Sweden Stockholm Mission: Specialized Zone Training begins for the Fall Season!!!!!!

Wednesday, August 3, 2016, started our Round Robin Tour of the mission Zones, as we traveled to each Zone to spend a day with the missionaries and provide special training to them. This is always a highlight for us as Mission President and Wife, along with our Assistants. Our theme for these specialized trainings was, "Expectations: Culture vs. Commandments!" President and Sister Beckstrand began the training with a "Thank You Missionaries" slide presentation. President Beckstrand then provided training to the missionaries on the expectations we have for our missionaries in the Sweden Stockholm Mission and how important it is for each of us to "sharpen the saw" in our personal lives as we serve our Heavenly Father. We need to be aware of the "Creep", those anstå little things that creep back into our lives as missionaries when we become comfortable and start to coast in the Lord's work. Sister Beckstrand provided training on the importance of our dress and grooming and to always keep our eye single to the Glory of God.

Sister Beckstrand reminded the Elders to be careful when purchasing slacks, that they aren't too tight and that they have a permanent crease in them. Don't be like Will Ferrill when he sings, "I got my tight pants on."

Our Assistants, Elder Halterman and Elder Bradshaw, provided training on "Love in Obedience" and of the importance of "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary."

Our first training was with the Stockholm Zone in Gubbängen. After the training, lunch was served.......pick out your missionary.

After lunch, Sister Beckstrand provided Family Home Evening activities for our missionaries. Here, the missionaries participated in tossing a ball of yarn around the circle and relating a special something about the person they tossed the ball of yarn to.

At the end of the activity, President Beckstrand explained how we are all connected to each other and that we are a special family, the Sweden Stockholm Mission Family, and we will always be connected, throughout this life and into eternity.

Then, the real fun started as our missionaries participated in the activity, "Suck It Up", teaching them that they now have the expectations and teachings so it is time to suck it up and go to work. A great time was had by all with many M&Ms for everyone.

Thursday, August 4, 2016. From Stockholm, we traveled 5 hours to Göteborg, where we then met with members of the Göteborg Zone in Västra Frölunda. Again, it was great to be with the Elders and Sisters in this great zone.

"I got my tight pants on" was a hit with all of our Elders, and many of them realized that just maybe, their pants were a little too tight.

We love our Assistants, and they do just a masterful job with any assignment they are given. We are truly blessed to have such great leaders here in the Sweden Stockholm Mission.

Lunch time in Västra Frölunda, and a special "Thank You" to Elder and Sister Watson for a great meal and wonderful time on the West Coast.

Activity Time in Göteborg!!!!!

And we are off and running with "Suck It Up!"

Elder Bradshaw, only two M&Ms for you???????????

Friday, August 5, 2016. From Göteborg we drove further South for a Couple of hours and then on Friday met with the members of the Malmö Zone for their training.

Lunch time with members of the Malmö Zone........

After lunch, time for activities........

Elder Bradshaw finally won the game!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2016, we found ourselves in Umeå with the members of the Norrland Zone.

A great training was held with these wonderful missionaries who serve in the great Swedish North Country.

Lunch time is always special with Norrland.

Activity time in Norrland......

Wednesday, August 10, 2016, we found ourselves after a quick plane ride, back in Stockholm as we me with the members of the Stockholm South Zone in Västerhaninge.

Teaching went very well.

And then on to lunch.........

After lunch, time for activities......

Thursday, August 11, 2016, we traveled to Södertälje for our final Specialized Zone Training. There, we met with the great members of the Södertälje Zone. Training was great and then we gathered for lunch.........