Welcome Home Nanny!

It's about time I get on here and do some bloggin'! I have to first of all thank my sisters Stephanie and Melissa for taking care of posting on my blog during my mission. They did an AWESOME job! I love you both SO much! Thanks for all you did!

Next, I have to say that I am having a great time being back at home. Don't get me wrong...I miss the mission an incredible amount...but spending time with the fam. has been amazing and I am glad to be home and have the opportunity to experience some other wonderful things as well.

Since I've been home, I've been substitute teaching quite a bit, and I'm deciding right now where to apply to Graduate School. We'll see if I get in a Grad School Program...or if I teach school next year...or teach school while doing a Masters Degree. I have lots of options and I am looking forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for me next in my life. I know that there is a lot to figure out...but I look forward to all of my upcoming decisions with faith and confidence. :) Not to mention...that someday...I don't mean tomorrow...but someday I'd like to get married and have a family. (I'll play that hand when it's dealt to me! ;))

Otherwise, everything is going well for me. I am happy! I'm including some pics. of the airport scene when I got into the Las Vegas Airport. Bry, Meliss and the kiddos stayed up extra late to see me when I arrived. It was SO good to see them. Taylor and Jenny also come...which was amazing!

Last Email! (Wed., Sept. 29)

Dear Family and Friends,

I can't believe this is my last email to all of you. I have had a crazy, wonderful...full of up and downs kind of week. It is bitter sweet to be completing the mission and going to be heading home next weekend. I know that I have served the Lord to the best of my ability and that I would not trade this 18 months for anything in the world. I have learned so much, and my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has truly become stronger. I know that I could not have done the work without the support from all of you...nor without constant help from Heavenly Father.

I can update you on details from the last few days...when I see you...or talk to you on the phone...but I will leave you with one story.

Last Saturday, we were doing finding work in Lund with the Zone Leaders and all of our bags got stolen out of the car. It was totally devastating! we talked to the Police, and then had a very long night...no longer having our cell phone, or keys to our apt. We were able to get home at about 11:30pm and get to bed. On Sunday, I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting. I had planned to talk about all the things I have learned on my mission. I had prepared what I felt like would be uplifting to the ward. Well, as I got ready on Sunday morning, some other thoughts came into my mind that I felt I needed to share.

Basically, the talk I gave was an opportunity for me to bear my testimony of the things that we can't lose if we take care of ourselves spiritually. I lost everything "valuable" to me in a material way on Saturday...but those things that nobody can take from me, are my faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, or my testimony of His gospel and how it can bless our lives. It was an incredible blessing for me to talk in church and to have the opportunity to bear my testimony of these things.

I hope all of you have a wonderful week. Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Morris...I'll see you on Saturday!!!! To the rest of you, I will see...or talk to you very soon. I know this is the Lord's work and I am so grateful for the chance I have had to serve!

Much Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Photos and a note from Sister Pettersson in Sweden

Hi!

I am enclosing a few photos I took last Wednesday (September 8th) when you daughter and her companion came to our house for lunch.

In some of the photos my two sons are also present. Robert the youngest came home from his mission last Friday (London south mission) and his older brother Fredrik came home a year ago from the Manchester mission.

We came to the conclusion that soon the five of us will have served our Lord for a total of 8years. How wonderful!

Thank for letting us have your wonderful daughter here in Sweden.

All the best to your family.
Sister Pettersson

Lots of New Pics!

Sister Sumner and Me at Zone Conference...in August.

The Zone at Conference....last week.

Sister Sumner and Me...at a bus stop.

Elder Carlisle, Elder Bloomfield and Me at our bowling Zone Activity

The entire Malmö Zone...we have a great time together!!!

Sister Sumner and Me in Södra Sandby.

The Copenhagen Temple

All of us in front of the temple

Us and the Zone Leaders in front of the temple sign

The Christus Statue in Copenhagen that all of the statues in the church are a replica of.

Sis. Sumner and Me in front of the Christus Statue.

Denzil's baptism with Sister Sumner and Fredrik Pettersson.

1 1/2 weeks to go!!

Dear Family and Friends,

I had a fantastic week last week! We worked hard, and had a couple of really cool experiences. I will share just a couple of them with you. :)

First of all, I had my last conference last Thursday. Our "Sharpening" conferences have become more like a 2nd Zone Conference every transfer. The conference was very good and motivating. One thing I had the opportunity to do was bear my testimony to the Zone. I am the only finishing missionary in the Zone...so I got plenty of time to say whatever I felt like saying. I'm sure you can all guess that I started out by shedding a few tears...and I bore my testimony of the gospel, and was able to share a couple of the things that I have learned on my mission. It was a wonderful opportunity, but was very difficult for me. I continue to bear a witness of the things I know are true every day...and I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel. I know it is the thing that gives me the most strength in my trials. Our testimonies grow as we exercise faith in the Lord and try His promises. I have seen that many times on my mission and I know it's true.

We also had the opportunity to go to Copenhagen last Friday to the temple there. It was a wonderful experience. We went with the Zone Leaders and some of the other missionaries from our Zone. The session was wonderful and I am SO grateful I was able to attend the temple there before returning home.

Lastly, we had Stake Conference on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Our investigator Anna came on Sat. and Sun. I had the wonderful opportunity to sing at the session on Saturday night...which was an incredible blessing and opportunity for me. I sang "Be Still, My Soul" with a violin, cello and piano. The Spirit was very strong during the meeting and I was so glad that I could be a part of it. As people came and thanked me after the meeting, all I could say was, "Tack" Va glad jag bli! (Rough translation: "Thank you! What pleased me be!")

I am really looking forward to this week. Sis. Sumner and I have some great goals and I am going to make this last week one of the best of my mission. I'm ending with a bang! I know that I can still make a difference with the days I have left. I am so grateful for my opportunity to serve. I know that church is true. I know that it brings us more joy than we can even begin to comprehend. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Wonderful Work! (Monday, Sept. 13)

Dear Family and Friends,

It's amazing...there has been so much that has continued to happen during the course of my mission, and I have told all of you about the ins and outs of missionary work here in Sweden. I feel as though there isn't anything that I can say...that you all haven't heard. However, I continue to teach the wonderful children of our Heavenly Father and I am honored to have a little bit of time left to help as many as possible.

I don't have many thoughts this week. But, one thing I would like to say is that I know that conversion takes place through the Spirit of our Heavenly Father. I have seen a miraculous change in our friend Anna who we have been teaching the gospel and she has taken it upon herself to make changes in her life to live in accordance with the commandments of God. It has been amazing. Her heart has changed, and with her change of heart has started to take place a change in her behavior and attitude.

