November!

Hello everyone! November is here, and it is beautiful in Norway. I don't really remember what it is like back home very well, but I don't think that there is anything that can compare to the sight of a beautiful sunset over the Norwegian fjords. I really can't think of anything better. Except that it happens at 4 o'clock in the afternoon right now. But, other than that, I can't complain :)

Life on a mission is really good, because you have time to focus on Christ, the investigators, and yourself. Christ is always there and always the same, so we learn about Him; the investigators are out there somewhere, so we do everything we possibly can to find them- literally there are some nights where it is all we can do to take our shoes off before we fall onto the couch when we get home; and we are never quite good enough, so we focus on changing ourselves and becoming more like Christ.

This week we had a little party with the members on Saturday to celebrate the Fall. We were a little apprehensive when it was 5 minutes after time to begin and no one had arrived (especially when the mission president walked in the door), but after a little while the people began to trickle in and it really was a party. People came and brought soup, we decorated cookies, and we spent the evening talking and laughing. We even gathered fallen leaves and these white berries to decorate the table with. Getting creative! It was definitely a success.  It was a nice break and it made me realize how grateful I really am for the amazing members in Oslo.

I have had a lot of thoughts this week as I have tried to become a better missionary, but one word has really been on my mind more than any other. Relentless.

Christ has asked us to dedicate everything that we are to His gospel, and that is a promise that is often difficult to keep. There are so many things that are constantly battling to take our attention from the things that are truly important and take our sight off of the Lord. Whether it is fatigue, temptations, or other "good" things which maybe aren't the best, there is always something that can distract us from the path to our Savior. If we let our guard slip, it is too easy to be drawn from the way.

One scripture I really like is Alma 37:46 which says, "O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever."

The Lord has prepared the way for us, and it is our job to follow Him. If we will look to His guidance and His example, we can live forever. It is as simple as that. We need to be relentless in keeping the commandments of the Lord, relentless in following in His way, and relentless in making a stand for what is right. I know that if we remember to always look to Him and follow in His footsteps, we can truly live forever in His glory. This is the Lord's promise to us, and He will keep His end of it if we do our part.

I love you all, and I hope that you have a great week!