Tromsø. Norges "Paris" (Tromsø, Norway's "Paris")

Elder Levine, Jazz and I hanging out :P

One last Sandnes kebab. Everyone knows good kebab doesn't exist in the north

Stavanger Domkirken

The Hickmans left their mission at the end of the transfer - we love them so much!

The Sandnes/Stavanger District :D

Our last ward mission leader coordination meeting. He brought us julebrus!!

See ya, Stavanger!

Heia! (MMM. Northern dialect.)

Ridin' on a jetplane!

Man. Moves day was just an emotional roller coaster. It was like leaving on my mission all over again! While on the plane I was really down, writing in my journal for a few hours (thank you, travel time!). Took one last picture of the sun for 2012 (3 months of no sun to go!)!

Last view of the sun for 2012!

But once my lungs filled with Tromsø air, I knew I was at a new home!

Hellooo Tromsø!

MMM. Lunch. (and 60 kroner saved!)

Elder Strange is one of the most genuine missionaries in the Norway mission right now. A down to earth, real guy. We get along great - perfect for a little apartment and teeny tiny branch up in the far north. We both recall very well how our social skills go completely skiwompous in a two man apartment, with no one in sight to talk with other than streets and doors filled with unsuspecting strangers. Good bye, normal social skills! Until 4 months from now! (at least!). Instead of normal social skills, Elder Strange is teaching me how to be a master at chess, and how to fish (caught one this morning!).

Elder Strange hookin' up!

Tromsø bay.

Boats on boats. 1 to every 5 norwegians in existence.

Tromsø is known as Norway's "Paris" because (legend has it that) way back in the day, Paris used to send its latest fashions and materials to Norway through the Tromsø ports. This place is a college town, and it is hopping with people all over the streets. I don't think the city ever has much of a "down-time." Another rumor has it that Tromsø has the most  pubs and bars per person in such a small area. We can see them all over the place! And it's understandable why, too - the sun never comes up! Despite that though, Tromsø is gorgeous. Maybe it's just because I compare everything with Mo i Rana ("the armpit of Norway" as President Johansen used to say :P). Tromsø looks like a snowglobe without the snow (so far!). Christmas light a strewn across the streets - and the traditional Christmas tree will soon be erected in the center of town. Norwegians know how to celebrate Christmas properly!

The gågate (walking street)

The people themselves are really nice, too! "You are a great person!" This random stranger woman said to me as we were talking about beliefs. WHOA. That surprised me so much I got embarrassed. Haha! Missions. Truly high quality, hard-core (northerners, I tell you!) people live here in the far

Red - light papers. Yellow - cardboards. Green - food.
Blue - plastics. White - everything else (not shown)

north. They're really big into recycling up here too. Check out those colored bags!! What's also awesome about the far north - is that the Sami people live here! The Sami people is the indigenous people to the far north (in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia area). They're generally quite short, white, blond and really nice. I met my first Sami on Sunday! I was so excited. The Sami methods of survival include gathering and reindeer herding. Some missionaries in the past have been offered to go reindeer herding with them for a few days. Are you kidding me?? That would be so cool!! Needless to say, I am stoked to be here in Tromsø. The people ROCK.

Tunnel roundabouts. All the rage in Tromsø.

Also, being in a small town has its perks in that we get to consistently have full studies everyday (Church even begins at 1 pm here - other than the general nationally accepted time of 11 am). Being able to have full studies consistently really gives you the spiritual strength and motivation to be obedient and to work hard. That's a promise in the missionary call letter - look for it. 

The promises that the Lord makes to us are real and true. The best part about them is that they are all testable! "Prove me now" the Lord says in Malachi 3. "Ask and ye shall receive" He says in Matthew 21. "Remember how merciful the Lord hath been [throughout the course of history]" Moroni reminds us in Moroni 10. One of the best promises the Book of Mormon provides for us is found in 2 Nephi 1:20, Alma 36:1 and 30, - "inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land." Read 2 Nephi 1 and Mormon 7 and tell me that those aren't powerful and comforting scriptures!

The Lord leads this work - whether in sunny, humid Hong Kong or sunless, humid Tromsø.

"Behold, I am a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people, that they might have everlasting life." 3 Nephi 5:13 

Amen!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

P.S. Gratulerer med dagen, Elder Hazen! Du gammel, gammel mann!

The frost on top of our car this mornin

 Merge The view out of our back window!

The view out of our back window!