Week 78 Farewell to Sweden

Training is complete.  I honestly didn't think we would be able to finish when we started.  I also honestly believe that another miracle has taken place--we have completed 6 weeks of work in less than two weeks.  Sister Bailey had very little computer experience when she arrived 13 days ago.  Jet-lagged, but determined, she wanted to set right to work and we did with full 8+hour days we worked nearly 6 days a week--I instructed, she performed the tasks, and took copious, detailed notes on procedures I take for granted-- "Right click, copy, left click in "To" box on email--right click paste."  I thought about how the young missionaries come here with only 6 weeks of language training and they can hold a simple conversation, by six months they are fluent and even translate! It is amazing.  It is the gift of tongues and they all seem to receive it.  I think Sister Bailey experienced a corollary to the gift of tongues with "computer language/skills."  She has learned so much!  I'm sure when she is on her own she will struggle but she will have notes to rely on, tech help from others, and  the Holy Ghost to guide her and bring things to her remembrance.  She will be ok, in fact, in less than 6 months she will be just as "fluent" as the  young missionaries!

Our bags are (nearly) packed.  We are taking off for Norway tomorrow.  Our visas end tomorrow, so this is our attempt to leave the country and come back as "tourists."  (US citizens can visit Sweden for 90 days without a visa.)  If all goes as planned, we'll do a last minute load of laundry Thursday afternoon when we return to Sweden and complete our packing.  We're traveling light for Norway--backpacks..and one of them is pretty full of camera equipment!

Good-byes have been said.  This week has been filled with several "lasts" and fond farewells.

Syster Smiley and Syster Robison "heart attacked" and brought homemade bread!  

Thursday morning was our last trip to bid farewell to a young missionary, Elder Olson.

Thursday afternoon was our last ride on the bus and train and last trip to Gamla Stan.   After a little shopping, we had a nice Italian dinner and headed home.

last bus ride "home."

Dinner with Elder and Sister Whitehead at our favorite Greek Restaurant .

Our last Swedish baptism...Eddie, with Jonathan, Elder Waters, Elder Olaveson, Elder Buchanan, Elder Olson, Sister Curtis and Sister Woodman.

Our last taste of Falukorv, made the Swedish way--baked with cheese, Elder Derr's specialty.

A very thoughtful and tasty dinner by the Assistants, Elders Beverage and Derr, in our honor...roasted root vegetables, Falukorv, broccoli and breaded chicken.  Quite a spread!  We were really touched by their efforts! (Elder Derr, Elder and Syster Bailey, us, Elder  Waters,  Elder Olson and Elder Beverage--our office elders...we will miss them.)

Sunday dinner with the Schiazzano family--Claudia's fabulous paella!

Friday we fly home.  We have been blessed with a nonstop flight to Newark!  If all goes well we will be home before bedtime, with a quick stop on the way to see the Stake President to be released.

Sunday we speak.  We will see many of you at church Sunday and invite any of you who would like to join us at 10 a.m.  Our church is at the intersection of  Rockwell and Haviland Roads in Queensbury.

It all feels a little surreal.  One sister last transfer described the feelings of going home as the mixture of knowing you are going to Disneyland and finding out your dog died.

I wouldn't say it is that extreme.  As we think about coming home, though, we are grateful for the marvelous experiences we have had with wonderful people in this beautiful land.  It's hard to say good-bye without choking up and weeping a little.  I am so thankful for this opportunity.  I am thankful for our good health and the means to serve.  I am thankful for the examples of the stalwart members in Sweden, who love the Lord and are true to His gospel.  I am thankful for the new converts who recognize the truth and the joy that it brings.   I am thankful for the missionaries who work so diligently to find, invite and teach people how to find true happiness through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for their testimonies, their humility, their energy, their obedience and desire to serve.  I am thankful for their hugs, sweet notes, warm handshakes, thoughtful texts, laughter and faith. I am thankful for the friendship of all the other senior couples. I am thankful for the leadership, love and camaraderie we shared with President and Sister Youngberg.  I am thankful for the supportive emails and cards from all of  you.  I am thankful for the love and support of our children and grandchildren. And most of all, I am thankful for Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the reason we came here.

Hej då, Sverige!  

Week 77 Training, Farewell, and Tender Moments

Especially for all my teacher-friends, this advertisement from the major bookstore chain came in the mail this week:

Translation: Full Speed School Start

We couldn't stop laughing!  The mixture of English and Swedish had to be deliberate--just a glimpse into Swedish humor!

Another last...birthday dinner for office elders.  I will miss all these wonderful young men whose lives have intersected with ours.  

Elder Olson's 20th birthday! (Elders Waters, Beverage, Olson, Derr)  Kebab pizza, ham and mushroom pizza (John's choice), banana and chicken curry pizza and french fries!  (I think it gave me heartburn!)

It tastes better than you'd think, but John won't even try it.

We had our last office meeting this week.  (The Youngberg's son and his wife are in town now, so the upcoming meeting is cancelled.)  Traditionally, the office elders take a "happy together" picture before they transfer or go home.  This is ours.

Hales and Andersons--Office meeting was a little tough that night, as Sis. Youngberg started to cry a little as she offered the opening prayer.  We've all grown close, as people do who serve together.

The next day our "replacements" arrived.  Even though they had traveled for about 20 hours to get here, they wanted to get right to work.  This picture isn't very fair to them; they were pretty tired after working all day, the second day. (Second days are almost worse than the first because adrenaline isn't pumping anymore)!

This was taken at the welcome-to-the-arriving-couples and farewell-to-the-departing couples parting Wednesday night.

Thursday night we had a lovely dinner with the Andersons at the Scandic where they were staying.  The next morning we were at the airport saying good-bye.  We will miss them-- our camaraderie, our explorations, and our impromptu lunches.  Of course, they are on our growing list of "new" friends to visit!

Next senior couple to leave...us!

Today was an extra special day.  Alasdair and Ingrid joined us for lunch and then we went to church together.  Meeting them has been a special blessing in our lives.  We have developed a mutual respect for each other and feel like we are leaving good friends.  In our discussion over lunch, we talked about science and faith.  Alluding to the gigantic formations of the earth and microscopic DNA, Alasdair said, "In our fields of study, (geology and biomedical research) we just have to believe in a Creator--there is no other explanation." After church, Alasdair said, "It felt so familiar."  We said our tender good-byes as we walked with them to the train station.  Thank you, Anne, for introducing us!

Alasdair and Ingrid Skelton

 We quickly returned to church for Sunday School and slid into seats in our class.  I glanced over to the young African woman sitting next to John.  Could it be Julia from Örnsköldsvik?  I heard she had moved to Stockholm shortly after we had come here.  Yes! It was her! She had just moved to this ward and was attending for the first time!  Another tender moment--a departing gift.

Julia and Daniella

As this week has unfolded my heart is being filled to overflowing.  I can't imagine what the next two weeks will bring as we say a final farewell and return home.  I've thought about the young missionaries who often say, "I wish I could just stay in Sweden.  I love it here." When we arrive, young and old, we are nervous, excited, and unsure of ourselves.  We stutter and cry, but we persevere and grow.  We become accustomed to the new land, love the people, and become comfortable.  We are home.  Then the end of our missions, looming on the horizon, suddenly bolt toward us.  We have to leave.  It is good for us.  The young missionaries are forced to move on with their lives. Their greatest decisions are waiting to be made-- to resume schooling, get married, find a career.  We, senior couples, are also forced out of our comfort zones to return home--it sort of "jump starts" us again.  I don't know of many things for retired people that offer "new beginnings"  in the way that returning home from a mission does.  I hear of many couples who, once they get home, miss having such purpose in their lives and want to serve another mission.  I can understand.  Already, the desire to serve is whispering to me.

Week 76--Transfer Fiasco!

Although we knew going into our last transfer that things were going to be a bit challenging with two missionaries arriving Tuesday morning, a couple Tuesday evening and nine missionaries going home on Thursday, we knew we could handle it and so we still were hoping that our visa-waiting missionaries would get their visas, too.  We, and many other people, were praying for their visas to arrive.  (Who said, "Be careful what you ask for!"?)

John spent Monday morning arranging the logistics of the transfer which spans Tuesday through Thursday: who would be driving to the airport (3 trips), the train station, the temple, Migrationsverket, how many passengers in each car, when we need to pick up the bag-van, etc.  A half an hour before leaving for our office meeting, an email came in from Salt Lake:  "Your two missionaries will not be arriving tomorrow.  Their flight has been cancelled and they are rebooked for the same flight tomorrow, arriving on Wednesday."  Ok...a new logistic plan made during office meeting....scratch Tuesday and compress everything for two days into one day--Wednesday.  A quick call to the Norin family to let them know that their son, who is to be one of new missionaries this week, would need to wait one more day before they bring him to us.  (Sister Norin said, "Oh good!  We can keep him one more day--his birthday!")  (Usually missionaries go to the MTC before going on their missions, but this elder is a special case--our third one since we've been here, who serves locally as a  missionary for two transfers before receiving his call and going to the MTC.)

