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