Moving Over and Moving Out

Our week saw us on the road, again, but before our travels, we were able to share time with the Mitchells. Elder and Sister Mitchell returned home after a valiant mission. They began by serving in a small branch in the north - Örnsköldsvik (ern'-shulds-veek) where they assisted the branch president in working with the few youth, visiting the less active members and generally helped keep the branch strong. They were then sent to be YSA missionaries in the south - Lund. When it became necessary to close the YSA center there, they were sent back to Örnsköldsvik, where they finished their mission. They have been great examples to us as well as helpers when we were cleaning apartments and just good friends. We wish them well.

Elder Mitchell at the
Family History Center
near the temple. He did
some research for Olivia
the day before they left.

Olivia and her helper
at the FH Center doing
more Swedish research.

We went to the temple first and performed some work for Elder
Mitchell's Swedish ancestors. Olivia, me, Elder and Sister Mitchell, Elder and Sister Hales, Sister and Elder Pettit

We were all invited to the mission home for a farewell meal to honor the Mitchells.
Seated are Sister Hall, the Mitchells, Sister Youngberg. Behind are Elder Hall,
Sister and Elder Smith, Elder and Sister Pettit, Elder and Sister Hales, Elder and
Sister Donohoo, me, Olivia and Pres. Youngberg

In preparation for the rest of the week, we once again found ourselves in various stores, including IKEA, from which we extricated ourselves in record time. We then traveled to Linköping and Jönköing (lin'-shupping and yun'-shupping) to assist with preparing to move additional elders in and to replace some worn out beds.

The bunk beds sometimes
bow under the mattresses 

So I cut plywood to make them
a little more comfortable. They have
good, thick mattresses

While I put the new beds together, these
sisters carried out the old ones for us

Lifting her end so they could
get it downstairs.

Sisters DeMordaunt and Christoffersen with
their new beds.

On the way home we stopped to see Vadstena Castle when the
moat was not frozen over. It seemed to be almost as cold as
the last time we were there, however. We wished we could have
gotten closer to the statues on the top of the castle. St. Brigitta's
statue is in front of what used to be her convent. It is now a hotel.

Some of our U. S.  Instagram family commented on the size and
beauty of the moon. It must have been the same moon, here.
As we traveled away from Vadstena, the moon was breath-
taking. Of course, the photo does not do it justice.

We finally finished all the preparations for moving the Täby sisters to their new apartment. It is the tiny house, but they were thrilled to be there. It is new, modern and quite comfortable. We choose to call it cozy.

Boxing the books and pamphlets
outside the old apartment

Elder Craun likes awkward,
heavy loads.

Sisters Heaps and Wagner leaving
their old apartment

The new apartment is ready for them

Olivia made new curtains for the tiny loft

Elder Porter bringing in the
first of many boxes

Finishing the shower area

The entire moving crew: Elder Porter, Sisters
Wagner, Heaps, me, Olivia and Elder Craun

We finished the move just in time to race home, change clothes, gather the dessert and motor off to Uppsala where the ward held a night of music and a potluck dinner. The musical talent in the ward was kind of surprising. It also brought out some less active members and investigators. Mikael's soup was made possible with help from Elsa and Björn brought chili. Others brought relishes and Olivia provided the oatmeal cake and ice cream. The cake was a big hit - several people asked for the recipe.

Sisters Manning and
Christensen with Maria
on the guitar. 

Elders Strong and Harrell

Monica, our RS Pres.

Thorston sang "I
Believe" by Frankie Lane

Tore sang a powerful song
a cappella 

Peter and Julia our young
married couple

Today was the last Sunday with Sister Christensen. She will be returning to her home in Provo this week. Her parents are picking her up and spending some time in various areas where she has served. They will also do some sight seeing. We hope to meet them for a couple of reasons. First, we sought her out early because we found out that her mother plays tennis with our daughter-in-law's (Camille's) sister, so we are practically related. Second, she has been a model missionary. We have grown very close to her the past several months as she served in Uppsala as a Sister Trainer Leader. We will miss her.