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- March 25, 2025

Terve! Hello!

So I thought I'd go into a little more depth in this email of what's been going on because 1 not all of you guys were on my list for my first little email (AND I'M IN THE PROVO Missionary Training Center or MTC NOW !) and 2 I realize I didn't talk too much about all the cool stuffs that go along with being a missionary or any of that...SO

I've now officially been a missionary for Myöhempien Aikojen Pyhien Jeesuksen Kristuksen Kirkko (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints-which fun fact in Finnish it means the same thing but it's backwards, so it literally means Latter-Day Saints Jesus Christ's Church haha) for about 2 weeks or so! Also sorry I tend to talk in the parentheses a lot so hopefully this email isn't too hard to follow...just take your time haha. And for the first week I was online doing Home MTC, so we met our district (which all six of us are going to Finland !) and companion on zoom and I could already tell that they were kinda the pukki (pukki is GOAT btw) but now I know they the pukki, even the Vanhimmat (The Elders) I guess...which I'll be putting a link to an album of photos in google photos y'all should join-which has photos of everyone in my district: Sisar Luke (my companion), Sisar Flaig, Sisar Draper, Vanhin Mitchell, and Vanhin White plus it shows what campus looks like and neat stuff like that. And I label the photos so you can have some context (although not all the photos have context but they're fun anyways hehe) But I literally love my little Finn district no joke.

More on the missionary side of things though: I love wearing the tag and something they've been saying a lot is "remember who you represent" and I'm so grateful for this opportunity to represent Jesus Christ and teach others about Him! Classes have been super edifying and I feel like I'm learning a lot, like how to take my knowledge of the gospel and share it with others. Especially since I was able to teach someone online with Sisar Luke-which the first time we met was okay, but this last time I really felt like we were able to teach simply and powerfully. Which is how it should be. But yeah I just love being able to testify about my Savior and tell others what He can do for them and that He knows them personally and loves them. Being a missionary is kinda the best you guys haha.

It's crazy to me that we're here 7 more weeks, it kinda feels like I'm never leaving BUT I just adore my district and Branch Presidency so it's awesome. Also our Branch President's wife is from Finland!! Kiva!! (Cool!) Also kinda confusing but we have our little Finnish district and then our bigger district, who we also meet with, who has missionaries going to Estonia, Latvia, and one going to Canada speaking Ukrainian?! They're great and all have shining testimonies and love of the gospel and Jesus Christ.

Basically it's awesome and I love it here and I can't wait to learn more and more. I'm like a happy little sponge soaking up all the knowledge and goodness here : )

Spiritual Thought:

I don't think I've ever felt closer to my Savior than I do being here in the MTC. I can just feel and recognize so much clearer how much He loves me, and I know He loves each and every one of you. Never forget how much Jesus loves you, He chose to die for you, so you can be happy and joyful when life is hard. Because life is so hard and we make mistakes because we're human. But because of Jesus Christ we're not "only human" we can become even as He is. Selfless, kind, loving, gentle, patient. What's a Christlike attribute you would like to have? Pray for it and I promise you will be helped to become more.

Also I love this hymn "This is the Christ"

I read His words, the words He prayed

While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane.

I feel His love, the price He paid.

How many drops of blood were spilled for me?

With Saints of old in joyful cry

I too can testify: This is the Christ.

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God—

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls,

Who ransomed us with love divine.

And to end kinda goofy-

Noteworthy sidenotes of the week:

💙 Vanhin White separating out the marshmallows (so like the best part) in a bowl of Lucky Charms for me and Sisar Flaig

🤍 MTC food really isn't as bad as they say, and cream cheese on a bagel is the new peanut butter toast (I used to eat peanut butter toast every morning)

💙 Timers on these missionary phones are all bangers (love them)

🤍 This missionary phone feels so fancy compared to my old phone because it's super big and has .5 on the camera and face recognition?!

💙 We love MTC choir (and the director is a little goofy and kinda reminds me of my old choir teacher which I love X2)

Moi Moi! Keep in touch, and God be with you !

(Also the title of this email means something along the lines of "don't fret")

Here's the Google photos!!