Happy Birthday to Dan and Cortney!!
This week it has been around freezing with mostly rain but some snow. We always take our umbrellas with us because of the fast changing weather. Dad had to get a new umbrella because his broke and I could not fix it this time. On Monday we went on a Maxi run (groceries) with the Evensens and then she had us over for homemade soup. They are great friends and neighbors.
I finished reading the 9th Volume of the Work and the Glory and yes, I shed a few tears when it was over. I am amazed at the strength the pioneers had in crossing the plains and their strong faith and trust in the Lord. The pioneers gave us such great examples to follow.
The visiting group this week at the temple has been from Oslo. They brought one sister with them who was coming for the first time. I was asked to help her as her native language is English. She is from Nigeria and her name is Violet Israel Urang. She is a beautiful and powerful lady and she is certainly filled with the spirit. What a blessing it was to be able to help her with the ordinances. The visiting group from Oslo had their own sessions but it was nice to be able to see these saints again.
On Tuesday we received a new Swedish translation to the temple ordinances. The Swedish language is changing all the time so this new translation brings it closer to the original revelation. The first time I heard the new voices I thought I was listening to a different language. Chuck understood them but it is a challenge for me. New things to learn but it will not take long.
In our Swedish class this week the beginners, my group, talked about phrases we could say to people. I learned that when you have already done something (like bump into someone or sneezed) you would say förlåt mig! But, if you want to say excuse me for something you are going to do (like walk in front of someone) you would say ursäkta mig.
Thursday was wash day and I fixed soup for supper. The Klarin’s brought us some fresh homemade bread and Syster Rudén knocked on our door about 20:00 (8:00pm) and said she would bring us some cake. About 21:20 the doorbell rang again and she stood there and said “no cake” in her very limited English. When I asked her what happened she just smashed her hands together and said “no cake”. I started to laugh and then we both laughed. Friday morning when we opened our door, to go to the temple, there on a plate were two pieces of cake!
Sunday was the Primary Program and the children did such a great job that I am positive that the angels came and helped them. I love these programs and watching the kids give their parts. I could even help them sing in Swedish, when I was not playing the piano!
I did get three of my six dozen dinner rolls made for Thanksgiving dinner that we will have at Pres Oscarson’s house. There are 35 people invited and only 8 of us are Americans!
It has been another busy and interesting week. This is the month of thankfulness and we are very thankful for all our family and friends and so many, many other things. Have a happy, safe and thankful Thanksgiving. We are truly blessed and thankful for all of you.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Week of November 8th
We got notification that we had been given approval for an extension of our visa and to come and get the new stamp. The Parkers, Pres. and Sister Oscarson, and us went together to get them we had to stand in line for almost 1 hour and 45 minutes. You get a number when you arrive and then you wait for that number to be called. Our number was 54 and they were calling #16 as we walked through the door. Needless to say it took a while! It was like visiting the Social Security Office in Salt Lake.
After our visa experience we went with Pres. and Sis Oscarson to order a turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner. There are 35 people invited this year and only 8 are American. It was ordered at a little meat shop at a mall in Stockholm. Turkey is not a common meat here in Sweden so you can’t just get one anywhere. We ate lunch at a little fast food place in the same mall.
We had a ‘Healthy Salad’ and it really was, plus it was very good. After lunch Pres. Oscarson drove us around and showed us some of the places where he lived when he was a young missionary. Some of the views of Stockholm were breath taking, both by sight and by being COLD!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday there was a Single Adult Conference here in Sweden. People came from England, Wales, Germany, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Scotland. We were asked to go help on Friday night at their ‘Soul Night’ with a fireside and a dance. They were asking all that came to bring an item (food or non food) to share with the poor. We got to collect the food and then stamp their hand. It was fun and great to see how excited some of them got when they saw each other again. Some had been on a train for two days and many of them were dragging their suitcases with them to the church.
Sacrament Meeting this week was on LOVE. A few thoughts: 1) It is hard to think negative thoughts if you are smiling. 2) Lifting your eyebrows sends a positive message to the brain. 3) Loving God is to find peace in Him – even during the storms of life. 4) When the storms of life come we must be like a strong tree – immoveable because our roots are so deeply rooted in the gospel. 5) Peace in the Sacrament is the love of God giving us what we cannot do for ourselves. It was a great meeting. Next week is our Primary Meeting.
Wednesday we woke up to snow and it snowed almost all day. This week I finished reading all the volumes of the Work and the Glory! Yes, and I cried at the end!
Elder and Sister Sheen went home to Canada this week with an Honorable Medical Release. His health did not allow them to stay any longer. They will be missed.
This week it was the Swedish Mission as the visiting group in the temple. We also had workers from Göteborg. We have some very close friends that came. It was particularly great to be with the Karlsson’s again. We had two people who came to the temple for the first time. We also had two weddings. On Friday we had double sessions and on Saturday we even had triple sessions at the same time. The baptistry was very busy on Friday and very busy on Saturday. At one point on Saturday there were 50 Young Single Adults either being baptized or waiting! It was wonderful.
We enjoy our Skype time each week and the emails, letters and cards we get from all of you. We get more mail than all the missionaries. Stay strong in the gospel and work hard to live worthy of the blessings we all have. Have a good week, we love you, and are thankful for each one of you. May God bless each of you.
Äldste och Syster Rose
Friday, Saturday and Sunday there was a Single Adult Conference here in Sweden. People came from England, Wales, Germany, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Scotland. We were asked to go help on Friday night at their ‘Soul Night’ with a fireside and a dance. They were asking all that came to bring an item (food or non food) to share with the poor. We got to collect the food and then stamp their hand. It was fun and great to see how excited some of them got when they saw each other again. Some had been on a train for two days and many of them were dragging their suitcases with them to the church.
Sacrament Meeting this week was on LOVE. A few thoughts: 1) It is hard to think negative thoughts if you are smiling. 2) Lifting your eyebrows sends a positive message to the brain. 3) Loving God is to find peace in Him – even during the storms of life. 4) When the storms of life come we must be like a strong tree – immoveable because our roots are so deeply rooted in the gospel. 5) Peace in the Sacrament is the love of God giving us what we cannot do for ourselves. It was a great meeting. Next week is our Primary Meeting.
Wednesday we woke up to snow and it snowed almost all day. This week I finished reading all the volumes of the Work and the Glory! Yes, and I cried at the end!
Elder and Sister Sheen went home to Canada this week with an Honorable Medical Release. His health did not allow them to stay any longer. They will be missed.
This week it was the Swedish Mission as the visiting group in the temple. We also had workers from Göteborg. We have some very close friends that came. It was particularly great to be with the Karlsson’s again. We had two people who came to the temple for the first time. We also had two weddings. On Friday we had double sessions and on Saturday we even had triple sessions at the same time. The baptistry was very busy on Friday and very busy on Saturday. At one point on Saturday there were 50 Young Single Adults either being baptized or waiting! It was wonderful.
We enjoy our Skype time each week and the emails, letters and cards we get from all of you. We get more mail than all the missionaries. Stay strong in the gospel and work hard to live worthy of the blessings we all have. Have a good week, we love you, and are thankful for each one of you. May God bless each of you.
Äldste och Syster Rose
Monday, November 8, 2010
Week of November 1st
Happy Birthday CJ (14)
Monday is our p-day so we went on the train with Pres and Sister Evensen and also Mary Jane and Hank Lundgren to the Armory at the Palace. It was so interesting. We saw a lot of displays about the early wars in this country and the Armor they wore not only on the soldiers but also on the horses.
We saw many carriages and clothing worn by past kings and queens and even some baby clothes. The dress that the present Crown Princess, Victoria wore on her 18th birthday (coming out day). It was very informative and we spent several hours there. We also took the Lundgrens to see the littlest statue, the Stor Kryska, the narrowest street and the house where the artist Karl Larsson was born. We then tried to find a fun place to eat. Every place was so crowded we rode the train home and ate hamburgers at the ‘Pub’. It was a fun day.
School has been out in Sweden and Norway for a week of Fall vacation. The baptistry was very busy and so was the temple. It was wonderful. I am not sure how many baptisms we did but some days the font never closed.
Wednesday (3rd) we had been in Sweden for one year. It seems colder this year than last year but the beautiful blue sky and sunshine for a few hours a day is the same. It is dark about 4:15 and the sun comes up about 7:00. The frost on the north side of the buildings never melts during the day.
Our Swedish class was culture again. Sister Klarin talked about Swedish music and music artists from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. We listened to 8-10 songs on CD’s and most were wonderful. One CD was of religious songs and we liked it so much that Sister Klarin allowed us to bring it home with us until we leave Sweden. Sister Klarin also fixed homemade Kräm for desert (Brent, it is similar to röd gröd). That was wonderful too.
The visiting group has been the Swedish Mission and they kept us very busy. Neil Baker, a member from Göteborg, brought his accordion and put on a mini concert here at the guesthouse. He does this every time he comes to the temple. He is a very talented man and his accordion is computerized so it can sound like other instruments too.
Saturday was super busy at the temple. There must have been some miscommunications because no shift leaders came. SOooo, Chuck and I were asked to be the leaders when we arrived. In preparation meeting we had 4 women and the men had only 3. But the Lord did provide and we were kept busy. At 10:00 we had a Swedish session and a Spanish session; there were over 500 names done in the baptistry, with lots of clothes and towels to be washed; and there was a beautiful wedding. We came home so tired but we still went with the Evensens and tried a new pizza place, Millas. It was great pizza and we will go back and try other menu items too.
Saturday was ‘All Saints Day’ (like Memorial Day) and the families place candles in containers on the graves.
Most of the candles last for 24-36 hours and it looked so beautiful. We were so tired we did not walk over on Saturday but we did on Sunday. It was very cold but very special to see it and walk through the cemetery.
Sunday was fast Sunday and we heard some great testimonies. Some were more like talks but there was a great spirit in church. We were sad because we did not get to talk to the Rose family on ooVo. We so look forward to seeing and visiting with each family as it is their turn.
Being the month of Thanksgiving we give thanks everyday in our prayers for our family and friends that we love so much (we do this even if it is not Thanksgiving). Thanks once again for your prayers and continued support for us here in Sweden serving the Lord. We love you.
Monday is our p-day so we went on the train with Pres and Sister Evensen and also Mary Jane and Hank Lundgren to the Armory at the Palace. It was so interesting. We saw a lot of displays about the early wars in this country and the Armor they wore not only on the soldiers but also on the horses.
School has been out in Sweden and Norway for a week of Fall vacation. The baptistry was very busy and so was the temple. It was wonderful. I am not sure how many baptisms we did but some days the font never closed.
Wednesday (3rd) we had been in Sweden for one year. It seems colder this year than last year but the beautiful blue sky and sunshine for a few hours a day is the same. It is dark about 4:15 and the sun comes up about 7:00. The frost on the north side of the buildings never melts during the day.
Our Swedish class was culture again. Sister Klarin talked about Swedish music and music artists from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. We listened to 8-10 songs on CD’s and most were wonderful. One CD was of religious songs and we liked it so much that Sister Klarin allowed us to bring it home with us until we leave Sweden. Sister Klarin also fixed homemade Kräm for desert (Brent, it is similar to röd gröd). That was wonderful too.
The visiting group has been the Swedish Mission and they kept us very busy. Neil Baker, a member from Göteborg, brought his accordion and put on a mini concert here at the guesthouse. He does this every time he comes to the temple. He is a very talented man and his accordion is computerized so it can sound like other instruments too.
Saturday was super busy at the temple. There must have been some miscommunications because no shift leaders came. SOooo, Chuck and I were asked to be the leaders when we arrived. In preparation meeting we had 4 women and the men had only 3. But the Lord did provide and we were kept busy. At 10:00 we had a Swedish session and a Spanish session; there were over 500 names done in the baptistry, with lots of clothes and towels to be washed; and there was a beautiful wedding. We came home so tired but we still went with the Evensens and tried a new pizza place, Millas. It was great pizza and we will go back and try other menu items too.
Saturday was ‘All Saints Day’ (like Memorial Day) and the families place candles in containers on the graves.
Sunday was fast Sunday and we heard some great testimonies. Some were more like talks but there was a great spirit in church. We were sad because we did not get to talk to the Rose family on ooVo. We so look forward to seeing and visiting with each family as it is their turn.
Being the month of Thanksgiving we give thanks everyday in our prayers for our family and friends that we love so much (we do this even if it is not Thanksgiving). Thanks once again for your prayers and continued support for us here in Sweden serving the Lord. We love you.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Week of October 25th
This week started out at 3:30a.m. We got up and had skype time with our family having FHE at the Packer house. It was such a special thing to be able to have family prayer with them. Chuck gave the prayer and said half in English and then finished in Swedish. We are truly blessed with an awesome family.
The visiting group this week has been from Kungsbacka. They wanted to have their own sessions but did not bring enough people with them so they took some of our day shift people to help them. That made our sessions smaller but it also allowed them the opportunity to realize how many people they need to bring from their ward to have their own shift and do their own sessions. Kungsbacka is about a 5 hour drive from here and it was good to see those saints again.
