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| E. Godfrey and I! |
Hallo alle sammen!
This week has been extremely busy
and extremely amazing! I can't keep my head on straight because of
everything that has happened - has it really been only a week??
In less important news, this past week in Oslo we've had Metallica, Justin Bieber and Hillary Clinton.
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| A.'s baptism! |
In
more important news, A. was baptized this week! I don't think I've ever
felt the Spirit stronger in any baptismal service than that one with
A.. I feel like it was his attitude towards baptism, his surrendering of
his will to the Lord's that truly brought the Spirit in a great degree.
He is a stunning example to me. When we taught him the commandments, he
would testify to US of the truthfulness of the principles we taught
him. He is awesome! I am in awe seeing our investigators exercise so
much faith in their Savior Jesus Christ. I just hope I can have that
same faith someday :). And you know what he did this past Sunday?
Invited his friend to church. What a stud!
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| Sandvika, Norway |
Earlier this week, we had a little meeting in
Sandvika with President Johansen to address the needs of the mission.
The Spirit was strong, and led our meeting. It was also very inspiring
hearing from President Johansen as to how we can become better as
individuals. If you all didn't know, President Johansen will be leaving
the mission on June 30th, and then our new mission president will
arrive. President Johansen really emphasized the importance of gaining
knowledge in order to better evaluate, assess, understand and enjoy the
world around you. He used to go to sleep at 12 or 1 am, and wake up at 5
am every day with work, family, and service in the church just so he
could study his scriptures! "And that's why I look the way I do." he
says. Hahah. He's a remarkable example to all of us missionaries. We are
excited for the transition we'll make this next month. Always for the
better :) always!
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| Drammen, Norway |
After our little conference, E. Godfrey and I took
splits down to Drammen - I was honored enough to make the trip. Sadly
enough, I didn't take any pictures! But Drammen is a beautiful little
city. E. Anderson is doing a wonderful job down there. On one of our
little breaks, we bought some cheap strawberries and bananas and sat out
by the river. 4 hours of straight sun burned me a bit, but it was well
worth it :). We really are in the best mission in the world! :P
One of the biggest miracles we had this week was a
referral we received from Kristiansand. This girl wanted to know more
about what we believed. When we called she asked "is it alright if I
bring my friends?" That is one of the best things you can say to a
missionary. They will beam from ear to ear. Once we got the address of
where to meet them, we realized that she lived about an hour way on an
island. Whoa! Borrowing the senior couple's car, we took a road trip to
this school way out in the middle of nowhere! Rolling green hills, cows,
sun, raspberry bush orchards, I am in heaven here! Pictures can't
nearly do it justice, but I try anyway.
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| Stunningly gorgeous home on the way to our appointment! |
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Moo!
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| My dream home with raspberry bush orchards lining the front yard :) |
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Once we arrived, we walked into a
room of 12 people eager and waiting to hear our message. We taught one
of our best lessons of all time in that little room. The Lord surely
prepared us for that moment - the questions asked, the Norwegian spoken
and the spiritual capacity. At the end, we learned that they are all
Seventh-day Adventists. I am really surprised how close our doctrines
are with what they believe. One of them prayed at the end of our
discussion saying "please help us to know the truth when it is presented
to us . . ." and he stopped for a few seconds. E. Godfrey and I swear
that kid got a confirmation by the Holy Ghost right then and there! They
all took copies of the Book of Mormon, along with a few pamphlets. That
was an amazing experience. These kids were all students of a religious
school - and I am amazed at their faith in God - and in the standards
they uphold. E. Godfrey and I have rarely felt so wonderful just being
with people who believe strongly in God! I hope and pray these wonderful
students read and pray to God that the Book of Mormon is true. Because
it is - I've asked Him! And thereby, we have knowledge that God is
restored His true church, wholly and completely anew upon the earth.
An idea that has been with me this past week is the
constant abiding of the Holy Ghost. If we are quiet enough, and
sensitive enough, and we ask for God to be with us, He will send His
Spirit to be with us. That Spirit is one of the best feelings that
exist. A feeling of comfort and security beyond description. I've been
trying to hold myself sensitive enough this whole week so I can always
think to myself "Yup, I feel the Spirit is with me." And because of
that, I feel led when I find people, talk with them, and build others
up. Every member of the church is entitled to that feeling and
direction.
The Lord is much more willing to help us and strengthen us than we usually let ourselves believe :)
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
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| The Oslo Domkirke (big state church in the center of the city). Gorgeous
insides. But not even close to the Salt Lake Temple. By a long shot. |
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| The Oslo Opera House. Talk about modern style! |
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| The military fortress! |
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| Me and the guard - can you see the other guys in the windows? Man, those Norwegians surprise me more every day! |
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| A military fortress in Oslo |
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