A Christmas Call - December 25, 2017

Elder Sam called us at 7am on Christmas Day! The minute we saw his face on the screen a huge cheer erupted from the family! It was so good to see him. He absolutely glowed through the screen. We briefly met Elder Harris as well and it was good to see his companion in person. He has been such an amazing trainer and now best friend to Sam.

Sam told us he only had 40 minutes to speak! We were sad but glad that he is so obedient. :)

We took a few minutes to ask him some questions and discovered that he and Elder Harris take turns: each day one of them drives the car and one of them carries the phone. Sam also told us that Boden is quite small, so right now they walk to appointments or to go tracting unless they have the car that half of the week. They don't ride their bikes in the cold and snow. He sees President Youngberg once a transfer and also meets with the other district members in person once a transfer. Otherwise they hold district meeting via Skype. He reported that the plane flight to Stockholm is about an hour. We had so many other questions to ask but the time flew by!

Boden Week 16 - December 18, 2017

God Jul!

What a great week! 

As part of the #LightTheWorld initiative, Elder Harris and I have been handing out #EttLjusFörVärlden cards! We still have a ton left that need to be handed out before Christmas, so we are planning to contact like crazy this week! The cards are a great way to talk to people because we can talk about anything with them and then have a great way for them to be introduced to the Gospel- through service! 

Zone Conference was in the Handen chapel, near Stockholm, on Friday! So uplifting!  I saw Elder Butler. It was much lighter down there. The plane ride was fun, but it was too dark to see anything.

Boden Week 15 - December 10, 2017

Another fantastic week! We received a few more inches of snow, and it actually warmed up a little! 

Our apartment is very warm! There is a heater in every room and we have an extra in the study room.

We don't ride bikes anymore... We could, if we needed to. We just go to the far places when we have the car and stay closer to the apartment when we don't.

My coat is warm enough! I have purchased one small jacket and one bigger coat. There was a huge parka left in the apartment that I use on the cold, cold days.

We go tracting everyday! We aren't allowed to after 8 pm. It gets dark much earlier than that but we kämpa på!

Boden Week 14 - December 4, 2017

Wow! I am so glad that you have received some snow! We have about 1.5 feet here now. It snows every day, but not all day. How cold is it now in Kaysville? Wednesday was the coldest day for us, it was -23 in the morning and then stayed at around -18 for the rest of the day (Celsius). 

I'm not sure what it is in Fahrenheit. 

I just had my interview with President Youngberg, he is up here in Luleå today! 

Boden Week 13 - November 27, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving!

Another great week! Here we go...

We had dinner with the Näslunds on Monday evening! It was spaghetti with bacon chunks in it. We then made a 'member mission plan' with the Näslunds. President Näslund drove us back to our apartment and on the way we were able to visit a less active member in the branch with him! President Näslund is such a great man.

Boden Week 12 - November 20, 2017

Transfer calls! Elder Harris and I will be spending another 6 weeks here in Boden together! 
You will meet him on Skype! It is rare to have a trainer stay 3 transfers but President Youngberg is having it happen more often. I am really happy about it. Elder Harris and I have become best friends.

I went to Skellefteå for splits with Elder Callor on Wednesday! We have both been out for 12 weeks now! We contacted and taught all by ourselves. It was a good growing experience and so fun to be with Elder Callor again.

Boden Week 11 - November 13, 2017

Hello Family and Friends!

On Friday, Elder Harris and I had 2 lessons that ended up not working out. Our backup plan was contacting. We were both feeling like not contacting. Its hard sometimes!! So we said a prayer that we could receive strength and comfort.

During the contacting stund, we saw one of our investigators, the mother in the Mongolian family we teach! She was so happy to see us and it was comforting for us to see someone who was happy to see the missionaries! She needed a phone to call her husband so it worked out very nicely that we ran into each other. I know that Heavenly Father puts the right people in our path and that he can give us the strength we need.

And now for the paragraph of things I want to tell you but I don't have time to write a paragraph about them all... We met with Gonzolo again this week! Super friendly guy and a really fun dad. We had dinner at Fern's house! The power went out but we got figured out! We missed the bus to Distrikt Meeting and the car wouldn't start for the systers! But we had distrikt meeting eventually. We saw the Northern LIghts SO GOOD this week! They were huge and covered the sky. Sorry we don't have pics for you :(  They were so pretty :)

Boden Week 10 - November 6, 2017

Hello Again Everyone!!

