7/29/2015

On Monday we went to talk to this old guy that we met the week before. His name is Ekret. He is so funny. He has given everything that he owns to his daughter and now just lives in his house (that is now his daughters) and takes care of the yard. We went inside to talk to him and he is super hard to understand. My trainer was having a hard time too. He told a ton of funny stories though. He apparently doesn't allow male CNA or Nurses or Sweden's equivalent into his house. Like one time a male and a female showed up and he wouldn't let him in! He is so funny. He said he usually doesn't let people into his house, but he could tell that we were different. That was really cool. These 94 year old Swedes really know how to stay healthy. He just works in the yard. Anyways he is great.

On Tuesday we went to go help a member work on his roof. That was super funny because my companion failed about every other nail and got them all in bent... Haha We also finally got in contact with Andre, who's girlfriend was baptized but he hasn't been because he doesn't quite feel ready. So that was super cool. We just need him to meet with us more. 

We went on splits again this week and I got to take over my area for the day. (I was actually "in charge" all week) I went to Branch Council and the entire thing was in Swedish and I felt pretty good to be following and participating. I now feel like my Swedish isn't working again but I guess that is just how it goes. 

We did some more service on Friday. This member is the best to serve because he gives all the missionaries that come over Root Beer. (Everyone in Sweden doesn't like it so it is really hard to find.) We got to dig. Reminds me of home whenever I do manual labor XD

We got a lesson with our baptismal date investigator Hampus. His dad wanted to feed us!!! That was super good. His dad loves us. He isn't interested in the church really, but I think that he thinks we are a good example for his son. We might not be (kidding) but the church is. 

On Sunday during Sunday school Thomas turned to me and said something along the lines of, "My parents were Pentecostal, I need to go there right now." So our investigator left our church and went to the Pentecostal church... That was pretty great. Don't worry though, it wasn't really anything big. He still is investigating the LDS church and not the Pentecostal XD 

For P-Day, the mission all played volley ball. We did it as zones. My team was... like the worst. We played one game that we didn't score a point and we played another game where we were about to win but then there was a terrible call... anyways. It was good. XD

We taught a guy yesterday who apparently believes the Book of Mormon and that Joseph was a prophet but doesn't believe in this church being the only one with authority. My companion got a little frustrated with some of the things he was saying and the loops this guy was walking in... Ha The Great Apostasy is real folks. He is a good guy. He will understand eventually! 

This has just been an exciting week! I love you all and thank you for the support and great examples you are to me!

Elder AJ Frankman

Do you know what this is? Thought you would like it

Cool feature huh?

​Every morning these guys just sit outside our apartment

We got six lessons in one day!

So by other mission standards this might not be that great but in Sweden it is. We got six lessons in one day! On a really good week you get about 20 so 6 in a day here was great!! That was on Tudesday. 

We went back to this guy to give him a Book of Mormon this week. It turns out his brother investigated in the past and his cousin is a member now. It is super cool. Three brother happened to be in the same spot talking to us about the Book of Mormon and one had already investigated before. They definitely have a connection with the church too because of their cousin! It was just a super duper not-coincidence and probably really confusing when you read through it. 

Have I ever said how pretty Sweden is? It is. Too bad I can't ever get my camera to connect to the computer sorry...

So we had the coolest Zone training this week. The Mission President and his wife wanted to have a "family night." He told us the way that mission presidents get selected too. He was interviewed by Elder Uchtdorf... We got to ask him a bunch of questions about his life. What he likes, his awkward moments, his love story, how much he loves Disney Land, advice. Just basically everything. It was super cool. I love president Beckstrand.

During the conference we took like half an hour to read the BoM in groups and talk about what we read. So we got 5 verse in. It took us half an hour to get five verses digested. The BoM is so deep. It is so true. 

Thomas is doing a lot better now I think. Elder Johnson taught the lesson in church about families. Thomas comes from a broken family so he was very sensitive and loves what we teach. It will be good. I can't wait for the next lesson. He is going to be softened yet. 

Thank you all for all the letters and support!

Love,

Elder AJ Frankman

Quote of the week:

"Remember in the US how everyone who wore a cross was like a gang banger and now they are like your best friends? You are Christian too?!"

   -Elder Johnson

Good times good times XD 

Super Great

So quick story from this week. Elder Johnson was sick and it was a slow week so those two things added together to make a less than spectacular week. BUT I did some calling. I called an entire list of old investigators. First guy of 3 that was positive.

1. Michael Budhorn. I walk up to the guy we have never met before except on the phone like twice. He says, "What are you?, sharekee?" I was like "???" Like I figured he could mean " Cherokee" but I am in Sweden. There ain't no Native Americans in Sweden. Except him I guess. Well that is what he meant. He is some native American guy that can play the Harmonica like a boss. He is 72 years old. He just got back from the Philippians wear he got married to some 27 year old Philippine woman... He is kinda crazy I think, but he is so funny. I don't know if he is really going to investigate, but we will sure try!

2. David #1 He is a super positive guy. The last missionaries got him convinced the Book of Mormon is true. He wants to be baptized!!! But of course he is moving to Atlanta Georgia for the next 11 Months. We showed him how to find a church on mormon.org. I hope that he goes. He is so great. 

3. David #2 This is the best. So I called him one time and no one answered. I got back to my apartment the next day and say "Elder Johnson can I see the phone?" He was like yeah. I just wanted to call the guy and I did and he picked up. I wouldn't have called it a prompting at the time but this is what happened. I called and he said, "I was just writing down a prayer, I have never written one down before, but I decided to and I asked Jesus to help me. Then 30 seconds later you called. This is no coincidence." I was like, ".... YESSSSSSSS" That was in my head haha I was so happy. He wants to meet up sometime though so that is super cool. Anyways. No more time 

Thanks for all the emails, love, prayer, and support. 

Love you all.



*AJ's Mailing Address:  just in case you are dying to send a letter to Sweden.

Elder Frankman

Enebybergsvägen 38

182 46 Enebyberg

Sweden

Short E-mail

I don't have much time because I was sending a bunch of pictures. My mom supposedly has a blog going so you can probably look at them there.(see below)

Last P-Day some lady walked up to us, not a member, and said I was the best looking missionary she has ever seen, so that was flattering. 

This week we went on splits and we taught Thomas. He said he would "TRY" to pray and read. I was like, "Thomas, try to move this chair. Don't do it or don't not do it. Just try." So he got the point and committed to do it! We told him to "read to the second chapter of first Nephi." He thought we meant read to 2 Nephi... He read it all. Haha it was great. He texted us and said, " 33 pages in 26 to go." too bad it was past nine so we couldn't text him back to stop ;) So that was cool. Thomas is great. I love that guy. He just has to not be so hard headed. :D

So I successfully took over the area on splits and didn't ruin everything. So I guess I am getting adapted. God helps with everything. I love him. He loves us. The gospel is true. 

Thanks for all your support and prayers.

Mid Summer Eve Dancing Time

Someone photo shop a pillar of light directly over his head.

HAHA look what I found- My dad  worked for Capegemini up until two weeks ago.

Cause I'm Boss like that

P-DAY

Translation: The Jesus Bus

​Rope swing. Redefined 

​Just feeding the duck/geese/ ugly birds/ and swans that live by my apartment.

​Love it when our bike chain breaks in the middle of nowhere then it starts to suddenly rain...

​Hustru Skolan Translates to wife school XD

This is what they call Cool Ranch in Sweden

Mid Summer's Eve Day

Goomba!!!

It seemed only fitting being a "Pirate" and all.

This me being European with my hair.

NEVER!!!! haha funny guy

So this week with Thomas.... Things were pretty slow with him. We basically told him he needs to start ACTUALLY investigating. He can't just passively wait for an answer. You can't go treasure hunting without looking for the treasure. He tried to say basically, "If God is perfect why does he not answer me and why does he make imperfect things." Elder Johnson at this point is so fed up with Thomas that he just says. "You know, you can put all the fluff on it you want, but you can't look me in the eyes and convince me this isn't true, whereas I can look you in the eyes and say that it is." Among other things. Let's just say that Elder Johnson exercised some righteous anger XD I came back and bore some less angry testimony, but I really think that Thomas needed that from Elder Johnson so that was super cool. But he said he would start to pray sincerely. We got another lesson with him later this week and he is really searching more now!

So I think P-day has magical powers.... We always get the good contacts. This guy is muslim (Like fifty percent of Sweden, not really but a lot). So normally we would just give him a card and walk away but we have been focusing on good contacts so we just started to testify. Then he wanted a Book of Mormon. We met up with him later that week! It was great! Baptizing a Muslim family would make my mission. :D 

Another day contacting we talked to this guy and he looked at our name tags... and he SCREAMED and jumped ten feet in the air. He ran off and turned around and yelled, "NEVER NEVER nope never!" That was probably my favorite contact of my mission yet. Well beside the ones that lead to baptisms... Speaking of.

A few weeks ago I contacted that guy in the train station that lived in a different city. He has kept in contact with us and he calls every once in a while. He always has these really deep thoughts and we tell him the Mormon thoughts on it. He is always like, "really? that is so cool." We even got into the law of consecration. But we finally got him handed off to the Elders down in Malmö. He is so prepared! 

We went to dinner with a less active new convert. She is so cool. She would be active if her husband allowed her to be. She has a great conversion story. On the way home, we rode the same bus and we asked if her husband knew she was with us. She said, "yeah, it's going to be a little bit of a dangerous situation when I get home..." She is so strong. We felt bad for her. She is such a great Example!!!

Luckily there is an American family in our ward so my companion and I get to celebrate the Fourth of July! 

We knocked for like 4 hours yesterday and we found one guy who would listen to us. He was Orthodox and his Grandpa is a bishop in Jerusalem... He didn't want the Book of Mormon, but I got to testify and that is why I am here so that was good :D 

The church is true! Thanks for all the emails and all the prayers. Love you all!

PS Carl is my favorite member here I think XD I love Carl.