More from Sweden!

Hej från Sverige! (hello from sweden!)

My trip continues to go well! Thanks for the prayers!

Before I left for this trip, I asked God to provide me with some good opportunities for me to practice my Swedish - and He sure has!

I have been practicing my Swedish a lot since I arrived here - but today was probably the most I used it (and HAD to use it)!

I spent the morning at Ikea as well as at the centrum (mall) where my friend Lotta works (which in and of itself provided some good opportunities to talk to people in Swedish!). After meeting Lotta for middag (lunch) I decided to take the bus back to her house. It turned out to be a big adventure! I was fine on the first leg of the journey, but after I switched buses, things got interesting! Let's just say I missed my stop and really didn't know where I was! I ended up way out in the country at some little bus stop :) I had asked the bus driver, but he didn't seem to know where the stop was! I even showed him the paper I had it written on (just in case I had said it wrong), but he still looked confused! And then it turned out he didn't speak any English, so I had to ask him all my questions in Swedish (which was actually kind of fun)! I'm sure I probably sounded pretty silly, though, trying to come up with the right Swedish words in the right Swedish sentence order (I'm thankful at least for Rosetta Stone - it seems to have worked to some degree)!

At least it was a beautiful day! And the drive in the country was very nice :)
Well anyway, after talking with the bus driver, I got off and found these two nice ladies waiting at this little bus stop. They graciously helped me figure out where to go from there! I'm thankful for that! And they spoke some English, so that helped too!

Long story short, I eventually made it to where I was supposed to be! But boy was my brain tired :)

I'm sure that upon moving to Sweden, there will be many more such adventures (at least until I figure out my way around the bus system)! It'll certainly be fun learning!

Also, on a serious note, please keep the Neely family in your prayers. Ron Neely's mother passed away on Tuesday night. He is now back in the States and his sons are flying back as well (one today, one tomorrow). Please pray for them at this time.

Tack så mycket!

Hej då! (goodbye!)

,

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

Praise!

Praise the Lord! I have another new supporting church :) My support level is now up to 63%!!!!

Upcoming Sweden Trip

In the last 2 weeks, while I have not necessarily had meetings scheduled, I have been able to get involved in a number of different areas. I was able to visit a prayer meeting in Delafield where some friends of mine are starting a church. As part of that I was also able to do some phone calling for them as well. It is exciting to see the ministry potential in that area! I'm thrilled for the work that is being started there!

I was also able to spend a long weekend down in IL with my grandparents! I had a very nice time with them. Then on that Sunday I was able to visit the church where I spent the first part of my life - now a supporting church of mine! I had a great time visiting with the folks there!

Tomorrow morning, I'll be heading up to Lake Benton, MN for a meeting on Sunday. Please pray for good driving weather and for safety on the road.

I also wanted to let you know that I'll be taking a quick trip over to Sweden this next week! I'll be flying out, Lord willing, next Thursday (Aug. 20th) and will be gone for 2 weeks. I should get on Thursday September 3rd.
I would appreciate your prayer for safety as well as for ministry opportunities during the next couple of weeks!