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| The sunrise/sunset (we can't tell the difference anymore :P) |
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| Elder Strange and I seeing the first sight of Northern Lights! However, none of the pictures turned out :( . . . yet! |
Hej alla!
In
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| Real Swedish Meatballs! |
case you didn't notice, that's some Swedish we've been learning from a member family here :D. They're Swedish, and one of the rock solid families up here in Tromsø. They even had us over for dinner this week - Sister Swede (as I'll call her :]) made us some real, home-made, genuine swedish meatballs! I had to control myself to not burst out in Muppet Swedish Chef noise delight! This family is a stunning example of following the Spirit, despite unexpected circumstances and results. It's difficult to be a member here in Tromsø due to the small numbers - but they keep on coming strong. And they came on a spiritual impression. I cannot express to you how grateful we are to have another strong, solid family here in Tromsø. It makes all the difference.
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| The Tromsø chapel - and me sporting my new self-and-Elder-Strange-done Norwegian style haircut. Long on top, short on the sides :) |
The Tromsø branch (according to the best of my knowledge and experience thus far) consists of 3 rock solid families - 2 here in Tromsø, and another all the way up in Svalbard (google that!). We use skype fairly frequently in this area to teach people who live way far away, where transportation is simply unreasonable. Skype is the best alternative! Other than these families, there are usually 3 or 4 eternal investigators who have been coming consistently for the past 2-5 years. Their testimonies are solid, but due to a few complicated circumstances, can't yet be baptized members. They are wonderful to have here :). Outside of these people, you've got us and whoever else we can fish up from the street. And it's been going wonderfully thus far :]. Love Tromsø!!
Our meetings begin at 1 pm, as I've mentioned before, and Sunday School is the first hour (taught by Elder Strange and me). As for the second and last hour, we have sacrament meeting. Thanks to Mom's zeal for piano lessons, I can play for the branch every Sunday (just like Mo i Rana!). Our building is full-time rented out right in the middle of town on Storgata (the main street for shops). It has a mini chapel that can seat 25 people, 2 rooms, 1 office and a mini bathroom and kitchen. It's perfect for teaching people right off the street (to get us out of the cold!). We're very blessed to have this building.
The apartment here in Tromsø is pretty typical of the Norwegian mission - 1 bedroom, 1 eating/studying/working out/couch area, 1 bathroom, and a little area for our jackets and boots. It's warm and cozy, and that's all we care about :)
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| Newspaper in the shoes - keeps those toesies toasty! |
As for transportation, "we've got bikes and a car, but we mostly walk because it makes good stories for our homecoming talks" - to put it in the words of the Alaska Anchorage Mission missionary album :P. Nah, we primarily take the bus to and from the sentrum, and when the bus is unreasonably inconvenient, then we use the car. One of the main reasons we still have a car here is to help out some of the members. An 83 year old member here has us drive with him to drug stores and grocery stories every week. He's an old-time norwegian fisherman. THICK dialect, let me tell you. Anyway, other than that we just walk walk walk! P.S. Newspaper in the bottoms of your shoes helps keep the toesies insulated!!
Christmas food is booming all over the grocery stores. I thought I'd include the names of traditional Norwegian Christmas food for you all to google and make if you'd like: Lutefisk >:], pinnekjøtt, kanelboller, gløgg, julebrus, julepølse, pepperkaker, and of course loads and loads of potatoes.
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| Planning, pepperkaker and milk :D mmm! |
Missionary work wise, this week has been wonderful! The Lord has truly blessed us with many people to teach - and much potential to grasp. Lessons have consisted of sorting out the differences between the Godhead and the Trinity. We believe that God the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings, but one in their purpose and objective (Moses 1:39). Receiving answers from God through the Holy Ghost (Moroni 10:5). The purpose of life (Alma 34:32). The role and importance of the priesthood (D&C 121:34-46). And the necessity of baptism by proper priesthood authority (D&C 22)!
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| The Book of Mormon library project for Tromsø :) |
It fascinates me to meet others with such different backgrounds. From Iran, to Lappland (the Sami area), the variation is exciting and challenging. From sociable, fully functioning families to previous foster children. Older retired people, to young students. To all, the arms of mercy are extended if they are but willing to accept it. Sometimes all that holds us back is our own stubborn pride - but oh what sweet release comes from delivering your will to the Father's.
That is the purpose of life - and it is the only path to true, lasting, eternal happiness. (D&C 11:20, Moses 1:39, 2 Nephi 2:25)
God jul!! (Merry Christmas!)
-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
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| The Christmas Tree in sentrum! |
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| The bridge to Kvaløy, and the Tromsø airport runway (just for Dad!) |
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| The ice cathedral (more pictures to come another time!) |
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