Almost back to normal. Kinda

This week everything is going great! I am now enjoying my time in Lahti, in the elders old apartment, with the best ward!

Okay. So here's the run down of this week. Ready? I can't believe that it was just a week ago that I was in Tampere, and with Sister Holt and her wheelchair and Sister Feher. So much has changed. On Tuesday night we got a call from President Rawlings saying that Sister Holt needed to go home as her leg was not getting better, and she needed further care from home. She had less than 24 hours to pack everything and be in Helsinki to leave with the other departing missionaries. This made things crazy! and sad! I wasn't completely packed yet, and there were five sisters at my house, and we were all trying to help Sister Holt pack. And thank goodness for the Elders. We could never have gotten around or done anything without them. Finland, by the way, has the best elders in the world. Also, we didn't leave before giving her doctor a Book of Mormon though. So that's good.

Early Wednesday morning I got to head to Helsinki, after getting around 4 - 5 hours of sleep, to pick up my trainee!! Scary. But I'll now tell you about her. My new companion is Sister Schellenberg and she is 19. She is from American Fork, Utah and is the oldest of seven kids. She is ridiculously good at speaking Finnish, and I am pretty sure she's training me to do missionary work and not the other way around.

Now for Lahti. This is the first time in about 10 years that Sisters have been in Lahti. It's a university town and we live right in the Centre (or downtown if you will). The apartment is the only apartment in Finland actually owned by the church. It is also the most (quote by President Rawling) "run down apartment in Finland"  and has the smallest bathroom. The church owns it because an old lady that used to live there gave it to the church in her will. Sister Schellenberg and I both love it and think it just needs some TLC. My current District leader actually used to serve here in Lahti... and so he knows all the quirks... actually added most of the quirks to the apartment. i.e. light up shower head, glow in the dark stars on the bedroom ceiling, and knows why we have like 50 cans of pea soup in the pantry (those would be a member donation).

The ward in Lahti is pretty small. Reminds me of Tofield branch, where there are two or three families pretty much in charge of everything, and have always been in charge of everything. They are all really awesome and want to try to help the missionaries as much as possible. The first day in Lahti we had dinner with the bishop and he is really cool. Said that he's available to help teach milloin tahansa (whenever). As for investigators... we haven't met any yet. All of our appointments fell through last week and that kinda was not fun. Instead we went contacting and tracting, and got told that the Book of Mormon would be burned at the coming of Christ along with the Koran (sp?). Fun Fun. But seriously, we also had some really good experiences with people.

This week things should pick up. We have several lessons with less actives and investigators and am so excited to meet them all! Things are going fantastic, even if I am a bit scatterbrained and have really no idea what I am doing.

Anywho, I should go. Wishing you all a marvelous week from Lahti! 

Sisar Kastendieck

Craziest week of my life thus far!

SO last week I believe I left off telling  you that Sister Egan was in the hospital, recovering from appendicitis, and things were falling apart and I was ridiculously stressed. Voi ei! Pretty much that was my whole week.

Later on last P-day we found out that our mission president was sending up another sister missionary from Helsinki to help us out. At first all four of us didn't want  her to come, because we thought it would make things way more hankala (awkward) trying to make sure we all had companions, and having member splits all the time and everything. But  it turned out to be a HUGE blessing. President sent us Sister Feher, a Hungarian sister who only has a few weeks left in the country. She arrived on Tuesday and declared "We are on LOMA!" (loma = vacation). That day she got to see a ton of members and investigators she knew while serving here, and it was great. Stressful, because they were all from my area, and I was thus expected to have a lesson, when I hadn't studied very deeply for the last couple weeks, but good. Sister Holt was a bit upset because she was at the hospital all day with not very much food. Wednesday was zone meeting. Got a parking ticket. bleh. But had a good lesson with a less active where we shared our favorite scriptures. Thursday. Not much happened. Friday was insane! Sister Egan got out of the hospital, Sister Holt had a physio appointment, one pair of sisters had a lesson with an investigator, and our investigator had a baptismal interview... and it all happened at the same time! Pretty much we were all on splits for a few hours that day. I also got to go on member splits with Sister Juottenus... who's husband is the area 70... who also ended up coming to a lesson with a potential investigator. It was really a little bit nerve racking. But really good. We now have a new investigator from Africa. He is really cool and really interested in the church. And then came change calls. But I'll get back to that later. Saturday there was a BAPTISM! Our investigator was so excited! And everything went really smoothly. Smoother than I expected, especially because we didn't have anyone lined up to baptize her until the night before at 10:00 pm, and the program wasn't even fixed until the day of.  Sunday was pretty relaxed. 

So, change calls. Are you ready? So I am headed out of Tampere to the town of Lähti! Not only that. Lähti currently is an Elder city. But not for much longer. I get to kick the Elders out... with a brand new missionary. This is because as of this week nine elders are leaving and only three new ones are coming into the country. So I'm opening a new Sister city, and training. I'm not sure where President Rawlings is finding this trust in me, but it will sure be great to feel and act like a real missionary again. This last week has pretty much killed me. 

