Sometimes there's just lots of good things I could put in this title thing and I can't pick which is the best‏

(Finland – Week 24)

23 June 2015

Hyvää Juhannuspäivää!! Happy Midsummer! In Finland that means grilling, möki attending, and an all-night-because-it's-light-all-night party!! For Finnish missionaries that means taking a trip to a beautiful möki with a particularly awesome family and receiving the testimony that yes, Heaven looks like Finland. (Ok, maybe that last bit is personal preference.) Oh my gosh, best family reunion I've ever crashed! We couldn't get over the view, the food, the musical performances, and just the kindness of this family. I told them I'll be back every year for forever. They said I'm welcome! I hope they realized I was totally serious. It's time to dig a tunnel to Finland so I can drive out every year.

 It's always awkward when we're standing there waiting for people to come to church and then they don't... We sat down slightly disappointed this week that no one had come, but shortly into the meeting someone waved us out, a man we met on the street and invited to come to church had shown up! We got him situated, and then were waved out again! One of the men we are teaching (because right now we are only teaching men...) was there and he had brought a friend! We got them situated and then the first hour ended. While moving to the next meeting another man that we are teaching came! Oh my goodness what do you do when suddenly you have four people at church?! Thank goodness we are three to allow for dividing and conquering and thank goodness for the Elders helping us out (with our multitude of men). We were able to set up appointments will all of them and have a wonderful Sacrament meeting (which is the last hour here in Vaasa). Later that day we were reveling in the Juhannuspäivä (Midsummer) revelry, and set up two appoinments on the street within 20 minutes! Wow it was a great day! It reminded me of Ether 3:5, "Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men." We had lots of things that seemed small that day all add up into a hugely successful Sunday. We never know how much work the Lord is putting forth to make our days awesome. It's wonderful to take a step back and imagine how He could have brought a seemingly little thing to pass.

Seriously though, look at these pictures. Home can be a heaven on earth when we are filled with love, also, Finland is a heaven on earth.

Have a fabulously Finnish day!

Love Sisar Mendenhall