He got baptized!

Hey pals!

I don't even know where to start. This week has been fabulous. It is freeeezing here. I'm learning the art of wearing 18,000 layers and still looking "professional." Ha. Yeah right.

Well, first, most importantly, Adrian got baptized. It was a really neat experience. I just can't wait to see where his life goes because he really is incredible. You just feel this spirit around him and you just know. The baptism went very smoothly and I will never forget his face as he came up out of the water. He was beaming. It's amazing to see what a knowledge of their Savior does for people. It was his birthday too, so we sang to him and ate cake and gave him Book of Mormon presents. He liked them. And then on Sunday, as he walked up to the stand to be confirmed, he walked a little taller. The bishop confirmed him and it was a really neat blessing. He said that he would be able to overcome his weaknesses so that he could share the gospel. Um... MISSION! And then Adrian opened his eyes and just sat there for a second. I think he was overwhelmed with feelings that come from the Spirit. He was so happy. Sister Pitts got to come for the baptism so I sat between her and Sister Frampton and we all squeezed each other and smiled through the whole thing. I love my girls and I am so grateful for good people that want to do the right thing. I am so proud of Adrian and grateful to know him. Bringing people to Christ. What a thing.

Speaking of good people.... oh my. Sister Frampton made my birthday amazing! I almost feel guilty having such a good birthday as a missionary. Haha we went for a good run and then while I was in the shower she decorated and made me breakfast and folded my laundry. Then she gave me a surprise present! I don't know how she snuck buying it when we were shopping last p-day. Then we went to TGI Fridays for lunch and she surprised me again and had all the missionaries there waiting! And then another surprise! The senior couple made me a divine chocolate cake and the YSA made me stand on a chair while they sang the Norwegian birthday song and Adrian gave me the kindest note and a lucky Chinese dragon turtle. And the Swedish twins called and sang me the birthday song in Swedish. Again-- I am so grateful for good people. It was a wonderful day. 21 baby. Gross.

The twins are getting baptized on Saturday. It's been really neat to come closer to them and help them plan this baptism that they have been waiting their whole life for. They haven't had it easy, that's for sure and I admire them so much for holding fast to what they know is right. I feel really blessed to be here right now so I can learn from them and develop our friendship. I love them so much! They will come to Utah someday. I keep telling them there are husbands waiting for them there. :)

Unnur brought us a friend on Monday! He saw her on a bus and thought she was cute (of course-- she's the prettiest person I've ever met) and so he saw her again and decided to talk to her. She talked to him for a long time about religion and then just said, "You know what? Do you want to meet the missionaries?" And he did! His name is Casper and he's awesome! We are going to his pizza place on Wednesday and we will talk more there. He told us he would start reading in the Book of Mormon. I love members who help us find prepared people. Hint hint members... get to work.

Oslo is getting all Christmasy and we are having missionary Thanksgiving today. I gotta go back to our apartment and make rolls! I made some this morning already and they are super good thanks to you sending me that little orange sticky note recipe, mom. The missionaries will thank you for that. Me too!

Have a good week! I love you!

Love,

Søster Pyne

check out the bunny!

my only birthday in Oslo

sunset at 2:30 on the dock. yeah, Norway!

we made our own legit sushi! it was delicious!

I just know that God is so aware of His children.

I'm sitting in the library with tears running down my face because I am so grateful to be assoicated with such incredible people. I feel like I say that so often, but really, I'm not sure you guys understand how incredible you are. Thank you so much for your kind, uplifting words. I feel like I suck all of the strength out of the computer and go again to do another week. I know that the Lord's hand is in my life and your lives and I am just so filled with gratitude.

I finally got my sweet girl from the USA this week! Sister Frampton is a dream. I feel like I have known her forever and we are best friends. She has such a quiet dignity and she is so brave and bold. I love her so much and I am so grateful to get to be with her this transfer (and hopefully some more!) At least we will get to be in Oslo together for Christmas. And that is such a treat.

Last night we met with the Swedish twins and they decided that it is finally time to get baptized. They will be getting baptized on November 30th. Adrian is getting baptized this Saturday, so we will have 2 baptism weekends in a row! Lots of planning, but so exciting! These people are going to be able to make a promise with their Heavenly Father. I am so happy for them.

Last night another one of our investigators, Wang, also called us. He has been having a hard time with a lot of commitments and he keeps saying, "If you want to give up on me, I understand." No no no, Wang, we won't be giving up on you. But he called us to tell us he has a friend that would like to meet because she has "worldly views" and he thinks we could talk to her. It sounds like not that big of a deal, but it was to us because it meant that Wang is actually hearing some of what we say and that he recognizes it can help! So that was really exciting.

Sister Frampton and I talked about our goals for these next six weeks and we really want to help Tonje get baptized. We met with her on Saturday and talked about the Plan of Salvation some more. She sitll reads out of the Book of Mormon and comes to church. She's just slowly progressing and my patience is slowly improving ;) Pray for her though. She needs prayers and lots of love.

It's dark outside right now and it's 3:40. Ah yeah. I think the only thing that will get me through this winter is the fact that I will only be here for one. But actually, the city is starting to look really pretty! Sister Frampton and I go on our cold runs through the city in the mornings and they are starting to put up Christmas lights! It's really exciting.

I just know that God is so aware of His children. He understands needs and He understands how to help and He has a plan that is bigger than we can comprehend. I have to remind myself of that and just relax and trust. There is nothing He does not know and nothing He cannot do. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I know that they live.

Happy Thanksgiving! I think Thanksgiving is this week? Actually. I think it's next Thursday, huh? I don't know. Enjoy eating lots of good American food and I'll see you next year. Haha. Love you all!

Love,

Søster Pyne

I know that God lives because of all the good things in life.

i bought a birthday present, and the man asked if i wanted
it wrapped, so i said, why not?

Hey guys!

How is everyone doing? I've been thinking a lot about all the of the people that have influenced my life and I am so grateful for the community that we have. There are so many great teachers and leaders and mentors and I know that we all influence each other and help each other. It's fun to think about all of my friends in Utah! I love Utah. Yes, it's happy valley, but I love it. I think that it's the best place.

Well... Sister Hilton and I will be separated this week. I'm real sad about it. She has been such a fun companion to be with. I am grateful for her influence and for what she teaches me. That means that Sister
Frampton is finally coming to Oslo! Hooray! I'm excited to meet her on Wednesday. I will be here in Oslo for the next six weeks and could be longer. We will just have to see.

my nice comp has a nice camera and
she wanted to use the morning light...
so we went out on our balcony. haha
mostly i just want to show you these
gorgeous roses!

The other day was just one of those really bad days. Lots of things happened and lots of people were angry  and yelled at us and I was tired because a random drunk man called us and woke us up in the middle of the night and you know-- just a yucky day. But Heavenly Father always knows how to cheer us up! Guess what?? We found the most beautiful roses for the best deal in the world! They were 20 kroner for 20 roses which means that they were like less than $4. So we bought some and took them to our apartment and ate homemade macaroni and cheese. That helped. Haha.

Adrian continues to just be his golden investigator self. I am grateful for how much I have learned from him. He feels it, he knows it is right, and he sticks with it. I've never seen such a strong conviction of something come in such a short amount of time. The spirit works miracles.

I know that I only tell you about Adrian every week, we are working with a few other people but there isn't anything that exciting to say about them yet. Include all of them in your prayers though!

It's really interesting to me how my testimony seems to just bounce back every time something happens. People fight and Satan fights so hard but in the end it doesn't matter. The dangerous thing is us forgetting. And that's why the Spirit is so important because it is the reminder. I am grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. There will always be reassurance and hope to remind us who will win.

We had all my girls in Oslo this week for a training meeting!
I was soso happy to see all them!

We taught a man named Wang yesterday and we had a wonderful member, Josef, that helped us. Our discussion led to human relationships and how the Book of Mormon teaches us about a relationship with God and through that our human relationships become so much more rich and beautiful. The Book of Mormon is all about humanity. It is written for humanity. It has all the answers.

Being a missionary is the most difficult thing I've ever done. But the experience gained and the change that happens-- if you let it-- is really significant and important. I'm grateful that it's no longer than a year and a half, but I'm grateful to be here too. I know that God lives because of all the good things in life. He is in charge.

I love you! Be happy.

Love,
Søster Pyne

love Sister Oldham!

we look a little lost

we had a sisters lunch and it was so koselig! look at the
candle! Norway knows how to do it!

It's MOvember. Which means have mustaches. I think it's funny though
cause they still call it Movember here but the word for mustache is
"bart". Whatever. Anyway... these two are my Swedish twins. They are
getting baptized soon! The elders have been working with them and I
love them.

haha almost!

there we go!

just a few pictures

pretty Norway!

Fall Ward Party. We had the Elders go out and
collect leaves for the tables, and I'm obsessed
with those cute little white berries!