October 20, 2014
This week was a zone meeting in Oulu! We now are going to have them every month. that's a lot of traveling! We took the 5.50 am train and was in oulu till 3 because the meeting went over time. It is also change calls this week. Elder Hunter and I have been together for 5 months and we don't want to leave Kajaani. It has been the best place. maybe it is because of the K Family =)
We always get food from them (almost) every Sunday. And tell Tim that we have talked about him
Tell Congrats to Stacia and Jermey! I now don't have to worry about the family name not being passed on! =) I have now three Cummings cousins... and Anslie!
Baba, acctually the language class has two computers that we can use to email. It's more like a study for foriners who are taking classes and study and meet people here. it's really fun, but is pretty simple.
Mom, Are you helping out for the mission prep? I guess the past two emails I couldn't tell if it was you or Baba. We had cake today! there is a really sweet Russian Old lady who made us berry juice and cake because we went with her to the Lutheran Church. It was cool. it was the oldest church in Kajaani and it is compleatly made out of wood except the base.
Audrey, what is going on up in PC? =) I loved the pictures of old bear and the birthday sign. Thanks a lot!
We always get food from them (almost) every Sunday. And tell Tim that we have talked about him
Tell Congrats to Stacia and Jermey! I now don't have to worry about the family name not being passed on! =) I have now three Cummings cousins... and Anslie!
Baba, acctually the language class has two computers that we can use to email. It's more like a study for foriners who are taking classes and study and meet people here. it's really fun, but is pretty simple.
Mom, Are you helping out for the mission prep? I guess the past two emails I couldn't tell if it was you or Baba. We had cake today! there is a really sweet Russian Old lady who made us berry juice and cake because we went with her to the Lutheran Church. It was cool. it was the oldest church in Kajaani and it is compleatly made out of wood except the base.
Audrey, what is going on up in PC? =) I loved the pictures of old bear and the birthday sign. Thanks a lot!
October 13, 2014
Well today we are at Monica the language school again at the library. Everyone here is super kind! The teachers were super scared the first day when two Mormon missionaries came in to study Finnish. Now that we have gotten to know them it's so much fun to come here! the teachers are all so funny and everyone here besides the Finns speak broken Finnish and It's s easy to understand them because we spoke the same way! I don't know what to talk about right now... But a lot happend. We had one of our members who translated from Finnish to Japanese in church last Sunday. We invited 3 people to come to see the church and they came and it was all in Japanese for them! Super Cool. Suvi drives one hour to church every Sunday. We meet with her twice a week and we keep running into her on the street in Kajaani! super funny. You will have to meet her. Elder Hunter's Mom joined the church in Germany and had to drive an hour to church also. They both came into contact with the church when they went on exchange programs to the US and ended up with Member families. After wards they met with missionaries in their home countries!
We are doing great in Kajaani It is the best up here. we will have to come back to visit Kajaani!
Audrey: I think your word is supposed to be necklace or dog tag. is that right?
by the way, I thought this was cool.
Electric danger is spirit danger in Finnish
We are doing great in Kajaani It is the best up here. we will have to come back to visit Kajaani!
Audrey: I think your word is supposed to be necklace or dog tag. is that right?
by the way, I thought this was cool.
Electric danger is spirit danger in Finnish
October 6, 2014
The beach looked super warm! How long were you in California? The funny thing is, we missed a lot of General conference too. There were only two sessions that we have seen and they are both morning sessions. We have a lot of catching up to do. We ended up watching it on a small laptop in the church while the Finnish translation was playing in the Chaple room. Dad, did you understand any of the cantonese that was spoken? I was super happy that a whole talk was given by a native Hong Kongese Quorum of the 70.
Well this week has been really exciting. Suvi now has a baptisimal date set and she is excited for it! She drove to Kajaani last week and visited with Elder Hunter and our district leader while we were on splits. they were able to go over the babtisimal questions and what babtism is. We prayed with her previously about what day should she prepair to be babtised. When we asked if she would pray she got all nervouse about it saying that it wasn't on her mind all that much but that she thought it would be far in the future. She then said that she would pray about it and that the day may even be tomorrow if it needed to be. I wasn't thinking because I replied saying that I didn't think it would be tomorrow. When Elder Hunter and I both prayed about it the answere that came to both of our minds for the 3rd of October. I felt like that was really soon and I looked at the calendar and the 3rd was the very next day! I felt a bit surprized about it. We talked about it, especially about that she still needs to be taught most of the lessons but the feeling from our answere was that she is ready for the Baptisimal commitment. Jump a little into the future, she now is getting ready and we are planning on the 1st of November.
In general conference, Everything fell through with people coming. But we randomly ran into several people who were investigating the church and two of them came to conference. It wsa really exciting!
Elder Hunter and I are having a great time up in Kajaani.
I love you and hope to hear from you soon!,
Elder Cummings
Well this week has been really exciting. Suvi now has a baptisimal date set and she is excited for it! She drove to Kajaani last week and visited with Elder Hunter and our district leader while we were on splits. they were able to go over the babtisimal questions and what babtism is. We prayed with her previously about what day should she prepair to be babtised. When we asked if she would pray she got all nervouse about it saying that it wasn't on her mind all that much but that she thought it would be far in the future. She then said that she would pray about it and that the day may even be tomorrow if it needed to be. I wasn't thinking because I replied saying that I didn't think it would be tomorrow. When Elder Hunter and I both prayed about it the answere that came to both of our minds for the 3rd of October. I felt like that was really soon and I looked at the calendar and the 3rd was the very next day! I felt a bit surprized about it. We talked about it, especially about that she still needs to be taught most of the lessons but the feeling from our answere was that she is ready for the Baptisimal commitment. Jump a little into the future, she now is getting ready and we are planning on the 1st of November.
In general conference, Everything fell through with people coming. But we randomly ran into several people who were investigating the church and two of them came to conference. It wsa really exciting!
Elder Hunter and I are having a great time up in Kajaani.
I love you and hope to hear from you soon!,
Elder Cummings
September 29, 2014
That trip in Moab looks so warm! It is cold and wet here =) Sorry that I didn't write so much the last time. I made a goal to write you you better.
A lot has been happening recently. Tong, from Vietnam, just moved to Helsinki and we are hopping that he would find a time when he could meet the elders down there. We helped him pack onto his train and he had so much stuff! it made me think of change calls when we move to a different city and have to lug everything along. Mainly this week we have been hoping to meet with Kristina, the mom whose old neighbors are in our ward. It is hard to set things up with the K Family because they live in a town an hour away. We are making a special Book of Mormon present for her where the K Family and also we are going to write a short thing in the Book of Mormon for her. I feel like Elder Hunter and I have been having to start over with a lot in Kajaani. We are hopfully going to be in Sotkomo. There are a few people in this town that we have beenable to get into contact with. And one of them came to church last sunday with her sister! It was really cool!
I have been falling in love with the north. We had a 7 year old member walk us to her friends home to invite them to church. It was her idea! The members are so much fun here! we kept in contact with Aamu (the little girl in the ward) and her friends but they couldn't make it to church. Aamu just said that, ''it's good that they said that they'll come some time!'
It is almost Elder Hunter's Year mark. It is on the 16th of October. You'll have to do something for him. and we have an investigator who is a big skier. could you send me parkcity skiing stickers? that's all I request. I love you all!
And hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Cummings
A lot has been happening recently. Tong, from Vietnam, just moved to Helsinki and we are hopping that he would find a time when he could meet the elders down there. We helped him pack onto his train and he had so much stuff! it made me think of change calls when we move to a different city and have to lug everything along. Mainly this week we have been hoping to meet with Kristina, the mom whose old neighbors are in our ward. It is hard to set things up with the K Family because they live in a town an hour away. We are making a special Book of Mormon present for her where the K Family and also we are going to write a short thing in the Book of Mormon for her. I feel like Elder Hunter and I have been having to start over with a lot in Kajaani. We are hopfully going to be in Sotkomo. There are a few people in this town that we have beenable to get into contact with. And one of them came to church last sunday with her sister! It was really cool!
I have been falling in love with the north. We had a 7 year old member walk us to her friends home to invite them to church. It was her idea! The members are so much fun here! we kept in contact with Aamu (the little girl in the ward) and her friends but they couldn't make it to church. Aamu just said that, ''it's good that they said that they'll come some time!'
It is almost Elder Hunter's Year mark. It is on the 16th of October. You'll have to do something for him. and we have an investigator who is a big skier. could you send me parkcity skiing stickers? that's all I request. I love you all!
And hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Cummings
September 15, 2014
Helsinki is huge! It was a really fun Mission conference. and will be my only fun Mission Conference! It was a really long train ride to Helsinki. We stopped by several other towns where missionaries live and we ended up staying with the Neitsytpolku Elders home. We had to take another train to Haaga where the meeting was going to be. I felt pretty helpless getting from place to place just because we walk and ride bikes in Kajaani. we only have to take the large trains to Oulu every week and that's easier that the trams in Helsinki.The meeting was really great. It was organised to be questions answers and not just a 3 hour talk. Elder Bednar leaded the discussions but there was a microphone that was passed around by the Assistants (AP) and it was a meeting where we were able to all ask questions and answer for our selves and Elder Bednar went into detail about several topics and questions.It went by too fast. ELder hunter and I felt we planned so much for this trip to Helsinki and now it's over... Just like our whole Mission time flies by!
OUr Branch is doing so well right now we are having to help with Home teaching because the branch is so small so there are lots of callings for just a few members. We are going to Pyhäsalmi soon to help the members down there which will be really fun! but hard to travle down there.'
You'll have to tell the Infercias and the Lyons, well basically everyone back home that I say hello!
We celebrated Bills launch Asian style in Kajaani! this is a picture.
I love you all very much and I can't wait to ski at both Canyons and PCMR at the same time! that will be the best resort ever!
I got your package from Helsinki and I love your t shirt Quincey and Mitch! And it probabably will be a pday in the appartment shirt for now =) but it is nice and soft
Love you and will Skype you soon!
Elder Cummings
OUr Branch is doing so well right now we are having to help with Home teaching because the branch is so small so there are lots of callings for just a few members. We are going to Pyhäsalmi soon to help the members down there which will be really fun! but hard to travle down there.'
You'll have to tell the Infercias and the Lyons, well basically everyone back home that I say hello!
We celebrated Bills launch Asian style in Kajaani! this is a picture.
I love you all very much and I can't wait to ski at both Canyons and PCMR at the same time! that will be the best resort ever!
I got your package from Helsinki and I love your t shirt Quincey and Mitch! And it probabably will be a pday in the appartment shirt for now =) but it is nice and soft
Love you and will Skype you soon!
Elder Cummings
September 8, 2014
Well this is the fist time I am still with my previous companion! I am excitied! we get along really well´. The times we don't it is ussually about something dumb like figuring out trains and how to use the ticket machien. Sorry about my spelling in this letter. everything is underlined in red so everything looks wrong to me on this Computer!
We are taking the train down to Helsinki on thursday and will be staying with President Watson in their new house so I am realy excited! The rest of our District will be flying except for the Rovaniemi elders who have a really bad travel plan which was really funny when we all heard what it was. They leave in the first few hours of the Morning on a night train to Helsinki and will be there the Morning of the meeting at 9 am. after they will leave right after the meeting to be on the trian back to Rovaniemi with only a short time to be in Helsinki.
Elder Strandberg is in My district again. We are convinced we will never be in different zones and that we will always be running into eachother. And to answere Mom's question about that picture. Everyone in that Picture is from our MTC groupe. Our sisters will be going home soon which is really sad.
In our ward we just got a new member who came back from his mission in Japan. He is from Tampere and he is studying in Kajaani. He helped the elders in the Tapere stake to translate for everyone who doesn't speak finnish. In our ward it is onlt the Branch President and another sister in the branch that can translate and she left to jyväskylä to study so we had no one to translate untill this member moved in! it was perfect timing. The sunday he was here was the day we had two visitors who did not speak any Finnish and he offerd to translate! I have translated but i always miss details. Elder Hunter translated for one testimony during fast sunday and I had maybe too much fun listening to what Elder Hunter was saying. Afterward he said he felt like he had to improvise and guess what the speaker was saying. Kajaani has been a great city. The members have been really sweet to the people coming to see the church and It has been great here. =)
I loved the pictures my time is almost up
We are taking the train down to Helsinki on thursday and will be staying with President Watson in their new house so I am realy excited! The rest of our District will be flying except for the Rovaniemi elders who have a really bad travel plan which was really funny when we all heard what it was. They leave in the first few hours of the Morning on a night train to Helsinki and will be there the Morning of the meeting at 9 am. after they will leave right after the meeting to be on the trian back to Rovaniemi with only a short time to be in Helsinki.
Elder Strandberg is in My district again. We are convinced we will never be in different zones and that we will always be running into eachother. And to answere Mom's question about that picture. Everyone in that Picture is from our MTC groupe. Our sisters will be going home soon which is really sad.
In our ward we just got a new member who came back from his mission in Japan. He is from Tampere and he is studying in Kajaani. He helped the elders in the Tapere stake to translate for everyone who doesn't speak finnish. In our ward it is onlt the Branch President and another sister in the branch that can translate and she left to jyväskylä to study so we had no one to translate untill this member moved in! it was perfect timing. The sunday he was here was the day we had two visitors who did not speak any Finnish and he offerd to translate! I have translated but i always miss details. Elder Hunter translated for one testimony during fast sunday and I had maybe too much fun listening to what Elder Hunter was saying. Afterward he said he felt like he had to improvise and guess what the speaker was saying. Kajaani has been a great city. The members have been really sweet to the people coming to see the church and It has been great here. =)
I loved the pictures my time is almost up
September 1, 2014
I think this is odd how this week went. It is probably the worst week I have had numerically, however it was indeed the best week I have had on my mission. In the beginning of this change we had a dedicatory prayer. We prayed that we could find youth for the Kajaani ward and that through this youth that their parents would also come with their younger family members to church. It has been over 9 weeks and is the reason this last week will be remembered for a very long time. Elder Hunter showed a few teenage boys how to do a few tricks on a skateboard. Over time, some of those same teenagers have helped us move our church to it's new location and we got to tell them about the church and the restoration. We haven't met with them after that but we have run into them from time to time and each time we got to stay and talk and see them do new tricks they have been learning. Just the other day at our apartment, we were leaving to go help a member and one of the boys drove up with his mom into the dirt parking lot and waved us down. His mom got out of the car and to my surprise she wasn't mad that her son knew the two Mormon Missionaries in Kajaani! They were just picking up skies from a storage unit right next to where we live. She then asked if we could come over some time soon. So we set a time the very next day to stop by.
The next day My companion was sick with a soar thought and runny nose and he got me sick. We spent the whole day at the apartment. We were supposed to go to the young Finn's home to see him and his mom at 6 pm so we were hoping we would get better that day to go see them. An hour earlier we felt really good so we believed it was the sign to go out to go see them. So we left into the cold. and it began raining when we were out. We got to her home and she opened the door and let us in. She had hot porrage out for us wich was really sweet. We were able to ask if she knew about the church and she said she has lived next to members in their old neighborhood and worked with the member Mom in music school. She said that they were always so kind and there was something good about them. We didn't stay long because Elder Hunter had his nose start running again, but we asked if we could come back soon and she said of coarse. So we left. and we learned from her old neighbor who is in our ward that she (the teenager's mom) was praying for her son that this teenagers mom was praying for her son to have good influences in her life and she told us that the member told us that she believes that we were the answer to her prayer.
Sorry That i havn't written much I have to get going this week is change week ah´nd has been really crazy. we just got back from Oulu yesterday from our District conference and it was really great! I have to get going but I love all of you, and will acctually write back instead of just saying what happend. this is a part of the letter i sent to President. Be safe! and I loved AUdrey's ski video but it was pretty badly filmed =)
love,
Vanhin Cummings
The next day My companion was sick with a soar thought and runny nose and he got me sick. We spent the whole day at the apartment. We were supposed to go to the young Finn's home to see him and his mom at 6 pm so we were hoping we would get better that day to go see them. An hour earlier we felt really good so we believed it was the sign to go out to go see them. So we left into the cold. and it began raining when we were out. We got to her home and she opened the door and let us in. She had hot porrage out for us wich was really sweet. We were able to ask if she knew about the church and she said she has lived next to members in their old neighborhood and worked with the member Mom in music school. She said that they were always so kind and there was something good about them. We didn't stay long because Elder Hunter had his nose start running again, but we asked if we could come back soon and she said of coarse. So we left. and we learned from her old neighbor who is in our ward that she (the teenager's mom) was praying for her son that this teenagers mom was praying for her son to have good influences in her life and she told us that the member told us that she believes that we were the answer to her prayer.
Sorry That i havn't written much I have to get going this week is change week ah´nd has been really crazy. we just got back from Oulu yesterday from our District conference and it was really great! I have to get going but I love all of you, and will acctually write back instead of just saying what happend. this is a part of the letter i sent to President. Be safe! and I loved AUdrey's ski video but it was pretty badly filmed =)
love,
Vanhin Cummings
August 25,2014
Everything is going pretty good in Kajaani =)
It is so weird in Finland because the seasons change soo dramatically. The other day you couldn't go out with a jacket and now you need at least thermals with your jacket! =) Elder Hunter and I will mostlikely take a small plane to Helsinki for the mission conference. It will only be for one night or it will be a few hours trip there and back =) Hopefuly everything works well. the last change was really hectic with missionaries traveling.
It's kind of funny how things end up. This last week we ran into a college student from Vietnam who stoped Elder Hunter. We just bought grocheries and Elder Hunter said Hello and the student stoped him and asked ''Do I know you?''
He said no and said that he was here on a church mission. The student then said ''Oh, I would like to see your church some time.''
He came to church last sunday and we asked if he would want to know if it is true and he agreed! He might come with us to Oulu for our DIstrict conference (like Stake conf. but in Oulu)
Last Sunday we had two investigators in church. Elder Hunter translated for the first time! There was a member how speaks really well in English so she helped. I had to translate for another investigator from Rawanda. That sunday was our Branch President's baby's blessing. His family and his wifes family, the Komulainens, were all there. Our investigator from Rawanda leand over to me when the meeting was starting and said ''I love Bebies!'' I had to keep my self from laughing because it was very unexpected. Me and him both smiled and started to laugh. He had a great time at church. he said it would be great if it was in a language that he can understand.
I will need to get going but I love you all!
I hope to hear from you all soon =)
Love your son,
Elder Cummings
It is so weird in Finland because the seasons change soo dramatically. The other day you couldn't go out with a jacket and now you need at least thermals with your jacket! =) Elder Hunter and I will mostlikely take a small plane to Helsinki for the mission conference. It will only be for one night or it will be a few hours trip there and back =) Hopefuly everything works well. the last change was really hectic with missionaries traveling.
It's kind of funny how things end up. This last week we ran into a college student from Vietnam who stoped Elder Hunter. We just bought grocheries and Elder Hunter said Hello and the student stoped him and asked ''Do I know you?''
He said no and said that he was here on a church mission. The student then said ''Oh, I would like to see your church some time.''
He came to church last sunday and we asked if he would want to know if it is true and he agreed! He might come with us to Oulu for our DIstrict conference (like Stake conf. but in Oulu)
Last Sunday we had two investigators in church. Elder Hunter translated for the first time! There was a member how speaks really well in English so she helped. I had to translate for another investigator from Rawanda. That sunday was our Branch President's baby's blessing. His family and his wifes family, the Komulainens, were all there. Our investigator from Rawanda leand over to me when the meeting was starting and said ''I love Bebies!'' I had to keep my self from laughing because it was very unexpected. Me and him both smiled and started to laugh. He had a great time at church. he said it would be great if it was in a language that he can understand.
I will need to get going but I love you all!
I hope to hear from you all soon =)
Love your son,
Elder Cummings
August 18, 2014
I can't believe it has been one year! well in 4 days it will be... I am proud to say that I can speak! It still isn't perfect and I catch myself making mistakes still but it comes really easy! I have been missing mountains recently. Every time I see something different in elevation it is really exciting.
this week we had a call from the office, We ended up driving to Sotkamo which is an hour towards Russia! There was a foreign exchange student from Finland that stayed with a LDS family in Washington state. We called her and asked a member if we could hitch a ride. We only have bikes in Kajaani but our area is huge! I have recently became really surprised of how doing small things really causes big things to happen. She said that when she was in the states she was invited to go to church with her host family and she ended up going with them every Sunday. She also started reading and praying with them every night and she said that one specific thing happened while she was in America. Before she didn't know if God really existed but now she said after she went to church, read and prayed (very little things) her belief in god changed from just a ''not sure'' to what she said to be a knowledge that God is real. She hopes to see the new church with us but she is waiting to get her licence this week so she can come to church! This was the most random thing that happened this week for sure. It was funny how missionaries have a list of commitment invitations they ask an investigator if they would live and they are all very simple things. the first one is ''will you read the Book of Mormon and Pray to know if it is true?'' the rest of missionary work is teaching basic doctrines and teaching about the Restoration. I think I learn this a lot and I think I sent an email previous that was kinda the same thing, but I have come to really appreciate missionary work. It is inviting people to live the gospel that has personally help me in more ways than I can really express. You don't need to be some one who is good with words to be a good missionary, or some one who sounds convincing. I know there is even something in the scriptures like this that God will work though the weak and poor in heart. I guess I'll have to look for that scripture...
Besides our trip to Sotkamo we have had a bit of a slow week. At church we have been ale to meet with the Branch Mission Leader more often now. I will have to tell dad that it makes things so much easier when the Ward mission Leader calls the missionaries once a week at least to ask what is happening. In Kajaani our Brach is pretty small and we haven't had a ward council since I have been here! Elder Hunter has never been to a ward council his entire mission so we are hoping to ask if we could meet at least once before the end of this change. In church though we help in the primary and we just ended up playing with the really young kids in the ward while the Primary teacher gave a lesson. It was the funnest sundayschool we had in Kajaani =)
could you let Eder Kirsi know I ran into the Nuuttinens from Lohja. They visited Kajaani to help move our new building and it was so much fun!
Does Audrey like her school? Do I know her teacher?
I think it should be now requred that Qcey and Mitch also Erin write every week. I really love your letters you have been sending so be sure to write so I can talk with you guys!
I love you all and if i miss anything besure to put it in bold text so I don't miss it again.
Love Josh
this week we had a call from the office, We ended up driving to Sotkamo which is an hour towards Russia! There was a foreign exchange student from Finland that stayed with a LDS family in Washington state. We called her and asked a member if we could hitch a ride. We only have bikes in Kajaani but our area is huge! I have recently became really surprised of how doing small things really causes big things to happen. She said that when she was in the states she was invited to go to church with her host family and she ended up going with them every Sunday. She also started reading and praying with them every night and she said that one specific thing happened while she was in America. Before she didn't know if God really existed but now she said after she went to church, read and prayed (very little things) her belief in god changed from just a ''not sure'' to what she said to be a knowledge that God is real. She hopes to see the new church with us but she is waiting to get her licence this week so she can come to church! This was the most random thing that happened this week for sure. It was funny how missionaries have a list of commitment invitations they ask an investigator if they would live and they are all very simple things. the first one is ''will you read the Book of Mormon and Pray to know if it is true?'' the rest of missionary work is teaching basic doctrines and teaching about the Restoration. I think I learn this a lot and I think I sent an email previous that was kinda the same thing, but I have come to really appreciate missionary work. It is inviting people to live the gospel that has personally help me in more ways than I can really express. You don't need to be some one who is good with words to be a good missionary, or some one who sounds convincing. I know there is even something in the scriptures like this that God will work though the weak and poor in heart. I guess I'll have to look for that scripture...
Besides our trip to Sotkamo we have had a bit of a slow week. At church we have been ale to meet with the Branch Mission Leader more often now. I will have to tell dad that it makes things so much easier when the Ward mission Leader calls the missionaries once a week at least to ask what is happening. In Kajaani our Brach is pretty small and we haven't had a ward council since I have been here! Elder Hunter has never been to a ward council his entire mission so we are hoping to ask if we could meet at least once before the end of this change. In church though we help in the primary and we just ended up playing with the really young kids in the ward while the Primary teacher gave a lesson. It was the funnest sundayschool we had in Kajaani =)
could you let Eder Kirsi know I ran into the Nuuttinens from Lohja. They visited Kajaani to help move our new building and it was so much fun!
