Kiireinen Viikko

In an attempt to write my emails a little faster this time I have written down a few of my ideas in advance . . . .haha. . . .lets see if it actually works.

It was another week to write about in my journal, which seems to get more and more difficult to write in and catch up on. We had a lot of events and stuff to do. I'm writing a day late because yesterday we had 2 more school presentations where we were able to stand up in front of 2 classes, same teacher, and teach them about our beliefs. A few of them even accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon afterwards so that was cool. So with our day dominated with that, we pushed our P-Day to today, but even then, we have a DA to get to here in an hour and a bus to catch. So my hands will have to start typing faster here . . .cuz they ain't right now. . . .

A random experience that made my day about a week ago was when we were walking down 'main street' and a little 8 yr old girl sprinted up to us and tugged at my shirt from behind. I looked over and there was a girl from the branch! I have no idea why she was there, probably with some friends getting ice cream. She just saw us and wanted to say hi, then sprinted back to her friends and pointed to us and said as they all ran away, 'Look! There's the missionaries!' I don't know why, but she made my day. :)

So, we've eaten A LOT during this past week. We've had dinner appointments, eating out with our district for district meeting which was held here in Kouvola, then we had a trip to Kotka, our visiting city, so we ate lunch there, then the Elders quorum had a Sauna Night at a members' cabin and took us a long. Unfortunately we aren't allowed to sauna, but we helped grill some makkara and watched as a bunch of naked men walked by us down into the freezing water to swim, then walk back into the sauna and repeat the process. It was quite a funny thing to watch, haha. It's probably the most traditional finnish thing to do, and they think it's the funnest too. Yes, we took pictures, but I'll spare you on that one, haha. While we were there, we did some service together and cut down some trees and stacked the wood. It was all in all a good day, and good to see the branch members get together and work and laugh together.

I mentioned we went to Kotka, our visiting city. I haven't been there for a while, so going back was pretty cool. It's a really cool city and probably bigger then Kouvola in my opinion. There are parks everywhere so it was all green, and ónce it stopped raining it was a beautiful day. We visited some less active members, which really seemed to enjoy us stopping by. We're going back this weekend to do some more work there and also go to a members graduation party, where a bunch of non member friends and family will be. And on Sunday another member is having his graduation party and it'll be the same story. So there are a couple good missionary opportunities right there.

I'd better hurry but I'll tell you real quick about a teach we had last night at the church with our two college room-mate investigators, Rosa and Maisa. There was a good spirit there and these two young ladies should be setting a baptismal date soon, because they are sooo ready! Maisa asked us if we pray for the sick, so we said of course, and even explained priesthood blessings. She then asked us for one because apparently she has some sort of sickness and she really wants it to go away. It was quite the surprise to us but we went through with it and I gave her a blessing right then and there because she was so willing and so sincere. The blessing was nothing special, nothing eloquent said, but, like I said, there was a good spirit there and both of them are progressing well, even telling us they know it's all true! After they left, Elder Edelman and I knelt down and thanked Our Heavenly Father for that experience and asked Him to confirm our words to them if it be His will. I really hope they recognize it, have the faith, and pull through with this.

Well, more to write but no time for it. Taas it was good hearing from all of you. I love you and wish to all a blessed week ahead.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

scattered sunshine

I feel like I should just say AMEN to all your e-mails and leave it at that. Seriously, Thank you for all of your updates, thoughts, advice, and love. It is such a good start to a week to hear from all of you.

So, week one with a new companion and . . . . . . it's gone great! Elder Edelman is an awesome elder and the work here has been so much more enjoyable and rewarding with him being here. We've been going running every morning since he arrived, so hopefully that'll help me get rid of these balls of fat on my cheeks I've developed while I've been here, haha. It was a transition week if we can call it that. I got him all caught up on what I could and we tried to just jump right into the work. We did, however, get a few cancellations that slowed us down a bit, but, that just opened up more room for FINDING! The weather has been great all week and every day there are hundreds of Finns sporting ice cream cones, walking down the streets . . . so jealous, haha.

A member that recently returned home from her mission a month or so ago from Sweden, who is also a recent convert, was able to accompany us on a teach with Olavi. She was so happy to be in a teach again and do the work she loved so much. She was a big help and we're definitely going to try and use her more often in teaches. Even though she lives about 45 minutes away, she's willing to help whenever she can. In the teach with Olavi she shared her conversion story and really brought a good spirit to the teach, and a new friend for Olavi in church . . .some one to relate to . . .her being a convert.

