Monday, July 2, 2012

President Evans har ankommet! (President Evans has arrived!)



Heisann dere!

First of all, happy birthday AR! No, I didn't forget. You're only doing a 5k this year? I want to build up for the 10k with you someday :)

Second off, I hope you all don't think we're just taking a 9 week vacation here in Oslo. We are working, I promise! Just reading back over my emails, it sounds like a long vacation to me :). And it's about to get worse:

This week we went to Sandvika to attend the Drammen District meeting to go and strengthen our fellow missionaries! Man, I love being with other missionaries. 6 months in Mo i Rana, with only a companion and 15 members, really helped me appreciate that. We presented particularly regarding goals and delivering baptismal date commitments early. People are not invited to repent and come unto Christ unless we invite them to be baptized! The Spirit witnesses of this holy ordinance as well. Trust in that Spirit to help you! Elder Anderson's presentation on Preach My Gospel chapter 10 relating the importance of listening, and then adapting the gospel according to their needs was absolutely perfect for our lesson with our investigator that night. The Lord certainly inspires us through others!

Then, since we took P-day on a different day, we went to the Oslo museums over on Bygdøynes. Boy is it exhausting to be a tourist for a day! Whew! Here's a short description of what we experienced:


The Maritime Museum covered the Norwegian sea-faring history since medieval times. I saw the oldest Norwegian boat on record!

The Fram Museum was all about the experiences of the ship "Fram" that traveled to both the North and South poles with many different biologists, geologists, chemists, geographers and so forth in order to further the scientific knowledge of our polar caps. The life-size replica of the "Fram" was really neat! To keep them sane, they had a piano. I had to take a picture of it. :).
Piano in the Fram!
By the end, they all died on their way back to a resource depot, frozen and starving to death. Way intense. But way inspiring.


After which, we went to the Kon-Tiki museum which explained the journeys of Thor Heyerdahl and his crew.
The Kon-Tiki raft
His hypothesis was to see if ancient, sea-worthy vessels could travel from Europe and the Middle East to the American continent purely by natural forces of wind and waves. And he proved it not only correct, but very much possible!
Middle East to America
That is a clear evidence that the Jaredites, and Lehi's family from the Book of Mormon traveled to the New World by purely natural forces. Another witness that the Book of Mormon is true! And then he went on to experiment from the American continent traveling to the Hawaiian and Polynesian islands. And he proved that correct as well.
America to Pacific Islands
Hagoth from Alma 63:5-8 could very well be the forefather of the Pacific Islanders. And this was a Norwegian who did all this. Yeeaiah!

Then the Norwegian Folk Museum was amazing with all of the different aspects of their culture: dress, architecture, music, culture, living conditions, and so forth. To be honest, the things that fascinated me most were the bunads, dressing styles and the tale of Christianity in Norway. Norwegians have always dressed very nicely - even since the medieval times. Especially on Sunday, too! Their faith in God was exceedingly great. It is truly neat to tap into the past history of Norway and feel their faith. Now they're on our side to save their children - I love this work! To my uttermost sadness, I didn't notice that there was a Stave Church there in the Folk Museum. Garrett would have killed me for not visiting it. I'll see it before I leave Oslo!
Norwegian Dolls in Hardanger bunads!
And Mom, they had a part of the museum JUST for doll-houses and dolls. I thought you'd like to know that :P. The Sami culture is really neat as well. I want to study so much when I get home . . . Oi!

We unfortunately saved the best for last with the Viking Ship Museum! The largest and best preserved viking ships were there from approximately 900 AD. They were awesome! I love the viking history!
Viking Ship!

After all of that - our good friend John invited us over for dinner. Some of the best indian food I've ever tasted!
John, Elder Godfrey and I :D
It reminded me of my first temple trip last April, after which we went to get some indian food. Tanner
Indian food!
would be proud to know I ate curry and rice like a real Indian!

On Friday, I was asked to hold a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost at a baptism near Lutvannet. That water was gorgeous, and the clouds extremely ominous. I felt extremely viking. Sadly though, we had a meeting that turned out to be earlier that day so I missed the baptism! Sadness! On the other hand, at this meeting we were able to meet our new mission president :)


Don A. and Susan D. Evans
President Evans and Sister Evans are from Mesa Arizona. President Evans taught President Johansen back the LTM way back in prehistoric times. I mean in the 1970's. As we met together, you could feel their love for Norway and for the missionaries of this mission flood the room as we discussed our plans for these coming, transformative months. We are stoked! To express a little difference between the two presidents, President Johansen will basically explode with the spirit and hand it to you, pulsating, while President Evans just kinda smoothly envelopes you with love. President Johansen has truly moved Norway in the progress of missionary work, especially using members to assist us, as well as the creation of the Drammen Stake. These were miracles witnessed by us missionaries and the Norwegian membership! President Evans has some large boots to fill - but I am sure he will create wonders these upcoming 3 years :)

As a little side-note, yesterday we were out contacting near the coast - and it was gorgeous! We even found a little hidden pathway to the new part of Oslo under heavy development. My jaw dropped seeing whole apartment complexes, high-rises and stores, built on the water, all color coordinated and modernly styled. Man, that was stunning! E. (you who now lives in T-ville) would LOVE it there. I'll show you sometime, okay?? My jaw also dropped seeing the price of these apartments. For a 3 bedroom apartment - 30 million kroner - 6 million USD. The most expensive part of the most expensive city in the world - for sure.



This week has been wondrous and exciting! Zone Conference is coming up this Wednesday (4th of July!) We'll be grilling some burgers and providing watermelon and corn to satiate our patriotic thirst :). We take our patriotism seriously. D&C 98:6-10, D&C 101:77-80, 2 Nephi 1:9 Alma 36:1,30. The Constitution was inspired of God in order to bring to pass the Restoration of the fulness of Jesus Christ's Gospel. 

I love my God! And I love my country! (And Norway too - don't worry :)

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

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