Tuesday morning felt relaxing.  It was good to have a little extra time because this week is usually so busy.  John kept checking the mailbox every half hour, maybe, just maybe the rest of the visas will come. At 2:15 the mail arrived and there were the missing visas!  Two for our visa-waiters who had already spent 6 weeks in the Salt Lake South Mission and one for the new sister who had be assigned to wait in Arkansas.   Since our expected missionaries were not leaving until that evening, I thought, maybe, just maybe we can those 3 on the same flight.  As soon as Mission Travel was open, I got hold of our agent.  "I will see what I can do....That flight is fully booked, but I can get them to you on Thursday at 2:50."  Hurray!   We will finally have ALL of our missionaries!  That evening about 7:00 we met our new couple at the airport, the Borgs, as they arrived.  After a nice dinner together, we helped get them settled in their apartment.  While I took Sister Borg shopping at the little grocery store next door, Sisters Anderson and Clouse went inside to make the bed (which they had forgotten to do the day before when they readied the apartment for arrival).  To their chagrin, they discovered there were no bed linens in the apartment--oops!  Off they went, back to the Mission Office, about 30 minutes away, to get some sheets and pillow cases.  Meanwhile the exhausted Borgs were trying to get settled in their stifling apartment.  It was about 94 degrees and no breeze!

Wednesday morning the Norin family arrived at the Mission Office with their son, excited and ready to join us.  After the good-byes,we all headed to the airport for our arrivals due in a 8:55.  At 9:10, they walked through the doors!  The President and his wife hadn't even arrived yet!  Usually it takes at least a half an hour to get luggage from touchdown before we see them, but these missionaries were ready to go!  Täby chapel for interviews, training, meeting their trainers, and everything else done in two days rolled into about 3 hours!  Meanwhile, John had gone to pick up the bag-van--a cargo van used to carry luggage for the missionaries when it won't fit into our vehicles.   With 9 departing missionaries to pick  up at the train station the van was needed!  He has rented a bag van at the same place virtually every six weeks since we came to Stockholm.  "May I see your driver's license?"  John produced his license as he has done for each rental.  "I can't take this. It is not plastic-enough (bending the license)."  "Not plastic enough?  What do you mean?  It is the license I have used for the past year."  "I'm sorry."  Elder Clouse, who just arrived 4 days before took out his wallet.  "Oh, I can take this one. It is plastic.  (Showing that the license does not bend.)  What is your personnummer?"  "I just got here 4 days ago. I don't have a personnummer yet."  "I can't rent the van to you either."  Sweating, with time running out, John somehow persuaded the cashier to rent them the van.  Next stop they picked up the catered lunch and arrived just in time to set it out and begin eating. Whew!

After lunch, we presented our orientation to the new missionaries while the Andersons and the Youngbergs left for T-Central to pick up the departing missionaries and go to the temple.  Then we took the missionaries and Clouses to Migration to get their residency cards.  When we arrived security was tighter than ever.  Four armed guards stood at the inside door and demanded to see our reservations--scary! (If you will remember, it has been very difficult to get Migration appointments lately, so when I get a date that works for us,  I book appointments for all our expected missionaries, hoping they will arrive.  Since 3 of them were arriving the next day, I had a couple extra time slots, and I was able to get the Clouses in on other missionaries' appointments.) Whew, again!

After dinner at the mission home, we enjoyed a few minutes with the sisters were were in the MTC when we were...Sister DeMordaunt and Sister Hall.

The Mission Home...inside reminds me of our home in Queensbury 😊 (Elder Bringhurst welcoming us to the house.)

Thursday morning we left at 6:45 to take the departing missionaries to the airport. (Third trip this week.)  One elder's flight had been changed so he was to leave 2 hours later than everyone else.  (On his original itinerary, he would have arrived in SLC and have to spend the night before going to Cedar City the next day.  His mother, anxious to have him home, objected to that and arrangements were made for him to arrive home that evening by going on different airlines.  Unfortunately, he had to make the whole trip alone, and that evening we got a call from him.  "My flight out of London has been delayed and I cannot make my connection in Phoenix to get home tonight."  He ended up staying the night in Phoenix and arriving home the next morning at 10 a.m.---our first mishap like that!  (We also later learned that one elder flying into Phoenix was delayed 6 hours while a dust storm ran through the city!)

Hauling in all the baggage. (I like this picture because everyone in the middle is laughing. I can almost hear John! 

That afternoon at 2:50 we were back at the airport (trip #4) to pick up the incoming-visa-waiting missionaries.  About an hour later they finally came through security without their bags.  A tight connection in Chicago prevented their bags from making the flight.

