Week 20--On our own!

Our trainers left Monday, so we are officially on our own.  Although there is some routine to the office work, checking email, working on correspondence for either arriving missionaries or departing ones, and handling the mail, each day is different.  For John, paying bills is his main responsibility.  He seems to finish his day's work before I do; maybe he should start being in charge of making dinner!

This week was  zone conference.  The first one for the new Mission President and his wife -- and us.  About 90 young missionaries meet the Youngbergs for the first time on Wednesday at our Stockholm meeting.  We served about 100 people for lunch.  Thank goodness we are able to cater the food!  Everything went very smoothly, but it still requires quite a bit of work to organize, shop, set up, and clean up.  Needless to say, we are pretty worn out by the end of the day!  I don't think we would do it all without the help of the four other couples and the office elders, who lend their hands.

Thursday, we packed up and drove to Goteborg (Yet-a-bor-ee), a city across the country on the western shore of Sweden--about a 6 hour drive.  On our way, we stopped to see the Rökstenen or Rök Runestone--the longest known runic inscription on stone. Written on five sides of the stone, it is considered the be the first piece of Swedish literature.  Rune stones were written to memorialize or celebrate warriors.  This one, written in the early 9th century, was composed by a father for his deceased warrior son.  The actual stone was used as part of a wall of a church constructed in the 12th century.  Evidently, it was common to use the runestones in church construction.  Perhaps that is why there are over 3,000  known runestones in Sweden.

 Thursday night we went  with the office elders and the Youngbergs for the "best" Swedish kebab (pronounced "kay-bob") pizza at I ❤ Pizza in Göteborg.  I was informed that the kebab pizza in the Norrland and Stockholm just didn't measure up.  Personally, I prefer the Norrland type without the tomato sauce and definitely without the french fries!  Somehow the spice of the kebab meat (spiced lamb, thinly sliced from a spit) just doesn't mix with the tomato sauce.  By the way, this "Swedish pizza"--a fusion of Italian and Middle Eastern --is a sensation.  Every part of the country is dotted with kebab pizza grills.

Our Zone Conference went well again, this time with only 60 missionaries.  Our primary purpose was to assist the local couple who were in charge.  Afterwards we went to the other couple's apartment and then out for a light dinner.  Again, we stayed at a vacant apartment--which really helps our budget!  Saturday morning was cloudy and the day gave sporadic rain--mostly while we were driving, fortunately.  Our first stop was  Bohus Fastning or Bohus Fortress.

 Bohus Fastning set on a hill was begun in 1308 by a Norwegian King.  

 Although it was besieged or attacked 14 times, it was never captured.  In a treaty of 1658 Norway permanently gave the fortress to Sweden.   

Next we drove to Marstrand to see another castle.  When we got there people were parking miles away, every lot was full and a ferry ride was required to visit the castle, which is on an island. The town is an upscale beach resort town, not too commercial, but with many beach home residences.  We daringly drove through the neighborhoods filled with Mercedes and BMWs to find a high point where we could get a picture.  It just wasn't worth the time to fight all the traffic of the tourists.  However, we hope to return off-season someday!

Our next stop was the beautiful castle of Läcksö on the largest lake in Sweden (Lake Vänern).  Built in  1298, it first served as a fortress.  

 Everything grows in Sweden including the thistle!  

 View overlooking the lake from the back of the castle.  Note  the raindrops on the leaves.

Läckö Slott-- entrance view

With two hours to spare before arriving home, we stopped in Örebro to see the castle situated in the heart of the city.   Built in the 14th century as a fortress on an island, it is surrounded by river that serves as a natural moat.

 On the lower right of the picture is the beginning of a fish ladder to help the fish swim upstream over the small dam!

Almost-Adirondack-style benches along the moat of Örebro Castle.

The street in Örebro where we walked to reach the castle. I love the architecture throughout Sweden and all the trees and gardens!

We arrived home after a 12 hour driving/sightseeing excursion!  We feel so fortunate!

Zone meetings last from about 9-3, so when we are free from our responsibilities with the lunch,  we drop into the meeting and listen.  At one point Pres. Youngberg was talking about teaching repentance.  (I think I've written about this before, but it is a principle I am continuing to understand.)  As I mentioned before, repentance really is change.  I used to always think of it related to sin--recognizing our sin, paying restitution, and resolving never to do it again.  And, yes, that is part of it, but at the MTC, I came to understand repentance more clearly as any change in our behavior that leads us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  We don't have to be burdened with sin to repent.  We can just be desiring to improve, to progress, to grow.  President Youngberg has come to realize that rather than think about the pain and suffering we have caused Christ because of our misdeeds, we should realize that when we utilize the atonement and repent, we bring Christ joy!  And even if we are just making a small course correction in our path, we need the atonement.  What a beautiful thought! As we repent, change our direction and move closer to Him, we also put the past behind us and move forward...toward His outstretched arms.  I hope we can all feel the love of the Savior, know the relief of repenting, and humbly accept and utilize his magnanimous gift for each of us--which in turn, will bring Him joy!