Dear Family,
Wow, time here has just flown by. This next Saturday is change calls. This has been the most fun change for we are so busy. This past week was zone conference, splits with the elders in Tampere and Jyväskylä. Each experience was edifying and taught me special things fitted to my needs. This email might not be as long as the others but know this, I love each of you so much.
Currently our investigators are doing well. O. P. is still working towards his answer by reading and praying each day. Also, the Lord guided us to 3 new investigators this week. Very cool!
Bytheway, I received permission from President Brown for a member to take Elder Lytle and I to the temple because Elder Lytle has never gone to the temple before in Helsinki. We are going on April 29th which also happens to be my 1 year anniversary as a missionary. I have already been preparing for this time of counsel and learning with the Lord. This next tuesday is district meeting in Tampere (2 hour train ride there). I am excited for what the Lord will teach us.
Love,
Vanhin Hamner
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Apr. 19, 2010
Dear Family,
Well this has been busy week. On Tuesday we visited Orimattila where we taught a recent-convert, followed-up on potential investigators, and served a less-active member. Later that same day we taught the man with the 5 year old daughter, with our ward missionary leader. He loves church as well as his daughter. Unfortunately, his daughter was a little sick this past Sunday so they couldn't come but they want to come to Tampere for stake conference. Then the next day was splits with the zone leaders. Elders Struthers and Young are such good leaders. I will be sending pictures soon so you can see who they are. While they were in Lahti we taught a new investigator who was a referral from our mission president( yes Pres Brown. the example)
Then while contacting Elder Lytle and I found one lady who said she is currently searching for the truth. We discussed for about 15 min on the road and gave her a Book of Mormon with the restoration pamphlet. She was definitely prepared by the Lord (Alma 16:16)
On Friday, President held a Mission Leadership Training meeting where all the zone and district leaders in Finland gathered in Helsinki where we held a council, received further training from President.
Also all flights in and out of Finland have been canceled due to the volcano in Iceland. Therefore that also means no posti (mail) in or out. So if you do not hear from me for a few days it is because of air travel. I believe there are still boats that transport mail so katsotaan (lets see).
This week I have zone conference, splits with the missionaries in Tampere and Jyväskylä. We have one investigator, (Norwegian), who is asking for his answer from Heavenly Father. He is overcoming his coffee problem by switching to hot chocolate. He has his baptismal date set for April 1st so please keep him in your prayers.
I love you
Vanhin Hamner Suomesta!!!!! (from Finland)
Well this has been busy week. On Tuesday we visited Orimattila where we taught a recent-convert, followed-up on potential investigators, and served a less-active member. Later that same day we taught the man with the 5 year old daughter, with our ward missionary leader. He loves church as well as his daughter. Unfortunately, his daughter was a little sick this past Sunday so they couldn't come but they want to come to Tampere for stake conference. Then the next day was splits with the zone leaders. Elders Struthers and Young are such good leaders. I will be sending pictures soon so you can see who they are. While they were in Lahti we taught a new investigator who was a referral from our mission president( yes Pres Brown. the example)
Then while contacting Elder Lytle and I found one lady who said she is currently searching for the truth. We discussed for about 15 min on the road and gave her a Book of Mormon with the restoration pamphlet. She was definitely prepared by the Lord (Alma 16:16)
On Friday, President held a Mission Leadership Training meeting where all the zone and district leaders in Finland gathered in Helsinki where we held a council, received further training from President.
Also all flights in and out of Finland have been canceled due to the volcano in Iceland. Therefore that also means no posti (mail) in or out. So if you do not hear from me for a few days it is because of air travel. I believe there are still boats that transport mail so katsotaan (lets see).
This week I have zone conference, splits with the missionaries in Tampere and Jyväskylä. We have one investigator, (Norwegian), who is asking for his answer from Heavenly Father. He is overcoming his coffee problem by switching to hot chocolate. He has his baptismal date set for April 1st so please keep him in your prayers.
