Everyday is Better than Christmas

Everyday is better than Christmas. I'm not sure if I wrote this thought yet...but it is true. I really look forward to every single day as if it was Christmas. There is just always something that we have planned that is too good to be true. For example, yesterday * came to church and we got to visit and teach the * Family. Today I found out my sister is having a baby girl which right now makes her look like she ate a whole watermelon for lunch. Tomorrow we have been invited by *'s mother to dinner. Her mom is a work of art and I simply can't wait. But it isn't just these big things that make me so excited. I love contacting. I love it when we get to go out and just talk to people. Before you know it you are sitting down and having a conversation, and not a ''small talk'' conversation but a real conversation. Last July I made a mid-New Year Resolution to meet someone new once a week, if only for a minute. I just went back and read it again this week with *. We laughed because I'm really doing that now. The people have always been my favorite part of anything I have done. I have not been disappointed. And we talk to so many people that some of them start coming up and saying hi to us. It makes it hard to contact new people, but I feel like I have a base here...and that feels nice. Oh, and just to make it about as picturesque as possible, as we are contacting on the old cobble stone street there is almost always someone playing the accordion, and they plays my favorite songs including but not limited to: La vie en rose and Rondo Alle Turke.

A couple funny language mistakes I have been making that are funny: I tell people about the ''ladders of truth'' that people took and used to build up churches during the apostasy. Also, I often asked people if they have any friends who are visiting God and would maybe like to hear about our message. You see, seeking and visiting are pretty close. I asked Søster J why people always looked at me funny when I asked for referrals. I told her what I had been saying and she just started laughing. Ha ha. Also...this past week I found 2 people who speak Spanish. I'm reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish when I get home at night if there is time.

Speaking of The Book- Sister J and I finished reading. It only took us 13 days and we didn't let it get in the way of missionary work. We just woke up early and read like the wind. Every time I read it I feel my testimony grow. I'm glad I served a mission because when I was younger it felt like...read the whole Book of Mormon...maybe in a year. But now that I have done it so quickly I really feel like I see exactly how it all fits together, and how it fits with the Old and New Testament. It is a different kind of amazing that came as I read it quickly. Needless to say I love the Book of Mormon and I know that it is true. How lucky we are that that is the only thing we have to find out, because as the book says itself about the meaning of witness that it is true: ''Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah.''

* also got baptised this past Saturday. I didn't know he wasn't a member when I first got here since he did just about everything for the church, but soon after I got here he was able to quit smoking and get baptised. He is an example of faith and also an example of working hard for the things you believe in. One day after Family Home Evening he just forgot to smoke, and he never did it again. It is really cool to see how the atonement can help with all the different challenges we face. He asked me to speak about the Holy Ghost at his baptism. I had given a talk the week before on the Holy Ghost and didn't know what I had left to say, but I'm glad I got asked again because it made me really think hard about what the Holy Ghost means to me and how it really helps me. I remember the time I got lost when I was 7ish walking home from the Andersons. I walked maybe an hour or so on Davis Blvd. in the wrong direction. I remembered that mom taught me to pray, so I did. Not long after I calmed down and the thought came to me to turn around and walk back the way I had come. Soon I found two people who could help me get home. That is exactly how the Holy Ghost still works. First, it calms you down...or comforts you. Then it gives you a small hint as to what you should do. Turn around. Before you know it you really find yourself on the way home. The proof is in the blessings that come from following the Holy Ghost. I remember telling my mom about how happy I was because I knew it was the Holy Ghost. I knew that prayer worked and that God loved and was aware of me. * also asked me not to cry. Ha ha. Even though my heart doesn't really speak Norwegian I only got half way through before I started to cry. Love it.

Last but not least, I saw the midnight sun this past week. It was summer solstice so we had permission to be out late. We had a bon fire right by the fjord, played sand volley ball, and watched the sun not go down. Pretty exciting. The best part had to have been the 7 investigators we had at the activity, (Sister J is quite the trainer). That is more investigators than members. The people are really the reason I'm in Norway. It is really good when we get to have fun with those getting to know the church. Our different personalities really matter as we help others feel comfortable among strangers. It is also really great to see how the church quickly brings so many people together.


I love being a missionary.

Perfect

This week was so good. We had a baptism, and it was amazing. * is one of the first people I taught on my mission. I got to Norway after she had been taught lesson one, or about Joseph Smith. I love teaching her. You can tell she was ready for the gospel. She converted herself by reading Mormons Bok. * is my age and grew up here in Norway. I'm really impressed with her. She understands what she committed to and I don't worry about her one bit. I am only thankful that I have a such an amazing friend in Norway.She got baptised on Saturday and everything went really well...except there was no hot water. When she got in the water she let out a small yelp. Right after she came out of the water she again let out a little ''AH,'' but it was followed by ''that was... perfect.'' I was so happy because she was so happy, and it was perfect, despite the ice bath, because she thought it was. I really felt something strong when she was baptised. What a good use of words, right? I don't really know how to explain it, but it felt so good and I was so happy. I love being a missionary.

We were pretty busy this week with teaching and getting stuff ready for the baptism that we didn't really have much time to contact. I really do miss it when we don't get to go out and talk to people on the street. It is so interesting and so awesome to be able to just start teaching someone that you just met

Here is another funny story you might like. There is a member here named Søster *. She is maybe in her 50's or 60's. Anyway, she is in the Relief Society here and so I find myself calling her all the time. I know that the quickest way to learn a language is to make all the mistakes you can once so you understand...so I just go for it. She thinks I'm hilarious and just laughs the whole time we are on the phone. (I've started to look forward to calling her because she thinks it is so funny). After the baptism I said to her ''Takk for alt!'' Because she had done so much to help us get ready and have food. She just started laughing and laughing, and I couldn't understand what was so funny, because I was pretty sure I had said just what I wanted to...''Thanks for everything.'' I asked her what was so funny and I guess ''Thanks for everything'' is something you say to people that are dying or are dead. Like maybe at the top of an obituary or on a head stone. She thought it was so funny and still laughs and says ''takk for alt'' when she sees me. It's good I thrive on experiences like that. I love that it keeps both of us laughing.

Love and miss you all!

Katie

30 C

 I must be past the deer-in-the-headlights phase because this week my personality really came back. I don't think Søster J really knew what to do with me. I kept cracking jokes that I thought were really funny and dancing all the time. I'm really grateful I'm starting to feel so comfortable and I'm getting used to the fact that you never know what is going to happen in a day, even though you have every hour of the day planned. Oh the joys of missionary work.

Søster J and I made a goal to read The Book of Mormon in 14 days. We wake up early and read, read in personal study, and a little in companion study. We are both pretty quick readers and are even ahead of schedule. I don't want to stop and am sad when we study something else. Reading it so fast has been super helpful in getting a better understanding of how incredible complex that book is. It is incredible. It also makes it pretty hard when all you want people to do is to read it, and they won't. What is so scary about a book anyway? We go out to try and get people to take a free copy of a book and read it, and with some people you couldn't even pay them to take the book. Interesting it is. I'm so grateful to be here. You learn a lot about people and about yourself.   

I was lucky last week because it was warm. More then warm, it was even hot. Maybe one of the warmest days this city has ever seen. I'm talkin 30 C. *, the Branch Secretary who never leaves the church, came to get us to make us look at the thermometer because it never happens. He was so excited and his eyes were so big as he told us how it was such an amazing day. 30 C. I laughed a little as I thought about how different things really get us excited depending on what we're used to. For me, when we drive out of the city into the country side I can't stop talking about how beautiful the white houses and red barns are against the green grass. They must have known something about complementary colors. * laughed and said it is good that I point it out, because he doesn't even notice it anymore. I hate cities, I'm my father's daughter and a country girl at heart.  

Another random thing, I never thought I would play so much volleyball on my mission. We play on P days, Saturdays, YA activities and who knows when else. I wouldn't be surprised if I was maybe a little bit decent by the time I get home. I've already made improvements. But you should see my companion. She knows how to spike the ball and could even throw a football further and with a better spiral than any of the Elders.  

Finally, if I spell prophet p-r-o-f-e-t it is because I'm thinking in Norwegian. If I spell it any other way, yes I'm an English major that can't spell. But that isn't a huge surprise...  : 

Monday? Again?

Something so exciting has happened. Her name is *. She is the most adorable, cute thing I have ever seen. She is from * and we met on the bus maybe my first week here. It was pretty much a miracle because Norwegian is a second language for both of us. I don't even remember what I said...but I remember it was maybe two or three sentences and then I asked if I could call her and tell her more. For some reason, she quickly gave me her number. It took us a little while to be able to meet with her, but this last week was so amazing because we saw her 3 times. She can't really explain why she came and why she keeps coming because she had not a single belief in God. We teach everything really slow. We started with the existence of Heavenly Father and prayer. On her second time she tried praying...It was the most genuine prayer I've ever heard. I look forward to the days we meet with her. I feel like meeting with * is one of the evidences that there is something more involved in the work here. I can go out and try my best to tell people about God, but most people here don't have a belief. With some people we say hardly anything and they are ready to come learn more. I know I couldn't convert anyone one my own, so I don't try. We meet with them to give them the Book of Mormon and send them on their way to figure it out for themselves. There is a lot of power in that book, because it all depends on whether or not it is true. There are a lot of places to go for information, but why not the source? Reading the Book or Mormon changed my understanding of who God is and why it is important to believe in him. If you haven't lately, read the Book of Mormon.  

Søster J. laughs at me because it is easy to see the strongest part of my testimony. I know that Heavenly Father loves me. Everyone we meet and talk with gets to hear it from me. The thing is, it is the only thing I need to know. If God loves me then I can trust him with whatever else. 

Speaking of Søster J., I thought sister missionaries were supposed to be weird, but she's not. Unless you think I'm weird, because we are alike in many ways. I know I said in my last letter how much I appreciated her, but it true. We were instant friends and keep each other laughing. Mostly, we are both honest with each other and really care about each other. She really gets me thinking about why I am here and who I want to be, and she pushes me. She told me when I first got here that we were going to have so many appointments that we were not even going to have time to contact. I did not believe her. But I think we had 1 hour to contact in the last 5 days. And I missed it. I really did. That one hour was glorious. It was pouring rain, but it was a warm rain. There was some music playing really loud and lots of people were out (ha ha, in fact the song ''Have you ever seen the rain'' started playing. Sister J. and I just laughed). I had one of those moments where I was doing exactly what I wanted to be doing, and loving it. As I stopped people to talk to them I just realized how lucky I was to get to go out and meet so many people in one day. I instantly can tell so much about them as we start talking, and I quickly start to care a lot about everyone I talk to, even if it is just for a minute or two. It is funny because Trondheim is pretty small. I already recognize people when I go out, and even more people recognize me. I started contacting a college age boy at the bus stop the other day, and as we started talking I realized that I had spoken to him a day or two before. I asked him if I had talked to him and he laughed and said I had. Pretty funny. 

Time really started taking off. I feel like last Monday was just a few days ago. The only time I am homesick is in the morning when I blow-dry my hair. That is a boring task that leaves me with nothing but time to think. I think it is interesting the way when you are away from home certain foods are suddenly the best thing you have ever tried. In Chile it was peanuts, in Mexico it was mangos (understandable), but here in Norway it is raisins. I hated everything about a raisin four months ago, now I can't get enough. 

* is still going to be baptised, but she changed her date to accommodate for family members. I love seeing the change that has come over her. I arrived in Norway when she had been taught twice. She was quiet and unsure and was uncomfortable with many things. Now I watch her as she easily makes friends with everyone in the church and talks and laughs openly with her. I've really seen her find happiness. I love hearing her talk about Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon. I just know it really means a lot to her. She is so dedicated. We see her often, almost everyday. She takes the train to get to the church to meet with us, 1 hour each way. She has even started coming to institute and FHE. We had a member middag this past week with her and some members here. One of my favorite things has always been good food and good people, and there isn't a shortage of that on a mission. We get to sit around the table and talk about things we love and things we think are important. Being a missionary is amazing.

I'm getting made fun of right now because I don't like cheesy poetry that rhymes. I refuse to read it. Ha ha ha. 

Diana: Love you and your soon to be married face. Your letters made me happy. Thanks for not forgetting to send me an invite. I'll think of you on your big day. I have the best girl-friends in the whole world. 

Everyone Else: I love you, too. 

First Pictures from Trondheim