Well, another fantastic week here in Sweden has gone by! Every week has bright shiney moments and every week has less shiney moments... But Elder Harris and I are doing great overall and we are both learning and growing so much! My comfort zone is stretching and my Swedish is progressing and the Gospel has been true the whole time! I am so grateful to be a missionary at this time in my life!

Tuesday was the only full day that Elder Harris and I had in our area! We had a lesson with a man named Gunsalo in the evening. He and his wife have two little daughters, and Gunsalo is such a great dad! When we walked in to the apartment with him, his two daughters were hiding. When he found them, they said, 'Boo!' and gave him a big hug! They were dressed in their halloween masks and seemed so happy to see their dad coming home from work! The lesson with Gunsalo went really well and Elder Harris and I look forward to teaching him and his wife again!

Apartment checks! The apartment couple, Elder and Syster Anderson, came up from Stockholm and checked our apartment on Wednesday! We passed! We just have to defrost the freezer and clean the ceiling in one of the bathrooms. It was so cool to have other missionaries come to Boden to see us, a little reminder that there are people who care! I am so grateful for the senior couples in the mission! The Andersons are so nice and it reminded me of my Grandma and Grandpa Hunsaker who were the apartment couple on one of their missions! 

Boden Week 9 - October 30, 2017

Tack och hej Oktober and hejsan November!!

The first snow in Boden! It was great! We had Daylight Savings time this week, so now the sun goes down around 4! I am grateful to have Elder Harris as my companion, a continually happy, consistantly Christlike man!

While tracting, and older man let Elder Harris and I in! He seemed to know a lot about history, so Elder Harris asked him if he knew anything about the history of the Americas around the year 0. He admitted that he didn't, so we told him about the Book of Mormon! Olaf (that's his name) seemed interested said that we could come back this week.

Boden Week 8 - October 23, 2017

Hello!

Great week here in Sweden!!

Elder Harris and I had an 'English fast' this week! It was crazy! We tried to speak Swedish the whole time, inside and outside of the apartment (because we always try to speak only Swedish outside). Anyway, it was pretty tough sometimes and a few English sentences slipped out but I definitely improved with the language!!

Boden Week 7 - October 16, 2017

Francis och Harris

Hello Everyone,

The first transfer is over! Our district had one change, Syster Nelson moved to Västra Frölunda and was replaced by Syster Kunzler! Syster Kunzler is companions with Syster Ohler who is also from Centerville and they were best friends in junior high! Now, everyone in our district is from basically Salt Lake except for Äldste Harris! 

Tuesday was very rainy! Äldste Harris and I biked to the home of a nice old lady named Barbara and raked her leaves! Then her neighbor Harry came over and we had fika (Swedish tea time) together. It ended up that Harry invited us over to his house. He lives alone and he seemed quite pleased to have guests over. He showed us all of the cool paintings on his walls, a grandfather clock that has been in his family since 1780, a whole bookshelf he has with books about dogs, his stuffed eagle, and a family pedigree chart! When Äldste Harris and I saw the family history chart we just about exploded! We told Harry about how our church does lots of work for family history! He said to come by again sometime. Such a nice old man! 

Boden Week 6 - October 9, 2017

Hey Again!

I had splits again this week! Elder Harris and I traveled down to Skellefteå and stayed with Elder Barker and Elder Callor. I spent the whole day with Elder Callor which was awesome because we are both Greenies! We were able to say what we needed to say and go where we needed to go! It was so cool to see that I have progressed with Swedish! It was also so cool to be companions with Elder Callor, someone I have know for 4 years now! Who would have thought that we would be sharing the Gospel together in Northern Sweden someday?

It was the last district meeting of this transfer! The biggest change is that Syster Nelson, my mission 'mom,' is being transferred! So there will be a new syster missionary in Luleå. I will stay in Boden with Elder Harris, as we expected. It feels great to be at the beginning of another transfer! The last 6 weeks went by so quickly!

