#19 Baptism!!!

Hei Hei Alle Sammen!

This week was incredibly busy and was packed full of all sorts of things! So here we go!

Monday

Last P-Day we went walking around Sandvika Sentrum and I needed a pink, red, purple, or maroon shirt for Sisters Conference so I went to H&M and got a maroon one!  We did originally have a dinner appointment at a members house planned, but she ended up cancelling because her husband got sick. My companion and I had delivered the pound cake that one of the elders had made so that they could still have a dessert, even though we weren't able to come. 

Tuesday

Today we picked up the Drammen Sisters headed down to Oslo for Sisters Conference!! That was the greatest thing ever!!  We first listened to President and Sister Hill both give talks, and the whole conference was themed around how we don't need perfection but that we can become perfect in Christ.  We heard from many people in the surrounding wards who are returned missionaries and they came and talked about their missions, and what they have learned from them, and how it's prepared them for their life now.  We then had breakout sessions about meal planning, exercise, working with members, scripture study and being filled with gratitude. Later that night we had a panel discussion where more people from the surrounding wards came and answered questions, and talked about their missions as well… I was scribbling down notes as fast as I could...I was soaking up the entire day and it was all wonderful!  So much fun!!  They even gave all of us sister missionaries a necklace with a heart on it and that was super cute!  Us Sister Missionaries are spoiled over here!!  

Wednesday

Today was also Sisters Conference for about half the day and we had more sisters from surrounding wards come and talk to us about their missions.  They were so inspiring and I loved every single second of it!  It's hard to explain all the stuff I learned and all the things I loved from it because it would literally take a thousand years.. but I fully enjoyed it!  After we dropped the Drammen sisters off at the train station, we had an appointment with one of our investigators  who have a baptism planned for this Saturday!  She has just recently moved back to Asker… but one of the sisters in the ward has been teaching her stuff over the phone as well, so we met with her, and had dinner, and then taught her the Plan of Salvation and then went over the Word of Wisdom. This lady is phenomenal!  Every time we would teach her something and think that it would be new information, she would explain what we just taught her because she already knew it!  Incredible!  Then we went and picked up the STL's sisters and planned for the next day!

Thursday

Today we met with our investigator early in the morning and taught the law of chastity and tithing and fast offering.  It was just the same as last time...she would basically explain everything we thought would be new information and she understood it all!  She is so prepared!  After teaching her, we went back to our apartment and had lunch and then it was full blown trying to plan this baptism!  One of the STL’s sisters and I had planned to try and visit another investigator because we hadn't met with her in a long time and we knew she wasn't doing too well, but her family was in town so we went to the church and began making the baptismal program.  Then we picked up my companion and another STL sister and drove to a members house. We split up…my companion and the STL  left to teach one of our investigators and the other STL and I, plus the Elders stayed at the member’s house.  We watched a conference talk and then spent the rest of the time singing hymns. One of the elders played the ukulele because this sister loves to sing!  It's amazing how quickly the Spirit can be brought by just singing hymns!  I loved visiting them!  Then we walked to the nearest bus stop and took the bus to Sandvika. My companion picked us up and we went home and had dinner and did splits review.  Then we dropped the STL's off at the train station and then we were back to planning the baptism!

Friday

Today we had District Meeting and we talked about commitments and how to make the commitments more specific and making them a little bit bigger. It was a super good District Meeting!  The Elders had also gotten us Mac and Cheese and Dr.Pepper because we were stressed out with putting this baptism together, having just gotten done with Splits and Sisters Conference. That was super nice of them!!!  So we just ate Mac and Cheese for our lunch that day!  Then we went to call people in the ward about the baptism, and also to finish the baptismal program!  Then before we knew it, it was time to go to our investigator’s appointment. While driving to her house we got a call from the bishop and he had told us that one of my favorite people had passed away that morning.  She was the less active that taught us how to knit and we would go and visit all the time.  That was super hard and I just broke into tears.  She was one of my absolute favorite people to visit!  But she taught me a lot in just the times that I met with her and she was one of the happiest people I had ever met even though she was battling cancer.  This is when I'm so incredibly grateful for the knowledge that I have of the Plan of Salvation and even more grateful that I get to share that with others so that they can find that same peace that I have.  We then got to our investigator’s house and taught her laws and ordinances and she was phenomenal with that as well… just like all her other lessons!  She was so excited to talk about callings because she was anxious to be engaged in church.. and she is just so awesome!  One of the elders did her baptismal interview and then we talked about things she needed to know for the day of! Then we went to go and send the program… and the computer was so nice that it didn't save the changes I had made even though I had hit save… but we finally got it sent!

Saturday

BAPTISMAL DAY!!!!  We went and played soccer for only an hour and  those people that we met on the street last week came again!!  And guess what!?  I scored 2 goals!  Woohoo!  After 3 months I was able to score 2 in one game!  Progress!  Then we got ready and headed to Sandvika Sentrum to get Andrea a gift for her baptism. We got her a journal and a necklace with her initial on it!  After that we headed to Europris and Kiwi to get other things for the baptism and we were running around all over the place!  We finally made it to the church and we were busy folding programs and setting up the refreshment table and filling up the font and it was so busy!!  But it was all worth it!!  Our investigator came and she got dressed in her baptismal suit and then we started the program!  My companion and I talked about our baptismal days and how it has affected our lives. The elders did a musical number and one of them sang the last verse in Portuguese and  Andrea was crying the entire time...the Spirit was so strong!!!  Then it was time for her to be baptized… and as my companion and I were leading her to the font she just stopped and broke down crying and then told us how excited she was and how it was the best day of her life!!  So of course that got the tears as well!  We then watched her get baptized by Eldste Sanchez… and I literally can't even explain the joy that comes from watching someone you have come to love enter the waters of baptism!  The joy is indescribable and I now fully understand the scripture that talks about the joy you will feel by bringing many souls unto Him.  The joy of finding the one that was lost.  IT'S INCREDIBLE!!!! We then came back into the chapel and heard our investigator  give her thoughts on her baptism. Her daughter gave a talk and her and a friend both bore their testimonies!  It was an incredible baptismal service and I wish I could've bottled that experience in a jar so that I could keep it forever...but it is a day that I will never forget!

Sunday

Today Andrea received the Holy Ghost!! Eldste Applegate confirmed her and then she was welcomed  into the ward.  I couldn't help but smile the entire time!  It was the greatest experience!  Our investigator was glowing and I have never seen her so happy and joyfu!l  That is exactly what the gospel does for people!  That is why I'm here on a mission!  So that other people can experience that joy that I have been blessed with my entire life!! AHH IT WAS SO GREAT! Then they had the Primary Program and that is always entertaining!  You know there is always that one kid that keeps the congregation entertained and my companion and I were having a good time!  Then we found out that we have to hold off on another investigator’s baptism… and then we went to the missionary couple for dinner!!  After dinner we had to drive the Elders to the Bishop so they could get the baptismal form signed and then we dropped them off at their dinner appointment.  My companion and went home and we did Weekly Planning while watching Mormon Messages!  

Today we have just e-mailed and we don't actually know what we're doing for the rest of the day!  We have a dinner appointment, well it's a Halloween themed dinner appointment at a member’s house with all of us missionaries, so we're all excited for that!  

Hope you all have an amazing week!  It's supposed to snow here this week so Norway winter here I come!  Also, we have transfer calls this Sunday so we'll see if I move or if I stay in Asker!   You'll know next Monday!

Love you all lots and miss you all tons! 


Pictures from the Sisters Conference
Pictures from the baptism