Week 19 in Savonlinna (Patriotism is a relevant term)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EVERYONE!!!

You might be confused by that sentence. After all, independence day is July 4th, right?

Wrong.

Over here, it's Joulukuun kuudes päivä. The sixth of December! Elder McOmber and I saw the fireworks! Ten of them!

-Elder McOmber: My new companion. He's very tall. And awesome.

-Fireworks: Large rockets that explode and look shiny and make big fun boom noises.

-Ten of them: Savonlinna is small. Not like Helsinki. Dangit.

-The reason for Independence day: 100 years ago, on December 6th, Finland declared independence from Russia! And Sweden! And then the Winter War happened, when Russia tried to take back Finland, and they failed. And now Finland is free!

As per usual, I've uploaded a recording, and LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN'T ACCESS IT(you know who you are). ​

Voice recording HERE.

I hope all's well at home! Here, we just got a massive blizzard. I hope we're not biking anywhere soon... 'cause that may or may not be cold, slippery, and dangerous(Don't worry, mom, of course I'll be fine. You see, I always wear my helmet.) But, more adventures to come! I'm spending the day in Lapeenranta tomorrow, and I've heard there'll be even more fireworks(also drunk people) during the new year! We'll see!

Highlights from the week:

-I got pie smashed in my face during the branch Christmas party. I have pictures!

-We went to Mikkeli twice. Long bus ride.

-Talked to a drunk dude on the 6th, on the way home. We had no idea what he was saying, but we just said, ''Jo, jo, kyllä'', and ''hyvää itsenäisyyspäivä'' about twenty times and he seemed happy.

-Elder McOmber's bike broke. Thrice. So we got an extra bike from Mikkeli and basically built a frankenbike for him. Hey, it works.

-We saw a Christmas concert at the Lutheran church!

-We lit off sparklers with some of our friends on the 6th, which was probably the most exciting thing that happened in Savonlinna that day.

-Two massive blizzards during the week. One happening right now.

-I was also a shepherd in our branch Christmas Nativity read-along.

But yeah, that's our week! As always, let me know how lives at home are, and keep on being awesome!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Love,

Vanhin Pikkumies

(another nickname given to me by our members)

Week 18 in Savonlinna (Surprise! Yes it's Monday)

Hyvää joulua, family and friends! (that means happy Christmas) I hope everything's well at home, and that you all are happy. I'm doing so well here in Savonlinna! I have to apologize - again - because I haven't taken, well, any pictures this week. I have a recording, though! (HERE)

Here it is! Again, I apologize, but it's been crazy busy here. My companion's been packing, cuz he's leaving tomorrow (oh yeah - transfer days are on Tuesdays, so P-day is on Monday this week. I promise I'm not being disobedient!). We've had a ton of member and investigator visits, so that they can say goodbye to Elder Scott. He's been in Savonlinna for over 7 months! It's pretty crazy, and it's sad to say goodbye, but things move on, as they always do.

Well, you all have to write me, and tell me how this Christmas season is going! I love you all, stay strong, and stay warm!

Love,

Vanhin Bolingbroke

Week 17 in Savonlinna (Christmas trees, old couches, and my knight in shining armor)

Well, here we are - it's almost Joulukuu! (that means December - well, it means ChristmasMoon, but hey, same month)

I've been able to use Elder Scott's recorder to make a nice long one for this week's report, as well as one on Wednesday, so I'll save space and time here. (I'm basically inheriting all the stuff he's not taking home - woot woot!)

Here's a voice recording of Blake here. And here.

There's the recordings(and two videos from last Tuesday) - and let me know if you can't access it. I want you all to hear my beautiful voice!

Stay strong, stay warm, stay awesome!

Love,

Vanhin Bolingbroke