Things will soon be back to normal. Whatever normal is. 

But, cool experience today. We got to give a Mormonin Kirja to Sister Holt's doctor. We were waiting for something during this checkup and he asked us "So why are you in Finland?" And we told him. We got to tell him all about the Book of Mormon and where it came from. He was like "why doesn't everyone use it. It sounds cool!" And we told him we didn't know. But we gave him a copy and he said he'd read it. Really cool experience. Hopefully we get to talk to him again. Although, it's a bit doubtful. He said that he hasn't seen anything like Sister Holt's condition in his 20 years of being a doctor and is referring us along. He does want to know what the results are though. What her real diagnosis is and everything. So maybe when we talk to him about that we'll be able to talk to him more about the Book of Mormon. 

Anyhow, I should go. I have a couple pictures from this week for y'all. Including: Sister Egan getting out from the hospital, the baptism (with all the sister missionaries who were in Tampere at that time), and Sister Feher, Sister Holt and myself. Enjoy.

Hyvää vikkoä teille! 

Rakaudella,

Sisar Kastendieck

The Plot Thickens eli The Drama Continues...

I can honestly... and quite sadly, say I really have not felt like a missionary for the past couple weeks. Between Doctors appointments, Physical Therapy, MRIs and now Sister Egan having appendicitis missionary work has gone down the drain. 

Let me explain.

So here in Tampere there are two sets of sisters: Sister Foster and Sister Egan, then Sister Holt and myself. Sister Holt has been suffering with her foot this whole past change (exchange) and so that has been slowing things up. On Saturday I got to go on splits with Sister Foster as there had been next to no missionary work being done in mine and Sister Holt's area of Tampere. It was fantastic! I got to go tracting, contacting, teaching! I even got some doors slammed in my face and it felt pretty okay! No one incredibly interested or anything, but I was doing missionary work! During this time Sister Egan and Sister Holt were at my apartment. Sister Holt's foot was in pain, and Sister Egan was feeling nauseous. The sisters went back to their house, and Sister Holt and I continued into a fairly normal Sunday (although not normal... it was the first Sunday with the wheelchair... so we got mobbed by the ward members asking us about it. At least we know we're loved). Halfway through church we find out Sister Egan is in the hospital, but not much more. Later at home we got a call, saying she had appendicitis and that Sister Foster needed to stay at our place for the night. CRAZY! I don't know what's going on! 

Today has been insane to say the least. I'm quite exhausted and haven't even done any P-day stuff yet. Just spent a lot of time with hospitals, and doctors. Both with Sister Egan and Sister Holt. Sister Foster and I are on splits so that we can email our families and buy groceries. We're going to try to cover both of our areas this week while our companions rest it up. It's going to be intense.

In happier news, one of our investigators is getting baptized this week. That's going to be a highlight. She's this really cute older lady who is ready to jump into the font! Hopefully everything goes smoothly. 

Also happening this week is change calls! Next week there are 12 new sisters coming into the country, and along with like nine elders. I could be a trainer next week. I used to never want to be. But if it means that I can do normal missionary work again I'll be very grateful. I'm starting to run out of patience (although that's usually restored via napping) and I really just want a normal schedule again, where my biggest concern is "how are we going to fill in that two hour gap tomorrow?".

So yes, the craziness continues. Never a dull moment in Tampere. 

Rakastan Teitä!!! 

Sisar Kastendieck

From feet...to crutches...to WHEELCHAIRS!!!!

So things... missionary wise have been really slow. Things Sister-Holt's-Foot wise is really dramatic. Here's what's going on. So her foot wasn't healing, and one of our Senior missionaries was worried that she had this rare nerve damage type thing. Last week we went and saw a specialized doctor. And they were like... "yes she has nerve damage.She has to get an MRI, use these really strong pain meds and start physical therapy asap!". So we started physical therapy... and her physical therapist said she needs a wheelchair. So as of this morning we have a wheelchair. And we get an MRI this Wednesday. And every night, because of her meds she goes all "David After Dentist" like. The worst part is is that they are not telling us everything, so we don't worry. So we're kinda in the dark. But hopefully things turn around soon. That being said... she might have to go home early... which is harmi. 

Now, I said missionary work was really slow, and that's true. However, every time we do get to teach and tell people about the gospel, people are always really open, and nice... and sometimes emotional. And that's when Sister Holt and I have no idea what to do! Crazy! missionary work is always crazy! 

Sorry, I don't have too much time to email today. But, that's pretty much everything that is going on. Hopefully I have a happier email next week! 

Love you all thanks for your support! 

Sister Kastendieck

En tiedä

Rakas Perheeni! 

How are things? I hope summer vacation is going fantastic, and you're soaking up all the sun and enjoying the outdoors... that is what summer is for after all!

This past week has been somewhat uneventful. Sister Holt's ankle for some reason has been in more pain than ever, despite having the car and not walking around. So, we got to stay inside all day a couple times this week. Ei Hauska! But, we have a doctor appointment tomorrow, and a senior missionary (who happens to be a retired doctor) is coming up from Turku to come with us. The most recent theory is that she has damaged some nerves and so they are firing off like crazy. Worse case scenario... she'll need surgery. bleh.

Oh a happier note, we had a zone meeting this past week. I never dreamed I'd be like this, but I love getting together with lots of people. I always thought that while I was on my mission I would just want everyone to go away, and to have more alone time. But now, I really look forward to district meetings, zone meetings, church etc. Anything where lots of people get together. And then I get really sad when it's over. It's weird. I may have also told you all that before. It still is crazy to me though, so you get to hear it again! Anyhow, zone meeting was really great. We have a few missionaries in the zone who are departing in the next couple weeks and we got to hear their testimonies. It is really neat to hear how the mission has gone forward in the last couple years. And it's only going to continue to grow! More and more people are getting interested and wanting to know more, all around Finland. 

Umm... what else. Yesterday for church I was on splits as Sister Holt needed to stay at home to rest her ankle. So I was on splits with a member, who doesn't speak any English. I got to give the whole weekly report to the ward council, in Finnish. Little bit nerve racking. The hardest part was that I was sitting next to a man who was interpreting everything I was saying into English for our High Priest leader (who is 100% American... doesn't know any Finnish). After church I got to join the sisters from Tampere 2 ward, and meet with a member from their ward. It was really fun! 

Also, the Tampere 2nd ward sisters had a mini-missionary for this past week. Mini-missions happen once a year here in Finland. Youth get to go and live with the missionaries for a week and help with the work and whatnot. It's really cool. I wish Sister Holt and I could have had one, but it's probably best we didn't. Their mini-missionary was from Turku, and was so awesome. And way willing to help us all out with our Finnish. I was only with her for a couple hours, but she really helped! Awesome! I've decided I'm going to master this ridiculous language! Somehow. Still have to come up with a plan. I really do want to be fluent though!...I want to talk with everyone, and understand what everyone is saying... instead of zoning out half the time, or only getting part of the message. It would be awesome! 

Yup, I think that's all for this week! So be happy! Remember who y'all are and what you stand for. Keep Smiling! and all that other good stuff! 

Love you all! 

Sisar Rachel Kastendieck

No Niin Perheni!

Dear Family,

By the time I come to email I feel like I cannot remember anything that has happened the past week. I suppose I need to keep a better journal, and then bring that with me when I email. 

Mission are crazy things. I don't know if I've ranted about this before to you guys, but here we go. Missions are crazy. One moment you feel like you've been on the mission forever, and it extends forever, and you're not getting anywhere, and there is just no end. The next moment you're completely happy and you realize, I only have a year left! I have so much to do! I want to be a missionary forever! Missions may help many people become great and awesome, but they really don't seem to be designed for building one's emotional stability. 

So what can I tell you about Tampere? It looks like a postcard... as does everywhere else in Finland. They have an absolutely gorgeous three storey chapel here! And there are two wards that meet here. (it's where I'm emailing from right now). They used to have a Canadian in the 1st ward (the ward I'm serving in), but he moved back home the week I came. Missionary work is a bit slow, at least for us sisters. Sisters were put into the 1st ward just nine weeks before I got to Tampere, and so we're still trying to get a better base, and to know the ward. But the ward is really great!

We now have possession of the Elders/Zone Leaders car due to Sister Holt's ankle. We've used it a bit before, but now President Rawlings has assigned it to us. Apparently he was going to take the car completely away, because he wants missionaries out on the streets, but then sister Holt sprained her ankle. But the Zone Leaders are still a bit bitter. And so am I. I have to drive, as Sister Holt's wallet and everything was stolen a few months ago and she no longer has a drivers license (she really has had the worse luck on her mission!). That and her ankle make it hard to drive. Leaving me to be the chauffeur. bleh!    

I love how fast you can get to know people on a mission. It was weird. During my last Sunday in Oulu I was looking around the chapel and thinking 'wow! I'm really going to miss all these people!' and I had only been there for three months, and yet I knew them all so well. I boiled it down and came up with the key ingredient of SERVICE! Service is great! It brings you closer to people and allows you to love them. It's starting to take effect here in Tampere too! 

Another thing I love about serving in my district, is there are more sisters! Serving alongside Sister Egan and Sister Foster is really amazing! 

Also, this last week I got to go on exchanges with a sister serving in Turku. It was really fun. Not only could we work all day with out having to break, but we also talked to everyone! Well, not literally, but that has been something I have struggled with a lot during my mission time. Around this other sister though, it just seemed so natural and normal. It was great fun. Nothing really resulted from it, but it was a good experience. I want to be better. Aina! 

Anyhow, that is what is going on in the mission right now. Nothing incredibly exciting. But I hope y'all have a fantastic week. Sounds like you have some good stuff planned!

Rakastan teitä! Muistakaa kuka te olette! 

Rakaudella, 

Sisar Kastendieck