Marathon Part 2

I reported in my last blog that March was going to be a marathon and that we had begun leg 1. This past week was the part where the actual running began. Our responsibilities led us to the very north of the country. The picture above is typical of the roads we traveled. the snow has been non-stop and while there is a lot of it, the flakes are usually small and light. Thus, we often had white-out conditions from the snow falling, wind blowing snow across the roads, or when we were forced to follow a semi-truck or were passed by someone, snow blew up and around, blocking our view of the road. Much of our driving was at a rate considerably below the speed limit due to lack of visibility.

The heaviest seemed to be in and near Sundsvall. Even though it is considerably south of the farthest city we visited, it had snow on snow on snow. One thing I love about Sweden is that there are almost no stop signs. There are yield signs, so you know who has the right of way and if you can clearly see that there is no opposing traffic, there is no need to come to a complete stop. In Sundsvall, however, the snow is so deep and piled so high by the snow plows that drivers have to creep into the intersection because they can't see around the snowbanks. Front end loaders are busy filling dump trucks with the accumulated snow on the corners, but can hardly keep up with the need. 

Some of Olivia's pictures showing the depth of the snow from areas all over the frozen north country:

This is a corner on an intersection. The Sundsvall sisters live
at the top of the hill. I couldn't coax the Ford van up the road\
on the right that leads to their apartment, so I parked on
the street and hoped cars could go around.

Olivia under the protective covering above the door to the Luleå
sisters' apartment.

The balcony outside the vacant apartment where we stay in
Örnsköldsvik. Knee deep snow.

Olivia loved seeing the roofs where the snow had started to slip
down, but not fall from the roofs.

These rock outcroppings are always wet from
springs behind and beneath them. In winter
they form impressive icicles. 

One major advantage to this trip north is that we actually did see reindeer. According to one source, there are no true wild reindeer. That is, they all belong to herds that are managed by owners, usually of the Sami people. These were in a field that we have seen many times as we visited Norrland. This is the first time we saw them in such a large herd and in a place where we could get pictures. In the past we have seen a single reindeer, or a small herd of five or ten, but just for a fleeting second as we passed them on the expressway at 110 k/h.

Near one end of the field the grass is nearer the surface. They
use the scoop horn in front (if they have one)  to push the snow
 aside to get to food.

These were a little further off. Enlarge to see how deep they have
to dig to get to food.

Just outside Olivia's window. 

We were available to assist with the lunch in the zone conference at the Umeå chapel, so we got to see President and Sister Youngberg as well as the assistants, but Olivia was so involved in all the details that she forgot to take pictures.  We did get to visit with all the Norrland missionaries, however, as we inspected their apartments. 

We decided to try a caterer,as they do in Göteborg, but they were all very expensive for hot meals. We found one who provided a sandwich lunch, so we ordered roast beef sub-sandwiches with potato salad and drinks. When we went to pick them up, Olivia said, "Didn't we get potato salad with these?" "It's in the sandwich," the lady told us. I guess we looked a little incredulous, because she went on to say, "That's how we do it here in Sweden." OK, then...

The sandwich was actually quite tasty and the missionaries all seemed to agree.

Elders Bringhurst and Erdman helped Olivia put the feathers on the branches to decorate the tables. It was a fun Swedish
 Easter theme. 

Cutting birch twigs on skärtorsdag (the day Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles) has its origin in the 17th century, preparing tools for flogging one another on the morning of långfredag (Good Friday, the day he was crucified) to commemorate Jesus’ suffering. The flogging ritual died several centuries ago, but the custom to take in birch twigs survived. The idea to beautify the twigs with brightly colored feathers is imported from Germany, as late as in the early 20th century. Less this year than last, we see bushes and branches covered with Easter feathers. It is a fun Swedish tradition.

Most of the trip was taken up in inspecting the missionaries' apartments. There are three apartments in Sundsvall. The elders' apartments are literally next door to each other.

Repairing a chair with Elders Denton and McCarl

Just finished with Elders Domino and Wolff.

Sisters Pickett and Johnson show me
where their drain leaks. Fixed it.

We brought Sister Johnson a couple of large packages that were
filled with goodies and letters from home

The sisters had told us that the shower head holder was broken, but didn't send pictures until it was too late to buy the needed part. We had one from a previous adventure to the hardware store, but it didn't fit, so I McGyvered it to make it work. I knew it would not last, so on our way back home we bought a new kit containing the rail, holder, shower head and hose.The sisters hid the key under the door mat so we could get into their apartment and I replaced the whole system. As we got started, we noticed that their toilet seat was also broken, so while I worked on the shower, Olivia ran to the store and bought a new one. We replaced that, as well.

Just finished testing it. 

Ooo, nice! Soft-close lid and seat.

Yep, that's what some senior missionaries actually do. Who knew?

