> Sorry about the first message, I had a brain fart (noun meaning "fast" in swedish) and I sent it without writing anything.
> Conference was pretty otroligt (Awesome, or unbelievable). I learned a lot and even know now the time difference between here and there. The first session was from 18.00 to 20.00 Swedish time.(I don't know If I have said this, but they use military time here). So, we saw the first two sessions (the saturday afternoon session rebrodcast on sunday) and the Sunday Morning session. I unfortunatly missed the priesthood session because we had some investigators that wanted to come and we thought it was best to stay in Växjö. In fact after the first session 4 college students from Pakistan (that we had just met 3 hours earlier and taught) came. Aparently they had gotten lost and couldn't find the church. I was really happy they came anyway. It was really cool. I watched it in english (except for one talk) and here the internet was 5 minutes behind, not 15 seconds. I loved it. My favorite talks were Elder Scotts, Elder Bednars, President Uchtdorfs, and President Monsons. I liked them all, and thought it was good to be reminded to sacrifice and serve others. As a missionary that is what I try to do all the time, but can still look around for opportunities to just help. "Be thou an example unto the nations in thought, word, and DEED. As Elder Bednar said, don't be a hypocrite. So, go about doing good (See PMG ch 10, I think)
>
> Other than conference this week has been really good. Mikael came to conference and his lesson went really well. We taught two less actives and found a bunch of other people to teach. After we walked out of the building my companion would talk to someone and we would get invited in to teach them. I have met 8 people from Pakistan now. The first four we met and taught in their dorm sitting cross legged on the ground. It was interesting and fun. They even gave us two boiled eggs (They told us it is the first time in their life that they have to cook for themselves, but I think it tasted ok). We just taught two girls in the Library and am now sending e-mails.
>
> Thank you all for your letters. Sorry if mine make no sense.
>
> Ha det så bra.
> Jag Älskar ni (I love ya'll, Yes "ni" means "ya'll")
>
> Ps. a cool word, can you guess what it means?
> lerig (hint it is an adj. and little kids are this when it rains)
> pps. blött means wet
>
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Aldste Isaac Grindstaff, September 29 2009
>
> Yes mom I am kind of used to the way Swedish looks and sounds. sometimes I start using swedish frases. (one in particular självklart or obvious. Litterally self clear, and I find my self saying self clear instead of obvious. I can't remember if we say it in english or not, but it sounds right to me). I have forgotten just about all of my spanish. Swedish has filled it in. Every time I try to think of a spanish word the Swedish one comes. I can remember silla but not green. So, mom you are one phrase up on me. I'm not thinking in Swedish yet, I don't have a big enough vocabulary and half of our investigaters are english speaking.
>
> Sandra the teach with Elba went well, but we can't find the other Spanish lady, but we will.
>
> This week Danny (the english man) told us that he will get baptised, but he doesn't want to set a date until he can be sure to be baptised on that date. He said if he says it he will do it, and he doesn't know whats going to happen now with his wife and all that is going on and won't lie to us. I was so excited anyway, because he is committed and will get baptised.
>
> Brother Bernstein is a little hard. His wife loves him so much that when we start teaching pushes him really hard and he clams up. So, the teach was not going well until we remembered what sister Carlson had said, "just tell him you want to practice your swedish by teaching the lessons" So, I said, I can't speak swedish very well and need to practice. Can we just teach you so that we can practice. It was awsome, he laughed and said it was ok and the tension in the room dissapeared. He was really open after that and we were able to talk. I think that is the most I have ever heard him speak. So, we will begin teaching him this week. Listen to the members (especially the relief society president), they know what they are saying.
>
> The English class went really well. Rikard came and we just had fun talking on the U.S. Government.
> Also Helana a less active who is a little mentally ill, was there. She has opened up a lot. At one time she had a restraining order against the Missionaries, but now wants to be taught about the book of Mormon. She loves english and that is what helped her come out of her shell.
>
> Sunday we were low on people (10 including us). So, we went less active hunting. It was lots of fun. We started at one end of town and ended at the other.
>
> Sorry, this is a really long e-mail, but it is fun to write.
> Thank you all for the letters, and ha det cool! (I don't know how they spell it, but you would be surprised the influence the U.S culture has over here).(oh yeah, we almost scared an American teen half to death when we said hi the other day, as she said, "because nobody in sweden says hi to someone they don't know).
