January 10, 2012
We are doing well here in the little town of Byske. It is snowing here for a change (ha-ha). We have had a lot of snow in the past week. It doesn't melt. However, the little town has constant plows that are clearing the roads (they never get cleared down to the pavement--just the last layer). The sidewalks are right next to the street, so they get cleared at the same time--you can't see where the sidewalk ends and the road begins. Our first week here it was fairly mild comparatively and we didn't have snow so the places to walk were quite icy. They do put sand on, so we tried to walk on that part so we wouldn't slip and fall. Last Thursday we went out to go to the busstation to catch a bus to Skellefteå for a district conference and found ourselves walking in snow up to my knees. They hadn't cleared our courtyard yet, but once we got to the sidewalk it was ok. Yesterday we saw the sun for the first time since arriving here. We did see sunshine about 3 other days--not the actual sun as it was too low on the horizon. The sun is gradually getting higher on the horizon so we did actually see it yesterday. The sun comes up at 9:20 a.m. and sets at 2:05 p.m. now.
We have a nice apartment with plenty of space and a balcony. We are on the 2nd floor. We are the first couple missionary to live in the apartment and the mission office outfitted it very nicely for us. A few days ago, we finally were able to get on to the internet here in the apartment, but we were able to skype with Melanie and Larry on Christmas day from the chapel in Skellefteå.
There is a washing facility in the basement of another apartment building not too far from us. We reserve a time to wash by locking a little lock into the slot for the day and time we want to wash. That way no one else can wash at the same time. It works out quite well. There are 3 washers and 2 dryers and a room where you can hang things on a line and then turn a fan on.
The branch is very small. We meet in a converted two-story home in Skellefteå, a city of 71,000 people which is a 30 minute bus ride from here. The first Sunday, Christmas Day, there were about 14 in attendance, including us and the pair of young missionaries. The last 2 Sundays there have only been 8 in attendance. There are actually about 30 members on the records. So you can see we have our work cut out for us. Dick spoke impromptu on Christmas and then was asked to speak the next Sunday with 2 days notice. I have played the little organ each week, as the lady who usually plays has been away on vacation. I bore my testimony in Swedish in Fast and Testimony meeting for the first time last Sunday. Of course every one bore their testimony because of the small attendance.
We have 2 little grocery stores about 3 blocks from our apartment, so we walk there. We only can purchase as much as we can carry back. Prices are higher here than at home. They have wonderful salmon, as they catch salmon in the river nearby. They have some pork but not much beef. Beef is really expensive. We were treated to a steak dinner at a restaurant while we were in Stockholm--we had a dinner meeting with 3 other couple missionaries. That will probably be the last we have for a long time.
Routine tasks are always an adventure when doing them the first time. The money is different, weights and measures are different. Cooking has been a challenge being at sea level and different measuring utensils. But one by one we are becoming familiar and it will soon seem routine.
The main thing missionaries struggle against is general indifference among the people. They are satisfied with their lives and don't feel a need for a change. They are somewhat reserved in nature and inclined to be slow to embrace change. Dick called 2 less active male members yesterday trying to set a time when we could visit and they both brushed him off with lame excuses that brought memories from here over 50 years ago. We determined we are just going to have to drop in unannounced with a plate of cookies etc and see what happens. Who can resist our smiling faces?
Right now it is too cold to be wandering trying to look for addresses in a strange city. Just walking from the busstation to the chapel, our hands and feet are almost numb. At least we know where we are going and we have a warm place to thaw out in. One day, we were actually walking in a whiteout. It reminded us of the handcart pioneers in 17 Miracles. We do, however, look forward to getting out when the weather becomes more tolerant.
