Fatigue on Last Full Day (Friday) of Finland Festinord ‘14

Today was definitely the high point (as well as the low point) of the week.  High point because we had an incredible time with a day packed full of wonderful things.....low because I hit a point where I simply could go no farther.

We met the bus at 6 a.m. along with 53 other people and rode two hours to the Helsinki temple.  We were taken right in where we attended a special session scheduled just for us….at least most of us.  The rest did baptisms for the dead. (By the way, 3 YSAs were standing there by the bus waiting…..they hadn’t signed up in advance to go on the temple trip but got up early early and got ready and stood there waiting to see if there was room.)

The temple is magnificent.  The interior was so lovely and peaceful.  I especially loved the Celestial room where the ceilings must have been 30 feet tall with a crystal chandelier that was awesome.  We sat there for a few moments and then hurried back to the dressing rooms to change into street clothes.  A member of the temple presidency met with all of us for about 15 minutes before we boarded the buses to return.

He was delightful. 

One the bus during the ride home, we had a testimony meeting.  Many individuals moved to the front of the bus and spoke for less than 3 minutes.  Nearly everyone started by introducing themselves and then saying “I love the temple.”  They often gave reasons why.

One young man said that the baptisms are significant to him because every time he is buried in the water and feels the water swirling around him, he thinks “Someone is getting another chance.”

Another said, “Going to the temple is like going home…..it reminds us of our potential.”

And another:  “The ancient prophets saw our day and looked forward to it….why?  Because of all of the temples.

We got back to Festinord at 2:00,  just in time to sneak into the back of the great cultural hall, where a general authority spoke to the YSAs.  There was a great lineup of speakers and music.  Our visiting authority, Elder Jose A. Teixeira gave a magnificent talk about not letting the tyranny of the "now" highjack our future..specifically our eternal future.  

That meeting ended in time for us to get to a 4:00 meeting with all of the YSA senior missionary couples.  It was most informative….hosted by the couple from Frankfurt Germany who coordinate all the European centers….a huge job.  We  had a great discussion that was very helpful to us. 

We hurried from that meeting into the kitchen where we got our assignments for dinner.  By this time it was 5.  We were supposed to serve dinner to 600 young people --  most of whom were in formal or very dressy attire.

Setting the tables in the great hall for a sit-down dinner proved to be quite daunting.  We had a dozen or more people but it was 7 before the first people went through the line to get salad….and easily after 8 before they got through the line again to get the main course.  Many ended up waiting outside for the bus to take them to the dance center.

It was a huge undertaking.  I was supposed to clean up and go to the dance, but by the time we got the hall cleaned up it was after nine and I looked like a mildewed dishcloth.  I had worn the same outfit all day and all evening, and it has been very warm….I felt like I had sat in a sauna – fully clothed – all afternoon.  I actually felt a little like Cinderella!

Not only was there no time to get cleaned up to go to the ball….but I was utterly shot.  I didn’t want to go anywhere.  There were 3 other senior couples who stepped in after the meal (even though they hadn’t been assigned) and worked hard til the hall was clean.  They had already gotten cleaned up, but they worked away in suits and nice clothing.  They were wonderful.  One of them was Elder Hicks who had a birthday today.

I had just barely enough energy to make it out of the building, down the hill, across the street and up the hill to where the hostel is.  I am wrung out!

Where was SK you ask?  Beside me all day, doing the same things I did….but when I came home, he went to the hall and took pictures.  As I write, I am nodding off…..I hope he will get some sleep tonight.

But it was such a marvelous day, and everything was done well.  The Finnish people were unfailingly kind and helpful, all of the senior couples so willing to assist in any way, and the young people were beautiful and handsome.  These Scandinavian people are truly beautiful.

But I hit the wall, and now I must go to bed…..pictures to follow tomorrow …..if we can access the wifi on board the ferry.