> Mvh
> Äldste Grindstaff
> ps. Thank you for the Trick or Treat sign, it is hanging up in the apartment right now and will be used.
> Pps. KEEP THE KITCHEN CLEAN!!!!!!
> Yes mom I am kind of used to the way Swedish looks and sounds. sometimes I start using swedish frases. (one in particular självklart or obvious. Litterally self clear, and I find my self saying self clear instead of obvious. I can't remember if we say it in english or not, but it sounds right to me). I have forgotten just about all of my spanish. Swedish has filled it in. Every time I try to think of a spanish word the Swedish one comes. I can remember silla but not green. So, mom you are one phrase up on me. I'm not thinking in Swedish yet, I don't have a big enough vocabulary and half of our investigaters are english speaking.
>
> Sandra the teach with Elba went well, but we can't find the other Spanish lady, but we will.
>
> This week Danny (the english man) told us that he will get baptised, but he doesn't want to set a date until he can be sure to be baptised on that date. He said if he says it he will do it, and he doesn't know whats going to happen now with his wife and all that is going on and won't lie to us. I was so excited anyway, because he is committed and will get baptised.
>
> Brother Bernstein is a little hard. His wife loves him so much that when we start teaching pushes him really hard and he clams up. So, the teach was not going well until we remembered what sister Carlson had said, "just tell him you want to practice your swedish by teaching the lessons" So, I said, I can't speak swedish very well and need to practice. Can we just teach you so that we can practice. It was awsome, he laughed and said it was ok and the tension in the room dissapeared. He was really open after that and we were able to talk. I think that is the most I have ever heard him speak. So, we will begin teaching him this week. Listen to the members (especially the relief society president), they know what they are saying.
>
> The English class went really well. Rikard came and we just had fun talking on the U.S. Government.
> Also Helana a less active who is a little mentally ill, was there. She has opened up a lot. At one time she had a restraining order against the Missionaries, but now wants to be taught about the book of Mormon. She loves english and that is what helped her come out of her shell.
>
> Sunday we were low on people (10 including us). So, we went less active hunting. It was lots of fun. We started at one end of town and ended at the other.
>
> Sorry, this is a really long e-mail, but it is fun to write.
> Thank you all for the letters, and ha det cool! (I don't know how they spell it, but you would be surprised the influence the U.S culture has over here).(oh yeah, we almost scared an American teen half to death when we said hi the other day, as she said, "because nobody in sweden says hi to someone they don't know).
> Mvh
> Äldste Grindstaff
> ps. Thank you for the Trick or Treat sign, it is hanging up in the apartment right now and will be used.
> Pps. KEEP THE KITCHEN CLEAN!!!!!!
Aldste Isaac Grindstaff, September 28 2009
> Hola everyone!
> I just love this area and my new companion hna Vera. I have been so blessed to have the best companions in the mission and I`m so grateful. My first full day in the area we found a young family (with a little baby) to teach who are so prepared it`s incredible. They came to church on Sunday, with just one invitation from us, and after the meetings asked if they could have a Book of Mormon. They are going to be baptized soon I do believe. :) The ward here is also really great. The bishop and his wife and our ward mission leader are so involved in helping us with the missionary work. They even have little cars that they use to bring investigators to church in (cars here are rare. The most common way to travel is by bus or Moto)
> I feel so happy and excited about the work in this area and I know we are going to have a lot of success. I know there are families that have waited years to have the gospel in their lives here in this area and we are going to find them. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that if we do our part we will be guided to those who are ready to hear the gospel.
> My spanish is improving greatly with my new companion and I`m grateful for that. I didn`t think I could go so long without english, but really I don`t even notice it. I still don`t have an incredibly broad vocabulary, but the words I don`t know my companion has the incredible ability to fill in for me when we talk in the streets. Yesterday I was telling her a story about something that happened with my second companion and realized I didn`t know all the words I wanted to use. My companion filled in all the words I didn`t know and I learned a lot. I`m actually having a hard time speaking in english without throwing in spanish words now. it`s funny to read the things I write in my journal. It`s a lot of spanglish.
> Oh, I had quite an experience this week that gave me quite a fright. We were doing contacts on the way to a lesson and a couple waved to us in their house. This to us was an invitation to speak to them and not wanting to turn in down we went over to them. They invited us in and then we learned that the man of the house was baptized 10 years ago, but has since joined a church in town because he believes the Lord had something more for him to do. We taught them the restoration with emphasis that this is the only church with authority and invited them to pray. They didn`t seem to understand at all. Anyway, before we left they wanted to say a prayer (which we always do after lessons) and we thought it was a great way to invite the spirit. Well, they grabbed our hands and then he proceeded to shout and talk really fast and his wife began muttering under her breath. We were really stunned by this and I just wanted to leave. I was a little frightened to be honest. It`s a little sad that something as beautiful as prayer can be changed to something very dramatic and showy.
> I know this is the true church and that we have a loving Heavenly Father that wants to hear from us. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true and that we have a living prophet today. I am looking forward to conference because it is wonderful to hear what the Lord wants to tell us through the mouth of His servents.
> I love you all lot`s
> love, hna Grindstaff
>
> p.s. Isaac, how did your lesson with the spanish lady go? :)
> I just love this area and my new companion hna Vera. I have been so blessed to have the best companions in the mission and I`m so grateful. My first full day in the area we found a young family (with a little baby) to teach who are so prepared it`s incredible. They came to church on Sunday, with just one invitation from us, and after the meetings asked if they could have a Book of Mormon. They are going to be baptized soon I do believe. :) The ward here is also really great. The bishop and his wife and our ward mission leader are so involved in helping us with the missionary work. They even have little cars that they use to bring investigators to church in (cars here are rare. The most common way to travel is by bus or Moto)
> I feel so happy and excited about the work in this area and I know we are going to have a lot of success. I know there are families that have waited years to have the gospel in their lives here in this area and we are going to find them. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that if we do our part we will be guided to those who are ready to hear the gospel.
> My spanish is improving greatly with my new companion and I`m grateful for that. I didn`t think I could go so long without english, but really I don`t even notice it. I still don`t have an incredibly broad vocabulary, but the words I don`t know my companion has the incredible ability to fill in for me when we talk in the streets. Yesterday I was telling her a story about something that happened with my second companion and realized I didn`t know all the words I wanted to use. My companion filled in all the words I didn`t know and I learned a lot. I`m actually having a hard time speaking in english without throwing in spanish words now. it`s funny to read the things I write in my journal. It`s a lot of spanglish.
> Oh, I had quite an experience this week that gave me quite a fright. We were doing contacts on the way to a lesson and a couple waved to us in their house. This to us was an invitation to speak to them and not wanting to turn in down we went over to them. They invited us in and then we learned that the man of the house was baptized 10 years ago, but has since joined a church in town because he believes the Lord had something more for him to do. We taught them the restoration with emphasis that this is the only church with authority and invited them to pray. They didn`t seem to understand at all. Anyway, before we left they wanted to say a prayer (which we always do after lessons) and we thought it was a great way to invite the spirit. Well, they grabbed our hands and then he proceeded to shout and talk really fast and his wife began muttering under her breath. We were really stunned by this and I just wanted to leave. I was a little frightened to be honest. It`s a little sad that something as beautiful as prayer can be changed to something very dramatic and showy.
> I know this is the true church and that we have a loving Heavenly Father that wants to hear from us. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true and that we have a living prophet today. I am looking forward to conference because it is wonderful to hear what the Lord wants to tell us through the mouth of His servents.
> I love you all lot`s
> love, hna Grindstaff
>
> p.s. Isaac, how did your lesson with the spanish lady go? :)
Hermana Sandra Grindstaff, September 23 2009
> Hola familia,
> Guess what, it`s changes again and I`m getting another companion and leaving my first area. I definitely cried because I just love Progreso so much and the people there. As I was sitting in lessons yesterday sometimes the tears would just come to my eyes and I couldn`t stop them. I love my companion hermana Rogers (who goes home in December), but I know I`ll love my new companion hermana Vera also. Hermana Vera is a latina from Chille, so my english days are over for a while (except e-mails)... it should be interesting. I`m excited to get to work. Oh, my new area is Pasa de los Toros. it`s about 4 hours north of Montevideo by a lot of rivers. I hear it`s pretty.
> I`ve learned so much in Progreso and I`m so grateful I got to serve in that little area. Our last convert, Lorena, met us in the grocery store (we were doing something for president Sueldo there) and she told us that we will always have a special place in her heart and she wants me to be there in a year when she goes through the temple. (If I`m still here it might work out). I also saw Ernesto, our other recent convert that I found with hna. Wilson. He is doing great (he got the priesthood a few weeks ago), but his health is not so good. He`s been told that he doesn`t have much longer to live. For that reason they told us that I couln`t tell him I was leaving Progreso. (they`re worried about his health). Ernesto is great and often tells us that he is perservering to the end.
