I 'll email you guys on wednesday. Narvik is legendary.
surrounded by beauty. its already cold though. I did end up buying a
jacket that I absolutely love (helly hansen rigging jacket) so if you
could put that money back on the card asap so i can pay back the church.
I'm flying down to Trondheim tomorrow for P-day and then a conference
with Elder Kearon on tuesday. I love you all. I was informed by
president about Tori. She was so awesome and I'll definitely miss her.
First time someone close to me has died and its so weird to actually
grasp it. So weird, so sad. I've come to appreciate the plan of
salvation even more this week, and I hope you all will do the same. Take
care, I'll talk to you wednesday.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Transfers!- August 19, 2013
Im headed to THE NORTH mannn.. THE NORTH. On wednesday
I'll be flying up with my "son" to our new area called Narvik. Its
going to be the single most epic adventure of my life for many reasons.
What I know about Narvik is that its above the arctic circle, super
pretty, and has a branch in the single digits. Man oh man, am I going to
have to get good super fast. I'm really excited to get there because I
know it will most likely be super tough. It will be a perfect
opportunity for me to grow as I give all sorts of talks and lessons on sunday.
It'll be even tougher because my companion will be fresh out of the
MTC. Im definately the youngest trainer on the mission and Elder Gunther
from American Fork is probably the first to greeny in tiny Narvik. Epic
combination but we are going to tear it up up there and work hard. I'm
going in with a positive attitude. I know how important it is to leave a
lasting impact on this new missionary, i help set the pace for him for
the rest of his mission. I want to set the perfect example for him by
working hard, being obedient, and still making it fun. I'll let you guys
know how it really is next week!
Thank you so much for sending that recorder! im using it for
pronunciation practice, listening to talks and recording just about
anything in Norwegian. I really want to be a good speaker by mimicing
the Norwegians. Too bad im leaving the east and going to hear a
different dialect in Narvik. So that will take some getting used to.
This past week has flown by with not too many open days for solid
missionary work. We still taught some great lessons and are looking
forward to seeing more people come uto christ. Its kinda tough leaving
this place because I have to leave the people I've gotten to know from
teaching and visiting. I no longer have a language class to teach either
but maybe I'll try one up in Narvik. Im going to miss all the awesome
kids and families. I'm going to miss being a part of a ward, but the
branch will be a family as well. Its almost like going back into the
early days of the church. Before we had 14 million member and temples
and church buildings. I'll get a nice taste of history in a way.
I did find nice gray rain jacket on sale so that came in handy this
week. I don't know when it will get cold exactly but it should work
with layers for the time being. I'm definately not looking forward to
packing and trying to keep everything under weight. Luckily i've become a
minimalist (easy to do as a missionary). I also want to let you know
that we got an ikea magazine this week and was trapped inside of it
because of the colors and all the norwegian words I was learning.
Totally reminded me of you staying up all night completely zombified.
Anyways, Its been a great week and things are changing like crazy.
This mission is growing adn therefore super young. 67% of the
missionaries have been in Norway less than 6 months. Imagine how
powerful this mission will be in year or so from today. The church is
true and there's no stopping it. So awesome to be a part of this army of
god 75,000 strong. Love you all and hope you have an awesome week!
Eldste Niklas Skinner
August 12, 2013
Hei hei,
I'm
training and moving next transfer! Im excited and feel like timing is
perfect. I know it will be rough, especially if I move to a tiny area
but it will be an adventure. I'm definitely going to need a lot of help
from Heavenly Father though, thats for sure; so I'll keep being
obedient. Moves are on the 22nd.
This week we had a pretty cool teach with this guy
from the Ukraine who is working here in Norway so that he can save up
enough money to build a house by christmas. He's an awesome dude with
classic russian sounding english. We got in contact with him through a
member who callled us and told us to come over and help this guy. We had
a nice and chill chat and the spirit was guiding it. He told us how
he's been pretty empty and depressed lately and he says he's missing
something in his life. He was repeatedly thinking out loud in amazement
about how we can be so happy. "no offence, but you guys have nothing. No
money and you're not going to school or working for 2 years of your
life. I have way more money than you guys and you're still happier," he
would repeatedly say in a amazement. It was pretty clear that he was
missing the gospel. He is an honest seeker of truth and a great dude. We
got a picture with him. He's hungry to learn more and we referred him
to the elders in Oslo where he lives. It was a cool experience and
reminded me of how blessed we are to have the gospel restored in its
fullness. It truly is the only way to happiness in this life and in the
life to come. There are people all over looking everywhere for happiness
and peace from money and things they read and watch on TV. The
beautiful thing is that we have the answer. The even more beautiful
thing is that I have been called full time to share it with thee people
here in this amazing country.
Im happy that you got to go back home and enjoy Finland and France.
Europe is awesome isn't it? I really hope Annika had a great Birthday. I
was thinking about her all day on saturday and I got a letter from
her:). I miss you guys so much, but not too much so its perfect. Enjoy
your time whererever you are:) Thanks for being so great.
Love,
Eldste Niklas Skinner
August 5, 2013
Welcome to the promised land! (not exactly) but the North. its a great
place:) Its so weird to think you are just right on the other side of
Sweden. We're still having a great summer here in Norway so you must be
loving Finland right now. The sun is starting to go down at nights now
though..but im sure its still weird to you and melissa how long it hangs
around for and how quickly it comes back. I hope you enjoy it and
aren't too jetlagged.
Thank you so much for ordering that voice recorder! im really excited
for it to come. Its wierd being around different companions but we all
get along great. I feel like I've grown a lot this week because im being
forced to speak more norwegian. I got stuck teaching the language class
but I try to make it a fun learning environment. We keep getting new
people which is awesome. Especially because they get aqcainted with us
and the church. It feels like I have more responsibility, which I like. I
gave my first blessing in norwegian yesterday. I loved that. The
hardest thing about missionary work right now, is working hard and still
having a personality. I catch myself just getting into my grind modes
with absolutely no personality, which isnt benefitial for anyone. I'm
working on that balance and I think it will come after some time of
getting used to the responsibilities.
My week has been full of service. all those years of helping move
furniture didnt end with the mission thats for sure. We randomly walked
by these people who were moving from one house to a condo two doors down
(you would have died at how nice and european ikea'd out it was.)
Whatever style of interior it is you like, it was it. So we offered to
help them and were suprised when they actually said yes. So we spent
about an hour and a half helping them and they say we're always welcome
back and that they'd love to feed us dinner. Might have to do that one
of these days. They half jokingly believed that god sent us to them.
Which was very true because we usually dont walk down that street. So
that was a pretty cool opportunity to minister. Way tiring, but worth
it. We helped a less active unload a seatrain full of boxes and
furniture the next day. the fridge was fun. They were nice to us but its
too bad they only call us when they need something. I want everyone to
take the time and just say hi or something friendly to the person you
usually dont talk to unless you need something. Just do it. That is my
commitment to the world.
We got to golf again this morning. Im am so lucky to be in this
ward! We were also fed an amazing breakfast. So blessed. Today I also
totally was blessed to find a suit on sale for 500 kroner in my size, it
was destined for me. Its a nice european suit black/charcoal with very
fine and close together pin stipes. Im usually not a fan of pinstripes
but this one will be a nice replacement for my black wool onee that
ripped at the crouch and isn't fixable.
Nothing too new or crazy is happening, i'll try to send a couple of pictures. I just have so many and it takes forever.
Thanks for being awesome. Love you!
Eldste Niklas Skinner
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
July 29, 2013
Another great week in Norway and it sounds like you all had fun with the Schramms. Its been another really warm week although it did rain for a day with thunder and lightning storms. It was so epic. I lost my good old trainer today.. Elder Weaver is moving to be a Zone Leader in Drammen. Im gonna miss my "father". He was a great example and we will shredd together after the mission. So now I've got fredrikstad in my hands. Pretty crazy. For the next 3 weeks i'll be in a trio and we got Halden back as part of our area. I should be training in 3 weeks, probably still in Fredrikstad. So I'll be in the same situation as those 2 elders in ramona, except i'll try to make it look like I know what im doing. So much pressure but im ready for the growth.
So these two elders... One is from Suprise, AZ and he is your typical, textbook greenie who's into show choir. He's been in norway for 2 months now and he keeps me totally entertained. hahaha he's legit. My other comp we just picked up from the train station. He's been out for about 21 months now and he's from rexburg! I dont know too much about him but he seems pretty cool.
During the week we've had some great teaches with our investigator from Congo and the Polish dude with a prothetic leg. We've also had some other teaches but those our most positive right now. The poor polish guy has been stressing out looking for a place to rent, so we taught him about prayer the other day and now he's calling us all happy and excited. Apparently God has answered his prayer. BOOM!
We put together a way fun ward activity this week at a local beach park place. We had a huge water fight with water balloons, squirt guns, and buckets. There was also volleyball. We grilled hot dogs, steaks, and all sorts of good stuff. It was so much fun and we all got drenched. All the kids loved it. Great success.
