Diary of an Expecting Mother

Rakkaat ystävät,

Did you read that right? You bet you did! With the New Year in Finland comes some pretty big changes for me: That's right, I'm going to be training! If you didn't know, missionary "slang" for a trainer and a trainee are parent and child. So this week I will be receiving my very own newborn missionary. I'm really, really excited for this chance, and I know there is probably going to be more learning on my end than on hers. I'm going down to Helsinki tomorrow with Sisar Bunting where we will part ways -- she will go home, and I will pick up my new companion and come back up to Kuopio to show her the ropes. Pray for me (and for her, that poor girl who has to be trained by me haha)!

Some pretty fun stuff has been happening here.

We had a great Christmas week with lots of good food, lots of snow, and lots of awesome members taking care of us. We were with a really great member family all day Christmas Eve. The day was chock-full of wonderful Christmas traditions.

The Roast 

We started with the meal right away, which consisted of a giant pork roast, smoked salmon, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, carrot casserole, rutabaga casserole, Karelian paiste (some kind of roast meet in a broth with carrots and other stuff - it's really good) and a few other things including pickled herring (which I tried and don't like. Sorry parents, I know I'm a disappointment). After a break and a game of Cranium in Finnish, we went to go see the candles at the cemetery, and it was just so pretty. I can't explain how beautiful it was, but I will send photos for my blog.  

The meal

Candles in the Cemetery

The highlight of the night was when Joulupukki came to visit! Since Santa lives in Finland, he comes on Christmas Eve to visit the children and give them their presents, then goes to the rest of the world (he promised that he would. of course, go to mine and Sisar Bunting's families first). He came to visit and gave ua all our gifts, then when he had left we got to open them.

Don't show this to the president!

Like I said, they took really good care of us. I got a pair of hand-knit mittens, among a few other wonderful and thoughtful gifts. We ended the evening (after Sisar Bunting Skype-called home) with a dessert of Glögi, joulu tarts and leftover ham.

Christmas day was spent with a member family that we've been working with for a while. The mother really wanted to make an American-style turkey, so we spent the bulk of the day preparing and stuffing a turkey and making various other side dishes. I am proud to say that the turkey turned out well (if perhaps a little dry) and the stuffing I made was delicious. Plus, Sisar Bunting made a killer gravy, the likes of which I have not before tasted.

The Turkey

The Meal

We also made a point of visiting a couple old less-active women that have no family in Kuopio, and hopefully were able to bring them some Christmas cheer. We then ended the day with another member family who provided more Christmas leftovers and a computer so I could Skype home. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas

We only met with two investigators this week. The first is a big burly Finnish man who is interested, but we are going to give him to the Elders to teach because he won't really open up to us, and we don't think we're what he needs right now. We also met with M who is now back from her jaunt out of country. She is awesome. While she was gone she read the Book of Mormon! We discussed the Holy Ghost with her on Saturday, and she said that she believes everything is true! We are so excited for her. We also met another young Finnish woman on the street last night. She is religious herself and already has a strong belief in God. She happily accepted a Book of Mormon and a return appointment. Her name is T, and I will keep you updated!

I'm sure you all had a great Christmas, and now with the New Year approaching, remember who the master of new beginnings is. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can all turn the page and we can all move on and start fresh. What is a goal you can make to become a little better, through Him, this year?

Happy New Year, and stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant

Our tree on Christmas morning.

All the chocolate we got.

Hyvää Joulua!

Rakkaat ystävät!

We've had quite the week. It kicked off with Sisar Bunting finding out that she had the flu and thus spending quite a bit of time at home so she could rest. We have also traveled a lot, including trips to Varkaus, Joensuu, Iisalmi, and Oulu, to visit people and go to missionary meetings. So the last week was very long and very short and very strange all wrapped into one. And now we're on Christmas week, which will be pretty bizarre but very very fun. Some highlights this week:

- We helped a part member family in Varkaus (we've been teaching them weekly - the husband is a nonmember and the wife has been less active for years) cut out and bake pippurikakkuja, or Finnish gingerbread cookies.  We came away from it with two massive glass jars and a bag filled with cookies.

Making ginger bread cookies.

- Friday evening was our branch's Christmas concert. There are a lot of musically talented people in our congregation, so we had a concert instead of a party. We participated pretty heavily: Sisar Bunting and I both played in a small orchestra (she plays cello), and I was asked to sing a solo (Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, in English) as well as in a quartet singing a traditional Finnish Christmas hymn. It was a great night. Our investigator from Varkaus came with his wife, and we had a less active there, as well as a friend of members whos is now a solid potential. Joulupukki (Santa Clause) also showed up at the end and we got to meet him. Don't worry, I  just shook his hand. the Elders, however, had the fine privilege of sitting on his lap.

- Saturday evening found us in the hospital for four hours. Sisar Bunting took a nasty fall on the icy street the day before and went to get her shoulder checked out. After a brief check up from an ER nurse, we sat in the waiting room for about 3.5 hours before she finally got in to see the doctor, and she was with him for a grand total of about 5 minutes. The doctor said it's just bruised and should be better by the end of this week.

- Sunday night we took a 4.5 hour bus to Oulu. On Monday morning we had a great Zone Conference and that evening we took another 4.5 hour bus back into town. Talk about miserable. I strongly dislike long-distance buses, but you do what you've gotta do, and the Conference was well worth it. The Spirit of Christmas was strong, and I came out with a lot of motivation to better some aspects of my missionary work.

Serving with Elder Coffey. His parents both served in Denmark at the same time as my Dad.

The North Zone

Eating Kalakukko - Finnish rye bread stuffed with fish. It is a traditional food from the Kuopio region.

President and Sisar Watson.

- Monday was the shortest day of the year, and I got to spend it in the northernmost city in the world that Sister missionaries can go to. I'd say that's a pretty cool thing to be able to say: I spent the darkest day of the year in the farthest north city for Sisters. And let me tell you, it was DARK.

I hope you really enjoy this time to celebrate the birth of Christ. The Finns have a really beautiful comparison about His birth. Since this time also marks the gradual return of the sun, they think of it as the birth of Christ bringing light to the world again. He is the light of the world. No matter how dark it can seem, no matter how hard or scary or messed up the world can be, if we look to Christ we will always have light. What a beautiful and precious gift from our Father.  

Hyvää Joulua kaikkille (Merry Christmas to all), and remember to reflect the light of Christ to all the world. Stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant

Celebrating my one year mark with salmon pasta.

Christmas is Coming

Letter received 12/15/14:

Rakkaat ystävät,

This won't be a fancy or detailed email because we are having a pretty tight day. This past week has been pretty good:

-We had a miraculous second run-in with a young man we'd lost contact with. He is super golden. We found out that he was actually moving to Turku, but he said we could give his phone number to the missionaries there. What better reason to call my dear Sisar Ross than to give her a referral?

-We had two rock-solid appointments with M, with some stellar member help. She is moving right along and, thanks to member friends, is really understanding and settling in. She is going ot be gone for 10 days, but promised to read and pray everyday while she is away and really really wants to know everything is true. Real intent, baby.

-We spent a good chunk of time helping a wonderful couple with their daughter's birthday party. They are former investigators, but what they really need right now is a lot of love and service, so that's what we're trying to give them, while bringing the Spirit into their home by doing our best to teach them when we can.

-We went caroling with the Young Women to elderly patients in one of the local hospitals. It was really wonderful to see the CHRISTmas Spirit touch both the lovely people to whom we sang and those of us who were singing.

My only concession to commercial Christmas this year

Those are some of the highlighs this week. Sisar Bunting came down with the flu this week so we're taking it a little easy in an effort to get her healthy and to keep me healthy so that we can really enjoy this Christmas season.

As you go about doing your holiday activities, remember that the first Christmas was peaceful and reverent. There was no hustle and bustle, there were no Christmas trees or fancy gifts, there were no financial concerns or technicolor store fronts or "I-saw-it-first"s. When you celebrate Christmas this year, don't let the commercial racket cover up the cries of the newborn baby who was laid in a feeding trough in a humble stable on that silent night two thousand years ago. It is His birthday. Let's celebrate the way that he would have us.

Hyvää Joulua kaikille! Stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant

Happy birthday to the best country in the world!

Letter received 12/8/14:

Rakkaat ystävät,

Here is a rundown of the week:

- M is still going strong. We had splits with the Oulu Sisters, and Sisaret Bunting and Hubner taught her the Law of Chastity. She actually really liked it and thought it made sense. She was in church yesterday and looked so happy!

- We found out that the sun only shone in Kuopio for a full total of 15 minutes during the entire week of November. We had two gloriously bright days last week, but since the days are so short here, it was only for about 3 or 4 hours both days. But it was the best 6 to 8 hours of my life.

- I ate moose meat for the first time. It was in pretty small pieces in stroganof, but man oh man it was SO GOOD.

- Finland celebrated their Itsenäisyyspäivä, or Independence Day on Saturday. It's a lot quieter of a holiday here than in America. The Finns treat it with a very quiet reverence. We were with a member family for dinner and the listened to piece of music by Jean Sibelius, about the war time when Finland gained their independence from Russia. The piece also contained the tune that later became their national anthem. In America, we know it as Be Still My Soul. These people have such a great love for their country, and it truly is a land favored of the Lord. They told a story (I didn't quite understand all of it) about how once when the Russian army was approaching the Finnish, they suddenly started retreating, and the accounts say that it was because many if them say an army of angels fighting on the side of the Finns. I don't know how entirely accurate that is becasue I didn't totally understand. But this country is really special, and God has really great things in store for it. My Finnish patriotism is really growing. I really love this country. I love these people. I'm so blessed to be here and to be with them.

If you haven't had a chance to all watch it, go take a look at He is the Gift (it's on YouTube or found here: christmas.mormon.org). Then share it with everyone. It has the power to change the world, or at least to bring more peace this Christmas season. Christ is the reason for the season. What can you give back to Him this year?

Have a lovely week and stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant

Once Upon A December

Letter received 12/1/14:

Rakkaat ystävät,

That's right, it's finally here! And is it a winter wonderland in Kuopio yet? Well, actually...no. BUT we did get a little snow yesterday and the skies are actually clear today (for the first time in a month) so it might finally be getting colder. Pray for it.

Some big news items:

-U, the nice older woman, dropped us. She gave us a call Monday afternoon tellign us that she wasn't really feeling it right now, and that, perhaps because she didn't understand all the passages in the Book of Mormon that she had read, she just didn't feel like learning any more at the moment. It makes me really sad that her reason for not meeting was lack of jaksaa (she just doesn't feel like it, which is in fact a perfectly valid excuse in Finland, no matter what the situation, believe it or not), because I know for a fact that this gospel is EXACTLY what she needs right now (not to mention forever), and she just can't see it the way I do. Booo, sadness.

-In a happier category, our lovely young M decided on a baptismal date! She picked January 24, which, granted, is a little far in the future, but right now we are giving the choice to her. Originally we had presented an earlier date in December and she had kind of balked at the idea, so we don't want to push her right now to move it up. The important point here, though, is that she actually picked her own date. She wasn't one of those "I don't know, some time in the future maybe" people. She said she'd be ready in January and picked her own date, and by golly she will be ready in January. Can I just tell you again how cool she is? She keeps her commitments, she prays (with us and without us) and she feels good about everything she's learning, not to mention she is already gaining a testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet, and the first thing that seemed cool to her about the Plan of Salvation was that we are Resurrected because Jesus Christ was resurrected. So she is pretty awesome.

-We had a lovely Thanksgiving. Our BML, who is an American, provided a real American Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey (which, mind you, costs like 40€ in Finland, if not more) and lots and lots of pie. I made stuffing and rolls. The stuffing turned out really well, but the rolls were kind of a flop. But you take what you can get when you live on a missionary schedule and don't have time to experiment.

-We performed our musical number, Savior Redeemer of My Soul, in Sacrament meeting on Sunday, and the branch really loved it. They all seem to be musically inclined in some way (tons of violinists, pianists, vocalists, a cellist, so on and so forth), so they really appreciate a good musical number. I mean appreciate in the sense that they have a "special musical number" every. Single. Sunday.

I've sung this song quite a few times, but this time I really thought about the meaning more than ever. Throughout my mission I've worried that I'm not changing enough, that I'm not trusting enough, that I'm not working hard enough, that I'm not feeling the Savior walking with me enough. But I think we sometimes get caught in the trap of comparing our current self with our future self, rather than with our past self. We only notice the progress we still need to make and not the progress we already have made. I realized that it was like looking at photographs of myself from 10 years ago. When I was growing up, I didn't notice the differences and changes day to day; but looking back over a longer period of time, I really see how much I have changed: I'm taller (well, not that much taller), I have better teeth, I've lost my baby fat, I look more mature. My mission has been like that. I haven't noticed the changes along the way, but looking back from where I am right now, I recognize how different I am, and for the better. I cannot at all imagine who I would be right now had I not chosen to serve a mission. The Lord has been guiding me the whole time, and I've been shaped and chastened and refined. And I'm not even done yet. Long story short, it was a really powerful experience for me as I sang those words on Sunday to realize that they were in fact pertinent to me, and that I am in fact on my way to aligning my will with the Lord's and to being more in harmony with Him.

