Hallo!
This week has been filled with so many different things - I think I'll cover them in a chronological order :)
Last
Monday after emails we took a bike tour to many different churches
found in Oslo. We went to the St. Olav's Catholic Cathedral,
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| St. Olav's Cathedral! |
and tried
to visit the Trefoldighets Church, but they're only open on Wednesdays.
Bummer!
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| Trefoldighets Church! |
I am so glad we have permission from President to take a few
hours off of P-Day so that we can visit these sites when they're
actually open. It is extremely common for Norwegian shops to close
around 3 or 4 pm. That would be economic suicide in America! On the
other hand, it's quite nice because families can be together and at home
in the evenings. Build up those families, people! We also visited the
National Gallery museum this week. I felt bad for the other missionaries
because they took 10 minutes to see everything, whereas I took a whole
hour. There were a few pieces of art of the "Ride of the Valkyries" from
the Ring Cycle - and another of Leif Erikson (sp?) finding the American
continent. "I just don't appreciate art, I guess!" my companion said.
Haha. It reminded me of that 8 hour long, semi-excruciating museum trip
with Garrett way back when we were 14. Some experiences will never leave
my memory banks :P
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| Ride of the Valkyries! (You tell 'em, Wagner!)
|
On Tuesday we helped the Isaksen family move from
Oslo to Romerike. After giant furniture, book cases and even a piano -
we finally made it to the beautiful, rolling-green-hill countryside of
Romerike. Big difference from big-city Oslo! Only us two missionaries
were there to help pack the truck, and we had 6 total on the unpacking.
It was also easier to move everything into the new house than from the
old house. These two things made a 2 and a half hour difference of
packing/unpacking time! The coolest part was that the Isaksen family had
their extended family there, including Bernt - who served with my Dad
in Austria in the 70's! Way cool!! He asked all about if my Dad ended up
serving in the Air Force and flying planes, etc etc. Yup, that's
definitely my father :)
Wednesday was the first Zone Conference with
President Evans. Everything was great! Especially because it was the 4th
of July! We made sure to provide burgers, watermelon and delicious
salads.
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| Grillin' Burgers with Elder Strange! |
Our opening and closing hymns were the national anthem and
another patriotic song. I felt bad for our three non-American Elders in
our Zone (Torjesen - Norway. Heimdal - Iceland. Chapman - England) - but
we celebrated anyway!
Thursday we received permission to visit a member
during her golf tournament. Cecilie is a professional golfer here in
Norway - and we had a wonderful time! Unfortunately for me, however, my
allergies almost knocked me out. The course was very large and very open
(not many trees).
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| Big, open golf course! |
Quite different, and very beautiful. We were able to
teach many people who came up to us ("Who are you guys anyway? Jehovah's
Witnesses??" "You guys can speak Norwegian!? Whoa!!" etc etc).
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| Hauger Golf club |
That also reminds me of this 15 year old kid that
ran up to us yesterday. "Hey! Are you guys Mormons? I watched the south
park episode!" For how much we receive that very same comment from
people - I think south park has done a quicker job at getting our name
out to the world than we missionaries have. Oi. But he mentioned a few
things I'd like to share! He said: doesn't your Book of Mormon encourage
you to be racist against blacks? I was very pleased to point him
directly to a chapter in the Book of Mormon explaining that that was
certainly not the case. In the book of Jacob chapters 2-3, the prophet
Jacob warns his people, as well as us today, regarding three great and
destructive sins. Pride, chastity and racism. In today's modern society
we have had a huge issue with these very same three problems. I am very
grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who inspires His prophets, ancient
and modern, to help us know what to defend ourselves against, as well
as what to do in order to achieve peace in this world and eternal life
in the world to come! Once I started teaching this kid about chastity he
said "are you married?" I said no. "So you've never had sex??" I said
"Nope!" "Du aner ikke hva du går glipp av! (You don't know what you're
missing out on!)" Haha - what a funny experience. But we testified to
him of the promised blessings of lasting happiness by knowing God is
there, and following His commandments.
I've started reading the Book of Mormon in a fashion
presented by President Johansen. He said that he reads a little bit of
the Book of Mormon every day from a paper-back copy with a certain focus
each time through. When he finishes one copy, he picks up a new one, as
well as a new focus. He now has a stack of old, beat up paper-back
copies of the Book of Mormon for tons of different times through. I want
to do that for the rest of my life!
Another thing I'd like to share is from Henry B. Eyring's "Families Under Covenant". http://www.lds.org/
I testify that this Church is Christ's Church. He is
at the head. We have no reason to fear the future - for Christ is at
the helm. He is our Savior and Redeemer from every injustice, and every
unfairness (Preach My Gospel pg 52). It is up to us to accept Him, and
follow Him.
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
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