Ferocious and Fearless Little Band in Finland

 

 It has been a touch cooler but still hot and humid.  Dark and dramatic clouds began to gather by noon and menaced our gathering until about 5:30 and then we had a lovely downpour for all of 10 minutes.  It cooled everything off and left the air smelling fresh.

We started with an early breakfast and then our “staff” meeting, followed by the morning devotional which was presented by the stake president in the area and the mission president.  They both gave excellent counsel about how to be a missionary.  The stake president said, “Ten seconds is all it takes…..just greet someone ….say ‘Nice shoes’ or ‘Great weather’ or ‘bad hair day?’”  He encouraged us to be more outgoing with other people.

 

 

By 10 a.m. classes, workshops and helping hands projects began and most people were engaged in one of those or just sitting outside visiting or at the beach swimming.  I kind of cruised around visiting with YSAs. 

 

I spent a couple of hours with a dear young woman who was in terrible pain in her midsection.  The Festinord doctor spent some time with her, but had little here for a diagnosis.  I found her a few things to eat and drink and then just sat and talked with her until she was tired enough to sleep.  She has had a stressful few weeks and has been sick anyway.  The last few days have been exhausting for her, so I am sure the sleep did her good.

 

I checked on her through out the day…..she is sleeping on an air mattress in a room with about 16 other girls on air mattresses and it is so hot.  I hope tonight will be cooler.

 

As the day progressed, I was able to be in on many visits with YSAs that I have come to respect and love.  I enjoy them….I enjoy hearing them express their views….I enjoy hearing their plans for the future….and I enjoy watching them have a good time.

 

In the evening, we had a social and dance.  The theme was “Once Upon a Time” and people were encouraged to come dressed in costume.  We were sitting on the bleachers when 5 of the cutest young men came and sat down beside us.  They announced that they were there to protect us.  They were dressed as ferocious Vikings and they were utterly hilarious.  They were, of course Morten – our YSA President, Daniel, Simon and Mikal…and we love those guys.

 

They had on thick wigs of long unruly hair with a few stray braids and Viking helmets (with horns coming out of each side.)  They also had long thick fake beards.  We laughed and laughed at them.  They got on the dance floor as the fearless little band of Vikings and danced with abandon - waving their swords.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part of the day was the point at which a short film was presented by each of the four Nordic countries.  Danmark’s was a film starring our little band of ferocious Vikings.  The story line, the humor, the sound effects….everything was so funny that I laughed out loud through the whole thing!  I think all the Danes were very proud of the film.  The other three were good, but I wanted to see ours again. 

If you would like to watch it, go to Festinord20014 on youtube….I think.  So sorry, but I am not a technical wizard. 

After that was dancing.  I don’t understand how they stay up all night and still show up at that first 7:00 a.m. institute class. 

I can’t imagine that I have ever been the kind of person to go without sleep….now less so than ever.