We're all just a bunch of people trying to help each other make and keep covenants.

Kjære alle sammen,

Are you tired of reading my emails yet?? Haha we're working in Skien over here! This week our numbers weren't nearly as good as last week and I've been frustrated with that, but it's not all about the numbers, I know, and I feel like Heavenly Father has really taught me some good things this week. No matter how much I try to give back to Him He's always blessing me with more things. I feel super close to the Spirit lately and I'm really enjoying it. I definitely feel like we are just so surrounded by it all the time that we don't even realize how strong it is. But all the members this week kept telling us to come over because we have a different feeling that we bring to their home. That was such a compliment to me!

Kjell Roger is such a cool man. He loves being outside so much and he's just a really calm person. I can't remember if I told you that he works as a rehab counselor? He said that the other day one of the younger boys escaped and he was running away so Kjell had to run after him. He said he just started running next to him and said, "You want to go for a run?" That's just the kind of person he is. He's so prepared. We were having a really hard time deciding what he needed to be taught and Sister Hartley said, "Well why don't we ask him what he wants to talk about!" I thought it was a great idea. He asked if we could talk about what real success is and how you achieve it. That's such a good thing to talk about but such a huge topic too!.We thought about it for a while and finally decided talking about Moroni 10:32 was a good idea. We talked about what is considered worldy success and Godly success and how really, when you come unto Christ, you have both worldy and Godly success in the long run. I wish I could have taken notes or something because it was such a good discussion. We told him he'll be successful if he gets baptized. He told us, "Maybe." Maybe is better than no... we're getting there. Patience is tested on every level every day.

 

On Saturday night we suited up and went out in the rain to find the people that were hiding in their houses. We got soaking wet. By the time we started walking home we figured we might as well jump in the puddles because everything was soaked. It was really really fun! I feel like I'm just living in this numb little Spirit world where I don't really know what's going on, I'm just being a missionary. It's so weird what being a missionary does to you! It's so neat how it creates a foundation for your life though. I love it. 

We're going to Oslo on Thursday and Friday this week for a conference with Elder Dyches from the 70 and I'm SO excited!! It takes a couple hours to drive from Skien to Oslo so we'll leave early Thursdaymorning. My city and my people!! It's going to be so good. I'm really looking forward to hearing from Elder Dyches too. I'm ready for new motivation and counsel and revelation. 

Norway at her finest!

There are two families that make up this whole ward. I need to make a big family tree or something because every Sunday Sister Hartley is whispering, "Remember this person, that's their uncle and they're this person's dad." The Bishop is a rock and his whole family is in the ward. He is Dutch, but he grew up in Norway. We ate dinner with his Dutch parents on Saturday night and it was so fun! I felt like I was in a different country. They have this beautiful huge garden and I DIED when they showed it to me! They even gave me some lettuce :) But Sister Top, the mom, took us to visit an old investigator. She said that she had visited her a few weeks earlier and taken her flowers and a hug. I was so impressed that she had kept this woman in mind even though she had only met her when she helped the missionaries teach her. There are good people everywhere. The lady wouldn't let us in, but she told us to come back another time. Sister Top is this 75 year old woman and she walked away from the door and said, "Well that was good! We had some contact!" I loved it. I want to live long and live well just like her.

Last night we ate with the Lund family. They live in a cabin in the woods and we put on their boots and went 

hunting for blueberries in the forest to go with our ice cream for dessert. I was in heaven. Their family has been through a lot of hard things and they understand what it means to keep covenants. I love them for it. 

there's a pretty church in every city

We're all just a bunch of people trying to help each other make and keep covenants. I read a talk this morning that said there are three sources of help for us. 

1. The Atonement

2. The Holy Ghost

3. the help of other people

I have such a testimony of all of these things, but especially the third one this week. I know that Heavenly Father expects us to help each other and offer unconditional love. I feel like I'm understanding love more and more. I'm so grateful for you guys because you teach me what love really is. And it's all gonna be okay because of Heavenly Father's love for us. 

We're down to 8 weeks, my friends. Is this really happening? It's all a lot to take in, but it's been the most beautiful thing and I think it will continue to be. I'm excited. 

I love you to the moon and back!

Love,

Sister Pyne