September 12 - Arendal

Hey everyone!

It was another great week here in Southern Norway. We were able to learn a lot at zone conference, and had many other neat experiences. Life is good and I'm grateful to be here in Norway. It is crazy to think that we are almost half way done with the month of September. Fall is in on its way.  

On Tuesday, after studies in the morning we took a bus to tried back this potential we had. she said we could come on Tuesdays and Thursdays but no one is home to we will keep trying. After that we grabbed all our stuff and walked to the train station and took a 5 hour train to Stavanger! Woo! It was fun to be with our district and also see the beautiful scenery. 

On Wednesday, we had the conference. It was on working with members and also teaching skills. It was focused on gaining the members trust, and working with the ward mission leader. Both good things to know. President Hill shared with us a training video from Elder Bednar. Elder Bednar shared the idea of serving the  "one"s in our wards, branches, communities. That the work of God goes forth by ones. We are all individuals and children of God. We can carry forth the work by looking for the "one" around us who needs a little extra encouragement today. We can find those ones who are searching for the truth. And then it works like a chain reaction. They will then go forth to bless the lives of those around them. The other half was focused on teaching skills. president explained that effective missionaries have 4 things.  1) faith 2) obedience 3) work hard 4) skills and so he has made a big push for the mission to focus on our district meetings, companionship studies and make sure we are practicing and developing skills. I think it is a great idea. After the conference Wednesday night we went on splits with the zone leaders. I went out tracting with Elder Steed and we knocked on the door of this really cool man. As we were talking with him you could tell he was having an inside battle. You could tell deep down he is searching for something in life. We kept talking to him and gave him a plan of salvation pamphlet which he gladly took and said we could come back in a week after he had read it. It was awesome and I really hope things work out for him.

On Thursday, we continued splits with the zone leaders. We went street contacting in the city and met this other cool guy who works as a chef at a nearby restaurant. We then took a train in the after noon back to Kristiansand where we switched to a bus and went to Arendal. On the bus we saw --, our really cool friend with the many dogs. We had a good chat with him and he asked us some more questions. We have an appointment with him this week on Wednesday.

On Friday, we went to the university to contact. Going to the university has proved successful. The majority of people stop to talk to us and are willing to listen. After that we did some planning for the next week and made a ton of appointments with all of our potentials from last week. It is awesome. This week is looking just wonderful. 

On Saturday, we met with our investigator --, who is getting baptized in two weeks! Just a little background on that. She met the missionaries about 2 years ago and has been meeting with them on and off since. When I first arrived to Arendal she was meeting with the Kristiansand sisters but we would occasionally meet with her when she was in Arendal. Anyway, she wants to be baptized and she wants to be baptized in Arendal, because she will be moving here soon, and it is where she has gone to church the most. (she lives in a city halfway between Kristiansand and Arendal) She is awesome, and bore her testimony in church last fast and testimony meeting. 

Now a word for the wise. Wear your helmets. We were biking home from our appointment with her when I made a really stupid mistake. We were biking down a hill and I clutched the left brake which stops the front tire and flew over my handlebars. I'm okay, and survived thanks to my helmet. Also thank you for your prayers :)

But heres the best for last! We were able to meet with -- neighbor from Romania. Wow, is it a miracle. She explained to us the trials she has been having, and how much she wants to change her life and it was the sweetest experience to testify to her that Jesus Christ, her savior, could heal her. We met with her and she accepted the invitation to read the book of mormon and we will be meeting with her again on Friday.  Also later Saturday, night we had a devotional broadcasted from Oslo. President Uchtdorf did a question answer with the saints in Oslo. He is a good man. 

President Uchtdorf's main message was to be a disciple. Don't be afraid to share your beliefs with others. He also said, Keep the commandments, and trust in the lord. I know the church is true. This is his work and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. 

Have a great week, 

Love you all

Elder Witt