this is it

Here it is . . . my last e-mail as a full-time missionary. Honestly, reality has been hitting me like a bag of bricks on and off these past couple days. Sometimes it feels like it's all about to end, and other times it just feels like nothing is going to happen . . .I should be staying. There will be a part of me that will be left here in Finland that I cannot bring with me back to America. All this talk of firesides and giving talks is making me wonder if I'll even be able to adequately describe it all. There are so many experiences and so many things that have happened that to try and express them in tongue is close to impossible! Needless to say though, I am excited to see you all again and I pray that I can figure out how to adjust my new life into the world I am about to step in . . .for I truly want to return . . .''another way.''

This past week has kept me busy, something that has helped my mind stay focused. We had 2 splits here in Vaasa, one with the Zone Leaders and another with the elders from Pietarsaari. We also held my final District Meeting and finished it off with a member making us a delicious meal. I like to title all my District Meetings . . .so this last one was called 'Keepin' it Real.' I was inspired to talk about the true 'reality' of things (ie. our callings, teaching, studying, praying, testimonies, etc) I chose this subject because of a talk from the most recent General Conference be the 2nd counselor in the Sunday School Presidency, Elder Richardson. It went really well, in fact, I feel like it was one of the most spiritual district meetings that I've had.

Apart from finishing my last week . . we helped our branch president build a bit of his house. He had to install some huge heavy windows and had to enlist some help. That was quite the adventure. It took 6 of us to just lift one window for a few seconds, haha.

One of my old companions is coming here to Vaasa to fill me spot, Elder Cassity . . .he's going to do great things here . . .I was glad to hear the news.

Well, I best be off. I could go on into crazy detail about everything and more, but,  . . . well . . . I'll see you in a matter of hours anyways! . . . .Gotta have something to talk about!
Thank you all for the amazing help you've provided me in these short 2 years of service. I need it still as I return and try and put my life in order and apply what I've learned here.
I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is REAL. His Atonement is REAL. His love is REAL. This life is REAL . . .a time of service, a time of learning, a time of labor, a time of happiness, a time of preparation for the eternities awaiting us. My mission has been REAL to me. It REALLY feels like my time has come . . like my purpose here has been fulfilled. Now. . . life calls.  I love you and I'll talk to you soon.

signing off, paljon rakkaudella, 
Vanhin Watson

Maailman Päivä

I really don't know what to think right now . . . . it doesn't even feel like this is my last week of missionary work! I guess that is a good sign though, right?! It actaully feels like everything is speeding up though . . .not slowing down. Well, I'm trying to make it my best . . .we have a busy week ahead  . . . .2 Splitz . . .here and in Pietarsaari, my final District Meeting, and basically final everything. Woa.

I got my flight plans . . . and it sounds like you didn't! hmm . . . I don't know why. To be honest I don't even have them on my right now. I put them back in the envelope and put it ina drawer so it wouldn't destract me, haha. But I know that I have 2 layovers . . . in London and Seattle . . .then I will arrive in Anchorage at around 10:30 PM the evening of Thursday November 3rd (Alaska time). You should be getting all that info soon . .  .but I don't know.

This past week we had some interesting things happen. Our Vietnamese investigator, Ha, is progressing well . . .although she still didn't show up for church yesterday. We are teaching her everything from scratch . . .so this past teach was all about Faith.

Our other investigator, Deo, is also doing well . . .he's even doing a bit of missionary work himself! He's trying to bring one of his buddies that seems interested in learning more too. In our last teach with him we taught about Hope, since his baptism is delayed until he gets married which can't happen until he gets some paperwork straightened out with the Finnish and Thailand governements . . .since his wife is Thai. We read some scriptures on hope, and on what type of things we hope for. It went pretty well.

On Saturday there was an event in the city called Maailman Päivä (World Day). Different companies and organizations got to set up a table decorated with their stuff and the public came and walked around and looked at it. We got to reserve a table and set one up too. With the awesome help of the senior missionary couple here, the Bergs, it turned out great! (see picture) It lasted for 3 hours, all the while there was different music and dancing from different cultures around the world. We set up a huge board in back of us with a picture of the Savior, and set some copies of The Book of Mormon, pamphlets, and cards in different languages on the table. We also had a slideshow running showing pictures of familes, temples, and Jesus Christ. In the end, we have away 4 copies of The Book of Mormon, got a phone number, and got an address!! Not bad at all for just standing there! :)

Elder Berg discovered an amazing hamburger joint out in the farm lands outside of Vaasa and decided to take us there for a DA. Afterwards we drove to a close by Meteor Site, where apparently a huge meteorite struck millions of years ago . . .from the sky you can tell where it is. In the crater, it's said to have the best farming land in Finland. Sorry, couldn't find any meteor rocks to take home, haha.

Today I have to send the AP's a 'Departing Message' that will be printed in our mission's annual pamphlet that gets sent around to all of us, the Suomen Valo. It's kind of hard to sum up 2 years of service into a couple paragraphs, haha. Also today we have to put the winter tires on the car . . . I can't believe it's that time of year already!

I live for the moments where time stands still, a quietness pierces the air, and the powers and heaven and earth touch the human heart. In a period of 2 years they are plenty . . .but, as life goes . . . I had to go through heaven and hell to get to those tiny moments. It makes missionary work worth it. It makes me want to jump back out there and stare adversity in the eye, just so I can be ready when those moments come again. I know Jesus Christ stands at the head of this His work. The Spirit is the key, love is the power, and Christ is the reason.

Rakkaudella,  Vanhin Watson

2 years

I feel like after all the e-mails about ranches and cowboys I should say, ''Hey howdy hey y'all!''  It sounds like it was a good experience for all.

This past week we had a few new adventures, and some of the quite unique fashion. . . . . . . let me explain . . .

So, we go to do our laundry and we come to find out that our laundry machine is broken! After lots of calls and searching, we ended up buying a new one. Miraculously it fit in the back of our car and we were able to take it home and install it. It must've been a funny sight to see: two missionaries carrying a washing machine down the street (because we couldn't find a closer parking space. Then the tricky part was installing it. Our bathroom is what we americans would call a closet . . . .I have no idea how the other people got that old machine into the bathroom in the first place! The sink and the shower and the toilet were all blocking the way from sliding it out! We ended up tipping it over and skillfully maneuvering it through the bathroom and out into the hallway and doing the same to get the new machine in. The story is not over yet. A few days later, with the old machine still sitting in our living room as we were waiting to get rid of it, we looked at it and joked about how funny it'd be if it all of a sudden worked! So we plugged in the power cord and IT WORKED!!! We have no idea how. So now we have 2 laundry machines! The Mission Office has told us just to donate it to the branch and see if they can find a need for it.  Just a fun little story about the random experiences in missionary service. :P

As far as the rest of the week goes . . . .

We were able to go to a tiny tiny town called Teuva and be at the local high school . . .complete with all 80 students, haha. We sat in on 2 English Classes and were able to answer questions and talk about American life, then lastly, we got to be in the Religion Class and present about our church. It was a pretty cool experience.

We did some work in an area known to have a lot of college students and found a new investigator AND set a baptismal date with her! She is from Vietnam, has been here for 4 years, and is about to graduate. She has absolutely no religious background so we are teaching everything from scratch, just like I did in Espoo with Jing, a Chinses investigator that got baptized right after I left. It's cool to have stuff like this going on still, even in the last weeks of my mission. I hope it helps me stay focused. :)

A previous investigator that we had randomly showed up for institute this past week! He was way solid, then he just disappeared and no one could make contact for over a month. We still haven't seen or talked with him, but it sure lifted our spirits to hear he came back!

We are teaching a recent convert from China and we had a really good teach with him this past week. He is soo stressed out with school and life that he is unintentionally neglecting other parts of his life. For example, he studies for up to 10 hours a day every day!! And he only has 3 classes!! His sleeping schedule is all messed up too. We were able to talk to him and remind him of how the gospel can help relieve the stress and bring the peace that we all need. It went really well. I even learned some things too.

While we were out on the streets searching, a lady stopped US. She told us that in high school a member of our church had given her a Book of Mormon, but over the years she lost it. We happily gave her another one and she was extremely grateful for it. We are in high hopes that we can meet with her soon and continue sharing the message that good member missionary started all those years ago.

Time is running low, literally in 2 senses. Can you believe that I hit my 2 YEAR MARK as a missionary this past week?!! Unreal.  I'm grateful for this time I have had and for the time I still have to make a difference in someone's life in this part of the Lord's flock. Best wishes to all,

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

the fulness of our time

You'd think that just once I could e-mail you and tell you that it was just another normal week in the work . . . . . .well, if that ever comes, it's not going to be today. :)

So, we were out of our city for the most part of the week. Last minute, we found out that I have a meeting in Helsinki that I need to be at to train the Zone Leaders and District Leaders. Well, it kind of screwed up our plans so we had to squoosh everything together . . . meaning . . . . .we already had Splitz planned in Kokkola and a District Meeting the next day, so we had to mesh all that into one day. I had very little preparation time for this District Meeting, but I have to say that it was one of the best. Just goes to show how the Lord knows each and every one of us and He will always provide the way. I titled it, ''The Fulness of Our Time.'' I chose to teach about the subject of 'Time' due to the talk given in General Conference by Elder Ardern of the Seventy . . . I loved it. There's a scripture in Ecclessiastes chapter 3. I took that scripture and, well, added to it by listing stuff we do in missionary work and in life that effect our time, whether for good or for evil. All in all, I really enjoyed teaching it and it seemed like the rest of the District enjoyed it as well.

That same day, we stayed in Kokkola and did a little splitz with the elders there, Elder Clegg and Elder Ingersoll. Both are such hard working, skilled missionaries.

The next morning we drove back to Vaasa (a 1h 30 min journey), then hopped on a train to Turku to spend the night there ( a 4h 30 min trek). Then the next morning, Elder Christianson (an MTC friend) and I got on a train to Helsinki (a 2 h journey) for our meeting while our companions stayed together in Turku for the day. Turku, by the way, is a city I've wanted to see my whole mission, I was glad to finally see it. It's big, it's old, and it's beautiful.

The leadership council we attended was held in President and Sister Rawlings' home. There, as the leadership of the mission, we counseled and learned together so see how we could further the work. A miracle occured: As a council, we decided to set some new Standards of Excellence for the mission . . .  . now, the Mission Pres only has the final say, but he opened it up to us for suggestions. After a while we finally agreed on some new goals, and, low and behold, it turns out that they were the SAME GOALS Pres. Rawlings and the AP's set together in their own council meeting earlier!!!!! Just goes to show how the Spirit guides the work. It was truly inspired. 

At the end of the meeting, Pres. Rawlings showed us a video, I think off of Mormon Messages . . .I love those . . . .by Elder Holland about 'sanctifying yourselves.' Also inspiring.   The mission is changing so rapidly that sometimes it's hard to keep up! The younger missionaries are coming into the field more prepared than ever before, and already speaking Finnish quite well too . . . . putting us Veterans running for our graves, haha. I'm so proud to be a witness of this change . . . in fact, to be a pioneer OF THE CHANGE. I have great faith and hope that it will continue.

Back in Vaasa, we got back at noon on Saturday . . . the Lord also provided for us, despite the fact that we were gone most the week. We got let in by a family!!! A really, really nice family!! Young parents, 2 kids (3 and 8) and a good discussion with them in their home. We answered a few of their questions and we are going back this week. To top things off, we had a great member missionary bring his friend to church on Sunday! This same member has had around 5 of his friends be baptized within the past year and he's telling us that he knows more that could be interested! Member missionary work, we ALL have a part. All means ALL.

In Fast and Testimony Meeting I realized that this was my last one in Finland, as a missionary. I couldn't pass up the chance and got up to bear my testimony. Everyone says that the last few weeks are the slowest . . . .but to me they are going by faster and faster. I am so grateful to be here. I wish I could relate it all to you better, but know that I love you.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

Yleiskonferenssi

It feels like this is a true ''sprint to the end'' because it seems like there is so much to do and so much to plan for and so much has already happened!! We're keeping busy. This past week we made the long drive up to Oulu for a Zone Conference, probably my last. They always feel like they are getting better and better. The main topic was Prayer and really, how we should be utilizing it and doing it better. I learned a lot. The mission has changed so much in the last few years that sometimes I really do feel old when I find out that I'm only one of a few witnesses to that. 

 

Pres. Rawlings asked a couple of us who are leaving to share our departing testimonies to conclude the meeting. I was the first. I can honestly say that I have never born testimony that felt so spiritually guided as I did at that time. I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel and of the work. It has carried me through the thick and thin of the time I have spent here. 

 

General Conference was AMAZING!! The satellite transmision wasn't working at our chapel, but luckily it was being broadcast live through the internet, so we were still able to see all of it. I don't have time to say all that I liked about it, but, Elder Holland pulled off another classic and Pres. Monson's enthusiasm, facial expressions, testimony, and wisdom were very comfortable and enjoyable. Also, at the end of one of the sessions the choir sang, I Believe in Christ. I love how the choir sang it with such power and emotion, putting their very testimonies into the song. I noticed the emotions of many of them while they sang, and even in the room where I was watching. Go MoTab!!!!!

 

As much as I would like to copy my 20 pages of conference notes onto this e-mail, I won't. I have already been reviewing them and I urge all of you to do the same.

 

Back in Vaasa, we were able to meeet with our baptismal date and teach about the Plan of Salvation. The recent convert that was present, also one of my favorite members, was a big help in the lesson. Members are so important in this work! Without them, the missionary force would be experiencing major set-backs and slow progress. 

 

While finding, we found an awesome family! They were blown away that we could speak Finnish, seeing how they work with foreigners all the time. They were very nice and actually quite interested . . . but since they were putting the kids to bed, we have to go back some other time. I look forward to it! We've been praying to find more families! 

While up in Oulu, I found out that there is yet MORE traveling in my future. This coming Friday I will be headed to Helsinki AGAIN for some leadership training! Right before however, I have to hold a District Meeting AND splitz with some missionaries! Busy busy busy.

 

Well, I best be off. Sorry, it kind of feels like I didn't fill you in on anything . . . I'm still on a conference high!! How grateful I am to be enlisted in the mighty work of angels! I know it's powerful message of truth, hope, love, and faith will fill the Earth. I love you all. I pray for you as I ask you to pray for me.

 

Paljon Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

 

p.s. Kiitos kirjeestäsi Seth!!! Thanks for the letter Seth!!!!! I'm going to write you back.

getting colder

No heiiiii!!

 

Another week of thrills and chills has past in the adventures of Elder Watson and Co. Time for a lil filler-in of the highlights of this past week:

 

-It was my birthday!! I took myself and my comp out to lunch at a restaraunt called Amarillos . . .it's kinda like a Mexican Grill. Pretty good. All in all, it was a good one. I'm especially grateful that I was able to spend it here in the service of others. I can't believe I'm 21 . . . like I said in my most recent letter home . . . I think I could still pass as a 16 year old, haha.

-I had to translate one day for the seminary class. The usual teacher was sick, so Elder Berg, the senior missionary here, was asked to teach . . . .so I had to translate for him, both the things he taught, and the things the class would say back to him. It was pretty fun.

-I think I have mentioned in the past, but we have a great group of recent convert members. We were able to meet with a few of them this past week and just refresh their minds of the things they learned before their baptisms. One of them just came back from China, and he presents the most heartfelt questions about the gospel I have ever seen. It's noticable he thinks about this all the time. Another convert from Africa is struggling to make a living here and won't ask for help. He starves himself because he has no money and he is waiting to be accpeted in the local university in the winter. The branch brought him groceries and will continue to do it. I think he is one of my most favorite people I have met on my mission. His name is Prosper, from Tanzania, and he is extremely musically talented at the guitar and piano . . . . he can just listen to something and mimic it on the guitar or piano perfectly! He is so humble and so nice, a great example to me. I'm glad to see he is getting helped out.

-We found out that one of our investigators, Deo, plays basketball once a week with a bunch of friends . . . so . . .in an effort to meet these friends we tagged along with him on Friday night. Most all of them are foreigners, but most all of them were pretty good at basketball. We made good friends with them and hopefully we can meet with a few of them soon. My comp and I even got to shoot some hoops with them and I have to say, even though they were good . . . we still represented the USA pretty well, despite the fact that it has been nearly 2 years since I've played!! haha

-We had a DA with a part-member couple that served us Root-Beer Floats for dessert!! It was a big surprise and very yummy. Root Beer is scarce here, and many don't even know what a Root Beer Float is. haha, random thought I know

-We set a Baptismal Date with one of our newer investigators!! For now it's just set as a goal. He's from India, and he's been coming to FHE and YSA activities and even came to church yesterday!

 

I think that's enough updates for now . . . . .time is always short.  This week we are driving to Oulu for a Specialized Training Meeting for the whole zone. I'm excited for that! Then, of course, Yleiskonferenssi!!!! (General Conference) I'll only miss the Sunday Afternoon session.

