Week 105 in Mikkeli (He's a Charmer)

Well well well... August is here, and it already feels like fall! To be fair, fall's my favorite time of year, so I'm just impatiently waiting for the leaves to change colors and ignite the world in a masterpiece of oranges and reds. It look like sky going to explode, but it feel cold. With the slightly colder temperatures(in August, mind you) comes the end of kesäloma and the return of the finn to civilization. We had a great time with some awesome people this week! 

We started out with exchanges in Joensuu(which is the name of the city, but it also translates to 'river's mouth'. That's a pretty inventive name, seeing as the city is on the mouth of a river). 

We had a lot of good work there in some beautifully rainy weather, talked to a ton of pleasant people...

had a total MIRACLE when Vanhin Murtonen cracked open an egg to find not one, but two yolks in the egg. Nature's beautiful, folks.

The Joensuu Elders are a funny bunch. We had a good time with them, and I personally got to expand my own understanding of missionary work - Elder Murtonen in particular was really good at getting to know the people he was talking to really well. I loved learning from his example, and want to continue to apply that in my own missionary work! 

I also got a picture with this little charming fellow:

On his way to being classy and wolfish. He ain't nothin' but a hound dog - and a handsome one at that.

We also had a lesson yesterday with a person who lives in Ristiina, one of our satellite towns. We had a brilliant discussion about the Book of Mormon being another witness of God's plan and His love for us. On the way back, our member who drove us there took us through the scenic route to an old war memorial way back from the 1700's. The drive was a gorgeous backwoods, lakeside route. Awesome. 

In other news, we've been discussing a lot with our Ward Mission Leader about how we can continue to help the people here in Mikkeli - and we're trying to keep in solid contact with people by sending them scriptures or talks nearly every day - to get their päivän hengellinsiä annoksia! I love being able to improve and become better as a missionary and disciple - and I hope that I can do that this week, too! 

From my studies, I've also been thinking about humility, and meekness, and how they're actually different things. The Savior referred to Himself as meek and lowly, and I think that meekness is one of His greatest attributes. 

I hope that you'll be able to develop meekness, and that you'll have a great week doing so!

Rakkaudellani, myös komean susin kanssa,

Vanhin Bolingbroke