This Week We Celebrated Easter

Elder Mickelson and Elder Kemp

March 29, 2016

Hello everyone!

This week we celebrated Påske (Easter). It went really well. We weren't able to work as much this week because of it being Easter weekend. One great opportunity that we did have because of it, was that we were able to think more about Christ and what he means for us personally. Obviously we can do that all year long, but when times like Christmas and Easter come around, it helps all of us ponder more about Christ than we normally do. It has been very interesting seeing other people's thoughts on Christ and Easter.

For me, Easter was a great time to take a step back and just spend some extra time reflecting on the life of Christ and his Atonement for all of us. I definitely believe that one of the focuses that Easter brings is Christ's Atonement. Because of Christ's Atonement, all of us will be resurrected when Christ comes again. We all will be resurrected with perfect bodies. But that is only just one part of Christ's Atonement. We will also be able to be cleansed from our sins if we accept Christ's Atonement through sincere repentance and turn to Christ. Through that, we will be able to become better people, obviously not overnight, but with time.

I really like this scripture, I probably have shared it before, but considering it's Easter, it's definitely appropriate.

John 3:16-17

Another picture of me

"16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

We had Zone Leader Training in Drammen this past week. So we went there for the conference and I learned a lot. Much of the focus that we had was centered around why we do what we do as missionaries. In other words, why do we as missionaries go out to share our message with those we come in contact with? It really comes down to our testimonies. We know that this message is true, that it has blessed not only our lives, but others' lives, and we know that it can bless everyone else's' also. It was a great conference to help remind us why we decided to come share such a beautiful message with the world.

We were very lucky this week, and because of the Easter season, we had some very delicious dinners. We had been over to some different members' homes for dinner and the food was definitely better than anything I could make, so that made me quite happy! This week has been full of fun, and now it's getting back into the swing of things.

I hope you all had a great Easter and I hope you all have a great week! Bye!

Sincerely,

Eldste Mickelson

We Got To Teach Some Of Our Progressing Investigators

Elder's Mickelson and Kemp

March 21, 2016

Hello everyone!

This week has been really good. We got to teach some of our progressing investigators. They are really cool people! The weather has been really nice lately, and that helps because it makes people happier, and happier people like to talk!

I think it is very interesting how different everyone really is. We all have very different personalities, different likes and dislikes, different opinions, different spiritual needs, and different questions. But through these differences, is what makes us all unique and special. They make us more than just creatures. For me, it is something that reminds me that we all are sons or daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, that wants the best for us. Because he wants the best for us, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world so that we could be saved. Through Christ and His atonement, his sacrifice in the last days of his life, we can be saved from everything. Through Him, we can be saved physically, being able to overcome physical death when we are all resurrected like He was. We also can be saved spiritually. Without Christ, we could not possibly return to our Heavenly Father because we are imperfect, but with Christ, we can become perfected, we can be better people, and we can learn and grow. Christ paid the price for our sins, it's left up to us whether or not we choose to accept his sacrifice on our behalf and follow him.

Elder Kemp

Here's a link to a new website with a new Easter video and a link to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing Handel's Messiah with others that sent in videos! www.mormon.org/easter

This week is Easter week, which is really exciting. We won't be able to contact people as much when Easter gets closer, but it'll be awesome getting to celebrate with everyone!

This week, I hope that we all spend some time thinking of the reason we have Easter. We celebrate new life, but not only new life because it's springtime, but new life in Christ. He is the hope that we have in our lives. He is the reason we have purpose in life. I hope that as we celebrate this week, we enjoy one another's company, spend some time pondering Christ's life, and what he means for us.

Have a great week everyone!

Sincerely,

Elder Mickelson

The Fjord

P-Day To Oslo

Streets in Oslo

March 14, 2016

Hello Everyone!

A view from a small park in Sandvika

Last Monday we went to Oslo for P-Day. We spent some time with the missionaries there, relaxed a little, and went to visit a memorial. We visited a memorial which was built in remembrance of a large terrorist which took place in 2011 in Oslo and a nearby island. It was a very quiet experience going through it all. It was very eye opening seeing it all.

View in Sandvika

After visiting the memorial we went around the city, browsed through a street market, and saw more of the city. Oslo is a really cool city. We had tons of fun.

Elder Kemp and Elder Mickelson

Elder's Kemp and Mickelson

This last week we were able to have dinner with a couple different families here in Sandvika. It was incredible! This ward is so great to the missionaries, and they have such a desire to help out. I really enjoyed getting to know more of the ward, and I'm still enjoying it every time we are with them.

Every Saturday we have sport. So the missionaries and different people within the ward, and anyone else who wants to join, gets together and plays soccer together. It's so much fun! It's been great serving here with this ward.

I hope you all have a great week!

Sincerely,

Eldste Mickelson

Transfers Week! Moved To Sandvika, Oslo

All of the Fredrikstad ward's missionaries before transfers.

March 7, 2016

Dear Family & Friends,

Transfers week! This week has been so busy with transfers. I have been moved to Sandvika, a large city just on the outskirts of Oslo. One cool thing about the city is that it has the largest shopping center in all of Scandinavia (it's quite large to put it lightly). It's very easy to get lost in there haha.

With every transfer comes the sad goodbyes. I said goodbye to everyone in Fredrikstad. The ward in Fredrikstad has been so kind to me. They take really great care of the missionaries. The ward will do anything for the missionaries, and the missionaries will do anything for the ward. I really appreciated having the opportunity to be a part of it. I made a ton of friends, and I am grateful that friendships last even after missionary service. They are incredible there. It's going to be so awesome to see so many of them at stake conference here in a few weeks!

I moved here to Sandvika and dove into meeting the ward. The ward here is quite large (in relation to where I've been so far), so I'm trying to learn who everyone is and get everything figured out. This ward is just as incredible here. There are so many strong members who are willing to work with the missionaries. While I've been here in Norway, it has been very interesting to see how important it is for the ward and the missionaries to work together bring people to a greater knowledge of Christ's gospel. It's been even greater to see it happen. The ward reaches out in love to help those that are new, and continue to support each other. I'm really excited to be serving here!

After walking in the front door to the apartment, I was excited. The apartment is so huge! Well, huge in relation to where I've been. With each new area, I've been getting into larger and larger apartments. It's quite awesome. It's a great place with incredible water pressure in the bathroom! haha It's definitely another upside to serving here!

I'm serving with Elder Kemp, a way cool missionary who's been out for around 14 months or so. He's a really cool skier from Burley, Idaho. He's way awesome. His Optimus Prime impression is quite spot on too. I'm really excited for a great transfer with him!

Love,

Elder Mickelson