Hva Skejer Doker!!! (What's happening Folks!)…Week 34

Hallo!!!!!! 

Hei sann dere! Hvordan går det! (Hey guys! How goes it!) Oh my goodness this week was incredible! I feel like I have so much to tell but I have no idea where to begin! So I have been reading this talk about how to be a consecrated missionary (woah... big word! hahah ;)) and in that talk it mentions how when you go out onto the streets to talk with people and you are walking towards someone but you are not sure what to say, to just open your mouth.  When you do that, you are showing the Lord you trust him and you are "Opening the window to miracles!" I LOVE THIS! I applied it yesterday actually! We were walking down this hill in a beautiful park when all of a sudden, there was a woman walking towards us, I went right up to her and and began to ask her a question. She said "Nei takk" and started walking away when I opened my mouth for the second time. I told her that there really was a God and that he really does love her. I told her that she needed to pray because Heavenly Father wanted to hear from her and does listen to her. She said nothing and just stared at me and then looked down and continued on. I felt Gods love for that woman so strong! It was incredible!!! I know that God really does hear us and He wants to talk with us. We just have to open our hearts and let Him in! 

So Søster G and I were planning on dropping by to see if one of our investigators was home. We climbed up the stairs in her apartments complex and knocked on her door. There was no response BUT her neighbors door was half way open and SUPER loud African music was coming out of it. I gave Søster G a funny look and knocked on that half open door! A mans voice said "Come in!" So i did. I walked right in to find this big black man sitting on his couch clipping his toe nails and said,  "Hie sann! vi to er misjonærer fra vår kirke! Og vi har et budskap om Jesus Kristus!" (Hey there! We two are missionaries and we have a message about Jesus Christ!).  He just kind of started at me like "who the heck are you??" and then told us he couldn't speak Norwegian or English just French but I played some Charades and told him we would come back with a Book of Mormon in French! Hahahaha...it was pretty awesome! We gave him to the elders because we cant be alone with another man but they are visiting him this week! Yay!

We went to the bishops house this week for dinner and it was awesome! We had a ton of food and sat around the table cracking jokes and doing puzzles! It was awesome! I love their family!

Åse Marie (a member in ålesund, the area I just left) came down to visit! She was going to Stake Conference but made a pit stop in Sarpsborg! I love her so much! It was amazing to see here again. We had a super rockin' day full of laughs, candy and miracles!!!! 

     

So last night I saw "Meet the Mormons" for the first time... Holy Tears! I could not stop crying! What a beautiful movie! My heart was so full! I cried because I was so proud to be a Mormon, an American, a daughter and most of all, A MISSIONARY! I could not stop the tears from flowing! Holy cow! So good! We were at a youth activity so all the youth just stared at me like I was crazy hahaha! ;) If you haven't seen "Meet the Mormons" yet, whether you are Mormon or not, SEE IT! It is so good! It's really cool to see how us Mormon's really do practice our faith! 

     

Well beautiful people...I need to run but I love you all and I am excited to see what the future holds! I love being a missionary and I wouldn't trade it for anything! 

Gud vær med deg til vi sees igjen!   

 -Søster Neilson

Thanks for the photos Ase-Marie! Here's a little perspective for our American friends and family…the Alesund Branch is part of the Drammen Stake. It's a 10 hour drive for the members there to attend Stake Conference! What a sacrifice of love! Soster Neilson is serving an hour south east of Drammen in Sarpsborg and Ase was able to go on splits with the girls! :)

Happy to be reunited with Ase-Marie! <3

This woman is her Norwegian guardian angel!  

Soster Neilson and Soster Grubaugh finding JOY in the journey!

A little bit of sugar always helps the process! :)

Happy Hearts! <3

"Ase, your the LITTLE Mommy and I'm your

BIG kid!" -Soster Neilson

I little kiss makes every ouchie feel better!

I LOVE this photo! Happiness, joy and good works!

Ja Hallo!…Week 33

Okay People!

I know that my emails have not been very detailed and I have been a toad about sending pictures! I'm sorry! I seriously never have time to do anything! So I have sent about 56 pictures and now here comes an email of info!

Wahooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! This week was super! So as I mentioned in my last email, we live in the back end of the Olsens' home! They are such a good family and I love them so much! Brother and Sister Olsen have 3 beautiful kids and they are so funny! They are such good people and I really admire them so much! Last Monday we had family home evening with them and the elders and watched half of Meet the Mormons! :) WHAT A GOOD FILM! It was so touching! I kept crying at random parts because the spirit was so strong! I love it! We had to leave half way through the movie but we shared a spiritual thought before we left and the spirit was amazing! On the way to drop the elders off at the bus station, we had all the windows rolled down, the sun was setting over the rolling hills of Sarpsborg and we were listening to Be Still My Soul. I can not describe the feelings that I was feeling at that moment. I felt SO much love! I felt the love that the Lord has for me and His children. In my journal I wrote "I felt the love of my Savior so much. I know that He loves me and wants to help me to do my best. The feeling I felt is indescribable. It was just pure, true, amazing LOVE! I know that my Father in Heaven loves me and wants to help me." I really do know that!

So this week, Søster Grubaugh and I did a lot of finding! (that is when we go bonk on doors and contact people on the street!) We ran into this man who was working on his car in his garage. He was very kind and listened to all we had to say. He told us that he wished he could believe in something but he just can't. He then began to tell us how he is jealous of others who have a belief because he thinks its cool but he just isn't that kind of person. He also said he would love to find the truth and I testified that this gospel was the truth. Sadly he just kind of shrugged his shoulders and said "eh maybe but I'm not interested" (in Norwegian of course) I was so sad! I knew we had what he wanted and what he was jealous of but he wouldn't listen! We gave him a Mormons Bok and told him that it will help him in his life and they he said "haha maybe but I'm pretty stubborn."  I smiled and said "Me too. I know God lives and loves you. Have a great day!" He laughed as we walked away but I really could feel Gods love for this man! It breaks my heart but I know the Lord is preparing him!

So there is this family of investigators named the Taliks. They are from Bosnia and they are amazing! They have 9 kids... wahooo! That house is busy! I love those kids SO much! They are the sweetest and they seriously love missionaries SO MUCH!!!! We made a huge chocolate cake with them this week and watched a film called "The Testaments!" They LOVED it! It is about Jesus Christ and when he came to visit his people in Ancient America! We had a great lesson about God's love and they all always want to say the opening and closing prayers! I love them! Such a good family and they really are making those important steps towards baptism. :)

Last Wednesday the elders went on splits while the Zone Leader was visiting our area. He was companions with Eldste Crook for a day. We all went out and had dinner together and it was super fun! Søster G and I were walking back to the car afterwards (which was like a 10 minute walk) and we see this little old hobo walking our way... He saw us, threw both of his arms into the air, and started sing "Hey Jude" but he changed the lyrics. He said "nahhhh nahhh nahhh nah nah nah nahhh nah nah nah I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Bahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahaha it was so funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it! I started clapping and singing along and then we just walked away laughing…haha...I think it made his day! :)

I just have to say I love my district! The elders I serve with are the best and are absolutely hilarious! Eldste Crook is my district leader and he is from Idaho! Eldste Kemp is his greenie and he is also from Idaho! They live in Fredrikstad so we serve in the same ward. The other two elders live in Moss which is pretty far away...Eldste Jacobs and Eldste Arnold! They are so funny!!!! I am so grateful I can serve with them!

So the Olsen's daughter, Lisa, just turned 15 and in the Filipino culture that is like a HUGE deal! They threw this HUGE party with ball gowns, dancing and feasting! I'm not going to lie, I felt a little under dressed... and I wear a skirt every day! Hahahaha...it was so fun! The Olsens are such a good family and I love them very much!

So I have a couple of stories before I go...

FIRST STORY: Our investigator, Joe, came to church this Sunday. This was his second time in church and he walked in like he owned the place! Everyone greeted him and loves him! He came into Sunday school, sits down and looks at me and Sister G and says, "Remember how you told me I needed to pray...I did. I HAVE to talk to you after class!" He was very serious and we both know that he doesn't really believe in God. So after class he comes up to us and says "Last night I decided I needed to try praying. I began praying and asking many questions. I didn't get any answers but I just asked my questions anyway and that was all. In the middle of the night, I was woken up by a voice saying 'you did not end your prayer in the name of Jesus Christ' I was so shocked! I sat up and looked around but no one was there. I then ended my prayer but I couldn't go back to sleep." I was in SHOCK! I just looked at him with my mouth open and huge eyes. He then SMILED and said, "I know!" He walked away and began telling the bishop the same story! He is so amazing! He has been prepared by God. Joe is very serious and does not smile very often. He knows what he heard and he is firm in that knowledge!