Our Italian investigator, Ottavia, left this past weekend back to Italy. We tried to contact her all week and we just couldn't get in contact. We finally tried her one last time on Friday, she wasn't home, so we went to knock on doors in her area for a while, then we tried her one last time before we were going to head home for the night. . . . worrying that she could be lost forever, since we didn't have any of her contact info to give to the missionaries in Italy . . . . and she was home! It was a miracle and an answer to our prayers. We showed her a short film called Finding Happiness, In Italian, and she loved it, and told us she is still interested, so we got her contact info and we're going to try and turn her over the missionaries in Italy. She was such a pleasure to teach, I hope she continues the journey in Italy.

Yesterday we had a DA with some members that live about an hour out. A temple missionary couple that was visiting came along with us and, even though it dominated our day, it was fun to be out and about with them and converse with these pioneers of the gospel. I think the temple couple even sent an e-mail to Mom and Dad with pictures and everything . . .so I guess if you want pictures of me you'll have to ask them. :P

There will be a lot ahead of us in these next 6 weeks. We are excited to be on the Lord's errand and hopefully things will go well. I am confident they will. I know that God's kingdom is once again established on the earth, the heavens are opened and the plan is revealed. Our Savior stands as our guide and points the way to eternal happiness, the happiness I can only taste while about doing this work. I love you all and wish you all another happy lovely week ahead.

Congrats Spencer! Good Luck Dan!

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

p.s. Yeah, I can never share EVERYTHING about my week's experiences, so forgive me on that. Things are going well though and I'm glad to hear the same goes there as well!

Hei!

Sooo . . . yep, I'm still here in Kouvola . . .for my 5th Change. Looks like I am still needed here. Maybe it'll be like Joensuu and I just won't leave till I get a baptism, haha. Elder Balls left just a half hour ago to Savonlinna. I spent 3 changes with that man, and a good 3 changes it was. He was actually pretty bummed to leave Kouvola, it's a really good place with an awesome branch and things have been starting to take off here. Now, my new companion is Elder Edelman. He was actually my replacement in Joensuu when I left there! So he has been in Finland for about 6 months now and I can already tell that I'm going to like this guy. It's a bit of a tender mercy actually, haha, because I already feel like I am going to need to up my game with this guy just to keep up with him. I can already tell he is a good Elder and I am excited to get to work with him. Oh yeah . . .he's from Georgia.

So, about this past week. . . . .Well, first off, it's been wonderful weather here recently . . . except for right now . . .it's raining. . . . but most of the week has been bright and sunny, and it's finally getting green. Last P-Day we went to a local park and tossed around a frisbee that I got in a package a while back. It was pretty fun and we felt really good for the rest of the day, and even the next, because we spent more time outside and were able to run around a bit . . . .not to mention us working on that tan. Yep, our missionary tan lines are coming back. haha

Well, Zone Conference was Tuesday. It was awesome! Sister Brown spoke about Peace and Faith, the Assistants spoke about Elder Robbins' recent conference talk . . like to BE and to DO, which was really good. The Zone Leaders spoke about Finding, and Pres. Brown spoke about the Plan of Salvation. I'm going to miss Pres. Brown, he is such a good teacher and leader and he has done a lot for the mission. A year ago this mission had to find 91 new investigators on average to get ONE baptism out of it. Now, we have to find around 10 to get ONE baptism. I'm telling ya, the awakening is hitting Europe . . Finland especially. I really feel like the awakening is hitting Kouvola as well, and success is on it's way.

Our investigators are doing well, in fact, most of them are progressing. Our roommate duo is still doing awesome. One of them came to church yesterday while the other one was sick. Again, the members did very well in fellowshipping her. It seems like they are having a hard time connecting the fact that there is ONE true church though and ONE priesthood, because of the experiences they've had in other churches. so we are working on that.

We had a good teach with Olavi too. Lately he has been saying how he feels like his faith is too weak, so, we had a teach on Faith and actually used Elder Edgely's Nov. 2010 Conference talk, Faith-The Choice is Yours. Olavi just feels inadequate and wants to be perfect before setting a date, but he is ready and hopefully he'll recognize that soon.

We found a lot more potential investigators last week. We talked with a man, collecting money for a certain foundation, for nearly an hour the other day. Turns out, he knows A LOT about our church and our beliefs and he wouldn't accept the fact that we claim we are Christian. He's working on his Master Thesis here and has studied Theology for quite a while too. Bible Bashing gets us no where, so, even though we wanted to, and so did he, we just testifies about the stuff we do know and ended up getting his number. That is just one of the few stories we have for the week.

Hockey Season is back. Finland played Sweden last night and dominated them 6-1. I was woken up in the middle of the night by all the cheering going on. I got up and looked outside and people were crowding the streets, cheering and celebrating their win, cars honking and all. It was insane. I can't believe my companion slept through it all. haha. The whole week actually there have been hockey games going on, so no one wanted to talk to us at their doors because the game was going on.

With the warmer weather, people set up shop in the center and start playing their instruments and 'one man band' set ups. For example, we had Indians playing those peter pan flutes, a Latvian playing an accordian and a trumpet at the same time, and a cowboy playing the banjo, harmonica, and drum at the same time. Very entertaining.

Well, I better get going. It sounds like a bunch of stuff is going on back home these days. I hope all goes well! I don't really know what else to say other than, Goodbye, God Bless, and can't wait to hear about all your adventures next week.

I'll leave you by telling you about how this morning I finished the Book of Mormon again. This time, is was a huge project because I was marking everything and studying it more in depth, like highlighting the church doctrine on one color, the Christlike Attributes in another color, Christ's name in another color, and the stuff He says in another color. It was a big project, and I've never read it that way before. But it really helped me draw closer to it and to my Heavenly Father. I know that that book is true. I hope you all are reading it often, even if you are reading another church book or scripture, we have been counseled to ALWAYS read the Book of Mormon. It is the keystone of our religion. I know it is true.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

Hyvää Äidin Päivää!!

Wow, less than 24 hours ago I was speaking with all of you on the phone!! It was so good to hear all of your voices again and to feel of your love and support, and especially to feel your optimism and good spirits. Honestly though, it lasted WAY too long and I apologize for that, haha. Anywho, it was my last call home, can you believe that? Next time I hear your voices I'll finally be able to look you in the eye! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. I apologize that the call in and of itself wasn't as spiritual and personal as the last ones have been. Let's just say I noticed some 'trunkyness' in my family, haha. For those of you who don't know what that word means . . . . . good. :P Seriously though, we didn't get to 'go around the bend' and talk to all of you personally, I missed that, but I think we all got caught up in the rush and fun of things. As always, when I finally hung up, I had those feelings like I forgot something, haha. Kuitenkin, I am so grateful that I was able to get that opportunity to talk to my beloved family and wish my awesome mother a Happy Mother's Day.

Well, I can quickly fill you in on my week. It was a good one. We have some awesome investigators right now and many blessings from the Lord.

I think I told you, but we had splitz last week. I was with my good ol pal Vanhin Ranzenberger and a man we were talking too randomly cut us off and asked us if he could take a picture of us, haha. We obliged. Hope it turned out alright. :P

It was Kouvola Päivä (Kouvola Day) on Saturday. Crazy stuff. There were people everywhere. A man got up there with a mic and started dancing to the music and getting everyone to copy him, just like in those exercise videos. It was hilarious to watch from our window and we took some videos of it. The man was pretty good. There was a point where he had almost everyone dancing with him, mummos and children alike. After that, some Finnish teenagers got up and started to rap. . . . yeah, umm . . . . nope. We were just laughing at how stupid it sounded and looked: just picture Dad's face if he were to listen to rap and then picture him copying and making fun of it, and that's what we looked like. haha, I want to see Dad's face doing that now, haha.

On a more serious note now, I mentioned the work is moving forward here. It's true. We're being blessed. I know it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with them, and the Lord guided His servants to them. It's heaven's music to my ears hearing these people speak sometimes: the questions they ask, the statements they make . . . . golden. God truly prepares His children: each in their own personalized way. Whether I'm transferred out of this area or not, I feel like God placed me here, in Kouvola, with my companion, with these people. 'Thy will be done' as it is said. I do not know how long my stay here will last, or what words I will say, or what plans or people are in my future . . . But He does.

I love you all so dearly and, taas, I thank you for being YOU. YOU have lifted my up. YOU have pointed me the right way. YOU are awesome. Remember the Lord Our God at ALL times, and He shall direct thy paths. I know He lives and He remembers us always, even when we do not.

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

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

Hyvää Pääsiästä!!

Well, I don't know about all of you but it is still Easter here in Finland. Yup, it's a 2 day holiday here . . but honestly . .I think it's just an excuse for the Finns to have just one more day off work, haha

Another week is gone, but now there are more stories to tell, no time to write them all, more sunshine to enjoy and a tan to accompany it. :) Yup, the sun has been shining brightly here, getting to nearly 20 degrees Celsius, almost 70 F!! Ahh, we love it. 2 days ago we blew the dust off our short-sleeved dress shirts and we've been wearinf them ever since. Everyone is eating ice cream in the streets. And all this and the trees STILL aren't green yet, haha. We're in for a hot summer. I thought I was called to Finland?

It really was an exciting week. We were able to help a lot of people, physically and spiritually, and as a result, we now have happy branch members, clean yards, and 5 progressing investigators!!

To start out our week we did a bunch of service for some members. Helping them out with the Spring Cleaning and clearing out their yards. One of them lives on a farm, so we had to take a bus out there. Well, the bus never stopped at our specified stop, even though I pressed the STOP button multiple times and the sign on the bus lit up and said STOP. After some confusion, I walked up to the bus driver and explained my confusion. It seemed that I broke a daze of his and he was all surprised and pulled over on the high way and let us off, in the middle of no-where, on the highway, haha. We called up the members and they had to come fetch us. Anyways, the service was fun. It was soo weird being in normal clothes again. They aren't my 'comfies' anymore, haha. A few blisters later, we were able to get back to the real work, the work of angels.

So, we have 5 progressing investigators!! 3 of them are still pretty recent. 2 of them are those that came to church last week. They are both room-mates and both are doing very well. It has been awesome teaching them because they are just soaking it all in and accepting it all! To hear an investigator say that they know that the Book of Mormon is true is music to my ears, especially if we hadn't even asked them yet! I love the gospel!

Another one of our progressors is the Italian! She got back from her vacation and we were finally able to meet up again and invited her to church . . and she came!! Wow, the branch did an awesome job fellowshipping her even though she only spoke english. We hardly had a chance to talk to her ourselves! The branch is on Cloud 9, they are so excited.She was the 3rd new person in 2 weeks that they've seen in church. We are on Cloud 9 as well seeing all these people progress!

Easter Sunday was amazing. We started it all out by opening our little Easter baskets that we received from Elder Balls' mom. That was so nice of her to send me one too! In church, the stake patriarch came and spoke and it felt like he was speaking right to our investigators and their needs. I was all smiles the whole time he was up, just hoping all of them were paying attention as he literally was blowing away all of their concerns and fears.

Ahh, their is soo much to write and so little time, I can't get my thoughts our straight!

-The branch had an Easter Party on Friday, to which a lot of less actives were able to come. We were asked to have a little part in the program so we decided to read to them the Living Christ and bear our testimonies of our Savior.

-A member family invited us to their place for Easter. This is the family that a former Elder I know from Sweden married in to, Elder Kääriä. So he was also there! It was awesome seeing him again. He was a stud missionary and a great example to me at the beginning of my mission.

-Easter, unfortunately is not that much of a sacred holiday anymore, at least here in Finland. It's just another vacation and an excuse to go out an get drunk. We had an experience yesterday when we were stopped for a break at a bench. A few drunks came up to us and started asking us questions. One of them was running her hand through my hair and almost trying to pull my hair out. Then the same one tried to hug my companion. The other 2 weren't as bad and they were trying to leave and get their friend off us. This weird experience actually has a good side because one of them has a sister who is a recent convert here in our branch, and she had questions for us because she's been curious, so she got our number and promised to call us when she is sober. All in all, after they finally left, I just sort of chuckled it off but my companion was pretty upset for a while, but now he too chuckles about it. Better then getting hit in the face, right? haha

Well, I better get going. We have an appointment with our new branch mission leader coming up where we get to fill him in on things and how they work. I hope you all had a good Easter and that things are going well. Happy Birthday to Layne and Dad!!! I sent you both something, so hopefully it gets to you on time!

I don't know everything. We live in an unsure world. But of one thing I am certain, Jesus is the Living Christ, our Savior, our Master, and our Friend. He is the Risen Lord and the Only Begotten of the Father. He stands with arms out stretched to all that are willing to receive His help. I am thankful for the enabling power of His Atonement. I am thankful that I could be here as His representative. I am thankful for my family . . .for YOU. I love you all and I'll sign off till next week and hear from you in 2! Moikka!

Rakkaudella,

Vanhin Watson

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