Mission life: a week in review 11/15/09

This has been a busy week, with many km put on our car.  On Monday morning, mom had a doctors apointment at 10:50, so we went out at about 10:15 to go to town, only to find that the left rear tire was flat. I found the jack and got the car up and the tire off, then the independent suspension let the rear axle drop down so far that I could not get the goot spare on. After a few frustrating minutes, I called a cab and we arrived at the office about 20 minutes late--that was OK because the doctor was later than that. We asked about flu shots and the doctor suggested that because of the infections she has had the past few months, mom should get the regular flu and the swine flu. He warned that one side effect of the swineflu shot is that you feel like you have the flu the next day. After getting the shots, we caught the bus back to our apartment (it stops in front of the building, almost as close as our parking area).  I told the missionaries that evening that we were real missionaries now because we had taken the bus home. Sister Johnson asked if we had to run to catch it. I said, "no we were about 15 minutes early." She said, "then you are not real missionaries because you did not have to run to catch the bus."

 

When we got back, I borrowed a good floor jack from the apartment maintenance man and got the tire changed, then took the flat up to the local equivalent of Les Schwab and had it repaired and put back on the car. It only costs $90. to have a tire repaired here

 

We had a good group of Young single adults at family home evening on Monday and mom made some good treats to be enjoyed afterward, then we played games for a while before returning home.

 

True to what the dr said, mom woke up Tuesday with aches and feeling lousy. We took some time to catch up on things in the apartment while she rested most of the day

 

On Wednesday, we had our district meeting with the young missionaries, then began preparing for the institute dinner.  I had taken some time on Tuesday when mom was not feeling well to read the lesson for institute.  It was a good thing, because about 5:30 I got a call from the husband of the institute teacher asking if I could take the lesson tonight, "sure".  We had a good group for dinner before institute and most of what mom had made disappeared.  Some, but not all of those attending stayed for institute.

 

On thursday we drove to make visits in the towns of Steinjkaer (about 2 hours north) and Levanger (about 1 hour north). We had an appointment with a woman who lives about 35 minutes further out from Steinkjaer, but she sent a text message on Wednesday night saying she was sick and could not meet with us. We spent some time visiting wiht  a sister who comes to church about every other week on the train. She catches the train at 0730 on Sunday morning and arrives in town at about 0930--in plenty of time to make the 1100 start time of church. She then catches a train at about 3 and arrives home around 5. A long day, but she is grateful to be able to do it. Her husband is not a member of the church, but 3 of their 4 children served missions and two of those have been married in the temple.

 

Yesterday we had sports at the church.  Two investigators and two missionaries played basketball and then floor hockey.  We also put together a cupboard to keep the sports equipment in.  They all seem to have a good time together.

 

Today was church and the primary program.  There were seven children--three of them were visitors who knew the songs and participated.  Sunday School adults classes are in Norwegian and English.  I go to the English and Dad teaches the temple prep class.  Next week he will begin in Priesthood teaching the only teacher in the branch.  That way he won't have to attend the Elders Quorum with the average age of 60.  He really is a nice young man and is being very faithful.  I played the piano in Relief Society and organ in Sacrament meeting.

 

We have the elders staying with us tonight.  One of them was sick all night last night.  They spent the day here and chose to spend the night also--a little security (and food) from a mom and dad or grandma and grandpa.  We have great elders and 2 sisters here.  They do a great job.  There were four investigators to church today.  Two are married and have baptismal dates--one a Norwegian and one from China.  The other with a baptismal date is from Nigeria.  The other investigator was from China also.

 

Thanks for all your support and prayers.

 

Love

MOM and DAD, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister Sorensen