Sunny Sweden

One of our Syster missionaries (Vicky Lewis) had a birthday, so we celebrated in the best way. The yard is mowed and flowers are planted. We love to be outdoors when we can.

Our Norrland Trip

Norrland was a trip to treasure.
We went for work and pleasure.
The sun at midnight,
Was broad as daylight.
While driving we watched for reindeer

Not a cloud in the sky. This is amazing for Sweden. The sunshine is so welcome.

A midnight photo shot out of our hotel room window. What a view!

Pelle and Anna Ingvarson family in Umeå. (Simon, 12; Lovisa, 6; Matilda, 9) We heard that Anna a Pelle just had their 40th birthdays last winter. Of course, Syster and Äldste Johnson aren't telling how old they are!

Wiktoria and Peter Heintz enjoy a little sunshine after church with us in Luleå. Swedes don't let their sunshine go unused.

It seemed like a dream to be at this spot on the planet at this very special time.

This photo was taken at midnight on Friday night. The sun did not set. It was starting to rise again.

We did the traditional activity of picking wildflowers on the summer solstice.

Beautiful Swedish church in Jokkmokk. Every community has its own unique church style.

We stopped at the Arctic Circle line for a photo or two.

We combined Mission assignments with pleasure and visiting of old friends and making new ones. After inspecting the Sundsvall sisters apartment, we drove to Örnskoldsvik to visit elders living in a former LDS chapel. They had lots of space. Then, on to Umeå where Zone leaders Jensen and Castillo were ready and prepared with a nice clean apartment. After a good night's rest in the Profil Hotel in Umeå, we drove to Jokmokk and crossed the Arctic Circle line. After finding the town nearly deserted because the population was out in nature for the sommersdagafton, we drove on the Gällivare to meet up with former Täby Ward members, Peter and Wiktoria Heintz. We enjoyed two nights of their wonderful hospitality and went to a mountain near the city to see the "midnight sun" at the summer solstice. It was spectacular! The next day we drove to Kiruna, stopped at the place of the Ice Hotel (no ice this time of year), and checked out a 400 year old church, a loppis and the huge open-pit mines. Now that the surface ore is almost depleted, the digging goes underground, causing the homes to sink. Some of the communities are being totally moved, homes and all to safer, stable ground.

Sunday was a wonderful church day in Luleå with the Heintz and checking the elders apartment. We found all well there, and were even treated to a special musical number by Elders Kroff (piano) and Hanes (violin). Young Woman Agnes was the chorister, and kept up with the beat. Äldste Johnson was asked to bear his testimony. (in Swedish, of course!)

Our next stop was with Anna (former foreign exchange student) and Pelle Ingvarsson for dinner in Umeå. Their three children were delightful. It was hard to leave them, but the distance was too far to wait another day to make it to Stockholm by Monday afternoon. We did spend one more night in a hotel near a bridge that looked like the Golden Gate. The drive was beautiful and spectacular with lakes, farms, trees and reindeer. It was almost too much to take in all at once.

We loved it all! And, there was hardly a cloud in the sky and the weather was warm. We escaped being bitten by the "migs," which made the experience even better. The little beasts were pretty thick. We'll never forget the special time in Norrland.

Monte and Lisa come to Sweden!

Monte and Lisa enjoy the Stockholm island cruise on the Cinderella I.

The classic photo on the Mission Office porch steps.

On the top at the Katarina Hiss shows the Stockholm skyline in the background.

Svartensgatan 3 where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made big advances in Missionary work. Elder Johnson served his mission out of this building, as well as Grandpa Clarence when he was Mission President. Great memories!

Walking the grounds of Gripsholm Castle in the rain. The beauty was worth the effort.

We were so happy that Monte & Lisa and her parents could spend a 36 hour stay with us in Stockholm. They were impressed with the beauty of the countryside, Stockholm harbor, Svartensgatan 3 (old LDS Mission Home and chapel), Gamla Stan, and a evening cruise through the islands. We loved having them. The stay was way too short, but will have many great memories to share. We walked in the rain, saw a castle and took them to the VASA museum. The food on the cruise gave them a taste of Swedish cuisine. We miss them.

Summer 2009 Couples Conference

Front: Steven & Linda Wright, Sally Anne & Pres. Larry Anderson, Hildegard & Knut Rade
Back: Liz & Stephen Rosevear, Steven & Amy Johnson, Bernice & Varr Nelson, Delia & Roger Larson, Willy & Gerd Herrey, Dennis & Doris Daniels, Vicky & Rex Lewis.

Rex Lewis and Steven Johnson are the winners of the duvet cover contest--Fastest to change the cover!

This drawing was used on the wooden butter spoons. It depicts how the Swedes (daisy) look to the sun as soon as it comes back in the spring in full view. People run outside and put their faces to the sun to get more vitamin D. We are hoping they will all "look to the Son" so the missionary work can be more successful here.

On June 12-15, all the couples in the Swedish Mission gathered at the Mission Home in Danderyd for fun, training and food. We were on the planning committee and made some of the main dishes for the meals. Also, Sister Johnson put together little "take home" bags of pull-apart bread, jam, spoon and Swedish butter knife, painted and individualized with the couples' initials. We were happy to have two sisters come from the Regional office in Germany (Hanson and companion) with a presentation of how to teach Young Single Adults how to make a working plan for activities. Sister Hanson was a "Terry" and we found out that she is a distant cousin from the Otis Terry line. Saturday, we took these two sisters to Gamla Stan, and they loved it.

Täby Ward Home Food Storage Night

Relief Society President, Gunilla Carlsson, made a main protein dish out of wheat, served with lingon and red beets. Yummy. Veronica Karlsson is using a strong blender to chop the wheat. She is going to try making bread from her home storage wheat supply. Relief Society is the same in the Church all over the world!

Thank you Marita Möller for the photo from her IPhone.

New Baby Boy Johnson born in Ogden, Utah

Alex loves her baby brother, Zack. (7 lbs 8 oz. - 20 inches)

We are thrilled to share photos of the happy Nate and Gina Johnson family, which now includes Alexandria and Zackary. The photos were taken by our talented photographer, Julie Johnson. Our grandchildren now include nine boys and nine girls. What special 18 children they are to us! We love and miss them while we are in Sweden on our Mission. Congratulations, Nate & Gina!

Opera downtown Stockholm

We were happy to support Ingemar in attending the performance of La Rondine by Puccini. Even though it was an "amatuer" cast, they sounded like pros to us. It was fun to meet up with other members, Gunilla Carlsson and Gunnel Petersson, that were also there to see the show. The diversion from the Office was nice.

Private Swedish lakeside barbeque place

The horse barns in Sweden are amazingly big. Each horse has an individual stall. They go out to graze in the day and are back in the stall at night.

These trotting horses are huge compared with our Arabian and Arabian crosses. They don't appear to enjoy strangers in their living space.

The reflection was perfect when we visited the small lake in Riala.

Ward member, Anne Rosenlund, poses at the picnic spot we are considering for the Couples' conference.

We are exploring places for the Couples' Conference barbeque. Out in Riala about 45 minutes from Täby, Anne Rosenlund has arranged for a quiet place by a small lake with geese and birds and quiet water for the seniors to get the feel of Swedish countryside. We hope to put everything together and go with the flow in the great outdoors. We also came upon a nice horse barn and the winning trotter race horse, Cruton. The winnings so far have been over a half a million Swedish crowns. Taking a photo with the animal was a challenge because everytime we tried, he put his head in the corner of the stall. Shy, I guess.

Young Ambassadors take Scandinavia by storm

The Church set up a Family Home Evening booth at the International Family Day. It was a great way to promote the Church and the Family. Wonderful day!

Our favorite quartet. Sounded just like the 50's and 60's music we love.

The energy that was shown on stage was amazing. How do they keep up the pace?

Syster Vicky Lewis and Syster Linda Wright join us at the Mormon Helping Hands booth where baby blankets were being donated for new mothers in Africa.

International Family Day was celebrated at Kungsgårdsgatan on a bright, sunny day in Stockholm. Young Amabassadors took the outdoor stage. That evening was the big performance.

Who would have thought that we would see the BYU Young Ambassadors at the Universitetet in Stockholm SWEDEN! We took Markus Leo and his brother Alexander as our guests. What a wonderful way to promote the Church!

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.