In Umeå we inspected the elders' apartment, then met with them and the sisters for lunch. Elders Bringhurst and Stapley have been in areas where we have become close to them, so it was good to see them both again. They are the Norrland Zone Leaders, now. On a side note, we did get to practice my tire changing skills again on the Elders' car. This time we had a jack that worked for a flat tire and all the necessary tools, so it didn't take long. No pictures, though. 😞

We always try to leave a message. This time we were studying
D&C 121 together.

Olivia asked them to smile. Elders Stapley and Bringhurst

At lunch with Elder Bringhurst, Sister Edwards, Olivia, me,
Sister Adams, and Elder Stapley

Outside the Umeå centrum mall is an ice/snow maze

Of course, the missionaries had to race each other to the end. Elder
Stapley just hurdled the walls to save time.

In front of the maze is an ice park bench. Cute, but no one sits
there too long.

Sister Edwards thinks we can fix the broken ironing board

Sisters Adams and Edwards give their input, but Olivia was the
one who finally came up with the solution

All of us with the repaired ironing board.

The Skeleftå elders are in a small apartment, but it has a nice loft area, so it is comfortable. Elder Strong had served in Uppsala, so it was nice to see him again. Keeping with the Norrland tradition, their apartment was very clean.

Elders Gordon and Strong.

The elders who serve in Boden were not at home when we went. We knew they would not be, so we arranged with them that we would bring a key and inspect without their being present. Unfortunately, we didn't get a picture of them at the zone conference. Elder Erdman is training Elder Hughes. The latter came to Sweden alone as he had to delay his coming because he broke his foot in the MTC. He seems to be doing well and is learning the language.

The Luleå sisters also had a very clean apartment, but both they and the Skelefteå elders are living with a bare light bulb in one of their rooms, so we bought them each a fixture that fits into their ceiling outlet. Yes, the ceiling lights have outlets into which you plug lights. When you move out of an apartment, you take the ceiling lights with you. We did not have time to go back to Luleå to help install the light, so we tried to help them by instructing them over the phone. Unfortunately, Sister Bottita was a little too impatient as she tried to take the cord off from the old socket and pulled the wire out of the plug, so they will try again after buying a new cord and plug.

Sisters Bottita and Andrewsen. We think we are looking at the
grown-up version of our granddaughter Laurel when we see
Sister Andrewsen

We spent our last night back in Örnsköldsvik (everyone here shortens the town's name to Ö-vik) where we have a vacant apartment. We will probably only stay there one more time when we go back to move out and clean, because we have to return it to the owners. While we were traveling we got a call from the company telling us that they had a prospective renter, so we may be able to return it sooner rather than later, saving the Church some rental payments.

Because we knew we would be returning it, we took as much as we could of the items we know we will potentially use in other apartments back to Stockholm with us. We still have a car full of boxes and other items. There is soooo much more that will have to come out. We don't look forward to carrying things down and walking back up 48 circular stairs multiple times, but hope that at least we can save the Church some money.

Breakfast in the vacant apartment in Ö-vik

Getting ready to fill the  Ford van

On our way out of Ö-vik, we inspected our last apartment. The
Ö-vik elders have a huge job. The branch is small, the branch president has been at the job for 40 years and everyone relies on the missionaries to keep things running. They do a great job and are seeing missionary successes at the same time.

Elder Prososki tells us that he rescued
this stationary bike from someone's
garbage.

Elders Prososki and Wilson. Two hard-working missionaries

From there we headed back home. Having to stop and make the needed repairs at the sisters' apartment in Sundsvall, we didn't get lunch/dinner (dunce?) until around 4:30 PM and didn't get home until after 8:30 PM. Happily, the Assistants were willing to take the 180 copies of the Book of Mormon to the musical for us, so we could get the things done at home that required our attention and allow us to just unwind a little.

Overall, however, we felt it was a great trip and that we accomplished many good things. We love working with these young missionaries. Their enthusiasm is contagious and their energy seems boundless. We love working with President and Sister Youngberg, as well, and seeing the hand of the Lord in their inspired leadership.

Today, we had an especially good Sunday. We are in the ward choir that performed an Easter hymn today (in English, He is Risen). Our friend Elsa is not yet baptized, but joined the choir and because we performed today, her parents came to church with her. We were so happy to meet this nice couple. We have heard so much about them and have wanted to meet them for as long as we have known Elsa. They are everything we expected them to be. I don't think I have seen Elsa any happier than she was to have her parents in church.

We hope your week was a happy one and that the week ahead will be successful for you. We saw a quote on the wall in one of the apartments. It is an English proverb from an anonymous author that I have heard before, but it rings especially true, I think.

FEAR KNOCKED AT THE DOOR. FAITH ANSWERED. NO ONE WAS THERE.