July 5, 2016 Hyvää Syntymäpäivää Amerikka!! Happy Birthday America !!

Grateful to be an American, but I do take full appreciation for the 25% Finnish in my blood. You better believe that we celebrated well yesterday, I may or may not have drawn a Finnish flag on some part of my body (hidden of course) and we definitely sang the national anthem multiple times. I dont think there could be a better mix, Finland and America :) 

We met with the SWEETEST 90ish year old lady this week. We met her a few weeks back in the pouring rain on the street when we picked up my sweater after I hadnt noticed it dropped, finally got contact at her home, she let us in and we are teaching her! She is simply a sweetheart and after 90 years, she is so ready to hear the Gospel!

I think in honor of the Fourth of July, God led us to meet two Americans from New York this week! We met them through one of out investigators, they had a little different view of what LDS members are, but we cleared that up real nice and I have a very good feeling that it wasnt just a coincience they were here for a a few days and met "real mormons" haha. It's amazing the little "coincidences" that Heavenly Father has in store for us.

Sisar Merenluoto running!!

Sisar Merenluoto ran the half marathon!! She did great. Man, definitely the strongest 74 year old lady I know. Even though I wasnt able to run it with her THIS TIME, we had a lot of fun cheering her on very loudly, jumping up and down, in a crowd of very quiet Finns :)

One of our newly activated members bore his testimony in church this Sunday for the first time in many years. One thing that really touched me was when he talked about "I knew it was true the whole time in the back of my mind". 

Ilmaista Jäätelöä - Free Ice Cream!

FuN BleSsinG oF thE weEk:

This random sales guy came up to us and gave us free ice cream. We were walking home with a YSA after a lesson turned out to me a "noshow" I am fully convinced that it is because God was just giving us a little pat on the back saying "dont worry, next time...here is a little ice cream to make ya feel better"...and because Oona, the YSA, is a total babe. 

Quote from our "athiest" investigator: "I think believing in God is like believing in love...you cant explain or see love, but it exists". WHAAA?! I love her. 

Great week

Keep on keepin on!

Sisar Cardon

(I cut Sisar Toomeys hair...dont know why the heck she trusted me with that..dont worry, all went well...for the most part.)

 We painted rocks with Saara for the Fouth of July. I ADORE HER!

June 28, 2016 HYVÄÄ JUHANNUSTA! (HAPPY MIDSUMMER!)

There is a really good new video of Elder Holland that I think is worth seeing! It's from his talk "like a broken vessel" and he talks about the hard time that he had in his life. Watching this, I thought about how when he had this trial, he had no idea that he would eventually be an apostle, speaking of this to millions of people, and changing lives. If we only knew the extent of WHY we have the trials we do at the times we do. What we learn is for significant and eternal purposes. Heavenly Father has a reason for everything. ​

To see the video that Valerie is talking about, click on the following link: 

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mormon+messages+like+a+broken+vessel&view=detail&mid=EE2C2DBEE5AC1F6ADD36EE2C2DBEE5AC1F6ADD36&FORM=VIRE


This week was "Juhannus" which is the Midsummer holiday here in Finland celebrating the longest\lightest day of the year. Let me just say that I have a new favorite holiday now. It is such a crazy holiday with a lot of alcohol so we are only alowed out if we have an appointment. We had one with our 80 year old sweetie in the ward...but because the buses dont go, and she is quite old for driving, we found an alternate of sisar Toomey riding my bike, and I ran next to her. It was the best 75 minute run to her that day!! I didnt think I would ever be able to have that kind of running luxury on my mission. Hyvää Juhannusta!

Making the traditional Juhannus flower crowns-yes we have the cutest YSA here in Turku. 

We also went to a Mökki with a member (like a little cabin) that is just a few meters from the Baltic Sea. UNREAL. Its in the middle of a forest and we have to hike to it. The spiritual talk we had there was amazing too because of how comfortable and easy it was for the spirit to be there.  

June 21, 2016 Excerpts from a Letter to President Watson

President, 

This week was very good. We may not have given as many books out, or talked to as many people, but I did feel like the conversations were just as, if not more, meaningful and spirit driven. Because of this we were able to find some very solid and new investigators which whom we are ecstatic to work! This truly is a beautiful work. 

