Thanksgiving in Sweden

Office Elders (Lewis, Hartman, Glenn, Spjut and Ashworth) enjoy the big meal.

A Thanksgiving tree was decorated with leaves of "thankfulness" by the missionaries. We made turkey dressing, pumpkin pie and apple pie for the wonderful event at Täby Chapel. Everyone brought something to add to the delicious turkey dinner. We had 34 in attendance. Next Thanksgiving, we'll be home with our family!

Syster Johnson's watercolor attempts

It has been a fun diversion from the office. Painting is a new activity for Syster Johnson. Sweden is full of beautiful flowers and scenery. She only hopes to improve as time passes!

Uppsala Ward has Orient Night

The fireside was given by Brother Rosén from Gävle Ward. (bright blue tie in group photo at end of the table) He shared experiences he had in Thailand, Nepal, Hong Kong and India. Then, we ate special food prepared by members covering recipes from each country. Elders White and Fusselman ate their fill! Elder and Sister Thunell made their special sweet and sour pork. Yummy.

Sweden Snow is here!

What? The snow tires aren't on the van? It's a busy Saturday morning at the Mission Office. Winter is really here! Naturally, the snowblower is a piece of junk...out the door it goes and back to four good snowshovels!

Financial Help

Elena Flores came from England LDS Support to review church and Swedish financial computer programs. She also completed a minor audit of our office strategies with our MOS (missionary support) programs and financial reports. She was helpful and informative. The weather was wintery; however, she enjoyed viewing Stockholm from the Katarina Hissen and ate with us at the Outreach Center. We had great meals and some good laughs. Her visit lasted four days. She joined the Church in Italy, went on a mission to England, and loves working for the Church.

Gustaf Johnson roots near Lödöse, Sweden

Great Grandpa Gustaf Johnson and his brother, Olof Peter, left Sweden in 1884 after joining the church and serving short-term missions in the Göteborg area. The family farm is a favorite of ours to visit, especially since a distant cousin, Gunnar Gustafsson still lives there. He welcomes us warmly each time. This visit was in August 2008. The church in Vallby Västra is where Johannes Swensson (Gustaf's father) and many family members are buried. It is a special, sacred place for the Johnson family to visit. The group photo is of distant cousins, Tage and Gunnar, with Steven and others.

Stake Conference Weekend

The Sweden Stockholm Stake's conference was held in Gubbängen and at the Lecture Hall at the Stockholm University. We enjoyed hearing from the Stake Presidency as well as others. The theme of the conference was Member Missionary work. The missionaries are having great success in teaching with the members. Each companionship is challenged to do 15 teaches a week, and many are exceeding that number. The lecture hall was not completely full, but it was a good attendance. We were thrilled to know many of the members in the various wards as we have traveled and spoken in the wards. The photos were taken before, as members and investigators were coming in, and after the conference. Syster Johnson is standing with Elders Golightly and Patchett serving in the Märsta Branch. When we exited the building, snow was falling; our first snow of the season.

Gripsholm is conquered!

Yes, there is life outside the mission office! We broke away and braved the cold and fog of a late fall Scandinavian day for a repeat drive to Gripsholm with the mission couples. With the help of our contact, Torsten, we were allowed entrance and toured the massive Castle, which has been the home of the Swedish National Portrait Gallery since 1822. We began by seeing King Gustav Vasa done in a wood relief, dating back to the 16th century. Other paintings and portraits total close to 4,000; many of which are not on display. Often the paintings were wall sized, while others were three to four feet in height. The portrait Castle display was on a par with the museums we have visited in Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Noteworthy, were the many pieces of royal furniture and expensive handpainted and wood inlayed wall, ceiling and floor panels. Kings, nobility and their families lived in the Castle until the the early 1800's.

We gained admittance again to the dungeon tables for a late afternoon lunch. From the castle grounds, we viewed the beautiful scenery across the lake through the fog....as seen in the photos. We dressed warm to be outside and in the unheated castle. It now becomes dark very early in the afternoon. Today it was dark by 3:30 pm! We love our brave "Lunch Dungeoneers!"

All Saints Day in Sweden

A tradition in Sweden is to light candles in the cemeteries and churches for loved ones gone on before. The Local Swedish Danderyd Kyrka was visited by many on their traditional

all Saints Day... November 1st. Our walk in the very cold night with the couples in our mission, made for an interesting, learning experience.

Russian Missionaries have their Visas!

We were asked to speak at a fireside for the waiting Russian Missionaries at the Västerhaninge Chapel on Halloween night. Afterwards, we enjoyed a barbeque dinner with them. They are excited to be leaving, after several weeks of waiting, for their various Russian missions. They spent over a month in the temple doing sessions and other temple work for most of their days in Sweden. It was a joyous night.

Autumn Office Decorations

Office secretary, Elder Andrew Glenn, helps decorate the office with his fall tie and guitar. Sister Johnson made the orange pillows to add color to the office.

Speedy Delivery Mailman!

Steven takes the opportunity to save fuel, do his exercising, and pick up the mail for the mission with the mission's new 7-speed bicycle. He is enjoying it, too.

Speaking assignment in Marsta Branch

After a 40 minute drive from our apartment to our speaking engagement, we entered the small branch of the Church, which occupies a portion of the first floor of an apartment building. The members are varied, from refugee Chileans to African to Swedes. They are loving and bear strong testimonies. Steven speaking in "perfect" Swedish, and Amy in some Swedish and English with a translator, gave messages on Keeping the Ten Commandments and Pursuing the Steady Course with Hope. The beautiful, autumn day made for a spectacular drive!

Gripsholm stands strong!

ODE TO GRIPSHOLM

Thru mists of morn, rain, wind and chill
Gripsholm castle lay still, just ahead
O'er moat did we venture
Through courtyard well armed
Mighty cannons from Russia to dread.

To the prison we turned, our fine meal to be shared
Ere we paused for great doors to unlock,
Food fit for a king
Although servants we were
Food n'er tasted by pour souls in the stocks.

Then, safe passage was ours
We stood at the doors,
Once, even twice, we did knock,
To be turned away rudely with haughty reproach
Our vain efforts with scorn they did mock.

Yet our hearts remained full
Our joy undeterred,
We surrounded the walls and with awe,
Gazed on nature's wild palette of colors so bold,
Yellows, reds, hues of gold, all we saw.

Kind thoughts filled our hearts
As we talked and expressed, our good fortune
To know friends so dear,
To see and enjoy our creators hand,
To our senses brought joy and good cheer.

In sweet days ahead, when Saint Peter we hail
At stout gates, pearly white, we shall hear,
Enter in hearty trav'lers
Your fame has spread far,
Brave band of lunch dungeoneers!--Elder Bruce Thunell

Saturday outing with the Couples in our Mission

The weather was cool and rainy, but we enjoyed Gripsholm Slott (Castle) in Mariefred, Sweden.

We even ate lunch in the dungeon!

Saturday Outing with Couples in our Mission

The weather was cool, but we enjoyed a lunch in the dungeon at Gripsholm Slott (Castle) in Mariefred, Sweden

Sister Johnson (mom, grandma) decorates cute!

I made this door wreath with tree branches and berries. This is the door to our office.