Nordlys!, Misjonærbesøk, Misjonslekt, Eldste Olsen, Tros Ilder, og Verdens Nordligste Misjonærer :) (Northern Lights! Missionary Visits, Missionary Relatives, Elder Olsen, Fires of Faith, and the World's Northernmost Missionaries :)

Hallo hallo!

Finally, after much anticipation, we finally got some northern lights up here in Tromsø :). Beautiful greens, blues and every once in a while some purple! We're hoping this upcoming January or February to take a short drive to a dark, dark area to see some yellows and reds :D. Can you imagine?? Ah life rocks up here!

Like a flame!

Nordlys!

This past week we had a conference here in Tromsø! The missionaries from Trondheim, Bodø, Narvik and Alta all flew in for a training meeting all about developing self-discipline. That is precisely what we need here in the farth north of Norway. We're so alone and spread out from each other - there's hardly any support or contact with other missionaries for weeks at a time! The Zone Leaders shared the inspiring talk "Go For It" by Elder M. Russell Ballard. You can find the talk here: http://www.lds.org/new-era/2004/03/go-for-it?lang=eng&query=go+elder+russell+(name%3a%22M.+Russell+Ballard%22) It was very inspiring and very applicable to our mission up here. We truly can achieve our goals and dreams if we will but set them, plan them, pray over them and work for them!

Elder Olsen, Elder Strange and Elder Leighton :) 

After which, all the missionaries left except for Alta. We found out earlier this week that the Alta area is closing for a few months :(. In Alta, however, was Elder Olsen (my first companion back in Mo i Rana!) and Elder Leighton (a lovable newcomer from England :D). Elder Olsen and I had some great times reminiscing about Mo i Rana, and just found it hilarious that we were reunited wayyy up in the freezing cold, dark north! 

 Elder Olsen and I!!

Elder Olsen leaves in a few days for good ol' sunny Southern California (our homes are 1 hour away from each other)! I'm going to miss this man! We served together last year for 2 months in the cold, dark winter of Mo i Rana. A few people to teach, and a handful of members to keep us entertained, we had it rough! But we toughed it out. If it weren't for Elder Olsen's awesome example of being 100% obedient, despite the severity of circumstances, I wouldn't be nearly who I am in the mission now. I frequently describe Elder Olsen as a "contacting machine" because he could go out there and last for hours on end. Even when it was -15 C! It astounded me a year ago, and it still does! He also has a profound love for the Norwegian people, especially those whom we have become so very close with. Good luck to you, my friend. And may God bless you :]

Recently, a new convert here took the wonderful step of progression in his service to God by receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. Chi. is very needed here in this small branch (of 2, now 3, priesthood holders). He actually saved us this past Sunday when neither of the original 2 priesthood holders were able to come to church. The sacrament was still able to be provided for the attending members and investigators :). It was Elder Strange's first time to lead a sacrament meeting - it all went wonderfully and smoothly! The Spirit was strong, and all were edified :).

We've held a few lessons this week regarding the history of the Bible. We do our best to describe the epic, politically-and-religiously-charged background of the Bible from our limited resources as a missionary; however, we have heard about a great series called "Fires of Faith" which recounts the history of the Bible, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. Once I'm home, I'd love to watch this 3-episode series, but you all can feel free to watch them for free here: http://byutv.org/show/123d4a82-3d47-488e-beda-2496a5a1ff2c Enjoy!

Since Alta has been closed for a few months, that makes Elder Strange and I the world's northernmost missionaries this winter :D. What a truly neat experience it is to be serving God's children here so far north. 

I'd like to share a thought from studies this morning in Luke chapter 18. This time reading through the Gospels, I've been very surprised as to how harsh Christ speaks toward the Sadducees and Pharisees. It makes me look at exactly what attributes those people had that I need to root out of my character in order to become more like Christ. Here in chapter 18:9-14, he relates a parable describing those "that trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others". Do we, in our pride, trust in ourselves far too much that we are self-righteous and believe that we will be automatically saved, with no efforts on our part? Are we not all beggars before the throne of God? (Mosiah 4:19) We all need the very same salvation from God, no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. This parable touched me this morning - and I hope you can find some enlightening aspects in it for yourself.

I'd much rather be a publican than a pharisee! "God be merciful to me, a sinner!"

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Holy mackerel that's a lot of chocolate!!

 Elder Strange found a chocolate
 sale at Rema 1000 (a local grocery store)

Rice and curry meals are a fave around here :)

Home-made Chocolate Boller :d mmm!