12 May 2009 group arrives

Office elders and new missionaries join us on the Mission Office steps for a photo shoot.

Elder Johnson rented a big van to transport the luggage. Will everything fit?

Our past week has been super busy with orientation and logistics of 18 new missionaries. Sixteen of them are young missionaries and a couple. They are all so needed!

Visit to Svartensgatan 3 Stockholm SWEDEN

It's great to hear about the people and their stories and be in this special building at
Svartensgatan 3.

The facade has been refinished and looks wonderful with the new paint. The building is on the historical register in Stockholm and is kept in mint condition, even though it is still being used and is a refuge for abused women and children.

Sister Shiela & Elder Garth Hanson were at the reception to say good-bye to the Höglunds. They are returning home to the USA on May 20. It was good to see them.

Elder Johnson enjoyed the time in the Svartensgaten chapel.

1. Late Sunday afternoon we were privileged to attend the 50th wedding anniversary of the Swedish Temple President and his wife....President Bengt och Syster Inger Höglund on 16 maj 2009.

2. The reception was held in President Höglunds boyhood home in the Södermalm area of older Stockholm.

3. The address of the reception and boyhood home is Svartensgatan 3.

4. Svartensgatan 3 just happens to be the location of the Swedish Mission office from 1903 until April of 1963. In April 1963 the Mission Office was changed to a location about 15 miles south and west of the city.

5. April 4, 1963 was the date I was released from my first mission to Sweden.

6. In the attached pictures, I am shown standing in the chapel area of the mission home....as I stood nearly 50 years ago. I am also shown in a second picture walking up the stairs used many times during my mission. A third picture shows me (Dad J) opening the door to the famous mission office. This is the first time I have actually entered the mission home since departing in April of 1963.

7. One of my last assignments was to carry hundreds of books, important papers, and mission history down those stairs to a waiting truck.

8. A few years after the Mission Home closed, it was sold to Stockholm City and later became a home for abused women.....and remains so today. Occasionally the chapel area of the building is rented for receptions and other. Unless one is an abused women or care-taker, entry is not allowed.

9. Through the years, several Church Presidents and Apostles have visited this building. One very well know and loved person who spent nearly five years in the building as Swedish Mission President was Clarence F. Johnson.....along with his wife Annie B. and two daughters, Lyda and Ilogene. 1949-1954Just thought you would like to know some of the history of Svartensgaten 3.

Wesemeyers' hospitality in Väddö

The Wesemeyer family love the outdoors and nature, especially in the spring and summer. Connecting with Mother Earth is very important to the Swedes. Their home is in a beautiful setting near the Eastern Swedish coast. They drive an hour and a half to church each week. Their two children, Golda and Freddy, are delightful and smart. Nina and Richard prepare all year to be the best Jul Tomptes. Richard has a genuine beard and Nina sings all the old Swedish songs for every occasion. What a beautiful day to eat grilled salmon in the sunshine with the elders and host family! Good thing Elder Drake brought his camera!

Going from Winter to Summer in one night!

Elders Gomez and Alpeter attend the Valborg fire with us in a small community near Täby, where the Ronny and Ingrid Werjefelt's daughter, Lovisa, sings with her school group. They were an amazing little choir of 8 boys and 8 girls singing accapello before the fire was lit. This fire burning ritual signifies the ending of winter and the beginning of summer. After this, no outside burning is allowed until summer is over.

Baptisms

Elder Luke Stilgoe baptized Kelvin Aiwe (Young Single Adult) on 18 Apr in Hägersten. His companion, Elder Tanner Markus, baptized Kelvin's brother, Scott (12), the next day after church.... Two happy elders and two happy new members!

Boakia Sandy (father of six) of Liberia is baptized on 25 Apr 2009. He overcame 30 years of smoking habit. Many of his family and friends were there. His wife made a typical African meal of chicken, fried rice, muffin cakes, salad and ginger drink. The sister missionaries (Bishop and Ribbert) were his teachers. It was the first time we have heard people clap at a baptism.

In the backyard of the Bo Bertilsson residence in Handen on 25 Apr 2009, the baptism of Baasanjargal Boldbaatar (Young Single Adult from Mongolia) took place in the lake. She wanted to be baptized like Jesus in the open water. Elder Langston took great care, and Baasan said she didn't even feel cold. The Holy Spirit kept her warm! She was a golden contact who was looking for the Church ever since she came to Sweden. She had been taught in Mongolia. When she saw the missionaries on the train, she stopped them and said she wanted to be baptized! They said, "OK, but we have to teach you first."

Trip to Göteborg with Couples

Gränna was a fun place to stop for lunch with the couples. The planters are being filled with colorful flowers. We hope to make one at the Mission Office.

Candy maker made the process look easy. But, we know it wasn't. He handled the hot candy with special gloves.

(Johnsons, Rosevear, Larsons, Andersons, Malms, Hansons, Wrights, Nelsons)

We were invited to travel to Göteborg with President and Sister Anderson and other couples to receive training from Elder and Sister Garth Hanson and Elder Per Malm and his wife regarding the Centers for Young Adults. We stayed in a hotel and enjoyed wonderful meals. It was a wonderful diversion from the Office. On the way home, we stopped in Gränna and watched candy being made at the Polkagrisfabrik. The weather was beautiful.

Week of work and education

Gate of gold leading to Drottningholm Slott gardens. Lewises, Wrights, Johnsons

Drottningholm Slott has beautiful view and yards leading to the waterfront.

No task is too hard for Elder Johnson in his Mission Office duties. He is on top of his calling!

Secretary Elder Ryan Drake of Ohio comes from Norrland to fill in the vacancy with Elder Dawson. Elder Johnson takes the van to the airport for the pickup of Assistants Gomez and Alpeter, along with Elder Drake. We now have a full staff at the Mission Office. The couples took time to visit the Drottningholm Slott where the King and Queen have their primary residence in the south end. The tour of the rooms was very educational and beautiful. We rounded out our Saturday P-day attending a baptism in Hägersten. Spring is here and the tiny buds are opening on the bushes and trees. Soon everything will be in full bloom in Stockholm.

Beautiful Easter Week!

The Easter "chicken" came to the Mission Office. Our daffodils in pots are starting to bloom.

These cardboard Easter eggs come in various sizes. This isn't even the largest ones! Children are given new spring clothes in some of the huge ones as a surprise at Easter.

Baptism at Gubbangen Chapel (11 Apr 2009) was for young single adult, Myangaabaatar Badarch (center). The Wrights, Lewises, Mission elders and ward friends were in attendance.

Christian Johansson (center in white and green T) was baptised on 11 Apr 2009 in Uppsala. Couple Roger & Delia Larson, along with the Biskop and Ward friends supported Elders Herr and Wood with the special day.

Karlssons surpised us with an Easter visit. Elder Dawson, along with couples Wright, Lewis and Johnson were delighted to see them.

The little crocuses bloomed at the bottom of the Mission Office steps. We are so excited to see the real evidence that Spring will be here to stay. Besides the Mission Office work and being companions with Elder Dawson, our other "excitement" for the week was a suprise visit from our former Mission President and his wife (Jan Åke & Bente Karlsson), right after Friday lunch was over. We took another photo on the steps and bid them good-bye once again. Their son, Tobias, wife Anna-Linda and baby Oskar, are in our Täby Ward, so we are happy they come back to Stockholm frequently.

Saturday, we traveled to two baptisms in the Mission. Christian Johansson was baptised in Uppsala (Elders Herr & Wood) and, young single adult, Myangaabaatar Badarch from Mongolia was baptised in Gubbangen (Elders Jackson & Abalos). We were so happy to be in attendance.

Our Easter was complete with investigator Else Marie attending church with us and having Sunday dinner with President and Sister Anderson at the Mission Home. It is a beautiful day in Sweden!

Young Adults do service project at Mission Office

Elder Johnson and Elder Wright worked with the Young Men Single Adults organizing and cleaning the attic and basement at the Mission Office. Their contribution was so appreciated. They were proud of their "dirty hands." (and, face!)

