Rakas Perhe
12 Oct 09
Well in Finland it is becoming a little chilly (which is the best to wake up to). Currently we have one investigator who has a baptismal date. We also have so many potential investigators. We are so busy now which is the BEST.
I also wanted to share with you some Finnish customs/things they do. First of all their food is pretty much all organic. Their vegetables almost taste like candy...yum porkkanat (carrots). Secondly you have to pay for grocery bags so people bring baskets. I bring my duffle bag so it works out pretty well. Their chocolate is sooo good; however, I do not eat a lot of it. Kouvola is a driving city. With the members at dinner appointments- you are expected to eat everything on your plate (courteous just like in the US). Also they always feed you dessert. I have not had mustamakara (blood sausage) but I will soon.
My companion Elder Karlsson is amazing. I love his ''lets do it now'' attitude. He has been in Suomi(Finland) for 4 changes (1 change=1.5 months/ 6 weeks). We love to run in the mornings and missionary work. The Lord is blessing Suomi so much.
In two weeks I will be able to go to the temple in Helsinki. I cannot wait for that. The reason is that Elder Karlsson has language school and they send the companions to the temple.
The Lord is blessing me so much with the language. The mission did away with setting specific days to SYL (speak your language). Now we SYL as much as we can all day every day. It helps so much. Pres. Luthy (current temple pres of Helsinki temple and professor of linguistics at BYU) said that SYL is the glue to sticks all the grammar and vocab together. It is so weird to think how little time we have studied Finnish and yet we can teach and communicate. I couldn't do this after 4 years of spanish!
I love you all!
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Hamner
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Oct. 5, 2009
Rakas Perhe,
5 Oct 09
This past week has been so busy! On Tuesday we had district meeting in Savonlinna (eastern finland) so we were on the train for a total of 6 hours that day. Then on wednesday was language school in Helsinki so we were there the entire day. Then we had teaches on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. After that general conference in Lahti wassaturday night and sunday....WOW! Now I can take a breath.
We also have another baptismal date. Natalia will be baptized on Oct 24. We are so excited for her. She has already given her mom a Book of Mormon which is great progress. The Lord is really helping soften her parents hearts.
Also on saturday night we received ''change calls''. Elder Karlsson (swede) will be my new companion. He currently is serving in Pietersaari. I am so excited. I heard he likes to run...YES!!!!
I hope all is well at home with the packing/logistics. I love you and remember the small things that help build your testimony are the most important. The two major themes I felt were focused about in General Conference were love and diligence. Just keep doing the small, yet important things. I promise miracles will come into your life as you strive to do so...I promise.
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Hamner
5 Oct 09
This past week has been so busy! On Tuesday we had district meeting in Savonlinna (eastern finland) so we were on the train for a total of 6 hours that day. Then on wednesday was language school in Helsinki so we were there the entire day. Then we had teaches on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. After that general conference in Lahti wassaturday night and sunday....WOW! Now I can take a breath.
We also have another baptismal date. Natalia will be baptized on Oct 24. We are so excited for her. She has already given her mom a Book of Mormon which is great progress. The Lord is really helping soften her parents hearts.
Also on saturday night we received ''change calls''. Elder Karlsson (swede) will be my new companion. He currently is serving in Pietersaari. I am so excited. I heard he likes to run...YES!!!!
I hope all is well at home with the packing/logistics. I love you and remember the small things that help build your testimony are the most important. The two major themes I felt were focused about in General Conference were love and diligence. Just keep doing the small, yet important things. I promise miracles will come into your life as you strive to do so...I promise.
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Hamner
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sept. 28, 2009
Hey Family,
Today I can't write a long letter for there is remodeling in the church so my time is short. Last week was zone conference which was amazing. I forwarded the zone conference pictures. I love you all and will be writing more letters to you all soon. The work is amazing here. I wish you all could be here.
Love
Vanhin Hamner
Today I can't write a long letter for there is remodeling in the church so my time is short. Last week was zone conference which was amazing. I forwarded the zone conference pictures. I love you all and will be writing more letters to you all soon. The work is amazing here. I wish you all could be here.
Love
Vanhin Hamner
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sept. 21, 2009
Rakas Perhe,
21 Sept 2009
This past week has gone by so fast. We had splits in Hyvinkää with our district leader, Elder Kelley and his companion Elder Schollenberger. We worked hard and had some amazing experiences. For example, Elder Schollenberger (was in MTC with me) and I went tracting. The Lord blessed us with the gift of tongues for we understood the people and were able to converse with ease. All credit goes to Heavenly Father for there is no way once could in less than 6 months of studying the language be able to converse with the people. What is also humbling and exciting is how much there still is to learn. Being on a mission has enlarged that fire to continually learn and grow. One teacher from the MTC said, '' Your mission is your launch pad to life to bigger and greater things.'' That is so true!
My testimony of prayer has grown ten-fold. This past week President Brown has requested that we concentrate our studies (in preparation for zone conference) in ch. 8 of PMG. In it one sentence stood out from amongst the others: ''Pray mightily over your goals.'' This past week I have put more effort into this challenge. At the end of the week we got 3 new investigators! Missionary work in Finland is growing exponentially. I love it. Remember Heavenly Father hears and answers every prayer. Pray to see His tender mercies each day and record them. This will build your relationship with Him for we all need to improve this crucial eternal bond.