Friday morning we drove to the airport (#5) at 11:00 to pick up the delayed baggage.  Five of the six bags arrived.  After retrieving those, we made arrangements or the 6th bag to be delivered to where the new missionary would be living....about 7 hours away.  The sisters, who had been scheduled to leave by train that morning, were rebooked on a flight to Malmö later in the afternoon, since most of their luggage arrived and they could take it with them.  We helped the sisters get checked in for their flight which was scheduled to depart about 3 hours later, then we enjoyed lunch with them and said good-bye.  A few hours later the POEs got a call.  "Our flight has been cancelled.  They want to rebooked us on a flight to Copenhagen, and from there we will take the train back to Malmö.  There are no other available flights out of Stockholm for 2 days."  The President said "No, they can't leave the mission. Try to book them on a flight out of the other airport (Bromma)." He later told us that part of his decision was based on our experience coming back into Sweden when the border security almost kicked us off the train.  He said he just couldn't risk that happening to those missionaries.)   "Ask for your luggage."  "It is too late, it is already on the flight to Copenhagen and they can't get it off."   So, it was another trip to the airport, by the POEs and Assistants this time, to transport the missionaries sans luggage to Bromma.  They arrived in Malmö too late to get the train and had stay at the Malmö sisters' apartment.

Saturday we finally had time to start preparing our apartment for the Baileys to move in.  We spent the day deep cleaning until 3:30 when it was time for our 6th and final trip to the airport this week...to pick up the Youngbergs, returning from Norrland interviews.  As we rehashed the week's activities, we called the sisters--they were safe in their apartments but without any luggage. (Most of it arrived today, though.)

I'm tired just from writing all this!  I'll bet you are tired of reading it, too!  Needless to say, it has been a stressful week, but I am glad that this craziness happened while we were here rather than to the new couple.

Through all this chaos, calm reigned.  I am so impressed with John, the POEs and Assistants, the President and his wife and the missionaries who are living without their luggage.  Kindness, patience and positive attitudes prevailed.  As President Hinckley used to say, "Things will work out."  And they did!

Two weeks to go!

Week 75: Anderson's "replacements"

The heat wave finally broke with a pounding thunderstorm this morning awakening us to its welcome rumblings.  It has been so hot lately, but it wasn't until the last couple of days that the humidity moved in and I was suddenly reminded of what summer is like in New York!  Hot and sticky.  Too bad we don't have a lake to jump into here!  As John muttered about the heat the last few weeks, I reminded him that while he was working in an air-conditioned office in June, I was in a classroom trying to keep 20-30 perspiring teenagers cool and focused! It is SO nice to know those days are behind me!

Our adventures exploring Sweden are dwindling as we prepare for the new couples to arrive.  Responsibilities at the office have kept us busy.  Just last night I finally finished my Secretary's Handbook.  When I originally started it, I thought I might be teaching Sister Bailey remotely, so I described every little move on the computer.  Obviously, that took a lot of time.  The last couple of sections are miscellaneous items so they went much more quickly.  I hope it will be useful to her when she is on her own.  I also finally finished hemming and hanging all the curtains in the office--14 panels, whew!  I'm glad that is done!  This coming week I need to focus on our apartment, because it needs to be ready for the Baileys to move in when they arrive on August 7th!

Monday a Church History missionary couple, the Wheelers, arrived to check out our old records.  This was a moment where I saw the Lord's hand preparing the way.  We've known the Wheelers were coming for about a month.  However, about last Christmas one of the POEs felt it was important to organize the attic.  Since then each of the POEs have continued on that project by cleaning, discarding, and organizing, until it was clean and orderly.  The POEs who are there now, finished the project and were ready for the Wheelers!  They were so impressed with the organization and number of records we have.  (This simply would have been a mess to sort through, and much would have been missed, if they had come a year ago!) After reporting back to Church Headquarters, the Wheelers were told that the historical items should be moved to Copenhagen where they will be archived in a climate controlled room and will be digitized for broader access.  The Wheelers are assigned to inventory all of Scandinavia, while other Church History missionaries are doing the same thing throughout the world.  (I didn't even know this was being done!)

Another missionary birthday lunch was prepared this week.  I should have stopped asking them what they want to eat because since I made "Cafe Rio Sweet Pork" that has always been the request!  It was worth all the work though, when the birthday boy, Elder Beverage said, "This is what I would have if I was home.  It is what I really miss."  (And honestly, this is probably the last birthday dinner I will make, and that makes me a little sad.  It is one thing I will really miss!)

Happy birthday to Elder Beverage.  Note the cakes in the back.  The missionaries decided to have a cake bake-off  so I didn't have to worry about dessert!

Friday night's lunar eclipse drew us outside.  Unfortunately, the first half of the eclipse was under cloud cover.  John stood patiently searching the horizon.  I didn't have the patience to just wait outside, so I sat reading in the car.  On second thought, maybe he really enjoyed standing outside, because he became a sort of "chick magnet" as two groups of women came up to him and talked about the invisible eclipse!  However, by 10:30, when the clouds finally began to move out of the way, his patience paid off.  Here are a couple of his pictures as the moon came back into view.

Saturday our first "replacement" couple arrived--the Clouses from Arizona.  They will be serving as the apartment couple, in the Anderson's stead.  They are lots of fun and will be sure to bring laughter and good times to all the missionaries as they travel around the country serving them.