I am just incredibly grateful for the blessing it has been for me to help some of God's children begin the path back to Him. I love the gospel. I love the Lord. I am grateful to be a part it. Even though I have not seen all of the fruits of the labor I have performed, I know that the Lord is pleased with us when we serve Him.

I hope all of you are well. I hope this week goes well, and I hope that you all continue to live in accordance with the gospel. It will bless your lives!

Much Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Hey Family! (Monday, Sept. 6)

Dear Family,

I am so grateful for this last week we have had in Lund. It has been a wonderful week! I don't have a whole lot of time to email today, so I will keep this email short, but I wanted to share a couple of our success stories from last week.

A couple of weeks ago, we were walking to the bus station from the church, and we met three Chinese students at the bus stop. We started chatting with them and as we got on the bus...Lynch (one of the guys we met) came and sat by us. We started talking about Chinese food and he told us we could come over and eat dinner with him and his friends sometime. We called him a few days later and set up an appt. to go and eat a meal with him. Well, last Friday we went to the student housing where Lynch lives, and we ate a wonderful Chinese dinner with Lynch and 5 of his friends. As we were visiting with them, we were able to talk to them about Heavenly Father and the Savior. We got all 6 of their phone numbers and they all said they would like to get together sometime and talk some more about God. AWESOME!!! It was a wonderful experience for us. Not to mention it was really fun to get to know them and share the gospel with them.

We were also able to go to a baptism in Malmö last saturday. It was a man named Ali from Iran and he is one of the most prepared people I have ever met on the mission. He knew exactly what kind of commitment he was making to God when he was baptized. One thing that was really awesome about the baptism is that Anna (our amazing, wonderful, golden investigator) was able to come to the baptism with one of the members of our ward. It was perfect! She had a wonderful experience at the baptism and came to church yesterday. We are going to invite her to be baptized this week. We really feel strongly that she is prepared for the gospel. :)

Other than that, we have been doing a lot of finding, visiting our members, and teaching some new investigators. There is so much I'm grateful for as I reflect on my time as a missionary. I have been a little more emotional the last few days as I have born my testimony to the investigators of the truthfulness of the gospel. I know that it's because I receive such a strong witness from the Spirit that what I am teaching is true. Every time I teach about Joseph Smith's vision in the Sacred Grove, I am so touched by the Spirit that I am moved to tears. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through Joseph Smith. I know that this is the Lord's church on the earth and that as we live the principles of the gospel, we are blessed.

I am continuing to learn every day from the scriptures. They give me the spiritual boost I need to face every new day and I am grateful for the opportunity I have to study the words of the prophets. I am grateful for all of you...for your support and love. Thank you! I hope you all have a wonderful week. I am looking forward to the adventures I will have this week in Lund. :) Take care!

Love,
Sister Suzanne Wood

Four New Pics

A beautiful building on Lund University Campus

Elder Humphries, Elder Winegar and Elder Bloomfield on P-Day

Dom Kyrkan in Lund...super ominous...and huge!!

Sister Sumner and me with Nasrin and her husband who will be getting baptized in Stockholm. :)

It's fall! (Monday, August 30)

Kära Familj och Vänner,

It has been a little chilly this week here in Lund. The fall winds are starting to blow...and I'm pulling out the long sleeve shirts...and next.....tights!!! I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the Lord this last week. We have had challenges, we have had wonderful times, and through everything, I have felt the Spirit testify to me on a regular basis that this work is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that He is continually supporting me to find those who are searching for Him. Searching for the truth.

I am doing well in every aspect of me....my health is good...we are running every day...my Spirit is strong...and I know that as I put forth every bit of effort that I have...that I will continue to make a difference in people's lives.

During the week, both of our baptismal dates moved to different areas of Sweden. In one way it was kind of sad for us, because we would love to continue teaching them...and see them be baptized. On the other hand, I know that it doesn't matter one bit where they are baptized, as long as they are willing to make that covenant with the Lord. I'm grateful that I could be a part of their conversion process.

We had two wonderful teaches with our investigator Anna this week. She invited us to eat dinner with her, and as we shared our message about God's Love with her, we were all touched greatly by the Spirit and as it says in D&C...that we rejoiced together. :) She is so prepared. She has admitted herself that she is a skeptical person...and we can see that she has some bumps in the road that she will need to overcome. However, she has also expressed feelings of knowing that the words that the Prophet spoke last conference are true, and that all the other talks that she has read are true. So, she is definitely making progress. I know that she will make the decision to be baptized, and hope to be a part of that wonderful experience with her.

We have not had many other teaches with investigators this last week, except that we were able to go yesterday to the home of one of the member families in our ward. They have 3 foster kids living with them that are all interested in the gospel. We were able to teach them, and help them understand Joseph Smith's experience, and what that can mean for each of us. They are wonderful kids and we are looking forward to teaching them, and helping them prepare to be baptized.

Otherwise, we are doing a lot of things to find new people to teach. We are starting a Swedish Class on Wednesday evening...and spending a lot of time around the university contacting people and finding those who are interested in the gospel. I hope that each of you has a wonderful week! I hope that school, work, and everything else is going well. I know the church is true. I also know that we will be eternally blessed for our obedience to the Lord. Love you all!

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Hejsan, hejsan! (Monday, August 23)

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a great week here in Lund. I will start by saying I don't have a lot of time to write today. So...this will be a short, and sweet email to let all of you know that the work is going very well here in Lund, and that I am in good health.

We were able to commit two of our investigators to baptism. One of them is a woman named Nashrin. She is the referral we received last week. She will be moving to Stockholm on Wednesday...so the Jakobsberg Sisters will be teaching her the rest of the lessons to her and be able to help her be baptized. The other is a man named Jian...from China. He is awesome! He's been studying here...and has come to have a faith in God and Jesus Christ. He will be in Lund until the end of Sept...so we will have the opportunity to teach him to baptism. :)

Otherwise, the work has been great. Our investigator Anna came to church yesterday for the first time!!!! It was AMAZING!!!! We have been inviting her for weeks...and it meant a lot to us that she came yesterday. She stayed for all three meetings and enjoyed herself! It's awesome! We also have three kids in our ward that we will start teaching. They are foster kids from Africa. We will start teaching them the lessons this week.

The University in Lund will be starting soon. So, we have 40,000 new potential "seekers of truth" that we will be talking to over the next several weeks. We will also be starting Swedish class next week, and there will be more activities going on at the Young Adult Center as well. I'm loving the work here. I hope to get some pics. sent soon...and I hope that all of you know that I am so grateful for all of the support you have all given me. I still have time...as I keep telling myself. I'll keep working hard to the end. That's the message of the gospel. :) Love you all...have a great week!

Love,
Sister Suzanne Wood

Anybody got some extra time??? (Monday, August 16)

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been wonderful in Lund. We have found 3 new investigators and have been working with our other investigators to help them to prepare for baptism. I am amazed at the changes that I can see in the lives of those we are teaching. It's amazing. I am just going to share a couple of highlights from last week...I figure over the last 16 months that all of you pretty much have a gist of what the work is like here in Sweden...I'll spare you from the generics. :)

We taught one of our investigators Anna last week. We decided to focus on faith in Christ and why it is so important to understand what Christ did for us and what it means to us today. We watched Finding Faith in Christ which went really well. Then, we ended the lesson and everything and Anna said, "Do you guys have like 5 minutes?" Of course we replied that we had the time and she then asked us a couple of profound questions about prayer. She asked us of our opinions and what she can do about how she is feeling when she prays...and it was an amazing teaching opportunity for us. Not to mention that it was our investigator who wanted to know how to improve her prayers. After we visited a few minutes, the member that we had invited to come on the teach with us said,"She really trusts you Sisters. That's awesome!" It was just a testimony building experience to me of the fact that it's the Spirit that teaches those who have a desire to learn about the gospel. I'm so grateful for the burden the Spirit lifts off of my shoulders to convince people of the truthfulness of the gospel.

We also had an awesome teach with a new investigator who now has a baptismal date in Sept. We were given a referral from the office to go by Nasarin last week. We went by on Saturday and she was home and let us in...with a smile on her face. As we visited with her, we found out that she has many siblings that are living in California and are all members of the church. She said she really liked the things that she knows about the church and wants to know more and how she can be in the "group". We were able to teach her the Restoration of the Gospel and then commit her to learn of the commandments that we live by over the next couple of weeks and then to be baptized into the church. The teach was amazing! She agreed to learn all the lessons, and we will be returning again on Wednesday to teach her again. :) There really are miracles...and there are people being prepared all the time...in every part of the world.

I am enjoying the work here in Sweden. I have my last Zone Conference on Wednesday...where I will bear my testimony...what we like to call our "dying testimony" on the mission. It is so serile that my days as a full-time missionary are going to come to a close. I am trying my best to make the most of these last weeks, and plan to see at least a couple more baptisms of the prepared into the Lord's church. I hope all is well for all of you. I know that school is starting for some...good luck! I know that some of you contitnue to work hard...hope you have had a little bit of a break during the summer. I know this is the Lord's church. I know that the gospel brings happiness, understanding and knowledge into our lives. Hope you have a great week!

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

A baptism! (Monday, August 9)

Dear Family and Friends,

We have had a fantastic week in Lund! I am loving the area I am serving in and Sister Sumner and I are having a great time doing the work. We laugh a lot together...and although I think I am going crazy sometimes...we are really enjoying the work of the Lord.

The highlight of this week was definitely Denzil's baptism. We had everything organized and everything went smoothly from filling the font, to everybody showing up...especially Denzil. :) It was a really nice baptismal service, and there were several ward members there to support him. Sister Sumner talked, and I sang "I Feel My Savior's Love". The Bishop presided and conducted the meeting and one of Denzil's fellowshippers performed the baptism.

On Sunday, Denzil was confirmed a member of the church. He is married and has 3 kids in Sri Lanka, and he has asked Sis. Sumner and I to put together some lessons about the church so that he can teach his children the gospel! It's so amazing. He really was prepared and has gladly accepted the gospel in his life. It will definitely affect him into eternity. So awesome!

We also have a couple of other positive investigators here...Anna...a 30 Swedish woman who is really searching for happiness. She has been baptized before...which we are helping her to understand why she needs to be baptized again, and she has a lot more faith to build. She is really open and is keeping her commitments to read in the Book of Mormon and continues to meet with us.

Other than that, we have been trying to find those prepared people here in Lund, and I'm doing everything I can to focus on the work and give it everything I've got. know there are prepared people here...or else we wouldn't be serving here...so we are out trying to find them.

I love Lund's ward...there are about 150 people in the ward...which reminds me a little bit more of Stockholm. There are many people willing to help us with teaches and it's fun to be in a big ward again. We are also doing a lot of work with Less-Active Members here...and we met and have been teaching one member named Lena...who has been inactive for several years. When we first met her, she didn't want to be a member anymore...but by the end of our conversation, we had another time decided that we would come back, and she asked us what her homework was. It was awesome!

I'm looking forward to the center starting up again...it's been pretty slow with summer...so that will be great in a couple of weeks. Zone Conference is next week...and time is just flying by. I hope all of you are doing well. School must be starting soon...it means fall is on it's way. Have a great week. Stay close to the Spirit. We can truly know God's will for us if we look for the influence of His Spirit in our lives.

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Lund is AMAZING!!

Dear Family and Friends,

These first few days in Lund have been wonderful! I am so glad to be here. I have a wonderful companion...who works hard and has a great desire to do the work, and I'm in an awesome little city.

I will begin by talking about the trip down here to Lund. I wouldn't bother to talk about it if it were a normal train ride down the country, but in our case...it was an adventure to be shared. :)

First of all, I was on the train headed for Malmö with 3 other Elders. We got on the train ok, and even got started ok on our 4-5 hour trek down the country of Sweden. Well, about 45 min. into our trip, we came to a halt. The train instructor told us that there had been some computer problems, so that it would just take a few minutes to re-start the computer and then we would be on our way again. Well, as you can imagine...20 minutes later he said they were still working on things...and then an hour later...there started to be personnel people walking down the train telling us that they were not going to send busses to pick us up because the train wouldn't work at all. Well, needless to say, we had been waiting over 2 and a half hours when they came back through and told us that there was now another train that was going to come and pick us up in about an hour. So, we sat there in this little, middle-of-nowhere place called Skebokvarn. A couple of funny things happened while we were waiting. The personnel of the train actually asked all the Elders I was with to officially guard the doors so that nobody would fall or get hurt. They must have asked because the Elders look so official in their white shirts and ties. :) Then, I was entertaining little kids and getting to know several of the passengers on the train...as we did not have so much to do. It was pouring rain the whole time, and I was amazed that the people stayed as patient as they did the whole time...they realized there was really nothing they could do about it...but wait.

Eventually, the other train came. Then the real fun began. As it was pouring rain, and there were man people and bags to move from one train to the other, we all started pitching in to get things off the one train and on to the other. I was helping Elder Arko move our bags and the other Elders were helping to move all the other passengers things...they were officially the helpers. ;) They had ladders for people to climb down and up and it was amazing to see so many people changing trains in the rain in the middle of nowhere. Well, we got on the other train and got going FINALLY. But wait...about twenty minutes after we started moving again...we pulled to a little place called Flen...not Flem....even though it would have fit the place. hehehe...well anyway, they told us they needed to change drivers there. So, after another 40 minutes of sitting there and waiting, we were finally on our way. Eventually they came on the loud speaker as said that we would arrive 4 hours later than our anticipated time of arrival. It was crazy! We pulled into Lund Central at 12:00am...(the latest I've been up during my whole mission) and got ourselves home and settled in.

The next couple of days I was a bit tired...but that's pretty normal these days, and I just so happen to LOVE this city...so it was worth the wait to get here.

I also want to write a little about my awesome companion Sis. Sumner. She is from Stafford, Virginia and has been studying Public Health at BYU. She is from a family of 4 kids and she is a super missionary! She has been here in Sweden for 4 months with Sis. Coleman and was really excited that I came down to spend my last weeks with her. :) She likes volleyball, and reading classic novels...don't worry I'm not trying to advertise her. ;) She has a great desire to work hard, and I'm grateful for the fact that she is motivated and will help me to stay motivated until the end. I'm expecting a lot of success this transfer.

We have a baptism here in Lund on Saturday! He is a man named Denzil from Sri Lanka. He had come in cotact with the missionaries first through Swedish Class here in Lund and was not at all interested in the gospel then...but recently, he showed up at the Institute Center and was asked by the Center Senior Couple missionaries to go see a baptism with them. He said he would, and then from then on out, he let the Sisters know that he wanted to be baptized. This was about a week and a half ago...so we are teaching him everyday in order to get him ready for baptism. He's been in church several times and is loving the gospel. He reads the scriptures everyday and talks about how good it feels to him when he reads, or when he is in church. He's awesome! I'mm be excited to write about the baptism next week!

Other than that, I am just getting to know the area. We have some other positive investigators...some of which are on semester (vacation) right now but that I am excited to meet when they get back. I'm doing well. I'm happy and healthy. I love this work! I know the Lord leads His work and that He leads us to those who are prepared for the gospel as we show our obedience and faith. I continue to learn from the scriptures daily. Make sure you read in the scriptures!!! It's so important that we continue to nourish our testimonies with the words of Christ! I love you all and hope that you all have a great week!

Much Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

TRANSFER INFO.!!!!! (Wed., July 28)

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has gone by SO fast! I can't believe it's transfers tomorrow. I have my last transfer beginning...and I will be moving...and to my great astonishment...I will be moving for the first time in a year...out of the Stockholm District. Any guesses where I'm going?? Anybody?? Oh wait...you don't know what my options are. Well, I'll just tell you all where I'm going:

LUND

You may all be wondering where that is...or why I am so excited about the change. For those of you who have been following my mission, I have spent the vast majority of it in the Stockholm area. And now, I am moving to the lowest part of Sweden that Sister missionaries can go. Lund is in an area called Skåne. It is just a ferry ride away from Denmark! I will have the opportunity to learn a new language...it's called Skånska. Let me explain. It is not the Swedish I have been speaking for the last 16 months. This is a CRAZY version of it that has tons of Danish influence. I am probably going to feel like a greenie contacting the people in this area of Sweden. I'll have to say...what was that??? like 5 times before I understand what they are saying. It will be awesome!

I will be serving in Lund with Sister Sumner. She has been in Lund for the last 4 months with Sister Coleman...by companion from the MTC. I am really excited to serve with her. Lund is also a University Town...so there is a YSA Center there...similar to the one I was working with in Stockholm, and many University students to talk to. I'm totally excited. Not to mention I will have the opportunity to see a different landscape and see how it is on the south side. :)

I have to admit, that even though I am very excited to move and see some new things, and meet new, wonderful people, that I am sad to leave Uppsala. I love this city! The ward I have been working with is made up of the quirkiest, best people, and I will miss them terribly. There are also a couple of new converts that I have been working a lot with and will miss as well. Philippe and Sam. They are great!

We had the opportunity to have 8 BYU exchange students here in Uppsala the last couple of weeks. They have been here learning Swedish, so we've had good sized Sunday School classes, and great FHE activities with them. It was really fun to have some visitors here in Uppsala. Everything is still going well with Solomon...he will be getting baptized in 2 weeks...as long as he can get to church. He often works on Sundays, so we are trying to get that figured out. I've loved working with Sis. Virkamäki!!!! She is awesome! We have had a lot of fun together this transfer, and I have really grown to love her, and will miss her very much.

I hope that all of you are doing well! I hope that the summer is warm...for those of you in the south...hope it's not TOO warm! ;) I know that this is the Lord's work. I feel confidence that I am needed in Lund to help the work move forward there. I know that the Leaders of the Church make their decisions under the direction of the Spirit and that we can trust in their counsel!

I love you all! Take care, and have a great week!!!

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Can it get any hotter around here? (Monday, July 19)

Kära Familj och Vänner,

This week has been wonderful here in Uppsala. We have had the opportunity to visit several less-active members, and meet with our investigators as well. I am doing well. I'm continuing to work hard, and try my best to help others however possible...to come to the gospel. I start my last transfer of the mission next Thursday...which I have very mixed feelings about. I have no idea what will happen...but I'm sure that wherever I am, whoever I serve with..there is still much of the Lord's work to do. It has been incredibly warm in Sweden these last couple of weeks. We have gotten about 10 min. of rain total in the last weeks here...and it has been aroune 30 degrees celcius...I think it's about 85 degrees Farenheit. I know...I know..."not so bad" you say...but remember I am in a country with no air conditioning...and busses with no windows. Ok, I'm done complaining...I know far too many of you who served in South America...and probably didn't have A/C...or heat...I take back all the complaints. :) It's been a beautiful summer here. I love the green everywhere. It's truly a beautiful land.

We have an investigator named Solomon. I don't know if I have mentioned anything about him before...so here's a short background of how we started teaching him. We were doing email a few weeks ago here in the library and he called us...we didn't recognize the number..so when we left the library we called the number back. Solomon told us that he was contacted in Stockholm by two young men, and that they gave him our number in Uppsala because that's where he lives. We have now taught him the basic doctrine of the Restoration, the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ...and he is going to be baptized in August!! He is a sincere, humble man from Kenya who has mentioned on more than one occasion that this is "his church". We will do everything we can to help him and prepare him to make that covenant with the Lord. I'm so very grateful that I have met so many that are willing and prepared to hear and accept the gospel.

