Hyvaa Joulua!!

Terve Perheni ja Hyvaa Joulua!!

Can you believe I've been gone for 2 months. Seems like just the other day I was playng with a nephew of mine that couldn't even roll over. Ah, so much has happened! haha I'm glad you all are together and having fun. I hope you all realize the true meaning of Christmas and enjoy it in it's fulness.

So, KIITOS to everyone for the packages!! It is immensely appreciated! Now, I leave on Monday . . . . . what am I gonna do with all this candy and food before I leave? haha I'm so full, haha.

Our last TRC teach was last week. It went awesome. I felt the most comfortable I have ever been so far, but still need improvement. It was fun. We taught a native Finn and a Sister that just returned from Finland last month. After we taught, they gave us and our whole district Finnish deserts and food to share. They are all so nice and the food was awesome. This Thursday, each companionship is getting a younger Finn Elder as a Jr Comp and we're teaching the 1st lesson again. Should be fun, haha. We're only teaching our teachers this time.
The temple is closed now, but we got assigned to help clean it today!! It was a cool experience. We cleaned locker rooms in awesome white p.j. looking outfits, haha. Fun fun

On Sunday, when our Branch presidency was doing interviews, my brand president pulled me out AFTER I was already interviewed by someone else, and took me to a room and told me how much he has appreciated having me here and the obedience and example I have shown. He said that if he ever has the honor to be a mission president, he would want a mission full of missionaries like me. :D That made me smile, haha. It was really nice of him and he didn't do it to anyone else.

Time is short . . . .so . . I got my Travel Plans!! I leave Monday morning. The airline the whole way is Lufthansa.

Europe is 8 hours ahead, at least Germany and Finland are, so I think those times are according to whatever city they are by, not MDT.

SOOO . . . during one of those layovers I can call you!! I won't have much time I think, but I can NOT call on Christmas. I don't know how it is all gonna work or how we can plan this b/c the mail and Dear Elder scheduled delivery are all screwed up this week and I leave Monday morning before they arrive I think. AHHH!!! I wish I could call and work this out. I don't know yet. Hmm . . . . . I guess I could briefly call everyone! haha, just call home and who ever is not there I'll get the number and hurry and call them too. It'll prob be in my layover in Denver, when everyone is awake. But it'll be SHORT. Sorry!!! Just be by your phones, haha, and answer them if a strange number is calling.

Time is short. AHHHH!

Elder Anderson of the 12 was here last night, but no time to explain what he said but it was on 1 Nephi 11:16, "Knowest thou the condesention of God?" It was good!

I'm gonna try and get permission to call home to work out a time I can call in my layover or something. No promises though.

The address all of you should use when I get to Finland to write me for my WHOLE mission is the mission home address. They forward it to me and it gets there next day. It is:

Elder Watson
Neitsytpolku 3A4
FL-000140 Helsinki
Finland

Use it. Love it. Write it down. :)

I gotta go. Have fun talking to Layne! Say Terve to her for me! Have fun together! I love you all. I know I am supposed to be here now, going to Finland, learning Finnish, with the people that are with me.

Mina rakastan teita!!
Moi Moi.
-Vanhin Watson

Hyvaa Joulu!

Hei minun perheni!

Ug, I felt so bad after writing last weeks e-mail home about complaining about mail and what not. Sorry everyone. It's hard when no mail comes at all for a while. Thank you to all who wrote.
Soo . . . .time is creeping up fast here. I leave in less than 2 weeks! In some ways it does feel like I have been here for 2 months, and in other ways it feels like it was just last week that I got here. It's crazy.

The Fireside this past Sunday was entirely by the BYU Mens Chorus. It was awesome! It was a nice change of pace, and good to here music for a change.

The Devotional last night was by Elder Maynes of the Quorum of the 70. He and his wife talked about being Celestial missionaries and how to become one. It was really good and he used a lot of quotes from Pres. Hinckley.

