Hello America!!
Well as you can expect, another amazing week down in beautiful country of Finland. We spent a few days down at a leadership training meeting down in Helsinki which was so fun! We stayed at an amazingly small apartment in the city (Neitsytpolku is the street) with six people staying there!! We had so much fun, but six guys in a one bedroom apartment!! Gross!! But I made a ton of friends. I saw some of the older Finns from the MTC, they are like six weeks ahead of me. I went on splits with one of them, and we had a blast. I have a bunch of amazing miracles to share with you this week!! Fasten your seat belt!!! Get the popcorn!!
First one: We went to visit this former investigator who lives on the outskirts of Helsinki in Espo I believe. Elder Nielsen had taught her before, but she wasn't keeping commitments so he had to drop her. Anyways... we went and it was literally like walking into a personal Hell. Her home felt so unbelievably miserable, but she agreed to visit with us. We talked with her, and her past was so sad. She had been abused by someone a few years ago. Heavy into smoking. on, and on... We taught her about the Book of Mormon.. there were four of us there (because missionaries can't teach a single lady without someone else). I didn't understand her Finnish but I did understand the spirit. While the others were talking with her, I was lost in my thoughts about what I should say. I was in a sense looking to Heaven. I knew that I didn't understand her past or what she needed to hear, but God did. All the sudden Elder sharp said,"Do you want to say something?" I looked and said, Uhh??? but then I felt I should testify about Jesus Christ. I looked into her eyes, and did so. We gave her a commitment to read 2nd Nephi 31, and she said she would. We made an appointment for the following day.
We came back and asked if we could have the lesson outside. We went to this little pavilion, and taught her. There was something different in her eyes. She had light, hope, and she even laughed. She was different. We sang to her,"I am a child of God," and the spirit was so strong. She committed to be baptized down in Espo , and I was so happy. Oh by the way, this happened all in about 24 hours. Although I'll never see her again, I love her. The gospel brings light and hope to people in their darkest hour. This lady was changed. It also gave me a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon. I think a lot of us take it for granted. This book has power to change lives. I can honestly say, I have never seen someone so unbelievably low, and depressed, and in pain. But now she is changed. If she keeps her commitments, and keeps going, she will be able to let go of her past, and let Christ heal her.
Second one: I was down in Helsinki with one of the elders' I met in the MTC named Elder Merkley. We decided to do splits, and go contact a referral in the northern part of the city. Needless to say...................... we didn't get there haha. We took so many trains, in so many wrong directions, but we worked really hard to talk to as many people as possible. Oh by the way, he is only six weeks older than me!! It was so much fun! We didn't understand very much, but who cares. We had the spirit, we were happy, and that's all that matters. The Lord gave us much success. Even though we didn't speak the language very well, we gave out 3 copies of the Book of Mormon, and we got 3 phone numbers!! I have started to realize that when you rely on the Lord, it doesn't matter if you have weaknesses. He will always compensate. Haha however that doesn't mean we don't have to work our little behindes off!!
I have learned a lot about the principle of Obediance. Obediance really does bring blessings. I love the 130 section of the Doctrine and Covenants, I believe it is verse 20. It says,"If we obtain any blessing, it is by obediance to the law upon which is predicated to us." If we want success we have to be obediant. It is literally that simple. We have commited ourselves to being 100 percent obediant, 100 percent of the time. Sometimes we make mistakes, but hey!! I'm human!! you make a mistake, repent and move on. One thing I could work on is being more diligent. Now hear me out,
Saturday we went on a 15 to 20 mile bike ride to go visit some members here in Joensuu. Ahhhhh!!! pedal, pedal, pedal, (insert gasp for air here) pedal, pedal hahahaha it was great!! It builds character... anyways the next day we had a bunch of teaches, and then we went to visit sister Peltonin another 3 mile bike ride I think haha, and then we had to come home and do our weekly planning meeting with takes 3 hours. I was so exhausted. I was dozing off like crazy. I know i'm human, and not superman (Even though people mistake me for him... which is a different story) anyways..... but I keep thinking about how the Savior kept going when he was exhausted. Given.. He is God, but i still want to work towards that. I know we have been so blessed because of working so hard, and being obediant, and I don't want to loose that.
This work is so challenging, in every aspect. Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, Emotionally. Last week we went to visit a man, who we met on the street and he is an alcoholic, we didn't teach him obviously, but we set a return appointment for yesterday. He promised us both He wouldn't drink. Yet, when we showed up, he of course had. It broke my heart. I know this gospel can help him, and he procrastinating his repentance. It really is so studpid. But we're not giving up on him. We love him, and he has so much potential.
I am learning so much out here. I really do enjoy the hard work. There is no better feeling in this world, than going to bed saying," I did my best today, I gave my all." Gosh we only get an hour here at the library!! I wish i could tell you more. But know that I love you both so much. Our family really can be together forever if we are simply obediant because we love god, and that is a good enough reason. I would invite you to study it out, and test me. In the book of Malachi, the last chapter I believe it says something like, "Prove me no herewith, and see If I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out blessings so great you will not have room to recieve them. Gosh I miss you a lot. Sometimes I think about old times, and ya...
keep smiling,
love
Will
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