From the mom: Jessica got transferred to Drammen last Wednesday. She is so excited. They say Drammen is like Zion in Norway. It is a big city near Oslo with a big ward and lots of great members. She will finish her mission in Drammen. She is in a trio for now and knows and loves these two sisters and is very excited to get to know them better. She says this is the COLDEST place she has served in her mission. There are pictures on her blog from last week and we will be putting up more pictures from this week. It definitely looks cold in her pictures.
Her new address is:
Sister Jessica Allen
Tomineborgveien 47
3011 Drammen
Norway
I made it to Drammen! It was an hour plane ride and an hour train ride, but my plane was delayed so I missed my train. Anyways, I finally made it after struggling with my 3 suitcases. :)
Drammen is soo different from my other areas. It is like America. We have a car, so we drive to appointments. We have dinner and sometime lunch appointments everyday!! The ward is huge. It feels like I am in Utah again. It is also way freezing! The coldest I have been my whole mission! Drammen is way colder than Trondheim. Like the coldest was negative 29 degrees... yikes!
This will be my last area on my mission. It was very hard to say goodbye to Trondheim. I miss Sister Peterson, my district, the Rappleyes, awesome members, and people I met while being there. It will take some time to feel adjusted here in Drammen. I miss my home and family in Trondheim. I did tell some of them I am coming back in June. :)
My last days in Trondheim = bittersweet.
On Tuesday we visited Majken (cutest member!) and we said our goodbyes. I will miss her so much!
Aaron, Majken, and Olivia!
We also had an awesome lesson with an investigator. The spirit was so strong and I was able to share a personal story with him. I saw a change in his eyes after I shared that. I won't forget that lesson.
Then we visited Elin and Kenneth! Elin is a member we have been visiting every week in Trondheim and we have become really good friends! I will miss her too!
Saying goodbye to Elin and Kenneth in Trondheim!
Blizzard in Trondheim!
The next day I packed up all of my stuff and as the Rappleyes pulled into the church to drive me to the airport, all of the missionaries in the district came out to say goodbye. I won't forget it! I felt soo loved!
Leaving Trondheim! :(
Saying goodbye to Elder Miller and Sister Peterson. Heavy black heart
The farewell. So dramatic.
Missionary life in Drammen:
We have had so many member visits! There are some awesome people here in Drammen. Our district is pretty cool too! Elder Crump who was in my greenie district in Oslo is in my district again. It will will be fun to get to know all of these people and build friendships!
Friday night we went knocking on doors and it was a miracle night because we got let in by 2 people! That has never happened to me my whole mission! the first was a muslim family and they were super nice! The other person that let us in was this old norwegian man. His wife recently passed away and we were able to share the plan of salvation with him. It was a very spiritual and tender experience. We went back the 2nd time to teach him the restoration last night. He still wants us to come back and teach him more. He said he loves reading! I am really excited about him and I can't wait to see how the gospel can bless him. I hope he acts on faith and recognizes the truth. :)
We have been knocking on doors a lot here in Drammen, and people are actually not that mean. So that is a plus. That is how we teach lessons and find investigators. We are also trying to work closely with the members and find investigators that way as well. That is the best way to find. Converts found through members are the ones that stay converts forever.
Church was really good! I got to see one my friends, Torunn! She was in the Trondheim ward, but moved to Drammen. It was nice to see a familiar face! There are a lot of people I need to get to know. I am excited about this week!
We also had a worldwide missionary conference on Wednesday and Elder Andersen said that we should always have Jesus' name on our lips. If we don't know what to say than we should talk about Christ. It really changes the tone and spirit when there is a focus on Christ. He is the reason for our faith. He should be our foundation. I am grateful for Christ and the hope and peace He brings to my life.
Jeg håper at dere ha en fin uke! Jeg er så glad i dere!
Kjærlig Hilsen,
Søster Allen
This is where we live! Me and Sister House!
Sister Firth got stuck in her seatbelt! haha
Running in a open field of snow!
Visiting a member that lives in the cutest norwegian house!
Look at her door!
Cold day in Drammen. :)