SECOND STORY: So yesterday we visited the Talik family and all the kids were out playing in the front yard. So Sister G and I were playing with them and talking to their uncle Salko (who was recently baptized). The 5 year old little girl, Belma, got a splinter in her finger. She started crying and kept saying that it hurt so bad! I asked her if she wanted me to pray that it would feel better and she said yes. So all of her siblings gathered around and we said a prayer that her finger would feel better. Immediately after the prayer, she looks at me, gives me a huge hug, and says "it is gone! It doesn't hurt anymore!" hahahaha! I then read Moroni 7:33 with the kids which basically says...when we have faith in Christ, all things are possible. To that Belma responded by throwing both of her arms in the air and screamed, "Jeg tror på deg" (I believe in you!) hahahahahahaha! It was so sweet and I am so grateful for that little girl's testimony :)

Well my crazy ones! I love you all so much and I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!! 

Gud vær med deg til vi sees igjen,

-Søster Neilson

*Side note: I promise not to post ALL 56 photos! -Darbi

Badge of FAITH!

New companion…Soster Grubaugh!

The Bishop's sweet little girls! <3

Lisa the Birthday Girl! <3

Lisa's sweet Grandma Joy! :)

Brother and Soster Olsen the family the girls live with!

"I love them SO much!"-Soster Neilson

Soster Neilson, Mariah and Soster Grubaugh! 

Happy Hearts! <3

The Gurmark's! :)

Sweet little Blema! She's the one who had the 

faith building splinter in her finger! :)

"I believe in you!"

Salko and the sisters!

"Me and my girl!…Soster HARTLEY!"

Eldste Christianson…her MTC buddy!

Sarpsborg District shenanigans! ;)

Home Sweet Home! :)

Study Time! 

Chocolate cake fight!!! :)

Sweet members from the ward! <3

BEAUTIFUL Norway! <3

STOP in the name of the love GOD has for you!

Farewell Ålesund and Hello Sarpsborg!...Weeks 31 and 32

Hey You Guys! 

I am so sorry that my emails have been lacking and non existent! Things have been a little nuts over here. So I was moved a couple weeks ago unexpectedly to Sarpsborg and it was very hard for me. I LOVE Ålesund (the area I just left). My heart was BROKEN! The people I left behind will forever be apart of my life and in my heart! 

BUT I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be serving in Sarpsborg. It is about 15 minutes from Sweden! Hahaha...Ålesund is on the west side of Norway (right on the water) and Sarpsborg is all the way in the far south east almost in Sweden! The first week I got here was a little hard because most of the members were on vacation for Easter break. BUT I have met all of them now and they are amazing! Most of the people here are Filipino and way short hahaha so they all think I am hilarious with my hugeness and loudness! Hahaha...I love it! 

I want to talk a little about this amazing family that we live with. So we live with the Olsen family. They put a wall on the back end of their house so that they could house the sister missionaries. They are AMAZING! What good people. Brother and Sister Olsen have 3 kids who are studs! A 17 year old boy, a 16 year old girl and a 13 year old girl. They are such good kids! The youngest tells me that I am her favorite missionary! (she tells every missionary that haha! ;)) Brother Olsen is such a good man and is so strong! He is one of the most patient and loving people I think I have ever met. Sister Olsen is just amazing. She is always on the go and she always finds time to feed the missionaries or drop off a pie and a whole carton of ice cream from Sweden! (that happened yesterday haha). I am so grateful for their goodness and love! 

     

Yesterday was my first REAL Sunday in church due to General Conference the Sunday before. It was awesome! I go to stand up in church and introduce myself and I made everyone laugh! (hahaha they were probably laughing at my bad grammar but still!) I met so many good people and the hugs kept coming! We have a few appointments this week so I will get to know people better. SO excited!

After church we went to the Allmans or dinner and they are so cute! Brother Allman is from Trinidad and Sister Allman is from Finland. Brother Allman came here from Trinidad because he had a dream that his wife was in a cold country... and that is definitely not in Trinidad! Hahaha...so he got a job in Norway and met his wife! So cute! He is such a spiritual man! He is just this big bald black man with the best laugh and kindest heart! Sister Allman has flaming red hair and a personality to match! They are so cute!  

     

Well my wonderful family I have to go. The Elders are waiting to use this computer. I love you all so much and I am so grateful to be a missionary in this wonderful land!!!!!!!! 

Gud vær med deg til vi sees igjen,

-Søster Neilson

*Note: She added in another short email that she had forgotten her camera at the house so no photos today. The following photos are from a google search on Sarpsborg Norway! ENJOY! :)