Post #5: Sunnuntai/Sunday

  This last Sunday really took my back to Finland in a very unique way.  My wife and I just moved which means that we had to leave a lot of friends behind, especially from our church congregation.  I had the opportunity to work with the youth of that congregation; it was a lot of fun.  We became good friends.  When it was time to leave it was very difficult because they were my friends.  I have no idea when I will get to see them again and it made me quite sad.  Interestingly enough it made me think of when I was in Finland.  I remember having to leave the congregations of people that I had grown to love to move to a new city.  I lived in Lahti, Kajaani, Pietarsaari, Espoo, and East Helsinki.  I made friends in each city, so when it was time to move it was really difficult.  Last Sunday was the first time I had felt that feeling in almost a year.  I was only sad for a short while because I remembered something that I learned during my time in Finland that just so happened to be the lesson in church.  I remembered that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us.  That we were with him and our friends before this life, and that through our choices decisions we can be with Him again.  I learned that the friends I made in Finland weren't just for this time on earth, but for the eternities.  And I know that the friends that I made in this scout group are more than just friends from a past church congregation rather they will be my friends for eternity.  When I put it into that perspective it makes it much easier to deal with the sadness.  This does not just apply to friends.  It applies to all of our loved ones.  We can all be with the ones we love again if we choose to follow God and keep his commandments.  This something that I have gained a testimony of and I would encourage you as the reader to do the same.  Find out if God is really there.  Pray to feel His love.  Pray to know if there really is a plan that will provide you an opportunity to be with you loved ones even after this life.  I promise God will answer you genuine prayers and that you can come to know through the power of the Holy Ghost that God does have a plan for us.  I hope this helps you in your search for happiness as much as it has helped me.