A Baptism Date Set!

Dear Family,

There is a cd/dvd slot on the computer here, but I'm not so sure as to what software there is on it. I'll have to check but a video would be great to have. I got the speakers to work by pushing on the connector jack. In other words, the speakers have a short at the earphone plug-in and I will try to fix it. But all I really need is a earphone jack to an earphone jack because that is how my ipod docking station works... so don't send me new speakers.

Well this week, our investigator P has agreed to get baptized on the 20th of February, and he is pretty excited to do so. We are going to see if he wants to do it a little sooner--- like the 6th. Because he is already ready. I'm not sure if I will stay here in Kajaani past the 9th or so because it's change day. So I may or may not be baptizing him. lol... but nevertheless he is going to be baptized. Other than that, there isn't anything really new. We are still trying to work with our other investigators. I'll let you know if I move :)... but we will have to see. Its always a surprise until Saturday night when we get a call from the Pres. I have a feeling one of us will move, because it has been 3 changes. But I really don't know.

I haven't seen the northern lights and you are welcome for the post card, Mom. I am doing quite well... this week has been very busy and I have been just loving teaching the Finnish people. So all in all, I am doing well...however I have been struggling to stay in my physical shape that I was when I left....partly because the members want us to eat so much and the fact that exercise is indoors and we can't go to a gym. Also, today, I was a little depressed and homesick this morning, but am doing better now.

Well to Jason I want to say that I am way jealous... I never got to have a computer of my own in high school... but hey, have fun making some videos and when I get back we can do some ski and wakeboarding videos together. Peace! Dad... thanks for the advice and counsel, I appreciate it a lot. Also, I hope you have fun skiing without me. Sorry, its a little short but I'm out of time.

Love you all and hope things are going well, Trevor.

Word of Wisdom Week--Jan 18, 2010

Vanhin Henderson--Riding Bikes in Snow
Dear Family,
So, this week has gone fairly well with everything that has gone on here. So far, we still have the same progressing investigators(those who have had us come back more than once) and they are doing well. P our best investigator just accepted the Word of Wisdom last week. He then turned around and taught it to his cousin when we went over to teach him the same discussion. It was amazing because it was probably the first time he bore his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Spirit was very strong. T on the other hand has had a rough week with the Word of Wisdom and wouldn't come to church because she felt so bad without the coffee. She is definately addicted to it. So, we will see how we can help her this next week. Other than that, its all just going...

By the way, everything is coming along fine....language and all. But last night, I messed up at a door and said "God is a plan of happiness for you" instead of "God has a plan for you." It was a little embarassing. Oh and just a couple of days ago, Elder Henderson got a cold... he was soooo tired. Usually, he just goes and goes like the energizer bunny, but when he was sick he just couldn't hardly move. Anyway, he is better now, and thankfully, I didn't get sick. So we're back to going like crazy. Um, we are getting more sun now and during the days we get a little light. Maybe a couple of hours before and after noon time. Since you told me to take my vitamins, Mom, I feel I should tell you to take your vitamins... especially your calcium and Vitamin D. After all...since you are now 50, you better start watching out for osteoperosis. lol..sorry I just had to give you a hard time. I haven't checked if I can get the attatchments sent by email, but I will email you today after I respond. Yes my letter to you is like--always late, and I will send you one as soon as I get a chance.. I am very sorry. I would actually prefer to send a tape to you but we will see how much time I have left today on pday.
Um, well that's the weekly update and I would just like to thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts on my behalf. I really have been helped by them. I hope you all are doing well in Logan. Thanks Mom for everything you do for me. Tell the family I love them too.

Trev

PS: Tell me how the trip to St. George goes with Jason and the golf team. Elder Henderson thinks that would be a good idea to stay at their house when you go down. And it turns out I can get attachments. Thanks for the pictures. The basement looks great!

New Pictures

Trevor at the Arctic Circle

He looks happy and healthy! To see more pictures, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/46658179@N07/ and click on "Slideshow".

-20F and a Happy Birthday Wish

Dear Family,

Sorry you haven’t got pictures yet. I sent your birthday gift, Mom, and the SD card together. I forgot the priority sticker so it will be a week late. I totally forgot it. I hope your birthday was a good one. Elder Henderson loves the wool socks you sent us. I did give a pair away to him when the package arrived. I am warm enough with my two coats even though it’s so cold. And if not, we run into a building to warm up... so don't worry too much about me. I am not feeling so tired as last week.