The TRC last week went alright. Not our best, but not bad. There was a part where it was my time to speak and I completely blanked on what to say. It was embarrassing, but I recovered and eventually said something and continued. The investigators there are the same group of people that are there every week, cause how many people in Provo speak Finnish, haha. Anyways, they have been telling elder Fuchs and I how much improvement they have seen in us and that we are doing really well, even better than most of the other Elders in our district. They said our pronunciation and grammar were better. So that was uplifting. :)

Speaking of uplifting, yesterday in class each companionship taught a principle from the 3rd lesson in PMG in Finnish in front of the class. Afterward, we each had our weekly personal interviews and checkups with our teacher(s). Veli Bush told me in mine that he really enjoyed ours especially and that he's definitely seen a change in us since we've been here. He said that when the teachers have their weekly meetings together they mention how much they enjoy me in class and they love listening to what I say when we have spiritual discussions and participate in class. :D That was nice to hear. We really do have awesome teachers. One has been teaching for 2 years and the other has been off his mission for 7 months. They both have their own unique style that is awesome.

Ok, time running low . . . .
I was a Host missionary today! I was the guy at the curb that helped the newbies as they arrive at the curb and show him around and stuff. It was pretty fun.

Random: I've been reading in the NT and just made it to Romans yesterday.

Eden and Company . . .THANK YOU!!! I got the package. The musical tie is awesome, the notebook was desperately needed and awesome, the candy is delicious, and the card and pictures were AWESOME. Tosi Kiitos. The lil guy is growing so much. The pictures were adorable. Thanks.

Alaska Crew: I am curious to see how this house of ours is looking. I'm hearing raves about how awesome it looks and the new fixtures. Pictures?! :P Love you all. Seth, enjoy the new phone. I get phantom feelings in my pocket from me thinking my phone is ringing. haha.

Dad - Love you and all you do. Your a busy man but a savior to many. Thanks!!

Mom, thanks for the Dear Elders and updates. Very much appreciated. Love you.

Linds and Dan: Love you! :)

Shannon and everyone . . .I'll be thinking of you the next few days! I'm jealous you'll almost all be together. Love you all.

Holidays in the MTC are pretty normal. Just a special Fireside. There are some lights up. My comp gets to go to Temple Square on Friday Morning cause hes international and they get to do that. :(

No time, Love you all! Thanks for all the love and support and mail. I'm trying to send more pictures but it's slower this season b/c BYU has finals now.

Hyvaa Joulu!! I still don't know when I can call home. I might get flight plans tomorrow or Friday. We'll see.

AHH! Gotta Go!!
Moi Moi
-Vanhin Watson

ei poste?!?

Hey Fam:

Soo . . . . . no posti for a week? Dear Elder broke down twice, so after it's fixed I get all excited and . . .nope. Thanks for the e-mails. But in the MTC, on a time limit, not so much time. So letters or Dear Elders are better. Thanks!

Christmas Devotional was awesome. It was nice to hear music again. Can't listen to it here.
Sunday was really spiritual because of the testimony meeting and my companion and I gave the lesson. It was awesome. Very, very spiritual.

Dad, I sent the scripture last week but I typed your e-mail in wrong and just found out. I'll send it again. I have questions for you to answer in there. Kiitos!

Layne, haha, you won't get this for a while, but you're awesome. Time really does fly when your on a mission.

Can you guys believe I'll be in Finland in 19 Days!? We get our travel plans next Friday! :)

Not much else to report. I can't answer any questions or say anything because I got squat this past week. So nothing to say. Anteeksi.

If anyone is sending me a package here's a list of needed things:
-those tiny Moleskin notebooks (Shannon, you might know what they are), the small ones. I use it for everything and I've only got a couple pages left
-A big Moleskin notebook
-mail :)
-some stocking stuffers for my district
-anything else that could make a missionary's day

I don't know what else to say everyone. TRC teach in Finnish went well last week. Another tomorrow. It snowed. Yup yup.

Thanks everyone. Love you all, please write! Mail makes a bad day more cheerful. Say anything, just write me. Dear Elder won't work when I'm in the field, so take advantage. Dear Elders come at 6 PM every weekday.

