April 1, 2013

psss... heh heh. Happy aprilsnær! heh he. I didn't tell you what k bab pizza is... heh heh. :)

Hey Mom!!!!

While we're on the subject of mundane things... it's interesting to be a missionary. Every once in a while on pday I wake up and really don't care to do anything Pdayish, because everything else is jus worth so much more. The farther I get into my mission, the more i realize just how important what we do is, and how hard it will be hard to find meaning in life when I'm not always focused on others and helping them with eternal salvation. Even on a day where you wander around and no one will talk to you the entire day you can still feel like you are doing something that is so important. I know that every missionary says this and everyone else is like: 'no way man' But for realsies... the thought of coming home scares the heck out of me. Mostly for that reason. ANyways that's waaaaay down the eternal pit of blackness that never ends. Secretly I'm never leaving :D

It actually sounds like you guys had a pretty intensical week. Filled with awesomeness though :) I really like your idea of throwing in some extra birthday days! thats a good idea :) I'm totally going to celebrate like a norwegian for the rest of my life so you all are welcome to join along with us! Woot! 

What is a Kbab pizza eh? That is the grand question of the twenty first century of the treasure of a thousand islands of a world lost in a universe of a monkeys eyeball who is eating a bananna...

A kbab pizza is basicalll a kbab on a pizza... :D no lettuce though. That would be gross... heh

My easter was fantastic! ok. well... actually it was really good. There really wasn't a whole lot different. We're missionaries mom :) But I don't think you really understand Moss yet.... In Moss I have a dinner with a member EVERY single night. including easter :) We had really good turkey and this bluberry jello ice cream cream mix.... oohh man so good. They feed us well. :) and this waaay cool famliy invited us over for like 25 minutes so we could do an easter egg hunt led by their little son :) super cute. Norwegians just look for a single egg on their hunt, and its a huge one loaded with candy :) it was super fun. Sidenote: Guess... what?!? I've gained 6 kilo's in moss so far!!! duood that puts me at almost 153 pounds!!! Yess heh heh. anyways. thats mostly because we've been doing P90X every morning :)

This week was really cool too. Sometimes I feel like I should be inparting all this great wisdom because I'm a missionary, but I honestly don't have any :) I don't know anything more than the rest of you. But it is cool to see how much of the atonement I've been able to experience on my mission rather than just learn about. That's probably the one of the coolest things from this week. Friday man... i was done. I woke up and I just knew I just didn't have what it takes that day. I've been having the problem lately of just not feeling adequate. But i remember just getting this super strong feeling that: hey. it's going to be ok. And throughout the next couple days I literally just was carried through and saw things that were huge miracles to me. Friday was a national holiday and literally every store in the country (except for the muslim market :) is closed. But even though there was no one outside, We talked to a lot of people. We even got this girls number in the worst contact i've ever done in my life. It was the first one that day, and my mind was literally blown. It was way cool. On saturday we ate with this member who is crazy, and she was feeding half the ward that night, but her son and grandsons were there and we literally were all laughing histerically after being together for like 40 minutes. It was perfect. I don't even nkow how we did it, but we just clicked wtih them. And they totaly brought out my inner child :) It was super fun. I can't even describe it. i fetched water from the nile... And noah became a missionary that day... anyways it was awesome. We talked with the dad at the end and we can totally go over and talk to them more about the gospel and everything!! it was laweslosm.øe 

This whole being on a mission thing is still kinda a joke but I'm loving it. It's super hard, but at the same time super .... fantastisk. I've learned that no amount of anything I do can do this. It's all up to him. As long as I am willing, he'll show me just how much he can do. I continue to learn a ton about faith and ah! just everything. I'll keep going. I hope you guys have a super awesome break! Tell matthew to send me some more vids! me and my comp thought those were sweet!

Anyways! I love you so much mom! I can't wait to talk to you in like.... a MONTH!!! WOOT!

Love,

Christopher

Ps. IS ANYONE AS EXCITED ABOUT GC AS I AM!?!?! Sorry I didn't really get to that but it's super awesome! 

Antoher random fact aobut moss! it's the translating center for the church into norwegain. So all the GC talks i've been listening to in norwegian I now know the people that are talking! its super cool! The ward is super awesome here. I'm actually getting to know a lot of them really well! K cool well bye!

March 25, 2013

Hey Mom!

What are you talking about you didn't really have anything to say? That is not the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard, because I've heard much more ridiculous things on my mission, but that's still pretty ridiculous. I think all people everywhere never feel like there is much exciting going on, but the more you really look at it, the more you can see. :) So never believe that your life is boring mom. Because it's not. And I'm glad your loving it. That's probably the most important thing ever. 

I've probably said much across this same point before, but my mission is not even about planting seeds. I thought I was going to come out here to serve the Lord, and lift and strengthen other people. Well... That's not really how it's worked for me. I know that I have helped people, and done what i've needed to do. but it hasn't been at all about what I can do. it's all about what the Lord can do for me and show me. I thought I was going to serve Him, but amidst it all He's done about a million times more for me personally. My mission hasn't been about the people, or even the place or any of that. it's been about how much the Lord can show me just how much He loves me, and how much He can really do that I can't by myself. That's what i'll remember the most. Everything else is awesome. But that's been the best. 

