We're right under the arctic circle and the sun never goes down.

My people.

I am in a strange land with like 20 minutes to type this bad boy so here we go... also I have no idea how to use this keyboard so please excuse the awful grammar.

It felt so wonderful to read everything from you! Thank you thank you thank you. I just sat here and sobbed. I needed all of it so much. We have all the time we need on pday to email, but we could not find computers anywhere so we are at the library and there is a 30 minute time limit. I am booking it.'

We flew forever to Norway and I was exhausted. We got to the mission home on Tuesday night and it was crazy. We had to take all 21 people and their luggage on the trains of the city and then we were a suitcase parade up the streets. It was ridiculous. But I don't know what else President could have done, so it was fine. We slept there that night and then the next day I met my trainer, Sister Morris. She has been in the country less than 3 months but she's a master at the language and I am SO grateful. Oh my I'm grateful because I don't understand anything anyone says. I can speak some, but I can't understand at all and it's really frustrating to me. I've been praying for the gift of tongues. Pray with me please! So anyway. We got on a plane on Wednesday and flew clear up North to Mo i Rana (you pronounce it like moo). Um... we flew on these teeny planes and we even got off in the wrong city and had to run to get back on the plane before it took off again. It was really scary, but the Lord is with us always, so we were safe! There haven't been missionaries here in 10 years so we're basically opening the area as a 3 monther and a greenie. Insane and really terrifying. I read this scripture the other day in Alma 30 verse 22 that says and it bordered upon the land which they called desolation, it being so far Northward. Uh yeah.. that would be us. We're right under the arctic circle and the sun never goes down. Even in the middle of the night. I'm really grateful we're here in the summer not the winter. Basically, it's like a European Fillmore. Hahah there are about 9 branch members and on Sunday there were 7 total there. 2 were the branch prez and his wife and 2 were us the missionaries. We have some work to do and we're trying really hard but it's really difficult. The area book had no progressing investigators and lots of the members are inactive so basically our job is to strengthen people wherever we go.

We have one investigator! Her name is Helena. She's about my age and she lives with her boyfriend and his family here. She needs the gospel SO badly. She just needs to know of her worth. We taught her on Friday and we are going to hang out with her in a little while. We're trying to develop that friendship and trust. Please pray for her! She's our only investigator as of now so we're working on it... pray for that too!

Everyone here is so green smoothie or granolaish. Basically I love it so much. They all have this beautiful perfect skin and blue eyes and they don't wear any makeup ever. They're gorgeous people. I just stare all the time. My apartment is really cute! It's exactly what you would picture an apartment in Norway to be. I'll try to send pictures at the end of this email. Our landlords aren't members, but they greeted us nicely! Norwegian men don't wear shirts in the summer so the landlord is old and he has a big belly but he was really nice. And the lady told us to call her bestemor which means grandma. Maybs we'll convert them too!

Ahhh I have so much to tell you and no time! I'll definitely be writing you a big handwritten letter to tell you the rest and I'll send it as soon as I can. Here's my new address before I forget.

Søster Mikelle Pyne

Sørlandsveien 71

8624 Mo i Rana

Norway

We have the best blankets in the world. They're called dinas and they are like down comforters and then we have the cutest um... I forgot what they're called but they're those sheet things that go over them you know. They're so cute and I love them. It was finally cooler last night to actually use it. Oh yeah. That's the other thing. Mo i Rana has been so hot. Today it's finally raining and thank goodness! I'm so grateful for it. Ah I have to go. I love you all so much. Watch for hand written. I think it takes about a week. I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ loves us. I miss
you so much but I will see you soon! Be happy and feel my love for you!

Love,

Mikelle