To the family...and anyone else who cares to read

How is life? Things are really looking up here in Espoo. Starting with the fact that today I get to go to Suomenlinna with my district! Second, this Friday I get to go to the temple for the fist time in almost a year, and see all the sisters from my MTC district get to come. Third, we have a movie night this coming Saturday, watching The Testaments. Fourth, I'm a missionary! Should be a great week!

The past week was interesting to say the least. We had several experiences where we felt like we were exactly where we needed to be right when we needed to be there. 

Monday night we had no appointments. So we looked up a few people who had investigated the church previously. The former investigator in the one building we could get into (because the others were locked) had moved away. But, her neighbor said we could come back sometime. As we were trying to see another former, we ended up talking to a couple just outside of the building. Turns out they have member friends who have invited them to church before, and the wife was especially interested in coming to the Relief Society party this week. Later as we were on our way to see a less active, we were able to talk with more people. However, by the time we stopped talking with one particular lady it was past 8pm... so we couldn't knock on her door. We called up another member who lived in the area to see if we could come share a message. She didn't answer. We started heading back toward our home, discussing what we should do, when we run into the member we called, walking her dog. She invited us over and we were able to share a message with her before going home for the night.It was great.

We also are starting up English and Finnish conversation circle.. class things this week. Should be interesting. Nearly everyone here already speaks English. And I definitely don't know Finnish well enough to teach it but, we have the other missionaries in Espoo in on it so, it should be good. At any rate we've pasted the town with flyers inviting everyone there. We've already got a call or two of people interested in coming.

On Saturday after we had printed off all of our posters we didn't really have many appointments. We were at the train station waiting, when we heard French being spoken. The ever brave Sister Vincent started a conversation with these 4 people. They were all from France (surprise), all here on exchange studies, and were super great. We talked with them for a bit, got on the train with them. Got at the stop where our passes ran out. Turned around came back  and sat down...right by another french guy. It was weird. Turns out he lives right next to us, and wants to come to our movie night. Hopefully he does. Perhaps this is a sign I need to brush up on my French. 

At any rate things are good. I'm starting to really get to know the ward. They are all great! So generous and welcoming. That's one thing I love about the mission. There's always a new friend to make.

Love you all. Hope this week has lots of great and marvelous things in store.

Sister Kastendieck