Sunday, January 18, 2015

Lucky Shoes

A Finnish holiday tradition that dates back to the 1700's pouring tin.  Each participant melts his or her own lucky horseshoe and then pours the molten tin into a bucket of cold water.  The shape or the resulting item is then analyzed to determine what the future holds for the person.



At the first family home evening of the year we decided to participate in this activity, even though it is traditionally a New Year's Eve activity.  We had three visiting YSA from Moscow, who came to the temple for the week and also participated in various activities with the Finnish YSA.

Sasha (on the left) is not sure what to think of her pouring, which ominously looks like a striking cobra!  Masha is happier with hers, although I'm not sure what it reflects.  These were two of our visitors from Moscow.

Elina got a tiara, which definitely promises good things for the coming year.

Kari's pistol would get him expelled from kindergarten in the U.S.  particularly if he used it to attach another student.  Hopefully, this is a symbol of security and protection, and not an omen of other things to come.

Marianne's pouring was one of the most interesting.  From this angle it looks like a fish, when held upright like a mushroom, and still different things from other angles.  Looks like it will be a productive year for her.

Can't remember whose this is, but he will likely be traveling to Venice this year, as this "gondola" promises.  Perhaps he will stop by on the way to the dedication of the temple in Rome.  Sometimes the pourings are interpreted by holding them up to a candle or light and then looking at the various shapes of the shadows.

Samu's pouring is also interesting.  Is it the Greek letter gamma, or carpenter's square signifying a construction project.
 All in all this was a fun project.  In addition we created a 2015 bucket list of things we wanted to do this year.  Everyone shared a few of the items on their bucket list.  Happily, many included more frequent temple attendance among other things.

We also started an English institute class which Anne and I will teach, if we can get students to attend regularly.  There are about 20 of our YSA that don't speak Finnish fluently and so do not usually attend institute.  We are hoping to help get them more involved by offering this class.  We were planning to start the second week in January, but our Russian sisters wanted to come so we held the first one a week early.
From left to right: Sash, from Moscow; Kim an investigator; Naomi, from Argentina - she has Russian grandparents and has been doing family history in Russia over the holidays; Lucy, from the Philippines, works evenings and so may not be able to attend regularly; Masha, another of our Russian guests; and Pontus, who just returned from a mission in Japan.

1 comment:

  1. How blessed you are to work with young adults. For 21 years I worked closely with college students. For me it was comforting to see what wonderful people they are. When the world is worried for our future, I just look at our youth and know we do not need to fear. They are awesome.

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