tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82457815886158044832024-03-13T06:14:21.955-07:00Suzanne Wood LewisSuzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-21021696903717975232012-03-28T10:20:00.000-07:002012-03-28T10:23:44.110-07:00Region Festivals......AAAHHHH!!!I just need to vent...that's what blogs are for, right?<br /><br />I am taking two of my choirs to Region Large Choir Festival today, and it is stressing me out. Don't worry....this is only my third...or fourth region festival this year. Each time I get my students ready to compete, I completely lose it! Did I teach them the right things? Did I choose the right music for each group? Will the other directors think I've done a good job with my students? What will the judges think?<br /><br />So, in short, I didn't sleep much last night, and my stomach has been in knots all morning. We'll see how things go tonight....man I have not chosen a stress-free, low profile profession...now have I??? ;)Suzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-53023173087176027552012-03-11T19:27:00.004-07:002012-03-11T19:40:10.057-07:00Wow...I promise I am not dead!It has been SO stinkin' long since I posted here on my blog. I'm sure most of you have seen my status updates on Facebook, talked to someone in my family to hear what I'm up to, or have actually contacted me....who does that anymore??? This post is mostly for those of you out there that have wondered at some point in the last year...what has Suzanne been up to?<br /><br />Here's an update in a nutshell:<br /><br />I am teaching at Hurricane High School this year. I am teaching both band and choir, and I love it! It is absolutely the busiest I have been in my life, and for those of you who know me...that's really saying something. My Chamber Choir sang last week at Region Solo and Ensemble, and although they didn't qualify for state competition, I am very proud of them. Next up is Instrumental Solo and Ensemble next Wed. at Canyon View.<br /><br />Let's see...what else has happened in the last year...haha...you think I would be able to tell you more. If you want to hear about my relationship history over the last year...you'll have to give me a call sometime. :)<br /><br />My family is great. My sister Stephanie had a new baby about six months ago, my little brother Taylor got married in July...to an awesome girl might I add, Bryan and Melissa's kids are growing up so much and are a blast to hang out with, and I am every day more grateful for my mom and dad. They are so supportive of me!<br /><br />Otherwise, I am going to be in the Hurricane Valley Theatrical Company's production of Anything Goes in April. I love that I get to tap dance! I am renting the cutest yellow house in all of Hurricane, I'm attending a YSA ward where I feel like I'm the grandmother of the ward, and my best friend in Hurricane is a fellow teacher at HHS.<br /><br />This year has brought with it some great challenges, some great successes, and I can say I have grown a great deal going through everything I have. I am going to try to be better about updating my blog...a little more often. :)Suzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-62855641503085431522012-03-11T19:27:00.001-07:002012-03-11T19:27:31.794-07:00Wow...I promise I am not dead!Suzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-46347997756922098732011-02-04T22:50:00.000-08:002011-02-04T22:57:14.082-08:00Think, SuzanneOk, so sometimes I have realizations that really get me. I ask myself questions like: Why didn't you think about that before you said something? Why didn't you think about how that might affect you and those around you? Why are you doing this to yourself?<br /><br />The reality is...I just need to think. Think before I act...think before I say things. It would really save me a lot of trouble in the end. My new goal...is to think.<br /><br />On another note...everything else except for the thinking thing is going pretty well. I've started having very mixed feelings about what to do next year and where to go. By that I mean that the past week or so I've felt that it is a very strong possibility that I stay here and apply for teaching jobs in Cedar. If it's where I need to be...then in Cedar I shall stay.<br /><br />I have to say that I am grateful for the blessings in my life. I know that I am loved and well taken care of. I don't deserve all the things that are provided for me at very little effort on my part. I will continually be humbled by my weaknesses...and reminded that "I know in whom I have trusted." Definitely a little rambling tonight...but the truth none the less.Suzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-71704186059165539182011-01-26T16:38:00.000-08:002011-01-26T17:09:14.448-08:00Life is Hard...So...I had great plans to post all about my exciting and option filled future...all the Grad School Applications I'm filling out...the teaching positions that I'm looking into, all the excitement in my social life...and all the other wonderful things happening in my life...<br /><br />WELL...it turns out that even for someone so seemlingly eternally optimistic as myself...that life is hard. I don't know what the future holds. I actually have no idea. I am looking into all my options...but don't feel particularly drawn to any one thing. It's really frustrating. So for today...just for this little while I am going to be a pessimist. I am going to say that everything is not ok. I'm living in limbo right now...and it's ok. I will say that I am looking forward to having some direction...sometime in the future. And...I will say that I do know that something will work out. I know there is a plan for me.<br /><br />But for today...I feel like this:<br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Suzzie-Q/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.png" alt="" /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Suzzie-Q/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.png" alt="" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://collegelifestyles.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bad_day.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 300px;" src="http://collegelifestyles.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bad_day.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><img src="file:///C:/Users/Suzzie-Q/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />Suzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-69932099715506438422011-01-05T14:05:00.000-08:002011-01-05T14:34:39.397-08:00New BeginningsSo I am pretty sure most of you think I have fallen off the face of the earth. In all reality...I have been pretty much MIA for the last couple months from the blogging world. I am going to try and stay a little more on top of things. I had a great holiday season and am looking forward to a new year. I have lots of plans and resolutions for 2011.<br /><br />Stay tuned for some updates. :)Suzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-9717139908913055492010-10-21T15:56:00.000-07:002010-10-21T16:08:54.494-07:00Welcome Home Nanny!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-BcJgx6vd48/TMDHLPvVuvI/AAAAAAAAAc0/1_sgAjCvfaY/s1600/IMG_3006.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_-BcJgx6vd48/TMDHLPvVuvI/AAAAAAAAAc0/1_sgAjCvfaY/s320/IMG_3006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530639338428545778" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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! ;))<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BcJgx6vd48/TMDHkd4DeTI/AAAAAAAAAc8/tCK2yesxe1s/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-BcJgx6vd48/TMDHkd4DeTI/AAAAAAAAAc8/tCK2yesxe1s/s320/IMG_3007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530639771719924018" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Suzanne Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04478112554273617583noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-27855704782722412972010-09-30T14:47:00.000-07:002010-09-30T14:50:09.979-07:00Last Email! (Wed., Sept. 29)<div>Dear Family and Friends,</div><br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div><br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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.</div> <br /><div>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!</div> <br /><div>Much Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-14136650458095443332010-09-21T07:28:00.000-07:002010-09-21T07:35:04.059-07:00Photos and a note from Sister Pettersson in Sweden<span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:black;"><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hi!<br /><br /></span></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">I am enclosing a few photos I took last Wednesday (September 8th) when you daughter and her companion came to our house for lunch.<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">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.<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">We came to the conclusion that soon the five of us will have served our Lord for a total of 8years. How wonderful!<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Thank for letting us have your wonderful daughter here in Sweden.<br /><br /></span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"> </span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">All the best to your family.<br />Sister Pettersson</span></span></div></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCRlpyY1I/AAAAAAAAAes/giMNz_WKKe0/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCRlpyY1I/AAAAAAAAAes/giMNz_WKKe0/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519374950763488082" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCRIXxgmI/AAAAAAAAAek/cZgoy9jvKDA/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCRIXxgmI/AAAAAAAAAek/cZgoy9jvKDA/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519374942903304802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCQn50qTI/AAAAAAAAAec/hDMCMxGBJBg/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCQn50qTI/AAAAAAAAAec/hDMCMxGBJBg/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519374934187747634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCQNz0oMI/AAAAAAAAAeU/DK7TMN3CAyw/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJjCQNz0oMI/AAAAAAAAAeU/DK7TMN3CAyw/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519374927183257794" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-66421097181344603672010-09-20T06:29:00.000-07:002010-09-20T06:56:20.829-07:00Lots of New Pics!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdmWP4rIpI/AAAAAAAAAeM/PAMxstNbKU0/s1600/P1060489.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdmWP4rIpI/AAAAAAAAAeM/PAMxstNbKU0/s400/P1060489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518992400773227154" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sister Sumner and Me at Zone Conference...in August.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdmUPHVPAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/KYqiIbgJRQ4/s1600/P1060637.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdmUPHVPAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/KYqiIbgJRQ4/s400/P1060637.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518992366206532610" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Zone at Conference....last week.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlzHHLICI/AAAAAAAAAd8/f_axp9ODXBY/s1600/P1060366.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlzHHLICI/AAAAAAAAAd8/f_axp9ODXBY/s400/P1060366.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518991797122703394" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sister Sumner and Me...at a bus stop.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlyWeaXaI/AAAAAAAAAd0/DBr0VbDsbXI/s1600/P1060411.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlyWeaXaI/AAAAAAAAAd0/DBr0VbDsbXI/s400/P1060411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518991784066833826" border="0" /></a><br />Elder Carlisle, Elder Bloomfield and Me at our bowling Zone Activity</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlx8r9G8I/AAAAAAAAAds/g080nI1brsA/s1600/P1060442.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlx8r9G8I/AAAAAAAAAds/g080nI1brsA/s400/P1060442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518991777144314818" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The entire Malmö Zone...we have a great time together!!!</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlxIdu3nI/AAAAAAAAAdk/jzSraIk8Q6c/s1600/P1060602.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlxIdu3nI/AAAAAAAAAdk/jzSraIk8Q6c/s400/P1060602.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518991763126017650" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sister Sumner and Me in Södra Sandby.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlw8tbClI/AAAAAAAAAdc/_O8UIDAD5oM/s1600/P1060665.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdlw8tbClI/AAAAAAAAAdc/_O8UIDAD5oM/s400/P1060665.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518991759970601554" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Copenhagen Temple</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkespBIGI/AAAAAAAAAdU/p2VX_zjJYZU/s1600/P1060666.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkespBIGI/AAAAAAAAAdU/p2VX_zjJYZU/s400/P1060666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518990346907885666" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All of us in front of the temple</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkeT2WlKI/AAAAAAAAAdM/Qjn8GuCZAYE/s1600/P1060675.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkeT2WlKI/AAAAAAAAAdM/Qjn8GuCZAYE/s400/P1060675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518990340252931234" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Us and the Zone Leaders in front of the temple sign</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkd6D86VI/AAAAAAAAAdE/A1UWHvW1f7A/s1600/P1060680.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkd6D86VI/AAAAAAAAAdE/A1UWHvW1f7A/s400/P1060680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518990333330647378" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Christus Statue in Copenhagen that all of the statues in the church are a replica of.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkdOgdufI/AAAAAAAAAc8/a9vn5wofBAk/s1600/P1060685.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkdOgdufI/AAAAAAAAAc8/a9vn5wofBAk/s400/P1060685.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518990321639078386" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sis. Sumner and Me in front of the Christus Statue.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkc_OBDlI/AAAAAAAAAc0/DLV9tiUov00/s1600/P1060396.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TJdkc_OBDlI/AAAAAAAAAc0/DLV9tiUov00/s400/P1060396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518990317535170130" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Denzil's baptism with Sister Sumner and Fredrik Pettersson.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-4234002852396460442010-09-20T06:26:00.000-07:002010-09-20T06:29:24.567-07:001 1/2 weeks to go!!Dear Family and Friends,<br /><br /><div>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. :)<br /><br /></div><div>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.<br /><br /></div> <div>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.<br /><br /></div> <div>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: <span id="result_box" class="short_text"><span style="" title="">"Thank you! What pleased me be!</span></span>")<br /><br /></div> <div>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!<br /><br /></div> <div>Love,</div><div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div> <span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-74515580053291451352010-09-16T12:04:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:05:15.692-07:00Wonderful Work! (Monday, Sept. 13)<div>Dear Family and Friends,</div><br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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.</div> <br /><div>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! </div><br /><div>Much Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-6081143508707459092010-09-09T15:58:00.000-07:002010-09-09T15:59:37.990-07:00Hey Family! (Monday, Sept. 6)Dear Family,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. :)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Love,<br />Sister Suzanne WoodUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-87142086611027357102010-09-09T15:53:00.000-07:002010-09-09T15:58:23.284-07:00Four New Pics<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmTmGlDlI/AAAAAAAAAcs/HPseJKyDlx4/s1600/P1060499.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmTmGlDlI/AAAAAAAAAcs/HPseJKyDlx4/s400/P1060499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515051705523572306" border="0" /></a><br />A beautiful building on Lund University Campus<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmS9PDDcI/AAAAAAAAAck/4LIQ91i4dNM/s1600/P1060523.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmS9PDDcI/AAAAAAAAAck/4LIQ91i4dNM/s400/P1060523.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515051694553238978" border="0" /></a><br />Elder Humphries, Elder Winegar and Elder Bloomfield on P-Day<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmSAfSnsI/AAAAAAAAAcc/8fgyT3bsEXU/s1600/P1060525.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmSAfSnsI/AAAAAAAAAcc/8fgyT3bsEXU/s400/P1060525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515051678246805186" border="0" /></a><br />Dom Kyrkan in Lund...super ominous...and huge!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmRkN6E-I/AAAAAAAAAcU/aOcMTOwoglk/s1600/P1060558.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TIlmRkN6E-I/AAAAAAAAAcU/aOcMTOwoglk/s400/P1060558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515051670657700834" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sister Sumner and me with Nasrin and her husband who will be getting baptized in Stockholm. :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-43723618547971244862010-09-09T15:52:00.001-07:002010-09-09T15:52:50.853-07:00It's fall! (Monday, August 30)<div>Kära Familj och Vänner,</div><br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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.</div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <div> </div> <div>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!</div> <br /><div>Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-89732324225288113612010-09-09T15:51:00.000-07:002010-09-09T15:52:00.101-07:00Hejsan, hejsan! (Monday, August 23)Dear Family and Friends,<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. :)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Love,<br />Sister Suzanne WoodUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-6776851378004992532010-09-09T15:50:00.000-07:002010-09-09T15:51:14.339-07:00Anybody got some extra time??? (Monday, August 16)<div>Dear Family and Friends,</div><br /><div>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. :)</div> <br /><div>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. </div><br /><div>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.</div> <br /><div>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!</div> <br /><div>Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div> <span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-72460235155998716822010-08-15T10:26:00.000-07:002010-08-15T10:27:27.081-07:00A baptism! (Monday, August 9)<div>Dear Family and Friends, </div><br /><div>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.</div> <br /><div>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.</div> <br /><div>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!</div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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! </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-23592592688883958252010-08-02T12:32:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:33:54.297-07:00Lund is AMAZING!!<div>Dear Family and Friends,</div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div>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. :)</div><br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div><br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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!</div> <br /><div>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!</div> <br /><div>Much Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div> <span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-50207370135259377672010-08-02T12:31:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:32:42.774-07:00TRANSFER INFO.!!!!! (Wed., July 28)<div>Dear Family and Friends,</div><br /><div>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:</div> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;" align="left"><span style="font-size:6;color:#cc33cc;">LUND</span><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: left;">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!</div> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">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. :) </div> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">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!</div> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">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!</div> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love you all! Take care, and have a great week!!!</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Love,</div> <div style="text-align: left;">Sister Suzanne Wood</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-47684858065309823842010-08-02T12:30:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:31:22.641-07:00Can it get any hotter around here? (Monday, July 19)<div>Kära Familj och Vänner,</div><br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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". </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>Next week, I won't write until Wednesday because of Transfers on Thursday. Have a great week! </div><br /><div>Much Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div> <span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-87203785595945868402010-07-12T05:41:00.000-07:002010-07-12T05:56:34.171-07:00Pics<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQXFiSREI/AAAAAAAAAcE/ibeRkD5on-U/s1600/P1060200.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQXFiSREI/AAAAAAAAAcE/ibeRkD5on-U/s400/P1060200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493002159317468226" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me in front of the Stockholm Temple<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQHAosv2I/AAAAAAAAAb8/Frxhibm1jck/s1600/P1060211.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQHAosv2I/AAAAAAAAAb8/Frxhibm1jck/s400/P1060211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493001883124285282" border="0" /></a><br />All of us in the same group...love these girls!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQGgkpadI/AAAAAAAAAb0/idsbGorMDA8/s1600/P1060213.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQGgkpadI/AAAAAAAAAb0/idsbGorMDA8/s400/P1060213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493001874517354962" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sister Coleman and me at the Temple during Sisters Training!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQGHtC2lI/AAAAAAAAAbs/NynMyb8uqJA/s1600/P1060216.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQGHtC2lI/AAAAAAAAAbs/NynMyb8uqJA/s400/P1060216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493001867841690194" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">All the Sisters in the Mission....such wonderful ladies!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQF7bTIlI/AAAAAAAAAbk/SrSTGBidCAs/s1600/P1060235.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQF7bTIlI/AAAAAAAAAbk/SrSTGBidCAs/s400/P1060235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493001864546034258" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The Stockholm District this Transfer...we have the biggest district in the mission!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQFZrj4qI/AAAAAAAAAbc/kzezgx6Xuqo/s1600/P1060264.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TDsQFZrj4qI/AAAAAAAAAbc/kzezgx6Xuqo/s400/P1060264.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493001855487435426" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Me in front of Dom Kyrka...the largest in Sweden. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-51323657619550565152010-07-12T05:40:00.000-07:002010-07-12T05:41:16.810-07:00Summer...love the summer!<div>Dear Family and Friends,</div><br /><div>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. :)</div> <br /><div>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:</div> <br /><div>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. :) </div> <br /><div>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!</div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>Love, </div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-73593741456245221362010-07-12T05:39:00.000-07:002010-07-12T05:40:22.075-07:00Is it really "warm" here?? (Monday, July 5)<div>Kära Familj och Vänner, </div><br /><div>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. :)</div> <br /><div>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: </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div> <br /><div>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. </div><br /><div>Love,</div> <div>Sister Suzanne Wood</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245781588615804483.post-63649337006731264392010-06-29T13:54:00.000-07:002010-06-29T14:04:10.026-07:00Midsommar Pics<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfT4Mx3hI/AAAAAAAAAas/LtjIHZIohtA/s1600/P1060126.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfT4Mx3hI/AAAAAAAAAas/LtjIHZIohtA/s320/P1060126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488303891012509202" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sister Virkamäki and me with Pres. and Sister Anderson at Midsommar<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfUSwE-JI/AAAAAAAAAa0/o5hRdZ-dwuw/s1600/P1060112.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfUSwE-JI/AAAAAAAAAa0/o5hRdZ-dwuw/s320/P1060112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488303898139883666" border="0" /></a><br />The majstång (May Pole) everybody danced around during the Midsommar celebration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfUzn-vmI/AAAAAAAAAa8/0Ie1bkbi1Pg/s1600/P1060111.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfUzn-vmI/AAAAAAAAAa8/0Ie1bkbi1Pg/s320/P1060111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488303906964291170" border="0" /></a><br />Me with the majstång...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfVdn0YsI/AAAAAAAAAbE/NJ6S7p_useU/s1600/P1060110.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfVdn0YsI/AAAAAAAAAbE/NJ6S7p_useU/s320/P1060110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488303918237901506" border="0" /></a><br />Sister Virkamäki with the majstång.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfWMWg5iI/AAAAAAAAAbM/uzCSUd7rKEY/s1600/P1060084.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfWMWg5iI/AAAAAAAAAbM/uzCSUd7rKEY/s320/P1060084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488303930781787682" border="0" /></a><br />Sis. Virkamäki and me before the festivities...we played frisbee :) and soccer!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfqqvYixI/AAAAAAAAAbU/ASMHuIXrfpA/s1600/P1060068.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NFfyQW5BAgg/TCpfqqvYixI/AAAAAAAAAbU/ASMHuIXrfpA/s320/P1060068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488304282536545042" border="0" /></a><br />Sis. Virkamäki and me in front of one of the university's buildings.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0