#53 Blessed with investigators

Hei Hei fra Bergen!

My mother just told me that Bergen has had the wettest June since 1952 and let me just attest to that...it has rained all week, except for one day!  I study in my dyne and my sweatshirt every morning over my dress because it's freezing cold and it's almost July haha!  But I love Bergen and the scenery so it makes it worth it!:) 

Monday

Last Monday we went and hiked Ulriken like I mentioned last week...holy cow that is a workout!  But then after emailing we went home and got ready for the evening and went and taught a ladybefore FHE.  We went over the chapter that we had had her read from the Book of Mormon and she had so many good questions about what happens to family that aren't members of the church, and what happens if they don't accept it later and they were super good questions!  She also told us that she had had her last cups of tea yesterday and that she had started today keeping the word of wisdom!  She just decided to do that from the Sunday School lesson we had so that's incredible! Then we went to FHE and played board games!

Tuesday

We didn't have much planned for today so we decided to do a little service projected.... so I made eplekake (and it was beautiful Mom, I have pictures!) and then went and heart attacked the Relief Society President's door.. and dropped off the cake... so that was super fun!  I love doing anonymous service!  Then we had MMK and talked about our investigators and the progress they are making!  The other sisters have a baptism happening this Saturday so that's super exciting!  Then we had dinner and called potentials

Wednesday

Today we went and visited a less active and her family and it was so much fun!  She has been reading in the Book of Mormon and she was giving me a run down summary of 1 Nephi 1 to 11!  So she has been rocking it with the reading!  We then had waffles with her and her daughter! We taught an investigator with a  couple from our ward...  He doesn't believe in God... but as we were talking to him then we got him to say, "Maybe there is" and that is better than no... so I'll work with it!  We were pretty bold with him because he wants to see a "light" to know that there is a God and Sister Bennett brought him to the Book of Mormon....and we're meeting with him again this week to talk about the Restoration! We met with another investigator who is a 5 time world champion boxer and we teach him in his gym haha!  Sister Bennett says it looks like a Mormon Message!:)) We taught him about the Plan of Salvation.  We were able to answer a lot of his questions and we'll be meeting with him again this week too!  Then we had a Relief Society "Sommer Fest" (Summer Party)

Thursday

Today we got up at 4:45 and got the bybane (train) to fly to Stavanger for Zone Conference!  Zone Conference was really good and Sister Blankmeyer is in my zone... so that was super fun!!!  We talked about joy and then talked about what Elder Herland talked about at our last zone conference... and then talked about the Book of Mormon in preparation for the Book of Mormon Musical coming out in Oslo in September.  We practiced new ways to contact people with the Book of Mormon and just testifying every minute it is our turn to talk!  It was so much fun!  Then we flew back home!

Friday

Today we met with our investigator again and we asked her how it was going with the Word of Wisdom. She had had a friend come up from Stavanger and had offered her tea... and she had told her friend no, because she was meeting with the Mormon missionaries!!!  YES!!! She hasn't touched green tea since she had committed herself to not drink it and then she said that she has been able to sleep better.  So we were able to use the scriptures to show her that that was testifying of it's truthfulness of the commandment!  It was such a good lesson!  Then we did weekly planning!

Saturday

Today we met with another investigator (it's so fun having so many investigators! this doesn't happen in every area haha) We talked to her about the Book of Mormon and she said that she wants to learn the lessons and wants to work towards baptism, and that is like music to our ears!!! So we're super excited to see her progress!  Then we went to teach another investigator and we taught him about prayer and then he was asking questions about the atonement.... and he kept telling us that he thinks that you should just have 2 chances and then if you mess up then it's game over...what?!  We were trying to explain how that all works but he is not getting it and still isn't willing to put forth the effort that is needed for him to get an answer.. so that's frustrating! But that was that!

Sunday

Our investigator came to church today!!  That's the greatest when people come to church!!!  Then we had dinner with a family in the ward and that was so fun!  We had a really good time with them!  With that and driving...it took up the most of our day.... so we finishied up our day with studies!

Today

Today we're going to go and see the stav kirke and take pictures and such and then we're going to play ping pong!

Have a great week!  Love you all lots and miss you tons!

#52 Read the Book of Mormon every day!

Hallo fra Bergen! Still believe I'm serving my mission in the most beautiful place on earth and am loving every second of it!  Even if it does rain literally all the time!:) 

Monday

Last P Day we went sight seeing and that was a blast! It's so much fun serving in a tourist town!  We went down to Bryggen and I got to see all the houses that I saw on google before my mission!  We went into different tourist shops and I just took 1000 pictures!  Then we went to FHE at the teaching center and then met with our investigator half way through!  We just did a follow up lesson and she told us she felt an inner peace when she prayed! Then we talked about how to get answers through the Book of Mormon and read 3 Nephi 17 with her.  When she was saying the closing prayer she thanked God for the inner peace she felt and thanked for His help earlier when she needed it that day!  She turned to prayer!  The Spirit was so strong in the lesson!

Tuesday

Today we looked up addresses from the area book and then went to visit a less active!  We're not sure if she has a desire to come back to church but we just spent time getting to know her!  So maybe one day!  Then we had MMK which was the most effective MMK I've ever seen on my mission which was awesome!  The members here are so eager to help with missionary work!  Then we called potential investigators!

Wednesday

Today we had a Webex with the entire mission and talked about how we need to focus on the Book of Mormon and read it every single day! We had District Meeting where we talked about the Restoration and how important it is to have the Spirit with us in lessons.  We had pep reps which is really just a pump up for the week so this week the elders (Miller and Christian) assigned us all cartoons from movies or tv shows and they gave me Pocahontas because I'm the native and will be singing with the colors of the wind haha! Then we finished up studies and taught our investigator with a member! We taught him the Restoration... but he kept interrupting and was caught up in why there hadn't been a Chinese prophet... so we had to tell him it was our turn to talk and that it would answer many of his questions.  So we began teaching and read JSH  and the Spirit was so strong!  He could put himself in Joseph's shoes and he was in tears because he wanted an answer so bad!  But he still holds himself back because he isn't willing to go all in yet.  But it was good!  Then we went on splits with an old lady in the ward who is hilarious and we tried visiting a less active!:)

Thursday

Today we went and visited a less active and read 1 Nephi 8 with her and discussed that.... and she was telling us all about the hard things that have happened in her life... and we told her that if she took the time to read the scriptures then it would be easier to handle...but that she couldn't expect the blessings if she wasn't going to do it.  Next day she had read 4 chapters in the Book of Mormon and had gotten good news for her family:) We taught a new investigator who is an atheist.  Never taught an atheist before so it was really interesting.  It was a lesson where I realized I didn't have many resources... but the spirit.  The spirit was the only thing that could possibly change his mind.... but by the end of the lesson he said he would pray!!  Then we taught another lady and she had read 3 Nephi 11 and Alma 32. She said that Alma 32 really spoke to her.  That is so cool that she recongnizes that!  We then watched Finding Faith in Christ.  She didn't believe in Christ before, just thought he was a good person...but she said that that had changed.  I sat there thinking that as missionaries we literally introduce people to Christ.  We show them He is our Savior, our friend, our advocate, our Redeemer.  What a privilege and incredible blessing that is!  She said she would continue to read and pray!

Friday

Today was weekly planning!  Wahoo!  Then we played sport.  It was soccer this time and we all know I'm an olympian at that sport..I'm so good that I don't even score!!:)) Then we went to visit a potential investigator at her work and she wasn't really interested or showing any commitment to it... but we made a friend on the way back home on the bybane! She wasn't interested in our message either but we planted a seed!

Saturday

Today we taught another investigator and we taught him the Restoration.  He isn't sure you can get an answer to prayer but he said he would pick up the Book of Mormon and start reading again so that's good!  Progress!  Then we watched a less active daughter play in her volleyball tournament to show support for her and that was super fun!  We contacted and went to our dinner appointment with Elders Miller and Christian.  It was a fun appointment!  Good food and we all had a good time!  Then we finished up studies and called potentials!

Sunday

Today we had 2 investigators in church!  I LOVE WHEN INVESTIGATORS COME TO CHURCH!!! It's the greatest thing in the entire world!  There were also tons of Americans visiting because cruise ships stop here.  One of our investigators stayed for all of church and we talked about the word of wisdom in Sunday School and she just committed herself to follow it!  Then I translated with a headset in Relief Society and that was fun!  We contacted in the city and we got an appointment with the first guy we talked to!  We talked to another guy and his daughter who was probably 8 years old!  We asked him if he believed in Christ and he said that he was probably not the best person to be talking to and his daughter spoke up and said, "I do" and we asked her why she believed in Him and she just said, "I don't know...I just believe" and she had learned about him in school.  My heart just melted.  It was a perfect example of what it means to "become like a child" I want childlike faith just like her...it was incredible!  I love those little moments that the Lord lets me live to remind me of the simple thing!  Tender Mercy!  Then we dropped by and investigator and got an appointment for next week!

Today 

Today we went and hiked up Ulriken which is the highest point in Bergen and then we took the tram thing down haha!  But it was a blast!  So much fun...even though the clouds set in within 2 minutes of being at the top haha!  

Love you all lots and miss you tons!!!  Have a great week!

