March Marathon Part 3

This week found us on the road again; this time to Skåne (scone' uh) and Småland (sounds like Samoa without the first "a"). We have talked about this area of the country before. It is where Olivia's ancestors were born, christened, heard the message of the restored Gospel and immigrated due to government sanctioned persecution in the mid-to-late 19th century.

It is also the bread basket of Sweden where so much land is farmed with all kinds of crops from sugar beets to cattle. It is close to Denmark and the dialect of the area is reflective of the Danish influence. It is also the area where our friend Candace Doan's ancestors settled. She comments on every post, so I am always happy to write something about this area.

The winter is holding out to the end, this year. They don't have the ground hog tradition here, but apparently the fact that the little rodent saw his shadow in the US carried over to Sweden. We drove through rain, sleet, and sunshine. Ice accumulated on the Ford van and then dropped off as the day warmed. 

Twice we encountered accidents that were bad enough to close the roads for what would have been hours. The first was on the expressway. As we approached we were, with all the other cars, in the right lane and noticed cars coming toward us in the left lane with their hazard lights flashing. At first I assumed that the opposite lanes must have closed and traffic was being diverted into our side, but then I saw traffic moving in those lanes. Olivia pointed out that the cars far in front of us that were stopped for the traffic accident were turning around and coming back! I love that about drivers here. They don't mind being a little creative when the occasion calls for it. Lest anyone suspect that I am not a Swedish driver, I did the same thing. As soon as there was a break in the fence, we all joined traffic going the opposite direction, turned off at the first exit and drove a surface road through rural villages until we could get back onto the expressway.

The second incident was while driving a two-lane highway on the way to Växjö (vek' hwa). Traffic was backed up for a lengthy distance and we saw cars turning around. We looked at a map and talked to the bus driver who had walked to a rise before us to see what the chances of leaving might be. He assured us that it would be a very long wait, so with his assistance and Olivia reading the map, we found a detour. 

The weather was cold and a very light snow was falling. As we returned to the little village where the detour began, the snow began to be more visible. It was not long before the snow was falling so heavily that we could hardly make out the road. By the time we got to Växjö the back of the car was completely caked in snow and my tense arms, neck and eyes were ready for a rest.

I had cleaned off the back window.
This photo hardly does the storm
justice.

Our purpose in going south was two-fold. First, to inspect apartments and meet the missionaries. Second, to assist with the zone conference.

We drove a little over five hours to Helsingborg where we inspected the sisters' apartment, then to Landskrona to look over the elders' digs. The longer we are here, the better the apartments seem to be getting. Or maybe we are just getting used to how they look. Either way, we were impressed with the obvious efforts to make the places clean and presentable. I typically find a need to tighten bed legs and have been used to finding a fluffle of dust bunnies. This time I was under several beds (loose legs results in broken beds that have to be replaced at some expense to the mission) and found almost no dust.

Sisters Keogh and Woodman baked delicious chocolate (I know,
redundant) muffins for us. 

 The sisters in Helsingborg (hel' sing bory) are Sisters Woodman and Keogh. Sister Woodman was there the last time we checked the apartment, but was quite new to Sweden. Now, she is training a new companion. She is the niece of Bishop Charlie Woodman in Reno - something we did not discover until we visited more this time. Sister Keogh is from Dundee, Scotland. We had a wonderful time discussing some of my recollections of serving there 50 years ago. Her grandfather was the first stake president of the Dundee Stake. When I served there it was a branch; the only stake was in Glasgow. I was not the best at keeping a journal, but my mother kept my old letters, so I need to go back and see who I knew from Dundee, back then.

Elders Olson and Beckman with a very full whiteboard .

The weather was biting cold and, even though it is not obvious
in this picture, there was still snow and ice on the ground outside
the elders' apartment. Still, these flowers insisted on
pushing up and declaring that it is now Spring.

Elders Olson and Beckman had such a full whiteboard that it inspired us to take pictures in front of whiteboards for the rest of the trip. Theirs was filled with the names of their investigators, baptismal candidates, goals, member resources, etc. 

From Landskrona we drove on to Malmö where we spent the night. We spent the next day assisting with the zone conference. These are always a lot of work, but also a lot of fun because we get to see many of the missionaries with whom we have become acquainted. 

This time we had the added bonus of seeing Sister Wiklöf (veek' luf) again. We stayed with her and her husband a year ago while helping with the YSA conference in Lund. She, like every person with whom my wife has ever worked, became fast friends with Olivia and was delighted to have her help in the zone conference. 

Sister Wiklöf is the stake Relief Society President and, as such, was happy to accept the responsibility of preparing the meal for the zone conference. Without a vacant apartment in the area, we were in no position to do so, this time, so we were very appreciative of her willingness. While I busied myself with other preparations, those two worked in the kitchen and visited like old friends. Give me a dollar if that surprises you. 😉

Sister Wiklöf with Olivia. This
generous woman even shared the
Ranch dressing she brought back
from Costco in Hawaii

Elder Olson, Sisters Woodman, Keogh, Datwyler, Mendenhall, Smiley, Elders Hawkins, Wilkenson, Barney, Olaveson, Malone, Allred, Sisters King, Otterson, Curtis, Elders Lee and Hambrick.

Sister Wiklöf, Elder Anthon, Pres. and Sister Youngberg, Elders Harris, Cummings, Simmons, Oldham, Tingey, Berlin,
Beckman, Sisters Shin, Kenworthy, Elder Butler, me, Craun

Elder Craun adds his greeting and well wishes to the giant card
that will go to Elder Benson who had cancer surgery after
returning home.

Elder Craun found us wherever we happened to be. We enjoyed
getting to know him when he served in the office. He committed
us to attend his homecoming when he get back to Snowflake, AZ

Elder Hawkins also served in the office
and is now in his last transfer where he
serves as a zone leader.

Early the next morning we checked out of the hotel and began a day full of apartment inspections - five in all: three in Malmö and two in Lund. Unfortunately, the timing didn't work out for Elders Anthon and Olaveson as they had to be away during our inspection, but we were able to see all the others.

Elders Wilkenson and Hawkins. In his testimony, Elder Hawkins
noted that in the group that will be going home this transfer,
Elder Anthon learned a third language, Elder Lee lost 50 lbs.
and he lost his hair. I thought he also lost weight. I was right.
He had been ill with such a high fever that his entire bed was
soaking wet just a few days before. He went back to work
after being out only a day or two. He is another hero of mine.

Sisters Curtis and Otterson - first with hair up, then hair down.
We have dealt with them both over the past few months. They
had some very challenging lights that needed replacing, but
together we figured out how to get to them.

The hams- Elders Oldham and Hambrick. It was good to see
Elder Hambrick again. This is his first area following his
serving in the office.

Sisters Mendenhall and Datwyler proudly display their
whiteboard. Sister M was obviously not looking forward to
Sister Datwyler's returning home this transfer. Can't blame her,
Sister D has served an outstanding mission

The term "tough old bird" certainly applies to swans. As we
passed by this mostly frozen pond we saw them in the ice
water sleeping with head tucked under wings, feeding from
the bottom of the pond and just paddling in the freezing water
or walking around on the ice. They are certainly regal
and beautiful creatures. 

On the grass by the swan pond was a  gaggle of geese feeding on
the new growth. It reminded us of the geese in Reno.

From the Malmö/Lund areas we traveled to Kristianstad (ker-quan' stod again, no one seems to be able to explain why it is pronounced like this, except that there is a Danish influence). 

We didn't think to get a picture of the hotel, which is too bad because it is converted from a old bank. It was comfortable, but obviously old as the floors creaked and the carpet on the stairs was quite worn. It was a First Hotel, but also named the Christian IV after the Danish king who ruled over all of Scandinavia for a time.

A building across the street was an example of old meets new
architecture. It was so cold and windy we didn't take the time
to explore, so I don't know what the buildings are used for. 

