Missionary Week #23   February 18 – February 24, 2019

Monday – We were at work by 7:00am this morning, had a normal day at work – Talked with our kids in St. Johns, AZ – because we got an Apache County Emergency notice that a Winter Weather Advisory was put in place!  They are getting ready for a big snow storm starting Thursday!  We came to Sweden to see snow!

Tuesday – It was raining on us as we headed to work.  Normal day other than John started noticing a small spot on every one of his images.  Looked like a ghost spot.  He hadn’t noticed it before but when he looked back at some previous files it was there!  John, cleaned the lens, inside and out, spot was still there. So he called our Supervisor, who is in Germany and he had their technician on the line and tried different things and they suggested trying another lens. So John went and took a lens off of the Whiteheads station, since they are gone, and the spot was gone!  So it’s inside the camera – he’ll have to mail the camera back to Germany to be sent to the repair shop….it was brand new in October. 

Sunrise 

Wednesday – We are seeing more daylight!  It is light when we go to work and by the time we get to work we see some pretty amazing sunrises!  We did get a little rain too.  Since we are coming home around 4 – 4:30 we still light – it’s amazing! 

Thursday – Nothing out of the ordinary today – however, I found I could listen to webinars (on genealogy) while I’m working – I can’t see it but I know I can watch it again at home.  So that has been fun – today I found a lady explaining Excel!  She has 3 one-hour webinars and she’s coming out with a 4^th one soon.  I had to watch that one at home.  Spread Sheets are a big help in doing research. 

Friday – I was asked to speak in Church on Sunday, so I was working on my talk.  This week has gone by fast! 

Small carriage 

Carriage - with beautiful carvings and painted sides

Saturday – We went in to Gamla Stan – Old Town to look around some more.  It’s really pretty – Old buildings, cobble stone streets.  We wandered around and ended up back at the Royal Palace and went to the Armory – which we thought would be firearms but all we could find was Carriages.  We were there at 1pm and waited until 1:30 for the English tour – but the guide was still speaking Swedish, so we left.  There were some descriptions in English, so we were able to understand those.  These carriages were all made from wood – beautiful carvings and paintings on them.  There were sleighs too.  Then we found a Ben N Jerry's shop - waffles with ice cream - yummy.

Sunday – Went to church and this was the last day for one of our Sister missionaries she will leave on Thursday.  My talk was ok.  It’s hard to tell a story a sentence or two at a time – and then have the translator say those two sentences.  A 10-minute talk turns into 20 real fast!  My translator was Niki today – she’s been on a mission and went to Temple Square just like our Jennifer. 

That’s the end of our week – looking forward to the next one.  Hope your week was a great one too.  Stay warm and safe.  Be prepared for all the crazy weather that seems to be going on!  We miss and love you!  John & Linda

Missionary Week #22 - February 11 - February 17, 2019

Missionary Week #22 – February 11 – February 17, 2019

We hope you all had a Fantastic Valentine’s Day!  We saw a few heart shaped boxes of candy…but no big displays – no hearts – they don’t really make a big deal of it!   I was lucky enough to spend the whole day with My Valentine! 

Monday – We went to work and for lunch we went to the Military Archive.  It was a nice walk especially because it wasn’t raining!  The book we ordered was on the shelf waiting for us.  The lady got it and told us to go into the reading room.  The book was in a box for protection.  I started looking through the book – page by page – I found a couple of Carl Johan Carlsson – but they weren’t mine – they didn’t have the right birth date.  I decided since I got more familiar with the book as I went through it, I thought I better go back through the beginning again – and I’m glad I did.  I found him, with the right birth date and place of birth.  So we took the book out and asked to make a copy.  The man helping us turned on a camera that was set up and showed us how to make the copy – but then he did it for us!  We took a copy of the page but it wasn’t close up so we couldn’t really read the writing, so he turned the book and made another copy!  There were two pages that went together – one was the information on the soldier and the next page was a ledger of payment.  So when we had the copies, we asked him to translate the pages for us!   

Spine of the Military Roll Book

Front Cover of the Military Roll Book

Carl Johan Carlsson born the 3^rd of May 1863 in Smedby, Dörby Parish, in Kalmar County.  Father, Jonas Gustaf Carlsson and Mother, Augusta Elisabet (there are some words I’m not sure of and will have to have it re-translated for me – I think it gives the parish where the mother was from) it then mentions a Sister Jenny Elisabet who resides in Germany. The next column is his height 5’ 9.2” The next column is his occupation – and his is “shoes horses”.  

The next column “Gift” says he is married – something I did not know and will have to do more research! The next column says that he was recruited on the 7^th day of March 1883 for 4 years contract.  He has completed that contract.  The next column is his payment in Kroner – Total of 76.66.  Then under his name – there is more – On the 27 of October 1887 he was turned over to the civil authorities (not military) for theft!  Again, something I did not know and I’ll have to look through some court records to see if I can find out why.  It never fails in research you start looking for an answer to a question and you end up with more questions! 

We returned to work after about a 2hr lunch.  We will make that up during the week.  Monday night was the going away “party” for The Whiteheads that we worked with.  It was a great dinner and we got to chat afterward and took pictures and exchanged e-mails!  They were to fly out at 6am to Paris and then after a couple hours layover then straight to Salt Lake City.  We will miss them!

Tuesday – Not to much exciting – Work, lunch, work and we left at 5:30, lots of people on the trains.  Got a couple of Marco Polo’s from two of our daughters and were able to talk to them later that evening. 

Wednesday – We went to work, John and Elder Borg had to move more boxes that showed up! 

Thursday – As we were walking up the sidewalk at work John was able to capture this! 

It was Valentine’s Day and so he surprised me by taking me to lunch!  We went to the “Good Burrito” that we found when we went with the Whiteheads.  It’s like Café Rio only you choose from 3 choices and you get a burrito or salad bowl!  But they are fast, and it is yummy.  We were back to work in 30 minutes.  

Friday – The weeks seem to go by so fast!  We download our folders that we have captured all week and send them on shuttles to Germany – they have to be packaged and UPS has to be called to come pick them up.  Then they are evaluated and then they are sent in to FamilySearch.  We quit work and walked to the Tax place, where we have to get an appointment to get an ID card – with picture.  Then we will be done with our papers to live in Sweden for another year.   Friday 7pm – laundry.  Yeah!  

Saturday – We drove into the Mission Office to pick up a package and get some other errands done.  Then we came home had lunch and got ready to go to a concert at the Stake Center in Gubanngen.  Savannah Stevenson came to Sweden from London to speak to us and have a mini- concert.  Those of you who have seen the Bible Videos put out by the church she is the actress that play’s Mary – Mother of Jesus. She plays in Theatre in England – she’s played Mary Poppins, and Glenda in Wicked. Her voice is beautiful.  If you ever get a chance to see her – you must!  Then we – 4 Senior Couples walked into Gamla Stan – the Old Part of Stockholm and went to eat.    It was a great evening and what was amazing it was about 60* during the day!   

Have a great week - Those in the USA get a holiday on Monday!  We'll be at work!  Love you and miss  you!  John and Linda

Missionary Week #21

Missionary Week #21 – February 4, 2019 – February 10, 2019

Hello Everyone!  This has been a C R A Z Y week for us – how about you? 

Monday –Pretty Normal day – off to work and back home – lots of snow, got some good pictures.

Tuesday – It begins with a normal morning – getting ready for work and walking to the station – but we had to wait a really long time – more than 10-15 minutes for our train to come in at our station ( It’s usually 1-4 minutes).  When it got to us – It was PACKED!  People in the isles and people at the doors!  So, we crunched in – and people did move a little so we could all get in.  We made it 2 stops and the train didn’t move.  On the loudspeaker – they were announcing something, but it was in Swedish!  So, we had to ask the lady standing in our right pocket what they said!  The reply was, “the train will be moving “soon”!”  Well, that was untrue!  We were all packed together – mind you still with hats, gloves, scarfs, boots and coats on for at least 20 minutes.  I was about to pass out, so we got outside and found a bench to sit on – our train did not leave for very long time.  We heard that there was technical difficulties between us and where we were going.  SO we sat on that bench for 2 hours – thinking that the next train might be a little less crowded – but they weren’t and they weren’t going any faster.  So we finally decided to walk to a bus station and try that route to get into work.  We waited for a bus for a while.  The Taxi’s were having a record-breaking day!  We were glad we don’t have to be to the Arkiv at any particular time!  Here are some pictures in the newspapers!

While we are waiting for a bus – John notices the bus across the street from us – that was taking on a lot of passengers- had it’s fuel tank hanging under the bus – touching the ground.  So, he walked over and told the driver about it and he jumps off the bus and comes over to take a look and sure enough – it’s hanging – so he goes back on his bus and tells the passengers to get off……more people without a ride! 

Our bus arrives and we go one stop (on same street) and the bus stops and the driver gets off and we get a new driver – Shift Change!  So that takes a while for the new driver to get on, takes his coat off, puts his lunch box away….and we take off and go one more stop and the driver turns off the bus and says something in Swedish – we yell out “English Please” and he says “No more traffic – end of line”   At this point we are laughing and we decide to walk back to our original starting place and get on another bus.  So we head off and get on and 16 stops later we get close to work and finish walking the rest of the way!  It was 11 by this time!  So it was a real short day, but it also seemed like it was about 4 days rolled into one!  Oh, by the way, it was snowing also.

Wednesday – Trains were working, and we got to work and back home and everything was fine! 

Thursday – We headed to our train station – and got to the bottom of the stairs – and a man is coming back down and tells us first in Swedish – and then in English when we told him we didn’t speak Swedish, that the train lines were broke today – no trains running, and we needed to get to the bus stops.  We walked to where a bunch of people were standing – and the first bus finally came by – so many people on it we said we weren’t doing that again.  So, we walked to Alvik – ¾ mile away and caught another type of train and we headed north and came in to work that way – by passing the problem areas.  We were only 2 hours late today. 

Friday – no problems with the trains – and there were not many people on them, I don’t think people trusted them and found a different way to work!  We took our Senior couple we work with to lunch – because this was their last day of work, they are going home Tuesday – to Price, Utah.  So we are down to two couples capturing documents – and it may stay that way for up to 6 months. 

Saturday – we went back to Ostermälms a little further north east than the Royal Stables to the Krigsarkivette – The War or Military Archive.  We got there a few minutes after 12 Noon and they stop “ordering” items at Noon.  But you can put in your order and they will be ready the next work day.  I wanted whatever records they had for my Great Grandfather who was a Royal Trooper - on horse. As I explained what history I knew the guy that was at the help desk was checking to see what Books and volumes of documents that I needed to order and then he remembered that one of the volumes I needed was digitized and on Arkiv Digital – so we went to the computer – and another lady came over to help also and she found what I needed.  It is like the Register of Enlistment for all the soldiers – so at the front of the book there are the officers, then 1^st Squadron, then 2^nd Squadron, and then 3^rd Squadron.  We had to find out which Squadron he was in and then each of the men are given a number.  Karl Johan Karlsson – was in the 2^nd Squadron and he is Soldier #9!  (Notice the K in Karl – I’ve seen it a C and a K in his records.  His daughter Hilda - said he always signed his name C.J. Karlson)

Karl Johan Karlsson Record of Enlistment 1885

My picture here is a pic from my phone of the photo copy of the record.  They don’t allow cameras in the Arkiv, but I will be able to get a better, clearer copy when I can get into Arkiv Digital myself – I need to subscribe to it, but it will be well worth it! 

Here is the translation – He is at the top of the page – You can see his Soldier Number is 9 and his name. Under his name is where he was born, Smedby, Dörby Parish, Kalmar County, and his birthdate of 3^rd of May 1863 and the date he was recruited 7 March 1883.  He’s completed a contract for 2yrs 3months and is signing up for another contract for 2yr 3months. His age is 22 and 1 month (? I’ll have to see it blown up!) He is 5’ 9.2 “ (A little bit more than US measurements) He is unmarried, he is Lutheran and he is a blacksmith. The next column is about his horse!  He had a mare, brown in color with a star on her forehead, she is 13ys old and her height is 5’ 8” (looks like an 8- will have to see this blown up too) There is a faint number under this writing but the lady didn’t know what it referred to – I’ll have to ask more people) The last column (with writing) says he was Approved and the check marks mean he was Present.  So, this is from the Non-territorial Parish of Livgardet till häst for the years 1881-1885 and on page 4420 – of the Arkiv Digital pages.  

We went out to eat at the Pizza place across the street from us Saturday night.  It was a cozy little shop and the food was great – we went for pizza, but they also had Pasta – we had Fettuccini Alfredo with Kyckling (chicken) and Championjoner (mushrooms). It was wonderful! 

Sunday - We went to church today and it was packed – well OK there were about 50 people but compared to last week when we started with 16 people I considered it packed!  Of course it helped that the weather was beautiful, the sun was out and it was 40*F.  The forecast for this next week is some more of the same! 

I’ve decided to let you learn a little Swedish each week!

Sunday – Söndag (pronounced Sunda)

Monday – Måndag (pronounced moandaw some say the g is silent others say it’s ok to say the g)

Tuesday – Tisdag (pronounced Tisda)

Wednesday – Onsdag (pronounced Ownsda)

Thursday – Torsdag (pronounced Torshda)

Friday – Fredag (pronounced Freeada)

Saturday – Lördag (pronounced Loreda)

Better check Google Translate!

Have a great week!  We’re thinking of you and miss you all so much!   John & Linda

Remember to check our blog – same e-mail info but more pictures.

https://adventureswiththerichardsonsinsweden.blogspot.com/

Missionary Week #20

Missionary Week #20 – January 28, 2019 – February 3, 2019

Happy February!   

