Monday, December 30, 2013

Great Christmas Week!

GODT NYTTÅR!!!!
Happy New Year!!! (almost!)


This year has gone by SO SO SO fast! It is so crazy to me, that at the beginning of this year I was just waiting day after day to come on my mission, and now I am almost half way done.
So last monday we went to Evje and had a Christmas dinner with the Zurcher family! We had the rib dish that I have told you all about before! They are such a sweet sweet family :)


Then on tuesday, it was CHRISTMAS in Norway!!! They celebrate it on the 24th! We opened up our presents that were from the Norwegians! (CHOCOLATTTTEEEE!!!!) haha and some other things :) But we did get 4 or 5 bars, and a bag of chocolate. :) Later, Sister Robbins and I went to the domkirke, I was telling you all a little about it on Skype, but HOLY COW!!! It is one of my favorite things I have done in Norway so far. I have been to the biggest Domkirke in Norway in Trondheim, but I think that this church is my favorite i have seen. It is just GORGEOUS! So simple and pretty. But inside they had a whole meeting...ish. They had singing when we walked in, and little children dressed like shepards saying, "god jul! god jul! god jul!" During the meeting there was a lady preacher, who had things memorized to say and other things. We sang songs (they changed words to the Christmas songs that are in our hymn book) and there were girls singing, and then a childs choir that sang too. They collected money, etc. It is so different from our church. I did feel the Spirit when we were singing about Christ. The Holy Ghost can bear witness of any truth. But it wasnt like the temple or our church. It was GORGEOUS, SO amazing, but it was just different.








afterwards, as soon as the last song was over, the bells rang (they ring every hour every day) but this time it rang for a few minutes, going crazy!!!!
(I hope this was allowed...but I recorded almost the entire thing on my recorder hahaha, it was TOO COOL!)
And then later that night we went to the Reiråskags house! They are completely norwegian, so that was awesome to see how they celebrate Christmas! Pretty much, the night of the 24th is when everything happens. They do nothing all day (pretty much), then they get all prettied up and have a feast at night! Afterwards, they open their presents :)


I have NEVER, never in my life seen a child be so happy to get a toothbrush. Not an electric toothbrush, not a cool singing toothbrush, just a toothbrush! The presents were so simple and some were really funny. Christmas is about being with family here and I love that.


Sidenote really quick. I dont think I wrote about this on monday...maybe i did? But it was so sad when we were contacting, talking to a girl and she told us she doesnt belive in Christ. We talked for a little, and she wasnt interested in talking more, but when we were walking away, she said, "God Jul!" How can Christmas be celebrated without Christ? "You wouldnt celebrate a birthday without the birthday person there." It was so sad to me to see how much the world is changing. But for ME to be able to learn more about Christ this season has been so special to me.


Anyways, the family we were with, fed us turkey and stuffing, and other norwegian dishes! It was great!! We also had Julebrus from here, a Christmas soda from each city! They also gave us gifts, it was so sweet! Marie works at a...I actually think it is her business, a natural bath and body type place. So I got shampoo, hand cream, nail things, chapstick, etc. from parts of the family, that would have cost a fortune!!! It was so sweet!!!


Oh! Another tradition! For dessert, they have Ris Crem. I think I told you about it last week. But that night, they put a whole almond in it, and whoever has it, wins a marsipan pig! You dont tell anyone you have it, so that everyone HAS to eat all of their dessert :) It makes it more fun!
It was such a fun night! We were exhausted though!!!


Christmas day, Sister Robbins and I opened our presents and it was SO exciting! The book from the family made me cry. I love it so much. ANd I love the scarf and shoes, calendar from Aunt Jenni, and ALL of the stocking gifts!!! SO FUN! :) We went to the Monteneres family for a brunch that morning. That was so nice of them :) We were so so so anxious to talk to you all, but that was so sweet of them to feed us! Then we had to wait for a couple of hours...around that....for a bus to take us to the Williamsons house! We were there for a little bit, and then we got to skype!!!! We added you all on Skype, and before sister robbins called her family, they called her and all of a sudden her parents faces were on the screen on the phone!!! HAHA! (internet was better on her phone, so thats why we used it) Oh it was so exciting for her, and then when I got to call!! It seems like a dream that I talked to you all!! It was SO great though!!! But boy did that kill me afterwards. Sister Robbins talked to her family before me, and afterwards she just cried and cried. And then I got to talk to you all, and afterwards was just so hard. We played a card game with Jason, the man that said hi on Skype. But afterwards, we were both in such a rutt. I MISS YOU ALL TOO BAD!!!


Anyways, we were able to try something called Gløgg (i think thats how it was spelt?) But it usually has alcohol in it, but we tried the non alcoholic kind, of course. haha :) It is like....a tea ish type of drink...but they put raisons and nuts in it too. It sounds super weird...but it was SO good! It is kind of like moms cinnamon ginger tea.





