Mirakler, Norske Bibel og Intervjuer (Miracles, Norwegian Bible and Interviews)

R.A., me and Sister Floyd!

Hallo hallo!

You would be hard pressed to believe the stuff that has happened this week. But! There's just SO MUCH.

Moves went smoothly - Elder Bitner is safe and sound in the gorgeous city of Arendal, and we welcomed Elder Weaver into the district! As well as the mission (brand new missionary). He's from Irvine (another So-Cal missionary!!), and apparently the cousin of Elder Hart (a Swedish elder back in the MTC days). He's such a stud!! It's awesome to see the willingness, testimonies and fire that these new missionaries have - ready to conquer the world despite the challenges put before them ( contacting in western dialect - let me tell you!). We're stoked to have him with us. (He also says words like "rad", "sweetness", "holy smokes" and "sick" - oh sweet California :] ). We also received a relatively-new-to-the-mission sister Sister Siebach. She's awesome, super-motivated - and way good at the language. This transfer is already and going to be a BLAST.

On Friday we set some good, solid transfer goals. All Preach My Gospel missionaries are familiar with PMG chapter 8 about using time wisely. Under the weekly planning session is the famous "companionship inventory" where you get to open up with your companion in order to discuss the companionship, troubleshoot weaknesses, magnify strengths, and set goals to be more awesome the next week. I've had a few companions that don't take advantage of this opportunity to iron out character flaws and weaknesses and increase strengths - but Elder Levine sure can do the job. I am extremely grateful for a companion who knows how to best help those he is with. I can feel I am growing a ton, and together we're on a journey to become more and more Christlike. A lifetime goal, but a journey we're taking out one week at a time. Missions rock!!

A YSA (young single adult) in our ward is doing a school project/documentary in her film class - so she decided to do it on missionaries! On Saturday we found ourselves in front of a camera being lovingly drilled with questions about our lives before, during and after our missions all in Norwegian.

Interview studio!

Holy mackerel it is nerve-wracking speaking Norwegian in front of a camera. Hopefully I'll get a copy of the finished product though so I can send it home. Next week we'll be recorded while out on the street sharing the Book of Mormon :]. Nothing gets your adrenaline going quite like a world of an audience!

Eep!! :]

My Norwegian Bible was lost in Oslo somewhere, so I finally got around to ordering a mini Norwegian Bible. That may have been the best choice I made that day. It's small, it's convenient, and surprisingly extremely easy to read (much easier than the Book of Mormon in Norwegian). Opening up and testifying of the doctrines of Jesus Christ through the Bible has never been easier! And with the Book of Mormon, they both make a deadly duo :). I testify that the Bible is the word of God as far is it is translated correctly! Christ came down to earth to fulfill the Law of Moses found in the Old Testament, and to restore the Higher Law found in the New Testament (particularly Matthew 5). I am extremely grateful for the Catholics and Protestants who preserved the Bible for thousands of years so that we have the opportunity to read it for ourselves, in our own language, today! Today's living apostles and prophets also witness of its value! http://mormonchannel.org/prophets-and-apostles-speak-today?v=1101415470001

The brunt of amazing events happened this past weekend when we had a succession of appointments right after another. I am not sure how best to express the details of these lessons, but I'll try my best.

K. has been coming to church for the past few weeks due to his good friend. He loves the members, the lessons and especially the way he feels in church. Through our lesson, he had many questions regarding the spirit world - where we came from and where we go after this life. Through the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the questions he had were very clearly answered. However, for a confirmation that our words are true, he needs to ponder and pray about the principles we have shared with him. No one can know of spiritual truths without prayer (PMG pg. 39). Moroni's promise is always valid "Through the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5). At the end, we got him excited for General Conference and promised him that if he comes to General Conference with questions in his mind (or even better, on paper) he will have them answered! I testify that General Conference is an opportunity to delve into the scriptural words of our living day apostles and prophets! If you want to know if that's true, then put them to the test. Come with questions, and open your heart and mind. You shall be answered.

