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,
 |
| Celebrating my one year mark with salmon pasta. |
No comments:
Post a Comment