Patriarkalske Velsignelser, Testamentene og Hårklipp! (Patriarchal blessings, The Testaments and Haircuts)

 St. Johannes' Church out by Karlminnes gate

Heleisenn dakar!

It's been another rockin' week in Stavanger - between finding, teaching and member appointments.

Have any of you taken advantage of having your ancestor's patriarchal blessings sent to you yet? It's free on lds.org! I ordered a few of my great grandparents' blessings last week - so they should be coming in a few weeks. Isn't that amazing? Free scripture, given to your forefathers. Who knows what promises and blessings have been given to your ancestors and their descendants (and thereby, YOU)! I'm really excited for a heavy dose of the Spirit of Elijah! http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn?lang=eng&query=hearts+fathers

I would like to say that potentials in the phone and area book - as well as former investigators - is a great way to find people to teach! The Lord is preparing the hearts of the people to accept the Gospel. Maybe it won't be in the investigator's first missionary experience - but the Lord will use that time and prepare that heart for some later missionaries to come by and re-invite them to come unto Christ. This has worked for us this week - and it is very effective. Hours on the street for one possible potential - or 30 minutes on a chair calling 30 potential investigators? Your choice!

Ringing potentials outside while the sun still shines!

Elder Levine the handsome!

This week we had a great miracle while out on the street. Elder Levine turned to me after a few minutes on the street "we should probably go and visit our investigator's home down in Hundvåg." Alright! I won't deny revelation when it comes! And ON THE WAY to the bus stop in sentrum - we run into the very same person we were going to visit. His friend happened to be there as well! Quick lesson and return appointment - boom! That was really neat. I am so grateful for a companion who is spiritually sensitive enough to recognize, vocalize and act upon promptings when they come. It makes missionary work extremely exciting.

We had dinner over at a member's home who is from Scotland. He had been part of the British Royal Army and had some absolutely incredible stories. Many of these stories happened to take place in Hong Kong :). I told him one of my best buddies is currently serving in Hong Kong - so Elder Hazen this is for you!

Also this week, one of our members gave us missionaries professional Norwegian haircuts! I just saved myself 50 USD! It was way cool how she did it too - with just her fingers and a knife.

Norwegian haircuts - so sweet!

 Her husband provided us with some world-famous Jæter cheese. Smells like nasty socks, but didn't taste too bad after all! This reminded me of Dad coming home from the grocery store with random cheeses. MMM. Love me some cheese.

However, the neatest thing that happened this week was on Saturday. We met with our investigator R.A. with some of her friends in the ward. We all read 3 Nephi 11 about Christ's brief ministry to the New World in 34 AD. The Spirit was strong, and testified of the truthfulness of that experience. The best part though, was that night at a member's home, we all watched the movie The Testaments - a re-enactment of the 3 Nephi 11 story. It was such a powerful experience, there were hardly any dry eyes in the room. R.A., the next day at church came up to us saying "I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had such a strong, wonderful feeling in my heart the whole night long because of that movie. I know that that experience was true - because the Spirit testified of it to me. The Book of Mormon is a true account!" It was such a wonderful experience to hear that from her. 

I, too, know that the Book of Mormon is true. It is filled with God's word directed toward us in our day. And as my history teacher would say: The Book of Mormon is not a book of the past - it is a book of the future. Mormon was led by God as to which books and accounts that should be compiled in the Book of Mormon in order to best help us with our difficulties and challenges of our day - which he saw. The Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. We find His will through obedience to His commandments!

I love my Lord and Savior. I know that He is real, for He works through us, and builds us up in order to lift those around us. 

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson