JANUARY 2010

Hard to believe that we are into 2010 already. I remember when we were worried that the whole world would come to a standstill at midnight Dec. 31, 1999 because all the computers would crash. We made it through that and now it is 10 years later.

This has been a busy and fun week. On Saturday afternoon the branch had a "yuletrefest" (Christmas tree party). We all gathered in the cultural hall at 4 p.m. and there was traditional norwegian songs while children and adults joined hands and danced (OK walked) around the christmas tree. Mom played the piano for some of that and also played the piano while those who wanted participated in a little musical chairs.

On Wednesday evening, Harald Hansen, one of the members, rode his "spark" to the church. He normally rides his bike down on week nights, but because of the snow and ice, he dusted off his spark. A spark is kind of like a sled with a seat, long runners and handles behind the seat so the driver can steer, while standing on one runner while kicking (sparking) with the other foot, like riding a scooter. I saw a lot of these in Norway 50 years ago, but have only seen a few this time around. Maybe because I did not know anyone 50 years ago who owned a car and now everyone owns at least one. He put it inside the front entry of the church and when I came out and saw it, I found him and asked if it was his. I then went to find mom and told her she needed to come and see this. Sister Engebretsen was with her and when they saw it, Sis. Engebretsens first comment was "can we go ride on it?" So we took it outside where those who were brave enough (in -20C weather) took it for a ride up the sidewalk.

On Thursday afternoon, I noticed that one of the back tires on the car was getting low, so I took it to the local tire shop and found that it had a leak around one of the studs. That resulted in a new tire. But it is better than being stalled on the side of the road in -20 weather trying to change a tire, especially when there really is no room on the side of the road to do such things.

Exciting things are happening with missionary work in Norway, as there are an unprescedented number of baptisms planned for the months of January and February. Missionaries are working hard and are exercising great faith that the Lord will help them find people who are ready to hear the message of the restoration of the gospel, and it is happening! Today there were 5 investigators in church. We finally got a translation system so those who do not speak Norsk can put on a head set and listen to while someone translates the meeting to English. I had the opportunity of doing it for the first speaker today, then Elder Henshaw did the rest of the meeting.

We are so blessed to be here in this beautiful, if cold, country. We are noting that the days are light a little longer now, so we are hopeful that spring is not far away. We found out this evening when we went to visit a young couple who live in an apartment building just up the street from us that there is a field nearby that has been flooded and kids were out playing ice hockey.

Love to all,
mom and dad