Dear Mother,
Well, this week has been quite busy...lots of investigator stuff to do. We have an investigator that is quite interested. Her name is T and she has been looking for the right church for some time, and she also told us she has had a spiritual experience after meeting us the first time. Here is the story. So we taught her at her door tracting, for maybe 15 min. Then she told us to away, and we did. She told us that after she shut the door, the Spirit hit her and she felt really bad that she told us to go away and she almost went to go get us back. But she didn't. Then later the next week, Elder Henderson contacted her with another missionary on splits and ended up giving her a BOM and asked her to call us back in a week. She did call and she had read about 100 pages already. She really likes the BOM, and we have taught her twice (2 discussions) and she has come to church to see if it is the correct church. That's about it so far. We have a teach this coming Tuesday with her and we hope we can commit her to baptism. We have some other investigators, but that's probably the most exciting one.
Oh nooo... I didn't think that the tape would go through a machine thingy in the mail. I will try to make another one. but that last one took me a couple of weeks. so it may be a little bit... maybe a New Years gift. Thanks for all your prayers and lovely imaginary gifts...lol. I really appreciate your support and love while I am up here in the North. Btw, how are things coming at home. I forgot the number that you need to call me at for Christmas... that and I don't know when my call time is allowed. But I am going to send it to you in a letter and also in a email next week. That way you can know how to call me. Rakastan teitä kaikki ja toivotan että te olette onnellisia tätä joulua.
Rakaudella,
Vanhin Christensen
PS I'm sending the Christmas gifts off today!!!!! Hope you all like them. Trevor.
Website for St. Lucia Day...a Scandinavian Christmas celebration...very interesting to see inside their church and see the program.
http://svtplay.se/t/123386/luciafirande_i_svt
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
"Anteeksi" --- Sorry
Dear Family,
Ok, I'm not spending a lot on christmas gifts. But, I wanted to get you all something from Finland if I could. It will take me a little bit of time to make some videos. I will try and send those to you all next week, and they should get there just before Christmas. I am going to be able to call sometime on Christmas Day. We don't know when quite yet though --anteeksi. Also, the calling card will work and you can plan on calling me, not me to you. So, I think you will have to call our cell phone, and you will have about an hour. And if I am at a member's house, I can probably give you the number to their landline. Not all people have landlines here in Finland, though. Everyone here has a cell phone. I will email you either next week or the following week with more information.
I will try to ask about the pen pals for the Young Women. But I am not so sure the girl will know that good of english to write letters back and forth. I'll have to check with the family. The girl here in the ward hasn't been in church lately. She has been sick for a couple of weeks---anteeksi.
Our work with the P's has slowed down. We're not sure they are really interested in moving forward. I will try to see if they would care to email Carol Armstrong. (Carol is from Finland and has ancestors that may be related to them) They have told us they are quite busy with school and work, but we will see. The Swahili and Cambodian families ...we haven't been able to get ahold of this week. We got another investigator this week. He is a single father about age 23, I think. He is quite interested at the moment, and he has been reading the BOM quite a bit. I think that he is our best investigator so far. Also, we finally got a Croatian translator at church this last Sunday. The translator helped us talk to this old Croatian lady who has just showed up at church the past couple of weeks. It turns out she has a lot of family problems and is financially unstable, so she decided to come to church and ask for help. We met her son and his family and found out about them and had them come to sacrament meeting. However, the mother and the family aren't on good terms, so its a little up in the air how things will turn out. Hopefully, we can teach the grandma and the family and help them out that way. Also, the father and mother of the family have a drinking and smoking problem. It is so bad its causing them to not have enough money to help the grandmother. Well, thats about it for our investigators.
I haven't gotten to go to the temple here in Finland just yet, but maybe if i get moved into the Helsinki area, I might be able to go on a change day. My companion went a couple of weeks ago when I was in the language classes in Helsinki. Umm, my new bike is good. It is a little hard to stop, but it rides well. Your package has not arrived just yet at the mission home, but it should.
Thank you for trying to support me more by going to the temple and especially your prayers. I am feeling just fine about the mission. Mostly, I'm doing great. It is a little depressing at times when I can't talk so well to people on the street. Mainly my frustration comes because they want the information right then and its really fast talking and communicating. I haven't quite gotten down the speed with the language. I always have to pause and say, "anteeksi" and try to think of the word I want to use or don't remember. But if I am with the members, I can comunicate just about what I need to or want to say. However, my chit chat still lacks quality and speed. Luckily, I have a knowledgeable trainer who knows when to bail me out....Elder Henderson!! lol
well g2g thanks --- "kiitos" (bye)...
hugs, Trevor
P.S. Yup, I have a picture of Thanksgiving dinner with Elder Henderson and I. We got the table cloth and table decorations. The dinner from Sister Henderson was great.
Ok, I'm not spending a lot on christmas gifts. But, I wanted to get you all something from Finland if I could. It will take me a little bit of time to make some videos. I will try and send those to you all next week, and they should get there just before Christmas. I am going to be able to call sometime on Christmas Day. We don't know when quite yet though --anteeksi. Also, the calling card will work and you can plan on calling me, not me to you. So, I think you will have to call our cell phone, and you will have about an hour. And if I am at a member's house, I can probably give you the number to their landline. Not all people have landlines here in Finland, though. Everyone here has a cell phone. I will email you either next week or the following week with more information.
I will try to ask about the pen pals for the Young Women. But I am not so sure the girl will know that good of english to write letters back and forth. I'll have to check with the family. The girl here in the ward hasn't been in church lately. She has been sick for a couple of weeks---anteeksi.
Our work with the P's has slowed down. We're not sure they are really interested in moving forward. I will try to see if they would care to email Carol Armstrong. (Carol is from Finland and has ancestors that may be related to them) They have told us they are quite busy with school and work, but we will see. The Swahili and Cambodian families ...we haven't been able to get ahold of this week. We got another investigator this week. He is a single father about age 23, I think. He is quite interested at the moment, and he has been reading the BOM quite a bit. I think that he is our best investigator so far. Also, we finally got a Croatian translator at church this last Sunday. The translator helped us talk to this old Croatian lady who has just showed up at church the past couple of weeks. It turns out she has a lot of family problems and is financially unstable, so she decided to come to church and ask for help. We met her son and his family and found out about them and had them come to sacrament meeting. However, the mother and the family aren't on good terms, so its a little up in the air how things will turn out. Hopefully, we can teach the grandma and the family and help them out that way. Also, the father and mother of the family have a drinking and smoking problem. It is so bad its causing them to not have enough money to help the grandmother. Well, thats about it for our investigators.
I haven't gotten to go to the temple here in Finland just yet, but maybe if i get moved into the Helsinki area, I might be able to go on a change day. My companion went a couple of weeks ago when I was in the language classes in Helsinki. Umm, my new bike is good. It is a little hard to stop, but it rides well. Your package has not arrived just yet at the mission home, but it should.
Thank you for trying to support me more by going to the temple and especially your prayers. I am feeling just fine about the mission. Mostly, I'm doing great. It is a little depressing at times when I can't talk so well to people on the street. Mainly my frustration comes because they want the information right then and its really fast talking and communicating. I haven't quite gotten down the speed with the language. I always have to pause and say, "anteeksi" and try to think of the word I want to use or don't remember. But if I am with the members, I can comunicate just about what I need to or want to say. However, my chit chat still lacks quality and speed. Luckily, I have a knowledgeable trainer who knows when to bail me out....Elder Henderson!! lol
well g2g thanks --- "kiitos" (bye)...
hugs, Trevor
P.S. Yup, I have a picture of Thanksgiving dinner with Elder Henderson and I. We got the table cloth and table decorations. The dinner from Sister Henderson was great.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Finnish, Swahili & Kieli Koulu School
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Train Ride to Helsinki for Kieli Koulu SchoolDear Family,
Well, this week has been interesting. I've gone to Kieli Koulu Language School. It's a thing where we travel to Helsinki and work on our language stuff and how to study better. Also, we had district meeting this week in Oulu. So this week has been nothing but train rides everywhere.
Your package arrived the day I traveled back from Helsinki. So I missed it by a couple of hours. So, now I have to wait till zone conference which isn't really that far away. Plus, its a good thing I didn't get it. I would have opened it before Christmas. So it makes me wait. I'll look for your other package in the mail this week. Thank you. I will be here in Kajaani through Christmas. There is a chance I may be leaving just before New Years Day....possibly the Tuesday or Wednesday before, so don't send anything too late.
Lessons have been scarce, as in none. But since we have been traveling so much, we didn't really have a full week. We have two investigators, the P's and an African family. We found the African family by tracting. We ended up getting a Swahili Book of Mormon for them. We will see how interested they are as time goes on.
I have a letter written for you. I just need to get it sent off before it gets too late today. I'm also going shopping today for Christmas gifts, but you may need to tell me if you want something in particular. I'm trying to send them off next week on monday, so that they get there on time. I've already picked out something for Jason though. I have no idea what to get Dad.....uh, tools don't ship very well...lol... well, love you all.
Trev
PS I am sending a tape this week as well ....it will be coming soon.
