Alexander's Baptism!

Hiya Hallo! (Get some Nord-Norsk greetings in there)

  

What a nuts week. Hahaha. But as always, we were exceedingly blessed and supported here in Mo i Rana :)

The week began a little slowly, with a rough day. We decided to go out and shovel some snow for our investigator to remedy our hard day. It turns out our investigator's neighbor is extremely unused to nice people - so she was flipping out when she saw that we were removing snow from their porch, walkway, driveway and on top of the garage. Usually, service has its own benefits, but seeing that woman's face and reaction was supremely rewarding :D. "if you guys need ANYTHING, just come on in. Can I get some soda for you? Cookies? I can make dinner!" Hahaha, she is so sweet. It saddens me to see how "normal" it is to be self-centered in this world - then suddenly a couple of nice, unselfish people come in and everyone is surprised, marvelling. If I were to define what our work is doing, it's warming up the people - one greeting and wave at a time! I can't help but split into a grin when people are literally stunned by our kindness. Bahaha.

On Friday we had an extremely busy day filled with meetings and even a dinner! However, after the dinner we planned on riding the bus down to the station in order to take a trip to Mosjøen and visit Alexander. As luck would have it, the bus didn't come. With 10 minutes until our other bus to Mosjøen leaves, I call up a taxi. We then goose chase the bus far down the road and finally reach the bus! Conveniently, on the bus was a potential investigator we talked with for a good solid hour! Once we made it to Mosjøen though, Alexander was busy, and Eldste Farnsworth and I realized we now have no money to get back to Mo i Rana. That's a little nerve-wracking. With a little prayer, and a good dose of faith, we rummaged through Mosjøen for a mini-bank. By providential deliverance, we found it, had just enough money to make it back home, and even met with Alexander for a solid lesson (high-five to Farnsworth :P).

Despite the opposition otherwise, Alexander's baptism was planned for Saturday (the next day). That whole Friday we tried to get in contact with a member to be the witness for Alexander's baptism. Then, all Saturday 

Eldste Farnsworth, Alexander :) and I

morning we tried getting in contact with that member. Extremely concerned that the baptism wouldn't go through, we still felt we should go down to Mosjøen. It is absolutely nutty - the spiritual comfort that things will work out, yet not seeing any immediate solution to the problem (it reminds me of President Monson's experience with Peter Mourik at the Frankfurt temple dedication). We waited at Mosjøen for a few hours trying to figure out how to get a second witness, nervous that things wouldn't work out, yet still feeling that comforting influence. After a few calls up to the members in Mo i Rana, the rush and envelopment of relief soared over us when our awesome Branch President told us he'd drive the whole entire way down to Mosjøen. This man is busy, and received no sleep the night before! I could not, and still cannot, express my gratitude for our Branch President!! A precious soul entered the waters of baptism because of our awesome members in Mo i Rana. And on top of that, we got a free return trip back to Mo i Rana :D. As well, Eldste Farnsworth was a man, and got in the water the second time this month :P.

Our baptismal font!

I wish everyone knew the stress, efforts and lengths missionaries go to just to see someone taught and baptized. Haha - it is always easier looking back than experiencing it. Our Heavenly Father does the very same, and infinitely more on our behalf.

 The Gospel is the way to discern things for what they really are (Jacob 4:13).   

"...for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls."

It is through the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are led, guided and strengthened to do what is right. It is through that Spirit that our relationships grow, develop and bloom. And at many times this growth and development is painful, making room in our hearts for the blessings God has in store for us :). 

I love this Gospel and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Kjør på!

        -Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

More of Farnsworth and I's deilig mat - Fiskekaker, Jarlsberg cheese, peppers and rice :]

Torstein's Baptism!

Hey everybody!

First and foremost - happy birthday Lara, you awesome sister you! A sister who has so much faith in God that she sacrifices her time, talents and self for her 9 children is the perfect role model for me of unselfishness and trust in God. Happy birthday, Sis!

Torstein was baptized this week! The morning of the baptism Farnsworth and I were extremely worried because our fellow-member Jan-Erik was having difficulties driving out of his icy/snowy driveway. Jan-Erik was our only chance to get to Aldersund for Torstein's baptism! An hour before we heard that he drove out of his driveway, and grateful prayers flooded heaven's postboxes. The one and a half hour drive to Aldersund was fairly scenic, despite the huge snow clouds that covered everything in sight. I prayed that the clouds would open for Torstein's baptism because it is such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However once we arrived IN Aldersund it was incredibly scenic! To describe Aldersund, it is a small cottage consisting of 60 people in the basin of the biggest fjord I have yet experienced.

Aldersund

Staggering mountain sides paralleled the cleanest most beautiful color blue water I have ever seen. After two or three attempts to find an unfrozen, deep enough baptismal font (including a bit of running up and down hills and snow drifts), we finally found the perfect place. Elder Farnsworth pronounced those baptismal words, and Torstein's head broke through some ice on the way down - but he made it all the way under!

Approved! After which he sprinted through deep powder, almost removing his lower limbs plowing through a fence (luckily he missed it!). Within minutes they could feel their feet again! Haha what a

Can you see the purple Nordlys??

wonderful experience!! That night we saw the best Northern Lights yet, with a dancing swirl and even some purple complementing the beautiful green! That was a day to remember. In addition, just yesterday Torstein received the Aaronic Priesthood, and our Branch President was simply beaming after the ordination. We are blessed by the very hand of God here in Mo i Rana :).

In other exciting news, I touched my nose with my tongue! Hahaha. Norwegian tongue exercises are excellent for speaking better Norwegian, and increasing the flexibility thereof! Also this past week, we went to Trondheim, shoes and all, for a wonderful Zone Conferance. Man, it is extremely difficult to focus during a 6 hour conference and practicals with only 5 hours of sleep the night before. We loved it anyway. Also, another answer to prayer experience: as we were in the plane waiting to land in Mo i Rana, the pilot made two attempts to land, but due to visibility conditions, was not able to. I was worried, because we may soon be heading further north to Bodø, without a return flight in the near future! I prayed for the visibility to clear, and the third attempt to land was extremely smooth, with hardly any clouds lining the sky. The Lord does answer our practical, and specific problems! Being the Lord's servant kinda gives you an advantage on life, even the weather at times :P

The Lord loves us so incredibly much. The reason why Moroni asks us to remember how merciful God hath been from the beginning of time until now (Moroni 10:3), is because it opens to us how much He is willing to help us, and answer our prayers, today. I know that our Heavenly Father answers prayers. But do you know what it takes? Asking, and then working for it. I thank and love you all!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

P.S. Sister Hazen, thank you millions for the package. The ties are hot! I received compliments while at Zone Conference :). Tell Trevor to play through all of the verses of every song in the hymn book, and then he can stop playing hymns :P. After doing that, you can pretty much play anything in the hymn book by sight reading. Keep being studly, Trevor! 

Trondheim's Cathedral

A snow serpent! They made some crazy snow sculptures for the Winter Lights Festival

A dog chasing a cat up a tree sculpture

Sola!! (The Sun!)

Hallo alle!

After 95 delightfully long, dark days, I felt the rays of the sun on my face again :P. That was truly a neat experience.

 Man, I feel like I'm running out of things to write in these emails, but I'll do my best. After last week, the work here has just exploded here in Mo i Rana (as big as missionary work explosions get in Mo). While walking to an appointment, we saw a group of three teenage boys walking toward us, whispering to each other and pointing at us. "Uh oh, looks like trouble." Farnsworth said. Once we approached them they said "Hey! Are you guys Mormons?" "Uhh, yeah that's our nickname, but we really belong to the Church of Jesus Christ." "Oh okay. . . Tell us what you believe." Man, if contacting was always like that, life would be walking on sunshine :D. A number and return appointment later, we made it to our original appointment. However, on the return trip toward home, two men working on a house called out to us "hey! Are you two Norwegian?" "Uhh nope, but we can speak Norwegian!" "What are you guys doing here?" Two copies of the Book of Mormon placed, and phone numbers later, Elder Farnsworth and I walked home completely stunned. Mind you, the weather has been rather warm enough to rain, yet not warm enough to melt the slush on the roads, so we walked home in about 5 inches of slush/water. Needless to say our shoes and clothes were soaked, but we didn't care one bit. Our hearts and minds were teeming with the Spirit, and nothing could get our spirits down. That's something amazing about the Spirit. Your circumstances can be the worst the world can give you, yet the Gospel of Jesus Christ can still brighten your day and give you a lasting, impressive feeling of warmth and joy. That is what we share with people.

One thing I recommend, if I may, to all of you who study scriptures every day (and if you don't, you should!): read the Ensign or Liahona every day! The words of modern day prophets are just as important to follow (and at times more important to follow) than ancient prophets! You should see my thrashed copies of these magazines with notes garnishing the pages. Modern day scripture is a gift from God! And it has a particular power to build you up, as our investigator Alexander can attest.

Elder Farnsworth and I made it a goal to actually go through the whole area book and call former investigators. To any missionary who has ever opened the area book, you will know what a horribly exhausting, and at times defeating task that is. However, lucky for us, we only had 85 people to call/make contact with! After 78 people of nothing at all, within the last 7 we received 4 return appointments!! At times the Lord certainly does try our faith and patience. But those 4 people made the rest of the calls worth it. And besides, calling people about the church is good practice for being a telemarketer, right?? (*bleh*).

One thing my Mom asked me was "how is the fear factor going, talking with people?" and I hadn't really thought about that since going out and talking with people is the normal, everyday thing. Suddenly I remembered being scared to go out and talk with people, and how I absolutely dreaded being out on the street for even 15 minutes. I then also realized that every day I still do have a taste of that fear. However. I always pray for God take my fear away. And guess what happens! My fear departs, and my heart and mind are opened to the love of God I so desperately need every minute. This reminds me of Elder D. Todd Christofferson's article in the January Ensign regarding the Lord sending manna down to the Israelites. Yes, the Lord provided for them - but he provided for them day-by-day. The Lord very well could have made the Israelites feel full and not need to eat, couldn't He? But instead He sent a daily portion of manna (double portion on Saturdays), so that the Israelites realized their daily dependence on Him. In the very same way, I am realizing my daily dependence upon my Savior by going out and talking to people with courage that does not come from myself. Missionary work is a giant miracle in and of itself. And the blessings are indescribable.

It seems I did have things to share this week! Haha, how nutty. This next week is absolutely crazy - including another trip down to Trondheim (I'll make sure my companion has his shoes on). We are supported and strengthened by God's merciful hand. You all and your prayers are working nothing short of miracles here. I cannot express to you all the extent your answered prayers are taking (Due to legality issues and also lack of expressive ability on my part). I wish you all could see the lives that are changing. I wish you all could taste this fire of missionary work. I am indebted to my God and to you all for your efforts in my behalf. I love you all, and God loves you more :D

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

P.S. Jared! Send me your address, I want to send you a letter.

P.S.S. Sister Hazen, your package was simply delightful. You are wonderful. Tell Garrett I could not help myself from screamlaughing after reading his note regarding the returned item stolen from "many moons ago."

Andrew's Baptism

  The sun on the mountains! By the way! 89 days no sun and counting!! Mo i Rana is the perfect place to be out of the sun, thanks to this huge mountain.

Hei alle!

 

Well, this has been one crazy crazy week - yet absolutely incredible!

Andrew was baptized yesterday on the shores of Ytteren, near Mo i Rana. The weather was -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees F) with a fine breeze. It's really not all that bad when you can't even feel your feet :P. But honestly, the Spirit was there in rich abundance - especially when testimonies were born. Our Mission President even came and took part in the festivities. Our Father in Heaven be praised for this wonderful event in the life of Andrew! He looks and feels great, and loves Christ's Gospel. Also, the members here were angels in that they provided food, testimonies and a great Spirit during the  meeting. For all of you who have prayed in behalf of us and our investigators here in Mo i Rana - your prayers have been answered. I thank you all so much for the spiritual strength and support you send to us!!

We survived!! (note icicles hanging from Andrew's hair)

The festivities afterward :)

Other exciting news regarding this week was that we saw some even MORE fantastic Northern Lights!! The whole sky lit up in a fantastic green, instead of just a long streak across the stars. Hopefully you will all receive these rockin' pictures!

Nordlys :D

Our new apartment is nothing-less-than heavensent. It stays warm. It's wonderful. It has a big kitchen. That's fabulous, too! A funny story though: after a long day of moving we found ourselves building our bunkbed (køyseng - I love that word) late into the night (10 pm - way late!). Norwegian beds are very different from American beds. We built it, but the bottoms of the beds are these unattached planks of wood that you must carefully set between the bedframes. When the mattress must be gently placed on top, pray that those planks don't fall! Needless to say, during the night, Elder Farnsworth was almost crushed by my heft, mattress and a few planks to the face. The next day we visited our neighbor, and he graciously gave us screws and power tools to fasten the bed together. Hahaha.

Farnsworth and I

Other than that, things are quite normal, as normal as normal gets for Elder Farnsworth and I :). This gospel is true. Christ is our Savior. Repentance works - and is a wonderful gift from our Redeemer. Joseph Smith was God's prophet called in these days, and Thomas S. Monson is God's living prophet on the earth today. I love you all so much. Your support and love is felt even on the coldest days of Northern Norway :). Keep the fire of your testimony burning with a healthy dose of the Book of Mormon!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

sleepy sleepy me

Torstein and I :D (Torstein is another investigator)