 

I've been humbled a few times this past week to see the hand of the Lord guiding me in this work. In one instance, at a door, there was a woman whose mother had just died the night before. I tried to tell her of our conforting message about eternal families, but she graciously declined. He can place us in the right places, but He cannot force the results we always desire . . .people have thier agency. But it was cool to see how we were placed there for her at that time. Another instance was yesterday. Our plans got all mixed up and we ended up driving around looking for places to knock doors. I almost parked in one place, but didn't feel good about it so I drove on and finally ended up parked in a big parking lot in front of a huge apartment complex. Instead of starting in the A stairwell, I felt we should start in the B stairwell instead. The first door we knocked just so happened to want to let us in AND she was a good friend of the man with whom we set a baptismal date the day before! 

 

I know the Lord stands at the head of this work. I bear witness that it is true. I love it. I love my mission and the time, lessons, and experiences He has given me. I know Jospeh Smith to be the Prophet of the Restoration in these latter days. The Lord took a boy who had never prayed vocally in his life (see JSH. . .I never knew that!) and turned him into a powerful instrument in the hands of God.

 

Love you all. Kiitos kaikesta!

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

21 huh? tuota tuota

Wow, I can't believe that the Alaska Crew got my letter already . . . i sent it less than a week ago!! Fun stuff. yay for Finnish Posti. :)

 

Well, here we go again . . . . . What a week. We had some interesting experiences this past week. Just to show you how interesting they were, I'll list a few, in no particular order:

- After a long day of finding, we were walking around the streets of Vaasa looking for people to talk to when a car pulled over to talk to us. You will never guess who it was . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .the Red Bull Girls, hahaha. Yup, the car was decked out in Red Bull advertisements with two girls driving around handing out free Red Bulls. For us Die Hard Mormon people let me explain, Red Bull is an energy drink. . . . . . .'it gives you wings.' . . . .ohhhhh. Yup. Pretty funny experience. 

-We got my companion his first ever let-in of his mission. The man ended up not being interested, but we had a good little lesson with him. He even had a Book of Mormon from years ago, and was quite a fan of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

-we had a DA . . . . a typical Finnish meal before going to bed, sandwiches and hot chocolate. us Americans would call that a bed-time snack, but these Finns called it dinner. At the end, the teenager popped out some of his A&W Root Beer (Root Beer is pretty rare here and really expensive) and he shared his last can of it with us, haha. Soem Finns think Root Beer tastes like toothpaste . . . can you believe that!? What toothpaste are they using?!

-No Change Calls came. I now know where I will be for the last 6 weeks of my mission, Vaasa. Weird thought that there is going to be no more transfers. 

-we spent our Sunday in our visiting city, Seinäjoki. We went to church there, so with us a a couple guests, our total number of people present was around 12. After church, our Pres. and Sis Rawlings came and held a fireside with the members, so we were able to be there for that too. They did it all in Finnish, can you believe that? They have only been here for a couple months!! I love them, they are so great.

-There is a sister coming into Finland from Alaska! She is from the Denali Branch . . . apparently her Dad is the Branch President there. fun stuff. Finns love Alaska.

-We were able to got in some teaches this past week too, and even picked up a couple new investigators! Sibi is a young man from India. he has been coming to FHE and the YSA activities, so we were finally able to teach him. Pentti has been taught before, but not for a few months. He is old and has cancer . . . that man loves to talk. Then Deo is an investigator who is progressing quite well . . . just needs to get married before he can get baptized. Then Lin Yu is a recent convert from China. He has awesome questions and insights. Since he was in China for 6 months, we are teaching him again to refresh his memory.

 

Sorry for just sticking to the list format every time, but I find it easier. :) My fingers are cold, so it's slowing my typing. Yep, it's getting cold here. I should get going, but ensiks . . . . . Paljon kiitoksia teille kaikille kaikesta. Arvostan ja rakastan teitä koko sydämestäni. Toivon kaikkea hyvää teille tälle tulevalle viikolle.

 

Thank you for all your birthday wishes. I am humbled to spend it in the service of my fellow beings. Love ya more than MoTab on Sunday car trips and missions.

 

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

Sprint to the End

There is an elder in my mission who calls me every once in a while to fill me in on District Leader responsibilities . . . but everytime he calls he just has to tell me the number of days I have left as a missionary. Ahh, I won't tell you, but I can't believe it's ending so fast! Pres Rawlings sent us all a letter this past week, to those who will be leaving with me, and it basically entailed his encouragement to 'sprint to the end.'  There is still lots of work to be done, so I am trying my best to 'sprint to the end.'

 

It was a week full of ups and downs. It was only down because we are in a bit of a finding drought right now. We keep finding new people that become good potentials, but we are just trying to find people that will become new investigators! Even our teaching pool at the moment is shrinking, since our current investigators are leaving, dropping, or just can't meet right now. So, we do have a lot of work on our hands, in a sense, to FIND. I am optimistic though. From day 1 in Vaasa I could feel the potential and the hope in this city. It feels as though something big is about to happen . .  .don't you love those feelings?!

This past Wedesday, our Zone Leaders drove down to Vaasa and together, we went and held a counsel with the District President (like Stake President but we don't have a stake up here) who lives here in Vaasa. It went quite well. It was cool to relay our goals and hear about his and try to unify ourselves to furthering the work here in the district. He is a great man, President Näsman.

 

On Thursday we drove down to our visiting city, Seinäjoki, to give a presentation about our church to a high school class. Seinäjoki used to be open to missionaries, but the work was slow and the branch there is super small and the number of missionaries in Finland was shrinking, so they had to be pulled out. The school present went well, probably one of the best I've been at. It was the oldest group I've ever taught, they being a group of about 15 averaging around 18 years old. We didn't have any pictures or a powerpoint or anything to show them except a copy of the Book of Mormon and ourselves. We followed a simplified version of the First Lesson and threw in some facts and basic beliefs that we had. In the end, about 10 of the 15 accepted a free copy of the Book of Mormon!! Good experience.

 

On Friday we held my second District Meeting as a district leader. it was here in Vaasa. I think it went quite well. I titled it 'Consecration Determines Elevation.' . . . me speaking about consecration obviously. Elder Christoffersons conference talk 'Reflections on a Consecrated Life' was a good guide for me and a few other things were used as well. Afterwards, a recent convert, who is also a chef, made us lunch, . . . . a delicious cabbage soup. It really was pretty good. . . . doesn't sound good I know, haha.

 

Speaking of food, we had a couple of interesting DA's this past week. In one, only crepes were served . . . .yummmmm . . . and the other was with an awesome family. In this family are 2 blind boys .  .both extremely talented and cool. They were such a happy family I think it just made my day watching them. :)

 

This coming Sunday we will be back in Seinäjoki since the branch there wants us to give talks. That same night, Pres and Sis Rawlings will be holding a fireside there . . . introducing themselves to the members, pumping them up for the work and the miracles about to happen here.

 

We have an investigator, Deo, who was in church yesterday. He should be baptized but since he is not officially married, it's preventing him. We had a teach with him and the branch president was present. We talked about marriage and plans are under way to get a civil marriage done so that he can be baptized!

 

Time is short again. But thank you again for your updates, encouragement and love. I admire each and everyone of you so much and send my love.

 

For you anxious souls, since I've been asked a few times recently from a few of you . . . . . . I fly home November 3 and will probably be traveling for a good 24 hours before I land in Anchorage because of layovers and stuff. I don't have any more details yet . . . just what I've heard so far. So the secret is out, but my heart is still here in Finland! Who knows, Change Calls are this Saturday . . .maybe I'll be transferred again, haha. We'll see. Lord, Thy Will be Done.

 

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

Spiritual Overdose

Well, this past week was honestly one of the coolest weeks of my mission . . . how many times have I said that before?!  The title of my e-mail says it all, ''Spiritual Overdose.'' On Wednesday we were in Helsinki at a leadership meeting that lasted most the day. Elder Texiera of the 70 and the Area Presidency was present and was able to train us and teach us. As much as I'd like to transfer my 12 pages of notes over to all of you . . . I can't, so you'll have to take my word for it when I said that it was great!! To make things even better, that same night, we were placed on a night train (yup, a train with beds and all) and sent up to Oulu where our Zone Conference was going to be held the next day. Elder Texiera was also present there, so for 2 full days we were richly instructed, trained, and edified by a general authority and our leaders, namely Pres. Rawlings . . .who never ceases to amaze me as he leads us here in Finland. As the meeting was coming to a close, Pres. Rawlings pretty summed it up quite nicely when he said, ''It is a rare opportunity to sit at the feet of prophecy (as you have today . . . embrace it!)'' Throughout both of the meetings, a lot of blessings, promises, and challenges were made, a few even stated by the power of the priesthood. It was such a great experience family, I'm telling you. Even all the Elders from my MTC group were there!! (see pic)

Even at the start of the meetings, when Pres and Sis Rawlings and Elder and Sis Texiera walked around and shook our hands, Sis Rawlings stopped at me and gave me some really nice, sincere compliments which I really treasure now. That was nice of her.

Just when I thought it was all over . . . .it wasn't. I was able to get an interview in with Pres. Rawlings so that I could renew my temple reccomend. Afterwards, we got to talk and I got some good advice and updates and time to talk with President. Then from there, he walked me down the hallway and told me that I'm next in line, pointing to the closed door, and he left. When the door opened, there was Elder Texiera inviting me in for an interview!!!! Turns out he was able to interview a few of us, but not all. I never thought I'd get an interview with a general authority!! It went quite nicely. I was able to ask him questions and he answered, and he gave me some counsel and advice. At the end, he told me to tell the family back home hi for him, so, ''Hello, from Elder Texiera to you all!''

It's not over yet. That same day, instead of heading home, we went to Kokkola so that I could hold Splitz there with the Elders the next day. So I was able to learn from that experience too.

So, back in Vaasa, finally, we were still able to get a couple teaches to end the week and then get a new investigator to church on Saturday! That's always a good feelign to see someone NEW in church! :)  There was a baby blessing so a lot of non-member visitors were present for the Fast and Testimony Mtg. I have to translate the meetings into English for the English speakers . . (not many of them) . . but regardless of that I went up and too kmy chance to testify, especially to all those non-members. It was a gooood day. :)  

Random: Last P-Day we were walking by a shop when I took a double take and saw a Christus Statue in the window . . . . . I bought it!! haha . . awesome!

Well, time is short, again. Another week ahead . . .and I'm kinda getting sick, ug. But, we have a District meeting this coming Friday here in Vaasa, so I've also got to prepare for that. But, anyways, thank you all for everything! I'll leave you with a short phrase from Jeremiah 20:9 . . . . fire in your bones . . . yup, that's what I feel like right now . . . excited to build the Lord's Kingdom here on Earth . . with fire in my bones! May we all feel likewise!!

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

Elder Watson sang as he walked, and walked, and walked, and waaaalllked

Well, It was a week of hard work and lots and lots and lots of walking. Yup. We tried hard this week: visiting a less-active, potential investigators, former investigators, other investigators, etc etc etc. In the end, hardly anyone was home or no one could meet this week, so, we went with Plan B and went Finding. Since we don't really have a car anymore, and no bikes, we had to walk a lot. One day, we had a teach set up a 2 and a half hour walk away and we were 15 minutes in to our walk when we finally found a ride with a member, whew, haha. There were many fruits for our labor though. We did collect some more potentials and hopefully when we go back we'll be able to harvest. Tis the season, right?! Speaking of which, get this . . . . . the Finns celebrate the END of Summer . . . . . .and not even the END of Winter . . . . . MITÄ?!! haha  It was crazy to see. On Saturday night fireworks were going off into the early morning. We had no idea why until somebody explained it to us in church. Welcome to the North, haha.

We've got a busy week ahead. Elder Texiera (sp?) of the Area Presidency, and also of the 70 I believe, is coming to Finland to tour the mission. All the DL's and ZL's are being called down to Helsinki for a leadership meeting with him. Then, the following day, he will come and visit our Zone at a Zone Conference . . . .which means after my meeting in Helsinki, I will catch a night train to Oulu to be at the conference the following day . . . .whew. Should be awesome.  Then, after Zone Conference, we'll be spending the following day in Kokkola so I can hold a Splitz with the missionaries there. 

 

School is starting up here in Vaasa too. Which means a bunch of the converts that were taught here are coming back to Vaasa after going home for the summer. Most of them are Chinese. There have been TONS of Chinese baptisms here lately. They keep inviting their friends! :)

That's all I have time for for today. Gotta go. Thanks for your updates and love. Keep it coming! :)  I'll leave you with a quote I found this morning from Pres Harold B. Lee, ''Happiness comes not from what happens on the outside, but from what happens on the inside.''   Remember that the Lord looketh upon the heart, so we should start there and then work our way out. I love you all and wish you another happy week. I sent some pics. Eden is still the ONLY one that returns the favor. tisk tisk

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

pä svenksa?

Hei fäm, wassup? I could sense a lot of joy and happiness in today's e-mails, thank youy for that. It's always comforting to know that the family is doing well. And Dad, AWESOME picture. That thing is HUGE!!!

It's been another rollercoaster week, can you believe it? I think I say something like that every week, haha. I'm still feeling humbled by my new calling as District leader. Coming in, I only had met ONE member of my district before. The other 4 were all new to me. This past Friday, we held our first District Meeting together, and my first as a DL. I tried my best to prepare well, and, I think it went pretty good. I titled my lesson, 'Spiritual Cultivation,' as I taught about the importance about the Spirit in every aspect of our work. I'm really impressed by my district, we've got a good group of missionaries. All together, we make up 3 cities: Vaasa, Pietarsaari, and Kokkola.

I also was able to hold my first Splitz with some missionaries from my district this past week as well. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed getting to know them and work with them. It was in Pietarsaari, a VERY Swedish city. One of the missionaries there is a Swede himself, and I'm pretty sure he gets to speak swedish multiple times a day, even while I was with him he used it most of the time while I just stood there and smiled, feeling like a new missionary again, haha. On Splitz, we went and visited the small area where the country of Finland was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel. We didn't go to the actual monument, but it was cool being in the area where the church actually STARTED in Finland.

As for back in Vaasa, the work is going well. We had a few cancellations and busy investigators, so the teaches were down, but we're fixing things and this next week is looking to be a lot more promising. We have some really solid investigators and recent converts that we are working with, and, for some reason . . . .especially last night . . . I was overcome with excitement about the work here and across the country. We're trying to 'build' a stake up here in the North Zone, and with our combined effort and prayers, I know it's going to happen. Miracles are already happening.

Our Branch President is doing fine after his accident. He had surgery and is back home now and it looks like everything is goign to be fine . . . .besides the nerve damage that has left him with no feeling in parts of his arm . . . but there's a good chance it'll come back over time. The branch got together and helped him build part of his house this past week, and we are going back again this week, trying to get things caught up and ready for winter. It was fun, standing up there on the beams of his roof, building a house!

I gave a talk on Sunday in church along with the new senior missionary couple here. It went pretty well. I talked about focusing on the things that matter most and gave the example of reading the Book of Mormon. The members liked it, and I felt good about it afterwards.

A few of you aked about my address here in Vaasa:

Kirkkopuistikko 22 B 28

65100  VAASA

FINLAND

I'd better get going. Thank you to all again for your examples to me and for your time. I ask, and thank, my Heavenly Father every day for the safety and health of my loved ones . . and I'm so grateful to see that fulfilled many times as I've been away in the Lord's service. I'm also grateful for my Savior, and for everything He did, out of love, for me, and for you.  1 Nephi 19:9

Rakkaudella,  (with love)

Vanhin Watson

saw accident

Hey!!

Well, here I am, in Vaasa. Crazy!! The transition went well. One of the Zone Leaders down in Helsinki, who was also my MTC comp, stayed with us for a day because he too was getting a new companion. It was cool to serve with him for a while before I caught my train out. He's been a role model to a lot of missionaries, especially me. So, since he had a car, we had to pick-up and drop off a few other Elders at the train station since they too were being transferred. It was cool driving all around Helsinki. One night we even had to drop off an elder to catch his train at 10:30 at night! haha, it was wierd to be up ''late''.  I caught my train on Tuesday morning and was with another elder for a part of the trip. So we stuffed our bags in a little compartment and got comfy when 2 Japanese tourists came into the same compartment . . .so we had to move our luggage around to make room for them. Then, just a few minutes later 2 Finnish women also came in! Ugh, we had to get creative and move our luggage around again and make room for everyone. It was fun though. I had one train switch, so moving ALL my stuff by myself was pretty hard . . . . I have WAY too much stuff. But i made it all in one trip. I'm so excited to serve in Vaasa. I've heard soo much about this place and no that I am here, I see that it is all true. It's nice being in the city again, with a center and good layout and everything, like Joensuu was. There are a lot of foreigners here, and a lot of Swedish speakers, since we're so close to Sweden and Swedish is Finlands 2nd national language.

