11/28/23 Baptism in Finland

The longest 6 hours of my life preparing for and cleaning up but we had a baptism in Pori! Being pianist also added to the stress but it worked out well. 

So, full breakdown. We have been teaching this Sri Lankan family for 3 months now and they progressed slowly. One day 3 weeks ago, they told us they want to be baptized and the ball started rolling. Taught all the lessons, organized the baptism, and 3 days ago, it happened. "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) It really is the small things that helped them progress. Rides to church from members, meeting with us when they had time, and just being willing to learn. The light they have is amazing and the gospel has already helped them and will continue to do so in these frozen months.

We also had our Thanksgiving dinner Sunday evening too. It was good food and I was quite full after. Made some gluton free brownies as well for it. All & all, good food and company as we shared what we were grateful for.

Yesterday was probably the craziest day yet. We had out last district council and it was a little sad because two missionaries in our district go home in 9 days but it was good. We all ate leftover Thanksgiving food and it was delicious. Well, came back and went to a last minute dinner appointment. The one non-member in the part member family in Pori loves the missionaries here but isn't very open to the gospel, except last night. It took two hours before we got to that point but the 4 hr DA really helped. He even said he may go to church. 

Here's the rest:

- Hitting 6 months tomorrow. It's gone by really fast and everyone is saying it will go faster.

- Transfers are coming and it looks like I'll 6 month Pori, maybe. T-4 days till transfer calls.

- Splits with elders from Tampere here in Pori. Solid day and good work. Ones a business guy and the other is big on philosophy. Good pillow talk.

Hope you all stay warm as the cold is coming!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Pictures:

 -13 C (8 F), biking back, my breath froze onto the beanie.

Pianist at the baptism (very stressful but gratifying)

  

Sunset on the train

11/21/23 And Then There Were Interviews

Rain check: not really raining but snow is here to stay. Walking around in winter coats doing missionary work is quite fun when snow doesn't get in your shoes.

First off, we had the most interesting "lesson" per say and it was very eye opening. We met with two Finnish kids and an American who all do a daily bible study together. We had the help of a young adult member too but the start of the lesson went really fast. Off the bat, questions about trinity and the restoration came quickly. We answered to the best of our ability but as the conversation continued, we found a lot of common ground and it was eye opening to all of us. Not sure what will happen next time but that is for another time. 

We had interviews on Saturday and I'm honestly not sure what's going to happen next transfer. President Lehtinen hinted at being transferred to a new area and Sister Lehtinen talked about training. I'm looking forward to whatever happens. T-2 weeks till transfers. It was also cool to hear their insights on missionary work and also about how to continue learning and growing as I begin the journey of surviving Finland. We also talked a little about Patriarchal Blessings. 

I listened to a worldwide devotional for young adults and it was very informative. One part that stuck out to me was when Elder Clark G. Gilbert started talking about planning out your day and life. We need to set the non-negotiable things in our life now. Things like church, family time, and service should always be priorities as we form our schedules. IF we focus on what is important, everything else will work out.

Honestly, I can't think of much else. Busy week ahead. Here's the rest:

- The Sri Lankan friends are getting baptized this Saturday! Catch, we have to be at the church early to fill the font, drain it, clean it, and then fill it again. Huzzah to 1960's rusty iron pipes. Also, I am the tentative pianist...

- Helped teach a member how to teach like a missionary. Interesting experience but it was fun.

- Ate Rax's Buffet yesterday in Tampere and it was very sleep-inducing. Rest of the day I was very sleepy.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Hope you all stay warm and continue learning and growing. Every effort counts!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Pictures:

 

Going to Church

 

Elevator pic

 

Average train ride window view

 

7:30 DC walk

11/14/23 The Grind Week

Well, the title says most of it. Not the easiest week with weather and a lot of canceled lessons but it still had good moments.

The Zone Leaders came and we did not have anything. So, 3 hours of street contact and not much happened. We contacted one guy from Sri Lanka. We invited him to church and gave him a card. Remember that for later. We also had a board game night and 5 people came. Compared to the last few times, that was pretty good. Also learned how to play a Chinese card game named 干瞪眼 (Gan Deng Yan) from a few Chinese people that came. Imagine playing scum but on a different level. It was fun and some moves in that game are crazy. Also taught/was taught how to play a Russian game called Durak (Idiot). It was fun to play and we all had a good time. 

The rest of the week was slow except for Sunday. Now, that Sri Lankan I contacted was waiting in the parking lot with his family when we arrived. We let them in and started talking a little bit. As we talked, we discovered that they were members! Beneath our nose this whole time. Church was good and they all liked it. We also had another lesson with another Sri Lankan family as well. They are preparing to be baptized by the end of the month. Finland does get baptisms despite what everyone says. After the lesson, we had lunch with everyone who stayed after church. One of the members said "if there is enough for two, then there is also enough for three". So, a meal that was supposed to be for 6 ended up being for 15. There was some miracle there because we all were pretty full after. 

We also had another dinner appointment with the Branch president and he made some good food. We also shared a short spiritual thought as well. It was from Elder Dale G. Renlund's talk Jesus Christ Is the Treasure. "He is our Savior and Redeemer, the "mark" to whom we should look, and our greatest treasure. As you come to Him, you will be rewarded with strength to face life's challenges, courage to do what is right, and the ability to fulfill your mission in mortality." As we always put Jesus Christ in the process and always remember Him as we go about the day, he can help us. Whether it's in school, at home, during a work shift, or just being with friends, Christ will help us in our everyday life.

Here's the rest in points:

- met a new friend during board game night. She is super interested in learning more. Had our first lesson yesterday and it went really well.

- we are teaching a Finnish lady too! It was a good first lesson and I went into hibernation mode for some reason. So, I caught only part of it. The catch is she is a 40 minute drive from Pori and we're figuring that out.

- Finnish is actually becoming a little easier to learn. I can pronounce it pretty well but comprehension is still getting there. Hieno asiat.

- lots of social media and contacting. The grind never stops even when the weather is bad.

- learned how to griddy. Interesting how I learn more about my generation out here than at home.

Hope you all are doing well and staying warm as the cold season comes. 

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

The beginning of the snow

 

Splits with the ZL's. There are a lot of Chad blow up things by the barbershops.

 

Christmas decor. More to come later

 

Kebob... or what looks like it. Fancy omelet.

11/07/23 The Wacky Splits

Well, another week and lots of different experiences. From Helsinki institute to contacting in the Tampere keskusta on my own, I got to help the work in many areas.

So, 'My Plan' is the meeting of all the missionaries going home and my companion, Elder Kunz, is leaving in a month. We went to Helsinki, and then to the institute there. Well, met another 3rd of the mission and they're all so different. Finnish institute is also pretty cool but I only understood like 1/4 of it. The following day, I went all around Espoo. Had a crazy lunch appointment and it was fun. Helsinki has very different vibes than Pori. The best description of that day is that got ping ponged all over Espoo on makeshift splits.

Also, put an investigating family on baptismal date! They're really seeing truth and they're ready for the next step. Honestly, it was a shock to us cause our previous lesson was only okay. Either way, divine help and good member friends helped them come to the decision. 

Now, the actual splits with the Tampere elders was fun. I've never done street contacting that much as a missionary but it got results. "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:36) As I have faith in Christ, he helps magnify my efforts. All be it, contacting alone is "technically" not missionary code but it's pretty effective. I talked to 137 people and got 3 phone numbers. That was the most Finnish I've used yet but it was fun. 

Here's the rest:

- started switching bike tires for winter. Found a tire tube with a hole and now without biked 

- went to the Mummi museo in Tampere and it was epic. It gave me Ghibli vibes with the Art and layout and it was cool. May have to read the books sometime.

- had the Halloween party and saw over 30 non members come.

- had a good discussion about the ethics of drop-kicking a pigeon

Anyways, winter is coming and lots to do. Hope you all stay warm and safe.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Pictures:

 

District lunch

 

Mummi museo pic

 Flash blizzard effect

 

Bike condition

 

5 PM