Turning the BIG 2-0!

 

This week, Aldste Haddon and his companion had two amazing experiences with Priesthood Blessings. He says that he knows that it is the power of Heavenly Father on the earth and he feels so blessed to be able to have and honor the priesthood.

The first experience was with a man who's wife, high school sweetheart who waited for him while on his mission passed away from a rare form of cancer leaving him to raise two children with special needs on his own. Of course, this has been a terrible tragedy for the family and has been heartbreaking for this man. When Aldste Haddon met with him, he could tell that he was near bottom and feeling very upset. Aldste Haddon asked if he would like a priesthood blessing. The man's eyes lit up and said he hadn't had one since before his wife got sick and would love one. He asked Aldste Haddon to offer the blessing. He said that the Holy Ghost was present at that time and everyone in the room was overwhelmed by the comfort of our Heavenly Father. With tear filled eyes the man testified that he knew his wife was still with him and that he had to go on for her and for their kids and that Heavenly Father would be there to help him through it all.

 

 

The second experience, they were assisting the ward with their home teaching efforts. They went to visit a sister in the ward who was currently living in a rest home.

 Aldste Haddon told the story so well so here is how he put it:

"She is 90 years old and has Alzheimer’s. She hasn’t responded to even her own children for the last 20 years. We thought we would visit her so that he could be familiar how home teaching usually goes. We read to her some scriptures and I said jokes, and it pretty much I was just like talking to a wall. It was quiet sad.

But as we started to go she started to try to talk and move. We didn’t know what she wanted, we just knew that she looked very upset. So we decided to ask her if she wanted a priesthood blessing. She looked me in the eyes, it was like she was looking into my soul, and nodded her head with agreement. We all looked at each other very surprised that she even could understand what we were saying.

We had Lennart give her a blessing and it was beautiful. It was just an amazing feeling. After she had the biggest smile on her face. It was just so wonderful. First, we saw the world’s saddest woman, then the world’s happiest."

 

He ended his email by saying:

"It was very cool to be a tool in the Lord’s hands. I know that wasn’t any of our own powers that did that, it was clearly the Lord’s. I am so happy and blessed that I am able to have this and be worthy of using it.

I just wanted to thank everyone for the birthday wishes and all the wonderful emails and lvoe I have received here in Sweden. Ya’ll are da best!"

 This sign says "tourist kisses"

 The primary made him birthday gifts! So sweet!

A pic with the ward council

Getting it done

Last week was a little bit of a slow week for Aldste Haddon so they have refreshed and renewed and are back to it this week... They decided to go out there and just get the job done.

They met a less active family who lost their mother and wife recently. The father, newly a single dad has two autistic sons and has been struggling with the loss of his wife. Aldste Haddon said that they are a fantastic family and he enjoyed spending time with them. He said that they were able to help lift their spirits, remind them of the plan of salvation and invited them to come to church.

They did come on Sunday and had a fantastic experience. He said that he is excited to continue the relationship with them and to get to know them better.

They also were able to find more investigators to teach and things are starting to improve more and more in the area. His companion is headed home as well as another missionary in the area. He had a good experience with him and is getting prepared for another new companion!

As Aldste Haddon shares his stories of missionary work, it reminds me of the importance of following promptings in our lives. Recently I have had a couple experiences where following promptings, and seeking promptings from our Heavenly Father has been much needed. It's not always hear to know what we're supposed to do when we're supposed to do it, especially when we're in the heat of the moment and emotions are running high but I do know as we strive to listen to and follow promptings from the Holy Ghost we will be lead to do what is best in every situation.

We can find people to share our testimonies with, we can be lead to help people who need our help, we can know what to say in sometimes scary situations, we can be protected from harm and most importantly we can be given an undeniable testimony of Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Today, I'm grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost and the power and strength it gives me daily.

Doctrine and Covenants 8:2

"Yea, behold I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the holy ghost which will come upon you and shall dwell in your heart."

 He claims this wasn't a full contact kiss...both of these elders are headed home this week!



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!