Conference

Well, the busiest week of my mission is now over. We had quite the schedule. P-Day, District Meeting, Weekly Planning Meeting, Over-nighter in Espoo then off to Helsinki so Elder Balls could have Language School the next day, School Presentation, Service in Kotka, teaches, and a grand finale in Lahti to watch General Conference to finish it all off. WOW. Despite how busy we were, we were still able to get a few teaches in, and even found a new investigator! I guess I can go into a little bit more detail on these things:

-First, CHANGE CALLS . . . . . . . nope, I will stay in Kouvola for a 4th change, and with Vanhin Balls for a 3rd. We were honestly expecting a change call because there were soo much changes going on this time. As my mission is winding down, the want to get out and see more and experience more of Finland and the work all around it is growing . . . seeing how I have only served in 2 cities . . .but Thy Will Be Done, I must be needed here and must accept it and move forward.

-We had a good District Meeting on Tuesday. The Zone Leaders were able to come this time and even delivered some new bedding supplies for us . . .yessssss . . . . .if any of you have been to an old missionary apartment, you'd feel my joy when I say that we got NEW BEDDING!! haha

-So, we were in Helsinki for a little bit so that Elder Balls could have his Language School, in the meantime, I was with Elder Burt in Espoo doing some work there. Elder Burt was in the group ahead of me in the MTC, so he is an old friend and it was cool being with him again. The rest of the companions whose 'other halves' were in Language School ended up going to the temple. Looks like I was a special pick to stay out this time because the work is picking up here and they need the extra help . . .so every once in a while they'll take a missionary or two out and put them to work instead of having a 'day off' at the temple. Would have been nice, not gonna lie, but it was a good experience for me to see how the work is done in a big city . . . it was a whole new ride . . . awesome.

-We had another School Presentation. it was at the same school as before, same teacher, just different class. This time, everything seemed to go by a ton faster as we were pressed for time, but it went well, and around 10 kids accepted a Book of Mormon to take home with them.

-We went to Kotka, a visiting city we have, to help a member family with some service. They are going to be putting up new wallpaper, so that means the old stuff had to come down. It took around 3 hours, but we got it done and they were very appreciative. They fed us steak afterward and even drove us home to Kouvola since we missed our train. Nice of them. Cool family.

-We got a few teaches in. Our Italian is still doing well. She is a cool investigator and is really trying to do what we say . . . she just needs to see how THIS IS the ONLY way. She was asking some indirect questions that were pretty much about her problems . . . so we had to answer them in an indirect way, even when we knew they were about her. It worked really well and we're hoping she was able to check out general conference like she said she would. We'll find out soon . . .but we don't have her phone number, it doesn't work. Also, we got a new investigator, a young man here studying, who got interested when the subject of a living prophet was brought up. . . .PERFECT TIMING dude . . . .General Conference!!! haha Man, I love the church. We teach him again today.

-We ended up watching General Conference in Lahti, with Elders Christianson and Higginson, my baby Finns, in the group after me in the MTC. They are both doing really well and it was great being with them for the weekend. I learned a lot from their examples and with General Conference as a big booster, I'm determined to get out on the front lines and move this work forward.

-WASN'T GENERAL CONFERENCE AMAZING!!??? Ahh, I love it . . . .it all went by wayyyy too fast though, I'm sad it's over. I love how Pres. Monson started it all out my saying, 'Missionary work is the life-blood of the kingdom.' YEAH! Everything was inspiring. I noticed a few themes, and a few unique topics as well. Covenant keeping was one, Charity slash Welfare was another, Power in our callings, Power in the Priesthood, Desire, Service, being in the world not of the world, etc etc etc . . .I could go on but I don't have time. Since most of the members live far away from the actual broadcast places in Finland, most of them just watched it at home on the internet, but we did have a few members from Kouvola show up for a little bit and they brought one of our investigators along, which was good. Oh, a Finn was called as an Area Authority, Matti Joutenus! Boo-yah! Finland represent!!

Ahh, not time anymore. I love you all more than General Conference and Posti (hint hint). :P I hope and pray that now, after just receiving wonderful divine guidance and instruction, we can all begin to apply it into our lives. It is our duty, it is our privilege. It is the ONLY way. I know it. Kiitos kaikille. Moikka!

Raukkaudella,

Vanhin Watson