When we got to the temple on Wednesday morning we were informed that Chuck and I would be the shift leaders for the rest of the week. Elder Sheen, the assigned leader, got sick and Sister Sheen was staying home to take care of him. They later took him to the hospital with chest pains and ran tests on his heart but everything tested out normal. It was a challenge with such a small group but we gladly did it and things went smooth in the Lord’s House.
The Kungsbacka group brought three people for the first time and that is always a special and spiritual time in the temple. On Friday their group joined our group and it was very interesting because we had to have an A and a B session at the same time.
On our P-day this week we slept in, finished a puzzle and went with Evensens to this new mini-mall that opened and then to the buffet at Pizza Hut. They are so fun to be with.
Our Swedish class this week was just a lecture, with a few comments, in comparing the old Sweden’s with the current Sweden’s politics, economy, standards, etc. It was interesting but hard to really understand with the same compassion as the teacher!
Thursday morning we were up and over to the church by 6:50am so we could put out the breakfast for the seminary students before they went to school. Cold cereal, toast, yogurt, bread, butter, sliced tomatoes, sliced cheese, sliced cucumbers and different kinds of juice. We spoiled them by doing their dishes! It was really quite fun and the kids were very polite. There is a lady in our ward that coordinates who is there each morning and then the reminder is printed in the Sunday program.
Our Primary Program is in two weeks so we practiced on Sunday. It was a normal practice with having no control and the kids not singing. BUT I have had enough experience to know that the angels will come and they will sing beautifully!!
Kris had both knees scoped this week and we’re glad to report that she is doing well. The doctor said her running days are over and she needs to find another way of exercising. She does love to ride the bike and she is strong there too. However, she is going to run one more race so she can run with Cortney. Go mother and daughter go!!
Our time changed this week so now it gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon but it is still light when we get up at 6:30; that won’t last much longer.
We went trick or treating to Evensen’s apartment and had some great treats!!
Enjoyed our skype time with the Toblers and once again say thanks for your letters and emails. Now that we have been on our mission for a year it seems we hear less and less from things going on in our neighborhood. Oh well, life is busy and we understand that because we are busy too.
The visiting group this week has been from Kungsbacka. They wanted to have their own sessions but did not bring enough people with them so they took some of our day shift people to help them. That made our sessions smaller but it also allowed them the opportunity to realize how many people they need to bring from their ward to have their own shift and do their own sessions. Kungsbacka is about a 5 hour drive from here and it was good to see those saints again.
When we got to the temple on Wednesday morning we were informed that Chuck and I would be the shift leaders for the rest of the week. Elder Sheen, the assigned leader, got sick and Sister Sheen was staying home to take care of him. They later took him to the hospital with chest pains and ran tests on his heart but everything tested out normal. It was a challenge with such a small group but we gladly did it and things went smooth in the Lord’s House.
The Kungsbacka group brought three people for the first time and that is always a special and spiritual time in the temple. On Friday their group joined our group and it was very interesting because we had to have an A and a B session at the same time.
On our P-day this week we slept in, finished a puzzle and went with Evensens to this new mini-mall that opened and then to the buffet at Pizza Hut. They are so fun to be with.
Our Swedish class this week was just a lecture, with a few comments, in comparing the old Sweden’s with the current Sweden’s politics, economy, standards, etc. It was interesting but hard to really understand with the same compassion as the teacher!
Thursday morning we were up and over to the church by 6:50am so we could put out the breakfast for the seminary students before they went to school. Cold cereal, toast, yogurt, bread, butter, sliced tomatoes, sliced cheese, sliced cucumbers and different kinds of juice. We spoiled them by doing their dishes! It was really quite fun and the kids were very polite. There is a lady in our ward that coordinates who is there each morning and then the reminder is printed in the Sunday program.
Our Primary Program is in two weeks so we practiced on Sunday. It was a normal practice with having no control and the kids not singing. BUT I have had enough experience to know that the angels will come and they will sing beautifully!!
Kris had both knees scoped this week and we’re glad to report that she is doing well. The doctor said her running days are over and she needs to find another way of exercising. She does love to ride the bike and she is strong there too. However, she is going to run one more race so she can run with Cortney. Go mother and daughter go!!
Our time changed this week so now it gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon but it is still light when we get up at 6:30; that won’t last much longer.
We went trick or treating to Evensen’s apartment and had some great treats!!
Enjoyed our skype time with the Toblers and once again say thanks for your letters and emails. Now that we have been on our mission for a year it seems we hear less and less from things going on in our neighborhood. Oh well, life is busy and we understand that because we are busy too.
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