this is it

Here it is . . . my last e-mail as a full-time missionary. Honestly, reality has been hitting me like a bag of bricks on and off these past couple days. Sometimes it feels like it's all about to end, and other times it just feels like nothing is going to happen . . .I should be staying. There will be a part of me that will be left here in Finland that I cannot bring with me back to America. All this talk of firesides and giving talks is making me wonder if I'll even be able to adequately describe it all. There are so many experiences and so many things that have happened that to try and express them in tongue is close to impossible! Needless to say though, I am excited to see you all again and I pray that I can figure out how to adjust my new life into the world I am about to step in . . .for I truly want to return . . .''another way.''

This past week has kept me busy, something that has helped my mind stay focused. We had 2 splits here in Vaasa, one with the Zone Leaders and another with the elders from Pietarsaari. We also held my final District Meeting and finished it off with a member making us a delicious meal. I like to title all my District Meetings . . .so this last one was called 'Keepin' it Real.' I was inspired to talk about the true 'reality' of things (ie. our callings, teaching, studying, praying, testimonies, etc) I chose this subject because of a talk from the most recent General Conference be the 2nd counselor in the Sunday School Presidency, Elder Richardson. It went really well, in fact, I feel like it was one of the most spiritual district meetings that I've had.

Apart from finishing my last week . . we helped our branch president build a bit of his house. He had to install some huge heavy windows and had to enlist some help. That was quite the adventure. It took 6 of us to just lift one window for a few seconds, haha.

One of my old companions is coming here to Vaasa to fill me spot, Elder Cassity . . .he's going to do great things here . . .I was glad to hear the news.

Well, I best be off. I could go on into crazy detail about everything and more, but,  . . . well . . . I'll see you in a matter of hours anyways! . . . .Gotta have something to talk about!
Thank you all for the amazing help you've provided me in these short 2 years of service. I need it still as I return and try and put my life in order and apply what I've learned here.
I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is REAL. His Atonement is REAL. His love is REAL. This life is REAL . . .a time of service, a time of learning, a time of labor, a time of happiness, a time of preparation for the eternities awaiting us. My mission has been REAL to me. It REALLY feels like my time has come . . like my purpose here has been fulfilled. Now. . . life calls.  I love you and I'll talk to you soon.

signing off, paljon rakkaudella, 
Vanhin Watson

Maailman Päivä

I really don't know what to think right now . . . . it doesn't even feel like this is my last week of missionary work! I guess that is a good sign though, right?! It actaully feels like everything is speeding up though . . .not slowing down. Well, I'm trying to make it my best . . .we have a busy week ahead  . . . .2 Splitz . . .here and in Pietarsaari, my final District Meeting, and basically final everything. Woa.

I got my flight plans . . . and it sounds like you didn't! hmm . . . I don't know why. To be honest I don't even have them on my right now. I put them back in the envelope and put it ina drawer so it wouldn't destract me, haha. But I know that I have 2 layovers . . . in London and Seattle . . .then I will arrive in Anchorage at around 10:30 PM the evening of Thursday November 3rd (Alaska time). You should be getting all that info soon . .  .but I don't know.

This past week we had some interesting things happen. Our Vietnamese investigator, Ha, is progressing well . . .although she still didn't show up for church yesterday. We are teaching her everything from scratch . . .so this past teach was all about Faith.

Our other investigator, Deo, is also doing well . . .he's even doing a bit of missionary work himself! He's trying to bring one of his buddies that seems interested in learning more too. In our last teach with him we taught about Hope, since his baptism is delayed until he gets married which can't happen until he gets some paperwork straightened out with the Finnish and Thailand governements . . .since his wife is Thai. We read some scriptures on hope, and on what type of things we hope for. It went pretty well.

On Saturday there was an event in the city called Maailman Päivä (World Day). Different companies and organizations got to set up a table decorated with their stuff and the public came and walked around and looked at it. We got to reserve a table and set one up too. With the awesome help of the senior missionary couple here, the Bergs, it turned out great! (see picture) It lasted for 3 hours, all the while there was different music and dancing from different cultures around the world. We set up a huge board in back of us with a picture of the Savior, and set some copies of The Book of Mormon, pamphlets, and cards in different languages on the table. We also had a slideshow running showing pictures of familes, temples, and Jesus Christ. In the end, we have away 4 copies of The Book of Mormon, got a phone number, and got an address!! Not bad at all for just standing there! :)

Elder Berg discovered an amazing hamburger joint out in the farm lands outside of Vaasa and decided to take us there for a DA. Afterwards we drove to a close by Meteor Site, where apparently a huge meteorite struck millions of years ago . . .from the sky you can tell where it is. In the crater, it's said to have the best farming land in Finland. Sorry, couldn't find any meteor rocks to take home, haha.

Today I have to send the AP's a 'Departing Message' that will be printed in our mission's annual pamphlet that gets sent around to all of us, the Suomen Valo. It's kind of hard to sum up 2 years of service into a couple paragraphs, haha. Also today we have to put the winter tires on the car . . . I can't believe it's that time of year already!

I live for the moments where time stands still, a quietness pierces the air, and the powers and heaven and earth touch the human heart. In a period of 2 years they are plenty . . .but, as life goes . . . I had to go through heaven and hell to get to those tiny moments. It makes missionary work worth it. It makes me want to jump back out there and stare adversity in the eye, just so I can be ready when those moments come again. I know Jesus Christ stands at the head of this His work. The Spirit is the key, love is the power, and Christ is the reason.

Rakkaudella,  Vanhin Watson

2 years

I feel like after all the e-mails about ranches and cowboys I should say, ''Hey howdy hey y'all!''  It sounds like it was a good experience for all.

This past week we had a few new adventures, and some of the quite unique fashion. . . . . . . let me explain . . .

So, we go to do our laundry and we come to find out that our laundry machine is broken! After lots of calls and searching, we ended up buying a new one. Miraculously it fit in the back of our car and we were able to take it home and install it. It must've been a funny sight to see: two missionaries carrying a washing machine down the street (because we couldn't find a closer parking space. Then the tricky part was installing it. Our bathroom is what we americans would call a closet . . . .I have no idea how the other people got that old machine into the bathroom in the first place! The sink and the shower and the toilet were all blocking the way from sliding it out! We ended up tipping it over and skillfully maneuvering it through the bathroom and out into the hallway and doing the same to get the new machine in. The story is not over yet. A few days later, with the old machine still sitting in our living room as we were waiting to get rid of it, we looked at it and joked about how funny it'd be if it all of a sudden worked! So we plugged in the power cord and IT WORKED!!! We have no idea how. So now we have 2 laundry machines! The Mission Office has told us just to donate it to the branch and see if they can find a need for it.  Just a fun little story about the random experiences in missionary service. :P

As far as the rest of the week goes . . . .

We were able to go to a tiny tiny town called Teuva and be at the local high school . . .complete with all 80 students, haha. We sat in on 2 English Classes and were able to answer questions and talk about American life, then lastly, we got to be in the Religion Class and present about our church. It was a pretty cool experience.

We did some work in an area known to have a lot of college students and found a new investigator AND set a baptismal date with her! She is from Vietnam, has been here for 4 years, and is about to graduate. She has absolutely no religious background so we are teaching everything from scratch, just like I did in Espoo with Jing, a Chinses investigator that got baptized right after I left. It's cool to have stuff like this going on still, even in the last weeks of my mission. I hope it helps me stay focused. :)

A previous investigator that we had randomly showed up for institute this past week! He was way solid, then he just disappeared and no one could make contact for over a month. We still haven't seen or talked with him, but it sure lifted our spirits to hear he came back!

We are teaching a recent convert from China and we had a really good teach with him this past week. He is soo stressed out with school and life that he is unintentionally neglecting other parts of his life. For example, he studies for up to 10 hours a day every day!! And he only has 3 classes!! His sleeping schedule is all messed up too. We were able to talk to him and remind him of how the gospel can help relieve the stress and bring the peace that we all need. It went really well. I even learned some things too.

While we were out on the streets searching, a lady stopped US. She told us that in high school a member of our church had given her a Book of Mormon, but over the years she lost it. We happily gave her another one and she was extremely grateful for it. We are in high hopes that we can meet with her soon and continue sharing the message that good member missionary started all those years ago.

