March Mission Leadership Council!!!!

Tuesday, March 21, 2017, the Mission Leadership Council for our mission met at the mission home for our council meeting.  As always, Sister Beckstrand provided a wonderful lunch of BBQ hamburgers, pasta salad, chips, and brownies.

 

Elder Mecham and Elder Payne getting in a little "selfie" action.

 President Beckstrand taught us that Jesus Christ truly is the Prince of Peace, which happens to be the new 2017 Easter Initiative.  #Prince of Peace!!!!!!!!

 Sister Beckstrand instructed the MLC members about the fact that tribulations and trials come to every life and that we can find inner peace by turning to the Savior.

 Our Assistants, Elder Pärkkä and Elder Jensen, went over Year to date performance for our mission and then taught on how we can use the Easter Initiative to help us start an upward trend in our work here in Sweden.

 It was a great Mission Leadership Council meeting and we have high hopes that we can continue to move the mission upward, with the Lord's guidance and blessings.

Our Lone Departing Elder!!!!

March 15, 2017, we met Elder Frankman at the temple in Västerhaninge to do a session with him.  He is the only missionary returning home this week.  Pictured left to right are:  Sister Beckstrand, Elder Frankman, Elder Christley (came to Sweden with Elder Frankman), and President Beckstrand.

 A job well done Elder Frankman.  We love you and so appreciate your great missionary efforts these past two years.  May God bless you richly as you return home and begin the next chapter in your life!

 

March Arrivals from the Provo MTC!!!!!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017, we traveled to the airport to pick up our new missionaries coming from the MTC in Provo.  We love being able to receive new missionaries and we look forward to their service here in Sweden.  Below, pictured left to right are:  President and Sister Beckstrand, Elder Pärkkä, Elder Christley, Elder Pack, Elder Winnett, Elder Jensen, Sister DeMordaunt, Elder Hawkins, Sister Hall, and Sister and Elder Anderson.

Sister Beckstrand provides some fun facts to Sister Hall, Sister DeMordaunt and Elder Winnett.

In front of Stockholm's Stadshus, Elder Pärkkä, Elder Jensen, Elder Winnett, Sister DeMordaunt, Sister Hall, Sister Beckstrand and President Beckstrand.

Our wonderful Office Crew, doing their thing.......Elder Hawkins, Elder Pack, Elder Jensen, Elder Pärkkä, and Elder Christley.

 Lake Mälaren in the background:  Elder Winnett, Sister DeMordaunt, Sister Hall, Sister Beckstrand and President Beckstrand.

Rising to the occasion:  Elder Hawkins, Elder Pärkkä, Elder Jensen, Elder Winnett, Elder Christley, Elder Pack, Sister DeMordaunt, and Sister Hall.

Elder Winnett, Sister DeMordaunt, and Sister Hall in Gamla Stan Torget.

 Elder Hawkins, Sister Beckstrand, Elder Pack, Elder Christley, Elder Pärkkä, and Elder Jensen in Gamla Stan Torget.

 Sister Beckstrand in front of her favorite Swedish Bakery, Grillska Husets Brödbod!

With a smaller group coming to the mission field, we took them to lunch at Vapianos in the Täby Centrum with their contacting friends.  Pictured left to right beginning with Sister Beckstrand, Elder Jensen, Elder Christley, Elder Hawkins, Elder Winnett (hiding in the tree), Elder Pack, Elder Pärkkä, Sister DeMordaunt, Sister Hall, Sister Davis, and Sister May.

 

It will always be a memory for Sister Beckstrand, running to COOP to purchase some last minute items for dinner for the new missionaries.

 The new missionaries enjoy their first evening meal in Sweden at the mission home.   Elder Christley, Elder Jensen, Elder Hawkins, Elder Pack, Elder Pärkkä, Sister DeMordaunt, Sister Hall, and Elder Winnett.

 Wednesday morning, March 15, 2017, our new missionaries received orientation to the mission and the expectations that we have for all of our missionaries.  Sister Beckstrand teaches them about the importance of exact obedience and how it can lead to miracles in the mission field.

Elder Winnett will be trained by Elder Lloyd.

Elder Winnett will be serving in Skövde with Elder Lloyd.

Sister DeMordaunt will be trained by Sister Matwaychuk (Johnson).

 Sister DeMordaunt will be serving in Lund with Sister Matwaychuk (Johnson).

Sister Hall will be trained by Sister Hunter.

 Sister Hall will be serving in Luleå with Sister Hunter.

As the assignments have been made and companions have been introduced, it is time for our traditional lunch of Swedish Meatballs before the missionaries embark upon their destinations.  Good luck to each one of you and we know the Lord will protect, guide, and bless you as you serve Him faithfully.  We love you!!!!!!!!

Train the Trainers!!!!

Friday, March 10, 2017.  We invited three missionaries to the Mission Home for our Train the Trainers meeting, in advance of our next transfer.  We started with a simple lunch from Chop Chop and then started into our training meeting.  President Beckstrand started the training with the mission expectations for those who have been called to train new missionaries coming from the Provo MTC.  After his training, the assistants provided their portion of the training to our new Trainers.

 Elder Lloyd along with Sister Matwaychuk and Sister Hunter, have been called to train this new Elder and two Sisters coming next week from the Provo MTC.

 Sister Beckstrand teaches the importance of starting the day right, beginning at 6:30 AM.  Scripture reference to highlight the importance of what she taught, 2 Nephi 1:13-14!

Mission Leadership Council!!!!!

Friday, March 3, 2017, President Kearon met with our members of the Mission Leadership Council to instruct us and provide us with continued momemtum to carry on in the Lord's work.  Below are members of the Mission Leadership Council here in the Sweden Stockholm Mission.
Pictured are, seated:  President Patrick Kearon, Sister and President Beckstrand.  Next row:  Sister Hatch, Sister Christensen, Sister Campbell, Sister Hall, Sister McClatchie, Sister Anderson, Sister May, and Sister Davis.  Elder Row:  Elder Adams, Elder Lohmeier, Elder Pfost, Elder Richardson, Elder Baquedano, Elder Cragun, Elder Olson, Elder Payne, Elder Nelson, Elder Kendall, Elder Mecham, Elder Jensen, Elder Pärkkä, and Elder Chugg.

 

President Kearon teaching members of the Mission Leadership Council.

What have we been taught by the Spirit over the last two days?  Sister Hatch playing the role of scribe, while President Kearon puls out the inner thoughts of our council members.

 The list is complete and President Beckstrand has, with the help of the Spirit, narrowed down the top three things we need to work on going forward in the Sweden Stockholm Mission.

Elder and Sister Anderson, President Kearon, and Elder and Sister Clouse at the Täby Church.

 Thanks to you Sister Hatch for helping us keep organized and legible notes throughout our Mission Leadership Council meeting with President Kearon.

 President Kearon had to Dash to the airport for his flight, so President and Sister Beckstrand drove him to Arlanda while the council members enjoyed a wonderful lunch. Thanks to our Senior Couples for helping to arrange for lunch.

It has been a wonderful, loving day, as witnessed by Elder Pärkkä showing his appreciation to Elder Hawkins.  Elder Christley asks, "Where is mine?"

 

What a serious bunch!!!!!Elders Hawkins, Baquedano, and Kendall!

 Time to get these missionaries back to their assigned areas.  Away they go............Thanks for a great 2017 Mission Tour!  Can't wait until 2018!!!!!!!!!