Frying in Finland and Other Tales of Woe

As I write this post at midnight, the sky outside is a pale blue towards the horizon line fading into a deeper blue high above us.  It is still a littIe bit light.  I am sitting in our hostel room with both windows wide open and a small noisy fan running with all its might (which isn’t much) nearby.  The towering pines are as still as can be…no breeze is ruffling through their mighty branches.

We began our day at a 7:30 breakfast with all the leaders, followed by a meeting with the day’s agenda as the point of discussion.  The Finnish man who is in charge of things has the most delightful accent and way of expressing himself.  All of the Finns who are in leadership positions are marvelous individuals and so eager to see that all goes according to plans…..and they have done some monumental planning.

One thing they could not plan for is the unusually high temperatures.  I believe it was up to 84 today, but since I can’t always get internet reception, I am unsure.  But I know that it was hot.  The humidity is up too.  Coming from dry Arizona, I have a difficult time being so damp and so warm.  There seems to be no effective way to cool off.  A few times today in meetings or classes I thought I was going to burst like a kernel of popcorn.  I really really really do not like the heat.  I know what you are thinking.  Yes…I do live in Arizona, and no….I don’t like the heat there either.

There are few places here, Sweden or Denmark with air conditioning….is just isn’t needed.  Most of the time, opening a window is more than sufficient to cool off the interior of any building.  YSAs will be sleeping on air mattresses in various classrooms of the school campus we are meeting in…..I hope they will be cool enough.

The high points of our day were the many times we spent with various YSAs.  They are such great young people and they are so fascinating to talk with.  I love their openness and ability to express themselves, and I enjoy the way they enjoy life.   They make me laugh and they inspire me.

Opening exercises were in a large gym with bleachers.  We had several inspiring speakers and a couple of beautiful music numbers from the sister missionaries.  Then we broke for various activities and classes.  For the majority of YSAs there was a great race of sorts that was all kinds of fun, but soooo hot.  They were divided up into teams of about 15, and given assignments to complete….such as being given several large plastic containers, rope and a tarp and being told to fashion a raft and then row it out to a certain point in the cove and back.  The more people it carried, the more points they got.  It was very creative and they had a great time.

Many came back and showered and cleaned up.  After dinner we met back in the gym for a production of “My Turn” by about 18 young Finns.  They did an outstanding job with the music and acting.  The message was wonderful and so timely.  We enjoyed it immensely…..but by the time we got out, we all looked like we had been in a sauna!

Following that there was a dance.  Everyone was laughing and enjoying their time in the gym, but could only stay a half hour or so before they had to go outside and cool down before returning to dance some more.  I am told that the average amount of sleep a night by the YSAs at Festinord is 4 to 5.  I can see why.  Everyone will be up by 7 at the latest, with some starting much earlier.  Our alarm is set for 6:30.

I think everyone had a great day and I imagine everyone collapsed into their beds to sleep well tonight. 

That is just what I am going to do.