Etelä-Korea eli South-Showy

(Finland – Week 25)

30 June 2015

I learned some fabulous Finnish this week! The word for showy is "korea". In a shocking turn of events the word for Korea is also, "Korea". I've been telling everyone that my parents live in "south-showy" for eight months. Thinking back on Daegu's markets, that's not too far off.

The many lakes and beauties of Finland are so attractive to people, and mosquitoes. The price of a single photo op for one of my companions was 22 bites, on just her legs! We might start washing our tights in bug spray. Once during a door contact my legs were suddenly on fire! I was way distracted and afterwards I looked down to see that the mosquitoes were just chilling on my legs, drinking in my delicious taste. Wow, the price I pay for being so sweet. (Obviously, lack of humility doesn’t affect the flavor.) The mosquitoes are as tough as Finns, having the ability to bite through blazers. But not my leather boots! I think I need a leather jumpsuit to continue working. I'm sure that will give a good impression.

The other day we taught the most awesome Finnish mother! She let us in to talk about the Plan of Salvation, and she had so many good questions. (She also had an adorable daughter and 10-week old German Shepherd puppy.) We had a great discussion with her, and she loved hearing about how loving God truly is. This experience is just one example of how much hope in humanity my mission has given me. We meet people all the time, at their doors, on the street, through their friends, and we talk with them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's pretty abnormal. I am amazed by every person that talks back, that lets us invite him or her to come closer to Christ. A lot say no, but enough say yes to three American girls with halting and broken Finnish that you can't help but realize how awesome people are. Lots of bad things happen because of people doing bad things, but those people are really a small minority. When you get to know individuals, you get to see so much potential for good. Christ taught one by one, as shown in 3 Nephi 11:15, " And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his [Christ's] side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come." One by one has the power to work miracles in people, and in others trying to serve them, like me. I love people, people are just incredible.

Like this picture, it displays the goodness of Finns, when you find something you stick it up somewhere high so others can see, look at the cute baby mitten :)

I hope you all have a great week, and that you help someone individually.

Much love from the North!

Sisar Mendenhall