In church we had 5 high school kids drop in to do their school project on our church. Our members were prepared, and enveloped them in a loving manner showing them the building, our activities, classes and gave them little "care packages" filled with copies of the Book of Mormon, For Strength of Youth pamphlets and The Family: A Proclamation to the World pamphlets. It's always a joy to answer questions that it seems everyone has on their mind. Missionaries thrill to answer sincere questions :]

M. brought his friend A. to our meeting after church, and at first A. was extremely defensive. "what is this other Bible you guys believe in??" "why don't you guys drink coffee?" "do all of your members wear white shirts and ties??" etc. We took it very slowly and just had her ask all of her questions. It was one of the best lessons I've experienced. Through the Bible (the new Norwegian one, mind you), Elder Levine and I were able to testify of the wonderful gifts God has given us - Faith, Repentance, Baptism, The Gift of the Holy Ghost. Yet also, we were able to describe the need for more scripture, the need for a prophet and the need for personal revelation now in our day. The windows of heaven are open to our questions, struggles and trials. God loves us; He will listen; and He does answer. "What would you do if you received an answer that the Book of Mormon really is more of the word of God?" "Change my life accordingly. I trust in God much more than I trust in myself." That woman has extremely great faith - and it was sheer joy to share the gospel with her. 

This next week is extremely busy as well. And I'm very excited to live it. The Lord's commandments really do provide us a rich life! The more and more I delve into this gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ, the more richly I am blessed and able to understand the challenges and problems around me. He who trusts in the Lord will be supported by Him! (Alma 38:5)

Without God, we can do nothing. With Him, we can do all things (Luke 1:37). Of this I do so testify!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

A rockin' dinner over at R.A.'s house. Philippino food is SO GOOD.

I never knew that Norwegian canned corn (extremely common in all Norwegian dishes) could look so epic.

Norwegian Brussels Sprouts :P

Skikkelig MMK, Soneopplæreingsmøter, Dagbøker, Hagen, Preikestolen, og R.A.'s Dåp!! (Legit WML, Zone Training Meetings, Journals, The Garden, Preikestolen and R.A.'s Baptism!!)

For more amazing pictures...read to the end :)

EPIC!

Heleissen dokar!

Let's see how much information I can jam into one email in 30 minutes! k ready go!

R.A. :)

This week was absolutely astoundingly amazing! First off, R.A. was baptized this Sunday! The whole entire week she has been beaming with excitement - completely unable to wipe the smile off of her face because she was so excited to be baptized. I've never seen 8 year-olds even that excited to be baptized! What an honor, and complete gift from our Father in Heaven to help her on her way to become like Jesus Christ. As always, the Spirit fills the room as the ordinance of baptism is performed - hers was no exception in the least. On top of that, our new Ward Mission Leader went the extra mile and got her a calling just hours after her baptism!! Simply unprecedented territory was achieved through such an effort! R.A. was dancing after church saying "I'm so lucky! I have a calling!!" - this shows the me the importance of giving our new converts opportunities to have spiritual experiences and truly feel needed in the church. The Lord is extremely anxious to bless them - as with all of us!

Us and R.A. - of all times to look away, eh?

With that awesome event, the rest of the email probably won't be nearly as cool :P

This past week we had some training meetings in Bergen and Stavanger. This month we're focusing on Teaching Skills - particularly teaching for understanding in preparation for lessons, sharing scriptures and asking inspired questions. We pray that the Lord will use His Spirit to sharpen us as we all put forth our efforts to become better instruments in His hands. The greatest way our companionship has found to improve these skills is by role-playing. And it's just hilarious when you catch your companion off-guard with a suddent blurt "OK POP-PRACTICAL!" and suddenly you have to play the part of the investigator or the missionary. Hahaha. But in teaching, it really really helps. Certain ideas, lessons or questions will come into our minds as we play the roles of our investigators or ourselves. The Spirit is able to work through our role-play and give us the polished lesson necessary to help our investigators make the next step towards baptism. Isn't the Spirit just amazing?!

Elder Levine shared with me the best oratorio I've ever heard in my entire life. Not to over-hype your expectations - but I highly highly recommend going and listening to the whole thing. It's called The Garden by Michael McLean and Bryce Neubert. Begin on track one, and listen through the whole performance. I now understand Christ's atonement on a new level.

Sometimes during the week we are so exhausted in the evenings that we can't be bothered to write in our journals. That's why I sometimes use my voice recorder to record journal entries every once in a while! However, this must be taken with a grain of salt. One night as I was recording a journal entry I totally fell asleep and recorded myself sleeping. Even better, though, was a few nights later when I subconsciously started praying into the recorder as I was sleeping! Hahaha! At least I know my subconscious has good habits! Missions are such funny things. . . .

                                                                                          After a hard day's work and you've been                                                                                                     working like a dog (Beatles, anyone?),                                                                                                                       some pudding hits the spot :P

                                                                                         

Speaking of journals, I am reminded of a story by President Thomas S. Monson when he gave a cancerous 12-year-old girl a blessing. After giving her the blessing, she handed him a little balloon that said "You're the best!" on it. He, knowing she'd recover, kept the balloon for 3 years to give it back to her at another time. Such an act of kindness is so sweet and endearing! Yet how many of us would have remembered that girl 3 years down the road in our hectic everyday lives? My guess is that he wrote it down in his journal. And he was prompted by the Spirit to hold onto the balloon and give it to her another time. By journal writing and being sensitive to the Spirit, we can encourage and uplift the weary souls around us. I've found this help in my mission by going through my journal and relating to people "hey! A year ago [such and such] happened. How cool was that??" etc etc. This especially helped when I called a previous new convert in Mo i Rana who we lost contact with. It was his birthday, so I called him. Now he's moved to Trondheim and still very positive! I'm hoping and praying I'll someday move to Trondheim so I can meet with him again. The Lord works in mysterious ways!

It is moves week, by the way, and Elder Levine and I are staying here in Stavanger. We are both extremely grateful that we can stay!! The members, investigators, new converts, area, district and zone are SO wonderful we (or at least I :P) never want to leave!!

Elder Earl and Elder Bitner. Elder Bitner's leaving to Arendal - I'm going to miss him SO much!!

A rockin' member gave us some
American peanut butter from the states. MMM.

My district leader back in Mo i Rana Elder Vanderhooft (who served in Bodø) just left for home. He was such a great example to me of really focusing on the people around you in a Christ-like manner. He shared with me some words of wisdom that I feel can apply to anyone's realm of influence. Wherever you are or whatever state of life you are in, you can focus on one or two people that you need to help. The Lord placed you in that realm of influence to help that person. And as you do so, everything else works out, and the Lord provides for your needs in all other aspects of the work. This is especially true of missionary work as we serve and help each other. When you focus on that one person, investigators seem to pop up everywhere, the Spirit felt more consistently, and the outpouring of blessings abundant :). Going into this next transfer, my eyes will be peeled for the people I need to serve!

The Lord is so merciful to each of us. He loves us unconditionally. He blesses us conditionally, according to the laws He has established. It is by obedience to His laws that we can take full advantage of the opportunities around us. Christ has paid the price, and the tools are in our hands. Forever do we have reason to rejoice in this Gospel and our Savior who makes it possible!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

p.s. Oh yeah, and we hiked Preikestolen again. One of God's most epic creations.

p.s.s. Mom, don't look at some of these pictures. You may kill me.

The sun was just PERFECT.

Mom, Don't Look.

WHOA!!

JIMMA!!

There were some drops of water that would float, suspended in the air, with the wind blowing them up the cliff. The sun reflecting off of them looked like stars. It was so cool looking!

Our district (aside from our other sister who wasn't feeling so well that day :( )

Paradis.

Oljemuseet, Ny MMK, Misjonsløsninger og S.& F.'s Dåp! (Oil Museum, New WML, Mission Solutions and S. & F.'s baptism!)

God dagen!

Another quick swishes by in the amazing city of Stavanger :). And boy has the rain and darkness begun picking up . . . .

Stavanger apparently has the best oil museum in Europe (if not the whole entire world), so we went and visited it with one of our members! Bro L. was one of the chiefs in charge of an oil rig out on the North Sea for much oil harvesting back in the day. Oil in Norway is what makes Norway one of the richest, and well-off countries in Europe. So, shortly said, the oil museum rocked!  Sadly, we only had an hour left before it closed (at 4 pm . . . I'm still not used to Norwegian stores closing extremely early.) Can you imagine being in one of those thick orange suits on a hot summer day? WHEW! During the winter, though, it's literally saving your life.

Sandes and us in our rockin' oil suits!

I can't imagine trying to put this thing on everyday . . . .

Bro L. and I outside the "Christmas Tree" oil unit

On Tuesday, a new Ward Mission Leader was called! As my Mom said, there's always growth in changes in leadership - and we are so stoked for our new ward mission leader! He fights our causes valiantly in Ward Council :). Being a part of Ward Council is also a special privilege us missionaries are provided here in Stavanger! It's a very growing experience watching how the ward functions as a council in order to problem-solve, progress and obtain the Lord's will for the ward here in Western Norway. I am so honored to just observe it! I'm taking a lot of mental notes as to how these principles will apply in the future. The Lord provides opportunities for learning very early in our developmental process in order to prepare us for future callings and possibilities. For He will not require anything of us that we are not prepared to handle (Look at Moses and Enoch for example: Moses felt unprepared to lead the children of Israel because he was slow of tongue (Exodus 4:10). And now looking back, he was one of the greatest leaders this world has ever seen! Enoch was afraid of this very same problem (Moses 6:31). Yet he trusted in the Lord, and soon his words wrought some of the most amazing miracles known to happen (Moses 7:13). The power of language is one of the most powerful tools God has given us!

Our investigator R.A. called her family this week to talk about her becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Her Mom responded: "You're CRAZY! . . . but you're an adult and can make your own decisions. We support you in whatever you decide." That was a tender mercy from the Lord for R.A. We are very excited for this week :). 

Gorgeous early morning in the Stavanger Airport!

On Wednesday we had a conference in Oslo! We've recognized that as a mission we need to work on teaching skills, as well as using district meetings more effectively to train the influx of new missionaries we've received recently. Talk about working in council :). The Lord DOES inspire councils to bring for His will. We can see this in Acts 15. And the new Leadership Training Library on lds.org goes into detail regarding this subject: https://www.lds.org/service/leadership/participate-in-councils?lang=eng I love this Church!

We dropped in the Oslo "Quiet Room" for a peek - and what do you know - there are inspirational books on the table! What could be more inspirational than the most correct book on earth?

Outside the St. Petri Kirke

Christus Statue in the St. Petri Kirke :)

Also, we went past the St. Petri Kirke and it was ACTUALLY open! This church has one of three Christus statues made by one artist (I have forgotten the name of the artist . . .). One is here in St. Petri, the second is in a church in Denmark, and the third, of course, is in the Visitor's Center in Salt Lake Temple Square! Neat, right?? We hopped in, asked if we could take pictures, and tried not to bother everyone else around. They were preparing for an organ performance of Mozart, Bach and Liszt. The temptation to stay was extremely present.

S., F. and their little boy :]

Last, but not least S. and F. were baptized this weekend! The husband was the man found by one of our district members sitting by him on a bus. And look at him and his family now! They are preparing themselves for the temple as we speak through daily prayer, scripture study and church attendance. The Lord's Spirit was very strong throughout the meeting - a confirming witness of the ordinance's importance and verity. Baptism is the Lord's prepared way back to Him through daily striving and overcoming. 

We are not here on earth to "earn" heaven - but rather to "learn" heaven! Christ provided the sacrifice in order for us to escape the consequences of justice upon the conditions of obedience. The Spirit is the daily guide to help us make the right decisions. It is by personal prayer and study that we invite the Spirit to lead us throughout each day. May the Lord's Spirit and blessings be poured out upon you all - by the fulfilling of the Lord's commandments!

I love this!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Kveldsmat at the R. Family's home. Apparently it's very "swedish" to dip your bread and cheese in hot cocoa. I'm always willing to dive into my ancestry anywhere, anytime :)

Patriarkalske Velsignelser, Testamentene og Hårklipp! (Patriarchal blessings, The Testaments and Haircuts)

 St. Johannes' Church out by Karlminnes gate

Heleisenn dakar!

It's been another rockin' week in Stavanger - between finding, teaching and member appointments.

Have any of you taken advantage of having your ancestor's patriarchal blessings sent to you yet? It's free on lds.org! I ordered a few of my great grandparents' blessings last week - so they should be coming in a few weeks. Isn't that amazing? Free scripture, given to your forefathers. Who knows what promises and blessings have been given to your ancestors and their descendants (and thereby, YOU)! I'm really excited for a heavy dose of the Spirit of Elijah! http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn?lang=eng&query=hearts+fathers

I would like to say that potentials in the phone and area book - as well as former investigators - is a great way to find people to teach! The Lord is preparing the hearts of the people to accept the Gospel. Maybe it won't be in the investigator's first missionary experience - but the Lord will use that time and prepare that heart for some later missionaries to come by and re-invite them to come unto Christ. This has worked for us this week - and it is very effective. Hours on the street for one possible potential - or 30 minutes on a chair calling 30 potential investigators? Your choice!

Ringing potentials outside while the sun still shines!

Elder Levine the handsome!

This week we had a great miracle while out on the street. Elder Levine turned to me after a few minutes on the street "we should probably go and visit our investigator's home down in Hundvåg." Alright! I won't deny revelation when it comes! And ON THE WAY to the bus stop in sentrum - we run into the very same person we were going to visit. His friend happened to be there as well! Quick lesson and return appointment - boom! That was really neat. I am so grateful for a companion who is spiritually sensitive enough to recognize, vocalize and act upon promptings when they come. It makes missionary work extremely exciting.

We had dinner over at a member's home who is from Scotland. He had been part of the British Royal Army and had some absolutely incredible stories. Many of these stories happened to take place in Hong Kong :). I told him one of my best buddies is currently serving in Hong Kong - so Elder Hazen this is for you!

Also this week, one of our members gave us missionaries professional Norwegian haircuts! I just saved myself 50 USD! It was way cool how she did it too - with just her fingers and a knife.

Norwegian haircuts - so sweet!

 Her husband provided us with some world-famous Jæter cheese. Smells like nasty socks, but didn't taste too bad after all! This reminded me of Dad coming home from the grocery store with random cheeses. MMM. Love me some cheese.

However, the neatest thing that happened this week was on Saturday. We met with our investigator R.A. with some of her friends in the ward. We all read 3 Nephi 11 about Christ's brief ministry to the New World in 34 AD. The Spirit was strong, and testified of the truthfulness of that experience. The best part though, was that night at a member's home, we all watched the movie The Testaments - a re-enactment of the 3 Nephi 11 story. It was such a powerful experience, there were hardly any dry eyes in the room. R.A., the next day at church came up to us saying "I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had such a strong, wonderful feeling in my heart the whole night long because of that movie. I know that that experience was true - because the Spirit testified of it to me. The Book of Mormon is a true account!" It was such a wonderful experience to hear that from her. 

I, too, know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is filled with God's word directed toward us in our day. And as my history teacher would say: The Book of Mormon is not a book of the past - it is a book of the future. Mormon was led by God as to which books and accounts that should be compiled in the Book of Mormon in order to best help us with our difficulties and challenges of our day - which he saw. The Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. We find His will through obedience to His commandments!

I love my Lord and Savior. I know that He is real, for He works through us, and builds us up in order to lift those around us. 

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson