this is it

Here it is . . . my last e-mail as a full-time missionary. Honestly, reality has been hitting me like a bag of bricks on and off these past couple days. Sometimes it feels like it's all about to end, and other times it just feels like nothing is going to happen . . .I should be staying. There will be a part of me that will be left here in Finland that I cannot bring with me back to America. All this talk of firesides and giving talks is making me wonder if I'll even be able to adequately describe it all. There are so many experiences and so many things that have happened that to try and express them in tongue is close to impossible! Needless to say though, I am excited to see you all again and I pray that I can figure out how to adjust my new life into the world I am about to step in . . .for I truly want to return . . .''another way.''

This past week has kept me busy, something that has helped my mind stay focused. We had 2 splits here in Vaasa, one with the Zone Leaders and another with the elders from Pietarsaari. We also held my final District Meeting and finished it off with a member making us a delicious meal. I like to title all my District Meetings . . .so this last one was called 'Keepin' it Real.' I was inspired to talk about the true 'reality' of things (ie. our callings, teaching, studying, praying, testimonies, etc) I chose this subject because of a talk from the most recent General Conference be the 2nd counselor in the Sunday School Presidency, Elder Richardson. It went really well, in fact, I feel like it was one of the most spiritual district meetings that I've had.

Apart from finishing my last week . . we helped our branch president build a bit of his house. He had to install some huge heavy windows and had to enlist some help. That was quite the adventure. It took 6 of us to just lift one window for a few seconds, haha.

One of my old companions is coming here to Vaasa to fill me spot, Elder Cassity . . .he's going to do great things here . . .I was glad to hear the news.

Well, I best be off. I could go on into crazy detail about everything and more, but,  . . . well . . . I'll see you in a matter of hours anyways! . . . .Gotta have something to talk about!
Thank you all for the amazing help you've provided me in these short 2 years of service. I need it still as I return and try and put my life in order and apply what I've learned here.
I know that Jesus is the Christ. He is REAL. His Atonement is REAL. His love is REAL. This life is REAL . . .a time of service, a time of learning, a time of labor, a time of happiness, a time of preparation for the eternities awaiting us. My mission has been REAL to me. It REALLY feels like my time has come . . like my purpose here has been fulfilled. Now. . . life calls.  I love you and I'll talk to you soon.

signing off, paljon rakkaudella, 
Vanhin Watson

Maailman Päivä

I really don't know what to think right now . . . . it doesn't even feel like this is my last week of missionary work! I guess that is a good sign though, right?! It actaully feels like everything is speeding up though . . .not slowing down. Well, I'm trying to make it my best . . .we have a busy week ahead  . . . .2 Splitz . . .here and in Pietarsaari, my final District Meeting, and basically final everything. Woa.

I got my flight plans . . . and it sounds like you didn't! hmm . . . I don't know why. To be honest I don't even have them on my right now. I put them back in the envelope and put it ina drawer so it wouldn't destract me, haha. But I know that I have 2 layovers . . . in London and Seattle . . .then I will arrive in Anchorage at around 10:30 PM the evening of Thursday November 3rd (Alaska time). You should be getting all that info soon . .  .but I don't know.

This past week we had some interesting things happen. Our Vietnamese investigator, Ha, is progressing well . . .although she still didn't show up for church yesterday. We are teaching her everything from scratch . . .so this past teach was all about Faith.

Our other investigator, Deo, is also doing well . . .he's even doing a bit of missionary work himself! He's trying to bring one of his buddies that seems interested in learning more too. In our last teach with him we taught about Hope, since his baptism is delayed until he gets married which can't happen until he gets some paperwork straightened out with the Finnish and Thailand governements . . .since his wife is Thai. We read some scriptures on hope, and on what type of things we hope for. It went pretty well.

On Saturday there was an event in the city called Maailman Päivä (World Day). Different companies and organizations got to set up a table decorated with their stuff and the public came and walked around and looked at it. We got to reserve a table and set one up too. With the awesome help of the senior missionary couple here, the Bergs, it turned out great! (see picture) It lasted for 3 hours, all the while there was different music and dancing from different cultures around the world. We set up a huge board in back of us with a picture of the Savior, and set some copies of The Book of Mormon, pamphlets, and cards in different languages on the table. We also had a slideshow running showing pictures of familes, temples, and Jesus Christ. In the end, we have away 4 copies of The Book of Mormon, got a phone number, and got an address!! Not bad at all for just standing there! :)

Elder Berg discovered an amazing hamburger joint out in the farm lands outside of Vaasa and decided to take us there for a DA. Afterwards we drove to a close by Meteor Site, where apparently a huge meteorite struck millions of years ago . . .from the sky you can tell where it is. In the crater, it's said to have the best farming land in Finland. Sorry, couldn't find any meteor rocks to take home, haha.

Today I have to send the AP's a 'Departing Message' that will be printed in our mission's annual pamphlet that gets sent around to all of us, the Suomen Valo. It's kind of hard to sum up 2 years of service into a couple paragraphs, haha. Also today we have to put the winter tires on the car . . . I can't believe it's that time of year already!

I live for the moments where time stands still, a quietness pierces the air, and the powers and heaven and earth touch the human heart. In a period of 2 years they are plenty . . .but, as life goes . . . I had to go through heaven and hell to get to those tiny moments. It makes missionary work worth it. It makes me want to jump back out there and stare adversity in the eye, just so I can be ready when those moments come again. I know Jesus Christ stands at the head of this His work. The Spirit is the key, love is the power, and Christ is the reason.

Rakkaudella,  Vanhin Watson

2 years

I feel like after all the e-mails about ranches and cowboys I should say, ''Hey howdy hey y'all!''  It sounds like it was a good experience for all.

This past week we had a few new adventures, and some of the quite unique fashion. . . . . . . let me explain . . .

So, we go to do our laundry and we come to find out that our laundry machine is broken! After lots of calls and searching, we ended up buying a new one. Miraculously it fit in the back of our car and we were able to take it home and install it. It must've been a funny sight to see: two missionaries carrying a washing machine down the street (because we couldn't find a closer parking space. Then the tricky part was installing it. Our bathroom is what we americans would call a closet . . . .I have no idea how the other people got that old machine into the bathroom in the first place! The sink and the shower and the toilet were all blocking the way from sliding it out! We ended up tipping it over and skillfully maneuvering it through the bathroom and out into the hallway and doing the same to get the new machine in. The story is not over yet. A few days later, with the old machine still sitting in our living room as we were waiting to get rid of it, we looked at it and joked about how funny it'd be if it all of a sudden worked! So we plugged in the power cord and IT WORKED!!! We have no idea how. So now we have 2 laundry machines! The Mission Office has told us just to donate it to the branch and see if they can find a need for it.  Just a fun little story about the random experiences in missionary service. :P

As far as the rest of the week goes . . . .

We were able to go to a tiny tiny town called Teuva and be at the local high school . . .complete with all 80 students, haha. We sat in on 2 English Classes and were able to answer questions and talk about American life, then lastly, we got to be in the Religion Class and present about our church. It was a pretty cool experience.

We did some work in an area known to have a lot of college students and found a new investigator AND set a baptismal date with her! She is from Vietnam, has been here for 4 years, and is about to graduate. She has absolutely no religious background so we are teaching everything from scratch, just like I did in Espoo with Jing, a Chinses investigator that got baptized right after I left. It's cool to have stuff like this going on still, even in the last weeks of my mission. I hope it helps me stay focused. :)

A previous investigator that we had randomly showed up for institute this past week! He was way solid, then he just disappeared and no one could make contact for over a month. We still haven't seen or talked with him, but it sure lifted our spirits to hear he came back!

We are teaching a recent convert from China and we had a really good teach with him this past week. He is soo stressed out with school and life that he is unintentionally neglecting other parts of his life. For example, he studies for up to 10 hours a day every day!! And he only has 3 classes!! His sleeping schedule is all messed up too. We were able to talk to him and remind him of how the gospel can help relieve the stress and bring the peace that we all need. It went really well. I even learned some things too.

While we were out on the streets searching, a lady stopped US. She told us that in high school a member of our church had given her a Book of Mormon, but over the years she lost it. We happily gave her another one and she was extremely grateful for it. We are in high hopes that we can meet with her soon and continue sharing the message that good member missionary started all those years ago.

Time is running low, literally in 2 senses. Can you believe that I hit my 2 YEAR MARK as a missionary this past week?!! Unreal.  I'm grateful for this time I have had and for the time I still have to make a difference in someone's life in this part of the Lord's flock. Best wishes to all,

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

the fulness of our time

You'd think that just once I could e-mail you and tell you that it was just another normal week in the work . . . . . .well, if that ever comes, it's not going to be today. :)

So, we were out of our city for the most part of the week. Last minute, we found out that I have a meeting in Helsinki that I need to be at to train the Zone Leaders and District Leaders. Well, it kind of screwed up our plans so we had to squoosh everything together . . . meaning . . . . .we already had Splitz planned in Kokkola and a District Meeting the next day, so we had to mesh all that into one day. I had very little preparation time for this District Meeting, but I have to say that it was one of the best. Just goes to show how the Lord knows each and every one of us and He will always provide the way. I titled it, ''The Fulness of Our Time.'' I chose to teach about the subject of 'Time' due to the talk given in General Conference by Elder Ardern of the Seventy . . . I loved it. There's a scripture in Ecclessiastes chapter 3. I took that scripture and, well, added to it by listing stuff we do in missionary work and in life that effect our time, whether for good or for evil. All in all, I really enjoyed teaching it and it seemed like the rest of the District enjoyed it as well.

That same day, we stayed in Kokkola and did a little splitz with the elders there, Elder Clegg and Elder Ingersoll. Both are such hard working, skilled missionaries.

The next morning we drove back to Vaasa (a 1h 30 min journey), then hopped on a train to Turku to spend the night there ( a 4h 30 min trek). Then the next morning, Elder Christianson (an MTC friend) and I got on a train to Helsinki (a 2 h journey) for our meeting while our companions stayed together in Turku for the day. Turku, by the way, is a city I've wanted to see my whole mission, I was glad to finally see it. It's big, it's old, and it's beautiful.

The leadership council we attended was held in President and Sister Rawlings' home. There, as the leadership of the mission, we counseled and learned together so see how we could further the work. A miracle occured: As a council, we decided to set some new Standards of Excellence for the mission . . .  . now, the Mission Pres only has the final say, but he opened it up to us for suggestions. After a while we finally agreed on some new goals, and, low and behold, it turns out that they were the SAME GOALS Pres. Rawlings and the AP's set together in their own council meeting earlier!!!!! Just goes to show how the Spirit guides the work. It was truly inspired. 

At the end of the meeting, Pres. Rawlings showed us a video, I think off of Mormon Messages . . .I love those . . . .by Elder Holland about 'sanctifying yourselves.' Also inspiring.   The mission is changing so rapidly that sometimes it's hard to keep up! The younger missionaries are coming into the field more prepared than ever before, and already speaking Finnish quite well too . . . . putting us Veterans running for our graves, haha. I'm so proud to be a witness of this change . . . in fact, to be a pioneer OF THE CHANGE. I have great faith and hope that it will continue.

Back in Vaasa, we got back at noon on Saturday . . . the Lord also provided for us, despite the fact that we were gone most the week. We got let in by a family!!! A really, really nice family!! Young parents, 2 kids (3 and 8) and a good discussion with them in their home. We answered a few of their questions and we are going back this week. To top things off, we had a great member missionary bring his friend to church on Sunday! This same member has had around 5 of his friends be baptized within the past year and he's telling us that he knows more that could be interested! Member missionary work, we ALL have a part. All means ALL.

In Fast and Testimony Meeting I realized that this was my last one in Finland, as a missionary. I couldn't pass up the chance and got up to bear my testimony. Everyone says that the last few weeks are the slowest . . . .but to me they are going by faster and faster. I am so grateful to be here. I wish I could relate it all to you better, but know that I love you.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

Yleiskonferenssi

It feels like this is a true ''sprint to the end'' because it seems like there is so much to do and so much to plan for and so much has already happened!! We're keeping busy. This past week we made the long drive up to Oulu for a Zone Conference, probably my last. They always feel like they are getting better and better. The main topic was Prayer and really, how we should be utilizing it and doing it better. I learned a lot. The mission has changed so much in the last few years that sometimes I really do feel old when I find out that I'm only one of a few witnesses to that. 

 

Pres. Rawlings asked a couple of us who are leaving to share our departing testimonies to conclude the meeting. I was the first. I can honestly say that I have never born testimony that felt so spiritually guided as I did at that time. I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel and of the work. It has carried me through the thick and thin of the time I have spent here. 

 

General Conference was AMAZING!! The satellite transmision wasn't working at our chapel, but luckily it was being broadcast live through the internet, so we were still able to see all of it. I don't have time to say all that I liked about it, but, Elder Holland pulled off another classic and Pres. Monson's enthusiasm, facial expressions, testimony, and wisdom were very comfortable and enjoyable. Also, at the end of one of the sessions the choir sang, I Believe in Christ. I love how the choir sang it with such power and emotion, putting their very testimonies into the song. I noticed the emotions of many of them while they sang, and even in the room where I was watching. Go MoTab!!!!!

 

As much as I would like to copy my 20 pages of conference notes onto this e-mail, I won't. I have already been reviewing them and I urge all of you to do the same.

 

Back in Vaasa, we were able to meeet with our baptismal date and teach about the Plan of Salvation. The recent convert that was present, also one of my favorite members, was a big help in the lesson. Members are so important in this work! Without them, the missionary force would be experiencing major set-backs and slow progress. 

 

While finding, we found an awesome family! They were blown away that we could speak Finnish, seeing how they work with foreigners all the time. They were very nice and actually quite interested . . . but since they were putting the kids to bed, we have to go back some other time. I look forward to it! We've been praying to find more families! 

While up in Oulu, I found out that there is yet MORE traveling in my future. This coming Friday I will be headed to Helsinki AGAIN for some leadership training! Right before however, I have to hold a District Meeting AND splitz with some missionaries! Busy busy busy.

 

Well, I best be off. Sorry, it kind of feels like I didn't fill you in on anything . . . I'm still on a conference high!! How grateful I am to be enlisted in the mighty work of angels! I know it's powerful message of truth, hope, love, and faith will fill the Earth. I love you all. I pray for you as I ask you to pray for me.

 

Paljon Rakkaudella,

 

Vanhin Watson

 

p.s. Kiitos kirjeestäsi Seth!!! Thanks for the letter Seth!!!!! I'm going to write you back.