Week 39 Half way!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!  We hope you each have a wonderful holiday with family and/or friends.  We will be celebrating American Thanksgiving at the Mission Home with the President, his wife, and the 6 missionaries who serve in this area.  We certainly are grateful for all of our blessings, for our family, for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for our opportunity to serve here, and for all your support that is shown us through cards, letters, and emails.  It's so nice to be able to stay in touch!  

Wow!  Tomorrow will mark 9 months on our mission! It is hard for us to believe that we are at our half-way mark already!  Time is going so quickly, and I've heard the second half goes more quickly than the first.  (As a woman, I'm not so sure about that.  "Nine months" always makes me think of pregnancy and the second half of that definitely does not go more quickly than the first half!  Ugh, those last couple of months seem to last foorrreeevver!  Right, girls?) Anyway, when Trevor and April were here, I began to realize that I have become accustomed to living here.  I missed things that they noticed; I don't have "tourist eyes" anymore.  Sweden has become home.

One of our privileges is to go to the temple with the missionaries who are going home.  Tuesday we had that sweet experience with 5 sisters returning home (this coming week).  We are getting to know the missionaries better with each transfer, and it is a tender experience to "send them home."  

On Thursday after District Meeting, the entire mission connected to the Mission Home via Zoom, a conferencing program.  It was a test-run to see where we need to beef up our technology.  It was quite successful and pretty exciting for almost everyone to see each other.  Our mission is on track to become one of the "technology missions,"  and with our distances, we hope to use Zoom for more frequent meetings without requiring long distance travel.  

Thursday night we treated the elders upstairs to dinner.  I made calzones, inspired by my daughter, Kim.  Yum!

This picture is for Kim--thanks for teaching me!

We certainly eat often here.  Never miss a meal...and I probably should!  Today after church, we were surprised to have dinner provided.  Yesterday was a stake Self-Reliance Day and there were enough leftovers to feed our ward!  What a great surprise!  

Not bad for "leftovers"!

Can you see John? 

Södertalje Ward Building--Swedish church buildings are much smaller than the ones in the U.S.

Everyday in the office is busy and enjoyable.  We aren't in the office all day, like that sounds.  We start working about 10 am and leave to run errands whenever there is a need.  One of those daily errands this time of year is to pick up the packages that don't fit into our mailbox.  On Friday we picked up 10! Yes, Christmas is coming and my office shows it!

It's not even December yet!

As I wrap up today's message, I return to my beginning.  Happy Thanksgiving!  This time of year always makes me pause and contemplate my blessings.  I'm thankful for the Pilgrims who set an example of faith and gratitude, inspiring this holiday. Although I mentioned a few of my blessings in the first paragraph, I certainly cannot list them all. I don't even think I could articulate them all.  But if I had to choose one thing/one person to be grateful for, he would be our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is through Him that I receive all my blessings, for He has given me the opportunity to enjoy life on this earth,  to have purpose and meaning in my life, and to have a hope for the next life.   Indeed, I am blessed, and aren't we all?!