I love Boden! I always think of Baden when I see the Boden sign and I think of Autumn when I see the tree leaves! Right now it isn't raining too hard but there are always lots of rain clouds! We did get to see the sky yesterday, though, for a little bit! 

Boden Week 5 - October 2, 2017

Hello Hello!

Another week has flown by!

Conference! What a great opportunity to hear the inspired words of our church leaders! I have watched all but the Sunday evening session so far. What wonderful words to ponder and to apply. Elder Harris and I went to President Hugo Nässlund's home to watch the Saturday morning session. We got to have dinner with him and his family beforehand. It is so cool to see such a strong Swedish family! President Nässlund served his mission in Salt Lake City and he shared so many cool stories with us! I have gained a great respect for the president of this tiny branch of the Church in Luleå, Sweden.

One of the most amazing parts of the week... Elder Harris and I were just tracting along, and all of a sudden we came to the home of a lady who had been a foreign exchange student in Las Vegas! And had stayed with an LDS family! She was so excited to talk to us! The host family she stayed with has 3 grandchildren who are on missions right now! We were invited to come back and visit her, so Elder Harris and I will follow up with that this week! It was such a blessing to remember that we are truly directed with where to go.  

Another great story! Elder Harris and I were walking into stan (the city center) when we saw a man carrying a stationary bike on his back! We offered to help him carry it home and he gratefully accepted our offer. We were able to sit with him for a few minutes after being let in to his apartment and we will begin teaching him and his girlfriend this week! 

Also this week! Elder Harris and I visited a less active member named Brother Jensen. It turns out that he is from Cody, Wyoming and I have been to the same chapel in Cody and the Boy Scout camp nearby that he remembers going to as a young man! I know that there is no coincidence in me meeting him! We had a great conversation and lesson with him and my testimony was again strengthened that Jesus Christ directs this work and that Elder Harris and I are lead to those whom we specifically must teach.

Splits was on Wednesday! I had the awesome experience of being companions with Elder Harden for a day! Elder Hardin is the Zone Leader in Umeå with Elder Moulton. I learn so much every time I go out with another missionary. 

On Thursday, there was district meeting again! It is always so nice to discuss with other missionaries. Later Thursday evening, Elder Harris and I helped an older lady in the branch named Elin move to Harrads, a tiny town 40 minutes north of Boden. The Luleå systers and a few other branch members helped, too! It was great except for one thing... I lost my name tag. So somewhere between Boden and Harads there is a little black badge with my name on it! Hopefully someone will find it and start investigating the church!

Elder Harris and I taught Petrus again this week! He had some great questions as usual and still isn't sure if he can believe in God. We also taught some of our other investigators: Fabian, Jacinta, and Albert. The number one invitaton that Elder Harris and I extend to people is to read the scriptures and to pray. My testimony of these two simple yet crucial acts has strengthened as we have continually invited everyone we meet to read Mormons Bok and to pray to know of its truthfulness. I know that reading and praying aren't just for those interested in the church, reading and praying are for missionaries and members as well. As I have continually read and prayed about the Book of Mormon, I have gained a stronger testimony that it is the word of God! I hope and pray that those whom Elder Harris and I have the privilege of teaching will choose to gain that testimony of the book for themselves and change their life because of it!

I love you all and I am so grateful to be one of the Lord's missionaries!

Äldste Francis

Boden Week 4 - September 25, 2017

Hej san! 

Sweden is so beautiful right now! The leaves turn brighter and brighter every day. Today, the sun came out! It has been pretty rainy/cloudy the past few days so it was nice to see some blue sky!

Tuesday morning was one of the most effective contacting times that Elder Harris and I have had yet. We didn't get anyone'e number or anything like that, but we were let into a house! A nice lady named Monica from New York answered her door when we knocked. After talking on the doorstep for a few minutes, she asked if we wanted any coffee or tea (we had water instead). She also invited us inside out of the cold! We told her all about what what we do as missionaries. In the end, Monica said that she and her husband were pretty busy and active with their own church, but it was cool to talk to someone with American English and cool that someone let us in! When we were done visiting, she said that she had let us in because she thought it was so great to hear American English again, but I like to think that she felt the Spirit. I know that Elder Harris and I are directed to the people we need to talk to everyday and that even if people don't turn into investigators, we are still spreading the light of the Gospel.  