I love you
Vanhin Hamner Suomesta!!!!! (from Finland)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Apr.12, 2010
Dearest Mom,
This past week has been quite amazing. On wednesday I was able to attend the temple for Elder Lytle had language school. I did it in Finnish and it went really well! I cannot wait until you all can go with me after the mission. It is so weird I will be hitting my year mark pretty soon. Elder Lytle and I will probably buy kebab to celebrate.
Stories: While we were tracting we were following-up on a potential investigator but they were not home. As a result we tracted in the potential investigator's building (see PMG ch. 9) and the last door before we had to catch the bus was a 56 year old man and pieni (tiny) 5 year old girl. He invited us in but he was eating so we set up another appointment two days later. We brought a member along and taught the restoration. Though He talked a lot, which is expected for he recently went through a divorce, the member, Hannu return missionary, invited him to church. Then sunday came and there came they came. The members just wrapped them up with love. One mom with 4-5 little kids took care of the little girl and our WML (ward miss. leader) welcomed this man warmly. It worked so well. Afterwards he was so impressed by the genuinity of the members for they live the gospel not just come on Sunday then leave. It is a life style. (I was just smiling ear to ear). We have another appointment set up with him this week. Our WML will be there. To be continued....
Next story. When I came to Lahti the elder I replaced had gotten a haircut in a local barbershop. The owner, is filipino and speaks english, tagalog,and finnish. Well we tried to stop by a couple of times for she is interested but she was always busy with customers. So I decided: Well then Im going to make time. Sign me up for a haircut. I usually cut my own hair for it is too expensive to get it cut professionally. So today she cut my hair and we were able to talk about the gospel. Upon the conclusion of the haircut we set up an appointment. The Lord has definitely prepared her. To be continued...
Also about the culture here. The Finns love rye bread. I like it too. It is soooo much better than the american rye bread. Also the cheese, yogurt, and ice cream is so good. In Lahti we use the buses to get everywhere which is really fun. We are able to talk to so many more people.
Thank you so much for your prayers and encouraging words. I love you each so much.
Vanhin Hamner
(Answers to our questions:)
Kebab is lamb meat. very good just dont eat it often
I did make the banana bread. it tasted great but it didnt rise well. I gave some to a member. She loved it!
I have not tried the chocolate smoothie yet but will soon
Tagalog is the language spoken in the philipines. She is still interested but she is way busy so we just need to stay on top of the situation.
Love,
Elder Hamner
This past week has been quite amazing. On wednesday I was able to attend the temple for Elder Lytle had language school. I did it in Finnish and it went really well! I cannot wait until you all can go with me after the mission. It is so weird I will be hitting my year mark pretty soon. Elder Lytle and I will probably buy kebab to celebrate.
Stories: While we were tracting we were following-up on a potential investigator but they were not home. As a result we tracted in the potential investigator's building (see PMG ch. 9) and the last door before we had to catch the bus was a 56 year old man and pieni (tiny) 5 year old girl. He invited us in but he was eating so we set up another appointment two days later. We brought a member along and taught the restoration. Though He talked a lot, which is expected for he recently went through a divorce, the member, Hannu return missionary, invited him to church. Then sunday came and there came they came. The members just wrapped them up with love. One mom with 4-5 little kids took care of the little girl and our WML (ward miss. leader) welcomed this man warmly. It worked so well. Afterwards he was so impressed by the genuinity of the members for they live the gospel not just come on Sunday then leave. It is a life style. (I was just smiling ear to ear). We have another appointment set up with him this week. Our WML will be there. To be continued....
Next story. When I came to Lahti the elder I replaced had gotten a haircut in a local barbershop. The owner, is filipino and speaks english, tagalog,and finnish. Well we tried to stop by a couple of times for she is interested but she was always busy with customers. So I decided: Well then Im going to make time. Sign me up for a haircut. I usually cut my own hair for it is too expensive to get it cut professionally. So today she cut my hair and we were able to talk about the gospel. Upon the conclusion of the haircut we set up an appointment. The Lord has definitely prepared her. To be continued...
Also about the culture here. The Finns love rye bread. I like it too. It is soooo much better than the american rye bread. Also the cheese, yogurt, and ice cream is so good. In Lahti we use the buses to get everywhere which is really fun. We are able to talk to so many more people.
Thank you so much for your prayers and encouraging words. I love you each so much.
Vanhin Hamner
(Answers to our questions:)
Kebab is lamb meat. very good just dont eat it often
I did make the banana bread. it tasted great but it didnt rise well. I gave some to a member. She loved it!
I have not tried the chocolate smoothie yet but will soon
Tagalog is the language spoken in the philipines. She is still interested but she is way busy so we just need to stay on top of the situation.
Love,
Elder Hamner
Monday, April 5, 2010
Apr. 5, 2010
Dear Family,
Wow, this week was busy. First of all district meeting went very well. Heavenly Father definitely guided me as I prepared and taught. WHEWW!!!! (as I wipe sweat off the brow) In the district meeting we focused on improving our capacity as teachers (mainly chapter 10 in PMG... p.s.such a good chapter) After district meeting I had my interview with President where he gave some priceless advice. I feel the Lord's hand in my shaping. He leads this work.
This General Conference was just perfect. It's sort of like the Mormon Superbowl, but you get it twice a year! Also there are pretty cool commericals :) But most importantly you can learn what the Lord wants to teach you. Then afterwards it is up to us to apply and strive. That would be my challenge to each one. Please set goals according to the inspiration given to you through general conference. How lucky we are to have continuous revelation from the Lord through a living prophet. I get such good feelings as I type this.
This past week I have been reflecting upon the deepest desires of all people. For as a missionary you teach according to their needs and do your best to meet them through the restored gospel under the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Everyone wants to feel loved. We feel God's love through the Spirit. So when we listen to conference, attend church, study the words of the prophet, or in other words be more obedient we receive the spiritual nourishment we so desperately need. I understand that this topic is very broad and difficult to describe but it was just something I have been pondering about. In Summary everyone yearns for the Spirit even if they dont know it. Only through the gospel can one receive this spiritual nourishment. My desire for the Spirit is ever growing. I love how this all makes sense( the gospel that is).
I love each of you individually. Thank you for your prayers. They are heard. I feel them.
Love
Vanhin (AJ) Hamner
PS I just used that plan of salvation finnish puzzle thing you gave me. Thank you!
Wow, this week was busy. First of all district meeting went very well. Heavenly Father definitely guided me as I prepared and taught. WHEWW!!!! (as I wipe sweat off the brow) In the district meeting we focused on improving our capacity as teachers (mainly chapter 10 in PMG... p.s.such a good chapter) After district meeting I had my interview with President where he gave some priceless advice. I feel the Lord's hand in my shaping. He leads this work.
This General Conference was just perfect. It's sort of like the Mormon Superbowl, but you get it twice a year! Also there are pretty cool commericals :) But most importantly you can learn what the Lord wants to teach you. Then afterwards it is up to us to apply and strive. That would be my challenge to each one. Please set goals according to the inspiration given to you through general conference. How lucky we are to have continuous revelation from the Lord through a living prophet. I get such good feelings as I type this.
This past week I have been reflecting upon the deepest desires of all people. For as a missionary you teach according to their needs and do your best to meet them through the restored gospel under the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Everyone wants to feel loved. We feel God's love through the Spirit. So when we listen to conference, attend church, study the words of the prophet, or in other words be more obedient we receive the spiritual nourishment we so desperately need. I understand that this topic is very broad and difficult to describe but it was just something I have been pondering about. In Summary everyone yearns for the Spirit even if they dont know it. Only through the gospel can one receive this spiritual nourishment. My desire for the Spirit is ever growing. I love how this all makes sense( the gospel that is).
I love each of you individually. Thank you for your prayers. They are heard. I feel them.
Love
Vanhin (AJ) Hamner
PS I just used that plan of salvation finnish puzzle thing you gave me. Thank you!
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Helaman 5:12
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
