Week 7 @ The MTC (Hain viikolla!)

What a week to be a missionary! We've had quite the week - but I don't have a whole lot of time, so I'll try to condense it a bit this time around!

First, however, a poem: (To the tune of "Follow the Prophet")

Elisha was a prophet,

didn't have much hair

So the children teased him

said his head was bare

Then came out the grizzlies

Ate them through and through

If you mock the prophet,

Bears will eat you too

-2 Kings 2:23-24 (Yep, that's in the Old Testament. I'm not sure that's true doctrine, but it is funny!)

Firstly: regarding the subject line, we had some seriously mind-blowing grammar lessons this week. In one of the attached pictures, there's a small chart/drawing of a shark eating a man(his name is Hannu) in Finnish. That was one of our grammar principles! But we learned from that lesson that every single Finnish verb has 2000+ ways to be conjugated. No, I'm not exaggerating. In one of the attached videos, I explain why that is in a bit more depth.

Next, we had a devotional on Sunday from Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve! (The count's at five, in case anyone's wondering) He gave an amazing message, with some Spirit-driven promises for us missionaries. These apostles are truly inspired men, to say the least.

And one of my personal favorite happenings of the week: One of my bestest friends in the whole wide world, Jackson Sahleen, got his mission call! Now, I'm a bit salty, because he told me he got his call last Saturday, and didn't tell me where he was called to until THIS MORNING. You, my friend, made me wait through FIVE DAYS OF AGONY, waiting to know where you will be serving!! I forgive you, though! (Forgiveness is, after all, one of the principles we teach as missionaries. What kind of Vanhin would I be if I couldn't forgive my friend for MAKING ME SUFFER?)

Our next exciting happenstance was at the water fountains! You know how some of those new ones have the water bottle feature that fills your bottle up really easily and tells you how many plastic water bottles you've saved, so that you can feel like you're being environmentally friendly? Well, ever since we got here, the one next to our classroom has been steadily approaching the number 33333. And yesterday night, we got it to 33333 evnironmentally-friendly-water-bottle-filling-ups! It was a momentous occasion, one that truly merited the celebration that followed. We took pictures, it was great.

Well, I think that's all I've got for this week! I have to apologize in advance - next week's email won't be very long, I fear. Our final P-day is to be spent packing and preparing for the long haul - our 22-month Grand Adventure in Suomi! Next week, I'll let everyone know what my flight plans are, I'll give some final thoughts! (Hmm, I feel the sudden urge to sing The Final Countdown...)

As always, stay amazing! Remember your worth as a Child of God, and keep pressing forward in life's adventure!

Rakastan te kaikki,

Vanhin Bolingbroke

Week 6 @ The MTC (Laulu in the Sade)

Don't worry about me here at the MTC, I'm only going slightly insane. Why is that, you may ask? Only because every day consists of the same activities, over and over again. Don't worry about me here at the MTC, I'm only going slightly insane. Why is that, you may ask? Only because every day consists of the same activities, over and over again. Don't worry about me here at the MTC, I'm only going slightly insane. Why is that, you may ask? Only because every day consists of the same activities, over and over again.

I'm feeling like I've been here before... what's that feeling? Is it Deja vu?

Nope, it's because I'm at the same computer that I wrote last week's email from. And the previous week's.

In all seriousness: don't get me wrong, I love the MTC. I've learned a ton in these few weeks, more about language, the gospel, and myself, than I've learned in the entire past year, no doubt. But as anyone who knows me well is aware, I am not the most patient of people. Especially with myself. And as much as I realize that these nine weeks are very necessary for me to learn the language I'm going to speak for 22 months hence, the continual monotony of the MTC is driving me near to insanity(It's not very hard to accomplish, honestly. I was already very much insane, all I need is nine weeks of the same schedule to finish me off).

To try and abate some of that monotony, I'll now highlight some of the ways I've made this week unique!

First of all: We've met a few Finns! One of our neighbors, going to serve in Sweden, is a native Finn, Elder Ahonen! He's way fun, and talks to us a lot about Suomi!

Next: I'm in the process of organizing/directing a few musical numbers! The first is an A Capella version of "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy." This one was an idea from one of the other Elders, and so far, it's turning out well! The second number is "Be Still My Soul," going to be done by us 13 Finns and 2 Icelanders - it's tradition for the outgoing missionaries to sing a meaningful song to the rest of the branch on their last Sunday. I'm having huge success so far, and I hope the numbers will both go well! (One of the attached videos is from our first "rehearsal" - I gave a short explanation of the song, why it's important to me, etc. - I'll try to get another one of us singing!)

Speaking of videos - I'm really good at taking videos, as you can tell. Two of them have tons of background noise, and one was a 10-minute one of me sitting on my bed, just talking. (Just another example of my quickly deteriorating sanity)

Now, for quotes of the week!

