Jag är i Sverige!

I am having a wonderful time in Sweden! My plane landed at Arlanda International Airport in Stockholm at about 7:25 am last Friday morning (12:25am WI time). Joe and Ursula Morell picked me up at the airport and I spent an enjoyable day with their family :) I stayed up the entire day (thankfully without ever getting too tired!), went to bed just a little bit early, and managed to sleep through the entire night! I felt pretty well rested come morning - and ready to hit phase 2 of my travel plans :) I'm thankful I didn't get hit with jet lag too bad!

On Saturday afternoon, Ursula dropped me off at the train station in Stockholm and I took a train into Jönköping. What a beautiful day for a train ride it was too! The scenery was incredible - farms, meadows, lakes, rivers, small towns, etc.! (This is the real Sweden!)

About 3 1/2 hours later, after a brief train switch in the town of Nässjö, I arrived in Jönköping!

I've very much enjoyed being here! I feel right at home in this place :) I've been able to see a lot and learn a lot! And I love listening to the Swedish language! Though I don't understand a great deal, I have been able to understand a little bit - and I've also been able to practice what I have been learning :) That has been fun!

The weather has been great too! Sweater weather most days - especially in the mornings and evenings. In the afternoons, it has averaged in the upper 60's/lower 70's - complete with sunshine and cool breeze! Not much humidity :) It did rain some on Saturday morning, but it didn't last - and the rain was nice and relaxing!

Since Saturday, I've been staying with the Ron Neely family (missionary family here at the church in Jönköping), but later this afternoon I'm going to go stay with Lotta, a friend of mine from here :) I'm looking forward to spending time with her and her kids!

Lotta and I are also going to try to meet up with Jennifer, my penpal here in Sweden. Jennifer only lives an hour or less from Jönköping, so it is a doable trip! I pray it will all work out :)

I do ask that you please pray for Ron Neely. He just got word that his mother in WV is doing very poorly physically and isn't expected to live very long. He flew out today to go be with her. Please pray for his entire family at this time.

Well, that is all for now! I'll try to write more later :)
Thanks for your prayers!

*pics: 1. a view from Taberg Mountain (the tallest point in the Småland region and a historically significant old mining area) 2. Sofia Kyrkan (largest Lutheran church in Jönköping) 3. a view from Jönköping's Stadparken (city park) 4. Bibel Baptist Församlingen (Bible Baptist Assembly) - the Neely's church 5. a swedish flag 6./7. two more views from Taberg Mt. 8. pretty landscaping on top of Taberg Mt. 9. Ron and Inga Neely 10. Jönköping and Lake Vättern