Week 25 Surströmming!

Yep, all the nasty descriptions of Surströmming ("sour herring") are true.  It stinks, it's slimy, it's fishy, it's salty, it's fermented, it's repulsive...ya gotta try it!  There's nothing like it.  Limburger cheese comes close...but not really.  I think I told Kim last week that there was one food here I never wanted to try...Surströmming.  But then Monday came and the Elders and two Sisters showed up with the bulging can, a plastic bag and a can opener.  (That's right, the can is bulging, because the fish is fermented for 6 months, and I guess it continues to give off gases.)  One brave elder (the youngest of the bunch--was there a dare involve?) carefully opened the can and the horrendous odor spilled into the air.  (Thankfully we were outside.) But that didn't keep Elder Winkle from gagging before he even touched a fish, and trying to eat it was not a pretty sight--poor guy!  The rest of the missionaries stepped up to take their turns one by one.  Of the 7 missionaries, only 2 swallowed it and kept it down.   (Enough detail, right?)  Sorry, I have to go on.  So having witnessed the courage and fortitude of these young people and standing on Swedish soil, something incomprehensible drove me to step forward, but not before I ran in to get a plastic fork and knife.  There was NO WAY I was going to touch that fish!  I sliced off about a tiny piece about a square centimeter and ate it.  I wished I had a cracker to go with it, but it wasn't THAT bad.  (By now the smell had dissipated, so I was only dealing with the taste.)  So, after I successfully swallowed, John came forward and took a healthy forkful, twisting the little guy around on his fork.  Then to show what a man he is, he took a second helping!  (What had gotten into him?!  I still don't understand it.)  We brought the hose around to wash up with soap, lemon juice, mouthwash--everything we could think of to get the smell off the hands (and nothing helped much), cleaned up the yard best we could, and left shoes outside!  Since Surströmming is one of those gifts that keeps on giving, most of us kept re-experiencing it throughout the evening!  It was especially powerful for those who decided to drink soda to get rid of the taste--mistake! The next morning, though, the magpies were thrilled to find a glorious treat of the remnants in the yard!

Tuesday and Wednesday were zone conferences.  One of the sister missionaries that we've come to know well (and whose grandmother we knew well in Colorado), Sister Gill, made a comment that resonated with me.  She said, "Everyone has doubts, but strength comes from other believers' faith. When we hear their testimonies, then we can  pray and confirm and rebuild our faith."  I have had to do that many times in my life, and I am so grateful for those who have helped me restore my faith through their words, example, and faith.  I am also grateful that we can pray and receive confirmation of truths.  We don't just have to take someone's word for it--and we shouldn't. Prayer is the path for us to know truth for ourselves.

Fortunately, the meals for zone conferences were catered, so it was pretty easy--just set up and clean up, but they were still long days.  Wednesday night, we decided to eat leftovers with the missionaries at the office, outside in the fresh air.  It felt so good! Dinner table conversation centered around the stories of the refugees they have taught during their service as missionaries.  When the Muslims join the church, many of them are disowned by family members and cannot return to their own countries for fear of their lives; yet they embrace truth despite the risk. Virtually all of these amazing people have survived horrific atrocities beyond most of our imaginations.  As I listened I couldn't help but think of the Holocaust and wondered how people today can have such little regard for others' lives.  So many refugees have witnessed the murder of family members and have been personally shot or knifed.  One elder choked up as he told of a young man he met and his two little children (2 and 4), who told his story of escaping, then he lifted up his little girl's shirt to reveal a scar from a knife wound.  As I drive down the streets of Sweden and look at people walking or waiting at a bus stop, I think of how each one has a story of survival, of escape, of loss.  They are humble, many from Africa are devout Christians.  In fact, that is why many of them have fled their countries.  And many, who our missionaries find, are searching for greater understanding, because they know that God has intervened in their lives.

It's been a good week--talking with most of our family, attending the temple, and adventuring onto public transportation into Stockholm for the first time.  We had some terrific tacos (that rival the ones I had in Chula Vista, California), in a little basement Mexican Restaurant in the heart of Stockholm.  Later, we enjoyed a taste of home with Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream in Gamla Stan!

 Åhlens department store, much like Macy's, where the bombing took place a few months ago.  The street is still being reconstructed, as is some of the store.

 Fruit and mushroom (chanterelle) stands in the square in front of the concert hall.

 View of one of the islands.

 Entrance to Parliament.  It is housed on its own island.  

Riding on the subway, or tunnelbanan.

Our mission office responsibilities keep us busy every day, but we are continually grateful for this opportunity to serve, to learn and to grow.  This week President Youngberg shared a scripture that really impressed me.  Doctrine and Covenants 59:4.  "And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time--they that are faithful and diligent before me."  We know that as we work to be faithful, we are blessed.  We also know that when we keep commandments we are blessed.  This scripture is telling us that we are blessed with commandments, even more commandments when we are faithful and diligent.  Often people think of commandments in a negative way, but actually they bless our lives by giving us boundaries and guidelines.  They also bless our lives because all blessings are predicated on laws, which includes commandments.  So, as we are obedient to commandments, we are able to receive more commandments (such as commandments we receive in the temple) which further bless our lives.  In the mission field, we may receive specific rules/commandments to live by that bless our lives and protect us while serving.  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father whose desire is to bless us and guide us back to him.  I just hope I will always be faithful and do my part to be worthy of those blessings He promises.