Does Audrey like her school? Do I know her teacher?
I think it should be now requred that Qcey and Mitch also Erin write every week. I really love your letters you have been sending so be sure to write so I can talk with you guys!
I love you all and if i miss anything besure to put it in bold text so I don't miss it again.
Love Josh
August 11, 2014
Mum and Baba:
So the new chapel is near the center. it is in a large previous high school and we have the whole 3rd floor to one of the buildings! The Chapel room is the old lecture hall and every Sunday it feels really empty because we have so much room. there are 7 rooms 2 bathrooms and it includes a kitchen (our first one in Kajaani) a black room, also the CHaple room that looks like a really nice movie theater with a big BIG screen that is connected to the black room. 3 class rooms, one has its own projector and the office. It's huge. It has been a little bit of a pain to walk up the stairs every Sunday. there is an elevator but it is apart of the other side of the building and you need to go up the stairs through the portal to use the elevator to unlock the door it is next to. so it's a little odd to use.
Erwin:
Those cities on the coast are so pretty! It looks like festinord was really nice! Were the missionary's names Elders Alquist and ... oh man I don't know any one who left to Turku recently... WE had our senior missionaries go down to Naantali and I had them and a few members looking for you =) But none of them ran into you so I have been pretty bummed. How was Elder Werjefelt? I think there are rules for foreigners going to festinord so I don't know if I can but we'll see!
Mitch and Q-cey: How was paradise? What happened on the trip? I heard about Quince tagging sea turttles again and I am pretty jealous. Could I come in the summer I'm home?
SO I have been shaving usually with face soap and Euroshopper razor (the really cheep brand ... It hasn't been the best but It works while I have been here. It's really expensive to send stuff but if you do it is usually cheaper to sent in those envelopes with bubble rap. what does it look like in California right now? It has bee a really weird summer in Finland. The hottest year in 50 years and we have been getting really short but hard rainstorms come through and one of them prevented us from going to our zone conference in Oulu. It blew trees onto the tracks and also destroyed the cables. some of the missionaries were going to be stuck in Kajaani and we tried to figure it out places for every one to stay. Luckily the train station called a bus in for everyone to go to Oulu. One of the pictures is from our zone meeting, it is me and ELder Christianson who left back to Utah. And we have Elder Bednar coming to Finland next month on the 13th so we will have my first Mission conference which is where the whole mission gets together. There is usually only two every 3 years so it's pretty exciting! We'll all travel to Helsinki and then I have no idea what we will have to do next!
Audrey:
Did you stay awake the whole time to see the rocket? Mom said It went up at 4 in the morning. The rocket probably looked really cool in the night sky.School has started last week in Finland and the city seems more busy. I guess more people are back from vacations. have you started school yet? How was Lake Powell? I heard it was a pretty empty house boat. It sounds like you and Livy had lots of fun!
It Kajaani this last week was really slow. We did get to have a movie night at the new church and we only had one member 4 missionaries and 3 other people we met recently. We made encheladas and watched the 20 min restoration. After the movie one of the people we invited said that he wanted the movie to continue, that it was too short. I thought it was pretty funny. It has been hard to meet with people we have been teaching recently because of busy schedules. Elder Hunter and I have been hoping that they will find some time to be able to come to church and to get to know the ward but it hasn't happened yet.
I got to go but >I love you Loads!
Elder cummings
So the new chapel is near the center. it is in a large previous high school and we have the whole 3rd floor to one of the buildings! The Chapel room is the old lecture hall and every Sunday it feels really empty because we have so much room. there are 7 rooms 2 bathrooms and it includes a kitchen (our first one in Kajaani) a black room, also the CHaple room that looks like a really nice movie theater with a big BIG screen that is connected to the black room. 3 class rooms, one has its own projector and the office. It's huge. It has been a little bit of a pain to walk up the stairs every Sunday. there is an elevator but it is apart of the other side of the building and you need to go up the stairs through the portal to use the elevator to unlock the door it is next to. so it's a little odd to use.
Erwin:
Those cities on the coast are so pretty! It looks like festinord was really nice! Were the missionary's names Elders Alquist and ... oh man I don't know any one who left to Turku recently... WE had our senior missionaries go down to Naantali and I had them and a few members looking for you =) But none of them ran into you so I have been pretty bummed. How was Elder Werjefelt? I think there are rules for foreigners going to festinord so I don't know if I can but we'll see!
Mitch and Q-cey: How was paradise? What happened on the trip? I heard about Quince tagging sea turttles again and I am pretty jealous. Could I come in the summer I'm home?
SO I have been shaving usually with face soap and Euroshopper razor (the really cheep brand ... It hasn't been the best but It works while I have been here. It's really expensive to send stuff but if you do it is usually cheaper to sent in those envelopes with bubble rap. what does it look like in California right now? It has bee a really weird summer in Finland. The hottest year in 50 years and we have been getting really short but hard rainstorms come through and one of them prevented us from going to our zone conference in Oulu. It blew trees onto the tracks and also destroyed the cables. some of the missionaries were going to be stuck in Kajaani and we tried to figure it out places for every one to stay. Luckily the train station called a bus in for everyone to go to Oulu. One of the pictures is from our zone meeting, it is me and ELder Christianson who left back to Utah. And we have Elder Bednar coming to Finland next month on the 13th so we will have my first Mission conference which is where the whole mission gets together. There is usually only two every 3 years so it's pretty exciting! We'll all travel to Helsinki and then I have no idea what we will have to do next!
Audrey:
Did you stay awake the whole time to see the rocket? Mom said It went up at 4 in the morning. The rocket probably looked really cool in the night sky.School has started last week in Finland and the city seems more busy. I guess more people are back from vacations. have you started school yet? How was Lake Powell? I heard it was a pretty empty house boat. It sounds like you and Livy had lots of fun!
It Kajaani this last week was really slow. We did get to have a movie night at the new church and we only had one member 4 missionaries and 3 other people we met recently. We made encheladas and watched the 20 min restoration. After the movie one of the people we invited said that he wanted the movie to continue, that it was too short. I thought it was pretty funny. It has been hard to meet with people we have been teaching recently because of busy schedules. Elder Hunter and I have been hoping that they will find some time to be able to come to church and to get to know the ward but it hasn't happened yet.
I got to go but >I love you Loads!
Elder cummings
August 4, 2014
So I am super sorry I didn't email... We have a new chapel though! We spent a lot of time the last week setting everything up in the new building and a few young guys our age that we met on the street came and helped us move! One of them was able so go to the church in Oulu the following weekend.
Harry potter world looked soo cool! We should go to Florida when I am back! What did every one do during the summer? It was way too short!
I am on the library computer and my time is almost up.
I ran into a members friend in Kokkola and then I raninto him again inKajaani. He ended up telling his boss about it and his boss is the head of YLE radio in Kainuu. He asked if he could interview us and so we were on the radio!!! =) it was only brodcasted on Kainuu radio which is a large area in finland. But it was super fun! We had to make a lot of phone calls.
Ok I got to get going but i will have to write a letter to make up for this.
I love you all and I am so happy your all safe.
Love josh
Harry potter world looked soo cool! We should go to Florida when I am back! What did every one do during the summer? It was way too short!
I am on the library computer and my time is almost up.
I ran into a members friend in Kokkola and then I raninto him again inKajaani. He ended up telling his boss about it and his boss is the head of YLE radio in Kainuu. He asked if he could interview us and so we were on the radio!!! =) it was only brodcasted on Kainuu radio which is a large area in finland. But it was super fun! We had to make a lot of phone calls.
Ok I got to get going but i will have to write a letter to make up for this.
I love you all and I am so happy your all safe.
Love josh
July 24, 2014
Josh and Elder Hunter in the Finnish papper
http://yle.fi/uutiset/mormoninuori_lahetystyossa_uskoin_jaatyvani_suomessa/7369120
http://yle.fi/uutiset/mormoninuori_lahetystyossa_uskoin_jaatyvani_suomessa/7369120
JULY 14, 2014
Yep Bridger and I send emails every week, also with Tommy.
Grandma Cummings told me she really like panda. I have only met the Cat once! crazy... How many groups does Qc and Mitch teach while they are there? Audrey said that she is going to see the Rocket launch in Florida with Kim and Bill. Is every one going? In Kajaani the biggest thing that everyone is talking about is FIFA. Our Branch president is super in to it and has told us everything that has happened. Way too much soccer in my mind =) This week was a little funny. Elder Hunter had the idea of praying about a date when someone could be baptized and the 23 of August came to mind. So we wrote it down on the calendar with the thought to find that person. We ran into many people randomly every day and we ended up talking to more people than I ever have since i have been here who have accepted to meet with the missionaries. On tuesday we planed to go out to an area out of the center area of town to stop by potential investigators homes. while we were on the bike path we ended up running into half of them. Elder Hunter has meet all of them so I was oblivious until he told me afterward that they were people he has recently talked to. The fist person Waved to us on her bike going to the city center. We only got to wave back. several moments later we ran into a younger guy who we ended up walking with. He was able to set up a time with us when we could come over. We'll be stopping by next Tuesday. The weirdest thing that happened was during lunch. We went out to a lake to go eat our lunch. it had a dirt path that went all the way around it. It took a wile to find a place to sit down. While we were looking we talked to an older man who said he meet with missionaries long ago. It was a really fun conversation and during it another, younger, guy came up and said that he met with Latter Day Saint Missionaries before and he was preparing to be baptized, but for some reason the missionaries stopped coming over. They organized a date for him back then to be baptized, but he said he was too nervous so it didn't happen. He said that he had the missionaries coming over several times a week and then during the winter they just stopped coming. He gave us his address we set up a time to meet at the church. He left and then came strait back and gave us his number to make sure we didn't loose contact. We went back home to see if we could find why the missionaries had stopped. We looked though the teaching records and we couldn't find any information about the missionaries teaching him. We went through the week to week progress records and we found his name on the moth before winter. new missionaries came in to the city and one of them got sick during the winter so they were inside all day. When we were talking to him Elder Hunter asked if he would prepare to be baptized on the 23rd of August and he said he would. prayer is something that is really interesting. At first it seems like it's just asking for things. i recently read in a talk by an apostle that prayer is aligning our will with the will of the Father. We had the impression to ask when a baptism could happen and the 23 came to mind. We recently got to see a young man find us and say he was preparing to be baptized. I love yu all! I will hope to hear from you. Love, Josh |
July 7, 2014
Hello family!!! My day has been great! it has finally warmed up and Kaijaani is no longer cold. I hope Bear doesn't have too much anxiety because of Panda. Does he get excited anymore if you say there is a cat outside? I met a dog that was over 16 year old so i hope I get to see him again!
Audrey, did you like the the camp? It looked super fun! I get to go with the members in our ward to the woods to pick Strawberries on Tuesday and i can't wait for it! what is the Launch? is there a rocket going to space?
I got a letter from Grandpa Cummings. I really loved it so let him know.
So, what is really interesting is that we have met a lot of youth recently in Kaijaani. The past week, whenever we have had some kind of success it has been with younger people. I thought it was really funny because it was right after that goal we set to help youth get together and come to church was when more people ages around 15 started running into us. We met one lady who came up during the Cities poem week. It was getting late and Elder Hunter and I were on our way back home when Elder Hunter turned around and started back to talk to a lady about to cross the street. She said she has heard a little about the church in Helsinki and she wanted to get in contact to know more! It was a little surprising we were able to help her and we hoping to see if she had time then, sadly she didn't. We gave here all the information we had. It wasn't much because we found out we didn't have the missionary's number in our phone. it was a little frustrating and I felt unprepared for it...
Elder Hunter and I hope to see Kaijaani go forward.
I love you and hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Cummings
this is a picture of Elder Hunter
Audrey, did you like the the camp? It looked super fun! I get to go with the members in our ward to the woods to pick Strawberries on Tuesday and i can't wait for it! what is the Launch? is there a rocket going to space?
I got a letter from Grandpa Cummings. I really loved it so let him know.
So, what is really interesting is that we have met a lot of youth recently in Kaijaani. The past week, whenever we have had some kind of success it has been with younger people. I thought it was really funny because it was right after that goal we set to help youth get together and come to church was when more people ages around 15 started running into us. We met one lady who came up during the Cities poem week. It was getting late and Elder Hunter and I were on our way back home when Elder Hunter turned around and started back to talk to a lady about to cross the street. She said she has heard a little about the church in Helsinki and she wanted to get in contact to know more! It was a little surprising we were able to help her and we hoping to see if she had time then, sadly she didn't. We gave here all the information we had. It wasn't much because we found out we didn't have the missionary's number in our phone. it was a little frustrating and I felt unprepared for it...
Elder Hunter and I hope to see Kaijaani go forward.
I love you and hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Cummings
this is a picture of Elder Hunter
June 30, 2014
Thank you for the story!!! I am hoping Colby is doing better. was is during the family part it happened? How has every one been? How are Andrew and Ashley doing? Is Owen getting bigger?
A lot has changed in the mission already. President Rawlings is leaving tomorrow and President Watson has just come into the country 2 days ago! Our whole office staff is also changing. all the Senior missionaries have been going back home. President Watson is coming up to Oulu for a conference on the 3rd of July.
I am now serving in the Oulu district! it is the largest in the mission. It is the northern HALF of the country. Kajaani is supposed to be the coldest place in Finland so I am glad it's summer right now. It probably wouldn't be too bad. Elder Strandberg told me ''there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes,''
Elder Hunter is my Companion. I got to see him right when he got into the MTC and a few times during Zone conferences. He is from Orem Utah and he is super fun to be with. We ate a whole fish with the head and everything the first day I came to Kajaani! it tasted good but was a weird texture. His mom is a convert from Germany and he visits his family in Germany all the time.
The Branch in Kajaani is super small! there are about 60 members. The first day at church I was asked to give a talk on the 13th =) It will be my first real talk in Finnish! In the ward is a Family Tim Hinrichs knows really well! You'll have to let him know.
Elder Hunter and I set a vision for what is hoped will happen in Kajaani. The ward is really small and we are hoping that the youth could grow. President Rawlings has asked us to take time to pray for a date when some one could be baptized. the date we both feel good with is the 26th of July. Just yesterday we ran into a younger guy. he is originally from Kajaani, but he lived in the States. he walked passed us on the street then turned around and asked us where we were from. We talked for him for a while about our families and he said that he has a friend who met with Latter Day Saint Missionaries. It turns out that his really good friend is the Mission Leader in our branch! He said he is interested in religion and so was his friend who is the BML. We asked if we could give him a Book of Mormon and he accepted. He then asked if it was ok to ask how old we were. We said 19 and he gave us a smug grin =)
I miss all of you! QC and Mitch thanks for the Email! could you two do me a favor? what is Jacob Karlsson's Email? Erin never responds
A lot has changed in the mission already. President Rawlings is leaving tomorrow and President Watson has just come into the country 2 days ago! Our whole office staff is also changing. all the Senior missionaries have been going back home. President Watson is coming up to Oulu for a conference on the 3rd of July.
I am now serving in the Oulu district! it is the largest in the mission. It is the northern HALF of the country. Kajaani is supposed to be the coldest place in Finland so I am glad it's summer right now. It probably wouldn't be too bad. Elder Strandberg told me ''there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes,''
Elder Hunter is my Companion. I got to see him right when he got into the MTC and a few times during Zone conferences. He is from Orem Utah and he is super fun to be with. We ate a whole fish with the head and everything the first day I came to Kajaani! it tasted good but was a weird texture. His mom is a convert from Germany and he visits his family in Germany all the time.
The Branch in Kajaani is super small! there are about 60 members. The first day at church I was asked to give a talk on the 13th =) It will be my first real talk in Finnish! In the ward is a Family Tim Hinrichs knows really well! You'll have to let him know.
Elder Hunter and I set a vision for what is hoped will happen in Kajaani. The ward is really small and we are hoping that the youth could grow. President Rawlings has asked us to take time to pray for a date when some one could be baptized. the date we both feel good with is the 26th of July. Just yesterday we ran into a younger guy. he is originally from Kajaani, but he lived in the States. he walked passed us on the street then turned around and asked us where we were from. We talked for him for a while about our families and he said that he has a friend who met with Latter Day Saint Missionaries. It turns out that his really good friend is the Mission Leader in our branch! He said he is interested in religion and so was his friend who is the BML. We asked if we could give him a Book of Mormon and he accepted. He then asked if it was ok to ask how old we were. We said 19 and he gave us a smug grin =)
I miss all of you! QC and Mitch thanks for the Email! could you two do me a favor? what is Jacob Karlsson's Email? Erin never responds
Kaijaani, Finland - June 25, 2014
June 23, 2014
We all celebrated mid summers with the members at their summer cottage and we took a walk to the beach. I got to stick my feet in the water when some of the young men went out to go swimming. When they got in waist deep you could see them doing little dances because the water was so cold.
Mid summers is a very big party time so we had two days spent with members. We spent most of it with a previous missionary from Utah and his wife who served in Kokkola a few years before we did. It was super fun being with him because he knew all the missionary shortcuts around town and we had to translate for his wife!
Many times during change weeks, a lot happens. One very miraculous thing was that we found one person everyday besides the two days we couldn't go out to do missionary work. 5 different people who scheduled a time that we could meet with them. This has never happened in Kokkola since I have been here. the very last person we met was around 8:30 at night when we were ready to start back home. (the sun is still high in the sky at 8pm) We were going to stop by a house that both Elder Strandberg and I felt like we should stop by. A few weeks earlier we stopped on the side of a road and we said that we should look for a brown house with a blue car with toddler toys in the yard. (sounds pretty silly) But a week after that we talked to a potential who randomly said that we should try the new neighborhood because there is a lot of new families that would be more willing to our message because they're younger. So we took his advise and the next day we went through the area talking to people as we headed to our Branch President's home. While we were there we saw the brown house near the end of the neighborhood. Because we were low on time we said we would come back as soon as we could. That was last Sunday. We went out to the area and ended up on a dirt path behind the neighborhood. On the path was a teenager sitting on a few logs with a cigarette in between his fingers we stopped and started to talk with him. He was 18 and I thought that the conversation would be a little shorter than it was, he didn't look like he would be interested in religion. But we talked about why we were in Finland and we got to show him a Book of Mormon. We put in a paper that has the "questions of the soul" from Preach My Gospel in the book and we asked if any would be interesting to him. He picked out two that he had been wanting to know for several years. I was able to flip to Moroni 10 3-5 and talk about how the Book of Mormon will answer those questions. The excitement on his face made me realize how lucky we are to already have the answers to those questions already. We scheduled a time to meet him the following week, got his number and we gave him the Book of Mormon. In my mind this young man was the most prepared person I have been able to meet since I have been here. Sadly it is my last few days in Kokkola so I won't get to see what happens. But I am very happy that on my last Sunday I got to meet him.
We always talk about finding those who are prepared and looking for the elect. This young man we talked to not only said we could meet, but he wanted to meet. He told us right after he read Moroni 10 that it was true and they were powerful verses. It was a very good last few days in Kokkola for me =)
Mid summers is a very big party time so we had two days spent with members. We spent most of it with a previous missionary from Utah and his wife who served in Kokkola a few years before we did. It was super fun being with him because he knew all the missionary shortcuts around town and we had to translate for his wife!
Many times during change weeks, a lot happens. One very miraculous thing was that we found one person everyday besides the two days we couldn't go out to do missionary work. 5 different people who scheduled a time that we could meet with them. This has never happened in Kokkola since I have been here. the very last person we met was around 8:30 at night when we were ready to start back home. (the sun is still high in the sky at 8pm) We were going to stop by a house that both Elder Strandberg and I felt like we should stop by. A few weeks earlier we stopped on the side of a road and we said that we should look for a brown house with a blue car with toddler toys in the yard. (sounds pretty silly) But a week after that we talked to a potential who randomly said that we should try the new neighborhood because there is a lot of new families that would be more willing to our message because they're younger. So we took his advise and the next day we went through the area talking to people as we headed to our Branch President's home. While we were there we saw the brown house near the end of the neighborhood. Because we were low on time we said we would come back as soon as we could. That was last Sunday. We went out to the area and ended up on a dirt path behind the neighborhood. On the path was a teenager sitting on a few logs with a cigarette in between his fingers we stopped and started to talk with him. He was 18 and I thought that the conversation would be a little shorter than it was, he didn't look like he would be interested in religion. But we talked about why we were in Finland and we got to show him a Book of Mormon. We put in a paper that has the "questions of the soul" from Preach My Gospel in the book and we asked if any would be interesting to him. He picked out two that he had been wanting to know for several years. I was able to flip to Moroni 10 3-5 and talk about how the Book of Mormon will answer those questions. The excitement on his face made me realize how lucky we are to already have the answers to those questions already. We scheduled a time to meet him the following week, got his number and we gave him the Book of Mormon. In my mind this young man was the most prepared person I have been able to meet since I have been here. Sadly it is my last few days in Kokkola so I won't get to see what happens. But I am very happy that on my last Sunday I got to meet him.
We always talk about finding those who are prepared and looking for the elect. This young man we talked to not only said we could meet, but he wanted to meet. He told us right after he read Moroni 10 that it was true and they were powerful verses. It was a very good last few days in Kokkola for me =)
June 16, 2014
It looks like you did remodeling at home =) The couch looks far better like that in my mind =)
I am super happy that Ian and Ashley got to be there! If you need help inviting, the missionaries can teach you two how to do a ROLLPLAY. Ask the missionaries to see how they invite and trust me, As missionaries, they know what I am talking about. It is basically a practice to help you two know how you can ask. It really does work. My companion and I (this is something you can say, mum) spend our time with members by helping them do their own missionary work. This includes inviting members to pray about a specific person asking in their prayers ''what can THEY do for this person,'' We then say that we will pray with them to see what we could do also and the next visit which should be scheduled that day, for a day close in the future. Another thing is how to give a way a Book of Mormon by sharing what questions of the soul it answers. There are a few other things President Rawlings has been having us focus on so we can help the members do what they feel has been pressing on their minds but have difficulty starting.
Every Week we get up at 6.30, Pretty unique from other missions =)
I am in a small town. Its name is Place of Bonfire. My companion are the only two missionaries in Kokkola. Our area consists of around 3 bigger towns and too many villages to count. In the North, the mission is still growing. We travel to Vaasa, A 3 hour train ride,for district meeting every week.
Our district is 10 missionaries, OUr senior couple, The Hedins, just left for home. There are 4 in Vaasa, 2 in Seinäjoki and in Pietarsaari and Kokkola.
Pietarsaari was the first place where the mission first started. It is a Swedish speaking twon and the ELders from Sweden, long ago decided to go to Finland. Our District is the Swedish speaking District. My companion is fluent ;) I know how to say ''I speak not Swedish,'' in Swedish.
As a zone, Our zone is the entire Northern Half of Finland. In the south. the zones are as large as our districts. Pretty crazy thought.
The people here in Kokkola are the nicest I have met. Many people have seen the missionaries many times before and they stop us and say that they have talked with missionaries before and every time they see us they try to wave us down to talk. Obviously, not every one is like that, but the times it happens really brightens up our day.
One thing that is about to change is that our President of the mission and His wife will be going home soon. They are two Missionaries that have changed a whole country in missionary work. Before, Finland was a slow and expensive mission. Now it is a mission that seems to be doubling in speed every two months and is still expensive =)
Finland has received the blessing to be a land of comfort and peace. Where people will come to find refuge from poverty and corruption. Many a time you find yourself walking on sacred ground.
I love tyou Mom and Dad and My Three Sisters.
Elder Cummings
I am super happy that Ian and Ashley got to be there! If you need help inviting, the missionaries can teach you two how to do a ROLLPLAY. Ask the missionaries to see how they invite and trust me, As missionaries, they know what I am talking about. It is basically a practice to help you two know how you can ask. It really does work. My companion and I (this is something you can say, mum) spend our time with members by helping them do their own missionary work. This includes inviting members to pray about a specific person asking in their prayers ''what can THEY do for this person,'' We then say that we will pray with them to see what we could do also and the next visit which should be scheduled that day, for a day close in the future. Another thing is how to give a way a Book of Mormon by sharing what questions of the soul it answers. There are a few other things President Rawlings has been having us focus on so we can help the members do what they feel has been pressing on their minds but have difficulty starting.
