Chillin in Skien!

preachin to the kittens. he looks like 

he doesn't wanna hear it.

skien has this red brick everywhere.
it's so pretty! the building we live in
looks kinda like this too.

How are my people? I decided it's a good idea to tell you how to pronounce this city. You say it, "shayen" and it's a good place. It's a little like Mo i Rana, actually. It's been weird to come to this little town after being in big cities for a year. You actually have to hunt for people on the streets to talk to! But it's really good too. I like the slower-paced little town stuff. And we have a car that we share with the elders. It's good too, especially when it's this hot all the time! But I also like walking so we can talk to people. I don't know. Just all these little changes.

I have to tell you about my last night in Bergen though. Anders and his family invited us over for dinner and then we sat on their couch and talked for a while. They were showing us pictures and telling us about their lives and it felt like they were my family. We all just cried a bunch too. I told them about how in my setting apart blessing it said I would teach an elect family that would be the future leaders of the kingdom and how I know that it's them. Linn told me that her patriarchal blessings says that she would be married to a worthy priesthood holder and she never knew that it would actually happen. If that doesn't make you cry I don't know what does. 

bergen didn't want us to leave either. 

it was putting on a show for us.

They gave us these little necklaces and they both wrote us notes. Anders' note was the best thing I've ever gotten. I was going to bring it and I forgot... but I'll try to remember next week cause I just have to type it to you so you can read it.  At the end of his note he said, "I can't wait for next year when you are there for us to get sealed in the temple!" I can't wait either. 

They drove us home, but they surprised us on the way and took us to this beautiful part of Bergen. The houses are 400 years old and they are right on the water. I had a minute to just sit and think about everything and I never thought I would find the reason I was supposed to come to Norway, but I found it. Heavenly Father has made it so clear and it has been the biggest tender mercy and blessing to know and love this family. I'm pumped for next year!!

juhlanda and phoenix yes they're both
norwegian :)

ninja turtles with juhlanda (the elder's investigator) 

and her son. we love her and we had to 

say good bye last week. 

I left Wednesday morning and there were only 2 other people on the little plane I took. Norwegians are crazy. So now I'm in Skien with Hartley. She is state of Oregon pole-vaulting champ, grew up on an onion farm, 19,  just got done being trained, and has SO much energy! She's one of those people that's good at everything so she's really fun to be comps with because she's not afraid of anything. I think we'll only be together one transfer because she's been here forever, but we'll enjoy it while it lasts. 

The ward here is awesome. They get it! They're still Norwegians, but they are so willing to help. I'm really excited to get to know them better and see miracles. It will be a good little last area, I think. 

mini coop mini coop really mini coop

Yesterday during church the windows and doors were all open because it's been 90 degrees and crazy humidity and nobody has air conditioning because it's never been needed before. So a guy was saying the opening prayer and the biggest crack of thunder I've ever heard shook the whole room right in the middle of his praying. Thunderstorms never happen in Norway so we were all way excited. It didn't last long enough though. This heat is ridiculous! I'm learning to be not grumpy even though I'm sweating all the time :) Are you proud of me, fam?

come see this place! you'll love it, i promise.

July is like vacation month so we've had some interesting lessons where we don't really speak Norwegian or English... but we use lots of hand motions and the Spirit. I've never met so many people from all over the world before. Our apartment has like 50 different languages of the Book of Mormon. I didn't know it would be like that when I came, but I love it.

last p-day in Bergen

We're knockin and talkin and bearin testimony boldly over here. I feel like I just need to get this message to everyone. We stopped and talked to this lady restoring a really cute old door last night and she told us no, but then we just started talking and she ended up loving what we had to say. We told her to call us to help her restore some more doors. I forgot that people in smaller towns are a little nicer than the city kids. I like the homey feeling. We're running to the finish line! Literally running too-- Hartley has made me get up every morning and run 5 miles in this heat. She's a good trainer. 

I know all of this is true and I'm going to live it forever. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father. He lives! I love you guys so much. That's the best part of the gospel-- that I get to be with you forever!

Love,

Søster Pyne