Scandinavia

Sorry for my lack in posting lately.  I have no valid excuses except that I justs sometimes don't know what to write about.  I worry that just telling what I've done is kind of boring and I want to make this blog enjoyable to read.  Hence why I post a lot of pictures as well.

I have been in the Scandinavian countries this past week.  Sweden, Finland, and Norway.  Each place has been geat and unique.

Traveling alone has been hard, as I feel lonely a lot of the time.  Luckily in Sweden and Norway I was able to meet up with a friend who I could explore the city with.  I worked with her at the MTC in Provo.  In Finland I was staying at the temple, so kinda alone, but kinda not.  I felt at home because of how I feel when I'm surrounded my members, but also alone when I went out to explore the city of Helsinki.

However, blessings come when we go to the temple!  I know that God knows how I've been feeling.  The second day of going to the temple I met a girl who was also from Utah.  She had served her mission in Finland and was doing an internship.  We planned to meet up the next day and she'd show me around Helsinki some more.  It was such a small thing, meeting up with someone, but made the biggest difference and made the experience that much better!  Being able to talk and laugh with someone was a nice change from walking around being silent, occassionaly talking briefly to strangers. :)

Because of this, I've been missing home a lot.  I miss being able to see a friend or family member everyday that I can talk and laugh with (FaceTime is great and all, but it's still not the same as being with them).  I miss being in a place where I understand the language and can get around easily without having to figure out everything before hand on just wifi in random places.  But it's still been good.  I'm learning a lot about myself.

Anyways, enough of that ranting of feelings.  Heres some pictues of some stuff I've done :)

SWEDEN

Hanging out in a row boat on a lake in the backyard of where I was staying.  It is SO pretty with all the pine trees!  And such beautiful weather.  I'm missing my yearly and most favorite family reunion right now, and so being here in nature on a lake made it feel a little bit like I was at my reunion. :)

Stockholm skyline

Old town Stockholm - Galma Stan

Stockholm Temple

The Royal Palace

Stockholm City Hall

Pier with a cool view

Klara Church

FINLAND

Helsinki Temple.  I served in St. Petersburg Russia on my mission.  Everyone in that mission would normally come to this temple for temple trips.  So I've always wanted to come here because of that!  It was beautiful :)

Sibelius Monument

Senate Square, Cathedral

National Library of Finland

Uspenski Cathedral

Suomenlinna Sveaborg (Sea Fortress).  This place was SO cool.  I could've spent all day here!  Besides visiting temples in different countries, I think visiting castles and fortresses are my favorite thing!

Did I even go to Finland if I didn't get some ice cream?

NORWAY

A super duper nice family let me and my friend stay with them.  My first day here I went to the beach all day with the mom and her friend and her friend's daughters.  I somehow didn't get terribly burned!  Just some splotches here and there on my back where I couldn`t reach.  We went to an island to go to the beach.  Cool.

The view from their deck was incredible.

We also went on a sunset hike at Mintsberget.  OH. MY. GOSH.  I died.  Thee most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.

The next day my friend from Sweden came to Norway and we explored Oslo together.

Akershus Fortress - I LOVED this place!  SO cool!

Parliament

The Royal Palace and Gardens

The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet House.  After exploring here, we climbed on the roof into some shade, ate some snacks, and then layed down in the inclined roof.  We fell asleep for an hour! haha

It's been a great time here in these countries!  I'm off to the Czech Republic next!!

There's No Place Like Home

You know that feeling you get after having travelled a good amount of time and finally return home?  "Ah...I'm home".  You're comfortable again, happy, safe.  It's a great feeling!  I didn't return home yet to the states...but I did return to another home this week.

I made it to the temple.

London England Temple

This week I have been in England.  London for a day, hanging around hyde park and feeding parakeets and eating ice cream.  Sheffield for a couple days, hiking around the Peak District (which, by the way, was INCREDIBLE and SO pretty!).  And then down to Newchapel where the London England Temple is.

During my hikes in the Peak District (I don't know how far I walked...but enough to give me some bloody heels!) and 3 mile walk from the train station to the temple, I had a good amount of time to think.  Often my thoughts turned to, "What am I doing here?  Am I shirking all responsibilities?  Should I be here in Europe for so long?  Should I go home and try harder to find a career I want to do?  Is this really what I'm supposed to be doing with my life?"  I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed, frustratrated, downtrodden and alone.  I have had these questions ever since I booked my one-way flight to Europe, and since have had reassuring conversations with family and friends.  But when you're alone for so long with no one to talk to except yourself, those thoughts tend to crowd out what you've already discussed with others.

However, as I walked into Newchapel, not knowing exactly where I was going, I saw the sign "London England Temple.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Visitors Center this way".  Surprised, I just about broke down crying, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with that "Ahhh, I'm home!" feeling.

I was able to check in and get a room and go into the temple, still just feeling overwhelmed with gratitude that I felt at home.  I felt safe and not alone. I felt comletely encompassed by the love of God.  That familiar feeling I get when I go home to my parents to visit was there - knowing that I am surrounded by people who care and love me, even though, in this case, they didn't know me personally.  I am grateful for my church.  It is the same in every city, country, and continent that I visit!  No matter if they speak a different language - that familiar feeling is there.

As I was there, my questions from earlier in the week and day went away as I felt that everything was fine with what I had decided to do - to travel Europe for a couple months.  I felt that it's definitely okay to take advantage of whatever stage of life you're in.  Jobs will still be there when I return.  Do things that make you happy as long as you are continuing to choose the right and be diligent in reading your scirptures and praying.  My questions had been answered and the overwhelming and frustrating feelings that went along with those questions were replaced with a calming peace and assurance.

So, here's to a renewed faith that it's all good!  I can keep on keeping on here on my own and not feel bad that I'm not back in the states figuring out what job I should get next.  Adventure's out there!  And I'm going to take advantage of my life's situation and go find some more! :)

Thank you Danica for meeting up with me in London and Kadee for letting me stay with you!  Thank you England for your delicious crumpets and little snacks, fascinating countryside one-car lanes, pastures of sheep and cows, enchanting countryside and castles, and magnificent views. On to Sweden!

Oh, and here's some pictures of my adventures in England. :)

Hyde Park, London

Sheffield

Bamford Edge, Peak District

Peak District

Castleton, Peak District

Peveril Castle, Castleton, Peak District