2/25/25 Into the Unknown

Crazy week of many hours walking and all is well.

Because we knew nobody, many messages were sent and we barely met a few people. The rest was the good old finding. 

Now, as we talked with people, we always try to ask one question, what are you grateful for?

My answer has changed throughout my time here in Finland but this one remains at the top, that "Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world". He saved me, you, your neighbor, your dog (probably), and everyone else you see. 

Challenge for the week, every day, reflect on what you are grateful for. I promise as you do, you'll find more joy and more appreciation for Jesus Christ.

Now, here's the rest:

- Our bikes were out of commission so we walked all around Mikkeli the last few days.

- Fast Sunday was last Sunday because of a ward conference next week and it went well. The branch is super inviting and I'm excited for what's next.

- We got a brand new apaprtment and everything should be good now. 

- Played a few board games the last few weeks. Terraforming Mars is a doozer.

Well, this week will be quite a week with our first DC coming up and everything else.

Hope you all are staying warm as it get warmer. 

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 Watertower at night

 

Big cathedral

 

Elevator photo

 #Mikkeli

 

De ja vu on bikes (1+ years since using them)

2/18/25 And Another One

Quite a week so I'll get to it.

First, transfers came and I got moved again! This is area 4/4 for the last 4 transfers. I'm not in the land of Mikkeli, super close to Savonlinna. My companion is Elder Richmond and its looking like we're about to do a lot of good work.

I was recently in a priesthood meeting with the stake and Elder Helske, a good friend of mine, talked a little about his mission. He also shared a cool scripture with it. In Doctrine and Covenants 4:3, it says, 

"Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work"

As he explained it, it is simple and profound. I decided to serve a mission because I have this desire and I stay on the mission for the very same reason. So, any of you who consider serving a mission, proselyting, service, senior, or just magnifying your calling, you are called. The question now is this, what will you do next?

Anyhow, let's see what I can remember from the week;

- Elder Allred got sick so we didn't do too much. Lots of kieli, some social media, and starting studying Finnish more intensively.

- Last District council was fun. Reflected on the transfer and all that has happened. Also shared some crazy stories. Some on crazy food, others on crazy situations. Made some dumplings as well. 

- Helped out with a kids activity at the church. Played some improv ball game and decorated a few cupcakes.

- Accidently sent an AI generated story about our district to the mission. It was supposed to be a fun little district thing but yeah. 

- Got to see old friends and companions on transfer day. Had about an hour in Tampere before leaving to Mikkeli.

- We have a new missionary apartment and we still need to set up a bit.

Lots to see and lots to do. Hope everyone is well and that spring will come a little early.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 

Cupcake decorating

 

Crazy rocking chair that Elder Allred didn't trust

 Finnish dumpling (sausage and potato filling. Quite good with Finnish mustard)

 

Me when I realized I sent the AI story to the wrong chat.

2/11/25 To Be Or Not To Be

And another week in the pages. Time is by far the weirdest part of a mission. It never agrees with you.

Besides that, we had a few trips this week to various places. First, Seinäjoki! We were granted a second splits and did some good work there. Second, Vimpeli. It's a small city at the edge of our area and we did some good work there. (I'll expand on it later.)

Sometimes during our companionship study, we listen to talks given by church leaders and this week, we listened to The Transforming Power of Faith and Character by Elder Richard G Scott. In it, he said this:

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day. Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming"

It kinda has the feeling of 'to be or not to be'. Truth be told, to become what we want to be may not be easy. Some say it may be impossible BUT it isn't. The path may not be clear but as you do what is right each day, polishing your character, you slowly become what you want to be. If a teacher, then teach. If a friend, be a friend. If a disciple, then be a disciple. 

All of this is possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our ability to choose the who, what, when, where, why, and how of our actions directs us to who we're becoming. I invite you all to ponder about what you want to become and see if there are things you can do now. 

Alright, there is the rest:

- The rest of district pday: We presented powerpoints and lets just say we laughed pretty hard. Two elders made ones for each other and pushed some humor to the limits. Also, Exploding Kittens. I wasn't last but died halfway in.

- Splits with Seinäjoki! So, got in around noon and made some pesto pasta. Ate a little too much and comatose started setting in. The best way to describe our companionship study was we learned about eternal families through modern media. 

- Still splits. We went tracting and a miracle happened. We knocked doors for about 2 hours and this older Finnish guy let us in. I wasn't listening 100% to the Finnish but after, Vanhin Airto said he had a Book of Mormon in the past but lost it. so, we gave him another and he said he'd come to church too!

- Origami Night! Only 3 people came but I have 1 photo I can share with you guys. Went well and made lots of origami.

- Vimpeli! Interesting place. Really good tracting and gave out a Book fo Mormon and two cards at the end of it. Also, lots of good sunset photos.

Sorry if this one is a little long. The next one might be longer but I'll keep it as concise as possible. Hope you all are doing well as winter continues.

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 

Door I accidently knocked. Says "no religious propoganda, thanks"

 

Google photos being funny. Left is companion. Right is an old AP.

 

Book of Mormon with a book saying "Can the bible be trusted?"

 

Vimpeli crest

 

Tracting cat

 

Dome church in Vimpelli

2/4/24 Pesto Pasta

Holy smokes. This week went wild with travel and miracles but it was fun. Still catching up on sleep but its coming.

Began with zone conference. Slept on a 1 inch pad of nothing. It was ok but lost a bit of sleep.

In zone conference, we discussed goals and now the mission is going towards 200 baptisms. On top of that, our zone is focusing on goals and how to achieve them. 

During the testimony session, I got a prompting to share a part of a talk. "Flecks of Gold" by Elder Patrick Kearon. In summary, he talks about people panning for gold that always throw away the small nuggets in pursuit of larger pieces. One person starting collecting them and soon had enough gold to amount to something great. 

Much like our lives, we will have many moments when we collect small experiences that are incredible. So, invite for the week, write down a moment from each day that was amazing, great, or even just good.

Alright, lets see if I can sum everything up:

- Zone conference went well. The funny photo went a little crazy.

- Had 2 school presentations. Both went super well and the students had great questions. Also got some questions about the FLDS church and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. My knowledge is not as thorough on those subjects but all went well.

- Baptism prep. We worked from ground zero and made the pamphlet from scratch, translating it all to Swedish.

- BAPTISM IN JAKOBSTAD! Our friend went to baptism and it was epic. the font took about 3 hours to fill but all is good.

- Went door knocking at the edge of our area and it was cold but fun.

Well, time is flying here. Hope you all are doing well!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Hsu

Photos:

 

Old church

 

Us and vaasa elders

  

The zone

 

District leaving zone conference

 

The prep for the baptism

 

Pesto pasta in Oulu

 

Pesto pasta in Oulu 1 year ago