I LOVE THIS PLACE!!

Perhe! 

What a busy week, we had zone training, a missionary satellite conference and exchange day. Super great learning experiences and training! So fun! The missionary satellite conference was AMAZING, it was the first time they have had a satellite conference like that in over a decade. It was broadcast to all the missionaries around the world and including talks/training from Elder Oaks, Elder Nelson, and Elder Bednar. So that was definitely a highlight of the week.

Other fun things include a time when we went on a bus that was filled to the rim with all army men... and then there was us... for a good 15 minute bus ride... haha that was pretty funny. I also have been translating in church recently for the relief society meeting, it is a challenge but is super good language practice! (yes, I have nearly been a year out in Finland and still sometimes have no idea what people are saying- welcome to the worlds hardest language). BUT I am able to MOSTLY understand well and still am improving! We are finding new investigators in this area and I am still having a great time being with sister Jones. I am learning more and more on how to really consecrate myself in the work and am really able to see the blessings and joy that comes from it! I LOVE THIS PLACE!!

Well, have a great week everyone! Oh ya, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! I sent you a card last week so hopefully you get it soon. Love you all!!! 

Baby it's Cold Outside

Perhe! 

Mom and Dad are surfing in Nicaragua!?!? I keep telling Sister Jones that I don’t expect to ever see my parents once all of the kids are moved out. I am picturing Skype sessions with mom and dad in India one day and in Greece the next. Who knows what you two will be doing haha!! Happy anniversary though!! Sounds like everything is going great! :)

Well, it was a strange week.... we actually taught lessons! Haha it was fun to get back into teaching, this area has been lacking for a while but it is getting better little by little and it is miraculous to see the changes. Luckily the weather hasn’t been quite as cold since the week before (and my mission president advised us to make sure our parents know that despite the cold, we are warm and safe :)) and the snow makes it sooo beautiful.

I am amazed every day. I feel like I am in Narnia most of the time. My testimony keeps on growing every week, I am truly developing my relationship with Heavenly Father and it makes the biggest difference! I really have so much hope because I have learned to trust in Him and rely on Him for strength to get me through the harder days. Every day I am filled with so much gratitude for having the opportunity to be here, meet so many people, serve Him, gaze at the beauty of this country, have a family at home to support me, and learn more of His perfect plan that He has for all of us. It is so simply amazing!

The hardest part is seeing how few people understand and know of His love. But, all I can do is do my best and hope that one day they can recognize the truth of their potential! Anyway, I cant believe I am coming up on 6 months left this week... the time is going so fast. I love you all so much!! Have a great week!! :)

TRYING NOT TO FREEZE

Hey Family!! 

Thanks for the emails!! :) So, since I am emailing on Tuesday you can all guess. I didn’t get transferred! I will be here in this Helsinki area for 2 more months to continue training Sister Jones. I have never not had anything change for transfers so it has been interesting but I am soooo excited to stay with Sister Jones and really build this area up together!  The work here is already going so much better than when I first arrived. 

Winter has hit hard and I have NEVER experienced more cold in my entire life. And we are in the warmest part Finland!  THANK YOU NATE FOR THE KOREA SWEATS. They have because my entire life and the only reason I stay warm during my studies. I wear them under my skirt every morning with thick socks and a blanket so I can stay warm.  Luckily it was only Thursday that was really cold (-13 degrees Fahrenheit) but let me tell you, I was thinking up of every excuse to not go outside. It was cold, like, bitter cold. After 4 pairs of tights, 3 pairs of socks, 4 layers under my big winter coat, snow gloves over a pair of thin gloves, a hat and boots I was ready to go outside just to NOT FREEZE. That day was probably one of the most prominent times on my mission that I have felt the strength of the Atonement literally pulling me. I used every ounce of my energy to do work that day! But I could never have done it by myself, not even close. So, strength through prayer is real! WE can do anything with our loving Heavenly Father. 

Besides that it has been snowing for a few days, I will send some pictures :) and I got the family Christmas card this week and y’all are some good lookin’ people! So it was a great week overall, it is crazy to think that I only have 3 more transfers left! Six months in Vaasa, 6 months in Helsinki and I guess soon enough we will figure out where I head off to next. 

I can't think of much else to say, I love this mission and am so grateful to be here! Life is good and cold :) I LOVE YOU ALL!!! :) 

It's Suddenly Cold!

Family! 

So, it was a great week, started off a little rough but though the strength of Christ we were able to pull things together and keep focused! It is truly amazing what is possible when you put your trust in our loving Heavenly Father.

This week is the last week of this transfer so I may email on MONDAY next week! We will see! It is Sister Jones´ first change call so she is pretty excited :) It all of a sudden froze here! On Thursday I think it is supposed to be -20 Celsius. That’s pretty cold. We got some more snow and it definitely makes things brighter! We also were able to teach an awesome guy from Peru, among all the foreign men I have taught I have never taught someone from south America so it is awesome. My Spanish is going to come back as well as we officially became "Hermanas".

Now I have taught people from Asia, all over Europe, Africa, and South America. There are not many places you can get experiences like this. I am super grateful to be able to be here! I can’t remember specifics from the week but my faith is growing every day. The time is also moving by super fast and the days keep getting colder. A lot of exciting things happening that is for sure. 

Well, to end I just want to say that I know this church is true and I know that no matter what we do or where we are in our lives, Heavenly Father loves us so much and is always there by our side, helping us and waiting for us to turn closer to him so that we can feel a greater happiness. I love you all and hope you have a great week! Adios! :)