Trondheim Splits, Begravelser, Vitnesbyrd og Sommarøy (Trondheim Splits, Funerals, Testimonies and Sommarøy)

Mornings by candlelight :D

"Kjære alle sammen! For en dag!!" ("Dear everyone! What a day!!") - as Elder Badger would say :P

This is a bar near the church.It says "Tromsøs
Eldste Pub" which means Tromsø's
Oldest Pub.  We like it because it's our
(the Eldste's) pub ;)

First and foremost, yesterday was the anniversary of my sister's birth - and some congratulations are in order! Happy Birthday Lara!! I hope that the celebrations and festivities went smoothly, wonderfully and relatively un-chaotically :). I love you, sis!

This week began with a visit by the zone leaders from Trondheim up to Tromsø. Bodø and Narvik missionaries also hopped in for the occasion. For the first time ever, our meeting was held in 100% Norwegian (a new request by our Mission President). At first, we were rather skeptical how the meeting would go, with the new and the more senior missionaries trying to express themselves to each other in the mission language. To be honest, many of us expected to come on the mission and speak the language 100% of the time, but were rather disappointed when us Norwegian missionaries speak just about as much Norwegian as a state-side foreign speaking missionary does (only as occasions permit). However, as a testimony to our President's request, the Spirit filled the room, and we were all able to adequately express ourselves, and feel understood, in our little Tromsø chapel. It was a neat experience, and much credit is due to our awesome zone leaders (Elder Bird and Elder Chancellor!), and most importantly, the Spirit Itself.

After which, Elder Chancellor and I hopped on a plane for Trondheim. Due to flight/travel arrangements, it occurs all too frequently that our splits run rather short. As was the case, yet again, this time. Though, despite our circumstances, much was learned. Elder Chancellor has an special love for the people that I wish I had. It is remarkable. Much remains for me to learn, to say the very least. The investigator we taught, J., has a very rough past, and still has no specific persuasion or belief in God. Despite all this, he is still a very kind, very open, and especially open-minded man. Testifying to him of the reality of answers that come through the Book of Mormon was particularly remarkable. We wrote cards together with a line in the center, and on the left side wrote: "What only God can do" and on the right side wrote: "What I can do", and began reading commandments and invitations with attached specific blessings. It built my faith, seeing a newcomer to faith, begin to experience the depths and breadths of faith. Faith is a hope for things not seen. But with a list of promised blessings, it becomes starkly clear what TO see through faith.

Elverhøy Church

Our smiley member A.'s brother passed away last week, and so we joined him at the funeral at the Elverhøy Church. Norwegian funerals are neat things. Generally sorrowful, though always garnished with hope through repeated verses from the New Testament (I am the Resurrection and the Life -John 11:25. For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son - John 3:16, etc). When A.'s words were read from the pulpit "En siste hilsen" ("A last greeting"), A. became quite perturbed. "Det skulle ikke stå sånn." ("It shouldn't have read that way. That was wrong."). Of course, because as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints know, and as my friends at BYU would say: "the righteous never need say good-bye! Only see you later" :) 

On Friday, our wonderful Swedish family had us over yet again for a delicious meal - this time with our investigator A.! (different A. - I apologize for the confusion!). Elder Badger and I were confused and lost as to what our investigator needed at this time. He's a nut we don't know exactly how to crack quite yet. Normally, we share a short spiritual thought and commitment at the end of our member meals. For some reason, though, the usual scripture and encouragement didn't seem like the best idea. After much pondering and praying (and awesome revelation books!), we decided to hold a testimony meeting for all of us. We knew that our investigator had a testimony of a few of the principles of the gospel, so it seemed appropriate for us all to bear our testimonies of the truths that have been revealed to us individually. It seemed rather different to have our own investigator bear testimony to US of the truths he has received, but let me tell you, we knew for a fact at the end of that meeting that that was the Lord's will. The Spirit filled the room, and each of our hearts were touched by the testimonies born (some with decades of growth, some less). 

As for today, Elder Badger and I finally had some stunning weather outside to go and do something exciting :D. Enjoy the pictures of our trip out to Sommarøy!

 Sommarøy's backyard :]

Hiking on Sommarøy

 Elder Badger for the deep left field save!!

 Elder Johnson for the High School Musical reunion!

Sommarøy - Johnson Conquered

Sommarøy - Badger Dominated

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." - Ether 12:4

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Elder Badger achieved his quest to successfully deliver A.'s mail
 to the retractable fish-smelling grocery bag! Delightful!

Free balloons at the grocery store? Heck to the yes.

"Are thems the northern lights?!?"