Mommy, and Daddy,
Joensuu is doing amazingly well here!! We have literally seen miracles, and it is so unbelievably fun here. I dont know where to start, but here I go.
Experience one, So we had a teach last week with one of our investigators named Oleg. He is russian and speaks unbelievably fast. I thought he was making fun of me during the lesson because of my finnish, but i guess he really liked it haha. So the whole time (Due to his facial expressions) he was not showing any emotions, and didnt seem to care about what we had to say. I didnt think too much of it. But I guess my companion commited him to baptism and he said YES!!, and I didnt know it until we were about to leave! We have our first baptismal date on July 2nd for him. I was so excited!! (once I figured out what was going on)..... He is so excited to be baptized, but he kept fliriting with our chinese investigators at church haha... what a dog......
Experience two, We planned this amazingly busy, and structured day starting with a service project with our bishop out in the country side, planting potatoes!!! It was really fun, and now jen cant say that i am not a farmer!! Anyways... he kept us for like 4 hours. We were only planning on two. After that we went to a recent converts home, and our bishop was suggesting that he should follow the word of wisdom more, and he kept saying, "Its a nice day for a jog, dont you think??" But of course I didnt know what was going on because... ya... anyways.. my companion said it was great :)
We finally get home, get things together, realize were out of groceries, run all over town.... it was insane. We realized we scheduled to go visit a member so we head over there.. look at the map, and realize that we are on the other side of town!! Ahhhh!! So we turn around and we see this guy, looks kind of not interested (but so does everyone at first!! :) So we go contact him. Didnt think too much of it.
Later that night he called us and said,"About 100 yards before you came up and talked to me, I was thinking about how much I needed Christ in my life, and how much I wanted to change... it was a miracle that you showed up when you did."
Heavenly Father knew that his son needed help, and he lead us to him. It built my testimony on this work so much. I dont think I have prayed so hard in my life, that maybe we could help this guy. We went over and taught him the next day, and he asked me a question that really caught me off guard. "Does Jesus Christ really live?" The room got quiet, the spirit entered into every spot of my body, and I was able to say in perfect finnish, "I want you to know, that I know He lives." The spirit was so strong, and it was as if we were talking to a brother.
I dont want anyone to think that I am telling these experiences to build up myself. I know my weaknesses. Every day i realize how much I need the atonement. The Lord woulnt loose anything if I decided to give up. Oh but what I would loose. I want you both to know that the Lord is here. He is real! I see his hand everyday in my life. Even if its just a,"William, keep going." He is here helping us. He is helping me, through so many weaknesses. At first, I was so unconfident of myself here. I did not feel like I could make a difference, and then I got a letter from grandma that said,"William, let go of your fear, and let him guide you." It struck me, basically,"Forget yourself and go to work!" Ever since that day, everything has been exploding! in a good way!! So thank you grandma.
Now for my mom, you want to know about Joensuu.... Finland is like this dream country. Despite everyone smokes.. Every morning we go running on this trail through trees. It is really clean, and there is not a ton of people. They have so many amazing trees here!! They're huge. the word for tree in finnish is, puu haha I laugh everytime. My comp is actually sending one home today haha. Basically everything here is just like you would imagine, except joensuu is more modern. Helsinki is more where the historical stuff is kept up to date. I did however get to go to my first european castle up in savonliina last week ( I think thats how you say it) type it into the internet and see. We only had 15 minutes though, which sucked, but it was so legit!!
Our apatment is really nice haha. We have a balcony, and I actually have a queen size bed, and we get a lot of money to go buy really good food. So I love it here. Plus the members feed us a couple times a week. Yesterday we had salmon potato soup which was amazing. Anyways, the chocolate here is really good, I need to send dad one today. I hope you like it. It costs two bucks to send it so savor it!! I sent one to jen, but havent heard anything, but eh life goes on! what a punk haha!! She is great.
Elder Nielsen and I are basically the same person. He goes home in August. Our sense of humor is the same, and everything is unbelievable funny. He is so dedicated to the work, and motivates me! But is not to good at cooking soup.... sheeeesh. I just smiled and ate it. We work so hard, we typically dont eat dinner tell around 8 at night because we are out working. I am always tired, but so happy. I get to take a nap on the train today on the way to helsinki, I hope at least.
