Elder Scott J. Rasmussen: April 2012

   So great to hear from you again! Sorry if this is cut short, our day got crunched today cuz we spent three hours at the police station trying to get my companions visa renewed. Thank you for keeping me updated on the political stuff. Im glad to hear that Romney is doing so well. I wouldnt mind Santorum either, but I prefer Romney. It was interesting because the second question we got asked in that class was what we thought about Romney. I just told them that Ive been a little out of the looåp for 5 months, but that I like him, and am hoping for him, but that id be just as happy with Santorum. I also said that I feel any of the candidates would do a better job than Obama has done. They were all stunned. They all love Obama here. They like the idea of a high tax and government money being given to the lower class...because thats what they have here.   But when i told them America is more about making what you can of yourself and keeping what you earn, and paying the neccesary taxes for roads, police, and all that. But that obamas attempt to socialize America was met with a majority of America disagreeing. That his support has plummeted, and that our constitution and way of life are different. Another person asked if we thought we were better than everyone else. We told him that we like where we live better, but that we dont think of the rest of the world as inferior by any means. It was an interesting discussion. I wish it would have lasted a bit longer. But it went well, they were all very respectful.
   Other than that it sounds like things are going well for everyone else. Em told me about the lean on the house she was looking at and that its not going to work. Thats too bad, but Im betting they find a much better place.'
        As for the language. My understanding has skyrocketed, but my speech just cant seem to make it past my lips. Im working on it though, Itll come.
   I dont have a whole lot else to report this week. Did you ever get some info on my doctrinal question i asked about a few weeks back? Im still curious on your insights.
     Well...I guess ill end here. Still got to do some grocery shopping. . Cant wait to hear from you again next week.
-Elder Rasmussen-

So good to hear from you this week. I am pretty sure that I got all of your messages this week, and I did get both of your photos. Thank you for all the emails and the updates. They were nice to have and be able to read today.

   Thanks for the updates on Romney and the whole political scene. It's nice to see were getting some traction there. So many people here love Obama, and it's always a bit of fresh air to see that he's being stacked against. I honestly think that if he is in another 4 years, we will really see the fulfillment of the Constitution hanging by a thread prophecy. It's horrifying.

   So this week we have been asked to go to a school out on an island called Askøy and give a presentation in an English class about the States. They mostly just want to hear what we think about politics there. Its gonna be hard because ive been so detached from it all for so long. That, and my comp doesnt follow politics at all, so its all me. Also, people here love Obama cuz hes a socialist and cuz of the START treaty he made with Russia. In their eyes it stopped Russia from aiming Nukes at Norway, but in reality Russia only got rid of all their old, decrepit, cold war era nukes to fulfill their end of the bargain. It talks about it in Trickle up poverty i think. They still have ALL their good nukes. And American is that much less safe thanks to Obama. he really is an idiot.

   So, to answer your question about Perry, our baptismal candidate for last month. he's kinda just fallen off the map. i have no idea where he is or what hes doing. So, for now, we're just looking for new investigators.

   We did have our baptism Sat though.   Ill be sure to send pictures later on tonight. But ill tell you, these last 2 weeks leading up to it have been exhausting to all of us. The battle against her to do this was fierce!   Her family was constantly sending her all the anti material they could get their hands on. Everything from blacks and the priesthood to secret handshakes that get you into heaven. They would call her every day and scream at her. They would blow her phone up with anti texts and email her link after link to anti pages online. A few times she told me, 'the baptism is off, I just cant do this' But after many long hours teaching or just talking on the phone she always calmed down just enough to push on for another day. It all paid off Saturday.   I have never seen anyone so full of smiles and laughter as she was after her baptism. She told us that she has never felt so happy in her whole life. She also asked me if I would be the one to confirm her, so I confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the holy Ghost. I still dont think I quite comprehend the significance of that.

   I will admit though that this week has been exhausting. I am one who is of the opinion that all questions deserve an answer, and firmly believe that all questions have an answer. So I had no problem going through all the material and questions her parents attacked her with. Ill tell you that I utterly destroyed it all. My companion later told me that he felt really uneasy about going into that, but was really impressed with my answers. He said it was like watching me open a dark closet and just run in guns blazing. he's all like 'That is Satans worst material to use against us and you just laughed it in the face.' I felt pretty good about it. But it was draining.

    I have some pictures that I will be sure to send to you. I said before I left that if I got just one baptism i would be overjoyed. I could go the rest of my mission without another baptism and feel more than accomplished. But that wont stop me from trying.

   Before i left I also said that if I came back with nothing else I at least wanted to know what I wanted to do with life. Ive decided I need to go into teaching. Everyone in my MTC class told me to be an institute teacher, my companion says teaching is my greatest strength, and even Ane Rebekka said 'Why cant you just talk to my parents? Youre a really good teacher.' I told her *Id love to! bring em to the baptism.' I just am not so sure WHAT i want to teach. I think I want to major in theology and minor in history. But thats just what i need to do with my life. And i feel like im continually learning the trades ill need to get there. Better study habits and better time management. And my testimony is just exploding. It's really hard to feel the spirit here sometimes, but I feel like Im really starting to become a member of this church. it took a while, but theres an undeniable change happening inside of me, and I am so grateful for it. I know that it would not have come any other way than by doing this work. I just hope that i can continue to improve my shortcomings and become the man I one day hope to be.

-Elder Rasmussen-

Our Teaching Apartment. (3rd floor, room with the closed blinds)