Dear Mom and lovely family!,
What a week! As I reflect upon this week I do not know where to begin. But the thought I would like to share is the power of serving others with all our heart, might, mind, and strength.
I remember President Brown teaching us about this a while ago where we come out to our missions ready to work with all our energy. We come wanting to talk to everyone: sun-up to sun-down. But he shared how if we do it with our all our heart and mind therein lies the true power source of the Lord. We could very easily do missionary work and do missionary things but if we start becoming Christ-like missionaries then you tune in with the Lord's frequency and miracles start to happen.
This simple lesson has changed my life. As I have strived (and still try to) to give my heart to Him by dedicating everything I have to His cause- I personally have felt and seen His miraculous power in my life and in the lives of my investigators.
I wish I could describe every experience like movie but that will have to wait until judgment day or when we get to watch THE BIG MOVIE in other words from start to finish (not Finnish)
One experience I would like to share: A, one of my investigators, who now has a baptismal date for May 7th. This past week we had a teach with him after an intense break from meeting due to the devil. Anyways in that meeting he brought some anti-literature which bothered him. As I looked over some of the general points I was praying for the Spirit to help me know what to say because I wanted to answer to the ''root'' of the problem not at the ''leaves''. So whenever I do not know how to answer I testified and then the Spirit helped me teach by using a passage from the Book of Mormon to help him understand how he needs to understand the basics before greater things. And during which the Spirit calmed his spirit and resolved any worries. At the end of the teach I asked him if he still needed the paper and he said, ''No.'' What a miracle! The Spirit does miraculous things in people's hearts and the Book of Mormon is one of the most powerful tools in that.
Thank you for your prayers. We still need them for A and also for S that he will feel the power of the Book of Mormon.
Love
Elder Hamner
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Apr. 11, 2011
Dearest Mom and family,
What a wonderful week! This past Tuesday Elder Esplin, before he left for Hyvinkää, and I went to the temple which was needed. This past week has been full of prayer and fasting as I prepare to train my new companion and finish as strong as ever for my last 6 weeks. I know that as I consecrate this time even better the Lord will lead me to those people I need to find.
These past two weeks have been quite rough but what a great learning. Our whole teaching pool did a flip-flop (Test of Faith). All of our investigators have not been able to get a hold of including A. Soo weird. So I have been praying for the Lord to guide us to those elect even more. And sure enough the Lord has helped guide us to two families and many others within a couple of days. I love how the Lord will have us walk into the darkness with the knowledge/testimony He has given to us and then expect us to act. So we did and the Lord answered.
Currently A has dropped his baptismal date but we are striving to work with him. He has not answered his phone for a couple of days. He is very nervous about his upcoming baptism. He is ready, but the devil is doing his thing (btw I would like to punch him someday :)) So we are upping our efforts even more.
My companion, Elder Merkley, is doing well. He has a strong desire to learn Finnish and I am doing everything to teach, coach, and motivate. I love him. Immediately when I met him I could feel that he has a heart of gold.
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for your prayers. Each one helps and I know that He answers.
This next week is district meeting where we will be focusing on how the investigator must develop their personal line to heaven- through prayer.
Good Story of a good member- There is one member in our ward who is always willing to come to teaches and occasionally invites us over for food. Well this past week he invited us over to eat and to allow my companion, Elder Merkley try on extra jackets. So we did and during dinner he gave us two personally framed pictures. I asked him to sign it. Then we gave a short spiritual thought about Alma 37:37 regarding counseling with the Lord in prayer. He was touched by the passage because at this time in his life he needed to hear that. He shared that with us. My heart grew ten-fold for this older saint who is trying to do his best. And I know there are many more whether inside or outside the church who just need comfort and guidance. And the scriptures provide that.
Excellent quote from Elder Esplin's dad- ''The Lord does not usually reward faithfulness with success but with greater faith.'' What a humm-dinger!:)
With Love
Vanhin Hamner
What a wonderful week! This past Tuesday Elder Esplin, before he left for Hyvinkää, and I went to the temple which was needed. This past week has been full of prayer and fasting as I prepare to train my new companion and finish as strong as ever for my last 6 weeks. I know that as I consecrate this time even better the Lord will lead me to those people I need to find.
