Sola! (The Sun!)

Kjære alle!

Moves was this week! On Thursday, Elder Strange packed his bags and headed down to Tromsø. I'm going to miss you, ol' buddy! We had some good times together and met some great people :). Elder Badger arrived soon thereafter. Elder Badger is from Salt Lake, and has only been in Norway for 4 months. No one can wipe that awesome smile off his face - so he's basically perfect for Tromsø :D

It was a crazy coincidence, but on the exact same day that Elder Badger arrived, the sun came up, too! For a whole minute. And then went back down again. Now it's been way too cloudy for us to see any sun at all the past week :P. "Man, I'm just so tired all the time - how in the world did you survive the past 9 weeks?" exclaims Elder Badger. "I don't know, my friend. I don't know." :P

Speaking of which, since we've started working together, it's actually been really really tough out on the streets. No body has stopped, nor have we had any real progress with any of our current investigators. Everyone has been sick, depressed or too busy to meet with us recently. "Man, this place is a million times better than my previous area! People actually smile sometimes while on the street! And the branch loves us here!" says Elder Badger unsarcastically. "Elder Badger, your positive attitude is beyond me. I love it." So we've taken a look at how we're approaching the next transfer, and setting epic plans.

One epic plan we have is something that President Johansen shared back when I was a new missionary. He gave us all little moleskine books to fit in our jacket pockets. "This - is a revelation book. If you get an answer to prayer, you write it down. If you wake up in the middle of the night with sudden inspiration, you write it down. If you have a stroke of ideas while on the bus, you must write. them. down." - paraphrasing President Johansen. It's an idea that's stuck with me for most of my mission. I've written in my old one off an on, depending on my areas and circumstances. It has been an extremely valuable resource for self-evaluation, investigators, contacting and bonking methods, helping members, etc. But we thought it a great idea if we BOTH had revelation books. Just think of it: double the books, double the revelation! Therefore, double the results from the transfer! We're expecting big miracles here in Tromsø. Big. Miracles.

Like I mentioned before, Elder Badger's positive attitude has really kept me up recently, but I've been having a hard time adjusting to the difficulty out on the streets. "How in the world did I survive last winter in Mo i Rana?" "How is it even possible that I went hours on end out on those streets inviting people to learn about God, when we sometimes went days, even weeks without new people to teach?" It's funny how we sometimes learn things over and over again. This was merely a reconfirmation of testimony already within me: Obedience brings forth blessings from heaven. If you're miserable, it's most likely because the Spirit isn't with you. If the Spirit isn't with you, check to see if you're following the guidelines set for you as a missionary. I have a newly found love for the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 88:34 - "And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law (white handbook, Preach My Gospel, our leaders, etc) is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same." I am a living witness that I have been preserved (through -25 C weather, long hours of rejection and 64 days of darkness) by following God. There is no other possible way that we could be happy, smiling, and willing to go outside the next day if it weren't for His support. It's amazing. It is literally a miracle, which happens daily.

I'm sorry, this post may be sporadic and scatter-brained. We've had many many interruptions throughout the day, and now we're just plain out of time. 

"The Church is true and the Book is blue!" - to quote my cousin Ryan :)

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

p.s. thank you all so very very much for the birthday wishes! My jaw dropped when I saw how many emails were in my inbox wishing me a happy birthday - they are much appreciated!! I love you all!

My birthday dinner :P sorry it's a food picture - again!