After dinner with the Clouses, Andersons, and Youngbergs tonight on our patio, we had an ice cream party with the elders.  Transfers are coming this week and two missionaries are leaving--one returning home and one is going to Goteborg, so the dynamic will be changing once again at the office.  It all seems so familiar, and yet so different,  because this time we won't be part of the operation for very long. In nine days our "replacements" will arrive, move into this apartment and begin training. It's a little surreal.

Just as the new young missionaries arrive with excitement and innocence, so do the new couples.  For them, this experience is also new, an adventure motivated by faith, and reaffirmed by testimony. Meeting these new missionaries, young and older, is one of my favorite things about being here.  They remind me of the importance of this great work of inviting others to come unto Christ.  I know the work will continue on without us in a few weeks, but we will miss it, the missionaries, and this lovely country of Sweden!

Week 74 It's a Miracle!

Everyday we anxiously await the mail, checking the box multiple times before it actually arrives, praying for an envelope from Migrationsverket. We are expecting visas for 6 missionaries and 3 couples.

Tuesday morning I received an email from the couple who will be replacing us in the office (the Baileys) asking us if we had a washer and dryer, an iron, etc.  After answering, John said, "Why don't you ask them if they have received their visas at their home?"  That is how it worked with us--our visa came to our home before we left for Utah.  At that time, visas were usually going straight to Mission Travel in Salt Lake City, so ours was an anomoly.  Lately, they have been arriving at our mission office first, and I share them with Mission Travel.  So, I thought, "It is worth a try."

Several hours later, on our way to Malmö for our "last" zone conference, we got a phone call...Elder  Bailey.

"You gave us quite a worry this morning when we read you haven't seen our visas!  We just thought we would get them at the MTC.  What does this mean?  We applied for our visas in February!"  After several more thoughtful questions, Elder Bailey said, "I am going to call Mission Travel.  Maybe we can come to Sweden as tourists first." That is exactly what I had been hoping would happen if their visas were not here in time.

Meanwhile, a text arrived from the elders in the office....no visas in the mail today.  Ugh.

A few minutes later the phone rang again.

"We have our visas!"

I was dumbfounded but thrilled!  Mission Travel had just received their visas!  They had been processed on the 16th.  This was the 17th!

The miracle we had been praying for occurred!  Now, the Baileys could come on schedule---August 7th,  receive their training, and we could return home as planned!  (We are so relieved to have a definite plan!)

And it IS a true miracle!  The Baileys were the last couple we expected to arrive during this transfer period. Yet, they were the first to get their visas.  Since Tuesday, we have also received visas for the Clouses, the couple replacing the Andersons.  (The Clouses are arriving this coming Saturday, in time to be trained before the Andersons return home on August 10th).  Two young missionaries' visas have also arrived, but none of our visa-waiting missionaries who were expected in June have their visas yet!  Of course, we will continue checking the mailbox for more envelopes from Migrationsverket, while our hearts fill with gratitude for those we have received.

In the meantime, our heads are teeming with all the things we need to do before August 24th and once we are home again.  (Our actual release day is August 20th, but we are taking a trip to Norway before heading home.)  We can't wait to see you! 

Back to reality.  The work goes on and we still have a job to do.  Here are some pictures from our trip to Malmö.

On our way to Malmö we had to stop at every missionary's favorite hamburger joint...Brooklyn Burger in Huskvarna.

This interesting tree caught my eye in a park near the center of Malmö.  Also, notice how brown the grass is.  Even Southern Sweden is suffering from the drought.  Although we actually had some rain in the middle of the country as we drove to and from Malmö, it appears to be too little and too late for most of the crops.  

Weather update: Maybe you have heard about the forest fires in Sweden.  Earlier this week there were 20 fires; today 53 fires are being reported.  Poland, Germany, Italy and France have sent firefighters to help.  Just yesterday 20 firetrucks from Poland were seen on the highway by one of our friends.  The high temperatures continue with little to no rain in sight.  We are concerned that the birch trees will die.  Their leaves continue to drop and many trees have only brown leaves.

Looking down from our hotel room.  On the left horizon is the famous Turning Torso.

I zoomed in on the Turning Torso.  It is a neo-futuristic apartment building...the tallest building in Scandinavia (586.58 ft.--54 floors).... Each floor is rotated 1.6 degrees to create the "turning" effect.

On Friday we drove to the temple to meet our young friends from Örnsköldsvik.  When asked what they wanted to do when we came, they said, "Show us around."  They had never toured Stockholm so we parked the car at a church closer to Stockholm (for free parking) and took public transportation to--where else?  Gamla Stan, then the Vasa.

This is the temple guest house.  Visitors can stay there for a modest price, with the agreement that they will do some temple work each day.  The temple missionaries from the U.S. actually live there, too.

A fledgling hedge on the temple grounds.  Hedges are everywhere and this is one that is  just being established.  It looks like skinny trees without branches.  There is also thin rope to keep them erect.

Temple flowers.  The missionaries always help plant the flowers each season.  These are especially beautiful in this drought!  The grass is actually green, too.  Obviously, the gardner is doing his job!  This spring, the grounds were re-landscaped, and a walkway around the temple was added, making the grounds even more beautiful!

Salima and Poominh after our long, hot adventure!  They were tired, but happy, although they are giving that stoic Swedish look!

The picture below is Kim Heng's high school graduation picture.   (I was hoping to have this to share in June but I just got it yesterday.)  She is Poohminh's sister.

 I wanted you to see a couple of the Swedish graduation traditions.  Note, the poster.  Parents greet their graduate with a poster of their graduate as a child.  Everyone wears the white cap, which has the graduate's name printed above the brim. Often the hats are given out in April and the students proudly wear them until graduation. Girls traditionally dress in white dresses, boys in black suits with white shirts.  Several gifts tied to ribbons have been hung around her neck.

Our lives have been blessed with miracles, some large, many small.  This week's miracle may seem like a coincidence, but we see it as a great blessing, ridding us of the anxiety of not knowing how we needed to prepare for the Baileys, if we should prepare letters and other documents ahead; if we should train someone to do the essentials for the interim, then go home and try to train the Bailey's  via visual messaging technology when they finally arrive; if leaving would negatively impact the mission and the mission president; if we should stay--and for how long.  We've been wondering, praying, planning and preparing for a couple of months as we have seen the visas stop coming.  This week has lifted our spirits, reminding us on a personal level that the Lord cares about this work we are doing--His Work, cares about us and our personal lives, cares about the Baileys, cares about the missionaries, cares about the Youngbergs.  And He cares about your life!  Watch for the miracles and recognize them for what they are--manifestations of His love for you!

Weeks 71, 72, & 73 Kim's visit and back to normal

Catching up on three weeks of activity is difficult!  It is hard to believe we only have 5 more weeks here!!  We have our airplane tickets, now we just need our replacements to get their visas.  Unfortunately, the people who were supposed to arrive in June still don't have their visas, so things don't look promising...but we believe in miracles and would be happy to see one in time for us to come home!

Our district:  Sisters Larson, Westerlind, Robison and Hall;  Elders Beverage, Harden, Gordon, and Francis

We are beginning to experience our "lasts" and this picture represents our last district meeting.  Even though missionaries meet weekly as a district, they are Skype-ing all but one of their meetings every 6 weeks.  We knew this was probably our last opportunity to be able to make a tasty summer luncheon when we were all together.  Besides,  two of them are going home later this month.  We will miss them!

The highlight of the past three weeks, though, was the arrival and visit of Kim, Chris and Claira!  We are so grateful that all of our children have been able to make the trip across the Atlantic to see us.  Being able to share our lovely Sweden with them has been delightful, but being WITH them has been heart-healing and joyous!  Having Claira here was a special treat.  We were a bit apprehensive before they came, wondering how a 4-year old would keep the pace.  However, she brought a spirit of sweetness and innocence that only a child possesses, which helped us see what was really important.  Additionally for me, she awakened my grandmother-heart, rewarding me with tender feelings that had been suppressed around all these young adults.  As much as I love all these missionaries, there is something incomparable about holding my granddaughter's hand.

This posed arrival picture was actually after their return from Norway.  My picture of their actual arrival didn't work out,  so we recreated an another "arrival" shot.

Because they travelled through Iceland, with a 19 hour layover, they were pretty well rested and ready to launch into tourist mode.  Most of  what we did together were activities and places we have done with our other children.  After going to Uppsala and Västerås (where the Viking stone ship and tumulus are), we went to Gripsholm Castle. We hadn't been there since Trevor came in November, so it almost seemed like a different place with floral gardens and green grass!

A family pic!

Of course, we had to go to Drottningholm Palace, where a real king and queen live. 

Claira was more enamored with the ducks in the water in front of the castle than she was with anything inside of it.  However, she was really good during the tour, so Chris rewarded her with a crown. 

Our little princess inside the palace!

We took a drive along the coast near Nynashamn, one of my favorite places.  Kim was rather relieved that the bike ride Chris wanted to do was eliminated because it was too late, too cold, and rain was threatening,

Kim standing on the coast of the Baltic.  

On Tuesday, I took Claira to the Junibacken, a children's museum, while Kim and Chris toured the Vasa.  However, she had a little meltdown, so both parents ended up at the museum, too.  After a couple of hours, watching Claira play, they decided to go on to Gamla Stan.  Meanwhile, John had been wandering around Stockholm entertaining himself, saving an addition admission to the museum.  When I finally emerged from the Junibacken with Claira at nearly 6 pm, I heard shouts, cheers and popping noises as blue and yellow smoke bombs went off.  Being the American that I am, it took me a few minutes to recall that the World Cup was in progress.  Sweden had just scored their winning and only goal in the game against Switzerland!  Suddenly I realized why John had been so content to be outside, undisturbed, all afternoon!

Smoke bombs celebrating the Swedish goal.  A viewing area for the soccer game had been set up between the Nordiska Museum and the Vasa Museum, featuring a big screen displaying the game.  Adjacent to that area was a restaurant with another big screen where another crowd had gathered. (below)

Bicycles line the street and spectators line the bridge to watch the match from the restaurant's big screen.

Taken from the other side of the bridge, with the Nordiska Museum in the background, the restaurant and the big screen in the center, with hordes of people watching the World Cup match.

A quiet moment on the bus with Grandpa.

Kim, Chris, and Claira left July 4th for an adventure in Norway.  They had a wonderful time in Bergen.  (We can't wait to go when we finish our mission, before we come home!) While they were gone, we caught up on our office responsibilities.

We sort of forgot that it was the 4th of July.  Tired, from a busy day sight-seeing, going to the airport, then tackling some of our office work, I was getting ready for bed at 9:45 when someone knocked on our door.  "Would you like to come out and celebrate the 4th with us?  We grilled hotdogs!"  How could we say, "No"?

Well, actually, I did say "no" to a hotdog, because I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep if I ate one at that hour.  However, a slice of watermelon was welcome on that warm evening.  John followed up his hotdog with a handful of Tums, so he was ok, too 😃.  Elder Lee and Elder Olson were so happy to have someone to celebrate with!   (Oh, and by the way, it was about 10 PM when I took this picture!)

Kim and Chris returned from Norway on Sunday.  We picked them up and headed to Sigtuna for a lunch in the park, a quick tour of the town, and a disappointing view of the ruins, now completely shrouded in scaffolding.

She's a daddy's girl!

After dinner that night, we celebrated their visit with a princess cake.  Our little  princess, sans crown (which was already packed), was so excited about this treat!

We have been so pleased to have lovely weather this summer, but after Kim left, I really started to notice how the lack of rain is taking its toll.  All the plants are in distress mode.  It is sad. I can almost feel their suffering.  Two big pines in our back yard have dropped hundreds of pinecones. The leaves of the two birch trees (see pic) flanking the pine in our side yard are turning yellow and falling to the ground already.  The grass is brown everywhere--not just in our yard.  The hedges have lost their luster and droop with grayish green leaves, while even the weeds are dying.  It seems the only things that are flourishing are the potted flowers.

There's quite a contrast between the lush green of last summer and the fading green of this summer!  (By the way,  that is our car, for anyone interested. 😉)

Just as I have not really noticed the plants' suffering, until the signs of dire distress is upon them, we sometimes do not notice the small things that eat away at our faith and testimony.  In the scriptures we are told that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass."  We usually refer to that in a positive sense, recognizing that the repetition of doing many small, good things brings strength, builds faith, and constructs a firm foundation, without us even realizing the progress we make.  However, these plants also reminded me that small and simple acts of neglect, selfishness, and sin can undermine our strength, faith and foundation.   We can lose our luster for life, our vibrancy of testimony, our spiritual strength.  Elder Ballard said, "We must ever be aware of the power that the small and simple things can have in building spirituality.  At the same time, we must be aware that Satan will use small and simple things to lead us into despair and misery."  At district meeting last week, Sister Larson made a profound comment about the use of the word "remember" in the scriptures. She said that we are admonished to remember because "faith can diminish in a day."  Oh, my dear family and friends, let us not allow small and simple things to creep into our lives that diminish our faith; rather, let us build our faith with small and simple things that nourish and strengthen us!

Week 70 Midsommar!

Our week started out with a transfer and ended with a traditional Swedish celebration--Midsommar!

With our visas coming in more slowly, we only got our 3 missionaries who were due to come in 6 weeks ago, and we sent 3 home.  As we had dinner with the departing missionaries, I asked what was one of the most important things they learned in the last two years.  One elder said, "How real the gospel is--what I mean is how it affects people's lives.  Before I came out I knew there were good things about the gospel, but I never really experienced it in action, changing people's lives like I have experienced here.  It is real.  It really helps people."

The next morning we stayed at the airport with one missionary to meet his mother.  His parents were delayed in arriving.  (They had expected to arrive the day before.)  His anxious mom was able to get a flight that came in around 10:30 AM.  Since we were at the airport at 7:30 AM saying goodbye to another missionary, this young man decided to stay to meet his mom.  (His dad had to wait for a later flight.)  What an exciting moment that was!

Most missionaries are met by their parents, not the other way around!

Friday morning we packed up and headed to the Dalarna region of Sweden for Midsommar (midsummer).  Although Midsommar is celebrated throughout Sweden, Dalarna originated the celebration.  We (and the Youngbergs) joined in with the temple missionaries, escorted by the Stake Patriarch, Bruno Klarin.  Being with him added a deeper level of Swedish experience and made the weekend especially wonderful!

Strawberries are an essential food for Midsommar celebrations.  This cute strawberry stand, in a grocery store parking lot, had a line of at least 20 people.  You can tell from the empty crates that they had already had a busy day!  This was 12:30!

At the Ekelund's home, with Sister Ekelund in traditional dress from the town where she grew up. (Men and women in the Dalarna province wear their traditional dress from their specific towns.  Each is unique and beautiful.)  The Ekelunds graciously hosted us for a dinner in their home.  

The Swedish flag can only be flown on homes for certain holidays.  Midsommar is one.  This was flying at the Ekelunds.  I asked why the little US flag was flying.  "For You!" was the answer!

Ekelund's home in Leksand.  The main part of the home (center and left) was built in 1870.  The original part of the house to the right, behind the tree,  is comprised of the dining room and two loft rooms, was built in 1614!

Our dinner:  meatballs, gravy, boiled "fresh" potatoes ( the first harvest--another must for Midsommar), salad, breads, cheese, sill (herring) w/ fresh sour cream and chives.  For dessert, a delicious yellow cake with strawberry jam between layers smothered in whipped cream and generously decorated with small fresh Swedish strawberries--heavenly! 

At 7:00 the festivities in Leksand began.

Three boats came down the river, as they have done for hundreds  of years, with everyone in traditional dress.  One boat had fiddlers, another singers, and the other were townspeople.

I didn't think to video the musicians, but I did catch the singers.  Unfortunately, this was the last boat and  people were starting to move toward the bridge, talking...

Could you resist taking this picture?  (Dad look away just as I snapped the picture--oh well.)

She was standing in front of me and I asked for a picture.  She lives in Stockholm but grew up here so returned for the  festivities. I love the floral crowns!  So many people wear them; many are made of just wildflowers.  They make everyone smile!

The boats docked on the opposite side of the river and the people paraded across the bridge, with the crowd joining them as they passed.  

Part of the parade.

We joined the throng and found our way to the "bowl" about 1/2 kilometer up the street where the crowd of about 20,000 gathered.  Young and old, this is a holiday for everyone!  This was  a dream being here...colorful, intricately designed traditional costumes, lace, pom-poms and tassels, singing and fiddling, dancing, pulled us into the celebration.  Everyone sat attentively to the choir, musicians and dancers performing as the maypole was raised, inches at a time, it seemed.  But once it was up, it was impossible to sit still! The crowd rushed together, grabbing hands and forming circles, singing and dancing to beloved songs, like "Green Frogs."  I loved how the traditions are embraced by all ages.  It was especially fun to see the people in front of us create their own family circle and dance.

(I tried to include a video here, but it is too large.  John is going to try to put it on Facebook.)

Saturday morning we did a little sightseeing around Lake Siljan.  Our last stop was the town of Mora, where we toured Anders Zorn's home and museum.  The world famous Swedish artist and his wife, Emma, were philanthropists to the town of Mora, reviving traditions like midsommar celebrations, building a cultural environment in the town, and establishing an orphanage and library.  Their home, which he designed was fascinating.  It displays many early technological inventions like a refrigerator, vacuum, hot water heater.  But the real attraction was the beauty, design and timber work.  The upstairs drawing room had a Viking theme with tapestried walls...amazing!  (No pictures were allowed unfortunately.)

Anders and Emma Zorn's home.  The peaked roof on the right is the location of the splendid Viking room.

We stayed at a very clean and comfortable hostel.   After dinner, while John was watching the World Cup, I walked down to the nearby lake.

I returned just in time to see hear the devastating last 5 seconds of the game. The Swedes quickly and quietly left the television for their rooms.  Earlier in the week we had seen this  display of Snickers bars.  Maybe they portended  the sad result...

 At church this morning, these sisters proudly wore their traditional dress.

This sister is wearing her Finnish dress.  (Finland also celebrates Midsommar, but Norway does not.)

The Relief Society President and Sister Ekelund.  I wish you could see the detailed embroidered work on the purple hat and the red cap and black skirt...exquisite!

So, Happy Midsummer to you!   Just as the days will be getting shorter, so is our time in Sweden.  We have 8 weeks to go--providing our replacements get their visas!  Next week Kim and her family arrive 😊, so I won't be posting again for a couple of weeks.