Subject: Red Beet Salad and Meat Jello
God Jul!
It's been a fine week. Just like the US a couple of weeks ago, we had
some extreme weather swings here as well. After the snow cleared up, the temperature dropped to -25 C and then the next day was -30. (the 23rd and 24th). It was crazy! We were really excited to take pictures of that formidable -30 on the car thermometer, but not so excited to be out in it. I decided that -25 is just too cold to go out contacting. Maybe -20, but I reached my limit at -25. Plus Sis Kiser doesn't have any proper tights, so she just curls up in her jacket and disappears at that temperature. We are also really excited about the fact that it hasn't been this cold before Christmas in 150 years! Yay!
They are expecting -40 C in January, February. Yay! (I actually am excited about that). It's a balmy -7 today. With the heavy snow on Tuesday and then the Christmas weekend and everyone going out of town, we didn't have very many appointments this week. We are teaching E, this really cool Pentacostal guy from Nigeria. He is open to reading the Book of Mormon though he won't accept that it could be scripture. He did say after we read Moroni 10 that he likes it better than the Book of the Maccabees or the Apocrypha, so there's something.
Christmas Eve was the big day, so we went over to the Stegeby's for the whole afternoon. They had almost all their family over and another family from church, so the house was just packed. I must admit that most everything I've eaten in Sweden to this point has been fairly standard. If reindeer sandwiches are standard. But, the Jul Bord was definitely an experience. I love the pickled herring and the rice pudding with fruit and juice on top. And red beet salad was already a favorite. But I must say the jello-y meat stuff that I still don't know what it was is interesting. Probably won't make that part of my Christmas tradition. After dinner we watched Kalle Anka, which is little clips from Disney cartoons (it's tradition!) and then had a little Christmas program. Then jul tomten came! It was the Norwegian son-in-law. They were making jokes about him putting on a Finnish accent so that they kids wouldn't recognize him, but sure enough, one of the older boys knew immediately because of his particular way of speaking. The kid almost spoiled it for everybody. It was funny, though. He gave out gifts to the expectant kids, and I even got a present from him too! It was a fun day. Freezing cold, but fun.
Christmas was slow. We baked and got plates of goodies for our neighbors together which we gave out the next day. They were all very surprised and appreciative (I'm pretty sure Swedes don't do that). Talked to the family. That was wonderful. And then we went to dinner at a part Scottish family. We did the popper tradition thing (see Harry Potter?) and had turkey and cranberry sauce and and brussel sprouts and chutney! It was delicious!
Oh, yes, we opened presents as well. Thanks everybody for everything. I'll get thank you cards out in February probably ;)
In church yesterday we had a musical Christmas program as usual and I got to play the flute. There were some glitches, but it was still a lot of fun.
Both Sister Kiser and I have colds which makes life fun. Especially the foot of snow we found in the church parking lot when we got here today. Yay shoveling snow! We could only get halfway up the drive with what we'd done, so we hope the plow doesn't come while we are in here. If not, we have a lot of work to do before Sunday...
Well, I think that's it for this week. We are hoping everything will pick up again with the new year. It should be fantastic. Love you all!
Syster Maxwell
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Week 39
Hejsan Allihopa!
One more day! It's 2:45 now and almost dark. It's been snowing the last few days, so the snow is about 2 ft deep now I think. Or maybe more. It's hard to tell. It might be up to my hips, actually, so that's deeper.
So last Tuesday we had a miracle day. Everything we planned happened, and we were on time to everything. This included a really positive teach with a girl who missed her baptismal date last year, but still wants to be baptized :) Wednesday we drove to Hudiksvall, about an hour and a half away to teach S & E, a couple who the missionaries have been teaching pretty consistently for the last 3 years. S has been in contact with the church for 40 years, since his first wife passed away. It's really hard. He's so ready and knows everything. Just stubborn. We of course have that faith that all new missionaries to an area do that we can be led to say something that will change his heart, but it comes down to his agency. He has to choose.
So from there we drove back to Sundsvall and caught the train to Stockholm for the combined zone conference/Christmas party. Our train was delayed because of a wreck, so we didn't get in until 10:18, so that made for a late night. We stayed at the mission home with all the other sisters, so it was a party :) It was great catching up on how the work in Örebro is going. It hasn't been long, but everyone is doing great and RR was baptized on Saturday. Yay!
The conference was fun. We sang and played and learned. We had a gift exchange and I got a Santa beard and hat. It was very exciting :) Another highlight from the week was Saturday when we met with a recent convert who just moved up here and his non-member friend. They are from Africa and came to Sundsvall to look for work. They were living in the train station here, but someone found out and hotels in the community offered them a place to stay for the short term. The branch offered them help getting to church and made sure they were ok, and they said, thanks but no thanks. We've seen them off and on and this time went and read Mosiah 24 with them to help them feel comforted.
The Spirit was so strong, but after we had borne testimony, the friend started a rant about how what we give him does him no good and he needs something tangible. He'll go to a church that can help him. We listened to him rail on white people for a good 15 minutes. He blamed our ancestors for his misfortune and said if his friend was American, the Church would have helped them a long time ago. I let him know that they had said no to our offers of help. Once he realized that he was nice again and they both said that had been a miscommunication and they did want a place to stay and help from us. It was sad to hear him talk about Europeans in such a derogatory way. A lot of what he said was true, but there was much that wasn't. He said a lot of things I could comment on (which technically I'm not supposed to), but in the end, their situation is really sad, and I wish I could do something to help, but all I have is my testimony and the scriptures, so that has to be help enough for now.
Well, in lighter news, I get to play the flute in church on Sunday, and we had a really yummy dinner with the Muslim couple we visited last Sunday. They are so nice and I wish we could be their friends...
Well, it's 3:15 and dark outside. Just going to get better from here!
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas! It's such a great time to remember our Savior and share that good news with those we love. As the advertisement in the window of Lindex says, "Do good. Feel good. Look good." Not in that order. I love you all!
Syster Maxwell
P.S. Thanks Mike and Shelley for the Christmas package. We were very excited to get all your greetings and treats!
One more day! It's 2:45 now and almost dark. It's been snowing the last few days, so the snow is about 2 ft deep now I think. Or maybe more. It's hard to tell. It might be up to my hips, actually, so that's deeper.
So last Tuesday we had a miracle day. Everything we planned happened, and we were on time to everything. This included a really positive teach with a girl who missed her baptismal date last year, but still wants to be baptized :) Wednesday we drove to Hudiksvall, about an hour and a half away to teach S & E, a couple who the missionaries have been teaching pretty consistently for the last 3 years. S has been in contact with the church for 40 years, since his first wife passed away. It's really hard. He's so ready and knows everything. Just stubborn. We of course have that faith that all new missionaries to an area do that we can be led to say something that will change his heart, but it comes down to his agency. He has to choose.
So from there we drove back to Sundsvall and caught the train to Stockholm for the combined zone conference/Christmas party. Our train was delayed because of a wreck, so we didn't get in until 10:18, so that made for a late night. We stayed at the mission home with all the other sisters, so it was a party :) It was great catching up on how the work in Örebro is going. It hasn't been long, but everyone is doing great and RR was baptized on Saturday. Yay!
The conference was fun. We sang and played and learned. We had a gift exchange and I got a Santa beard and hat. It was very exciting :) Another highlight from the week was Saturday when we met with a recent convert who just moved up here and his non-member friend. They are from Africa and came to Sundsvall to look for work. They were living in the train station here, but someone found out and hotels in the community offered them a place to stay for the short term. The branch offered them help getting to church and made sure they were ok, and they said, thanks but no thanks. We've seen them off and on and this time went and read Mosiah 24 with them to help them feel comforted.
The Spirit was so strong, but after we had borne testimony, the friend started a rant about how what we give him does him no good and he needs something tangible. He'll go to a church that can help him. We listened to him rail on white people for a good 15 minutes. He blamed our ancestors for his misfortune and said if his friend was American, the Church would have helped them a long time ago. I let him know that they had said no to our offers of help. Once he realized that he was nice again and they both said that had been a miscommunication and they did want a place to stay and help from us. It was sad to hear him talk about Europeans in such a derogatory way. A lot of what he said was true, but there was much that wasn't. He said a lot of things I could comment on (which technically I'm not supposed to), but in the end, their situation is really sad, and I wish I could do something to help, but all I have is my testimony and the scriptures, so that has to be help enough for now.
Well, in lighter news, I get to play the flute in church on Sunday, and we had a really yummy dinner with the Muslim couple we visited last Sunday. They are so nice and I wish we could be their friends...
Well, it's 3:15 and dark outside. Just going to get better from here!
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas! It's such a great time to remember our Savior and share that good news with those we love. As the advertisement in the window of Lindex says, "Do good. Feel good. Look good." Not in that order. I love you all!
Syster Maxwell
P.S. Thanks Mike and Shelley for the Christmas package. We were very excited to get all your greetings and treats!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Week 38
Subject: Christmas time is here!
