November 4, 2013

Heiii alle sammen, 

Weeks are flying by right now. I spent wednesday in Oslo for a meeting and then 2 half days in Bodø. Flew a lot this week and barely made some of my flights. Learned some lessos about being on time to the airport. I am super lucky to travel all around and see all these places and meet all sorts of cool people. I am nervous for my next step but I know its going to help me out for future leadership callings in church and in the workforce. I am still a missionary and I really just want to keep doing the Lord's work to the best of my abilities. I still know I've been called here for my growth but more importantly the growth of heavenly fathers kingdom. We've been working hard in this gnarly narvik area, especially in this one area with a  lot of students from around the world who haven't heard about the gospel. We figured we'd go to wherever people will listen to us and we've been able to teach some great lessons. The only bummer is that they are students so they wont neccessarily help out the branch or church here in Norway. They're also busy with studying as well. 

The meeting I had in Oslo was way wierd. Its a totally different type of missionary work and I feel added pressures. I know I'm going to be busy and stressing out with added responsibilities and accountabilty. I also need to find the time to still do missionary work strengthening my investigators I meet as well. My goal is to do all this cheerfully and with a smile on my face. Its still feels unreal that this is happening but I guess its because I care about missionary work and i was ready for it (although historically young). 

Today we went to a war museum here in Narvik. It was pretty neat. Its insane to think about the history of this poor little town and all the warships that have sunk in the fjords here. We bought a new frying pan because ours was just too old and sticky. Going to be able to make some pankakes and and stuff now. Can you maybe send me that lettuja/crepes recipe. I know its simple but I dont know what it is exactly. This last sunday we had fish with President Nyman and I pounded it down like it was nothing and even went for seconds. It was actually good salmon and I was amazed at myself for not flinching when I saw it. 

Halloweeen here was pretty lame. Kids celebrate it here but it wasn't anything relatively close to the states. This week we got our hands on some thin plastic buttsledds. they were like 5 bucks and we used them for the icy downhill neighborhoods. We'd slide from house to house and it was a much more fun and efficient use of time. Way more effecient than a bike or a car. all the ice is now melted though. It was nice while it lasted. So things are going pretty good with me over here. Really happy that Im in this country. Christmas stuff is starting to fill up the stores. Crazyyy. 

Anyways great things are happening up here in Narvik. Elder sperry is going to turn into a legend. Its still cold up here and dark by about 3 or so now. Its quickly getting darker and darker. Its humid cold but at least its not windy. Our investigator came to church and we're working on meeting all these people we teach more than once. The church is true whether people chose to act upon the spirit or not. 

Good job being a good sport and dressing up for halloween. I don't really miss that holiday too much but its always fun to have candy and be with good people. Thanks for being so loving and hard working. This life is the time for men to prepare their labors.. right? have fun, Love you!

Eldste Skinner