Norway's Terror Attacks

On July 22, 2011, Norway had two devastating terrorist attacks on the same day that soon became known as Norway's 9/11. In Oslo, Norway, the country's capital, there was a car bomb explosion in Regjeringskvartalet, the executive government quarter of Oslo, which is just outside Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg's office and other government buildings. The explosion killed 8 people and wounded many others. The second attack occurred about two hours later on the island of Utøya at a youth camp for AUF of the Norwegian labor party (AP). A man came onto the island dressed as a policeman motioned for them to come closer for "police inspection" and then he opened fired at the campers, killing about 80 people, including the Prince's step brother and friends of Prime Minister Stoltenberg. This Norwegian man, Anders Behring Breivik, is a right-wing extremist who was unhappy with the Norwegian government for making it incredibly easy for so many immigrants to enter the country. He was charged for both attacks and has been sentenced to at least 21 years in prison. He had been planning these attacks for about 9 years.



After the car bomb had occurred, they heard of other attacks that were occurring on the island of Utøya, just outside Oslo. Many were sent to stop the shootings and many were sent to rescue, but Breivik had already been there for a period of time. One lady said that the hardest thing to do was to go to the youth camp to rescue as many people as she could at one time, but then to tell the others there that they would have to wait, while the shooter was still there, for another boat to come to save them. One of the boys there who was from up North was a very experienced rower and rowed about 20 of the youth camp participants to the main land, while one boy dragged his wounded friend across the ocean to the main land to save him.



The country has been in mourning ever since the attacks and are continuing to pay their respects by having vigil marches with torches and roses in different cities around the country. There have been different areas around different cities where masses of people come and place their roses, candles, torches, signs, flags, etc. to pay respects to those who passed away.

It has been a rough time for Norway, but as one of Trondheim's citizens said "If one man can have so much hate, think of how much love we all have together and how we can show that love." My heart and my thoughts and prayers are with one of my native countries and it's people<3

Positivity is a Way of Life! :)

So, it may have taken you all less time to figure this one out, but positivity really is a way of life. I don't think I have ever been one to be pessimistic, but I have noticed that life is too short to spend any time complaining/stressing about things you can't control. Sometimes things happen in life that you don't expect, and we just need to roll with the punches and keep an eternal perspective. Ultimately, the Lord knows what is best for all of us, and He will never let you down. We just have to place all of our faith, will, and trust in His hands and everything will work out the way it is supposed to. Not perfectly, but just the way it needs to. Sometimes that is hard to remember and to keep in perspective, but I have noticed I am so much happier and so is everyone around me when I keep that in mind and place my faith in that. Sometimes we need to take that step into the darkness, knowing that Christ is the light and He will always show us the way. I know when I don't get to caught up in bad things that happen in life and focus on the great and shining moments, that others adopt that attitude as well, and they are happier with their life. I love keeping a grateful journal and seeing all of the wonderful things that I have been so blessed with. I am so thankful for them and for a loving Heavenly Father who blesses me with them. I know I need to keep my heart and mind open to receive the fulness of these blessings. Thank goodness everyday is a new day, and I can implement this more into my life. Positivity is so powerful-and I know that implementing that more will change my life and everyone's life around me for the better.