Summer in Stockholm With Culture Festival

Temple couples serving in Stockholm Temple from USA: front; David and Connie Peterson, Solveig and Steve Thomas, back; Olof and Tammy Johansson, Dale and Elaine Ensign, Rex and Anna Dahl, Willard and Carol Malmstrom, Rex and Vicky Lewis.

This was the table set for our yummy scone feast with great side dishes.

S. Linda Wright, S. Amy Johnson, S. Vicky at Culture Festival in Stockholm on August 15, 2009.

Rock band performing at Stockholm Culture Festival.

E. Rex, E. Steve Johnson, and E. Steve Wright at Culture Festival.

Segel Torg center where most of the Culture Festival was taking place.

Vicky and Birgitta on our walk to lunch in front of Nordiska Museet and beautiful flower gardens.

Vicky and Birgitta in greenhouse flower garden of Rosendal near the castle.

Birgitta and Rex in gateway to Djurgarden on way to Rosendal gardens.

King's soldiers marking through Stockholm in formation.

Singing Swedish Birthday Song to Elder Larson on his 72nd birthday.

Our last Zone Conference

Our last Zone Conference held August 6, 2009 with 3 zones in attendance. We bore our testimonies and taught PA information using a fun game.

Vicky in front of a technical college called "Kunglia Tekniska Hogskolan" in downtown Stockholm.

Our Friday lunch group on the steps of the Stockholm Mission Office: Bottom to top and L to R: E. Adamson, E. Langston, E. Jackson, Vicky, S. Johnson, Rex, S. Wright, E. Johnson, Pres. Anderson, S. Anderson, E. Wright, E. Edmunds, E. Reid. (celebrating E. Jackson's birthday)

Our good friend, Pres. Per Nilsson who is 2nd counselor in the Stockholm South Stake Presidency. He loves to ride motorbikes.

Stockholm South Zone - August 6, 2009

S. Wood, S. Swenson and S. Lewis at Zone Conference

Elders grazing at the food table. We were served Subway Sandwiches, chips and soft to drink

Elder Langston (AP) and Rex at Zone Conference.

Our district group: L to R: E. Tomyn, E. White, E. Stocks, E. Clark, E. Rex Lewis, S. Vicky Lewis, E. Carlisle, S. Krus, S. Pierce, E. Ahola

What a great group of elders and sisters!

Canal trip August 1, 2009

Our canal excursion boat "Sandon" on the trip from Karlsborg to Toreboda August 2, 2009.

Huge water tower in the city of Orebro.

Beautiful home and yard along canal route to Toreboda.

Vicky standing on the lock at Tatorp. It has a hand crank to open and close the lock.

Another lock enroute to Toreboda. The Gota Canal was begun in 1810 and completed in September 1832 with the effort of over 58,000 workers. Parts of the canal are still used to transport cargo, but it is now primarily used as a tourist and recreational attraction. About 2 million people visit the canal each year.

Marina and resort along Vattern Lake

Karlsborg Fortress is situated on the Vannas peninsula in Karlsborg by Lake Vattern. The intent of the central defense idea ( it is located in the center of Sweden), was that the royal house, Swedish government, Riksdag and central command functions would, in the event of an attack against the kingdom, pull back and ensconce themselves in this fortress in the middle of the country. Even the gold reserved of the central bank of Sweden was to be safeguarded in the fortress in times of trouble. The fortress is one of Northern Europe's largest buildings. The fortress construction began in 1819 and was completed in 1909.

Rex and Vicky on the Gota Canal trip.

Huge Lake Vattern in the background, with crystal clear water.

Our group on the mound that surrounds the fortress in Karlsborg: L to R: Bruno Klarin, Anna and Rex Dahl, Dale Ensign, Connie Peterson, Inger Hoglund, Elaine Ensign, Carol and Willard Malmstrom, Rex, David Peterson, Pres. Bengt Hoglund.

Pres. Bengt and Sister Inger Hoglund singing along to some lovely Swedish songs.

Neal Baker, professional musician from Goteborg who plays many instruments well. He writes and composes his own music. We had such fun singing along to his lively tunes.

Oland and Karlskrona Trip

Rex and Vicky on the beach at Sturko where Klaus and Monica Bernpaintner spend the summer.

Monica Bernpaintner and her mother at their summer cabin. It was quite an experience to use the little outhouse. I haven't done that since I was a child and visited my grandparents.

Old wood church in Karlskrona where a statue has his hand out inviting people to deposit money under his hat. We donated to the cause.

Rex trying to eat a two scoop ice cream cone with extra vanilla softie on top. It actually turned out to be about 14 scoops and is the best ice cream we have ever eaten. The little store makes their own waffle cones as we watch. I am ready to go back for more. Quite frequently there is an hour wait to get a cone here.

Photo taken from the military fort called Kungsholmsfort on an island out of Karlskrona. This overlooks the Baltic Sea and was a huge defense for Sweden in years past. There is still a presence of military personnel on the island.

Sarah, Klaus, Monica Bernpaintner and Rex as we sat in the Marine Museum in Karlskrona waiting for our trip to the military island.

One of the cannons that was used for protection at the Kalmar Castle. This castle was a defence against pirates, enemies, and the Danes. At the end of the 13th century it was considered the most modern fortress in Sweden.

Rex in front of the mote that surrounds the Kalmar Castle.

Vicky inside the castle where numerous activities were available for children with samplings of the past.

Beautiful baby in long christening dress that had just taken place at the Kalmar Castle.

Rex standing at the entrance to Kalmar Castle in Kalmar, Sweden.

One of the longest bridges in Europe. It is the bridge from Kalmar into Oland. What a spectacular site!

Baltic Sea from Oland Island. This was taken just below the beautiful Ekerum Golf Resort.

We felt fortunate to have an upgrade on the car rental. It was a little Mercedes.

Signs like this all over Europe directing traffic to the "in" direction. It can't help but put a smile on your face when you see one.

We never expected to see a camel on Oland, but there are several fields with camels grazing.

Borgholm Castle from one of the highest levels, looking into the courtyard where there are currently many events that take place. Borgholm was one of the most important strongholds in the Middle Ages and up to the 17th century. There were many battles and sieges here. Swedes, Danes and Germans have by turn held the castle. Kings and princes held court in its halls.

Looking from inside the Borgholm Castle to the Baltic Sea in the background.

Vicky looking out from one of the dungeon cells inside the Borgholm Castle.

Grave markers at the Borgholm Castle.

Professional golfer, Cecilie Lundgreen giving a few of us from the temple a few hours of golf lessons. She is a strong member of the church and a neat, neat lady from Norway. About 7 years ago she joined the church. She loves coming to the temple.

Vicky, Cecilie Lundgreen and Rex at the golf course. What a privilege to know this wonderful young lady.