A MOUSE!!!!! Monday, April 21, 2014

Hello everyone! I actually don't know who you all are but I love you for gathering at your screen to read about missionary work in the Arvada 3rd Ward! This past week was Week 5 of my 2nd transfer! Next week is Transfer Monday. Super weird... 

So I was on my sleep over this past week! and one of the mornings at exactly 1:30 a.m. I awoke to something crawling on my hair. (I am a light/deep sleeper.) So as I lay there with my eyes open wondering if I should move or not something dashes in front of my face and then turns around and goes back! I jumped out of bed and turned the light on. I can't see anything so I get on S. Kreissl's bed to aviod it crawling over my feet and wake her up. We end up going into the living room to sleep, or attempt for me. The next day luckily, we were sleeping at our home so I didn't have to go through a night of no sleep. The family set a trap and they caught the nasty thing! It was a mouse! A MOUSE touch me when I was sleeping. Gross. 

Oh so that was Thursday morning and on Monday it was Zone P-day and we all played volleyball and basketball and I got to play catch!! It was so fun! I let some elders use my glove too. One of them, Elder Schmitt felt bad cause it was all sweaty but I told him not to worry cause I sweat in the glove too... Silly Elder. 

We have an investigator named Desiree and she is 16 and I know she is solid! We taught her twice this past week and this week hopefully twice again! And an investigator named Shane who is awesome! He is 27 though so we have to hand him over to the YSA ward. 

I rolled the window down one day and sqwacked at some birds... yah there was a car behind us with his window down... Oh well though! 

I have received some nicknames! Hermana Aranya... not sure on spelling but it means Sister Spider. No joke... the spiders come after me. And Anorexia. Grandpa Nelson gave me that one! He lives with us.

I am giving up dairy. Not fully. Cause if someone feeds me dairy I need to eat it of course ;) but no milk just almond milk or Kefir. I am working on just eating healthy things! Cause I need to be healthy. I want to come home looking the same :)

We had an Easter Activity where the kids went on a hunt and then we did a church tour for all those that were interested! It turned out super good for the first time of doing it! Next year will be tons better!!!

I made it into the Journal of Daweson Jones! He is the dad of one of the families here that I love!! He wrote "I got kicked out of dinner by a sister missionary." Ohkay. The story. One day we were over there for dinner and he was sick and was deciding whether or not to go lay down or to stay and I said Go lay down. We don't want to get sick. and he ended up writing about it! YAY me. I'm in a journal :) I love it here in Arvada! The people are great! And all of you are great as well :)

S. Kreissl is the best! She is keeping good care of me so no worries :)

Love you all! If you want, you could always write me a letter :)

Sister Ashlee Svedin

Colorado Denver North Mission

1250 Main St.

Broomfield, CO 80020

Until next time

Sister Svedin :)

BITS AND PIECES - APRIL 14, 2014

This week Sister Svedin didn't write a "To Everyone" so I'll just cut and paste the bits and pieces that she did email. :)
Here is a list of questions that I gave her to answer.

*What has been your biggest challenge this week?

*What has been your biggest concern?

*What has been your biggest success?

*Who has been your favorite person this week? why?

*What are you looking forward to this coming week?

*Do you have a goal set for this coming week? Tell me about it.

Anything else I need to know or you want to share?

And her response...

Biggest Challenge... talking to people. We focused on going to less actives homes and none of them wanted to talk to us. So that was hard.

Biggest Concern... my WEIGHT!!! AH. I am going to start considering only having one plate of food. Not two. No worries though. Its not like I gained 50 pounds. I still fit into all of my clothing and Sister Kreissl says I don't even look like I gained anything. She is just too kind :)

Biggest Success.... This week we got 6 referrals which never happens! For us at least! So it was muy bueno! That's something that you should think of. Finding someone for the missionaries to teach! Do you know what the ward mission plan is??

Favorite Person...Well there is a family I just LOVE!! I called them last night about dinner on Tuesday and I was talking to them and I guess their power went out and they were playing with matches. And she told me that I was now on speaker phone and to tell everyone what I needed to tell them. (I had no clue on what to say) then she said well yah know how we shouldn't play with matches. So I just went off saying how we shouldn't play with matches and how we didn't need to fear because the power will come on and it wont stay out forever because there weren't going to be any zombie apocalypses happening. I love them! Ha their name is the Farias. And for the longest time I kept saying Ferrari. But I love them :) Her name is Gena Faria. You could probably find her on FB!! 

Looking forward to.... I am looking forward to a ton of things!! On Wednesday I am going to the temple!! On Saturday we have an activity planned! It's gonna be awesome! It's an Easter egg hunt/church tour. So everyone hopefully will invite their neighbors to come! And in the eggs that the kids pick up...there won't be any candy and it will symbolize Christ not being in the tomb. We are giving out candy bags at the end of the night :) We are being smart so they won't take the candy and leave but stay and go through the church tour and then get the candy :P

Goal for the week... exercise outside...and focus. WOW! I am not a good focuser. 

Anything else.... Well.... I am not sure. Today I am going to play catch with Elder Wipfler. I'm excited for that! HA

Ohkay so we pulled up to a house, member, and S. Kreissl said wow, they look alive. (The house was dark inside) and I said, "Don't say that! They are older." Ha. It was funny. I love being companions with S. Kreissl. You say her name like Christll bless you :) If I haven't pronounced it for ya yet :) Oh and we were talking to a girl named Skylan? And something that she said cause we told her later that we were "Mormons" cause she was asking if we had a nickname for our church and then she asked if it was a bad nickname and we said no but yes. And then she said she has a friend who said that she doesn't introduce herself as a Baptist because its like saying Hi, I'm a jerk. Ha it was silly! 

Love you all!

Sister Svedin

The Big Letter! - March 31, 2014

Alright. I have a ton of things to say but I don't know where to start and what to talk about so I will just talk about a couple of things! Sister Kreissl is the bomb. And so are the Elders and other Sisters! I love being in Arvada 3rd Ward. They really do love helping us missionaries out. Well the sisters :) 
Saturday, I got to dig in a garden and play around with worms! We actually named them all. There was Nephi and Lehi and all the others and we couldn't forget ourselves. So I found a short and chubby worm for myself and Sister Kreissl found a tall and skinny one! Then the Elders of course had to find big ones. Ha. 

Sister Kreissl and I gave sharing time in primary yesterday and that was super fun! I got kissed. No worries though. A boy named Cody came up to me during primary singing time and he gave me a kiss on the cheek. Totally random and unexpected. Made my day though!! Then after church, he licked my hand..... gross. He is 3 though. 

A framily in the ward (friend-family) they are putting a garden in their backyard and also a fire pit and a chicken coop. Well they got chicks and told us to come over and see them sometime so since everyone we planned to visit fell through last night/rescheduled we went over to the Ellis's and saw the chicks. One of them pooped on me... My day was awesome yesterday though! Really! 

On Friday, we went to the follow up training meeting and that was awesome! It was the last time that all of us who came out together would be in the same room together while on the mission. We got home safely. I am trusting Heavenly Father a lot! 

THURSDAY!! I gave a recitation for the first time! It was awesome! and then also we played balloon volleyball and BINGO at Arvada Estates! Again, I love doing that! I am meeting more missionaries too! 

A couple of days this past week, I have been more focused on the work than eating dinner. And it gets late and then I remember or it's the day we have dinner and I remember oh yah... we need to make sure we are still having dinner! 

I am learning so much too! Spiritually!! It's so awesome! I am so grateful to be on a mission! I learn things that I have to step back and go wait, why did I not learn this before my mission? It is so true that the things you learn on your mission help you for your future! Instead of me learning these things slowly at home I learn them so quick on my mission! I love it!!! 

Anyways.... I am going hiking today!!! So excited! It's going to be fun!

Love you all! 

Sister Svedin!

p.s. All of you should watch General Conference and not fall asleep!!! Don't do it! The talks have been prepared for us to help us in life. It's like instructions to a game except it's life and it's from God and the Holy Ghost will touch our hearts! Prepare yourself by thinking of a question that you really want help with and I promise that you will receive your answer because I know that Heavenly Father loves us and will always answer the questions that we ask Him. :)

Other than that.... SMILE!!! :) It's healthy!

TO EVERYONE!!! - March 24, 2014

So family and friends,

I have gathered you today to read about my past week. Shout out to Sister McFarland and also the Young Womens and Emily and Grandma and Grandpa. I love you all!

On Wednesday I got to attend the temple! I love it! I have also been praying for a trial. And I havent gotten one yet. Heavenly Father likes to mess with me. I have decided my trial is to not recieve a trial. :) 

To all the insiders : I met "the missionary". NBD! Moving on.....

No joke, every family in my ward has a baby. And I can't hold babies. Maybe that's my trial?

Tracting is so fun! I love knocking on doors. The sidewalks here are a little small. My companion Sister Kreissl actually wrote down something that I said! I said "It's like their own personal fat joke they have for everyone." Cause seriously we can not walk next to each other. 

I saw a '67 Mustang. :) They only made 500 of them BTW.

This transfer is going to be awesome! I love going over to Arvada Estates in case you didnt know. I have many friends there! And hymn singing is the best! 

On Sunday we had linger longer after church. It was so yummy! I loved it! and I have gained a different testimony about the Book of Mormon. I was reading one day this past week and it stood out to me while reading that I have read the Book of Mormon. And if I turn away from the gospel, when I am judged on Judgement day, the Book of Mormon will be there testifying that I have witnessed the truthfulness of the gospel and that I have felt the spirit. So many times do the writers of the Book of Mormon say that they testify of the things that are in the book. So just a thought for you all. 

I know this church is true and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Christ is our Savior. Through Him we can become better and live with our families forever! Prophets are called of God! Joseph Smith was called to Restore the fullness of the gospel back on the earth! and Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today who leads and guides us! Conference is coming up and I am super excited! Not only because I am a missionary and the spirit I carry with me is exemplified it seems like rather than it would being at home, but because we all get to sit down and listen to the prophet and all the other speakers!! 

I love you all so very much! And I have not forgotten any of you! I passed my 2 month mark! AWESOME! only 16 months left. 

Love, Sister Svedin! :)

Transfers. New home. New companion. New responsibilities. NEW EVERYTHING!! - March 18, 2014

So I have a new companion and her name is Sister Kreissl. She is awesome! Her and Sister Ladle came out the same time so they are both out 6 months. Sister Kreissl brings new things to the plate though. It's the first time also for training for her. So this'll be interesting again! People say the 2nd transfer is a tough one. Bring it! I'm ready to grow! I actually went a little crazy and prayed for a trial. I think it's that I have to know where everything is and get us there. I'm also gonna be a driving instructor cause my companion got her license right before she came out and she is 20. YAY!!! I am scared for my life actually. Heavenly Father will protect. :) No worries!

We got 2 new investigators this past week and only 4 missionaries came out this transfer! I'm way excited to be able to work with Sister Kreissl though! She is all for going out and tracting so I am excited about that! Today we went to a meeting with the Primary Pres. and Relief Society Pres. about an Easter Egg hunt/Church tour thing that I mentioned to Sister Ladle about doing and then we brought it to Bishop Arp and so it's gonna happen!!! The main goal out of this activity is to get the members to invite their neighbors. And to invite friends because that's how the work will hasten! If the members introduce us then it'll be easier to teach them cause they trust their friends. :) If that makes sense! 

I think sometimes when I walk out of a lesson or message that nothing I said made any sense. But hey, the spirit was there and maybe it did make sense. I feel like words literally just come out of my mouth. 

It's been good though! I love doing service! And eating food! But no worries. I won't come home without looking like I did when I left :) And they say that when you go home, you loose about 10 lbs the first week so I'm good! :) The members know that I like eating ice cream though and all other dessert stuff. It's gonna be a great mission!!!! :D

I love you all and I guess I will update next week :)

Love,

Sister Svedin :)

WHAT A WEEK! MARCH 10, 2014

Hey everyone. This week has been one to remember. They say in a mission you'll experience a low and a high and that sure did happen this week! Who cares about the low but the high was great!!! We tracked in the snow! And then the next day Heavenly Father blessed us with 75 degree weather!! Then, besides not reaching our goals, we were able to come up with really awesome ideas! We were able to share sweet messages with members! I feel like I never have time to share everything that happened! But read Alma 24. It's awesome and think what the weapons of today are and what you want to bury. Then tell me about it. I would love to hear what you are burying. Also transfers are coming up and I am super stoked! We are moving into a new home and missionaries are going to be changing! Leaving and coming in! So I am pumped for that! Yesterday I gave a talk in church about Conversion and what it is and how do we become and what to do to stay converted! It was awesome! I was super nervous but I held that in and nobody could tell! Or so they say! I'm ready for this week! It'll be good!!!

Love you all lots and so grateful for the prayers :)

Sister Svedin :)

                                                                       *I'm still me!

A Week Just Went By.... WUUUHT!?

So this past week went by so quick it was similar to a lightning strike. So quick and heated that it leaves a burn mark and that burn mark was on my testimony. This past week I have learned the Enabling power of the Atonement. There are many stories in the Book of Mormon and Bible that show how the enabling power was used. Ill tell you one and mine. So in the Book of Mormon, Nephi gets bound up by his brothers left to die pretty much. Nephi prays though. He asks for strength so he can get himself loose. And that's it. He prays for strength to get himself out of the situation. He doesn't pray for Heavenly Father to remove the situation from him. That's the enabling power. So in other words, pray for strength to change your circumstances not for the circumstances to be changed. Act, don't be acted upon. The enabling power comes through His grace. Okay so my story now. I really suck at fasting. I end up getting headaches if I don't eat or drink. So I am so grateful that I learned more of this enabling power of the Atonement. I knew it would work but I wasn't super sure. I prayed that morning for strength that as I fasted I would be able to do a full fast and that I would be able to according to His will, have the ability to sustain from food and water. Anyways.... yesterday, I had no problems. My testimony grew and I know that Jesus suffered for us. That He made it possible so we could return back to live with our Heavenly Father and that as we use the redeeming and the enabling power of the Atonement, we will be able to get through life because we are leaning on Jesus. He wants us to. He wants to help us with everything. We have been given a weakness. And no its not we suck at this and suck at that, its mortality. Mortality is our weakness. But as we Come Unto Him and to the things we have been asked to do, our weakness will be made strong!! :)

So some silly things that happened.... and other stuff. I SNORTED!!!! what the? I was so embarrassed. It was in front of the zone leaders and I don't snort when I laugh. Oh well though... life happens. Something else.. Sister Ladle totes dropped a crate of milk on accident and 2 gallons broke and she was super embarrassed by it. I told her though that I think God is hilarious and then told her a story about how when He made the body, He told an angel to come and watch and so then he poked it and it farted and then I said so I am pretty positive that He pushed the cart and made it seem like you dropped it. But it was so funny! Wanna know something weird too... For some odd reason, people laugh at the things I say. I'm not that funny. HA JK! I am HILARIOUS!!!

There is an Elder here and this past week we were helping someone move out of their house and so I wore a maroon sweatshirt I bought for way cheap to keep me warm cause I forgot to pack a sweatshirt. Anyways, he wore a maroon shirt. and he brought up that we matched.... And uhh. it was awkward. Then yesterday... he wore a tie the same color as my shirt. Double U! What is happening? Anyways... Write me some letters!! I love walking in at night and a letter is sitting on the table and its addressed to me! I love IT!!! Even if in the letter, it was a sentence long. Well... that'd be silly if you sent a sentence long letter! But do it!

QUOTE: Sister Ladle and I love to say this, I GOTCHU HOMIE!!

Just between the girls.... Our companionship is like girls camp! if ya know what I mean... :P

I love you all! And I hope you all are enjoying the weather cause here its cold and warm then cold!! Its very bipolar.

LOVE SISTER SVEDIN!!!! :) <3

make good choices and CTR!

p.s.(Frozen - Do you want to build a snowman)

Do you want a Book of Mormon?

Come on, Lets go and pray

We wanna teach a little more,

Open that door!

Its like youve gone away!

You used to be potential

but now youre not.

We wish you would tell us why!!!

Do you want a Book of Mormon?

(We just want you to be Mormon)

   Go away missionaries

Okay bye...

 

Idea thought of by me with some help from family and Sister Wen!!!