Elder Kyle Steele: Happy Father's Day (to Me)

Email written: 6/18/18

Kära Familj och Vänner,

WOW what a transfer it has been. This transfer felt like it ended before it even really began, but I am so thankful for the time that I had to work with Äldste Hansen up here in Örnsköldsvik. We really were able to accomplish some amazing things here and we know it was because of our desires to work hard and our dependence on God in all that we did. I'm going to miss Äldste Hansen, he's like a brother to me, but I know that he will put in some great work with another one of my really good friends, Äldste Wayment down in Handen.

I, on the other hand, received my official training call Thursday afternoon on the way back from district meeting, and so that means....I'M GOING TO BE A PAPPA. I'm so excited for this opportunity to help out a new missionary get used to Sweden, the language, the culture, the work, just everything! It is such a humbling experience to train a new missionary and I hope that I can help the new missionary become the missionary I know that he can be, and more importantly, what the Lord knows that he can be. So, for the next 12 weeks, or 3 months, however you want to measure it, I will be here in Övik with my new companion who I will meet on Wednesday down in the Täby chapel. It feels like I was just in the greenie's shoes, getting picked up by my pappa, Äldste Harper. Weird how time works here...

This week really was a special one, as Stellan and Eva were baptized in a lake on the outskirts of Bjästa. We had prayed all week that the weather would be good for the baptism, but even after all our prayers, the rain started coming down Saturday morning. I was a little worried that the baptism would be postponed or even cancelled, but I decided that I just needed to pray even harder for a miracle, for the rain to disappear and for the sun to start shining again. We all met up at the church and began the services, where Äldste Hansen and I both gave talks, and then we all loaded up the cars and headed out to the lake for the baptism. When we got there, the cloud were still looming overhead, but then they all of a sudden started shifting and the sun began to shine just enough for our lake and shoreline. The weather was just right by the time the baptisms actually were performed. Stellan was first, and they walked out quite a bit since it took a long time before the water was actually deep enough. But then he was baptized, and then Stellan came back and took his wife, Eva, in his hands and then they walked out together and Stellan stood beside them, almost as if he was cheering on his wife, as she enter the waters of baptism. It was such a special moment for them, and it continued even till church when they were confirmed, received the Holy Ghost, and then Stellan was ordained a priest.

The work continues to move forward and life couldn't be any better. This past Sunday, I was able to give a pretty lengthy talk in Sacrament meeting (25 minutes or so) about my personal conversion story and how the Book of Mormon is important to me. I remember my experiences of just over a year ago, when I read the Book of Mormon with my 3 best friends, Alanna, Sammy, and Tylene, and how we are now all on missions inviting others to come unto Christ. I know that the church to be true and I know that the gospel can change lives for the better. I've seen it happen in myself, in my friends, and for those that I have taught here in Sweden.

Hope you all have a great week, and keep my new missionary in your prayers! Adjusting to a new country and language and missionary work isn't easy. Love you all!

Pictures:

1) hitting up a fancy restaurant with our good friend Vesa

2) My district haha (Sisters and Elder wilson will stay in the district, but Elder Beveridge will be AP now)

3) walking out together

4) the clouds opening up

5) after church with Stellan and Eva! <3

-- Äldste Steele