6/23/25 That's All Folks!

As this week ends, my time in Finland will also end. However, not without some memorable moments.

The second biggest holiday in Finland is Midsummer. We went to a members place and met their whole family. Ate some good smoked salmon and made a bonfire. We tried four times to light it with gasoline but the wood was super wet. After everyone but me and my comp gave up, we kept going. the fourth time was the charm and it was a great sight.

An international market was also in town and tried some good English fudge and picked up a souvenir or two. 

In church, I gave one last testimony and prayer. This was a week of lasts, which means next week is a week of a lot of firsts.

In closing, I'd like to share my short testimony. God has a plan for you. I know he had one for me and I experienced so much good. You are his child. He loves you, me, and everyone enough to give Jesus Christ for us. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most important event in history. Because of it, we can repent and continue to follow Jesus Christ's doctrine. for with God, nothing is impossible.

I'll speak more on what I learned and experienced in Finland this Sunday at 10. The address is: 15205 SE 28th St, Bellevue, WA 98007

Message me for the zoom link!

A new adventure awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 Statue mirror

 

Fire

 

Us by the setup fire

 

The lake

6/17/25 Mission 99% Complete

751/758 days and now its just one week! Here we go!

Started off with zone conference. I gave my final testimony. On the same day, we had a huge scavenger hunt organized by the zone and we won (kind of). Ended with some fun beach volleyball.

Lots of member work too. We were able to meet with more members and just get to know them. Super good stuff.

Well, I have been pondering a few things and today, this seemed like the most important. First, from the talk Foreordained to Serve, "Protect the private times in your life". Second, Psalms 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." As missionaries, we take 10 minutes a day to pray and ponder on what is on our minds. As I have done this these last few months, it has helped center each day. My small invitation to you all is to take a small bet of time (1 minute, 2, 5, or 10) and ponder on the goodness of God in your life.

Well, the rest:

- When at two different members places, I received two opposite pieces of advice about marriage. 1, Get married first and then pursue an education. 2, wait to get married and then wait to have kids. I think the second one is a little better.

- A 1 hr service project turned into 2.5. Changed oil for an drivable lawnmower and then proceeded to mow their overgrown lawn. Super fun time and he gave us hats the next day.

- Zone conference: we had ribs for lunch and those hit different. One of the best conferences I'd been in.

There will be 1 more email after this one. Its been real everyone and till next time!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 

Us with the hats

 

The mower

 The zone without us?

 

Scenic shot

6/10/25 And Another One

And another one in the books. Time is not on my side these days.

We had splits with the Jyväskyä ZL's and did a lot of work in Jyväskylä. One of them lifted too much the day before and hobbled all of splits. Quite a day for sure.

Followed that with a solid DC. Managed to make our way through it all and ate the smallest DC lunch I've ever had. 

Last bigger thing was service. We shoveled dirt for about two hours and it was satisfying seeing the start to end result. We then proceeded to eat too much food at that members place and felt it later.

This last week Has been a reflection week and the scripture D&C 6:36 came to mind a lot. 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.' A different kind of fatigue has beset me these last few weeks but whenever I remember who to look towards, I find strength and power to keep working. 

It also reminds me of another BYU devotional named Stand Forever. In it, he said he has questions, but not doubts. I still have questions but I do not doubt God. He has guided me these past two years and given me what I needed and not what I thought I needed. 

Spoiler, not my last email. Just one of the last. The best is yet to come.

The rest:

- Drank a mudcake shake (only a quarter but it was good.)

- There really wasn't much else. Stay tuned for next time!

Till then!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

  

Dirt

 

Jyväskylä cathedral 

 

Average cloudy day

 

Flowers

6/3/25 After 2 Years, I Found Myself!?

Terve kaikki! It has been a more normal week but a good one nonetheless.

While knocking doors yesterday, we saw a door with my name on it. As one might suspect, Hsu is not a common name in Finland. They weren't interested in talking but funny.

Not too much else but I was listening to a BYU Devotional from Elder Jeffery R. Holland named Lessons From Liberty Jail. 

To paraphrase, the prophet Joseph Smith and many other church leaders were placed unjustly in Liberty jail. In that trying time, God revealed to Joseph Smith that even admist the strongest persecution, he could be spiritually refined into the person God wanted him to be.

We all have difficult times and sometimes they show us our limits. Even in the darkest of times, God is still there. As Elder Holland put it, these times serve as 'temple experiences'. The temple is the holiest place on Earth but being sunk in debt, homework, stress, medical challenges, and every other thing might not seem like a temple experience.

The key is what we do during and after those moments. Who do we turn to? What changes do we make? And even in that darkness, the light of Christ will always be brighter and He still loves you.

Ok, the rest:

- Played a Danish game at a members against Elder Argyle. Did pretty good.

- Super goofy District Council on Friday. We probably laughed a little too much but it was fun.

- Fast Sunday was a day. An Elder's family right now isn't doing well so we all fasted for them and it felt unifying.

- Hit my 2 year mark. Kind of an old missionary these days.

Rain has plagued us in June so I hope you all have better weather than me. Till text time!

The work awaits,

Vanhin Lucas Hsu

Photos:

 

My door but not my door

 Mikkeli in Grey

 

Avg cat person door decor

 

Biking