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