July 11; Wendy in Trondheim

 We're a little laid back, this is what Dad does during sacrament meetings.  Actually it's a preview of what he will look like in a casket.

Had to get this shot of Sister Fredrickson in her favorite position, kneeling on the floor while making phone calls. And always with her coat on in July. We're afraid to tell her what winter will bring.

Wendy visited us in Trondheim!

Wendy immediately tasted the Trondheim cuisine her second night here at Institute dinner; a hot dog smothered with potato salad, yummy dried onions, and sweet mustard.

She helped prepare for zone conference which was held at our church. For the breakfast she is enjoying brown goat cheese and jam on Norwegian bread.

Elders Anderson, Craft, Linge, Facer, Smith, and Brown at zone conference

Before zone conference began Elder Bennett removed stitches above President Johansen's eye. A window attacked him in the middle of the night.

Jet lag. Wendy sleeping in the young adult room.

Pretty countryside around Trondheim

Midnight along the Trondheim Fjord

 Trondheim

 Munkholmen Island in the Trondheim Fjord

As much as we love Wendy we couldn't allow her to leave Theim before going to Hell.

Let's see, which of Wendy's brothers does this guy resemble?

Nice!

Nazi ships used to dock here along the Theim Fjord.  Bunkers, storage sheds, docks still remain 70 years later.

Dana, Corrie, and Torunn spending money in downtown Trondheim.

We visited the island of Munkholmen in the Trondheim Fjord.  Facilities on the island have served as a monastery and prison dating back about 1000 years.

Munkholmen:  Torunn, Sister S., Wendy, Corrie, Elder S.

A beautiful day for sailing in the Theim Fjord

About midnight in Trondheim.  These flowers are considered a weed.  Pretty weed!

Young adults get together every Saturday for sports

The handsome trio in front of the Trondheim Branch, the oldest existing chapel owned by the Church in Norway.  Built in 1961.

The old wharves along the Nidelva River

The old wharves along the Nidelva River

Near the top of famous Norwegian Nideros Cathedral in Trondheim. It's the largest Medieval building in the Nordic countries and was built over the grave of Saint-King Olav the Holy in the year 1030.  Our LDS church is about 2 blocks from the cathedral.

To reach the top of the cathedral you climb about 200 stairs up a very narrow spiral stairwell.

Trondheim from the Cathedral

Nideros.  Norwegian kings have been crowned here for hundreds of years.

Nideros

I guess Viking Saints/Kings weren't very nice.  This angel-looking guy is holding three heads as trophies.

Had to throw this one in.  In June and July those living near the ocean in Norway become very acquainted with seagulls.  They have nests everywhere and guard them fiercely by squawking 24 hours a day and often swooping down on people if they think the nest is in danger. So add seagulls to the fact that it doesn't get dark and you need to be creative to find ways to sleep.

July Tussen Takk!

We went to Lillehammer on a couples retreat, an event offered to couples once during their mission. Next to us are President and Sister Johansen, the Pedersen's who replaced us in the office, the Hickman's who oversee a YSA Center in Kristiansand, and the Burton's who came out with us and oversee the YSA Center in Oslo. By the way blog viewers, at this time there are no couples to replace the Burton's and us in January. Talk to couples you know and have them request Norway, a beautiful country!

The guys

The gals

Holmenkollen ski jump outside Oslo. Lots of events held here. We rode an elevator to the top.

Ski jump. Pretty spectacular.

Toten! So what? Home of Norm's ancestors on the Olsen side. Many lived on farms in this county but didn't have time to stop and ask people about them because we were on the couple retreat. The area is located near Lillehammer, home of the Winter Olympics in 1994.

Toten strawberries are the best in Norway, the sweetest strawberries we've every tasted.

Next to the ski jump in Lillehammer.

White churches surrounded by graveyards. Found everywhere in Norway. Beautiful settings, difficult to capture with a camera.

Smaller State Church. Only 7 remaining of this style. Made of wood. Cool lookin.

We happened upon a wedding at the wooden state church. Notice the violinist playing.

Lillehammer. A pond next to the wooden State Church.

Lillehammer. We rode the Norway's oldest existing steamboat on the country's largest lake.

A sample of the gorgeous scenery near Lillehammer.

YSA and missionaries helping an elderly member couple move.

Moves day.  Sisters Fredrickson, Johnston, and Springer.  Elders Smith, Craft, Hill, Springer, and Moyes.

Baptism day!  Elder Craft with Linda and Malin, two teens who originally visited the church as part of a school assignment.  Before their baptisms we didn't have a young women program; now we do!

Airport, Greenie Elder Anderson arrives as Elder Craft's new companion (middle).  Elder Smith is on the left.

Dana's feet were swollen and hurting so she took a feet-dip in the lake