8/28/23 The Week of the Splits

Another week came and went and I honestly have no idea where the time went.

We had splits with both the zone leaders and the APs (assistant to the president) throughout the week. We first were with the ZLs and they are pretty cool. I was with Elder Schwemmer the whole time and he gave me advice on how to study and continue learning Finnish. We cooked a hearty mac & cheese for lunch and I made some fried rice for dinner. I also tried Mud cake for the first time and it was amazing. Imagine a dense brownie that you warm up with super light vanilla ice cream on top. We ate good that day and on top of that, we made pancakes for board game night too.

With a few lessons and a few opportunities for street contact, I still don't understand much but using what I know to further the work is a blessing. All of our lessons are in English because we teach mostly immigrants and it is amazing to teach others as well. This reminded me of a talk I studied in the MTC called Testimony in the April 2008 conference by president Dallin H. Oaks. He said that, "we gain or strengthen a testimony by bearing it". The more I teach and the more I bear testimony of Christ in my life, the more I understand this quote. Each time you bear a testimony, through word or deed, you strengthen it and it continues to grow. By testifying about Christ and his doctrine, I feel more sure about the mission and about why I'm here.

We also went to Espoo to do some missionary work and it felt like a different world. There were easily 5 times the number of people we see in Pori on the streets. I used quite a bit of Finnish as I practiced more while trying to talk to the people. I was with Elder McArthur the whole day but it was fun. We did some service for one of the members there and it was a lot of yard work. Felt like cleaning up my grandpa's place a bit. McArthur mowed the lawn while I cut a bunch of thorn bushes. I wasn't unscathed but I did take down the bush. 

We have not had much time to do anything else but being busy has been fun and there's always something to look forward to. The Mission Tour is tomorrow and it's going to be quite the ordeal.

Hope everyone is doing well. The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

Pigeon...

 

With the AP's

Cooking up pancakes

Fishing from last P-day

The train ride study session

8/22/23 Pieniä Asioitä

So, this week has been a blur but it has been good. 

Last P-day, we met with a nonmember who loves the missionaries. So, we ate a lot of good fish and it was delicious. We also had more traditional foods too and the salmon soup was epic. 

Lots of lessons and lots of opportunities practice and do what I can while we teach. One thing I've noticed is that we do a lot of small things. Sending messages to others, planning, studying, street contacting, teaching, and a whole bunch more. "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (Alma 37:6). This has been a little bit of a motto for me on the mission. Small things are what make the difference and that is how we can see miracles. 

Yesterday, we got a referral from the sisters in Kokkola and a family is super interested in the church. One of the miracles that day was the Book of Mormon. Their native language is one I had never heard of but sitting in the family history center of our church was 4 copies of the Book of Mormon, in their language. We had a really good first lesson and we're excited to continue teaching them more about Christ.

Today has started pretty well too. I officially hit 20 now and having a birthday on the mission is a little surreal. The weather also turned into Washington weather here and it literally feels like I'm still home but still in Finland. Hope everyone's doing well.

These weeks are flying and it has been amazing.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos

Hiking through the forest

 With the District

Homecooked meal

The gulf

Casual train ride photo

8/15/23 District Council Times Two

First full week in Finland and it has been quite the journey. During last P-day, the Branch President took us out to the coast and it was amazing to see the waves and the powerful wind. We walked through a World War II outpost that had a lookout, ammo rooms, and other war areas too. The coolest part was that it was surrounded by nature. Trees were all around and the area felt a little sacred. 

We also had the best smoked salmon I've ever tasted here too. Also tried salmiakki (black licorice) icecream. That kind of taste is going to take some getting used too. After the food, we visited Yyteri, which is the largest beach in Scandinavia. It was impressive and the sand was pristine for a beach.

I've started street contacting in Finnish but so far, I have not gotten farther than "do you have a moment" since everyone said they're busy. My Finnish is still very elementary and I can barely understand simple conversations but I know as long as I have faith and put in the work, I will come to understand more with Christs help. "And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever." (Moroni 10:7). God never changes and as we believe in him and as we trust in his power, our actions along with our faith will bring miracles.