> Irene, the woman we found a few weeks ago that wanted to commit suicide, is doing wonderful and has started coming to church and her daughter and her family are now listening to the lessons. It`s just a miracle how the Lord puts us in peoples paths (and them in ours) in their time of need.
> We have a few new investigators in Progreso that I think are just wonderful. One is named Natalia and she is reading and praying about the things we`ve taught her and is planning on coming to church (which is often the hardest thing to get people to commit to do. But, I`ve found that those who read in the Book of Mormon and pray about it are the ones who have the desires to go to church). At the end of our lesson with Natalia she said the closing prayer (a beautiful, simple prayer) and then started to cry.
> Ah, and then we have a little girl investigator whose mom is a less active of many years that we found in a little villa. We had a Noche de Hogar with them (FHE) and it was so fun playing games with the three little kids. We did Simon Says and sang songs. It was great. (We also did an object lesson with blue food coloring that left my hands all blue for a while)
> This week we also had Elder Bowen and his wife come to talk to us. It was amazing and I feel even more strongly that we can have one baptism every week here if we just excercise our faith and go to work (and are obedient... obedience is everything). He also told us something that I thought was pretty great. Speaking to the hermana`s he said- when a nice young man asks you to marry him you need to say, "honey, can you explain to me the oath and covenant of the Melcezadek (I can`t spell it) priesthood?" He said if they couldn`t explain it then it was time to say adios.
> I just love the mission and I know this is the work of the Lord. I know that Jesus is the Chist and that he lives and is the head of this church. I know we have a living prophet in the world today, Thomas S. Monson. What a blessing it is to have the gospel in my life and wonderful parents. I did a contact on the bus today with a woman and I was talking to her about the family. I told her about my angel mother and father who prayed with us everynight and read the scriptures with us. The woman I talked to was very sweet (and doesn`t live in my area, but I wrote down her direction) and I can tell she cares a lot for her little family.
> I love you all so much.
> love, hna Grindstaff
> p.s. you asked about my favorite food here and the recipe. If you want to try a little of what I`m getting here it`s really simple. Just pour about half a container of oil on whatever your making and whala, you have Uruguayan food. It`s great. :) I`m trying not to eat it when I can aviod it. I do really like arroz con leche though.
>
> p.s.s. Keep that kitchen clean Isaac! ha ha
> Guess what, it`s changes again and I`m getting another companion and leaving my first area. I definitely cried because I just love Progreso so much and the people there. As I was sitting in lessons yesterday sometimes the tears would just come to my eyes and I couldn`t stop them. I love my companion hermana Rogers (who goes home in December), but I know I`ll love my new companion hermana Vera also. Hermana Vera is a latina from Chille, so my english days are over for a while (except e-mails)... it should be interesting. I`m excited to get to work. Oh, my new area is Pasa de los Toros. it`s about 4 hours north of Montevideo by a lot of rivers. I hear it`s pretty.
> I`ve learned so much in Progreso and I`m so grateful I got to serve in that little area. Our last convert, Lorena, met us in the grocery store (we were doing something for president Sueldo there) and she told us that we will always have a special place in her heart and she wants me to be there in a year when she goes through the temple. (If I`m still here it might work out). I also saw Ernesto, our other recent convert that I found with hna. Wilson. He is doing great (he got the priesthood a few weeks ago), but his health is not so good. He`s been told that he doesn`t have much longer to live. For that reason they told us that I couln`t tell him I was leaving Progreso. (they`re worried about his health). Ernesto is great and often tells us that he is perservering to the end.
> Irene, the woman we found a few weeks ago that wanted to commit suicide, is doing wonderful and has started coming to church and her daughter and her family are now listening to the lessons. It`s just a miracle how the Lord puts us in peoples paths (and them in ours) in their time of need.
> We have a few new investigators in Progreso that I think are just wonderful. One is named Natalia and she is reading and praying about the things we`ve taught her and is planning on coming to church (which is often the hardest thing to get people to commit to do. But, I`ve found that those who read in the Book of Mormon and pray about it are the ones who have the desires to go to church). At the end of our lesson with Natalia she said the closing prayer (a beautiful, simple prayer) and then started to cry.
