July 27- Ed, Sweden Finding the Homes and Places of Andreas Peterson

 We had a big day planned in the Ed area.  This was the area that our great-grandfather, Andreas was born and raised. The family owned two farms in the area. John and Cindy and Patty and Hal came here 23 years ago to pick up Ami (John and Cindy's daughter) from her mission in Sweden and to trace the steps of Andreas.  Andreas kept a very detailed journal, making such a pilgrimage possible.  He joined the church as a young man.  He left his family home to serve a walking mission for the church.  He walked thousands of miles all over Norway.  He kept careful notes of each day's journey.  

We met outside our hotel rooms, ready for our big day in the Ed area.

John, Ken, and Tom figured out our route with GPS and maps.  They did a remarkable job.  It was not easy.

We started the day by visiting a beautiful church right on the main road.  By the date on the front, we know it was here when Andreas lived here.

It had a beautiful cemetery that we enjoyed exploring, looking for family names.

It overlooked a beautiful lake.

The bells peeled while we were there as there was a funeral just ending when we got there.

From Andreas's journal, we know he liked to visit a church frequently when he was home.  He and the pastor there were good friends and enjoyed discussing religion together. 

Valberg

From John, Ken, and Tom's study, the GPS took us out to the area 

where Andreas was born and grew up.  It was called Lilla Valburg. With Ken calling the shots from the GPS, we went out a dirt road through the forest to find it.  We came across a grouping of three cottages or cabins.  At one of them, a man and woman were sitting outside.  Out there in the middle of nowhere, I'm sure they were wondering who we were as three cars approached.  We got out and introduced ourselves and explained our purpose.  They were SO nice.  They both spoke fluent English.

His father and grandfather had owned this cabin before them.  They now spend their summers here.  They knew exactly where our great grandfather's land and farm was.  You had to hike in.  They said they had done it the day before, hunting mushrooms.  They suggested we not try it as it was very muddy.

We visited with them for quite a while.  They were so nice, describing their lifestyle.  Their makeshift shower and toilet were outside.  They said they slept inside but spent most of the day outside if weather allowed.  They spend their summers here.

We took pictures in front of their cabin.

They let us go inside their cabin and look around.  The mushrooms gleaned the day before were drying on the table.

It was a delightful experience visiting with these good people.  We surmise that his ancestors must have known ours.  

We found the Ed train station.  Andreas mentions traveling from there in his journal.  The building has been refurbished, I'm sure, but it still has the same feel as when he lived here.  Patty had a picture of Patty, Hal, John, Cindy, and Ami standing in front of it 23 years ago when they picked up Ami from her mission.  They have since put up this fence.  

Bovallerud

This is our guide, Holgar.  This is quite a story:  Twenty-three years ago, John and Cindy, Patty and Hal and Ami came to Ed.  They stopped at a little gas station and told the clerk that they were looking for the home of our ancestor.  The place was called Bovallerud  They wondered if the clerk knew where that was.  The clerk said no but that she knew someone who might know.  She contacted a lady that said she knew someone who might be willing to take them there.  She called Holgar.  Holgar and his niece, who spoke English, led them to the place.
When we arrived in Ed, Cindy called Holgar's number and started explaining who she was.  He hung up.  She immediately sent photos of him with them 23 years ago to him by text.  That helped him realize who she was.  He contacted that same niece, who called Cindy back.  She said he would be happy to take us there again.  She said she was out of town, but she contacted her brother's girlfriend who spoke English to come along as interpreter.  Cindy arranged for us to meet them at a church the next day at 1 pm.
We drove up to the church at a little before 1:00 and the girlfriend (we think her name was Erin.  I know it was a name we use here in America, too) was there and Holgar soon came in his truck.  We all followed him in our cars out a long, dirt road through the forest, with many turns.  We would have never found it on our own.  We drove until the road was blocked off, and then they guided us on foot back to the land of our forefathers.  

This was a beautiful lake by the path on the way into Bovallarud.

Hiking to Bovallerud

It was humbling to think we were walking the path Andreas probably took to leave on his mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, including more of our ancestors.

The home has recently been restored.  It is beautiful.

I actually didn't make it all the way there. I got about half way and realized it was the better part of valor to not go on.  I am grateful for the pictures they all took so I could see it too.

Andreas talks about baptizing his mother near their home.  I wonder if this was where?

Visiting with our guides

After leading us there and back, he led us back to the church.  He is the caretaker of that church and let us in to see it and use the restroom.  We took some pictures out front.

The church was beautiful.  

These used to be stables for church goers' horses.  They now are storage units and one is even a restroom.  We were so grateful to Holgar, and I think her name was Erin for their kind service to us.  They both took a whole afternoon to help us.  John was going to send each of them a case of Idaho Spud bars when he got home to thank them. 

After a nap back at our hotel, we went to this fun restaurant in Ed called "Local Idiot."  It had very high reviews.  

Everyone wanted a picture under the sign to prove what they had been claiming for years.  T

The setting was gorgeous.

It was just a small diner where the wife was the waitress and the husband was the chef.  She announced that with a large group like ours, we could only order two different items.  We decided on the moose burger and the halibut.  Good choices!

Tom and Ken split a burger

Most of us had the halibut.  It was delicious.  I felt that it was one of the best meals I had on the whole trip.  The fish was flaky, in a delicious sauce.  The potatoes were also exceptional. 

What a sweet, rewarding, spiritual day we had in the Ed area.  We all felt closer to our great-grandfather, having walked where he walked.

We were filled with gratitude for people who helped us and for the spirit which guided us.