This church is true. The blessings it's given me and all of us are innumerable. This season remember our Savior Jesus Christ and all he does and did for us. Be Grateful. Be Cheerful, Be Happy. Be Christlike.

Moi Moi
-Vanhin Watson

P.s I always feel like I am forgetting something. Ahh!

pictures

Moses 6:34

Hey Everyone:

First off, Mom . . . .I DID NOT FORGET YOUR BIRTHDAY! Time ran out on me on my last e-mail, but I was gonna write something to you. So, happy late birthday, I'll send you a letter soon.Love ya!

Soo, Thanksgiving . . .WOW. Elder Holland did come and it was AMAZING. That guy is on a winning streak on recent talks. So a few weeks ago we all have to write down a question we would ask an apostle, and turn them in. He picked 3-4 good ones and answered them at the devotional . . .not mine, haha. Wish I could tell you all he said but no time. Just trust me, you all know how he is. After he answered the Q's he gave a strong testimony and some advice for us. Best devotional yet by far. The food is a different story, haha, not too good. Typical thanksgiving good, but not too tasty unfortunately, not too surprising, haha. Glad you all had some good times.

Teaching in Finnish is coming along tosi hyvaa. There are always ways to improve, but we are getting better by the day, and tomorrow we teach the Plan of Happiness. Lots of stuff to cover and a lot of Finnish. The other day my teacher took my outline I wrote out in Finnish to his meeting before our class. He and the younger Finns teacher edited it and gave it back to me. They liked it and only a few minor corrections and advice. So that was good. Pray for me for huomenna! Kiitos!

Dad, you ready for this . . . . . drum roll . . . .your gonna be so excited . . . .I have picked a missionary scripture :) Moses 6:34. BAM. As for the picture going on the plaque... Is it removable?? I wanna like the picture going in it, haha, gonna look at it for the rest of my life, and will be on display. Is there a way for you to send me a copy, or I send you one I like and you can just tell me the specifications for how big and stuff. Kiitos. Let me know.

Shannon, feel better and get some rest sis. The baby Patience gave me a good chuckle, poor kid. At least it's a Christlike attribute, haha. Thanks for the mail and updates. Love ya!

Eden and Spenc: Ahh, the lil guy is growing so fast! haha Love ya guys.

Lindz and Dan: still praying for you both. Names are in the temple again. Good luck. Get some rest! Thanks for the email.

Alaska Crew: still no snow here. I want pictures of the new stuff in the house. I'm sure it looks amazing. Love ya all. Dad, good luck with tithing settlements.

AHHH time getting low . . . .

Ok, here's some quotes fom recent devotionals and firesides. No time to explain them
-Obedience with Willingness and Exactness
-"Thanksgiving holiday is over, but the day of thanksgiving lives on today and everyday."
- "Foreknowledge is not predestination."
- "I want you to be homesick, it's how God feels all the time, so when your families are looking at those empty chairs this holiday season, think about that. We are doing this work to fill those empty chairs in Heaven."
- " Can't have the coming/returning without the going" referring to God and Heaven. We must do our part
-"You are called to a Full-time mission, not a part-time"
-"When you get home, you leave the calling, but don't leave the mission field"
-Bednar's "Becoming a Missionary" talk, good talk
-much much more . . .

Well, times up. Love you all. Send me pictures of you all. I don't have any!!!! Mina rakastan minun perheni!! The church is true. Jesus is the Christ. Love you

-Vanhin Watson
-GO BYU :)

Happy Kiitospaivaa!

Terve everyone!

Man the weeks just keep flying by! It's hard to believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Rumor has it that Elder Holland will be here to speak. I'm so excited! Last night Elder Oaks came and spoke at the Devotional. The talk was awesome. I was writing notes down the whole time and still didn't catch everything he said. You could really tell how much he loves missionary work and he gave us some great lists to a successful mission and some good counsel. Wish i could write what he said but i don't have time. But you can all trust me that it was GOOD. :)

Ok, so last Toorstai we taught in Finnish for the first time and it went really good in my opinion. We said all we could and asked questions and stuff and came out happy with what was accomplished. We taught two native Finns, so that was intimidating, but they said we did really well and they couldn't believe we'd only been here 5-6 weeks. :) We teach again tonight b/c tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I'm still confident but my companion and I changed our teaching outline a bit so I had to study and learn some new things. Should be fun though . . . .always is. It's amazing how the spirit takes over and guides you to what you have to say and just put words in our mouths and help us remember the language. It's awesome.

