Gone on vacation or baking cakes

Heisann! This week has been a little crazy, haha I feel like I say that every week, but sånn er det. Last Monday, I found out that I was staying in Drammen and that I was getting a new companion. Her name is Søster Ogletree and one of the first things that she pulls out of her suitcase is a national holiday calendar! We have been trying to celebrate as many as possible, but sometimes it is difficult. For example today was rootbeer float day. We might be able to make that a thing here though, who knows? 

This week we had a meeting with Patrick again and he told us that he prayed every single night. He said that it was easier for him to recognize all of the good things during the weeks that made him happy. It made me realize that is one way that prayer helps us to come closer to our Heavenly Father. When we acknowledge that he is there, it is easier for him to help us realize his hand in our lives and how involved he is. 

We also had a couple of meetings with this man named Rajkumar. We found his number in the phone last week and we just decided to call him. His story with how he came into contact with the missionaries is really cool. It started out with him going to another church and the priest there talking about the mormon church across the street. The priest then invited everyone to come to our church and to find out for themselves what we believed in if they were interested. Rajkumar did just that and he came to church here in Drammen 3 times and met the missionaries. Overtime, the buss routes changed and the ones that ran early Sunday mornings stopped coming all together, so he hasn't been able to come to church ever since. We were able to find a Book of Mormon for him in Tamil which was a miracle because the Asker Sisters just happened to have one and we were able to find out how interested he is through google translate because he doesn't speak a whole lot of English or Norwegian. He is interested and so we are going to find a way to teach him in Tamil. We haven't figured out the specifics yet, but we are sure that it is possible. I am so thankful for everything that the Lord has provided us with so that we really can bring the truth to people of all nationalities, faiths, and languages. One scripture that has been going through my head is 2 Nephi 31:1 and it talks about how god speaks to everyone in a way that is easy for them to understand.

Søster Ogletree and I have been on fire this week with kontakting! We have been consistently giving out 3 Books of Mormon everyday and we have met some pretty amazing people. One of my favorite people that I have talked to was an older lady on the bus that was reading a book about cavemen and where mankind came from and how we have developed over the years. She went on and on about this book and had me take a picture of it so that I could remember the title and find it. I talked with her about books and eventually the conversation led to my mission. I got to explain why I was here and she talked about how she let the missionaries in 40 years ago and they taught her and her husband. We talked about many different things and I was able to give her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and a Book of Mormon. I felt a really deep connection with her and like I was able to be sincere and genuine. It was really cool to see about her interest in where we came from opened her up to receive the comforting truth of the Pre-mortal life and how there is a purpose for us here. 

The experience behind  my email title:

Søster Ogletree and I were out Banking and almost no one is home because they are all on vacation for the summer. Then out of the few people that were home, two of them were old ladies that didn't have time to talk because they were in the middle of baking cakes. Haha it was just so random. The second old lady told us to pick some apples off of her tree, so that was nice:). 

Ja! Tror det er alt! I hope that everyone is having a great summer and that the shock of school right around the corner hasn't made anyone cry yet. I love you all and hope that you have a great week! 

Love, Søster Starkie

Banking adventures and picnic!