February 24, 2014

Hey everyone,

Once again week six is here. I'd say that change is likely but i'm sure the second that i write that, President Roney will suddenly recieve inspiration to leave me and Elder Pedersen together for another six weeks in montpellier:) We'll just have to wait and see.

So people always tell me that i look like someone else. I'm not sure why but i've been told i resemble the most random people. Anywhere from james dean to tom cruise to the guy who plays two face on batman to some random basket ball player from way back when. So yesterday at church a member came up to me and gave me a folded up piece of paper with my name on it. She said that it was from our ward mission leader and that i had to open it infront of the others. When i opened it up it was a picture of one of the characters from the Xmen first class movie with "Elder Swenson" written in big bold letters underneath. Everyone thought it was hillarious and long story short this picture is now hanging on the bulletin board in the montpellier chappel.

This week I had multiple opportunities to bear my testimony in english during lessons or contacting we seemed to run into a bunch of english speaking people. As much as i enjoy french I have to say that i love teaching and testifying in my native language.

A single heartfelt testimony can really have a huge impact on someone. I challenge all of you to bear your testimony to someone this week. I love you all! Till next week,

Elder Swenson  

Feb. 17, 2014

Hello hello,

Another week down. It seems crazy that we are in week 5 of the transfer. This transfer feels like it just started last week and now it's nearly over. Unfortunately the Pain family has been unable to see us but we have a rdv fixed for next week when they have more time. The good news though is that they are still cheery as ever and have commited to us that they will come to church. Please continue to pray for them as they are definately one of the biggest miracles from my stay here in montpellier and my mission in general.

The past few days i have been sick with a cold but i am feeling much better today. This should make missionary work easier. You make alot of nasal sounds in french and a stuffy nose really makes you sound funny when you speak. 

We have had quite a few opportunites to give priesthood blessings lately. I really love being able to take part in such amazing moments of service. I really feel close to the Savior during blessings. Sometimes as we read all of the stories from the scriptures about Christ and his disciples performing miracles we don't quite grasp the reality of these events. But as we have the opportunity to witness or be part of a blessing it really sinks in. 

We are truly blessed to be in this church where the priesthood of God is available to us. I read a talk this morning by elder Andersen. He talks about how there are people from many faiths that pray and feel the spirit and are blessed by following the principles taught in the bible, but only in our church do we have things like the priesthood to bless us, prophets and apostles to guide us, and the book of mormon to clarify our understanding of gospel principles. 

I invite you to really ponder and reflect on all of the blessings that you have thanks to this restored gospel. Understand the reality of the things we read about in the scriptures and realize that all of these miracles and blessings aren't just things that happened in the past, but are here for us to witness and enjoy in our day as well. Don't forget all of the many gifts and blessings that are availible to us as members of this church. I testify of the reality of these things and of the Saviors love for each of you. I love you all!

Elder Swenson

Feb. 10, 2014

Hello again,

This past week we shared a message about the love of God with a partial member family. Before the rdv we honestly weren't sure what we were going to share but when we got there the spirit led the whole thing. They had just been talking to some of thier children on the phone and talked about how as long as we have our family and we love each other all is well. They were very touched by the message and shared with us some miracles about the progress that their kids were making towards being baptized. They thanked us for our help and the whole house about burned down from the spirit that was there. 

It is crazy how much my understanding of God and His love for us has grown this past year as a missionary. A couple of weeks ago while walking down the streets of montpellier I was reflecting on God's love for us. I was thinking one of the questions that we always get asked and even ask ourselves as missionaries. What are your reasons for serving a mission? Why are you here? I have given multiple responses in the past. Duty. It's whats expected of be. Because of love for others. Because the gospel has blessed my life and I want to share it with others. etc... But as I was pondering this I decided to change my answer. It is actually the first principle in the first lesson that we teach our investigators. "God is our Heavenly Father and He loves us." 

Let me explain a bit. God's love for us is so great that we can't even comprehend it. He loves us so much that He created us. He loves us so much that He gave us all that we have and continues to bless us with more things every day. He Loves us so much that He created a plan for us to recieve a fullness of joy and inherit all that He has. He loves us so much that in order for this plan to work He was willing to sacrifice His beloved Son and watch as this perfect and sinless Son litterally took upon him and suffered all pains and afflictions immaginable. He loves us so much that He wants all of us to know about this plan and have the opportunity to accept it. That is why I am here, because God loves His children so much that He called me to tell them just how much He loves them and what blessings await them because of this great love. 

It is true that I am here in France because I love others and want to help them, but the real and biggest reason for why I am here is because of God's love. In essence if someone on the street were to come up to me and ask me, "Why are you here?" my answer for them would be "Because God loves you."

Now that I have explained my answer, I would like to pose you the same question. Why are you here? Why have you been blessed to be where you are with the knowlege of this gospel? It is because God loves His children and has sent you here and given you this gospel knowlege so that you can share it with others. I invite you to reflect on all of the blessings that you have, to ponder about just how much God loves you, and then to realize that there are millions of people out there who don't know this. 

As members of this church is is our responsibility to share Gods love with everyone, so that everyone can know and understand just how much they are loved and how enourmous their potential and capacity is because of this love.

Let us remeber the first and second great commandements: To love God with all of our hearts, might, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors. Don't forget the most important thing. LOVE.

I love you!

Elder Swenson 

February 3, 2014

Hello again,

So this week was a great one. So earlier this week we got to eat dinner with and teach the Pain family (pronounced like pan, it means bread in french:). It was so awesome and weird at the same time. Awesome because we got to teach a family and weird because we got to teach a family. Seriously i'm not used to the awesome feeling of teaching a family. They are french, very religious, have 4 kids, and are super happy and are interested in mormons. One of the rarest combinations i've ever encountered on my mission. 

Any way the lesson went well and they seemed to understand and accept it well. We testified hard in the paint about the restoration and commited them to read and pray about the book of mormon. They are pretty busy and so we haven't been able to set a return appointment yet but they said that they would love to have us back. Please please please pray for them to read and be touched by the spirit and have the time to see us again.

We also taught some other cool people this week. We were contacting with a member and talked with a 19 year old kid who had grown up catholic but didn't really believe too much and has gone through some hard times. We ended up getting his number and later that week the member called him and set up a rdv to meet with us. We all went to the church and he even brought one of his friends who was interested to learn more as well. The lesson went really well and we have high expectations for them both.

So last night we were porting and some body decided to call the cops on us. The cops came and talked to us but because we are missionaries filled with the spirit we started talking to them about their families and our beliefs. We had a really cool conversation and ended up giving them a pass along card. When satan gives us lemons we make lemonade:)

Any way all is going well and I hope that you are all staying happy and healthy back home. Love ya,

Elder Swenson