I guess the first thing that I have to report is that Helsinki does not have any snow at all on the ground. It as been a very "black" holiday season in southern Finland. Not dry mind you, it has rained forever and ever. I think I actually have seen the sun several times this December but not more than that. It has been very cloudy but only for rain and not for snow. However, I don't fear a thing because I know that there is always a big snowstorm just around the corner.
Well, one thing about Christmas, the mailman always comes through for the Elders and Sisters. This is just a small representation of the packages that we received. We tried to get them all forwarded without costing the missionaries anything, and we were quite successful in our endeavor. The last of the packages were delivered today at a Zone Conference in Tampere. We encourage parents to send their packages to the office first because of missionaries moving around so much. Unfortunately, it costs the missionary forwarding expense if we have to use the Finnish mail to forward it. We always try pretty hard to have someone deliver it to them, if possible.On six December it is Finland's Independence Day. Not celebrated like we do at home but rather a quiet day with some patriotic music and speeches. We went to the market square by the large white church in Helsinki and watched the band perform and listened to a couple of speakers before we went home. If you look close you can see all the little Christmas shops in the background. It is really fun to go to the market place at Christmas time. Most of the people in the crowd below are holding candles. Another strong Finnish tradition.
Here is our Christmas tree and all the goes under the tree. It was nice of Rachelle to liven our tree.
It wouldn't be Christmas in Helsinki if you didn't go the the big white church and see the crowning of Saint Lucia. This is a big deal. Lynne used to show me the hat back home that St. Lucia wears but I didn't believe it. I don't know how they pack all those candles on top of her head at one time.
But most of the people were outside waiting for St. Lucia to walk down the stairs and into her carriage for her trip down main street. It is fun to watch and follow the events surrounding this special time in Finland
Wouldn't be Christmas without goodies and treats. This picture is at a ward social and the missionary is keeping track of the the little girl so she doesn't snatch all the treats. It was a fun social and all seemed to go well for the evening. If you look really close, you can see Lynne's brownies on the round plate right at the bottom of the picture. They went fast.
Santa came to the ward social also. A bit young looking under the beard, but other than that, he was a great Santa Claus. Kids are kids and it doesn't matter what part of the world they are in, St Nick gets a lot of attention.
Picture of Lynne and the Christmas booths on the open market. Most of the people prepare all year to sell their wares at this time. Judgement Church in the background. It is always fun to go see what the people are selling. This year I was able to buy a hot dog "thingy" wrapped in a potato bun. It was really good. I went on-line to see where it came from and it looks like it came from England. Christmas Eve nine of us went to the cemetery to see the candles on the graves. It rained the whole time but it was still amazing to see how they respect their dead. This is a flash picture but you can see the candles in front of the headstone. We started the same tradition years ago at home and I think the kids continue to do it while we are away.
Below is a picture of Elder Jay and Sister Dana Thelin. They work in the office with us. Their primary calling is to work with the Single Young Adults in the Helsinki Stake, but they help us all the time with food preparation and furnishing new apartments. We couldn't get along without their assistance.
Today, Saturday, we spent most of the day cleaning an apartment that is to be turned back. It should have been our P-Day but we have had something going on everyday this week and we just haven't been able to get to it. I need to get a page from someone on how to relax and just do something different, than work, once in a while. Oh well, we were together and doing what we came to do, so it was a good day for us.
All the kids back home seemed to have had a great Christmas. We were able to Skype them all and talk to them. Christmas Day was mostly spent in the office helping missionary Skype home. We had five Skype session going at one time in the office. The internet connections are better there and there is more rooms to accommodate the young missionaries. The great thing about Skyping is that it doesn't cost them a dime and they get to see, and be seen, but their families. It has been a real pleasure being in the office and working with the young missionaries. They come in all shapes and sizes, and we love them all.
We were also able to Skype with Richard and Susan and Jeff and Rosanne. It was super to be able to talk to them and talk about their missions.
We have over a 100 young missionaries now, almost double from what it was a year ago. We continue to receive more missionaries than go home, so we will continue to look for new apartments in the near future.
Hope all is well with you and your families and the holiday season is treating you well. May the good Lord continue to watch over you and bless you and your families.
Love,
Rick and Lynne
