April 7, 2014

I loved that snowboarding talk obviously. Some of the talks by the 70 on sunday afternoon were legit as well. Conference felt like christmas and I'm sad its over. Can't wait for the Liahona's to come so I can start studying them. Got a lot of things I want to start working on now!! I only have one more conference as a missionary and then I 'll be on the normal member side  having to worry about all this craziness out there in the world. I'm happy for this mission experience which Is helping me to be ready to be a strong priesthood holding husband and father. Crazy to think about how fast that will come up. My testimony was seriously strengthened hearing from the talks at conference. Its so true about how fast the world is changing and how easily and acceptable it is to break some of gods serious commandments. How did satan gain so much influence? pretty messed up. Luckily we have the truth of the gospel (and the blessings that come along with it) on the earth today which can keep us safe in our "4 minutes" to perform. 

This week was pretty eventful. We were fed this week by an awesome family here in Trondheim. The wife is a member and from texas. She made us some yummy chili and peach cobbler. The next day elder clarke and I woke up really early. I climbed out of my ikea bunk bed around 420 and then ran to catch the train to the airport. The train ride is only about 35 minutes and the flight from Trondheim to Oslo is a little over an hour or so. When we fly, we just have the Assistants book the flights and they give us the reference codes. I've been saving all my boarding passes and its stacking up pretty high. On the plane we sat next to this miner dude from Ireland who was on his way to a mine to sweden. We find out that he works with the husband to the member we ate peach cobbler with. Small world, probably not a coincidence. We get talking to him about pretty much everything and found out that he has young kids and a wife.. it was actually his anniversary and he had to ditch them again for work. Pretty sad. He told us that miners have one of the highest divorce rates most likely due to the fact that they're always gone for extended periods of time. I was super stoked to be able to tell this dude about the wonderful message of the gospel and how it can bless our families. So I open my mouth and start letting the words fly and.. the homeboy didn't want anything to do with it:( Quickly told me to change the subject. Very open to not wanting to hear anything about "religion". Sometimes missionary work is the most sad and frustrating thing ever. Other times its awesome. Made friends with a homeboy from Jamaica while waiting for the bus. We were chest bumping within 3 minutes. I hope we all realize how blessed we are to be members of the church. Its so awesome when good things happen while sharing the gospel. Greatest joy. the members here in Norway are super faithful and have inspiring stories that get me pumped. Reading about Tony Samuelson gets me pumped. I know there's still people here waiting for me. Trying to get out there and make a difference. I was grateful to be able to teach and find some awesome humble people this week. We even had some investigators including old grandma come to the baptism we had this weekend in the ward. 

Good luck with everything this week! I'll be praying for you mom. Don't want you to get too worked up or stressed out with work. I really wish I could come and help you load those totes so you wouldn't have to do it. I know that Heavenly father looks upon our hearts and therefore he recognizes when we really are trying our best. Keep working hard and he'll take care of you. No need to worry. Just be happy:)

Love you!!

Here's some pics you can laugh at and enjoy. No this isn't what I do all day.. haha