Åse and Jason also got us stockings with nuts and chocolate, toys, etc. in it :) They were so sweet! Åse just really wanted it to feel like home. There were things I wanted to say on Skype that I wasnt able to, because I COMPLETELY forgot! Number one, I wanted to know when Bry is coming home, but you sent an email! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How in the world did time go so fast!? The other thing was that I wanted to show you all my new shoes! Man :( You can see them in some of the pictures I have sent..well atleast the one of me at the lighthouse. But it is insolated with wool, and they are SO comfortable. Not really expensive either!
I feel like there was something else I wanted to say on Skype..but I cant remember now either. Oh well haha :)


But then the next day, we drove with the Cressels to Stavanger! It was so weird to be in my first appartment again, becuase all of the memories are still there, but it is changed! Different things on the walls, etc. It made me a little "homesick" for my first little while in Norway. But that night we met up with some of the missionaries from Bergen and we got kebabs, then walked to the church. Sister Robbins and I did some weekly planning, and then later that night, 10 sisters slept in the itty bitty sisters appartment! haha! I slept on cushions from the couch, and three other sisters slept on the floor...not so comfy I would think! There were two sisters on deflating air mattresses, one on the couch, two in beds, and one on a fouton (sp?). It was way fun though!
Then on Friday we had our Christmas Zone Conference! Oh it was SO GREAT! We heard from our President, his wife, and the assistants, and some other things. We were able to hear about our new goals as a mission and each city for next year! Im so excited to make New Years Resolutions!!! Anyways, after the meeting, we had lunch (a Christmas meal!)...kjøttkaker, poteter, carrots, and bread. And then we had dessert :)


Afterwards, we had a talent show!!! There are some talented people in our zone. Lots of the talent show was just funny skits, but a couple of people read or recited poems, sang, etc. Sister Robbins and I sang, "Baby Toes". The only probem was that the bottom string was popped off of both guitars in the YSA room in the church! haha, it went fine though and people enjoyed it we think :)
Then Sister Evans had "minute to win it" type games for us all to play, and Sister Haugen had snacks out! It was just SO fun!


Afterwards they gave all the elders a present and us sisters some too. We got a cute little note book and the round chapsticks az likes, and then a cute "spiritual gifts" lamentated paper. We were with other missionaries until we walked to the train station and bought our tickets! We road the train back and the Arendal Sisters slept at our appartment, because it was already so late, and too late for them to travel back to their appartment, 1 1/2 away from us.
Then on Saturday we visited Temi and Esther, contacted, ate, and then met with Serge! AHHH I love him!!! This was one of my favorite teaches I have had. We were planning on teaching him something, changed our minds on the way there after praying, and then taught a different lesson when we actually talked with him. We talked about the Holy Ghost. It was so cool to feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost. The feeling of someone holding me back from talking at specific points, waiting for Sister Robbins to talk, or moments of silence thinking. We were able to ask him heaven inspired questions, that did not come from me or Sister Robbins at all. It was the perfect example of a lesson being led by heaven. After we left we did some contacting, and then some weekly planning. While we were doing that, the elders sat around and talked with Serge for a little. They called us later that night and told us about the experience they had with him. He agreed not to drink alcohol this week, to see if he can recognize and feel the Spirit. Elder Edwards gave up sugared drinks this week, to help Serge. WHOA! How cool! We began a fast that night until after church on Sunday. In combined Relief Society and Priesthood, the entire lesson was about recognizing the Holy Ghost and the different ways we feel it. In Sunday School, the lesson was about the Holy Ghost, and in Sacrament Meeting, the Holy Ghost was talked a little bit about. CAN YOU SAY PRAYERS AND FAST ANSWERED!? It was absolutely amazing! The Lord is so aware of EVERYONE!!! Serge is so great, coming to church every week and trying new things. AHHHH we love him and the ward does too!!!! We ate after church, then met with Mony, a less active.


We called people on our phones, then contacted for about an hour and a half. We were so set on finding some people. Towards the end of contacting. A girl was walking towards us on the gågate. Sister Robbins said, "get her number." We stopped her and guess what? We got her number!!! She was a miracle to find! It is so amazing to me, the things the Lord does. We were praying at corners, not knowing which way to go, not really finding much. But we went and took the specific amount of time that we did in each place, so that we could find her at that specific time. How amazing is the plan! Each little, ITTY BITTY, detail in each day, can affect eternity. I loved Elder Nelsons talk called..."Decisions affect Eternity"...or something to that point. Thats what it reminds me of :)
Anyways, then we did the 12 week program that night!








OH! I almost forgot. Yesterday morning was Moves Call! Our district was the ONLY district untouched this moves call!!! None of us are leaving or changing at all! That means that it is like...98% likely that I will move in February...around the time Bry comes home! I dont think i will be here longer that 6 1/2 months. Boy am I lucky! Sister McArthur said, "President loves you." hahaha, because i have been in the best city for so long! I am kind of hoarding it...not many sisters get to serve here! But I do! haha :)
Anyways, I hope you all have had a great week and a great Christmas break!!! I CANT BELIEVE IT IS 2 DAYS UNTIL 2014!!!! (both bry and I come home that year....WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
OH! How did you like the chocolate??????? :) Which is your favorite?



OH REALLY QUICK! Funny story.
So last night at Monys house, Mouyy, our former investigator, brought her some...cake. Well that is what she said it was. So she went and got it, came back in and offered us some. Of course we would not say no, so we opened up this thing in tinfoil. Then we moved a banana peel type thing (she told us it was 80 kr a kilo or something!) And then saw this rice blob. It was dessert rice, with banana, with meat inside. There is something like this in Norway, but it is a dinner, not a dessert. Anyways, I have a special gift..I really think I could be on Fear Factor! Sister Robbins on the other hand, DOESN'T! So we were sitting there, we cut it into 4 pieces and we took some. I started eating it, and realized...FÆL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, okay. Some bites actually tasted good, but most didnt. I was eating it, getting it down my throat, of course going to eat it, when I realized, Sister Robbins still had pretty much her whole piece on her plate. She had a panicked look on her face and she was just moving her fork around. So I kind of kicked her, trying to tell her she HAD to eat it. I took another one on my plate, knowing that it was a necessity. So I ate the second one, and Sister Robbins still had not taken another bite. She had kept the first bite in her mouth that whole time!!! Just nodding and going .... mhhhmmmm... So I kicked her a couple more times. I nodded....with the forcing look of, YOU HAVE TO EAT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then she just shook her head. With the first bite, still in her mouth. She could NOT SWALLOW IT! So, I took the last piece of the...cake?...and ate it. Out of selfishness, I was not going to eat Sister Robbins. I put my fingers under between us and motioned, 3 and then pointed to myself, and then 1 and pointed to her. I did it twice to make sure she got the picture. But that didnt change her mind about anything. Finally, my heart softened a little, and I decided I would eat it for her if I had the chance to take it. The man in the room left becuase of a phone call, and then mony stood up. She had brought us napkins earlier, so sister robbins at some point, spit out the piece into it. And ate...maybe 2 grains of rice. hahaha, so as soon as Mony and the man walked away for a second, I grabbed a napkin, and thought of a great idea, instead of me eating it, I would put it in the napkin! So I did that, and slid it into my bag. And told Sister Robbins to pretend to be eating off of her plate.
I FELT SICK. Sister Robbins told me that she had been praying that they would leave the room. And they did! When we were walking away from her house, she told me she was honestly abuot to throw up when it was in her mouth. I was going to throw up from actually eating it, and she was going to throw up from it being in her mouth. She owes me big time.

Haha! HA EN FLOTT UKE!!! :)

LOVE, Søster Chapman :)

jeg elsker dere!

Here is Sister Robbins version of the story:

Okay so funny story time :) OHHH man. So I have been blessed with being able to eat everything that I have been given, even though some of it is gross, I have still been able to choke it down. Well, last night I had a problem. So we went and visited this less active member from Cambodia and she brought out some strange thing. She said it was cake.... UM no. So it was this slimy rice/banana thing with some sort of meat inside (I have NO IDEA what meat it was, or if it was even cooked) So i saw it and I almost died. So I took some onto my plate, I took a bite of it, and I COULD NOT SWALLOW IT! It was THEEE grossest thing I have ever tasted and it just wouldnt go down! So I just sat with it in my mouth because I had no idea what to do with it. So i was just smiling and nodding my head as she talked and Søster Chapman was kicking me because she knew I wasn't eating it. She gave me a look of "Eat the food!!!!" I did not know what to do because this slimy meat thing was sitting in my mouth and I was going to throw up if I had to swallow it. I was just praying that she would leave the room for some reason so I could spit it out into a napkin. But THERE WAS STILL MORE TO EAT!!!!! Luckily Sister Chapman is good at choking stuff down so she ate all of it, but I still had some on my plate that I HAD to get rid of. Well guess what happened? Well prayers are answered and miracles happen. She randomly left the room!!! WOOHOO! So I spit my piece out into a napkin and Sister Chapman grabbed the stuff on my plate in a napkin and stuck it in her bag. Miracles happen everyone. I promise :)


