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
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
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
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
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