Every Week we get up at 6.30, Pretty unique from other missions =)
I am in a small town. Its name is Place of Bonfire. My companion are the only two missionaries in Kokkola. Our area consists of around 3 bigger towns and too many villages to count. In the North, the mission is still growing. We travel to Vaasa, A 3 hour train ride,for district meeting every week.
Our district is 10 missionaries, OUr senior couple, The Hedins, just left for home. There are 4 in Vaasa, 2 in Seinäjoki and in Pietarsaari and Kokkola.
Pietarsaari was the first place where the mission first started. It is a Swedish speaking twon and the ELders from Sweden, long ago decided to go to Finland. Our District is the Swedish speaking District. My companion is fluent ;) I know how to say ''I speak not Swedish,'' in Swedish.
As a zone, Our zone is the entire Northern Half of Finland. In the south. the zones are as large as our districts. Pretty crazy thought.
The people here in Kokkola are the nicest I have met. Many people have seen the missionaries many times before and they stop us and say that they have talked with missionaries before and every time they see us they try to wave us down to talk. Obviously, not every one is like that, but the times it happens really brightens up our day.
One thing that is about to change is that our President of the mission and His wife will be going home soon. They are two Missionaries that have changed a whole country in missionary work. Before, Finland was a slow and expensive mission. Now it is a mission that seems to be doubling in speed every two months and is still expensive =)
Finland has received the blessing to be a land of comfort and peace. Where people will come to find refuge from poverty and corruption. Many a time you find yourself walking on sacred ground.
I love tyou Mom and Dad and My Three Sisters.
Elder Cummings
JUNE 9, 2013
We are doing great! We had a zone conference in Pietarsaari where we got to go see the place where Finland was dedicated for missionary work. I think it's really cool how close Elder Strandberg and I are to it. We could ride our bikes to Larsmo and Pietarsaari if we wanted. Actually I think we need to ask President Rawlings if that's ok because I really want to do it.
I really liked all the pictures you sent! I have been having a lot of difficulty sending my pictures because it says the files are too big and I end up only sending two or three, otherwise it has been taking all my time.
I got an Email from Anders saying he graduated recently. I don't believe the school year is over.
speaking of which...
To Audrey: yes I had lots of teachers in Parleys that I really liked. I had Mrs. Shane, Mrs. Goarl and Mrs. Youngberg. They were my favorits in school. Mrs. Shane was a fun 5th grade teacher. You'll like the 5th grade. Be sure to be really nice to everyone younger than you because they really look up to the older kids in school.
That's so cool everyone is getting their mission calls! Tell Nick Miller i say congratulations. Sydney House was in my same class. I had an Elder ask me if I knew her in the MTC. Maybe she will serve in the same town where Sister Nyman is from! Many members go to Norway from Finland and I have seen a few of pictures. It is super pretty. It stole all of Finland's Mountains =)
This last week was a blast! The one thing that was frustrating was that we didn't have any members to come to teaches. Many of our teaches have been with younger Investigators that have asked to give them a call an hour in advance. The begging of the week felt like chaos. I was irritated at my companion because for forgetting his jacket in Vaasa which had his train tickets to Pietarsaari for the following day. We left our stuff in the Vaasa chapel while we were at the youth conference. When we got back to Kokkola and were taking the Elders to the train early in the morning, my companion looked at me saying that his tickets were in his jacket still in Vaasa. I got mad because I previously gave him his tickets at the train station several days before. I told the other missionaries to go to the train and I gave them their tickets to Pietarsaari which was in a large paper clipped bundle. I then told Elder Strandberg that we had to run to the ticket office to see if we could get a new ticket for him. I was too Early to call the mission office to help. We ran with out taking any time to see what else we could do. when we got to the station, I was thinking that we were going to miss the train and I was very mad that we were going to miss the chance to go to Larsmo with every one. Deciding we had no time we ran to the train to see if we could just buy our tickets on the train. Back on the train two of the other elders came to us saying that they had two of our tickets in the bundle. They had them the whole time. the ticket that was left in Vaasa was our back home ticket from Pietarsaari. We were able to call the elders in Vaasa to bring his jacket so we could have the ticket when we could go back home. During the zone conference (and this is what's ironic) The message we got from the meeting wa that there is a difference of running around and being busy and taking time to pray to know what to do. I felt pretty ashamed because it was that morning that I was getting mad at my companion and not even thinking about taking time to pray to see what we could do. There is a difference of taking the burden all on our own and giving that burden to the Person who knew that I gave only one ticket to my companion. the very next day we said we would do better. that whole day I felt happier doing the work. at first if felt like nothing was happening until my companion stopped us on our bikes to try an old potential investigator that I forgot about. We went in and knocked on his door and now that person is our newest investigator. This is Christ's work and he leads it. I hope I don't complicate things any more.
I really liked all the pictures you sent! I have been having a lot of difficulty sending my pictures because it says the files are too big and I end up only sending two or three, otherwise it has been taking all my time.
I got an Email from Anders saying he graduated recently. I don't believe the school year is over.
speaking of which...
To Audrey: yes I had lots of teachers in Parleys that I really liked. I had Mrs. Shane, Mrs. Goarl and Mrs. Youngberg. They were my favorits in school. Mrs. Shane was a fun 5th grade teacher. You'll like the 5th grade. Be sure to be really nice to everyone younger than you because they really look up to the older kids in school.
That's so cool everyone is getting their mission calls! Tell Nick Miller i say congratulations. Sydney House was in my same class. I had an Elder ask me if I knew her in the MTC. Maybe she will serve in the same town where Sister Nyman is from! Many members go to Norway from Finland and I have seen a few of pictures. It is super pretty. It stole all of Finland's Mountains =)
This last week was a blast! The one thing that was frustrating was that we didn't have any members to come to teaches. Many of our teaches have been with younger Investigators that have asked to give them a call an hour in advance. The begging of the week felt like chaos. I was irritated at my companion because for forgetting his jacket in Vaasa which had his train tickets to Pietarsaari for the following day. We left our stuff in the Vaasa chapel while we were at the youth conference. When we got back to Kokkola and were taking the Elders to the train early in the morning, my companion looked at me saying that his tickets were in his jacket still in Vaasa. I got mad because I previously gave him his tickets at the train station several days before. I told the other missionaries to go to the train and I gave them their tickets to Pietarsaari which was in a large paper clipped bundle. I then told Elder Strandberg that we had to run to the ticket office to see if we could get a new ticket for him. I was too Early to call the mission office to help. We ran with out taking any time to see what else we could do. when we got to the station, I was thinking that we were going to miss the train and I was very mad that we were going to miss the chance to go to Larsmo with every one. Deciding we had no time we ran to the train to see if we could just buy our tickets on the train. Back on the train two of the other elders came to us saying that they had two of our tickets in the bundle. They had them the whole time. the ticket that was left in Vaasa was our back home ticket from Pietarsaari. We were able to call the elders in Vaasa to bring his jacket so we could have the ticket when we could go back home. During the zone conference (and this is what's ironic) The message we got from the meeting wa that there is a difference of running around and being busy and taking time to pray to know what to do. I felt pretty ashamed because it was that morning that I was getting mad at my companion and not even thinking about taking time to pray to see what we could do. There is a difference of taking the burden all on our own and giving that burden to the Person who knew that I gave only one ticket to my companion. the very next day we said we would do better. that whole day I felt happier doing the work. at first if felt like nothing was happening until my companion stopped us on our bikes to try an old potential investigator that I forgot about. We went in and knocked on his door and now that person is our newest investigator. This is Christ's work and he leads it. I hope I don't complicate things any more.
June 2, 2014
Hello Family! I am doing great! The Church is under construction. they got rid of the brown and yellow tiles in the bathroom which in I am very happy about. No more gross symbolism in the WC!
thank you for the emails! by the way...
There's no pictures =) that means double next week =) Q-cey Mitch, you too!
Audrey
I wouldn't have ever dreamed of going on the rocket when I your age! it's still something I think is scary. At the same time I panicked when we were hiking in Zion by the cliffs. I am not the best when it comes to heights.
What was your party like? let me know soon!
Right now we are doing a lot of cleaning in the apartment. this whole day has been just cleaning and now a bit of Emailing. I made a french toast peach cinnamon cobbler in the stove for the spring cleaning! It was super good.
The week is a bit of a blur still for me. We have been starting off more to work with the members and we came up with an idea and instantly the members jumped on board. Its a Church tour with a small get together where members will have small presentations set up of family member's mission stories and cultural treats. (i.e. food :} ) I was very surprised that even though our branch is small, they wanted to do it and find a way to make this idea work. It has been a slow start on our part to start with the member rollplays and every time we have done one they all have worked out with the members enjoying them. (the roll plays are several different lessons that we have been asked to teach the members to help them do missionary work and they were made by president Rawlings) One family said that they would try to play the word game for family night. We have only two real member mission plans set up right now. When we followed up on one of the families, they said that their grandson whom we have been praying for has quit smoking and has just frond a job.
Previously, I have only been asking for members to do missionary work when we need a member to come to a teach. Now I understand that more will happen if we help the members do their own missionary work. Right now there are 3 missionaries with a known missionary plan in Kokkola. If you do the math of the people in the ward and every one a missionary with a plan, more things will happen than just having two missionaries in a city. I am excited to see where the rollplays lead Kokkola to!
thank you for the emails! by the way...
There's no pictures =) that means double next week =) Q-cey Mitch, you too!
Audrey
I wouldn't have ever dreamed of going on the rocket when I your age! it's still something I think is scary. At the same time I panicked when we were hiking in Zion by the cliffs. I am not the best when it comes to heights.
What was your party like? let me know soon!
Right now we are doing a lot of cleaning in the apartment. this whole day has been just cleaning and now a bit of Emailing. I made a french toast peach cinnamon cobbler in the stove for the spring cleaning! It was super good.
The week is a bit of a blur still for me. We have been starting off more to work with the members and we came up with an idea and instantly the members jumped on board. Its a Church tour with a small get together where members will have small presentations set up of family member's mission stories and cultural treats. (i.e. food :} ) I was very surprised that even though our branch is small, they wanted to do it and find a way to make this idea work. It has been a slow start on our part to start with the member rollplays and every time we have done one they all have worked out with the members enjoying them. (the roll plays are several different lessons that we have been asked to teach the members to help them do missionary work and they were made by president Rawlings) One family said that they would try to play the word game for family night. We have only two real member mission plans set up right now. When we followed up on one of the families, they said that their grandson whom we have been praying for has quit smoking and has just frond a job.
Previously, I have only been asking for members to do missionary work when we need a member to come to a teach. Now I understand that more will happen if we help the members do their own missionary work. Right now there are 3 missionaries with a known missionary plan in Kokkola. If you do the math of the people in the ward and every one a missionary with a plan, more things will happen than just having two missionaries in a city. I am excited to see where the rollplays lead Kokkola to!
May 25, 2014
Happy Birthday Audrey
You are now in Double digits! What did you get?! The Finnish word for ten is ''Kymmenen,'' you say it like ''K-ew-mmmmmmm-enen,'' Olet Kymmenen vuotias!
Be sure to give Mom and dad lots of hugs for me! you have to do it or else i may eat some chocolate that has your name on it....
I also wanted to ask if you are almost out of school?
Finnish Mothers day was great! We helped a ward member give a present to his wife. It was a small plate of wood with a picture of her and their daughter and on the other side a picture of their family. It is kind of liek that wood art we have of the Chinese boy by our front door. We ended up keeping it and wrapping it for Sunday where the father of the family would pick it up.
(a side note If I put any ones name in this email be sure to just put an x for their name so it's not going on any blog or other thing, privacy is a very big thing in Finland)
We ended up skypping at there house so you met them! Last week was a god week. It was super hot! 30 degrees C for two days straight. we have had our windows open and the fan on full blast because we have no AC. These has been our nights for the past week. President Rawlings was here yesterday and we had a fireside with him! Afterwards we had our interviews with him. It takes a really long time before President Rawlings can come up and give interviews. The last one I had was in Jyväskylä and we had them twice there! Up north it takes some time before President and Sister Rawlings are able to visit. So, one thing he told be during the interview was that I haven't been getting enough sleep and it why I haven't been able to get up as easily in the morning. Apparently he had a really hard time with it on his mission. Back then they would get up at 6 am. Now I am on a strict sleeping schedule where i need to stop doing things at 10pm and to be in bed. Lame.... I'm only joking it's a good idea because is important.
What we've been doing this last week was starting with member plans and finding. We visit 5 investigators in Kokkola at least one time a week. Last week we were on the bikes 247 and I now understand why bikers rash is so commonly talked about in the biking community. We were able to talk to a lot of people, but from it all we only have a few people who said they are interested and do want to meet. Some of the conversations we had with people went really well. one in particular, we gave a 18 year old girl a Book of Mormon. She said she was atheist and didn't really understand religion. we talked for a little bit and then she said that she is just confused because there is too much stuff in the world. She said it would be a relief if there was a real solid truth. We Offered a Book of Mormon and she accepted and asked for a copy for a Friend. Many of the things we have been able to do have been good, but sadly we may not bee able to see what will happen with most. President sent a email about using members. Looking at it. really it is the members that introduce the church to many converts. I feel like we have been spending lots of time on bikes riding around when we could be helping members with their own efforts to do missionary work.
I love you and hope to hear from every one soon.
Vanhin CUmmings
You are now in Double digits! What did you get?! The Finnish word for ten is ''Kymmenen,'' you say it like ''K-ew-mmmmmmm-enen,'' Olet Kymmenen vuotias!
Be sure to give Mom and dad lots of hugs for me! you have to do it or else i may eat some chocolate that has your name on it....
I also wanted to ask if you are almost out of school?
Finnish Mothers day was great! We helped a ward member give a present to his wife. It was a small plate of wood with a picture of her and their daughter and on the other side a picture of their family. It is kind of liek that wood art we have of the Chinese boy by our front door. We ended up keeping it and wrapping it for Sunday where the father of the family would pick it up.
(a side note If I put any ones name in this email be sure to just put an x for their name so it's not going on any blog or other thing, privacy is a very big thing in Finland)
We ended up skypping at there house so you met them! Last week was a god week. It was super hot! 30 degrees C for two days straight. we have had our windows open and the fan on full blast because we have no AC. These has been our nights for the past week. President Rawlings was here yesterday and we had a fireside with him! Afterwards we had our interviews with him. It takes a really long time before President Rawlings can come up and give interviews. The last one I had was in Jyväskylä and we had them twice there! Up north it takes some time before President and Sister Rawlings are able to visit. So, one thing he told be during the interview was that I haven't been getting enough sleep and it why I haven't been able to get up as easily in the morning. Apparently he had a really hard time with it on his mission. Back then they would get up at 6 am. Now I am on a strict sleeping schedule where i need to stop doing things at 10pm and to be in bed. Lame.... I'm only joking it's a good idea because is important.
What we've been doing this last week was starting with member plans and finding. We visit 5 investigators in Kokkola at least one time a week. Last week we were on the bikes 247 and I now understand why bikers rash is so commonly talked about in the biking community. We were able to talk to a lot of people, but from it all we only have a few people who said they are interested and do want to meet. Some of the conversations we had with people went really well. one in particular, we gave a 18 year old girl a Book of Mormon. She said she was atheist and didn't really understand religion. we talked for a little bit and then she said that she is just confused because there is too much stuff in the world. She said it would be a relief if there was a real solid truth. We Offered a Book of Mormon and she accepted and asked for a copy for a Friend. Many of the things we have been able to do have been good, but sadly we may not bee able to see what will happen with most. President sent a email about using members. Looking at it. really it is the members that introduce the church to many converts. I feel like we have been spending lots of time on bikes riding around when we could be helping members with their own efforts to do missionary work.
I love you and hope to hear from every one soon.
Vanhin CUmmings
May 19, 2014
Family! I'm sorry if during skype there was so much going on! The Kuopalas realy enjoyed seeing everyone. And Elder Strandberg was surprised to see the Stigsons! I don't think i have heard about any mission calls! Tell Konnor he is very close to the Chinese speaking missions! (kinda) What did Dave Knell think of Konnor's Call? Could I get the Knells email? I wanted to tell Dave that several funny things have happened when I have talked in Chinese. One man from Beijing thought I was speaking Cantonese and the another CHinese investigator said I have a Hong Kong accent! The sad thing is that I can only say a few things that i remember till finnish comes slipping into my Chinese. When will Anders have his call? I guess i can ask him...
So I have something very interesting to tell you. There is an older man in our ward who belongs to two churches who we go visit every week. Every other Sunday he switches off from visiting the LDS meeting to the Lutheran meetings. When my previous companion was here, Elder White, We showed him the index of the Book of Mormon to help him if he has a question that he wants to answer himself. It has been several weeks since we've been able to see them because they have been at their summer cottage every time we've called. This last time we were there it was just them getting to know my new companion, Elder Strandberg. At one point of our conversation he sat back in his chair and asked if we were ready to share a spiritual message with him. So we took out our books and he stood up to get his and when he sat down and after we had a prayer he flipped back to the index and said that every scripture book should have an index in the back like the Book of Mormon has. He shared that he was very excited about the Book of Mormon because every time he has read it it has answered personal questions he has been having. He even shared that when he would be talking to friends in other faiths including the Lutheran pastor in Kokkola people would tell hime the Book of Mormon isn't true and a lot of others have tried to explain to him that the Church wasn't true. Then He said something I hope I wont forget. He said how he has been responding to his friends is he he would say that the Book of Mormon can be nothing, but true. That from this book has he found things that have helped him understand his circumstances in the moment he is living them, He has come to appreciate gospel principals through reading and that if the Book of Mormon talks about the same principals as the Bible, it can be nothing But true. I just sat there, probably with my jaw wide open. Especially with the fact that he bore his testimony to the Lutheran Pastor. His example of being true to what he believes especially in moments of standing alone is something we should follow. When we do follow that example we fined fulfillment, new strength and also a drive to continue to learn more.
So to answer your request Mum. I thing as a family we should go over PMG together. This week could be chapter one and every week I'll say which chapter. (this is mainly because in General Conference, every member was asked to study from Preach My Gospel) so does every one have a copy? Mom? Erin? Quincey Mitch? This would be awesome to show you exactly what I am talking about every day!
Let me know if this works. I will read so if it does work that would be awesome!
Audrey. be sure to give Bear all my hugs and kisses. I think he was still skinny when I was i the 5th grade. You will love it it isn't too hard and you will love the teachers. You will be the oldest in the School, how does that make you feel! Senior Audrey!
love You Son and Brother
Yoshua
So I have something very interesting to tell you. There is an older man in our ward who belongs to two churches who we go visit every week. Every other Sunday he switches off from visiting the LDS meeting to the Lutheran meetings. When my previous companion was here, Elder White, We showed him the index of the Book of Mormon to help him if he has a question that he wants to answer himself. It has been several weeks since we've been able to see them because they have been at their summer cottage every time we've called. This last time we were there it was just them getting to know my new companion, Elder Strandberg. At one point of our conversation he sat back in his chair and asked if we were ready to share a spiritual message with him. So we took out our books and he stood up to get his and when he sat down and after we had a prayer he flipped back to the index and said that every scripture book should have an index in the back like the Book of Mormon has. He shared that he was very excited about the Book of Mormon because every time he has read it it has answered personal questions he has been having. He even shared that when he would be talking to friends in other faiths including the Lutheran pastor in Kokkola people would tell hime the Book of Mormon isn't true and a lot of others have tried to explain to him that the Church wasn't true. Then He said something I hope I wont forget. He said how he has been responding to his friends is he he would say that the Book of Mormon can be nothing, but true. That from this book has he found things that have helped him understand his circumstances in the moment he is living them, He has come to appreciate gospel principals through reading and that if the Book of Mormon talks about the same principals as the Bible, it can be nothing But true. I just sat there, probably with my jaw wide open. Especially with the fact that he bore his testimony to the Lutheran Pastor. His example of being true to what he believes especially in moments of standing alone is something we should follow. When we do follow that example we fined fulfillment, new strength and also a drive to continue to learn more.
So to answer your request Mum. I thing as a family we should go over PMG together. This week could be chapter one and every week I'll say which chapter. (this is mainly because in General Conference, every member was asked to study from Preach My Gospel) so does every one have a copy? Mom? Erin? Quincey Mitch? This would be awesome to show you exactly what I am talking about every day!
Let me know if this works. I will read so if it does work that would be awesome!
Audrey. be sure to give Bear all my hugs and kisses. I think he was still skinny when I was i the 5th grade. You will love it it isn't too hard and you will love the teachers. You will be the oldest in the School, how does that make you feel! Senior Audrey!
love You Son and Brother
Yoshua
May 11,2014
Happy Mum day! I need to let you know I can call tomorrow at 5 pm Finnish time. that is 9 am Mountain time on monday. I am calling through the Kuoppala's computer. They are an awesome family in the ward! I will see you tomorrow and I am so sorry for not getting everything so well organized over here... But I love you Mum and Baba. And Audew.
Josh
Josh
May 5, 2014
Skype! I will be on at 5 pm Sunday so you will be on at 8 am Sunday morning.
I can't wait to see yah! and Audrey, what happened to your teeth? Did the dentist take out your tonsils? or was it a cavity?
SO My time in Finland has been great with Elder Strandberg. He had a great idea to make a map of everyone we hoped to meet in Kokkola. It took a little time to make and the whole time I sat off to the side wondering what he was doing but, now i am very grateful he put his time and effort into making it. There are several people we have meet who weren't previously on the map he made but they were in the same area and now there are several families and people that we've been able to talk with. With our hoped for new member leaving back to the states and with a few other investigators having to be let go, the work here really slowed down. As soon as we used Elder Strandberg's map there have been many places I have never been before and many places I have been before with many people that have been taught by missionaries previously. I am quite amazed at what my companion has been able to accomplish. It has been very good for me to see that I con't ignorantly be getting into work ruts.
Kokkola is really becoming beautiful. There are leaves coming in and flowers (in Mitch's words) Everywhere! The sun now stays in the sky till 11 then it's finally completely dark. The weather hear has also been Ocean cold! The ocean is only a 8 min ride from our appartment! We usually take the path that goes alongside the river in the center of town to go see the ocean.
For Mitch's question. The MTC was brutal whith the language. we jumped stright into it and a lot of what we have learned i the MTC comes very easily now. There are many people in Finland who have been here for over 10 years and don't speak Finnish. My Finnish is still pretty bad but I can now understand people! I still need to ask what several words are when people talk to me and I have been able to explain a word in Finnish if I don't know it. In many languages in the MTC you can try to guess what a sentence is and it will be right. in Finnish it is almost always wrong. I am very surprised coming from the MTC thinking I speak Finnish to seeing where I am only after a few months. I have been one of the slower ones with the language. I have the accent down... ish but my gamer is a bit limited from where I would like it to be.
Lot's of Love! from Me!
I can't wait to see yah! and Audrey, what happened to your teeth? Did the dentist take out your tonsils? or was it a cavity?
SO My time in Finland has been great with Elder Strandberg. He had a great idea to make a map of everyone we hoped to meet in Kokkola. It took a little time to make and the whole time I sat off to the side wondering what he was doing but, now i am very grateful he put his time and effort into making it. There are several people we have meet who weren't previously on the map he made but they were in the same area and now there are several families and people that we've been able to talk with. With our hoped for new member leaving back to the states and with a few other investigators having to be let go, the work here really slowed down. As soon as we used Elder Strandberg's map there have been many places I have never been before and many places I have been before with many people that have been taught by missionaries previously. I am quite amazed at what my companion has been able to accomplish. It has been very good for me to see that I con't ignorantly be getting into work ruts.
Kokkola is really becoming beautiful. There are leaves coming in and flowers (in Mitch's words) Everywhere! The sun now stays in the sky till 11 then it's finally completely dark. The weather hear has also been Ocean cold! The ocean is only a 8 min ride from our appartment! We usually take the path that goes alongside the river in the center of town to go see the ocean.
For Mitch's question. The MTC was brutal whith the language. we jumped stright into it and a lot of what we have learned i the MTC comes very easily now. There are many people in Finland who have been here for over 10 years and don't speak Finnish. My Finnish is still pretty bad but I can now understand people! I still need to ask what several words are when people talk to me and I have been able to explain a word in Finnish if I don't know it. In many languages in the MTC you can try to guess what a sentence is and it will be right. in Finnish it is almost always wrong. I am very surprised coming from the MTC thinking I speak Finnish to seeing where I am only after a few months. I have been one of the slower ones with the language. I have the accent down... ish but my gamer is a bit limited from where I would like it to be.
Lot's of Love! from Me!
April 28, 2014
Yes I am Still in Kokkola. And my Companion is this Elder! (see picture below) This place is beautiful right now! All of the flowers are starting to poke out and it's starting to look green. I have been bad at taking pictures so I'll have to start changing... Have you looked at Kokkola from Google map? It's not right on the sea, but it was one of the Finnish towns that were burned by the English around the 1700's. It is the only place that has a stolen English vessel that hasn't been bought back by the English Navy (at least that's what Kokkolans claim =) It is almost Vappu! It is one of the biggest party days in Finland and that means a Hard Red Day (where we can't go out side unless members ask us to come over)
What Nonsense and untruth did Werjefelt say! I'm super happy Jacob got to see him! His old comanion just got another Swedish speaking elder from California. He taught himself Sewdish and from What Elder Strandberg and Stegeby say is that he really does speak Swedish!
Vanhin Srandberg has been teaching me a few things is Swedish and I have a joke for Erin. It's not the Fart that kills, it's the Smäll. (I just love Swedish speed bumps) I also wanted to ask, what is Jacob's email?
What did Moa say about your surprise fro her? Did she ask if you hunted her down?
Well this week, Elder Strandberg's first lesson in Kokkola, he asked one of our investigators if he would be baptized. I asked previously but I didn't follow council from President Rawlings on how to ask. The answer that I got was that he is a part of the Roman Catholic Church and it's very normal to go to other denominations to worship and that's how he wanted it to be. When Elder Strandberg asked, he started from the beginning of explaining the doctrine of baptism, then explaining the blessings and he asked if he would follow our Savior's example and be baptized. Right after our investigator said yes and we scheduled a date right there. He went straight into the bush. My mind set on this has changed a lot since I came on my mission. I was very hesitant to plan a date and just invite some one to be baptized. Beating around the bush was 2nd nature. Don't ever beat around a bush because all you will have is wasted time. When we were able to meet again to schedule everything he informed us that he would be leaving to Russia and then he would go back home to the states. Those who he is traveling with are members. I had no idea that members were actively talking and inviting him to do things! this was the first time I heard he mas made friends in the church! He said that he would go to church in Russia and then he wanted to meet with the Elders in his home town in the states. So we are down a baptismal date in Kokkola however I am still happy. The promise in D&C is true that the joy of bringing those to the gospel is incomprehensible. Our investigator told me during one of the first lessons that he was afraid that in life he would be forgotten by those around him. Now he is traveling to Russia with members. This Church brings people together better than anything else in the world, especially when it is used and understood correctly.
Also this week we have been able to do a lot of service. Finaly people are outside and working on projects. We tracted into a house and the first thing this short ''older,'' Finnish lady said to us is, ''I know who you are and I am not Interesting,'' We were able to ask during our short conversation if she needed any help around her yard. She said that she had a bunch of new planks that needed to be painted for a fence. So later that week we came back on the scheduled day to help her paint her boards. During our time painting and talking to her she randomly asked a few questions about the church. (She so did have questions!) We spent 3 hours helping her paint. we accidentally split some paint on her wooden patio so we ended up also panting that. Luckily it was the same color and it needed a paint job in the first place =)
I love you all. If I miss any questions let me know.
Love the bright paler purl at the bottom of the sea. paler than all the fishes is he.
LOOK who my new companion is! Elder Strandberg!
What Nonsense and untruth did Werjefelt say! I'm super happy Jacob got to see him! His old comanion just got another Swedish speaking elder from California. He taught himself Sewdish and from What Elder Strandberg and Stegeby say is that he really does speak Swedish!
Vanhin Srandberg has been teaching me a few things is Swedish and I have a joke for Erin. It's not the Fart that kills, it's the Smäll. (I just love Swedish speed bumps) I also wanted to ask, what is Jacob's email?
What did Moa say about your surprise fro her? Did she ask if you hunted her down?
Well this week, Elder Strandberg's first lesson in Kokkola, he asked one of our investigators if he would be baptized. I asked previously but I didn't follow council from President Rawlings on how to ask. The answer that I got was that he is a part of the Roman Catholic Church and it's very normal to go to other denominations to worship and that's how he wanted it to be. When Elder Strandberg asked, he started from the beginning of explaining the doctrine of baptism, then explaining the blessings and he asked if he would follow our Savior's example and be baptized. Right after our investigator said yes and we scheduled a date right there. He went straight into the bush. My mind set on this has changed a lot since I came on my mission. I was very hesitant to plan a date and just invite some one to be baptized. Beating around the bush was 2nd nature. Don't ever beat around a bush because all you will have is wasted time. When we were able to meet again to schedule everything he informed us that he would be leaving to Russia and then he would go back home to the states. Those who he is traveling with are members. I had no idea that members were actively talking and inviting him to do things! this was the first time I heard he mas made friends in the church! He said that he would go to church in Russia and then he wanted to meet with the Elders in his home town in the states. So we are down a baptismal date in Kokkola however I am still happy. The promise in D&C is true that the joy of bringing those to the gospel is incomprehensible. Our investigator told me during one of the first lessons that he was afraid that in life he would be forgotten by those around him. Now he is traveling to Russia with members. This Church brings people together better than anything else in the world, especially when it is used and understood correctly.
Also this week we have been able to do a lot of service. Finaly people are outside and working on projects. We tracted into a house and the first thing this short ''older,'' Finnish lady said to us is, ''I know who you are and I am not Interesting,'' We were able to ask during our short conversation if she needed any help around her yard. She said that she had a bunch of new planks that needed to be painted for a fence. So later that week we came back on the scheduled day to help her paint her boards. During our time painting and talking to her she randomly asked a few questions about the church. (She so did have questions!) We spent 3 hours helping her paint. we accidentally split some paint on her wooden patio so we ended up also panting that. Luckily it was the same color and it needed a paint job in the first place =)
I love you all. If I miss any questions let me know.
Love the bright paler purl at the bottom of the sea. paler than all the fishes is he.
LOOK who my new companion is! Elder Strandberg!
April 21, 2014
TO Mitch and Qc: Yeps! Easter was awesome! It was one of the quietest mornings here and everything is starting to turn green !
Has Abby Grown or is she standing on the playground? I did indeed see the Easter Witches! It was more like the post-Easter Witches, but they still had their face makeup on during District conference (stake conf for our district) We were in Pietarsaari for Easter. District conference was down there for Saturday and Sunday. We stayed at the Elders Apartment for the night. Elder Rainer from the Seventy came. He is from Frankfurt Germany and has lived from NewZealand to Italy. He gave a talk in every session. There was 4 total but we were only invited to 3. He had a Translator and every line he had to pause to allow the translator to speak in Finnish. He didn't realize that after several lines he didn't give the translator enough time to say everything in Finnish so on occasion you would hear the poor translator speeding though his sentance so he could finish everything Elder Rainer said. One time he missed half of the sentence; we saw him put his head down in self pity and just laugh to himself. I have only tried to translate a few times and it is not easy to translate Finnish and English. I almost had to translate again for a Lady from the States but we were able to find another head set for her during the conference.
It's been very warm here. the flowers are starting to poke out of the grownd and it was sunny and raining today. I'll be fine with somehing small. It's expensive and i spent way too much money on a lot of stuff. Would you be able to sent me my old watch? During the winter this year the moisture in my new watch froze and now it's condensed onto the glass. I've tried to fix it with rice but it hasn't worked to get the water out yet. (if you wanted the hard candy egg chocolate to send I won't be upset ) I'll be sure to write a letter to primary today.
THis week was fairly slow. One thing that did happen that Was crazy was that I ran into a lady who I talked to several times in Jyväskylä! THe first time I talked to her we got on the topic of Family history work. She was having a hard time finding her family from Germany. the next time I talked to her on the bus (still in Jyväskylä) about the same thing and I was able to give her the church website. I forgot the Family search website so I gave her LDS.org. I told her that if she used the search bar on that website for Family history she would find it. Now fastforwarding to yesterday. We were getting off the train in Kokkola. I didn't recognize her during our whole train ride. I remember feeling like i needed to turn around. the train ride was very short and I still don't know why i didn't. We got to Kokkola and she got up also to get off. SHe asked what I was doing in Kokkola and right at that moment I recognized who it was. She said her Mother lived in Kokkola and I told her that i moved to Kokkola about 2 months ago. i asked her if she was able to find it. Her answer caught me off guard. SHe told me that she did find it. I asked if it helped with any thing. What surprised me was that she said yes and it helped a little more that she was expecting. I was very confused what she meant. Meanwhile Elder WHite was very confused and asked if she was a member of the church. SHe said ''No but my niece is,'' At the end and I don't remember how was that we got on the subject was that we talked about the church and how it's Grown in Finland. She replied by smiling at the two and us and saying ''yes, it is growing,'' We gave her our number so she could call when she visits from Jyväskylä. SHe leaves this Sunday back home so I hope she calls. SHe walked up to her brother and we waved and said goodbye.
The main point of this is when you feel like you should do something (no matter how small it is) just do it. I haven't been very good at it but this was a lesson for me and I am so happy she said something to me so I could remember.
I love you all andn Mom thank you for the note it was very sweet.
Love, Josh
Erin this elder I am standing by is going back home this week to Stockholm. He knows Jacob and he was my district leader!
Has Abby Grown or is she standing on the playground? I did indeed see the Easter Witches! It was more like the post-Easter Witches, but they still had their face makeup on during District conference (stake conf for our district) We were in Pietarsaari for Easter. District conference was down there for Saturday and Sunday. We stayed at the Elders Apartment for the night. Elder Rainer from the Seventy came. He is from Frankfurt Germany and has lived from NewZealand to Italy. He gave a talk in every session. There was 4 total but we were only invited to 3. He had a Translator and every line he had to pause to allow the translator to speak in Finnish. He didn't realize that after several lines he didn't give the translator enough time to say everything in Finnish so on occasion you would hear the poor translator speeding though his sentance so he could finish everything Elder Rainer said. One time he missed half of the sentence; we saw him put his head down in self pity and just laugh to himself. I have only tried to translate a few times and it is not easy to translate Finnish and English. I almost had to translate again for a Lady from the States but we were able to find another head set for her during the conference.
It's been very warm here. the flowers are starting to poke out of the grownd and it was sunny and raining today. I'll be fine with somehing small. It's expensive and i spent way too much money on a lot of stuff. Would you be able to sent me my old watch? During the winter this year the moisture in my new watch froze and now it's condensed onto the glass. I've tried to fix it with rice but it hasn't worked to get the water out yet. (if you wanted the hard candy egg chocolate to send I won't be upset ) I'll be sure to write a letter to primary today.
THis week was fairly slow. One thing that did happen that Was crazy was that I ran into a lady who I talked to several times in Jyväskylä! THe first time I talked to her we got on the topic of Family history work. She was having a hard time finding her family from Germany. the next time I talked to her on the bus (still in Jyväskylä) about the same thing and I was able to give her the church website. I forgot the Family search website so I gave her LDS.org. I told her that if she used the search bar on that website for Family history she would find it. Now fastforwarding to yesterday. We were getting off the train in Kokkola. I didn't recognize her during our whole train ride. I remember feeling like i needed to turn around. the train ride was very short and I still don't know why i didn't. We got to Kokkola and she got up also to get off. SHe asked what I was doing in Kokkola and right at that moment I recognized who it was. She said her Mother lived in Kokkola and I told her that i moved to Kokkola about 2 months ago. i asked her if she was able to find it. Her answer caught me off guard. SHe told me that she did find it. I asked if it helped with any thing. What surprised me was that she said yes and it helped a little more that she was expecting. I was very confused what she meant. Meanwhile Elder WHite was very confused and asked if she was a member of the church. SHe said ''No but my niece is,'' At the end and I don't remember how was that we got on the subject was that we talked about the church and how it's Grown in Finland. She replied by smiling at the two and us and saying ''yes, it is growing,'' We gave her our number so she could call when she visits from Jyväskylä. SHe leaves this Sunday back home so I hope she calls. SHe walked up to her brother and we waved and said goodbye.
The main point of this is when you feel like you should do something (no matter how small it is) just do it. I haven't been very good at it but this was a lesson for me and I am so happy she said something to me so I could remember.
I love you all andn Mom thank you for the note it was very sweet.
Love, Josh
Erin this elder I am standing by is going back home this week to Stockholm. He knows Jacob and he was my district leader!
April 14, 2014
Aiya! Brandon's getting married! and Tori! What has Tanner though about it?! I was thinking how I would react if Erin gets married while I'm out here... I guess you would have to get a photo of me and put it in the back somewhere during the reception, on a chair preferably, so I could be a part of the wedding. By the way Erin thank you for the letter! Did you know one of your friend's sisters is in my ward?
Baba! Nice hat and socks! (did I send a card saying what thing goes to who?) if not, that one hat goes to Qcey and the socks to Mitch. The next one are socks for Mom, your scarf and you do need to wear it. and the mitts for Audew.
What town is Elder Kirisi from? Maybe I visited his Stake or Zone!
I got the letters from the primary today! I loved them! So far I am not sure about the differences between Easter in Finland compared to the States. It's Pääsiäinen in Finnish (the Passover) and I saw one similarity with the edible grass. I still think it's nasty.
We had a cool story this week. When Elder White and I were coming from our bishops house my front tire to my bike broke. Only 8 of the spokes on the front were intact out of 18. We had several hours still of the day so we decided to make our way to the church to drop off our bikes and go see the ward schedule. When we finally got to the church we left the bikes at the front door and went inside, the Relief society was there and the church phone was ringing. Right when we walked in the sisters yelled out the door for us to answer the phone. My companion and I ran to the phone. Elder White answered it and all I saw was his confused expression. The man who called was hopping to set up a time where missionaries could go visit him. The whole conversation was, ''Is this the missionaries?'' ... ''Yes...''' ''I was hoping I could talk with the missionaries.'' ''ok,'' ''Could you come over today?'' ''uh.. sure! Where do you live?'' ''Down the road from your church,''
We ended up immediately walking out of the church, directly to his house. He invited us in and apologized if it was a bad time for us. What was going on in my mind was that my bike just broke and we couldn't go to our desired location because of it, or in other words our previous plan was scrapped, and this happened at the best time possible. We walked in and the house was thick with cigarette smoke. We sat down at his table and had a really great talk with him. He was a Former investigator (a long time ago). He had his phone book on the table which meant he just grabbed it from his shelf and opened it up to the Church's land line! He told us he was really trying to change his life. During the discussion he smoked 3 cigarettes completely in the space of 30-40 minutes. we told him that we would be out of town for a day, but the day we were to get back, we would call him. That day we were going to call he sent us a text saying if he needed us he would call. This isn't the end of the story hopefully, however, the things that all happened before and during was more than random. We asked the Bishop afterward how many people call the church and he said that it's very rare, if that even. It wasn't even on our phone that some one called it was the Church Buildings phone. At the end of the lesson he said that he owed us. He handed us 50 EUR that were on the table. we tried to let him know that we couldn't take it but he kept handing us the money and said, ''This is to help the missionaries,''
My bike repair was just 10 EURs more that his 50 but it was interesting how every little thing was taken care of. I used my own money for the repair and we still have the 50 EUR so I guess we'll try to figure something out...
A little bit about my companion. He is from Grand Junction Colorado. He is Engaged. (pretty crazy!) His father is a convert, Mom was Adopted and he has a Sister and Brother. Both of them are younger. His Fiance is investigating the church! What's cool is you ask him about car engines and he'll answer your question. He is a google search just for Cars. Nice cars... yep.. just asked a question and he was able to answer. His hobbies are snowmobiling with his dad. he got a picture of his dad's new machine and it looks like a spaceship. And his name is Hayden White.
Baba! Nice hat and socks! (did I send a card saying what thing goes to who?) if not, that one hat goes to Qcey and the socks to Mitch. The next one are socks for Mom, your scarf and you do need to wear it. and the mitts for Audew.
What town is Elder Kirisi from? Maybe I visited his Stake or Zone!
I got the letters from the primary today! I loved them! So far I am not sure about the differences between Easter in Finland compared to the States. It's Pääsiäinen in Finnish (the Passover) and I saw one similarity with the edible grass. I still think it's nasty.
We had a cool story this week. When Elder White and I were coming from our bishops house my front tire to my bike broke. Only 8 of the spokes on the front were intact out of 18. We had several hours still of the day so we decided to make our way to the church to drop off our bikes and go see the ward schedule. When we finally got to the church we left the bikes at the front door and went inside, the Relief society was there and the church phone was ringing. Right when we walked in the sisters yelled out the door for us to answer the phone. My companion and I ran to the phone. Elder White answered it and all I saw was his confused expression. The man who called was hopping to set up a time where missionaries could go visit him. The whole conversation was, ''Is this the missionaries?'' ... ''Yes...''' ''I was hoping I could talk with the missionaries.'' ''ok,'' ''Could you come over today?'' ''uh.. sure! Where do you live?'' ''Down the road from your church,''
We ended up immediately walking out of the church, directly to his house. He invited us in and apologized if it was a bad time for us. What was going on in my mind was that my bike just broke and we couldn't go to our desired location because of it, or in other words our previous plan was scrapped, and this happened at the best time possible. We walked in and the house was thick with cigarette smoke. We sat down at his table and had a really great talk with him. He was a Former investigator (a long time ago). He had his phone book on the table which meant he just grabbed it from his shelf and opened it up to the Church's land line! He told us he was really trying to change his life. During the discussion he smoked 3 cigarettes completely in the space of 30-40 minutes. we told him that we would be out of town for a day, but the day we were to get back, we would call him. That day we were going to call he sent us a text saying if he needed us he would call. This isn't the end of the story hopefully, however, the things that all happened before and during was more than random. We asked the Bishop afterward how many people call the church and he said that it's very rare, if that even. It wasn't even on our phone that some one called it was the Church Buildings phone. At the end of the lesson he said that he owed us. He handed us 50 EUR that were on the table. we tried to let him know that we couldn't take it but he kept handing us the money and said, ''This is to help the missionaries,''
My bike repair was just 10 EURs more that his 50 but it was interesting how every little thing was taken care of. I used my own money for the repair and we still have the 50 EUR so I guess we'll try to figure something out...
A little bit about my companion. He is from Grand Junction Colorado. He is Engaged. (pretty crazy!) His father is a convert, Mom was Adopted and he has a Sister and Brother. Both of them are younger. His Fiance is investigating the church! What's cool is you ask him about car engines and he'll answer your question. He is a google search just for Cars. Nice cars... yep.. just asked a question and he was able to answer. His hobbies are snowmobiling with his dad. he got a picture of his dad's new machine and it looks like a spaceship. And his name is Hayden White.
April 7, 2014
Hello Famreh!
How was conference? =) It really made this whole week crazy! I'm with Elder Stegeby right now. the Pietarsaari (Jacobstad) elders had to come to Kokkola because it was Kokkola's turn to brodcast conference live. Elder White and I had only one day with just the two of us. The rest of the week we spent with the same Jacobstad elders and then we stayed in Oulu only to come back and spend a whole weekend with the Swedish Elders. Both Elder Stegeby and Werjefelt are from Sweden. Oh and Erin! Elder Werjefelt tells me that Jacob is a good choice ...
Baba! the cool thing was that during Conference our investigators from the states came to every session! The frist one it looked like he didn't know what to expect but the session right after that he came to the church with a paper and pen so he could take notes! We didn't have the whole conference broadcasted to Finland. We only have one session on Saturday and then the Saturday eavening is on Sunday morning and the Sunday afternoon we have to watch online... We had an electric problem where the power would short and every room where it was playing would shut off. It was frustrating because it's all live from Salt Lake and so we couldn't rewind one it was back up. we missed a lot. but it means we have a lot more to be expecting once the liahona comes in. I did get to meet a few members from Jacobstad and one came up to me and told me he knew the Grants. I'm so mad I forget his name! And was the missionaries name that was serving down in Temple Square Sister Lepäsaari? Maybe not... Sorry that i'm bouncing back and forth on subjects but my favorite thing from conference was when president Eyering talked about rightchious roll models. I never really realized how well you (Mom & Baba) raised all of us. The home we all came from is a home i really hope all of your kids (all your daughters... and one son whose name is NOT Bear) can follow. I'm super happy I get to write to you two every week!
Auderyn Kysymyksinsä
I have to say the grossest food I have eaten was this mashed potato dish. It wasn't potatos and in my mind it smelt like the WC. It's a food that is only served during CHristmas and you eat it with crandberries which make it soo much better! it's a plant that only grows in Finland.'
Yes many people are very shy in FInland. One day in Jyväskylä we were out at the bus stop in the center of the city. there were lots of people but for some reason no one was talking! it was so quiet and the snow made the cars driving by almost silent! you could hear us walking in the snow over the sound of the cars driving past us and the people at the bus stops! Crazy
Elder White has only a week and a few days till he heads out. It's a pretty crazy week and will only get crazier! I have had a really great time in the North Zone.
to Myres myysles Miiles... i do know Elder Manwearing! I at leats know his name. I'll try to see where he is and look for his picture.
To the Hinfam! Bridger's fish is huge! it's like the size of my companion!
With lots of love and pictures arn't working...
Elder Cummings
Hi from Finland,
We were assigned to travel the mission last week, from top to bottom, and we stopped at each missionary apartment, inspected it, and took some photos of the place and a picture of them. They are doing really well and were happy to see us. They are great missionaries and are doing so much good here as they hasten the work in Finland. Thanks for being such a great parents and raising such a good missionary.
Elder Jay and Sister Dana Thelin,
Helsinki, Finland, Senior Missionaries.
We were assigned to travel the mission last week, from top to bottom, and we stopped at each missionary apartment, inspected it, and took some photos of the place and a picture of them. They are doing really well and were happy to see us. They are great missionaries and are doing so much good here as they hasten the work in Finland. Thanks for being such a great parents and raising such a good missionary.
Elder Jay and Sister Dana Thelin,
Helsinki, Finland, Senior Missionaries.
March 31, 2014
Dad,
I don't really remember a lot about GuangZhoe... I do remember you talking about SHi Pai and how it was being distroyed for a shopping mall. I now have an excuse for you to take me to CHina =} There have been several little neighborhoods here in Finland that I know the family would like. The Finns have these small, brightly colored, wooden houses that are tightly packed together. There is a part of the town where it's a small cobble stone street with these 3 to 1 story houses and all of them are painted in bright colors. I have only seen one house painted pink so far... This next week is absolutely crazy. We have our district leaders staying with us for half the week because of general conference and they'll be helping us with splits and Elder WHite and I will be going up to Oulu for 2 days on splits with the zone leaders. There is only one day that is going to be a ''normal'' day with just my companion and I in Kokkola! Crazy!
Mom
I can't believe you guys have snow! I hope you've been skiing with your new jacket often. By the way It would be awesome to get one of Bridger's letters! I do email a few but every week we only send about a sentence long email. Tommy Brown taught a monkey! And Bridger Caught a fish! I haven't heard from Tanner. I'll try emailing him. How has Josh M. been? how has the Singles ward been? probably a lot of people falling inlove.=) What was this womens conference thing? was it the firsttime that Audrey's age young women are able to go? At that age I would have been board stiff listening to abunch of people talk. It's cool to see how much has been changing back home. It's probably not that much but in my mind over the emails has been a lot!
Erin & ''Mi-incey''ja Audery.