These past two weeks have been quite rough but what a great learning. Our whole teaching pool did a flip-flop (Test of Faith). All of our investigators have not been able to get a hold of including A. Soo weird. So I have been praying for the Lord to guide us to those elect even more. And sure enough the Lord has helped guide us to two families and many others within a couple of days. I love how the Lord will have us walk into the darkness with the knowledge/testimony He has given to us and then expect us to act. So we did and the Lord answered.
Currently A has dropped his baptismal date but we are striving to work with him. He has not answered his phone for a couple of days. He is very nervous about his upcoming baptism. He is ready, but the devil is doing his thing (btw I would like to punch him someday :)) So we are upping our efforts even more.
My companion, Elder Merkley, is doing well. He has a strong desire to learn Finnish and I am doing everything to teach, coach, and motivate. I love him. Immediately when I met him I could feel that he has a heart of gold.
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for your prayers. Each one helps and I know that He answers.
This next week is district meeting where we will be focusing on how the investigator must develop their personal line to heaven- through prayer.
Good Story of a good member- There is one member in our ward who is always willing to come to teaches and occasionally invites us over for food. Well this past week he invited us over to eat and to allow my companion, Elder Merkley try on extra jackets. So we did and during dinner he gave us two personally framed pictures. I asked him to sign it. Then we gave a short spiritual thought about Alma 37:37 regarding counseling with the Lord in prayer. He was touched by the passage because at this time in his life he needed to hear that. He shared that with us. My heart grew ten-fold for this older saint who is trying to do his best. And I know there are many more whether inside or outside the church who just need comfort and guidance. And the scriptures provide that.
Excellent quote from Elder Esplin's dad- ''The Lord does not usually reward faithfulness with success but with greater faith.'' What a humm-dinger!:)
With Love
Vanhin Hamner
Monday, April 4, 2011
Elämä on ihana April 4, 2011
Dear mom and family,
The title of this email is the truth: Life is wonderful. This is what our stake patriarch says every month when he comes up and bears his testimony. That is what I share because I believe it with all my heart.
This past week we encouraged some setbacks; in short, most of our investigators have either disappeared or said, ''No thank you''. A is still heading for baptism on April 16th. He needs your prayers. But about our teaching situation, I feel so happy and positive that the Lord will lead us to more elect who are waiting for us. I know the Lord knows His elect and want us to meet. We are doing the best we can to purify our hearts and work as hard as we can be.
Continuing on the same note of optimism's power. That is one of many lessons that Heavenly Father is teaching me. To be happy and have peace prevailing in our lives is a choice. No matter the situation even when you meet someone who is quite rude to you. You can choose to be positive and just love life. I am having a blast among these precious people. There are so many good people who really ask themselves, ''Who am I?'', ''Why am I here?'', and many other soul-searching questions. Your prayers help us as find them. Thank you. Finding them and baptizing them mean so much to me because I know how happy they will be. And we need more happy Finns:)
Also this past week the sister missionaries in Haaga found us a beautiful family. The mother is searching for her ''thing'' and she could not have possibly found a better ''thing'' than the Restored Gospel of our Savior. We met at the church and the teach was led by the Spirit. We brought a member along who afterwards was in tears because of how willing this lady is to find truth and Him. The mother said she would be baptized when she receives an answer from God that the Book of Mormon is true. Please pray that J will read and pray. She plans on coming to church with her young family.
FYI- My companion Elder Esplin will be transferred to Hyvinkää. (a little north of Helsinki...still in same zone:)) I have learned a lot from Elder Esplin. I still have a day to learn before he leaves tomorrow. My new companion is coming fresh from the MTC. I am looking forward to making this next and last change the best. I am working on that as we speak.
I love you all
Elder Hamner
The title of this email is the truth: Life is wonderful. This is what our stake patriarch says every month when he comes up and bears his testimony. That is what I share because I believe it with all my heart.
