Januar Takknemlighet (January Gratitude)

 This has been our view at the brightest part of the day. We've basically been living in a cloud the past week :P

 

Hallo!

Last night, I was poring over my journal from a year ago and relived a few memories. I called up Elder Farnsworth, and we reminisced a few moments while in Mo i Rana - it's amazing to see the differences and changes in ourselves, each other, our areas and situations in the mission. So much has happened, and so much has changed since then - all according to the Lord's merciful plan! Here's a list of gratitude I have, after reliving last year in Mo:

Bryce- 1 year ago in Mo i Rana

• Warm weather has pounded Tromsø this week! More 5C, rain rain rain this week. I'll take that over -30C, painful noses and extremities anyday!
• We can understand Northern Norwegian - finally! Haha. God has really blessed us there :)
• A car is a heavensend to an area so far north. Mo i Rana could really use one, too. Sadly, we heard that almost all European missions are having their cars removed in order to improve finding possibilities in public transportation. We wouldn't be able to visit most of our members if that was the case here in Tromsø.
• Instead of a handful of members in church each week - we have a handful and a half! Like I've said before, with more people in church, the Spirit just multiplies.
• Our Branch President is a doctor of naprapathy (a mix between massage therapist and chiropractor, kinda). He squeezed in an appointment with us this week, and boy do we feel like a hundred bucks. Walking around with backpacks all the time sure gives your shoulders some tension. He even did some acupuncture on me :P. Elder Strange can't stand needles - so it was pretty hilarious to watch his reaction.
• The Alta missionary apartment, that we just raided, has some kool-aid in it. Whoa I forgot how sweet that stuff was. Maybe it was because Elder Strange poured 1-1/2 cups of sugar instead of just 1. Maybe.

This past week, the APs, President and Sister Evans, Narvik and Bodø all came up for a visit. It was awesome, and rather relieving to see some other familiar faces around here. This darkness is really getting to us - we were all very open about that. 54 days and counting. Holy mackerel. Elder Weaver (the awesome Irvine missionary who came to Sandnes) is now in Narvik - and he's basically going through what I did in Mo i Rana. A new missionary - in Northern Norway. It was really powerful just opening up to each other and seeing how I had the exact same moments and feelings last year. The Lord wants us to be in contact with one another - that I am sure of. We were able to strengthen and support one another because of our experiences. Thank the Lord for those experiences: the difficult and the awesome!

Our coolest miracle this week happened on Saturday morning. After dropping off the Narvik elders at the airport, Elder Strange turned to me and said "we should get those packages out to our members today - Saturday's a perfect day." Alright! On top of the list was AJ. After finally finding his home, he said "I've been praying all morning - I needed somebody to get some medicine at the pharmacy for me!" The poor guy snapped his achilles tendon earlier this week. "Sure thing, let's take care of this!" The Lord inspired Elder Strange, so that AJ's prayer could be answered. How awesome is that? He even came back to church, after a good chunk of time away, and had a great experience. I wonder how many other members are out there, just waiting for a missionary to bonk on their door and invite them back to church?

Probably more than we can get in contact with, that's for sure! 

According to the locals, the sun should be out again in a week or so. Thank goodness. As a well-admired friend put it once: "Interesting analogy, that as soon as the Son comes out, people's moods are exponentially happier, and more receptive to the gospel :)"

Thank God for His Light of the World :D

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

p.s. Happy Year Mark, Gurt ol' pal :D

Gotta love the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Regner det? Virkelig?? (Is it Raining? Really??)

Kjære verden!

Leaving the church yesterday, we were extremely surprised to find giant puddles of water and slush everywhere! It's +5 degrees C, at 69 degrees north, in the beginning of January. Does something seem wrong to you all, too? Man, Norway is full of surprises everyday.

Before I go any further with this email, I must congratulate my mother on her birthday (thanks for helping me remember that one, Dad :D). All true vikings honor the rites of birthin' day! So happy birthday, Mom! I love you more and more as each day, apartment, investigator and companion comes and goes. I would not be near who I am today without my Mom. From taking me on random trips to California Pizza Kitchen, holding rockin' birthday parties at the Timberlakes cabin, or making me hold her hand into Costco (whether I'm 3 or 33, it matters not!) - my Mom is awesome. I love you Mom!!

Swedish Julmust (comparable 

to Norwegian Julebrus - but 

tastes completely, deliciously 

different :)

Fireworks all across Tromsø island!And Happy New Year, too! Another fabulous year come and gone,
I can hardly believe it. We were able to celebrate the New Year properly this year (last year was way too cold in Mo i Rana for my taste). We were able to be with that awesome family we spent Christmas with once again. The city was lit up in lights, and fireworks like 4th of July all over again. 'Twas an exciting evening :)

Torches on Tromsdalen

 Woo 2013! Who knew we'd make it this far?? :)

The Ice Cathedral!

The smoke from all of the fireworks

 "Some people have bread, but
 can't eat. Others can eat,
but don't have bread.
We have bread, and can eat.
 Therefore shall we praise the Lord" :]

This week, we received an assignment to go and get the summer tires for the Alta car up in Alta. 5 hour drive later, we were at a member's home hanging out with the famous Geir. He's a member here with a mental handicap of some sort - but an absolute musical genius. We were able to play on the piano together a duet from "The Entertainer" - it was really neat! It was sad to depart, but we really had a wonderful time at their home. Hopefully you can enjoy some of the pictures of our drive - they're a little grainy because there wasn't much light, nor time to stop and take lots of pictures. Enjoy!

One scripture that really spoke to me this week was Alma 38:4, when Alma speaks to his son Shiblon (the good one :). He says ". . . I know thou wast in bonds; yea and I also know that thou wast stoned for the       word's sake;" Shiblon was a good missionary, and had some tough times given to him! "And thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee;" I love how Alma says because the Lord was with him, he could bear those trials with patience. There have been plenty of times in my life I've thought "how in the world could God be here with me right now when I'm so darn miserable!" And Alma actually takes that into account in his closing statement in this verse: "and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee." Caught in the moment, we have extreme difficulty trying to see the Lord's hand in our lives. But looking back, "now thou knowest," it becomes clearer as to how the Lord supported and strengthened you the whole time. And He really does. I am a living witness of that.

One of the greatest truths restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, is one that we hear extremely often: that God loves you. Against an apostate backdrop of God's "inevitable" wrath, hellfire and damnation, God the Father called Joseph by name and spoke to him. The whole entire world would be much brighter if each individual knew, understood and comprehended that God loves them personally and completely - regardless of any choices, behaviors, mistakes or sins committed - ever. Completely unconditionally.

That's the God I want to return to.

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

Some building and mountains!

Fishing Boats!

Gorgeous boats and bays

Jul og Misjonskonferansen (Christmas and Mission Conference)

Our Christmas Tree.

Our nativity and Christmas tree (decked out with Mom's decorations)

 Mine kjære brødre og søstre!

These past two weeks have been filled with wonderful holiday celebrations that I'll do my best to recount :)

Fairly early on the morning of Christmas Eve, Elder Strange and I packed up the car to go and visit a family an hour drive south from Tromsø. It turns out that it was a little further east, too, which made the weather much much colder. -16 C when we arrived, and -20 C during our hike through their farm! We truly enjoyed ourselves in their home - I love this family!

Christmas frost on our hike :)

 Mushroom on the side of a dead tree. Mind you, it's -20C

As Norwegian tradition required, we all dressed ourselves up extra fancy for the Christmas dinner, and enjoyed ribbe (pork ribs), with other meats and potatoes. 

Look how happy Elder Strange is!

Christmas dinner

The kohlrabi and potatoes were especially delicious because they farmed them right here in Balsfjord kommune. I've never had more delicious potatoes in my life! (Northwestern-potato-farming Americans, please don't be offended :P). After which, we read through the Christmas story of Luke 2 in Norwegian, German and English for all of the cultures represented in our little group. The Spirit of the Lord was abundant, and then presents were opened. It was a really special night for us missionaries :D

Riskrem (made from leftover julegrøt)

Scarf!

                      Elder Strange's Christmas Morning special: Chocolate chip pancakes covered in Skippy peanut butter and real fake syrup!

Norwegian Traditional Julegrøt. Always eat from the outside in - NEVER mix it! Some of us learned that the hard way.

Christmas lunch: Reindeer sausage and smoked salmon on open faced sandwiches. If that isn't Norwegian, I don't know what is.

On Christmas day we had some free time, so I finally finished a project I had worked on for a few days: an eternity scarf! They're really popular here in Norway, and I think they look really really good, so I decided to crochet one. Merry Christmas!

Yay for eternity scarves!

That evening, an American woman had us over with all of her neighbors for a traditional American Christmas/Thanksgiving dinner (Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and heavensent homemade stuffing!!). We were on cloud 9, and then we got to talk with our families!! It's truly surprising to realize just how much you fit it in, when you suddenly do fit in. It took 7 months of no verbal contact with my family to realize how very much I love them. I love you family!

The family on Google Hangout

The next day, we got on the plane for Oslo. The mission conference absolutely rocked - filled with a talent night, uplifting and inspiring messages from President and Sister Evans, games and ping-pong tournament (Elder Strange got second!!), and a historical overview of missionary work in Norway from the local church leaders themselves! It was an empowering, motivational conference. Now that I'm so pumped, let's give Tromsø our best!! I apologize, but the only pictures I took at the conference were of previous companions - sorry!

Elder Knudson! (MTC)

 Elder Godfrey! (Oslo)

 Elder Farnsworth! (Mo i Rana)

Elder Levine and Williams! (Stavanger)

Sadly, however, upon arrival home, I got a cold. I'm there with ya, Elder Crookshank. 

This church is Christ's; the Book of Mormon is the word of God - I felt the Spirit of God witness to me the divinity of that book this morning.

Godt Nyttår, Alle! (Happy New Year, Everybody!)

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

This is how dark it got on the 21st of December - the "darkest day of the year". People have been saying that it's been getting lighter every year. I was very surprised as to how light it was!!

The harbor down in Mortenhals on the 24th

 At the top - you can see some frostrøyk (evaporation) on the fjord

God Jul!

Kjære alle sammen!

Hey, we don't have much time because we're heading over to a member's home out in Balsfjord. We'll be taking a Christmas hike with them, and enjoying the genuine Norwegian Christmas tradition tonight! Yes, Norwegians do celebrate Christmas from the 23rd to the New Year, but the biggest day of them all is the 24th!

May the Lord's Spirit be with you all this Christmas season!

God jul!

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

p.s. the world didn't end! Whew! That was a close one ;)

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!

Heisann!

Darkness! Whoa! Since when did it get so incredibly dark?? The darkness in and of itself isn't so bad, but I now clearly remember how it was a year ago in Mo i Rana during this time. The darkness does something to your mind. Suddenly, it's difficult to focus on anything, you have the strongest desire to sleep all day long, and it feels like 10 pm at 3 pm :P. Man, who knew we were so dependent upon the sun?

Wow it's dark! ;)

Elder Levine gave me a call earlier this week saying "Oh hold on, I need to close the blinds, the sun is blinding me." Rude! Hahah. Dark time really puts it into perspective: how much we truly depend upon God's creations. How merciful God is to create a sun for us to obtain nutrients and happiness from! Luckily, we have access to "The Light of the World" to help us, and others out during this time :) Merry Christmas, by the way!

Yay Christmas packages! 

As for a miracle this week: we've been working really hard to have members with us on teaches. In Tromsø, as you all know, there aren't very many members quite yet. But Brother Swede happened to be working nights this week, instead of days! He was more than willing to help us out with some lessons (oh it's nigh-contagious how much he wants to help out :). Most of our lessons went wonderfully, and a few rather awkwardly. Some people remember that we're coming over, others completely forget and get high right before we arrive. Woops! Bad timing on our part. Good thing Brother Swede was there to help us out :). 

Look at that Christmas smile :] 

For bonking on doors, we've gone with a different approach recently. We made Christmas packages! Who wouldn't want a free DVD explaining the reason we celebrate Christmas, and then sneakily have attached Another Testament of Jesus Christ: The Book of Mormon!! And we're giving this out for free! We love sharing that which makes us happiest: coming closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. Why do we love sharing the message of joy and gladness from Jesus Christ? Because He sacrificed Himself for us to return back to Heavenly Father, if we will but follow Him. 

The finished product!

We received a very good question this week regarding how a loving, merciful God could ask Abraham to sacrifice his most precious son Isaac upon an altar. God, of course, knows the end from the beginning, and was testing Abraham's faith. But this brings me to the topic of sacrifice that I studied in detail last year around this time.

What is sacrifice? It is to give up something we value for the sake of something of greater worth. For example, Abraham was willing to give his son to God (Genesis 22) to show his willingness and complete obedience to Him. Members of the Church give obedience to God's laws in order to receive great blessings. Missionaries give up 2 years without family, friends, music, comfort and rest to serve the Lord, in hopes to touch someone's heart with a message of love, forgiveness and hope. God Himself gave His Son Jesus Christ for us all to return to Him (2 Nephi 2:7, John 3:16).

Why must we sacrifice? We sacrifice in order to grow spiritually. Through sacrifice, we develop the faith necessary for salvation, and eventual exaltation. 

What must we sacrifice? Back in Old Testament times, they were required to sacrifice their firstborn, unblemished lamb (symbolic of Christ's sacrifice) in order to receive the blessings from obedience. Since Christ has fulfilled the Atonement, we are required to sacrifice our God-given right to choose (2 Nephi 2:27). This is described as a broken heart and a contrite spirit (D&C 59:8). It means to be humble, and receptive to God's will, and to the Prophet's and Apostles' counsel. We sorrow for our sins, and sincerely repent.

What, then, do we receive in return? We receive peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come (D&C 59:23). A remission of all of our sins. Baptism by fire from the Holy Ghost, which makes it possible for us to be glorified and sanctified here on earth. We receive an easy load, and a light burden (Matthew 11:30).

Now the question is - is it really worth it? To be honest, you'll never know unless you try it for yourself. But I can testify from my own personal experiences (at times easy, at times very difficult), that sacrifice is always worth it. It is always worth it. God has made it so that, through sacrifice, we learn, grow, develop and eventually become the happiest, most free, and richly blessed beings we are capable of becoming. As we follow God's commandments, we are opening ourselves to the abundant life (John 10:10). 

As missionaries, we normally ask others to sacrifice some of their time and efforts in order to find these things out for themselves. Typically through prayer, scripture study and coming to church, they are able to connect themselves with God. And the more we connect ourselves with God, the happier we become. It's an on-going process we all must go through!

I hope that helps, C. :)

-Eldste Bryce Thomas Johnson

p.s. For all of you interested in reading my companion's blog: http://charlesstrange101.blogspot.no/ :)

p.p.s. I am extremely jealous of all of you who are able to watch the Hobbit this upcoming week. But don't worry, Elder Hazen, I'll still wait for you ;)

A sweet Christmas card from our friend C. down in Ålesund :)