MOI

Hei Fäm! Wow, it's P-Day again already?! It was another week full of drama and success. I best get to the details:

We had a lot of cancellations this past week, which is never fun, but we worked with what we had and actually ended up keeping pretty busy. I think the highlight of the week was the fact that we were able to go to the temple on Saturday! The branch put together a Branch Temple Day and took us along. It was a pretty good turn-out and the temple workers were pretty grateful we all came and made the day a success. It was a long drive down, and back, and both ways I had to sit in the middle, so I was squooshed the whole time. The member on my other side was a good buddy to converse with though, and he had me show him my watch and some pictures and stuff . We were able to do 2 sessions, both right in a row . . . and the first ones I've done in Finland . . . . it's been 15 months!!! . . . . and I did both in Finnish, so that was cool. I love that place. :)

Another highlight of the week, haha, we got to scoop some chicken poop. . . .yeeeah. Some members have a farm here and they called us to help out for a bit. We were able to spend time with the ever so lovely smelling chickens. By the time we finished cleaning out the coop, most of them had pooed all over the place already, but the funny kung-fu noises they were making kept us entertained, haha. The same members want us to come back on Wednesday.

We helped another member couple by doing some service for them. We were able to change their winter tires and put the summer tires on their car. This couple also wants us to come back this week. The beautiful weather recently and signs of summer are getting everyone riled up and excited, so here comes the service work! We're excited to help though.

Friday night was some sort of special shopping night here in Kouvola in the center area, because all the stores stayed open way late and there were parties and music blasting everywhere. Well, our window overlooks all of it, so we watched THOUSANDS of people, mostly youngins, swarm the Keskusta, center. It was crazy. I've never seen it so lively before. My companion was waving at people and gettting their attention and taking pictures of them and stuff. I just put on some cun-glasses so no one would recognize me when, in the future, i might stop and talk with these people in the street. It was crazy. We even saw a girl get arrested right by our window for underage drinking and boy did she put up a fight, haha.

On Thursday we had a district meeting in Lappeenranta. There are a few new missionaries in our district, so it was cool meeting them. When we all went out to eat afterwards, in the pizza place was a tv showing the European Womens Weightlifting Championships . . . . scary stuff I'm tellin ya. I had to sit awkwardly just so I wouldn't see it.

Sunday was a day to remember. We had 3 investigators in church, and 2 of them had never been before. The are both roommates and we've already taught them a couple times and it has been going really well. After sacrament meeting one of them had to leave, but the other one stayed and we had a little teach with her and a member. We taught the Plan of Salvation and the Spirit was strong as her eyes were opened to these truths of the Restored Gospel. The branch was really excited that some new people came and they just swarmed and fellowshipped them. :D

Olavi is doing well. We had a teach with him and were able to find out one of his concerns, or barriers from being baptized. It's about time! It was Tithing. We, and the member present, explained it again and I feel like that barrier is crushed. We'll see, we want to teach him again this week and see if we can get him to take the next step. fingers crossed!

There is an Easter dessert here called Mämmi . . . .it basically looks like a plop of poo, haha. My comp tried it for the first time yesterday at a DA and was too embarrassed when the members watched anxiously for the look on his face when he tried it, haha. It's not to bad though, but I sent a picture. Also, mid'DA the Branch Presidents kids stopped and did another Finnish Easter tradition, trick or treating with a twist. It was pretty cool. They sang and stuff by I'm out of time to explain.

Well, I'm out of time. Spencer, I don't know if it was too late but I put your name in the temple!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jacob and Layne!!! I sent you both something. You can tell I only had 5 minutes to get something in the mail, but I send my love and best wishes!!

Mosiah 2:9 . . .awesome scripture for those of you seeking personal revelation . . aka . . ALL of us! I love you all. I love my Savior and hope we all remember Him this week as we commemorate His life and resurrection. He lives! I know it and I say it with all confidence.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson