Tom Påske (Empty Easter)

Smågodt! Another Norwegian Easter
Tradition of assorted candies in a paper bag.

Kvikk Lunsj - the Norwegian equivalent (or rather, improvement) of the US Kit Kat. A Norwegian Easter tradition that I adore.

Kjære alle sammen!

Empty easter sounds a lot like empty nester. That's not the idea I'm trying to convey at all, really. Just the fact that out on the street right now - the "busiest" time of day - there's not a soul in sight. Welcome to the Norwegian Easter tradition! Honestly, it's more empty now than it was during the Christmas season.

Avaldsnes Church

I don't blame the Norwegians at all, however. Especially because apparently this is the best weather Western Norway has had for this long since 1951. We're not complaining! It is simply stunning weather - brightly sunny, hardly a cloud in the sky and a nice brisk breeze. Oh I love it here. Recently on our long bus and ferry trips to faraway places, gazing at the fleeting Norwegian landscapes has captured my mind and heart in a nostalgic vice.  

 "Heyy all the sheepies ran away."

The sheepies that ran away . . . .

One of those trips actually brings me to one of our coolest stories this week! Cleaning up the area book is always a fascinating experience. You can get the best experiences, and the worst experiences going through it. Regardless, it's always worth it. We called up a previous investigator and he said he would love to have us over to help him "cast out the demons in my apartment". Uhh . . . figuratively or literally? Upon discussion with Elder Schulz, and our Mission President, we felt it was a good idea and see if we could make it a positive experience. Hold a blessing upon the home, hold a prayer - what could go wrong? Upon arrival, a few hours out of Haugesund, we met him and walked into his "apartment". It actually turned out to be a mental institution, and clear signs of mental instability showed in our previous investigator's behaviors right off the bat. Note to all missionaries: please update your records thoroughly. Stumbling into these situations aren't always this pleasant. Well anyway, we got to know him, evaluated how we could help him, held a simple prayer and got out of there. We felt that we did what we could, and the comforting influence of the Spirit was present, so we felt satisfied. Upon waiting at the bus stop, however, we were unsure if there was even a bus available for our return trip. A nervous trickling on our backs began forming because we knew that it was Easter - all bus routes are completely out of wack for the whole week. We called members, prayed and hoped for a bus to come our way. One member called us back and assured us that bus from a different company would be passing by, so we would make it home. Huge sigh of relief - we were going to make it to church the next day.

The story doesn't end there, though! Elder Schulz and I still felt a little bit "off" after that whole experience. As if there was something "more" to do in the area. Once the bus arrived, it was packed with people, so we filed in and crammed in the back of the bus. Just as we left the station, Elder Schulz turns to me and says "hey, isn't that the preaching humanist who stopped us a few weeks back?" "oh yeah!!" He was sitting there in the back of the bus. Elder Schulz sat next to another young man, who wanted more "religious enlightenment" in his life, and I sat next to our friend, the preaching humanist. This was clearly the purpose behind our entire visit the entire time!

E., the preaching humanist, ended up sparking conversation with us regarding evolution, the existence of the soul before and after death, judgment day and evidence for the existence of God. Most of these questions were actually very simply answered through the restored truths of the Plan of Salvation. He seemed quite satisfied with the answers to those questions, so then he went directly to the existence of God. "How do you know He exists?" "I prayed and asked Him. He also answers my questions and relieves my worries and concerns." "Did He talk to you?" "No, normally He communicates to me through my feelings." 

The accusations that then ensued, much like unto Korihor's argument that these feelings are the "effect[s] of a frenzied mind" (Alma 30:16), began to barrage my mind and directly attack my testimony. His reasoning was that I wanted an answer so much that I "answered myself" through a self-inflicted chemical reaction in my brain and heart. I then began to share a story with him that I have used frequently on my mission with regards to gaining answers to prayer:

When I was in college before my mission, I had a lot of time before I would go and serve my mission. Due to this large amount of time, it was necessary that I pick which major, or direction I would take in order to obtain my degree shortly after returning home. I made it a matter of prayer, because if anyone knew which direction I should go and study for a future career and family, God did. From previous experiences and church situations, I knew that God would only answer me if I had put in my part by "studying it out" (D&C 9:8) and asking (James 1:5). By the process of elimination, then, I began finding different majors, considering them, and asking God if that major was the one I should pursue. It began with the sciences, and there was no divine response. It continued into mathematics, and there was no response. And so it continued through psychology, linguistics, history, so on and so forth with absolutely no answer from God. Pretty soon, by the 7th or 8th attempt in asking God what I should do, I got no answer once again, and I became very frustrated. I knew that God answered prayers, so then why didn't He? My career and future family was something of great importance to me, why didn't God help me?? After a few thoughts along that vein, I took a step back in my frustrated prayer. "Father, does it really matter which one I pick? Or should I go ahead and pick one, and you will see to it that things will work out?" Suddenly a very warm feeling entered into my heart and mind - to a degree at which I had never experienced before. It was clearly from an outer source - for I had not felt such a direct confirmation in this manner before. 

After turning to E. I queried "so why didn't I "answer myself" those first 7 or 8 times? I really wanted an answer. Very much so. It was a determining factor for my entire future. Clearly God had more in store for me, I was just asking Him the wrong question the whole time." 

He responded in a humble, genuine manner, and the Spirit was very strong in our little bus. He accepted a Book of Mormon, to read for "educational purposes", but I know there's more waiting for E. God loves him so much, He set two 19-21 year old boys with name tags on a long-lost bus trip to a flunk of an appointment in the middle of nowhere in order to find him.

God answers prayers - and I am a living witness of that truth.

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

If you were wondering why we didn't include pictures of our
apartment before -
honestly there isn't much to take a picture of!

Viking attire.

 Mulan, anyone??

 "Viking" brand soon to hit local stores everywhere . . . .

"Mary's Needle" - legend has it that once this needle finally touches the wall of the church,
 it's the end of the world. Well! Let's hurry things up a bit! :P

Our living room/my desk in the early morning!