Back to Work

We are back to much of the work we came to do, this week. We have spent some serious planning time in the mission office and at our apartment, preparing for visits to missionary apartments. We spent most of a day assisting missionaries with apartment needs and learning the IMOS program for keeping track of apartments. We also inventoried all the spare keys in the office safe and have asked the missionaries for spare keys for the few we don't have. Now we have created a key board (as opposed to a keyboard) so we can keep track of the keys we do have.  It is nice to have some time to organize as we can see that beginning the end of January to the end of March we will have almost no time to do that kind of thing.

[With the area books where the information about each apartment is kept]

We spend a lot of time in the car and out in the weather, but I have been embarrassed to say what our weather has been like. By Christmas and through New Year's Day there has been no snow and little rain. The temperature has been in the 40s F. All this time those of you in the mountain west and Nevada have been experiencing near 0 F cold and assuming we were even colder. Well, finally it is true. Our temperatures have been as low as 0 F and hover around 10 - 14. We have snow on snow as it never goes away. The streets are not well kept in the neighborhoods and less-traveled roads, but they are sanded/salted, so we get traction. Still, it is dicey when there is a car coming toward us. Every morning there is either snow or hoarfrost on all the tree limbs and evergreen branches. It is beautiful until you have to get out and walk in it.

[A typical scene. This is along the highway on our way to church in Uppsala]

At the end of the month we have planned a trip to the cities in Norrland where the days are even shorter and the winter more bitter. We are starting to think we are crazy, but it has been a quarter since we were there last. The missionaries need some face time as they are a bit isolated and who knows, maybe we will get to see the Northern Lights this time. We will be packing extra blankets and food in case of a breakdown or other emergency.

We were invited once again to participate in a lesson with our friend Jessica. This time the lesson was on Temple Marriage and the purpose of temples. With Olivia's long history in the Reno Temple and her experience of teaching the temple preparation class, I thought the lesson went especially well. At the end of the lesson, it seemed to me that Jessica was not as forthright as she could be, so I once again asked her where she thought she was with respect to accepting baptism. Again, she admitted that she loved the lessons from the sisters, but when she got back to her apartment, doubts seemed to enter. She still has not prayed for an answer and she still has not admitted to her family that she is studying with the missionaries. Once again, we testified of the veracity of the message and challenged her to commit the matter in prayer to God with the intent to follow His will, no matter what the consequences might be. Did I say studying with the missionaries? I meant really studying. Her bible and Book of Mormon are covered with sticky notes and cross references. She studies deeply.

[Again we met and again we forgot to get a picture. Next time, promise.]

We were finally able to arrange to go to the temple once again. We went to the first morning session and then drove to an apartment where we are going to be placing missionaries in February. It was so good to be back in those peaceful surroundings and to feel close to our Maker.  I listen mostly to the Swedish version until activity is needed on my part, then I put the headphones back on to listen in English.We went with Elder and Sister Clouse again, which is always good. Sister Clouse went through the entire session in Swedish. Brave lady.

Short post this week. We miss everyone back in the US, but feel happy in the work we are doing. We pray for you and know that many prayers are said in our behalf, as well. We feel them and are grateful.

[Mail call: we got a wonderful surprise from our daughter-in-law and grandchildren in Provo. Christmas stockings chock full of cute messages. Thanks Camille, Nigel, Bradley, Micah II and Ila!]

[Elder Adcox and Elder Bringhurst in Uppsala with an investigator who shares the name Elsa with our granddaughter.]