We have had a hard time getting to come over to see J and teach him. He is going out of town for a week. And he didn't come to church yesterday. So, we are delaying his baptism date at least a week or later. I'm not completely sure that he understands that he needs to meet with us and come to church, let alone what and why baptism is necessary. We still have a lot of work to do before he’s ready. We will have to see in a week when he gets back into town. Our area is slow and we don’t have any new investigators right now. However, T just came to church and we are teaching her on Wednesday (the Word of wisdom discussion). So, we will see if she will decide to get baptized. P has had a great experience in church last Sunday, but we can't seem to meet with him to teach him. But we will keep trying.

Thank you for inviting Emily over for dinner. I figured you two would eventually get together and exchange Christmas gifts. She also told me how she is planning on putting in her papers soon for a mission. That will be really good for her. I hope she lets you know as well as me when she gets her call back. I already told her she had to tell me what happens and where she gets assigned.

I hope you like your birthday gift... I picked it out for you especially. Also, don't get too caught up in turning 50, it’s not that old... your still only 30 years ahead of me. Lol Well, I should get going, but I thought I would let you know that I have been doing better this week despite the unpleasant weather. It’s been like -20F. I am doing just fine and hope to send you a handwritten letter off soon.

Love, Trevor

PS to Carol Armstrong: I talked to the P's and they said to email him from his family web page. I think it’s in Finnish but you might be able to figure it out. The father has a place to email him there. .. good luck, love Trev

Our question: Why do they call the reindeer you gave us girls a "Christmas goat"?
Trev’s answer: Well Joulupuki is the name for Santa but it’s a compound word.
So its Christmasgoat directly translated, but it means Santa.
Other than that I don’t know. They sort of just use the goat a lot. They have a goat for fall.... something like Keksipuki. But, to tell you the truth, I don't know why. I'll try to post a picture of the reindeer later tonight after work. Here is a webpage that will explain it a little better. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joulupukki

New Year -- 2010

Our new investigator, John, with Elder Henderson

Dear Family,

The reindeer ornament that Arica, Celeste and Mom received from me for Christmas is actually a "joulupuki" or santaclause. The direct translation is Christmas goat... lol. Its completely Finnish, and it was just something I thought the girls could decorate their Christmas trees with and it's a candle holder for Mom. I'm glad Dad liked his ties and Jason his cologne. I received your last package with the tree in it. We set it up so that was quite nice. I can probably bring it with me and save it to use next year. Actually for Christmas, we went into the forrest and cut down a live tree. We were able to decorate it because a member gave us some old ornaments she didn't want anymore. Thanks for the socks, too, they are quite warm. I'm wearing them right now.

I didn't get transferred this month so I am not moving. Change day was on Dec. 27th, in between New years and Christmas. So, I'll be here in Kajaani for another 5 weeks or so at least. I really don't know if I will move to another area or not. Tuula is gone out of town for the holidays but she is coming back Thursday. Perttu has been busy with his two kids... He has agreed that he needs to get baptized but wants to do it in the river... so he wants to wait for summer. lol We have another new investigator! John, who is from Afganistan, was converted to Christianity but hasn't ever been baptized. So we are working with him. He agreed to be baptized on the 23rd of January, but we will see when it really goes through. Also, he bore his testimony yesterday in church! No way. He totally felt the spirit and loves it.

Lutherin Church in Helsinki

I sent off a SD card just barely, but I need to warn you... I forgot to copy down some recipes and then delete them. So I have some food recipes on it. Other than that I was hoping you could share pictures with friends and family. The big white building in the picture is the huge Lutheran church in Helsinki. I will take lots of pictures, so don't worry about that. We (the missionaries) can't go cross county skiing with members... its forbidden like the forbidden fruit. grrr....We did hear about the shooting in Espoo. Sad.... it was a Croation who thought his wife was cheating on him. Terrible thing...the members told us on New Years Eve about it. Also, I didn't get to take any pictures of the New Years Eve stuff that went on here. But it was somewhat interesting because they had a gathering in the town center where the major (mayor? not sure if this is what he really meant) talked about what the coming year could bring. Also, they had some town fireworks and had some really young girls dancing to get the crowd riled up for the speech. It was all pretty fun. Well thats about it for the week.

By the way, I have been really tired as of late. Not that I haven't been tired this whole time but I really just have been tired this past week. no real reason why. Other than that things have been going well, and I have been keeping a good journal so that I can tell you all what has happened on my mission when I get back home.

bye for now, Trev