Se sataa Mini Miracles 

(Finland – Week 20) 

26 May 2015

Sometimes Finland is so beautiful I just want to cry. And then my companions want to cry because when this occurs I'm usually driving and then I veer a little. But it's ok! They have great rumble strips on the roads. We're totally safe Mom. 

This week showered love! In the form of a million tiny letters and lots of rain. In Finnish there isn't a verb for rain, instead of saying "it's raining" you say "it's precipitating water". Next time it's pouring, walk outside and say, "se sataa kissoja ja koiroja," eli (or in other words) "it is precipitating cats and dogs." But rain is good, the earth is so green, the lakes are full, and rainbows brighten the sky. 

I studied the story of Joseph this week and oh my goodness he's a stud. After he tells his brothers who he is, he basically says, "don't worry about selling me into slavery, it's cool" and then goes on to say in Genesis 45:8 " So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt." I know I would have worked the whole selling-into-slavery thing to my advantage, possibly getting unlimited free milkshakes from my siblings and never doing the dishes again, but Joseph didn't even harbor a grudge. He was grateful for his brothers selling him into slavery, grateful for all of the time he missed with his family, grateful for all of the time he spent in prison, and he recognized the Lord for giving all of this to him. That is the epitome of patience and humility. Patiently enduring trials without grumbling, and humbly accepting whatever happens to be the Lord's will. I've been trying to be more like Joseph and appreciate what we have. In weeks like this past one where we lose 9/10 of our investigators, some days are pretty rough. But I know that these rough days sand me down, and I'm grateful for the Lord's constant polishing. Goodness knows I could be a little more smooth. 

Here is me, not gloating over my bounteous supply of letters. 

Lots of Love from the North,

Sisar Mendenhall