Sister Pyne and I

                                                             Black Ninja time

Let it snow!

Kjære familie og venner,

Hi! There is finally snow in Oslo and I could not be happier! The snow makes everything brighter and it tricks my body into thinking that there is actually sun. I have this new energy because of it and it is fabulous! Not only that, but I cannot describe to you the beautiful christmas-decorated city now with snow on top. People have started to wear their perfectly knit Norwegian Christmas sweaters, and we are already singing Christmas hymns in Church, Jul (christmas) is a big deal here. It makes everything happier for everyone!

Our investigator David is doing SO GREAT! I talked a little bit about him last week, but we have met three times since. He schedules appointments because he just wants to keep learning! This week we taught him about the plan of salvation and he loved learning that he could see his father again, who passed away 15 years ago. Well David contacted us a few days later and told us that he had an amazing dream! He said that his dad visited him in and told him that the path he was taking was the right one, and to learn all that he could! HELLO MIRACLE!!!!!!! Søster Pyne and I were in tears. That stuff does not just happen! We are so excited to continue teaching him.

Last night all of the missionaries went to Jul i toner (a Christmas concert) in Romerike. The music was absolutely beautiful. Norwegians know how to entertain audiences. The hosts were in their traditional Norwegian dresses (bonads) and they were handing out boller in Christmas decorated baskets. It was wonderful and even more Christmas spirit to enjoy! Well after the show, I was in the coat room and an American couple started talking to me. I thought they were missionaries in Norway but they are actually serving in the area office in Frankfurt. I asked where they were from and they said Holladay, Utah! No way! I said I am from Holladay as well. Well, the world just kept getting smaller and come to find out they are going to be our NEIGHBORS!!! They bought the closest lot to our house in the horse pastor and are starting to build next month when they go home! There names are the Cravens. Such a small world, but such a fun connection!

I have been overwhelmed with gratitude this week as I have thought about how lucky I am to be here. I never thought I could miss people so much at home, but it wasnt until now that I care for other peoples lives more than my own. I have never stepped this far out of my comfort zone or been rejected so much. I have never realized others potential or loved people before I even know their name. I have never been on my knees so much or never felt Gods love like I do here. I have never worn so many layers of clothing but been so cold. I have never studied so much in my life or have I been able to relate the scriptures to myself as I do now. I have never listened to so many people talk without knowing what they are saying, but I have never felt like I have the gift of tongues like I do now. I have never gone to bed so exhausted or waken up so tired in my life. I have never missed the sun so much, but I have never loved the moon more. I have never seen such beautiful people with such broken hearts. I have never relied on the Lord so much, but I have never felt His love like I do now. I have never sacraficed so much, but at the same time I have NEVER felt more blessed than I do right now.

Missions are amazing things and there is nothing in the world that could make me feel all of these emotions and blessings. I am going to be here for a short time in the scheme of things, but the blessings for myself and ESPECIALLY for others are eternal. <I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.> Alma 29:9

Glad i dere!!

Have a fantastic week,

Søster Frampton

                                                                Elder Tate

Its beginnning to look a lot like Christmas!

Kjare alle,

Hello from Oslo! Can you believe it is Decemeber? Wow that just means so many great things. The city of Oslo is like a fairy tale... Every window display, every street, every person is just beautiful. All they need is snow now. I love Norwegians for so many reasons but one of them is becuase they love Christmas so much. They take counting down to Christmas VERY SERIOUS! Norsk children get a gift everyday until Christmas comes! ITS SO FUN!

Well we had TWO baptisms on Saturday. Søster Pyne and I were running around like crazy all week getting everything and everyone ready. But, once Saturday came it was just a perfect day. If you dont remember they are 20 year old twins from Sweden. They had to wait until they were old enough to move out so they could be baptized on their own, and not by their parents word. They have an incredible story. Emma and Sandra were so prepared and ready to be baptized! They were smiling ear to ear ALL weekend. After they were baptized, they both kept commenting how happy and light they felt. It was awesome! Miracle stories like that make all of the hard times worth it.

We have some Philippines members here in this ward and they invited all of the missionaries over for dinner one night last week. (Oh yes, there are 10 misisonaries in this word) Well, they made us a Philippine delicacy.... it is called Balut. Let me tell you what it is. Well it is a half developed duck fetus that you boil in its shell still. So its kind of like a hard boiled egg but with a duck fetus as the yolk. Yum. When the member was cracking the egg open and showing us how to eat them I felt sick and I kindly refused. But, everyone except my companion ATE THEM! I will send pictures and it will make the experience come to life. It was crazzzzyyy.

Last Tuesday we met an African man on the trikk (trax type public transportation). We set an appointment for Thursday, and told him we would meet him at a really central place in Oslo. Well, on Thursday night 20 minutes goes by and he didnt show up. Instead of just walking back home, we decided to try talking to people. I said a silent prayer to help us find someone that is ready to hear our message. A few seconds later, I spotted David and said to my companion "thats who we are talking to." David is from Barcelona but has lived in Norway for 10 years. He is about 30 and works for the Red Cross. Well, we actually got talking about how our church helps the Red Cross significantly. He was very interested in learning more about what we believe in, so we scheduled a time for yesterday! We met with David last night for our first lesson and brought a member with us that speaks spanish. It was amazing. I wish I could put my feelings into words. We had a great discussion, and commited him to pray and beginning reading the Book of Mormon. He said the closing prayer which was his first one in about 12 years, and it was perfect! The spirit was so strong, and he commented on the feeling he felt during our lesson. I am so excited to continue to meet with him and teach him the gospel!

Last thing, I will need your prayers because I was asked to give a talk in sacrament meeting in a few weeks. Ahhhhh! Yes, in Norwegian. I am freaking out a little bit, but all will be good. I hope all of you are doing well and are excited for Christmas. I am actually looking forward to focusing solely on Christ instead of presents this year. It is interesting to me that Norwegians love Christmas so much, but they have forgotten why it is even a holiday. I hope all of you will take a few minutes each day and think about Jesus Christ. As we focus on him everyday, we become more like him!

I love you all so much! Thanks for all you do for me.

Have a good week,

Søster Frampton

Week of Thanksgiving!

Helllllllo everyone!

Oh my goodness, I am just smiling ear to ear right now. I had a fantastic week here in Norway. I hardly ever get to feel the sun on my face and I am always freezing cold, but there is no where else I would rather be! We had a baptism on Satuday, and it was incredible! Adrian is his name, and he got baptized on his 17th birthday! Such a cool kid. Like I said last week, he doesnt talk so he only writes on paper to us. His face when he came out of the water was like something I have never seen before. It was just amazing!

This week we have another baptism! We have been teaching these Swedish twins, Emma and Sandra, that I mentioned last week. They have been sifted through a lot of different missionaries, so Sister Pyne and I were really happy to finally be the ones teaching them. They are 21 years old, hilarious and just so ready to be baptized. I am so excited for them!!! They will be friends for life, and definitely kingdom builders too.

A few days ago I had my first dinner at a Norwegian members home! It was a REAL Norwegian meal, fish with the skin on it, potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes, and chocolate pudding for dessert. I dont know if I am ever coming home! And I do not know how my tastebuds finally changed to LOVE fish. I have had chicken and red meat ONCE since I have been here. mmmmm fish.

Norwegian people are very, very interesting people. I am learning more and more about their culture and how they are the way they are. Dont get me wrong, I absolutely love them, but it is really hard for me to understand how they think. When Sister Pyne and I are contacting on the street, people are so surprised we came to Norway to talk about religion. When we ask them if they are interested, most of them say they believe in logic. It is so interesting to me! We actually pulled a young man into our YSA center and taught him the basics about God. He didnt understand how we were so certain that we had a father in Heaven that loved us. He was blown away! He said how can you know for sure? We kept explaining over and over that it was through the Holy Ghost and through personal experiences. He could not understand that, and was persitent in giving us a biology lesson on what chemical produces spiritual feelings in our bodies. We ended up praying with him and we actually have another lesson on Wednesday with him! I just wish everyone here would tap into their FEELINGS instead of their own logic. Keep praying for us.

I have been trying to read the 4 gospels before Christmas, and have learned so much about the savior. Wow! What an amazing man he was on this earth. He helped EVERYONE that he saw, and invites everyone to come unto Him. <Come unto me, all ye that labor & are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.... For my yoke is easy, & my burden is light.> He wants everyone to learn of Him, but we must first take his name upon us and actually strive to become like him and then WE WILL FIND REST!

Well I just want to finish off by telling everyone how grateful I feel right now! This week is a special one to express how and why you are thankful! I have been SO incredibly blessed in my life, and I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for the love that I feel. I know that this is the place where I am supposed to be and the people that I am supposed to be talking to. THANK YOU for your love, support and prayers as I continue to serve here in Norway!!!! Have a fabulous week!

Love always,

OSLO 3 MONTHS

Adrian's Baptism

Sister Pyne's Birthday lunch

Sister Pitts

I Love the Streets In Norway!