One thing that Solomon said during our teach last week really made an impact on me, and my views of things. He mentioned that we are pretty small in numbers in the church meetings we have in Uppsala. He then continued to express how many people might come to the church once...but that they see all that is required of the members of the church...and then they don't want to come back. He said there are lots of commandments in this church...and that there aren't many who are willing to follow the commandments. As I listened to him say these things...I had all sorts of things come to mind....but it was in pondering after the lesson that I really came to appreciate that there are so many willing, active members in the church...who keep the commandments. The organization of the church...is dependent upon the faithfulness of the members. Imagine if most of the members of the church just showed up and left without taking care of their 1 calling...well, to put it simply...church wouldn't happen. We each make the commitment to do our callings...and in part...we are each helping to keep the kingdom of God running smoothly every day, week, month and year...not to mention that we build His kingdom when we do our part. I have just really come to realize how important every member is...no matter the calling...that we all contribute to the ward/branch in which we serve is vital to it's function. We are few...and we know that "many are called but few are chosen".

We also had another miracle the same day we invited Solomon to be baptized. We had about 20 minutes before he would be at the church, so we decided we needed to go out and contact before he came. We were a little skeptical of the success we would have on a Friday night in the middle of Summer in a college town...well we went out anyway. :) As we walked, we stopped a woman who was walking slowly down the sidewalk with her bike. (Traditionally those who have bikes that work...ride them, not walk them.) We stopped her and I asked her if she had ever asked herself any of life's questions. She began by explaining that she was on her way home to an empty house, with not much to do, and that she had been out to get herself some dinner...to fill up part of the empty space she feels in her life right now because of the contemplation she's been doing about the meaning of her life. I think my jaw probably dropped more and more with every word she said testifying to me that she was in desperate need of the gospel. We visited for several more minutes about why we are here...and were able to assure her that there is life after this life. It was amazing. We will be teaching Elisabeth Strand on Thursday to teach her about our loving Heavenly Father, and His plan for each of us.

I am so grateful for the gospel. I have been unbelievably blessed in my life because of it. I know that obedience brings us promised blessings...no matter the situation we are in. One thing that I said to Sis. Virkamäki yesterday as we were discussing books we are reading...is that there are stereo-types out there about every culture, race, clique, etc. in the world. I know that none of those stereo-types applies to everybody in a particular category...but I do know that there is one thing that applies to everybody...and that is God. His commandments...His word, and His gospel all apply to all of us. Continue in faith! I love you all. I know this is the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. I'm grateful for your examples and love.

Next week, I won't write until Wednesday because of Transfers on Thursday. Have a great week!

Much Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Pics

Me in front of the Stockholm Temple


All of us in the same group...love these girls!

Sister Coleman and me at the Temple during Sisters Training!

All the Sisters in the Mission....such wonderful ladies!

The Stockholm District this Transfer...we have the biggest district in the mission!

Me in front of Dom Kyrka...the largest in Sweden.

Summer...love the summer!

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been great in Uppsala. It has been really warm all week...which is unusual in Sweden. It's been about 80 degrees all week. I'm grateful for the warmth...but the busses really do need to get some A/C going on. Every time we step onto the bus, it's like walking into a sauna...oh...what a blessing A/C is. :) There really isn't such a thing here. For the most part, there is not A/C in the houses, or buildings, so when it's warm...it's warm no matter where you are. :)

The work has gone well this week. I'm happy, healthy, and continuing to do everything I can to invite others to learn about the gospel and repent. I love the gospel! I'll just share a couple of things that happened this week:

Ok...so I am going to start this by saying that when I got to Uppsala...I checked out the phone, and realized that the previous missionaries had a totally different organization of the phone than the rest of the mission...i.e. NO organization. :) We have had lots of fun throughout the transfer ringing to random phone numbers with no explanation...and asking them if they want to learn about the gospel. I've gotten every response...from already members who live in other parts of Sweden, to people who are totally NOT interested...to a few that said we could call back after summer. Well, with that introduction...one thing that happened last week was topping on the cake. :)

We found a number for a Christopher...who was marked as a TU...or tänk-bara...what is that in english...oh yeah...a potential investigator. We called him up, he was really positive and we set up a time to meet. When we went there, I asked him what his religious background was. In response he said, "I am a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!" I think my response was something like, "What?!?!" Well, to make a long story short, Christopher is what I like to call a mystery member...he was baptized several years ago in Norrköping...my first area, and has moved several times...and his records are somewhere in cyberspace. We were able to teach him the Restoration and then invite him to church. He came! It was a funny thing that happened, but I'm grateful that we are able to have contact with a member and help him to be more active in the church. There's a reason for everything!

We had some really good teaches this week, and we have also had some challenges. One of our investigators who we have now taught the 3rd lesson to (Gospel of Jesus Christ) thought that we were the same as the Swedish Church...there's a lot to review about the Restoration with her...but she has a desire to learn and know....and it helped me to keep the perspective that people are truly "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it". I pray that we will be about to help her see the differences in our church, including the authority from God we have in the Priesthood, and the continued revelation received through the prophet and apostles...not to mention another witness we have of Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon. As many of you know...I love to teach...and I continue to learn new ways of approaching teaching situations to best help those we teach.

We have our hard times as missionaries. However, no matter if it's a hard day, or whatever the challenge proves to be, I am continually amazed at the support we receive from the Lord to do His work. I am amazed that we have transfers in another 2 weeks and that I will be starting my last transfer on the mission. I still have much to do and much to learn. I hope you all have a great week. I pray often that all of you will be in good health, and continue to live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Know that I love and care about you. I know this Church is the Lord's church.

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Is it really "warm" here?? (Monday, July 5)

Kära Familj och Vänner,

It's been a great, and very warm week here in Sweden. We have had several days of about 80 degree weather...which has been quite a surprise. It's actually a little too warm for me...I'm going to die when I get back into that hot, dry, southern Utah weather! Oh well, I don't need to worry about that yet. :)

The work in Uppsala is going well. We are continuing to meet with our investigators and help them move forward in the gospel. Sister Virkamäki and I headed into Stockholm for a Sisters Training at the Mission Home on Monday and Tuesday. It was wonderful. I want to share a little of what I learned there that I really liked:

President Anderson shared a message with us during our training, and one of the things he shared was a story Pres. Packer tells of a trip where they were on a boat going from one island to another...and to enter into the harbor of the island they were approaching, there was only a very small whole in the reef where they could enter with the boat. In order for the boat to know where the little entrance was, there was the lighthouse light at the top...but besides that, there needed to be a lower light that would shine and the captain of the boat needed to line up both of the lights in order to know that he was going in at the right place. Well, in the story, the lower light didn't get turned on because the person in charge of it fell asleep during their watch. As a result, the boat could not enter in at that place, and the boat had to go another 20 miles to another harbor in another part of the island.

With this story, Pres. Anderson compared us as missionaries...or we can say as members of the church...to the lower light. Christ is the upper light that we are all trying to come closer to...or follow, and we as the Lord's servants are the lower light. We are the way in which people come unto Christ. We help people line up their lives so that they can come to Christ through repentance and become perfected in Him. I really liked the analogy he used. We then sang, "Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy"...and the lyrics of that hymn are directly connected with the story Pres. Packer tells.

I was really uplifted and motivated by our training last week. We also got to do a session at the temple...it was amazing!!! I realize continually that I still have much to learn about how to be an unwavering, orubblig (unshakable) servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I continue to stay on watch...and I'm continuing to help others come to Christ.

I'm doing really well here. I hope all of you had a wonderful 4th of July. We were invited to an American woman's house for a little celebration on Saturday, and it was wonderful to get to celebrate...even in another land. We need to all continue to be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in the USA. It is a choice land.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. To end, I'll share a miracle we were able to see from last week. We had been contacting in the city for quite a while...and it was a pretty rough response...and we were going to take the bus home and went to see how long it would be before the bus would leave. Realizing that we had a 5 min. wait before the bus would come, we decided we would contact on the way to the next bus stop and catch the buss from there. As we started to walk, Sis. V saw two girls headed our way. She stopped them, and as we got talking, we realized that one of them was a girl from Pheonix, AZ visiting her friend Sandra...who is from Uppsala, but had been in Pheonix as an exchange student for 1 year. Not very far into the conversation, Sandra asked us if we were from "Mormonska Kyrka"...we replied yes, and they then preceded to show us their CTR rings. I was like...WHAT?!?! You have CTR rings?? Are you members of the church...and they replied no. Well it turns out that Sandra had been living with an LDS Family in Pheonix, and she got back to Sweden the day before we met her on the street in her home town of Uppsala. We got her phone number and told her that we have a church here. She was very glad to hear that. It was so amazing to have that opportunity to meet them. I pray that we will be able to meet and teach Sandra, and I am very sure that we were an answer to many prayers...that she would be able to find the church when she came back to Sweden. This work is a work of miracles, because it is the work of the Lord.

Have a great week! Take care of yourselves. I can't believe it's July. We have Sharpening tomorrow...with interviews, and I'm sure this week will be full of adventure, and more importantly...with miracles.

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Midsommar Pics

Sister Virkamäki and me with Pres. and Sister Anderson at Midsommar


The majstång (May Pole) everybody danced around during the Midsommar celebration.


Me with the majstång...


Sister Virkamäki with the majstång.


Sis. Virkamäki and me before the festivities...we played frisbee :) and soccer!!


Sis. Virkamäki and me in front of one of the university's buildings.

Almost July! (Monday, June 28)

Kära Familj och Vänner,

Hej på er! Hoppas allt är bra överallt och med allting. Arbetet här i Uppsala går jätte bra! Jag älskar den här staden och har haft en underbar vecka!

We've had a great week here in Uppsala! We have had a busy week with Zone Conference last Tuesday, and Midsommar festivities on Friday. We have been busy, and I'm loving the warm summer weather. We have bikes that work...I am discovering that I LOVE to ride bikes. There are awesome trails and bike lanes everywhere here. It's great!

As for our week in the work...everything is going well. We were able to meet with a couple of our investigators during the week, and we are helping everybody to make and keep commitments. The work has been slower here in Uppsala during the last couple weeks, but we are continuing to find people to teach. The Lord truly blesses us with miracles as we do His work.

One miracle this week, was that on Saturday afternoon we were on our way to eat dinner at Sister Rivera's house. She lives a train ride away, so we left and had about 15 minutes to contact people before we needed to head to the station. We met a girl named Cecilia. We asked her if she had thought about why she was here on the earth...she said she didn't really know. Sis. V asked her then, "Do you believe in anything?" The girl replied that she didn't really believe, but that she wanted to. She said that life is meaningless without something to believe in. We gave her a Book of Mormon and were able to get her phone number to make an appointment to meet sometime this week. There are not many Swedish people I have met who say that they WANT to have something to believe in. It was a miracle! The Lord knows where we are as His servants...and He is also aware of His children who are searching for the truth.

Yesterday, Marcus came to church. Every week he has been there, I've noticed that he is wearing nicer and nicer clothing everytime he comes to church. He has been coming to Sunday School and Sacrament meeting. We want to meet him this week and invite him to be baptized. We hold Sunday School in the classroom that is right next to the baptismal font. Yesterday he asked what it was...I got the opportunity to explain a little about our beliefs of baptism. I'm looking forward to teaching him about the way he can prepare to be baptized and receive all the blessings that come from following the Savior. We also had another investigator come to church yesterday...Christer! It was a great day at church.

Everything else is going well with me. I'm in good health...and continue to be happy to do the work of the Lord. I won't say that the work isn't hard...it has it's challenges, but as I continue to serve with all my heart, the Lord makes up for my shortcomings and helps people to change through their acceptance of the gospel.

I've started reading The Book of Mormon again...this time making a commentary in my own words of what is happening. It has really helped me to see the teachings in a different way. It is so very true that every time we read in the Book of Mormon, there is something new we can learn. I am so grateful for revelation that we can receive through the Spirit. It's what makes the difference when we study the scriptures, when we study for school, when we are looking for answers to our questions...the Holy Ghost can witness of the truth about EVERYTHING. What a great promise. I look forward to my studies everyday!

I hope all of you have a great week. We are headed to Stockholm tonight for a Sisters' Training Conference. It will be great I'm sure. We will be staying in the Mission Home tonight and tomorrow night and have training all day tomorrow and a temple session for all of us Sisters in the evening. I'm looking very much forward to that. We also will meet with Hans and Anette this week. We pray that they have read and prayed. The gospel really blesses everybody! Everybody needs it. It's the key to eternal salvation. I'm so glad I have the opportunity to share it with the people of Sweden. Time is going by all too quickly. I'm trying my best to make it count!

Love you all! Take care!

Sister Suzanne Wood

Suz's Birthday Pics

St. Marias Kyrka....built in the 14th century.

Sister Swenson, Sister Maxwell, Sister Virkamäki and I at the old ruins in Sigtuna.

The kyrkogård outside of the St. Marias Kyrka.

The Princess tårta that Jakobsberg Sisters made me for my birthday!

Wonderful work! (Monday, June 21)

Kära Familj och Vänner,

It's been a great week here in Uppsala. We've had wonderful teaches, flat tires on bikes, a surprise investigator in church, and many other ups and downs. So basically, it has been another adventure filled week in my life as a missionary in Sweden.

I don't have a ton to write about today. I feel that as time continues to go on, I continue to have many uplifting experiences...but I feel like I have probably written about something similar in another letter...several months ago. I thought I would do something a little bit different today. I will highlight the week...with just a few points of excitement, and then share with all of you a little bit of what I've learned over the last couple of weeks...t

Highlights of the week:

1. We were able to teach Hans and Anette again. This time, the boys came in before we left...and we told them they were invited to be with us next time we come over. We explained that we will be playing a game...and then we laughed and joked...and talked about how we all love pizza. :) It was awesome. We are sincerely praying that Anette will read in the Book of Mormon...we talked about how it answers the questions of our souls, and she and Hans accepted our challenge to pick a question they have, and then read in the B of M to find some answers. We are going to visit on Wednesday...with a not yet created....fantastic game to include the whole family. I am SO grateful that I have the opportunity to help this family be stronger together. The gospel really does bless families!

2. I had a fantastic birthday!!! We went with the Jakobsberg sisters to an old village that is between our two areas and we went and checked out the old ruins, and had a great time together. Later on that evening, we had FHE with the YSA's and one of our investigators was able to come. It was awesome. They sang to me...in English...how thoughtful.

3. We were out contacting on Saturday...and often there are other young people that are out selling things on the streets in the cities around here during the summer. Well, one of them contacted me and said, "Can I ask you a question?" I then replied, "Yeah, if you let me ask you a question also." Well, she asked her question...and I explained that we don't have control over our bills...we wouldn't be able to use the service she was offering...then I asked my question, "What do you think is the meaning of life?" She was kind of taken back, but started really to think about it. We visited for a minute, told her about the Book of Mormon and she gave us her number so that we can meet and give her a Book of Mormon and tell her more about how she can find answers to life's questions. It was awesome!!!

The work continues to be rewarding for me. I love the people I have the opportunity to work with. I love my companion and have already learned a lot from her. I'm continually learning patience...with myself, with others, with bikes, with everything. I am especially learning to have patience with the Lord's timing. I got the opportunity to read Pres. Uchtdorf's talk on patience from the Priesthood Meeting last conference...and boy has it opened my eyes to the important nature of patience. I'll never forget the talk I gave in Sacrament Meeting before I was supposed to go into the MTC October of 2008...of course the topic being "Patience". I know we continue to learn patience throughout life, in order to be truly refined and willing to accept the Lord's timing.

I continue to learn a lot in my study. I love to study the gospel. I understand many things better than I did before my mission. What a blessing it is for all of us to be able to read in the scriptures, and read the words of the latter-day prophets, and learn and grow continually in our knowledge of the mysteries of God. I hope you have all taken advantage of the fact that there is so much for us to study and learn...to become the sons and daughters our Heavenly Father wants us to be...His Sons...and His daughters. We can all do that by continuing to get to know Him better...and of course getting to know The Savior better. They are truly one.

Love you all! Hope you all have a great week and that everything is going well during the summer!

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Happy Birthday to me!!!! (Monday, June 14)

Dearest Family and Friends,

Yes...I know...I'm so very selfish to wish myself a happy birthday...but I turned 25 today. I had better live it up. I'm a quarter of a century old. All the Elders coming into the mission were born in the 90's...and let's be honest...I'm getting old!!!! (Don't worry dad...I know you still got me by a long shot...in years...and in wisdom!!!)

This week in the work, we've seen the small successes the Lord gives to His servants. Here in Uppsala, we continue to face what I have now coined, "The Swedish Summer Phenomenon". It's the idea that every summer in the beautiful, green, warm land of Sweden, that NOBODY stays in their place of "rest of the year" residence. All the students go home for the summer, and all the other citizens go to their summer cottages, or travel to exotic places all over the world. This phenomenon continues to be present, but does not stop the work going forward.

Even though it has been hard to meet with our investigators, we have continued to have success in our area. I am always SO grateful for the Lord's continued awareness of us, and His children everywhere. Here's a couple of the miracles we saw during the week!

First: I'm sure that all the World Cup soccer has been fun for all you boys our there...and for the girls also....but shopping is WAY better! :) Anyway...we actually went tracting on Saturday night..when there was a World Cup game on...and everybody was pretty edgy with us...we had no idea there would be a game on...until one lady said to us..."It's not so wise for you to be out talking about the meaning of life when there's a World Cup game on!!!" We laughed, figured out that must be why everybody was SO frustrated in their "Not interested" responses...and despite all the negative responses...we ended up finding someone to teach on the last door we knocked on who wanted a Book of Mormon and was interested in knowing more about the gospel. The Lord's work keeps going...even when the World Cup is on!! :)

Second: We have been working with a less active family...the Bywanders. Actually...just the dad is a member of the church. He has a sambo (live in wife figure...even though they are not married) and 3 boys. we went to visit them last week, and found out that Annette...the woman who has been atheist...has actually been praying!!! Woohoo!!! And then, Hans...the dad...promised us he would come to church...and he came. We did our part with fasting and prayer, but we saw the hand of the Lord in that family more than once this last week.

Third: An investigator named Christer...who we don't really teach right now because he has not been progressing...actually called us yesterday to tell us that he read in the Book of Mormon! He called us just to tell us that....we had a few minutes, stopped by and invited him to continue reading in the B of M...and to come to church next week. I have been so grateful during the whole week to see these little miracles...

It makes the difference in the work for me to know that as long as I continue to be diligent in the work, and show my faith by my obedience, that I will continue to see successes in the mission...no matter how small they may be. We are continuing to look for the prepared who are ready for baptism...and I know that we will find those who are prepared...even during the summer. ;) I love this work! I'm grateful to be a servant of the Lord, and I'm looking forward to this week. It's going to be a good one! Hope all is well with all of you! You all remain in my prayers! Take care, and have a great week!

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Last Pics of Stockholm

One of the last sunsets I saw in Stockholm...love the hot air balloon...beautiful!


A cool shot of the pendeltåg and the sunset...the commuter trains I took often in Stockholm.


Yvonne and me...one of the wonderful investigators I was working with my entire time in Jakobsberg!


Jenny Kempler and me my last day in Jakobsberg. She is an awesome member!


Sandra Miranda...my official "duet girl" from Jakobsberg's ward.


Sis. Maxwell and me on Transfer Day at "The Ring" in Stockholm Central


Sis. Virkamäki and me on our first day as companions. :)

Gotta Love the Work! (Monday, June 7)

Family and Friends,

This week in Uppsala has been great! We have had many challenges this week, but I'm glad to say that I'm still happy and enjoying the work. It's amazing to me that things are not always what they seem to be. I was in a way hoping that the 3 people who had decided to be baptized with Sis. Swenson and Sis. Virkamäki would be easy to meet with and totally ready to be baptized on the dates they had set. I also was hoping with all my heart that all the people we have been able to talk to, get their phone number...and who seemed quite interested in the gospel would be immediately willing to meet with us, learn the restored gospel and after learning of the Restoration of the gospel....want to set up a baptismal date and work to be baptized in Christ's church. I know some of you must assume that I see the world through rose colored glasses...and I'm sure that a lot of the time I do...but...I continue to learn along the way that sometimes we are faced with challenges to help us grow and to learn patience, to submit to the Lord's timing, etc.,etc., etc.

Not to disclose all the details of our week, I will just say that it was challenging. Things did not go as we had planned, and we continually needed to re-plan, use our backup plans, and then backup our backup plans. One day I was reading in the book of Mormon about the sons of Mosiah and thier missionary work. As many of you know...they were faced with all sorts of trials in their labors among the Lamanites. A couple of verses came to mind...and really helped me get through the week. First, was when the Lord's Spirit comes the them and says: "Be comforted. And they were comforted. And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth amongst thy brethren, and establish my word; yet be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls." Then, later, the same amazing missionaries had some hard times and they said the following, "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

Now, I know that I signed up for this gig. I knew from the very beginning of my mission that there would be challenges, hard days, even sometimes hard weeks...but I also know that the Lord never leaves us alone in our trials, our afflictions, or with out weaknesses. I have continued to be amazed that the words of the prophets in the scriptures can truly help us to find strength, comfort and joy even during hard times. I have such an incredible greatfulness for the scriptures of the ancient prophets and the words of our latter-day prophet and apostles. Reading and applying their teachings helps me to be happy...and to face my challenges with courage...that the Lord will give unto me success.

I know this is the work of the Lord. I look forward to this week...the successes it will bring, the challenges it will bring...and most of all that I get to go out and bear my testimony that I know the truth...and that truth gives me incredible strength during this mortal life. I hope all of you have a wonderful week. I hope you are all healthy and happy...and of course that summer is treating you all well. I LOVE SWEDISH SUMMER!!!!!! It's SO beautiful here. I feel lucky to go outside every day and enjoy this amazing place! Please take care of yourselves and know that I continue to pray for you.

Much love,

Sister Suzanne Wood

Uppsala (Monday, May 31)

Kära Familj och vänner,

Det har varit en underbar vecka här i Uppsala. Allt gick bra med förflyttningen och vi har en stor lägenhet här...mycket större än lägenheten i Stockholm. Oh...sorry I fogot I need to write this in english...oops! Let me start again. It's been a wonderful week here in Uppsala. Everything went well with the transfer and we have a big apartment here...much bigger than the apartment in Stockholm. Most important thing is not the size of the apartment. I was just used to living in a one room apt. in the city and now we have 2 rooms, a living room, a separate kitchen, etc. It's quite the luxury I am living in here. ;)

I am companions with Sister Virkamäki from Finland. She is a wonderful person and a great missionary. We are getting to know eachother and I'm sure we will continue to be better friends as the transfer goes on. She is very quirky. She loves to read, and loves music as well. We have a lot in common and work hard together. This transfer is going to be one of the best I've had on my mission!

One of the things about Uppsala that is really cool is that it is a University town. There are tons of students to talk to all over the place. The last couple of transfers have really shown a lot of fruits in this area. Right now, we have 15 investigators and between 30-40 potential investigators. There are many people who are interested in learning about the gospel here and we will continue to find more people to teach and help those who are ready to accept the gospel and be baptized. Also, we have 3 people who have been taught and who we are preparing for baptism...Moses, Sulayman, and Elias. We actually committed Elias to baptism my first day here. Awesome!!! Our goal for this week is to teach them all twice and have them all in church next sunday.

We also have a great YSA here. We receive a lot of help from them with teaches, and they have a very strong desire to do missionary work and to help however they can. A few of them are moving home for the summer, so there will only be a few here...but I'm sure it will be great with those that stay. We have a Senior couple here also...the Larson's. They are wonderful people. They will return home in July so we are looking forward to working with them these next couple of months.

The miracle for this week was an utställning (exhibit) we did here in Uppsala on Saturday. It started long before I got here...that the ward wanted to do an exhibit in the city to have people find out more about the church. Then, the YSA's decided that they wanted to help and be a part of it. So, from there the plans were made, a permit paid for, fasting done, and many prayers for us to find someone at that utställning to be baptized that is a YSA. We saw that the weather was not looking very good on Friday evening...so we prayed that the weather would be better on Saturday. Well, Saturday morning came and the weather was not much better. There was rain coming down and no sun came shining. We continued to pray that the sun would come out, that it would warm up...etc. so we would have lots of people to talk to.

10:00am rolled around and it was raining, a little chilly and we were wondering if there would be anybody to talk with out on such a bad day. I know you might all think that what the miracle was...that the sun came out and we talked to 100's of people all morning, etc. Well...that's not quite how it went. Through the entire time, the sun never came out, BUT...there were people to talk to. We talked to those who were out and we met many people who were interested in receiving a Book of Mormon and learning more. We had much success at the exhibit. We have at least 2 potential investigators who are YSA age who are willing to meet and learn more about what we believe.

The moral of the story is...we don't always get answers to our prayers in the way we want them. It's all too often that we pray for the sunshine...when the answer comes that we need to pray for people to talk to no matter the weather. The Lord is aware of us and our needs. He knew who to have out in Stor Torget on Saturday so we could talk to them. He knew that we would still go around and talk to people in the rain. I just have such a strong testimony of the Lord's hand in everything. He answers our prayers...not always in the way we think is best, but we receive what we need.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve here. I am looking very much forward to the next weeks of the transfer. We have a lot to do here and many people to touch. I hope all of you have a Wonderful Memorial Day and that all is well wherever you are. Take care and have a great week!

Love,

Sister Suzanne Wood