10/31/23 Zone P-day and More

This week, we had not much time to find cause we taught a bunch and had Zone Conference.

Well, Zone P-day was awesome. Well... the start was slow but it was good. We didn't get into Tampere until 12 and it was a little chilly. The Mitchell's (a senior missionary couple) took us out for lunch and it was pretty good. Afterwards, we played rugby with the Zone. 32 degrees, running around, and teaching others rugby rules made it quite lively. Also played some board games (Secret Hitler and The Mind) and got to know other missionaries in the mission. 

The next day, we had Zone Conference. It went really well and there were lots of memorable moments. Lots on winter safety and also lots of good Insightful for missionary work. One of such was doing the work for the right reason. The goal is to do it out of love. As I studied this week, one Conference talk stood out to me. God Knows and Loves You by Elder Allan T Phillips. "Prayers are answered. And answers can be felt. Some of the most real things in life are not seen; they are felt, known, and experienced. They too are real." Some of the most significant things in life are not seen and as we come to love others like Christ, we too can feel how real and powerful His love is.

Well, the rest of the week was lessons and a few other things. Here's the highlights:

- woke up super sore after going all out in rugby (touch not tackle) for Zone Conference 

- went to Reposaari and visited a member. It's right by the sea and it's breathtaking

- 2 dinner appointments with the branch president and he cooked some gooood food.

- helped a lady jimmyrig her tire fender in 32 degree weather.

- lots of Halloween party prep that's continued into today

- lots of snow. About to be a long winter.

Hope you all are doing well and have a good Halloween!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

The morning grocery run 

 

Rugby squad

 

Zone pic. We're still mostly normal people

 

Pit stop after fixing the car fender

 

Avg Reposaari view

10/24/23 It's Officially Freezing❄️

It snowed all the way in Pori! Well, the average day is between 30-35 now and bundling up is becoming second nature.

We had the apartment check by the mission apartment coordinators and it went really well. Learned a lot of practical cleaning skills and also the importance of maintaining a clean living space. Cleaning isn't glamourous but it is important. "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" (D&C 109:8). Our homes are important place to learn and grow. As we prepare every needful thing, everything else will work out.

Stake conference came and went. We had a few friends come and we talked a lot after about life. That same Sunday, we biked 20 minutes out to an inactive member to give  them some brownies. Well, long story short, we introduced ourselves, they said they were not interested and told us off, and then we biked home. That's another thing that I've come to learn here. Everyone has the right to choose what they do with their life. We can't force people to do what we want. All we can do is choose for ourselves how we want to act and live.

Here's the rest in bullet points. 

- Had a really good lesson with a Finn. Kinda interested and loves to learn and be "intellectually stimulated" as he would put it.

- Baked some pretty good brownies and gave them to a member as a birthday treat from us.

- Made another origami orb/star thingy in my free time.

All & all, another good week with another good one coming. Also, Zone P-day today. More on that next time. Wish you all a happy autumn and hope your all doing well.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Avg bundling up getup

 Snow

 

8:00 AM grocery run

10/17/23 Going Everywhere, Doing Everything

Not sure where to begin. Pretty full week of missionary work but it has been good.

First, the Assistants to the President (AP's) came to Pori on Thursday and we found a lot of people who were interested in either our language class or church and it was cool to see how time and effort brought results. On the same day, we taught a Finnish class for immigrants. Teaching others is just fun and it helps me learn as much as I help others learn. 

The next day, we helped a family build a shed. The father is pretty good at woodworking and all we did was come and help nail in some interlocking wooden boards for the wall. It took a solid 5 hours in 43 degree weather but it was fun. Great day and great experience. Honestly, serving others is one of the best ways to find joy and give joy at the same time. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17) It traces back to the two great commandments. To love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). As we serve and help others, we find joy and fulfillment as well. Whenever an opportunity arises, serve others!

Saturday came around and we spent the day at the temple. The temple is where we further learn and make covenants with God and being there with new members was amazing. On the same day, many other new members came and we saw a lot of missionaries there as well. The drive to Espoo and back to Pori took a solid 6 hours in total but it was worth it.

Sunday came around and we had 5 friends come to church. The work moves forward, even in Finland! We also had a really good discussion with two friends, a new member, and a young adult member and it was amazing seeing them all build off each other and support each other. Sorry for being a little vague, privacy laws are a little stricter here and it's better to be safe than sorry. 

Here's the rest in points:

- Went street contacting in Tampere for an hour with a new missionary. We were fumbling in the language but overall, it went pretty good.

- Discovered that making pancakes with lactose free milk results in interesting pancakes.

- Had to change seats on the train because some pipe was leaking above my seat.

Hope you all are doing well. If you have any questions or want to know more about mission life, Finland, or the gospel of Christ, just send me an email.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Working on the shed

 

The 7:30 AM view on the way to the train

 

Temple

 

Rainbow

 

The average Sunday morning (it was also a really long week)

10/10/23 The Beginning of the End... or the End of the Beginning?

