Juhannus - Midsommer

Sent June 23rd 2015

Rakkaat ystävät,

We celebrated Juhannus (or rather, the Finns celebrated Juhannus) over the weekend - eli, midsummer. We also enjoyed a day of exchanges with Sisters Mendenhall, Wunderli, and Harris in Vaasa and contacted a TON of people. They are awesome missionaries. 

This was taken at 1:30 AM

One particular visit of note was a DA with an older woman in the ward. Her grandson and two of his friends were visiting from the States as part of a tour of Europe and joined us for dinner (the member originally set up for the five of us to be at the table and for her to sit at the couch - her grandson made her sit at the table. Good thing too, because it felt uncomfortably too much like a date - not that I know what that feels like haha). It was quite a fun evening, and the best part was that while we were talking with the member, she saw Sisar Johnston's legs and exclaimed "Good heavens you have beautiful legs! You could surely use short skirts if you wanted to!" It is a good thing none of the guys understood Finnish.

I'm amazed at how the Lord's work still moves forward, even when you have weeks when not much happens. I hear incredible stories every day of miracles happening around Finland and around the world and I just think how greatly the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change lives. I've been changed by it, and I see it touch hearts every day. This week I was particularly touched by these words in the Doctrine and Covenants 128: 

19 Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; ... a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy.

This gospel is the voice of gladness to all people! Shall we not go on is so great a cause?

Have a lovely week and stay shiny!

Rakkuaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant

Companionship study in Vaasa

Sisaret Mendenhall, Wunderlii and Harris - the right way to end exchanges

The significance of this is that I folded all my laundry
 and put the racks away before Sunday.
Granted we were home a lot because of Juhannus,
 but at least it happened. Sisar Johnston was paralyzed out of shock.

Missions are hard work - time to catch up on sleep.