Devils

I just got out of probably one of the most emotional teaches of my life. I can't believe it. We had an appointment with a lady we met on the street. We went there and it turns out she has a VERY nice house. Also, it turns out that her daughter is a Mormon as of 15 years ago and, at least then, she was quite against it. Now, 15 years later, we meet her on the street and she agrees to meet with us. This had the makings of quite the story with a happy ending . . . . NOT. We get there, we start, and then her husband shows up. To make the story short, he did all the talking, and basically wouldn't let us teach, but would teach us instead, trying to pin us on how young we are, how organized religion isn't needed, and how we're brainwashed because we grew up in this so of course we think it's right. It finally got to the point where I just told him that I didn't want to offend anyone, but that WE came to THEM to teach THEM about OUR special message to the world . . .if HE wants to teach US, we'll arrange another time. I then proceeded to testify about our message and what we do and it got quiet and the spirit of the room changed. I was pretty overwhelmed and couldn't really talk for a while before gaining my strength to speak and finished. It went a lot quieter and a strong Spirit was present, I know they felt it. But, pride is a deadly thing and he still wouldn't budge or accept it. It was disappointing, but I felt like I did everything I could do in the situation. We all have our agency . . . . . dang it, haha. I almost wanted to be like the prophets of old and shake the dust from off my feet as we were leaving.

Well, here I am again, another week gone. I have new toothpaste that turns my mouth blue while brushing, always an interesting experience. I cut my hair. A man standing next to me in the store dropped a milk carton, which exploded and sent cow extract all over my dress pants. I pinched my companion on St. Patty's because he wasn't wearing a green tie . . . yet. :P A bunch of 14 year old girls, wearing cheap perfume, are surrounding me right now, looking at my tag, because their school just got out on some break and they are taking all the computers around me to do who knows what . . . .girl stuff. And, I found out Daylight Savings has NOT happened in Finland yet . . .thanks for the confusion everyone, haha.

Well, I better get to telling you about my week:

-We had Splitz!! Vanhin Ranzenberger, my companion of 7 months in Joensuu, is now my District Leader. It was good being back with him, he's a good elder. With 2 extra elders in Kouvola for a little bit, we were able to get some good work done here. It was a good upliftment for us as things are starting to pick up here.

-Vanhin Larson and I, on splits talked with a guy at a door who was from New Zealand. His name is Robin White, look him up, because he is a toy maker and world traveler and everything. A member of the Quorum of the 70 gave him a Book of Mormon a long time ago. We talked with him and his Finnish wife at the door for quite a while. Cool guy, very appreciative of our work, just not interested.

-Our Italian investigator is doing well. She's kind of one of those people who doesn't really believe in organized religion, just trying to do her best. But she is a good investigator and listens and asks questions. She goes back to Italy in May, but she definitely has potential of being baptized by then.

-Olavi, our other investigator is doing well. He is still ever so close to setting a date, but won't budge yet. We taught him on splits and VR and I got really close, but right at the climax of the teach, we ran out of time and he had to go. AH!

-The members here continue to take good care of us. We have a lunch appointment in an hour. We'll probably have 2-3 more this week, and we get food from them almost every Sunday because of a basket they put out near the foyer that says Missionaries on it.

-There really isn't much else to say other than we keep getting more and more potential investigators. On Wednesday we have a teach with a lady who told us at the door that she just separated from the Lutheran church, just because it felt like it was the right thing to do, and is now searching for something new.

Another week is ahead. Tomorrow we'll be in Helsinki for a Zone Meeting. General Conference is coming up. The elect are out there, and we are poised to find 'em. Thank you everyone for your prayers and e-mails. I still don't know what happened to Dr. Mills . . .everyone said something happened to him and that Dad will tell me more . . . . . ummmm nope. Layne, THANK YOU for the pictures. Lindsey, awesome work. Eden & Co, have fun in the sun . . . it's still snowing here. :( Alaska & Co, LOVE YA, as I love you all!! I really gotta go nyt. Kiitos ja heip-pa!

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson