Week 15: Russian Invasion

Hellllloooooooo! I just thought my life was ending, Great Heavens. Let me explain… 

I learned about 20 seconds ago that every first Sunday of the month, the city tests its Russian invasion alarms because we are so close to the Russian border. I must have been gone somewhere last time this happened because when it happened this time, I genuinely thought we were getting bombed. 

The sirens sound exactly like the air raid sirens in movies and boy are they loud. Good thing it was just a drill.

anyway… 

I almost missed my train today. That was scary! But we didn't! Life is so so good! Boy do I love being a missionary. My job is to bring joy to others in any way I can, especially through Jesus! It makes me happy! 

Spiritual Thought:  

I heard something this week. “Is your testimony built on The Church or on the members inside it?” At a dinner appointment we met a member who is the only member of the church in her family. All her siblings have left the church because of many things local church leaders have said or done. She has had her share of similar unhelpful, impolite, and unChristlike experiences, just like her siblings. Bearing one of the strongest testimonies I have ever heard, she said, “It doesn’t matter.”... “My faith, my testimony, and my love of Jesus Christ is not built on the members of his church, it is built on my Heavenly Father and my Jesus".

I know everyone has heard this before, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a perfect church run by imperfect people.  It is established by imperfect people. It is built on the hardworking, unwavering and dedicated backs of members who lose sleep at night, and sacrifice so much for what they know is right.  Nevertheless, Imperfect people. It is built on you. Imperfect people who build on a perfect foundation.  Jesus Christ. May this serve as a reminder of two things

1: To focus our attention and testimony on the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ. Let him be our perfect foundation. 

2: To extend more grace, love, mercy and most importantly, Christlike charity to all those you meet.

And I know I’m just a kid…but I believe that the majority of the people in this world are good Or trying to be good Let us all try and help others on their path to become more like Jesus Christ.

Short Version of Email: Great week! Splits, District P-day. Russian alarms. Some friends came to church. We are becoming better friends with all those we meet. Transfers are soon! Kindness is an awesome thing!  

Finnish Word of the Week:    Hirvio which literally translates to “Moose-thingy”. It means monster. How exciting 

5 Amazing Things of the Week:

1: We had Zone Leader Splits this week and went tracting on the Russian border again, this time as we were walking away from our car, the border patrol pulled up in an armored van and started asking us questions. It was rather scary. We assured them our Book of Mormon’s had no bombs in them and we even offered them one. I guess we passed the test because they left, phew!

2: We had district council and a member invited our whole district to Thanksgiving dinner at her apartment. She may be the most Christ like individual I've ever met. She made so much food and would not let us help clean up. Not to mention she slept on her couch the night before because she had taken everything out of her small apartment living room and put it in, and around her bed so that she could fit 12 people around a pieced together dinner table. All of this and she lives alone and is over 60. She is absolutely incredible. I could go on and on. These are just a few of the amazing things. 

3:  We had district P-day as well as district council on Tuesday (today when I am writing this email). It was lovely. District council's are amazing to learn from other missionaries and feel the Spirit! We always have so much fun during district P-day! I'll miss my first district, we get transfer news this Saturday! 

4: We are slowly building more relationships with people we teach. Although it can be hard to teach lessons, we have gotten to know friends that the old missionaries had been teaching, I really love them. It is hard not to love a person when you get to know them. 

5: President interviews were this week. Both the Mission President and his wife came and we made them cookies! They are both awesome and you can tell they care about us so much. I have a lot of respect for them and what they do. It can't be an easy job

Tender Mercy of the Week:  

During our train ride to district council we sat by this old guy. He started talking to us and we talked to him the entire 2 hour train ride! We learned he is an inactive member who we have reached out to before, what a crazy coincidence (Huge Miracle). He told us that he might consider coming to church again because he enjoyed talking to us so much. And! He wants to go out and buy us pizza now to talk more! 

Also, during tracting this week I was having an especially rough day (pounding headache and frustrated with many things). I said a prayer that we could be led to some people who need us and no joke we got let in 3 times in a row!! That is unbelievable! Absolutely unheard of in Finland. Most missionaries go an entire 10 week transfer and only get let in 3 times in total much less 3 times in the span of 15 minutes. 

Where I am/Who I'm With: I am serving in Lappeenranta. My trainer is Elder Boone

Transfer Calls Are this week though! 

Scripture of the Week:  

Alma 4:15

15 And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him. 

My thoughts: I love how it says, “The Spirit of the Lord did not fail him.” The Spirit really does not fail to comfort, guide, and direct us especially while we are striving to do good among all men. 

Talk of the Week:  “What is the Blueprint of Christ's Church”   (CES Devo) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1prGZ_SsrbZm1dsLPrftVbaKqafByHb7J/view?usp=drivesdk Tad R Callister Talk

My Thoughts:  Elder Callister always gives great talks but this one stood out to me a lot! 

Christ's church is modeled after the same church that was in olden times! 

Super excited for next week! Transfer calls, return and report, and some more splits. 

I love the emails! It's the best thing ever. So thankful for all of you, truly. 

Have a spectacular week! 

Elder Balls

Nov 2024

November was a fun month.  Abby had fun hangouts with friends.  Her friends are growing taller and big (haha).  Abby is also getting stronger.  She did some fun hikes with Darren and Ella.  She can hike and run great with them.  With all her growing up she still loves her blankets and stuffies.  She set them up in a circle before school to have "book club" while she was gone. We love to all climb up on Abbys bed at night and hang out.  Also, first snow of the season was at the cabin.  Abby was out there for hours having a great time.    

Amy: Had Friendsgiving with so many ladies from my neighborhood.  So many strong capable women in my life.  Date with Darren to go downtown to the Arceryx store.  Having a fun climbing class with my 3-5 year olds at Momentum.  Cute little turkeys.  

Darren: He got to go to Florida for work.  Fun to check in with Jason and Whit.  He even go to go into Universal Studios for two hours when it was closed to the public.  Darren and Ella went with all the youth to the MTC. Neat to see where Tyler had just lived for 10 weeks.  Sophie Jane/Alex is in one of the pictures. Darren and Ella also are still training for SkiMo.  Running up the mountain is always fun!  Lastly, Always fun to see Nolan and his amazing wife, Sandra!  We love to see the boys anytime. 

Week 14: A Series of Unfortunate Events

 Noniin Noniin.  If you feel like only reading one part of this email, go read the “Tender Mercy”/Miracle. It was such a cool experience this week.

Currently writing this email locked out of our apartment! Hooray! 

Pretty average week. 1.5 weeks until transfer news- which is exciting. We are doing a District Secret Santa. I am excited. Had some return lessons. Life is good.

I need to be better at taking pictures besides p-day oops. 

Spiritual Thought:  

Throughout scripture we “remember how merciful the Lord hath been” by his dealings with his children, and most of all, because he sent his son. 

It stands out to me how many chances wicked people are given to turn back to God. 

God never gives up. 

As we consider how merciful God and the Savior have been in our lives, it is evident that they are the perfect example of patience and forgiveness. 

Over and over, they grant us second chances. 

The Savior has shown mercy to us, so we are invited to extend that same mercy to all those we meet. 

James 1:19-20, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Being "swift to hear" helps us understand others.  Being "slow to speak" ensures our words reflect the Saviors. In being "slow to wrath" we create room for forgiveness. 

In becoming a lifelong Disciple of Jesus Christ, emulating his attributes is so important. 

How can you be more swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath this week as you celebrate this Thanksgiving? 

Will you, “remember how merciful the Lord hath been” to you through the mercy you show to others? 

Short Version of Email: Had a crazy miracle. Got fed some incredible food. It snowed a lot. Remember to love others! 

Finnish Word of the Week:    Lohikäärme = Dragon. But it literally translates to  salmon snake. So the next time you think of dragons just remember in Finland they are salmon snakes. LOL.

5 Amazing Things of the Week:

1: It snowed so much. Almost 4 feet in the past week! So crazy

2: We had a member meal this week and they gave us the most incredible Thanksgiving food ever! It was just as good if not better than anything I would eat at home. I have so much to be grateful for, even for the little things. “Gratitude turns ordinary moments into extraordinary moments” (I did not invent this saying I just liked it so much I am putting it in)

3:  We had District Council this week. Our train got delayed almost 3 hours but it all worked out because I got to teach my first Finnish lesson with some missionaries from our District which was so fun! 

4: I gave a talk in sacrament meeting in Finnish. It went about as well as you expect. (better than I thought)

5: Another lovely P-day hike.

Tender Mercy of the Week:  

This was a HUGE miracle. So crazy. Elder Boone and I are walking the streets. It is absolutely dumping snow. 14 F. Not many people are out because it is right before dinner. We start walking next to a guy and he turns left and we turn right. We walk for about 1 more minute and Elder Boone turns to me and says “We need to go talk to that guy.” He is already very far away.  We tried to catch him for around 5 minutes. We approach him and before we say a word he says, “Are you the Mormon missionaries? I have been looking for you all over because I want a Book of Mormon." My jaw was on the floor. God really does put people in your way and give promptings on how to find them

Where I am/Who I'm With: I am serving in Lappeenranta 

 My trainer is Elder Boone

Scripture of the Week:  

Heleman 10:4 

4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

My thoughts: I think this verse can show us 6 things that can help lead us to exaltation and eternal life. 

4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done [1 actions must accompany belief]; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness [2 we must be consistently faithful] declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them [3 we should be more concerned what god things of us than other people], and hast not sought thine own life, [4 we must be careful to put god first] but hast sought my will [5 we should offer our will to god], and to keep my commandments [6 we should try and keep the commandments].

Talk of the Week:  “The Character of Christ?”   (MTC Devo) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n646P7l5XmLpZbafIMcpi8Zp3Vgvs00y/view?usp=drivesdk

- - - David A. Bednar  - - - 

My Thoughts:  Almost all missionaries know this talk, but it is so applicable to everyone! If you haven’t had the chance to listen to the whole talk I pray that you will. 

To be honest, this devotional changed my mission and probably my life. 

“The character of Christ is to look outward when the natural man would look inward.” 

Super excited for next week! If you have any ideas on what to get a male missionary for Secret Santa please let me know. 

And while you are at it please tell me how you are doing, and your family, and your dog, and your school, and your friends. Pretty much your whole life. I want it all. 

All my best, 

Elder Balls