Miracle (Baptism!!!) on 34th Street

"We go out everyday, Then back on home! Going hard as nails, in the Stockholm North Zone."

 

The Elders in the Stockholm North Zone have a lot to cheer for because they had a baptism on Feburary 9th just as they had set a goal to do months before! They had been teaching him off and on for awhile but last week he wanted to be taught everyday. So they began working with him and teaching him the gospel and he had the desire to be baptized, and sure enough, February 9th was the golden day! It is said that they have broken the Uppsala curse, there has not been a baptism in that area since it was turned into a Zone Leader area!

 

The Miracles didn't stop there, they met a man who was recently baptized and his family. They are earnestly searching for an apartment to move into and the family wants to learn about the church their father joined. The father knows he will be blessed at that the missionaries are called of God and will serve and protect his family. They all express a desire to be baptized. Aldste Haddon has asked us all to pray for their family that they will be able to find an apartment to move into. There is a serious housing shortage in Sweden and it is very difficult for people to find housing.

 

The family of nine that they have been teaching from last week is also preparing for baptism! They have been teaching them and sharing the gospel with them. When they finished the last lesson the whole family asked if they could be baptized because they know that the church is true! Aldste Haddon is so excited to see the work progressing in such miraculous ways but he said there is more...

 

Mohamed (the man who was baptized on the 9th) is new to the area and doesn't really know his way around so Aldste Haddon and his companion road the train with him to show him around. While on the train they ran into a woman who he was good friends with. As they finished talking the woman turned to Mohamed and said: 'trust in the Lord Mohamed, He will get you through everything.' This type of comment is VERY uncommon in Sweden so it opened the door for a conversation about the gospel and the woman is now very interested in learning more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

 

Aldste Haddon knows that these instances are not merely coincidences or accidents but they are a result of divine inspiration from our Heavenly Father who has prepared His children to learn the gospel at this time in their life and who has also prepared and placed Aldste Haddon and his amazing companion Aldste Allsop in this area. This is the Lord's work. He shared the following scripture from Doctrine and Covenants 100:

"Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say. But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.  And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say."

 

To end things, the elderly man that is in their ward and who they have been working to help and serve since their arrival recently suffered from a stroke. They were able to give him a blessing (in the handicap bathroom in the hospital, interesting experience) and be there to love and serve him. He has taught them so much about the love of Heavenly Father. This man has been working very hard all his life and Aldste Haddon feels like this is the only way they could get him to slow down! Please remember him in your prayers as well.

 

This has been an amazing week for Aldste Haddon. He has felt the hand of the Lord in every action and knows that he is not doing the work alone.

We know that our brother and son is being watched over and that Heavenly Father is guiding his path and protecting him. We feel so much strength from each of you and are so thankful for all of your love, prayers and support!

 



Finding the Prepared

Couldn't have said it any better....

 

"Put On For My City, (Uppsala)

"So... this week is transfers and Elder Allsop and I are still going to be staying in Thee Dang Uppsala, home of puke filled streets and Australian and Swedish babes. (Elder Allsop’s Quote.)

This week we have an amazing story, but it starts about a month ago. So at the beginning of the New year Elder Allsop and I started to really trying to figure out what we need to do here in Uppsala, so that It will never be that crazy hymn book throwing ward its been. We felt that we really needed to focus on Strengthening the members and also trying to Find, Teach, Baptize. We made a goal, after much prayer and guidance through the Spirit. That we would find, teach and baptize someone on the 9^th of February.

 

"So we went to work. Everyday talking to everyone, also teaching as many as we could. But we got to this last Sunday thinking that we had no one that could even be baptized. We knew for certain that our planning and work would NOT be for nothing. We knew that we could still get this goal that we confidently set in faith with the Lord.

 

"On Sunday hoping and praying one of our investigators would come.... none of them did. But, a man from Sierra Leone, named Mohamed came in the doors. He’s lived in Sweden for about 12 years trying to find the right church, he said that he has found it. On the 9^th of February Mohamed, is going to be following the Saviors example by being baptized. He's already known to the ward as Brother Mohamed! He's one of the greatest men i have ever come in contact with.

 

"But this is not where the story ends, after church we had a woman come into the building. Victoria, she had been driving by the church for the last 7 years. She's been studying about the church for a while now and wants to be baptized with her small family..... of 9. 7 Boys. So we will be teaching them all soon enough. :)

 

"Its going absolutely great here. I am super happy to be doing everything in my power to bring people unto Christ. I love everyone of you and I hope that you all can take those steps towards him as well. "

Mvh,

Äldste Haddon

 



Another baptism

Aldste Haddon's favorite quote of the week....

“So...... the Bishop is going to drown me in the water?” Bishop then replying, not knowing any English, “Yes!”

Click to learn about: Baptism by immersion

This week they had a baptism and he said that it was an amazing experience. The spirit was so strong. The man they baptized speaks English so he didn't understand very much of it, but Aldste Haddon repeated everything to him in English. The amazing thing is, even though you don't speak the language, you can still feel the Holy Ghost when truths are being shared and when someone is testifying of the Savior.

He said the bishop was so excited to baptize him but had never said the prayer in English, so he said the prayer, missing a few words and Aldste Haddon was about to tell him to try again but before he knew it, Bishop had picked him up and threw him under the water before he could say anything and smiled the biggest smile in search of approval. He even splashed some of the people watching the baptism! 

This week, our Grandpa Larry passed away. Aldste Haddon was of course very saddened by this event but he shared that this is exactly why he is serving a mission. He wants everyone to know that we, as families, can be together forever. Grandpa Larry was an amazing man, he loved the Lord and he loved his family. Of course he will be missed, but it is such a blessing to know that families are forever and that this is not the end of our journey with him. We don't say good bye, just see you later and that is a great comfort.

The rest of our family was able to travel to Oregon this past weekend to be able to attend the funeral and spend time with family. It was a great experience to see everyone and to remember Grandpa's life. He was a jokester and his fun personality will always be the way we remember him.

Thank you for your love and prayers on behalf of Grandpa Haddon and of course, Aldste Haddon!

Dop (baptism) is in the air

As you might remember, Aldste Haddon and his companion had a baptism planned for this weekend, unfortunately, that baptism date fell through. They were meeting with their investigator who doesn't speak English or Swedish with a translator and part of the way through the lesson, the translator and the investigator appeared to be in an argument and from that time on, they haven't been able to reach him to continue teaching more. Of course, this is very upsetting but they are continuing to work toward getting back in contact with him. They think he is an amazing man who is very strong and they really hope to be able to resolve the concerns that arose.

This week, they are also working with another man who plans to be baptized this weekend. He is awesome according to Aldste Haddon. They took him to church on Sunday and an area Seventy was there (a general authority who is over specific areas in the world, they report back to the Prophet and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on their area's successes and concerns) speaking in church. Afterward, he came up to Aldste Haddon, his companion and their investigator and asked the man if he liked these young men, he answered saying they are his dearest friends. He then asked if he believe in the Savior, and the restoration of His gospel on the earth. The man replied that he had a testimony. He then asked why he wasn't getting baptized tomorrow then. When the investigator responded that he didn't feel he knew enough, the area Seventy said, it sounds like you know as much as I do.

This story was touching because it reminded me of the importance of the simple things. Our Savior lives and loves each and every one of us and he does all he does just so we can live with Him again. This is His gospel, and I feel grateful to be able to live it and share my testimony of it. 

Aldste Haddon feels the same way, he is a great example to our family of the blessings that come from sincere sacrifice and hard work and how we can be blessed from giving all we have to Heavenly Father.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support. It means the world to us.

Also, Grandpa Larry is struggling to gain strength and motivation to overcome this huge trial and illness in his life. Our Dad Charlie and Hunter were able to go spend the week with him and family in Oregon, we are unsure of what the future holds but are thankful for the love and support.