This past week we encouraged some setbacks; in short, most of our investigators have either disappeared or said, ''No thank you''. A is still heading for baptism on April 16th. He needs your prayers. But about our teaching situation, I feel so happy and positive that the Lord will lead us to more elect who are waiting for us. I know the Lord knows His elect and want us to meet. We are doing the best we can to purify our hearts and work as hard as we can be.
Continuing on the same note of optimism's power. That is one of many lessons that Heavenly Father is teaching me. To be happy and have peace prevailing in our lives is a choice. No matter the situation even when you meet someone who is quite rude to you. You can choose to be positive and just love life. I am having a blast among these precious people. There are so many good people who really ask themselves, ''Who am I?'', ''Why am I here?'', and many other soul-searching questions. Your prayers help us as find them. Thank you. Finding them and baptizing them mean so much to me because I know how happy they will be. And we need more happy Finns:)
Also this past week the sister missionaries in Haaga found us a beautiful family. The mother is searching for her ''thing'' and she could not have possibly found a better ''thing'' than the Restored Gospel of our Savior. We met at the church and the teach was led by the Spirit. We brought a member along who afterwards was in tears because of how willing this lady is to find truth and Him. The mother said she would be baptized when she receives an answer from God that the Book of Mormon is true. Please pray that J will read and pray. She plans on coming to church with her young family.
FYI- My companion Elder Esplin will be transferred to Hyvinkää. (a little north of Helsinki...still in same zone:)) I have learned a lot from Elder Esplin. I still have a day to learn before he leaves tomorrow. My new companion is coming fresh from the MTC. I am looking forward to making this next and last change the best. I am working on that as we speak.
I love you all
Elder Hamner
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Mar. 29, 2011
Dear Mom and family,
What a week! This past week the Lord's was quite obvious.
About a week and a half ago He led us to M, Filipino lady. So it all starts out that we were leaving our church where we teach most of all of our investigators and went to our bus stop. Waiting there too was M. We began to talk and teach about Jesus Christ's Restored Gospel and continued talking on the bus. We eventually exchanged phone numbers and set up an appointment. We came to her apartment with an older member and taught. She accepted her Tagalog Book of Mormon and promised to read and pray. We set up another appointment for the next day. During the first teach she shared how crazy busy she is, working two jobs and all. So I had a gut feeling that she did not keep her commitment to read because we met the night before she went to work, and that did not leave enough time for her to sit down and read and pray. Well we met and asked about her reading and praying. She said, ''Yes I read and prayed. I read during my lunch hour at work.'' When I heard that my heart almost jumped out of my chest. That is commitment. Even though she has a crazy life schedule she made time for something that she feels is important. Then we taught her simply how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through Joseph Smith. The Lord led this teach through His Spirit and M accepted everything even BAPTISM. She will be baptized in April. Now more than ever I need you to pray for her so that we can consistently meet and help her prepare for baptism. Thank you for your prayers
Love
Elder Hamner
What a week! This past week the Lord's was quite obvious.
About a week and a half ago He led us to M, Filipino lady. So it all starts out that we were leaving our church where we teach most of all of our investigators and went to our bus stop. Waiting there too was M. We began to talk and teach about Jesus Christ's Restored Gospel and continued talking on the bus. We eventually exchanged phone numbers and set up an appointment. We came to her apartment with an older member and taught. She accepted her Tagalog Book of Mormon and promised to read and pray. We set up another appointment for the next day. During the first teach she shared how crazy busy she is, working two jobs and all. So I had a gut feeling that she did not keep her commitment to read because we met the night before she went to work, and that did not leave enough time for her to sit down and read and pray. Well we met and asked about her reading and praying. She said, ''Yes I read and prayed. I read during my lunch hour at work.'' When I heard that my heart almost jumped out of my chest. That is commitment. Even though she has a crazy life schedule she made time for something that she feels is important. Then we taught her simply how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through Joseph Smith. The Lord led this teach through His Spirit and M accepted everything even BAPTISM. She will be baptized in April. Now more than ever I need you to pray for her so that we can consistently meet and help her prepare for baptism. Thank you for your prayers
Love
Elder Hamner
Monday, March 21, 2011
21 March 2011
Dear Dad and Grown-Up Sisters
Dear mom and lovely family (yes mom you are lovely too...often you impress me by how much)
This past week the pace of missionary work in Helsinki just keeps speeding up and up. There is one definite reason to stay organized, plan well, keep your peace so the Lord can perform miracles through you. That is my simple testimony.
First about our investigators. The Lord has blessed our investigators exceedingly. A, who will be baptized on Saturday after general conference, is progressing very well. You can see in his eyes and feel from his testimony that the Lord has and continues to change him into a better man. He has stopped smoking and we will be doing our best to help be ready. We will be focusing on improving his relationships with the members so there is no sudden break after baptism. Then T, whose girlfriend is less active now coming back, came to church for the first time. It was a Kodak/precious moment when I saw him walk into church. We have been working with them to come but they did not feel ready until this past Sunday! Oh if I could properly describe the inner joy of seeing someone for whom you pray for make simple but huge steps back Home. This work is most difficult but also the most rewarding.
Power of Learning by the Spirit:
President Brown recently has taught us in a week-long leadership training meeting which has changed me. Each time I come to a training meeting my understanding, testimony, and personal vision grows. My sights go beyond the treeline and into the heavens. In other words the Lord has enlightened my mind and heart to see more of what He sees. He helps me see what is my next steps to personally become more like Him and bring as many others along for the ride. And as I have followed the inspired counsel the Spirit is more present and I have more power to bless others and overcome weaknesses. I share this because of General Conference coming up. This is crucial time to prepare our minds and hearts to really hear, see, and take to heart what Heavenly Father wants us to become. Please ask him what questions you need to bring and what you need to do to prepare your hearts and minds. We cannot prepare our hearts and minds without His help.
Finding Miracles:
This past Saturday we were traveling to a funeral of a less-active man who we taught and actually went to the wrong place. So we asked for directions and eventually caught the right bus to the right church. During the trip we saw a different part of Helsinki (suburbs not just downtown). It was snowing and Elder Esplin and I called this one of our adventures up north. Unfortunately we did not make it in time to the funeral but it's alright. He (Heavenly Father) has our back. So we headed home and we walking from the train station when we saw a father, pregnant mother, and child walking in our direction. They stuck out for some reason and we talked with them. Sure enough they just moved to Finland and reunited their family after some time. The next day we met and they are now investigating! The Lord has good plans for them. When I entered their home on Sunday I felt the power of humility and faith in their home. They have good hearts. Their simple desire to survive in life humbled me and I look forward to our next meeting.
One note about that: the importance to ask for the gift of discernment in order to recognize the elect because there are so many people in Helsinki if I were to talk with everyone then I could not get from one appointment to another in time. The Lord is blessing us to find.
Prayer Needs:
Please pray to protect A before his baptism. T that he will gain the faith to set a baptismal date. J to understand the need to be baptized. Thank you for your faithful prayers. Miracles are happening. Records
are occurring. The Lord does lead this work and we are just conduits/instruments to bless others.
Love
Vanhin Hamner
Thank you for the CD. If you don’t mind I gave it to Aki to help him keep the spirit in his home especially before baptism. I love you!
Dear mom and lovely family (yes mom you are lovely too...often you impress me by how much)
This past week the pace of missionary work in Helsinki just keeps speeding up and up. There is one definite reason to stay organized, plan well, keep your peace so the Lord can perform miracles through you. That is my simple testimony.
First about our investigators. The Lord has blessed our investigators exceedingly. A, who will be baptized on Saturday after general conference, is progressing very well. You can see in his eyes and feel from his testimony that the Lord has and continues to change him into a better man. He has stopped smoking and we will be doing our best to help be ready. We will be focusing on improving his relationships with the members so there is no sudden break after baptism. Then T, whose girlfriend is less active now coming back, came to church for the first time. It was a Kodak/precious moment when I saw him walk into church. We have been working with them to come but they did not feel ready until this past Sunday! Oh if I could properly describe the inner joy of seeing someone for whom you pray for make simple but huge steps back Home. This work is most difficult but also the most rewarding.