There is a nice branch here. The branch presidency is made up of some brothers that come from an awesome family. There is a center for Young Adults that is run by a  nice senior missionary couple who just arrived here too, the Bergs. They actually kind of stole our car here, and now they own it and we borrow it only a couple of times a week for a little bit. It's kind of confusing to work out, but it's still nice 'kinda' having a car again. It's so wierd to drive again! haha

So, it's been a crazy week. . . .one of adjustments and new faces and experiences. The Zone Leaders already came down from Oulu and had Splitz with us, which was fun. Elder Behnke, an MTC friend, and I went to a branch activity that the branch president asked us to be at. All across the city was held a Taiteiden Yö . . .Art Night. There were exhibits and concerts going on everywhere and the church decided to be a part of it, so we were invited to see if any visitors would walk in. Well, it ended up being a Rock Concert, haha. Yeah, our branch presidency is yound and extremely musically talented and they put on a rock concert . . . .not heavy metal rock or anything . . . I'm talking Coldplay style here. It was REALLY good and there were a lot of people there . . . it was just hard being a missionary in that environment, haha, and we didn't know anyone. But, the branch president wanted us to be there and we did get a few chances to talk with people. Let's just say that right afterwards, when I got home, I read a bit out of the Book of Mormon to get focused again. :P

Another crazy thing that happened was when we were doing service. We were helping our Branch President for a little bit as he is building his own house all by himself and he needed our help. He was cutting a piece of wood with an electric saw and, while using one hand to hold the wood and another hand on the saw, the saw jerked hit the arm holding the wood, just below the elbow. It cut pretty deep, probably to the bone, and it literally sent blood EVERYWHERE. I'm talking squirting here . . . it was bad . . . .and I watched it all happen. He jumped down, my companion wrapped his shirt around his arm, we popped him in our car, and sped to the nearest health center, with me holding a water bottle to his mouth because he needed water after so much loss of blood. The health center couldn't treat him, so an ambluance took him away to the hospital, but the hospital cound't treat him so they sent him in a taxi 4 hours away to Tampere where there was a specialist that could treat him and check for possible nerve damage. Last I heard, he's STILL awaiting surgery. So, crazy experience there. I think the branch is getting together tomorrow to work on his house for him, since it still has a way to go before winter hits, and there are some things that need to get done.

 

We were teaching a family from the Congo the other day. They only spoke French so we brought a member from another city along to translate for us. They ended up not being too interested, but when I alsed them if we could help them in any way, they gave a uniquie response . . . . .to teach them how to sing some of our church songs! Surprisingly they already had some of our church hymn books in french, so, together we taught them how to sing 'I am a Child of God.' It was a cool experience.

 

Alright, time to get going. Busy busy busy. My first District Meeting as District Leader is this Friday in Pietarsaari. We also have splitz with the elders there the day before. There is so much going on, but I'm happy to be here and humbled by my new calling. I already feel a deep love for my district and hope things will go well and that together we can help the work go forward at an even better rate.

 

Out of time . . . Thank you all again for your updates, upliftings, and love. Glad everyone is safe . . . even Seth after that crazy bear encounter! Keep the faith and march on!

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

ps, the pics are of me in the train compartment with mine, and the other elders' luggage.  And the other pic is taken from my apartment window! The bell rings on the hour every hour, haha.

More Changes!

Hey everyone, so. . . . just when everyone was beginning to think that Elder Watson stays in his areas for a long time . . . .that pattern has been shattered as I am being transferred! Change Calls came Saturday during our study time, which was unusual because they usually come at night. President Rawlings made all of the Calls for the mission this time instead of the AP's. 

 

Well, I'm off to a city called Vaasa, over on the West Coast up in the middle of the country. To make things even more humbling I have been asked to be the District Leader there as well. I think my heart has been beating at an irregular rate ever since I got the call. Just as things were finally getting comfy in Espoo, boom, I'm outta here. I am truly brought down in thanks for all of my many blessings and experiences that I have had here, and in such short a time. The Lord now has a plan for me elsewhere, as a leader, in a new area, with new opportunities awaiting. It's a tender mercy. I hope and pray my new district will be ready because I will need them as much I they might need me. 

 

I leave tomorrow morning. I think Vaasa even has a car there. :)  Also, a new missionary couple has been placed in Vaasa to head the awesome youth center up there, so that'll be cool to work with them.

 

So, for a last week in Espoo things went really well. We did a bit more service, got some cool new investigators . . .and a referral now with a baptismal date, and a good handful of other progressors. The work moves fast here, and it is moving forward at an ever increasing rate all across the country. I'm so blessed to be a part of it and witness it for myself. I bore my testimony in Fast and Testimony Meeting and said goodbye, and it was just one of those moments where I don't remember much of what I said, or of what I tesified, I didn't think about it, I just opened my mouth and the scripture was fulfilled. . . . the words were given me by the Spirit. I love this work. It's so true and so real.

 

There is so much to say but no time to explain! But I'll leave you with a man's desription of he thinks the Bible really means. . . .

 

Best Information Before Leaving Earth . . . .haha . . . the scriptures are truly the best information and source for happiness and salvation. Read them. Searth them. Love them. And the Lord will reward thee openly.

 

Thank you for everything. You're all great! Sorry,this is short, but I gotta go.

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

Sacrifice

Well, I'm e-mailing a day late because I had to go renew my Visa yesterday at the police station and we had to wait in line for FIVE AND A HALF HOURS before my number was called!!!!! Talk about P-Day domination. Good news is though that I got my Visa and it all went smoothly . . . .just slowly. Brought back memories of waiting in line at Disneyland, haha. All the wait for a 3 minute ride.

 

I know I say this EVERY week, but it was another good one. We have just been getting busier and busier and the work continues to progress. Even this week we have a lot to get done and a lot of appointments . . .tis life in the big city. 

 

So, I gave a talk yesterday in church. It was the biggest congregation of Saints I have seen since I left home, haha. So speaking in front of a big crowd was a bit nerve-racking. It's weird that I feel so much more comfortable in the streets and with complete strangers when talking about the gospel than I do in front of a congregation of Saints, haha. I was asked to speak about Sacrifice. It went well. I tried to put a positive spin on the subject. I also found an awesome quote from Joseph Smith that said something along the lines of how ''God's church HAS TO require much of it's members, or how else would we be ready for the eternities?! '' Sacrifice is an essential part of life. I'm so grateful for the many sacrifices you all make, and have already made, as you continue to follow the will of the Father and not your own. 

 

For some reason we have been doing a lot more service lately. Yesterday, after a half day at the police station getting my Visa, we changed clothes and helped a member move apartments. Her new place is only a couple blocks away from the temple, I'm so jealous. Then we did even more service when we helped some members 40 minutes away do some remodeling and cleaning. And today we are going back to help them again! I'm grateful for the chance to serve  . . . . and show the world my awesome tan-line on my neck when I wear a regular t-shirt, haha. 

 

Some interesting experiences we had this week were:

-teaching an investigator in the guest house built right next to the temple.

-gave blessings to a family going through a hard time and asked for help from us. 

-got Dad's little package . . . THANK YOU . . . .and have been enjoying some new music ever since. :)

-talking in english with some men in the street and then we broke into Finnish when we found out they were actually Finns and they were blown away that we speak their language . . . I still love it when that happens. :P

-an investigator came to church for his first time and he and a recent convert hit it off really well. 

-our baptismal date got delayed a couple weeks instead of being this weekend. We feel good about it though and so does she. At the end we had a kneeling closing prayer which she gave and it was amazing!

 

Well, there's my week in a nut-shell. Thanks again to all of you for all you do. I'm glad to hear about all your experiences and joys you've had over the past week and I hope they continue. I know that this is the restored gospel of Our Savior Jesus Christ. Sacrifice, faith, hope, charity,  . . . . . the list goes on. But hey, ''Unto whom much is given, much is required''. We have been given MUCH. I love you. 

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson 

Blueberries

The Blueberry season is in and boy, THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES EVERYWHERE!!! We occasionally stop and walk into the forest and pick a few to eat, they are literally everywhere! haha  random note.

 

Well, yet another week and holy cow, you all had a lot to say this week in your e-mails. Sounds like there is so much going on down there. This IS the Watson family that I am e-mailing to, right?! haha  I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well. Hope it continues as long as we all keep the 'eye of faith.'

 

To sum up all my thoughts this week I guess I'll just say most of it all in one . . .

 

-Yay for blueberries, got Shannon's package ( THANK YOU!!), I saw the ocean . . .Baltic Sea, had splitz in Hyvinkää complete with service and ice-cream, and an ever increasing and progressing teaching pool here in Espoo.

 

There you have it, I should just close and call it a day, but I'll keep going just cuz I love ya. :P

 

We are still teaching a lot and we have even more teaching appointments scheduled already for this week. Most all of our investigators have shown some good progress and I'm excited and grateful for all that has been going down. We have a chinese investigator who still has her baptismal date set for next week! And then after church, a recent convert came up to us and told us that her daughter (standing at her side) also wants to learn, investigate, and be baptized, . . . sooo . . . . ''Aren't there some lessons or something she has to hear first . . does that sound alright . . .do you guys have time?'' haha. . . .we were all like . . . .''hmmm . . .i don't know, let me think about that for a second . . umm . . .YES!!!!!''  The church is great! We have been praying so that we will find more families to teach and more future priesthood holders and now we are being blessed for it.

 

Sorry, I really don't know what else to say about my week. . . . umm . . . .it really was great, but not much else to report on!

 

We had a District Meeting in which we learned about how to become better gospel studiers. We found an awesome quote in Preach My Gospel that reads,

 

'For you to grow in the gospel and stay on the path that leads to eternal life, you need to develop a habit of gospel study.''

 

. . . .WOW. In the middle of our hectic, busy lives, are we still taking time to study the precious truths that Our Father in Heaven has given us? . . and I don't mean just on Sundays. Maybe that could be a challenge to us all. . . to develop a habit of gospel study. Study is much much more than reading. It is searching, pondering, and diving into these resources which have been geven us. I know we can all do it, no matter who we are our what our circumstances may be. With Nephi I remind you that the Lord ALWAYS prepares a way to keep His commandments.

 

Thank you all for your love, your patience, and your time. I hope I can repay you all somehow because I have been tremendously blessed. 

 

Kiitos kaikesta and hyvää jatkoa.

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

He taught by healing

Hei Fäm!! As always, it was good reading your e-mails this week and I already can't wait to read them next week! My week has been quite busy and always quite the roller-coaster as I try to work in a busy environment and with some willing investigators. As I look back on what has happened so far I just think of the quote by Pres. Monson, ''The Lord shapes the back to bear the burdens placed upon it.'' How true. The Lord's hand is evident in this work . . . I don't know how it could work any other way! I'll try to tell you about my week:

 

-Busy. We had lots'o'teaches and lots to plan for .  .an adjustment I am still getting used to, haha. Our investigators are doing well and we made a lot of good progress with all of them this week . . . .one even set a baptismal date!! She is the wife of a less-active member. She's Chinese and sooo willing and wanting to believe in God. We set a baptismal date with her as a goal and urged her to pray about it. We are still in the beginning stages and need to teach her A LOT before she can be baptized, but she is ready, and wants to learn. Another one of our investigators is from Nigeria, working here as a nurse. He is so ready to give-in to the Lord's will at a moments notice and also wants to know if this is true. It's amazing to see how he prioritizes his life, putting God first, then work and all else. We are teaching 2 families as well, one a french-only speaking family from the Congo. We brought a member along with us who served his mission in France back in the year 2000 I think . . . hasn't even spoken French since then, but he translated for us and did amazingly well! Me, taking 4 years of french in school, haha, counted to 20 and introduced myself in French  and that's about all I could remember, haha. The other family is half Finn half Peruvian. The mom makes us food everytime we come and we end up eating before and after our teach! Apparently Peruvians LOVE Jello, so she made us some. Someone should ask Uncle Eddy if he likes Jello, haha.

We had other teaches and experiences, but, in short, I think we are finally getting these people progressing and helping them understand what we do and why this is important.

 

-We have District Meetings every week down here, which is new for me. This past week happened to be the time that Pres. Rawlings and his wife and an AP accompanied us. We were able to have our first interviews with Pres. Rawlings, learn from him, and get to know this amazing man better. The man is so dedicated and trying soo hard to get off to a good start that everyone is taking notice, even the members. It really means a lot to us, and it wouldn't be possible without the miracle Pres and Sis Brown worked here earlier. The mission, and the work, continue to soar. 

 

   In district meeting we learned about how 'Jesus taught by healing.' That is how he got His 'investigators'. So the question was proposed, 'Are we 'healing' before we leave someone's presence, no matter who it may be?' My comp and I had a good experience in trying it out. We were tracting and a lady answers and says she's got her own beliefs and what not and was ready to shut the door. . . so I just quickly told her how we have a message about families and how we can live with them forever. At that moment her whole attitude changed and she started to cry, telling us that her young daughter just died. She reached into her pocket and showed us a picture she took on her cell phone of her daughters tomb-stone, with the sun setting in the background and a ray of sunshine cutting across the picture and resting on the tomb-stone. I testified to her that she will see her again. She thanked us sincerely and bid us good bye. It was such an amazing experience, one I never want to forget. Even though she said no, we were still able to 'heal' her broken heart before we left. 

 

   We learned about the story of Gideon told starting on the book of Judges 6. The Lord used him to defeat the Midionites not by using 22,000 men, or 10,000 men, but just 300. Just as the Lord is not using 500 missionaries, or 150 missionaries, but just 54 missionaries here in Finland to fight in God's Army. In both cases, the will of the Lord was and IS accomplished. 

 

   One last thought of something that I've learned recently is of the 'faith to serve' and the 'faith to accomplish' and how they are different. We all generally have the 'faith to serve' : callings, missions, etc. . . . we accept them and do it. But the 'faith to accomplish' is BEing your calling and DOing it with all energy of heart, might, mind, and strength. A missionary can serve, yes, but the goal is salvation for these people through the waters of baptism, eli, bringing them unto Christ . . .accomplishing. Is their any way we, personally, can 'accomplish' in our daily tasks, jobs, callings, etc rather than just doing them as we are told?   This thought has helped me . . . maybe it can help one of you. :P

It was quite the surprise when I get a call yesterday during my studies and Larry Call was on the other end, haha. He was sooo close to where I was and he didn't even know it, but they were already driving back to Helsinki when he called. It was good hearing from him and being able to relay a small messge a love to all of you through him.

 

tuota tuota . . . niin . . . .I need all your help to get me all signed up at BYU . . .since I won't be there to do it. Just a heads up.

 

I need to go. I love you. I love my mission. I love my Savior. Let us 'heal' as He did.

 

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

PS           HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDEN AND SETH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sent ya letters!

Espoo

Alright I made it through my first full week in Espoo and I'm still alive! It's so wierd being in such a huge area, but I am adjusting well and I think I am finally getting to know how to get around. We had a good week, mixed with a few meetings and teaches. As a Zone we had a meeting titled, 'Meet the President' haha, classy huh. President and Sister Rawlings are awesome!! They are really getting started with a bang and I am already hearing comments from the members here that they are impressed. Pres Rawlings is eager to jump right in and waste no time. I'm sure everyone feels the same way about their Mission Presidents, but I've been blessed with the best ones. I'm excited to work along side him here in this great work. As I am also excited that we have a District Meeting and our first interviews with him this week!!!

So, on July 4th, an American family invited us over for a DA!! Ah, we were so excited and gratful for that opportunity! The dad works at the US Embassy here, so now he and his beautiful family are attending our ward. It was soo wierd being around so much Americans again . . . missionaries don't count, haha. We had hamburgers and hot-dogs and potato-salad, and Doritos, haha . . . (haven't seen those in a while), and more. So good! We all went around the table and mentioned something that we miss about America or that we are grateful for about America. So basically, we were trying hard NOT to get homesick that night, haha.

 

I bought a legit European suit!! I know that I already told you I did that a few months ago, but, turns out, I had the wrong size and the one I had was pretty much still American! haha  I'll send a picture.

 

It's still been pretty hot here, and I think it's been predicted that the rest of the summer is going to be hot and dry . . . yaaay. :\   My companion had a talk yesterday in church and his back was all wet while giving his talk, suit and all, because it was soo hot. NO AIR CONDITIONING!!!

 

It's a bit harder now-a-days to tell you about all the experiences and teaches that I have had during the past week because now there are just so much more of them! We have a handful of investigators that we are working with . . .all in the beginning stages still. It's been hard because the teaches last FOREVER because they have so many questions and we just get carried away and try the whole time to drift back on schedule and focus. But, I love these people. They are so willing and so nice! There is the family that is part Peruvian . . . they let us in, fed us pineapple and watermelon, listened to our teach, then fed us this amazing chili-stuffed potato stuff, then strawberry chesecake for desert!! Ah, they are so nice!! It was all unexpected. The mom's dad was visiting. He suffered a stroke so he can't use the left side of his body and it's hard for him to speak, so he just says 'Si' or 'No' and most of the time the family thinks he just doesn't understand anymore because he'll just say 'Si, No, Si Si, . . . . No.' But he sat in on our teach while the mom translated what we said into Spanish for her visiting cousin and dad. Every once in a while she would ask him if he believed that . . .and I'm telling you . . no lies . . . .the man said 'Si' EVERY time. he was so focused and you could tell he was interested . . . like on the inside he really wanted to participate. It was a good testimony builder for me that God prepares and loves ALL of His children, even the ones we sometimes set aside or take for granted. The mom even seems to remember that, as a child, her dad posessed a Book of Mormon and may have read it before.

 

Well, time is low again. I could still tell you about the drunk lady that worships idols and angels and doesn't get the 'water on the cows' thing in our religion (the baptismal font) hahaha. Or I could tell you about the District Meeting we had and my companions first experience with eating turkish Kebab. Or I could tell you about our teaches and some of our awesome investigators, one trying to discover God for the first time, another trying to follow Him. But, I think I'll leave you by sharing what I learned about the scriptures recently . . . . .

 

We learn in PMG that scriptures are records fo God's dealings with His children. Well, it occured to me that, well, there are SOOO many of us, and God deals with us all, that surely the records of God's dealings cannot be compacted all into ONE book!! I am soo grateful that we have more scripture from which we can learn from and enjoy! The Book of Mormon IS the word of God, just one more witness that He loves His children . . . every last one. As I love all of you! Thank you for everything!

 

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

I'm in Espoo!!

Wow, even Seth wrote me this week. :P Thanks, as always, for all your e-mails! It's been a crazy week. I know I say that every week but it is true. For one, I had to pack and move to a new area, with a new companion, new set up, new WARD (not a branch), new surroundings, new travel, new investigators, and new adventures. 

First off, I know you're all dying to know how my leg is . . . it's doing great. I limped around for a few days, and even wasn't aloud to take a shower . . . probably the first time since camping that I have NOT taken a shower in my life. It was wierd. I just had to hose down and get some here and get some there, haha. But, all is well now . . .I'm clean again and the stitches are even out. Instead of going to a doctor and having to pay, our Ward Mission Leader just took them out with some nail clippers, haha. Dan would probably laugh to hear that, but it worked!! Now it's just a scab and it's healing nicely. You should see the look on peoples faces when they hear what happened, haha. My companion back in Kouvola never wants to touch an ax again. :P

Well, I'm here in Espoo. My new companion is Elder Pope, going into his 3rd change in the country, and, thank goodness, he knows his way around the area. We take buses and trains everyday, everywhere! I'm so lost, but I think I am starting to catch on. In the few days that I have been here we have alerady acquired 4 new investigators! . . . almost more! There are people everywhere. I'm excited. We are teaching a lot more and getting to share the message a lot more. There are always things to do. One of our new investigators is a Peruvian living here because she is married to a Finn, and now has a family of her own. We got a taste of what the missionaries deal with in South America just by teaching her. . . . . now we know whay there are sooo many baptisms down there. It was AWESOME. She is so willing and so golden. Even her cousin, who was there visiting from Peru and doesn't know Finnish or English, was saying how she knows us from back home and that we have one or 2 HUGE beautiful temples there. I can't express my thoughts and feelings here that well, but, we're going back, and hopefully the fact that I have an Uncle Eddy from those parts, we'll get her progressing, :)

We now have a new mission president!! President Douglas Rawlings. We finally get to meet him in a short Zone Conference this wednesday. I hear he is from California, and a well-known lawyer. He might even have a web-site . . hint hint. Tell me what ya see. :)

It has been super hot here recently, and today has been the first cooler day in a while. Finland doesn't have air conditioning, so buses and trains and sleeping is hard and sweaty. We sleep on our apartments porch . . .we just put our beds out there, so we are basically sleeping outside in the land that doesn't get dark at night. It's fun though, and a whole lot better than inside.

In other news, there are stories and teaches to share about of all varieties, but I don't have time to share them all. But, I am adjusting well and beginning to get my feet planted here in my new area.

One last idea slash question before I leave . . . what would YOU say to those people who pull the ''Well, you were BORN in that church. . .'' Card??? Just interested to hear your feedback.

Well, the e-mail is looking choppy, must mean I gotta go, haha. Sorry, I'll try to do better but . . .I think I am still adjusting and my thoughts are everywhere. But ONE thought left would be . . as dad was telling me . . . .especially this time of year . . . .I am grateful for my freedoms and my liberties . . . for all the rights and blessings that I enjoy. I am grateful that i can worship my Savior, and serve as His representative at this time. It has been, and forever will be, more rewarding than I will ever know.

Love you all more than Layne telling me I look skinny! :)

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

AXED!

Voi että, what a week!! I don't know if I haev the time to share everything about it, at least enough to give it justice! First things first though, I'M BEING TRANSFERRED!!!!!  I really am so sad to leave . . .I love this area and this branch!! They didn't make it any easier on me yesterday when they all found out. After church, after the closing prayers and right before they were all about to head home, the members all got together in the chapel, put me in the front, they all stood and sang to me 'God Be With You till We Meet Again.'I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I almost cried. I have never felt so loved by so many people like that before, besides my family of course, but, they have become my family too, and I am sad to leave them. They presented me with a CD of a Finn that sang some church hymns, and we said our good-byes. AHH!! They make this soo hard!! I guess I should tell you where I am going . . . . . Espoo, Finland . . . just on the outskirts of Helsinki . .  . .so it's HUGE. I've never served in an area that big before: big buildings, cities, buses, trains, metros, people EVERYWHERE, etc, even the temple is in my area! :)  My new companion is Elder Pope, from Bountiful, Utah, and been in the country for only a few months . . this'll be his 3rd change in the country. I leave to Espoo tomorrow, so I've been packing like a mad-man ever since I got the call. AND . . . . .OLAVI GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! It was yesterday in Lahti, an hour away. Around 35 people showed up. Everything went very smoothly. Nothing much else to say other than everyone was all smiles, the Spirit was great, and Olavi is a stud, ready to take the next steps to eternal life. He even stood up during the program and gave a bow, haha. I'm so happy for him, and so grateful that I was able to still be here to see it.

Another thing worth mentioning about my week . . .hahahaha. . . . .ummm . . . look at the title of my e-mail. . .AXED .. . . yup. Soo, we were doing service for a less-active family, by chopping wood for them . . . .the wood was hard, so we were swinging hard. Next thing I know I hit the wood, the ax bounces off, keeps swinging . . . . and went straight for my shin!!!!  A few stitches later here I am with a 3 inch gash in my leg and a probable life-long scar.  :P  Blood was everywhere and I even got a bit whoozy and all light headed and turned white for a couple minutes before snapping back into things and they drove me to the hospital. The part that hurt the most was the shots they had to put INSIDE the gash, everything else was fine. I'll send pictures . . . . :D  Yay, for service!! The good part was, it that I was able to talk to the nurse about who I am and stuff and she was quite amazed at our Finnish, seeing how she had already dealt with a few foreigners that day. It all went smoothly and pretty fast, and it's healing nicely. I also met a former investigator in the ER and got to talk to him as I waited. . . but now I can say ''I BLED FOR MY MISSION!'' . haha. . . none of you better blow this out of proportion when you tell others!! Seriously . . . DON'T . . . I had enough of that when a guy hit me once, haha.

Well, I better finish things up here, still gotta attach pictures and everything. I'll write you next week from Espoo! I'm sad to leave, but excited for the new adventures awaiting me. Like Nephi of old, I say with him, ''The Lord has commanded it, I must obey.'' I love you all and thank you still for everything you DO and have DONE for me. Best Wishes and God Bless!!

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

I'm an UNCLE!!!! taas, haha

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!!!!!  I went to write you a letter, but I thought you'd be in Virginia and I didn't have the address on me and then we were away traveling!! In Finland it's on a different day, coming up I think, so I'll have to send it then. :P

Wow, I'm an uncle . . . taas (again)!! I'm glad everything went well! Congrats  to the Dixons!!

It's been another busy week, with an even more busy week this week. It all started when we went to Helsinki for a Zone Conference, the last time I was probably able to see President Brown and his wife . . sad. As usual it was awesome. They taught us about 3 Life Lessons: Taking care of 1. Yourself  2. Your Surroundings  3. and Your Finances. I will really miss them and I'm curious to see how things will go when the new mission president arrives, President Rawlings. There's going to be a lot of changes going on in the mission in the next few months. We have a lot of missionaries leaving and hopefully a lot of new ones coming in. 

 

Olavi, our baptismal man, is good to go. We met with him and scheduled everything out and now, the baptism is going to be held this coming Sunday in Lahti, a city about an hour's drive away, because we don't have a baptismal font here. My old MTC companion, Elder Fuchs, will baptize him because he was the one that found him just over a year ago.  We're all excited!!

 

We had Stake Conference yesterday. We traveled to Mikkeli, about an hour's train ride away, and watched it being broadcast clear from Salt Lake City!! Yes, it was a special one, broadcast to all of Scandenavia. President Eyring presided, and Elder Bednar, Elder Per G. Malm (70), and Sister Julie B. Beck were all there and spoke as well. It was a really good meeting, awesome talks. Elder Bednar spoke about Zion's Camp and the effects it had and how we can apply the same principles in our own lives in our own personal Zion's Camps. He spoke about, and praised, the leadership of the church, admiring their examples and warrior-like attitudes. It was really powerful. Pres. Eyring spoke about increasing our faith in a living prophet, giving his own personal experiences and testimonies about the ones he has known. Sister Beck spoke about prioritizing our life into 3 categories: 1. Essential things (church)  2. Necessary things (home, work, school, etc)  3. Nice to do things (hobbies). It was fun to watch and feel of their power. The members there in Mikkeli thought I was a Finn serving a short-time summer mission because I look like one and I look so young. haha, yep, still look like I'm 16. 

We made a trip to Kotka again, our visiting city, in an effort to contact some less active members and potentials. 

For most of the week I've been kinda sick: sore throat, cough, head-aches, etc. At one point I even lost my voice, something you kind of need as a missionary, especially as a Sr companion speaking a foreign language. haha But, I'm on the recovering end now and almost back up to par.

This week contains the longest day of the year! It's a huge holiday here, we even have an earlier curfew on two of the days. Everyone goes out to the forests and lakes and cabins and stuff and they light HUGE bonfires and celebrate all night over beer and makkara. While that is all happening though, we'll be inside. In fact, that same night we might get Change Calls! Everyone thinks I'm leaving, but I don't know, I tend to stick in places for a while if you haven't noticed, haha. We'll see. God only knows. 'Thy will be done.'

 

Well, sorry this is a shorter e-mail but I'm still a bit under the weather and my thoughts are all mixed up. But I'm always glad to open your e-mails and see that all is well. Thank you for your prayers and uplifting bits of joy you give me each week. I love you all and wish you all a Hyvää Juhannusta!!! (Happy Mid-Summers Day!)

Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

I thought I was called to Finland!!??

I thought I was called to Finland?!? The whole week the weather has been clear and sunny and temps close to 90. My companion and I are always outside and when we went to Helsinki earlier in the week so he could go to Language School, everyone was commenting how tan he was . . . haha . . . . We're both pretty burned. We even had to take an emergency trip to the store to by some sunscreen and aloe vera. With the Europeans STILL living in the stone age here without air conditioning, we had to by a fan last week and it's been on whenever we are home. Yay for sweat. yaaaaaaaaaay :P jk Luckily, yeasterday night and today it's been POURING rain, and I mean POURING!

Anyways, it's been one of the best weeks of my stay here in Kouvola this past week. I'll get right into it and tell you why. . . . . . .We found a ton of new people to teach, one already a new investigator, we set a BAPTISMAL DATE, we had splitz with our District Leader, and we taught all of our investigators, AND still went to Helsinki so that Elder Edelman could go to Kieli Koulu. No, I wasn't able to go to the temple this time, I got off the train in a city called Kerava and worked for the day there with Elder Christensen, while his companion, my companion's MTC companion, hopped on the train and they went down into Helsinki together. It's always weird doing missionary work in a city other than your own. When I got back to Kouvola it really felt like I was at home again.

So, after Church yesterday, our investigator, the one who has been investigating for just over a year now, Olavi, came up to us and told us out of no where that he finally wanted to be baptized!!!!!!! I'm so excited for him and I know he will make an awesome member. We set the date for the 29th of this month, but it may have to be pushed to earlier because he wants the Elders who first found him to be there too . . . and one of those Elders is about to head home . . . on the 30th actually . . .so that'd be kinda hectic for him. But, kuitenkin, it's going to happen!!!!! Since we only have a small rental space here for a chapel, we don't have a font. So it'll happen at a lake by a members' cabin. There's a good chance that I might not be there to see it. I have been here for 5 transfers and I could be leaving the day or 2 before if I get a change call. But, we'll see, maybe Pres. Brown will let me stay to see it or maybe I'll just stay for a 6th transfer, haha. As, Olavi was walking away after church, we watched him walk away and it was like a scene from a movie . . him walking into the horizon . . . and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the man who wants to follow Him.

So, with one on his way to the water, we had to find someone to fill his spot, and we found him! A young man who let us in when we knocked on his door. He will be a perfect example of how the gospel can change lives. His hair was long and greasy, the place was a mess and smelled of BO, claims he's seen the devil's face, and to make things worse, PORN ALL OVER THE PLACE. He's willing to listen though and after some questioning and teaching, we know he's interested. I had to ask him though to take down the porn in a certain spot so that when we come again, we can look at him and not at it. . . . which, thankfully, he did do. We also found a young man at a bus stop with gum stuck to his shoes, a girl cleaning a hallway, and a whole lot more this week. We've been blessed. We've been praying and fasting for this to happen because we haven't found anyone new in a while.

Well, I'd better go. As the scriptures read, Seek not to counsel the Lord, but seek ye to take counsel from His hands. Whether that be in the form of His servants here on earth, heeding to the scriptures, or focusing and DOing His will rather than our own, I know it to be true. In the end, His path will be the only one without a dead end.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

drunks

It's been another good week and I can't believe that I am already back here writing you again. Since time is always short, i'll try to fill you in as best as I can . . .

- We had a few funny encounters with some drunk people this past week. The first one was when we walked in someones backyard . . . because in Finland, most of the front doors are in the backyard. . . and there were 2 HUGE ladies sun-bathing in bikinis . . . muchs to our disgust. We soon found out they were both drunk. One of them hurried and offered us frozen strawberries and beer, and then out of nowhere, gave me a huge, squeezing hug. I was soo grossed out. But what happened next was even funnier, she then hugged my companion, and gave him a couple kisses on his neck. Yeeeah . . . we got outta there. haha The other encounter was yesterday, just before we were going to head in for the day, I stopped a nice looking lady carrying her groceries. Immediately after we stopped her we noticed that she was drunk. She did some weird motions and told us that she hopes we go to heaven, then went behind us and out of nowhere, kicked us in the butt. After she finally let go of our hands we left, but not before she gave my companion a kiss on his hand, haha.

- Well, while I'm telling you random stuff . . haha. . . . we were at McDonalds in our visiting city the other day and we saw a group of young boys, probably 12 years old, that bought literally around 20+ cheeseburgers and piled them up in front of them and chowed down. . . . I almost took a picture. They still had 9 left before they picked them up and left.

- It was graduation weekend here in Finland this past week, so there were parties everywhere. 2 members in the branch had their parties and invited us and anyone in the branch that wanted to come. It wasn't really a party, more like a luncheon, but it was good missionary opportunities and we had fun. I've never had so much cake in one week of my life . . . and they gave us more to take home with us.

Despite my rambling, we did have quite a spiritual week. We had 2 really good teaches with our college roommate investigators. I already told you about the blessing we gave one of them, then, when we met again, we used an object lesson involving 3 cups. The inside of the 1st of the cups was dirty. The outside of the 2nd of the cups was dirty, and then the last cup was clean, in and out. Just like How Elder Robbins of the 70 talked about in Conference, we related BEing and DOing to this object lesson. The first cup represented a DOer, just going through the motions, but doesn't have their heart in it. The second cup was a BEer, a hypocrite who knows truth but doesn't live it. Then the last cup was both, just like Christ, our goal. All in all they really liked our lesson and we had a few scriptures like 3 Nephi 27:21,27 and so on. Then, right at the climax of it all we switched it and related it to them and baptism. It definitely opened their eyes, but they still won't set a date, but they are closer!

Church was also quite spiritual. The branch presidents baby boy got his baby blessing so a TON of members and guests came from around the country, literally doubling or tripling our branches size . . it was packed and it was awesome! The whole meeting just felt more powerful and spiritual. It made me wonder what it is like back in America, where the wards are even bigger! In testimony meeting, our investigator, Olavi, was the first one to stand and went up!!!!!! He shared that he wasn't a member yet, but he wanted to share his testimony about the power of the priesthood. He went on to share about a recent priesthood blessing he received because he messed up his knee skiing. He told how his knee healed miraculously much to the surprise of his doctor, and now, his other doctor that monitors his diabetes is even telling him that tests are showing it's looking as if he doesn't even have diabetes anymore!! He's had it for years!!!! My comp and I were about to stand up and explode in excitement, thinking the next thíng he was going to say in front of everyone was that he wanted to be baptized, but, not so . . . .yet. :) We have some awesome investigators! and an awesome branch!

We've done lots'o'findin recently, we need to keep finding, need new investigators. It's been great weather though! The missionary tan is back, haha.

One last experience I'll share before I must go. In Kotka, we were sitting in front of a library studying when a man approached us and let's just say he's somewhat of an Athiest missionary. He tried to get us to put God aside and all these 'books' and just live life and trust oneself and be happy. He must've tried for 20 minutes, but we testified that we know what we have is true and we cannot deny it. He got our phone number and still wants to discuss, but we told him it'd be on our terms, we'd do the teaching. The experience only did the opposite to me than what was intended. My testimony grew. I am so thankful that I know we have a loving Heavenly Father, and everlasting happiness is available to all who turn to Him.

Love you all! or should I say Y'ALL like like my southern companion, haha.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson