by anyone.  In Sweden berries grow all throughout the cities and forests.  So while walking around doing work you can just pick berries and snack a little.  The most common berries around are raspberries, blueberries, red and black vine berries.  They are all really good and its cool just having them growing everywhere.  It does seem as though summer is on the recline.  It is raining today and someone said there might only be two weeks left.  I hope we have longer.  I am not ready to bust out the rain jacket and winter coat out just now.  

   This last week, we were walking on the way to a neighborhood and on the way in stopped and talked to two ladies, we didn't talk much and they kept walking.  On our way out of the neighborhood they were just sitting on a bench waiting.  I had the feeling to talk to them again and they were looking at us.  So we went over and after a bit of talking they said they had actually been looking for a church to go to here in Sweden.  They agreed to come to church and meet sometime this next week.  Every time any promise is shown I am so grateful.  It is the best meeting new people who are willing to hear the message.  

   I realized this last week that I have been doing the training program since I began my mission and I have been in field for quite a time now.  I have seen how it has blessed my mission and will bless my life.  elder Nightingale are working here in Vedenlsö and doing our best to get things moving.  

love,

  Äldste Moe

 Streets of Stockholm

 

 

Swedish Royal Guard

Train tracks

New companion, new area, and one great mission!

Äldste Nightingale and I

 Geddes, Carr, Sanders, Me, and some other departing missionaries

    This last week was quite packed and interesting.  Elder Schwabedissen and I were only together for two weeks before this transfer.  On Wednesday morning, I left my companion to go and pick up a new missionary that had just arrived from the MTC, his name is Äldste Nightingale.  He comes from Minnesota, He is a really smart kid and already has the potential to be an amazing missionary.  

   We met with a couple who we are currently teaching and are going to be married in a few weeks.  We are so excited for them and know that nothing blesses the family or strengthens it as much as Jesus Christ his gospel and church are able to.  They were referred by someone who was recently baptized himself.  There is nothing better then seeing someone who has accepted the gospel and can see the beauty of the gospel and are then eager to share that with everyone else they know.

   When I was in Eskilstuna, Elder Judd and myself found a man who we taught and spent a month and a half teaching.  Everything was going well and then he received an answer that the church is true and was preparing for baptism on a certain date when I left and was transferred to Vendelsö.  I was very sad to be leaving right before the baptism but I feel blessed because I was able to be there for the Baptism.  I'm so happy for him.

  Everything is going well here in Vendelsö.  There isn't too much work right now but its getting better.  Also, I feel if we work hard and are dedicated we can help people who are searching for change in their lives.   This area is prepared and the members are amazing. I believe it won't be long until we see the promises of the second harvest unfolding.

Love to all my friends and family back home,

Sweden's Yellow Fields

Elder Judd, me and Staffan

  Äldste Moe