Yippy! Another week gone just like that (Snaps fingers)
Sorry, this email is kinda lengthy. (I think. I can only see it on my phone so maybe it just seems long). Read however much you like! Some cool things happened this week though!
Look at the photos to see Real Life Tanks!! (yes they are as cool as they sound) But there weren't any lions or tigers. Sorry.
Spiritual Thought:
I often write spiritual thoughts weeks in advance and don't include them right away. This is one of those, it was missing something.
I found a verse the other day,
Jacob 7:5
5 And he [Sherem] had hope to shake me [Jacob] from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.
This is Jacobs conversion, his why. Is yours similar? Have you “truly seen angels” in your life? How have they “ministered unto you?”
My conversion has no physical angels descending from the heavens dressed in white. But it does have angels. My angels, people like you.
I also think it is worth remembering that Jacob says “from time to time”. Jacob wasn’t always ministered to by angels, only from “time to time” I think it's cool that “time to time” was enough for Jacob, a Prophet of God. So surely it must be enough for me.
The theme of “Light the World” this year is “Be Someone's Angel”. That is what I was missing. I wrote it before “Light the World” was announced. I'm glad I waited because it seems like a good tie-in.
How can you light someone's world, be someone’s angel?
Short Version of Email: Be someone's Angel and remember the Angels in your own life!
Finnish Word of the Week: Revantulet - - Northern lights but it literally translates to “fox fire”
5 Amazing Things of the Week:
1: This week was “Return and Report” where all the new missionaries and their trainers come back to the Mission Home and talk about the end of their first transfer. It was amazing to see all my MTC friends again. I don't think I've smiled so much in months. We learned some great things from the Mission President also!
2: Last Friday was Finnish Independence Day. (Like the 4th of July in Finland). Each year Finland chooses one city to have a massive military parade. This year they chose Lappeenranta (the city I'm in). There was an Opening Ceremony in this giant stadium. The parade was so cool, it had every military vehicle you could imagine along with a huge part of Finland's standing army. We were so lucky to be in Lappeenranta for the parade!
3: Transfer news this week! I am staying in Lappeenranta for 10 more weeks which is super exciting. My new comp is Elder Goodrich. I will meet him tomorrow!
4: On splits this week we were invited to a members cabin in the middle of the woods for some food and to say bye before they left for America. It was such a beautiful place with good company!
5: I went to the temple this week and I did the whole thing in Finnish! It was kinda crazy but amazing as always.
Tender Mercy of the Week:
I think I take the gift of tongues for granted. Just tonight I was at our ward Christmas party. I don't know how to describe it, but I just understand. It's words I've never heard before, in crazy accents, coming from people who speak very fast, in a language I hardly know. But the words people say to me just pop into my head in English. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before, honestly incredible. I got home tonight and just sat in wonder.
Where I am/Who I'm With: I am serving in Lappeenranta. My trainer is Elder Boone. I get a new companion tomorrow! His name is Elder Goodrich
Scripture of the Week:
A little different this week
I just finished reading the Isaiah chapters in the Book of Mormon. I know it is hard to understand but I really enjoyed diving into these chapters. They can be so meaningful if we are willing to take time and understand.
My thoughts: Isaiah uses such rich symbolism. I learned that the Savior quoted Isaiah more than any other prophet. In 3 Nephi 23:1 Jesus even commands his people to study Isaiah saying, “Ye ought to search these things.[Isaiahs writings] Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.”
Talk of the Week: “First Presidency Christmas Devotional”
My Thoughts: I loved this whole devotional but especially the second talk. We can all share three things! Our testimonies, our kind words, our forgiveness.
Super excited to meet my new comp and find new ways to spread the gospel! If you’re a missionary who is reading this and I'm not on your email list please add me! Or email me! I love reading them.
Go be someone's angel!
Elder Balls
No comments:
Post a Comment