4/29/25 We've Never Met but I Know You

That was the response I got from every new missionary I met on transfer day. Small mission means word gets around.

Speaking of, transfer news! I'm staying and now with Elder Argyle. So far, we have a solid 70% of our interests and hobbies match. 

Anyhow, while studying General conference talks, I read Worship by D. Todd Christofferson and he gave this piece of wisdom;

True worship is transformative.

If we go to church to just socialize, we miss the mark. As we continually worship God through song, prayer, and study, we can transform. Bad can become good and good can become better.

And the rest:

- Transfers! I stayed and got to go to Pasila and see a lot of old friends. 

- Last transfer. Lots to do and plan before time runs out.

- Visited Ristiina. Just as small as Anttola and knocked on tons of old people's homes. Now I've hit all the reasonable satellite cities in Mikkeli.

Stay tuned next time for MyPlan, Vappu, and a busy week. Hope all you guys are doing well!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 Pasila on transfer day

 

On the way out with Elder Argyle

  

The train window

 

Ristiina

4/22/25 A Very Finnish Easter Inbox

Happy Easter everyone! With the climax of the week being Easter, much work was done.

We got the double splits. First with the ZL's and then the AP's. Solid times but lost a bit of sleep. 

The main though of the week was Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection. Just as John 3:16 states;

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The most powerful being gave his son so we all could return to him. Even as John 15:13 says; 

Greater love hath no man that this, ... to lay down his life for his friends.

First, Jesus Christ call us all his friends. Second, he was willing to lay down his life out of love. God's whole plan for us is out of love. Even though easter is past, I invite you all to think about God and Jesus Christs love for all of you and let it influence our day to day.

The rest (might be a bit);

- Splits 1, Jyväskylä. One of the ZL's is quite talented at cutting hair and was giving free haircuts. Had a lot of good conversation with others. Followed that up with some contacting and every college student was out that day. Some kind of challenge was going on and everyone was drinking and partying. Maybe not the best time to go contacting but we tried.

Small miracle the next day. Wandered around and on the way back to the apartment, a younger dude stopped us and was interested in talking about the church! That doesn't happen but it did.

- Splits 2, Mikkeli. Ap's came and we visited Otava. Did some doors and then returned for a bit of streets. Nothing crazy. Followed that up with contacting the next morning. We watched part of a tech rehearsal for a free outdoor play about Jesus Christs life. More on that later but solid splits.

- The play. Well, a Finnish Jesus is very interesting to watch. There was also I'd say about 1500 people outside, which never happens. Twas a fun Friday activity. Tried to talk to a few people after and nobody wanted to talk. Many wound up in bars right after. Huzzah Finnish culture.

- Made a gingerbread house on Sunday and posted my pixil art reel on Saturday. 

- Last P-day was district P-day and we were at a members place. It was gorgeous and it felt like summer. Roasted some sausages and chilled.

That should be everything. Happy late Easter and wish you all a warm spring!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 Gingerbread house

 

The play & lots of people

 

Ice cream after the play

 

Frog

 The district

4/15/25 Profeetta Sanoi...

And another week in the books. 

We visited two different members this week and both visits were good. Small story on one later.

Besides that, just the good old work to be done. With Easter here, more people are willing to talk a little about Christ and its been fun sharing Gospel truths. 

One scripture I came across comes from Doctrine and Covenants 76:22. It states;

And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

He indeed lives. Jesus Christ is the hope and light of the world. As we turn to him and keep the commandments, he will support us as we become who we are meant to be.

Ok, the rest with a story;

- One of the members we went to was a super nice older couple. First shocker, we ate beetroot casserole. Second, it was actually really good. Ate my fair share.

During the spiritual thought, we talked about General Conference and it went normal for the first half. The second half, not as much. It began with the couple jokingly asking/saying that we have girlfriends waiting at home. Following that, we were asked this question,

"What has the prophet said about what missionaries should do when the get home?"

Down to just two options, I opted to say get and education. This was the response,

"no, no. You need to get married. Then go to school."

Now I have advice from a Finnish member, get married quick.

- Saw an ice cream truck drive by while we were doing some service. 

Hope spring is going well and enjoy the coming weather everyone!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 

Service

 Maami

 

Finnish language day was last week

 

The snow that remains

4/8/25 "You don't have much time left" "I know"

And another week including visiting other churches and interviews with the mission president.

As per my title states, one of the first things sister Lehtinen told me was that. In a similar yet different manner, president Lehtinen gave an analogy to describe how I should see the work.

Imagine running the 1600 M or the 3200 M. The race itself is pretty steady and not much action happens ...yet. On the last lap, people start to speed up and for the last 100 M, they are practically sprinting. This 'last kick' is important. It is the make or break of a race. 

Looking back, I've run pretty steadily and sped up the last two transfers. The real question is will I have the 'kick'. There is much to do so I will work until I can't. My small invitation is to remember a point in your life where you had that 'kick'' and it made all the difference, and jot it down somewhere.

Fun analogy and fun interviews. Also General conference was fun. Would refer a friend.

Here's the rest:

- The Lehtinen's are big track and field fans and got to connect with them about it.

- Visited a Jehovah's Witness, Lutherin, and Pentecostal church. Twas a lot.

- It's crystal clear sky with 25 degree weather. Its still cold.

- Went to Jyväskyla for DC and explored a bit.

- Lots of doors and walking the streets

- Both our planned splits got canceled and moved to next week. More to come in the following weeks.

All and all, just trying to keep that kick, even if I get a side cramp along the way. Hope spring is treating you all good and till next time!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

An Olympian from 1920

 

Flowers

 

JW church

 

Pieksämäki

 

The cloud wall

 

Comp stole my phone

4/1/25 Meeting Stitch... Again

Twas a good week.

Zone conference! We took a trip to Kuopio and stayed overnight. To make sure there wasn't 16 Elders in one apartment, we stayed at an AirBnB. That was super nice. Sun rising at 5:40 wasn't too nice but nice place. Got to catchup with some old missionary friends.

Zone conference was good. Lots of discussion on the missionary purpose and it was cool. Success as a missionary is not numbers, baptisms, or wearing yourself thin just to say you did. 

In Preach My Gospel, it states:

"Your success as a missionary is determined primarily by your desire and commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm converts and to help them become faithful disciples of Christ and members of His Church"

Desire and commitment. In a way, this translates to any purpose or goal. Yes, we want to reach high goals. Yes, we want to achieve great things but it starts with the inner commitment. Setting a goal knowing you won't follow through doesn't help. Setting the right goal and having that inner desire and commitment can be life changing.

What can you do to change that inner desire and commitment?

I had lots of take aways but that was the biggest. Here's the rest:

- Stitch. A few weeks ago, we talked with this guy who sounded like Stitch but in Finnish. Harder to understand but didn't think too much of it. Yesterday, we ran into him again. As soon as he started talking, I knew we had talked with him before. Not interested in the Gospel but a fun encounter.

- We emailed a referral (someone who sends their info to the church to meet the missionaries) and it worked. Emails usually don't but it did this time.

- Remember that origami tie? I decided to wear it to Zone Conference. Twas fun but plan on redesigning it a bit. 

- Had many DA's and met many members. One of them had a dog that almost ate my companions hand.

- Daylight savings plus fast Sunday made for a fun Sunday.

Solid week and another yet to come. Hope spring is treating you all well and till next time!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 

Birds

 

A Mikkeli sign

 

Average British car

 

Dance battle during ZC

 

The AirBnB