Winter is still here!

Picture taken March 11 outside our apartment window.

Walking to the temple March 10.

We are now preparing for our trips to Norway and Denmark. I had sent the information regarding when we arrive, where we are staying, and asking how we can get from airport to hotel to meeting. Our NDPA in Copenhagen, Denmark called me tonight to tell me that our hotel is in the “Red Zone”, or where all the prostitutes and pornography goes on in Copenhagen. He even said that the missionaries are not allowed in that part of town. I immediately sent an email off to the Frankfurt office asking our secretary who books hotels, etc. to change our hotel. Jesper laughed and said he and his wife got a kick out of the thoughts of us walking to our hotel in that part of town.
Our Key City Meeting was Wednesday night. Our huge discussion was the price of the BYU Young Ambassador tickets for the Stockholm performance. I was finally able to help solve the issue by proposing that we ask one price until a certain date, and then ask the larger price for the remaining time. This would encourage members to get their tickets early. Everyone jumped on the idea. End of discussion.
Yesterday we met the Elders and Sisters at “the ring” in downtown T-Central station where all of them meet for transfers. The elders from Borlänge brought tickets for us to get to the two Stockholm Stakes to distribute for the BYU Young Ambassadors performance. It is interesting how we get involved taking care of so many different things. We are working closely with both Stake Presidents now to make sure they understand how to prepare for these BYU groups. At our Annual PA meeting on Sunday, Area Seventy Elder Malm was very specific in letting them know what he expected of the Stake Presidents. It was so helpful to us. He is an incredibly organized, effective leader.
Temperatures are hovering about 30 degrees give or take a few. Still lots of snow here in Sweden. I attended a baby shower for the wife of the first counselor in our bishopric. They always make their baby afton (baby showers) a surprise. I made a cute pink fleece blanket for her. Marguerite was totally surprised and emotional about the party. She made David, her husband stay with her and she sat on his lap the entire time.
Wrights invited us to their apartment for dinner tonight along with E/S Johnson. We really had a great meal and nice visit together. These times we share as senior couples are important and helpful in enjoying our missionary service. I made a loaf of oatmeal sunflower seed bread that was really quite delicious.
It was our Ward Conference today and the focus was on temples. How wonderful if everyone could be temple worthy and go to the temple often. I loved the short video the church just put out on “The Purpose of Temples”. We need to focus on our purpose and not get distracted by the irreverence of the world in trying to demean the sacred ordinances of the temple.
We met with our stake presidency for 2 hours this afternoon in preparation for us to visit all the wards in the stake to promote the BYU Young Ambassador tour. It is great to feel the full support of the Stake Presidency now.
Elder Langston and Elder Lords came to supper tonight and we had a great visit with them about their work and about what we are doing in Public Affairs.