These past few weeks I've felt some things really tiring me out, and I felt that there wasn't quite as much progression that we could have. So, I have been communicating and talking a lot about things with my companion and handling them maturely (something I should have done better in previous times) and I have already began to see a difference. While there are still things to work through, and progress we can BOTH make, I am grateful for the patience with me that my companion has and for the willingness we have together to make things work, and work well. 

I am learning so much on this mission.

I am grateful for the example of patience and love that Heavenly Father has shown to us in simply letting us come to this earth and make decisions, mess up, progress and learn. I love this opportunity to share the knowledge of God with others, here in beautiful, beautiful Finland. 

Sisar Cardon

We survive the long days by buying fresh berries and veggies in the market square.
Yes. I do love Finland with my whole heart!

  

 Finnish                                                                                         Cardomom 

             Bread - 

            PULLA

-We made Pulla with one of the recent convert families.
Yes...I am obsessed with Finnish pulla.

June 14, 2016 Moikka!! (Hello !!)

The pyramid was at the youth conference...
we did it once and then learned from that..
repented..
and didnt do it again.

This week was so neat with the Youth of Finland! Sisar Toomey and I were asked to hold a missionary class for the youth conference that was for all the youth in Finland! People had literally come all the way from the Arctic Line down here to Turku for this! It really was a blast to be with them. I fell like I am still one of them, I am in so many ways, but it was so nice to connect with them and build one another up. The Youth in the church here in Finland are truly elect. We played jeopardy. If anyone told me that Missionary jeopardy was that fun before my mission I would have laughed...maybe it was just fun to us..haha 

We are being taught to knit by an 80 year old Finn lady in the ward. She is the one who knitted me a skirt. Yes, absolutely, I am not a kitting prodigy. 

Bishop in our ward, who played lacrosse for Finlands national team gave me a gift... A FINNISH LACROSSE STICK MADE BY HIS OWN HANDS OUT OF WOOD. Yes, and I definitely freaked out.

Fun fact: I havent seen the sun go down in weeks. Seems like it just goes around in circles in the sky. Quite different, quite fun.

This week I was reading in Enos. In verse 3, Enos says, 

"Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests and the words which I had OFTEN heard my father speak concerning eternal life and the joy of salvation sand keep in my heart.." 

And I thought about how much we learn from our parents. How the counsel that they provide and how that blesses us in our own time. I am so grateful for my parents and the teachers in my life who have provide me to have my own "personal forest experiences" like Enos did, because of the faithfulness of one influencing him. 

What a blessing it is to be representing Jesus Christ here in Finland to these absolutely incredible people. I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ restored again on the earth. I am grateful to do this work among my sweet companions.

Sisar Cardon

p.s. B-day shout out to Colby and Momma :)

Finland..and tracting walks :)

For p-day activity we had Sisar Toomey and I, one of our investigators, a YSA member, a recent convert family in our ward, the American Stimpson couple and a potential all come.

 

 You better believe it was a blast....in a castle from the 1200s. Yes.

  

June 7, 2016 The Finns sure know how to WOK da WOK‏

We did enough this week to fill up a month I feel like. #missionarylife

"woking"

We had one of our ward members graduate so she is now an yliopplias! We helped with service at her graduation party-quite a big deal here in Finland- and we were put in charge of working the Wok for a bit. Never thought I would be doing that...in Finland. 

This week we shared a lot of spiritual thoughts about prayer. I am so grateful for the example that my father gave of ALWAYS doing family prayer both morning and night and scripture study. Even if he was praying alone, right before leaving to work and everyone in bed, he prayed loud so everyone could hear. Family scripture study at night was never a forced thing, but daddy always invited. He would come ask if our doors could be opened when we were "busy in our rooms" so that we could hear the scriptures. Looking back at my foolishness of not joining every single family scripture study and soaking up the wisdom of prophets as well as of my father, I am so grateful for the constant invitation that we have. Its the same with the Gospel, we are invited to do things that we are promised will bring us more happiness, but never forced. I am so grateful for the examples that I have in my life, especially the simple example from my father, each and everyday without fail.

My INCREDIBLE quilt!!!

On with a rant about my family: I have the BEST Aunt Sandy in the universe! Thank you for the Finland Sisar Cardon mission quilt that you sent. It is simply outstanding. Receiving that this week from the sweet family here in Finland on vacation was the biggest highlight. (picture attached)

So we have this amazing investigator Alexandra--I have talked a lot about her in past emails--but she writes us "missionary apporpriate" versions of the top hits and sings them for us after our lessons. Yes, I love every hair on her head. And, Yes, she does sound like she should be the daughter of Adele. 

Tracting in the rain with our new Ylioppilas!!
(her mission call will come soon!)

Quote of the week by Elder Holland:

"Dont Give up.

Dont you quit.  You keep walking. 

You keep trying.

There is help and happiness ahead...

You keep your chin up. 

It will be ALL right in the end. 

Trust God and believe in good things to come."

I love the part (emphasized by me) of "it will be ALL right" its not "alright" but ALL RIGHT. This is because of Christ. Things will not just be better or work out, but be Right. I love this. It applies to so many people that I love so much.

Keep smiling.

Keep working hard.

Remember your worth!

Sisar Cardon

p.s. we are going to the castle today again for pday. Better believe we will be taking more knight photos. Stay tuned next week.

p.p.s. we explored a church from the 1700s last week. Its incredible. 

p.p.p.s We went tracting this week...walked trough a field and forest (common here in Finland) and got eaten alive by the bugs. By the end of our night I had over 20 bites, one on my right temple which swelled up so I literally looked like Kuazi Motto-no idea how that is spelled--and we may or may not have gotten stinging nettle on our legs...Dont worry, we documented the memories. I spared your the terrifying pictures though. Don't worry, all is well here in the Turku Finland :)

We explored this church from the 1700s last week. 

It's incredible!!! 

Here is a good scripture I want to share with you this week:

John 16. 33 will you all please read it?? Thanks. love you. Keep in real over there in America. 

                                                                                              -Sisar Cardon teidän siskonne

 These things I have spoken unto you, 

                                          that in me ye might have peace. 

                     In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

                       but be of good cheer;  

                 I have overcome the world.  

                              John 16:33

1. 

2. tracting in the rain with our new Ylioppilas!! (her mission call will come soon!)

3. 

May 31, 2016 Hyvää Päivää Kaikille!‏ (Good Day Everyone!)

Us with a 10 minute break taking "pinterest pics" - we needed a little break.

It's been another great week. We have been doing a lot of work with our less active members which feels so good. It's a focus we want to have to make sure that all of the people are in constant conversion and remembering the testimonies they had and recognizing the testimonies they DO have. I cannot write the miracles we saw this week with that. We were able to meet a less active family this week, they all ended coming to church on Sunday, and the mother actually wrote us letters because the experience that we had together meeting during the week was quite significant to her. It was amazing. I felt so blessed. We had 6 less actives in church this week!!! 

My companion is so strong and we are working hard. Adjustments make us grow, they stretch us, yes, but make us grow. 

"Sisar Cardonin ajatuksia" for the week :) 

----"There is no life so shattered that it cannot be restored....our Savior, the Good Shephard, knows and loves us-He knows and loves you. He knows when you are lost, and He knows where you are. He knows your grief. Your silent pleadings. Your fears. Your tears. It matters not how you became lost-whether because of your own poor choices or because of circumstances beyond your control. What matters is that you are His child. And He loves you. He loves His children. Because He loves you, He will find you. .. While our loving Father desires that all of His children return to Him, He will force no one to heaven. God will not rescue us against our will. So what must we do? His invitation is simple "turn..to me" "come unto me" "draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you" THis is how we show Him that we want to be rescued" President Dieter F. Uchtdorf  I pondered this a lot this week. We never need to feel like we arent understood or that we are alone. He is always there.

----I have been reading a journal entry everyday from my first half of my mission so by the end I will be half done. I am currently in the MTC. Good days. There was a talk by Elder Holland that I heard there and it is one of my favorite missionary talks. He said this story:

"go to the edge" he said.

"no, we will fall!" They said.

"Go to the Edge." He said

"We cant we will fall!"

"Go. To. The. Edge." He said.

They went to the edge, He pushed them, they flew. 

Heavenly Father knows what we are capable of. He wants us to have success and we will, when we put our trust and faith in him.