Relief Society Easter Dinner

Ingrid Werjefelt, Syster Amy Johnson, Anna-Linda Bodén, Anne Rosenlund, Syster Sally Anderson, Gunilla Carlsson.

A plate of salmon, meatballs, boiled potato with sauce, salad, boiled egg with avacado and kaviar, roll and cheese. I made lemon meringue pies for the dessert.

There’s one thing we’ve learned from the Swedes,
About eating and satisfying appetite needs.
You sit and you wait,
‘Till all are served a nice plate;
And then, together, everyone feeds! --Syster Johnson

The sisters in Täby Ward planned a wonderful evening at the home of Anders and Veronica Karlsson in Åkerberg. We joined for dinner and a "getting to know you" evening, then an exchange of Easter Eggs with something special inside. The Easter eggs here are large and made of cardboard, decorated with Easter pictures. They also put brightly colored feathers on dry twigs in a can or big vase. I will have to remember some of their fun traditions and try them at home. The Priesthood will have their special dinner night at the High Priest Group leader's home (Ingemar Gleissman) next weekend before General Conference. We are enjoying our Mission!

Single Adult Endowment

Beautiful day at the Stockholm Sweden Temple with Maria Danin.

We were pleased to be with our Center for Single Adult couple, Wrights, and Maria Danin and her mother, Gunilla, at the special Paus luncheon in Västerhaninge on Saturday, 21 March 2009. Even though her mother isn't a member, she was very receptive of Maria's decision to join the church last year and now go through the temple. It was a very happy day.

March Madness

Elders Spjut, Loomis, Johnson, Gomez and Dawson enjoy "varm korv" cooked at the beach in Vaxholm

Syster Johnson still needs her warm winter coat. Cozy, Cozy!

We aren't finished with winter yet in Sweden. Several snowstorms in March keep the cold weather around. Our new vehicle was broken in with a blanket of snow. The blue Skoda will be looking forward to warmer weather, and so will we! The Office Elders decided to take a P'day at the lake and have a korv roast. It is one of their most favorite things to do on P'day. Elder Johnson was able to join them.

14 Missionaries go home

A mix of USA and elders from Finland spend some last moments together at the Mission Office before departing for home.

Äldste Scott Spjut and Äldste Johnson have kept the computers and phones humming at the Mission Office. With Elder Spjut out in the Mission, we will try to keep everything running smoothly the best we can.

On Friday the 13th of March, we had major changes in the Mission. Elder Spjut left for Jonköping and a new young elder assistant came in (Alpeter). A record number (6) of Finnish missionaries departed on the Silja Linje for Helsinki. We will miss their leadership and Syster Huttunen's forging spirit. There were 8 on the plane to the USA. It was a tearful parting for this special group. The replacements for this group won't arrive until May.

Swedish Snowman

Elders Johnson, Gomez, Dawson and Loomis enjoyed making a huge snowman in the backyard of the Mission Office. Their late night activity was great fun. Snowfallwas one of the best storms of the winter. It packed just perfectly.

What a busy week at the Mission Office

Sisters Corey and Pierce are happy to receive a new car to use in Sundsvall and surrounding communities.

We stop for a photo shoot after Friday Lunch at the Mission office, capturing our new fleet of six cars, along with the couples, office elders and Elder Patchett, sporting crutches.

It was after dark when we arrived in Gävle to find the monument dedicated to John Erik Forsgren, the first baptised member into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweden. He is the ancestor of many of our Forsgren famlies back home.

We loved our spectacular view. It was hard to leave.

View from our table in the Södra Berget Hotel restaurant.

The sun felt good on the top of the ski resort in Sundsvall. Afterward, we enjoyed a buffet meal in the ski Hotel.

For a wintry week in Sweden, one wouldn't think there would be much to do but sit by the fire and sip hot chocolate. Not so for us. The Mission Office was a beehive of activity. One of our elders injured his knee on the slippery ice and is now headed home to the USA for knee surgery. In the middle of all of that, President and Sister Anderson were away on Zone Conferences being held in Göteborg and Malmö. We took care of the injured elder and bought six new cars for the mission and delivered three to their new drivers. Our trip up North on Saturday with our friends, Couple Lewis, was very enjoyable. We drove to Sundsvall, which is 400 KM north of Stockholm. The roads were good and we had no trouble making it there by noon to deliver the new Opel to the sister missionaries. The sisters suggested we drive to a high view point, a ski resort that over-looked the city, coast and the Baltic Sea. After a few photos in the wind and cold, we found ourselves inside the hotel eating an amazing buffet of salmon and roast beef, plus all the trimmings. The view from our dining table was stunning. Returning south we stopped in Gävle and located the monument erected in memory of the first LDS baptism in Sweden, John Forsgren. Since it had already turned dark and very cold, we had quite a search before finding it. We will return in the summer and see the home on the grounds where the monument stands.

Sunday, Syster Johnson was at the Mission Home preparing the Farewell Dinner for our Elder Patchett going home with knee injuries. President and Syster Anderson made it back in time for the dinner and check-out activities. Next week doesn't look any calmer with Zone Conferences here. Where does the time go? The Sweden Stockholm Mission is doing awesome. We are blessed to be here.

Relief Society in Täby Ward

Syster Johnson loves Relief Society. Marita Möller (art class instructor) enjoys the meeting as well as Inge Kann-Siirak and Anna-Linda Karlsson. Wiktoria Heinz (then R.S. President) took the photo, with Gunilla Carlsson (present R.S. President) finishing out the row. We are so grateful to belong to the largest women's organization in the world.

The Swedes love the frozen lakes

We took a drive and found a castle and a lake. People were everywhere in their winter gear, heading to the lake to ice skate, cross country ski, or just have a brisk walk. The Swedes are enjoying winter, knowing that spring is just a few weeks ahead. The children were running and jumping in the snow after church. We haven't had much accumulation this winter, but last night and today it snowed enough to play in.

Life at the Office

Elder Reilly is going home! He goes earlier than his group to make a connection with the San Francisco football recruiters. Watch for him in the NFL one of the next years. Check out his size!

Elder Johnson is ready to leave his computer and desk. Some days are just too long at his station.

Sister Johnson shows her handiwork. This "Sverige" runner is going to a well-deserving sister on her departure day.

We take care of the mail--the pickup and forwarding. Watercolor painting at Relief Society is a great "relief" and diversion from the normal office duties.

While we work in the Mission Office, we also take time to pursue other interests. Sister Johnson is learning to watercolor paint at Relief Society and she does crocheting for the missionaries, as well. Elder Johnson puts in long hours at his desk and many nights doesn't come into the apartment until 10 PM. Checking out missionaries going home is part of our assignment. We are seeing some of the great leaders of our Mission departing beginning tomorrow. We will miss them greatly.

Update auto fleet

"Rita," as the elders fondly named the Opel Van will be replaced with another van. After the elders parked "her" on the rock behind the Mission Office, the tires were hot and the ice melted underneath. The van slid off the "perch," but luckily no damage was done. Sister Johnson wrote a limerick about it for Friday lunch.

Parking "Rita" on the big rock to show
Driving up the incline is fun, we know.
And, parking atop
When the tires are hot,
It slid to the driveway below.

With everywhere much snow and ice,
Another parking spot, it could suffice.
In summertime we'll try again,
To park up there won't be in vain,
Atop the hill will be quite nice.

Elder Johnson is looking at new cars on the showroom floor in Stockholm, Sweden, to replace part of the Mission fleet.

Elder Johnson begins the quest for six new cars and one large van. Depending on the vehicle condition, Swedish mission cars are sold when the odometer reaches 100,000 to 150,000 Km....or when the vehicle ends up in five feet of snow in Norrland! Purchasing and selling cars in Sweden and Europe in general, have very little resemblence to making deals in the USA.

In northern Sweden where the reindeer roam, two of our young elders came out of a snow cloud and swerved to miss several other cars that had crashed. Fortunately, the two missionaries escaped with minor scratches on their hands. The older Skoda automobile rolled four times in soft snow up to three feet deep. The elders were hanging by the seatbelts...upside down when the car came to a stop. This car will be replaced, but with a used car not a new vehicle.