Bønn (Prayer)

 Our ferry on the way to district meeting

  On the ferry - that's our bus :):)

Hei!

Tate (Cousin)

First off, I heard a little bird whisper to me that Tate has his mission call. Is that true? Since when? Where in the world is he going (literally)? Why hasn't anyone decided to inform me regarding this asap?! If I heard by mistake, my bad :).

Second off, how pleasant it was to see Ken Ken in the background of General Conference Saturday afternoon session! I hope all is well with you, buddy!

Well as for this week, things are definitely coming along here in Haugesund. With the addition of bikes to our missionary tools, we've been able to be 

Bikes! (Thanks Dad for the plastic bag idea!)

much more efficient and effective in our efforts. Efficiency is something I am obsessed with - quite possibly slightly obsessive compulsive. They are an excellent addition to this area, and we are extremely extremely grateful :). Just don't ask for the price tag.

This week's spiritual experiences have much to do with prayer. 

A less-active we've been working with  said that she "finally felt that warm, peaceful feeling again" after saying a prayer aloud, alone, for her first time. Praying aloud is a unique way to show your faith, focus and humility to God. An example of which is found when Joseph Smith prayed aloud for his first time in a grove of trees (JSH 1:14). 

Another less active cancelled one of our appointments because her son had a bunch of rambunctious friends over. Upon our return the next day, his friends were still over, so we decided to teach them all instead! We gathered the whole house around the Book of Mormon, busted out some pictures of Enos from the church, and told the story of Enos. The boys listened intently, and responded in the sweetest, and most intent manner. I wish teaching adults was that special of an experience all the time. "So what do you do when you feel sad?" "Pray!" "What do you do when you need help?" "Pray!" Very good. One of the boys was even Buddhist - and you could tell he had some spiritual connection as well. That was a neat experience.

An email I received from my best friend in China included a story regarding a boy who is frustrated with his prayers, isn't receiving answers and has thereby "given up" on God. I desire to speak to that boy, as well as to all who are having difficulties with prayer right now.

A sign outside of a Christian church read "We know what you want. What does God want?" Naturally, talking comes much more easily to each of us than listening does. This is particularly true when it comes to prayer. How many times have we prayed at night, quickly muttered some repeated phrases and hit our pillows at night without even a thought about who we are actually communicating with, or what we are actually saying? Is it possible that we are posing the wrong problems and questions to Him, that are not in our eternal best interest? Is that the reason why God seemingly "never answers our prayers"? I know that when God answers us, He doesn't "waste" His answer on one who won't (aka does not desire to, or even attempt to) listen.

Second, prayer takes a great deal of personal meditation and inner-stillness in order to hold your heart and mind tender and cultivated to receive an answer. Stress, music, and other noises can interfere with our personal receptors to receive an answer. Be still for once. 

Third, prayer isn't entirely active, nor is it entirely passive. It is a stance that must be achieved at the extremities of your active efforts to dig and find the will of the Lord, as well as hold yourself completely passive to any possible influences you may receive.

Fourth, read and ponder the scriptures - they open the way to revelation. They are an effective tool to remove your thoughts from the worldly "noise". Consider fasting.

"Indeed, I have come to suspect that faith is sometimes developed in the true Christian in spite of, rather than because of,immediate answers to prayer—at least to that type of prayer which we are all too prone to offer, that which admonishes God to do our bidding, that which reduces his role to that of a cosmic servant." - please read all of http://www.lds.org/ensign/1976/01/before-praying?lang=eng

I am not perfect at praying, not even close. I believe it is entirely impossible to hold a perfect prayer - because it is so individual and intimate. And so, through humble searching, and a great deal of patience, I have found access to a large reservoir of peace through the gift of prayer.

"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."

Prayer is work. And prayer works.

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

A comet? We were surprised to see this thing in the sky. It looked nothing like a plane when it was closer . . . 

Watching conference!

:)

Cookies we made for General Conference :) mmm.