"Wading Through Affliction"

Hei!

Wow, we had a really good one here in Espoo. The weather in the mornings bounces around 0 degrees Celsius these days, so we are back in the freezing temperatures again. no snow though. probably wont until November at least. We had a wonderful 3 day meeting at the mission home. It was awesome. It is to help the trainees reflect on the first 5 weeks of the mission, and to talk about what they have learned, what has been hard, etc... We had the camera crew there with us as well. At one point, in the meeting we do this thing called "companionship inventory" That is where you talk about the strengths each other has and also the things that bug you and how you can improve, and things like that. The one at this meeting in an hour long, so that you can go deep. Usually mine are like 15 minutes. The camera crew filmed us and got nice and zoomed in as we discussed deeply. I would be lying if I said that it wasn't very awkward. But the good news is, the crew felt the spirit as they saw everyone doing their discussions, so after the filming they went outside and did their very own and said it was a revelatory experience. 

The temple was also great! I love the Finland temple so much. I am going to miss it a lot.

The work is going along grandly. We have a friend, Anneli, who is going to be baptized hopefully this next Saturday. so next week you will be getting the update on that! She is super excited. she has been making a lot of friends in the ward and has come to church the past 5 weeks or so. We have our last lesson with her tonight and then her interview will be this Thursday, and the baptism on Saturday. We are going to be teaching about tithing and fasting so hopefully we will be able to help her understand the blessings that come from those commandments! She is from Estonia and has been living here for a quite a few years now though. Her Finnish is like a missionary level, so it is super easy for me to understand what she is saying, but the finns have a really hard time. it is kind of funny!

Soccer Saturday was great. I continue to play left back and left wing. I have no idea why they have me play there, my left leg is so weak. But I play better there than any other spot somehow. I scored two goals this week. the Nigerians went crazy.

I really like a scripture that we have been focusing on for the past couple weeks. It is Heleman 3:34-35:

34 And they were lifted up in ^apride, even to the persecution of many of their brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.

35 Nevertheless they did ^afast and ^bpray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their ^chumility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the ^dpurifying and the ^esanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their ^fyielding their hearts unto God.

I love how in this story, these righteous nephites, because of their situation, had to "wade" through much hardships and trials. When I think of the word "wade" I think of army guys walking through a muddy swamp, up to their chest, holding their guns about their heads, arms hurting, stinky and sweaty, mosquitos flying around their ears. Sometimes we all feel like that too in some sort of way. that we are "wading through affliction" I have felt the blessings that come through this "wading" here on my mission. as I have fasted and prayed oft, I have seen how I have become more humble and willing to follow the guidance from my Father in Heaven. as I have yielded my heart unto God I have seen how he has purified me. This really has been the greatest blessing I have received! We can over come our trials with the Savior and we can become better.

I love you all! See you soon!