Happy Mother's Day!

May 9, 2016

Dear Family & Friends,

Elder Tangen and I at Zone Conference

I believe that when you put Zone Conference and Mother's Day in the same week, you're bound to have plenty to write home about. As you all can tell, this has been quite an eventful week!

We drove to Oslo for Zone Conference this last week. We had a great conference. There were a couple points that I took away from the conference.

1. Studying effectively allows us to better prepare for the day.

2. Reading the Book of Mormon each day will bring spiritual strength.

I believe that these points can make a difference in everyone's lives, not just for those that are missionaries. No matter what we do in life, we should always be striving to grow. That means that throughout our lives, we ought to be continually learning. By taking some time every day to study (study of the scriptures, school, learning more about your career field) it allows us to grow. It allows us to be greater that day than the day before because we are better prepared to take on the world, and better prepared to move forward in life.

A giant art piece in the middle
of a roundabout.  I saw a picture
once of it somewhere so it must
be a popular.

Daily study and personal application of the Book of Mormon will bring us closer to Christ than by any other means. Many times I think we take for granted the necessity of the Book of Mormon in our lives. Daily study allows us to greater understand Christ's teachings and doctrine. It allows us to daily continue to build upon our faith and testimony of Christ. By doing so, we will find ourselves closer to Him and have a greater understanding of what He really means for each of us personally.

Yesterday was Mother's Day! It meant that I got to Skype home to my family! It was so wonderful to talk with them and see how everything was going. It was so amazing to see them all and talk about life. I'm sure every Mother with a missionary out serving loved yesterday because they got to talk with their son or daughter and see their smiling faces!

A beautiful view from the street somewhere
we were at in Sandvika.

While I was thinking yesterday, I remembered a couple talks that have been given by different general authorities of the church. A couple have been titled, "Behold, thy Mother". If you haven't heard them or haven't listened to them in a while, do it! They are wonderful talks about mothers and the great impact that they make in our lives.

I wish you all a great week and hope you all enjoy the upcoming Spring weather!

Sincerely,

Elder Mickelson

A part of our district in a place called Baerums Verk
(Sister Petersen, Elder Mickelson, Sister Neilson, Elder Tangen)

Santa Claus Came To Town!

Our pile of presents this year (All fantastic by the way)

December 28, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

Christmas in Norway is AWESOME. That really is the best way to describe it. It wasn't a white Christmas, but it was definitely memorable. I think that any Christmas away from home, on a mission or not, is something that is remembered. It's different being away from home, away from family, away from the same traditions through the years. Even though I was halfway around the world, I learned something. We can still have an incredible holiday somewhere else, with other people, doing different things. Through all of the changes, during this Christmas season, I was home, with family, celebrating with many traditions that I've come to cherish.

I had the incredible opportunity to be at home here. The church here in Fredrikstad is amazing. They help me feel at home. They are all family here, related or not, we are all a family here. They just accept everyone and love them as if they've known you their entire lives. This ward made a Christmas away from home feel like a special Christmas at home. I'm really grateful for all they have done for me here.

It ended up snowing yesterday! The snow is everywhere now. Now it feels like Winter. We've been walking in a Winter wonderland the last two days. It's been a nice change. Instead of being rainy all of the time, it's just cloudy and white. It's great that I love the snow!

A picture of the river outside of our house.

This previous week was full of dinner appointments and Christmas celebrations. I have to say, everyone in this ward knows how to make some delicious food. I haven't gone home hungry ever here. It's been incredible. Great food. Even more amazing people. All of which was during my favorite part of the year!

I got to Skype my family on Christmas. It was really great to talk with them, share a ton of laughs, and spend some time together as a family. I loved talking with them and seeing how all of them were doing.

The holiday season is an opportunity for all of us to spend more time with each other, enjoying the company, and creating more memories. I love the words to the Christmas song, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". One part that sticks out to me is "There'll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago". I love it because I love getting to reminisce during this time of year of all of the fun times I've had throughout the years. We have a great opportunity to share stories, make memories, and enjoy being with each other during this time of year. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Love,

Elder Mickelson

Me with a cat I found by our house.

So This Is My Last Week In The MTC!

This is Elder Hardy and I. He's in my zone. 

He's going to the Trinidad Port-of-Spain Mission!

July 29, 2015

Dear Family & Friends,

So this is my last week here in the MTC. The next email I send will be from Norway. It's so crazy to know that I get to spend these next two years in an amazing country with amazing people and an amazing culture, spreading the best message that is on the earth. If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited. 

Last week we got to teach a sister in Norway. She is a member and we got to teach her over Skype. She’s from Trondheim. It was really cool to talk with someone that is actually Norwegian. We get to do another Skype lesson tomorrow. It's such a cool experience. I got my flight plans last week for Norway. I leave this Monday. I'm so excited to be going.

This last Sunday I got to play the piano for Sacrament Meeting. It's great to be able to sit and play. I have a feeling I'll be playing in Sacrament Meeting A LOT in Norway ha-ha. It'll be great though. It's good that I love to play.

One thing I loved was listening to an old Devotional Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a few years ago. One of the things he said was, "Man's extremity is God's opportunity". When we are willing to do the most we can, that is when God can help us the most and help us grow the most.

This week has just been so much fun. All of my district can't wait to leave. Only a few more days! The next time I email, it'll be from Norway! Have a great week everyone. Remember that we have a loving Heavenly Father and that He is always mindful of us. He loves us. And He wants the best for us.

Love you all,

Elder Mickelson