Amazing week and trip to Uppsala

Cannons at King Gustav Vasa's castle pointed at home of archbishop in Uppsala.

Vicky and Rex with cannon overlooking King Gustav Vasa's gardens in Uppsala.

Morning walk by the bay. Swans just taking off in flight.

Per and Eva Akebrand (Key City Director), Alf and Sonja Svensson (of Swedish Parliament), Vicky and Rex at dinner together.

Fun evening together after temple session: Lewises, Hansons, Thunells, and Pearsons.

We had such a fantastic week of special journal entries and experiences to share.

I had been praying about my friend, Birgitta. I wanted to give her a Book of Mormon, but wasn’t sure just how to go about it. I made an extra loaf of bread at lunch and wrapped it up to give here. I had gotten a copy of the new translation of the Swedish Book of Mormon called Mormons Bok and wrote a note in English and then wrote my testimony in Swedish. With all the nerve I could muster, I walked up 4 flights of stairs and knocked on her door. Her 90 year old husband answered the door and graciously invited me in as Birgitta was on the phone talking to her granddaughter. When she got off the phone, she came and gave me a big hug and invited me to come see her home. It is a beautiful 2 story apartment that is elegantly furnished and very large for Sweden. After showing me around, she said, “Now I want to see what you have brought me.” We sat and talked about the Book of Mormon, the missionaries, many aspects of the gospel and the plan of salvation for over an hour. She thanked me for giving her the Book of Mormon and promised me she would read and study it. Birgitta said that she would always treasure it as I gave it to her. She is a “jewel” and I dearly love her. I know we will always be friends. I can’t begin to explain how I feel, but it is GREAT!

It doesn’t get better than today!! We had the sister missionaries to lunch and then Sister Taylor helped with an invitation for the Mission Home Open House. She is very talented on the computer. Sister Huttunen cut my hair and really whacked it off in the back. I am just grateful it can grow. The front is okay so I’ll survive.
Tonight was one of those evenings that we dream of having in our Public Affairs work – we had supper with Per and Eva Akebrand (Key City Director and his wife) and Alf and Sonja Svensson (a member of the Swedish Parliament) in preparation for Alf going to Provo to speak to the BYU students. They are the most humble, down-to-earth people. We sat eating and visiting for three hours in this very elegant restaurant that has such a nice atmosphere. Alf is extremely concerned about the family and has a great desire to be close to God. He spoke of his wife and family as the most important things in his life. He told us that the one thing he wants to do more than anything else when he goes to Provo is to see and hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake. We will see that it happens. You couldn’t help but love Alf and Sonja. They were kind enough to let us have a picture with them before we left. It was a perfect evening!!

WOW! Another fantastic day! They just keep coming. We went to the 10:00 a.m. temple session, in a downpour of rain today, and as we were leaving President Hoglund, Stockholm Sweden Temple President called us into his office. He asked us to help him get a kiosk or a visitor’s center for the grounds around the Stockholm Temple. Elder Garth Hanson, a missionary temple recorder, also talked to us and wants us to work with him on the plan. It is a lofty goal, but one we hope to accomplish. Then Pres. Hoglund asked us to be temple ordinance workers. We have been recommended by Pres. Anderson, our mission president to help whenever we have time. President Hoglund took us into his office and set me and Rex apart as Stockholm Temple Ordinance workers. We are to help whenever we come to the temple. They don’t have a schedule, but they need our help, especially now that there are 20-25 extra Russian missionaries living in temple housing and attending the temple 1-2 sessions each day. It was a special prayer that deeply touched my heart. Pres. Hoglund must feel we are miracle workers, as he asked us to try to get Gladys Knight to come to Stockholm to perform. He thinks it would be an amazing concert. We agree, but where and how would we pull this one off?
We then went to the Missionary District Meeting to which we have been assigned with 9 elders and sisters. They had a great meeting setting goals, doing a practice teach, and also had a language lesson. We shared some Public Affairs ideas to use in their work and felt we connected with them. This was truly another marvelous day in the mission.

Our walk was cold but beautiful this morning. I got some pictures of these 7 swans swimming over for me to feed them, and getting ready to take flight. Most of the leaves have fallen and it is getting colder.
We went to the mission office for lunch with 4 other senior couples and 4 elders. Everyone had to write a limerick and read it at the end of our meal. The limericks will be compiled into a book from our mission.
I met my friend, Birgitta as we were walking back into our apartment. She told me she is reading the Book of Mormon and loves what she is reading. Our hearts have been bound in love and I feel truly blessed for having her as my friend.

After our temple session 4 of the senior couples got together to go out to eat. Elder Thunell picked a restaurant he felt was good and close by. When we arrived, the only person on duty to run the whole restaurant was the chef and he only spoke Polish. After trying to figure out the menu and Elder Thunell writing down each person’s order for about 20 minutes, a young lady arrived saying she was the waitress but not due to be on duty for another 30 minutes. She was trying to explain the menu and various items in Swedish for about 10 minutes but we were all still very confused. All of a sudden the waitress said, “Would it be easier if we just did this in English?” Elder Thunell at this point just fell back in his chair, threw his pencil and paper in the air, and we all busted up laughing for about 10 minutes. Language can certainly create some challenges. It was a great journal entry day! We had such a fun time visiting, eating, and laughing together. What GREAT missionaries we serve with!

The Sabbath Day was incredible! We attended our own ward then caught the train to Uppsala where Elder Thunell met us. We took us around sightseeing for about 30 minutes and then we ate about 4 pm before going to the church for the fireside Rex and I were putting on. The ward was fantastic! I think it was the best Public Affairs talks we have given and I think it was because the people were interested, asked questions, and talked for a long time afterwards. We even had a young friend of ours, Eric Riley, from our ward in Stockholm travel to Uppsala 45 minutes by train to hear us. He is an amazing young man. We all rode back to Stockholm on the train together and he shared the story of his life, which made my heart break. He has risen above many challenges to go on a mission and is a faithful, wonderful young man. We arrived home about 9:30 p.m. after having been gone 12 hours to meetings, etc., but what a fulfilling day!!

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.

Manchester, England and The Lakes District

Entire group at NDPA Conference in Manchester, England

Rex and Vicky with Elder Gorts, an Area Seventy from Germany

Post Office in Downham, England

Rex and Vicky beside one of the homes in Downham.

Another home in Downham, England.

Jane Holzer by the River Ribble (first baptism site in England)

Vicky and Rex walking beside River Ribble.

"First Latter-day Saints" plaque in Preston, England.

Rex walking where the Apostles walked.

Our group walking where the Apostles walked in Preston, England.

Vicky and Rex in front of the Preston England Temple.

Jesper Paulsen of Denmark, Leif Mattsson of Sweden, Sidsel and Espen Amundsen of Norway,

Vicky and Rex, Ville-Matti Karumo of Finland (us with the NDPA's in the Nordic countries)

Rex by ruins in Fell Foot Park in Newby Bridge

Countryside in The Lakes District of England.

Beside William Wadsworth home.

In front of Dove Cottage, home of William Wadsworth.

Beautiful countryside with slate fences along road near Kendal, England.

Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick.

Waterfalls near Honister Pass.

Honister Slate Mine.

3,000 foot pass above Windermere.

Oldest breed of sheep in England -- herdswick!

Keswick Town Square.

Overlooking Derwentwater.

Overlooking Friar's Crag.

On our way to the waterfalls.

Rex in front of waterfall known as Aira Force.

Bed and Breakfast in Windermere called Briardene where we stayed.

What a spiritual lift we received as we attended our Stockholm Zone Conference today. One of the elders spoke about our responsibilities and stewardships. He said that the Lord will ask us one day, “What have you done with your little part of the garden that I have given you to tend?” Sister Anderson quoted one of the general authorities who said, “Each of us should hope to say at the end of our lives: ‘Glad I did, not wish I had’”. President Anderson told us that the Holy Ghost likes lists and maps, then he can help us with what we pray about. The Spirit doesn’t tell us what we can figure out for ourselves. After we have worked and studied, then the Spirit whispers to our heart what is right.. You cannot teach by the spirit until you plan what you are going to teach. President Anderson asked Rex and me to take a few minutes and share what is happening in our Public Affairs mission right now and bear our testimonies. Elder Per Malm emailed us tonight that we are doing an excellent job and he knows it couldn’t have been done without our expert help. It made us feel very good and worthwhile. Daily we are fielding emails from the 5 Nordic Countries into Ed Blaser and Per Malm.

Kyle emailed us tonight that after the ultrasound today they are having twin girls. He said he is preparing for a lot of estrogen around their home.

Early the morning of September 19 we flew to Manchester, England for an NDPA seminar (National Director of Public Affairs). We had 20 European countries represented with their NDPA as we met together for 3 days. When we arrived on Friday, we boarded a bus for a tour of the Church History sites in Preston, England in 1837. We visited the site of the first sermon preached in England in Preston, which was the first ward organized in Europe and the oldest still operating church unit in the world. We saw the place on the River Ribble where the first baptisms were performed July 30, 1837 and walked the ground where the Apostles walked. The mission to England was so successful that, at one point, there were more members in England than in the US (about 1849). All members were encouraged to immigrate to strengthen the Church in America – which most of them did. We saw several other small towns in the Ribble Valley area, and walked the streets of Downham, a small village that has been kept as it was in the 1800s (see picture below). We were read a very moving account from Wilford Woodruff’s Journal about saying good-bye to the saints in this town, and both he and they weeping at the parting. The whole area is lovely – like out of a storybook or travel poster. We felt the Spirit of the Lord as we heard Elder Woodruff’s words.
Then we drove to the Preston Temple and attended an endowment session. It is a lovely temple with wonderful people attending to our needs, and some of the most beautiful landscaping that I have seen anywhere.

Saturday our meetings started. We had an address by Elder Frerich Gorts, an Area Seventy. There was a presentation by Michael Smart (BYU Public Information Director) that was excellent. He does several of these a year for national business firms – it was most helpful. We discussed Mormon Helping Hands – which is used here as a Public Relations effort – doing community service, often across the country, and sometimes in building the image of the Church.
Saturday evening we rode in a bus to see the Blackpool Illumination – an annual event in the city of Blackpool right along the beach. It reminded us of Las Vegas. We had traditional Fish and Chips, wrapped in paper, but were late getting to the restaurant due to traffic, so we stood outside to eat. While standing there, a young man in his early 20’s decided to pull down his pants and streak through our group. His buddies on the opposite side of the street thought it was very funny. Let’s just say -- the evening was an experience! It was midnight when we got back to the hotel.
Sunday we had our own Sacrament Meeting under the direction of Elder Gorts of the Seventy. He directed the music with such enthusiasm and vigor as we sang a’cappella. You could tell he loved to sing. I felt the spirit so strongly in this sacrament meeting in the Radisson Hotel. The sacrament was passed and four of the NDPA’s were asked to bear their testimonies. The food and people were great. What a blessing to serve among such dedicated, spiritual, uplifting people who are trying to serve the Lord with all their hearts, might, and mind.

We checked out of the hotel about 3 p.m. and rented a car to drive to Northern England and visit The Lakes District. This in itself was an experience. Rex has never driven in England and the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car, you drive on the left hand side of the road, and shift gears with your left hand. These were all foreign to Rex and me, but I wasn’t driving, thank goodness. I was a nervous wreck by the time we arrived in Windermere at 5:00 p.m. because Rex had run over the curb 3 times and I was afraid he was going to hit something. We found a Bed and Breakfast to stay in that was 30 pounds per night per person. For the two nights we were there, it cost us $240, which isn’t bad for England. The B&B was called Briardene. We parked the car and walked to the town centre where we enjoyed seeing the unique buildings, most made of slate. I checked out possible tours so Rex didn’t have to drive, which was a great idea.