Kylee took a lot of pictures...but, hasn't figured out how to download things yet at the new library:) She told me lots of pictures will come as soon as she figures that out:))

Here are some of her and her companion....and the 4 girls sharing the apartmen

Also a few pictures from Ulriken. (She didn't take those:))

#51 I already LOVE BERGEN!!

HEI HEI FRA BERGEN!!! 

Well everyone, I am in the most beautiful city in the entire world and I'm never coming home so it was nice knowing you all! Kidding:) But literally, I absolutely LOVE it here!  WOW!  I wake up every single day and I'm just in awe!  So anyway, jumping into the week!

Monday

Last Monday...I actually can't remember to save my life what we did...and I forgot to write it down...okay well never mind!

Tuesday

We went and visited a member so that I could say goodbye to her before I left Drammen... so we went to her work and then said goodbye:( and then we had dinner with all of the  6 missionaries with a family in the ward at Peppes Pizza... and it was so good!!! After dinner we went and met another member at the church to say goodbye to her before I left.... and then we went and had dessert with another family and just chatted and said goodbyes:( I also attempted to pack throughout the day! It's going to be weird and sad to leave Drammen. I have come to love this city and people!! I've had some incredible months here!!

Wednesday

I took the flytog (train) at 8am to head to the airport... and then I had to transport all of my stuff all the way until I got my bags checked. Thank Heavens there were people that were willing to help me!!.  I had my suitcases under weight.... but my carry on was kind of bursting because I had my books and stuff and then this ariport lady decides that she wants to weigh my carry on!!...they never do that!!...but she decided to do that today and made me get rid of like 8 pounds so my carry on would only be 16 pounds which was way under the weigh limit but anyway... so I stuffed the other stuff into my suitcases and such. She still charged me $30...which was ridiculous...but, what do you do. I made it on the plane and then we hit good ol turbulence while we were almost in Bergen...go figure because it's Bergen and always rainy... but I landed and only felt slightly nauseous haha! (She usually throws up every time she flies....so, we're glad she didn't do that:)) The senior couple picked me up from the airport with Sister Bennett!!...we got some groceries and did studies... and then went on splits with a member in the ward that just got back from her mission.  We went and visited an investigator but she was running off so we just said hi and tried visiting another former investigator who didn't answer the door... but it was all good because I'm in Beautiful Bergen!:))

Thursday

Today we had District Meeting with our new district and we talked about the Book of Mormon and then our studies and it was a good district meeting!  We had an appointment with a less active.. and that was so much fun!  She is absolutely hilarious.. and I got along with her really well!  She was making dumplings with pork, chicken, shrimp and some mushroom that I swear had legs and of course she wanted us to try it... so she was dipping it in a soy and chili pepper sauce and I thought that would cover the taste of the shrimp... but then my mouth was on fire so you know...it was a good ol time!!! Haha! Then we did weekly planning!

Friday

Today we had a lesson with one of our investigators and one of the members came with us.  We taught about The Gospel of Jesus Christ and then invited her to be baptized.  She said that she wasn't quite ready yet and that her family was a little skeptical, but we can work with that!  She is such a sweet girl and so ready and prepared for the gospel... so we will continue working towards a baptismal date with her!  We also called potentials and got tons of appointments!  People on this side of the country are so much more willing to meet and so much more willing to talk!  It's crazy!  Then we had sport with the YSA and we played volleyball... and after almost a year on my mission..I can play finally...sort of!:)) 

Saturday

We went and visited a member who is 70 and has autism and she is the sweetest little lady!!!  She made us eplekake (apple cake)and then she was showing us all of her family pictures and it was such a good visit!  Then we had lunch with one of Sister Bennett's friends from Romerike... and then we went and visited another family in the ward. They have a little girl with autism but she can't walk or talk but she is such a joy!!!  We showed the video "You Never Know"...it's a mormon message and we had waffles!  They are the sweetest family and are one of those families that are perfect examples of service and charity!  I felt so welcome and I had just met them for the first time!  Then we had another lesson with another investigator and he is also so ready for the gospel... but he is letting himself be a roadblock in his own way and just needs to exercise faith! But another thought with him, I get a lot of comments on my last name up here!  He was telling me that my husband can just call me "my love" and then when he's angry then he will still say, "my love" and then he won't be mad anymore!  Such a random comment haha! So we have a plan for him now and are excited to see his progress!  Then we helped a little with the YSA activity! 

Sunday

First Sunday in Bergen and I love the people here!!  I again just felt so welcome and loved already!  I got called along with the other new missionaries to bear our testimonies in sacrament meeting...that's just becoming a frequent thing now apparently.  But it was a good way for people to get to know me in the ward!  I was trying to remember everyone's names and that's a challenge of it's own... but I'm getting there!  Then we contacted on the street in the city and I have just felt such a great love for the people here in Bergen!  It truly is a "labor of love among His children" I literally can't explain how much I love it here!  Then we had studies in the evening

Today

Today we are emailing and then going sight seeing!  The city is huge so we're going around to see it all and IT IS BEAUTIFUL!  I'M SO PUMPED!!!!  I already have quite a few pictures but I'll have plenty more where that came from!  

