Monday, October 31, 2016

Colorful Autumn


Autumn is a real season here in Finland. We have watched the leaves begin to change colors slowly in August. In September we had the rain and the beautiful rainbows. There were wild berries of all kinds in the forests. There are forests everywhere. The people who know which berries to pick have shared many different ones with us. They gave us instructions on how to use them in cooking or just to eat them fresh. We want to share a wonderful blueberry pie recipe that Sister Hunt has tried and we both loved it. In October autumn ended and winter weather and cold temperture came.



Blueberry Pie
crust:
100 gram butter
3/4 deciliter sugar
1 egg
2 deciliter flour
1 deciliter oatmeal
1 t baking powder
filling:
2 deciliter sour cream
1 egg
3/4 deciliter sugar
2 t vanilla sugar
4-5 deciliter blueberry
(2 t potato flour - if frozen berries are used - shake the berries in it)

Crust: Mix softened butter with sugar and egg. Then add flour, oatmeal and baking powder. Spread the mixture into a baking pan, lined with parchment baking paper.
Filling: Mix sour cream, egg, sugar and vanillasugar. Pour on to crust. Then add blueberries on top.
Bake at 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees F) for 30 minutes.

We had a Zone Conference where safeguards for missionaries using technology was emphasized. This information is taken out of the booklet, Safeguards for Using Technology by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (1) There are apps that provide filters on our devices that protect us from inappropriate content. The best filter we have is our own will and desire to make righteous choices. Heavenly Father has given us the gift of moral agency and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We need to be in tune with spiritual promptings. (2) We must be focused on our purpose. Turn on our device only after our intention is clear. Consider the amount of time you will take for your righteous purpose. (3) We must use our agency to be disciplined in using our devices when it is appropriate. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught: "Handheld devices, such as smartphones, are a blessing, but they can also distract us from hearing the still, small voice. They need to be our servants, not our masters." (4) As missionaries we must work as One in developing a culture of unity, turst, obedience, compassion, caring, vigilance, and accountability so that we can all strengthen, encurage, and support one another. We must avoid isolation at all times.

Autumn is an excellent season for learning about things in a classroom or somewhere indoors because most of the outdoor activities are ending or have ended. The weather is getting colder and colder. Soon the freezing temperature will come. We will be plugging in our cars so they will start. But autumn is still beautiful!

We are grateful for your support of our mission. Thank you for your love and prayers. We love you all very much! May the Lord bless you in all you do!

Beautiful Autumn Day
We enjoyed the colorful leaves.
Some autumn flowers are late bloomers.
A few blueberries left for the animals.



Our golden church yard tree.
One species of pine trees turns colors and loosees its needles in the fall.
They are bare in the winter, but are so beautiful with new needles in the spring.
Elder Hunt helping a church member get ready for winter.

Precious monemnts frozen in time with cameras.

We still talk about our children's visit in September.
We Love You Dear Family and Friends! Take Care!

2 comments:

  1. This was such a special time, so glad we got to come. I think about this trip all the time, it was so so fun to get to know some of the members there and I'm so lucky to know them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It certainly was a special time for us too. We were happy to show you around and to introduce you to the members in our Joensuu Branch. They remember you and talk about how beautiful you are. The talk you gave has touched their hearts and often comment on how you inspired them to strenghten their testimonies. Thank you for your visit. It means so much to us. We love you very much. <3 :) <3

    ReplyDelete