Sauna? Say What?

It's Sunday evening and we just returned from a fun filled weekend visiting our future city of residence, Jyvaskyla. We met with a supporting church and Jason shared about our plans for the church plant. The Finnish church was warm and welcoming. We stayed with a WONDERFUL couple from the church who plan to be part of the church plant.

While Jason was at a youth event I stayed at home with Tina and our children. This couple happened to have a sauna in their home (well almost everyone does). Tina asked me, "Have you been to sauna yet?" And I said no, I hadn't yet. She told me we had to do sauna and that it's a wonderful experience. In my mind I was preparing for the big "unrobing." Yes, they go to sauna naked. I kept thinking you have to do this Heather! You can't go in your bathing suit, you're living in Finland now!! Do as the FINNISH do! Tina put the wood in the sauna and said it would be a while for it to heat up. Jason comes home and after a few minutes, Tina said so are you and Jason ready for SAUNA? Come to find out, she just heated it for Jason and I. I got so worked up for nothing, however, I now know I'm ready (maybe a few crunches shy) for the sauna, come that day. It was a great EXPERIENCE and it was nice to unwind, it put us right to sleep.

It has snowed this weekend like none other. We got off the train close to 9:30pm and we had a bit of a walk ahead of us. The snow was so deep the stroller was useless. Delaney went CRAZY, she hated walking in the snow. I was dragging a stoller and screaming child while wind and snow are blowing in my face at below freezing temperatures. The Lord is teaching me a lot about my attitude and life with a three year old. As we were walking through this snow storm I stopped and thought MY LIFE HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED!! Many Finnish people have asked, "Why are you living in Finland?" Tonight I thought to myself, "What the heck am I doing in Finland?" I was shortly reminded that God has sent us and weather will pass (hopefully).

Jason was a big encouragement tonight because I was in serious freak out mode when we got home. He told me to blog about it, so I did. I feel better!

First Week Complete

Our first week has been exciting. Last night was our first language class, very interesting. We had our language tutor and his wife over for dinner, I was so nervous entertaining in another country. It was great. We found out our tutor is Finland's 4th ranked squash player (it's like racquetball) The wife watched Delaney while we had our lesson.

Today I made cupcakes for a birthday party we were attending. Everything was going well until I got to the frosting. Something here is different, the butter, the powdered sugar, I couldn't figure it out. The frosting turned out sad, it wouldn't get thick. I improvised and put it in the middle of the cupcake (like a ding dong) Needless to say I cried, got frustrated and got over it.

Today Jason, Delaney and I tried to deliver cupcakes to the neighbors on our floor. No one was home so we delivered them to the family that lives above us. They actually invited us in and Delaney played with their boys and we got to talk with the husband. We were told that Finns don't normally invite you into their home the first time they meet you, that was a PRAISE!!

I have to say, I really LOVE it here. I do miss home but there is just something great about this place. Helsinki is beautiful and we can't wait to post pictures during Christmas time. I've posted a few pictures of our place. More pictures are to come. We don't take our camera out alot because it's ALWAYS raining. It's been a GREAT first week. Thank you for your prayers and love.

Finland! Finland! Finland!

We have finally arrived. It's been a while since I've blogged, sorry to keep you hanging. Funny story about our flight out here. Our family sat in the middle row on the airplane and one seat was open next to me, a woman sat down. This woman did not speak English and I never did figure out what language she DID speak. The flight begins with her force feeding my family carrot sticks. It was totally hilarious. I was polite and took two and she motioned to me to keep taking more, more, more. About 15 or 20 carrot sticks later she was satisfied with how many I took. This woman knew I didn't speak her language but she talked to me the whole flight in her language. It was hilarious. I just nodded my head and smiled.

Finland is great. I've yet to see blue sky or sun but I'm sure those days will be here soon enough. Our life has changed in so many ways. We went from having our own car, now we walk and take the train (which Delaney loves). We went from wearing flip flops everyday, now we wear socks, boots, sweaters and jackets.

Yesterday was a busy day. The pastor of the International Church and his wife took us to get our lives in Finland set up. We got our library cards, cell phone contract, internet and bank account. What's funny is how many different places you go for things. You have to go to the pharmacy for pain reliever and the optomologist for contact solution. I'm so used to grabbing it all in Target. For all of you who worried about how I would survive without Target, worry no longer. I have found two stores which are the equivelant to Target and Walmart plus they have the grocery section included. HOORAY!

Pictures are to come soon. Love and miss you all!!