Don't Quote Me

Wa wa waz up!!!

(Sorry probably not the most appropriate missionary language.) But, what a
week! Time is just flying by! It’s crazy!  But this week’s quote of the
week goes to our dear President Newell. We were in a meeting with him
discussing problems regarding the mission, and he was very blunt with the
subject of baptismal clothes. We were kind of shocked and then he just
looked at us and said, “Don’t quote me on that one… And even if you do no
one is going to believe you that I said that.”

It wasn’t bad everyone it was just funny coming out of the former
Ambassador Gregory Newell. (Google him I dare you.)

But this week in all seriousness was great; we had a lot of success with
finding and teaching people.  I had the pleasure to go on splits in my old
stomping grounds…. UPPSALA! It was fantastic; first I was able to go up to
a northern city called Gävle. I went on splits for 4 hours with one of the
Elders up there. It was nice; he shared concerns that he his entire mission
has never been able to contact people on the street. It scares him and he
is just very uncomfortable with it. Something I’ve learned through life is
that if you’re afraid of something…. do that until you aren’t. (I was
pretty scared of heights, not many people know that… So I jumped out of a
plane, and now…. Not afraid of heights anymore.)

So that’s when we went to the most pack filled square in the city and just
talked with as many people as we could. To be honest at the beginning it
was just me. But then, he started to hop in and stop people. By the end he
was “as hot as a pistol,” and just talking to everyone. It was cool to see
the change in this missionary in the number of a couple hours.

After that we took the train to Uppsala, where I was able to meet up with
many members and investigators and try to get them integrated with the new
missionaries there. We were able to go to the family that we baptized, and
help them with their needs. The dad has had a hard time in the last while
with his family harassing him. But I was able to come by and really just
help him understand that it is right and he joined the church for a reason.
We came out of the meeting with a large headache of the spirit which is
always a great thing. It felt great to see all of them there. (Äldste och
Syster Sorensen...... Thanks for the pancakes. :))

We were going around the country with Sister Newell doing trainings again
which was fun. But like always something has to go wrong. We were driving
with her to a city called Södertälje after a training we did in Stockholm.
We were running just a little late so we quickly go in and start to fix all
of the things and of course from the drive from Stockholm to
Södertäljesomehow her laptop broke. We literally an hour earlier used
it with the
last training and in the matter of minutes it just dies. ARE YOU JOKING ME!
So that was a little curveball thrown at us. (We still hit it of course but
still.)

Well nothing more to report just remember, God loves you and so do I. Peace!

Love,
Aldste Haddon

The THIRD Stake Conference

HELLLLO!!!!!

Wow it has been a long time, sorry everybody last week I didn’t write I’m sure that you all we quiet disappointment to not hear from “The Adventures of Mr. Elder Haddon.” But need not fear they are back and better than ever!

The quote for the last couple of weeks is from my dear companion Elder Moe, after one of our long trips. We barely crawled up to our beds he fell on it
and said, “I am dead……. I can’t move my entire body……… my legs are sore……. my arms are……” I fell asleep at that point, but that pretty much gives you a feel of the last few weeks here in the office.

The last couple of weeks have been crazy to say the least we have been to or through every single area in Sweden. Last week we had to drive to Västra Frölunda, then till Helsingborg, and then go to Umeå. It was a three day
Trip!  It was defiantly a fantastic voyage, but it defiantly tires you out! It
was a great experience for me because I literally haven’t left Stockholm for over a year.

That was something that happened in the last couple of weeks that I found amazing. I had a hard time for some time, because I hadn’t really left Stockholm. I literally have served in every single ward in the Stockholm Stake. I kind of had the thought that I didn’t really get to see much of this beautiful land because of that, almost like I was shortchanged.  But Two Sundays ago, I had an experience that changed everything.

I was able to go to my third, Stockholm Stake Conference. (Yes, Third.)  I was a little bitter about having to go to this, *again* seeing all of the same people and not getting to see something new or different, when in all actuality that was right. BUT, surprisingly to me, it was a fantastic experience. I was able to see again all of the people I held dear, people I had taught, taught with, and even those I baptized, and re-activated.

I was able to meet those I baptized, going further in the church, and
seeing one preparing to go on a mission herself. I saw members I helped bring back into activity, who are still going strong, working hard at their callings and even going to the temple for their first times. The experience I had was indescribable. I had never felt so strongly the love I had for these people, and I felt a happiness I have never experienced before.

It was a very large spiritual confirmation to me, that there was a reason why I stayed in Stockholm. I was able to see all of those I had helped and who had helped me, and that every area I was in, was exactly where the Lord needed me to be. It was a reunion of all of my great friends I had met, and I would not have changed any of it for the world.

I just want to say that I know the work we are doing here is Sweden, is the Lord’s work. I say this literally I absolutely love being here and would want to be anywhere else. Thank you all for the support and love and hope to hear from you all soon.

Love,

Äldste Haddon

Mother's Day Skype

I've gotten lazy at bloggin ever since my kid load doubled so here it is, THURSDAY (is it Thursday? I don't even know that anymore...) anyways and I forgot to post about the Skype on Sunday!!

Elder Haddon is doing great! He's serving back in the office, he was skyping at the same computer as last Mother's Day, last year as a secretary and this year as an assistant. It's amazing to see him thriving and growing so much! It felt like I sent my kid brother off to some country and now this adult is speaking Swedish, running meetings and living on his own, I kinda feel like the kid sister in comparison!

He said the work it's going great there, Sweden is a melting pot of so many cultures and people, he has really enjoyed teaching people from so many walks of life.

He told us that before hiss mission, he was so nervous. He knew three church was true, but he still was so young with so much more to learn to strengthen his testimony. At first, he wasn't sure if he was going to serve a mission at all. He said he kept down and prayed and pleaded to know if he should go. He said that the spirit was overwhelming and he knew it was right and he didn't question it again, he just went forward with the process.

The Missionary Training Center was difficult. He had no clue what he had gotten himself into and Swedish seemed like an impossible language to master. When he arrived in Sweden, things weren't much different, but he had Ann amazing trainer and began to pick up the language. Through the ups and downs he relied on the affirmation he received that day when he prayed about serving.

Today, he is happy, healthy and fluent in the language. He said over and over how thankful he is that he is there and that he was lead to serve a mission. He knows it's where he's suppose to be and he wouldn't trade it for the world.

I'm so thankful for his example to me, he has been an amazing brother and I've learned a lot from his dedication and hard work in everything he does.

It was a pretty great mother's day!

You Can Give That To Her Now

Dear Everyone!

The quote of the week is me to one of the new missionaries Elder
Rasi-Koskinen. The first day that the missionaries come to Sweden only a
couple hours after they arrive, they get to go out and contact in the busy
streets of Stockholm. I had the privilege to take this jet lagged, tired,
and scared missionary and go contact in the middle of the biggest, and
busiest city of Northern Europe.

The first lady that we contacted was actually super interested in the
church I was able to teach her and explain the Book of Mormon a bit. I
asked her if she would like to have one and if we could get her
information. She said that she would love to have the book. There was a
long pause; the book was in the hands of the Elder Rasi-Koskinen who just
stood there smiling. I look at him and hint to him to give her the book. He
had no idea what to do and looked extremely uncomfortable. So I finally
look at him and leaned over and whispered to him in English, “You can give
her the Book of Mormon now.”

He was able to give out his first Book of Mormon! Even if he had no idea
what was going on.

This week has been quiet the week, we had the new missionaries come which
was fun to bring them into Sweden and just get there missions started out
right. Right after we sent them to their new areas with their new trainers,
we had to go pick up the departing and get them debriefed before they went
home. This was super crazy because one of the sisters in my group was going
home then as well.

We had another baptism this Saturday in the office, with a kid who is only
15 who self-referred himself to learn about the church. He’s a super stud,
he already accepted to giving a talk at a young men’s activity about his
journey of becoming a member of the church.

One last miracle for the week was when we were actually weekly planning.
Every week we plan for the upcoming week to be as effective as possible. We
were calling these investigators that we were meeting with and one of them
said that he actually is in Stockholm for several hours just sitting there
waiting for a train and had some time then if we would like to meet.  So we
hopped in the car and jetted over to the Central station.

We ended up being able to teach him in a McDonalds and taught him in the
busy crowded fast food place. The spirit was still very strong even with
those circumstances. He just knew that it all felt right and wanted to be a
part of it. He is now preparing to be baptized on the 12th of June.

Things are going super well here, it’s very stressful but at the same time
it is so worth it. I am so glad to be here. I say this every week but I am
so blessed and thankful that I can be here. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere
else. I love you all and hope to hear from you ALL next week!

Love,

Elder Haddon

*PICTURES:*
Sneaky Pic. With the greenies.
Valborg Pics:
Valborg- Faylor o Sister Haynes (Going home in my group!)
V. With Salin!!!!