Love you all and miss you tons!!!! Have an amazing week!

Pictures from Bergen and her new place. She was very excited to live in a yellow house!:))

#50 11 months!! Moving to Bergen!!!

Hei Hei Fra Drammen! (For the last time) 

Because I'm moving!!! Talk about having butterflies in your stomach literally the entire week! Gee!  But today arrived and I finally figured out where I was going:)) I don't have a lot of time to write today...I have lots to do:)) But, here it goes....

Monday

Last Monday we went to a new burger place that opened up in Drammen that is supposed to be like American style hamburgers, so we went there with our District.  We also played sand volleyball in Elveparken and then went shopping at H&M!  So that was fun! We contacted for a little bit and then worked in the area book!

Tuesday

Today we were supposed to be meeting with one of our less actives but she cancelled on us...  so we finished up our studies and went and tried to visit another record in our area book. We didn't find the street so that made it a little difficult! We had a dinner appointment with all the elders with a family in the ward...and that was so much fun!  I love that family!!!  It was my last dinner appointment with them though which was super sad!!:((  But also, today is Sister Reid's birthday!!!! so Elder Decker made her a cake and took it to our dinner appointment which was super fun! After that we headed home and did twelve week!

Wednesday

Herland Conference!  Today we had a mission conference with all the people in our zone and in the West Zone!  Elder Herland is an Area Seventy from Norway....and we talked about the talk "Stand Up Inside and Be All In" from Elder Sabin.. and it was such a good conference!!!  Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need, each of us personally.  Two things that really stood  out to me that he said was, "Do the very best that you can do-because Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and all of heaven is doing everything they can to help you"  Isn't that incredible!? That we literally have that guaranteed promise that they are doing everything to help us all the time?! Then he also said, "I promise that you will have a great mission if you just try a little bit.  It will change your heart, it will save your life and it will save thousands of other lives later"  Missionary work is something that has always been so close to my heart because of the affect that it has had on my immediate family.  The gospel was introduced really close to (my grandma and my dad) and if it weren't for those missionaries then my life would be really different.  So I love that he said that it will change your life and thousands of lives later!  It was an incredible conference!! Plus I got to see my old companions which is just the greatest!!  They are my best friends!!  After our conference we came home and we had dinner and then did studies! 

Thursday

Today we had a lesson with one of our investigators and we taught about the Plan of Salvation!  It was actually probably one of my favorite lessons teaching about the Plan of Salvation!  I felt like I was really able to use the way that I teach to be able to connect to him in a way that made sense to him...it was awesome!  He is so open minded and asking great questions!  So I'm sad that I don't get to teach him anymore!  We also taught another new person about the Restoration...she only understands a little bit of Norwegian and a little English so that was a challenge..I need to learn to speak Tigrinya or something so that I can communicate with more people!  Gift of tongues!  Then Sister Reid was not feeling well at all so we went home and for the rest of the day did stuff around the apartment and did 12 week!

Friday

Today Sister Reid was really sick so we stayed inside for the day!  The Elders went shopping for us which was super nice of them so we had food to eat... and then we watched just about every church movie in our apartment! 

Saturday

Today we went and helped a lady in the ward move into her apartment and clean up a little bit. We headed to our dinner appointment after that!  We had a great dinner and then just relaxed and had dessert because it was now Pinse weekend... so busses don't go as often and such and such!  So then we had studies and 12 week!

Sunday

Today was my last Sunday in Drammen which was really weird and sad!! But it was a great testimony meeting and I have truly come to love the ward here!!!  They are incredible!!!  We went to Mommo and Besse and had dinner for the last time...and then we went to another family and had dessert with them and the elders. It was a great, great day and we had a lot of fun!!  When we got home we had the rest of our personal study and then that was that!

Monday

Today we found out where we are being transferred to!! I am going to BERGEN!!! I've always wanted to go Bergen...and now I get the chance!!!  It's a city on the coast and I'm so excited!  It's absolutely beautiful!  So I can't wait!  My comp will be Sister Bennett and we already get along super well so I'm way excited about that!  She came on splits with me when I was in Asker.  And I'll be in an apartment with two other sisters named Sister Gagon and Sister Peterson so I'm excited about that too!  It will be so much fun! So next time I will be emailing it will be from Bergen!!!

My new address is

St. Olavsvei  3B

5052 Bergen

Love you lots and miss you all tons!!


Pictures from her mission conference....Kylee and former companions....who have become her sisters!!
Pictures from Bergen.....her new home!