As mentioned in the last post the Elders moved out of patron housing. Sister Haggard finished her mission and returned home to Utah. Sister Huston got a new companion and moved to Handen. We’re empty nesters again. One thing about a mission is certain, and that is that things are always changing.
Eric, LeAnn, Sister Haggard and Sister Huston.
It’s been well over a month since we had some visitors at the temple site. Sister Yee, Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency and Elder Phillips, General Authority Seventy for the church, were able to stop by the temple site and peek through the gate. Eric and I had the opportunity to pick them up, along with their companions, in Stockholm and bring them to Zone Conference in Västerhaninge. They both spoke in conference and the messages were inspiring. Sister Yee is a tender soul. As we parted, I told her how one particular part of her message was so relevant for me. It was like she completely understood me, even finishing my sentences that were hard for me to express. I felt personally ministered to that day.
Elder Phillips, Eric, LeAnn, Sister Yee, Sister and President Lake
It’s All Jul
Swedish Christmas starts with Advent. On the first Sunday that falls four weeks prior to Christmas, families light up the first advent candle and the remaining three candles are lit on each subsequent Sunday.
I couldn’t wait though. I put all my candles up mid-November and I haven’t turned them off since! Swedes are masterful with their displays of light. There’s rarely a curtain in a window, rather a light beaming into the darkness.
Julbord
Swedish smorgasbord- Christmas Table
It is the end all of smorgasbords. The Karlssons invited us to julbord at Långholmen, a former women’s prison established in 1649. It still blows my mind to think this building is over 375 years old!Over the years it had many transformations from a spinning house to a hotel. The food was delicious!
God is in the details of our lives.
”I know the end from the beginning, therefore my hand shall be over thee.”
It was 4 am when we heard the doorbell ringing downstairs waking Eric and I from our sleep. Eric ran down to open the door but then realized what time it was and he hesitated. He asked who it was and the response was a tearful, it’s Jenni. We opened the door and let Jenni in. she was almost inconsolable, but over time she calmed enough to tell us what had been going on in her life. Jenni is in a custody battle over her son, Leon. As missionaries we are counseled not to get entangled in these situations, so we do a lot of listening and offer love and support, Jenni had been over at the Swedish (state) Church praying. She was in need of help and asked God to give her a sign that He was there and that he heard her prayer. As she looked up she saw light in our house. This was before Advent and so I was the only house with lights in every window. She felt that was her answer and came for help. We’ve had several experiences now with Jenni where we’ve seen God’s hand in her life. The way in which we met her coming off the train, not being able to find her apartment in a sea of buildings that all look alike and then in desperation offering a prayer and knowing exactly where to go. His hand is over her. He is in the details of her life. We’ve seen that. It is a reminder that He is in the details of our lives and our children’s lives as well.
Sending love from Sweden 🇸🇪
Elder and Sister Lofgran