Week of 21st of December

We are excited to see the longest night of the year pass and we look forward to more daylight. Right now it is getting dark at 14:30 and is getting light at 8:00. The snow on the ground has made it look lighter.
The temple has been closed this week because of Christmas celebrations. One night we drove into Stockholm with Pre and Sis Oscarson and ended up eating at a cute little Italian restaurant. On the way home we went grocery shopping at MAXI’s. It is almost fun to go shopping because they have so many choices.
I also went with Oscarson’s to get our hair cut. This place was highly recommended and he did speak English, at least we think! My hair cut is so short I will not have to have another one for three months! Oh well! On the way home we again went shopping at MAXI’s for food for our Swedish Christmas Eve Dinner.
One evening we went to dinner at Bruno and Harriet Klarin’s house and it was most enjoyable. The Oscarson’s were also there and two of their daughters and their husbands. We had a wonderful fish dinner and an awesome frozen chocolate cake/pie. The Klarin’s are our Swedish teachers.
The Christmas Eve dinner at the Oscarson’s was super. We went over an hour early to help with last minute things. Sis Oscarson wore a traditional Swedish costume and looked darling.
We ate: ham, meatballs, herring in sour cream sauce, herring in mustard sauce, boiled potatoes, scalloped potatoes, liverwurst, pickled beets, cold beet salad, pickles, 2 kinds of breads and 2 kinds of crackers, 4 different kinds of drinks and rice pudding. We sang Christmas songs and read the birth of Christ from Luke and it was a very fun, uplifting and spiritual night. Jultomten (Santa)...
Because Sweden’s big celebration is the 24th they open all their gifts then. SO we are in Sweden so we opened all our gifts. Wow, thanks for the camera, food, goodies, lip cream, games, socks, money, cards and letters. How blessed we are to be blessed with so many friends and awesome family.
We were able to Skype our family while they were having the family party and it was great to see Kenley and Dante there with the rest of the grandkids and our kids and spouses. It made us happy to see you having fun. We were also able to Skype each family on Christmas Day or the day after. We love Skype!
Christmas Day we went to the Bertilson’s for dinner. He is a doctor (attended BYU before his mission and he was on the track team) and their family and extended family are a big part of the strength of the church here in Sweden. They live in this beautiful house in Handen and it overlooks a lake. We had another Swedish Christmas Dinner plus sang Christmas songs,
told of a special Christmas memory and played a word game. Before we knew it, it was 23:00 and we needed to be to the temple by 6:30. It was a beautiful ride home in the snow.
We wondered if anyone would come to the temple the day after Christmas but we went prepared to serve the Lord and He did provide. We had to have double sessions at 10:00. It was an awesome day. After the temple was closed we all met in the kitchen and ate Christmas Eve left over’s. A great day!
Sunday we had great church services and then we went with Anita and Eric Lindquist to their house out in the country. Chuck had helped train him as the temple engineer once in Sweden and once in Salt Lake when the temple engineers from around the world came for training.
They built their house and have lots of fruit trees and have even rebuilt their Laplander home on their property. Such a cute little couple but hard to follow in Swedish or English. We had a great dinner, met their daughter and family, and rode the train home.
We love it here in Sweden and so grateful for the wonderful friends we are making, being able to serve the Lord together and for the love and support of family and friends. We are so blessed. May each of you have a Happy New year and be blessed in the year 2010.

