Monday, August 31, 2015

Valerie's new address:





Valerie's Email Address:

valerie.cardon@myldsmail.net


Mission Address: 

Sisar Valerie Marie Cardon
Finland, Helsinki Mission
Upseerinkatu 3Ce
02600 Espoo, Finland

Pictures from the last days in the MTC

My Zone
BEST ZONE SINCE 1996
August 30, 2015

(I wasn't tall enough to touch Finland, so I resulted in just pointing to the bottom of
Russia...Don't worry Mom, I'm still going to Finland for the next 16 months)

The "dream team" and best district around

Last Days in the MTC


The Hungarian Noverek and the lone sisar. We will miss each other!
​Its been such a wonderful last few days at the MTC. We taught our last "investigator" who is just our teacher and we had ONE goal the whole time and that was to make her cry, we accomplished that goal...well, kinda. She actually had a coughing attack and her eyes watered from that but It counts right? 

Saying goodbye to our teachers was really hard and sad but still happy. One of our teachers, Sisar Egan, had been one of the biggest helps to me. She has blessed me so much more than just simply teaching me the language. I look up to her so much. Before she left she brought us all together and shared something with us. She said that before we came in she was looking at all our pictures and praying about us and she said that she got such an overwhelming feeling that this district--our district--was so prepared. She said that she has never had a district that has worked as hard and together as well as us. She said "I know I shouldn't say this, but you all have blown me away even when my expectations were already set high." It was such a special thing to hear. I look up to her and received so much peace from the words she said. 

I have honestly loved my time here in the MTC and there are some days that I really just don't want to leave. I have learned so much here about myself, this gospel, the Finnish language and our purpose here on earth. A lot of people complain about the food, I agree sometimes there are things about it that arent the healthiest or yummiest, but its such blessing and I don't have anythin to complain about except that its all you can eat and that definitely tested my self control sometimes with that chocolate cake...

Also, the Vanhimmat tried to surpise me with a going away party thanking me for being the 'district mom' and throwing all the birthday parties. They bought be gifts (poprocks because "I rock", starbursts because "I am a star" , a Lauluja (Finnish hymn book) and--because I always get confused about the scripture stories and am trying to hard to learn more--Vanhin Armond bought me a Book of Mormon Stories book. It melted my heart that they all went to such an extent to do this for me. They bought chips and salsa and donuts--obviously wanting me to gain even more weight--but it just meant so much to me. I am so blessed with my district and I would take being a Solo Sisar any day to be with them more. 

I have loved all that I've learned and I cant wait for all that is in store for me and the opportunity to hug a Finn finally!!! Love you all and I'll email next when I am SUOMESSA (in Finland)

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Finland Here I Come !!!!




Our filght plans ROCK!! First we don't have to leave early at all (looks like that waking up at 3:30 am and heading to Salt Lake Airport was just a one time thing for LA hallelujah!) We leave the MTC at 8:00 am Monday, August 31st then our first flight is from Salt Lake to Chicago at 1:20 so we will get to Chicago about 5:30--Chicago time--then we have our next flight straight from Chicago to Helsinki at 10:00pm arriving in Finland at 2:30 pm (so all night flight and I can sleep!!) I feel like they are literally the best travel plans that I could have! #solucky. Our branch president said that we should hope for a seat on the left side of the plane because we might be able to see the northern lights that plane ride!! I am soooo stoked. They are on an 11 year cycle and we are at the perfect time. Just coming off the peak, so i am keeping my fingers crossed!!

This week has been good and we have had some fun! Last Sunday I actually sang a solo in sacrament meeting. It was a rendition of "I Stand All Amazed" and it went quite well! I have never done anything like that before but a lot of people claimed that they liked it and I actually felt the spirit while doing it instead of shaking like a dog so that was great. I think that music is one of the most important things and biggest blessings that we can have in this life. Now, sometimes at night after we plan some of us get together and sing and harmonize together and it is just a blast!! I wish we could do that all day! 

