July 25, 2011

Minun Rakkas Vanhemmat,
This week has been amazing. We have had some very amazing experiences. The Lord has really shown me the reality of our stewardship here in Joensuu. I have really gained a testimony of how effective prayer is. I heard a quote from someone, can't remember who. Pray like it all depends on God, and work like it all depends on you! We have been working very hard.

We had a very cool experience with one of our chinese investigators. The last several weeks we have gone through ups and downs with her. First off, there is a language barrier, and she is communicating with us through english. Second in mainland China they don't really talk about God at all. So the concept has kind of blown her mind haha. I call her several times a week to help answer her questions, but it just wasn't working. We have been praying and praying to know what to do. We finally came in contact with a recent convert who is chinese! THANK the HEAVENS!! she talked to her, and things started to pick up. A couple days later we had a teach with her, and it was amazingly spiritual. We taught with power and authority, the spirit really helped us. I believe her heart was pricked in a sense.

We have been having a lot of fun. Elder Nielsen and I have really been trying to do what's right. He is such a good example to me. He is very loving, and a very Christ-like missionary. We went through a little spot where it was like everything the other person did was annoying haha. But we worked it out, and we relied on the Lord to help us change. I am so grateful for the Saviors atonement. I know it can help people change feelings, and aline their will with God's will.

I had kind of a funny experience. We were teaching one of our investigators. She is like 17 haha. But for some reason I was struggling in Finnish. We were teaching and I said something dumb, and I don't even know what happened. I busted out laughing in the middle of the teach! I couldn't stop haha it was so funny.

On splits Elder Linden and I went contacting and tracting for like 5 hours straight! One step... in front.. of other... whewww.. and this guy came up to us and said," Why the !e** do you guys always smile! We told him haha and he said," don't give me that #%4#!!" haha this is fun... anyways he said I don't need that Book of Mormon, I have the bible. I read that #"6Ä forward and backward, left and right! And we asked him about God, and He said, I don't believe in God!! What are you Crazy!? interesting................ by the way He was carrying a big bottle of red wine. and had a huge beer belly with no shirt on... not pretty. But it was good to be able to say I am happy because of this Book and Gospel.

Now down to business, My teacher from the MTC is coming to Finland in a couple weeks. If you want you can send my blue Fred Book with her. Her name is Piret Luik. She is estonian, and kind of short, but definately one of my favorite people i've met on my mission. And give her a hug for me, couldn't give them in the MTC haha.

Dad I can't wait to go camping again! Sometimes I think about when we went camping up Hobble creek cannyon. Those were good times. Nothing like a hot dog, and grabbing Maya out from the Fire!! She is the master of disaster haha. Thank you for the pictures of the jets. I took a picture on my camera, and developed it, and everytime I am at lunch I drool over it. Good stuff.

Mom Im writing you a letter. But if you could contact Sisär Luik, she could probably get things here faster. Thank you so much by the way for everything. I love you so much.

I miss both of you, and love you both so much. I try everyday to do what's right so that when I come home I can look you both in the eye and say I did my best. In the MTC I actually had a dream about the day I came home. And it is coming sooner than I anticiapted. I have almost been out for five months! that's crazy.

Anyways all is good here. The week went very well.

Rakaudellä,
Vanhin P to the will