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The Fruits of the Fast

 Hej! 


This week, our ward began a 40 day fast for missionsarbete (missionary work), and the miracles that have come from that...have been astounding. Truly. How it works, is each family in our ward is assigned one day over the next 40 days to fast. And then, at the end of the day, both us and the Elders in our ward send them the miracles we saw that day as a result of their fast. 

It would take ages to type out every miracle we've experienced this week, but I'll do my best to give everyone a little glimpse of the magic we've seen. 

Wednesday: Day 1 of the Fast
- We met not one, not two, but three new people to teach! 
- I gave out a Book of Mormon to a nice guy on the bus.
- Syster Taylor was able to testify of God's love to a girl on the bus and almost brought her to tears.

Thursday: Day 2
- Me and Syster Taylor were asked last minute to go and give another school presentation about our religion. In this one, we followed along with Felicia (a 10 year old member of our ward) to her school class, and gave the presentation WITH her to a class of 18 other 10-year-olds. They were all very curious, as religion is not at all a part of Sweden's culture, and many of them ran up to Syster Taylor and me and thanked us for our presentation afterwards. It was awesome, and Felicia did an amazing job.
- When we were walking home that night, we stopped to take a look at the big Christmas tree they put up in stan, and I saw a man sitting alone near the tree. I told Syster Taylor that I felt we needed to talk to him, so we did. And we're meeting with him this next week! 

Friday: Splits! 
- Splits were awesome. I got to split off with both Syster Bryson and Syster Shaw, and we taught a guy who is going through something that correlated with an experience I've had. I was able to relate to him, and testify with the spirit. 

Saturday:
- I met a guy in the bus who has ALREADY read the Book of Mormon, and ALREADY believes in it. We're meeting with him this week, haha! 
- We met a woman for our first lesson with her, and for the first HOUR we were there, she testified to US about Jesus Christ and her experiences with him. It was incredibly powerful to listen to her story, and the ways she's changed her life (stopped drinking, swearing, started dressing modestly) since she started going to Svenska Kyrkan and reading the Bible. We then got to tell her about baptism, the Book of Mormon, and answer some of her doctrinal questions about the Bible. As soon as she heard that we do baptism by immersion, she wanted it. "Now THATS what I expected!! Not this little tiny sprinkle on the forehead thing they did for me..."  She's one of the most faithful people I've ever met. 

Sunday! 
- One of our friends who we have NEVER been able to get to church, CAME TO CHURCH! 
- The Elders invited a little family to come to church, and Syster Taylor gave the mom of the family a tour. When they went by the font, Syster Taylor explained baptism, and the mom expressed that she'd like for her and her daughters to be baptized!!! 

I know that none of these miracles are our doing. They were brought to pass by the faith of the members in our ward, and through Heavenly Father. This is His work, and I am honored to be a part of it. He loves his children, and he magnifies our efforts. 

I hope everyone is doing well! 
Syster Naatjes

Pictures:
I actually don't remember taking this picture. Some regular day on the bus, I suppose?

Us and the Saffer kids before the school presentation.

They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Sweden, so me and Syster Taylor's celebration was a little smaller than normal, haha.

Julbordet at a ward Christmas advent celebration! 

 Cute Christmas tree in town


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