It rained this week a couple times and it was so beautiful! The Noverek and I took a 20 minute break and played in the rain on Tuesday and it was just plain old fun. There was a moment playing in that rain that my smile was so big I thought that my cheeks might burst and I was just so happy and content to be on a mission. I am just so blessed. 

I can't belive that in just a few days I will be in Finland!!! I honestly can't wait to hug a Finn. I love you all so much and hope all is well. Just remember when you are having a hard time, or even a great time, to sing and play in the rain. It makes everything better than it is--even if its already the best. 

Rakkaudella, 
Sisar Cardon

Featuring "oreos for eyes" and us trying our best to get a picture but...ya.

This beautiful view was one of the 'tender mercies' that God gave us here at the MTC.
(p.s side note for the fam. Dont you think that Gordon Nover--
in the floral dress-- looks like aunt Sheree??)

*you know you are best friends when you see each other in
the MTC and everyone around you hears you freak out.

MY FLIGHT PLANS!!!

 Elder Cole who left for Taiwan this past Tuesday.



Thursday, August 20, 2015

more pictures of "Good ol' fun"

We sometimes dress up really cute in the MTC with really large clothes.
My "Finland I want to be with you right now" face and outfit. 
I saw Elder Parrish (wardies are the best to see)


In our fort we shared this lovely cupcake 
from Vanhin Armonds mother. Special times.
me wearing grandpas shirt 
which is my all time favoite shirt now :)



Good ol' fun week‏

Just so you all know: my mother has started a blog for me ---valeriecardon.blogspot.com---and so if you want to read emails and see pictures feel free to go to that from now on so you don't have to get annoying missionary emails every week. (if you really do want to keep getting these then let me know and I will keep you on the weekly email list).

ANYWAY, happy valmistautamis päivänä (preperation day)!!! I am excited today because tomorrow I will get my flight plans for Finland and then in 11 days I will actually be there! Weird that I've been on my mission almost 2 months and haven't even gone to Finland yet. MTC has been fun and all but I am so ready to get my Finn on!

Nashville Tribute Band came this past Sunday. It was unbelieivealby fun! I sang in the choir of 1,000 missionaires as back-up for the songs "I Was Born" and "John's Song". (I think I found a little bit of inner Baptist in me when we were singing John's song...SO FUN). I litereally havenet had so much fun singing in a choir before.

Note from Val's mom-
To see/hear the Nashville Tribute Band, follow theses links:
I Was Born:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ1iw1w02JE&list=RDDZ1iw1w02JE#t=9
John's Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAWUc-mgHUw&list=PLFQkaaxIPmP6yMialpMxW2SN_AUzYnuWu

Our Fort: So, after a long and stressful day, the Noverek (Hungarian sisters) and I decided to make a fort. Yes. We transformed our room into a world-class fort with brownies to eat inside. Don't worry, we cleaned up our mess, Mom. ;)

Michelle's Wedding: Well my sister is now a voimo (wife) and I LOVE the pictures. I died when I saw how beautiful in the dress you and mom made. Not fair, give us some of that beauty. Also, BIGGEST SHOUT OUT TO MY MOM for the wedding package. So I get a package delivery and it turns out to be this gigantic box. We don't open mail until after we go back to the residence for the night at 9:30 so the anticiation was killing me. When I opened it I found breathtaking pictures of the newly-weds, beautiful dining supplies--table cloth included--with bubbles from the wedding and a gigantic piece from Michelle's wedding cake. I literally was tearing up it was the sweetest thing. So, now I can say that I attended the wedding with all my Noverek. How did I get so blessed with my mother?

This was a week of hard work and good ol' fun. We dressed up, built forts, attended a wedding and took wayyy to many pictures doing it all. 

Life is good, church is true, love you all and I love being a missionary!



Terve!! (8/13/15)

I feel like I just emailed my last P-day letter yesterday...weird. Anyway this week was so full and I have decided I very much like being busy here on the mission. 

TRC: So every week we give lessons to return missionaries from Finland and last Thursday was THE BEST LESSON I HAVE EVER GIVEN. I felt so good about the language, and understood about 80% (granted these arent native Finns but thats ok) and then yesterday we, instead of TRC, skyped with a native in Finland and that left me shellshocked but it was still really great! I cant believe how much I have learned already. And how much I still have to learn. Finnish is great.

