Week 13 & 14
Well I’m pretty much a month behind in posting. So if the timeline doesn’t make sense, that’s why. Waffles & Apostles is an event the Young Single Adults (YSAs) do here in Stockholm. We liked the idea so much that we did our own event here in Västerhaninge. The first full weekend in October is General Conference for our church and it is an opportunity to listen to messages from the general authorities of the church, the Apostles and our prophet. We added a breakfast of Swedish Pancakes topped with berries and whip cream. Best of all we had three recently baptized members, Sarah, Victor and Steven. We also had two people, Michelle and Jan that had committed to baptism the following Saturday.
There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes for conference, even here in Sweden. We talked with a member of the Stake whose calling it is to translate the conference talks from English to Swedish. He had worked for days beforehand as well as others. Since conference is 10 hours of music and messages, there is a lot of translation that takes place and then once done it is rechecked. I’m grateful for these people who have this talent and ability and share it. As we watched conference that Sunday morning we all sat together as Victor listened in Greek, Michael listened in French and then Darius in Polish. The technology worked! We could all listen in our own language and still be together in this spiritual experience.
HALLOWEEN
is celebrated here in Sweden but there are some differences from back home. The Swedes started celebrating about 20 years ago. They do trunk or treating here but they also leave signs on the mailbox if they are open and ready for trick or treaters to stop by. You may be lucky enough to be offered a sausage, freshly grilled as well as a piece of candy. I looked and looked for Halloween candy here and could not find the packaged candy we have in the US. The portions are significantly less as Swedes seem to have a good handle on their sugar consumption.
This Halloween, these hippies have a message of peace and love. Our friend, Anita joined in the fun at a trunk or treat in the Handen Ward, 
Elder Garner, Elder Dent, LeAnn & Eric, Elder Acosta and Elder Belnap
Alla Helegens Dag – All Saints Day
Is a day of remembrance for loved ones who have passed. It fell on November 2nd this year. Candles were lit and placed on well kept graves. We went to one of the larger cemeteries near Stockholm, Skogskyrkangården. The place was filled with people and there was a feeling of reverence and peace. The mausoleum had beautiful paintings of people sending their relatives who had passed off to sea in boats. The music and space was beautiful!
I reflected on my beliefs of life after death and felt so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who gave us the plan of happiness wherein through covenants with God, we can return to Him and be with family members eternally.
Sending love from Sweden
The Lofgran’s