Christmas and change is in the air

It is now officially December and the Norwegians have finally given in and put up the big Christmas tree in the middle of Sentrum. Over the past few weeks they have been slowly putting up decorations here and there, Christmas items appearing on the shelves, but now Christmas is in full swing with Christmas music playing and people on making their way to Julebord (Christmas table? Which is a Christmas work party apparently). 

On Sunday I got a call from President Tew and received my first Christmas gift of the season. I am training! I am so excited to meet my new missionary and to introduce her to the members here in Tromsø and just the amazing life of being a missionary. 

This week we started teaching two new people, Daniel and Ulf. They are both so open and willing to accept this gospel. I am so thankful that Heavenly Father lead us to them. Just hearing about their life experiences was a testament to me of how much they have been prepared and that there really are people here in Tromsø that are chosen. 

The rest of the week was filled with decorating the church for Christmas, running to busses on the ice (that is pretty normal), and we even had choir practice to prepare for our Christmas musical number.

Some out of the ordinary things:

• I am singing a duet for our Christmas musical number! I have never done so many musical numbers in my life before my mission. Definately developing talents.
• We went to portia's church (Pinse Filadelfia church) and it was pretty much a concert with everyone standing and swaying with their hands up in the air. We even got to hear someone speak in tounges. 
• Portia gave us the words to one of our favorite songs that we sing at the Bible group. We were going to study Romans 11 but the discussion leader got the wrong topic. We studied from proverbs instead and I was so amazed again how faithful they are and the strength of their testimonies.
• We watched Jul i toner at the Cooks house on Sunday night  A concert that the church puts on every year in Oslo. It really got us in the Christmas spirit.

I have to go now! Thank you for all the support and prayers! 

Love, Søster Starkie