Spiritual Day: So this Monday I had probably my most spiritual day on the mission thus far. It started with Vanhin Grooms in our district getting the really sad news that he might have to go home because his back problems were causing so much trouble for him. As zone leaders, (btw I am sister training leader by default hahahaah) Vanhin Craft, Vanhin Hatch, The Holy Ghost and I, came up with the idea that we would do a district fast for him. When we discussed this with the district we had such a positive response and then about an hour long discussion that brought the spirit so strong. It was so wonderful. We talked about the true meanings of missions and what our purpose is here. Everyone was participating and sharing very personal experiences that helped their testimonies grow. By the end of the discussion 5 of us had cried happy tears (of course I was one of them cause #totalbaby). Then that night Vanhin Grooms asked that I would open the fast with the prayer and after he was given a blessing by Vanhin Aldous. During the blessing, I was struck with the realization that we are real missionaries, and these elders actually hold God's priesthood power that can bless His children. It's so odd to see a group of 18 and 19 year old boys, who normally are total immature dorks, hold themselves to a standard because they have such a sacred privilege and responsibility to be priesthood holders. It was just one of those "hit you moments" you know?

Sunday Talk: So this is how Sundays work now. We all prepare talks in our languages and then when it comes to sacrament meeting the Branch President will announce to us, after sacrament, which two missionaries were speaking. So, because I had such a busy day full of meetings and I had already given a lesson the week before with a second lesson that day in relief society, I really didnt think that I would be chosen...think again Sisar Cardon! I was the first talk and I did the whole think Suomeksi (in Finnish)!! It was actually so great! I was surprisingly calm, collected, and spoke quite well! I, again, cannot believe how much I've learned here!!

Sunday Choir: So there is choir practice every Sunday and Tuesday and its soooo fun because the director is just so funny and shares the best stories. Anyway, so I went and it was really full buuut it was so packed with missionaries--approx 1000 he said--that there was only extra room on the stage so they had us sit up there for the practice (dont worry, everyone could just watch us 8 sisters sing...special). At the end of the practice it was so spiritual because we sand the song "The Hardest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do*" which is actually a super cheesy song but if you read it as a poem it just melts your heart. As I watch all 1000 of these missionaries sing this, about 20% of them are just crying because the words are so touching. It was a precious moment...but then the choir director asked me to say the closing prayer...that was not a precious moment. I wished I could've said it in Finnish so nobody could understand. Lol. 

Well I love it here a lot more than I thought I would! The mission has already taught me so much about who I am, who I want to become, and how I can help the people I love and God loves come closer to him. These are definitley the most important 18 months of my life and I am determined to make them count. Michelle, you are getting married tomorrow.  I wish I could be there, and I wish I could be with you on such an important day. I know that you are going to be the most beautiful bride. I am grateful I can at least be there as a cardboard cutout ;)
Willets Nover and I :)


Love you all and talk to you next week!!

Rakkaudellla,  (Love, affection or devotion)

Sisar Cardon




by Nashville Tibute Band  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr5Kzy4FF1g)

The hardest thing I've ever loved to do was letting go of everything I ever knew.
19 years of dreams left in my room as I buttoned up the jacket of my suit.
And the hardest word I've ever loved to say was goodbye to my mom and walk away.
Choking on my tie and on my tears, as I walked down the hall into those years.
And the sweetest song I ever loved to sing filled the MTC on angels' wings.
And the chorus filled my soul, five thousand strong
And I wished it would just go on and on.

The firmest hand I ever loved to shake was my trainer's with that big grin on his face.
He grabbed my bag and put his arm 'round me and whispered,
"I'm gonna work those Mr. Mac's right off your feet".

And the hardest words I ever anguished for came just before some lady slammed the door.
And my trainer left me hanging out to dry as a minute of painful silence rolled right by.
But the hardest tears I've ever loved to cry fell as I opened up my mouth and testified.
Between the tiny walls of strangers' living room, the Spirit told their hearts my words were true.

And the most wonderful sound I ever heard is the sound of water running in the church
As someone I've come to love got dresses in white
My eyes saw their first glimpse of heaven's light.

The hardest thing I've ever come to see is a Man down on His knees in agony.
A drop of blood falls down on olive leaves; for a moment, He suffers there for me.

The hardest thing I've ever loved to do was getting on this plane, and coming home to you.
In a million ways completely torn apart as a land so far away still owns my heart.
In the most sincere prayer I've ever prayed I thanked my God for each and every day
For the blessing of the man I've come to be as I walk up and kiss my momma's cheek.


And Then Then There Was One... (8/6/15)

              And then there was one...#onlysisterinthezone‏


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

MTC half way mark!!! (8/6/15)

I don't have a lot of time today but its been a pretty swell week. We were able to hear from Sheri Dew this week and President Nelson. It was GREAT!!! Quick two things that I loved from their talks were: Sheri made a point that "no person on this earth at this particular time is here by chance" and "Questions asked with humility and faith are always good no matter what because it means that we are heading towards knowledge". It doesn't matter how big or small our questions are but we must be willing to ask them and receive the answers no matter what it is. President Nelson is the cutest. So before he came we had heard rumors that an apostle was coming so we got really excited and left over an hour before the devotional started to wait outside in a line to make sure we got good seats...I was 6 rows back in the middle and could actually see the wrinkles on his face. #winning. One thing that I loved that he said was how we are like Helaman's army and we will make it through the trials of life but just like his army we will all suffer greatly and need to endure trials. What a privilege it was to hear from him. When he left he turned and blew us all a kiss--so sweet. Also that same devotional there was a special musical number of "Be Still My Soul" which is Finlandia the Finnish National Hymn. Such a spiritual song, especially for me.

Speaking of hymns....FUNNY STORY FOR YA. So we, as a zone of Finns, Hungarians, Albanians and Estonians all sing hymns in our languages on Sundays. As you can imagine, it sounds pretty crazy but it actually is surprisingly very spiritual. So, anyway, this past Sunday we were singing our opening hymn and about half way through the song Smith Nővér leans over to me and says "Sisar Cardon, Ive totally been singing the wrong hymn this whole time..." haahahah she had been on the complete wrong page but its not like anyone noticed!! I had to hold in my laugh for the sacrament. Gotta love these crazy languages.

Also another funny story. So the new Hungarian sisters came in yesterday (yay I have sisters in the zone again!) but because its their second day they are on a different schedule so they don't have P-day today. So I went to the temple with all the elders. When I went to go change I was walking by myself and this old lady temple worker came up to me with such a concerned look on her face and said "sister...where is your companion? you still need to be together at the temple you know" and i tried to explain that I am a "solo" and didnt have sisters in my zone today so I get escorted by elders for the time being and she was so confused. I think she thinks I am some crazy rebelious missionary but oh well. Then later after I had changed and was waiting out for the Vanhinmat she came up to me, hugged me, and then wispered in my ear, "dont forget to be obedient sister" and walked away. God Bless us all. Such a special time. hahaha 

Well, Love you all so much and hope all is well. Also on a not so spiritual note and kinda dorky and kindy inappropriate note...Vanhin Bekmezian intorduced a scripture to our zone and said it is perfect for the MTC food. Jerimiah 4: 19-20. We had a good laugh at that. Some of you RMs might understand... 

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Cardon
The day the Hungarians left... as a zone. #AndThenThereWasOne


Giullian Nővér and I just keeping it real.

I had to move buildings so I wouldn't be alone
but this was my old door...special memories.

Special Memories... (7/30/15)

Sister Millet! Besties!
hmmm...

"Can I brush your teeth?"

Weekly Temple Sunday Pictures (7/30/15)



Surprise! (7/30/15)

So we started this past week off with a bang because it was Vanhin Hatch's birthday. We blindfolded him with a tie and then had a whole party set up. Such a special day. He actually said that it was one of his favorite birthdays so that either means that he has had some pretty lame brithdays or we are really good at throwing MTC parties. 

