Going on Splits

Hej Allihopa!

There are two quotes for this week, the first, Elder Faylor: "Dude... are we
really going to break the word of wisdom with Muslims right now?" (We
knocked some doors and a sweet ól Muslim lady let us in and insisted that
we drink her coffee. Almost force fed us.)

The second, Elder Ogaard a secretary: "I got some super ghetto in the hood
fonts on Microsoft Word 2014 if you want!" (I'm sure there is some "ghetto
in the hood" font in Microsoft Word.)

This week has been a good one we started the week out right with some
American football on P-day and then had to jet to the mission home for some
meetings with the president right after. We had a lesson planned up for a
very positive man that we were supposed to meet in a small town at the edge
of our area, so we drove over and hour to get there. The last meeting he
accepted to be baptized, so that's why we are able to make the long
journey. But of course.... He wasn't there.

But in the course of trying to find this man, we found one of his friends.
Who we were able to teach and really wants us to come back. It was just
cool to see how the Lord works. That even though we didn't meet the man WE
were planning for. The Lord knew we needed to be there for what HE was
planning for. He really does care about each and every one of us.

I was able to go on Splits with Elder Faylor on Wednesday and we had a
record in his area for blåsts, (Canceled appointments.) So we just did the
fun part of missionary work and knocked doors... Thee entire day. I was
totally fine with that because he is one of my favorite missionaries so we
had good time no matter what! (And no we did not end up breaking the Word
of Wisdom with the Muslim lady.)

Saturday we were able to have the baptismal service with Lisen, it was
amazing. They YSA's from the center in Stockholm all showed up to support
her which we ended up having over 30 there, (In Sweden that's amazing.) It
was so cool to see her change and she is so happy now. She has been able to
find the truth and really come in to this new family. I was able to confirm
her on Sunday, which just a super cool opportunity.

I love this work. I know it is literally the greatest thing I could do. I
am so thankful for the chance to be here, in Sweden. I couldn't even
imagine going somewhere else. I love you all and miss you as well.

Love,

Äldste Hädön

*PICTURES:*
Burger time with the office krew.
My magic carpet
Lennart (Baptized 8 months ago.)
Crazy neighboorhood
preparing for the baptism
THe baptism
Allsop made me a skinny tie

The Saga Begins

The Saga begins....

This week has been nuts we had 3 conferences, the day after I got into the
office, Mission Leadership Council, Mission Leadership training, and
Couples Conference.

The Quote of the week comes from President Newell after discussing the
Leadership Conferences we had just taught, on our way to a Couples
conference, "I felt that they went wonderfully, but I will make one
suggestion, remember the details. That will make all the difference." As we
pull up to the Chapel in Västerhaninge, we see all of the couples standing
outside of the building. President asks, "Do you have the key to the
chapel?" We both looked at each other with a look of embarrassment on our
faces and then President hopping out of the car says, "This is a detail."

We then drove like mad men to find some missionary in the area to find a
key! So that was defiantly interesting.

But it has been a really crazy week! Got transferred on Wednesday and then
had an entire day getting briefed by President on Thursday. Then Friday we
were expected to lead and teach some conferences. Without any really
preparation so that was fun. It did turn out well though.

There is an actually cool story; there was a girl we helped teach in
Gubbängen who is this 20 year old Swed. She is super cool and super
prepared, but we didn't know what area she lived in. We learned it was in
another spot in Stockholm, (when there is over 50 missionaries that tend to
happen.) Just learned as of recently that she actually lives in Täby...
That's my new area. We have been teaching her and she is now getting
baptized on this Saturday which is super exciting!

So things are looking great here, excited for the new challenge, it's going
to be different. But i am still a missionary. " Behold, I am a disciple of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word
among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

I love you all and hope that you all had a Glad Påsk! (Happy Easter!)

Love,

Elder Haddon

Transfered AGAIN....Now an Assistant

Tjabba!

The Quote of the week goes to our main man Danny D.

DD “I don't understand it, I should get twice as much money from my job and schooling.”

ME“Why?”

DD “When My Mother got her first ultrasound, she had twins. Several months later, the other baby was gone. The only explanation..... I ate my brother. That makes me TWICE the person. I should at LEAST get double the pay. It only makes sense!”