I have been learning the meaning of working with your mind, and heart verses just with your might and strength. Anyone can go through the motions, but the ones who do it with all their heart, and mind, are the true disciples. It is something I battle everyday, especially when things get hard. But you suck it up, and keep going, and love life, and hand out more pamphlets!!!
If only I could tell you more.........
I love you both, thank you for all your support, be safe, keep writing, and make sure and know that I think about you both everyday.
Will
Sorry, european keyboards are weird, so sorry about the word structure.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
May 23, 2011
Mom,
Things are really sweet here! I am in a city called Joensuu which is in the middle of Finland close to the border of Russia I believe haha. Actually I am not really sure where I am. I just walk and talk, and hand out Book of Mormons and pamphlets haha. The majority of the people here.......... not too interested in the gospel. However we are doing amazing!! We find a new potential investigator everyday! We have about six investigators who are one the path to baptism. One of which I am pretty sure will be baptized in a few weeks!! I haven't even been here a week, and we are already looking at baptisms!! That whole rumor that Europe is a planting seeds mission!............. Not true.
We have been working so unbelievably hard. One day we walked three miles to a members house to which we didn't get any referals. But it's okay, we actually street contacted a guy on the way home who was interested.. which was so worth it!! I am literally tired all the time, but really happy.
My companion and I shotguned a city, which means neither of us have been here, so we just kind of went for it. I was really nervous on the train ride up here. Europe is pretty sweet. The tree's here are so pretty, The bread here is amazing, and so is everything actually. My comp and I are really good friends. His name is Elder Nielsen (wait let me look over and see his name badge) yup.... and he is so cool. He is really intune with the spirit, and knows how to teach very well. I usually just smile, and testify haha. We both have been trying to be strictly obediant to every tiny rule. Obediance is the key to blessings. D&C 130 i believe.
We contact on the street a lot and I just kind of go for it haha. Everyone is pretty nice to me, but mostly just the girls here haha. They like that i'm trying to learn finnish so they'll be like, ''Keep talking!! you're doing great!'' So i'll get my message across, and then they'll usually accept our phone number and a pamphlet. It is sweet. The guys however, not so much.
One time while we were tracting (actually everytime) we get some guy who opens the door in his underwear!!!! It goes something like this," Hi we're missionar........what the crap dude!!!! seriously. oh gosh! what did I do to derserve to see that!!!! haha jk I usually just say here is a pamphlet.
The Lord has given us a lot of success this week, and I have been trying to count my blessings. I have learned a great deal about agency. Just because someone says no, or they're not interested, or,"Sinä tupurys Lähetyssaarnaaja!!! (you stupid missionary) doesn't mean i'm not a good missionary. Everyone has their freedom to choose, whether or not they would like us to teach them. Once Elder Nielsen taught me that principal, everything became a lot easier. All I can do is work hard, and strive to keep my covenants and the rules, and do my best.
My bishop here is named Piispa (bishop) Jäsen, and he always makes greenie jokes at me. One day he was giving me a ride and he said," Hei, Vanhin Perry, Tuo Liinkenivalo on Vihreä.. niin quin sinä!!!" (that traffic light is green... like you.) haha He always gives us a hard time because we are americans haha. We Finns aren't as rich as you Americans!! But everyone is really nice to us in our ward. Yesterday we went to a members house for luones, and as we were driving i saw a dog, and wondered if I would have any experiences with them here............................................ "Vanhins meet Kujo!!! This dog was literally tearing our skin to pieces!! haha my comp and I were trying to sit, and be respectful, but this dog was literally scratching off our skin, and biting our hands..Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! I almost killed it haha.
But don't worry the member came in 20 minutes later.... I love it!!! Things are so cool here, and i wouldn't want to be anywhere different. It was so good talking to you and dad though. It was really hard saying goodbye. I miss you both so much, and I will make sure and send you some finnish chocolate or something which is amazing by the way.
Love you,
Vanhin Perry
P.s. I am not suppose to email anyone besides you and dad... so tell all our family to write me, or there will be consequences!!
(I've changed his address on the site and also added dearelder.com. If you send him a letter through dearelder.com he will get in a couple of days and it's only $.98 per letter, so it's a lot less expensive).
Things are really sweet here! I am in a city called Joensuu which is in the middle of Finland close to the border of Russia I believe haha. Actually I am not really sure where I am. I just walk and talk, and hand out Book of Mormons and pamphlets haha. The majority of the people here.......... not too interested in the gospel. However we are doing amazing!! We find a new potential investigator everyday! We have about six investigators who are one the path to baptism. One of which I am pretty sure will be baptized in a few weeks!! I haven't even been here a week, and we are already looking at baptisms!! That whole rumor that Europe is a planting seeds mission!............. Not true.
We have been working so unbelievably hard. One day we walked three miles to a members house to which we didn't get any referals. But it's okay, we actually street contacted a guy on the way home who was interested.. which was so worth it!! I am literally tired all the time, but really happy.
My companion and I shotguned a city, which means neither of us have been here, so we just kind of went for it. I was really nervous on the train ride up here. Europe is pretty sweet. The tree's here are so pretty, The bread here is amazing, and so is everything actually. My comp and I are really good friends. His name is Elder Nielsen (wait let me look over and see his name badge) yup.... and he is so cool. He is really intune with the spirit, and knows how to teach very well. I usually just smile, and testify haha. We both have been trying to be strictly obediant to every tiny rule. Obediance is the key to blessings. D&C 130 i believe.
We contact on the street a lot and I just kind of go for it haha. Everyone is pretty nice to me, but mostly just the girls here haha. They like that i'm trying to learn finnish so they'll be like, ''Keep talking!! you're doing great!'' So i'll get my message across, and then they'll usually accept our phone number and a pamphlet. It is sweet. The guys however, not so much.
One time while we were tracting (actually everytime) we get some guy who opens the door in his underwear!!!! It goes something like this," Hi we're missionar........what the crap dude!!!! seriously. oh gosh! what did I do to derserve to see that!!!! haha jk I usually just say here is a pamphlet.
The Lord has given us a lot of success this week, and I have been trying to count my blessings. I have learned a great deal about agency. Just because someone says no, or they're not interested, or,"Sinä tupurys Lähetyssaarnaaja!!! (you stupid missionary) doesn't mean i'm not a good missionary. Everyone has their freedom to choose, whether or not they would like us to teach them. Once Elder Nielsen taught me that principal, everything became a lot easier. All I can do is work hard, and strive to keep my covenants and the rules, and do my best.
My bishop here is named Piispa (bishop) Jäsen, and he always makes greenie jokes at me. One day he was giving me a ride and he said," Hei, Vanhin Perry, Tuo Liinkenivalo on Vihreä.. niin quin sinä!!!" (that traffic light is green... like you.) haha He always gives us a hard time because we are americans haha. We Finns aren't as rich as you Americans!! But everyone is really nice to us in our ward. Yesterday we went to a members house for luones, and as we were driving i saw a dog, and wondered if I would have any experiences with them here............................................ "Vanhins meet Kujo!!! This dog was literally tearing our skin to pieces!! haha my comp and I were trying to sit, and be respectful, but this dog was literally scratching off our skin, and biting our hands..Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! I almost killed it haha.
But don't worry the member came in 20 minutes later.... I love it!!! Things are so cool here, and i wouldn't want to be anywhere different. It was so good talking to you and dad though. It was really hard saying goodbye. I miss you both so much, and I will make sure and send you some finnish chocolate or something which is amazing by the way.
Love you,
Vanhin Perry
P.s. I am not suppose to email anyone besides you and dad... so tell all our family to write me, or there will be consequences!!
(I've changed his address on the site and also added dearelder.com. If you send him a letter through dearelder.com he will get in a couple of days and it's only $.98 per letter, so it's a lot less expensive).
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
May 17, 2011
Hey mom, and dad,
I just wanted to let you know that i am here in the mission office. It is really cool here, and we are just taking it easy today. Sorry I couldn't call in Germany.. I couldn't figure out the phone system. It was in German!!
I love you both,
will
I just wanted to let you know that i am here in the mission office. It is really cool here, and we are just taking it easy today. Sorry I couldn't call in Germany.. I couldn't figure out the phone system. It was in German!!
I love you both,
will
May 11, 2011
Hi Mom,
Don't worry about the calling card, I bought one with a thousand minutes on it at the book store.
We leave here on Monday, and I am going crazy!! I am so excited. For some reason a few weeks ago I got really nervous inside. I didn't tell anyone, but I was stressed. Then a letter came from my branch president that said, "Elder Perry, you're doing great. And then it went on to say, "Fear is not from God." That really hit me, and its so true. You can't really love someone perfectly if you don't trust them. So after about five minutes I said, "Okay, i'm not scared anymore." :) I promise you that I am taken care of here.
May I make one suggestion to you, "Don't worry!!" I am so happy here, I love it here. If the Savior came to me right now and said, "Elder Perry I will give you the option of going home and going to school, and doing all of that home stuff, or to stay here and do the work".......... I without a second thought would choose to stay here! I have learned a very important principal from the Book of Mosiah, , "The Lord seeth fit to chasteneth his people, ye he trieth their patience and their faith. Neverthless whomsoever putteth his trust in him, with be lifted up at the last day." This promise is real. Every challenge that I have gone through here has strengthened me in ways that I can't even tell you. I have started to look at trials in a whole new perspective.
In the church we here the phrase, "I want to become like jesus, I want to walk in his footsteps." We always pray that the Lord will help us be more like him. The thing is, we have to actually walk his path. We have to struggle, we have to suffer, we have to sometimes get on our knee's in tears saying, "Father please... I can't do this alone." If we want to become like Jesus Christ.. we too have to take a few steps into Gethsemane.
But I know now... That if we strive to become like the Savior, we will be the happiest. When we love like him, when we think like him.... their is no room for failure.
I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting last sunday, when the song Lead, Kindly Light came on. The lyrics say, " Lead kindly light against the circling gloom, lead thou me on, the dark is night, and I am far from home... Lead thou me on. Sometimes I miss home alot, but I catch myself in silent prayer... and say.. Lead thou me on. "He who has put forth his hand to the plough, looking back, is not fit for the kingdom of God."
I am so excited to talk to you mom. I will call you in Salt lake around six on monday, and then in Chicago around 11, and in Germany the next day.
Don't worry about me, I know, and you know who is at the head. He has never left me comfortless, and he will never leave you. Make sure and apply his Atonement in this hard time. The atonement is not just for sins, but for people who hurt.
I miss you alot mom, but I love being here so unbelievably much. I have made a goal to really read and ponder the scriptures everyday. I have been doing at least 10 pages a day. The spirit is so strong when we show the Lord we care. My advice to you is to push yourself with your scripture study, even if it is only one chapter a day. You will recieve blessings throughout the whole day.
love you oodles of noodles,
Will
Don't worry about the calling card, I bought one with a thousand minutes on it at the book store.
We leave here on Monday, and I am going crazy!! I am so excited. For some reason a few weeks ago I got really nervous inside. I didn't tell anyone, but I was stressed. Then a letter came from my branch president that said, "Elder Perry, you're doing great. And then it went on to say, "Fear is not from God." That really hit me, and its so true. You can't really love someone perfectly if you don't trust them. So after about five minutes I said, "Okay, i'm not scared anymore." :) I promise you that I am taken care of here.
May I make one suggestion to you, "Don't worry!!" I am so happy here, I love it here. If the Savior came to me right now and said, "Elder Perry I will give you the option of going home and going to school, and doing all of that home stuff, or to stay here and do the work".......... I without a second thought would choose to stay here! I have learned a very important principal from the Book of Mosiah, , "The Lord seeth fit to chasteneth his people, ye he trieth their patience and their faith. Neverthless whomsoever putteth his trust in him, with be lifted up at the last day." This promise is real. Every challenge that I have gone through here has strengthened me in ways that I can't even tell you. I have started to look at trials in a whole new perspective.
In the church we here the phrase, "I want to become like jesus, I want to walk in his footsteps." We always pray that the Lord will help us be more like him. The thing is, we have to actually walk his path. We have to struggle, we have to suffer, we have to sometimes get on our knee's in tears saying, "Father please... I can't do this alone." If we want to become like Jesus Christ.. we too have to take a few steps into Gethsemane.
But I know now... That if we strive to become like the Savior, we will be the happiest. When we love like him, when we think like him.... their is no room for failure.
I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting last sunday, when the song Lead, Kindly Light came on. The lyrics say, " Lead kindly light against the circling gloom, lead thou me on, the dark is night, and I am far from home... Lead thou me on. Sometimes I miss home alot, but I catch myself in silent prayer... and say.. Lead thou me on. "He who has put forth his hand to the plough, looking back, is not fit for the kingdom of God."
I am so excited to talk to you mom. I will call you in Salt lake around six on monday, and then in Chicago around 11, and in Germany the next day.
Don't worry about me, I know, and you know who is at the head. He has never left me comfortless, and he will never leave you. Make sure and apply his Atonement in this hard time. The atonement is not just for sins, but for people who hurt.
I miss you alot mom, but I love being here so unbelievably much. I have made a goal to really read and ponder the scriptures everyday. I have been doing at least 10 pages a day. The spirit is so strong when we show the Lord we care. My advice to you is to push yourself with your scripture study, even if it is only one chapter a day. You will recieve blessings throughout the whole day.
love you oodles of noodles,
Will
Saturday, May 7, 2011
May 4, 2011
Hello family,
I wanted to get my email done early today so you can reply to me on that dearelder thing! Things went pretty good this week. We are all studying hard to get our last bit of studying in before the big move!! Last night elder Orr started crying and wanted dog.... jk... don't tell him I said that haha. I don't mean this in a bad way, but Girls are brain ninja's!!! gosh..
Elder Orr and I had to have a comp inventory with Sister Merkley because she was mad at everyone in our district for some reason. We started out with a prayer, and both asked a few questions, and then she started venting!! It was so funny because I looked at Elder Orr and he was looking at his watch, I looked down and we had been in there for an hour! Great Scott!! I have studying to do. But it was good to resolve some of her struggles. We both walked out of there exsausted, and she was as happy as a bird.
I had a pretty cool experience last night. Some of the guys started talking about studpid stuff so I decided to go study scriptures in the hall and read my patriarchal blessing. I was reading, and one of the lines said, "He is mindful of you." I have for some reason been worrying about everything!! School, work, family, friends, whether or not i am going to make a difference in finland, everything that the adversary could possibly throw at me. But I basically got the impression, be still.... your heavenly father loves you.. He knows what your worried about, he knows what concerns you. I then decided to open my scriptures, and i opended to the 9th chapter of Mormon. i know the scriptures are so important. I heard a quote that says, "Prayer is how we comunicate with god, and the scriptures is how he communicates with us." That chapter said everything i needed to know. Now I am not worried about a thing!! who cares about the regular world. "Sufficent today is the evil thereof." Don't worry about tomorrow.
I am just trying to be a good boy, honor my covenants, keep my commandments.. and I know if I do that, that I will be led to those who need the gospel. I love that promise, and I know if I just try and do that.. My whole life will be awesome!! I am not worried about a thing! It is so great.. The only thing I have to think about is preaching the gospel.
love you both,
Elder Perry
Ps I get my travel plans tomorrow, so AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Where is my brown paper bag!????
I wanted to get my email done early today so you can reply to me on that dearelder thing! Things went pretty good this week. We are all studying hard to get our last bit of studying in before the big move!! Last night elder Orr started crying and wanted dog.... jk... don't tell him I said that haha. I don't mean this in a bad way, but Girls are brain ninja's!!! gosh..
Elder Orr and I had to have a comp inventory with Sister Merkley because she was mad at everyone in our district for some reason. We started out with a prayer, and both asked a few questions, and then she started venting!! It was so funny because I looked at Elder Orr and he was looking at his watch, I looked down and we had been in there for an hour! Great Scott!! I have studying to do. But it was good to resolve some of her struggles. We both walked out of there exsausted, and she was as happy as a bird.
I had a pretty cool experience last night. Some of the guys started talking about studpid stuff so I decided to go study scriptures in the hall and read my patriarchal blessing. I was reading, and one of the lines said, "He is mindful of you." I have for some reason been worrying about everything!! School, work, family, friends, whether or not i am going to make a difference in finland, everything that the adversary could possibly throw at me. But I basically got the impression, be still.... your heavenly father loves you.. He knows what your worried about, he knows what concerns you. I then decided to open my scriptures, and i opended to the 9th chapter of Mormon. i know the scriptures are so important. I heard a quote that says, "Prayer is how we comunicate with god, and the scriptures is how he communicates with us." That chapter said everything i needed to know. Now I am not worried about a thing!! who cares about the regular world. "Sufficent today is the evil thereof." Don't worry about tomorrow.
I am just trying to be a good boy, honor my covenants, keep my commandments.. and I know if I do that, that I will be led to those who need the gospel. I love that promise, and I know if I just try and do that.. My whole life will be awesome!! I am not worried about a thing! It is so great.. The only thing I have to think about is preaching the gospel.
love you both,
Elder Perry
Ps I get my travel plans tomorrow, so AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Where is my brown paper bag!????
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