On Mon, Dec 30, 2013 at 12:18 PM, Sierra Chapman wrote:
GODT NYTTÅR!!!!
Happy New Year!!! (almost!)
This year has gone by SO SO SO fast! It is so crazy to me, that at the beginning of this year I was just waiting day after day to come on my mission, and now I am almost half way done.
So last monday we went to Evje and had a Christmas dinner with the Zurcher family! We had the rib dish that I have told you all about before! They are such a sweet sweet family :)
Then on tuesday, it was CHRISTMAS in Norway!!! They celebrate it on the 24th! We opened up our presents that were from the Norwegians! (CHOCOLATTTTEEEE!!!!) haha and some other things :) But we did get 4 or 5 bars, and a bag of chocolate. :) Later, Sister Robbins and I went to the domkirke, I was telling you all a little about it on Skype, but HOLY COW!!! It is one of my favorite things I have done in Norway so far. I have been to the biggest Domkirke in Norway in Trondheim, but I think that this church is my favorite i have seen. It is just GORGEOUS! So simple and pretty. But inside they had a whole meeting...ish. They had singing when we walked in, and little children dressed like shepards saying, "god jul! god jul! god jul!" During the meeting there was a lady preacher, who had things memorized to say and other things. We sang songs (they changed words to the Christmas songs that are in our hymn book) and there were girls singing, and then a childs choir that sang too. They collected money, etc. It is so different from our church. I did feel the Spirit when we were singing about Christ. The Holy Ghost can bear witness of any truth. But it wasnt like the temple or our church. It was GORGEOUS, SO amazing, but it was just different.
afterwards, as soon as the last song was over, the bells rang (they ring every hour every day) but this time it rang for a few minutes, going crazy!!!!
(I hope this was allowed...but I recorded almost the entire thing on my recorder hahaha, it was TOO COOL!)
And then later that night we went to the Reiråskags house! They are completely norwegian, so that was awesome to see how they celebrate Christmas! Pretty much, the night of the 24th is when everything happens. They do nothing all day (pretty much), then they get all prettied up and have a feast at night! Afterwards, they open their presents :)
I have NEVER, never in my life seen a child be so happy to get a toothbrush. Not an electric toothbrush, not a cool singing toothbrush, just a toothbrush! The presents were so simple and some were really funny. Christmas is about being with family here and I love that.
Sidenote really quick. I dont think I wrote about this on monday...maybe i did? But it was so sad when we were contacting, talking to a girl and she told us she doesnt belive in Christ. We talked for a little, and she wasnt interested in talking more, but when we were walking away, she said, "God Jul!" How can Christmas be celebrated without Christ? "You wouldnt celebrate a birthday without the birthday person there." It was so sad to me to see how much the world is changing. But for ME to be able to learn more about Christ this season has been so special to me.
Anyways, the family we were with, fed us turkey and stuffing, and other norwegian dishes! It was great!! We also had Julebrus from here, a Christmas soda from each city! They also gave us gifts, it was so sweet! Marie works at a...I actually think it is her business, a natural bath and body type place. So I got shampoo, hand cream, nail things, chapstick, etc. from parts of the family, that would have cost a fortune!!! It was so sweet!!!
Oh! Another tradition! For dessert, they have Ris Crem. I think I told you about it last week. But that night, they put a whole almond in it, and whoever has it, wins a marsipan pig! You dont tell anyone you have it, so that everyone HAS to eat all of their dessert :) It makes it more fun!
It was such a fun night! We were exhausted though!!!
Christmas day, Sister Robbins and I opened our presents and it was SO exciting! The book from the family made me cry. I love it so much. ANd I love the scarf and shoes, calendar from Aunt Jenni, and ALL of the stocking gifts!!! SO FUN! :) We went to the Monteneres family for a brunch that morning. That was so nice of them :) We were so so so anxious to talk to you all, but that was so sweet of them to feed us! Then we had to wait for a couple of hours...around that....for a bus to take us to the Williamsons house! We were there for a little bit, and then we got to skype!!!! We added you all on Skype, and before sister robbins called her family, they called her and all of a sudden her parents faces were on the screen on the phone!!! HAHA! (internet was better on her phone, so thats why we used it) Oh it was so exciting for her, and then when I got to call!! It seems like a dream that I talked to you all!! It was SO great though!!! But boy did that kill me afterwards. Sister Robbins talked to her family before me, and afterwards she just cried and cried. And then I got to talk to you all, and afterwards was just so hard. We played a card game with Jason, the man that said hi on Skype. But afterwards, we were both in such a rutt. I MISS YOU ALL TOO BAD!!!
Anyways, we were able to try something called Gløgg (i think thats how it was spelt?) But it usually has alcohol in it, but we tried the non alcoholic kind, of course. haha :) It is like....a tea ish type of drink...but they put raisons and nuts in it too. It sounds super weird...but it was SO good! It is kind of like moms cinnamon ginger tea.
Åse and Jason also got us stockings with nuts and chocolate, toys, etc. in it :) They were so sweet! Åse just really wanted it to feel like home. There were things I wanted to say on Skype that I wasnt able to, because I COMPLETELY forgot! Number one, I wanted to know when Bry is coming home, but you sent an email! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How in the world did time go so fast!? The other thing was that I wanted to show you all my new shoes! Man :( You can see them in some of the pictures I have sent..well atleast the one of me at the lighthouse. But it is insolated with wool, and they are SO comfortable. Not really expensive either!
I feel like there was something else I wanted to say on Skype..but I cant remember now either. Oh well haha :)
But then the next day, we drove with the Cressels to Stavanger! It was so weird to be in my first appartment again, becuase all of the memories are still there, but it is changed! Different things on the walls, etc. It made me a little "homesick" for my first little while in Norway. But that night we met up with some of the missionaries from Bergen and we got kebabs, then walked to the church. Sister Robbins and I did some weekly planning, and then later that night, 10 sisters slept in the itty bitty sisters appartment! haha! I slept on cushions from the couch, and three other sisters slept on the floor...not so comfy I would think! There were two sisters on deflating air mattresses, one on the couch, two in beds, and one on a fouton (sp?). It was way fun though!
Then on Friday we had our Christmas Zone Conference! Oh it was SO GREAT! We heard from our President, his wife, and the assistants, and some other things. We were able to hear about our new goals as a mission and each city for next year! Im so excited to make New Years Resolutions!!! Anyways, after the meeting, we had lunch (a Christmas meal!)...kjøttkaker, poteter, carrots, and bread. And then we had dessert :)
Afterwards, we had a talent show!!! There are some talented people in our zone. Lots of the talent show was just funny skits, but a couple of people read or recited poems, sang, etc. Sister Robbins and I sang, "Baby Toes". The only probem was that the bottom string was popped off of both guitars in the YSA room in the church! haha, it went fine though and people enjoyed it we think :)
Then Sister Evans had "minute to win it" type games for us all to play, and Sister Haugen had snacks out! It was just SO fun!
Afterwards they gave all the elders a present and us sisters some too. We got a cute little note book and the round chapsticks az likes, and then a cute "spiritual gifts" lamentated paper. We were with other missionaries until we walked to the train station and bought our tickets! We road the train back and the Arendal Sisters slept at our appartment, because it was already so late, and too late for them to travel back to their appartment, 1 1/2 away from us.
Then on Saturday we visited Temi and Esther, contacted, ate, and then met with Serge! AHHH I love him!!! This was one of my favorite teaches I have had. We were planning on teaching him something, changed our minds on the way there after praying, and then taught a different lesson when we actually talked with him. We talked about the Holy Ghost. It was so cool to feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost. The feeling of someone holding me back from talking at specific points, waiting for Sister Robbins to talk, or moments of silence thinking. We were able to ask him heaven inspired questions, that did not come from me or Sister Robbins at all. It was the perfect example of a lesson being led by heaven. After we left we did some contacting, and then some weekly planning. While we were doing that, the elders sat around and talked with Serge for a little. They called us later that night and told us about the experience they had with him. He agreed not to drink alcohol this week, to see if he can recognize and feel the Spirit. Elder Edwards gave up sugared drinks this week, to help Serge. WHOA! How cool! We began a fast that night until after church on Sunday. In combined Relief Society and Priesthood, the entire lesson was about recognizing the Holy Ghost and the different ways we feel it. In Sunday School, the lesson was about the Holy Ghost, and in Sacrament Meeting, the Holy Ghost was talked a little bit about. CAN YOU SAY PRAYERS AND FAST ANSWERED!? It was absolutely amazing! The Lord is so aware of EVERYONE!!! Serge is so great, coming to church every week and trying new things. AHHHH we love him and the ward does too!!!! We ate after church, then met with Mony, a less active. We called people on our phones, then contacted for about an hour and a half. We were so set on finding some people. Towards the end of contacting. A girl was walking towards us on the gågate. Sister Robbins said, "get her number." We stopped her and guess what? We got her number!!! She was a miracle to find! It is so amazing to me, the things the Lord does. We were praying at corners, not knowing which way to go, not really finding much. But we went and took the specific amount of time that we did in each place, so that we could find her at that specific time. How amazing is the plan! Each little, ITTY BITTY, detail in each day, can affect eternity. I loved Elder Nelsons talk called..."Decisions affect Eternity"...or something to that point. Thats what it reminds me of :)
Anyways, then we did the 12 week program that night! OH! I almost forgot. Yesterday morning was Moves Call! Our district was the ONLY district untouched this moves call!!! None of us are leaving or changing at all! That means that it is like...98% likely that I will move in February...around the time Bry comes home! I dont think i will be here longer that 6 1/2 months. Boy am I lucky! Sister McArthur said, "President loves you." hahaha, because i have been in the best city for so long! I am kind of hoarding it...not many sisters get to serve here! But I do! haha :)
Anyways, I hope you all have had a great week and a great Christmas break!!! I CANT BELIEVE IT IS 2 DAYS UNTIL 2014!!!! (both bry and I come home that year....WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!
OH! How did you like the chocolate??????? :) Which is your favorite?


OH REALLY QUICK! Funny story.
So last night at Monys house, Mouyy, our former investigator, brought her some...cake. Well that is what she said it was. So she went and got it, came back in and offered us some. Of course we would not say no, so we opened up this thing in tinfoil. Then we moved a banana peel type thing (she told us it was 80 kr a kilo or something!) And then saw this rice blob. It was dessert rice, with banana, with meat inside. There is something like this in Norway, but it is a dinner, not a dessert. Anyways, I have a special gift..I really think I could be on Fear Factor! Sister Robbins on the other hand, DOESN'T! So we were sitting there, we cut it into 4 pieces and we took some. I started eating it, and realized...FÆL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, okay. Some bites actually tasted good, but most didnt. I was eating it, getting it down my throat, of course going to eat it, when I realized, Sister Robbins still had pretty much her whole piece on her plate. She had a panicked look on her face and she was just moving her fork around. So I kind of kicked her, trying to tell her she HAD to eat it. I took another one on my plate, knowing that it was a necessity. So I ate the second one, and Sister Robbins still had not taken another bite. She had kept the first bite in her mouth that whole time!!! Just nodding and going .... mhhhmmmm... So I kicked her a couple more times. I nodded....with the forcing look of, YOU HAVE TO EAT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then she just shook her head. With the first bite, still in her mouth. She could NOT SWALLOW IT! So, I took the last piece of the...cake?...and ate it. Out of selfishness, I was not going to eat Sister Robbins. I put my fingers under between us and motioned, 3 and then pointed to myself, and then 1 and pointed to her. I did it twice to make sure she got the picture. But that didnt change her mind about anything. Finally, my heart softened a little, and I decided I would eat it for her if I had the chance to take it. The man in the room left becuase of a phone call, and then mony stood up. She had brought us napkins earlier, so sister robbins at some point, spit out the piece into it. And ate...maybe 2 grains of rice. hahaha, so as soon as Mony and the man walked away for a second, I grabbed a napkin, and thought of a great idea, instead of me eating it, I would put it in the napkin! So I did that, and slid it into my bag. And told Sister Robbins to pretend to be eating off of her plate.
I FELT SICK. Sister Robbins told me that she had been praying that they would leave the room. And they did! When we were walking away from her house, she told me she was honestly abuot to throw up when it was in her mouth. I was going to throw up from actually eating it, and she was going to throw up from it being in her mouth. She owes me big time.

Haha! HA EN FLOTT UKE!!! :)

LOVE, Søster Chapman :)

jeg elsker dere!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Skype Call!

Oh my WORD! We loved love loved our very SHORT time with Sierra at 6am on Christmas morning! It was a bit chaotic trying to connect everyone over facetime, then hold the phones up so Sierra could see them, but it was such a sweet, tender time. We love her!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, December 21, 2013

shopping and teaching

Hei hei!
So I dont have very much time :/ Today we are going to the SOUTHEST point in Norway, where there is a lighthouse! A member is taking us and I cant wait :) But we have to catch a bus in 45 minutes, so thats why time is crunched.
Anyways, this week was great! Last Monday we went shopping and I bought the CUTEST boots for the cold weather. I will show you on SKYPE next week!!!!!! :) Anyways (also I dont think I will be able to send pictures today, lack of time and we didnt take much) but Monday night we did a FHE at a members house and that was fun. THey also fed us delicious salmon for dinner :)
Then on tuesday we drove to Stavanger for Zone Leader Training! Sister Robbins got sick (well, was sick and got sicker in the car) So during ZLT she slept. I got to practical (practice a teach) with President and that was really fun :) oh I love him and Sister Evans. But then I got to have my interview with Him and that is always great.


We took a train back that night. It is always SO nice to go back to Stavanger. I love that area with allllll of my heart!
On Wednesday we met with a less active member and later that night had a really cool appointment! I think I might have told you all, but one day, Sister Robbins and I were contacting. We got a phone call from a man that we had contacted and he couldnt talk so we just gave him a card with our nubmer on it. He called us and told us that we had contacted him and that he wanted to feed us dinner! He wanted to feed dinner to someone that wouldnt be home for thanksgiving or Christmas. So the elders came to and we ate with him, talked about the gospel, and had a little teach with him. He told us he had more questions so he would love to meet again!!! Oh it was so great!!! :)
On Thursday we went to Mandal and met with a less active. And afterwards met with a lady that we found contacting there. She had just come from the dentist, so we think she was a little out of it. She is phillippino, and the bottom right side of her mouth was all swollen...hahaha, it was good though, and we will meet with her again tomorrow!! :)


Friday we had a meeting with Serge, our investigator from Holland. Oh I just love him. He really is GREAT! A member, named Hannah Torjesen, helped us on that teach. We taught some commandments, including the Law of Tithing and Fasting. He had some questions, but accepted them! That was so so so great! Afterwards we had a YSA dinner and Institute :)
That night when we were contacting we found one man tell us that we could find him in the library the next day and talk and give him a Book of Mormon. And then another couple from Nepal that were willing to meet the next day!! MIRACLE NIGHT! :)
Then on Saturday we tried finding the man in the library, went in there 3 times, but couldnt find him :/ Then we had Ward Mission Meeting, and our MMK made us french toast! That was really fun :) We later met with Rajesh and Anju from Nepal, that was kind of a weird lesson, becasue the wife wasnt so interested...but we are hopeing to get a return appointment :) she is hindu and I dont think he is. Anyways, then we went to Mandal and met with David, one of the recent converts. Boy, do we love him!
Then yesterday was sunday! We taught Serge before church. Had something planned to teach, but changed the lesson to the Atonement. That was really a special teach and I am thankful we were able to talk more about that. When teaching investigators it really is like teaching a child. They dont know anything yet! It HAS to be simple. And thats always a testimony builder to go down to the basics of each doctrine and principle. After church we had a Ward Potluck and then watched the Christmas Devotional! We didnt get to finish it, becasue then we went to the Williamsons house to teach their boys. Taught the third lesson with objects and then gave them HUGE chocolate bars, for reading and praying and for being good during the lesson :) And they promised they would read and pray EVERY day!


Anyways, this week was great! And this coming week will be too! I hope that you all have a great week and I will write again next monday!!! (I will let you know about skype and all the details asap)...probably next monday!
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!! :) Have a great and safe week!
Jeg elsker dere så mye! Ha en fantastisk og trygg uke!
Love, Søster Chapman


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Monday, December 9, 2013

Brrrr!

Hello Familie!!!
Well this week has been a lot of being sick! Last Monday we helped the Cressels to decorate the center, and that was fun!


On Tuesday we had District Meeting and then I also sent a Christmas package home!!! :) It was a lot cheaper than I thought it would be. 18 kr for the box, then 222 kr (ish) for sending the package! So...about 3 dollars for the box and about 45 dollars to send it! Oh, really quick. In the package I sent a flashdrive. It is wrapped (not nicely wrapped, just crumpled up) in some silver (?) wrapping paper. So, dont thrown that away! It has some fun videos on it, videos of us dancing (for the family Christmas music video) and then we were trying to do a twelve days of Christmas thing, but we couldnt get every day on there....so there are a few days on there hahahaha enjoy! ;) Also, WAIT TIL CHRISTMAS TO OPEN THE WRAPPED GIFTS!!! hahaha Except there is one wrapped gift that says To: Mom on it (it also says if you can for Brookie to try some of it, but I dont know when you will see each other) You can open that for your birthday mom :) Anyways, also there is one thing that isnt wrapped (well...2) and you can take those out before Christmas!








We were starting to get sick last that day, but later that night had a teach with a man named Mann. We taught him the 2nd lesson and that went fine.
Wednesday we met with our investigator Daniel. He hadnt been reading or praying that week, so that was a bummer :( But afterwards we went and met with Mouyy. It was heartbreaking. We had to tell her that we would have to postpone her baptismal date. She doesnt want to agree to paying tithing. She explained how we didnt explain it so well (that she coud choose to pay or not) and by that we meant that members are not forced to pay, like they wont get cast out if they dont pay it. Anyways, she said, "They I wont get baptized." And i just started crying while talking to her. She said she needs time. That she will pray and think about it. When we invited her to church she told us that she doesnt want to come until she knows her answer about tithing. We explained to her that she could find her answer at church. Anyway, it was heart breaking, and I really hope taht she ends up recieving a strong answer. She didnt come to church, but the interesting thing was, Bishop McFadzean gave an unexpected talk (the person that was supposed to talk wasnt there) about tithing. How a lot of us dont recieve a testimony of it until we actually live it. I WISH SHE WAS AT CHURCH!!!! That nighyt we tried visiting Temi and Esther, but I guess they all werent aware we were coming and they had someone visiting. So we will meet with them this week hopefully.
On Thursday we had to cancel our appointment with a member. Sister Robbins was pretty sick. I was feeling a little, ehhh, and so we also had to do Weekly Planning. So that was good! That night we went to the center for the Relief Society Christmas party! It was snowing a little bit outside too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Elder Cressel told us it wasnt snowing, but guess what? The next day we looked outside andt heir was snow outside!!!! :) Anyways, we were asked to sing, and guess what we sang??? We borrowed a guitar from a member, and we sang "Baby Toes"! They werent the right chords, but it was SO fun :) I told them that my dad wrote it and afterwards a lady in the ward said, "Din far skrev det!? Wheeeww!" They loved it :) We learned how to make hard candy with licorice in it, and that was fun to do. I love this ward with all of my heart!!!


Fredag, we werent feeling so great. These next few days we actually slept in pretty late. I remembered what Brookie said to me, "when you feel yourself starting to get sick, take care of yourself!" Sister Robbins was a lot sicker than me, but I really think if I wouldnt have rested I would have gotten a lot more sick. Anyways, We had to cancel another teach or two this day. The elders made us soup and brought us some orange juice (and of course chocolate). This day was complete resting.





Lørdag, we rested too! That morning we went to Mony (a less actives) house with the elders. They gave her a blessing and that was great :) We had a teach that afternoon with our miracle investigator, Serge. EVERYONE loves him in the ward! He is from Holland, I think I have told you all about him. Anyways, we have a member named Åse, and she helped us. The first time we met with Serge he said yes to being baptized, but said he wanted to get to know the ward and read before committing to a date. But he had been to church 2 times by this day and had been reading a praying so we felt we could ask him for a date we have felt is right, December 28th! The member was shocked that we would ask for a date when he didnt have an answer yet! But, its what we do! I am sure i would have felt the same before my mission, but not as much now! :) Anways, I was scared this time. Because I was scared after seeing the members reaction. We watched the Restoration and then afterwards talked and before talked. Some how, it all went so smoothly, asking him for the date. he told us he wants to pray about it, but he will let us know. It went so smoothly and we really think he can be ready by that day!!!! :) After that teach we waited for our next to come. The Cressels even waited because we werent allowed to be alone with the boy we were going to teach. He told us he was on his way. An hour ish later, we called and he said 10 minutes. Then after 30 minutes we called him and he had turned off his phone! Ja vel! We got to have a good talk with the Cressels, I felt a fever coming on, so it was nice to be able to talk about the area, inside with the Cressels. We wouldnt usually just talk with them like that for so long, i would think, but we were sick and i think it was actually good to talk with them about things we did. But they also asked about our parents and I got to tell them how you, mom and dad, met. :) They like that! And they thought that Dads jobs in marine tourism was so cool :)


Then yesterday was Sunday! :) We slept in again to try to get better, and then decided to go to church! OH! We heard rain outside, but then checked it later and THERE WAS SNOW!!!!! AND SLUSH!!!! :) Anyways, we got ready and got to church! Serge came and the ward completely fellowshipped him! It was great! :) Most people thought it was really cold in the gym, where we have sacrament meeting, but Sister Robbins and I had fevers, so I put my coat on my legs. Anyways, we got chocolate from a member couple for Christmas, and that was sweet! :) We also got a invitation to go to dinner at a members house with the elders. We came home, did some studies, then went to their house. Dinner was nice and then we came home and did studies! :) Oh, on the way home from church I talked to a lady on the bus. It was really awkward. I asked her if she could help me with a word in norwegian, but she couldnt read. So I asked her where she was from. She ended up telling me and then I tried to keep talking, but it didnt really work. I thought about what to say, and then just thought of talking about the church and did it. She wasnt interested, but it really showed me that if we just open our mouths, the Lord will put all we need in them and we wont be scared! We will have the courage we need :) Anyways, it is so snowy/slushy/blustery outside!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! :)








Earlier this week a member told us that she heard this year is supposed to be the warmest in 7years :( But, it doesnt look like it when we look outside!!!!!!! :)
Today we are going to go to the mall with the Cressels and hopefully I will get some boots and socks!!! Then tomorrow we will be driving to Stavanger. Pray that there wont be any snow, or not much! I am a little scared to drive in it. But well be okay, no worries :)
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!! Have a great, safe, and fun week!!!! :)
Love, Søster Chapman :)




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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Happy Holidays!