Time is running low, literally in 2 senses. Can you believe that I hit my 2 YEAR MARK as a missionary this past week?!! Unreal.  I'm grateful for this time I have had and for the time I still have to make a difference in someone's life in this part of the Lord's flock. Best wishes to all,

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

the fulness of our time

You'd think that just once I could e-mail you and tell you that it was just another normal week in the work . . . . . .well, if that ever comes, it's not going to be today. :)

So, we were out of our city for the most part of the week. Last minute, we found out that I have a meeting in Helsinki that I need to be at to train the Zone Leaders and District Leaders. Well, it kind of screwed up our plans so we had to squoosh everything together . . . meaning . . . . .we already had Splitz planned in Kokkola and a District Meeting the next day, so we had to mesh all that into one day. I had very little preparation time for this District Meeting, but I have to say that it was one of the best. Just goes to show how the Lord knows each and every one of us and He will always provide the way. I titled it, ''The Fulness of Our Time.'' I chose to teach about the subject of 'Time' due to the talk given in General Conference by Elder Ardern of the Seventy . . . I loved it. There's a scripture in Ecclessiastes chapter 3. I took that scripture and, well, added to it by listing stuff we do in missionary work and in life that effect our time, whether for good or for evil. All in all, I really enjoyed teaching it and it seemed like the rest of the District enjoyed it as well.

That same day, we stayed in Kokkola and did a little splitz with the elders there, Elder Clegg and Elder Ingersoll. Both are such hard working, skilled missionaries.

The next morning we drove back to Vaasa (a 1h 30 min journey), then hopped on a train to Turku to spend the night there ( a 4h 30 min trek). Then the next morning, Elder Christianson (an MTC friend) and I got on a train to Helsinki (a 2 h journey) for our meeting while our companions stayed together in Turku for the day. Turku, by the way, is a city I've wanted to see my whole mission, I was glad to finally see it. It's big, it's old, and it's beautiful.

The leadership council we attended was held in President and Sister Rawlings' home. There, as the leadership of the mission, we counseled and learned together so see how we could further the work. A miracle occured: As a council, we decided to set some new Standards of Excellence for the mission . . .  . now, the Mission Pres only has the final say, but he opened it up to us for suggestions. After a while we finally agreed on some new goals, and, low and behold, it turns out that they were the SAME GOALS Pres. Rawlings and the AP's set together in their own council meeting earlier!!!!! Just goes to show how the Spirit guides the work. It was truly inspired. 

At the end of the meeting, Pres. Rawlings showed us a video, I think off of Mormon Messages . . .I love those . . . .by Elder Holland about 'sanctifying yourselves.' Also inspiring.   The mission is changing so rapidly that sometimes it's hard to keep up! The younger missionaries are coming into the field more prepared than ever before, and already speaking Finnish quite well too . . . . putting us Veterans running for our graves, haha. I'm so proud to be a witness of this change . . . in fact, to be a pioneer OF THE CHANGE. I have great faith and hope that it will continue.

Back in Vaasa, we got back at noon on Saturday . . . the Lord also provided for us, despite the fact that we were gone most the week. We got let in by a family!!! A really, really nice family!! Young parents, 2 kids (3 and 8) and a good discussion with them in their home. We answered a few of their questions and we are going back this week. To top things off, we had a great member missionary bring his friend to church on Sunday! This same member has had around 5 of his friends be baptized within the past year and he's telling us that he knows more that could be interested! Member missionary work, we ALL have a part. All means ALL.

In Fast and Testimony Meeting I realized that this was my last one in Finland, as a missionary. I couldn't pass up the chance and got up to bear my testimony. Everyone says that the last few weeks are the slowest . . . .but to me they are going by faster and faster. I am so grateful to be here. I wish I could relate it all to you better, but know that I love you.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

Yleiskonferenssi

It feels like this is a true ''sprint to the end'' because it seems like there is so much to do and so much to plan for and so much has already happened!! We're keeping busy. This past week we made the long drive up to Oulu for a Zone Conference, probably my last. They always feel like they are getting better and better. The main topic was Prayer and really, how we should be utilizing it and doing it better. I learned a lot. The mission has changed so much in the last few years that sometimes I really do feel old when I find out that I'm only one of a few witnesses to that. 

 

Pres. Rawlings asked a couple of us who are leaving to share our departing testimonies to conclude the meeting. I was the first. I can honestly say that I have never born testimony that felt so spiritually guided as I did at that time. I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel and of the work. It has carried me through the thick and thin of the time I have spent here. 

 

General Conference was AMAZING!! The satellite transmision wasn't working at our chapel, but luckily it was being broadcast live through the internet, so we were still able to see all of it. I don't have time to say all that I liked about it, but, Elder Holland pulled off another classic and Pres. Monson's enthusiasm, facial expressions, testimony, and wisdom were very comfortable and enjoyable. Also, at the end of one of the sessions the choir sang, I Believe in Christ. I love how the choir sang it with such power and emotion, putting their very testimonies into the song. I noticed the emotions of many of them while they sang, and even in the room where I was watching. Go MoTab!!!!!

 

As much as I would like to copy my 20 pages of conference notes onto this e-mail, I won't. I have already been reviewing them and I urge all of you to do the same.

 

Back in Vaasa, we were able to meeet with our baptismal date and teach about the Plan of Salvation. The recent convert that was present, also one of my favorite members, was a big help in the lesson. Members are so important in this work! Without them, the missionary force would be experiencing major set-backs and slow progress. 

 

While finding, we found an awesome family! They were blown away that we could speak Finnish, seeing how they work with foreigners all the time. They were very nice and actually quite interested . . . but since they were putting the kids to bed, we have to go back some other time. I look forward to it! We've been praying to find more families! 

While up in Oulu, I found out that there is yet MORE traveling in my future. This coming Friday I will be headed to Helsinki AGAIN for some leadership training! Right before however, I have to hold a District Meeting AND splitz with some missionaries! Busy busy busy.

 

Well, I best be off. Sorry, it kind of feels like I didn't fill you in on anything . . . I'm still on a conference high!! How grateful I am to be enlisted in the mighty work of angels! I know it's powerful message of truth, hope, love, and faith will fill the Earth. I love you all. I pray for you as I ask you to pray for me.

 

Paljon Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

 

p.s. Kiitos kirjeestäsi Seth!!! Thanks for the letter Seth!!!!! I'm going to write you back.

getting colder

No heiiiii!!

 

Another week of thrills and chills has past in the adventures of Elder Watson and Co. Time for a lil filler-in of the highlights of this past week:

 

-It was my birthday!! I took myself and my comp out to lunch at a restaraunt called Amarillos . . .it's kinda like a Mexican Grill. Pretty good. All in all, it was a good one. I'm especially grateful that I was able to spend it here in the service of others. I can't believe I'm 21 . . . like I said in my most recent letter home . . . I think I could still pass as a 16 year old, haha.

-I had to translate one day for the seminary class. The usual teacher was sick, so Elder Berg, the senior missionary here, was asked to teach . . . .so I had to translate for him, both the things he taught, and the things the class would say back to him. It was pretty fun.

-I think I have mentioned in the past, but we have a great group of recent convert members. We were able to meet with a few of them this past week and just refresh their minds of the things they learned before their baptisms. One of them just came back from China, and he presents the most heartfelt questions about the gospel I have ever seen. It's noticable he thinks about this all the time. Another convert from Africa is struggling to make a living here and won't ask for help. He starves himself because he has no money and he is waiting to be accpeted in the local university in the winter. The branch brought him groceries and will continue to do it. I think he is one of my most favorite people I have met on my mission. His name is Prosper, from Tanzania, and he is extremely musically talented at the guitar and piano . . . . he can just listen to something and mimic it on the guitar or piano perfectly! He is so humble and so nice, a great example to me. I'm glad to see he is getting helped out.

-We found out that one of our investigators, Deo, plays basketball once a week with a bunch of friends . . . so . . .in an effort to meet these friends we tagged along with him on Friday night. Most all of them are foreigners, but most all of them were pretty good at basketball. We made good friends with them and hopefully we can meet with a few of them soon. My comp and I even got to shoot some hoops with them and I have to say, even though they were good . . . we still represented the USA pretty well, despite the fact that it has been nearly 2 years since I've played!! haha

-We had a DA with a part-member couple that served us Root-Beer Floats for dessert!! It was a big surprise and very yummy. Root Beer is scarce here, and many don't even know what a Root Beer Float is. haha, random thought I know

-We set a Baptismal Date with one of our newer investigators!! For now it's just set as a goal. He's from India, and he's been coming to FHE and YSA activities and even came to church yesterday!

 

I think that's enough updates for now . . . . .time is always short.  This week we are driving to Oulu for a Specialized Training Meeting for the whole zone. I'm excited for that! Then, of course, Yleiskonferenssi!!!! (General Conference) I'll only miss the Sunday Afternoon session.

 

I've been humbled a few times this past week to see the hand of the Lord guiding me in this work. In one instance, at a door, there was a woman whose mother had just died the night before. I tried to tell her of our conforting message about eternal families, but she graciously declined. He can place us in the right places, but He cannot force the results we always desire . . .people have thier agency. But it was cool to see how we were placed there for her at that time. Another instance was yesterday. Our plans got all mixed up and we ended up driving around looking for places to knock doors. I almost parked in one place, but didn't feel good about it so I drove on and finally ended up parked in a big parking lot in front of a huge apartment complex. Instead of starting in the A stairwell, I felt we should start in the B stairwell instead. The first door we knocked just so happened to want to let us in AND she was a good friend of the man with whom we set a baptismal date the day before! 

 

I know the Lord stands at the head of this work. I bear witness that it is true. I love it. I love my mission and the time, lessons, and experiences He has given me. I know Jospeh Smith to be the Prophet of the Restoration in these latter days. The Lord took a boy who had never prayed vocally in his life (see JSH. . .I never knew that!) and turned him into a powerful instrument in the hands of God.

 

Love you all. Kiitos kaikesta!

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

21 huh? tuota tuota

Wow, I can't believe that the Alaska Crew got my letter already . . . i sent it less than a week ago!! Fun stuff. yay for Finnish Posti. :)

 

Well, here we go again . . . . . What a week. We had some interesting experiences this past week. Just to show you how interesting they were, I'll list a few, in no particular order:

- After a long day of finding, we were walking around the streets of Vaasa looking for people to talk to when a car pulled over to talk to us. You will never guess who it was . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .the Red Bull Girls, hahaha. Yup, the car was decked out in Red Bull advertisements with two girls driving around handing out free Red Bulls. For us Die Hard Mormon people let me explain, Red Bull is an energy drink. . . . . . .'it gives you wings.' . . . .ohhhhh. Yup. Pretty funny experience. 

-We got my companion his first ever let-in of his mission. The man ended up not being interested, but we had a good little lesson with him. He even had a Book of Mormon from years ago, and was quite a fan of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

-we had a DA . . . . a typical Finnish meal before going to bed, sandwiches and hot chocolate. us Americans would call that a bed-time snack, but these Finns called it dinner. At the end, the teenager popped out some of his A&W Root Beer (Root Beer is pretty rare here and really expensive) and he shared his last can of it with us, haha. Soem Finns think Root Beer tastes like toothpaste . . . can you believe that!? What toothpaste are they using?!

-No Change Calls came. I now know where I will be for the last 6 weeks of my mission, Vaasa. Weird thought that there is going to be no more transfers. 

-we spent our Sunday in our visiting city, Seinäjoki. We went to church there, so with us a a couple guests, our total number of people present was around 12. After church, our Pres. and Sis Rawlings came and held a fireside with the members, so we were able to be there for that too. They did it all in Finnish, can you believe that? They have only been here for a couple months!! I love them, they are so great.

-There is a sister coming into Finland from Alaska! She is from the Denali Branch . . . apparently her Dad is the Branch President there. fun stuff. Finns love Alaska.

-We were able to got in some teaches this past week too, and even picked up a couple new investigators! Sibi is a young man from India. he has been coming to FHE and the YSA activities, so we were finally able to teach him. Pentti has been taught before, but not for a few months. He is old and has cancer . . . that man loves to talk. Then Deo is an investigator who is progressing quite well . . . just needs to get married before he can get baptized. Then Lin Yu is a recent convert from China. He has awesome questions and insights. Since he was in China for 6 months, we are teaching him again to refresh his memory.

 

Sorry for just sticking to the list format every time, but I find it easier. :) My fingers are cold, so it's slowing my typing. Yep, it's getting cold here. I should get going, but ensiks . . . . . Paljon kiitoksia teille kaikille kaikesta. Arvostan ja rakastan teitä koko sydämestäni. Toivon kaikkea hyvää teille tälle tulevalle viikolle.

 

Thank you for all your birthday wishes. I am humbled to spend it in the service of my fellow beings. Love ya more than MoTab on Sunday car trips and missions.

 

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson