11/26/24 Flash Freeze

Another week in the books and here's a brief snapshot.

We talked to a lot of people, it felt like -13 C, had splits, tons of snow, it all melted.

There was more than that but that describes about 75% of our week. 

Admist all this, I've been reading in 1 Nephi 17 and verse 52 stood out for me this week.

"And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?"

I may not have to build a ship but sometimes missionary work feels like it. I might walk down a street I've never walked on before or go out on the streets at 5 PM when we would usually do something else but the miracles come. We ran into someone we've been messaging for 3 weeks just yesterday by trying something different. 

Whatever your metaphorical ship is, there is a way to build it. If that's missing the Sunday football game or balancing family and work and church, there is a way. Challenge for the week, Consider the miracles in your life and how you can 'build your ship'.

Here's the rest:

- Had a DA with the bishop and played The Mind with them. If you know, you know.

- Ate a ton of pasta on Saturday and felt it later.

- DC lunch happened in Kontula, which is one of the most dangerous areas in Finland. It was an experience.

- Our car tire has been leaking air for 3 weeks now. It'll get fixed... hopefully soon.

Anyhow, hope all those affected by the cyclone bomb are doing good and the rest of you are also staying warm.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Snow by the church

 Driving in a blizzard

 

Cool pool place we played at last P-day

 

Splits with Elder Larsen. Photo in front of the Oluthuone (beer room)

 

Church in snow

11/19/24 Hiljaa joki Virtaa

Well, another week flew and its odd how fast days are now.

Had district P-day last week and lots of walking ensued. Played basketball with the Elders and everyone had some skills.

Week was kinda just picking up the area and uping the contacting game.

One fun story though. We were coordinating a service project with a member who always has something to do for service. The catch, we coordinated without him in the loop. Imagine that six to eight missionaries are on their way and knowing about it only half an hour before. Not the best look but learned an important lesson.

Leads slightly into a thought. If communication is so critical in our world, then why are we so bad at it sometimes. President Russell M. Nelson has mentioned in his last few talks that our discourse with others should be uplifting and relation building instead of tearing down and fault finding. 

Clear communication is key in all aspects of life and as we strive to uplift others, nobody loses, nobody is shamed, and nobody is cast out. Invite for the week, send an uplift message to a friend or family member.

Well, here's the rest:

- Had a fun DA with a family and played a version of monopoly I had never played before. Their kids were young so it was simplified. I got kidna destroyed after the second turn and lost on turn twelve.

- Splits in Tikkurila. Met a guy whos super into racing cars. Had a whole setup and everything.

- Had a lesson with two Baptists/Prodestents, forgot which, and talked about the trinity for two hours.

- Had a DA with my greenie's family (I trained a Finn and he's from Hyvinkää). They also have a big dog too.

Well, all & all, life is going and the snow is coming. Hope you all are staying warm.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 84 stars photo for number of people in church

 

Beat The Mind. If you know, you know

 

The racing setup

 

The service project

 

Cool pond we found contacting

 

Did visit supercell headquarters

 Church in Riihimäki

11/12/24 "Our Trio's Down to Two"

Terve! It's been quite a week with some unfortunate updates. 

Like the title says, the trio was split. A missionary needed to go home so Elder Allred went to northern Finland.

The rest of the week was kinda normal. Contacting, service, etc. 

This may be a shorter email but I did listen to a BYU devotional for a while ago. It's called "In the Strength of the Lord" by Elder David A. Bednar. In it, he said:

"The Atonement is not only for people who have done bad things and are trying to be good. It is for good people who are trying to become better and serve faithfully and who yearn for an ongoing and mighty change of heart."

One thing I've noticed this last week is how the Atonement of Jesus Christ is more than just helping us in our trial. It also helps us become better as we pray for the power to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. The Atonement enables us to do what we can't. Invitation for this week, listen to President Russell M. Nelson's last general conference talk and follow through on his invitations.

Alright, here's the rest:

- Did a lot of woodwork on Saturday and still and quite sore

- Interviews with President Lehtinen. They went really well and its fun doing them in Finnish.

- Had splits and got to catch up with Elder Larsen. Super good and also had a small reunion with the mtc district.

- Lowkey not much else. Also might not have a ton of photos but more to come.

Hope you guys are all well and getting ready for November.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

The photo moments after the trio

 

Splits this week

 

Avg drive

 

Cat we saw during service

 

Trio photo

 

Splits photo with a new mtc comp item

 

The MTC crew

11/5/24 The Kiire of Hyvinkää

This week was a blip and once again not sure where the time went.

Zone P-day was fun but cold. Watched The Best Two Years for the first time and it was kind of funny. Also played hide and seek in an old fortress named Suomenlinna. 

The week proceeded to have a bunch of member work and service. 

The highlight was when we went to a YSA devotional from Sister Yee. She is part of the church's Relief Society presidency and spoke some simple but powerful truths. In my notes, these are the three that are most prevalent:

- Hard and good go side by side.

- Don't see yourself in limitation but in possibilities.

- Things might not always be logical but the Lord sees the whole picture.

The last one struck me because right now I'm in a slightly illogical situation in most peoples eyes. I'm spending two years living in Finland sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, learning Finnish, and serving people in small ways. I could be in my junior year in college and getting internships or working a solid job but I'm here. God's perspective is greater than mine so even if I'm in illogical situations, I'll trust Him.

Alright, here's the rest:

- Had a day with three DA's. Wasn't the most full I've been on a mission but it was close.

- First DC in the biggest district I've seen. 14 missionaries makes life interesting. Both trio's are in the same district too. 

- It snowed! That means not having winter tires on our car is a slight problem. Walked a lot these last few days.

- Had service with a fun family. Lots of wood moving in slushy conditions. My hands were slightly frozen after.

Probably missed a few things but I think that's most of it. Hope you all are doing well and surviving the cold. Feel free to send an email if you have any questions.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

DC hauska hetki. This is the collection of 13 people drawing my face

 

Pyhien päivää. Lights were placed around the graveyard and we visited.

 

Raking leaves

 

Zone pday as it was ending

 

Suomenlinna

 Lots of snow and icy spots. No falls yet.