----one of my favorite conference talks that I am reading is from the priesthood session by President Uchtdorf. He quotes: "If we look for the imperfections in people, we will surely find them. We all have them. But if we look for the good, we will surely find it, for we all have good in us". This is one of those "self check points" that I had. How much "good" am I looking for in everyone I meet around me? We can always find more.

Last thought I promise----"Q: Why is it so hard? A: It wasnt easy for Christ, why should it be easy for us? I CANT be easy, because it NEVER was easy" This was also Elder Holland. Remember this next time you are in a trial that seems simply Too Hard.

Its been a great week. I am growing so much (luckily not physically outwards as much anymore). Keep smiling and remember that we really can always to better, and to figure out how, study about Christ and we will know in what way to better refine ourselves to come closer to our Heavenly father.

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Cardon

 Finland and Finland and Finland

The District part 5

Our friend Sisar Ylinen who has 34 rodents living in her home.
Yes and she has won rat competitions. I repeat, she has WON rat competitions. 

____________________________________________________

So we have this RM, YSA who rocks! 

and comes with us to lessons all the time...

...and we had a bubble blowing contest on the bus. 

                                                          I won.

May 24, 2016 Forgiveness

Its been a nice first week of transfers.

One of the many Lutheran churches in our area,

this is 2 streets from our apartment. 

(Sisar Toomey standing in front of it)

Our dinner picnic on the river by the ships

Sisar Toomey is from California and Draper Utah. She is very much taller than I am, and I always tell her she should be a model (like the wholesome Mormon missionary models) She played tennis and studied at BYU. She is really fun and we find ourselves laughing very often. It has been different and I am definitely going to learn so much from my new companion. She is really a great missionary. There are things-like always-that we have already needed to find a middle ground on, especially after the routines and levels we were at here in Turku last transfer, but I am focusing on always letting love be the first and most important thing with my companion and I believe that Sisar Toomey is also doing that too, which is really helping us to grow and learn and work. For example, we, after a few interesting adapting mornings, figured out a way that we can both get a morning work out that will help us to be more successful throughout the day. (big adjustment going from last transfer waking up at 6.00 am to do 4,5,and 6 mile runs, to now not being able to walk too much outside--Sisar Toomey broke her poor pinky toe 6 weeks ago :( not fun!) But, I am learning patience and how to work these things out in a healthy and happy way which is really amazing to me and I know it will help me immensely in life. We now do bike rides along side me running and its actually quite fun :)

Sisar Toomey really works hard and intends to enjoy her missionary work which is very good. I am enjoying serving alongside her and I know I will learn quite a lot this transfer. While I do have "past companion ikevä" I know that there are lives to be blessed by the current situation. I am grateful to do this work among such dedicated missionaries. 

THE GOOD STUFF: Forgiveness

So this week I studied gold and wanted to share the treasure. Elder Kevin R. Duncan who spoke in General Conference about forgiveness gave such a powerful talk. He shared an experience about how he got a sliver while working with a fence, and it got infected and was sore for a matter or years because he never did anything about it. After a long time of soreness, he decided to put ointment on it and it came out, the infection stopped and he was healed. He likens this unto forgiveness and says "an unforgiving hear harbors so much needless pain". I loved this. We at times in our lives dont forgive--others or ourselves--and it causes us to have "slivers" for years.

When we went to the gardening
Relief Society activity..the three musketeers

 "one key to forvinging others is to try to see them as God sees them. ...Too often we look at the offender the way we would look at an iceberg--we see only the tip and not beneath the surface...The Saviors Atonement is not just for those who need to repent; it is also for those who need to forgive. If you are having trouble forgiving another person, or even yourself, ask God to help you"

After our lesson with Alexandra and Aura

I thought about this and how hard it really can be to forgive, especailly ourselves at times, for things done wrong. But if we remember how fast our Father in Heaven is to forgive us when we truly repent, we will find more hope and determination and happiness to progress. 

The rest of the talk is simply eyeopening and I really hope you all would take just 5 minutes and read it. I studied a bit from it almost every personal study hour this week.

Wow that was an extremely long email. Thanks for enduring reading that.

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Cardon

Have a great week--I know we will!:)

BLAST TO THE PAST

so turns out that sisar Toomey and I actually have a picture together for the couple days we happened to overlap in the MTC!! so funny. We met and had no idea we would ever be serving together!! 

Picture: I am on the far left and she is next to me! so funny!!