A Day in our lives in Stockholm!

The Elders helped us get a printer yesterday and we were able to get a wireless connection to our apartment. However, everything to hook up the printer was in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, or Danish. This morning we called the elder who is the computer expert and said, "HELP!" We now have a printer and copier. The fax does not work as we do not have a land line.

We wanted to try out our travel passes that are good for a month, so we went to the tunnelbana and rode from close to our apartment to Centralen, which is the center for all the trains. One of the escalators reminded us of the train travel in St. Petersburg. Kali and Kevin will have fond memories of these escalators. I am including a picture of me in front of our apartment, riding the escalator, and Rex on the street heading to our apartment from the grocery store and at the park near our apartment.

We bought 2 nectarines for 15 crowns ($2.50). A bit pricey. Two grapefruit cost us 19 crowns ($3.30). We looked at some almonds for 300 crowns a kilo, which is $22.75 per pound. We'll do without almonds while living here.

I am working on a power point presentation I have to have ready on May 6. Considering I have never done one before, this is taking alot of time. I wish I had some help from any of you.

Sunday evening we had a wonderful meal with Pres. and Sister Karlsson, our mission president and his wife. They are so kind and loving. We made us feel right at home.

Our $1800 apartment

Our apartment in Sweden is right in downtown Stockholm. It costs us $1800 a month and is about 500 square feet. I thought you might like to take a look at it.

Arrival in Sweden

We arrived in Sweden on April 23rd to a beautiful, sunny day. We were met by two great elders who escorted us, via a 2 1/2 hour traffic jam to Stockholm City Hall to get our social security card for Sweden. Our apartment is okay, though a bit run down, as elders have been living there. We are right in the center of town and it is so beautiful. I took a long walk around the park and be the lake where some beautiful boats are docked. Our first meeting with Per and Eva Akebrand was last night for two hours. He is Key City Chairman and they are a strong LDS family here in Stockholm. There is no phone, internet, or other communication to our apartment so we walk each day to the outreach center 1 1/2 miles away. This is also where our Sunday meeting will be.

The weekend before coming to Sweden, we were privileged to travel to Switzerland with another senior couple in Frankfurt, Jerry and Zeta Nelson. Visiting the Bern, Switgzerland Temple was a hightlight, along with visiting the Alps, Interlaken, and Konstanz where there is a gorgeous lake that borders Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. We toured a gorgeous garden called Mainau Gardens and then visited a restored ancient city of Rothenberg, Germany where the city is a fortress with a wall entirely around the city.

When we flew out of Frankfurt, Germany to Sweden, the ticket agent said we could only have 40 lbs. of luggage each. Rex and I both had two bags each 50 lbs. We had to pay 450 euros or $720 American money to get our luggage to Sweden with us. That was a shock!

A highlight was a PA team meeting and lunch at a delicious German restaurant before we left Frankfurt. Life is GREAT! We are loving our mission this far and pray for the Lord to direct us in what He wants us to accomplish.

Love,
Vicky

Pictures

Some pictures you might enjoy from Germany.

Memorable weekend

We traveled to Braunfels, Germany to visit an old 12th century castle up in the mountains. It had over 200 famous paintings and antiques as well as gorgeous wood inlaid floors. We had to put on slippers to walk in the castle so as not to make any marks. There were coats of armor for humans and horses. Many of the homes are the half-wood homes and the streets are all cobblestone. The rolling hills are covered with grass like velvet and the small little villages have all the homes in white stucco with red roofs. Such a beautiful picture. We also visited another castle in Marburg, Germany but couldn't get a tour in English so just took pictures. The town was beautiful; Narrow streets with many little shops. We ate at a restaurant where some people brought their dog. Our friends said they have been in restaurants where a dog has actually sat at the table. There are no health laws to restrict them. We attended an International Ward Sunday where over 23 countries are represented and fortunately for us, it was in English. Everyone was so friendly. I sat by a missionary with an investigator from China. We became fast friends. I introduced her in R.S. and got her a manual. I am working to get her an Chinese Bible along with her Chinese Book of Mormon. She believes in Joseph Smith and has had only one lesson. She appears golden. I feel we have known each other for a long time. Today was a momentus occasion and annoncement for the Europe area. Elder Holland was in England and the Presiding Bishopric was in Salt Lake. We were via satelite in Frankfurt. The announcement was made to consolidate Europe West Area and Europe Central Area to make one area that will be centered in Frankfurt. We will keep Pres. Oaks as the Area President but everything will consolidate on August 1st. Our area is HUGE! It was neat to hear the comments by Pres. Holland at the end. He advised everyone to "Keep the spirit of the Lord with us and seek the Spirit in everything we do." He advised us to bear witness that we are Christians because one who believes must bear witness. He said, "The true man and woman will never look as if the did not care." I felt his spirit and the Lord testify to me of this truth.

We love you all and pray for you. May the Lord bless and lift you each day.

Much love,

Mom (Vicky)

One picture of Ethan

Here is Ethan from last Fall. It is an example of pictures we'd like on this blog.