By far the weirdest week yet. With transfer call anticipation gone, our energy was a little low and this week was kind of a grind. That also means I finished my first transfer in Finland!

So far, one of the best methods of meeting new people for us is teaching a Finnish class for foreigners and this last time, we had 11 people come. That was amazing in itself. We tried to teach about how to put words in the past tense... and it wasn't too bad. My trainer, Elder Kunz, has lived in Finland for just about a year and a half and it even stumped him a little as we prepared to teach it. Finnish is no joke and the grammar is on another level, like English, but I trust it will come with time and with God's help.

We also went to another event that was hosted by another group that is promoting student socialization and community building and that was really good. We met some key community members that host events and they want us to come to them. More doors opened after that and more events look very promising in the near future.

During lunch, after district council, I recounted a story that happened a few weeks ago that I don't think I wrote about. One day a few weeks ago, I discovered the quickest way to crash a bike. I was riding the bike with no handlebars and then I attempted to change the gears using my opposite arm. Losing control almost instantly, I hopped off the bike as it crashed. I was fine but it was odd. After a spell, we were biking to the church to study and I told Elder Kunz about the 0 control method. He saw the crash earlier and I wanted to explain how it happened. Well, as I continued on, I heard a bike wipe out behind me. Looking back, Elder Kunz was just sitting on the ground beside his bike (he was okay). After a few laughs, we continued on our way to the church.

In a way, this reminded me of how God's commandments work. He has given us rules and in the scriptures, it is written frequently that "If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land" (Alma 37:13). Some commandments may seem odd or "not cool" by societal standards but they are still important. We just have to trust God and trust that we will receive blessing by following His Commandments. At the end of the day, we just have to trust God and have faith everything will work out.

Not enough room to type more but here's a recap:

- Put somebody on a baptismal date! She is super ready and is willing to take the next step. 

- Learning how to play a few hymns, Simple and Clean, Melodies of Life, and How to Train Your Dragon on the piano.

- Lost 2.5 hrs on Sunday after being roped into going with the Branch president as he gave the Pori tour to Sister Brown's family.

- Low success knocking on peoples doors but all hope isn't lost yet.

- The weather has turned for the worse. 20 mph winds, rain, 95% humidity, and darkness is looming.

- My companion returns to the US in December.

It truly is a blessed time to be on a mission and the winter is looking to be another level of cold. 

Hope life is going well for you all. Trust God.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Bridge sunset

At the WW II Outlook

 

Frisbee golf pic

 

Eating sweet macaroni salad at the church after a lesson

 

One of the last good days at the beach

One of the last good days at the beach

The graffiti we see every day cause it's on the way to to church.

10/03/23 Transfer Calls and General Conference

Okay, having both transfer calls and General Conference makes for a very weird week. All and all, the week was pretty good.

For transfer calls, we had splits with the Tampere elders. Between Friday and Saturday, some of the best and worst things have happened so far. Friday afternoon, the elders arrived in Pori and we ate lunch together. Afterwards, Elder Kunz and Elder Torgersen went to plan a lesson they had in an hour. I was with  Elder Jensen and Elder Hall. First, Elder Kunz lost his backpack. After that, we miscommunicated about lesson time. Luckily, we were early and still could do the lesson. We taught 2 friends and a recent convert and all the lessons went well. 

Now, Saturday was the 'moment of truth' day. All of us were anxiously waiting for the call from either the mission president or the AP's. The hour leading up to calls was strange. The anticipation consumed everyone's thoughts and it was hard to do anything. So, after the wait, the other Elders were called first. Elder Hall is going to be a Zone leader and the others will be scattered about Finland. Not too long after, we were called. The results: I'm staying in Pori with Elder Kunz! This means I will probably stay here for the next transfer too but I'm looking forward to what's next.

On that same Saturday, we also had a General Conference party at a members house and they made some good chicken wings to eat. With new members there as well, we were able to help explain more about the conference and help them understand some doctrines taught by the apostles. Overall, that Saturday was long but good.

President Russell M. Nelson's talk was a good one to finish the conference. The mindset of "think Celestial" is crucial in our day. With the goal of living in the Celestial Kingdom with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in mind, the smaller things fall into place. It is like solving a puzzle. We have the picture to reference and have the piece to complete it. If we keep the picture in mind, the puzzle pieces slowly come together. As we have that Celestial mindset, the pieces will come together over time and we can come to understand God's plan for us. Living the Gospel isn't a sprint, it's a marathon.

Anyways, the rest of the week flew before and after those two days. The weather is 95% humid and 50ish degrees now. Change is in the air and these coming months look bright despite the inevitable darkness.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Whiteboard contacting

 

Average kebob and pizza trip

Sorry, didn't take a lot of photos. I'll try to take more for next week