Well, this week has been interesting. I've gone to Kieli Koulu Language School. It's a thing where we travel to Helsinki and work on our language stuff and how to study better. Also, we had district meeting this week in Oulu. So this week has been nothing but train rides everywhere.
Your package arrived the day I traveled back from Helsinki. So I missed it by a couple of hours. So, now I have to wait till zone conference which isn't really that far away. Plus, its a good thing I didn't get it. I would have opened it before Christmas. So it makes me wait. I'll look for your other package in the mail this week. Thank you. I will be here in Kajaani through Christmas. There is a chance I may be leaving just before New Years Day....possibly the Tuesday or Wednesday before, so don't send anything too late.
Lessons have been scarce, as in none. But since we have been traveling so much, we didn't really have a full week. We have two investigators, the P's and an African family. We found the African family by tracting. We ended up getting a Swahili Book of Mormon for them. We will see how interested they are as time goes on.
I have a letter written for you. I just need to get it sent off before it gets too late today. I'm also going shopping today for Christmas gifts, but you may need to tell me if you want something in particular. I'm trying to send them off next week on monday, so that they get there on time. I've already picked out something for Jason though. I have no idea what to get Dad.....uh, tools don't ship very well...lol... well, love you all.
Trev
PS I am sending a tape this week as well ....it will be coming soon.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
No "Turkey Day" for Me
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Thanksgiving Dinner at our apartmentDear Family,
Our week has been a little busy but good for the most part. I haven’t found a new winter coat yet. I’m waiting for the Christmas sales, and plus, everything in Kajaani is melting. So, it’s not cold here. Well, I still wear a jacket. It’s pretty much about 2 degrees Celsius. The sun comes up around 10 am and goes back down about 3 pm. Our days are pretty much the same every day. We study, do chores and go tracting. Yesterday, we went to a member’s house and had dinner. It was sort of like home, except I couldn't actually relax too much. There is one family that we know well enough. They are a family which has investigated for years. They have two daughters and a dog. They are quite kind and like to have us over. They don't either want to know or haven't tried to find out about the Book of Mormon. We are trying to work with them again. It is very funny here. Little kids come to the door undressed. I’m not sure why. This week, I tried to communicate in Finnish and I said “this way” instead of "on the back". It is very hard to get all the words in the correct form. Ok, so I can understand and talk with people for the most part. It just takes me some time. lol..
So, I could use some recipes from you and Arica. Something simple and easy to make would be nice. And I’d prefer something less fattening. I am trying to keep my weight down. We are being fed too much by the members. They always tell us to be a friend and take more.... guilt trip. Thanks for the recipes when they come and I will write a real letter to you. It will take too long here on email. My companion, Elder Henderson, and I are getting along great. We are really trying to work smarter and enjoy this city and the people. It is helpful for me as I’m trying to get used to the language and the mission.
Anyway, say “hi” to Laurie and the family for Thanksgiving.
Love, Trevor
Our week has been a little busy but good for the most part. I haven’t found a new winter coat yet. I’m waiting for the Christmas sales, and plus, everything in Kajaani is melting. So, it’s not cold here. Well, I still wear a jacket. It’s pretty much about 2 degrees Celsius. The sun comes up around 10 am and goes back down about 3 pm. Our days are pretty much the same every day. We study, do chores and go tracting. Yesterday, we went to a member’s house and had dinner. It was sort of like home, except I couldn't actually relax too much. There is one family that we know well enough. They are a family which has investigated for years. They have two daughters and a dog. They are quite kind and like to have us over. They don't either want to know or haven't tried to find out about the Book of Mormon. We are trying to work with them again. It is very funny here. Little kids come to the door undressed. I’m not sure why. This week, I tried to communicate in Finnish and I said “this way” instead of "on the back". It is very hard to get all the words in the correct form. Ok, so I can understand and talk with people for the most part. It just takes me some time. lol..
So, I could use some recipes from you and Arica. Something simple and easy to make would be nice. And I’d prefer something less fattening. I am trying to keep my weight down. We are being fed too much by the members. They always tell us to be a friend and take more.... guilt trip. Thanks for the recipes when they come and I will write a real letter to you. It will take too long here on email. My companion, Elder Henderson, and I are getting along great. We are really trying to work smarter and enjoy this city and the people. It is helpful for me as I’m trying to get used to the language and the mission.
Anyway, say “hi” to Laurie and the family for Thanksgiving.
Love, Trevor
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Santa Land at the Arctic Circle
Bro and Sister Call, a missionary couple, took all of the missionaries in the Finland Northern Area to visit Santa. They gave Santa a Book of Mormon as a district group. Here is the link for a video of Trevor's group at Santa Land and also links to Finnish Lapland.
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Dear Family,
Hey, next week we will be on the computers for email at 11:30 am our time. So like 9 hours back for you…um, like 2:30 am your time. We have the computers reserved this time, so I should be there. I don’t know if emails are delayed. I guess we will find out. I don't expect you to get up in the middle of the night just to chat a little…but thanks for trying...
Sorry Mom, I didn't get the package from you yet. But, I’m sure it will arrive this week. Um yeah, I'm back in Kajaani, and it’s about the same--just whiter. The snow is here to stay. Last week in Oulu was nice because we had a car. Not that I drove. The other drivers were really slow. They don’t drive very fast here…not like me or dad. Elder Smith was nice and pretty easy going. He really loved his food and likes to cook. I am gaining weight like crazy. I am now 160 lbs and am trying to eat less so I can lose some of it. Yikes, I’m a fatty. I also gave a prayer in the Oulu ward and we got some service opportunities last week in Oulu. Elder Smith and I chopped wood for a while and moved some clay shingles for a member. We also raked leaves again just before it snowed.
We have about 6 good hours of daylight, but we are usually inside during that time. It’s lighter in the mornings, but we are studying during that time. It is usually overcast most of the time as well. I have not found a new coat, but I am doing great with what I have and I don't really need a coat just yet. So you don't need to send me a coat. I’m not using the blue coat…it just sits in my closet resting. lol. We don't have a CD player, just my Ipod player for music. No one here in our ward plays the violin and Elder Henderson does play 4 songs on the piano for church.. yup, we’re pretty good here on the music department. Um, I am working on a tape for you all and what not. So it should be coming in a week or so. Well, hei hei. Rakastan sinua, Trev
PS… For Christmas packages, don't send any candy...just letters, some tapes and pictures..JPG)
Hey, next week we will be on the computers for email at 11:30 am our time. So like 9 hours back for you…um, like 2:30 am your time. We have the computers reserved this time, so I should be there. I don’t know if emails are delayed. I guess we will find out. I don't expect you to get up in the middle of the night just to chat a little…but thanks for trying...
Sorry Mom, I didn't get the package from you yet. But, I’m sure it will arrive this week. Um yeah, I'm back in Kajaani, and it’s about the same--just whiter. The snow is here to stay. Last week in Oulu was nice because we had a car. Not that I drove. The other drivers were really slow. They don’t drive very fast here…not like me or dad. Elder Smith was nice and pretty easy going. He really loved his food and likes to cook. I am gaining weight like crazy. I am now 160 lbs and am trying to eat less so I can lose some of it. Yikes, I’m a fatty. I also gave a prayer in the Oulu ward and we got some service opportunities last week in Oulu. Elder Smith and I chopped wood for a while and moved some clay shingles for a member. We also raked leaves again just before it snowed.
We have about 6 good hours of daylight, but we are usually inside during that time. It’s lighter in the mornings, but we are studying during that time. It is usually overcast most of the time as well. I have not found a new coat, but I am doing great with what I have and I don't really need a coat just yet. So you don't need to send me a coat. I’m not using the blue coat…it just sits in my closet resting. lol. We don't have a CD player, just my Ipod player for music. No one here in our ward plays the violin and Elder Henderson does play 4 songs on the piano for church.. yup, we’re pretty good here on the music department. Um, I am working on a tape for you all and what not. So it should be coming in a week or so. Well, hei hei. Rakastan sinua, Trev
PS… For Christmas packages, don't send any candy...just letters, some tapes and pictures.
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Finnish Missionaries...Trevor is in the grey suit on the left.
Monday, November 9, 2009
A "Vaihtaa" -- of Time and Location
A park in Oulu
Dear Family,
Sorry about changing times for emails. I just figured out today that we can reserve a computer a week in advance. I am going to try to get a more concrete time each week so you will know when I’ll be on line. (Today, it was at 2:30 am Utah time. Last week, it was 5:30 am) Thanks, Dad, for your insight about not being so stressed out about hitting the payment all the time. However, we are working very hard to find people that we can teach. The people we meet will either agree to look at the Book of Mormon for a little bit before they agree to let us teach them, or they say they are good with where they are in their lives right now….Which really means “No thanks.” We’re trying not to too feel bad when we don’t fine anyone that is interested.
Trevor, Vanhin Smith, Vanhin Henderson
This week, I’m in Oulu. My companion, Elder Henderson, is working with the district leader and getting additional training this week. So, I’m working with the district leader’s companion, Elder Smith. Elder Smith has been in Finland for about 4 months and is pretty easy going and fun to be around. Since it is P-day, he is taking me on a tour of Ollu. I will be sure to take pictures and send them. We are using a car in Oulu. It is a lot warmer than our bikes in Kajaani and much faster. Lol We are teaching 3 people here and one has a baptismal pending date. He is still trying to give up coffee. The other two people are not as interested, but hopefully they will be touched by the Spirit. Zone Conference was very interesting and good to see the “MTC 8”. It was nice to see familiar faces. I liked it because I didn't have to worry about what was going to happen next. It was a good time to sit down and rest a little and recharge my Spirit and testimony. It was nice to get ideas and talk with the other missionaries, ya know. Also, we got instruction on things that we need to improve upon in our proselyting.
So here is my advice to the Priest Quorum at home: Get ready for a mission by reading and studying the Book of Mormon every day for a couple of minutes. Get to know where things are in the Book of Mormon and Bible. Also, start talking to people where ever you have a chance, especially adults. It doesn't have to be gospel related just yet, but just get used to talking to people. This will help you if you ever decide to serve a mission, because that is what you do all day. Oh, and start keeping your room clean at home. It will solidify a good habit on the mission for your companion and for when you get home and get married. Serious. Well. I'm all out of common non-language related ideas. Study, pray, go to church, and keep your room clean, follow the spirit….that’s about it. Good luck and have fun!
Love, Trev
Check out Oulu, Finland http://www.oulutourism.fi/en/etusivu.aspx
Monday, November 2, 2009
Pyhä Päivää -- "Holy Day" or Halloween
Dear Family,
Yeah, I got the package today! It's the 2nd of Nov. yay!
Let's see, this past week was interesting. We ran around all week and got 4 new investigators or was it 6. Anyways, we dropped all of them but 1. And we will probably him too by the end of this week. It's like there is no one here who really wants to hear anything about religion at all. We've been told by all of the people who speak English that no one talks about religion. Yup, lots of slammed doors. But besides that this week has been going great.
Also, their Halloween is called Pyhä Päivää or holy day.... its a time when they respect the dead by lighting candles in the grave yards. I took some pictures for you. Also, I got some extra SD cards to send home with videos and recordings and I will probably send home a tape too. um... also, they have this kekripuki or goat that they make in the start of fall...dunno when. Then on Halloween, they light it on fire. It's sort of like celebrating the begining of winter. We didn't get to see the goat lite on fire. We had to go across town for more tracking. But, we didn't find anyone at home. They were all at the festival. But, I have a picture of it before they lit it up.
Also, zone conference is this weekend, so I will be traveling a bit. Yesterday, there was ice everywhere. Our bikes were a little hazordous. lol. My companion, Elder Henderson just about died 6 times. (Maybe these two should invest in studded bike tires...would they work on ice?)Well, yeah I think thats everything. By the way, the tape is good and I am enjoying it thouroughly. Thank you. I haven't gotten to read the letter just yet. But, will see if I can't write someing back before the end of today, via posti. Ok, I'm going to go check to see if you sent anything again. You said you were up at like 10 30 am, my time lol (BYW: I was up at 3:30 am Utah time--got to love those "night feedings"---I have to go to bed at 9:00 on Sunday..Linda)
Love Trevor
From Elder Henderson:
Dear Family, Thank you for the package and all of the good stuff. This week has been awesome. We were able to teach 8 times this week, meaning open, closing prayer, commitments. That is a teach. We taught one that is about 20 and he was taught before 2 years ago. We were pretty straight with him. He wants to talk about church, then hang out. I want to tell you what Finland nights are like. So, about 8'clock we have to stop tracting because it is the law. So picture us on a a 1932 Jupiter bike, toes frozen, chin numb, big grins on our faces, blue lightning helmet, leather gloves, fly jacket, conjugating a sentence, and peddling crazy in the muddy black streets through the forest from the neighborhood. The air smells like wood burning stoves and sometimes cooking; the smells at night are so good! Usually we buy some Kinder Chokolata, that is German. I usually buy a small chocolate stick on Mondays to split with my companion to give us a little boost to dominate the streets. We pull into the small city center that has about one street that goes right down the middle, park our Harley's (bikes) and talk to as many people who are sober and talkable.There was one lady that let us come back and teach her and she was sweet; she is an older lady who wears white gloves and is so happy. Her husband left her when she was young and then her son committed suicide. She fed us hot soup from meat that her neighbor shot and then we had to teach very tactful. She was happy to allow us to share our belief in God and we testified of Christ and the love God has for us. She didn't accept the message but I felt such a love for her. Sirppa was her name. Elder Christensen and I are eating well and working very hard. We have Zone Conference this week on Wednesday. Love, Äldste Henderson
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