Our week has been filled with zone conference and this time we were treated to a visit from our Area President, Paul Johnson. The evening before the zone conferences started, he and his wife toured the mission office, which meant that we were able to meet them and chat a bit. They are from Sandy, Utah, have 9 children, and 35 grandchildren! They have been serving in the Area Presidency and living in Germany for the past 2 1/2 years, with a few more to go. That makes our assignment seem quite minimal. While they were here, they also checked out the office building from cellar to attic, which included our offices and apartment! I'd say we had a rather intimate visit--haha!
The next two days were zone conferences. Thursday was in Stockholm and Friday, across the country, in Goteborg. Our function both days was to help with the luncheons, our usual responsibilities. However, I would like to spare you the mundane details and share a few stories and moments from the conference instead.
Perhaps my favorite moment was watching John's broadening smile as the missionaries arrived and greeted each other. His nostalgic eyes revealed memories of his own missionary days as these elders would joyfully rush up to an arriving former companion, back-slapping, hugging, and catching up on news.
In another memorable moment the Youngberg's newborn grandson flashed upon the screen as the missionaries oohed and ahhed. Then Presidenty Youngberg said, "Wonderful things are happening at home, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here with you." In those few words, his sincerity warmed the missionaries' hearts, let them know that he is there with them and for them, relieving them of the longing they feel for home, by extending his love to them. Tender, indeed! I have to admit that as grateful as I am to be here, I am also grateful that Robby and Solomon were born before we came to Sweden, so I didn't have to grieve not being able to hold them when they were tiny. Sister Youngberg loves the missionaries and being here, too, but for her it is very hard to be so far away. As a mom and grandma, I understand completely.
President Youngberg shared two success stories that happened last week: #1 Two missionaries were tracking in an apartment building and a 15 year-old boy answered the door. His mom came to the door and abruptly said, "I'm not interested." One elder asked her, "Why?" She explained she had her own faith. The missionary asked her about her faith, they listened and then continued to chat with her for a few minutes sharing a few beliefs in response. The elders said, "Good-bye," leaving on a comfortable note. Down the stairs they went to the next floor, knocked the doors, chatted and were ready to leave, when from up above a voice called, "Are you still there? I want you to come back and tell me more." I love this story, because it shows how hearts can change when people listen. The missionaries aren't trying to trap or coerce people. They are merely inviting people to learn of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So often when people think about how they feel when they are talking to the missionaries, they recognize something special--the Spirit--and they want to know more.
#2 This is a story of Jeremy and Daisy, two young attorneys with 3 children, 4, 3, and 1 1/2. The story actually began18 years ago when Jeremy's colleague at work gave him a Book of Mormon. Uninterested, Jeremy set it on his bookshelf. Sixteen and a half years later, a successful attorney, married with a family, Jeremy felt something was missing from his life. He saw The Book of Mormon and began reading it. As he read, he felt something peaceful; the more he read the deeper the feelings became. There was a friend at work that he thought was a Mormon, so he approached him one day. "Are you a Mormon?" "I was. I left the church and even wrote a book about it." He offered Jeremy his book, which Jeremy accepted and began reading. As he read, he was disturbed. His feelings were contrary to what he had experienced reading the Book of Mormon, and he realized that what this book offered was not true. So, he texted his friend and defended the Book of Mormon to him! Over the next few weeks, they chatted more. Jeremy eventually told his friend that he wanted to go the Mormon church but he didn't know where to go. The friend explained to Jeremy that he would go to the Stockholm Ward (based on where he lived) and the friend offered to take him. (The friend who had disassociated himself from the church.) Jeremy, his family and his friend attended, met the missionaries....and last week, Jeremy and his wife were baptized. And the story gets even better. His friend, who is now attending regularly in his own ward with his family, spoke at the baptism! In addition to that, his friend's father-in-law is in Stockholm Ward and is the "colleague" who originally gave Jeremy the book!
When people read the Book of Mormon with an open heart, searching for truth, they can feel it. Perhaps not every thing is understood, but the feeling is real. That is the Holy Ghost testifying of truth. It is one of the greatest gifts in this life!
President Johnson conducted a Q&A with the missionaries, teaching from the scriptures with many of his answers, so it is difficult to summarize what he taught. However, here are a few notes of things that he said that impressed me:
-The Lord prepares a prophet for what the people need at that time. President Nelson has been prepared for this day. To bring this thought a little closer to us: Throughout your life, as long as you are willing to serve, he will put you where he needs you, too.
-Down days--what should we do? Be grateful! Count your blessings; it humbles and softens hearts. Make a list of 100 things to be grateful for. It starts easy and gets harder, so keep adding to it, as you think of things. Also, stop praying for yourself; pray for others. The more we focus on others, the faster we grow and become more Christlike.
-Having the Spirit with us is like a dimmer switch. The light may start bright, but as we get "sloppy" in keeping our covenants, we begin to lose the spirit, and our light gets dimmer. Soon, there is less and less light, without us even noticing the change. Then one day we are to the point that we can no longer see clearly and we say, "I don't know if this is true..." In Alma 12 it says that the Lord gives us light and truth "according to our heed and diligence." D&C 93:39 reminds us that Satan can't take away the light and truth from us, unless we are disobedient. Basically, we give it up!
Needless to say, zone conference was inspiring! Afterwards, we had to drive home in snow and on icy roads at times, which made it a little intense, but I'm grateful for our safety and our opportunity to be taught and uplifted.
 |
| Looks a lot like home, doesn't it? |
