Ålesund Eventyr
Kjære familie og venner,
Finding miracles!
On Sunday night after breaking our fast altogether in the Castles home, we left to our car. We stopped a man on the street and he knew who we were! "The Mormons" He accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and we began to chat. He asked us "Do you want my phone number?" Yeah, actually, we did! We set up an appointment for the next day at the Castle's home. We offered to walk to their apartment with him so he could meet them. So we did! Turns out they are neighbors and met briefly once outside. Marvin, this man, had remembered two "Mormons" lived in that building. He gladly accepted the invitation to come over for a lesson. So, Monday, we taught him the Restoration and he's coming to learn more! He is a member of the Brunstad Christian Church (he said they're called "Smith's friends"). He was skeptical to a book of scripture in addition to the Bible, but after we explained the Book of Mormon confirms what's in the Bible, he became interested. Marvin also brought his guitar and played two songs for us at the end of the lesson. :)
We continued to teach Kore, who we met by accident on the street (struck up conversation after he laughed when I slipped on the ice). He seems to believe in everything. He goes to several churches, seemingly for sociality. He keeps all his reading assignments and appointments. He mentioned he would want to meet just one more time...I pray he'll feel the Spirit testify it's true!
We had a lesson with Anders, who is a former person taught and the brother to a returning member. We asked him to study Norwegian together and get some tips. We did that the first time. The second time, we wanted to practice a lesson in Norwegian. It turned from Norwegian study, to teaching him the Gospel! What a ministering moment. He was baptized Christian as an infant and confirmed as a youth (as goes for tradition) although neither of his parents are Christian. He considered himself atheist a few years ago, but after reading the Bible more and more with an open heart, he could learn and feel it was true. We taught him it would be the same process with the Book of Mormon. You can't know it's true if you try to prove it wrong. As you read it with an open heart, you open the door to the witness of the Holy Ghost. The funny thing is that he has already felt the witness of the Spirit! He says he has "a-ha moments" and things that are unclear or are only alluded to in the Bible, the Book of Mormon explains directly and clearly. He likes that!
The cool part is that all three of these people are Norwegian! Technically Anders is Swedish, but he lived a long time in Norway. Will you pray for them? We need a great addition to the branch who will be active and contribute to make it survive. Preferably a family. We are trying to work with a particular returning member family, and pray like crazy for them!
There were only us four people in Church on Sunday (us and the senior couple Elder and Søster Castle). Needless to say, we all bore our testimonies and had some time to spare. :) She gave a great lesson for Sunday School. I based my testimony on Jacob 5:7-75. I've come to love that scripture on my mission. At a lonely time of my mission, I learned the reality that the Savior "is laboring right beside me". As we are obedient, labor with all our might and diligence we will be filled with the joy He promises!
Have a great week!
Love,
Søster Brimhall