Helsinki

Hei Family!! It was a humbling experience to read your e-mails just now. A lot of things are going on from the looks of it. These are trying times, but I'm grateful for the family that I have and the unshaken faith I see in them.

So, I actually spent this past week in Helsinki. I was able to go down with Elder Gorringe, my District Leader and MTC friend (awesome Elder). For the whole week, 30 of us (about half the mission) from 9 to 5 we received the wonderful opportunity to sit and be taught and trained by President Brown: How to become better teachers, better missionaries, better people, and the importance of the role of the Spirit in our lives. I learned a lot and unfortunately I don't have enough time to share all the things I learned, but it was fun and we all were edified and rejoiced together, haha. Each day, after the meetings, we split up and went out back to work to apply what we learned. Elder Gorringe and I stayed with the zone leaders that live in Espoo (where the temple is), so we were able to do work with them. There are a lot of stories to tell about that, but only the journal will know for now I guess (dinner appointments, chocolate milk, let-ins, car in a ditch, metro, music recitals etc etc etc) haha. Lets just say I was in culture shock because Helsinki is a whole other world . . . . .BIG.

Meanwhile, back in Joensuu news, we are down to 2 baptismal dates, one with N on the 27th (still going strong) and with J on Dec 11th (kinda iffy). We were supposed to have a baptism on Saturday, but he didn't make it to church last week or this week, AND his parents won't give permission yet (he's 16). So, there's some drama going on here too, haha. It snowed a bunch while I was gone so biking has become pretty difficult, especially without snow tires and a tired racing bike. Each day is a new adventure. :)

Yesterday was actually Father's Day here in the Scandanavian countries, so we made cookies for all the dad's at church, then gave the leftovers to people during the rest of the day. Since you already had your day this year Dad, I decided to dedicate it to my Heavenly Father instead, no offense, haha. Still thought of ya though. :)

Not much else to report on today. I love you all and I know that with unshaken faith and a firm trust in the Lord, the blessings and miracles will come to each of us. Thank you. Love you.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson