Hjelpeforeningens (Relief Society) Activity in Birkeland

Spent an absolutely, delightful evening at Anne Svensen's home in Birkeland, about an hours drive from K-sand.  The R.S. sisters from K-sand and Arendal brought their bread dough and baked it in Anne's huge open brick oven.  We met in the basement of their beautiful and very old home, where the oven is.  There were candles everywhere!  The Norwegians love candles!!  Do you blame them?  During the long, dark winters, the candles, not only provide some light but also remind them that summer will return.  We just might burn a few this winter in our little apartment.

Anne, our hostess, is our very energetic Primary Pres., 
a beautiful singer, grower of beautiful flowers 
and beautiful daughters!  Ida, the bishop's wife,  and
 Åse, (one of our favorite YA's.) belong to her.

 Here's Anne and her husband, Tor, getting the oven ready for the dough.  It's a lot of work!

More beautiful women forming their
 dough by candle-light.

Åse-Helen braided these wonderful loaves.

Ida, (the Bishop's wife), Kristine and her 
grandmother, (Ingvild's mother).

Inger-Lise and my good friend, Ingvild

Aida, Rosell and her daughter.  Rosell is taking
 the missionary lessons.

While the bread was baking, the R.S. president gave a presentation on visiting teaching.  A few of the sisters shared experiences they have had that had strengthened their love and testimony of V.T.  Jeanette, the president, asked me if I would share something so I told them about my good friend, Selia.  I told them how much I loved her and that we should never give up on anyone - even if it takes twenty years!  

Fresh baked bread and....... moose soup.  
Yep!  First time eating moose and it was really tasty!!
(I can't seem to find them in the woods so I'll just eat them).

Anne's husband hunts them in the woods around their home.

Candles and apples in the window sills.

So many homes have geraniums in the windows.  
I love them!  They look so cheery!
Would they stay alive in the Valley of the Sun's 
homes' windows?  Nei, I don't think so.

Meresi and I

A lovely and very rainy, evening spent with some
of my new friends.
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Meresi is the sweetest lady!  She is originally from Chile, cleans houses and cares for her brother who is in a wheel chair and has many health problems. She loves her Heavenly Father so much and lives very close to Him.  You can't help but love this lady!!

Recently, the missionaries, Jim and I were invited to her sweet home for dinner.

Her window sills were full of flowers - orchids.  Orchids and geraniums grow so well here.  I guess, in the window sills, they get just the right amount of heat and light.

Meresi, Sister Hogard, Elder Drage, Elder Dalton,
Sister Campbell and myself.

Vi glede i alle våre venner - nytt og gammelt!

(We delight in all our friends - new and old!)