Our week and Sundsvall Trip

Rex in front of Globen City, a huge shopping center in Stockholm.

Front where we sat to eat lunch in the Hotel Sodra Berget on top of a mountain in Sundsvall. It overlooks the Baltic Sea and Sundsvall.

Rex and Vicky in Sundsvall in front of a snow drift.

Rex and Vicky by the ski lift that overlooks Sundsvall and the Baltic Sea.

Looking out the window at the countryside on our drive to Sundsvall.

We still have about 4 inches of snow on the ground and it is slick and icy to walk. The temperatures are hovering about 30 degrees. I guess this is very typical for Sweden this time of year. We had a wonderful day again at the temple and continue enjoying the great blessings in the Lord’s house. Afterwards we went directly to our Swedish class that is taught by the elders. It helps just to hear how the words are pronounced, as when we look at them, it isn’t how we would say it in English. There are so many rules that apply and then there are the things you just have to know. Guess what? We don’t just know. However, it is fun to learn a few words. My favorite word is “jättebra” which means super good.
My back is healing well. I just got my stitches out today and also received the biopsy report. Everything is great! The basil cell carcinoma was totally removed and everything is healing well. The Lord extends so many tender mercies to us and we feel his inspiration and guidance all the time.
March will be very busy with trainings and follow up meetings in the Nordic countries to finalize the BYU Young Ambassadors tour. We will visit all the wards in the Stockholm area and travel to Denmark, Norway and Sweden to see that things are in order.
The Elders (Langston and Lords) came for supper tonight. I fixed a great American meal of hamburgers and french fries. Then I made raspberry crepes for dessert. We all loved it. These two elders are so fantastic! There is such a great spirit about them and what they do as missionaries. They are truly “defenders of the faith.”
As we are reading the Doctrine and Covenants now, it is amazing the things that have such significance in the missionary setting. The spirit is strong as we read and share our thoughts and feelings. Companionship study is such a blessing.
Our district meeting was in Hägersten today. They showed the Church History video “Tried in All Things” about the Martin Handcart Co. It is a tear jerker.
Friday we had our mission office lunch. Elder Patchett from Henderson, NV fell on the ice and re-injured his knee. He has to go home 2 months early to have surgery. He was in good spirits.
On Saturday we helped Elder and Sister Johnson, office senior couple, drive two cars up to Sundsvall, which is 4 hours north of Stockholm. The sisters up there got a new car and the elders north of them totaled their car and got a new one. Thank goodness they were not injured, even after the car rolled 4 times. Angels were watching over them for sure. We brought back the car the sisters were driving to give to the elders in Gotland.
We went to the top of the highest mountain in Sundsvall that overlooks the city and the Baltic Sea. It is a ski resort with ski run and spa, etc. We found out they served a wonderful buffet for only 95 kroner so we stayed and ate a delicious lunch as we looked over the city and sea. They had salmon, roast beef, salads, rolls, soup, dessert, etc. It was such a great lunch for a reasonable price. People were sitting in their white bathrobes eating lunch after having been in the spa.
On our way back to Stockholm, we stopped at Gävle where there is a statue of John Erik Forsgren, who is the first Swedish missionary. He baptized his brother Peter Adolf Forsgren on July 26, 1850 into the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
It was late when we returned home after a long 15 hour day of driving to Sundsvall and back. What a great day!