Today I spent most of my morning cleaning up the apartment and organizing all my stuff. So, don't worry. you're not the only one who has to clean up everyonce in a while :) Laundry and washing dishes can be kind of relaxing if you do it right. But then again, we dont have all the fun, entertaining, and distracting things to be doing instead.
Thats cool that you guys got rid of cox. I hope that all works out and Patrik can still game it up. Annika is crazy and I hope she doesn't crack her head open on the concrete. Trampolines are the thing over here in norway. Kids love them. I've might have already said that. The poor driveway has officially gone white trash though but i understand there was no where else to put it. :) Kinda random, but I found out from a norwegian firsthand that you can work 14 days out of a month at a gas station and make the equivelent of 3000 dollars!!! Working part time at a gas station.
Anyways, Im so excited for you to travel to Finland! You're gonna love it. I'm assuming the weather's the same for the most part right now. I cant believe max and Zack are back. " years goes by soooo fast its crazy. As for right now I fel like I still have a long ways to go though. But its totally all right, Im taking everyday as it comes and trying to make the best of it through relationships, hard work and learning. Its a great life! I love you all! Kos dere videre!
Eldste Niklas Skinner
Monday, July 22, 2013
6 months!
yo yo yo alle sammen,
Its been a really great week of missionary work. We've been teaching that lady from the congo, and we've also picked up some way positive investigators. We were knocking on some doors and were totally led to the bulgarians from the language class. The same dude who is looking for a job and played us the bag pipes is now officially my homie. I love that guy and especially now that I found out that he was a professional snowboarder for a couple of years. He said he's not Xgames good but he still can definately shred. WHich is why he lived in Switzerland and is now here in Norway. He's the man, I gotta convert him so we can shred after the mission. His name is Ivan and he's about 28. Another bulgarian who lives in the same complex is really interested in having us teach her. She talked with missionaries in bulgaria some 18 years ago. She LOVES us and told us basically how she feels the spirit whenever we're around. She's a sweet lady named Veronika. We just gave the Book of mormon last night and we're going back on wednesday to teach the Restoration.
Monday, July 15, 2013
July 15, 2013
Where did you read the article about the dress code changes? I've been
dying for something like this to happen! I really think that a little
bit more style wont hurt the missionary work. Thats an awesome story
about the missionaries in Ramona, I wish I felt the same promptings.
They sound like they're awesome... make sure you dont feed them too
early on monday
if thats they're Pday. Today we have a dinner at 4 so our P day gets
cut way short:/ its alright though.. Im grateful for dinners. We're
gonna go to gamlebyen today which is where 2 missionaries were thrown
into jail way back in the 1850's I believe. My area is old!
We've been trying find like crazy and it never really ends up being as
effective as we plan for. One day we really wanted to find people,
especially families, so we knocked on doors from 12 to 8 pm. It was intense and we did end up finding some potentials, so that was good. One of them we taught on tuesday.
She is from the Congo and has 2 kids and a husband from Serbia. She was
way awesome and has a strong faith in christ. She will come to know
that the book of mormon is true, and then hopefully things will go from
there. We will see. It was cool because we had our 17 year summer
missionary with us so he was able to experience a good lesson. His name
was Simon and he has lived in Norway for 4 years. He was born in Nigeria
and then lived in Canada. He was a cool kid and he still wants to go on
a mission after a week with us so thats good.
Waiting at a busstop about to go home for dinner after knocking some
doors in a neighborhood, we met a funny italian dude who spoke
norwegian/english. He kept telling us about how he has the voice of
Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Michael Bolton, Frank Sinatra, and guys like
that. I wanted to ask him to sing to us, but he just went ahead and
started belting out these love songs at the busstop. It was totally
entertaining. He wasn't drunk or on drugs or anything either. Legendary
dude!
Some Bulgarians from our language class talked to us for a while
the other day about "how tough it is to be a Bulgarian". The one dude
who does all the talking in english, has been looking all over for a job
or volunteer work but cant find anything. Poor dude. After talking and
talking (bulgarians love to talk, no matter what language) he showed us
his sick cultural bagpipe. It was a way ancient bulgarian instrument but
I cant remember what its called. Hopefully we can help this dude and
his family learn the language and start teaching them the gospel in the
near future.
So things are going great over here.. has been nice and sunny 23c
for about 12 days straight. Everyone is out boating or on vacation
somewhere. I have come to find out that church attendence is terrible in
the summer. So the ward consisted of mainly misionaries yesterday haha.
Its so wierd and different compared to church back home.
Thanks for another awesome and informative email:) I really
appreciate it. Thats so exciting that your coming up to Finland in
August! You'll pretty much be right next door. Life is great over here
in Scandinavia! Love you!
Eldste Skinner
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