December 8, 2015 Christmas and McDonalds in Finland...

So there is a glorified McDonalds here in Finland that looks like a castle on the outside. One of the members who is in her 80s loves it here so we went for a "night on the town" (or maybe just a "hour-of-missionary-dinner-time on the town" with her and I ate my VERY FIRST BIG MAC in Finland.
No big deal... but kinda a big deal.

our sneekpeek at our christmas card...coming soon from yours truly! :)
We had too much fun getting these pictures...
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December 8, 2015 Dorcas my Sweetie

What a good week. Dorcas is now a member of the Church and her baptism went just beautifuly!! She was and is so ready for this new chapter of her life. It was precious for me to experience this with her, especially when she received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I may or may not have peeked open my eyes for a second during the prayer (I know...I will be better and not do that anymore) to see her with tears spilling over. I was happy to see this, but also slightly nervous because I knew that she was terrified of being infront of the congregation and said she might cry in fear. When we later talked, she expressed with a full glowing smile that she has never felt so much warmth in her heart. She said it was so different, but "very very awesome". I didnt realize that these things actually happen in real life! The whole experience has been so tender and I feel like my testimony has been swelling. 

 

Its just incredible to look back on a week and see all that we accomplished (even if in the moment I didnt feel like we were getting enough done). I love the blessings that we are able to be because we are here serving the Lord. (I know..annoying missionary talk)

Dorcas!! :)

Salmiakki Suklaa--I have a new sweet tooth for p-day celebration black liqorish chocolate #cantspellinenglish

December 1, 2015 Happy Thanksgiving

So...Thanksgiving is an American holiday...not a Finnish holiday...did we celebrate? I think YES!! Jessica (my fellow American friend who is from Utah and married a Finn and is like my best friend here in Vaasa) put together a Thanksgiving dinner and it was our investigators and the YSA of the ward and the Elders. Sheesh it was probably the most fun holiday one could have as a missionary. We all brought part of the meal--Sisar Albiston and I brought stuffing and apple pie (we may or may not have eaten practically a whole pan of stuffing before the actual meal), the Elders made sweet potatoes and "accidently" tripled the sugar while leaving the potatoes at normal amount...yes, it was still a hit and Dorcas (our investigator who is getting baptized on this Thursday) made the most delicious cheese cake one could ever eat! Everyone else brought more food, but I just cant remember what it was because now my mind is consumed by the idea of that cheesecake and the ridiculous food coma I went into after our meal. Long story longer, it was one of the funnest nights as a missionary. 

Just a few of us on the far end of the ping pong table

Sisar Albiston and I eating chocolate angels :)

November 24, 2015 Winter in Finland

A picture is worth a thousand words...right?? First snowfall of the winter and its a winter
wonderland here!! (this is just right outside our apartment window the first hour it started snowing)

Finland the dream...

November 17, 2015 It's getting colder here in Finland!!!

This week was my first transfer week and its crazy not to be with Sisar Harris anymore! Sisar Albiston is my new companion here in Vaasa and we are doing a lot of hard work. She is really nice and she actually has started to teach me how to knit! So fun. I am like one of those crazy little old ladies knitting during the lunch hour....

Me and sister Albiston

 

We ate fresh fish...REAL fresh fish and it stil had a hunch of bones in them...Its was absolutely delicious. I think my new goal in life is to be a fisherwoman and just eat what I catch. 

 

Also, funny story, so this week we were driving down the road and FREAKED OUT because we saw lights in the sky. We immediately pulled over to get out and saw, what we thought, were the nothern lights!!! It was so amazing and we were taking pictures and we even told one of the members that I was on the phone with...Ya, the next day that member, Sisar Bassett, saw us and explained that you cannot see the northern lights when its cloudy...and that those were most likely just lights from a nearby club. Yes, how embarassing. We were going nuts over the fact that we had finally seen the northern lights.. but no, we are just dorks. Feel free to laugh at us!! We sure laughed!

November 9 2015 JEFFREY GOT BAPTIZED!!!

Jeffrey--my first lesson that I ever taught in Finland as a missionary--has been investigating for 5 months and as of November 7/8th is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!! (dont worry I have permission to tell you about his from him) He is from Nigeria, and wants to follow Jesus Christ more dilligently than anyone I have ever met. The baptism went absolutely perfectly. The service was beautiful, about 10 of 15 ward members came and Jeffrey was so touched by how supportive and happy everyone was for him. Our second investigator decided that she feels better about getting baptized on December 3rd which we are very excited about. Its crazy, we had been planning this whole baptism for her and didnt realize that the Lord was actually having us plan Jeffreys, without knowing. Many tender mercies this week. Ive not seen Jeffrey this happy before, and last night as we taught our first "New Convert Lesson" to him, he was just beaming and going on and on about his experience and the happiness of it. He really is an incredible man, and I can just picture him being in the Quorum of the 70. Just 1 week ago, we committed him to be baptized and in this lesson he talked a lot about how when he told us that November 7th sounded like an "sure, fine day" he wasnt one hundred percent yet, but we called, President (the guidelines for what missionaries do when commiting someone to a baptismal date) and told the ward mission leader. When he came to church that next sunday and he heard that we had told President, he "took it by great surprise but as a sign from God" that he really was supposed to get baptized. I have seen him grow these past 2 months being in Vaasa so greatly.  It was honestly the closest that I have ever been to heaven when he got up to the stand on Sunday, after receiving the Holy Ghost, and bearing the most heartfelt testimony. I was in the most content, and perfect place, seeing him up there with the biggest smile on his face. I can only imagine how God feels about all of us when we make good choices. 

Transfers are tomorrow (hence why I am emailing on Monday instead of the usual Pday Tuesday) and I am staying in Vaasa with a new companion named Sisar Albiston. I am nervous but excited to meet her. I have heard from down the grapevine that she loves Disney "with all her heart" so this will be new for me. Sister Harris and I worked really hard to make sure that we ended this transfer well, and I feel so good about these first two months in Finland. I am trying to be more healthy and dilligent, and while sometimes it is completely overwhelming, I am progressing a little bit everyday. It looks like the Lord knows that I have learned all that I can from Sisar Harris now, and its time for a new companion to grow and develop with. I am excited to see what is in store for Sisar Albiston and I and the work that we will be able to accomplish. 

Sisar Cardon

The Big man on the Big Day!!!

This is Jeffrey after we gave him his "Baptism Present" of Jesus the Christ...he was practically jumping up and down. Its right up his alley. He is the coolest guy I know!
(just wait until this man is speaking at general conferences) 

Hyvää Pyhän Päviää!! (Happy Holy Day or Halloween) (November 3, 2015)

So fun fact, here in Finland Halloween isn't super big, but Pyhän Päivää is one of the two "Holy Days" of the year where all the people go to the cemetary and place candles on the graves of those who have passed. It is the most beautiful tradition!! So, in honor of Grandpa Reino Kolu, I went to the cemetary and placed a candle there for him in a special honorary area. I couldn't help but feel that my Grandpa was right there with me, so happy to have a candle lit in his home land, Suomi. It was such a beautiful night. Such a spiritual and tender experience!

My current feelings... Alma 17:23    "..yea, I desire to dwell among these people for a time; yeah, and perhaps until the day I die"   #sorrymomanddad 

Finland:

1. has the most incredible sunsets and sunrises that I have ever seen in my entire life. 

2. Is my favorite place in the entire world.

3. Has the most incredible, loving, kind-hearted people I have ever met. 

Just the sunrise one morning...CAUTION this beauty occurs everymorning and I die every time!!

We decorated one of our investigators doors because she is amazing!  has a baptismal date and we are so excited for her!!