Hej. Mitä kuuluu? I hav not tried salmon soup yet. I have had a fish dish that is a Finnish Delicacy. It's small strips of raw salmon and sometimes from a fish called a loot. The salmon tastes good but the loot is too bitter... I am so happy you sent me your baptisimal day pictures! I do remember that day! I was so happy! What is Valiant 9 class like? Do you like the new ward? My ward over here is pretty small but everyone is super nice! let me know what else is going on. Has Erin written recently? what has she been doing? Is she still dating Jacob? Quincey happy late birthday again! how was your birthday?
I loved the calendar!
I got to get going but I love you all! I'm sorry I didn't get to write too much.
Love Josh
I don't really remember a lot about GuangZhoe... I do remember you talking about SHi Pai and how it was being distroyed for a shopping mall. I now have an excuse for you to take me to CHina =} There have been several little neighborhoods here in Finland that I know the family would like. The Finns have these small, brightly colored, wooden houses that are tightly packed together. There is a part of the town where it's a small cobble stone street with these 3 to 1 story houses and all of them are painted in bright colors. I have only seen one house painted pink so far... This next week is absolutely crazy. We have our district leaders staying with us for half the week because of general conference and they'll be helping us with splits and Elder WHite and I will be going up to Oulu for 2 days on splits with the zone leaders. There is only one day that is going to be a ''normal'' day with just my companion and I in Kokkola! Crazy!
Mom
I can't believe you guys have snow! I hope you've been skiing with your new jacket often. By the way It would be awesome to get one of Bridger's letters! I do email a few but every week we only send about a sentence long email. Tommy Brown taught a monkey! And Bridger Caught a fish! I haven't heard from Tanner. I'll try emailing him. How has Josh M. been? how has the Singles ward been? probably a lot of people falling inlove.=) What was this womens conference thing? was it the firsttime that Audrey's age young women are able to go? At that age I would have been board stiff listening to abunch of people talk. It's cool to see how much has been changing back home. It's probably not that much but in my mind over the emails has been a lot!
Erin & ''Mi-incey''ja Audery.
Hej. Mitä kuuluu? I hav not tried salmon soup yet. I have had a fish dish that is a Finnish Delicacy. It's small strips of raw salmon and sometimes from a fish called a loot. The salmon tastes good but the loot is too bitter... I am so happy you sent me your baptisimal day pictures! I do remember that day! I was so happy! What is Valiant 9 class like? Do you like the new ward? My ward over here is pretty small but everyone is super nice! let me know what else is going on. Has Erin written recently? what has she been doing? Is she still dating Jacob? Quincey happy late birthday again! how was your birthday?
I loved the calendar!
I got to get going but I love you all! I'm sorry I didn't get to write too much.
Love Josh
March 24, 2014
Thank you for the Email Baba. I really did enjoy it, I hope you tell Tim Hinrichs that I really enjoyed his Email! Veli Komulainen is still still in our ward! I talked with him just yesterday and we work with Sisar Komulainen in Ward Council. I'll have to ask if he and his wife know Tim!
I'm sorry how bad I am with questions... I haven't gotten it yet. The office gives us a call when a package comes in.
By the way! I Love the ''new coat''' Mom! It looks super good!
I have had a great time in Kokkola. It's not too green yet, however the town is really pretty. It's just a bunch of old Oma Koti(s) Small wooden homes painted bright colors that are all over the place. This change has been the hardest so far. I came in and nothing was going on. The last person who was investigating was from Africa and they left around 5 months before Elder White and I were here. My companion was super discouraged and in the first few weeks we had several unnecessary arguments. Now everything in Kokkola has seemed to change. We now have been working with a total of 6 people (all investigators) and 2 of them we have been visiting consistently. I got to see a huge change in Kokkola and in my companion. We did not get a long the first few weeks and to see that now I am really enjoying working with him has been huge.
We had our Zone conference recently. All of the elders in the whole zone stayed in the Oulu Chapel. It felt like a boyscout activity to me. We ended up sleeping on these inflatable pads that didn't keep any air in them. I folded mine in half so it was the with of a foot and the length was a 3rd too small. it was a rough night but I got to see several missionaries that I was in the MTC with. Including Elder McMaster, Chapman, Hugie, Lee, and Sisar Nyman. we had a language class the next day and it was just the old MTC group. The language is hard but the nicething is that it makes sense like math. You can explain most of the things you say and say why it is said in that way. Unlike Swedish ... One of our investigators speaks Swedish and Elder White and I have been hoping to find out how we could learn Swedish. We have a member who we are hopping to ask if he could teach us. The pronunciation is super hard for me because a lot of the sounds are completely backwards compared to Finnish.
What happend the past few weeks was my companion and I ended up going on a small hike in to the wilderness. We left to go stop by a potential who lived out on the edge of the city. My companion ended up riding our bikes through farmland to get to him. It was super pretty. Elder White keeps telling me that I have to wait for the summers. When we got to our potentials home we were in the middle of the woods. We knocked on his door but he wasn't home. There was an old road that was right next to his house. I caught Elder White constantly looking over to the road. I personally wanted to go explore to see what was up it so I asked if he wanted to go up to see what it was. He quickly said that he was really wanting to go up it also. So we left our bikes and started up the road. I didn't feel like it was a wast of time which was the odd thing it felt like it was productive which was the main reason we decided to go on the hike. After walking for a few minutres on the road we ran into an older man walking in the opposite direction. We started to talk to him and we asked if he lived in the area and if he knew his neighbor (our potential investigator) He told us yes. For some weird reason I asked if he was the person we were looking for. He just looked at me a little startled and said yes and then he continued on his was down the trail. Elder WHite and I realized how odd that experience would have been for him. two young guys in the middle of the woods, on a train that's out of the way and where no houses are, asking him if he was someone we were looking for. We decided to continue down the trail so we wouldn't scare him. When we got to the end of the trail 10min latter we decided to turn back and try the door again. WHen we got back we tried his door and sure enough it was the man we met on the trail. We said who we were and asked if he remembered talking to missionaries previously (in town, Not in the woods!) and he said yes and then he asked if we spoke Swedish because the last missionary spoke Swedish with him... we told him no however he then invited us to come inside. He lived alone and has no children. He understands Finnish very well so we were all able to understand each other. He now is investigating the church and we got to stop by to see how he was doing twice this week! WHen we first walked in the previous time he told us what he learned from the Book of Mormon! I was not expecting him to say anything like that when we first got there but he just blew me out of the water! Now looking back I am glad we decided to go for a hike into the middle of the woods while contacting! I wouldn't recommend it to missionaries to missionaries unless guided otherwise.=) When I asked Elder White afterward he too said that it was something that he's never really done before, but the both of us had a random desire to follow a Forrest path which led us to some one now investigating the Gospel.
ALso thanks for the Finnish Information! It is more than stereotypical that they had a sauna number on it too! I am almost convinced that number is a little off and that there is more saunas in Finland than people. WHen you ask the Finns why Sauna is so big they just tell you ''On Pyhä Paika,'' (It's a holy place). It has been odd because many times have investigators and members not been able to meet or help out because of it a souna ilta (sauna night). Saunas just drive me insane.
Love you!
Josh Vanhin Cummings
I'm sorry how bad I am with questions... I haven't gotten it yet. The office gives us a call when a package comes in.
By the way! I Love the ''new coat''' Mom! It looks super good!
I have had a great time in Kokkola. It's not too green yet, however the town is really pretty. It's just a bunch of old Oma Koti(s) Small wooden homes painted bright colors that are all over the place. This change has been the hardest so far. I came in and nothing was going on. The last person who was investigating was from Africa and they left around 5 months before Elder White and I were here. My companion was super discouraged and in the first few weeks we had several unnecessary arguments. Now everything in Kokkola has seemed to change. We now have been working with a total of 6 people (all investigators) and 2 of them we have been visiting consistently. I got to see a huge change in Kokkola and in my companion. We did not get a long the first few weeks and to see that now I am really enjoying working with him has been huge.
We had our Zone conference recently. All of the elders in the whole zone stayed in the Oulu Chapel. It felt like a boyscout activity to me. We ended up sleeping on these inflatable pads that didn't keep any air in them. I folded mine in half so it was the with of a foot and the length was a 3rd too small. it was a rough night but I got to see several missionaries that I was in the MTC with. Including Elder McMaster, Chapman, Hugie, Lee, and Sisar Nyman. we had a language class the next day and it was just the old MTC group. The language is hard but the nicething is that it makes sense like math. You can explain most of the things you say and say why it is said in that way. Unlike Swedish ... One of our investigators speaks Swedish and Elder White and I have been hoping to find out how we could learn Swedish. We have a member who we are hopping to ask if he could teach us. The pronunciation is super hard for me because a lot of the sounds are completely backwards compared to Finnish.
What happend the past few weeks was my companion and I ended up going on a small hike in to the wilderness. We left to go stop by a potential who lived out on the edge of the city. My companion ended up riding our bikes through farmland to get to him. It was super pretty. Elder White keeps telling me that I have to wait for the summers. When we got to our potentials home we were in the middle of the woods. We knocked on his door but he wasn't home. There was an old road that was right next to his house. I caught Elder White constantly looking over to the road. I personally wanted to go explore to see what was up it so I asked if he wanted to go up to see what it was. He quickly said that he was really wanting to go up it also. So we left our bikes and started up the road. I didn't feel like it was a wast of time which was the odd thing it felt like it was productive which was the main reason we decided to go on the hike. After walking for a few minutres on the road we ran into an older man walking in the opposite direction. We started to talk to him and we asked if he lived in the area and if he knew his neighbor (our potential investigator) He told us yes. For some weird reason I asked if he was the person we were looking for. He just looked at me a little startled and said yes and then he continued on his was down the trail. Elder WHite and I realized how odd that experience would have been for him. two young guys in the middle of the woods, on a train that's out of the way and where no houses are, asking him if he was someone we were looking for. We decided to continue down the trail so we wouldn't scare him. When we got to the end of the trail 10min latter we decided to turn back and try the door again. WHen we got back we tried his door and sure enough it was the man we met on the trail. We said who we were and asked if he remembered talking to missionaries previously (in town, Not in the woods!) and he said yes and then he asked if we spoke Swedish because the last missionary spoke Swedish with him... we told him no however he then invited us to come inside. He lived alone and has no children. He understands Finnish very well so we were all able to understand each other. He now is investigating the church and we got to stop by to see how he was doing twice this week! WHen we first walked in the previous time he told us what he learned from the Book of Mormon! I was not expecting him to say anything like that when we first got there but he just blew me out of the water! Now looking back I am glad we decided to go for a hike into the middle of the woods while contacting! I wouldn't recommend it to missionaries to missionaries unless guided otherwise.=) When I asked Elder White afterward he too said that it was something that he's never really done before, but the both of us had a random desire to follow a Forrest path which led us to some one now investigating the Gospel.
ALso thanks for the Finnish Information! It is more than stereotypical that they had a sauna number on it too! I am almost convinced that number is a little off and that there is more saunas in Finland than people. WHen you ask the Finns why Sauna is so big they just tell you ''On Pyhä Paika,'' (It's a holy place). It has been odd because many times have investigators and members not been able to meet or help out because of it a souna ilta (sauna night). Saunas just drive me insane.
Love you!
Josh Vanhin Cummings
March 17, 2014
Herro Famreh!
Thanks Mom for sending it to the office! I will get it soon.
Finland is cold again! the snow is coming back! I feel like we're in Utah!
I am very happy to say that all of the sudden Kokkola has had a lot happen! I came into the town with Elder White and he told me that the town hasn't had some one investigate the church in several months. Mostly the elders here have been working with less actives. The thing that is super cool is that right after being in Oulu, we got back and the phone rang. It turned out to be an American that we talked to on the train about a month ago. He gave us his number and told us he would be in Russia for some time but that he would call when he got back. We tried calling him last week but it turns out the number didn't exist. We were a little bumbed out. The next thing we know is that he called us and his number he gave us was only one number off. It was on Saturday and he asked where the chapel was and the very next day he came to church! And I got to translate for my first time! It wasn't easy at all... there was way too much from each talk I missed... After church he told us that when he was back in Pittsburg he had Mormon missionaries come visit and told us if we needed any extra help with contacting or teaching in English to give him a call! It was completely out of the blue. That same day an former investigator gave us a call and said he would be traveling to Oulu but he would call us when he got back so we could schedule an appointment with him.
During the Oulu Zone conference we learned that there are 5 large broadcasts about Mormon missionaries where reporters are making Easter specials by documenting missionary work and every single one will be on TV during Easter week! One started because a reporter for the largest news corporation in Finland saw two Sister missionaries and how they were talking to almost everyone they met. The reporter said she became interested when she saw how every person left the sister missionaries smiling.
To Audrey: I am happy too that Baba didn't sacrifice me either. What have you asked for your birthday?
This picture is the Gourlies from Utah, they're in the Northzone and are some of my favorite senior missionaries.
I love you all! I didn't see many questions so don't forget to email questions!
With rove,
Vanhin Cummings
Thanks Mom for sending it to the office! I will get it soon.
Finland is cold again! the snow is coming back! I feel like we're in Utah!
I am very happy to say that all of the sudden Kokkola has had a lot happen! I came into the town with Elder White and he told me that the town hasn't had some one investigate the church in several months. Mostly the elders here have been working with less actives. The thing that is super cool is that right after being in Oulu, we got back and the phone rang. It turned out to be an American that we talked to on the train about a month ago. He gave us his number and told us he would be in Russia for some time but that he would call when he got back. We tried calling him last week but it turns out the number didn't exist. We were a little bumbed out. The next thing we know is that he called us and his number he gave us was only one number off. It was on Saturday and he asked where the chapel was and the very next day he came to church! And I got to translate for my first time! It wasn't easy at all... there was way too much from each talk I missed... After church he told us that when he was back in Pittsburg he had Mormon missionaries come visit and told us if we needed any extra help with contacting or teaching in English to give him a call! It was completely out of the blue. That same day an former investigator gave us a call and said he would be traveling to Oulu but he would call us when he got back so we could schedule an appointment with him.
During the Oulu Zone conference we learned that there are 5 large broadcasts about Mormon missionaries where reporters are making Easter specials by documenting missionary work and every single one will be on TV during Easter week! One started because a reporter for the largest news corporation in Finland saw two Sister missionaries and how they were talking to almost everyone they met. The reporter said she became interested when she saw how every person left the sister missionaries smiling.
To Audrey: I am happy too that Baba didn't sacrifice me either. What have you asked for your birthday?
This picture is the Gourlies from Utah, they're in the Northzone and are some of my favorite senior missionaries.
I love you all! I didn't see many questions so don't forget to email questions!
With rove,
Vanhin Cummings
March 10, 2013
I haven't gone to the dentist yet, the docters office hasn't been open. I'll go soon! It's been hard to schedule a time because we travel a lot in the north zone! We are going to Oulu soon for Zone conference and we are having to stay there for over 2 days! It's fun to travel but at the same time it is a huge chunk of the week. I also loved your letter Quincey =). I actually have an hour and a half... =) But that also includes writing to President Rawlings and also to send in our progress information.
Elder White and I have traveled down to Pietarsaari ''Jacobstad,'' Vaasa and Seinäjoki since we've been together. We are on trains and buses a lot! My first week in Kokkola We learned that the following week was our districts turn for the 12 week fast. It was fun to beable to do it again. My companion and I worked on re organizing the map and doing paper work. It took so long... I got to draw on the map. We first thought that the information center would have a city map but the counter told us to try the local book store. We ended up going to several parts of town trying to hunt down where we could buy a map. At the city center we had to get a custom made map of the area! It is super cool and makes the apartment look professional.
I got to get going but I love you Fämrehh!
Vanhin Cummings
Elder White and I have traveled down to Pietarsaari ''Jacobstad,'' Vaasa and Seinäjoki since we've been together. We are on trains and buses a lot! My first week in Kokkola We learned that the following week was our districts turn for the 12 week fast. It was fun to beable to do it again. My companion and I worked on re organizing the map and doing paper work. It took so long... I got to draw on the map. We first thought that the information center would have a city map but the counter told us to try the local book store. We ended up going to several parts of town trying to hunt down where we could buy a map. At the city center we had to get a custom made map of the area! It is super cool and makes the apartment look professional.
I got to get going but I love you Fämrehh!
Vanhin Cummings
March 3, 2014
I can't believe that every single Hullinger, Westenskow, and Cummings girls have gotten so BIG!!! I'm so sad about this right now..... He eivät ole vouvia nyt... Vähän Ikävä.
It sounds like way to much is happening over there! Äläkää tehdä mitään! I really enjoyed the Christmas card you sent. I didn't get it yet so it was nice to see! I really enjoyed Audew's email, I can't believe she is turning ten! She's still 3 feet tall in my mind... and says A'gig'a'mei... Audrey, How tall are you now? What are you asking for you birthday?
My new area is super small! There is only me and Elder WHite here. We have to travel to Seinäjoki or sometimes Pietarsaari (Jacobstad in Swedish) for district meetings. We haven't gone down to Vaasa yet however it is in our mission zone. Our Zone leaders from Vaasa are coming up tomorrow for splits. We are planning to go to a members house in the morning to work on a house for a member! Kokkola has been having a lot of weird smells recently. Everyone we talk to says it is coming from our District leader's city Pietersaari because there is a paper factory that uses sulfer and it's carried by the wind to Kokkola. My first thoughts was that it was coming from Elder White, but I smelt it too often and then asked him what it was and ever since then we've both been pulling jokes about it. Elder White is from Grand Junction Colorado. Eli... Utah. =) (He jokes that Colorado is better than Utah but He also always says afterward that his town is technically on the Utahn border) now he is trying to revise it and he is saying it's close to the border. He has a younger brother and a younger sister. And he reminds me a lot of Anders...
The town is super windy. It hasn't been very cold but we don't have any snow. One thing that is cool is that the ground is green. Not like a lot of places, Finland's ground stays green though the whole winter. And in the forrests you can see all of the berry bushes! All of them are green still also. Almost nothing dies during the winter...
We had District meeting in our town recently and what is cool is that a former investigator came up to me and another missionary and told us how he has been reading from the Book of Mormon and he tries to read it every day! He is from Turkey and we see him a lot! It was a super cool thing that happend. Especially because my companion has been a little discouraged how slow everything has been in Kokkola and he said this was a very nice blessing to see a nonmember actively trying to read the Book of Mormon.
There is one thing that has been interesting and that is how much the Bible and the Book of Mormon talk about missionary work. Almost every title heading has had something to do with missionaries. I was reading in John and came a cross a story of when the Savior heals a nobleman's son and what seemed absolutly crazy to me was the faith of the nobleman. (John 4: 43-54) This nobleman heard about the Savior and he asked him to come visit his son, but what really humbles me is that the Savior only says to the man to go see his son and that he is healed. It says that the nobleman believes the Savior and goes his way and how it explains it it sounds like this man doesn't hear for quite some time until his own servants come to him and tell him that his son's fever is gone. The faith of this father is absolutly huge. What this taught me was that God knows what we are capable of and he has personally asked us to live by faith. For this Father, to him it was to believe on just the Savior's word that his son was healed. this ties directly to the principal found in Mosiah 8:18 ''Now God has prepaired a way by which people can, though faith, perform great miracles; therefor he will become a great benefit to the children of men,'' (If it's a little wrong it's because all I have on me is a Finnish Book of Mormon and I am still working on my Finnish...)
I love you all! If I missed some of your questions that means you have to write back next week !
ps. I guess that you could put Mosiah 8:18 on the plack if you want Mom.
Kuva Vanhin Whiteista ja Kokkolasta
It sounds like way to much is happening over there! Äläkää tehdä mitään! I really enjoyed the Christmas card you sent. I didn't get it yet so it was nice to see! I really enjoyed Audew's email, I can't believe she is turning ten! She's still 3 feet tall in my mind... and says A'gig'a'mei... Audrey, How tall are you now? What are you asking for you birthday?
My new area is super small! There is only me and Elder WHite here. We have to travel to Seinäjoki or sometimes Pietarsaari (Jacobstad in Swedish) for district meetings. We haven't gone down to Vaasa yet however it is in our mission zone. Our Zone leaders from Vaasa are coming up tomorrow for splits. We are planning to go to a members house in the morning to work on a house for a member! Kokkola has been having a lot of weird smells recently. Everyone we talk to says it is coming from our District leader's city Pietersaari because there is a paper factory that uses sulfer and it's carried by the wind to Kokkola. My first thoughts was that it was coming from Elder White, but I smelt it too often and then asked him what it was and ever since then we've both been pulling jokes about it. Elder White is from Grand Junction Colorado. Eli... Utah. =) (He jokes that Colorado is better than Utah but He also always says afterward that his town is technically on the Utahn border) now he is trying to revise it and he is saying it's close to the border. He has a younger brother and a younger sister. And he reminds me a lot of Anders...
The town is super windy. It hasn't been very cold but we don't have any snow. One thing that is cool is that the ground is green. Not like a lot of places, Finland's ground stays green though the whole winter. And in the forrests you can see all of the berry bushes! All of them are green still also. Almost nothing dies during the winter...
We had District meeting in our town recently and what is cool is that a former investigator came up to me and another missionary and told us how he has been reading from the Book of Mormon and he tries to read it every day! He is from Turkey and we see him a lot! It was a super cool thing that happend. Especially because my companion has been a little discouraged how slow everything has been in Kokkola and he said this was a very nice blessing to see a nonmember actively trying to read the Book of Mormon.
There is one thing that has been interesting and that is how much the Bible and the Book of Mormon talk about missionary work. Almost every title heading has had something to do with missionaries. I was reading in John and came a cross a story of when the Savior heals a nobleman's son and what seemed absolutly crazy to me was the faith of the nobleman. (John 4: 43-54) This nobleman heard about the Savior and he asked him to come visit his son, but what really humbles me is that the Savior only says to the man to go see his son and that he is healed. It says that the nobleman believes the Savior and goes his way and how it explains it it sounds like this man doesn't hear for quite some time until his own servants come to him and tell him that his son's fever is gone. The faith of this father is absolutly huge. What this taught me was that God knows what we are capable of and he has personally asked us to live by faith. For this Father, to him it was to believe on just the Savior's word that his son was healed. this ties directly to the principal found in Mosiah 8:18 ''Now God has prepaired a way by which people can, though faith, perform great miracles; therefor he will become a great benefit to the children of men,'' (If it's a little wrong it's because all I have on me is a Finnish Book of Mormon and I am still working on my Finnish...)
I love you all! If I missed some of your questions that means you have to write back next week !
ps. I guess that you could put Mosiah 8:18 on the plack if you want Mom.
Kuva Vanhin Whiteista ja Kokkolasta
february 25, 2014 - kokkola
Hey Family how is everyone!
I've been in Kokkola for about 3 days now. The ward here is about 40 people and it is right next to the water. I haven't seen the water yet though... I had to take the train to Tamere where I left my companion and road alone to Kokkola. I had a really fun time on the train. there was a young mom with her two kids and i was able to talk with them. For almost the whole train ride I was playing cars with their younger son. It was kind of funny because I asked which stop was Kokkola before and they said that they would help me get there. It was my first time figuring out travel on my own and I was a nervous. But when I started talking with them her 5 year old son grabed his backpack and very normaly walked over to my side of the train and started handing me cars. We didn't get to talk very much but we did talked about our families. After a while the couple siting behind me started talking with us. It started as a really quiet train ride ''normal Finnish train ride,'' to a really enjoyable ride. I got to see the couple siting behind me get off at the stop before mine and right when they got off the train they had grandkids waiting for them. I wasn't expecting that they were traveling to see family and they seemed pretty young to be a Grandpa and a Mumu.
In Kokkola we are hoping to have the family history lab be used more often. I guess the theme of this change if family. Here there hasn't been a lot of success recently, but the ward members really are great members who are willing to do missionary work! My Companion's name is Elder White and the people in Kokkola speak Finnish. I'm sorry Erin ;) there apparently are some people that speak Swedish but I haven't heard it yet. For some reason there are a few missionaries that just seem discouraged. I don't know why really but I hope that as a district we can help them.
Speaking of my district why did you ask about Sister Crandall? She is going to be with Sister Curtis (who served with us before in Jyväskylä) in the Helsinki area but I forgot where. There is about 5 districts in Helsinki and I am not sure where she is.
Hey Audrey! and Mom and Baba! has your present come yet? it should be on it's way
This is a really bad picture while I was on the train, We also built a snowman right out side our apartment, and this is our good by letter to me and Sister Crandall from the other sisters in Jyväskylä.
I've been in Kokkola for about 3 days now. The ward here is about 40 people and it is right next to the water. I haven't seen the water yet though... I had to take the train to Tamere where I left my companion and road alone to Kokkola. I had a really fun time on the train. there was a young mom with her two kids and i was able to talk with them. For almost the whole train ride I was playing cars with their younger son. It was kind of funny because I asked which stop was Kokkola before and they said that they would help me get there. It was my first time figuring out travel on my own and I was a nervous. But when I started talking with them her 5 year old son grabed his backpack and very normaly walked over to my side of the train and started handing me cars. We didn't get to talk very much but we did talked about our families. After a while the couple siting behind me started talking with us. It started as a really quiet train ride ''normal Finnish train ride,'' to a really enjoyable ride. I got to see the couple siting behind me get off at the stop before mine and right when they got off the train they had grandkids waiting for them. I wasn't expecting that they were traveling to see family and they seemed pretty young to be a Grandpa and a Mumu.
In Kokkola we are hoping to have the family history lab be used more often. I guess the theme of this change if family. Here there hasn't been a lot of success recently, but the ward members really are great members who are willing to do missionary work! My Companion's name is Elder White and the people in Kokkola speak Finnish. I'm sorry Erin ;) there apparently are some people that speak Swedish but I haven't heard it yet. For some reason there are a few missionaries that just seem discouraged. I don't know why really but I hope that as a district we can help them.
Speaking of my district why did you ask about Sister Crandall? She is going to be with Sister Curtis (who served with us before in Jyväskylä) in the Helsinki area but I forgot where. There is about 5 districts in Helsinki and I am not sure where she is.
Hey Audrey! and Mom and Baba! has your present come yet? it should be on it's way
This is a really bad picture while I was on the train, We also built a snowman right out side our apartment, and this is our good by letter to me and Sister Crandall from the other sisters in Jyväskylä.
February 17, 2014 - Six Month Mark
Hello from Jyväskylä! I just got my change call and I'm going more north! It's not too far but I'll be in a Finnish-Swedish speaking area right next to the sea! It's called Kokkola. The past few days was a little sad saying goodbye to everyone but Erin need's to know that I have a chance of learning ''Finnish influenced Swedish!''
To Audrey's Kysymyksia
My Valentine's day is great! I am packing everything up and I leave tomorrow. Elder Speirs just got a box of chocolate and it's almost gone He says he is sorry he's fat... I do remember Katelyn! It's so cool that you two are still friends! Tell her Happy Birthday. It's ''Paljon onnea vaan!'' or you can say Onneksi olkoon! How is Mom and Dad? Have you seen a lot of movies witht them?
This passed week, which inclueds Sundays in the Finnish calendar, elder Speirs and I got super lost in the Sister's area. We were at a members home and afterwards when we were going to the bus stop we learned we had long missed the bus. So several Kilometers from home we started to walk. There was absolutly no one on the street so we were in quite a pickle. We started walking in the direction that seemed like it would go to the city, as we were walkig we ran in to a lady out on a walk. We talked for a wile and she asked if she could walk with us. She was going home which was close to the Sisters and from there we would be able to find our way. We walked and it didn't seem so far but we ended up talking to this lady on our walk for over 2 hours! We got to the bridge that goes over the lake to the city and she told us out of the blue that in the near future she will hope to run into missionaries by chance so she could know if it is fate that she ran into missionaries. Elder Speirs thought she was just being romantic I thought she was great! When we got to the bridge we said a quiet prayer to see which side we should walk. After deciding we started walking and the first person we met was a university student. He was studying to be a speaker and at the end of our short meeting he accepted a Book of Mormon and told us that he will make time to read it. Also this week we went with the ward members to a free symphony at the concert hall they were having a free rehearsal showing. My companion left in a sad mood and I asked him what the matter was and we both agreed that all of the music was a bit depressing. Later that day we ended up teaching a lesson with a college student inside the university, it was super weird to be in a school but apparently the building was designed by Alvar Aalto.
I am trying to remember everything that really happend this week and it's still a blur from change calls... A lot of the week was Elder Speirs and I being lost. Yesterday, right after church we were asked by a ward member if we could go with him to give a blessing. We went and our whole day which was probably going to be fairly slow was changed completely. Brother Hansen drove us to a members home who is staying here from Alaska. She was with the Sisters and slipped on ice while she was helping the Sisters and they just came from a lesson. She tore a few ligaments and she told us that a few kids were videoing eachother snowboard and they caught her falling on camera. Because she is a recent convert she told us she didn't really know that you could ask for a blessing until the tumble happened. When we were there she asked if I could give her the blessing. I had to have help opening it from my companion because I have only given a blessing once before. We really don't know what it is that those around us need, but God does. I thought I said everything wrong in the blessing or that it would sound funny, but afterwards when when we removed our hands from her head she was crying. I don't really remember a lot I said but I do remember seeing her happy.
Pictures below:
This is the mission in Jyväskylä. Only sister Crandal (in the green) and i are leaving. Brother Pitkänen is our mission leader in Jyväskylä and he is the greatest! The first few days here was hard because he only speaks Finnish but he was able to baptise Jyrki while I was here!
To Audrey's Kysymyksia
My Valentine's day is great! I am packing everything up and I leave tomorrow. Elder Speirs just got a box of chocolate and it's almost gone He says he is sorry he's fat... I do remember Katelyn! It's so cool that you two are still friends! Tell her Happy Birthday. It's ''Paljon onnea vaan!'' or you can say Onneksi olkoon! How is Mom and Dad? Have you seen a lot of movies witht them?
This passed week, which inclueds Sundays in the Finnish calendar, elder Speirs and I got super lost in the Sister's area. We were at a members home and afterwards when we were going to the bus stop we learned we had long missed the bus. So several Kilometers from home we started to walk. There was absolutly no one on the street so we were in quite a pickle. We started walking in the direction that seemed like it would go to the city, as we were walkig we ran in to a lady out on a walk. We talked for a wile and she asked if she could walk with us. She was going home which was close to the Sisters and from there we would be able to find our way. We walked and it didn't seem so far but we ended up talking to this lady on our walk for over 2 hours! We got to the bridge that goes over the lake to the city and she told us out of the blue that in the near future she will hope to run into missionaries by chance so she could know if it is fate that she ran into missionaries. Elder Speirs thought she was just being romantic I thought she was great! When we got to the bridge we said a quiet prayer to see which side we should walk. After deciding we started walking and the first person we met was a university student. He was studying to be a speaker and at the end of our short meeting he accepted a Book of Mormon and told us that he will make time to read it. Also this week we went with the ward members to a free symphony at the concert hall they were having a free rehearsal showing. My companion left in a sad mood and I asked him what the matter was and we both agreed that all of the music was a bit depressing. Later that day we ended up teaching a lesson with a college student inside the university, it was super weird to be in a school but apparently the building was designed by Alvar Aalto.
I am trying to remember everything that really happend this week and it's still a blur from change calls... A lot of the week was Elder Speirs and I being lost. Yesterday, right after church we were asked by a ward member if we could go with him to give a blessing. We went and our whole day which was probably going to be fairly slow was changed completely. Brother Hansen drove us to a members home who is staying here from Alaska. She was with the Sisters and slipped on ice while she was helping the Sisters and they just came from a lesson. She tore a few ligaments and she told us that a few kids were videoing eachother snowboard and they caught her falling on camera. Because she is a recent convert she told us she didn't really know that you could ask for a blessing until the tumble happened. When we were there she asked if I could give her the blessing. I had to have help opening it from my companion because I have only given a blessing once before. We really don't know what it is that those around us need, but God does. I thought I said everything wrong in the blessing or that it would sound funny, but afterwards when when we removed our hands from her head she was crying. I don't really remember a lot I said but I do remember seeing her happy.
Pictures below:
This is the mission in Jyväskylä. Only sister Crandal (in the green) and i are leaving. Brother Pitkänen is our mission leader in Jyväskylä and he is the greatest! The first few days here was hard because he only speaks Finnish but he was able to baptise Jyrki while I was here!
february 11, 2014
Hello! sorry i'm so bad at answering questions... there is just a lot bouncing in my mind! so I guess you could use 2 Nephi 2:25. I know it's used a lot but no other scripture is coming to my mind that can explain more fully why I'm out here.
no niin... So this week was pretty humbling... There is one thing I understand well and that is I have no idea how do do missionary work! But at the same time I have no idea how much joy I have because of missionary work. This week my companionship found around 4 new investigators. One was from Afghanistan and was studying in Finland and two others were a new married couple that we found just moved to Jyväskylä. oh! and the last person was a investigator who moved here just recently who was being taught by the elders in Lahti. All of them are such cool people!
There was one lesson that was very important for elder Speirs and I to learn. We use numbers to see how the progress of our mission is doing, i.e number of new investigators etc... But one thing that stood out to us was that this work done without love is pointless. President Rawlings has aksed us when we are out talking to people, are we leaving them feeling better than before?
At times the work can get into a bad habit of being ''number grabby,'' or focused on our success. The hard lesson was that our success/ numbers is not what is important. It's the people we serve every day that is important.
That our Heavenly Father's work is done by love and we have been asked to do the same.
Missionary work becomes pretty awesoem when you do it with love.
One fun thing was that we celebrated a ward member's birthday at the church! What's funny is that the ward building is like another home to all of the members here. the kitchen is almost always occupied with the ward members eating and celebrating. It is one piece of Finnish culture that I really enjoy that the ward buildings are used almost every day. Some of the members live too far away so they plan to eat lunch and sometimes dinner at the church on Sundays. At the birthday we all sand and we also did some cup song thing that Myles has showed me before but I didn't know how to do it untill now. Some thing from Pitch perfect? probably?
We also ate at one of my favorite member's home this week! they're the grandparents in the ward, well at least one of them, and they told me that their name means a huge snow storm but the longer i've been out here the more i learned that this word is very debatable from being a blizzard to a light snow fall. A tuisku a twirl of snow. but Sisar t is one of my favorite in the ward. she told us that she was doing missionary work through facebook by liking church pages! Super awesome Mumu.
I Love you all!
Josh
no niin... So this week was pretty humbling... There is one thing I understand well and that is I have no idea how do do missionary work! But at the same time I have no idea how much joy I have because of missionary work. This week my companionship found around 4 new investigators. One was from Afghanistan and was studying in Finland and two others were a new married couple that we found just moved to Jyväskylä. oh! and the last person was a investigator who moved here just recently who was being taught by the elders in Lahti. All of them are such cool people!
There was one lesson that was very important for elder Speirs and I to learn. We use numbers to see how the progress of our mission is doing, i.e number of new investigators etc... But one thing that stood out to us was that this work done without love is pointless. President Rawlings has aksed us when we are out talking to people, are we leaving them feeling better than before?
At times the work can get into a bad habit of being ''number grabby,'' or focused on our success. The hard lesson was that our success/ numbers is not what is important. It's the people we serve every day that is important.
That our Heavenly Father's work is done by love and we have been asked to do the same.
Missionary work becomes pretty awesoem when you do it with love.
One fun thing was that we celebrated a ward member's birthday at the church! What's funny is that the ward building is like another home to all of the members here. the kitchen is almost always occupied with the ward members eating and celebrating. It is one piece of Finnish culture that I really enjoy that the ward buildings are used almost every day. Some of the members live too far away so they plan to eat lunch and sometimes dinner at the church on Sundays. At the birthday we all sand and we also did some cup song thing that Myles has showed me before but I didn't know how to do it untill now. Some thing from Pitch perfect? probably?
We also ate at one of my favorite member's home this week! they're the grandparents in the ward, well at least one of them, and they told me that their name means a huge snow storm but the longer i've been out here the more i learned that this word is very debatable from being a blizzard to a light snow fall. A tuisku a twirl of snow. but Sisar t is one of my favorite in the ward. she told us that she was doing missionary work through facebook by liking church pages! Super awesome Mumu.
I Love you all!
Josh
letter from Joshua's companion Elder Speirs - 2-11-14
Josh wanted me to share with you a little of what we have been doing.
We wanted to go up to a specific area to stop by a few potentials and our less active family, but after 30 minutes of knocking their doors, and a few doors around each side, nothing happened. We walked down to the corner of the road, really confused. We tried to figure out a few places to go, and none of them felt right, the only thing that felt good was wait for the next bus and head back to the center. Kind of a dumb thought, but we just decided to go for it. We hopped on the next bus, hopping their would be somone waiting for us inside, we found the bus to be empty. As the bus was heading down the road, we were praying to figure out what to do. The thought came to our minds to stop by a former who we found almost 9 weeks ago. We hopped off the bus, and knocked his door. He answers and immediately told us no, because he had guests, his daughter came up from behind and said, oh that's fine, come on inside. We walked into this groupd of about 16 people, and sat down. Come to find out, it was a Bah'ai faith's worship service. They don't have alot of People here in Finland, so they meet just in this man's home. As we walked in, a woman immediately stood up and said, I have seomthing really good to say about you mormons. She went on to talk about how her father was really good friends with a Mormon man from Utah who owned a big chain of stores, and This man actually flew out with his family to Finland to attend her father's funeral a few years ago. This got the people interested, and after the very end of the service, they offered us tea, we said no and the very kind woman explained about the Word of Wisdom, and then people started to ask questions. Very simply, this turned into a very powerful discussion about the Plan of Salvation and how everything falls back to Love. I don't know why we were guided there, but as we humbly followed, we found an opportunity to literally stand as a witness of our savior.
Yesterday, Elder Cummings was not feeling well, so we went to church partook of the sacrament and came home. At about five o clock, he felt as though he was good enough that we could go outside and do a little work that evening. In my mind, I was feeling as though we should go to Myllyjärvi, an area where we are bound to get a few teaches before the night is over. We decided we should pray and find out what the Lord would ahve us to do, and upon doing so, for some odd reason, we felt we needed to go back to the area we were in Saturday night, in which we had literally just stopped by everyone we could teach there the night before. We felt good about it, so we headed out. We get to the area, and the first door we knock on, our potential (whom we have tried to get in contact with for the past three weeks) opens up, invites us right in, and we have a great discussion about family and the restoration with her and her husband. We are stopping by Wednesday evening to discuss more. One teach for the night, 2 new investigators, a potential family, and future leaders in the church. The Lord truly does know best.
Your son is such a stud! You should way proud of him, I love the kid to death! He has taught me so much during these past 9 weeks!
Vanhin Speirs
We wanted to go up to a specific area to stop by a few potentials and our less active family, but after 30 minutes of knocking their doors, and a few doors around each side, nothing happened. We walked down to the corner of the road, really confused. We tried to figure out a few places to go, and none of them felt right, the only thing that felt good was wait for the next bus and head back to the center. Kind of a dumb thought, but we just decided to go for it. We hopped on the next bus, hopping their would be somone waiting for us inside, we found the bus to be empty. As the bus was heading down the road, we were praying to figure out what to do. The thought came to our minds to stop by a former who we found almost 9 weeks ago. We hopped off the bus, and knocked his door. He answers and immediately told us no, because he had guests, his daughter came up from behind and said, oh that's fine, come on inside. We walked into this groupd of about 16 people, and sat down. Come to find out, it was a Bah'ai faith's worship service. They don't have alot of People here in Finland, so they meet just in this man's home. As we walked in, a woman immediately stood up and said, I have seomthing really good to say about you mormons. She went on to talk about how her father was really good friends with a Mormon man from Utah who owned a big chain of stores, and This man actually flew out with his family to Finland to attend her father's funeral a few years ago. This got the people interested, and after the very end of the service, they offered us tea, we said no and the very kind woman explained about the Word of Wisdom, and then people started to ask questions. Very simply, this turned into a very powerful discussion about the Plan of Salvation and how everything falls back to Love. I don't know why we were guided there, but as we humbly followed, we found an opportunity to literally stand as a witness of our savior.
Yesterday, Elder Cummings was not feeling well, so we went to church partook of the sacrament and came home. At about five o clock, he felt as though he was good enough that we could go outside and do a little work that evening. In my mind, I was feeling as though we should go to Myllyjärvi, an area where we are bound to get a few teaches before the night is over. We decided we should pray and find out what the Lord would ahve us to do, and upon doing so, for some odd reason, we felt we needed to go back to the area we were in Saturday night, in which we had literally just stopped by everyone we could teach there the night before. We felt good about it, so we headed out. We get to the area, and the first door we knock on, our potential (whom we have tried to get in contact with for the past three weeks) opens up, invites us right in, and we have a great discussion about family and the restoration with her and her husband. We are stopping by Wednesday evening to discuss more. One teach for the night, 2 new investigators, a potential family, and future leaders in the church. The Lord truly does know best.
Your son is such a stud! You should way proud of him, I love the kid to death! He has taught me so much during these past 9 weeks!
Vanhin Speirs
february 3, 2014
I was in Tampere this week! Elder Speirs and I took the train and had splits with our Zone Leaders. The city was huge! We took the bus and spent most of our time at first trying potential families and we ended up in a student housing complex. It was super weird working in Tampere because the Elders have two GPS systems and and a car! super crazy! In Jyväskylä we are still compåleatly pen and paper, but it is super exciting to see the mission changing already!
Back in Jyväskylä we have been focusing on what praying always means. We were hoping to go visit a family that we met a while before, but the lesson fell through. They wern't home. So we spent our time tracting and we tracted 10 doors and every door people just opend their door and then instantly closed it after seeing our badges. SO I was pretty discouraged. But the last two doors were two wonderful people, one was a Fin who was a Lutherin and we talked about prayer and the second was a older man from Iraq. He moved here because of the violence adn he spoke very broken English and no Finnish. he remembers his English from when he was in School where he took one year of it and that all the schooling he had. Instantly he invited us in and offerd us food! We were able to show him pictures of our families and he showed us his who were still in Iraq. he hasn't seen his family for 17 years. It is a miracle that we were able to talk to him. After leaving and now that I look back i feel like that's where we were needing to be. I guess this doesn't relate very well to praying allways , but what it means is always being listening to what God wants us to do.
I love you all! and I hope You'll pick Bear up soon!
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Cummings
january 20, 2014
Hello! how's the jet lag coming? I bet great! guess what Family! I just experienced the feeling of having my eyelids freeze! Eli... The cold is finally on it's way! One of our Investigating families (from the states) said that it is their first year experiencing the winter blues. We haven't had any snow on the ground and so it's been darker then normal. It really hasn't snowed here but we now have snow on the ground and it's all from the moisture in the air freezing!
So besides the weather... It has been an awesome week! The biggest thing that my companion and I learned this week was that missionary work means inviting! We were talking to a father pushing his little 4 year old girl to the store and we started talking to him how the gospel can help him become closer to his family. It was far below zero and I didn't want them to get cold so I asked if we could stop by to visit them. What supprized me more was that the dad instantly said yes and said ''Let me give you our address,'' The family is from Finland and it is definitely not Finnish culture to be the one to offer giving their address. This happened right next to that American families home and we are planning to go see both families soon!
One funny thing that happened this week was that elder Speirs and I visited the Free Church. It's non-denominational but the majority of people who visit it are Pentecostal. We were invited to go with one of our investigators. he's a younger kid who is super great and he comes to a lot of ward activities and meet the sisters right next to the chapel. The activity was a thing called urban light where a young Päster (I don't know how to spell it...) was explaining scriptures and explaining how we can relate to each in our own time. After wards there was a Christian rock band that played two songs for everyone and we got to stand with everyone and sing a long. It was super fun and I'm glad our investigator was happy we came. After the rocking out a young lady bore her testimony. I noticed that some of the crowd were whispering and when I started listening closer it sounded like Arabic... Our investigator leaned over to us and told us that it's the gift of tongues. the testimony was very sweet and everything that I understood were things that were indeed normal and loving things. Afterward the Päster talked with us and we talked about why we decided to come on missions. He was very kind and asked a lot about how we have seen God's hand in our lives. It was a super fun experience and probably the most different experience I have had when it comes to religion. That sounds probably ridiculous, but this is the most exposed I have been to other Christian religions. It's eye opening to how different we really are and yes it is funny at times how weird we Mormons are.
I hope to here from everyone soon!
I love you all and I know i need to be better at answering questions...
Rakaudella, (with love)
Elder Jush Cummings
So besides the weather... It has been an awesome week! The biggest thing that my companion and I learned this week was that missionary work means inviting! We were talking to a father pushing his little 4 year old girl to the store and we started talking to him how the gospel can help him become closer to his family. It was far below zero and I didn't want them to get cold so I asked if we could stop by to visit them. What supprized me more was that the dad instantly said yes and said ''Let me give you our address,'' The family is from Finland and it is definitely not Finnish culture to be the one to offer giving their address. This happened right next to that American families home and we are planning to go see both families soon!
One funny thing that happened this week was that elder Speirs and I visited the Free Church. It's non-denominational but the majority of people who visit it are Pentecostal. We were invited to go with one of our investigators. he's a younger kid who is super great and he comes to a lot of ward activities and meet the sisters right next to the chapel. The activity was a thing called urban light where a young Päster (I don't know how to spell it...) was explaining scriptures and explaining how we can relate to each in our own time. After wards there was a Christian rock band that played two songs for everyone and we got to stand with everyone and sing a long. It was super fun and I'm glad our investigator was happy we came. After the rocking out a young lady bore her testimony. I noticed that some of the crowd were whispering and when I started listening closer it sounded like Arabic... Our investigator leaned over to us and told us that it's the gift of tongues. the testimony was very sweet and everything that I understood were things that were indeed normal and loving things. Afterward the Päster talked with us and we talked about why we decided to come on missions. He was very kind and asked a lot about how we have seen God's hand in our lives. It was a super fun experience and probably the most different experience I have had when it comes to religion. That sounds probably ridiculous, but this is the most exposed I have been to other Christian religions. It's eye opening to how different we really are and yes it is funny at times how weird we Mormons are.
I hope to here from everyone soon!
I love you all and I know i need to be better at answering questions...
Rakaudella, (with love)
Elder Jush Cummings
January 13, 2014
mmmmajesty... I am really craving a mango...
It sounds like the trip has been super awesome! I am not too sure if I had any leeches when I was young except that one time. I am definatly missing you all and so happy how all you are doing!
So this last week President Rawlings asked us to do a Mission fast for every city for 12 weeks. He has been thinging about it and decided that Jyväskylä out of all places will be the fist one the mission will fast for! When he fist explained it to us he said that the mission needs to work in unity and hope that everyone in the mission can acheive their goals so while one district fasts, all the other districts will receive an email on the fasting district's vision for the area. We told the members that the mission was planning on doing this and the whole ward jumped on board. The Bishop said that he'll anounce it in sacrament that the ward can join and the stake president yelled ''I'm in!'' In English. Out of everything the ward here needs it. There is a lot of members doing a lot of missionary work, including the fact that some members have more that one calling. And there are some members who really want to start inviting friends and families to church but because of bad experiences are a little hesitent. This fast to unite the mission has already helped the ward, expecially the members who have had a hard time with missionary work become excited and hopeful. The idea has given a lot of hope to the whole ward. There are 4 different families scheduled on each day of the week who said that they will be fasting. The attitude on missionary work in Jyväskylä changed in a day. So I am really excited to see what the Members will be doing!
And The food has been getting better! We hope to organize a fiesta for the ward sometime, with the change so they can have an easier way to invite friends to the Church.
I have absolutly been loving Finland! Our recent convert just passed the sacrament for the first time and we found a younger man who came to church yesterday!
It Just started to get cold so I am looking for a better winter coat. It was only -11´c last time but it feels way colder! We are getting closer to the longest night in the year but our days now are almost compleatly in the dark!
I hope to here that Audrey is having a fun time making faces at people when I wright next time and I love you all!
Rakaudella,
Vanhin Cummings
January 7, 2014
We have just figured out the computers. The only problem is we don't have too much time. I will write more soon. This week we helped out a youth conference and taught a class. it was completely in Finnish and we met a girl from the states. She's a member who has been staying with a nonmember family that speaks no English. In the class we asked them to wright their testimonies or if the haven't read the book to wright their thoughts on what the think it. And we had no English copy to give to her. We gave her a paper to wright it down and after wards she told us that she has no one who speaks English in the town she is staying in that she knows that she can give her testimony to. The only thing she knows she can do is be an example of someone willing to love every one. As members and missionaries our duty is the same. When Christ taught people he first addressed their needs and he love them. I know missionary work is hard and Mom you've been sharing a lot more that 6 testimonies in a year. I am so proud of all of you because you all have been testimonies to me and help me choose to go on a mission. Since Chinese new Year is in a few days (i think) I want to Challenge you Mom to share your testimony 6 times a week. This doesn't mean you have to say ''I know or I believe'' just say what is true to every one you meet and be ready to love everyone you meet. If you do this I promise to do the same because I am defiantly a missionary that can do better.
I Love you all!
I Love you all!
January 3, 2014
Hello! I'm sorry I didn't email last monday. The computers were not connecting. mutta... olen tällä nyt! I am super happy that all of you were together! Elder Speirs and I had several lovely days of puhdistus! (cleaning) and visiting members!
It's crazy how many things just started to work out. We haven't gone shopping for food for about 2 weeks because the stores have been closed on the days we can go. But we some how, at every meal, have enough for the both of us. This morning is an example of this. I found beans and flour in our appartment, and a crazy idea came to my mind to make white bean pancakes. I need to thank you Qc! beans can be used for eggs!
Josh
It's crazy how many things just started to work out. We haven't gone shopping for food for about 2 weeks because the stores have been closed on the days we can go. But we some how, at every meal, have enough for the both of us. This morning is an example of this. I found beans and flour in our appartment, and a crazy idea came to my mind to make white bean pancakes. I need to thank you Qc! beans can be used for eggs!
Josh
december 23, 2013
Christmas has been a blast! The sad thing is that it's super warm in Jyväskylä and all of our snow has melted ... eli... (in other words) It gets super dark when the sun goes down. My companion is Elder Speirs from Idaho. He has spent his whole mission in Rovaniemi for 10 months and this is his first city, pretty awesome! He been super great and we get super lost in the city all the time. We usually take the bus or ride bikes. We don't have a car. I have had a lot of glögi and many potatoes for Christmas. We did start our celebration with a recent baptism! We are skyping at his house so you'll meet him soon!
Audrey, you are looking super tall! Do you like Hong Kong? Guess what? A member in the ward gave me socks for Christmas and they say Hong Kong on them! pretty crazy! I hope you and Erin aren't too jet lagged =)
I don't like being jet lagged, I fell asleep the first day in Jyväskylä during an important meeting with the bishop. But they were kind enough to let me sleep. It has been really pretty here! The sun has been out every day. I can't seem to put any pictures on the computer because it's acting all funny. I'll try to put them up.
I hope that Kim and Bill have been nice! Tell them I love them.
and that I love you too!
I have Finnish things to send home but I don't know when you'll be back home so... quick question... what is Quincey's and Mitch's mail address? That is the only hint I am giving all of you but these things are for wearing so baba you need to start wearing it.
Audrey, you are looking super tall! Do you like Hong Kong? Guess what? A member in the ward gave me socks for Christmas and they say Hong Kong on them! pretty crazy! I hope you and Erin aren't too jet lagged =)
I don't like being jet lagged, I fell asleep the first day in Jyväskylä during an important meeting with the bishop. But they were kind enough to let me sleep. It has been really pretty here! The sun has been out every day. I can't seem to put any pictures on the computer because it's acting all funny. I'll try to put them up.
I hope that Kim and Bill have been nice! Tell them I love them.
and that I love you too!
I have Finnish things to send home but I don't know when you'll be back home so... quick question... what is Quincey's and Mitch's mail address? That is the only hint I am giving all of you but these things are for wearing so baba you need to start wearing it.
december 16,2013
I'm super happy that Bridger gave his talk already! I also really appreciated what you wrote Baba. It's really nice to hear about things like this! I had to tell my companion about Jack. Elder Cook leaves for home on Thursday. Tuesday we are going to Tampere to meet with the other elders he was with in the mtc. I meet my new companion, Elder Speirs, who has been in Rovianiemi most of his mission. This will be his first big city! I'll be missing Elder Cook. You should call him some time and meet his family! He was not a ''trunky'' missionary. I guess he showed me how not to become lazy just because I would be leaving in a few days. The only problem is that he has is that he needs to pack... and we are out of time! Last week we ran into a man right next to our apartment. We both walked up to him and asked how he was doing. He told us ''very bad,'' We ended up talking to him for a while. He has been through a lot. From what he said and how he looked I wondered If he was living off a government support salary. He had non matching gloves, one look like it was an old hat made into a glove and the other was an old leather glove with a few holes. He told us that he didn't understand why all these things were happening to him. He said that he has looked up Mormons before and he said he was very interested. He gave us all the information he had so we could contact him and we made sure he had our number and the church's address. I don't think he has a phone that works because every time we call his phone it says it's off. But we found his home and are hoping to see him soon.
So I don't know what day it will be but I'll be able to skype on the 25th. I'll be at Jyrki's home and it's just going to be him Elder Speirs and me. and of coarse Otso (the dog)
It's going to be great!
Do you think I could get Myles, Josh Matt's and Bridger's new email? I'm sorry for asking this but It never crossed my mind until I left...
Audrey, Mitä Kuuluu! (how are you!) How much snow is there in Park City? In Jyväskylä there's only a few inches... the snow is slow this year...
I love you all very much!
Rakaudella,
Josh
Vanhin Cummings
So I don't know what day it will be but I'll be able to skype on the 25th. I'll be at Jyrki's home and it's just going to be him Elder Speirs and me. and of coarse Otso (the dog)
It's going to be great!
Do you think I could get Myles, Josh Matt's and Bridger's new email? I'm sorry for asking this but It never crossed my mind until I left...
Audrey, Mitä Kuuluu! (how are you!) How much snow is there in Park City? In Jyväskylä there's only a few inches... the snow is slow this year...
I love you all very much!
Rakaudella,
Josh
Vanhin Cummings
december 9, 2013
I am very glad to hear that it's colder in Park City than here! The weather is just normal here. It snows everyday but not like home. There really is no such thing as a blizzard here. Helsinki was very helpful, President Rawlings has this meeting (Interim) for all of the new missionaries and their trainers. He did mention what the mission will be using in the future social media, but he also announced that we are the missionaries that will only see the beginning of the change. We are a paper and pen mission and will probably be like this for my whole stay. One thing that was cool was that elder Cook and I were the only ones who got to stay at president's house. It went for 3 days and after 6pm on each day we would go out on splits.
When we got back to Jyväskylä we realized we didn't plan very well because our bus passes were overdue, it was Finland's Independence day and the bus office would only be open on Monday. So he had some fun riding our bikes in the snow. It was super hard because I was using an old bike with bald tiers. We had to fix it up because it was an old abandond bike that was on the verge of disintigrating... Moral of the story... I may need a bike. Elder Cook has one and is going give it to me, it's super nice of him.
For Christmas I am able to Skype on the 25th at a member's house. Can you send me your skype information? I'll email the time that will work best but the time is going to be Finnish time.
Thank you so much for all of the pictures. I loved Audrey's cowgirl costume. Audrey, are those real boots? I can't wait to see all of you and I love you all.
Rakaudella, Vanhin Cummings
When we got back to Jyväskylä we realized we didn't plan very well because our bus passes were overdue, it was Finland's Independence day and the bus office would only be open on Monday. So he had some fun riding our bikes in the snow. It was super hard because I was using an old bike with bald tiers. We had to fix it up because it was an old abandond bike that was on the verge of disintigrating... Moral of the story... I may need a bike. Elder Cook has one and is going give it to me, it's super nice of him.
For Christmas I am able to Skype on the 25th at a member's house. Can you send me your skype information? I'll email the time that will work best but the time is going to be Finnish time.
Thank you so much for all of the pictures. I loved Audrey's cowgirl costume. Audrey, are those real boots? I can't wait to see all of you and I love you all.
Rakaudella, Vanhin Cummings
christmas letter - December 2, 2013
Nov. 25, 2013
Dear Family,
Well, we have just had a crazy week! We have had so much happen that I just don't know where to start...
So, Elder Cook and I travel mostly on the buses in Jyväskylä. The bus system is super rediculous to figure out. Our first month was mayhem trying to figure it out, so we could get to our lessons for that day. We have only one bike and I will be buying it from elder Cook.
So one cool thing that happend this week is that we had exchanges in our city! We have 4 elders total, and now we have several new investigators just from that one day! We ate at a kebab restaurant and I felt sick the rest of the day. Kebab is a Turkish meat fast food place, and it is disgusting, but the elders that came to Jyväskylä love it. All of us felt sick that day and I have vowed to never go back when I have the opportunity.
A few days later Elder Cook and I decided to end the day trackting. We were in a little omma koti neighborhood by the hospital. These neighborhoods are my favorite because the houses are about the size of Quincey and Mitche's cabin/home. Before we got to work, we said a quick prayer in a quiet spot and I remember that we asked if we could find someone who was in need of comfort. Some one who is going though a trial. So after that we tried three houses. The first one the person was not interested and just closed the door after seeing who we were. The next house was super odd because it was a young couple that was heading out to a concert and we didn't talk to them for very long, but the last house was the best.
It was a fenced house right next to the hill that the hospital was on. A little lady, about 3' tall answered the door. Right away she invited us in. She spoke 6 languages and told us that she loves speaking in English, so our whole conversation was in Brittish Engligh. She said she prefers Brittish English than American English. She was married and her husband was watching a movie in the other room while we talked to her in her mud room. She told us that she was very happy that we stoped by and she appologized because her eyes were a little puffy. She said she has been crying because she has been having to go to the hospital a lot recently. She has bronchitis and she has been though a lot. She told us that she wanted us to come back and told us what days she was home. She also told us before that she was an inspirational speaker for little people who are trying to overcome depression. The day we met her, elder Cook and I had near to no succes. She was my favorite part of the day. We are planning on trying to visit her soon this week.
For Thanksgiving we're going to an American family's home. They are in Jyväskylä for work and they are such a sweet family and also quite American.
Also for Christmas Elder Cook and I may go over to Jyrki's home to skype. Jyrki is a soon to be member and you'll love him. He speaks English, but it's just in a Finnish way so I don't know if you will be able to understand him.
How is the new ward? I saw Audrey's hogan house! It's way better than mine was! Oh I sent your Christmas present a little early so don't eat it right away! It's a Finnish Joulu thing and it only comes out during Christmas time!
Hope you like it!
Your sentance means ''Lots of happiness and success in Finland!'' Kiitos!
Rakaudella,
Josh
Well, we have just had a crazy week! We have had so much happen that I just don't know where to start...
So, Elder Cook and I travel mostly on the buses in Jyväskylä. The bus system is super rediculous to figure out. Our first month was mayhem trying to figure it out, so we could get to our lessons for that day. We have only one bike and I will be buying it from elder Cook.
So one cool thing that happend this week is that we had exchanges in our city! We have 4 elders total, and now we have several new investigators just from that one day! We ate at a kebab restaurant and I felt sick the rest of the day. Kebab is a Turkish meat fast food place, and it is disgusting, but the elders that came to Jyväskylä love it. All of us felt sick that day and I have vowed to never go back when I have the opportunity.
A few days later Elder Cook and I decided to end the day trackting. We were in a little omma koti neighborhood by the hospital. These neighborhoods are my favorite because the houses are about the size of Quincey and Mitche's cabin/home. Before we got to work, we said a quick prayer in a quiet spot and I remember that we asked if we could find someone who was in need of comfort. Some one who is going though a trial. So after that we tried three houses. The first one the person was not interested and just closed the door after seeing who we were. The next house was super odd because it was a young couple that was heading out to a concert and we didn't talk to them for very long, but the last house was the best.
It was a fenced house right next to the hill that the hospital was on. A little lady, about 3' tall answered the door. Right away she invited us in. She spoke 6 languages and told us that she loves speaking in English, so our whole conversation was in Brittish Engligh. She said she prefers Brittish English than American English. She was married and her husband was watching a movie in the other room while we talked to her in her mud room. She told us that she was very happy that we stoped by and she appologized because her eyes were a little puffy. She said she has been crying because she has been having to go to the hospital a lot recently. She has bronchitis and she has been though a lot. She told us that she wanted us to come back and told us what days she was home. She also told us before that she was an inspirational speaker for little people who are trying to overcome depression. The day we met her, elder Cook and I had near to no succes. She was my favorite part of the day. We are planning on trying to visit her soon this week.
For Thanksgiving we're going to an American family's home. They are in Jyväskylä for work and they are such a sweet family and also quite American.
Also for Christmas Elder Cook and I may go over to Jyrki's home to skype. Jyrki is a soon to be member and you'll love him. He speaks English, but it's just in a Finnish way so I don't know if you will be able to understand him.
How is the new ward? I saw Audrey's hogan house! It's way better than mine was! Oh I sent your Christmas present a little early so don't eat it right away! It's a Finnish Joulu thing and it only comes out during Christmas time!
Hope you like it!
Your sentance means ''Lots of happiness and success in Finland!'' Kiitos!
Rakaudella,
Josh
Nov. 18, 2013
No niin!
I do remember the 4th grade randeveiw... I spelled that word wrong... Sky Moonie made giraffes out of Popsicle sticks ! Audrey will love it. So a little bit about the mission.,there is over 120 missionaries here. Just to give you an idea on how it changed from 60 to 120 missionaries, is that my companion Elder Cook from Wellsville (small town out of Logan... I told you the wrong city). During his one year mark it has doubled in one year! We have been averaging about 3 new investigators a week or more. I forget a lot of the time that the mission was different awhile back. We just went to stake conference the other day down in Tampare. We go down there a lot because our zone meetings are down there. We had two investigators come with us. There was only one talk that I understood and it was from a church leader from Italy. His talk was on focusing on what you have and not on what you don't have. That what you have should be consecrated unto the Lord. We talked with both of our investigators and both said that it was their favorite talk. It's basically Christmas already here! So many lights are up, including this triangle with candles that is in every window! It's a Finnish thing. We had Finnish Christmas cookies with a member family the other day. It was super awesome! I still think the food here is a little bland. The Fins are fans of Hamburger meat and it's in almost every meal... but it is way better than kebab! The Finns defiantly make everything worth it, except with the food.
I do remember the 4th grade randeveiw... I spelled that word wrong... Sky Moonie made giraffes out of Popsicle sticks ! Audrey will love it. So a little bit about the mission.,there is over 120 missionaries here. Just to give you an idea on how it changed from 60 to 120 missionaries, is that my companion Elder Cook from Wellsville (small town out of Logan... I told you the wrong city). During his one year mark it has doubled in one year! We have been averaging about 3 new investigators a week or more. I forget a lot of the time that the mission was different awhile back. We just went to stake conference the other day down in Tampare. We go down there a lot because our zone meetings are down there. We had two investigators come with us. There was only one talk that I understood and it was from a church leader from Italy. His talk was on focusing on what you have and not on what you don't have. That what you have should be consecrated unto the Lord. We talked with both of our investigators and both said that it was their favorite talk. It's basically Christmas already here! So many lights are up, including this triangle with candles that is in every window! It's a Finnish thing. We had Finnish Christmas cookies with a member family the other day. It was super awesome! I still think the food here is a little bland. The Fins are fans of Hamburger meat and it's in almost every meal... but it is way better than kebab! The Finns defiantly make everything worth it, except with the food.
Nov. 11, 2013
Tervei!
So too much happens during the weeks... The sun is still out but it's pitch black at about 4:30! I'm super happy to hear from you all! I didn't know that you moved wards either! I did get your package and a surprise from the Hinrichs! Kiitoksia ruokasta! Oh by the way I had a funny experience during a dinner appointment. My companion and I were invited to eat at a member's home. They have the missionaries over every friday and they rotate with the sisters and us. This was our fist time with them at their home. This family is without a doubt my favorite in the ward. The one thing I learned is that the Finns don't stop feeding you... we were given hamburger soup (2 huge servings), a sandwich (which it was my own fault for taking one from the table) and the hugest slice of cake I have ever seen! Sister R. was super sweet and she baked a whole cake for us. It was easily a foot and a half wide and just as tall. the slices she gave us were about a forth of it! so after stuffing our bellies (because it's rude to leave things on your plate) After the food Veli R. asked if we could sing a hymm. We started and we all realized that nobody knew the tune. We sang all three verses and the song was basically in our own melodies. we talked about how the savior is the rock of our salvation and both Veli and Sisar R. were the ones teaching us. The Members here is so great! Each family is so different and each has quirks that tend to make your day.
Please tell Grandpa that I hope his surgery will go well and I hope to hear form them soon.
Audrey! I absolutely loved your present! It was so well made! Guess what! it snowed! It didn't stay on the ground but it means it's getting colder! I found and old coat in the apartment and now it is my best friend when it's cold! Which it's cold all the time! Elder Cook and I walked in the sun for the first time today! We are in the center of the city and it's super hard for the sun to shine like it does back home. It's like it's morning all day long! I am super happy you found a friend from China! I got to talk to two students from GuangZhoe!
I love you and want to hear back about your crazy adventures!
Bridger! Have you left yet? if you did i hope this gets to your family! The mtc time goes super fast and can seem like it's not that useful. It is super useful! it gets boring at times, but when your out you will find that a lot of the ideas they give you will be super helpful in the field. My companion had so much more success when we follow Preach My Gospel. I may sound super lame right now but what I am telling you will help you! Thank you for the thanksgiving supplies! they were super awesome! there is an American who in in Jyväskylä right now and he has invited all the missionaries over for Thanksgiving. Ihana! You will realize that there is just no time for the things you need to do. Just remember that God has sent you to succeed, not to fail. Hope for the best B!
So too much happens during the weeks... The sun is still out but it's pitch black at about 4:30! I'm super happy to hear from you all! I didn't know that you moved wards either! I did get your package and a surprise from the Hinrichs! Kiitoksia ruokasta! Oh by the way I had a funny experience during a dinner appointment. My companion and I were invited to eat at a member's home. They have the missionaries over every friday and they rotate with the sisters and us. This was our fist time with them at their home. This family is without a doubt my favorite in the ward. The one thing I learned is that the Finns don't stop feeding you... we were given hamburger soup (2 huge servings), a sandwich (which it was my own fault for taking one from the table) and the hugest slice of cake I have ever seen! Sister R. was super sweet and she baked a whole cake for us. It was easily a foot and a half wide and just as tall. the slices she gave us were about a forth of it! so after stuffing our bellies (because it's rude to leave things on your plate) After the food Veli R. asked if we could sing a hymm. We started and we all realized that nobody knew the tune. We sang all three verses and the song was basically in our own melodies. we talked about how the savior is the rock of our salvation and both Veli and Sisar R. were the ones teaching us. The Members here is so great! Each family is so different and each has quirks that tend to make your day.
Please tell Grandpa that I hope his surgery will go well and I hope to hear form them soon.
Audrey! I absolutely loved your present! It was so well made! Guess what! it snowed! It didn't stay on the ground but it means it's getting colder! I found and old coat in the apartment and now it is my best friend when it's cold! Which it's cold all the time! Elder Cook and I walked in the sun for the first time today! We are in the center of the city and it's super hard for the sun to shine like it does back home. It's like it's morning all day long! I am super happy you found a friend from China! I got to talk to two students from GuangZhoe!
I love you and want to hear back about your crazy adventures!
Bridger! Have you left yet? if you did i hope this gets to your family! The mtc time goes super fast and can seem like it's not that useful. It is super useful! it gets boring at times, but when your out you will find that a lot of the ideas they give you will be super helpful in the field. My companion had so much more success when we follow Preach My Gospel. I may sound super lame right now but what I am telling you will help you! Thank you for the thanksgiving supplies! they were super awesome! there is an American who in in Jyväskylä right now and he has invited all the missionaries over for Thanksgiving. Ihana! You will realize that there is just no time for the things you need to do. Just remember that God has sent you to succeed, not to fail. Hope for the best B!
First Area Jyväskylä - nov. 4, 2013
Hello Family! I have really loved the pictures! It's just been a dandy day in Jyväskylä. My Companion Elder Cook is from Laton Utah and he is awesome! His Finnish has been giving me hope that I can too learn this absolutly obserd language. And the darn word Tavata has still been giving me trouble. Ask tim Hinrichs, he will understand my struggles. =) The City is one of the larger in Finland and my companion and I are actually ''shotgunning'' the city. Which means we have no pervious history with the city, it is the first time we have been here and the only way to get to know the city is by the papers left to us from the previous elders and our exploring!
Our district is really large and Elder Cook and I are the only Elders... Today we celebrated one of the sisters birthday. We have 5 sisters in our district. All are awesome and have helped us out so much. We are leaving to Tampere soon for our Zone meeting on Tuesday. It will be fun to see other Elders.
Oh! by the way! My compånion and I probably have a new investigator! We met him right out side our appartment. We were going to walk right passed him... and we did... but he looked lost so both of us turned around and asked ''Tarvitsetko apu?'' he corrected me by saying ''tarvitsenko apua?'' he was waiting for other classmates that were taking a class to help him over come obsticals he has gone through. We were able to get his contact info and he said that he would love to find as much help from many things as possible that will support him. We invited him to play basket ball at the church with the young adult activity. He agreed and ever since he has been coming to every activity! including the halloween party where elder cook and i had our faces painted! We were Indians. We did it with one of our investigators who love indians like crazy! He is super awesome.
The new investigator actually went with a member for a small tour of the chaple. We heard that he wants to come to church but said he needs to change the time of his course on Sundays so he can.
The ward members are hularious! I llove them. Veli Hyrkäs sent Qc a picture when we were looking for our potential investigator's homes. We had no success that day...
The food is super odd. I never thought I wouldn't be used to ''normal'' or ''bland'' food. A lot of the bread and breakfast food I have really loved and the food does taste good, it's just that it tastes weird to me. It's usually potatos beets and that suttle black liquorice taste.
I am sorry about my spelling. Spelling in english has just became that much hard ever since I came here.
Oh and to Audew!
I love you all and hope to see you on Christmas!
arrial in finland oct 22, 2013 - first week
So... it has been crazy as usual! I left my passport in the plane and the plane crew were able to find it. I didn´t have much time to look for it however, because of the Swiss ID card that I had I was able to fly to Finland! It was super sweet! It was a small miracle because I was the one that lost my passport and I could still fly on the plane without it!
My first day was super great! I spent the night at the President and Sister Rawlings home. We ate dinner and the two elders that were hosting us had a lesson to teach that day. They were teaching a man from Guang Zhoe and they wanted me to come. Some how they believed I spoke Chinese. I Left with them to the Ward building which was very close by in the neighborhood. Just like home! I don´t know about the email rules in Finland verywell so I can´t disclose the Zhongguoren de mingzi. We mad it to the Chapel, I was super jetlagged, and I met Brother Grant for the first time. He was going with the elders to help teach. The lessen was super fun. So far it has been my only lesson in english so I think that was a big part (I could understand it). I hope to see this investigator soon. His english was ok, but his desire to learn was huge! I was only able to say a few words to him in Chinese because I forgot everything and I still cant´t speak any right now.
The next day we left to the mission Home to meet our trainers. My trainer´s name is Elder Cook from Logan. He is super awesome. He is always super kind and just the best. It´s been odd trying to break the ice, but it´s like that with every one you meet and haft to share every waking moment together. He has been here for over a year and a half and this is both his and my first time being in Jyväskylä. The City is huge! And so is the ward! The people in the ward are super funny and kind. We have seen a lot of cool things the past 5 days. One thing that happened was that we were planning one day and the thought came to mind to look for some one with a pink jacket. Why on earth a pick jacket? we still don´t know... But in the morning of that day the first person we saw had a pink jacket. We decided to go talk to her. She was on a bike and was at the cross walk. we didn´t make it to her on time before she zoomed off... Not knowing what to do we decided to turn and go down the street. Right when we turned Elder Cook stopped me and pointed out another person wearing a pink jacket on the road that we would be on if we continued strait. So we went back and started walking down the street. This person also had a bike however they we walking with it. We were pretty close by so we decided to talk to her. When we were still pretty a ways off she hoped on her bike and road off... It was a little heart breaking to have this happen twice. Both times we didn´t even get their attention. We stood there not knowing what to do. Then I saw a man walking down our side of the street towards us. He seemed very depressed. We were able to talk with him. He was very kind and we were able to get his contact info. We gave him a book of Mormon and we are planning on calling him today! I can´t believe how many days we have been here and we have already have seen several miracles. I do not doubt that those two pink jackets led us to find this person.
It has been super hard here to speak the language however I have been loving it!
ps- the food is super weird. I am not used to how it tastes...
My first day was super great! I spent the night at the President and Sister Rawlings home. We ate dinner and the two elders that were hosting us had a lesson to teach that day. They were teaching a man from Guang Zhoe and they wanted me to come. Some how they believed I spoke Chinese. I Left with them to the Ward building which was very close by in the neighborhood. Just like home! I don´t know about the email rules in Finland verywell so I can´t disclose the Zhongguoren de mingzi. We mad it to the Chapel, I was super jetlagged, and I met Brother Grant for the first time. He was going with the elders to help teach. The lessen was super fun. So far it has been my only lesson in english so I think that was a big part (I could understand it). I hope to see this investigator soon. His english was ok, but his desire to learn was huge! I was only able to say a few words to him in Chinese because I forgot everything and I still cant´t speak any right now.
The next day we left to the mission Home to meet our trainers. My trainer´s name is Elder Cook from Logan. He is super awesome. He is always super kind and just the best. It´s been odd trying to break the ice, but it´s like that with every one you meet and haft to share every waking moment together. He has been here for over a year and a half and this is both his and my first time being in Jyväskylä. The City is huge! And so is the ward! The people in the ward are super funny and kind. We have seen a lot of cool things the past 5 days. One thing that happened was that we were planning one day and the thought came to mind to look for some one with a pink jacket. Why on earth a pick jacket? we still don´t know... But in the morning of that day the first person we saw had a pink jacket. We decided to go talk to her. She was on a bike and was at the cross walk. we didn´t make it to her on time before she zoomed off... Not knowing what to do we decided to turn and go down the street. Right when we turned Elder Cook stopped me and pointed out another person wearing a pink jacket on the road that we would be on if we continued strait. So we went back and started walking down the street. This person also had a bike however they we walking with it. We were pretty close by so we decided to talk to her. When we were still pretty a ways off she hoped on her bike and road off... It was a little heart breaking to have this happen twice. Both times we didn´t even get their attention. We stood there not knowing what to do. Then I saw a man walking down our side of the street towards us. He seemed very depressed. We were able to talk with him. He was very kind and we were able to get his contact info. We gave him a book of Mormon and we are planning on calling him today! I can´t believe how many days we have been here and we have already have seen several miracles. I do not doubt that those two pink jackets led us to find this person.
It has been super hard here to speak the language however I have been loving it!
ps- the food is super weird. I am not used to how it tastes...
MTc - Oct 17, 2013 - last p-day in Mtc
Sister Moa Stiggson and her companion, Elder Strandberg and Elder Cummings
Hei!!! Minä rakastan teitä!!! Erin, Quincey, and Mitch,
SO this is my last P'Päivä (pday) till I fly to Finland! I get to spend my birthday in the land of Suomi! I truely can't wait. We just had new ''Finnish'' missionaries come in. They looked as scared as we did! The one thing I love about the MTC is that this feeling of fear goes away because there are so many people that know how to love and support you.
I have never been more excited to see new missionaries in my whole life! They all came off the bus with so much confusion on their faces. It made all of us re live our first moments at the MTC. This has been a really fast week, it seems like yesterday that Dad, Mom, Audery, and Bridger and I were eating lunch at home of the train! And now I leave Monday...
I have 20 min to write so i'll try to be quick!
To Mom and Dad,
I have been so lazy with the letters! fogive me! This has been some of the best weeks! They have been difficult, but when I let the mission feel overwhelming. Elder Oaks came for our very last Devotional! so awesome! We have had two apostles, plus General conference, with who knows how many speakers, and now we are leaving! Suomille! I have loved all of you letters! and I am going to miss all of my teachers. They were not what I was expecting. I was down grading what they would be like (ie. EFY counselors) However each one have helped me get through these weeks. Don't let this spread however Veli (brother) Christiansen is my favorite.
Please send me more pictures!
To Audrey,
Rakastaa! I am so happy that Your my sister! I still have pictures of the family and I get to show off that your my sister! What has been happening in PC? Has it showed? I love you!
To Bridger,
That is one of the best things to go see. Most of those in my district haven't seen a marrage sealing. It's beautiful! I was glad I got to see one before I left. I am out of time so I got to run!
Minä Rakastan Teitä!
Joshua
SO this is my last P'Päivä (pday) till I fly to Finland! I get to spend my birthday in the land of Suomi! I truely can't wait. We just had new ''Finnish'' missionaries come in. They looked as scared as we did! The one thing I love about the MTC is that this feeling of fear goes away because there are so many people that know how to love and support you.
I have never been more excited to see new missionaries in my whole life! They all came off the bus with so much confusion on their faces. It made all of us re live our first moments at the MTC. This has been a really fast week, it seems like yesterday that Dad, Mom, Audery, and Bridger and I were eating lunch at home of the train! And now I leave Monday...
I have 20 min to write so i'll try to be quick!
To Mom and Dad,
I have been so lazy with the letters! fogive me! This has been some of the best weeks! They have been difficult, but when I let the mission feel overwhelming. Elder Oaks came for our very last Devotional! so awesome! We have had two apostles, plus General conference, with who knows how many speakers, and now we are leaving! Suomille! I have loved all of you letters! and I am going to miss all of my teachers. They were not what I was expecting. I was down grading what they would be like (ie. EFY counselors) However each one have helped me get through these weeks. Don't let this spread however Veli (brother) Christiansen is my favorite.
Please send me more pictures!
To Audrey,
Rakastaa! I am so happy that Your my sister! I still have pictures of the family and I get to show off that your my sister! What has been happening in PC? Has it showed? I love you!
To Bridger,
That is one of the best things to go see. Most of those in my district haven't seen a marrage sealing. It's beautiful! I was glad I got to see one before I left. I am out of time so I got to run!
Minä Rakastan Teitä!
Joshua
So I have more time! I saw Moa when we went to the main MTC for General Conference. It was her first Sunday and she was apparently looking for me and Elder Strandberg the whole day. I have forgotten her companions name however she is super nice! I also saw someone you may remember from China! He was working at our cafeteria and when I came up to him he looked puzzled at me then said, "Oh! it's a Cummings!" I think my name badge was the only thing he had to confirm that it was me. I am forgetting his name however I think you'll be seeing his family when you leave for China. And probably him as well. He is Q-cey's age and has blond hair. If that narrows it down... There is one picture of three people, they are my teachers! Sisar (Kc) Christoferson, Veli (Nick) Boyer and Veli (Adam) Christiansen. The biggest thing I am going to miss about the MTC is them.
and our bathtub broke...
and our bathtub broke...
SO I don't remember all the pictures I sent...One is with Brother Taylor, the older gentleman in the picture!
I saw MOA!!!! At the main MTC one day it was so cool to talk to her!
An I also saw Alex Gallup! He has already left... He'll do great!
I saw MOA!!!! At the main MTC one day it was so cool to talk to her!
An I also saw Alex Gallup! He has already left... He'll do great!
mtc p-day sept. 26, 2013
Elders in my district: Elders McMaster & Call from Utah Valley, Elder Alquist from Eagle, Idaho, Elder Lee from Las Vegas,
Elder Strandberg from Sweden, and Me
Elder Strandberg from Sweden, and Me
Thank you Audrey! I love you too! I'm very happy that Bear is still alive. You have to promise you'll play with him as much as you can, he needs someone to play with. It's getting a lot colder over here. There's snow on the mountains and I have been wearing all my winter gear already! crazy! Have you talked with Erin yet? You need to tell her to skype you as much as she can. so should Qcey and Mitch! Minä rakkastan Sinua!
MTC p-day sept 19, 2013 - 4 weeks
How is every one doing? I got Audrey's letter in the mail; and thank you mom for that lovely piece of information of the Helsiki flight... =)
The MTC has been great! I've noticed that most days here are great, some days are hard and every day I'm tired! It's been awesome.
I heard about your crash baba! I hope you're doing better. Did you pull any pranks on mom yet? (i.e. forgetting your own name etc...) =) Have you taken the impact test yet?
Audrey, what's going on meimei? W hat's happening in school? I really enjoyed your letter; it was very sweet. The new Finish sentence you can say is, "Minä rakestaan sinua!'' It means, "I love you!"
(the ä is pronounced like the a in apple and the a is pronounced like a in Audrey)
Hello mum! how have you been doing? is Bear still alive? I really hope you're pampering him.
I got a letter from the Bridger. Georgia! I really had no idea on where he would be going! I know he'll love it. He'll probably find a lot of fishing fanatics over there. In the letter he sent it said that he was hoping for some place warm and English speaking. Now he'll be puhut-ing englanti! (Finglish)
We recently had a really weird storm blow over the campus two days ago. It was a. huge thunderstorm that was right on top of us and every time lightning would strike it would start raining really hard and even start hailing on some occasion for only 20 seconds and then stop completely till the next strike.
I need to run and pick up the laundry so i need to say good bye!
tell Qcey and Mitch I love them! and Erin!
well... I'm half way done! I am liking the MTC, however I want to get out as soon as possible! I ran into Alex Gallup, Jaden Raush and Elin Hutt! crazy!
A lot has been happening and I haven't had any time to right it down... I've been realizing how important the time is that we have to be able to wright something down like that. Our whole district got sick. It was only a small cold however I realized that we were the culprits who spread-ed it to the new in coming missionaries. We've seen several districts come and go. It doesn't seem like we've been here very long, but other missionaries ask how long we've been here already and they seem shocked. Pretty Mahtava...
Minä voin puhu vähän Suomeksi! The Finish coming slow but I'm seeing it grow day by day. I love you family.
Dad I hope your doing okay! I love you family!
The MTC has been great! I've noticed that most days here are great, some days are hard and every day I'm tired! It's been awesome.
I heard about your crash baba! I hope you're doing better. Did you pull any pranks on mom yet? (i.e. forgetting your own name etc...) =) Have you taken the impact test yet?
Audrey, what's going on meimei? W hat's happening in school? I really enjoyed your letter; it was very sweet. The new Finish sentence you can say is, "Minä rakestaan sinua!'' It means, "I love you!"
(the ä is pronounced like the a in apple and the a is pronounced like a in Audrey)
Hello mum! how have you been doing? is Bear still alive? I really hope you're pampering him.
I got a letter from the Bridger. Georgia! I really had no idea on where he would be going! I know he'll love it. He'll probably find a lot of fishing fanatics over there. In the letter he sent it said that he was hoping for some place warm and English speaking. Now he'll be puhut-ing englanti! (Finglish)
We recently had a really weird storm blow over the campus two days ago. It was a. huge thunderstorm that was right on top of us and every time lightning would strike it would start raining really hard and even start hailing on some occasion for only 20 seconds and then stop completely till the next strike.
I need to run and pick up the laundry so i need to say good bye!
tell Qcey and Mitch I love them! and Erin!
well... I'm half way done! I am liking the MTC, however I want to get out as soon as possible! I ran into Alex Gallup, Jaden Raush and Elin Hutt! crazy!
A lot has been happening and I haven't had any time to right it down... I've been realizing how important the time is that we have to be able to wright something down like that. Our whole district got sick. It was only a small cold however I realized that we were the culprits who spread-ed it to the new in coming missionaries. We've seen several districts come and go. It doesn't seem like we've been here very long, but other missionaries ask how long we've been here already and they seem shocked. Pretty Mahtava...
Minä voin puhu vähän Suomeksi! The Finish coming slow but I'm seeing it grow day by day. I love you family.
Dad I hope your doing okay! I love you family!
mtc p-day sept 12, 2013 - a letter to audrey
Dear Audrey,
I'm sorry for not writing you last week. How is school? Is it raining in Park City also? Here it has been raining almost every day. One day it rained so badly that we had to stay inside! I thought the trees were going to topple over.
What has been happening at school? I bet a lot!
Elder Strandberg (call him Vanhin Strandberry) wants to write to you
Hello Audrey,
Me and your brother are sitting in a huge crowd of people we don't know, writing and listening to a broadcast for the entire MTC.
The room where we sit has more missionaries in it then I ever saw before I came to Utah. As far as I know, there is only one other Swedish missionary here in Provo. Usually, what separates me from the crowd is the fact that I'm a member, but not here. It is the fact that I'm Swedish. ;)
Hopefully, you will go on a mission too someday and then you can see even more of how great this church is as well. It's awesome, because it is so big and it is all so good. I love it here and I think that you would too. ;) And it is also true! ( I knew something was missing.) ....(he ran out of space to say good bye and Joshua starts another page)
The MTC is far from easy. The language is very difficult. I didn't think it was until I got here. But it's great to know that I'm called to Finland for a reason. There is no other place I would rather be going!
There was a missionary named Elder Zwirgly. He's American, but lived in Switzerland. Vanhin Strandberg and I were very lucky to have him in our zone. He left just last week for Hungary! This elder taught us a very important lesson, that lesson was to have fun! The MTC is hard and it's a lot of work, but I have had so much fun here. Don't be afraid to go and have fun. Even the prophets like Joseph Smith & Lorenzo Snow had fun. Lorenzo Snow raced another member while they were driving old wooden wagons. Joseph Smith would wrestle and play with those around him. He even wrestled a police man when he asked him.
I love you Audrey and tell Mom and Dad I love them too. You have to tell them you love them every day!
Love,
Josh
Vanhin Cummings
I'm sorry for not writing you last week. How is school? Is it raining in Park City also? Here it has been raining almost every day. One day it rained so badly that we had to stay inside! I thought the trees were going to topple over.
What has been happening at school? I bet a lot!
Elder Strandberg (call him Vanhin Strandberry) wants to write to you
Hello Audrey,
Me and your brother are sitting in a huge crowd of people we don't know, writing and listening to a broadcast for the entire MTC.
The room where we sit has more missionaries in it then I ever saw before I came to Utah. As far as I know, there is only one other Swedish missionary here in Provo. Usually, what separates me from the crowd is the fact that I'm a member, but not here. It is the fact that I'm Swedish. ;)
Hopefully, you will go on a mission too someday and then you can see even more of how great this church is as well. It's awesome, because it is so big and it is all so good. I love it here and I think that you would too. ;) And it is also true! ( I knew something was missing.) ....(he ran out of space to say good bye and Joshua starts another page)
The MTC is far from easy. The language is very difficult. I didn't think it was until I got here. But it's great to know that I'm called to Finland for a reason. There is no other place I would rather be going!
There was a missionary named Elder Zwirgly. He's American, but lived in Switzerland. Vanhin Strandberg and I were very lucky to have him in our zone. He left just last week for Hungary! This elder taught us a very important lesson, that lesson was to have fun! The MTC is hard and it's a lot of work, but I have had so much fun here. Don't be afraid to go and have fun. Even the prophets like Joseph Smith & Lorenzo Snow had fun. Lorenzo Snow raced another member while they were driving old wooden wagons. Joseph Smith would wrestle and play with those around him. He even wrestled a police man when he asked him.
I love you Audrey and tell Mom and Dad I love them too. You have to tell them you love them every day!
Love,
Josh
Vanhin Cummings
mtc p-day sept 5, 2013
I did mean to send two letters... I'm not sure why the other hasn't made it to you... Thank you for the doughnuts! I did eat one for breakfast for P-day b/c we were going to the temple early in the morning. But mom, please no more doughnuts! Were pampered here with food as it is, and there's a rumor that west campus has better food than the main. I do have a list of things I was hoping you could send to me. I am having to send my workout cloths back because their too short.
Could you please send me
-my brown watch that should be in my room? I put it in the nightstand's basket drawer. It's not the one with the orange band but the brown square one. Dad's watch's hour hand doesn't stay constant so I've been having to ask for the time.
-I also lost my glasses cloth and wanted to ask for one of those.
Also I need you to reach the Clistecos for me. In my cell phone if you go to the contact "big brothers big sisters" or if there's a contact for "Lio" call that number and ask if you could some how get my little brothers address info. Alejandro's number doesn't work. He broke his phone a while back, but it may work now.
thank you and I love you!
Could you please send me
-my brown watch that should be in my room? I put it in the nightstand's basket drawer. It's not the one with the orange band but the brown square one. Dad's watch's hour hand doesn't stay constant so I've been having to ask for the time.
-I also lost my glasses cloth and wanted to ask for one of those.
Also I need you to reach the Clistecos for me. In my cell phone if you go to the contact "big brothers big sisters" or if there's a contact for "Lio" call that number and ask if you could some how get my little brothers address info. Alejandro's number doesn't work. He broke his phone a while back, but it may work now.
thank you and I love you!
Our class room at the MTC
On the train to the Salt Lake Airport to fly to L.A. for a visa interview at the Finnish Consulate
Salt Lake Airport cool sunrise
Elders Call, Cummings, Chapman, and Alquist outside the Finnish Consulate in L.A.
Killing time before we head back to the airport
Elder Cummings and Elder Strandberg
MTC - p day - Aug 29,2013
Moi Family,
I'm sorry I disappointed you this last Monday by not writing. The MTC has been keeping us very busy. VERY VERY BUSY! The first day was all most a consecration day (where we only speak Finnish). The language has been SO hard, but all of us have been learning more then any day we've ever had at school. There have been several times when we taught an investigator in Finnish and seen the gift of tongs in action. Mahtava! (awesome!) I'm glad that you sent those notes from Brandon's and Christopher's talks. I've realized that I may need to send my running shorts home: 3 0r 4 are too small. Also, can you send me a glasses cloth, I dropped my only one somewhere....
I went to L.A. yesterday! Several of us Lahetyssaarnaajat (Missionaries) needed to travel to the Finnish Consulate. So we boarded the train to the airport and spent our whole day in L.A. I ended up talking to a rock climber from Thailand. He came to Utah to rock climb and I spent the whole time talking to him when we were waiting for our airplane in SLC. During the rest of our trip I realized that there were so many people willing to talk with us. I have to explain what I mean by that. Every missionary in our group ended up talking to someone different. We weren't activly looking for people to talk to we just ran into several opportunities. Some were future missionaries traveling to the MTC.
At the Finnish Consulate our visa interviews took about 15 minutes for all of us. There were 2 sister missionaries, and 4 elders. We also went to the Staples Center and took a picture with Magic Johnson! I'll send it in an e-mail or I will send my SD card. I felt sick after we returned and I had to run fast to the toilet.... I think it was from the burrito I had at King Taco..... It was a painful experience. Firery La Dudzia! We made it back to the MTC around 9:30pm. It was a long day.
The food here is fantastic! They gave us Fa the other day, however, when I eat any thing with red meat I feel sick the rest of the day. However the others days I've felt great.
How was Erin's drive to New York? I haven't heard anything from her yet. I forgot what day she said she was flying to Sweden. Tell her that I want to hear from her soon!
Also, I bet that QC and Mitch are home! If they are tell them I love them and that the MTC has been awesome! I hope to hear from them soon!
I miss you and love you all!
Your Son,
Joshua D Cummings
I'm sorry I disappointed you this last Monday by not writing. The MTC has been keeping us very busy. VERY VERY BUSY! The first day was all most a consecration day (where we only speak Finnish). The language has been SO hard, but all of us have been learning more then any day we've ever had at school. There have been several times when we taught an investigator in Finnish and seen the gift of tongs in action. Mahtava! (awesome!) I'm glad that you sent those notes from Brandon's and Christopher's talks. I've realized that I may need to send my running shorts home: 3 0r 4 are too small. Also, can you send me a glasses cloth, I dropped my only one somewhere....
I went to L.A. yesterday! Several of us Lahetyssaarnaajat (Missionaries) needed to travel to the Finnish Consulate. So we boarded the train to the airport and spent our whole day in L.A. I ended up talking to a rock climber from Thailand. He came to Utah to rock climb and I spent the whole time talking to him when we were waiting for our airplane in SLC. During the rest of our trip I realized that there were so many people willing to talk with us. I have to explain what I mean by that. Every missionary in our group ended up talking to someone different. We weren't activly looking for people to talk to we just ran into several opportunities. Some were future missionaries traveling to the MTC.
At the Finnish Consulate our visa interviews took about 15 minutes for all of us. There were 2 sister missionaries, and 4 elders. We also went to the Staples Center and took a picture with Magic Johnson! I'll send it in an e-mail or I will send my SD card. I felt sick after we returned and I had to run fast to the toilet.... I think it was from the burrito I had at King Taco..... It was a painful experience. Firery La Dudzia! We made it back to the MTC around 9:30pm. It was a long day.
The food here is fantastic! They gave us Fa the other day, however, when I eat any thing with red meat I feel sick the rest of the day. However the others days I've felt great.
How was Erin's drive to New York? I haven't heard anything from her yet. I forgot what day she said she was flying to Sweden. Tell her that I want to hear from her soon!
Also, I bet that QC and Mitch are home! If they are tell them I love them and that the MTC has been awesome! I hope to hear from them soon!
I miss you and love you all!
Your Son,
Joshua D Cummings
First Week - Aug 29, 2013
Dad! I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I'm sorry that I haven't sent anything. There's only missionary di fang(s) here.... The first week was hard. This week has been great! I think that the first week was like being dunked in cold water and now I'm used to it!
Today is my Pday and we just got back from the Temple and mopping the floors of the creamery down the street. The west campus is far nicer than the main campus! And I need to thank mom for those flipflops she gave me.
How has Elaine liked PC so far? I bet the weather has been a lot cooler than down hear. We have had several cloudy days, but when the sun is out it's been crazy hot... which has been making me more excited to go.
Tell Mom I lover her and to Audrey, there may be a letter for her in the mail... and one for you and mom...
They will tell you more on what I've been doing!
Vanhin Cummings
Today is my Pday and we just got back from the Temple and mopping the floors of the creamery down the street. The west campus is far nicer than the main campus! And I need to thank mom for those flipflops she gave me.
How has Elaine liked PC so far? I bet the weather has been a lot cooler than down hear. We have had several cloudy days, but when the sun is out it's been crazy hot... which has been making me more excited to go.
Tell Mom I lover her and to Audrey, there may be a letter for her in the mail... and one for you and mom...
They will tell you more on what I've been doing!
Vanhin Cummings
MTC - ARRIVAL - AUG 21,2013
Hello family!
Everything is going great! Right after I left the drop-off zone I was taken allover the campus for a tour. I didn't meet my companion until later in the day. I had to take a bus to where I would be staying and you wouldn't believe who's in my zone! Sister Daniels! The Finns are combined with the Hungarians and a few other missions which I can't name at the top of my head. My companion Vanhin (elder) Strandberg is from Sweden. And you wouldn't believe it, but Moa Stiggson was emailing me earlier this summer about him, and he's now my Companion! Hyvaa!
I do't have much time to write today, but next week I'll have more time. I love you all and tell Audrey I love her and yes I would love her to pray! It's is hard but I'm enjoying it, in fact it is super cool too! I didn't know it was President Monson's birthday the day I entered the MTC!
I love all of you and hope to hear back. Mina rakastaa ta!
Vanhin Cummings
August 23rd
Everything is going great! Right after I left the drop-off zone I was taken allover the campus for a tour. I didn't meet my companion until later in the day. I had to take a bus to where I would be staying and you wouldn't believe who's in my zone! Sister Daniels! The Finns are combined with the Hungarians and a few other missions which I can't name at the top of my head. My companion Vanhin (elder) Strandberg is from Sweden. And you wouldn't believe it, but Moa Stiggson was emailing me earlier this summer about him, and he's now my Companion! Hyvaa!
I do't have much time to write today, but next week I'll have more time. I love you all and tell Audrey I love her and yes I would love her to pray! It's is hard but I'm enjoying it, in fact it is super cool too! I didn't know it was President Monson's birthday the day I entered the MTC!
I love all of you and hope to hear back. Mina rakastaa ta!
Vanhin Cummings
August 23rd