This week has been a really good week! We have been able to meet new people and set some good things up for the next Elder coming in. (Who we learned is Elder Luke L. Jones. For you that know who that is.) But I have learned where I am going to be transferring. DUN DUN DUN!!!!

(President Newell) “Elder Haddon you will be transferring from Gubbängen to Täby as one of my Assistants companions with Elder Moe.”

So that will defiantly be an experience. I get to go back to the office and to Täby ward. It's going to be a lot of work with the new mission president coming in, but in the same it is going to be a lot of fun. I'm defiantly excited for the next few months and the challenges it brings.

One thing though I am actually going to miss Gubbängen I finally got my grounds here, started to get to know some members, I really like my companion and now I got to go.(I gave my Welcoming/Goodbye talk yesterday. So that was interesting.) But it's not my will but it's where the Lord needs me.

One thing that I really am starting to understand more and more. Is that the Lord is really leading this work. I don't feel a single area or companion was a mistake. I have learned so much from every single one of those places and people. It's shaped me to be the missionary and man I am now. And luckily I have more time because I defiantly need some more shaping. 

Well I love you all and would love to hear from you ALL!!!! so email or right please!!! (And if you want to feel guilty for not writing watch this Mormon Channel Films)

Love,

Elder Haddon 

 

 

 

General Conference

Quote of the week, "Due to the lack of food, we had to stoop down to the level of animals. Getting food stamps from a member, and walking over 4 miles to a ghetto grocery store and buy old, grilled chicken and devour it like dogs." 

We ran out of food this week.... I did what we had to do.

This week has been a good one, nothing to big happened just another week in paradise. Learned that i will not be staying in Gubbängen much longer which is said because I've really liked it. But the Lord needs me somewhere else. I will know where I am going on Friday, so stay tuned to next weeks episode!

Sorry it's short but i thought i would just leave something with you guys that i learned from General Conference. We all need to realize the potential we all have. We are all literal Sons and Daughters of a living God. We can do anything, just trust in him and you will do miraculous things. He loves you and cares about you and wants you to succeed more then anything. If your having a hard time pray to Him. If your having a great time give thanks to Him. If you need guidance, ask Him. We wants to hear from us.

I love you all and have a wonderful week,

Äldste Haddon

A little more info about conference in Sweden...
Conference comes on in the middle of the night there since Utah is 7 hours behind them so if you think we're watching it in our PJs imagine what they are thinking!

They also don't have it broadcast to their homes like we do so they watch it dressed up at a stake center or try to stream it over the internet! Wow!

Stockholm's Got Talent..?...

Another one bites the dust!

Quote of the week goes to Elder Kiikko from Finland, “Elder Haddon and Hansen you did great.... Elder Judd, you were stiff as a board.” (In a monotone voice)

So we were able to do a dance for the stake talent show........ and that's pretty much it.

This week has been great! Slowly remembering the Subway lines, and trying to not get hit by any trains. Things are looking good! We have been able to find some new people to teach, and new less actives that we are starting to work with which is super exciting.

One of which is a member referral. He had investigated the church before, and come to church several times. But he still never believed in the church. He told us when we first got a pizza with him and started to get to know him. That he has been taught by over 10 missionaries and he knows everything there is to know about the church... but wanted to see if you could teach me something new.

I thought about it a lot what we should teach him about. I know that he has heard almost everything. So I said a prayer in my heart, that I would be able to know what he needs to go further in the Gospel. I thought to tell him, as simply as I could, my conversion story. I told him it all comes down to The Book of Mormon. If it is true, then everything else falls into place. I asked him boldly, “Have you read it?”

He tried to avoid the question and finally said, “No. I haven't.”

We were able to help him understand that, that is the key. To read and pray. It's simple. Defiantly not the easiest at times but it is simple.

It was a testimony to me that the Lord, will put the things in our mouths that we need to say if we are worth of it. I had no idea what he needed to hear, but the Lord did. I am not that intelligent, those of you who know me, know that is a true statement. But through weak things (Like me) the Lord is able to do mighty miracles. He is now progressing and reading and strengthening his testimony in the Lord. (When his friend didn't think it was even possible.)