Hey everybody!
Just 8 days until the winter equinox! It's a nice -15 C out today and gray. I christened my long down coat yesterday. It was wonderful! I love it even though it looks like a sack.
I finally saw the driver's safety video, so Sis Kiser is allowing me to drive :) I'm finally getting used to sliding around the round abouts.
The work this week has been slow. We have a lot of finding to do! We also are going to really try and work double hard to get us through the winter.
We went caroling on Thursday as a district. It was really fun and we only got made fun of by 2 kids :) and we got a phone number! Elder Argyle is our zone leader and he's really fun. He whooped and hollered Merry Christmas after every set and just loved it :)
Last night we visited a lady who is Swedish but converted to Islam. There was another couple visiting them. The wife was also a converted Muslim. It was weird to come upstairs and see a Christmas tree and two veiled women making Christmas ginger cookies with their kids :) After that we had Christmas rice pudding with the ward and watched the rebroadcast of the Christmas devotional. It was lovely.
Well, I have to go. We have to cut P-day short to drive out to Bräcke. I love you all. Your prayers and letters as so appreciated. When I finally get my grad school stuff written (very slow process), I promise I'll write. Love you!
Syster M
Hey everybody!
Just 8 days until the winter equinox! It's a nice -15 C out today and gray. I christened my long down coat yesterday. It was wonderful! I love it even though it looks like a sack.
I finally saw the driver's safety video, so Sis Kiser is allowing me to drive :) I'm finally getting used to sliding around the round abouts.
The work this week has been slow. We have a lot of finding to do! We also are going to really try and work double hard to get us through the winter.
We went caroling on Thursday as a district. It was really fun and we only got made fun of by 2 kids :) and we got a phone number! Elder Argyle is our zone leader and he's really fun. He whooped and hollered Merry Christmas after every set and just loved it :)
Last night we visited a lady who is Swedish but converted to Islam. There was another couple visiting them. The wife was also a converted Muslim. It was weird to come upstairs and see a Christmas tree and two veiled women making Christmas ginger cookies with their kids :) After that we had Christmas rice pudding with the ward and watched the rebroadcast of the Christmas devotional. It was lovely.
Well, I have to go. We have to cut P-day short to drive out to Bräcke. I love you all. Your prayers and letters as so appreciated. When I finally get my grad school stuff written (very slow process), I promise I'll write. Love you!
Syster M
Monday, December 6, 2010
Week 37
Subject: Laundry day...
Hey everyone.
I don't like being transferred. It's really fun to have new adventures, but I think I've decided I don't actually like change. New people and adventures, yes. An overhaul of everyone and everything that's familiar. Not really, no. It's amazing what a difference the light makes. Even being in a dark car instead of a lighted bus for a lot of the day is more depressing. Only two more weeks until the winter solstice! It'll just get better from there. It actually doesn't feel as cold as Örebro here either, so that's nice. It's a balmy -5 C today.
My new companion is Sister Kiser from West Virginia. This is her second transfer and she's already a pro. She still struggles with the Swedish a little, so it puts the pressure on me a bit. I actually have to closely pay attention to everything now. It was strange how much I already knew about Sundsvall from Sis Robinson and Sis Porkka. I've had 4 months of reminiscing about Sundsvall. Like Dad said, it's picturesque...in the summer. We'll see if I stay that long. I might. This transfer lasts until the first week in March, and if I stay one more, I'll get to see it at almost spring (end of April).
The people in the branch here are great. Lots of faithful members. There are about 70 people that attend every week, so smaller than Örebro, but larger than Jakobsberg. But, going back. Thursday was transfer day. My newly attached wheels held up just fine except for the fact that they only roll straight when the suitcase is at a 30 degree angle and pushed. I think they might have helped support the other wheels a little at least. I was always bad at that part of physics, they whole visualizing the angle things move.
Funny thing happened on Wednesday. As we were finishing up emailing, Sis Porkka was reading the travel plans that they zone leaders get. She has them forward them to her because they have funny comments. She looked at the Lund sister's plans and said, "What?!" Turns out they were coming to our place to stay the night in about an hour. We thought maybe plans had changed or it was a mistake, but sure enough, we called them and they were on their way. They missed their train, though and came a little later, so that gave us time for the dinner and lesson we had scheduled. We were at the teach for-e-ver, so we found the poor sisters sleeping on our stairs when we got back. It was eyelash freezing cold that night, so luckily they were inside the building. The next day we were up at 5 to catch the train to Stockholm. I was at the ring for 5 and a half hours. It was ok. Then sister Kiser came and we left for our 3 and a half hour train ride up to Sundsvall with a couple of elders who were also going up to Norrland.
The last weekend has been weird and I feel like my mind is mush. We've met a number of people and I think after some time I'll like it here. The apartment is beautiful and the kitchen is well stocked. And there are plants! I was sad to leave my little guy behind, but I've still got some green this winter. One of them has grown up against the window in a position that looks like he's screaming, "Let me out! Let me out!" or "Come back sun!" I'll have to forward the picture next time.
Well, that's it for now. I'm excited about Christmas. It's such a wonderful season to remember our Savior. I hope you all can do that amidst all the chaos :) Yay for being a missionary!
Love,
Syster Maxwell
PS Laundry here stinks!!! Literally.
Hey everyone.
I don't like being transferred. It's really fun to have new adventures, but I think I've decided I don't actually like change. New people and adventures, yes. An overhaul of everyone and everything that's familiar. Not really, no. It's amazing what a difference the light makes. Even being in a dark car instead of a lighted bus for a lot of the day is more depressing. Only two more weeks until the winter solstice! It'll just get better from there. It actually doesn't feel as cold as Örebro here either, so that's nice. It's a balmy -5 C today.
My new companion is Sister Kiser from West Virginia. This is her second transfer and she's already a pro. She still struggles with the Swedish a little, so it puts the pressure on me a bit. I actually have to closely pay attention to everything now. It was strange how much I already knew about Sundsvall from Sis Robinson and Sis Porkka. I've had 4 months of reminiscing about Sundsvall. Like Dad said, it's picturesque...in the summer. We'll see if I stay that long. I might. This transfer lasts until the first week in March, and if I stay one more, I'll get to see it at almost spring (end of April).
The people in the branch here are great. Lots of faithful members. There are about 70 people that attend every week, so smaller than Örebro, but larger than Jakobsberg. But, going back. Thursday was transfer day. My newly attached wheels held up just fine except for the fact that they only roll straight when the suitcase is at a 30 degree angle and pushed. I think they might have helped support the other wheels a little at least. I was always bad at that part of physics, they whole visualizing the angle things move.
Funny thing happened on Wednesday. As we were finishing up emailing, Sis Porkka was reading the travel plans that they zone leaders get. She has them forward them to her because they have funny comments. She looked at the Lund sister's plans and said, "What?!" Turns out they were coming to our place to stay the night in about an hour. We thought maybe plans had changed or it was a mistake, but sure enough, we called them and they were on their way. They missed their train, though and came a little later, so that gave us time for the dinner and lesson we had scheduled. We were at the teach for-e-ver, so we found the poor sisters sleeping on our stairs when we got back. It was eyelash freezing cold that night, so luckily they were inside the building. The next day we were up at 5 to catch the train to Stockholm. I was at the ring for 5 and a half hours. It was ok. Then sister Kiser came and we left for our 3 and a half hour train ride up to Sundsvall with a couple of elders who were also going up to Norrland.
The last weekend has been weird and I feel like my mind is mush. We've met a number of people and I think after some time I'll like it here. The apartment is beautiful and the kitchen is well stocked. And there are plants! I was sad to leave my little guy behind, but I've still got some green this winter. One of them has grown up against the window in a position that looks like he's screaming, "Let me out! Let me out!" or "Come back sun!" I'll have to forward the picture next time.
Well, that's it for now. I'm excited about Christmas. It's such a wonderful season to remember our Savior. I hope you all can do that amidst all the chaos :) Yay for being a missionary!
Love,
Syster Maxwell
PS Laundry here stinks!!! Literally.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Week 36
Subject: It’s Cold Up Here!
So this week has been crazy. There is so much to tell and I have no time. First of all, responses to people. Grandma, can you please tell the lady in your ward that the hat, mittens, and scarf have been absolutely wonderful. You can tell her 'tack så hemskt mycket' (roughly said tahk so hemskt micket) from me. :) Also, Sis Lee, the snow looked like it would melt that first day. The temperatures got up to 8 degrees, but then this last week it snowed the entire week. We didn't see the sun until Saturday. It was lovely though. It was like living in a snow globe. But, now, there is about a foot of snow, so I think it's here to stay. Today and yesterday have been nose-hair freezing cold. It's beginning!
The big news is that I'm getting transferred to Sundsvall, so it looks like you were in inspired to buy me that awesome winter coat after all, Mom, since I'll be able to use it. I might even get to see the northern lights if I'm lucky. I hope so! Sister Porkka will be training here in Örebro. The irony is that each of us got what the other one wanted, but I've wanted to go to Sundsvall since I came, but not in winter... We will have a car though and I'll have some bragging rights when I get back.
It's hard to describe the last week and a half. We've have some really cool teaches with amazing people. We had a little miracle this last week. We got back from Nora and had 15 minutes before our bus came to go to another teach. I really felt like we should go contacting. We got to the intersection, and I felt like we needed to go around the building to the right. I pointed to that direction and said, "We need to go that way and we are going to find someone to teach." We walked a block and contacted the lady coming. She is Iranian and has been here 5 years and thought it would be ok for us to come over. She gave us a typical Muslim reply about liking all religions, so I was just grateful for the appointment. Turns out she really likes Jesus and one of her daughters is even Christian in the US. The teach with her was great even though her Swedish is rough. That probably sounds run of the mill, but that hasn't really happened that often on my mission.
Last district meeting was really weird. There was a new convert that came to go with the elders to a baptismal interview who is trained in Russian Martial Arts. He taught us how to punch with impact and how to take punches, so we spent the last part of our time together practicing on each other. It was a great unity building activity and would have seemed very strange to an onlooker, but it was awesome. That was Thanksgiving. It was the lamest thanksgiving ever. My district leader did try to make it nice by buying ginger ale and cranberry juice, but really it was a blip. We shared a spiritual thought about thanksgiving, then he said, 'Well, Thanksgivings over. Now on to Christmas!' and then talked about our mission goals for December. I celebrated properly by making a sweet potato pie last night. They don't really sell canned pumpkin here.
Well, I'm out of time. I'll report next time from Norrland! Oh, and, Mom, it was probably good I didn't get the packages because then I don't have to move them too! It all worked out! Thanksgiving at home sounded really fun! Have a great week everyone!
Sys M
So this week has been crazy. There is so much to tell and I have no time. First of all, responses to people. Grandma, can you please tell the lady in your ward that the hat, mittens, and scarf have been absolutely wonderful. You can tell her 'tack så hemskt mycket' (roughly said tahk so hemskt micket) from me. :) Also, Sis Lee, the snow looked like it would melt that first day. The temperatures got up to 8 degrees, but then this last week it snowed the entire week. We didn't see the sun until Saturday. It was lovely though. It was like living in a snow globe. But, now, there is about a foot of snow, so I think it's here to stay. Today and yesterday have been nose-hair freezing cold. It's beginning!
The big news is that I'm getting transferred to Sundsvall, so it looks like you were in inspired to buy me that awesome winter coat after all, Mom, since I'll be able to use it. I might even get to see the northern lights if I'm lucky. I hope so! Sister Porkka will be training here in Örebro. The irony is that each of us got what the other one wanted, but I've wanted to go to Sundsvall since I came, but not in winter... We will have a car though and I'll have some bragging rights when I get back.
It's hard to describe the last week and a half. We've have some really cool teaches with amazing people. We had a little miracle this last week. We got back from Nora and had 15 minutes before our bus came to go to another teach. I really felt like we should go contacting. We got to the intersection, and I felt like we needed to go around the building to the right. I pointed to that direction and said, "We need to go that way and we are going to find someone to teach." We walked a block and contacted the lady coming. She is Iranian and has been here 5 years and thought it would be ok for us to come over. She gave us a typical Muslim reply about liking all religions, so I was just grateful for the appointment. Turns out she really likes Jesus and one of her daughters is even Christian in the US. The teach with her was great even though her Swedish is rough. That probably sounds run of the mill, but that hasn't really happened that often on my mission.
Last district meeting was really weird. There was a new convert that came to go with the elders to a baptismal interview who is trained in Russian Martial Arts. He taught us how to punch with impact and how to take punches, so we spent the last part of our time together practicing on each other. It was a great unity building activity and would have seemed very strange to an onlooker, but it was awesome. That was Thanksgiving. It was the lamest thanksgiving ever. My district leader did try to make it nice by buying ginger ale and cranberry juice, but really it was a blip. We shared a spiritual thought about thanksgiving, then he said, 'Well, Thanksgivings over. Now on to Christmas!' and then talked about our mission goals for December. I celebrated properly by making a sweet potato pie last night. They don't really sell canned pumpkin here.
Well, I'm out of time. I'll report next time from Norrland! Oh, and, Mom, it was probably good I didn't get the packages because then I don't have to move them too! It all worked out! Thanksgiving at home sounded really fun! Have a great week everyone!
Sys M
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