Simplified Curriculum

It's been quite the week, as usual. Yesterday just topped it off because we had 50+ people in church, more than double than what we usually have. Turns out, a member in Helsinki who is originally from Joensuu got married, and they were having a reception here, so there was a bunch of guests. She got married to a member in Utah, so there were some Americans there too. Anyways, it was so cool to see the chapel full of people . . .and in that congregation was 3 of our investigators!! 'N' as usual was there. She is still the amazing person that she is. She wants to be baptized so bad, but she doesn't want to destroy her relationship with her family be doing so, so she is working on that. The other two that came only stayed for sacrament meeting, and they seemed to enjoy it, hopefully. Because of the choas in all the people, nobody really fellowshipped them and they just kind of came and left un-noticed by the members. But, they are good investigators and we're glad they came.

We had Zone Conference last week in Oulu, which meant a long day of traveling there and another traveling back. The church has come out with a new Simplified Cirriculum that will help us as missionaries become better teachers, because quite frankly, we're not too good at it, haha. Never done it before in our lives, no experience, etc . . . so this Zone Conference was based entirely on introducing all this new material to us. For those of you that have been in PMG missions, you'll remember the PMG DVD's with 'The District' and everything . . . .now there is another set of DVD's with 'The District 2.' (Tons better) All of this focuses on helping us extend better commitments, ask better questions, teach more simply and powerfully, etc. . . .and it's all found in PMG, so it's nothing new in that sense. With all this new material, there are a few changes in the system across the world. Now, Zone Conferences are just 4 times a year, Interviews with President are 4 times a year, District Meetings haven't changed, and there is a lot more training involved among the leadership and the missionaries. I'm excited for all of this, it's really been on my mind, and my goal to be a better teacher, and I'm glad the church has come out with all of this to help us. It all takes effect immediately in the mission field across the world, then they will start teaching all this new stuff in the MTC's starting next year.

As far as the work goes here recently, we're still doing pretty well. We've been getting more referrals, we're still finding at a good pace, and now, we're trying to get people in the water. Since Elder Causse came to Finland last month, and challenged us to extend the baptismal commitment more frequently, we've picked up 32 baptismal dates in the mission. The new awakening has hit. it's amazing.

A few of you asked about package request items . . .honestly I've forgetten most of them, but here's a few:

- A cool tie is always good :)

- Any songs? since I have that MP3 player, you can send me some songs on a thumb drive (USB drive) . . .Layne, you've prob heard of 'Eclipse' . . .there's also an album called 'Primary Colors' which is by a group called 'Inside Out' and anything else you think is good

- surprise me . . . .just not with a years supply of a bunch of the same thing (I'm still working on that Mac&Cheese and Peanut Butter) haha

- I forgot :(

Well, I'm going to try and send pictures this time, so I have to go. Love you all more than cool cloudy days . . .please send more of those. . . Still HOT here. Moi Moi

Love,

Vanhin Watson

P.S. In the first pic, we had a long layover at one of our train stops. So we were eating lunch by the water on a bench and these two wasted guys decide to come up to us, haha.