For the last several weeks I had made a new friend in
Norway. I had the opportunity to go visit this friend. I brought a Ticket to Oslo,
Norway. This part of my journey began on Saturday at 4 am. I traveled by tube
to the airport with another person in my group who was going to Dublin. I
boarded the plane with some nervousness and excitement. The plane landed, and I went through customs
and got another stamp in my passport! I saw my friend we both greeted each
other.
We both got to the car and we got some food. After lunch my
friend took me to see Oslo! Norway was breathtaking! I got to see where the
ships come in. We went to this park that was full of statues that was done by
one person. Beautiful artwork of people telling different stories. After the
park we went to see the royalties castle. Learned a little bit of Norwegian as
well in the process. I also got to know my friend in person rather than chat or
video like we have been doing for last several. We ended the day with pizza and
movie.
Day 6: Sunday
Today was wonderful day of rest for me. I was able to go
to church with my friend. It was an amazing experience to go to church in a
different county and language. Sacrament meeting was first. My friend did his
best at trying to interpret for me, but I was happy without the translation.
Even though I could not understand I could feel the spirit very strongly. The first
speaker though spoke English! I was able to understand the first talk. She was
the mission president wife from Salt Lake, Utah. She spoke about heeding the
spirit voice and then acting on it. If we don’t act on it then we sometimes lose
the blessings or opportunities that Heavenly Father has put in our way. When it
came to sing the intermediate Hymn my heart leap for joy when I recognized the
tune and the song “I am a Child of God”. I of course sang it in English but
hearing the song in another language just does something to my soul. At that
moment I had the spirit whisper a reminder that I am His child! After church I
had to pack and leave for the Airport. Even though it was a short trip it was
one that I will always remember.
I am now going to switch topics, it will not be related to
the trip to London or Norway. Its about May 11th. This day is a special day for me. It important year mark that reminds me that I accomplished
something greater than grad school, or even just this trip alone. I never
really talk about this topic before. For 10 plus years I have struggled with an
addiction. This addiction created a lot turmoil in my life and my parents.
This addiction essentially made me feel like I was two different person. Last
year May 2017, Heavenly Father decided it was time for me to change. Things
happened that made me realize the dangers that I was putting myself in. I began
to work even harder to change my poor behaviors. I began to work harder with
therapy and my bishop. During this time, I had put in an application for Grad
school at Arizona State University. When I got accepted I almost decided not to
go. However, the Lord made a huge impression on my mind that I needed to go and
I needed go NOW and not put it off until spring. Since then my life has been changing.
It like the Lord knew the only way I needed to change was to get out of an environment
that was not healthy for me.
So May 11th will always be a new special day of
remembering how far I have come from not giving into my addictions. I have
learned new things to apply to my life. Going to Norway and was able to sing that song has
touch my heart in so many ways. I am happier than I have ever been. I have had
up and downs in the past year but those up and down gave me experience for new things to create a better environment. This move has helped me have a better understanding of
who I am and who I want to become.
The final point that I want to express is to my Mom. Today
is Mother Day. Happy Mother day Mom! Thank you for being by my side in whatever
trials or things I was going though. You have been my rock and my foundation in
helping me figure out who I am. You have been my number one fan in making this journey
happen. You have been my strength and my beacon. Thank you MOM and I love you!
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| Norwegian Castle |
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| Me at the park |
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| Some sculpture Oslo, Norway |
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| Oslo, Norway |
Thank you for your sweet words. You have been and are a fun example to me! I am glad you got up to Norway. That is a place I would love to visit again. It is beautiful. You have been in England a week! Yay!
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