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

July 8, 2013 in my 3rd area (Vendelso)

Stockholm

Aldste Schwabedissen and Me

 Hej all, 

I had a good week.  There is so much to do in this area.  There's very few times where I feel like we ran out of options for teaching and finding people.  This is by far the smallest area I have ever, or likely will ever serve at during my mission.  The ward has around 90 active members.  So the area has a high population but because it's so small I don't see that many new things too often.  I am on the SL network, which is Stockholms MTA.  So that means on P-days we can travel anywhere in the Stockholm area.  This is a great gift because we get to meet up with other missionaries and organize some activities and sports.  However, it's amazing how connected we all get to our areas we serve in previously and how much the members are missed.

   Äldste Schwabedissen and I have only been together two weeks but there is already a transfer.  This is sad since I really like him.  He will be leaving Vendelsö on Wednesday to go to Katrineholm and I will be training again starting on Wednesday.  I am excited to train again and I know its going to be an adventure.  In addition, to training I have the responsibility of the district so I'm going to be very busy.  I love Sweden and the people and even the food!  The summers here are beautiful! 

love,

   Äldste Jonathan Moe 

July 1st, 2013

 Hej from Vendelsö!

   I am officially out of the Big Eskilstuna and now in Vendelsö which is in Haninge Kommun, this is just south of Stockholm.  Saying goodbye to Eskilstuna was hard.  It is one of the most beautiful cities I have seen and the members there are so strong and so amazing.  I'll really miss all my new friends from Eskilstuna.  

     Elder Judd received Elder Stafford as his companion and my replacement in Eskilstuna.  They came to Sweden at the same time and so have not been in Sweden for that long but I know they are going to do so well there.  They're both great missionaries.

  My new area is a ward.  The first ward I have been in so far in Sweden, yet the second smallest area in Sweden and I have heard maybe in all of Europe.  The area has a very high percentage of members.  I was in church on Sunday and I just felt like a normal member.  In Skövde and Eskilstuna there was always something I could do to help the branch and I would either translate, help with the sacrament, give a talk, prepare a lesson, etc...  I sat in church contributing the best I could and being a good missionary but you can tell the ward is large enough to really function on it's own.  Meaning the members in the area are organized and enough of them to not be totally defendant on the missionaries for the ward function.

  We have an Investigator who wants to be baptized but he is addicted to cigarettes.  He has a strong desire and already has come so far in quitting.  I am so excited to help him and also to help the Vendelsö församling the best I can!  Basically, anyone who needs our help we want to help them. 

   My new companion is Äldste Schwabedissen.  He comes from Washington, and I have not yet met a Swede who can pronounce his name on the first try.  We are doing well here and rocking up Vendelsö.  I love my mission.  Please keep the letters coming.  I love to hear how everyone is doing.

love, 

   Äldste Moe.

New District in Vendelsö