Ok, so I have the pictures developed and I am sending them off as soon as i finish this e-mail. I'm sending a few to Alaska and the same few to Shannon where she can then make copies or take pictures of them and post them or something so Eden and Lindsey and company can see them. I'll send more when I find the time. I have some really artistic ones you all should see, haha. Getting the Layne genes once in a while. :)

Eden, KIITOS MUCHO MUCHO for the package. That was really nice of you to do and the bread is DELICIOUS. I appreciate it!

Lindz and Dan . . . your in my prayers! Good Luck! I put your names in the temple today so you got a little extra help. :)

Alaska Crew: How's it chillin? :) still warm by my standards here. I want to see pictures of the new fixtures! Sounds exciting. Seth, STOP growing , haha. Make sure you stay up with school, it's tres tres important you do and you'll be glad you did when its over. You don't want to look back and think you could've done better. The same principle applies to all of us. We don't want ANY regrets when it's done. We always want the BEST reward possible. Glad your having fun with the friends but don't loose sight of school ok? Awesome, glad your having fun.

Well, everyone, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow when I'm feasting on a cafeteria Thanksgiving meal. Mmm mmmm. :P Be sure to tell me how yours went ok? Kiitos.

ANOTHER English district left the other day. That makes 5, haha, with plenty more to come and go. But I'm past the halfway mark in the MTC, woah.

We go to the temple every Wednesday. That's cool.

Ug, I always feel like i'm forgetting something. The timer doesn't help. Anyways, to close I want you all to know that i love the work I have become a part of. This is the true church of Jesus Christ. It blesses me and all of us in ways we cannot comprehend. I thank our Heavenly Father for giving me all of you and I pray for you and love you. God bless and Happy Kiitospaivaa! Moi Moi

-Vanhin Watson

Mina rakastan sinua

Terve Fam:

First off, thanks for the mail and updates. Dad, the package was awesome! Kiitos kiitos. Eden and Jacob, thanks for the Dear Elder, that little bit from Jacob made my day. It was mahtava:) Layne, I just barely got your postcard, don't know why I'm only getting it now but thanks! I was gonna write you but then I remembered you might get transferred so I'll wait till I get your new address! Congrats sisko.

Tell sister young and aunt sherry thanks for the letters. I appreciate it.

Well, can you believe it's been 6 weeks?! Woa. Half-way there, haha. The older Finns left on Monday and their replacements came in today. Looks like a good bunch. I'm excited.I'm a Sr Finn, haha. Is it really Thanksgiving coming up already? There is a special devotional here and rumor has it Elder Holland is going to be the speaker!! We've been watching some of his old talks and stuff so it makes it even more exciting. I love how direct and committed he is. Mahtava. We've also been watching these videos put out, not by the church, but still amazing, called 6 Billion Others . . .I think. You should check it out. It's this organization that goes around the world and asks people these deep, thought-provoking questions. It's really cool. The answers they give and the questions they ask are perfect for missionary work to step in and do the rest.

Tomorrow I teach the first lesson in Finnish for the first time, scary thought. There is a lot to cover and so much Finnish to speak, so I'm studying hard and hope it pays off. Some of you have asked about my toveri/companion Vanhin Fuchs . . . .he's a life-long member from Austria. Fluent in German and English. Pretty smart and really nice and funny. We get along well and have a good time. I'll try to send you pictures soon, they take so long to develop so I'll send you them as soon as I get em. I have a couple good ones.

Dad and Seth, enjoy Thanksgiving, haha. Mac and cheese sounds great. The food here is good sometimes, but I think they put something in it because lets just say the toilet becomes your second companion here. Everyone says the same, haha. But have fun and Dad, that's awesome on the Optifast results. I'm gaining weight here, haha, not much though.

Fun Fact: for you Alaskans, you remember the Huffmans, my friend Olin, he came in today and he's in my branch! He's rooming just a couple doors down. Our branch consists of the Finns, Estonians, and two English districts. So that's cool. I've seen a lot of people I know here, it's fun, some of which I haven't seen for a while.

Another Fun Fact: Elizabeth Smart is here now, haven't seen her yet though, haha. Her little brother is here though and I've talked to him a bit.

Sheri Dew gave the Fireside on Sunday. It was really good. She spoke of Being a Greater Follower of Righteousness. She had a lot of cool stories.

Umm . . . .what else . . . hows Grandpa? I haven't heard from anyone since I sent off the drawing. (besides the e-mail shannon sent me) I heard the Dear Elder was down, is it up yet? I love hearing from you guys, now matter how long it is, its awesome.

Running out of time!! Ahh! ok, so I'm sending pictures off within the next couple days for sure. To Alaska and to Shannon/Mom. So from there you can take pictures/copies of them and send them around to everyone else. Ok? Kylla

Dad, sorry, I've been thinking of a scripture to put on the plaque and I have one but I can't remember and its back at the residence. I'll send it in a letter. Anteeksi.

Out of time folks. I still love it here and the work I am doing and the stuff I am learning. Love you all. PLEASE WRITE! :)

-Vanhin Watson

Maaraskuu (November)

Greetings and a Terve to All:

Wow wow wow, thanks for sending me that experience that Grandpa had. I was overcome with the Spirit when i was reading it and it didn't leave all night, I couldn't get it out of my head. That's awesome! It reminded me that I have a drawing yet to do and guess what . . . . .I'm done with it! I've been working on it all day and after some finishing touches I'm sending in the mail to Grandpa Johnson's house. Be happy :)

After reading that Dear Elder from Shannon we went and ushered for the Devotional. Elder Walker of the Seventy spoke and he talked about temples. It was great. Did you know there are 130 temples currently, and when you add those announced or under construction there will be 150!! Woah. He replayed Pres Monson's announcement of the Italy Rome temple and I immediately thought of Shannon and Layne and their excitement. Elder Walker said that Pres Monson still smiles when he talks about the crowd's reaction to that announcement, haha.

Hmm . . .what else. Oh, I got a haircut today. It's butchered. They don't listen to you about what you want hardly because there are rules they have to follow. Luckily it doesn't look too bad :) I like it.

AHHH, I hate the timer on this thing. It puts me under pressure and I forget to write things . . .
I was at the RC yesterday and I got to chat/teach to two people and testify on prayer and Baptisms for the Dead. It went well, I loved it. Just gets me pumped tp get there!

The older Fins leave next week for Finland and then next Wednesday we get more new Fins! Woah.

Yes, Dad, I did get the package you sent a while back, and Yes Shannon and Mom, I got the package from you two too. Kiitos and Kiitos!!

Tomorrow is the last time we get to teach a lesson in the TRC in English. Woah. Finnish next week. Can you believe it's been 4 weeks!??

Hmmm . . . . . tick tock tick tock . . . pressure . . .

We get weekly room checks both in our residence and our classrooms. They leave a report and a grade, except they grade by Kingdoms of Glory, hahaha. We mostly get 'Exalted' :)

I'm feeling a lot better. Still get the occasional cough but my throat is better.

Eden and Spenc, thanks for the update. Jacob better know my name when i get back, hahaha. They grow up so fast. Glad the gall bladder is staying capputs for the time being.

Shannon, thanks for the updates and Dear Elders, I really appreciate it. Mail time twice a day is what we all look forward to most. It's awesome. Kiitos

Layne, thanks for the letter!!! Your the best lahetyssaarnaaja sisar (missionary sister) :)

Dad, thanks for doing that for me. I can't wait. How are da boyz?

Seth, keep up the fun, but stay in there in school too. These years of high school are really important!! Mina rakastan sinua. (?!)

Mom, my prayers are with you! That's awesome you get to be here for a bit and be of some help. Thanks for the Dear elders!

Lindz and Dan: how's St Louis? Med school as tiring as ever? haha Love ya guys.

GRANDPA JOHNSON: Hey Grandpa!!! Wish I could be there and talk to you some more. Your missionary advice has really helped me here. Wish I was there to hear some more! I love the work I am doing and I am learning so much. You got a letter on the way so be ready! I love you Grandpa. I pray for you. Thank you and God Bless.

Well everyone, don't know what else to say, but Layne, speaking of being wet, did you know there are no dryers in Finland??!! At least for the missionaries, haha. Just racks to hang them up. haha, just a thought.

Love ya everyone! Keep the letters coming, they are the highlight of my day! I love it. I hope to get pictures off soon. Takes a while here.

Pray for me as I do for you.

Love,
Vanhin Watson

yksi, kaksi, kolme!

Terve Family:

Can you believe that I have been here 3 weeks!? The days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. The sick-bug is hitting our district. One of the Estonian Elders that rooms right next to us got quarantined for 5 days for having symptoms of the swine flu. Then the rest of us are getting sick, but not the swine. I have a sore throat and a cough that is bugging me. Hope it leaves soon.

Hmm . . .you'll find that I'll have less and less to say as my time here grows. Any questions? Ideas about what I should write?

In the MTC everything is the same everyday besides what we learn of course. The Finnish and learning how to better teach the gospel are going pretty hyvaa (good). I was at the RC the other day and I got a call from a man that wanted a church DVD. So I got to talk to him, and send him one. Then I've had a couple interesting chats online with people that have questions about the church and the doctrine and stuff. I get to bear my testimony to them and tell them about what we believe. It's pretty fun there.

Tomorrow we get to teach in the TRC. We are teaching the 2nd lesson on the Plan of Salvation. We have a Finnish task before hand where we have to speak to the person in Finnish about their work, school, life, etc. 'gulp.' It's actually pretty fun but it's still hard. Gift of tongues in action :)
One of our teachers, Veli (brother) Bush, let us ask him questions about Finland and the church there and stuff. He answered them and really got us pumped to get there and get to work. Haha, 21 days down, 54 to go until we are there, Haha. (Not that I'm counting) An english district in our branch that arrived the same day as us left this morning. We'll see 3 more groups like them before we leave, haha.

Miten menee? (how are you?) Kiitos for all the letters and Eden, kiitos for the delicious package! The cookies and candy arrived in one piece and were sweet to the soul. :) Jacob looked like a stud in his monkey outfit. Dad, thanks for sending me that talk. We were actually talking about it the other day. Very good. Mom and Shannon, I can't believe you two are only minutes away!
Grandpa is in my prayers. Say hi to him for me. Seth, you popped out the skiis yet? haha. It's still fall here, clear blue warm skies. :) Dad, you'll be happy to know I get compliments all the time about my suits and ties, and that's so cool you got a little one-on-one with the Governor! What'd you talk about?!

Elder Rasband of the 70 was here yesterday and reminded us to be bold in our work, and that we don't know the future consequences of our labors. This is a great work. I count my blessings and I am grateful for my time here thus far. Thank you everyone! Keep the letters coming! :) Pictures coming your way soon, I got some good ones. How should I send them? Should I send the memory card and you take care of it and send it back? Or should I print them off here and send em around? Dear Elder me what ya think, then you'll get them sooner. :P

Love you all,
Vanhin Watson

Mahtava! (Fabulous) :)

Terve Fam!

Can you believe that I am going into my 3rd week already?! So . . where to start . . . ? Last Thursday my toveri (companion) and I taught the 1st lesson in the TRC. He's awesome. Vanhin Fuchs is so cool. I'm lucky to have him. Tomorrow we teach it again. Each time we teach or practice it or study it more it gets better and better. Amazing what the MTC does to ya. I've learned so much already. Mahtava!

The Finnish is coming along pretty hyvaa (good). It sure is getting harder and harder but it's fun at the same time. Keskiviiko Lokakuu Kaksikymmentakahdeksan Kaksimiljoonayhdeksan ( thats todays date ) :) Looooong way to go in this language still but so far I've learned how to pray, sing, introduce and talk about myself and ask some questions.

Elder L. Tom Perry was here for the Devotional last night! He re-iterated a talk Elder Holland must have given a while ago on 5 Teaching Requirements. It was really good. Then on Sunday we watched an old talk by Elder Jensen of the 70 on 2007. He spoke of Becoming a Diligent Learner. You should look it up. Way good.

On Sunday our Branch President gave the Priesthood lesson. He spoke of Medal of Honor heroes and the attributes they carry that we should have as well on our missions: like selflessness, courage, obedience, and charity. It was really inspiring and motivating.

The RC (Referral Center - where they answer calls from people who see the Church's commercials and want to order something) here is awesome. Taking and making calls is so fun. I love it.

Well, time is running short, anteeksi (sorry) How are all of you? Thanks for the Dear Elders. Pleeeease keep them coming. :) They are printed our and given to us twice a day sooo . . . . :)

Kiitos!

I know a lot of people don't know my address yet so here it is so you can spread it around:

Elder Eric Ryan Watson
MTC Mailbox # 85
FIN-HEL 1228
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

email: vanhinwatson@myldsmail.net

Can I get some addresses as well? Like the Dobbins and Bybees and stuff'? Thanks!!

Dad, is it Brown or Brammer? There is a Brammer here and a Brown that came in the same day as me. Brammer lived in SLC and knew Grandma Watson a little.

Well, kiitos everyone. I miss you but I'm loving it here. Shakespeare once said, "They do not love, that do not show their love." I love this work and I love you all! my prayers are with all of you and Grandpa.

Pics coming soon . . .maybe. Hei Hei. WRITE ME! :)

-Vanhin Watson

Terve Family

Ok, so I only have 25 minutes and this keyboard isn't that good so here goes.

Has it been a week already?! The days are long, but good, but seriously, woha, already a week.

First off, thank you for the Dear Elders already! They come twice a day so that should be the way to communicate with me while I'm at the MTC. I think my departure date is Dec 28 or 27. I think you have to state that and my mission when using it. So kiitos!

Ok, so my toveri (companion) is Vanhin Fuchs, from Austria. Awesome guy. Fluent in German and English . . . thank goodness. Every ne else in my district is from the states. We have 2 sisars (sisters) and 6 elders (including me). There are 2 elders and one sisar in the group ahead of us and when they leave next month we should be getting another big group like ours in. We are truly blessed with a good district. Nice, good people. No weird/interesting people, haha. We are all good friends already and have a lot of laughs. They're all pretty funny. When congratulating each other we say Lut Veli! (Stones, brother) haha. And then we bump fists.

We've already learned how to count, introduce ourselves and say a prayer in Finnish. Now we're learning the different cases and rules and grammar . . . which is A TON. But it's fun. We have good teachers. Veli Bush and Veli Mock. There is still a long way to go, but we are all confident and excited. The group ahead of us can speak Finnish so well already, and they are only 6 weeks in. We have 12 weeks, haha. Whenever other elders and sisters here at the MTC see our name tags they are all like woah, where are you going?! We tell them and they are amazed and proceed to say, it's the hardest language and stuff. A guy learning Chinese told me that the other day! He said he's got it easy. Hahaha

Hmmmm . . . . What else? . . . . Oh, I've already seen so many people I know, from Utah and BYU friends, i'ts fun seeing them again.

Getting up early is getting harder and harder. We wake up at 6:15 so we can run to the shower and find an open one before they are all taken, so we don't have to wait in line. Then most of our day is spent in a chair in the same classroom for hours and hours, reading, studying, learning, etc. We sing in Finnish and pray in Finnish before and after we start or end a class or leave for a meeting or meal.

Well I'm almost out of time. It's about to kick me off. But I love you all and want to tell you I know Christ lives. I'm so grateful for His Atonement and for this church. It's true. The message is great. That's why I'm here. I've noticed His hand in my learning this past week. Got to go. Keep the Dear Elders coming! Love ya! Hei Hei! Kiitos!
-Vanhin Watson