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
