Sister Wvarvik is our Branch Relief Society President. She had us to dinner on Christmas Day. We had Lukte Fisk which I had hoped to avoid while in Norway. It is a common dish at Christmas time. It is fish that has spend hours in lie and then drying out before it is served. Actually, it was not that bad. We then had a wonderful cheese cake which she is holding. It was nice being in her home with her family.

I had to show off the slippers I knit for Elder Humphrey for Christmas. I have learned to knit with five needles at the same time. I am making another pair so hopefully I will continue knitting Norwegian style when I get home.

Dinner at the Wvarvik home. She also served salmon in case we could not tolerate Lukte Fisk. All of us tried it even Elder Reese and Elder Lange.

Christmas Eve we were in the home of the Steinsvik family. The Norwegian people open all their presents on Christmas Eve. We also had a very good Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone dresses up in Sunday best for Christmas Eve activities.

At the Zone Christmas party I had to have another picture with me and the Tromsø missionaries. We served with Elder Issacson from Logan and Elder Hotst from Denmark. Elder Holst was with us for four months and helped me make it through mørketiden.

(the period of two months without the sun). It is great to see the growth in these and other missionaries during the time they are on their missions.

More Christmas Parties

President and Sister Poulsen at the Zone Christmas party in Stavanger. We ate, played games, had a program and exchange gifts. It was great fun!

The Elders serving here in Haugesund with us, Elder Reese and Elder Lange along with Emily Thompson who was visiting our branch from America. We enjoyed visiting with her. She served a mission in Germany.

It is cold and frosty here but the grass stays green all winter. It is amazing. We get wind, rain but very little snow on the west coast of Norway. After spending last winter in the far north we are not minding the change.

Sister Mjøs and one of the two sons we hope to baptize on Jan. 24. They are busy in the kitchen helping to clean up after our branch Christmas party.

Santa Claus surprised us with a visit and treats for all the children
They were excited and followed him all around as he cheered member young and old.

Lots of visiting and enjoying the warmth of the season. People were moving from table to table having a great time being together

Sister Humphrey with Santa Claus who happens to be our landlord.

His wife died three years ago of cancer. She was a favorite in the branch and loved having the missionaries live in her home. She is greatly missed by the branch. Thor is a great landlord and joins us on Monday night for Home Evening.

Lars Steinsvik is a little old to be pleading for goodies from Santa but the children loved watching him plead for some treats. We all enjoyed his enthusiasm at the arrival of Santa. Santa is called julenissen in Norway.

Elder Humphrey won the chocolate candy when he found an almond in his rice pudding. The children were so hoping they would get the almond. They like their Branch President so I think it was ok that he got it if none of them were lucky enough to get it.

Branch Christmas Party,Zone Christmas Party

Everyone having fun visiting, eating and anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus. Our landlord, and his grandchildren. Brother Rustad taking pictures.

Annie Steinsvik, Ellen Eliza Steinsvik, Kari Ssteinvik, and Eric Gorde are enjoying the traditional Norwegian food and Julebrus. This is a drink that is available in all the stores at Christmas time.

Sister Humphrey, Kari Ssteinvik, Heather Pettersen and Marianna Hiltunen working in the kitchen getting the food ready to serve. They took a moment out to pose for a picture.

The female missionaries at the Zone Conference Christmas party in Stavanger. Sister Humphrey, Sister Crowther, Sister Poulsen, and Sister Engebretsen. Sister Engebretsen just arrived in the mission field at the first of December.

Elder Humphrey singing a solo at the Zone Conference Party. He sang, In Quiet Grove which is one of his favorite songs. He did a great job.

December 2008

Elder Reese and Elder Lange arrived to be with us in Haugesund. We picked them up at the bus stop and fed them dinner. We then cleared the table and begin doing missionary work with them. We showed them the area book and investigators we presently have and potential other investigators. We were so happy to have them come and join us in Haugesun.

The Young Women and leaders decorated the branch Christmas tree. We bought new decoration for the tree this year. They made it look very festive.

Activity night (Enrichment night) for Relief Society we wrapped DVD's of the Christmas story and Christmas songs by the Mormon Tabernacle Choire to pass out to family, friends, co-workers and people we meet on the street to wish them a MerryChristmas and Happy New Year.

A church in Stavanger that we went in while in Stavanger for District Meeting. It was very ornately decorated and had many interesting paintings, and scluptures for us to see.

The Stavanger District meeting we went to. Usually, we just have a conference call. However, because Elder Humphrey needed to practice a song he would be singing at Zone Conference/Christmas party we went to Stavanger so he could practice with Elder Tessen who plays the piano. Our District Leader is Elder Holst who served with us in Tromsø.