Sisar Carter is now in Finland and I am sure she is loving it! I'll be able to join her in one month and I'm crossing fingers that we can be companions again. Also, the Hungarians leave on monday so for 3 days I will literally be the only Sisar in our whole zone. What a nice 1/30 ratio...and SURPRISE I am called to be the zone sister training leader...by default. hahaha so funny. Relief society will be so fun!

Had a really cool experience this week that I want to share. So 2 weeks ago a group of Armenian Elders came in and there was one elder in particular who was having a VERY difficult time adjusting. He was experiencing a lot of panic attacks and was just barely hanging in there. I totally knew exactly what he was feeling so I went out of my way everyday to chat with him and see how he was doing. This went on about a week and a half until one day I hear him "Sisar Cardon, I have to tell you something right now!!" and I see him hurrying to me with a huge smile on his face (this had never happened before). He continued to excitedly tell me something that had happened to him that morning. He said:
 "I love space. Space is so fascinating because its something that is infinite and is a never-ending field of learning, right? Well, now I am a changed man. I can finally see it! We, as mssionaries, are blessing people and changing lives INFINITELY, just like space. Sisar Cardon, I am going to bless someone and that is going to start a chain reaction. That chain reaction is like a burst of matter in space that creates an infinite amount of stars--blessings that start their own galaxies and the reaction never stops! NO ONE can stop me now because I am going supernova!!!" 
(by this point he is so excited and his arms are literally up in the air and he has the biggest smile on his face.) Seeing his change in countenance, boost in attitude, and hope brought tears to my eyes. I witnessed something so beautiful in that moment. This Elder Batson, who had wanted so badly to go home and couldn't make it through a full block of class without having an anxiety attack, had changed in an instant. Its funny that he might say that I helped him in some way, in all reality, he helped me. I want to be like Elder Batson someday. I want to go 'super-nova' right along with him. This experience is once in a lifetime and its hard..but, worthwhile things are hard. How lucky am I to have this opportunity to learn so much.

Anyway, now time for a funny fact. My roommate Giullian Nover, who is going to Hungary, randomly asked me last night as I was grabbing my toothbrush, "Sisar Cardon, I am bored. Can I brush your teeth for you?" what the heck?! I just started laughing but she was serious. Let me just say its kinda weird when someone else brushes your teeth...I love the people you get to know on your mission.

So another week down in the MTC and I've hit my half way mark. WAHOO!! Peace and blessings to you all. I wish you the best :) 

Moi Moi

Sisar Cardon
Elder Hatch's Birthday
!



Photos (7/23/15)

MTC Tradition: The Map Photo
Can't get enough...

Fun stories for week #3 (7/23/15)

Quick update first: Sisar Carter (my comp the past 2 weeks) is being reassigned until her visa comes to good ol' Orem, Utah. She has a champion attitude about it though. I'm gonna miss having a companion. It'll just be the Vanhinmat and I like old times. Finnish is coming, slowly but surely. Its funny, there are a few words (simple words) that actually come out in finnish before english when I am speaking so that is funny. Gotta love SYL (speak your language).

Lots of fun stories for you this week. 

1) I got to host Sisar Millet!! It is so fun to be with her here. It makes it so much happier for me to know that one of my best friends is here. Lew, you better show up soon ;) hahah so how I was able to score hosting Andria is, I waited right out by the entrance for a solid hour and just said hello to incoming missionaires and helped them with their bags but when I saw that suburban coming in and a bunch of waiving hands you better believe that I was jumping up and down sprinting towards that car. It was so happy. I saw Nicoles brand new baby and she is absolutely beautiful!!!

2) I got a couple packages this week from my 2 familes. Mom thanks for the banana bread (I think I gained 5 pounds from it but every bite was soooo worth it and my residence loves your baking too) and Lewis family thanks for the 10 pounds of candy--you know me too well.

3) apparently when you are a missionary everyone wants to marry you off to their friend...I've had like 3 people give me their friends emails and say "please write him, you'll totally get married!!" Such a special time. Not for another 18 months homies!!