Week of December 14th

On our p-day we went into Stockholm to see the Christmas windows, like ZCMI used to do. They were darling and the street was not too crowded. The windows were at the exclusive NK store
and there was a rotating Christmas tree that could be seen from all four floors. We looked in other stores, street shops and then went to dinner at a food court. It was a fun evening.
We woke up to our first snow fall and it was absolutely beautiful. I would have made snow angels if I had the right clothes to wear!
At the temple this week there was a couple from Denmark. When they heard Chuck talk they could tell he was not from Sweden. It was Torben and Victoria Valgren from Amager,DK and in talking with them he was the branch president when Brent was in Denmark on his mission. What a fun connection and great people.
On Wed a couple (Bro and Sister Blindaruk) came from Lithuania to be sealed. He is 24 and she is 23. They are both return missionaries. He is from Lithuania and she is from Latvia and they don’t speak each other’s language so they communicate in English. He is the Branch President and she is the Relief Society of a branch of 300 with 80 active members. Because of the expense of coming to the temple they were only eating plain pasta for meals. So they were invited to our full time temple workers and employee’s Christmas dinner.
Our special friends we served with in the SL Temple Presidency gave us some money before we left to buy temple clothes for someone in need and the spirit prompted us that this was the couple. What a marvelous experience we had to taking them to the Distribution Center (after the dinner) and allowing them to have a full set of temple clothes to take home. They were like little children, full of excitement and could not stop smiling but so full of gratitude. A tender mercy experience from the Lord.
We went to a Stake Concert in Gubbängen and it was so impressive and professional. The missionaries were there and it was for members and friends. We have decided you have to be able to sing to be born in Sweden. After the concert it was snowing again, what a beautiful walk back to the train.
Sunday they changed our meeting schedule from 9:00 to 2:00 and we had a 1 ½ hr Sac. Meeting, Priesthood and Relief Society and then they had dinner for us in the cultural hall. We had open faced ham and cheese sandwiches, drink of juice and Risalamond (rice pudding).
Hot off the press! We have a new member in our family. Rowdey Charles Ke’Koa Rose born Dec 20 about 5:30p.m., 5lb 7oz and 181/2”. Details will come next week.
We wish all a Very Merry Christmas

Week of December 7th

This week has been a very busy and fun time. We made several trips into Stockholm. We viewed the open markets on the street and in the square. Listened to the street musicians and saw very awesome and old buildings dating from the 1600. We did find a bargain on a winter coat for Chuck and got him a cute hat. Now he looks like others walking on the street.
We went to the Ericsson Globe and watched and listened to the beautiful celebration of Luciakonsert. This is the Lucia celebration that started in Italy and celebrated now in lots of places around the world but Sweden has celebrated it for many years. Lucia had the crown of candles on her head and there were 800-1000 youth dressed in white holding candles and singing. The Globe is like our Energy Solutions. Five couples and one sister from the temple went into the concert on the train. It was a great event and beautiful singing.
Our weekly FHE was a farewell for the Malmstrom’s where we sang Swedish Christmas Carols, ate bread, cheese, hot soppa and risalmond (rice pudding) with a sweet red sauce. It was a delightful evening and we really were sad to see them leave. They were the first ones to show us what to do in the temple, in town and in Stockholm. Great people and great friends, his motto is ‘be rigidly flexible.
Syster Mejer (from the temple and in our ward) fell and broke her leg so the ladies from the apt house went to see her and gave her a basket of fruit, bread, goodies and we sang her Christmas songs in English. She does speak English so that was good. Her husband said she was receiving so much attention he was going to break his leg next week!
We have had our 2nd Swedish class and it is helpful. This time the men went into a different room and had their own ‘advanced’ class.
The temple counselor (from Norway) took us in their car to MAXI a store like Costco. It was so fun to have a choice of kinds of apples and other food items but especially to be with them. She is short and very bubbly and lives next door to us in the apt house. They will be eternal friends. The Evensen’s (from Norway) and the Syvänen (southern Sweden) are the two counselors in the presidency and they will be leaving this Sat and will be gone for two weeks.

