Sweden 6/22/12 and 6/23/12

Time has gone so fast that I almost lose track of it. Here it is already Saturday night 10 pm in Sweden. Several things of interest:

Normally, we as volunteers would have Friday and Saturday off when the temple is usually open but we had a surprise of about 30 single adults from many countries including as far away as Britain and Estonia come wanting to go through the temple on Friday and Saturday. So, we were asked to work in the mornings which we did. I have done several ordinance already in English, Swedish, and Spanish. Talk about getting thrown in the middle of deep water and being asked to swim. However, it is very challenging and certainly fun.

Another thing is that it is Midsummer festivities. So, Friday afternoon we took the train to Skansen where mom got her to-die-for waffles and ice cream cones. We didn't make it in time to see the raising of the may pole, but we did see some dancing then we walked around while listen to the traditional music and songs. Of course as we walked around mom was humming and singing to the music. Little girl grown up.

Going to Skansen we past the grave site where morfar was buried and the church where the funeral was held.

There is a retired Swedish member couple here where the wife has a bad back and must lay down much of the time. Consequently they can't do much service in the Church.  So they do special things for the rest of the temple workers like take them shoping to larger stores in other towns where the prices are less for groceries, etc. Well, today for Midsummer, they threw a barbeque with all kinds of other good Swedish foods -  pickled herring, salmon, mackrel, meatballs, little wieners, fresh little potatoes (big deal at this time of the year) with sour cream and dill, cake, etc. Everything was delightful. It must of cost them several hundred dollars as food is very expensive. They are very good and gracious people.

Mom had a very special occasion in the temple today which could have made the whole trip worthwhile. Unfortunately, I can't explain the whole thing here. She wrote an email to Jannicke with a full explanation, but in Swedish so I can't forward it to you. In essence, when she was a little girl a member's wife got TB and had to leave town for treatment. They had two sets of twins. One set was 1 years old.  Mom's parents took care of one of those twins for over a year. Well, today mom was standing as host in the foyer of the temple when she saw somebody that looked very familiar about twenty feet away. At the same time, both realized who each other were. Needless to say there was a lot of joy. They lady was one of the older twins who had married an American and was living in Wyoming now. She was here in Sweden for the marriage of her son to a Swedish girl in the temple. Mom had no clue that she was here and could have been in another part of the temple and could have missed her completely. It just "happened" that both were in the right place at the right time - a tiny or a big miracle depending on one's perspective and involvement.

Talk to you later, good night from a long ways away!
Love, Mom and Dad

6/18/12 & 6/19/12 from Sweden

This is Tuesday night. But first let's talk about yesterday. Mom and I went to Stockholm to check out the train and bus lines, schedules, and prices - plus the hotel. Just remember that buildings in downtown Stockholm are old and are not the ritze Hyatt, etc. In other words, the Queens Hotel has "character" but is very doable and is nicely located - central to many things. I'll send an email with specific things to do in preparation for coming to Stockholm. The train got us there in just 30 mins - a car is over 1 hr. We walked about town and down to Gamla Stan (the old town). We had a late lunch on a side street. It was spicey vegetarian and we still don't know really what country the recipe was from.  Maybe from Pakistan.

We got back about 4 pm just in time to go shopping in the temple van with other temple workers who drive to another city to try to buy groceries, etc. and lower prices. Oh, did I say that food, etc. is very pricey is Sweden - especially for a couple of conservative like your mom and myself.

Today, a temple worker took us back into Stockholm to the immigration office to get visas. There are lots of people coming into Sweden. But mom says that she never saw homeless people when she was a kid. Apparently, the Swedish care system is being heavily strained and you see a significant number of homeless people now. We got back home after lunch. At 1pm, we went to the temple for the first time. We were set apart, shown around, and went through a session in Swedish. Yes, even me - the whole session.

Mom is calling to hit the sack. So, I'm listening. Too late! She is on her knees in prayer mode.

Good night. Dad

Arrival in Stockholm 6/16/12

I think mom and I are finally getting a little jet lag. It has been a couple of busy days. We were about 45 minutes late getting off the ground in Dulles because the plane had electrical problems and they had to "reset the systems." (Mom had a great bulkhead seat for her legs but she still got a cramp as she was sleeping on the floor with her feet up on the seat.) Then we got into Copenhagen late because of the earlier delay. Consequently, our luggage didn't get transferred to our plane into Stockholm (which arrived at 9:35 or thereabouts). SAS said they would have our luggage delivered to us between 1 and 4 pm but it didn't get delivered until 6pm.

The temple president and his wife picked us up at the airport and invited us to a party for temple workers that was being given by another swedish temple worker at his home at 4 pm. Obviously, we didn't make it to the barbeque at 4, but the temple president came back and took us over there. The workers were delightful. It looks like we will have a great time.

We hope that Bente is also having a great time at her reunion in Utah. I'm publishing this blog before I fall asleep.

Heading out again 6/15/12

Another day. But first a follow-up report on yesterday. It was Kaia's excitement day. The zoo was her most favorite place to go. She had been there last Friday but she wanted to go there again yesterday. Also, she got her ears pierced yesterday which got her extremely excited. Golden Corral also proved to be a good investment as everyone pigged out on exciting choices.

Today, Mormor and Bente are out looking for flip flops for Bente's reunion luau. Then, we head for the airport at 12:00 where Bente will go West and we go East.

Just in case anyone is interest (or, confused) Svenska Tider is pronounced Teeeder and means Swedish Times, a very conservative title.

Next, we'll talk to you from the great country of Sweden - I suppose that for Kari, I should have used a greater superlative. Bye for now!!!

Stop over

Finally and happily we are four hours closer to being in Sweden. We stopped in at the UHLIG digs for a little R and R. Good food and great people.

Bente took Celeste to her Grandmas for the last time today. The family is a little sad, but it is working out as Bente is heading out to Utah tomorrow for her High School Reunion.

Today we went to a fantastic small zoo - a feeding and petting zoo accomodations with everything from prairie dogs to wolves and bears (those were the unfeedable and untouchable ones). Tonight we head out to our and the kids' favorite eating place - Golden Corral with a new chocolate fountain. Yum!

Welcome everyone!  We are excited to be leaving to Sweden!  I, Grandpa, am very tired of getting ready and think that we should go now.  Come Tuesday we will start blogging more!