Well, that's pretty much the
end of all that nice spring weather we were having last week. New
current temperature = Very cold :) But actually it's a lot better that
i'm here rather than in Alta or Hamar or something. Apparently it's
already a lot colder there than it is here in Oslo. It's interesting
that the more the sun shines here... the colder it is. It's really quite
amazing the amount of insulation that the clouds over the city give you
:)
So how is everyone who isn't frozen doing? :) I
actually, as of yet, have not recieved any packages. :) But. I did call
the office last week to order some stuff and they said that they had
forwarded some my way :) (i honestly don't know why they didn't just
have the Ap's bring it when they came down or something. It feels like
that would be a lot cheaper and a lot faster to do.,..) So if you do end
up sending another package, just send it straight to my apt. It will be
a lot more likely to get to me that way. Also. How in the world are you
coming up with the money to buy multiple packages for me and fill them
with... things!?!? I'm really doing fine :) I actually had questions
about this. What the heck is my budget for the next little while.
Well really for my whole mission. I just really don't have any idea.
cause, there are a few really cool things that I want to be able to
get... :) Also you didn't answer my question!?! When
is it you people want packages from me?
Other than that it sounds like things have been
slightly hecktic lately :) And exciting. :) The ward party sounds super
funny. I actually honestly can't imagine where my brothers get this
weird little showoffiness from :) I hated doing stuff in front of other
people. Still do :) You people definatlely did not pick that up from me.
THat's for sure. :) THat would also be slightly hilarious if we were
able to talk to Eriks grandma. IT's interesting that you mentioned how
you can see where their family comes from when you see her. That's one
thing you learn very quickly about the norwegian people. They are just
different. ( I would also add, that the Heras family is the most
norwegian like family I've met in the US) When you ask missionaries what
is most different, they always say it's mostly just the people. it can
be described in a comparison between a dinner appointment between an
american or british family even, with a completely
norwegian family. Norwegians are really just reserved, polite, and very
hard to get into, and love to chill in their little box. whereas
Americans are a lot more open about friendships and trust. One thing we
talk about a lot as a companionship is how to get past the Norwegian
wall. One thing doesn't work. That's being a missionary. Being Chris
lets me get past it though :) Because of this you literally have to do
'missionary work' in a slightly different way. Anyways. It's really hard
to describe. I'll prolly get better at that as I see and experience
more of the Norwegian culture.
In terms of this week it was actually a really fun
week. Also an incredible growth period for me as well. I had heard it
all the time that your mission changes you and makes you better but I
really never knew what parts of this to believe or not. I remember
worrying before my mission if I would be able to find things in myself
that I could change to become a better person. I would say now, my worry
is that after 2 years I'll actually be good enough to really do
anything. Somehow, the Lord took who I was before, and brought me so low
in humilty I almost couldn't even look up anymore. I don't even know
how he did it. I remember this week we had had a frustrating day, with 0
success, lots of rain, and lots of dissapointment. Every appointment we
had no one showed up and I was trying to keep us going mostly because
my companion litterally hated the world on this occasion (because of a
call from the president that morning telling him he
had to stop contact with his converts) it was near the end and finally
we decided to take a little break and go stand on the opera house roof. I
remember standing there in my dimpy little raincoat just staring out
across the bay with the ships and the small lights and just for a few
minutes feeling at the same time both as low and as humble as can be and
yet from somewhere I also knew that in these times, where all you have
left is the lord, you are the strongest. I think the point at which I
came to grips with the fact that I'm supposed to be feeling like this
all the time was a good one. Because then I can look and I can enjoy
what I do despite the fact that everyone who promised they were coming
to church doesn't come, and you literally lose contact with every single
person you had. (that was a sad calling time... when 0 people
answer...) I would call the feelings that I have are dissappointment,
but definately not discouragement. Despite it
being one of the hardest and least successful weeks yet, A you have to
expect to have a bad week after you have one your best, and B: The
amount of spiritual experiences that I had this week were quite a bit
more than usual. They are just simple things, like praying for love, and
feeling it for the people you see despite whatever reaction they give
you, or a really good personal study where you learn things that you can
do better. But really. I didn't even know the meaning of the word
humble before my mission. It's really quite hard to explain :)
Did I mention that it was a fun week? :) Let me answer some questions to elaborate further:
Chris, what is the weridest thing you've eaten on your mission?
A: Dried Reindeer Heart.... Woa. Duuuuude.
Chris, how delicious was this dried reindeer heart?
A: It tasted like dirt.
Chris, have you even seen a reindeer?
A: yes. yes I have :) Right by this uber legit iceskating rink in the middle of the central park :)
Chris, what do you do in the hour or so that you have for free time after nightly planning?
A: Fly
the little toy helicopter I fixed around the apt. :) Also when we have
E. Holligshead and E. Linge visiting (which has happened like 4 times
now) we get a llttle crazier and aim it at each other and go full
throttle)
Chris, I've heard rumors that you've stolen a board
game from the nearby Young Adult Center. What do you have to say against
such accusations?
A: It's either keep your burny, girl
crazy companion (and yourself :) occupied for that short time by playing
every settup of Settlers of Catan possible, or end up just being bored
and letting your thoughts hate everything. I personally think it is a
great way to bond with companion, and keep focused.
Chris, how well do you feel like you were trained
when you have 3 kids with british accents jumping all over you and
trying to pull you apparent lack of hair out?
A: I would say I have some previous experience with dealing with crazy children who may or may not have intended to injure me.
Chris, how did you manage to gain so much weight?
A: I.... eat. :D Take that whetten genes!
Chris, what is different about a Norwegian taco?
A: Norwegians put corn and cucumbers on everything. Literally. Also they don't like spicy. At all. bunch a wimps....
Chris, What is whitewashing as defined in the code of missionaries section 9467?
A: Having 2 new missionaries come take the place of the old,
rather than leaving one who actually knows what he's doing in the area
:) (ps. familes don't get whitewashed. For example, I was whitewashed
into a completely new area... fun stuff!)
Chris, what is you favorite word in Norwegain?
A: Well.
I will probably use Koselig... for the rest of my life :) My everyday
english vocabulary is starting to blande with norwegian a lot though :)
Chris, what exactly is your favorite thing about serving a mission thus far?
A: That is a really interesting question.... I'll get back to you on that :)
Ok, well thank you folks, Chris will not be taking anymore questions at this time... If you want more information on the Normal Life of a Missionary in Norway please
call the toll number at the bottom of the screen, or just wait for a
few more weeks, when we will be airing again on : Skype.
Thank you all for tuning in and have a wonderful week videre! ...
Elsk,
Christopher ^_^
ps.
HERE aRE SOME PICTURES!!! WOOOTT :) pps. the one trying to lick my
friend Elder Godfrey is elder Anderson... Yups :) THat's my companion :D
HAllloo Mawmswchwinn!
Well, that's pretty much the
end of all that nice spring weather we were having last week. New
current temperature = Very cold :) But actually it's a lot better that
i'm here rather than in Alta or Hamar or something. Apparently it's
already a lot colder there than it is here in Oslo. It's interesting
that the more the sun shines here... the colder it is. It's really quite
amazing the amount of insulation that the clouds over the city give you
:)
So how is everyone who isn't frozen doing? :) I
actually, as of yet, have not recieved any packages. :) But. I did call
the office last week to order some stuff and they said that they had
forwarded some my way :) (i honestly don't know why they didn't just
have the Ap's bring it when they came down or something. It feels like
that would be a lot cheaper and a lot faster to do.,..) So if you do end
up sending another package, just send it straight to my apt. It will be
a lot more likely to get to me that way. Also. How in the world are you
coming up with the money to buy multiple packages for me and fill them
with... things!?!? I'm really doing fine :) I actually had questions
about this. What the heck is my budget for the next little while.
Well really for my whole mission. I just really don't have any idea.
cause, there are a few really cool things that I want to be able to
get... :) Also you didn't answer my question!?! When
is it you people want packages from me?
Other than that it sounds like things have been
slightly hecktic lately :) And exciting. :) The ward party sounds super
funny. I actually honestly can't imagine where my brothers get this
weird little showoffiness from :) I hated doing stuff in front of other
people. Still do :) You people definatlely did not pick that up from me.
THat's for sure. :) THat would also be slightly hilarious if we were
able to talk to Eriks grandma. IT's interesting that you mentioned how
you can see where their family comes from when you see her. That's one
thing you learn very quickly about the norwegian people. They are just
different. ( I would also add, that the Heras family is the most
norwegian like family I've met in the US) When you ask missionaries what
is most different, they always say it's mostly just the people. it can
be described in a comparison between a dinner appointment between an
american or british family even, with a completely
norwegian family. Norwegians are really just reserved, polite, and very
hard to get into, and love to chill in their little box. whereas
Americans are a lot more open about friendships and trust. One thing we
talk about a lot as a companionship is how to get past the Norwegian
wall. One thing doesn't work. That's being a missionary. Being Chris
lets me get past it though :) Because of this you literally have to do
'missionary work' in a slightly different way. Anyways. It's really hard
to describe. I'll prolly get better at that as I see and experience
more of the Norwegian culture.
In terms of this week it was actually a really fun
week. Also an incredible growth period for me as well. I had heard it
all the time that your mission changes you and makes you better but I
really never knew what parts of this to believe or not. I remember
worrying before my mission if I would be able to find things in myself
that I could change to become a better person. I would say now, my worry
is that after 2 years I'll actually be good enough to really do
anything. Somehow, the Lord took who I was before, and brought me so low
in humilty I almost couldn't even look up anymore. I don't even know
how he did it. I remember this week we had had a frustrating day, with 0
success, lots of rain, and lots of dissapointment. Every appointment we
had no one showed up and I was trying to keep us going mostly because
my companion litterally hated the world on this occasion (because of a
call from the president that morning telling him he
had to stop contact with his converts) it was near the end and finally
we decided to take a little break and go stand on the opera house roof. I
remember standing there in my dimpy little raincoat just staring out
across the bay with the ships and the small lights and just for a few
minutes feeling at the same time both as low and as humble as can be and
yet from somewhere I also knew that in these times, where all you have
left is the lord, you are the strongest. I think the point at which I
came to grips with the fact that I'm supposed to be feeling like this
all the time was a good one. Because then I can look and I can enjoy
what I do despite the fact that everyone who promised they were coming
to church doesn't come, and you literally lose contact with every single
person you had. (that was a sad calling time... when 0 people
answer...) I would call the feelings that I have are dissappointment,
but definately not discouragement. Despite it
being one of the hardest and least successful weeks yet, A you have to
expect to have a bad week after you have one your best, and B: The
amount of spiritual experiences that I had this week were quite a bit
more than usual. They are just simple things, like praying for love, and
feeling it for the people you see despite whatever reaction they give
you, or a really good personal study where you learn things that you can
do better. But really. I didn't even know the meaning of the word
humble before my mission. It's really quite hard to explain :)
Did I mention that it was a fun week? :) Let me answer some questions to elaborate further:
Chris, what is the weridest thing you've eaten on your mission?
A: Dried Reindeer Heart.... Woa. Duuuuude.
Chris, how delicious was this dried reindeer heart?
A: It tasted like dirt.
Chris, have you even seen a reindeer?
A: yes. yes I have :) Right by this uber legit iceskating rink in the middle of the central park :)
Chris, what do you do in the hour or so that you have for free time after nightly planning?
A: Fly
the little toy helicopter I fixed around the apt. :) Also when we have
E. Holligshead and E. Linge visiting (which has happened like 4 times
now) we get a llttle crazier and aim it at each other and go full
throttle)
Chris, I've heard rumors that you've stolen a board
game from the nearby Young Adult Center. What do you have to say against
such accusations?
A: It's either keep your burny, girl
crazy companion (and yourself :) occupied for that short time by playing
every settup of Settlers of Catan possible, or end up just being bored
and letting your thoughts hate everything. I personally think it is a
great way to bond with companion, and keep focused.
Chris, how well do you feel like you were trained
when you have 3 kids with british accents jumping all over you and
trying to pull you apparent lack of hair out?
A: I would say I have some previous experience with dealing with crazy children who may or may not have intended to injure me.
Chris, how did you manage to gain so much weight?
A: I.... eat. :D Take that whetten genes!
Chris, what is different about a Norwegian taco?
A: Norwegians put corn and cucumbers on everything. Literally. Also they don't like spicy. At all. bunch a wimps....
Chris, What is whitewashing as defined in the code of missionaries section 9467?
A: Having 2 new missionaries come take the place of the old,
rather than leaving one who actually knows what he's doing in the area
:) (ps. familes don't get whitewashed. For example, I was whitewashed
into a completely new area... fun stuff!)
Chris, what is you favorite word in Norwegain?
A: Well.
I will probably use Koselig... for the rest of my life :) My everyday
english vocabulary is starting to blande with norwegian a lot though :)
Chris, what exactly is your favorite thing about serving a mission thus far?
A: That is a really interesting question.... I'll get back to you on that :)
Ok, well thank you folks, Chris will not be taking anymore questions at this time... If you want more information on the Normal Life of a Missionary in Norway please
call the toll number at the bottom of the screen, or just wait for a
few more weeks, when we will be airing again on : Skype.
Thank you all for tuning in and have a wonderful week videre! ...
Elsk,
Christopher ^_^
ps.
HERE aRE SOME PICTURES!!! WOOOTT :) pps. the one trying to lick my
friend Elder Godfrey is elder Anderson... Yups :) THat's my companion :D
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