Boden Week 3 - September 18, 2017

Hello again! 

What a week. What a fast week! 

Surströmming! I ate it! It was at the annual branch Surströmming fest! Surströmming is fermented herring, a Swedish delicacy. I had heard from other people that it smells really bad, and it does! Elder Harris and I walked into the church and had a little moment of shock! Ward parties in America don't usually have a smell... The surströmming tasted like super salty fish. It wasn't terrible but I don't think I will add it to my missionary diet! The fest was really fun. Quite a few people brought nonmember friends and I got to know some of the members in the branch a lot better! 

Boden Week 2 - September 11, 2017

Elder Harris and I in front of a Boden sign!

Hello again! Another great week in Sweden.  

A little description of Boden...

Boden is a town in northern Sweden with a population of 18,000. Someone asked me if the streets are cobblestone: They aren't but one cool thing about the roads is that right hand turns are not allowed on a red light like in America. Boden has about 10ish members that come to church regularly. It apparently doesn't get as cold or windy as Luleå because it isn't as close to the sea, so that's nice!

Our District!

Some common activities that I do everyday as a missionary...

-Tracting! We have been tracting in the little area a little ways away from Boden. Every single house looks like it came out of some design magazine. The houses are really nice and well cared for and the people are, too! 

-Contacting! We go into Stan, the city center/shopping area, most every day and talk to people. I usually stop the people and say what I can in Swedish and then Elder Harris carries on the conversation. 

-Visiting less active Members! We have been trying to focus on less active members this week. One person we stopped by was Linda who is from Brazil. She has two cute little kids and her husband is Swedish. He is't a member but we were able to share a message with the whole family!

AHH! This is real! - September 4, 2017

Saying goodbye to my cousin, Elder Shane Peterson, who flies today to New Zealand.

Dear Family,

Well what a week it has been! On Monday morning, I said goodbye to the MTC at 3:30am in the morning!I learned so much there, and 6 weeks feels like such an instant now! We flew all day from SLC to JFK then straight to Stockholm! 

I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw this beautiful land from the tiny airplane window! There was fog in the air and all of the farms and fields and little winding roads looked so picturesque! The plane landed at 7 AM local time, 11 PM Provo time. 

Mission Home dorm room.

We went to a little chapel in the city and had a great Swedish breakfast with yogurt and muffins and fruit! The rest of the day was great, too! But the best part was when I could go to sleep! 

The next day was Tuesday, the day I got my trainer and my area! I am with Elder Grant Harris from Pullman, Washington. 

Saying goodbye to Elder Butler and his trainer.

After eating a great lunch and traveling to the Stockholm main train station, I said goodbye to all of my MTC buddies and headed off with Elder Harris. 

The Flight to Stockholm - September 30, 2017

Aldste Francis flew with his district to Stockholm on Monday, August 28th. He called us from the Salt Lake airport at 6:30am and we talked almost until 7:30. It was great to hear his voice! He sang Happy Birthday in Swedish to the twins, Eli and Avi, who turned 8 that day. He recited some Swedish scripture for us. He told us lots more about the MTC and was very, very excited to fly to Sweden.

We watched his flight all day on flight tracker.com. He flew to New York and then took a direct flight to Stockholm. The plane landed in Sweden just as we were going to bed Monday night. It was exciting to think about him landing, meeting his mission president and wife, and seeing Sweden for the first time. What an adventure!

Tuesday afternoon we received several emails from the mission home. It was a comfort to see Aldste Francis with the rest of his group at the Stockholm airport, in front of a beautiful lake, and with President and Sister Youngberg.

He likely left the mission home to his new area on Wednesday, by bus, train, plane, or mission van. We are anxious to hear where he went and who his trainer is! His first email should arrive on P-day next Monday.

Final picture of Sam's MTC district, taken on Sunday by a member of their branch presidency.

Sam is in our hearts and thoughts this week. We miss him and hate to have him so far away, but are happy for the incredible experiences he is having and the gospel of Jesus Christ that he is sharing.