I guess it is finally time to slow our pace. Our New Year's Eve party was nice--a bit subdued but relaxing. I did learn something new about John as we played a game...that he had a helicopter ride over Mt. Rushmore! Evidently, on his way out to college with this dad and brother, they stopped at Mt. Rushmore. Being the aviation aficionado that he was, John's dad wanted to fly over the monument. When they checked into doing it, only two people could ride in the helicopter, so the noble father gave his two sons the opportunity. Anyway, I thought I knew John pretty well, ahhhh, there are always surprises!
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| Fireworks were ongoing through the evening but finally stopped about 1 AM. |
The week progressed quietly as well. Tuesday we had a transfer for 7 new sisters and all went smoothly. The biggest surprise of the day was when the mailman walked into the office with--not another big bag of gifts, but two big bags! There were close to 30 packages! I couldn't believe it! I thought Christmas was over! Since then though, the flow of mail has slowed to a trickle, and I'm enjoying the break.
We have also had a flow of cars coming into our parking lot. Three times this week we have gone to the Hyundai dealer to pick up another new car for the mission. As we deliver these cars and exchange them for the old cars, we will bring them back to have them serviced and prepared for resale. (Handling the cars is part of John's responsibility.) Right now we have 10 cars in our parking lot! Soon, (I hope) a transport will arrive to take the ones that are ready for resale.
We decided to take in Stockholm's Natural History Museum today. It is housed in a majestic building adjacent to Stockholm University and right off the freeway, so we often pass it. Since there is no admission fee it was especially alluring on this slow, cold day. Although it wasn't spectacular, we especially enjoyed the large wooly mammoth skeleton, and the striking skeletons of whales. I didn't think to take a picture, but they were impressive! I especially liked the blue whale with baleen that I could touch. There was also a special exhibit "Nature Illusions" of a Swedish photographer-artist Erik Johansson's surreal photography. See what you think of it. (Unfortunately, my pictures aren't as crisp as the originals but you will get the idea.)
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| "Your Own Path" |
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| "Landfall" |
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| "Reflective Image" Whenever we say the lake looks like glass, I'll think of this! |
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| "The Arch" You may recognize the buildings of Gamla Stan. |
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| Stockholm's Natural History Museum--I borrowed this picture from Google because mine wasn't very good. (http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/home) |
Wednesday morning we woke up to news that President Monson had passed away. Certainly it wasn't a surprise as he had been ill, but there is always a little sadness when one so great and kind leaves this life. Just a quick story, especially for my children. My grandfather, William John Koew, was a printer, as was President Monson, before he was called as an apostle. They knew each other professionally and held each other in high regard. When my grandfather served as bishop, President Monson was servings bishop in the same stake, so they knew each other on that level as well. My mother told me of their relationship and it always intrigued me. I remember when Grandpa passed away, President Monson spoke at the funeral. When I was in college, for some reason I can't remember, I wrote to then- Elder Monson about my grandfather. He wrote me back sharing his kind memories of "Bill Koew." I still have that letter.
I am grateful for the peace I feel when a prophet passes. It is so reassuring to know that Heavenly Father is in control of the process of leading this church. As a President of the Church dies, the next one is already determined, by seniority of service in the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. Here is a quick summary of the the succession process: 1. The First Presidency is dissolved and the the apostles serving as counselors revert to their places in seniority in the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. 2. The Senior Apostle assumes church leadership and presides at a meeting to determine if the First Presidency will be organized right away or if Quorum of the Twelve will preside for the time being. In this this case, they decided to wait until after the funeral, in respect to Pres. Monson, before reorganizing the First Presidency. 3. After the funeral, as they have determined, the First Presidency will be reorganized by the new President (Russell M. Nelson) and he will be set apart by the Apostles. The next senior apostle will become the new President of the Quorum. I am so grateful to know that the Lord directs His Church, and that the new president/prophet is chosen byGod, for He controls who reaches that senior position. It is a smooth, calm, perfect pattern.
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