Week of November 30th

Wow here comes Christmas! This Christmas will be very different without family, the excitement of grandkids with want lists, family and church parties and friends. All the homes have lights in every window and it is so awesome to see. As far as Sweden is concerned we are now in the second week of celebrating the season.
Monday we went to Stockholm with the Malmstroms so could walk us through the process of using the train and how not to get lost. It seems everyone wants to take care of us, and we let them!
We saw the changing of the guards at the Royal Palace, saw the church with St. George slaying the Dragon, the littlest street in Stockholm, streets lined with tent shops, the big store NK Christmas window display (like ZCMI) and walked down cute little cobblestone streets. We even saw a street that is so small that you can stand in the street and touch the buildings on both sides of the street.
Wednesday we started a Swedish class for the ladies but it was our first time so most of the husbands came for support. Sister Klarin is the teacher and she will be very good. We take them at Pre Oscarson’s house. After the lesson was over she asked the guys not to come back because she was the teacher and they were trying to be too helpful. I am excited to receive some help in speaking this musical language.
Chuck asked Brother Klarin if he knew where we could find a guitar and he said a man in the second ward repairs and sells them. Chuck called and he brought two over. We talked him into renting them as we will have no way to get them home. We signed no contract and he does not know exactly when we go home but said just call and he will come and get the money. We did bring a couple of books and it is fun to be able to practice again.
We had a glorious week at the temple. Sat we were very busy with big youth groups doing baptisms. I worked the clothing counter and washed towels and suits and folded and restocked the shelves. While I was waiting for the second group to come and listening for the washer to be done I was talking to this cute little lady from Sweden. She is losing her memory, and kept losing her family name cards, so I decided I would try some Swedish on her as she would not remember if I was correct or not! When she would understand me her face would light up and she would say ‘bra, bra’ (good, good).
Church services are still hard to get much out of except when they provide a translator for us. Same in Sunday School and RS and Priesthood. This Sunday was fast Sunday and the spirit was very strong. So grateful for the church and for the help it gives us in our lives.
Hope you all had a great week also and we will talk again next week! Thanks for your emails and letters. We love you!

Week of the 23rd of November

We have been here in Sweden a month (almost!) The weather has been mild and the people awesome. On Monday night for Family Home Evening we got to get together with our Home Teacher (wife) and learn some Swedish Christmas Carols.
One afternoon after our shift we stayed and helped two couples from America do family sealings. It was a great experience doing family names and to witness the emotions of those whose names we were doing.
This week I did the ’V’ in Swedish for the first time. Witnessed a tender mercy from the Lord as I even understood what I was saying. Yes, and shed a few tears of gratitude when I realized what had happened.
Went to the Röd Cros, a 2nd hand store to get some decorations for our little 18" tree. I found a big Santa and some darling tiny white candles in holders with Christmas Trees painted on them.
For Thanksgiving we went to Pre and Sys Oscarson’s house. We all brought something for the meal and it was very good. We had a couple and a single sister from Norway and then also Pre Syvänen and his wife who had never had Thanksgiving. They wanted to know why the meat was called turkey when that was a country and what the dressing was made out of.
One day after serving in the temple, Pres. and Syster Oscarson took us to the building where the church met for meetings for many years during the early years of the church in Sweden.
We went to an Advent Concert, at the state church, to officially bring in the Christmas season. Tradition starts 4 weeks before Christmas and they light a candle each week. The concert had several choirs and the acoustics of the building were wonderful for they used no microphones. It was absolutely amazing and their voices were so clear.
Äldste och Syster Rose

Week of 16th of November

After being in the temple now for almost three weeks I think we can do, or have done, all the assignments. The shift coordinator is in charge 4 days a week and then they have a Sat shift coordinator. No one has the same schedule two days in a row. You just check this chart on the counter to see where you go next, or if your schedule was changed.
I got to help a sweet sister who came to receive her own endowment. She will be married in a couple of weeks. It too was a sweet experience and grateful for the tender mercy of the spirit. She did understand English so it was awesome.
Oh my gosh, Saturday was a blue sky and the SUN shone all day!! After we finished our shift at the temple we came right home, changed our clothes and went for a long walk and took pictures. It was delightful and really lifted our spirits.
The Swedish Christmas Season begins on Sat. Nov 28th. They will turn on the manger scene and a few extra lights on the temple grounds. We are going to a concert that night to celebrate the beginning of the season. We have a 18” Christmas tree and we went to the Lions second hand store to get a few decorations. Everyone puts lights of some kind in their windows. It will be a special time of the year.
We are thankful for each of you and the emails we receive. May the Lord bless you during this time of the year and always. Jesus is the reason for the coming season.
Vi älsker er alla. Äldste och Syster Rose

Week of 9 Nov.

Monday we changed the furniture around in the front room. We were not bored just opened the room up and feels a little more like home. We do not have to walk through the front room to the kitchen table.
We then went with the Ensign’s to Handen to a mall.
We bought a couple of cardboard stars to put in our windows for Christmas. While we were there we met the Soderquist’s so we all ate lunch together (Mexican food). I guess you can get refried beans someplace or cook your own! We caught the bus and came home ahead of the others and met Bro Malstrom and he took us for a walk around another part of Vasterhäninge. We walked through a cemetery where people had placed candles on the graves to honor the dead. It looked cool. After dinner we did our scripture study, read in Jesus the Christ (which we do daily first thing when we get up) and then watched several programs on BYU TV.
Tuesday morning we went with Pre and Sis Oscarson and he temple secretary into Stockholm to a government office to show our papers and receive a personal number so we can be on Sweden’s insurance program. We went on the train and it was fun to see the sights and all the lakes. We went at a good time as we got all the business done and back to the train within an hour so we did not have to pay for the trip back. There was this beautiful church by the government office but I forgot to take the camera. We did serve in the temple in the afternoon and they are giving us every job fast (sometimes my head is swimming because I am trying to remember so much) but it is easy for dad. Dad met with the temple recorder today because they want him to teach a security class to some of the employees.
Wednesday got up at 6:30 and had our usual morning and headed to the temple. It sure helps my day to read my scriptures in the morning. We both learned new jobs today and some were easy others were a little challenge to me. I wear this paper slip that says ‘Engleska’ so the patrons know I cannot communicate in Swenska. After the temple we walked to the grocery store and bought a bottle of syrup for hotcakes for about $10. The prices blow me away some high some ok. On the way home we went to a different grocery store for some sweet rolls and dad sent me in alone to get them. I was just going to put my hand out with change in it and have her take what she needed but it came to an even amount so I lucked out! After dinner we studied Swedish for a while. Dad is doing so great he talks to everyone at the temple in Swedish and does the ordinances too. I am almost able to read them well enough to do them with the card!
Thursday and dad taught his security class today. He was a little nervous about it because they could not find the church security manual (that dad wrote) so he did most from memory. They all said what a great job he did and Suzanna (office at the guest house) asked him for self defense lessons! Tonight we went to a musical get together in the basement of the guest house. One of the brothers from a visiting ward from Sweden is a musician by profession and played the accordion for us. He played all kinds from a lot of countries and we all ended up dancing to a Humbolt waltz at the end. It was fun and we all laughed. Dad still prefers western music!
When we walked to the temple on Friday morning the sun was peeking through and we had hopes for a good day. By noon it was very cloudy and gray again. Had a tender mercy today as there was a patron visiting here from a southern stake and she looked familiar but did not click. She was here doing family names for the first time. While she was in the baptistery she thought dad look familiar but thought he was from Denmark. When he turned and she could see him name tag it all clicked for her. In June of 2007 she was at a convention in Park City and decided to receive her endowment in SL. We were the ones serving and I was able to do instructions for her. We met her after the session and showed her the baptistery, and arranged for her to do a couple of sealings. We ended up getting her address and sending her a temple Christmas Card. Her name is Michaela Josephine Nilsson and she is beautiful. It was good to see her again and to help her with family init and endowments. I hope we will see her again and again.
We were asked to help on Saturday as a Single Adult group was coming. Dad had to be there at 7:00 but I did not go until 9:00. Busy day but enjoyable. I met these two girls from Denmark but I could not remember the cities where dad and Brent served. I
Eating at the Mall
was hoping dad met them but it was late when we were finished. We ate and walked to the store and when we came back into the lobby at the guest house there they were on the couch. Ended up that they knew the mission president that dad was a missionary with and two other couples that served in the outreach program in Copenhagen. Also they know Bettina and her family. The one girl had been Bettina’s roommate and she ran and got her camera with a picture of Bettina’s baby. It was fun to talk with them. Another tender mercy for serving a Saturday at the temple. We have met some marvelous people this week. The Karlsson’s served in the temple pre. In Denmark and he has Parkinson’s disease. She asked us to keep him name on the prayer roll because he is scheduled to have a deep brain probe done in April or May to help. His name is Fredrick Karlsson so if you would add him name along with our each two weeks that would be wonderful.
Sunday was a sweet day. Dad understood more this week than last and I heard a couple of more words that sounded familiar! I do have a lady that tells me what is going on in RS but the rest I just try to feel the spirit.
It was great to talk to Shannon, Dan and kids. Janey even acted like she remembered us. Keep us up on the house project, good luck Dan! I guess next week is Brent’s turn, get ready!
We are doing great. The temple is awesome. We are enjoying each other and being together so much is a blessing.