Monday – Off to work, we had more snow during the night – so it was a little thicker walking to work.  We had a good day at work.  Our highlight was being able to talk to our kids and see a few of the grand-kids when we got home after work!  

On our way to the Train Station

Bikes at the Station

We've arrived at work & someone kindly cleared a path!

 Tuesday – Wednesday - Were Regular days of work and we are seeing a little more snow!  It really is beautiful. But a little tricky walking!

Thursday – We had a change of pace and headed to Handen for Zone Conference.  Every 6 weeks, for at least 2 days – What a great day.  We had a visiting General Authority Elder Massimo De Feo.  He spoke in the morning session of our conference and then again in the afternoon.  He greeted each missionary individually, row by row.  Pretty impressive. Great messages on being unselfish and how we can help others by showing love toward one another.  We were so glad to see “our Missionaries” from our Jacobsberg Ward – the ones we first met when we came here.  They were sure fun to watch, - by that I mean how they talk to everybody, their gospel knowledge, their talents whether it be singing or playing the piano, and their talks in Church are pretty powerful – when you think that they are 18+!  Our current Missionaries – the Elders – we have one Elder from Snowflake, Az!!! That’s only 45 miles away from home.  He gave a talk a couple of weeks ago that I will refer to again and again.  He spoke how he was in Football 😊 and had an older brother in Football, and always tried to compare himself to his brother – was he getting more tackles, more sacks, more yardage etc.  Then his brother graduated and told him when he left – that he wanted him to break his(the brothers) records.  So the next year he tried his hardest, but didn’t feel that he was breaking any of his brothers records.  That’s when the coach pulled him aside and had him look at his own record from the year before and asked him what he saw.  He saw that he had improved HIS own record by more than double!  That’s when he realized he’d been mistaken to compare to anybody else and now he tries to remember and see how he has improved and that’s what he strives to do…be better everyday!  I loved it and want to share it with all my grandkids!!! 

Friday – We were back to work and of course it was snowing a little more and seemed to snow all through the day and night.  Course we had our date night 7pm Laundry. 

Saturday – We headed into Stockholm to go visit the Royal Stables.  At 1pm they have an English tour.  We are so glad we did, it was pretty amazing.  They told us in the Stockholm area there was an Equine virus(?) so we had to use hand gel and step in a disinfectant with our boots and couldn’t touch walls or the horses.  But it was a great tour.  

Horses out in the yard 

The Current Covered Carriage used for the King & Queen

We were shown the current and older carriages and 2 cars that the Royals ride in for special events and some great stories that went with them.  Then we went to the tack room where the harnesses, bridles, whips, bells were stored – how they take care of them and the Gold trim was for the King and Silver trim was used for the Queen.  

They explained how they name their horses, they buy 4yr -5 olds with good temperaments and they keep them until they’re 20yrs old then they can retire and there is a list of people who want to buy them! 

Our Guide Lars Nilsson

Cabinet of Horse Names

"Rataplan" 2002
A Swedish Warmblood

They rename the horses when they get them for example if their name starts with an E they come to their “Registered” names and pick a name that hasn’t been used in a long time that starts with E.  I have pictures of the cabinet with all the names. They had great records!  Then we got to see the horses in the stalls, The guide has worked with them for a very long time and he showed us the horse he rides, he said “He doesn’t like any of the other horses and there was something else he didn’t like – like riding in back or front, anyway – he knew all the quirks…..The horses all are on a schedule.  They get fed at 6am, then they get to be outside for an hour – in the “sun” by law!  Horses have to be allowed to be outside for one hour a day.  Someone asked him – how about the humans do they get an hour outside too?  The guide said – there is no law for humans – just horses!  Our tour was finished and as we were walking back to the main entrance, I told him my Great- Grandfather had been a Royal Trooper for King Oskar from 1883 – 1887, and the story that had been handed down to our family was that he was able to work with the Kings horse because he was close to the same stature as the King and the King wanted him to work with his horse.  So I asked where I could find more info on him, and he told me to go to the Krigsarkiv – or War Archive.  So we will be finding that next!   We had a great conversation – but it ended because he had to go give a Swedish Tour.  The day was beautiful – cold but no snow, and we got home and it snowed the rest of the day and through the night.  So much accumulated that we took the train to church instead of trying to drive in it!

Sunday – When we got to church there was 16 people!  A few more came in bit by bit as they were able to find their way.  The buses weren’t running at all and someone had heard on the radio that if you didn’t have to drive – don’t!

We hope that you have a warm and safe week wherever you are!  We love you and think of you often!  John & Linda