Elders A. Barney and Malone. We had become close to Elder
Malone when he served in Uppsala. He has become a
hard working district leader and exemplary missionary.
We have known Elder Barney since he worked as a
new missionary in Gubbängen as a greenie  

Elders Simmons and Allred. We had not met either of these for
one reason or another. They are certainly obedient and successful
missionaries. 

From Kristianstad we traveled to Karlskrona where there is a great naval tradition. I was informed that we should have visited the Maritime Museum while we were there. Maybe next time. It is a naval town with an academy for naval officers nearby. There is also one of the best ice cream shops in the country in the town square. Luckily, it was closed for the season. Luckily, because the hotels here have very generous breakfasts included with the price of the room. When it comes to ice cream, I am like Oscar Wilde - I can resist anything but temptation.

The amazing Elder Harris whom we have followed since he
was a greenie and Elder Cummins. As Olivia went over the
list of items to review they declared that they had no vacuum
cleaner. Upon further inspection, they found it under a lot of
other things in their closet. We are constantly surprised by
what missionaries are willing to live without. Elder Cummings
was especially happy to find that he can now vacuum rather
than simply sweep the floor.

Sisters Kenworthy and Shin. This was a fun apartment check
because while Sister K is green, she is vocal about almost
everything. Also, because we got to see Sister Shin again.
Sister S plays the piano masterfully. Her musical number
for zone conference was complex and beautiful - and
completely without sheet music.

We next took the snow blinding trip to Växjö where we spent the night. The next day we inspected our last apartment prior to returning home. Elder T. Barney is training Elder Tingey there; Elder Tingey is a quick study, but lucky to have such a mentor.

Elders Tingey and  T. Barney washing
the light cover. The bulb had burned out
some time ago, but they had just ignored
it like missionaries do. I climbed up onto
a chair and replaced it. I also repaired the
range hood that was falling down and
tightened study chairs and bed legs that
if ignored, will cause these things to break.

As we traveled we came to the Gränna exit where Olivia wanted to stop again because it is famous for the red striped peppermint candy (which they call polka) and we were out from the last time we were there. It's a quaint town with small, cobblestone streets, old stores and candy shops everywhere.
We were mostly interested, however, in visiting ruins of a small castle that we had seen in passing many times.

Olivia was fascinated by these large barns with ramps up
to the doors

They all have the Fallun red paint that is so prevalent here.

From across the expressway

Olivia at the front arch

Half way up the wall you can see where beams had been
placed for the top floor.

A view of the lake behind

From the back windows is the view of Lake Vattern and the farms below.

From inside a separate cellar looking
back up the stairs we had just descended

A diorama of the castle as it would have looked in 1645.

The castle was built as a country retreat, but later changed to serve as a dower house for the wife of Per Brahe the Younger in 1645. She died before the construction was completed, so it was used as a guest house and for other purposes until it caught fire and burned in 1708. It was never reconstructed and would not be of interest, normally, except that it is so close to the expressway that many people are curious. For that reason, a gas station and candy shop have become a tourist destination with a trail under the road leading to the ruins.It was a good break from hours of driving.

Back in our apartment we enjoyed our own bed, food Olivia has cooked and giving the car a bath. Even though it had only been a week, you could hardly tell it was blue.

OK, in this light it doesn't look so bad, but I assure you it was
the dirtiest car on the road on Saturday

Today we enjoyed a day in church with our precious friends. We got to witness a baby blessing when Evan blessed his and Gabriela's daughter, Hanne. His father is the stake president in Göteborg, so it was nice to see him, Evan's brother and brother-in-law in the circle.

Elder Grover gave the lesson in Sunday School, having been informed by the regular teacher only minutes before church started that he would not be coming. Elder Grover is a talented teacher who obviously paid attention in seminary. He skillfully elicited comments from most of the class members as he reviewed scriptures relating to the concept of enduring to the end.

As evidence that Spring is on its way, Olivia took this last picture. The temperatures are above freezing so that the snow is melting enough to form icicles.

Just outside our house was this
impressive icicle.

Love to you all and wishes for a blessed, happy week ahead.