"Easy Cheese is not the best way to relieve constipation."

-Vanhin Moats

"Sisaret, don't wear any water-based makeup in Finland - you'll get frostbite!"

-Sister Packer, visitor who served in Finland

"And Elders, don't wear makeup at all."

-Brother Packer, her dad/Branch Presidency counselor

"Mina haluan smell the puu!"(Puu means tree in Finnish)

-Sisar Brinton, not realizing her humorous slip of tongue

That's about all I have for this week! As a finale, I'll give the countdown we have until we leave! Today marks 18 days away from leaving to Finland! A week from tomorrow(Friday), we'll get our flight plans, and on Monday the second, we leave for the 5,000 mile journey to our home for 22 frozen, wondrous months!

Until next week, minun ystävät! Stay strong, and keep on in your grand adventures!

"To be known, the truth must be stated."

-B. H. Roberts

Rakas aina,

Vanhin Bolingbroke

Week 5 @ The MTC (19 Years, Swear Words & Donuts)

Now I've got your attention, don't I?

I know what you're thinking: Swear words? What's that supposed to mean? What are they teaching the missionaries in the MTC? 19 years? Donuts? Why donuts?

Well, worry not, my students, for all will be revealed shortly. In the meantime, take a seat on the proverbial log around the proverbial campfire, and eat some proverbial s'mores as I tell the tale of my antics that have come to pass this week.

Well, first thing's first: We've made a discovery. A discovery that I think changes science entirely. You know what that is? Time doesn't work in the MTC. My reasoning is thus: I am fairly certain that it hasn't been a whole week since I last emailed everyone. It doesn't physically feel like seven whole days have passed since last P-day came around. But still, three and a half weeks seems like forever to wait until we leave for Finland! It's aggravating, how weird time is. I'm pretty sure that the MTC warps time. Even Einstein couldn't figure it out.

Now, for the first point on the aforementioned subject: 19 years. As of Monday, I'm nineteen! It feels weird, having your birthday at the MTC. Previous to Monday, I had actually prayed for help from God to turn my heart outward, in service, instead of inward, towards myself. And my prayer was answered! I've been more earnestly trying to serve my fellowmen, and I've been very happy!

Our Tuesday evening devotional this week was from Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve! (That puts the count at four apostles, for those who are keeping track) He gave an amazing talk about being better missionaries and the mighty changes in heart that we all experience.

Now, I'm sure you all want to hear next about the donuts. There's a humorous story behind this one. I've expressed earlier in these weeks that I've been trying to eat healthier, and it's difficult, especially when the MTC has an entire ice cream bar every few days! So a few days ago, a few of our Finnish Elders, myself included, pledged to hold each other up in exercising better, and eating better. Guess what I got in the mail half an hour later? TWO DOZEN (DELICIOUS) DONUTS. We very much enjoyed them, and felt guilty afterwards. It was great. (No, we didn't share 24 donuts among 6 young men - we shared them with most of the other missionaries in our adjacent rooms)

Now, for the funny one. Swear words. Every Wednesday evening, we teach TRC - teaching resource center. The name sounds extremely boring, but it's the best! We teach people who speak Finnish! In other languages, like Spanish, they'll bring in actual non-members, who will be taught a lesson in their language by the Elders/Sisters, but since there aren't any Finnish people at all around here, we teach return missionaries. They're really fun! So, when Vanhin Olsen and Payne were teaching their lesson, they were talking with their "investigator," about the Creation and the Fall of Adam and Eve. They referenced Satan in their lesson. They didn't know why, but the guy they were teaching didn't like them saying that. Later, our teacher told us the Finnish words for Satan/the Devil are equivalent in their culture to us dropping the F-bomb in English. That presented a problem for us, as we teach about Satan being the one who tempts us, the one who causes all of the world's wickedness. So you know what the Finns call Satan? Paholainen. The Evil One. Or they'll say He Who Is Not Named. In that moment, I felt a sort of Deja vu... He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?

In any case, it's been an eventful, and fast week. Here's our quotes!

"I can't see, my contacts are out."

-Vanhin Manner, as the lights are off

"Hey, Vanhin Gamett, remember how you just promised not to eat junk food?"

-Vanhin Bolingbroke

"Yeah, why?"

-Vanhin Gamett

"You want a donut?"

-Vanhin Bolingbroke

"Our diet starts TOMORROW!"

-Vanhin Gamett

I'm kinda sad - those are the only quotes I remember for the week! Fear not, more shall come next time around! In the meantime, I've answered a few questions, and have attached videos of such! I wasn't able to get to them all, but will do so this week!

I've updated the folder to also include pictures, for ease of uploading pictures to everyone!

Love you all, stay amazing!

Sincerely,

Vanhin Bolingbroke​