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
