Plot twist!

Heisann dokker! (For those of you using google translate dokker is probably not found on there. It essentially means y'all and it is dialekt) ANYWAYS, this week has been packed full of service and we had quite the surprise on Friday when our mission turned over to a new mission president. 

On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we went over to a member named Beritt's house and we worked on pulling weeds out in between the stones of her driveway. It was pretty tedious work because we had to pry the stones up, dig out the weeds, and then put the stones back into place. It was really great because we got to know her son a little bit better, who served his mission in Wisconsin, and she kept us very well fed. Beritt told us hilarious stories and also showed us pictures of her ancestors on her wall. She is so talented with family history and she told us about this master plan she has to give her nephew (who is not a member) a family history book and to challenge him to find more of their family. She is then going to take those names and do work for them in the temple! It is so amazing to see how dedicated she is to Family History work! 

On Wednesday, we had some time to do a little Banking and we started talking to this guy on his front porch about the book of mormon. He didn't seem too interested in what we were saying until I promised him that the book of mormon could change his life. His entire demeanor changed and he accepted it. He didn't want to meet, but at least he now has the chance to read God's word and have his heart changed. 

Thursday was packed full of miracles!!! We started out our day with doing service at Beritt's house and then we had Søster Whetten's UDI appointment. After studies, we went over to our MMK's house for dinner. He talked a lot about how we need to be focusing our efforts on spending more time with members and that we could find people along the way. He said if Heavenly Father could place people in a certain house or a certain place on the street for us to kontakt then he could definetely place them in our path to and from activities with members. Søster Whetten and I got on the bus after dinner and there was only one girl sitting on the buss so we knew that she was there for a reason and that we needed to talk to her. It turns out that she has met with the missionaries before and she was going to come to church, but then she lost kontakt with them. She said that she has been looking at churches for quite some time to see which one that she would join. We were able to give her a book of mormon and set up an appointment with her! I can't believe how prepared she is! Heavenly Father really does place people in our path! At the end of the day, we had a lesson with Thomas. He knows that God is out there, he just doesn't understand why bad things happen to good people. When we came though he had read through everything before first Nephi and could recount almost perfectly Joseph Smith's testimony. He said that his family was surprised that he was meeting with mormons, but that he reassured them that we are not going to convert him. The spirit was very strong and he felt something. We have a lesson with him tomorrow and I am so excited to watch him as he comes to know God and Jesus Christ! 

Friday is the day that every missionary in the Norway Oslo mission world turned upside down! President Hill called everyone in the mission and told us that President and Sister Tew couldn't get their Visas in time and so they weren't able to come to Norway. Instead we now have "Sub" mission presidents until the Tews can get here. Their names are President and Søster Karlson and they were mission presidents in Sweden 10 years ago! It is crazy how many plot twists and unexpected turns heavenly fathers plan takes. I am excited to see what I can learn from the Karlsons and the positive impact that they will make on this mission.

Saturday, we had a lesson with Eeva and did some service for her and then got called because the Elders needed help finishing up Beritt's driveway. 

Yesterday was great with fast and testimony meeting and also the opportunity to fast. It was so great getting to meet all of the members here and to feel of their love and support. Søster Whetten and I got to teach a primary class and we talked about Takknemlighet. We had the kids act out the book of mormon story of Almas people and how they thanked god after being freed from king Amulon. It really made me think of how many times I have been blessed on my mission and how sometimes it is easy to forget to thank my Heavenly Father. That lesson combined with the Relief Society focused on more thoughtful prayers made me more determined to be more sincere in my prayers. I am thankful that I always feel that what I learn on Sundays is guidance for me.

Anyways, sorry for the long email. I just love missionary work so much and my weeks are always just jam packed full of experiences that are changing my life! I love you all so much and I hope that you have a great Independence day! Happy Birthday 'Murica!