I'm glad you protected dad's poor heart for him. Was he actually like using it while he was talking or was it just sitting there chilliin? You should probably tell Brother Clark so that he doesn't get too much of a heart attack and tell the bishop that our family is insane or soemthing. That wouldn't be good :) Also why is it that Ethan gets to go skiing when i've never actually gone? Thats ridiculous. 

Fun fact about Norway: Everyone Ski's. ALl. people. everywhere. When we visit families and eat with them their 3 year old daughter will ask when they can go skiing. They literally are born with ski's already attatched to their legs. They have a saying for it :) Anyways. its' a shame I can't go as a missionary. That would be a pretty cool way to experience norway.

More news from this week, is that there really isn't that much to say actually. :) We had some funny things happen to us. One night we were out knocking on doors, and this cat just followed us around for like an hour and half. it was suuuper cool. :) We just had this little guardian cat by our side the whole time. i should have named it. it was a way sweet little cat :D And I continue to attract an extraordinary amount of weird crazy people. This one guy called us over while we were walking down the street on saturday, and proceeded to tell us like 15 stories where he had been able to see the future. We literally just sat there and stared at him for like an hour as he talked to us on the street. The only reason I didn't go crazy is because of just how funny his stories were :) Anyways, finally we had to go to get to an appointment and this crazy old man just follows us yelling about how grace exists in everything and that everyone especially Hitler would be saved. Crazy man. Another was an old guy who got on the bus last week and literally just started raging at the bus driver. That doesn't happen in Norway. people don't really yell at each other. But this old guy was just going wild. the whole bus was just staring at him. My favorite part was when he started punching the card reader on the bus... That made me laugh :)

We also had Zone Conference, and I've finally reached the point where some missionaries that i love to death and have gotten to know really well are going home. My Father is going home in a month.... I'm probably not even going to get to see him ever again in Norway whcih is actually really sad. i'm kinda waaay bummed about that one. Zone conference was really good though. It was super trippy to go back to Oslo.... It's cool how I know my way around that city like it was backyard though. My old friend Mr. Goob goes home too. That's just weird. I'll forward the pictures. Unfortunately i'm closing my eyes but other than that I'm looking snazzy rockin the new suit and tie. :D (sorry still dont have pictures of that for you).

In terms of cool things the coolest was some less active work that we did. We had dinner with this one young family that just stopped coming to church because he started building their house, and then after a while it was just easier to not come. It was way cool because something just clicked as we prayed in our hearts and he talked way openly about his testimony and what is missing. before the ward jsut thoght he was completely apostate and that we could only help his wife, but after that visit it was clear he wants the feelings of the spirit agian, he just doesn't feel like doing it all. It was really powerful and really cool. he basically told us he knew that it was true and that there really wasn't anything he could do to deny it and wouldn't try to, he just doesn't want to act on it right now. So we gave him some challenges and taught them about faith, and just tried to help them. It was awesome. We also had chinease food with Sigfried this week :) This guy told us some way cool stories from his mission where he served in Las Vegas and literally just ran everywhere, and planned for like tons of baptisms every week and saw them reach those goals. That was pretty cool to talk to him about. And apparently he finally admited for the first time that he's less active and wants help. Way cool though. he came to church! So yeah we have several families who have agreed to take the missionary lessons again so that'll be really cool. 

Our other invs. Hessein is also doing really well :) We tought him about baptism by showing him all the pictures around the church builiding and that was pereyyty cool (do you like how I don't correct my typing mistakes at all mom?) ;D Andyways. We learned that he actually was in the militia for saddam hussein, but fled the country to become a christian. Way cool guy. i just wish we could speak hsi language. :) The things that guy could tell us. 

Anyways that's about it for now. I can tell you about miracle man and raymond later. They will always be around :) 

Believe in Christ. If you've got nothing else, just hold onto that. He'll help you through the rest. You can be the worst person in the worst place in life, and have it all as long as you truly hold onto Him. Do not fear failure. Nor discouragement. Do your best. :) And love every step you take. 

have a great week alle! Polska in norway begins! Every store in the country will be closed for 3 days this week... so that should be fun. Not really anything else i'm doing though to answer your question mom. Hopefully we'll have our bikes by this week so we can try and visit some families. :D Love you so much!

LOvEsiEs!

Christopher

March 18, 2013

Dearsest Momsicle,

As to answer your question: The only thing I really want for my birthday is small portable harddrive. Nothing fancy. Nothing expensive. Got it?! But There is tons of stuff that I could put on it and memories I want to be able to save. If not then maybe I can steal it from all my companions after we get home. But I would definately use it now. There are sweet old norsk movies, and some new ones that would be legit :) ANyways. Other thann that..... I just bought myself a suit. DOOD I got that and 2 norwegian ties for less than 100 bucks. The ties were like 4 bucks a pop and they are awesome. ANd the suit looks la-git. :D so I'm gonna count that as most of my birfday :) I'm running out of room in my suitcases to carry stoff around rapidly so ... yeah. :) just sos you knows. 

Mom. I love my mission to death. I can't get enough. I can't even explain how much I want to hold onto every single memory and every single thing I learn. I think my problem recently is that I've jsut been stressing because i'm not sure if I'm really getting everything out of it that I can when really the mission just changes you. Little bit each day, you are never quite the same person you were the day before. I really felt this week like we knew what we were doing and I felt all teh cool um... opplæring ... training! i got in oslo was awesome! Moss is a way small town but despite how many people know who we are and what we do, I know that you just have to show faith, and go out with the right attitude and you will find people :) it's been way awesome to see the changes happening in us, our area, the ward, and just the mission in general. 

Last night we went over to an older couple who have some relation like unto a grandchild of someone in the churhc. It was way cool and we are probably going to be going over there a lot. Have you heard of Lefse bofere?! Dude. Its like this Norwegian ahh... bread stuff. sooo good. She is such funny little Norsk great grandma. :) Her dialect is funny too. Speaking of Norsk, the ward releif society president here did a rap on an m and m song this week. :) Hilarious. We have been listening to it today. Norwegian is awesome. I just love hearing people speak it! Especially since half the time I know what they're saying now! woot! 

We also did another Gatestand this week... or street stand :) We had a bunch of members come and it was hilarious. There was also a guy advertising massaches... uh no idea how to spell that.... at the same time. We were laughing with him A: Because his accent was just hilarious. It's like the British style norwegain :) B: because apparently people were getting confused because they thought that he was advertising massashes from Jesus... it was hilarious. We ate fantastic Norwegian waffles and gave them out free on the street. It was super fun :) 

Me and Elder Burt are having the times of our lives right now :) I taught him California speed and he loves it. It's been super intense and awesome. He had a birthday and we ate K-bab pizza with French fries on top... it was sooooo good :) HMM Deilig! We are actually going to record our first two weeks journal entry on a recorder tonight together :) I'm super stoked. Craziest things ever have happened. This week we were just out on the street, and this suuuuper old guy, who probably hasn't cleaned anythign on his entire body for a few years, stops on the street and in super old norwegian asked us for a smoke... Keep in mind that this man was the MOST drunk man I've ever seen in my life. There are no words to describe... Then he just sat there claiming we were his best friends and just started tipping towards us and me and burt both just jumped back and just stared at each other... He stuck out thes way gross looking hands and said he wanted a klem. Klems are norwegain hugs that involve pressing the cheeks together.... yes we did it. No we have no idea what or who that man was..... I'm pretty sure we're scarred for life... But hey. We're his friends right? 

Speaking of friends me and Burt were laughing this week about how we probably would have judged each other hardcore in real life, and even before we really met, and how theres almost no way we would have been friends. But here, in moss of all places, We literally have gelled instantly. it¨s the coolest thing ever. We are pretty much dominating here. In terms of being happy and being righteous mom, it is impossible to be happy and unrightoues. So I hope I'm being righteous. We are literally doing everything we can to be better and do better. I have felt in all the teaches that we had this week the Lord guiding what I say and what I do. Apparently Elder Burt has never actually taught an atheist before.... thats funny because in oslo when we were teaching every day, they were all atheists. :) And now in moss we have several who are atheists :) I think I just attract them or something. 

I love the small town feel here in moss though. its way cool to actually see members of the churhc around, and even cooler to get to know some of the people just on the street. So thats cool :) um.... I'm running out of stoof to say. Oh! Being a DL is way cool actually. Its just fun to get to know the guys in our district a little better and really focus on them. I hold a district meeting for an hour an half every week so that'll be fun. I I think my one last week went ok :) I'll just do what I can right. also call them regularly and help move info up and down the chain, and do baptismal interviews and stuffs like that. (Remember that guy that I found in oslo who was golden and wanted to get baptised? he's in my district now! I would interview him for baptism!) Yesterday I also had 10 minutes to prepare a 10 minute talk in Norwegian... super cool. I'm definatly getting better at tlaking on the kick, withouth notes, though I still feel like it wasn't all that good :) 

Man. We had more experiences where we were led right to a door, picked it knocked, and then kept going until we found another. It is just incredible how much the lord has helped us. anyways.

I'll stop boring you with all this random stuff that probably means nothing to you, but its awesome. I hope things keep going well for you mom. Just know that your son is having the time of his life right now. And also remember that he loves you more than anything else in the world. There is only one thing that trumps missionary work. And that's family :) That means you. So once I'm home I'll actually be able to convice you of that.

I love you tons! Talk to you soon! AHHHH I'm soo excited for GC!!!!!

Love 

Christopher

Ps. I honestly have no idea what missionary work will be like during easter... never been here during it before :)