Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Week 13:Escorted to Jail

 Week Thirteen: 11/19/2024

This week marks 3 months of being a missionary! 

This week was so awesome! By far the best week of the mission so far. We actually taught some lessons, met some members and the weather was nice this week!

Had a beautiful P-Day hike.

Spiritual Thought:  

I think that everyone leaves a mark on the world. Whether they know it or not

In Heleman 5 we learn the extent of Nephi and Lehi's legacy when Heleman names his two sons after them. 

6: Behold, my sons…I [Heleman] have given unto you the names of our first parents [Lehi/Nephi] …and this I have done that when you remember your names [Lehi/Nephi] ye may remember them [Lehi/Nephi]; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. 

Nephi and Lehi who left Jerusalem must have made a substantial impact on many generations for Heleman to name his two sons after them many years later. 

7: Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.

Then, Nephi, Heleman's son, gives up the judgment seat just as his great grandfather Alma the younger did. 

Now, I like to think that when Nephi did this, he remembered Alma the Younger, his great grandfather. 

All this to say, what kind of legacy are you leaving? 

Because I think whether you know it or not, there will be people who look back at your life and want to follow in your footsteps. Just like how Nephi did with Alma the Younger. 

Elder Holland said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, so watch your step” 

What figurative footsteps are you leaving behind? 

Short Version of Email: A great week. Taught a lot of lessons which is different from what we normally do. Had some member meals and even went to a hockey game. Went a a cool hike for P-Day 

Finnish Word of the Week:    jäätelötötterö = Ice cream cone! 

5 Amazing Things of the Week:

1: We got to go to a Finnish hockey game this week! Our bishop got us tickets and it was so cool!  Ward members are the greatest ever. Our team even won after a close game! 

2: Elder Boone and I were knocking on doors talking to people and this old lady opened the door and promptly invited us to come to church with her on a Wednesday night. Elder Boone, not being one to decline Finnish hospitality, says yes. So off we go to a Lutheran church service. It was very lovely I'm sure. I just couldn't understand anything, which made it easy to like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints even more. 

3:  I am so often reminded to never ever judge a person by how they look or based on where I am. This week we taught a lesson to the most lovely lady who was actually in jail. She reached out to us and asked to meet. We said sure. Little did we know she was in a high security prison. She was so kind. It was such a reminder to me to see others as children of God. 

4: I think in Finland I've taught a lesson in just about every language I've heard of, except Finnish lol. I got to use my Spanish this week which I never expected but it was awesome! Taught some in Russian, Ukrainian, French, but mostly just broken English. 

5: This P-day was so awesome. We went on a couple pretty hikes and saw some great churches and castles.


Tender Mercy of the Week:  

We got to have a dinner appointment this week with this awesome guy. We walked into his house and it already smelled so good because of the fries in the oven. On the counter there are 5 huge steaks but there's only 3 people eating. The member cooked Elder Boone and I two huge steaks each. It was the best day ever. He also gave us a whole giant chocolate bar as we left. 

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

 My trainer is Elder Boone


Scripture of the Week:  

Heleman 8:24 

24 And now, seeing ye know these things and cannot deny them except ye shall lie, therefore in this ye have sinned, for ye have rejected all these things, notwithstanding so many evidences which ye have received; yea, even ye have received all things, both things in heaven, and all things which are in the earth, as a witness that they are true.

My thoughts: The last lines in verse 24 I think go along with Moses 6:63 which explains that all things bear witness of Christ. We are continually surrounded by an abundance of evidence that God exists! How cool.

Talk of the Week:  “The Thoughts of Our Hearts or Why Do We Do What We Do?”   (BYU Speeches) 

- - - John C. Lewis - - - March 4, 2003

My Thoughts:  A good reminder to check our desires. Why do we do the things we do? Trust the good motives of others in your life until you understand your own. 


This week has felt like the pay off of 3 weeks of hard work! I know missions all work on the Lord's timing but I am so grateful that he chose this week to let us finally teach some lessons and meet some members!

Send me an email! I love hearing about you! 


See you next week! 

Elder Balls



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