We have had another good, but wet week here in Trondheim. Someone said the other day "you should feel right at home with this weather, coming from Washington.' Wrong!! We drove out about 60km (about an hour on Norwegian roads) on Tuesday to meet a young family. She was baptized about 5 years ago and shortly thereafter began living wiht her boyfriend. They now have twin 2-1/2 year old darling little girls. Both of the parents are about 19 years old, she is going to school to become a teacher, he works as a concrete worker doing building construction. We were not sure what kinnd of reception to expect, as we saw notes from previous missionaries indicating that she would make appointments, even invite them to dinner, then call the day of the appointment and cancel. She did not cancel and when we arrived, he had prepared a great meal for us, we had pleasant table top conversations and afterward sat in the living room and talked about the gospel. He seemed interested and we have been invited back. Our assignment is to work with the young single adults, and there is a lot to be done. There were only 3 active when we arrived a month ago and one of them just moved last week. We have called all of those on the branch roster and visited with a few, one of whom came to church the next Sunday but was not there yesterday. In addition, we have been asked to visit all of the members who live some distance from Trondheim--The branch stretches about 4 hours in most directions (not too far mileage wise, but takes time on norwegian roads).
We meet on Monday nights with the YSA for family home evening, then stay and play games for an hour or two. There are generally more investigators present than members. On Wednesday night we have a dinner at 6 for those attending institute, hold institute, then play games for a while (do you see a pattern here ?) On Friday mornings we have a district meeting by phone (the district leaders are about 8 hours drive away). We have 2 sister missionaries in Trondheim-_Sister Johnson from Burley Idaho and Sister Engebretsen from Philadelphia (now Provo). Her great-grandfather was my mission president 50 years ago. They are energetic and outgoing with strong testimonies and are always bringing people to the church to teach them. We love them dearly. Sister Johnson loves to waterski, so we will stop in Burley some summer to ski the snake river with her family.
Yesterday I was asked to speak in church on temples in the old and new testament times and in our day. I had prepared well and Nancy asked me Sunday morning "how long is your talk?' I told her "as long as it needs to be". i had been asked to speak for 15 minutes, but was prepared for anything between 5 and 30 (two weeks ago the meeting ended 10 minutes early because the speakers finished). Well, it ended up being closer to 5 than 30, as the first man who spoke took about 35 minutes to give his 10 minute talk. I told the branch president that one thing I have learned is how to make my talk fit the available time.
Yesterday morning Nancy woke up with some inflamation on the left side of her face and a bit of swelling on that side, similar to what she had back in June and again when we were in the MTC. After church she talked with the RS president (who turns out to be a Dr.) and she suggested she go to the emergency room in the hospital--right across the street from the church--. She and her husband walked over with us to get us oriented. You enter, take a number and then wait to be called to the receptionist to then wait to be called to see a dr. We had been invited to dinner by a couple in the branch at 3:30, and when we got in to see the receptionist it was almost 3;30. She said it would be at least an hour wait before we could see the dr, so we told her we would come back, to just set Nancy's papers aside until we return. We went to dinner, then took the sisters to an appointment and returned to the emergency room at about 6 p.m., picked up another number and sat down to wait. Nancy no sooner sat down than they called her nme to see a dr. Apparently the paper work did not get set aside. She saw the Dr. and he recommended she be admitted so they could administer intravenous anti-botics We waited about 2 hours for them to find a room for her because she had been hspoitalized in the US in the past 6 months, they are concerned about MSR bacteria, so she is in an isolation room on a geriatic ward. So far the service has been good. I got home about 12:30 last night and she finally got some sleep here.
We have plans to visit members in Kristiansund (about 200km) tomorrow, but will have to see if Nancy will be released today. There are several members in that area and most were excited when I called to visit.
We are enjoying the work here, challenging as it may be. We are meeting wonderful people--both in and out of the church. we miss all of you but are excited to be involved in the Lord's work here.
Love,
Gerald and Nancy/mom and dad/'elder and sister Sorensen
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