May 22 - Sandvika

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for your love and support. It was a good week here in Sandvika. I am happy to be here and grateful for the experiences I am having.

This week was a special week for Norway. Wednesday, the 17th of may, was Norway's national day. Everyone dresses in their sunday best and a lot of people where traditional Norwegian clothing called bunads.  We were lucky to be able to go into Oslo for the day to be a part of the celebrations. Tickets were reserved for us so we could go to the Palace and watch the Childrens's parade and the royal family come out. At around 10 am, a carriage came to the palace and a group of traditional dressed dancers performed a dance and then a little after the royal family came out on the balcony to wave to the crowds. Then we sang "Ja vi elsker" Norway's national song. This year we were challenged and encouraged to learn and memorize the song. It was fun to sing along with the Norwegians. My love for the country, land, language and people grows every day. It was also way cool because Jacob parkin was in town and he found some other missionaries who called me so we could meet and get a picture. It was fun to see him. He is a good guy. Then we went to the mission home for a bbq and to play some games.

Also this week we went on splits with the zone leaders in Drammen. It was a good day full of hard work and we had a good time. We weren't able to meet with all of our investigators this week because of the holiday and some people were out of town but we did get to meet with a couple and it went well. We also met a new guy on the street on Tuesday and have an appointment with him this week on Wednesday. He seems pretty positive and wants to come to church. So we are just keeping on and praying for the best.

We also had the opportunity this week to do some service for an Older member in the ward. We did some painting inside because she is remodeling her house. That was fun.

This coming week is looking good with potential. Not a lot of new stuff happened this last week so I thought I would send more pictures to make up for it. 

I spent a lot of time this week studying the plan of Salvation, specifically around Adam and Eve. Just as the Atonement is essential to God's plan for us, so is the fall of Adam and Eve. As we can read from 2 Nephi 2 in the Book of mormon "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 nephi 2 25) I know that Adam and Eve were real. The events that happened in the Garden, were apart of God's plan for "to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man" (2nd nephi 2 15). They were essential in allowing us to experience mortality, to be tested, to gain a body, and to learn how to make correct choices and follow our Savior Home. Oh how joyful this life can be by seeking knowledge, peace, and love from the restored and everlasting gospel of jesus Christ.

Have a great week!

Elder Witt