Stockholm Sweden Temple

What a wonderful opportunity we had to travel to Sweden to be in the temple with some of our young adults. The peace we feel in the temple is like recharging our batteries to go out into the world again.

When it is Norway week, the Norwegian
Flag flies next to the Swedish Flag.

Kent Brough from Middleton just arrived for a temple mission.
He previously served in Norway a few years ago and encouraged us.
The Petersons now serve in Oslo.  

Just down the road are ancient viking burial grounds
with stone markings.

Megaphone again!

Sisters Hill, Rawson and Bone

Elder Hansen doing a flip

Elders Jaccard and Hansen

Elders Boyd and Anderson

Kristiansund and General Conference

We went to K-Sund to help the missionaries, meet with members, and bring back Elders Hansen and Jaccard.

The wind in the area was about 35 mph, and this is when
the cruise ship lost its engines and had to be evacuated.

Elder Pepe celebrated his birthday with Bannana Cake!

And then a BK treat.

On the ferry boat back to Trondheim

The English Speaking group of General Conference priesthood session.

And the bishop joined us.

The Hegdal Farm

In January, we were invited by Allison and Jan Peder Hegdal to his family farm where they now live about 40 minutes from Trondheim.  It is rustic and gorgeous and on this day, it had just snowed quite a bit.  We were delayed departing home when my small-wheel base Hyundai got stuck getting out of our driveway.  The Hegdals were wonderful hosts and took us on a hike around their expansive property that included panoramic views of the valley and evidence of moose tracks.  People had built a community picnic lookout place with tables and decorations.  You can stop here, build a fire and hang out.  Just enjoy the wonderful nature . . . hiking in the winter or summer, cross-country skiing, finding wildlife or snowmobiling; all on their property.

In the home that Jan Peder's family built and lived in for many years are some unique things like the hand wood-carved corner hutch that was many years old.

Just a little snow on the patio!

In the home that Jan Peder's family built and lived in for many years are some
unique things like the hand wood-carved corner hutch that was many years old.

Moose Tracks

Man Tracks

A place to just stop over in the winter or summer and rest. . . 

. . . so we did.

The view from the rest stop.

We love these farms . . .

. . . many have these ramps leading to the upper level where
the wagons can just take the hay directly in to later drop down to the livestock.

The sun just going down in the afternoon.

The moon just coming up in late afternoon in January.

Trondheim in the Winter

We love living in Trondheim.  Surprisingly, the weather is similar to Boise winters . . . just lasts a little longer and a little darker.  During the darkest times, the sun would rise around 10:30am and set around 2:30pm.  Many days were overcast, so when the sun finally would show itself, it would hit your body like a warm blanket, no matter how cold it was.  You can actually feel the energy of the sun on your body when it has been sun-deprived.  It is a true statement that if you don't like the weather in Trondheim, just wait 20 minutes.  We can have snow, overcast, sun, windy sun, all in one hour.

One thing Norwegians know about is anything to do with the weather.  They have all the streets AND main sidewalks plowed and brushed (see below) regularly.  When they are plowing in the residential streets, the snow blower that buries front yard fences is turned off as it passes driveways so they are not plowed into drifts that block cars from escaping (like we had in Boise). Trondheim residents pride themselves on being a bike-friendly city.  People of all ages ride bikes no matter what the weather (they use studded tires in the winter), and just dress with water-proof gear. We haven't seen a fully fenced yard, so there are always people walking dogs.  When it is dark, not only do the people have reflectors on their clothes, but you will see dogs with reflector vests or sometimes flashing lights on their collars.  Norwegians can adapt to any situation.  They don't complain about the weather, they just work around it.

It takes the slush and first layer away.

This machine brushes the snow off the city sidewalks
and they have larger versions for the streets.  

Missionaries, Fun and Changes

We love the missionaries we serve with and we enjoy all the activities with them.  Sometimes we are teaching the Gospel to others, sometimes we are having some fun times, and sometimes they are being transferred and we have to say good-bye.  We have served now 26 different missionaries in our district here, and we have met many more during the time we have been in Norway.  Each has a different background and bring to the mission unique talents and strengths.  Here are just some fun photos from recent activities.

The Last North Zone Conference before reorganization of zone boundaries.

L-R Elders Gonzalez, Pepe, Matthew Hansen, Steele,
Stephenson, Baughn, Chew, Sperry, Snapp and Pres. Tew.

Elder Garlick

Elder Holyoak

L-R Sisters Barlow, Naylor, Bone, Elders Pepe, Stephenson, Hansen, Gonzalez, Naylor

Elder Snapp's Birthday celebrated at our apartment

We made breakfast cake and breakfast.  

They hung out and watch 1980's Church videos
and then worked up an appetite . . .

So we all went to the pizza buffet at the Tower Restaurant (think Seattle Space Needle)

The view from the tower restaurant.  Our house is in this picture.

The day of transfers in February we went to the Megaphone -- 
a large public art piece.

Elders Hansen and Gonzalez with a one-hand stand

Elder Gonzalez with the jump

Elder Hansen with the flip