> Ah, and then we have a little girl investigator whose mom is a less active of many years that we found in a little villa. We had a Noche de Hogar with them (FHE) and it was so fun playing games with the three little kids. We did Simon Says and sang songs. It was great. (We also did an object lesson with blue food coloring that left my hands all blue for a while)
> This week we also had Elder Bowen and his wife come to talk to us. It was amazing and I feel even more strongly that we can have one baptism every week here if we just excercise our faith and go to work (and are obedient... obedience is everything). He also told us something that I thought was pretty great. Speaking to the hermana`s he said- when a nice young man asks you to marry him you need to say, "honey, can you explain to me the oath and covenant of the Melcezadek (I can`t spell it) priesthood?" He said if they couldn`t explain it then it was time to say adios.
> I just love the mission and I know this is the work of the Lord. I know that Jesus is the Chist and that he lives and is the head of this church. I know we have a living prophet in the world today, Thomas S. Monson. What a blessing it is to have the gospel in my life and wonderful parents. I did a contact on the bus today with a woman and I was talking to her about the family. I told her about my angel mother and father who prayed with us everynight and read the scriptures with us. The woman I talked to was very sweet (and doesn`t live in my area, but I wrote down her direction) and I can tell she cares a lot for her little family.
> I love you all so much.
> love, hna Grindstaff
> p.s. you asked about my favorite food here and the recipe. If you want to try a little of what I`m getting here it`s really simple. Just pour about half a container of oil on whatever your making and whala, you have Uruguayan food. It`s great. :) I`m trying not to eat it when I can aviod it. I do really like arroz con leche though.
>
> p.s.s. Keep that kitchen clean Isaac! ha ha
Aldste Isaac Grindstaff, September 22 2009
> Date: Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:01:13 +0000
>
> It is kind of wierd having p-day on tuesday. It will be on tuesday next week to, for the same reason (I will be in Älghult). The leaves here are really starting to turn now, and everyone tells me that this weather is unnaturally nice. They say that normally it is cold and rainy all the time this time of year. This past week we taught Magid and his friend Saeid. Magid said that now that ramadan is over he wants to have us over for an Iranian meal. I'm excited. Also yesterday we taught the Muslim family up in Älghult. They are there waiting to see if they can stay in Sweden. They have 5 children (ages 7-13) and come from Lebanon. They have come here because they want their children to grow up away from the violence and don't want to have to be scared for them every day they go to school. Brother Bernstein (I'm not sure how that is spelled) is probably our most positive investigator now. His wife is a member and has been almost her whole life. He comes to church every Sunday and he just has a problem with baptism. Sitting there and talking to them on Sunday (She is one of the few members that feeds us) I felt so sad for sister Bernstein. She wants so bad to go to the Temple and be cealed to her husband, but he is not a member. So, we will focus on him, he lives the gospel already he just needs to be baptised.
>
> Scott has asked me what my favorite food is here, I don't really know. Princess Torta is really good (princess cake), but what I eat most of the time is whatever we have in the apartment. Usually tomatoe soup with spices (Salt, Pepper, etc.) over noodles with meetballs (store bought). or rice and homemade gravy. Something new that we just tried is gravy over french fries, with a hamburger patty. (Mom I made the Hambergers your way and my companion liked them) Now that I think about it my favorite food has to be the Kebob pizzas they have here. It is some kind of lamb meet on a pizza with lettuce and onions and pretty much anything depending on the kind of pizza. (they have what they call hawaii which has bananas on it). (I like the one with Kebab, red onions, lettuce and french fries) Then they have what they call kebab sauce that goes over the top. I only get it once a week, but it is good.
>
> Keep working hard with all that Missionary work there and remember who you all are. Smile and Thank you all for your letters.
>
> Thanks for the spiritual tidbits mom, they are awesome.
>
> Dad keep up the good work, yes the kitchen here is clean and I think it is amazing how just having a clean kitchen makes the whole apartment look cleaner, of course our kitchen is a big part of our apartment.
>
> Sandra, you should be proud, I cleaned the bathroom today.
>
> Mvh (it is swedish for I can't remember what, but basically it means sincerely)
> Äldste Grindstaff
>
> It is kind of wierd having p-day on tuesday. It will be on tuesday next week to, for the same reason (I will be in Älghult). The leaves here are really starting to turn now, and everyone tells me that this weather is unnaturally nice. They say that normally it is cold and rainy all the time this time of year. This past week we taught Magid and his friend Saeid. Magid said that now that ramadan is over he wants to have us over for an Iranian meal. I'm excited. Also yesterday we taught the Muslim family up in Älghult. They are there waiting to see if they can stay in Sweden. They have 5 children (ages 7-13) and come from Lebanon. They have come here because they want their children to grow up away from the violence and don't want to have to be scared for them every day they go to school. Brother Bernstein (I'm not sure how that is spelled) is probably our most positive investigator now. His wife is a member and has been almost her whole life. He comes to church every Sunday and he just has a problem with baptism. Sitting there and talking to them on Sunday (She is one of the few members that feeds us) I felt so sad for sister Bernstein. She wants so bad to go to the Temple and be cealed to her husband, but he is not a member. So, we will focus on him, he lives the gospel already he just needs to be baptised.
>
> Scott has asked me what my favorite food is here, I don't really know. Princess Torta is really good (princess cake), but what I eat most of the time is whatever we have in the apartment. Usually tomatoe soup with spices (Salt, Pepper, etc.) over noodles with meetballs (store bought). or rice and homemade gravy. Something new that we just tried is gravy over french fries, with a hamburger patty. (Mom I made the Hambergers your way and my companion liked them) Now that I think about it my favorite food has to be the Kebob pizzas they have here. It is some kind of lamb meet on a pizza with lettuce and onions and pretty much anything depending on the kind of pizza. (they have what they call hawaii which has bananas on it). (I like the one with Kebab, red onions, lettuce and french fries) Then they have what they call kebab sauce that goes over the top. I only get it once a week, but it is good.
>
> Keep working hard with all that Missionary work there and remember who you all are. Smile and Thank you all for your letters.
>
> Thanks for the spiritual tidbits mom, they are awesome.
>
> Dad keep up the good work, yes the kitchen here is clean and I think it is amazing how just having a clean kitchen makes the whole apartment look cleaner, of course our kitchen is a big part of our apartment.
>
> Sandra, you should be proud, I cleaned the bathroom today.
>
> Mvh (it is swedish for I can't remember what, but basically it means sincerely)
> Äldste Grindstaff
Aldste Isaac Grindstaff, September 16 2009
> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:11:14 +0000
>
> What's up all of you people out there. I am just great. This has been an awesome week. First, I am staying in Växjö and am not the greenie in the zone any more. (as of tomorrow) We taught a lot of people this week and I will start at the begining.
> Last Saturday we tried to go to Älghult, but once again we ended up on the wrong bus and ended up in the middle of nowhere. (there were about 10 houses). Anyway we went around and asked people, "do you know when the buss comes back" they all just told us to look at the schedule at the buss stop. Well we had and there was none. So, we walked the couple of kilometers to the next stop and fortunatly there was a Schedule. Well we were there and so we decided to make the best of it and tract. The first house we talked to an athiest and had a really nice conversation, at least my companion did. Anyway then the bus came and we came home. It was a fun trip.
> that night we taught the less active from El salvidor and Magid. both lessons were awesome. Elba came to Church again and I am so happy. We went to Älghult again on Monday, we made it that time. there is a Family there that is willing to be taught, and we will go back next week on monday (sorry, but I will write on Tuesday). Yesterday was by far the best day.
> We went to Teleborg (just outside of Växjö) and found some past investigators. Then we taught Elba again. There is such a difference in her. She seems happier, and she enjoys our teaches. That is what going to Church does for you, so keep going. It makes a difference. Right after Elba's teach the phone rang and it was a man who had been out of touch with us for the last two months. (I had never met him) His name is Danny and he is British and used to be in the British royal airforce. He was also a really successful business man, but his life has fallen apart, and is really hard for him now. He talked with us for a long time and he is a really smart man. I learned a lot from him. He said that even though its hard he just needs to get up and do something. Otherwse even though he asks The Lord will not help. We talked for a long time and he pretty much told us that the Church is true and only wishes that he had listened the first time. He said he liked a girl in his class and walked home with her. She told him she was LDS and told him a little about it. He has investigated the church on and off in his life and he is grateful for and remembers all those members he has met. (Be a good example people do watch and don't be afraid to open your mouth, you never now how it will affect people). He said that there comes a time when a man must stop asking questions and just say, "is it good, and do I want it" and then go. He is a really cool guy.
>
> I love you all lots, and by the way sandra we are setting up an appointment with a lady who only speaks spanish, Help!
