Midsommer 2011 and some other stuff

–  Another week has come to an end here in Göteborg.  We have had a busy time.  Last Sunday the girl in charge of FHE called to see if we knew who was doing the lesson for family night on Monday.  I said I didn’t know who it was but that I was certain someone had signed up.  Monday when we got to the center we discovered that the person who had signed up had crossed her name off.  I called the chairperson back and she asked if one of us could do it.  Well, of course we could.  Dad had done it last time so I did it this time.  We talked about ways to get your testimony into your heart so it is the essence of who you are instead of like a coat you just wear.  Wednesday was the first summer institute class taught by the institute director.  When he was a teenager he and 2 of his brothers won a huge European singing contest with a song called “the golden shoes.”  They were big celebrities here in Sweden for a long time.  He did his talk on the art of walking in golden shoes, or how to have a happy life.  It was mostly in Swedish so I didn’t sit in the class but there were about 25 there to listen and everyone seemed to enjoy it.  We had spent the morning traveling to TrollhÃ¥tten to inspect the apartment there –  1 ½ hours to get there,  20 minutes to do the job, 1 ½ hours back home!  But it was the last one so we are finished for another 3 months.  Thursday was so slow we came home about 7:30.  And the center was closed on Friday because it was that excuse for a party the Swedes call ‘midsommar.’  We had plans to attend the celebration in Utby where most of the missionaries were going, as well as several of the YSA.  The party started at 11.

Midsommer 2011

The rain started at 11:30.  It was windy, rainy and cold most of the day.  But we partied anyway.  Next summer when Dad and I are home we should have a Swedish reunion and do all the fun midsommar things  –  except we won’t eat the pickled herring or the raw smoked salmon.   Saturday was a rainy day too so we didn’t do much outside.  There was a baptism in Utby and we had to take some cookies.  I made chocolate peanut butter cloud cookies.  They are simple to make and very delicious.  They are made from a cake mix!  The elders claim they are addicting, but I doubt it.  Today, of course, is a beautiful day of blue skies and sunshine, no wind and about 70.  Hopefully it is a sign that summer is here at last in the frozen north.  The sun comes up about 3am and it gets dark about 11:30pm.  Thank heaven for the black blind!!

We hope all is well with all of you –  that you are healthy and happy and enjoying your summer.  We love you and think of you often.  You are always in our prayers.  Whatever you do,  don’t forget your name!!    love,  Mom and Dad,  Grandma and Grandpa,  Nikki and Robert