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