Power of Learning by the Spirit:
President Brown recently has taught us in a week-long leadership training meeting which has changed me. Each time I come to a training meeting my understanding, testimony, and personal vision grows. My sights go beyond the treeline and into the heavens. In other words the Lord has enlightened my mind and heart to see more of what He sees. He helps me see what is my next steps to personally become more like Him and bring as many others along for the ride. And as I have followed the inspired counsel the Spirit is more present and I have more power to bless others and overcome weaknesses. I share this because of General Conference coming up. This is crucial time to prepare our minds and hearts to really hear, see, and take to heart what Heavenly Father wants us to become. Please ask him what questions you need to bring and what you need to do to prepare your hearts and minds. We cannot prepare our hearts and minds without His help.
Finding Miracles:
This past Saturday we were traveling to a funeral of a less-active man who we taught and actually went to the wrong place. So we asked for directions and eventually caught the right bus to the right church. During the trip we saw a different part of Helsinki (suburbs not just downtown). It was snowing and Elder Esplin and I called this one of our adventures up north. Unfortunately we did not make it in time to the funeral but it's alright. He (Heavenly Father) has our back. So we headed home and we walking from the train station when we saw a father, pregnant mother, and child walking in our direction. They stuck out for some reason and we talked with them. Sure enough they just moved to Finland and reunited their family after some time. The next day we met and they are now investigating! The Lord has good plans for them. When I entered their home on Sunday I felt the power of humility and faith in their home. They have good hearts. Their simple desire to survive in life humbled me and I look forward to our next meeting.
One note about that: the importance to ask for the gift of discernment in order to recognize the elect because there are so many people in Helsinki if I were to talk with everyone then I could not get from one appointment to another in time. The Lord is blessing us to find.
Prayer Needs:
Please pray to protect A before his baptism. T that he will gain the faith to set a baptismal date. J to understand the need to be baptized. Thank you for your faithful prayers. Miracles are happening. Records
are occurring. The Lord does lead this work and we are just conduits/instruments to bless others.
Love
Vanhin Hamner
Thank you for the CD. If you don’t mind I gave it to Aki to help him keep the spirit in his home especially before baptism. I love you!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Mar. 14, 2011
Dear Mom and Family This past week has been AMAZING!!! ...now you are thinking ''Why is that?'' Well I really cannot describe adequately but will do my best. This past week was a four day Leadership Training where President Brown taught us about the fundamentals of teaching. It started each morning at 9am and ended around 4-5 pm. During which President Brown would teach about different aspects of teaching and then we would apply what we were learning by role playing. However the part I would like to share is the purpose of church meetings-receiving revelation.
President Brown has taught us that before any church meeting we need to spiritually prepare for it by prayerfully pondering and studying the scriptures about what we need to learn. Then as we work to prepare ourselves the Lord can soften our hearts to hear the message that He wishes to give to us. There is evidence of this in Mosiah 2 where the people of King Benjamin prepare themselves for ''general conference'' by performing temple ordinances. Then King Benjamin in verse 9 gives us all counsel about spiritual preparation for each church meeting where he asks us to ''open [our] ears that [we] may hear, and [our] hearts that [we] may understand...'' We by ourselves cannot soften our hearts but the Lord can perform such a miracle. Last week the Lord helped soften my heart to hear the message that I needed to hear. Now I am working with Him to apply it. That is my challenge to you: please prepare for general conference to hear the message that Heavenly Father wants you to hear. I love you and please remember that the road to increased faith is not easy but soooo worth to travel. :)
Currently, A is still fighting with tobacco but he is making good progress. He has relapsed but we are working with him to overcome. Thank you for your prayers. Teaching him has been such a tender mercy. As he has shared his testimony about how he has felt the peace that comes from repentance my testimony has grown.
At this time we are very busy teaching. The Lord is helping us find more elect as we have been working with the members more, striving to be more obedient, and improve our teaching. It seems that as the work moves forward more and more time goes faster and faster. So we become more and more busy I am working with the Lord to help me simplify how I do everything: from setting goals, to planning teaches, teaching in district meeting, and studying. As I have done this the Spirit is more with me. I love it!
I love you all and look forward to your email next week
Love
Elder Hamner
President Brown has taught us that before any church meeting we need to spiritually prepare for it by prayerfully pondering and studying the scriptures about what we need to learn. Then as we work to prepare ourselves the Lord can soften our hearts to hear the message that He wishes to give to us. There is evidence of this in Mosiah 2 where the people of King Benjamin prepare themselves for ''general conference'' by performing temple ordinances. Then King Benjamin in verse 9 gives us all counsel about spiritual preparation for each church meeting where he asks us to ''open [our] ears that [we] may hear, and [our] hearts that [we] may understand...'' We by ourselves cannot soften our hearts but the Lord can perform such a miracle. Last week the Lord helped soften my heart to hear the message that I needed to hear. Now I am working with Him to apply it. That is my challenge to you: please prepare for general conference to hear the message that Heavenly Father wants you to hear. I love you and please remember that the road to increased faith is not easy but soooo worth to travel. :)
Currently, A is still fighting with tobacco but he is making good progress. He has relapsed but we are working with him to overcome. Thank you for your prayers. Teaching him has been such a tender mercy. As he has shared his testimony about how he has felt the peace that comes from repentance my testimony has grown.
At this time we are very busy teaching. The Lord is helping us find more elect as we have been working with the members more, striving to be more obedient, and improve our teaching. It seems that as the work moves forward more and more time goes faster and faster. So we become more and more busy I am working with the Lord to help me simplify how I do everything: from setting goals, to planning teaches, teaching in district meeting, and studying. As I have done this the Spirit is more with me. I love it!
I love you all and look forward to your email next week
Love
Elder Hamner
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mar. 7, 2011
Dearest Mother and Family
This past week has been fabulous. Though crazy life can be with all kinds of things to do the Lord wants us to keep our peace. That is what I feel is right to share about this past week, ''Keeping the Peace''.
If we can in the midst of chaos be able to keep our peace and hear/recognize/follow the promptings of the Spirit even when there are all kinds of distractions around us then we can enjoy even greater measure of the Holy Ghost.
One of the greatest tools to keep the peace is prayer. What an amazing gift to call upon Our Loving Creator whenever, wherever and have personal communication. Ohh how the adversary wants to cut this line of communication. In order to battle this we with our investigators have been emphasizing the basics like scripture study and prayer especially when temptations come up. And it is music to my ears when investigators like A say, '' Whenever I get the urge to smoke I read from the Book of Mormon.'' Wow my heart just swells up as I see and feel investigators grow and become ''new creatures''. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ changes us all into what Heavenly Father sees within us. It is a beautiful process of refining.
I love you all and thank you for your prayers. Miracles are happening.
Hey I got your package today THANK YOU!!!!!!
Elder Hamner
P.S. Please keep praying for A and J. Both are fighting tobacco and J alcohol/coffee. Please pray to give them greater strength to resist and overcome these addictions.
Hey I got your package today THANK YOU!!!!!!
This past week has been fabulous. Though crazy life can be with all kinds of things to do the Lord wants us to keep our peace. That is what I feel is right to share about this past week, ''Keeping the Peace''.
If we can in the midst of chaos be able to keep our peace and hear/recognize/follow the promptings of the Spirit even when there are all kinds of distractions around us then we can enjoy even greater measure of the Holy Ghost.
One of the greatest tools to keep the peace is prayer. What an amazing gift to call upon Our Loving Creator whenever, wherever and have personal communication. Ohh how the adversary wants to cut this line of communication. In order to battle this we with our investigators have been emphasizing the basics like scripture study and prayer especially when temptations come up. And it is music to my ears when investigators like A say, '' Whenever I get the urge to smoke I read from the Book of Mormon.'' Wow my heart just swells up as I see and feel investigators grow and become ''new creatures''. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ changes us all into what Heavenly Father sees within us. It is a beautiful process of refining.
I love you all and thank you for your prayers. Miracles are happening.
Hey I got your package today THANK YOU!!!!!!
Elder Hamner
P.S. Please keep praying for A and J. Both are fighting tobacco and J alcohol/coffee. Please pray to give them greater strength to resist and overcome these addictions.
Hey I got your package today 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.
