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