Winter is coming!

This morning Norway went off of day-light savings time.  This afternoon we decided to go for a ride.  It was about 4:30 and it was getting dark - too dark to take any pictures for sure! It kind of surprised us but we know winter is coming and along with the cold,  rain, wind, ice and probably snow comes the long hours of darkness. We are ready and excited for this new adventure! (We hope!!)

Today was Stake Conference.  We are in the Drammen Stake and Drammen is about 4 hours away.  This is the first time they have broadcast the conference to the ward buildings so we did not have to make the long drive.  About 40 members were there to watch conference.  Average attendance on Sundays is about 65 - 70,  so it was a pretty good turn out.

Last Sunday was everyone's favorite Sacrament Meeting of the year - the Primary Program.  Maybe I didn't understand most of what was said but the spirit was the exact same as it is in the Kyrene - whoops - the Tempe Rural Ward!! It was wonderful!

I think there were about 12 kids and they did
 spiritually entertain us!

A couple of Mondays ago, we had a big group at FHE.  Usually there are about 15 that come but that night there were 26!  Six students from the University wanted to come and interview the Sisters and they were invited to join us for our activity.  There were also 3 new investigators so we had a good group!  After showing an amazing Mormon video, we played the M&M get acquainted game, (yellow, tell your most embarrassing moment; red, your favorite food, etc.), and everyone had such a fun time! The visitors were welcomed so warmly and I believe left with a new impression of who Mormons are and what we are all about.

Almost every chair was taken --- I'm sure it
wouldn't be a problem to order more!

Saturday, Jim and I decided to visit Ravnedalen.

It is a beautiful nature area and park right in Kristiansand.  Back in the  late 1800's, the area was an eyesore because all of the trees had been cut down.  The neighborhood decided to start replanting trees and this is how it looks today.

It is absolutely beautiful!  

We will definitely visit this place again!

Morning Walk

We love our morning walks around the lake across from our neighborhood but some neighbors told us to walk, just behind our house.  There is another lake there and supposedly a moose in the woods.  We went exploring.

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took
 the one less traveled by..."

This is what we found

No moose, but it was ok.  Maybe another day.

A Great Day for The Kristiansand Ward

Last Saturday, Aurora and Henock were baptized -- it was a great day for them and for the ward!  I love this ward!!  The members are all good, close friends and there is such a sweet spirit there- a real ward family!   Many came to celebrate with Henock and Aurora and stayed after to mingle and enjoy kake.  It was a special time also, because Eldste Hurst and Søster Rogers were transferred the next Wednesday.  This was our first transfer - a new experience for us!  It was hard to see these two good missionaries leave but we did get two new ones,  Eldste Drage and Søster Hoggard.  We look forward to getting to know and love them!  Well, we already love them!

Elder Hurst, Henock, Aurora & Elder Dalton

Sister Rogers, Aurora and Sister Campbell

Members enjoying kake

Maria, Sisters Morik, Campbell,
 Thurgood & Aida

Doesn't Henock look great in 
his white shirt and tie?

Goings On at Senteret

Senteret - The Center

We recently put up large posters in the windows -  beautiful pictures of Christ and Mormon.org information.  There is also a TV showing Church videos with Norwegian subtitles.  Anything to grab the passerby's attention and hopefully they will come in!

The Sisters are also teaching a Norwegian class 
every Tues.  The numbers are growing.


Frederick is tutoring Benjamin in a higher math class.  We are so impressed with these guys!  They say a prayer before each session.

A few weeks ago, for FHE, we learned how to index and have committed to index a certain amount before the end of the year.  The first Monday of each month, everyone brings their laptop and we index together.

Jim has really gotten into indexing.  Here, he is teaching Ase.

This group always has fun at the Center - whether they are visiting, eating, studying, taking classes, pool, volleyball, relaxing or playing CRUD, (their favorite!)

Last Monday, Jim introduced them to leg wrestling.  It may be their new favorite.  It was a hoot!  As of now, Atle is the champ!

We are all so grateful for Senteret!  Lots of great things happen here with more planned in the near future.

Another Great Week in K-sand!

Autumn has definitely arrived in Sørlandet, (the South), and it is amazing!  A little windy, a little rainy, a little cooler but the leaves are changing and it is beautiful!

One of the nicest missionary perks is to be invited to the members' homes for dinner.  Let me introduce you to Bjørghill.

How is this for a welcome?

Bjorghill is an artist and her unique home is called
 the "doll house"or the "fairy house".
  She made the fireplace, by the way,

Her paintings adorn the walls and her unique crafts adorn
the rest of her darling home.

Jars of cookies and goodies line the shelves.  She told us, one
child who was visiting, asked if he could buy something.

I loved these jars of spoons, forks and knives.

Geir, Anne and Trine were also invited.  We were served the
best cod we have ever tasted!

Her grandmother's tea cups and saucers are now candle
holders on the chandelier.

Bjorghill is a beautiful woman and so full of life!  Hopefully we will have the privilege to return to her "doll house" someday. 

Can you imagine how it will look at Christmas time?  

Jim and I have been assigned to Home/Visit Teach 10 families and it is so fun!  Most of these families live way outside of K-sand so we get to see more beautiful areas when we visit.  Each of these new friends have their own, very unique stories to share with us.  They enrich our life!

The other day we visited Kari, Ingvild and their family.  We already love them!  After lunch, we went on a hike.  Jim and I were in our mission clothing but we went anyway.

We had such a fun time!  We are planning on going on

many more hikes with these two!

Some pictures of our drive to and from home teaching.

Home Teaching is a joy!

There are moose crossing signs all over but we have
never seen any until yesterday.  We saw two!  Didn't get
a picture but now we know they really are around.
Next sighting, we will prove it!!