8/26/24 One Year Older and Hopefully Wiser too

My birthday was this last week and I'm now 21.

Besides that, this week was loaded with small miracles and happenstance. We were able to meet with a couple of people we talk with on the streets and they're pretty cool. Also, met a bunch of exchange students as well. We pretty much met with everyone who want to meet with us.

Studied well this week and one thing that stuck out to me is a small part of Helaman. In Helaman 3:20, he says, "and he did do that which was right in the sight of God continually". As I pondered how I did missionary work, it kind of clicked. As we do what is right, things just tend to work out. 

I'm not successful if I baptize 20 people or hold a leadership position. I'm successful as long as I have a desire to serve and do what is right. By doing what is right leads to miracles. And there were many this last week.

Ok, here's the rest cause it's a lot:

- Served many people. Some gardening work for one, some wood stacking for another.

- Discovered what really bummy travel felt like. Left at 7:20 to go to DC and got home at 21:50. Maybe won't be doing that anytime soon.

- Celebrated my birthday with the district. Good times and tried a Pätkis cake. Not too bad. Also got to see my old MTC companion Elder Larsen.

- Went to the Olavinlinna castle and it was epic. 

Well, hope you all also had a miracle filled with and hope your summer end is good. 

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Castle

 

Vantage from the castle

 

Castle

 

Us in the castle

 

Pastime in Savonlinna. Terraforming Mars is quite fun.

 

Scenic shot

 

Just a photo

 

Fish

8/20/24 The Savonlinna Speed Run

At least, parts of the speed run. We were able to hit a few key locations and got a few good photos too.

This week was fast in the fact that we just did the work and time flew. There is more contacting to be had in Savonlinna but its pretty fun and we managed to even set something up with someone we met! Things are only looking up from here.

One thing I have noticed comes from a scripture in the Bible that has really come true here. It is Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I have spoken more Finnish here than almost all my other areas combined and I'm still not sure how. The Lord has truly been blessing me and my companion with the ability to understand and speak Finnish and the miracles just from that are quite amazing.

Honestly, the rest was kinda smaller but here's the rest:

- Visited Kerimäki, home to the largest wooden chapel in the world.

- Visited a member who lives in the middle of nowhere. scenic drive and it was cool talking about his experiences with the Holy Ghost.

- Did some service for and older lady and help rake leaves and trim her bushes. 

- Started on the social media grind. We have been creating Facebook reels about the Gospel and its been pretty fun.

Anyhow, hope you all are doing well as summer reaches its end.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

The super big church

 

Savo bridge

 

Scenic photo

 

Massive church from further out

 

Our church building

 

The castle

 

Scenic photo 2

8/13/24 To the East!

Another transfer like that and now I'm kind of old in the mission.

Biggest news this time was transfer calls. I have been called and am now in Savonlinna! I have been in big cities for a while and I'm excited for the small town switch up.

The next order of business throughout the week was transfer day travel. Once again, we spent hours on planning and purchasing travel for the whole mission. I still am not sure how it all works but I do know that we received a lot of help from the Holy Ghost.

One consequence of being in the office meant our studies were shortened a little. Despite that, I ran into a good BYU devotional named "Guidepost for Life's Journey" from Thomas S. Monson. In it, he mapped out four different things we could do.

First: Glance backward

Second: Look heavenward

Third: Reach outward

Fourth: Press onward

In summary, whenever we are running into a challenge in life, which is quite often, we can do these four things to redirect our efforts and continue in faith. It takes effort but it is worth it to keep going and I invite you all to keep going and doing good.

Here's the rest:

- Visited Lohja for splits and it was pretty fun. Learned how to play Throw Throw Burrito.

- Made it to Savonlinna and it was quite the trip

- I'm in the same district as my old MTC companion!

Well, hope you all are having a good summer!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Newt we found in Lohja

 

The beginning of transfer day

 

Savonlinna

 

Later during transfer day

8/6/24 More Quests

Another week went pretty fast with many, many side quests.

Began with a trip to the Temple. It is amazing how the House of the Lord really brings you more understanding. The scriptures describe it best in D&C 88:119, which says, "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;". Well, when we went there, I focused on the learning part and it was eye opening. In any case, the Temple is truly a House of the Lord and it can bring you answers.

Oh, also, we had a double baptism day here in Espoo! We were teaching one of the recent converts kids these last few weeks and he got baptized. There were a few things that I guess we didn't explain well but it still worked out. Three hours later, the Espoo 1 sisters had a friend baptized too, which was awesome. Definitely a blessed day for all those there.

Then, the quests commenced. This is more bullet point worthy so here it is:

- Helped a recent convert move. Apparently, it saved the AP's big time cause the recent convert doesn't really like them right now even though they are the ones teaching him.

- Visited a church that held their service in Russian (my companion knows Russian and was curious). It was very interesting. Thirty minutes of Christian rock music for the opening hymn and then some preaching by the leader of the congregation. We left halfway in because we had to get to our church meeting but it was still interesting.

- Office has picked up a little and the real challenge will come this Thursday. I'll know where I'm going and who I'm with. Big updates in the next email.

Well, that's about all on my end. just awaiting transfers and planning the travel for it all. Hope you all had a great beginning to your August!

The Work Awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Our humble collection of chocolate in Espoo

 

Metro

 

Avg lunch.

 

Bad attempt at new profile pic.

Once again, didn't take enough pictures. I'll try to take more.