Week One in Finland

So, with modifying emails and such, we basically missed the MTC emails. Rachel had a great time, really loved her district and caught on really well to gospel related Finnish. Conversation was a little harder for her but I'm sure she'll get it in no time. She made it to Finland March 20th and this is the first letter we got from her on her P-day:

This last week has been the longest week of my life. And most tiring. But it has also been really good.

So here is a quickish recap of my life since I last talked to you. So when I last really got to talk to you I was at the airport in Chicago. Funny thing happened there... we missed our flight due to a gate mix up. I guess a bunch of people on my delayed flight to Chicago were also connecting to England. So, they flight assistants told us all that our next flight had been delayed and go to this a certain gate. So we did, but the flight info was a bit weird. A couple of us were unsure that it was the right flight. But most everyone else said that it was for sure the right flight, and one even said he had checked. BUT when we tried to board they said it was the wrong one. So we did not end up leaving the States until 10:30 that night. The rest of our flights went smoothly though. So that is good. On the flight from London to Oulu a couple of the Elders and I sat in front of a bishop of one of the wards here. That was cool. 

We finally arrived in Finland, and found out our luggage had not made it through. Fun! So we put in claims for that. We met the mission president, his wife, and the APs. They are all really great. Then we went to the mission president"s home, did some short interviews, ate some food and by the time we got to bed it was 1:00 in the morning. And then we got to sleep in until 9:00! It was great! 

On Wednesday we had to go get some paperwork done, got to go see the temple, and found out our new companions and areas. I got sent to Oulu, which is the nothern most area with Sisters. My companions, yes I am in another trio, are Sisar Francis from Austrailia, and Sisar Vath, who is originally from Cambodia, but has lived in Finland for the last seven years and is now serving her mission here. Also, in my district is Elder Spiers from my MTC group. I think all the Elders in my group are in my zone even. But the other Sisters stayed in Helsinki and Tampere (I think Tampere is right) .To get to Oulu we took a night train, which was really cool in writing, and even when I was on it, but super cramped. I guess for that trip it is a good thing I didnt have ALL my luggage. 

We arrived in Oulu around 7:30 the next morning and things went crazy after that. Got my luggage that day, taught some lessons, got a bike, got to ride that bike on ice, met the branch president, and lots of other people. 

The next day was a district meeting in Kemi, which is about an hour and a half drive away. I like my district again! It is great, but I am still glad that I am not the only greenie in it. Afterwards we went to an ice castle which is built every year in Kemi. It puts Ice on Whyte to shame. You can actually stay there overnight, and people have gotten married there. OH! And random fact about Finland, the game angry birds was created in Finland, so they had a whole room devoted to angry birds. 

The rest of the week was a lot of lessons. We do not have tons of investigators at the moment. So we are working on that,but the Branch loves missionaries. And everyone here is really great. I cannot understand what they are saying most the time. I can tell that they are speaking Finnish, but that is about all. On Sunday they had me introduce and bear my testimony. That was a bit nerveracking. I survived though. I try to talk to as many people as I can... at least in the ward.  Which is mostly opposite of my normal self. It is weird what missions do to you. I cannot keep anyone straight, but I think its important to start now, even if I dont understand a whole lot. I think I will progress quicker this way. And it is nice getting to know people. 

So now, its P Day. And its a good break. Anyhow, here are a few things first impressions of Finland:
1) it is a lot more like Edmonton than Provo was. They believe in having nature and trees, surrounding everything, instead of cement and smog.
2) they are slightly more crazy than Canadians, as EVERYONE is biking all year round. Now that its starting to melt its really fun!
3)They know more about Canada than our neighbors the Americans do. 
4) in reference to point 3, maybe not THAT much more, as they always think can also speak French, as its our second language (but they do know where Alberta is)
5) They really do have better candy here
6) and better bread
7) Everyone knows english pretty well, which makes it difficult to learn Finnish. Beacause when they hear you struggling in Finnish, they switch to English.

So yup. That has been m experience thus far. I love it here. The gospel is just as true in Finalnd as it is at Home. Although I can not say much to most people here I really do love them. I have already met so many amazing people. Can not wait to see what the rest of my time here brings.

Well, I should go. Love you all. hyva vikkoa! 

Sisar Kastendieck

Rachel and her district at the Helsinki Finland temple

P.S. From Desirée: If any of you know how to make the copied email not be outlined in white, please comment so I can fix that.