We were so excited when we got the first news that they were on the plane to Germany. Tyler said they barely made it to the plane as it closed the gate. He had so much chocolate in his bags they had to detain him at security.... maybe some hair gel also! Then we got a text that said AMERICA! Landing in Denver meant he was so close. We had a great group at the airport. AND only three missionaries arrived home, so we had lots of space.
If my math is correct you are only a few hours away from embracing this incredible missionary. Oh how I wish I had the time and the words to describe what an amazing missionary, disciple of Jesus Christ and compassionate soul this Elder is, but I guess you already know that, even better than I do. Sister Dover and I are new here in this beautiful land and the one thing we know for sure is that we want missionaries like you son to stay. To see them, hear them, watch them and feel their power, their love their devotion is beyond words.
We had the chance to take you son to the temple a few days ago and to hear him and his companion talk about a scared experience where they hugged a friend who they had taught and baptized in the Celestial room. The spirit was so overpowering. I am so thankful for your son taking the time to share with me his insights about a certain area of Finland and how we can possibly improve the efforts and outcomes was critical. There was no question he was supposed to be where he was to teach me, challenge me and lead us both into critical revelation. We developed a close connection in the short time we were here and I will miss him deeply.
His final letter to me, portions of it will be shared throughout the entire mission because I don’t know if I have ever seen or read, outside the BofM a testimony of what it means to become a missionary and to love missionary service. Tears came to my eyes as I read it and loved his opening line, “President I am not much of a deep thinker….”. Wrong! Watching the departing elders and sisters sing last night as your son beautifully played the piano was the ultimate capstone to his mission of love. He was an incredible missionary, and is an incredible saint. Thank you for sharing him with us and the great people in Finland. I wish I had the time and the skills to send more pictures, but please take a look at the Facebook page Sister Dover posts to and you will see his wonderful face.
Be well until we meet someday.
Bert T. Dover
President
Finland Helsinki Mission
The end.
I'm really not sure how I'm already here.
I fly home on August 1. My homecoming will be Sunday, August 9th, at 11:30 am
Please come visit and share lunch with us at 12:30 at my home
Spiritual Thought:
I don't really consider myself a deep thinker.
Someone once told me they think about their mission every day of their life. I never really understood how that could be.
Until now.
Now I understand.
My mission, this experience, wearing the name of Jesus Christ, and trying to become like him, has meant everything to me. Everything.
I love being a representative of Jesus Christ. I love Finland. And I love people.
There are so, so many good people in the world.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to help so many people grow closer to their Heavenly Father and their friend, Jesus Christ.
It has been the greatest privilege of my life to see the lengths God is willing to go, to see all the huge things He orchestrates to just help one single soul.
And sometimes,
I was lucky enough for that one soul to be me.
While I was a part of many people's conversions, I feel it was never in a way where I could take the credit as my own.
And that’s the glory of this work. The splendor of it all. Sometimes I didn’t get to see the whole picture, but that's ok.
But sometimes, sometimes, I did see the whole picture. Those moments were some of the greatest experiences of my life. Not only because this is God's work. It's also his glory.
I do not doubt that what I did in Finland made a difference. That's the beauty of being a part of God's work. He took the meager offering I gave him and magnified it in the most meaningful way.
But even if in some way, somehow, nothing I did made a difference to anyone else, serving a mission made a difference to me.
The biggest difference.
And for that, I am forever indebted to my Savior Jesus Christ.
I really came to know him as I lost myself in his plan, and in service to others, for the past two years. And that personal relationship I’ve made with him means everything to me.
I know Jesus Christ is my Savior.
I know He lived, and died, and rose again on the third day.
For me.
And for you too.
Through his priceless, atoning sacrifice, I promise you that real, lasting, permanent change is possible in your life.
I know because I've seen it time and time again.
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?”
“With men it is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Short Version of Email:
I try to pack every spare second of my life full of those things that matter most. Teaching, loving, finding, and helping those I can to strengthen their relationship with God.
I love what one of my past companions and biggest role models said, “I have just 5 days to [do all I can] before I get tackled and taken off the field, kicking and squealing back to America.”
This is the goal.
Finnish Word of the Week: No word of the week this week, but what a joy it has been to try to learn this beautiful language. I don't think I've ever done anything harder in my life.
I have a testimony that the Lord loves effort. He loves it when we do hard things and show our faith in him. He will bless us for pressing forward when we are faced with challenges in our lives.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no way I could have learned Finnish without God’s help. It may be the biggest miracle of my mission.
5 Amazing Things This Week:
1: I can't possibly say this enough. I am surrounded by the most wonderful people. There are so many missionaries I have learned so much from. There are friends who inspire me to be better. There are members who show me the most amazing Christlike examples. Oh, how lucky I am to have people in my life who make saying goodbye so hard.
2: I never thought I could feel so happy in life from serving others and not thinking about myself. I have never felt so much joy in my life, every day, even in the most inopportune circumstances. I love this phrase from one of my favorite hymns and feel it so specifically applies to me, “a heart too full to speak”. I am filled with joy.
3: I love the opportunity to study the scriptures every day. Few things have impacted my life in such a profound way as immersing myself in the words of prophets consistently. The scriptures really do point us to Christ.
4: I'm trying to soak up every part of Finland before I leave. I hold dear so many things about Finland and the Finnish culture. I wish I could take mental pictures of everything beautiful I see each day. Nature, human interaction, and everything in between.
5: My last Sunday was the best way to end my mission I could have asked for. Being back in the English Ward, seeing everyone I love, is such a blessing. John Bytheway came to Finland and spoke to us, which was really cool.
Tender Mercy of the Week:
I can't possibly pick one. It's been wonderful to look back over my mission journals and realize again and again “how merciful the Lord has been” to me. I promise that you two can find miracles in your life if you remember to look back. I know you will find “that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all”
Where I am/Who I'm With: I am back serving in Helsinki in the English ward. Yay! My companions are Elder Blanchard, Elder Rogers, and Elder McKinley. I am in a quad- so exciting!
Scripture of the Week:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
My thoughts: This verse has been running circles in my head this week. While some chapters in my life are ending this week, new ones will start. God is a God of second chances, and third, and yes, even fourth. He never gives up on us. All things have their time, and even when they end, more good must be on the way. “Faith is always pointed to the future and to blessings that will yet be efficacious in our lives”. Because of Jesus Christ, the best is really yet to come.
Talk of the Week:
The Miracle of a Mission.
Jeffery R Holland
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YfhBUOMwl0MyYRs3LenpOBaPorpb9Fxy/view?usp=drivesdk
My Thoughts:
I have been saving this talk for my final email. I love this talk. My favorite for the last two years. I listened to it at the start of every transfer.
It's been fun to keep a journal of my experiences through these emails. And while I mainly write for myself, I hope that my weekly prayer has been answered:
That, sometimes, somehow, and in some way, an email has helped you in your life.
Thank you for reading.
And if you want, send me one last email! I love to hear from you!
Excited to see you soon, all my best until then!
-Vanhin Balls
Darren had to work, but the girls and I slipped away for a few days to enjoy St George. We spent 3 days with the Allens. Our "Amy Adventure" was hiking over 17 miles in the Virgin River. The Narrows were pretty cool. It makes for a very long day. I did it 25 years ago... and I probably won't ever do that exact trail again. The company was lovely. I am proud of my girls for being able to get up and do a huge hike, no problem. Ellas knees were about to fall off... thankfully, her ankle held out.
