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| Free rose from our library |
Whew, I am so tired all the time. I suppose that means I'm a good missionary :P
Norway's huge high school graduation party began this week: the "Russ". (*note* Do not look up pictures for Russ, they are more
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| The local carnival in time for Russ! |
than likely extremely
inappropriate). Russ is a 3 week time after graduation, before 17. Mai
(Norway's independence day), for all of the graduating class to get
drunk, break the law of chastity and sass their moms like nobody's
business. And security doesn't do a thing about it - it's Russ! Normally
you'll find huge red, blue or black buses driving around with
ginormous sound systems, filled with people doing crazy stuff. There is a
specified list of activities, accomplishments and
rewards for the Russ.
The appropriate (and quite fun!) activities include: eating breakfast
in a roundabout, sleeping in a roundabout, sleeping in your teacher's
tree for one night, squirting random people with water-guns, don't brush
your teeth or shower for the whole 3 weeks, wear the same Russ attire
the whole 3 weeks etc etc. The Russ seems like a really cool idea - as
long as it held within the commandments of God! However! The Russ attire
is awesome - bright red overalls and Norwegian flag shoes. We found
some really cheap pairs - so I'm stoked!
Other than that, our wonderful member also took us to
Nesna this week. Nesna is a very small
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| On the way to Nesna! |
Norwegian community out on the
coast that is simply beautiful! To explain Norway's community style:
simply beautiful. I love it! She also took us to her hytte (summer
cabin). She spoils us all too much. We always tell her: "Du snilleste,
hvorfor er du alt for snill??" (You kindest, why are you way too kind?)
And she says "Å være med misjonærene gjør meg kjempe glad! Det er det
minst jeg kan gjøre." (Being with the missionaries
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| that wind was blowin' my tie off! |
makes me super happy -
it's the least I can do!). She is so salty - and by that I mean the
salt of the earth ;). (Matthew 5:13)
Eldste and Søster Pedersen came down this week to
strengthen the Mo i Rana branch. It was a wonderful visit - such a
strength to us and our members! It was also extremely refreshing to sit
in the congregation for once :P. You can really tell your leaders are
inspired of God when you can feel their love, respect and care for you
and your work. I hope I can do the same in my future callings in the
church :).
One huge thing I learned this week: the Book of Mormon
and Preach My Gospel are really the only two books you need to keep your
testimony going while on your mission. Ken Kenworthy told me this a
long time ago, but I just gained a testimony of it :P. As my buddy Elder
Hazen over 
in Hong Kong is experiencing, there are certainly many
people who are just not willing to try the message. And even those who
do try it don't get an immediate answer, simply because their heart's
not in the right place, or they don't listen for an answer. "Well, will
you try to find out He's there? It just takes prayer." "nope." "We're
talking about the greatest, most powerful being in the universe that
has, does, and always will exist - and that wouldn't mean anything to
you that He is there?" "Nope." That has been way hard. But, as our call
letter states: As you read the scriptures, your motivation to be
obedient and to work hard will increase. BoM and PMG are the key to that
promise :).
This gospel is true! It is wonderful. It gives us the
opportunity to reach beyond our natural capacities and abilities to
comprehend, think, speak, act, work and so much more.
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
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| Me and our member's cat (talk about allergies!!) |
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| The world ends when this bottle of vitamin bears expires!!
(The end date of Mayan Calendar, thus end of world.)
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