Zone Conference took us to Malmö again this week. The seven hour car ride took about 9 hours because we decided to go to Hornbrogarsjön (a lake in southern central Sweden--sort of on our way) to see the phenomenon of 20,000 migrating cranes. The only problem was we went to the wrong side of the lake. We saw many ducks and swans but no cranes, and when we left, we took a wrong turn away from the lake rather than around the lake. At that point we realized there was no way we could see the cranes and arrive with our precious cargo of cell phones for the missionaries in time for their "phone set up" at 7 pm., so we reluctantly scrapped the idea and continued another 5 hours of driving.
 |
| This goose had her nest right below the walkway at the bird sanctuary. |
 |
There were plenty of fowls but no cranes.
|
Below are two views from our hotel window in Malmö.
 |
| It is common to have some sort of sculpture in the roundabouts in Sweden. I was thinking this represented awe and wonder of life until John suggested that it probably has a fountain spewing from the mouth...hmmm, that really changed the aesthetic for me. |
 |
| A preschool outing! |
After zone conference the next day, we headed back to the lake arriving a little after 6 pm. This time we easily found the cranes (or
tranor in Swedish) on the southwest side of the lake, as they spread as far as we could see along the shore in both directions. The cranes are especially famous for
trandansen, or the crane dance, and almost as soon as we arrived one crane put on a splendid show.
 |
| Cranes everywhere! |
Dancing cranes. If you want to see the longer version-almost 3 minutes, check out John's Facebook page. I couldn't post a video that long here.
A couple random pictures:
 |
| Mail delivery! |
 |
| This guy was riding in heavy traffic! Is a tricycle too big for the bike paths? Scary! |
 |
| Saturday we watched 30-40 foot boats being cherry-picked from their winter mooring, hoisted onto a transport trailer and gently placed into the water. It took real finesse! |
After watching the boats, we went for a little hike at Sandemar Nature Preserve.
 |
| I love these little spring flowers! |
 |
| A favorite..they are everywhere! |
 |
| I am not sure who was more surprised to see the other! She was so scared, she didn't attempt to move until we began to back away. |
On Friday morning we took one of our couples to the airport to return home for medical reasons. It was sad to say good-bye; they will be missed. Their sudden departure reminded me of life's fragility, and how quickly things can change when our health declines.
Later that morning, we were also reminded of the sweetness that can come in old age. A ninety-one year old woman and her 4 daughters, 1 daughter-in-law, 2 granddaughters and 1 great-grand son (a toddler) came to visit the Mission Office. Why? This sweet woman had served as a missionary in Sweden over 60 years ago, and her family had given her this trip as a Christmas gift. Much of her service here was as mission secretary. We pulled out the history books chronicling the years during her service (1952-54), and she poured through them recalling names and people. Witnessing her joy and the dedication of her children was truly a tender moment.
John and I couldn't help recall our own mothers and the happiness we felt when we took them to visit old friends they hadn't seen in years. As our hearts were turned to them, I thought of the Lord's promise at the end of the Old Testament, Malachi 4:5, 6:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and he heart of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
It is natural for us to feel love for our children and grandchildren, and it is just as natural for us to feel love for our parents, grandparents and those who have gone before us. Our hearts are turned to them, and we long to be with them again. The good news is that Elijah has returned. That is why we have such a great focus on genealogy and family history work in our church, and that is why we build temples--to unite families eternally. That is God's purpose and without that uniting, the purpose of this earth life would truly be cursed. I am so grateful for this knowledge that families can be together forever--this doctrine can bring such peace, hope and comfort!
