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.
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.
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| Elder Passey and I |
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!
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| First place I ever contacted! |
