It's going to be a complete miracle if I can fit in everything that's happened this week.
Last
week for P-Day we took a trip to the Sverd i Fjell (literally Swords in
Mountain) which is a monument here in Stavanger commemorating the
famous viking battle where Harald Haarfagre finally unified all of the
viking kingdoms under one king! That's got to be in an awesome history
book somewhere. For now, I'll enjoy the swords :)
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| These swords are HUGE! |
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The new Sandnes District :]
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Elder Holland's CES fireside this past month was amazing! His topic
was one that I have pondered on very much recently. Where is the balance
between complete tolerance and defending our standards and rights from
the corrupting and degenerative influences of the decaying world? It is
impossible to serve two masters
(Matthew 6:24) and a double-minded man
is unstable in all his ways
(Jacob 1:8). He described it perfectly, and I
very much desire EVERYONE to watch that talk. It is imperative that we
understand this principle directly from a servant of the Lord (and
therefore, God Himself)
(Doctrine & Covenants 1:38-39) in this rapidly
crumbling world. We must hold fast to our values and standards, despite
the popularity and even danger of opposition. And if any of you are
wondering which values and standards I am referring to - begin with
this:
https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng
10 hour round trip train ride to Arendal was amazing this week! 10
hours to pray, ponder and study is basically any missionaries' idea of
an incredible holiday.
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| Eldste Davidson in the flesh :) |
And having stunning views outside the whole time
keeps you glued to your window! God DOES exist - and you can see it in
every living thing. Imagine this: Orange meadows, red tree bark, green
pine needles, yellow leaves, blue water, white clouds, black stone, and
explosions of red every once in a while because of a changing tree.
Doctrine & Covenants88:47
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| Stunning train ride to Arendal. "It's like forests of Narnia out there!" - Eldste Bitner |
Arendal itself is a very interesting city. Stunningly beautiful -
it's like a quaint gnome town filled with color and beautiful buildings.
But you can tell there is a deep complexity about it - present within
the lives of the people who live there.
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| Arendal on a cloudy day! |
It's a rather tough area for
missionaries, but nothing that 100% obedient missionaries and the Lord
can't handle. It was an absolute honor to be on splits with Elder
Davidson (the very same missionary who replaced me in Mo i Rana back in
May!). We had so many connects and similar quirks, it made the splits a
blast. I learned a ton from him - especially regarding difficulties on
the mission. I don't think I could go through the same trials that he
has on his mission - but that's why we're here for different reasons and
different times. The Lord prepares our missions for us to bless us on
into the eternities.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-opportunity-of-a-lifetime?lang=eng
. My mission will be different from all of your missions - because the
Lord has prepared it and you since the foundations of this world. What
an honor to experience that which God has given specifically and
especially for you.
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| We all got matching Dressmann sweaters. Who can deny 25 kroner sweaters? (approx. 5 USD) |
A patriarchal blessing is a special gift given to baptized members
of the church who qualify. They are direct revelation (much like a blue
print) given to you in order to help you on your eternal journey from
the pre-earth life, during the present life and on into the after-life.
On
lds.org, if you are a
direct descendant, you may order copies of your deceased ancestors'
patriarchal blessings for your own personal enrichment and spiritual
development. I ordered some of my ancestors' patriarchal blessings, and
they are absolutely incredible. The amount of the Spirit of Elijah (
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-hearts-of-the-children-shall-turn?lang=eng&query=spirit+elijah)
felt after reading and pondering these blessings was so very strong, I
was led to sing with joy
(1 Nephi 5:17). After which, I reread my own
patriarchal blessing and realized how honored and blessed we are in our
time to have such access to knowledge from God. If you have not yet
received your patriarchal blessing - do so. If you're not yet a member
of the church, become one. Eternity hangs in the balance, and your joy
shall exceed the presently comprehensible.
The new convert lessons for new members of the church are extremely
important. It is vital that members teach them, perhaps with the
additional assistance of the full-time missionaries. I experience this
past week the perfect example of how the new convert lessons need to be
taught to new converts. A father and mother testified of the
truthfulness of the Restored Gospel, and how it has blessed their
family to the newly baptized convert RA. It was VERY powerful. Us
full-time missionaries could not give anything more to RA - but this
family was able to show her through word, example and their kids, how
much the gospel can bless a family. It was astounding. I simply cannot
wait to be that same example with my own eternal companion and children -
and from there to the rest of the world. It was also strangely symbolic
as the rain and storm outside pounded on the windows and roof of the
home, as we were warmly, comfortably situated in a light and
Spirit-filled dry environment. By the end, RA was beaming.
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Pho before.
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| Pho prepared. |
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| Pho after. |
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| Purple yams on a bed of frog eggs. I mean tapioca. |
And the family's food was SO GOOD too! Traditional pho from Laos and Vietnam (hope you had fun in Vietnam, C.!)
Over
the weekend, Elder Earl and I visited the Haugesund branch to encourage
and support them. They desperately need missionaries. Go and prepare
yourself for your mission! The blessings of eternity await you!!
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| Harald Haarfagres burial mound in Haugesund |
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| Moster Kirken in Haugesund. |
I testify of the reality of Jesus Christ as our loving, resurrected
Savior! He took upon Himself Death, Weakness, Sin and all forms of
Affliction so that we may be loosed and freed from the gripping chains
of the Dark One. Our Lord and Savior championed the Atonement that we
may be filled with love, patience, peace and comfort, despite any
circumstance or challenge placed before us.
If you want this knowledge too - ponder upon the word of God found in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
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Feedin' the pigeons after a soft-is :)'
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