Stake Conference In Romerike

April 25, 2016

Hello Everyone,

We had a full week of talking with people and the normal missionary work, BUUUUUUT, on top of it all, we had stake conference! That topped off a really great week!

Elder Tangen in the sunset

We did have the normal talking to people on the street and knocking on doors this week, and that went well. We did however meet a really awesome guy on the street though! We talked about finding out if God exists and we talked about life after death. We had an awesome conversation. We gave him a Book of Mormon too, which he seemed excited to learn about and read. He'll be on vacation for a few weeks, but we will meet with him afterwards. It was really great!

As a side note, it's been snowing off and on these last few days... while at the same time being really warm. I don't think that the weather can make up its mind when it comes to springtime in Norway!

Like I said earlier, we also had stake conference this weekend. So all of the churches in Eastern Norway (plus Trondheim), our entire stake, had a meeting in Romerike. It was a really great opportunity to see everyone I knew from Fredrikstad again, and also a great opportunity to learn. It was wonderful to see basically the entire Fredrikstad ward. A lot happens in two months of being gone! It was great to catch up with everyone and say hello.

I hope you all have a great week this week!

Oh! As of two days ago I did reach my 10 months mark. So almost at the halfway point! It's crazy!

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Eldste Mickelson

All Of The Snow Finally Disappeared!

A spot where an ancient Roman Tower used to stand here in Fredrikstad.

February 1, 2016

Dear Family & Friends,

All of the snow finally disappeared! We had several days of warmth and sunshine. Then, just a few hours ago, we were reminded that it's only February.

This week has been full of adventures and loads of fun. We were able to visit Sweden again. We had dinner with some members there. We had a wonderful time. It's always a blast getting to visit them.

I've started trying to find out where exactly my ancestors come from in the last week. I have family that comes from Norway, so I've started finding which farms they grew up on. I think it would be really cool to figure out where those places are in relation to me. Maybe someday I'll get to visit where they grew up!

Me and my stocked up candy for awhile.
A mix of American and Norwegian candy.

We have had a couple birthdays here in Fredrikstad this last week! You know what that means! More food and sweets than we've seen since Christmas! We had made up around 60 or so cookies this week. It's a good thing that they taste good! Speaking of good food, Elder McIntire made up some enchiladas this last week. Delicious. I was impressed, especially because we didn't have any enchilada sauce. As missionaries, we get pretty creative and somehow we manage to pull off making pretty good food.

Overall it's been a great week. I'd like to share a last thought to end the letter. In James 2:17-18 it says,

"17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my Works."

We start with faith, just a little bit of it. We have a hope for things. Then, over time, we build that faith and it is strengthened by keeping the commandments and trying to be more like the Savior. We must have faith in Christ, and then continue to build on that faith by showing by our works what we believe. We express what we believe through our actions. I hope that we remember this, and strive to be better everyday, and continue to try to be good examples for others. Obviously, none of us are perfect, but we can continually try to be better over time.

Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Mickelson

We Have Had Quite The Eventful Last Week!

January 25, 2016

Dear Family & Friends,

A sign of the city next to us, Sarpsborg,
that is celebrating their 1,000 year mark.
Yeah,1,000 years, that's a long time.

Warm weather is great... until it creates a slushy mess over the entire city haha!

We have had quite the eventful last week! Elder Arveseth got transferred to Oslo. We miss him, but it will only be a few weeks before we see him again at a Zone Conference. Elder McIntire came to replace Elder Arveseth. I'm still with Elder Mitchell, so that is exciting!

There was a worldwide missionary broadcast which we got to watch this last week. The focus was helping bring people to baptism. One thing that stuck out during the broadcast is that as missionaries, we "teach repentance, and baptize converts". We helped people become converted to Christ. It is after they become converted to Him, that we help them become baptized. One reason baptism is so important is that it allows us to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of hands. With that, we can have the Holy Ghost with us allows as a comfort and a guide for us in our lives.

We had a really fun experience this week. We met with an older lady this week for a lesson. She is one of the COOLEST people ever. She has practically been everywhere, seen everything, and done next to everything. Super cool lady. Anyways, we sat down to talk and she loves to talk a lot haha. But that's ok. It was really awesome to talk to her and teach her some more about the Christ's gospel. She has a desire to keep learning, so I'm really excited to see what happens!

This week's scripture comes from the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon. In Ether 12:27 it says,

"27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I really like this scripture because it helps me see why we have our weaknesses, why we have our trials, and why we have our struggles. They help us become humbled. It is only in humility that we can grow and learn. When we think that we have it all figured out and are perfect at it, we quit trying to progress. In humility though, and with faith, what makes us we will become our strengths.

Pictures (sorry for the lack of pictures this week):

Love,

Elder Mickelson