Wow, we're grateful for showers!  

(Finland - Week 26)

06 July 2015

Sometimes, we're talking to people on the street, and it's just going way good. We are understanding well, they are involved and interested, and the conversation is one to remember. Sometimes when that happens, your companion gets pooped on by a bird and it just goes downhill. But then (actually this only happened once), you and the person instantly have this way strong bond as you die laughing. It's like, "check it out, we've only known each other for three minutes and we have this hilarious inside joke". Thank goodness it just got on my companion's jacket, my other companion was not so lucky. We were doing service at the most intense Finnish rug-washing place when my companion exclaims "A bird just pooped on my head!" I didn't see anything and thought she was just being dramatic, but then I beheld, she was right! Her head, shirt, and pants were showered, it was disgusting. I could not stop laughing. Everybody should talk to people about the gospel and do service because these things bring unforgettable experiences! Just hope you have my vantage point and not that of my companions.

Recently in church a woman who has had both of her legs amputated just below the knee gave a wonderful talk about gratitude, and how our faith can be consistent throughout circumstances regardless of what is going on in our lives. There's a wonderful scripture in Moroni 9:25, "My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee...but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." This woman shared how she was definitely not happy about losing both of her legs, but that she was still able to find joy and so much to be grateful for. What a wonderful example! We can determine so much of our lives by our reactions. 

Well he's done it again! I wonder if my mission President gets really excited for dramatic change calls. I was expecting to train but I'm not, I'll be headed back south to Espoo (es-po, I am not heading to a disgustingly named place) to be a sister training leader. Very unexpected, and I'm sad to leave beautiful Vaasa so soon, but it'll all work out for the best! 

Much love from the north! Next week it will be from the south. 

Also Happy 4th of July! 

Sisar Mendenhall