Week 97 in Mikkeli (Missionary Mojo)

Dear friends, the mojo is strong this week. Up here in the lands of the north, we've gotten to the point where the sun rises before we do, and sets after we do. Tired though we may be, we get up in the morning and go for a nice run, soak ourselves in sweat, and energize for the day. The constant sun has been pretty awesome, and it reflects in the people here, too! Many finns are more than willing to talk for a lot longer than they are in the winter, which has led to a lot of good conversations!

The mojo was strong this week, as we had exchanges in Kouvola, one of my old cities! The Elders there, Carter and Harlow, are very dedicated, and have done a lot of good work. For dinner, we ate at the restaurant owned by one of the guys they teach! His name's Bikram, and he owns a sweet Nepalese cuisine!

As the sun comes out, so do the nice cars. No, this isn't the only nice one I've seen cruising around(think old Chevy Bel Airs, Mark I Mustangs, tons of Volkswagen Bugs, and even the occasional Pontiac Bonneville), but it's one of the greats. Finns really love their America around here..

We had a great Sunday afternoon lunch with the Sohkanens, featuring some awesome people, awesome food, and a really great spiritual thought about spiritual experiences, and how they help us to grow our own testimonies. 

But the strongest missionary mojo of the week was with Jyri!

Jyri's just gotten his own mission call to good ol' Ruotsi(Sweden)! I can say, I've never met a young man who's as stoked for his mission as Jyri. His older brother, Willi, is a great example, having served in Switzerland. Jyri's currently in the Finnish Army, and thus quite busy, but has requested of us that whenever possible, we ask if he can come on a lesson with us. So on Saturday, we did! We tried to take him on a lesson with a Polish guy we had recently met. Unfortunately, our friend was a little more than intoxicated. Here's how it went:

Friend: *smelling like a vodka factory and barely able to stand* come in, friends! I have drink, little bit.

Me: (in finnish) Would it be best to give him that polish Book of Mormon now, or sometime else?

EJ+Jyri: (in finnish)Maybe sometime else.

Elder Jordan: (in english)Maybe it would be good if we came back later, when you're sober. 

Friend: No no nono! Ehh... maybe.. *he sees polish Book of Mormon in EJ's hand* Ohh! 

At this point, he tried to grab the book, and Elder Jordan wouldn't give it to him, so there ensued a wrestle/hide-the-book contest that was really funny for Jyri and I to watch. Eventually we just gave up and gave him the book...

Jyri: Read it!

Friend: yes yes!*stumbles down the street with us as we leave, talking in polish the whole time*

Gotta admit, it was pretty dang funny. Afterwards, we went back to Jyri's house and practiced english with him. He's going to be a very powerful missionary!

I'll have to say, the missionary mojo is pretty strong this week. I've been pondering a lot, and Elder Jordan and I have been discussing a lot, about the Holy Ghost and His influence on us. I've been looking for study pursuits... like D+C 50, for example. It's still a work in progress. 

Well, I love you all! Hope all's going well, and that you can feel the missionary mojo in your own life ;) Keep your flag high, and remember to smile!

Rakkaudellani,

Vanhin Bolingbroke