We also had our first Finnish lesson over the phone and I was able to bear my testimony about the Book of Mormon and it was an incredible witness to the gift of tongues as I had no idea what to say when Elder Kunz passed it to me. Another thing I noticed in role plays was the power of a testifying. Even if the language used is simple, testifying brings power because it's about what you believe and know. As I continue to learn Finnish and teach with Elder Kunz, I'll continue to testify of Christ and of the Book of Mormon.

Also, I did have district council twice in one week. So, we first had one this last Thursday and that was the intro to district council for me. Very different than MTC district council but felt a lot more productive. The district leader then decided to move district councils to Mondays, which meant that would be the second time we meet within a week. We took the hour and a half train ride to Tampere each time and I may have napped a bit. After the second district council, I tried Kebob for the first time and I'm still not sure what to think about it.

Anyways, this next week we're meeting a lot of the members and it's going to be busy.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

Elder Kunz and Me by the shore

 

Walking through the WWII outpost

The shore

The crown in the park

 

Yyteri beach

8/8/23 Suomiin!

Flew out from the MTC last Thursday and made it to Finland. The plane ride was a little long but it was good. First time in Europe and all is going well.

First meal here was some really good soup and some bread with cheese. The food here is pretty good. We also met the AP's and they helped explain a lot to me and Vanhin Larsen.

Saturday, we had an orientation about how the logistics of the mission work and how to fill out forms that we need. We also got our trainer. My trainer is Vanhin Kunz and he is good. Been out for a while and knows the flow of things. After lunch, we did a little bit of street contacting and found a guy whose hobby was to study religions. He was super friendly and we talked for a bit. After that, I watched 4 peoples' baptisms and it was quite the experience. Our area is Pori, which is a really good area. It has a small branch but kind of big geographically. 

Fast Sunday was also quite the ordeal. Since the branch was small, Vanhin Kunz and I blessed the sacrament in Finnish and both gave our testimonies. It was a little nerve racking but it was good. Just hearing people speak in Finnish is a little surreal. 

We taught our First lesson in Pori and it went pretty well. It was in English and it was cool to see how we help others learn about Christ. Before the lesson, I read Ammons story. When the King asked Ammon if he wanted to marry one of his daughters, he said "Nay, but I will be the servant" (Alma 17:25). We all can be servants of the Lord, missionary or not. When we serve, we start seeing blessings and miracles everywhere.

Still settling in and adjusting but excited for what awaits.

Vanhin Hsu

8/2/23 The End of the Beginning

Last week at the MTC and it has been a lot. We went full SYL (Speak Your Language) and we started seeing where we could improve and prepare. We had a lot of substitute teachers too and practicing languages has been a little tough but we made it. 

One thing I have learned here is the necessity to be flexible. Sometimes plans fall through and sometimes you have to rearrange how a day will look to fit everything in. At the end of the day, we are doing the Lord's work as we serve. "For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name: and him will I freely forgive." Mosiah 26:22. When we believe in Christ, we are able to be forgiven as we strive to change to be better. Christ's Gospel is all about change and how we can become disciples who seek the welfare of others.

                                       

Many highlights this week and here's a few:

- Had our last class with Sisar Ray and we all learned a lot from her.

- Met the new Finnish teacher, Sisar Spears. She's awesome and knows the language really well. Helped us out a lot these last few days in class.

- Woke up to At Last I See the Lights the last few days and the whole dorm sang along at 6:30 in the morning.

- said goodbye to our branch leaders yesterday. It was sad but hopeful as they are just as excited as us for us to go to Finland.

The Tuesday evening devotional was good. Brent H. Nielson talked about becoming disciples and it was good. He also served in Finland when he was a missionary and it was cool to get a shout out during the devotional. He also said that the Lord uses weak things to accomplish his work. It is amazing that all of us are 19-20 years old and we're serving missions to help further His work. With Christ's help, we can receive strength to do what is right.

We leave tomorrow and it's exciting. The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu