Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Paradis, Bergen - First week in Norway!

Hei Hei alle!

Where to begin? I have no idea! Well, the last few days at the MTC were truly special. A wonderful Norsk testimony meeting, reminescence about kebabs (even though none of us have had one yet . . . until now! But that'll come later), and sweet encouragement from our teachers. A fantastic final few days in the MTC, and we were off to Norway! There was almost a delay where we missed our first flight, but through a miracle we made that flight. Mom, it was wonderful to talk to you! Carissa, I hope you enjoyed your voicemail. Bahaha.  Then 45 minute layover in Chicago, and made that flight. The flight across the Atlantic was super nice! Only 7 hours to London, and I sat next to two very nice, not big, smelly, loud or obnoxious people. It was great! and then we had a few hours in London. Besides the fact that we felt totally smashed by jetlag, and tried to stay awake through the day in order to adjust asap, we thoroughly enjoyed London! We even met a super nice recent convert by the name of Maurine who apparently had a lot of connections to Norway. So that was way nice, and she kept us awake thank goodness. By the time we flew to Oslo (capital city!), the fact that we could speak Norwegian instantly flew from our minds. Well. More like understand. Yeah, we can speak a little Norsk, but to understand?! It was impossible that first day! Oi! So that was no fun. President Johansen met us at the airport with the APs - wonderful people.


That first night our MTC distrikt stayed at the mission home. Sister Johansen made an absolutely delicious Norsk meal of kjøttkaker (meat cakes) og kjøttballer (meat balls) with brunn saus (brown gravy) and salad (salad ;)) and rødkål (red cabbage) and bringebær syltetøy (bringberries jam - which taste like mild cranberries MMM. :d). We had a testimony meeting and bought our dynes. Dynes are incredible! I haven't slept so well for 2 months! . . . or maybe that was just the MTC pillows. But the dynes are everything I ever wanted - and mine, at least right now, smells like good-smelling hamsters. I love it. The night very soon became late and we only got about 4 hours of sleep before our first day. A quick good-bye to all of the MTC distrikt, and I was on my way to Bergen. Yes my first area is Bergen - Bro Jaffa was right! I talked to a fine Oslo man on the way over. (Thank goodness too - the Oslo dialect, Bokmål, is really crisp, clear and even has some English in it). Teaching real people is so different from the MTC. At least in the MTC you get the most common, or most difficult situations. These real people have like . . . real opinions . . . and real beliefs and thoughts which I've never thought before (being a homeschooled Mormon California boy). Heaven help me become familiar with these people soon!


There are 61 total missionaries out in Norway right now, 8 of us in Bergen - which is a huge group compared to normal! 
Sisters Ray and Steven and Elders Sessions, Spencer, Perry, Argyle (from the distrikt), Passey (my comp.) - great people that I'll get to know better. The first 2 days were bright and sunny, which is the exception here in Bergen - that's for sure. Apparently Bergen holds the world record for the city with the most days raining in a row (the number is pretty darn close to 365). Other than that - it is incredibly gorgeous here! Many bright red, yellow and white houses against a dark forest background and fog. And lakes everywhere. Oh. It's so pretty. And the rain isn't too bad - just very light rain which a jacket takes care of no problem. Turns out there's one of those old Norsk cathedrals in the skog (little forest) near my hybel (home, place where we sleep) that we'll check out next P-day! I swear, I could totally see trolls running around in the mossy skog coming and pulling on our ties. And mushrooms growing around our feet. So neat!

So Elder Passey is my trainer! He's an experienced missionary from Cedar City. Really nice, laidback, yet hard-working guy. We immediately started teaching less-actives the first day I got here. Way cool.
Elder Passey and I 
Except I can't understand a word of what anyone says. It's extremely frustrating. If I could understand what people say, then I could know what their feelings are, and how the gospel can apply to them. But instead I just sit there saying "kan du si det igjen? Beklager, kan du gjenta det?" oi! Very frustrating. With time my ear will adjust to it. On Saturday we went contacting for my first time. Let me tell you: I was wayyy nervous. But the scripture that says I will go before your face, and my angels round about you and my spirit in your hearts is REAL. I felt so supported and happy while contacting, even though my heart was going a mile a minute. When someone stops to talk to you it is the best feeling in the world! That happened 4 times, and we even got a return appt. with Imano, who we're teaching tonight! Contacting isn't too bad. I just want to understand people and try a bunch of different methods of contacting and can therefore be more useful. Ah. Time time time . . . . such a frustrating thing.


The ward here though is phenomenal!! We were warmly welcomed by the whole ward - and even better I could take notes trying to understand everyone's dialects which helped immensely. Church is amazing, I hope you all know that. An amazing opportunity we have to go and feel joy. Our investigator George attested to that! It was truly neat. Afterward there was a dinner at the Berg's home. Surprisingly we ate curry, which made me think of Tanner! Hope you're doing great! They even made a green which chocolate ice cream topping in tribute for the "greenies" that just came in. Extremely kind of them, I love this ward! Though, I have had 2 people come up to me and say that I look like I'm 14 or 15. Are you serious!? 14 or 15? Haha! Europeans are so open, it's great. Elder Passey and I are putting together a music fireside for 3 weeks from now open to the public with the message "God is Our Loving Heavenly Father". I'm way excited. Especially since I'll practice a piece and not lose my piano skills!

A little bit of how I feel right now. Umm . . . . lost. Haha. The jetlag itself wasn't too bad at all, at least when it comes to sleepiness. On the other hand, trying to focus is what is extremely difficult for me right now. I can hardly teach a lesson in English, and I felt so confident in teaching in Norwegian before I left! Dang jetlag. That will reside with time though. I also feel lost because I can hardly understand a word of what people say, which makes me a useless missionary as of right now. At least I can smile and look like I'm 15 though, right??


Now to answer a few questions my Mom had which you all may be interested in: Turns out their snow coats are not quite in season yet, just wait a few weeks and they'll be ripe. I saw a really sweet one today, but it was 2000 kroner (approx. $400). I'm going to need a small rain coat (probably if I can't find one in the hybel) and a snow jacket . . . Hopefully I can find both under 1000 kroner (approx. $200). Today though I did find my dream backpack! Super comfy, fancy and durable (Bergans, for those of you kjent with Norway). The backpack and the new pocket dictionary did make quite the dent in the wallet though . . . . Norway is so expensive. A haircut for example is $50 for a male. Oi.

We get around by public transportation on the bybane (city train) and buses. In a few weeks I'll be able to start my drivers license stuff, but I won't be driving here in Bergen - and there's a good chance I'll be here until at least February.

The dialect - almost everyone can understand me, but I can't understand a word about what people say to me. So I can definitely share the gospel message, but hardly apply it their lives. Time and effort. Kom igjen, minne!

Living conditions - the hybel is a nice little apartment thing under a house with one bedroom, one bathroom, and even a living room and kitchen! It's typically cold, but a really nice place. However, it was an absolute dump when I got here. Thankfully we have some cleaning supplies.

Everyday - every day has been so different because of little things I've needed to do, but it seems like a lot of traveling from place to place, trying to talk to people, sitting waiting for buses, also trying to talk to people, teaching less actives though I can't understand a word, and even some contacting.

The people are very private and to themselves. Which I apparently forgot before I came. And they're also very quiet. Thankfully Elder Passey let me know I was basically yelling at people with how loud my "Heisann!" was about two hours in. Yup. Good timing, friend. So yeah, with 3 hours of contacting we were able to speak with 4 people and 1 wanted to speak with us again. Once I have the different methods of contacting down, it'll be a blast!


Okay I think that's all. Congratulations Anna Rose and Lindsey for going off the top!  I hope Mammoth was a great trip! Carissa and Hillary, thank you so so so much for the package. The bread sustained me in London. Though my Swedish friend was depressed to see that there were no pictures in the package - haha! I don't think I have any other questions to answer, so send me some mail! I don't have any time to write letters today, but hopefully next week! Here's my address:

Elder Bryce Thomas Johnson
Nattlandsia 5
5231 Paradis
Norway

One more thing! I ate my first kebab today! It was delicious. Yet according to the veterans here it wasn't so good. Kebabs are like a pocket made out of pita bread filled with meat, vegetables and an amazing sauce. It is wonderful! I'm excited to try out more places.

Okay! I love you all! You're wonderful! Please pray for me - I know the adjustment will go quicker. I still love this, and am excited for the future. Until next week!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
First place I ever contacted!

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