The curse is lifted, The lights are here!

A couple days ago the northern lights came out and I was able to fully understand why people travel from all over the world to see them. I immediately became entranced and sat out on the deck in the freezing cold on a chair I dragged out from the apartment. Søster Stocks and I were finishing up with språk study at the end of the night and she didn't want to come out in the cold so she was sitting in the apartment, a couple feet away from me behind our glass sliding doors. I probably looked like a crazy person sitting out there reading every other verse of the Book of Mormon. It was a great experience and the icing on the cake to a wonderful week here in Tromsø.

We had zone conference again which made me realize again how fast time is going. Didn't we just have zone conference yesterday? It was held in Trondheim and I caught a glimpse of the big cathedral there that everyone talks about as our buss drove by. It was gorgeous. We had a great time as always with great food and great company. I even met some missionaries that I had never met before! President and Søster Tew again brought a great energy to the conference and I feel a great feeling of recommitment to this amazing work. President Tew talked about the importance of being ourselves and finding new ways to get to know people and show the Norwegian people that we are not just robots that are wired to spit out information. He gave a couple examples of missionaries that have been recognized by the local news for their talents and even just the fact that they walk around the streets talking to people. One news lady said, "don't be afraid to talk to these handsome young men when they stop you on the street!" 

As I have been reading the Book of Mormon lately I have realized how different all of the prophets are. I finished Jacob this morning and I was able to notice that his writing style was different from that of Nephi's. Even just looking at our prophets today and seeing their different teaching styles is a testament to me that there is not just one way to do missionary work. Because God knows us perfectly, he is able to work through every single one of us to further his work. On the flight back to Tromsø, I talked to the lady sitting next to me and we ended up talking for the entire 2 hours. She had a great personality and I was able to share why I was here in Norway as a missionary. I was so greatful that I have learned to be myself, especially in Norwegian and that we were able to create a friendship. 

My brother gave his farewell talk a couple days ago and he focused on the importance of releationships and how we can only truly bless someone after we have formed a relationship with them. He could not be more right. 

There is so much more that happened this week including a man yelling at us to go home and help our people that are smoking marajuana and a man that answered his door in his underwear, but those stories are cataloged in the journal and will have to wait for another day. I love you all! Have a great week!

Love, Søster Starkie