>
> Love Äldste Grindstaff
>
>
> What's up all of you people out there. I am just great. This has been an awesome week. First, I am staying in Växjö and am not the greenie in the zone any more. (as of tomorrow) We taught a lot of people this week and I will start at the begining.
> Last Saturday we tried to go to Älghult, but once again we ended up on the wrong bus and ended up in the middle of nowhere. (there were about 10 houses). Anyway we went around and asked people, "do you know when the buss comes back" they all just told us to look at the schedule at the buss stop. Well we had and there was none. So, we walked the couple of kilometers to the next stop and fortunatly there was a Schedule. Well we were there and so we decided to make the best of it and tract. The first house we talked to an athiest and had a really nice conversation, at least my companion did. Anyway then the bus came and we came home. It was a fun trip.
> that night we taught the less active from El salvidor and Magid. both lessons were awesome. Elba came to Church again and I am so happy. We went to Älghult again on Monday, we made it that time. there is a Family there that is willing to be taught, and we will go back next week on monday (sorry, but I will write on Tuesday). Yesterday was by far the best day.
> We went to Teleborg (just outside of Växjö) and found some past investigators. Then we taught Elba again. There is such a difference in her. She seems happier, and she enjoys our teaches. That is what going to Church does for you, so keep going. It makes a difference. Right after Elba's teach the phone rang and it was a man who had been out of touch with us for the last two months. (I had never met him) His name is Danny and he is British and used to be in the British royal airforce. He was also a really successful business man, but his life has fallen apart, and is really hard for him now. He talked with us for a long time and he is a really smart man. I learned a lot from him. He said that even though its hard he just needs to get up and do something. Otherwse even though he asks The Lord will not help. We talked for a long time and he pretty much told us that the Church is true and only wishes that he had listened the first time. He said he liked a girl in his class and walked home with her. She told him she was LDS and told him a little about it. He has investigated the church on and off in his life and he is grateful for and remembers all those members he has met. (Be a good example people do watch and don't be afraid to open your mouth, you never now how it will affect people). He said that there comes a time when a man must stop asking questions and just say, "is it good, and do I want it" and then go. He is a really cool guy.
>
> I love you all lots, and by the way sandra we are setting up an appointment with a lady who only speaks spanish, Help!
>
> Love Äldste Grindstaff
>
Hermana Sandra Grindstaff, September 14 2009
> Date: Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:24:19 +0000
>
> Hola Familia,
> This e-mail is being written a little late because we are doing part of our p-day today and part on Wed. (because we are going to the temple on Wed.)
> Well, I have some exciting news for all of you, we are seeing miracles right and left here everyday. This last week our mission president spoke to us and told us that our goal is to have one baptism every week. When we heard this a few weeks ago we had a hard time believing it was possible, but me and my companion felt strongly that this was a goal given to us from the Lord, so we put as our weekly goal 1 baptism even though we didn´t have a date set with anybody for this last week. When we put the goal I felt like it was going to happen if we did our part and showed our faith because the Lord gave us this goal through our mission president. Well, last p-day we had a call from a woman of 28 years who called to tell us she wanted to hear the lessons again and asked us how long it would take before she would be ready for baptism. This girl has come to church many times and has listened to the missionaries for many years, but never committed to baptism. We started teaching her the next day and felt like we were supposed to commit her to baptism for the coming Saturday. She asked us if it was too soon, but we told her to pray about this baptismal date, and to make the story a little shorter... SHE GOT BAPTIZED! It was such a miracle and I know it´s because we put our trust in the Lord.
>
> We´ve started working in another little village in our area called Vista Linda and we´ve taught so many people there. I thought I´d seen all of my area (because I´ve been here for so long), but it turns out there was this golden area (all the villages are golden actually :) that I´ve never seen before. Our first time out there we were let in almost every home we knocked on to teach (that´s rare even for Progeso). We found one woman named Natalia who we taught for the second time today and she is just so sweet. She prayed to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and read the entire folleto (pamphlet I think it´s called in english). It´s just so great to see how the gospel blesses peoples lives. People want to know the purpose to their lives on this planet and it´s so amazing that I have the opportunity to teach them these things. I love teaching people that God loves his children and has called a prophet to lead and guide us today.
> We taught a woman yesterday that was a little more of a challenge because she wants to know the truth of the things we teach her, but isn´t willing to do the things it takes to receive an answer. She asked us a lot of questions and one of them really made me think. She asked us if God loves us why do we have so much suffering in the world (she also asked if mormons were all rich)... we get these type of questions from many people, but this time I opened my mouth and really began teaching about the purpose to life. I know life is difficult, but I know that the purpose to life is to learn and grow and gain experience.
>
> Oh, my comanion just reminded me of a really neat experience that I almost forgot about.
> We were walking down a road when we saw an old woman carrying her groceries. We offered to help her because she looked like it was heavy. Turns out that she was a nun from the big catholic church we had just walked by in the middle of a huge field. We talked to he for a little while and she let us carry her groceries for her. She took us back to where she lives and we got to sing and say a prayed with her and another nun. They were so nice and invited us to come back anytime to talk with them. It was such an uplifting experience and one I´ll never forget.
> I love the gospel and the mission. I wish I could write stories for hours about things that have happened here, but alas, I haven´t got time.
> I love you all so much and I´m grateful for all you do for me.
> love, hna Grindstaff
>
> p.s. I got the packages and I must say, I love the washing plunger you sent. My companion thought it was a hoot.
> p.s.s Isaac, I missed reading your e-mail last week. Keep up the good work. I love you.
>
> Hola Familia,
> This e-mail is being written a little late because we are doing part of our p-day today and part on Wed. (because we are going to the temple on Wed.)
> Well, I have some exciting news for all of you, we are seeing miracles right and left here everyday. This last week our mission president spoke to us and told us that our goal is to have one baptism every week. When we heard this a few weeks ago we had a hard time believing it was possible, but me and my companion felt strongly that this was a goal given to us from the Lord, so we put as our weekly goal 1 baptism even though we didn´t have a date set with anybody for this last week. When we put the goal I felt like it was going to happen if we did our part and showed our faith because the Lord gave us this goal through our mission president. Well, last p-day we had a call from a woman of 28 years who called to tell us she wanted to hear the lessons again and asked us how long it would take before she would be ready for baptism. This girl has come to church many times and has listened to the missionaries for many years, but never committed to baptism. We started teaching her the next day and felt like we were supposed to commit her to baptism for the coming Saturday. She asked us if it was too soon, but we told her to pray about this baptismal date, and to make the story a little shorter... SHE GOT BAPTIZED! It was such a miracle and I know it´s because we put our trust in the Lord.
>
> We´ve started working in another little village in our area called Vista Linda and we´ve taught so many people there. I thought I´d seen all of my area (because I´ve been here for so long), but it turns out there was this golden area (all the villages are golden actually :) that I´ve never seen before. Our first time out there we were let in almost every home we knocked on to teach (that´s rare even for Progeso). We found one woman named Natalia who we taught for the second time today and she is just so sweet. She prayed to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and read the entire folleto (pamphlet I think it´s called in english). It´s just so great to see how the gospel blesses peoples lives. People want to know the purpose to their lives on this planet and it´s so amazing that I have the opportunity to teach them these things. I love teaching people that God loves his children and has called a prophet to lead and guide us today.
> We taught a woman yesterday that was a little more of a challenge because she wants to know the truth of the things we teach her, but isn´t willing to do the things it takes to receive an answer. She asked us a lot of questions and one of them really made me think. She asked us if God loves us why do we have so much suffering in the world (she also asked if mormons were all rich)... we get these type of questions from many people, but this time I opened my mouth and really began teaching about the purpose to life. I know life is difficult, but I know that the purpose to life is to learn and grow and gain experience.
>
> Oh, my comanion just reminded me of a really neat experience that I almost forgot about.
> We were walking down a road when we saw an old woman carrying her groceries. We offered to help her because she looked like it was heavy. Turns out that she was a nun from the big catholic church we had just walked by in the middle of a huge field. We talked to he for a little while and she let us carry her groceries for her. She took us back to where she lives and we got to sing and say a prayed with her and another nun. They were so nice and invited us to come back anytime to talk with them. It was such an uplifting experience and one I´ll never forget.
> I love the gospel and the mission. I wish I could write stories for hours about things that have happened here, but alas, I haven´t got time.
> I love you all so much and I´m grateful for all you do for me.
> love, hna Grindstaff
>
> p.s. I got the packages and I must say, I love the washing plunger you sent. My companion thought it was a hoot.
> p.s.s Isaac, I missed reading your e-mail last week. Keep up the good work. I love you.
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