Heya! This week has been amazing -
another God-given week to us extremely privileged and blessed 19-21
year olds :D (soon to be 18 ;)
Our rockin' ward
mission leader skyped with us at our usual time for our missionary
correlation meeting! SKYPED us - while he was on a business trip to the
states. We are so blessed to have such a hard-working, dedicated ward
mission leader on our side.
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| Stavanger sunsets. Oh man. |
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| Like sunsets at home. |
On Wednesday, I was graced to have Elder Donahue
come join me here in the busy town of Stavanger! Elder Donahue just
arrived a month ago (with Elder Weaver's group) so we had some good
learning opportunities there. I have never trained, so it was a very
good experience to see what it's like being companions with a new
missionary. They're on fire - filled with desire to go out and share the
word. I love getting that fire riled up in me, too! Even when it rains
the whole entire day :P . . . like it did that day. Haha. I learned from
him that I should probably slow down a bit in my speaking, because
people think we're just out to sell something - which we're not! We're
on a mission to save souls! Love is the most important thing a
missionary can share. And when you're speaking a million miles an hour,
people usually have difficulty feeling that love. Did Christ speak very
quickly? I don't believe He would.
We had a very interesting discussion with a leader
of one of the local churches here while on that splits. He was
testifying to us of how we are all a fallen, sensual people due to the
fall of Adam and Eve. True! And also how we cannot do anything by our
selves to become saved. True! And how Christ paid the price for every
weakness, sin, misdeed and pain that ever would be experienced by
mankind. True! And how because He did that, everyone in the whole entire
world is saved and will live with God again. Not quite. I testify that
God will not force any individual in the least amount to make them come
to heaven. He has provided us our ability to choose for ourselves, and
He will do nothing to infringe upon that gift. That is why He has
provided the Holy Ghost to influence us in a positive way (just as the
devil influences us in a negative way), so that we may be able to choose
fairly (2 Nephi 2:27-28). We must yield ourselves to the enticings of
the Holy Spirit, and put off the natural man in order to prepare
ourselves for heaven (Mosiah 3:19). Christ continually knocks on our
heart, begging for us to open up, so that He may come in and change us.
Remember, it truly is as simple as choosing to look to Christ, and we
will be healed. (Alma 33:19-23 - "if ye will")
Oh yeah, we found a lizard on the sidewalk. I didn't think lizards even existed here. Norway surprises me everyday!
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Lizard!
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We
finally got some Julebrus (the seasonal Christmas soda). I must try
each type that exists (much like my root beer connosieur moments with
Jared :P). Thus far, Hamar julebrus is the best!
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Julebrus! The one to the far left, is the best red one. The 4 glass bottles - the award-winning Hamar Julebrus.
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On Saturday, I was able to accompany Elder Earl in
the area of Sandnes (15 minutes south of Stavanger, 70,000 people)
(Stavanger population: approx. 110,000 I think?). It was on a slow,
rainy day, but the gågate (walking street?) still had a few people on
it. The restaurants were packed with people. I was back in Mo i Rana! -
few people on the street, and plenty of people to wave at in the
restaurants. I was in my element! We had a great time. We taught this
one girl whose father is atheist and mother is Christian. Norwegians
believe very strongly in holding beliefs independent of one another
(therefore, as a parent, you should not influence your child one way or
another - let them choose for themselves, etc). So we were hosted by
this very interesting family to teach them how we believe we can find
God. The girl was willing to pray and read to find out, but the father
wasn't. I want it absolutely clear that God cannot be found unless we
are willing to humble ourselves before Him and accept the counsel and
guidance He will provide us. God will not force an unwilling heart. It
is up to us to find Him. That is the test of this life - will we find
and follow God and His commandments? We are here to walk by faith - not
sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). That was a great experience.
The second person we taught together was this woman
who was blasting gospel music when we walked in. Haha! I love gospel
music. As we sat down and began teaching her, she opened right up about
her previous spiritual experiences regarding prayer and receiving
answers. What an amazing woman! Her heart was truly prepared, for when
we began to relate to her the message of the Restoration, a blazing
Spirit filled the room. It was one of the more powerful moments with
Joseph Smith's First Vision experience I have experienced in my mission.
I testify here and now that I felt the Spirit confirm to me that night
that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to that 14 year old boy.
Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. Amen.
On
Sunday, it was a wonderful and refreshing Sunday filled with the
busyness of mission life :). That woman I just told that story about
wasn't planning on coming to church the next day, but something prompted
her to come. She began clapping at the end of each talk during
sacrament meeting. Haha! It is so wonderful to have lively, spirited
people to church!
This gospel IS exciting. It is the way back home.
The more we understand this journey back - the less it becomes a
marathon, and even less than a race. But instead a giant exodus or
pilgrimage through the journey of life - all helping one another back to
God. He is willing to help us - but are we willing to accept that help?
The choice is simply ours.
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
P.S.
the last people I got letters from (very recently) were Mike and
Carissa. I heard that some of you haven't heard back from me - I always
write back! Hopefully your letters didn't get lost :[
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| Kjøttkaker, poteter og urter. Very common Norwegian dinner. |
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