Heisann dere!
First of all, happy birthday AR! No, I didn't
forget. You're only doing a 5k this year? I want to build up for the 10k
with you someday :)
Second off, I hope you all
don't think we're just taking a 9 week vacation here in Oslo. We are
working, I promise! Just reading back over my emails, it sounds like a
long vacation to me :). And it's about to get worse:
This week we went to Sandvika to attend the Drammen
District meeting to go and strengthen our fellow missionaries! Man, I
love being with other missionaries. 6 months in Mo i Rana, with only a
companion and 15 members, really helped me appreciate that. We presented
particularly regarding goals and delivering baptismal date commitments
early. People are not invited to repent and come unto Christ unless we
invite them to be baptized! The Spirit witnesses of this holy ordinance
as well. Trust in that Spirit to help you! Elder Anderson's presentation
on Preach My Gospel chapter 10 relating the importance of listening,
and then adapting the gospel according to their needs was absolutely
perfect for our lesson with our investigator that night. The Lord
certainly inspires us through others!
Then, since we took P-day on a different day, we
went to the Oslo museums over on Bygdøynes. Boy is it exhausting to be a
tourist for a day! Whew! Here's a short description of what we
experienced:
The Maritime Museum covered the Norwegian sea-faring history since medieval times. I saw the oldest Norwegian boat on record!
The
Fram Museum was all about the experiences of the ship "Fram" that
traveled to both the North and South poles with many different
biologists, geologists, chemists, geographers and so forth in order to
further the scientific knowledge of our polar caps. The life-size
replica of the "Fram" was really neat! To keep them sane, they had a
piano. I had to take a picture of it. :).
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| Piano in the Fram! |
After which, we went to the Kon-Tiki museum which
explained the journeys of Thor Heyerdahl and his crew.
His hypothesis
was to see if ancient, sea-worthy vessels could travel from Europe and
the Middle East to the American continent purely by natural forces of
wind and waves. And he proved it not only correct, but very much
possible!
That is a clear evidence that the Jaredites, and Lehi's family
from the Book of Mormon traveled to the New World by purely natural
forces. Another witness that the Book of Mormon is true! And then he
went on to experiment from the American continent traveling to the
Hawaiian and Polynesian islands. And he proved that correct as well.
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| The Kon-Tiki raft |
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| Middle East to America |
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| America to Pacific Islands |
Hagoth from Alma 63:5-8 could very well be the forefather of the Pacific
Islanders. And this was a Norwegian who did all this. Yeeaiah!
Then the Norwegian Folk Museum was amazing with all
of the different aspects of their culture: dress, architecture, music,
culture, living conditions, and so forth. To be honest, the things that
fascinated me most were the bunads, dressing styles and the tale of
Christianity in Norway. Norwegians have always dressed very nicely -
even since the medieval times. Especially on Sunday, too! Their faith in
God was exceedingly great. It is truly neat to tap into the past
history of Norway and feel their faith. Now they're on our side to save
their children - I love this work! To my uttermost sadness, I didn't
notice that there was a Stave Church there in the Folk Museum. Garrett
would have killed me for not visiting it. I'll see it before I leave
Oslo!
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| Norwegian Dolls in Hardanger bunads! |
And Mom, they had a part of the museum JUST for doll-houses and
dolls. I thought you'd like to know that :P. The Sami culture is really
neat as well. I want to study so much when I get home . . . Oi!
We unfortunately saved the best for last with the
Viking Ship Museum! The largest and best preserved viking ships were
there from approximately 900 AD. They were awesome! I love the viking
history!
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| Viking Ship! |
After all of that - our good friend John invited us
over for dinner. Some of the best indian food I've ever tasted!
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| John, Elder Godfrey and I :D |
It
reminded me of my first temple trip last April, after which we went to
get some indian food. Tanner
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| Indian food! |
would be proud to know I ate curry and rice
like a real Indian!
On Friday, I was asked to hold a talk on the Gift of
the Holy Ghost at a baptism near Lutvannet. That water was gorgeous,
and the clouds extremely ominous. I felt extremely viking. Sadly though,
we had a meeting that turned out to be earlier that day so I missed the
baptism! Sadness! On the other hand, at this meeting we were able to
meet our new mission president :)
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| Don A. and Susan D. Evans |
President Evans and Sister Evans are from Mesa
Arizona. President Evans taught President Johansen back the LTM way back
in prehistoric times. I mean in the 1970's. As we met together, you
could feel their love for Norway and for the missionaries of this
mission flood the room as we discussed our plans for these coming,
transformative months. We are stoked! To express a little difference
between the two presidents, President Johansen will basically explode
with the spirit and hand it to you, pulsating, while President Evans
just kinda smoothly envelopes you with love. President Johansen has
truly moved Norway in the progress of missionary work, especially using
members to assist us, as well as the creation of the Drammen Stake.
These were miracles witnessed by us missionaries and the Norwegian
membership! President Evans has some large boots to fill - but I am sure
he will create wonders these upcoming 3 years :)
As a little side-note, yesterday we were out
contacting near the coast - and it was gorgeous! We even found a little
hidden pathway to the new part of Oslo under heavy development. My jaw
dropped seeing whole apartment complexes, high-rises and stores, built
on the water, all color coordinated and modernly styled. Man, that was
stunning! E. (you who now lives in T-ville) would LOVE it there. I'll
show you sometime, okay?? My jaw also dropped seeing the price of these
apartments. For a 3 bedroom apartment - 30 million kroner - 6 million
USD. The most expensive part of the most expensive city in the world -
for sure.
This week has been wondrous and exciting! Zone
Conference is coming up this Wednesday (4th of July!) We'll be grilling
some burgers and providing watermelon and corn to satiate our patriotic
thirst :). We take our patriotism seriously. D&C 98:6-10, D&C 101:77-80, 2 Nephi 1:9 Alma 36:1,30. The Constitution was inspired of
God in order to bring to pass the Restoration of the fulness of Jesus
Christ's Gospel.
I love my God! And I love my country! (And Norway too - don't worry :)
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
