Vappu

This weekend the Finns celebrated probably one of the only non-religious holidays in Finland . . .Vappu. Yep, Dad, your birthday is a holiday here, haha. Unfortunately, it's a holiday where everyone goes crazy and gets drunk. We had early curfews both on Saturday and Sunday where we had to just sit out the rest of the day in our apartment. We didn't miss anything though, because our apartment overlooks the main walkway here in Kouvola, and we had front row seats to a concert going on at the bar right in front of our apartment, haha. It was soo loud . . . too bad the man didn't know how to sing. It was a crazy way to finish off a crazy week.

Well, we started off the week by meeting with our new BML, Branch Mission Leader. He took us to his cabin, which is about 3 times the size of a cabin . . more like a house you'd find in Alpine Utah. It's under construction though, so we had a BBQ on the lake side and discussed missionary work basking in the sunlight. I'm excited about him. He and his wife actually have a daughter in Alaska, and he even knows the street we live on, haha. Small world, but, I can tell you more about that on Sunday, when I can talk to you LIVE! I'll have to keep everything short today, because I'll just be talking about it again on the phone.

You know how it's a myth that God makes it rain, or snow, during general conference weekend . . . .so everyone will be indoors watching. :P Well, the same goes here in Finland during Vappu, haha. After it being nice and sunny for most of the week, temperatures dropped and the rain, and even some snow, fell for most of the weekend. It was probably to keep all the drunks indoors, haha. I love God. :)

Well, On Tuesday we headed down to Helsinki where we had a District Meeting, but this time Pres. and Sister Brown were both present. We were able to have our last interviews with Pres. Brown seeing how he will be leaving at the 1st of July. So sad. Pres. Brown has been an amazing mission president. I always enjoy our interviews together and how he always makes everything and everyone so happy. His profession is a seminary teacher, so he is also an amazing teacher. My last interview with him went well. He told me my score on the recent Language Test . . . . .I'm fine . . whew! Only about 20 people in the mission got scores indicating they are doing fine, and miraculously I was one of them. It's weird because I don't feel like I am good at all, but I have felt the Lord's hand helping me along the way.

Right now we have 5 progressing investigators . . .the most I've ever had on my mission. Despite our busy schedule and travel and meetings, we were able to meet with all but one this week and keep them going along the path to baptism. I can tell you more about them on Mother's Day, but things are going well. :)

It was Elder Balls' birthday on Tuesday . . .and lets just say it's been celebrated throughout the whole week, haha. He's been getting mail all week and even a package (with new music too, haha, yay for Enya!). On Thursday, I took him out to dinner at Amarillos. Like true Americans, we only got hamburgers, but oh they were sooo good. :P We had cake twice too, once on his birthday, and again the other night so he could take pictures. Elder Balls is a good man. He's trying hard and I hope he knows how much I appreciate it.

Well, time is low already . . . .I spent a while reading all of your awesome e-mails and now my time is done! But thank you soo much! You all know just what to say to lift my spirits a little higher. I pray for each of you always and I love you all dearly. I can't wait to hear your voices in a week. I think the call will have to be at 5 pm Finland . . . 6 AM Alaska (sorry Alaska crew) . . . 8 AM Utah . . .10 AM East . . . I think. I might make a confirmation call sometime this week to make sure. But for the meantime, I love you all and wish you all a warm, happy, caffeine-free week.

Jesus is the Christ. He beckons all to come unto him, to follow in His foot-steps, and find the true joy, the joy that lasts forever, the joy found in the Restored Gospel. This is the work of the Master. I love it!

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson