Merry Late Christmas!

Christmas was good around here and we hope the same for all of you! Aldste Haddon was able to Skype us from his church building yesterday and it was great to hear from him! His spirits were high and he showed a great love for the people of Sweden and the work he is doing there!

He introduced us to his best friend and companion, also named Tyson with a little brother named Hunter! They said that the work they are doing in their area is tough, but they are grateful to be together because they're able to lift one another's spirits and get back to work!

He mostly recapped stories that we had heard before, they're a little more exciting 'in person' and it was good to see his face and hear his voice. His nephew and niece Tate and Emerson are so big and loved seeing him (and themselves) on the screen! He sent a more detailed email of his Christmas Eve (that's the focus of celebration in Sweden) here are pictures and details!

 

His thought he shared at the end of our Skype that he'd like to share with all of you is something a man they have been teaching brought to his attention:

(this is pretty much how it goes)

'We often thank Heavenly Father for our blessings and the things he provides us in our lives but how often to we thank Him and show appreciation for the faith that He gives us? He is the one who gives us that too."

 

"Well this week has been a lot of fun. In Sweden, they celebrate
Christmas on Christmas Eve (Julafton.) So on the 24th is where we had
the “Real Christmas Celebration.” We were luckily invited to the
bishops home.... Which was in Täby, in Stockholm.

"We woke up fairly early and took a train there. When we arrived, went
around the city with the beautiful lights, went around the old city
which had more than 100 year old buildings, shops and art. Elder
Allsop has never seen them so I gave him a little tour sense that was
my area so I knew it pretty well. (See pictures)

"Then, we meet the Elders in the office and road with them to the
Office in Täby (My old Home and Area) which we got to take the big ól
van to Bishop’s house. He has a beautiful house in one of the most
wealthy places in all of Sweden. But even with his wealth he is one of
the most humble, and generous people I have ever met.

"His wife passed away about 5 years ago from cancer, and he had gotten
remarried a year ago. His new wife is a woman from Norway who’s
husband passed away 2 years ago. Even though they hard some very hard
times, they are still some of the happiest people I have ever met.
They just have such a great understanding of the Gospel and know that
there is so much more after this life. It was great to be surrounded
by people like that.

"But anyway the nights activities went as followed:

1.Kalle Anka- Donald duck, in Sweden for the last 50 years there has
been a Donald duck program that plays every Christmas eve at 3:00 PM.
Millions of people watch it every year its quiet the tradition.
(Everyone knows the words by heart... and trust us they know it by
heart.)

"Julbord- The Christmas Feast, (See picture) A table full of different
food, Meatballs, Fish, Janssons Frestelse (Potatoes, cream, and
anchovies,) and of coarse the famous Swedish drinks Glögg and Julmust.
It was the best.

"Went to the graveyard to light some candles for there deceased
spouses. Swedish graveyards are beautiful and quite scary. (On the way
back they played “The Thriller,” as loud as there speakers would go.
Because it looked a lot like the set to the music video.)

"Played pool (Bishop and this little kid named Benji hustled us.) and
read Luke chapter 2.

"All around it was a great time, we got to spend it with people who
really cared about us and had a legitimate Swedish Christmas which we
are super happy about. But one thing that was defiantly different
about this year that it was just 100% focused on the Lord. It was
about the birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Its crazy to
see the magic of Christmas brings so much happiness to everyone. It is
a huge testimony to me that it really was the birth of our Lord Jesus
Christ.

"I love you all and I hope that you could feel the Christmas spirit
this year, too bad it is over, but it will be here again sooner then
you know it. Love you all!"


Elder Haddon

 

A Visit From Jultomten

Jultomten is Santa Claus in Sweden! And this week Aldste Haddon got to meet him! They were able to attend two Christmas Celebrations this week. The first was to celebrate St. Lucia in the largest cathedral in Northern Europe: (Here's Aldste Haddon's version)

A little background on the Holiday St. Lucia

St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred, killed for her faith, in 304AD. The most common story told about St Lucia is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would wear candles on her head so she had both her hands free to carry things. Lucy means 'light' so this is a very appropriate name.

A great video to watch about this ”A Lucia for Dummies Guide” http://vimeo.com/55253944"

 

Later in the week was the 37th Annual Ward Christmas Party, in the past the largest turnout they had ever had was about 60 ward members with one or two friends scattered amongst the crowd. This year was a lot different! They had over 100 people because of the huge turnout of people who had not been attending church or who are now being taught by the missionaries. It was incredible, but unfortunately they ran out of food!

 (Lets not forget this is the same area that there was a full out fight in during Thanksgiving so it really is saying something!)

 

It's amazing to see what a lot of hard work and the spirit of the Lord can do. This is an area that has been struggling in ways we don't experience here in the US usually and now, their attendance is doubling and the work of the Lord is spreading. There's really nothing more amazing than that. There is no better gift to give someone than the gift of Jesus Christ for Christmas. We challenge you to find someone who you can share the Light of Christ with.

Share your testimony of Him and His divinity and mission this Holiday Season both through your loving actions and the words you speak!

 

Thanks again for helping us support Aldste Haddon as he serves the people of Sweden a world away!

Click HERE for the Nativity Video to get into the Christmas Spirit!

 

 These pictures were emailed to us by a Senior Couple serving with Aldste Haddon, they said he and his companion are always quick to help them, even checking out their car before a trip to the district meeting!