First Week

It is hard to believe that we have completed a week at the temple. This week all sessions were in Norwegian because there were two wards in the temple. Nancy went on five sessions and Chuck went on four. Chuck could understand a lot more than Nancy! We enjoyed a nice Sabbath day and are going to Bro and Sis Malstroms for dinner. It is a challenge to know what to fix for meals as their groceries are expensive and they carry very little Mexican food!! A head of lettuce is $5. We walked around an old Viking cemetery yesterday but we will go again and take some pictures. Things are going well! Thanks for your love and support. We have not seen the sun except for about 5 minutes today when we saw a slight shadow coming through the window during church. We are truly blessed to be here and we even had home teachers today!

We made it!!

Hejsan!

Just wanted to let all of you know that we arrived safely in Sweden. Pres. & Sister Oscarson were at the airport to meet us and take us to our apartment. It is a very nice little apartment and overlooks the chapel where we will attend church. It will be a long walk, about 50 feet, to get to church. The Oscarson’s were nice enough to have purchased a few food items for us so that we had something to eat this morning. It is cold and stormy today, but I suppose that is going to be fairly typical this time of year. We slept well last night, but we are still a little jet-lagged. We have not, as yet been able to find the box of shoes we sent over. The guy who we sent them in care of said he has never seen them, but the secretary in the temple said she has seen them and she thinks they were put in the wrong room. As yet we don’t have them. We will be set apart this afternoon and then they want us to attend a temple session (as patrons) in Swedish. We need to get over and purchase some groceries and a few other items later today; it will be our first venture at shopping. They took mom’s shampoo, lotion and all her hair products at the airport security because they were in too large of containers, sooo… she had nothing to fix her hair with this morning. However, we will survive. We love all of you. Keep us in your prayers as we will need all the help we can get.

Vi älsker ni,

Äldste och Syster Rose

First Week in the MTC

Just finished our first week at the MTC. It has been great and the spirit is very strong. Met some friends that we will cherish forever. We now know how to proselyte using Preach My Gospel. This picture shows Nancy where we came from and Chuck is showing where we are going.

We love you,

Äldste och Syster Rose

First Day in the MTC

We had a busy wonderful day. Chuck is a district leader!

Farewell

Yesterday was our farewell....we want to thank our loved ones and friends for coming and supporting us. We love each and every one of you!

Sweden

This is our first post before we go into the MTC on October 19th. We are nervous and excited to begin this new adventure in out lives. We will be serving in the Stockholm Sweden Temple Mission.