This is early Friday morning. A lot has happened since we last had internet service and could post an update on our blog. We have returned from Ireland and now are back with Caleb and Johanna in Sweden. So ---- We will bring you up to date in the next few postings.

Last Saturday night, something of concern to Dallin, Daniel, Kemry, Ian, Haley, Emme and Luke occurred. Take a look at this picture and see if you can guess what happened.

Yes, you got it. Johanna fixed us reindeer for Saturday evening dinner. We certainly hope that this wasn't one of Santa's reindeer and he will be able to visit you this year. You better make extra sure that you are on his good list.

Saturday morning, it rained in Falun, but it cleared up in the afternoon. We went downtown to do a little shopping and have Johannna pick out an english addition of the murder mystery series that she is reading. Then we visited the Falun museum. It was full of art work including some very modern stuff. In one exhibit, you could help make the art by getting you shoes in some graphite and walking on the picture. In another, they had two computer screens with random snow or TV noise on them.

Then we returned to Caleb and Johanna's for the reindeer dinner. PS. Mom, Caleb and Johanna ate their reindeer with some red stuff that they called Lingon berry jam, but I worry that it was part of Rudolph's nose.

Don't they look guilty of something?

On Sunday, we headed off to church. Below are a pictures of their small church.

Perhaps, Zach can tell if they actually took us to the right church or not? They had Books of Mormon so I think that we were in the right place.

Actually, the entire meetings were in Swedish and we didn't understand too much. In priesthood, the instructor wrote the word "Karlek" on the board and I thought that the lesson had something to do with quorum brotherhood. Later, he wrote a word like "Kyskhetlagen" on the board and thought that they were talking about priesthood leadership or the brotherhood in leadership quorums.

I was feeling pretty good about getting that much out of the 40 minute lesson when we met up with Johanna and Charlie. I smuggly asked Johanna what their lesson had been on when I learned that Karlek meant love and that Kyskhetlagen was the law of chastity. Well, so much for my impressions, but I did learn a couple of Swedish words. Nevertheless, the most important thing we got for the 3 hours of Swedish is that we were able to renew our sacrament covenants and the promise to have the spirit with us this week.

We really admire Caleb and Johanna. She helps translate for Caleb each week, but until Caleb learns more Swedish he doesn't get too much out of the Sunday meeting talks and lessons. He does get the renew promise to have the spirit with him which more than makes it all worthwhile.

Nevertheless, it would be easy to rationalize staying home on Sundays until Caleb learns more Swedish and then maybe rationalize doing something else when he does learn Swedish, but they are being true to their covenants and consequently will be blessed in many ways for doing so. Caleb will be able to more confidently pray for help learning Swedish as a result of their faithfulness among other things.

On Monday, we went to Ireland, but that will have to wait for the next posting.

reporting by Charlie's chief angel.