A New Group for Sweden!

A brand new group of Missionaries, fresh from the Provo MTC.
What a beautiful morning in Stockholm, Tuesday, August 4, 2015.  We arrive at the airport early to greet our brand new missionaries.

What a fantastic group of missionaries that have come to us.  We call them, "The Baker's Dozen", because we received 13 new Elders, who are ready to go to work here in Sweden.  Pictured left to right are: Elder and Sister Taylor, Elder Weaver, Elder Richardson, Elder Murri, Elder Bliss, Elder Rasmussen, Elder Sahlin, Elder Chugg, Elder Payne, Elder Rowley, Elder Groberg, Elder Jensen, Elder Adams, Elder Cox, Elder Nilsson, Elder Pfost, Elder Walton, Sister Beckstrand, Elder Noso, President Beckstrand, Elder LIddle, Elder and Sister Koyle.

Loaded up and ready to head toward Stockholm.  Pictured left to right are:  Elder Pfost, Elder Richardson, Elder Chugg, Elder Jensen, Elder Nilsson, and Elder Weaver.

In the front seat of van #1, Elder Walton and Elder Noso bringing home the goods.

 In van #2, we have Elder Cox, Elder Murri, Elder Groberg, Elder Payne, Elder Rowley, and Elder Adams.

And in the front seat of van #2, we have Elder Rasmussen and Elder Sahlin, trusted to make sure these missionaries arrive safely.

On the way from the airport, we stopped to let the Elders stretch their legs a little.  Our stop was at Hagapark, a beautiful park right in Stockholm.  Pictured left to right are:  Elder Chugg, Elder Pfost, Elder Richardson, Elder Weaver, Elder Murri, Elder Groberg, Elder Nilsson, Elder Payne, Elder Walton, Sister and President Beckstrand.  Seated are:  Elder Rowley, Elder Jensen, Elder Adams, and Elder Cox.
 

 

A group shot with the lake in the background.  Moms, pick out your favorite Elder.

Elder and Sister Taylor at Hagapark.  This is their last adventure with us picking up new missionaries as they head for home in two days.  We love these two and we will miss them dearly.  Thanks, Elder and Sister Taylor, for everything you have down for the Sweden Stockholm MIssion.
 

President Beckstrand getting a little one on one time with the new missionaries in Hagapark.

What a great group of missionaries.  We are so glad to have them here in Sweden and look forward to many great things from them as they serve our Heavenly Father.

After the Hagapark experience and getting them all taken care of at the immigration office, we arrive at the Stockholm YSA Center, for lunch, some instruction, and the opportunity to go out on the streets of Stockholm and contact people for real.

Farewell Taylors!

Farewell Dinner for Elder and Sister Taylor.  On Monday, August 3, 2015, the Senior couples in the Stockholm area got together for a farewell dinner for Elder and Sister Taylor, who will be completing their mission service and returning home on August 6, 2015.  We will miss them dearly and we love and appreciate all the great service they have rendered here in Sweden.  Good Luck and God bless you Elder and Sister Taylor!

Train the Trainers

"Train the Trainers" meeting in Stockholm at the YSA Center.  On Friday, July 31, 2015, we called our new Trainers to come to Stockholm to participate with us in a special training afternoon.  These 13 missionaries have been called to train new missionaries coming from the Provo MTC.  We had a great afternoon together and these young Elders came away from the training with a new insight on their calling, and what they need to do to help provide a solid foundation for the new missionaries coming to Sweden.

Elder Bradshaw provided the music for us for the training, as well as being called to train a new missionary.

Sister Beckstrand provided a great lunch of Sloppy Joes, which the missionaries consumed with no problem.

 

Elder Stinnett, Elder Aabo, and Elder Peterson enjoying a little time after lunch at the "Train the Trainers" meeting.

Somehow we always seem to get a little "selfie" action.  Here we have Elder Stinnett, Elder Aabo, Elder Peterson, and President Beckstrand.

More Baptisms

Baptism of Bibi in Gävle, July 3, 2015.  Pictured left to right:  Branch Mission Leader, Sister Bateman, Bibi, Sister Kimball.

 

Baptism of Martin Oom in Trollhättan, July 4, 2015.  Pictured left to right:  Sister Nielsen, Sister Woolsey, Martin, Elder Jones.

 Baptism of Sammy in Örebro, July 15, 2015.  Pictured left to right:  Sammy, Elder Williams, and Elder Smith.

Baptismal service for Maximus, Valentina, and Daniel in Karlstad, July23, 2015.  Pictured left to right are:  Elder Bradley, Maximus, Valentina (mother), Daniel, and Elder Brinkworth.

Baptism of Oliver in Uppsala, July 25, 2015.  Pictured left to right are:  Sister Powell, Sister King, Oliver, Elder Fallon, Elder Roosendaal, and Elder Jones.

Baptism of Armin in Sundsvall, July 31, 2015.  Pictured from left to right are:  Sister Poulson, Armin, and Sister Taylor.

  

1st Annual Viking Volleyball Tournament of Champions

On Monday, P-Day, August 27, 2015, the Sweden Stockholm Mission sponsored the first annual Viking Volleyball Tournament of Champions.  All six zones in the mission were involved at various locations around Sweden and all of our missionaries had a great time exercising and becoming more united as a mission.  Here is the mascot for our Tournament, The Viking Mamoth.

All who enter into this tournament beware, this is not for the faint of heart.  Strap on your armor and be ready to defend your Zone.
 

First up, in Stockholm, the Stockholm and Stockholm South Zones met together to battle it out in the sand.

 The Champions emerged after many hours of battle in the sand.  Here are the champions of Stockholm with their prize firmly afixed in their mouths.  Marabou Chocolate is a worthy prize.

The losers found other ways to find happiness.  Look, a Maxmaid in the sand.

Others found solace in playing a game of Kub.

The action was fast and furious as the missionaries brought their "A" games.

More action shots from Stockholm.

Champions of the Södertälje Zone.

  

The Södertälje Zone enjoying lunch together.

Plenty of action on the sand court for the Södertälje Zone.

 More  sand action in Södertälje.

More fast action.......

 You want some of this?????

Also had some Cheerleader action for the Tournament.  Stunting in the sand.

 

 The Göteborg Zone getting ready to do battle inside.

"We are the Champions", my friends.

Getting ready for Frog Jumping instead of volleyball.

 The also-rans from the Göteborg Zone volleyball battle.

"L" is for Losers!!!!!!!!!

A final shot at the Göteborg Zone after a long day of battle.
 

Norrland Zone preparing to do battle in the rain.  No wussies is this Zone.  Bring on the tournament.

This is how we prepare to do battle, Watermelon in the mouth style.

 Let's get this party started.......

Bring it on.......

Volleyball Swedish style........

More rain action......

Lunch in the rain, nothing better.....

The Malmö Zone as they prepare to square off on the court.
 

The Malmö Zone Champions.

 

Lunch seemed more exciting for these few.
 

 Action on the court.........

OKAY, YOU VIKINGS.........  WE SHALL RETURN NEXT YEAR AND ONCE AGAIN WE WILL BATTLE ON THE COURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!