Monday, June 11, 2012

Drammen og Mirakler (Drammen and Miracles)

E. Godfrey and I!
Hallo alle sammen!

This week has been extremely busy and extremely amazing! I can't keep my head on straight because of everything that has happened - has it really been only a week??

In less important news, this past week in Oslo we've had Metallica, Justin Bieber and Hillary Clinton.

A.'s baptism!


In more important news, A. was baptized this week! I don't think I've ever felt the Spirit stronger in any baptismal service than that one with A.. I feel like it was his attitude towards baptism, his surrendering of his will to the Lord's that truly brought the Spirit in a great degree. He is a stunning example to me. When we taught him the commandments, he would testify to US of the truthfulness of the principles we taught him. He is awesome! I am in awe seeing our investigators exercise so much faith in their Savior Jesus Christ. I just hope I can have that same faith someday :). And you know what he did this past Sunday? Invited his friend to church. What a stud!
Sandvika, Norway
























Earlier this week,  we had a little meeting in Sandvika with President Johansen to address the needs of the mission. The Spirit was strong, and led our meeting. It was also very inspiring hearing from President Johansen as to how we can become better as individuals. If you all didn't know, President Johansen will be leaving the mission on June 30th, and then our new mission president will arrive. President Johansen really emphasized the importance of gaining knowledge in order to better evaluate, assess, understand and enjoy the world around you. He used to go to sleep at 12 or 1 am, and wake up at 5 am every day with work, family, and service in the church just so he could study his scriptures! "And that's why I look the way I do." he says. Hahah. He's a remarkable example to all of us missionaries. We are excited for the transition we'll make this next month. Always for the better :) always!
 


Drammen, Norway





















After our little conference, E. Godfrey and I took splits down to Drammen - I was honored enough to make the trip. Sadly enough, I didn't take any pictures! But Drammen is a beautiful little city. E. Anderson is doing a wonderful job down there. On one of our little breaks, we bought some cheap strawberries and bananas and sat out by the river. 4 hours of straight sun burned me a bit, but it was well worth it :). We really are in the best mission in the world! :P

One of the biggest miracles we had this week was a referral we received from Kristiansand. This girl wanted to know more about what we believed. When we called she asked "is it alright if I bring my friends?" That is one of the best things you can say to a missionary. They will beam from ear to ear. Once we got the address of where to meet them, we realized that she lived about an hour way on an island. Whoa! Borrowing the senior couple's car, we took a road trip to this school way out in the middle of nowhere! Rolling green hills, cows, sun, raspberry bush orchards, I am in heaven here! Pictures can't nearly do it justice, but I try anyway.
Stunningly gorgeous home on the way to our appointment!
Moo!
My dream home with raspberry bush orchards lining the front yard :)
Once we arrived, we walked into a room of 12 people eager and waiting to hear our message. We taught one of our best lessons of all time in that little room. The Lord surely prepared us for that moment - the questions asked, the Norwegian spoken and the spiritual capacity. At the end, we learned that they are all Seventh-day Adventists. I am really surprised how close our doctrines are with what they believe. One of them prayed at the end of our discussion saying "please help us to know the truth when it is presented to us . . ." and he stopped for a few seconds. E. Godfrey and I swear that kid got a confirmation by the Holy Ghost right then and there! They all took copies of the Book of Mormon, along with a few pamphlets. That was an amazing experience. These kids were all students of a religious school - and I am amazed at their faith in God - and in the standards they uphold. E. Godfrey and I have rarely felt so wonderful just being with people who believe strongly in God! I hope and pray these wonderful students read and pray to God that the Book of Mormon is true. Because it is - I've asked Him! And thereby, we have knowledge that God is restored His true church, wholly and completely anew upon the earth.

An idea that has been with me this past week is the constant abiding of the Holy Ghost. If we are quiet enough, and sensitive enough, and we ask for God to be with us, He will send His Spirit to be with us. That Spirit is one of the best feelings that exist. A feeling of comfort and security beyond description. I've been trying to hold myself sensitive enough this whole week so I can always think to myself "Yup, I feel the Spirit is with me." And because of that, I feel led when I find people, talk with them, and build others up. Every member of the church is entitled to that feeling and direction.

The Lord is much more willing to help us and strengthen us than we usually let ourselves believe :)

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson
The Oslo Domkirke (big state church in the center of the city). Gorgeous insides. But not even close to the Salt Lake Temple. By a long shot.

The Oslo Opera House. Talk about modern style!

The military fortress!
Me and the guard - can you see the other guys in the windows? Man, those Norwegians surprise me more every day!
A military fortress in Oslo