Week 94 in Mikkeli (Fishers of Men, as well as särkki, lohi, ahven, and haukki)

Good afternoon or whatever it is, friends! Wow, what a packed, wonderful week it's been. I've probably slept less than I have in a good while - not because of going to bed late or anything, but between long evening prayers, every-morning nature runs(or frisbee-golf runs), many meetings and conferences, and lots of people to be teaching, we're working with a full platter here in Mikkeli. It'd probably be better if I went day-by-day through our schedule - here goes:

Wednesday: District Council!

The Mikkeli District, which includes Savonlinna, Kouvola, Lappeenranta, and Mikkeli, is a way solid group of missionaries. We've been discussing the idea/mindset of talking to 10 more people - which has been an interesting change. It gives me the mindset of trying to find even more people to talk with than just the ones that I already do - which is a lot. Fortunately, our efforts to increase have been so far successful! 

Thursday: Frisbee golf in the morning! We got this

We got this awesome picture of me throwing a disc, and this awesome picture of me getting that same disc out of a tree. Ah well, that's why we practice, eh?

Also: Kebab dinners! Ah, the long-awaited french-fry-mystery-meat-crazy-hot-sauce combo.

Saturday: 

Leadership Training Meeting: we trained the District Leaders in our zone about some responsibilities, and talked about how we can improve specifically in the East Zone.

We had lunch at a chinese buffet, and discussed a lot of good things, especially about keeping energy/faith high in our districts throughout each week.

Sunday: 

Stake Conference in Helsinki! Our branch president drove us down on the 3-hour trip from Mikkeli to Helsinki, and we talked about less-active members and fishing. I got to visit my old stomping grounds, and we got a lot of inspiration from the leaders in the Helsinki Stake. 

I've actually been studying a lot in Alma chapter 5 recently, and I found it very interesting that our stake President actually talked a lot about that very chapter - and about how repentance is a lot like the change of heart that Alma talks about in that chapter. Question: why does Alma use so many questions in that sermon to the saints at Zarahemla?

Monday: 

Zone Conference! In our tradition, we went on a morning run, joined by President Aura!

Much training was had - about the Book of Mormon as the sickle of our harvest, about working in the Strength of the Lord rather than our own strength(which is something I'm still working on learning better), and training for how we can use technology to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon, and how we can use that technology - and our own personalities - in creative ways. 

Also got to reunite with my dearly beloved son, Elder Vawdrey. Love this kid.

We also started exchanges with the Kouvola elders - and I got to work with this goober, Elder Carter! He's an awesome missionary, and a great example to us!

Tuesday:

Exchanges continued, we went on a morning run/5-minute fishing run, and continued to do some great work. I got to work with Elder Harlow for the day - we taught a few lessons, and I learned that he's a super hard worker, way awesome at the language, and he has razor-sharp wit, too. 

Also our garden's doing pretty awesome!

Wednesday:

P-day, after a lot of stuff during the week. We went to the Päämajamuseo, the museum for the headquarters for Marshal Mannerheim, the commander-in-chief for the Finnish forces during the Winter War and WWII. Pretty cool how neat that was!

We also went fishing again, and we got three fishes! Actually, Elder Jordan got three fishes in about 5 minutes, but I'm a-practicing!

Wow, that was a lot. Can you see why I'm so tired? But in all honesty, I've loved the work. We've been working as a mission on improving our finding, and letting our personality show through is a great was to accomplish that. We've found one new friend this week already, and we're truly doing the work of the Lord. I notice over and over again that the more that people(we, our friends we teach, even you, dear reader) lay hold upon the word, then we receive the blessings. In Alma 5, Alma talks about why he has the Spirit of Revelation, and how he has obtained it. That's something I'm looking to obtain myself. I won't give you the specific reference for that - but it's there. Study it. Find out. And let me know what you find! (seriously - if you read this, please do give me an email about that - I love hearing from my friends and family!) 

Well, I love the Gospel, and doing this work to which I am called, after the order by which I am called(shoutout to Alma for that one).

Love you!

Vanhin Bolingbroke