Finland

Last Thursday, my dear sister-in-law Rachel came over to our house to open her mission papers. She's almost 21 and preparing to give 18 months of her life to full-time service to the Lord. Before she opened her call, we discussed places she could be called to. I figured since three of her cousins are serving (or almost serving) in foreign places, she would go state side. Four would be too many. Oh, how wrong I was. As she read out her call, we were all shocked to hear that she will be serving in the Finland Helsinki mission reporting January 2, 2013. How exciting!

We are so excited for you Rachel and we know you will be a great missionary! Just to prepare you a little for what to expect over there, I have found some fun little facts about Finland to share with you and my other readers. Matt and I had a good laugh about some of them!

Kaamos

• Finland is known as the land of a thousand lakes. It has over 180,000 lakes and just under 180,000 islands.
• The population is around 5 million and about 1 million of them live in the capital, Helsinki.
• It's also known as the land of the midnight sun because in June and July, the sun never sets.
• However, in the winter, there are days you will not see the sun. Finland gets cloaked in this strange blue light they call kaamos.
• One and two cent coins aren't used in Finland. Everything is rounded to the nearest 0.05€.
• The amount you get fined for speeding depends on the amount you earn. I like this one. :)
• In 1982, they made a law which stated you must have your headlights on at all times when driving in Finland.
• Finland is the only country that broadcasts news in Latin.
• Donald Duck comics were banned because Donald doesn't where pants.
• There are around 2.2 million saunas in Finland. To go in a sauna with clothing on is faux pas. Butt naked only. Rachel, you are not allowed in the sauna. They go in with friends and family and they run out and jump in the water or roll in the snow after awhile to cool down.
• Finland hosts some awesome championships like wife carrying, mobile phone throwing, mosquito catching, swamp soccer, sauna, boot throwing and air guitar. I especially love the air guitar one. ;)

Well, there you go Rachel! I hope you feel a little more prepared to head to Finland in four months! We love you and will miss you.

*I found my facts here and here.