-Sunday afternoon was the most relaxing Sunday afternoon I've had in almost a year (aka since before my mission). Sisar Bunting got sick, so after church we came home and didn't leave the apartment for the rest of the night. It was kind of bizarre just sitting at home, but I got to finish a couple projects I've been needing to finish for weeks now. And we blew through a couple movies too, namely The Testaments (in Finnish for out language study), Legacy, and one of the District DVDs. Our libraby is pretty limited as missionaries. Let's just say that I can pretty much quote Legacy word for word. Don't judge.

But I guess I really must be a missionary, because the whole evening, I felt kinda fidgety and ineffective. It took me a while to figure out why, but soon realized that it was because we hadn't been outside and hadn't really done anything. At home I love just sitting around for a day doing my own projects and watching movies, but as a missioanry it's kind of freaky to feel like you haven't accomplished anything that day. So that's a mentality I just realized I actually have.

Well friends, welcome to December, the season of snow (sometimes), lots of baked things (at the right times), and remembering the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ (all the time). Don't forget to serve others, to love everyone, and to give your best gifts to Christ.

Also check out christmas.mormon.org and consider sharing it with friends. It's a really easy way to do missionary work over the holiday season. After all, He is the reason.

Have a lovely week and stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant

The Lord prepares His children

Letter received 11/24/14:

Rakkaat ystävät,

Such a good week! It has just flown by in such a blur I hardly remember what happened this week, so I won't really cover too much today. But there are two incredible people I want to tell you about this week:

The first is U, a woman in her 60s and a referral from a member in our ward. The member told us a bit about U, especially that there had recently been a death in the family (straight out of PMG, my friends), but had asked us that she remain anonymous, so we contacted U as if we just happened to knock on her door. When she answered the door, at first she seemed a bit apprehensive, but when we told her we had a message about the eternal nature of the family and that we will live again after we die, she let us right in. She was so excited that she could barely speak coherently, and she told us all about how God has been guiding her life. She told us some pretty incredible stories about herself and how she came to know that God loved her. She told us about how her close cousin has recently passed away and how she had been searching for peace and relief from worries that were weighing on her. I have never felt so much love so immediately for a person I have only just met. We testified to her of God's love and taught her about eternal families, and that she could see her cousin again. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she was so excited to read it that she actually wanted to read more than the chapter we had assigned her. We are meeting with her again tomorrow, and I have no doubt that she will have kept all her commitments. She is amazing!

The second is a young woman, M. She is classmates with our bishop's wife Sisar L, and was originally interested in the Word of Wisdom. I mentioned her two weeks ago when we had our first lesson with her, that Sisar L had set up. The last time we met with her, I already felt so good about her. There was a special Spirit in the room that I hadn't ever noticed with anyone before. Take 2 was just as good. We had the lesson at Sisar L's apartment again, and we taught about the Book of Mormon, which M already actually had because Sisar l had given her one a while back. We talked about the promise in the Introduction, that if one receives a testimony of the Book of Mormon, they will know also that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God upon the earth today. We promised her that she could also know for herself that Heavenly Father is her Father and that she can have a personal relationship with Him and that he answers prayers. We asked if M wanted to know these things for herself, and she answered without hesitation, that yes, she did. The spirit was so strong in the room just then, and we invited her to be baptized. She said yes! She didn't want to set a date just yet, but she said perhaps in January. Her "yes" was the most confident yes I have ever heard, and we invited her to pray about a day to be baptized so that she could receive the confirmation for herself. She is incredible and prepared, with a super solid member support system. She is ready and she is going to make it, I can tell.

It really was an amazing week, and I just want you all to know how happy I am. This place is amazing. I am so blessed to be in Finland among the incredible people here aiding in the work of gathering the Lord's sheep. The Finnish people are so amazing. I'm so blessed to be their friend and to learn about their culture and live among them. Heavenly Father truly reaches out to all His children all over the world. His gospel is for everyone, His love unlimited by oceans and political boundaries, His mercy unbounded by race, age, or culture. I truly believe that, and have seen it in actuality time and time again.

With Thanksgiving this week (sorry I skipped over it last week), take the time to think about where your blessings come from. Heavenly Father gives good gifts, and all you have is from Him. I am thankful for my wonderful family who supports me, for my wonderful friends both here and at home, and for the knowledge of my relationship to the Lord and His limitless love and patience. May the Lord bless you all this week, and may you eat lots and lots of turkey!

I love you all! Stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant