We went to Savonlinna over the weekend of July 11 - - 14th with President & Sister Luthy (Temple President and Matron) along with Veli ja Sisar Gee. They had actually purchased tickets several months ago to go there and see an Opera.....Madame Butterfly. They invited us along after we arrived here. We quickly accepted their invitation.....if we could get tickets to the Opera and Hotel reservations! We lucked out and were able to get both. The plan was to leave Saturday after finishing our shift at the temple. We did and we stopped at a former acquaintance of the Luthy's and Gee's from many years ago on the way. Can't remember her name but she sure fed us a great spread of a meal! Just like the Finns are known to do....they have great 'southern hospitality'!

After we spent several hours with her, we finished our journey. We arrived at the hotel about 12:00 midnight. It was still somewhat daylight outside so we didn't have to drive in the dark. That was nice. We stayed in a very old Russian built hotel....about 250 years old. Even for its age it was still quite nice. Typically very European.

Sunday we went to church at the Savonlinna Branch....all three of the guys had served there as young missionaries. President & Sister Luthy were speakers along with a High Councilman. Wayne was called out of the congregation to speak. Funny thing....he somehow had forgotten his tie back in Espoo. He asked this guy at church if h happened to have an extra tie. Can you believe he DID!! That is a picture of he and Wayne with him pointing to the tie. As it turns out, he was the High Council speaker AND Wayne remembered him from 45 years ago too. He was just a little tyke and his dad was Branch President. Small world. After church Sister Maasinen invited Wayne and I over for a little lunch. We accepted her invitation. It was wonderful food. She also remembered Wayne from 45 years ago. We invited her husband to be baptized and Wayne said we would come back to Savonlinna for him to baptize him. He smiled!

We drove around o Sunday afternoon....saw the largest wooden church in the world. It was quite impressive. Drove on the 'ridge highway' that goes between several lakes. Walked up a tower so we could look out. The view was wonderful. Lots of little islands.

Monday we drove into Savonlinna and spent the day. Parked in ONE spot and left the car there. Took a ferry boa around some of the Savonlinna Islands. It rained most of the day. Had a late lunch on a floating restaurant boat....salmon soup. It was good. Went to the Opera at the Castle...very old, very impressive. The bottom fell out of the sky just minutes before the play started. YWe were afraid the noise would interfere with the sounds. It stopped just as the play started.

Got back to the hotel about 11:30 p.m. The opera was wonderful and it has been a great weekend. Came home on Tuesday morning and worked in the afternoon at the Temple. Memories were made and, as is said, a FUN time was had by all!!!