Our little B&B was great! We woke up and had our choice of breakfasts, then called to schedule our tour of the many lakes and surrounding area. The tour bus picked us up at the B&B and we, along with 9 Japanese and Taiwanese people, headed out for the day. The driver talked non-stop and zoomed through the countryside barely missing cars and fences along the way. We say many different breeds of sheep, cattle, slate fences and buildings, took a ride on one of the lakes, saw William Wadsworth’s home “Dove Cottage,” Ashness Bridge (the most photographed and famous bridge in England), ate lunch in Keswick, and even had time to shop and found a winter coat on sale for Rex. The lush hillside is covered with slate fences in various patterns with numerous trees and lakes, waterfalls, etc. We ascended a high mountain pass over 2500 feet (this is high for England) where we toured the Honister Slate Mine. When we returned back to the B&B at 6 p.m., we felt our day was a huge success!

We checked out of the B&B and ventured on with Rex at the wheel. We had no map so really didn’t know where we were going. The roads are so narrow you have to stop at various points to let people pass you. The roads are built for mini coopers, not even a small European car. The roads are lined on both sides with tall slate fences, which can do a world of damage, if hit. We did make our way to Newby Bridge, Fell Foot Park, and a few other attractions. We gave up on finding the Castle as the GPS system tried to have us turn where there was no road. I was trying a third time to direct Rex according to the road signs, but he missed the turn again, so we gave up.
On our way back to the airport, we stopped again at the Preston Temple for some more pictures and to visit the MTC there on the temple grounds. They have 37 missionaries this session, with 62 coming in a few weeks. The capacity is 108 missionaries. We visited with 4 elders we saw and they were just excited to get on to their assigned areas.

We arrived home about 12:30 a.m. to our apartment, but were unable to get in. The landlord had hired a carpenter to replace our kitchen floor, resurface some hardwood floors in the entry and kitchen table area, and replace some cupboard doors, etc. He had locked the top lock and we didn’t have a key to get in. I hesitatingly called our landlord, who happened to be in Portugal. He said he would call his wife to let us in. She arrived about 15 minutes later on her bike at 1:00 a.m. to let us. I know we got her out of bed, but we didn’t have much choice if we didn’t want to sleep on the floor by our apartment door. I immediately started cleaning as there was sawdust everywhere in all the rooms. It was after 2:30 a.m. when I got to bed. However, I could hardly go to sleep as it was past my normal sleep time.

When we woke up and tried to go out our door, we found the latch broken and we could not go out. Rex climbed out the little kitchen window and walked around to the door to open it. We had to tape a piece of paper over the place where the door closes so we could get out again. I called our landlord again and within 3 hours, he had the carpenter back who fixed the door. He told us this had happened to him. Why didn’t he fix it them, we asked ourselves? He knew it would be the same for us. I’m not sure how Swede’s think!
I was just helping Rex with the door when Sister Anderson, the mission president’s wife, called me to see if we could come to Vasterhaninge at 2 p.m. to prepare the food and serve 40 missionaries for a reception. We have 20 Russian missionaries living in temple housing trying to get their Visa’s renewed. I’m sure you have heard of the situation in Russia. It was a privilege to help and serve where needed. By the time we had everything prepared, served, and cleaned up, it was 6:30 p.m. We arrived back at our apartment about 7:30 p.m. ready to put our feet up for a few hours.
The couple from Russian who are accompanying the missionaries asked us if we would do a fireside for the Russian missionaries Friday night, so we graciously accepted. I am excited to spend time with the missionaries any time at all.
Saturday we are going to a SA conference about 1 ½ hours away to take pictures and write an article for the country website. Sunday we are speaking in the Marsta Branch, and so the weeks go.

Senior Couples Conference Sept 12-13, 2008

Our new aprons!

Rosevears

All the senior sisters in the mission!

Our wonderful husband Elders!

Elder Wright, Elder Rosevear and Rex on dish detail.

Sister Anders, Vicky, Sister Pearson and Sister Rosevear who all made the Swedish dessert shown here!

President Anderson hoisting the Swedish flag in the

front of the mission home.

Elder Thunell and Rex in fron of the

Grand Hotel. The nicest, most expensive hotel in

Sweden. Pres. Bush and Condelessa Rice stayed
here when they came to Sweden.

Our group as we docked in Vaxholm at the pier.

Vicky and Rex in front of the fortress on Vaxholm.