And the time passes by

I happen to look at our blog today and quickly realized that a whole month had almost passed since I updated it the last time.  Our time in Finland is going by so quickly that in less than a month the first year of our mission will have been completed.  I guess the message to all of us is that if there is something that you want to, or should be doing; it is best that we get it done right now because there will not be time tomorrow.

Probably one of the neatest things that we have done while here is that we and the Williamson put together a 50's party for five couples here, that are, or will have, in the near future have their 50th wedding anniversary .  Certainly Lynne and Karla did most of the work.  It turned out really nice and we had a great time.
 Left to right, looking at the picture, are the Roger and Janice Fuller, Kari and Auli Haikkola, Donna Kay and Jon Carpenter, Kirsti and Pertti Vorimo, and Sue and Warren Thornock.

The food was excellent and the game played with the guest of honour couples was really fun and exciting.  Lynne put together a special paper with each couple's picture and the temple where they were married.  It was a fun time.









The next day one of the special sisters in our area had invited us over for a walk in the forest and a bowl of pea soup. It was a very enjoyable and the soup was great.  She said that she had made enough soup for only part of us to start with, but when more showed up she added a couple of cans of commercial pea soup and the end result was outstanding.
Sister Tapola was a great guide and showed us quite a bit of history about some of earlier aristocracy around her home.



The following Sunday we had the opportunity (??) to speak in church again at a branch in Kouvola.  Brother Fuller and I spoke and Brother Fuller sang also.  Their branch is on a two hour block where they alternate Sunday School, PH Meeting and RS every other week after their sacrament meeting.  Interesting concept, but it seems to work really well for the remote small branches.

 We had a wonderful meal afterwards with the Hyvärinens, Matti and Kaija.  I knew Matti in Kuopio years ago when I first arrived in Finland as a young missionary.  What a wonderful  couple and an outstanding day going to the Kymenlaakso Branch and then spending the afternoon with this family.  Facing the picture, Lynne and I, Matti and Kaija, and Janice Fuller.  Roger Fuller is taking the picture.






The following Monday afternoon President and Sister Roto had all the missionaries out to their home near Tampere for any afternoon of fun and relaxation.  We went to the sauna, ate, picked all kinds of berries, jumped in the lake after the sauna, ate a wonderful meal, and just visited and had a great time.  Brother and Sister Roto have been called to replace President and Sister Haikkola as the next temple president this coming November.

Their home is a remodeled officer's home from many years back and is way out in the country.  I could not believe how many strawberry, raspberry, red and black current, and gooseberry bushes they had around their home.  I have never eaten so many raspberries in one day.

This is the Roto's back yard.  Pretty nice.




They following Sunday we went to a special presentation given by Sister Fuller on Emma Smith.  It was really good and Sister Fuller had spent a lot of time in preparation.  After the fireside, Sister Horning from the mission office celebrated her birthday.

On Monday, 20 August, we were invited to an afternoon with the Petri Jäkkö family in the country about 30 km from the temple.  It was so kind of them to invite us to their home and feed us and allow us some more time to enjoy the country and their family.

Brother Jäkkö is the temple engineer in charge of all the physical facilities at the temple.

Again a wonderful day and great hosts.  They are so kind to the temple missionaries.

Here is the whole family together. One boy and four girls.  Great family.

Thought you might want to see what their son has done with all his Legos.  It was quit a sight.




Time to go to the store.  We have this going away celebration this afternoon and Lynne has to fix something. Just want you all to know that we are fine and the temple work gets better every day.  The Lord continues to bless us and our family everyday.  Hope all is well with you and your families.

Love,  Rick and Lynne