Gripsholm Slott and Stangnas Trip

Elder Wilcox, Rex and Vicky, E/S from Russia, E/S Gabel helping with Russian missionaries.

Autumn colors along our path where we walk each morning in Stockholm.

Vicky by old cannons at Gripsholm Slott.

Inside cathedral at Stangnas build in 1699 AD.

Walking up the path to the old cathedral in Stangnas built in 1699 AD.

Old rune stone written on by the Vikings in about 1000 A.D.

Linda Wright, Marilyn Pearson, Vicky in front of Gripsholm Slott.

Looking at the back of Gripsholm Slott as it looks onto the lake.

In the courtyard of Gripsholm Slott: Wrights, Pearsons, Johnsons, Thunells, Lewises

Having picnic lunch inside the castle dungeon.

What amazing things keep happening here! There have been about 50 Russian missionaries come to get visas renewed. The new laws in Russia require them to come out of the country every 90 days to renew visas. They are currently staying in temple housing for the two weeks that it takes. We have been privileged to speak to them on several occasions sharing gospel messages and sharing our Public Affairs experiences. They bring a spirit of love and desire to serve. We feel so blessed in sharing a few hours with them.

The Single Adults held a huge conference by the Baltic Sea for a weekend. Rex and I were asked to attend, take pictures, and write an article for the Sweden website. There were 125 people in attendance from 17 countries. They have some huge events and get-togethers here for the Single Adults and Young Single Adults to meet and socialize. They are marvelous and include every aspect of their lives, such as cultural, spiritual, physical, domestic, etc. What fun!!

We were asked to speak in the Marsta Branch Sacrament meeting the end of October. Most of the members are immigrants from Chile. We needed translators so people could understand. That is one of the challenges for us -- the language.

General Conference was incredible! We were able to get all four sessions on the internet, even though we were up until midnight due to the time difference. The counsel we received from our prophet and apostles was timely and important for us to hear and apply to our lives each day. How blessed we are to have a living prophet to guide us.

While we were walking one morning, I met the lady from our apartment building, Birgitta, who has become my dear friend. She calls me her younger little sister. We give each other a hug every time we happen to meet. I feel like I have known her for a long time. Last week I signed up for my laundry day and went to do laundry on the day after I had signed up. I had pulled the clothes out of the washers as I thought someone had my day. Thank goodness it was Birgitta and she just laughed with me at my mistake. I gave her a picture of me and Rex and our church business card. She told me that she had looked on the internet to read about our church and was very interested in what we believe. I was so excited and anxious to be her friend. I hope to share more with her as she asks.

There were 5 senior couples that got together this past weekend to go a castle called Gripsholm Slott about an hour from Stockholm. It is out in the country where the autumn colors are vibrant with their oranges, reds, greens, yellows, browns, etc. We ate our picnic lunch in the castle dungeon and had a fantastic day, in spite of a light rain. Then we went to see a huge cathedral in Stangnas that was built in 1699. There is a rune stone there that was from 1000 A.D. By chance, the little city of Stangnas was having their annual open air market in the downtown covering about 10 city blocks. We walked along checking out the clothing, food, jewelry, furniture, you name it, and it was there. This will probably be our last outing with the 5 couples as two are going home in a few months. We cherish our friendships and look forward to doing things together.

Friday we were asked by Elder Per Malm to write a one page report addressed to him and signed by us of how things are progressing with the BYU Young Ambassador Tour next year. We spent about 3 hours preparing our report then sent it to him on email. Within a few minutes he had forward it to Elder Kopischke who is a member of the Area Presidency in Frankfurt with a little note that said, "Elder and Sister Lewis are doing a fantastic job as Public Affairs Missionaries. They are the best...." Needless to say, it made our day! We love working with Elder Malm and are excited that our work is making a difference.

Wednesday night we are going to lunch with the Key City Director and his wife, as well as Alf Svensson, a member of Swedish Parliament. We were instrumental in getting an invitation from Pres. Samuelson of BYU inviting Mr. Svensson to speak at BYU this coming year. This is a big and exciting event for us.

Life continues to be GREAT here on our mission. We are truly blessed and grateful to the Lord for this opportunity to serve Him. We hope to make a difference.