Hello Family! :)


This is going to be such a rollercoaster email. My week was a huge blur/up and downs/what-in-the-world-experiences! So lets start with Monday. Last Monday we were running everywhere! We emailed, shopped for you all for Christmas (!!!!), and went and danced for the video for our family music video :) It was hilarious! hahaha, when we were videotaping, it was by a frozen ish lake, and people ran past. So we had to stop dancing, and then start again hahahaa! You will be able to see it on the video :)


Anyways, then on Tuesday we...ohhh right...here is a story for you all! So we found a man on the street named Fredrik. He had talked with a missionary here before but we got his number and then later got an appointment with him. So we met with him in a cafe place and started talking. We were talking with him and then his friend came. They are from this church called Filadelphia, a very Christian church. So we are talking with them. They are asking questions and I thought it was productive. They had disagreed with some of the things we had said, and then we had to go. So we said we needed to, and the friend said, "Can I just say one more thing?" We said yes, and he went off completely being HORRIBLE to us. At first I was doing that, "Okay...none of this is true, it isnt affecting me" smile, but then he said something that just PAINED my heart. He stopped talking and I started talking. I started crying. Tears were just rolling down my face and I told him, nicely, that that had really really really hurt. He apologized and I told him that it was okay, it just really did offend me. He apologized and told me he wasnt trying to hurt me. And If someone had said that to him, it would have hurt him too. Anyways, he told us that the knowldge we told him didnt mean much to him, but seeing how much it meant to me really touched him. They told us they respected us. And I really do believe that have a different view on us as a church. At one point he tried saying something, making it sound like he had read The Book Of Mormon. I (not really thinking) got SUPER sassy. Hahhahaha I said, "Welll...Have you READ IT?!" Then I apologized probably a dozen times! It was hilarious! And he said, "no its a good question! I havent!" Long story short, they would not take the Book Of Mormon. I promised them that they would NOT recieve an answer, that they WOULD NOT KNOW if the Book Of Mormon was true or not unless they read it and prayed. Sister Robbins did such a great job with testimony and really bringing the Spirit there. Poor Sister Robbins. This was her first experience like this and she was just crushed. Just CRUSHED! I was too, but we went to the center and I shared a "pump up scirpture" or two with her. The Cressels came in and we told them about our experience. Elder Cressel told us to just shake it off and we would be blessed. So we go outside and there was a man looking at the Center door. We asked if we could help and he told us that he was looking at when it was open. So we told him it was open now and so he came in. He asked us for a MB in Spanish and guess what!? We ended up giving one to him and getting an appointment!!!!! :) MIRACLE! The Lord blesses us when we follow the Spirit!


He ended up having to cancel the appointment with us, because he was helping his sister move, but hopefully we meet with him soon :)
Then later that night we went to the hospital. Su, one of my favorite people from Stavanger, was in the hospital because she had a kidney stone. :( We were able to visit her :) And then the next morning, Wednesday, we went with the elders and she got a blessing!!! I love her with all of my heart!
We met with a man named Daniel on Wednesday, and then with Mouyy later that day. That night we met with a man named Mann (haha) and had a member with us! That was great! It is so cool hearing the different stories of peoples lives. I am SO blessed.


Thursday as THANKSGIVING!!! We visited a lady named Bestemor in the ward (Søster Bjørg) and then had District Meeting and Thanksgiving later that night :) The Cressels made a FEAST! It was really a feast. We brought the applecider, and the other sisters made rolls, and the elders here in ksand brought more drinks :) I asked if we were going to say what we are thankful for, and so we did! (and we did "cheers"...I had to bring a family tradition :) ) Oh man did I just cry. Thank goodness Elder Cressel opened up a big thing of pop when I was talking and it exploded ;) hahaha No, but I really am so thankful. I am thankful for my family. I realized how BLESSED I am to have the family I have. I am thankful for The Plan of Salvation. I am thankful for my mission. I wouldnt trade it for anything in the world. I have been so blessed on my mission to have THE BEST companions! THE BEST! They are all some of my best friends and I love that :)


Friday we went to Evje later that day to have Thanksgiving with a member family. The husband served here years ago and then married a girl from here. Their kids can speak perfect english and perfect norsk. I am SO jealous! But WHAT A SURPRISE!!! IT was SNOWING LIKE CRAZY!!!! :) Oh I almost cried of excitement :) Thanksgiving was delicous and all was great :)


Saturday we went to Mandal to visit David, but he went to Oslo, so we contacted and banked on doors. We made up a game to sing a Christmas song, one word me and then one word for Sister Robbins, and who ever messed up had to do a dare. So long story short, sister Robbins had to dance while talking to someone and I had to sing a word. Hahahaha! I laughed so hard when she did the worm with her arm and kicked her leg out while introducing us. Then I sang a couple words I said :) hahaha so fun!
Yesterday was Sunday! :) We went to church and our investigator from Holland, Serge, came! :) It was the first day of December! SO they light a candle the first day of advent :) We sang Christmas music and it was just perfect :)





We went and ate and taught Serge after church at the Torjesens house! It was so koselig :) And had delicous food! I LOVE that family!!! Then we went to the Williamsons house. One of their sons that we teach was in Kristiansand, because yesterday is the day they had the ceremony for lightning the HUGE Christmas tree in Centrum! :) We werent there but I heard they have the mayor say some words and then they have a band or something and they light the tree. Simple and norwegian :) So COOL thing I heard! You know the HUGE tree in New York City? YEAH, THAT COMES FROM NORWAY!!! In each town they have a big tree like that!!!! (not even comparing to that big though) They take a plane and they go and find a HUGE tree, every year! :) Cool, huh!?!?











Also, BRY SAW AIDA! Aida is really like our mom here in Kristiansand, you can ask Bry...she is the most genereous giving person in the world! It melted my heart hearing that she and bry saw each other! She forwarded my text to her to bry and I felt so close to him! She said Bry is, "very snill and fantastisk." (very kind and fantastic!) She really likes him. :)
Anyways, I love you all so much!!! I miss you all with all of my heart and I will talk to you all soon!!!!
Have a safe, and fun, and VIDUNDERLIG uke!!!! :)

Jeg elsker dere!

Love, Søster Chapman :)


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