10/29/24 The Trio Life

Alright, this week marks the beginning of the trio and we're off to a good start.

We juggled DA's, Service, and lessons all while unpacking and getting all the food we need.

Also had a small mini 'splits' where I was left at members house while the other two drove all the English ward elders to the train station. Refer to bullet points later for a more comprehensive story.

Well, with a crazy start to the week, I also had few really good studies. One such study went over the talk Aligning Our Will with His by Ulisses Soares. In it, he focus on following God's will and introduced this phrase, "Doing what works for the Lord." A good question for this week is am I doing what works for the Lord? As we strive to choose the right and do what works for Him, we will see increased blessings in our life.

Alright, there was a lot so buckle up:

- Did some service out in the boonies. We cleared their stone path of grass and moss & on a later day, stacked a lot of wood.

- Had a DA with another family and ate arguable the best lohikeitto (salmon soup) I have had on my mission.

- Had a good board game event and discovered that a lot of members here play Magic the Gathering. I'm going to have to test my skills and my makeshift commander deck this coming Thursday.

- Zone Conference. Literally three days after transfers, we had zone conference, which is wild. Transfers are only seven weeks this time so makes some sense. One of the best ones I've had on the mission. A lot of focus on doing the Lord's will and keeping a good perspective on the mission and throughout life. 

- Another service with wood hauling on Saturday. Now, both Hyvinkää missionaries and English ward missionaries were invited. With our car, we fit seven people precariously and made it there. The father also made some really good pasta and has this whole secret recipe deal so probably can't recreate it. 

A few of the English ward elders were preoccupied as the time for them to leave approached. It takes about a ten minute drive from the members place to the station. So, to reduce craziness, my two comps left me there and drove the other four missionaries to the station. They apparently made it there in less that eight minutes (don't ask how). I wasn't complaining cause they also made some really good pulled pork so life was good. 

- Then, stake conference was also this weekend. Watched Saturday evening with a member and went in person on Sunday. I actually understood most of it and it was quite fun to listen to. They did talk a lot about marriage though so not super applicable to missionaries. 

Should be everything. Might be a bit long cause of that. Hope you all have a wonderful start to November and hope you all stay warm!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

The local Lutheran church

 

Crazy chest match against a members son. I was white.

 Elder Olson with a cat. (English ward Elder)

 

Us watching stake conference

 

AP Helske in all his winter gear during ZC. They had a demo on how to dress for winter.

10/22/24 Hyvinkäälle ja Kissa

Transfer day has come and gone and much has happened since then.

All the assignment I mentioned last week went well. Last Sunday was a little sad but good. Said goodbye to everyone and then left bright and early in the morning to Helsinki.

Transfer day is usually quite hectic but this time it was pretty tame. The office elders tried something different and it worked out for the most part.

Well, in the midst of closing Savonlinna down, I was able to stumble upon this talk for the most recent general conference. It is from Elder Gregorio E. Casillas and he spoke of Gods love. In it, he said, 

"He knows what it is to have to fulfill a calling and leave things behind to help the children of God. He has the power to bless you in everything if you believe in Him and do not doubt."

Being a missionary, this kind of stuck me. We literally leave behind our family, friends, college, etc and then come out to serve the Lord. While being here, I've seen numerous small and big blessing come that I never would have seen otherwise. It is also a powerful reminder that as we help others, He will help us.

Alright, lets see if I can capture the rest in bullet points:

- Got to visit Lappenranta! Pretty city in the east and fun splits over there. 

- Still not freezing so life is still good for now.

- Made it to Hyvinkää in one piece and now am in a trio.

- Had a DA the same day and impromptu service. They also had a one-eyed cat, which shed like no other.

Well, lots to come in this next week as we explore the area. Hope you all are doing well!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Sunrise at 7:40

 

Lappeenranta splits

 

Sunset

 

Last castle pic

 

The three stones

10/15/24 Farewell Savo

Welcome back everyone and this week consisted of much.

First, we had splits in Jyväskylä. For the record, traveling for seven hours takes a toll on us. Now, we did that twice in a matter of 24 hours. The splits were epic and we helped out with culture night there.

Then, transfer call came. First of all, Savonlinna is getting shut down. Secondly, Elder Gillespie is going to my greenie area, Pori, which is epic. Finally, I'm off to Hyvinkää! It's a city just above Helsinki and is the place where Elder Airto (my greenie) is from. On top of that, I'm in a trio with two second transfer missionaries. Life's about to get interesting.

Well, broke the news to the group here the following Sunday. Then proceeded to get a lot of assignments all at once. See bullet points below for details.

Amidst all of this, I listened to a new BYU devotional named "Let Us Run with Patience the Race that is Set Before Us" by Bradley P. Owens. To paraphrase, he talks about Cliff Young, a 61 year old runner who defied everyone's expectations and won an ultra marathon in Australia. In the end of it, he compares the marathon to our life here on Earth.

The main point is that as we run that race, with heartfelt prayer, scripture study, joyful repentance, service, and renewing and striving to live covenants, we gain energy for each step and start loving the race. With that momentum, we can set a pace for our lives that will constantly bring us closer to Christ. This weeks invitation, what can you do to set a good pace for the race of your life?


Ok, that's a lot, sorry, but here's the rest in notes:
- Assignment 1: I'm playing piano for the group's church meeting next week.
- Assignment 2: I volunteered us for the presentation during our mission webinar.
- Assignment 3: We have to deep clean the appartment before we leave.
- Assignment 4: We have to get winter tires onto the car before we leave.
- Assignment 5: Had to sort out hectic travel for DC. Should be taken care of now.
- I think that's it for assignments
- Had a few service projects. One of such was just walking a friend's dog.
- Apartment check was yesterday and we got a good score. Just need to deep clean the rest.
- Language cafe and we were the native English speakers. It was pretty fun and we helped them practice their English.
- Stopped in Joensuu for a but and got a few pictures.


Lots to do and not much time to do it in. Hope you all have a good week and enjoy the fall.


The work awaits,
Vanhin Hsu


Photos:

 Joensuu

 Walking the dog

 

Upturned tree

  

Picturesque Olavinlinna after 7 hours of travel

 

District P-day 'family' pic

 District & nachos

 

Burger king order number. Just need to find the one now.

10/8/24 General Conference!

Welcome back everyone and this week there was quite a bit.

General conference is a time where we get to listen from church leaders twice a year. This year had some great speeches but I'll just mention one today.

Elder David A. Benda gave a talk about pride. To paraphrase, pride weakens our connection with God and in this day of prosperity, possessions, and ease, pride has an easy route into our lives. The way to avoid pride is to diligently focus on on Christ. He also references a really good talk on pride from a previous prophet and in all, avoid pride and comparisons.

A few friends came to our General conference watch party and it was fun. Also watched a whole session in Finnish and m brain was in overdrive. If any of you haven't watched general conference or haven't heard of it, I invite you to look into it. Leaders teach powerfully though many inspirational messages.

Ok, here's the rest:

- Lots of service. Some garden work, some fence post work, and some trash picking up. 

- Two Dc's in the same week due to district p-day. Both were good and the district is awesome. Climbed a tower and also played a massive game of BANG!

- Lots of travel. up to 19 hours on either bus or train to get to those DC's. Another 14 hours in the near future too.

- Transfer call are coming up. No idea what is happening but excited to find out.

Anyhow, hope you all are doing well as the spooky season approaches. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

District pday

 Lookout photo

 

Cool stairs

 

Newt

 

Cool rock I found in savo

Wanted to add more but don't have the photos yet. Look forward to more next week!

10/1/24 Savonlinna DC

Many things happened and I'll try to get through them all.

First, we had our district council in Savonlinna. This place in notorious for being the worst place to get travel for but we got it to work. Good DC and made dumplings for the crew.

Then, we had our second lesson here after seven weeks. We talked briefly about each point of the Gospel and it was really a testament to the gift of tongues. 

We were given a small challenge to read a general conference talk each day leading up to this general conference and it has been enlightening. The latest one I listened to was Bridging the Two Great Commandments by Elder Gary E. Stevenson. In it, he said,

"For any suspension bridge to do what it was built to do, its towers must function together in complete harmony. Likewise, our ability to follow Jesus Christ depends upon our strength and power to live the first and second commandments with balance and equal devotion to both."

Its a little long but true. To follow Christ, we can't just focus on ourselves, we need to reach out and build others up. By doing so, we also are lifted up. How can you lift up others this week?

Here's the rest:

 - Had splits with the ZL's, which meant I got to talk with Vanhin Larsen again (my MTC companion). Also had some of the shortest splits on record.

- Had a DA with a member and discovered her daughter lives in Bellevue. Small world for sure.

Hope you all are doing well. Its nearly freezing and life is getting interesting. 

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

District @ the castle

 

Savo sign

 

There was a festival happening and a bunch of lights were set up. Wish I had a better camera

 Sand sculpture at the festivaali

 

Avg Savonlinna weather

 

District at the savo chapel