"nice knowing you!"

This weeks language fail is brought to you by Sister Starkie. This past Sunday I started talking to someone in Norwegian who answered back in English. I was not prepared for the conversation to take that turn and after asking him really weird and obvious questions like where my bus stop was and trying to figure out how to turn it back to the gospel, I had to get off the bus and blurted out "nice knowing you!" Sister Zenger's laughing as I got off confirmed to me that it sounded as weird as I thought it did. With only one week left (if you want a more specific countdown, you can talk to my Dad) it feels as if I am saying "nice knowing you" to Norway. It has been the most amazing 17.89 months of my life and I am excited to make these next couple days count!

Last P-day Sister Zenger and I had the opportunity of a life time and we got to go to a live recording of Norske Talenter ( Norways version of Americas Got Talent). A member here in Sandvika discovered her hidden talent of ventriloquy and auditioned. Spoiler alert for those who follow Norwegian TV: SHE GOT THROUGH THE FIRST LEVEL!!! It was so great to be able to support her! Sister Zenger and I were on the 2nd row and will most likely be on TV. We made sure our name tags were showing so that the church could get some free publicity.;) That day we also met two different people that had friends who are members of the church. That was a miracle and it was cool to be able to answer some of their questions. 

Another miracle was that we saw someone at the library that we were planning on giving a Spanish book of mormon to later that day. Because we were planning on already visiting him we had the book right there that we could just give to him. 

On Thursday I was reunited with my daughter and my granddaughter at First Transfer Training and Sister Zenger and I helped them and the other missionaries there to practice buss contacting. I love hearing about their experiences and how they are already so good at overcoming Norwegian culture by sitting next to people and talking to them. Later that day, we hit the streets of Olso and I got to see Sister Neal and Sister Evans in action as they stopped people and talked to them. They are both fearless and I know that all the people that they talked to felt something. This new generation of missionaries is exactly what Norway needs. The Norwegian people are in good hands. 

We were able to visit our amazing friend again yesterday and take her on a walk. Her positive attitude amazes me. She sees the beauty in everything and is even allowing her dandilions and pansies to grow together, saying that it symbolizes the idea that opposites can live in harmony. She has been saying that she needs more spiritual strength in her life from the people around her and we told her how she can find that in church. She was so touched by our message even though we went completely off plan and she will be coming to church with us this next Sunday. This ward is going to be so glad to have her back.

 

On Mother's day I had the opportunity of talking to my mom and Elder Starkie who is in Canada. It is so special to see him as a missionary and how he has extended his circle of the people he is able to love and serve with those in Canada. He just helped someone to be baptized that has been taught by the missionaries for 7 years! It was also great to talk to my mom and be reminded of why she is my best friend. She has done the impossible and been with me throughout every step of this one and a half year.  

I look forward to coming back home, but I am not finished here quite yet. I look forward to a week packed full of miracles and adventures! Love you all! Only one more weekly that I have to write!!! Woo!!!

Love, Sister Starkie