Norway is a beautiful land, with wonderful people and amazing opportunities to share the Gospel!

The view from our apartment in May at about 10:00 pm.

Den Syttende Mai (The Seventeenth of May) Norway's Constitution Day

Norwegians all over the country celebrate their independence day on May 17th. In large cities and small towns, everyone dresses in their finest suits, dresses and national costumes (called Bunad) and comes to the center of town for not one, but three parades.  First, is the Children's Parade, where each school marches together and separates by classes; from first grade on up.  Marching bands from all the schools and civic groups are interspersed.  Second, is the Adult Parade (about 2 hours after the first one ends).  This includes the bands again, but all the clubs and charities march.  There are no floats, but they walk along with banners announcing their groups; like the mountain climbing club, the rugby club, the cross country skiing club, the curling club . . . Finally, the graduating high school students have the last parade; celebrating their completion of exams after partying all night.  Everyone has a Norwegian flag during the parade, and on the sidelines.  It is a great tradition of nationalism and patriotism.  Enjoy the national costumes that also include men.

Trondheim Elders Garlick, Cribbs, Rogers and Snapp 

The Children's Parade

Even the Star Wars Club marched

I made the "Bløt Kake" or "Soft Cake" with whipping cream and strawberries in 3 layers.  Solo is the preferred Norwegian soda and Josie displayed her Bunad.  These are hand sewn, with embroidery and real silver jewelry.   They can cost from $4,000-$12,000.

Churches and sights of Kristiansund

While traveling to and from the needed places we went to serve the missionaries and members, we came across many beautiful sights of Norway.  This included the Atlantic Ocean Highway that is popular for car commercials, but is scenic and dangerous when the waves crash on the highway.

An old Stave Church that has survived many years.

The inside, with the unique ceiling painting.

Happened to catch a Norwegian Wedding at this church.

Kristiansund Baptism

We were blessed to attend the baptism of a wonderful lady in Kristiansund.  While there, we helped the elders get some needed supplies for their apartment and spent some time with a woman we met in Trondheim who graciously invited us to stay with her and shared with her the message of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon.  She was also kind enough to invite the missionaries to dinner.  We don't post a lot of pictures of the tender moments of spiritual growth through sharing the Gospel, because a lot of times, there aren't things to photograph.  Just know that even the travels we take that show the beautiful country we are lucky to be serving in are en-route to or from the missionary experiences we have everyday.

Rock star power trio Elders Ewell, Fowler and Baldwin.

Power Trio Tracting on an island

A small group of Saints, but very faithful in K-Sund  Some are from far away, but so dedicated to the Savior.

Niadros Cathedral . . . nearly 1000 years old.

We've been to Notre Dame and now here, to the oldest and largest in Northern Europe.

Moving in and Moving about

Architecture has art in it and around it.  Whether it be apartments, businesses, or buildings on the river.

Leif Erikson who "discovered" North America.  This same statue stands in the Port of Seattle (our kids there can find it!) 

 Happened upon this classic USA car show in downtown Trondheim.

Old City buildings, that still house people.

Ye old bridge.