I will be able to break walls and help bring people to Christ.

Hey fam!

They switched our pday to Tuesday now. We just obey the MTC and do whatever they say. Haha it's quite the place. I really don't know how they do all that they do and keep everything running so smoothly. But, I guess they do somehow! We also now have gym at 6:25 in the morning. Yeah. Before we're even supposed to be up. Whatever. Working on my attitude about that one. I guess it will be kinda fun to run around the MTC that early in the morning when it's quiet and beautiful. Man this weather is killing me! I want to be outside all the time! Enjoy it. It's beautiful!

So. This week has been a lot better. I'm starting to get a little more used to this place even though it feels like I've been institutionalized most days. But, you learn to like it, right? I get to sing with the MTC choir and Sister Oldham and I are playing a violin, piano duet and that is saving me. We don't know what we're going to play it for yet, but I'll let you know! She is an amazing violinist so it's really fun. It makes me miss you though, Suf. I miss playing with you so much.

There are incredible flowers everywhere here! It makes me so happy! And of course, the cute little yellow guy you sent me, mom. Thank you so much. I've been watering him and he is happy and alive. I hope that he stays alive for a very long time!

We finished teaching our first investigator (thank goodness) and we will teach our first lesson to our two new investigators tomorrow! They are both people that our teachers actually taught in Norway and they just pretend to be them. It's a cool experience but hard sometimes to remember that you aren't just teaching your teacher. It can be very intimidating. I'm a little scared, but if I rely on the spirit, I will be fine. Sister Mourik and I are trying to do better at showing sincere interest in the person and their life. It's easy to do in English, but Norwegian.. not so much. They have this thing called the "Norwegian wall" which basically means they are very cold and like to be left alone unless you can break it. Once you break it, they are very sincere and compassionate and loyal. I want so badly to be able to break these walls and be their friends! 

This week we were talking about this in class and I had a very neat experience! I had the distinct impression that I am going to Norway because through my sincerity and desire to serve them, I will be able to break walls and help bring people to Christ. I felt so much peace and the confirmation that what I am doing is right. I thanked Heavenly Father in my prayers for that.

A lot of Norwegians are Atheist and have grown up that way. It's been really intersting to think about teaching from that perspective. Yesterday in class we read 1 Cor 9:19-22. I love how it explains the compassion that you need to have as a missionary. Elder Hall always says that missionary work just feels like making friends and I am trying to approach it like that because that is really what it should be. I think that this scripture explains Christ's love. We are acting in His name and bringing others what they need through showing them love. I think it's especially applicable for Norwegians.

Wanna hear, well, read some Norwegian? I memorized that invitation to be baptized this week. Vil du følge Jesu Kristi exemple var å bli døpt av en som har myndighet far Gud? And... basically that's all I have memorized. Haha I'm working on the first vision this week. It's so hard for me to memorize in English, so Norwegian is a joke! But, thank goodness I am the Lord's servant and He will help me to accomplish my purposes. I don't know how I woul dbe doing any of this without Him.

I got an awesome surprise this week! Sister Flanary made me homemade cinnamon rolls and sent them in a pizza box! I was amazed they made it! Please tell her thank you and that they were delicious for me. All of the girls in my room died. We had cinnamon rolls and caramel popcorn (mom, you are the greatest. thank you thank you thank you!) and we were so happy.

Wanna know something great? You know those meatball things that Norwegians eat? They are called kjøtt kake and that's pronounced "shut kaka." As in.. the ugliest two words ever. It literally means "flesh cake." Ewwww. But apparently they're super good! They also have like this fishly jello stuff that's clear. I forgot what it's called, but I guess you eat it pretty often. Ah man. Heaven forbid! They also say "harlighet!" Which just basically means, "glory!" but it means like "Ah man!" or something like that. So all of us go around saying it now.

I love you guys so very much! Jeg elsker deg!! Remember that I am praying for you and that Heavenly Father knows you personally. This gospel is the happiest thing and I'm working on bringing it to other people! I'll see you guys before you know it!

Love,

Søster Pyne 

The MTC!

Saying goodbye

This was the first day in MTC history that more Sisters than Elders arrived!

I am so grateful to have it and to be able to share it.

Hello my sweet family!!!!

Oh how I miss you. But I love you so much. I am so grateful for a strong, close family. It makes this painful sometimes, but it's so worth it. I love how close we are. There are so many people here with so many different backgrounds. Some Korean sisters came yesterday and they speak no English. I can't even imagine how difficult that would be. I really do have it so good. Thank you so much for your loving words and your support. I have needed it this week. I hope you don't feel like you need to constantly write me, but of course I appreciate any letters.

MTC is insane. I feel like I've been institutionalized sometimes. But it's also a very neat place to be. I'm amazed by the organization of everything. There are SO many people here. The building I am in has boys and girls (not allowed) but they had no other option. There are six girls squished in a four person room in most cases. It's not too bad though. Anything to hasten the Lord's work! I am very grateful to be wearing his name and mine and my favorite part is that it goes over my heart on the left side! I'm super attached to my tag and I already know that I'm going to have a hard time taking it off.

Norwegian is crazy. I feel like it finally started to click a little yesterday. We have an "investigator" named Annette. She is actually a girl who served in Norway (mom I'm pretty sure she's the girl with the mission blog that you showed me one time) but she's really nice and patient. Yesterday my companion, Sister Mourik, and I taught her our fifth lesson. We didn't take any notes and we prayed so much that we would be able to have the spirit and know what to say and mostly just know how to say it. We sang "I Believe in Christ" to her in Norwegian also. It went so well! We taught her about the Atonement and she committed to be baptized. The lessons are super choppy and pretty awkward though because you have to sit there forever trying to remember words and how to form sentences. It's rough. I don't really understand how I'm supposed to be able to speak and understand enough Norwegian to live in the country in 5 weeks. But with the Lord, I can, right? Thank goodness!! It's amazing to see how the spirit works. I love that if you will plan and prepare and then go in there, you can completely rely on the spirit. I am learning more and more about how to listen to promptings and understand its language.

MTC beds are pretty old and very squeaky. But they have good pillows. And that's all that matters. As far as sleep goes, I feel like I'm a mama with a new baby or something. I am so sleep deprived. But that's okay too. Heavenly Father is completely sustaining me in all that I'm doing. Obedience is hard too (especially the no gum rule) but I need all of the help I can get so I am working on turning my will over to the Lord. Tuesdays are devotional nights, Thursdays are P-Days, and then Sundays rock so I have a pretty good schedule, actually. You don't really get any breaks, but being busy is so important.
My district is amazing. We have such a fun dynamic. Sister Hunt reminds me of dad with her sense of humor. She is hilarious and she keeps me sane. I love the other 7 sisters and 2 elders. Did you know that the day I came to the MTC there were 259 girls and 256 boys? Yeah baby! And there are 17 sisters and 4 elders going to Norway in May. There must be something about sisters in Norway. Our teacher, Brother Smith, told us that it can get to -35 degrees. He even got frostbite on one of his toes and if it gets cold now, he can't feel it. Haha he calls it his battle scar. But he was only wearing his church shoes and not even boots in this weather so... mom don't worry. I'll be fine. He also said that you see Northern lights all the time and that summers are to die for. I feel so spoiled!

The MTC has these pavilion things everywhere you walk so that you can stay dry if it's bad weather. Good idea, I guess, but I can't ever see the sky and it drives me crazy. I find little sunny spots and make my companion just stop with me for a minute so I can feel the sun. And last night (total tender mercy) I got to see the moon! It was full! And my favorite star. And I cried a little. Appreciate seeing the sky :)

We've been playing some pretty hard core soccer at gym. In fact, Sister Mourik sprained her ankle pretty bad. She has been on crutches today. I feel so bad for her. I'm awful at soccer, but it's really fun to be out of the MTC on the field and in the sun. I also like my running time around the field.

Sorry, this is all about me and not really about missionary work, but as I learn more, and especially when I get into the field, I'll have some exciting emails, I'm sure! I love you all so much. I know that this gospel is true and I am so grateful to have it and to be able to share it. Jesus Christ lives and He loves each of us.
I'll see you soon, my dears.

Love,

Soster Pyne (this keyboard has no little o slashy thing... so imagine)