Sisar McCammon on a Mission to Finland: Week 6

Hey everyone! How is it going? I'm sure having fun! The MTC is great and I am having a blast. Don't get me wrong though. The MTC is difficult and I'm growing every day. It's very different than any life you would ever live at home. I love it though. It's my safe little bubble and thinking about leaving in about 18/19 ish days is a little bit intimidating. I'm getting over it though. It's just kinda sad to know that it will be a long time after the MTC until I can see everyone again. It will be good though.

So here we go. This week was pretty normal, but also with an extra helping of sad. We got here the same time as the Danish missionaries and they left last week. It was super sad. They were our siblings at the MTC. First our MTC parents (the Polish) leave then the Danes. It was hard. Especially for Sisar Allen. Her twin is going to Denmark, so it's the first time they've been apart. It's all good though. It's getting better. We just miss them all a ton. Their last day was one full of tears. It was Monday, and instead of going to the office with them to cry, Sisar Godfrey and I hung back, and helped one of their companions move into a different room. She's going to Mongolia and is awesome. We love her, but she doesn't have a sister going with her so she bounces around a lot. We love her though, and she comes and visits us all the time.

On Sunday, we had a devotional from the MTC president and his wife. They are both converts and they talked about conversion and how we can make a difference even if we only baptize and convert one person. Then that person will marry another member and their kids will go on missions and have families and family history work will go on. So you may only be a rock in the pond, but the effect of that is larger and larger ripples.I know this gospel is true. That God loves us because we are His Children. That He created a Plan for us to return to His presence and become perfected in Him. He gave us all the steps and the way to return and live with Him again. This is why I am here. I want to share that message. I would hope that everyone would be willing to accept Christ as their Savior and allow Him to heal them. It's a message about hope and love and forgiveness. The chapter I enjoyed in the Book of Mormon this week was 3 Nephi chapter 11. This is when Christ comes to the ancient people of the Americas. This Book testifies of Jesus Christ. That He lives and that through Him we can live with God. I want everyone to know that I know and believe this. He absolutely loves us. I know this and have felt this so many times in my life and it is all consuming.

Then on Tuesday, we had Elder Clayton come and speak to us. He talked about Joseph Smith, and how he was the first convert. He didn't have missionaries to teach him, so God appeared to him then sent angels to continue to minister and teach him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was very inspiring to know that I am similar and will play the same role as angels. It was awesome. We have been teaching our teachers as they pretend to be interested people, and it's amazing to feel like that, even in a role play. I love teaching. Sometimes it's hard because I want to say in English, but then it is way harder because I have to speak Suomeksi in our role plays. It's helpful and will be great practice, but it's hard. It's getting easier the longer I'm here though. Although it's still kinda miserable because I suck at listening and the teachers speak so fast, that it takes a while to understand. The most used phrase in our district is probably "Voitko toista?" which means Will you repeat that? Either that or an insult. The insults change so much though that I can't keep track. The best one so far has been "Sinulla on rasvat kasivaret." You have fat arms. My district is hilarious. Finnish is definitely way easier with these people at my side. We help each other out so much. They're awesome.

Honestly, not really a lot happened. The days here feel like weeks but looking back the weeks feel like days. Everything blends together and I can't remember anything without my journal. I feel the Spirit everyday. I love talking to Sisar Cálderon. She's from Finland. I love her so much and she loves us. She is constantly helping us and also giving us more insults. The more time I spend here the less I want to leave. But I know that everyone will eventually leave, and I really do want to teach the gospel in Finland. It's definitely the right thing for me to do. And there are many ways for everyone to be a missionary. Our purpose as missionaries is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by Helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." Anyone can help with the beginning part of helping others to come unto Christ. It's especially easy around Christmas. Lighttheworld.org is a great resource to help you serve your neighbor and help them come unto Christ. The videos center on ways you can serve others and the website will show you different ways you can Light the World.

I love all of you so much! I miss you! But I know that the Lord is helping you where I cannot and that He loves you. I hope all your weeks are wonderful and full of joy! Until next week!

Love, Sisar McCammon

A little from her note to Bill:

There have been many McCammon-I days for me. There have also been some not amazing days that feel like they drag on, but the days feel like weeks and the weeks seem like days. The MTC is funny that way. looking back though, I try to only focus on the good. The bad gets drowned out that way. The new church curriculum will take some getting used to that's for sure. It is new but the way it should be. It's preparing us for something although I don't know what yet. I know you can do it. If you love God, it will be easy. This is just one way we can start showing our devotion to him. It's also a good way and reason to invite the missionaries over and talk about how much cooler than them I am. And maybe feed them a little bit of food, while they feed you spiritually... I have been keeping a pretty good journal that's a mix of what I learn and what I did throughout the day. There are obviously a few "I got Up and I got dressed" kind of days, but there are also others full of good things and miracles. Journaling is actually awful because my mind doesn't remember all my day in just the right way and then it sounds weird. Plus the concept is a little odd. But I'll keep it going just because. I know I might look back on it later and be glad, but now it's not something I love.

I love you too Daddy! I can't wait to see you again,

Here's some of how she is feeling in her note to me (mom):

I've had a lot of tender mercies this week and a lot of love. It's been a good week. I'm not used to being gone. I still call Sis Godfrey Cierra or Sis. And I still turn to tell you stuff and then when I try to tell Sis Godfrey she doesn't react the same and it makes me miss you. I miss shopping too. It's sad not being home. Mostly I miss the constant communication and seeing you 24/7. Don't worry about it too much. It will get used to it. It's just a thing that I miss you. Maybe it'll get better once I'm out of the country and am out there serving. We'll see though. I do love you all so much! I wish I could bring little pocket-sized versions of you with me. It's okay. I'm good until we get back to the residence at night. I'm pretty busy during the day to be bothered, but nights are rough. I am happy throughout the day. My district is awesome. And they're basically family now. When we're all together it's better. I am good. The homesickness will always linger. Home is where the heart is and you at home have my heart. I'm sure that'll change when I get to Finland. Honestly, I knew it would be difficult but not this bad. I do love you and I am very attached. I guess I just need to cut my apron strings… Oh yeah! Sisar Godfey is the best! I love her! Not as good as you but a good stand in! It's okay. I can wait for your hugs and cuddles. I'll just lie to myself when hugging anyone else. Thank you for everything mom! I'm logging off!! I love you so so so so much!! <3<3<3<3<3<3 You’re the best and I love you!!!!!

They had a tree lighting for the MTC.