4) So missions are big changes in your life and this week Sisar Carter and I just added to that change and dyed our eyebrows. Apparently she does it all the time but I have never so I just ventured out....I look like a hooligan. They are so dark and I honestly am so embarrassed but WHATEVER it doesn't matter! We took funny picutres of us with the dye on them....we look like total creepies!! I love life here.

5) So earlier this week I enter the MTC restroom and very much to my surprise there is written on the mirror "Why So Serious?!?" in red...random...and weird...and creepy but whatever because its the MTC and weird things happen all the time. Anyway so moments later I come to find that right on the toilite paper dispenser it says the same thing...carved into the metal..."why so serious?" which is so ironic because I was totally laughing. After I looked a little bit closer I saw another carving of "I love the MTC" (obviously some weirdo who was only here for 10 days) and then I look harder and see tally marks...as if they had been locked in that stall for 9 days straight. What a great group that have shared their feelings in that bathroom stall. God bless them.

6) My favorite story of all...So on Sunday after our evening devotional there is a huge group of missionaries walking back to our residences. I am just studying my flashcards minding my own business and then an Elder taps my arm and says "Sister, you dropped your flash card" and hands me a card...in the 2 seconds that I took the card, still chanting a Finnish flash card phrase, I notice its not my card and he is already ahead of my group...dont worry, the card said Elder Cahoon with a heart-eyes-smiley-face and on the back had his email. SO FUNNY!!! I just yelled back to him "exact obedience elder!" and laughed.

Over all this has been a fun week full of memories and testimony builders. On Tuesday we had a speaker who talked about how to make them most of your mission and be your happiest and that  was such a great thing for me to hear. I can already see how wonderful the mission is even with the daily struggles and stresses that it brings. I have made so many friends already who will definitely be life long--for example, Sisar Duffy who is going to the Baltic mission and I are going to run a half marathon when we get home and then work to doing a full. We run several times a week together here at the MTC and it is a highlight of my day. She is a blessing! The mission is such a rollercoaster or emotions and spiritual experiences but I can already say that I wouldnt change my being here.

Love you all so much! I pray for you all everyday and hope you can feel God's love for you. 

Moi Moi

Sisar Cardon 



Finnish Consulate (7/16/15)

Weird how fast weeks go but how slow the days are here on the mission...one day I might get the hang of it. 

So this week we got to go to L.A. because we needed to go to the Finnish consulate for our visas. It was so nice to have a break form the MTC (even though i've literally only been here for 2 weeks). We woke up at 3:30, went to the airport, flew to California and literally were there for like a solid 2 hours and then flew home. Regardless of the short amount of time, it was so fun! On the flight back I sat by this couple who have been living in China for the past year teaching english. They were awesome and I was lucky to hear all their stories (even though it was literally nonstop talking for the whole plane ride). Also so weird because on the flight there I saw Garett Peck one my my super good friends from USU. What are the odds we are on the same flight to L.A.??? We ate outside of the MTC this week #picturedbelow (sad how exciting that was...) It was airport food but we made the most of it. Oh and we met BYU's Vocal Point on the flight home...that was cool.

This Finnish language will be the death of me...I'll be honest. Its ridiculously hard but I just keep reminding myself that "God is fluent" and he is on my side. --S/O to mom for the quote

Sorry for the brief email...time goes fast on P-day. Rakastan Sinua!!

Moi Moi

Sisar Cardon




Sisaret (Sisters) (7/9/15)

Our Zone (before the Sisars left)
My temporary companion, Sisar Carter. Her visa comes this Wednesday
so I am cherishing every moment I have with her!

Favorite Companion (7/9/15)

my FAVORITE companion
(she leaves for Finland on wednesday)

Surprise Party (7/9/15)

     the birthday party #bestday‏

hahahahah at our bday party for vanhin armound

                  Sisar Carter


More Pictures! (7/9/15)

my (temporary) companion 
Her visa is coming next wednesday...:(



Ron Swanson...aka Vanhin Grooms