Week 57 in Rauma (Christ's birthday gift to me... or is it my gift to Him?)

What a crazy week it has been... But first, let's get the pleasantries out of the way...

Yes! I am officially 20 years old... emphasis on old...

Elder Hale keeps telling me that I'm 'vanha mies...'

What a good time to be twenty, however. In all honesty - I've spent some time in the past few days thinking about the past year of my life. Last year, I turned 19 in the MTC. I've thought about that a lot - the 19th year of my life was spent entirely in the service of our Lord. What a wonderful opportunity that is! Most of my 20th year will be spent the same, but I look back on myself a year ago - and how much I have grown! Day by day, it doesn't seem like much, but I look back on it now, and I feel like a different person. Or rather, a different version of the same person. Blake 2.0, if you will. It's been a pleasure to serve my Savior in this way during this past year. I hope to see the same kind of growth continue in the coming year, so that I can become more like Him!

Buuut, let's take a look at our week!

Bishop Vesterinen gave us some funny candies...

Leadership Training Meeting in Tampere! I got to see not one, not two, but three of my previous companions - Elders McOmber, Jordan, and Winder! Love those guys.

We also had sushi for lunch at Tamepere, so good!

Ah yes! Elders Viitanen and Tracy came to Rauma for exchanges! We goofed around with the camera for a bit...

And figured out that it can take some really funny/cool pictures...

Aand, we took celebratory pictures this morning. Of course!

The Turku 2 Sisters have been sending me jokes whenever they text me 'home and safe' at night, so I've been trying to respond in funny ways...

But yes! That's our week! For my twentieth burthday, we're going to go visit a nuclear power plant. Should be fun!

Love you all! Please let me know how you're doing! Stay strong!

Love,

Vanhin Bolingbroke