It is little things like that which makes everyday worth it. Being able to testify to the world what you know in your heart is true. I am so thankful that I am a missionary of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that he is the one leading this work. That he cares and knows of each and everyone of us. We just need to trust in him and everything will be alright.

I love you all and hope to be able to hear from you next week.

Love,

Elder Haddon



Stockholm Here We Come

Hey everybody!

 

So this week has been CRAZY!!!! We had transfers on Thursday and I had to say goodbye to all of the people I love and start all over.

But the quote of the week will be given to a man named Elder Zaugg. It is Elder Allsop’s new companion and we were making the switch of companions and this is what he said. “Eh, Elevators are actually a lot stronger then the warning sign directs. We can have at LEAST 6 people.” Well what do you know? The max weight was 4 people and we got stuck in an elevator for about 45 minutes. The funny thing is that is not the first time I have been stuck in an elevator with that kid. (See picture.)

This week was hard to say goodbye to all of the people I have been able to serve with, and learn to love so dearly. But we ended out companionship with a bang.

On the 20^th of March, Victoria and Johnny, (Family of 9,) follow the Lord’s example and were baptized. It was the coolest experience I have ever had. Elder Allsop and I we’re able to baptize each of them. (I actually got to help Allsop out with Johnny, because there wasn’t enough water and Johnny is a big guy.) It was just the perfect way to end our companionship to one of my dearest of friends.

Now let me tell you a little about the Stockholm experience so far:

1. First street contact in Stockhom,

Me: “Hey excuse us…..”

Man: “HAHA no #%& way!”

(Welcome back Haddon.)

2.  Our current baptismal date…. Got deported.

3. We taught an entire lesson in….. Spanish. (Thank goodness for “Google Translate” on our iPhones.)

4. Got hit on my some gay guy.

 

Even though it’s been an interesting start, I am actually super glad to be back. It feels good getting back on subways and meeting people from all over the world. I know this work is true, that there are people like Victoria and Johnny, EVERYWHERE. They seek for the truth but not knowing where to find it. I love the people of Sweden, (Africa, Middle East, South America, Asia and everyone else I have met here.) I love you all too and hope you all have a fantastic week!

 

Love,

Elder Haddon

Transfers!

Öj Då!

It is the dreaded time, the one every missionary thinks, dreams, talks and even prays about.... Yes I am talking about TRANSFERS. DUN DUN DUN! I sadly will be leaving the wonderful place of Uppsala. That is is where this quote of the week comes into play. “President Newell here, can you put me on speakerphone? I am calling to confirm transfers, Elder Haddon you will now be transferring to Gubbängen and being a zone leader not in the Stockholm North Zone, but now in the Stockholm Zone. Love you both... (Click.)” So I will now be going to Gubbängen. Which is the only are in Stockholm I haven't served in yet.... So check that one off the list.

I'm really happy about it though, because I’ve been blessed to be apart of Stake's effort in missionary work. (The Mother Stake.) I have been working closely with the Stake leaders, been able to build up a relationship with them, and help the work go forward in the entire stake. So I will be able to do that still.

So yesterday I was my last Sunday in Uppsala, I've been here for almost 6 months and I feel like I am apart of their family. It was a really hard experience but in the same, it was amazing. I was pulled out by several members who just told me thanks for the work that we have done, and sense we have been here in the last 4 months things have changed dramatically. Uppsala will not be the same crazy hymn book throwing ward it was before.

There has been quite a bit of good that we have been able to be apart of in Uppsala, But in the same “I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea,I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak;therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.”

What many mighty miracles have happened in the land of Uppsala, because of the Lord. I am so happy I could have been here and be a tool in His hands. We will be ending our time together, with baptisms of Victoria and Johnny, and there 7 sons will continue being taught and hopefully be baptized by their father Johnny soon.

I love you all and hope to hear from you all soon!

Love,

Elder Haddon

 

Pictures:

1.Pride Hill

2. Allsop is a Cat Lover!

3. Had to fix the car, so we considered getting a new one.

4-6. Friends and trainers going home

7. yes..... We got iPhones.

8-9. Kids being kids

10. Got some fresh new pow... it's pretty sick