No way it's already April. This week had some high highs and low lows. (Daylight savings time has me absolutely cooked.) But the hard weeks help you focus on why you are on a mission in the first place. One reason for me is to turn outward and serve others. Also got some lovely pizza from a robot vending machine, that was cool
I was listening to a talk this week by Sister Holland and she said
“Be your own best friend”
I've never heard this before but I love it.
“Many of us create a civil war within ourselves by internalizing problems of fear, uncertainty, self-doubt, and worry—often over things we can do precious little about.”
I love this message, let us try to worry less about the things we can't control
But as we do that she also says,
“Be more caring for yourself and as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend in need. You are in need, and you ought to be your own best friend.”
I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and being your own best friends!
Short Version of Email: Zone Conference. Good restaurant on P-day. Young men's event, good runs in the morning. Good young men's event. Not so good finding success and member training.
Finnish Word of the Week: Välikuolema = temporarily passing out while binge drinking but literally translates to “intermediate death”
Daylight Counter!
Where we started–4 Hours 40 minutes
This week–13 Hours 30 min
5 Amazing Things This Week:
1: Zone Conference started out the week very strong. So many great messages were shared and so much of it was just what I needed. Even down to questions I had prayed about the night before. We did some fun activities as well.
2: Went to a Teppanyaki restaurant on P-day. That was fun. Also had another lovely hike and got to go on a run with the AP’s.
3: Zone leader splits were super fun. We got to teach some lessons which was a good change because we haven't been able to find very many friends to teach despite our 5-6 hours of “finding” per day.
4: We hosted a young men's event. It was so fun to be with them and tell them about the mission. They are all good kids and want to serve missions too! We also played some Secret Hitler with them which was the funniest thing I've done in a minute.
5: Had an event where we tried to teach the members how to use social media in subtle ways to help spread missionary work. It went really well besides the fact that only 1 couple came. They are lovely though.
Tender Mercy of the Week:
We had the most wonderful baptism this week for the sister missionary’s friend. I got to accompany one of the sisters on the piano as she played violin. While I was playing, I kept getting the thought to check if the pages were in the wrong order, but I didn't check. The pages ended up being in the wrong order which caused quite the head ache. Looking back on it, I was for sure getting a prompting from the Holy Ghost because the thought was so random. I know the Spirit is active in our lives and he wants to help us in even the small things every day!
Where I am/Who I'm With: I am serving in Tampere. My companion is Elder Gillespie.
More Fun Facts about Elder Gillespie:
-Looks like Ryan Gosling
-Has an American flag on his desk
-Excellent apartment de-clutterer
Scripture of the Week:
Doctrine and Covenants 29:7 And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;
My thoughts: Cool missionary scripture but also for everyone because we can all work to invite and gather new friends or our families (etc.) to hear God's word. Especially with General Conference coming up!
Talk of the Week:
https://speeches.byu.edu/
“Yes, and…”: The Creative Art of Living. Lisa Valentine Clark July 20, 2021
My Thoughts: Cool BYU speech that talks about improvisation theater skills that can be used for life when things don't go your way, also had an amazing but sad story. I want to be using the “Yes…and” principle more often.
-Elder Balls