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Hamner
21 Sept 2009
This past week has gone by so fast. We had splits in Hyvinkää with our district leader, Elder Kelley and his companion Elder Schollenberger. We worked hard and had some amazing experiences. For example, Elder Schollenberger (was in MTC with me) and I went tracting. The Lord blessed us with the gift of tongues for we understood the people and were able to converse with ease. All credit goes to Heavenly Father for there is no way once could in less than 6 months of studying the language be able to converse with the people. What is also humbling and exciting is how much there still is to learn. Being on a mission has enlarged that fire to continually learn and grow. One teacher from the MTC said, '' Your mission is your launch pad to life to bigger and greater things.'' That is so true!
My testimony of prayer has grown ten-fold. This past week President Brown has requested that we concentrate our studies (in preparation for zone conference) in ch. 8 of PMG. In it one sentence stood out from amongst the others: ''Pray mightily over your goals.'' This past week I have put more effort into this challenge. At the end of the week we got 3 new investigators! Missionary work in Finland is growing exponentially. I love it. Remember Heavenly Father hears and answers every prayer. Pray to see His tender mercies each day and record them. This will build your relationship with Him for we all need to improve this crucial eternal bond.
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Hamner
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sept. 14, 2009
Rakas Perhe-
14 September (Syyskuu) 2009
This past week has been amazing. The Lord is teaching me so much about myself, Finnish, being a Christlike companion, and improving.
This past week my understanding of what everyone is saying is improving drastically. The Gift of Tongues is real. In church I was understanding discussions. Also the Lord is helping me improve my study methods and build the fire of learning Finnish. With the Spirit you can learn so much more including the unsatiable thirst for more knowledge. During the process the Lord blesses you even more with strength, insights, application of doctrinal principles. If we want to improve the Lord is there. Like it says in the scriptures His hands are still outstretched. We just need to reach.
In the Kymenlaakso branch (Kouvola) the stake presidency visited to call a new branch president. He has four children with another on the way. He is studying to get into medical school. He is such example to the members here in Kouvola.There are so many good families here.
Rakkaudella,
Elder Hamner
PS Hope you enjoy the pics!!!
14 September (Syyskuu) 2009
This past week has been amazing. The Lord is teaching me so much about myself, Finnish, being a Christlike companion, and improving.
This past week my understanding of what everyone is saying is improving drastically. The Gift of Tongues is real. In church I was understanding discussions. Also the Lord is helping me improve my study methods and build the fire of learning Finnish. With the Spirit you can learn so much more including the unsatiable thirst for more knowledge. During the process the Lord blesses you even more with strength, insights, application of doctrinal principles. If we want to improve the Lord is there. Like it says in the scriptures His hands are still outstretched. We just need to reach.
In the Kymenlaakso branch (Kouvola) the stake presidency visited to call a new branch president. He has four children with another on the way. He is studying to get into medical school. He is such example to the members here in Kouvola.There are so many good families here.
Rakkaudella,
Elder Hamner
PS Hope you enjoy the pics!!!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Precious message to all the kids.
AJ sent this picture that he colored with the Finnish primary children and sent it with special notes that are so good for all of us so we wanted to share it.AJ says this is the most rewarding thing you can do at age 19. It is hard work but it is where you develop the skills and attributes that will bless you for the rest of your life and into the eternities. Being in Finland, sharing the message about our brother Jesus Christ to the Finnish people is so fun. I know that Jesus Christ is our Master. He loves us so much that we cannot understand it completely.
He says "Karlie I am happy that you love school. I love school too. Right now I'm going to school too from 8am - 11am. First it's personal study, then companionship study, and finally language study. My teacher is the Holy Ghost. I do my best to listen for he knows everything. I want to learn everything I can."
We love you AJ!
Love Mom
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sept. 7, 2009
Rakas Perhe
7 Sept 09
This past week has flown by so fast. I had my interview with President Brown at district meeting and it was so edifying. What is even better is I get to serve with him the complete two years here. He will come home one month after me ( I may have said this in the last email).
President Brown taught us about the spiritual nature to planning. He referenced Moses 3:5 where everything was created spiritually before it was physically. The Lord planned....effectively....with the Spirit. He also taught about how the Lord had a vision when planning and doing. He challenged us to pray for the vision Heavenly Father has for our individual cities.
The President of the Europe Area told President Brown recently that Finland has never seen these numbers (baptims) before. During the summer months (typically low numbers because of vacations) there has been a consistent high number of baptisms. He told President Brown to ''tell the missionaries they are doing the right things. Tell them to keep it up.''
I love you all and remember this is the greatest work on the earth. What privilege all of us get to be a part of it.
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Hamner
7 Sept 09
This past week has flown by so fast. I had my interview with President Brown at district meeting and it was so edifying. What is even better is I get to serve with him the complete two years here. He will come home one month after me ( I may have said this in the last email).
President Brown taught us about the spiritual nature to planning. He referenced Moses 3:5 where everything was created spiritually before it was physically. The Lord planned....effectively....with the Spirit. He also taught about how the Lord had a vision when planning and doing. He challenged us to pray for the vision Heavenly Father has for our individual cities.
The President of the Europe Area told President Brown recently that Finland has never seen these numbers (baptims) before. During the summer months (typically low numbers because of vacations) there has been a consistent high number of baptisms. He told President Brown to ''tell the missionaries they are doing the right things. Tell them to keep it up.''
I love you all and remember this is the greatest work on the earth. What privilege all of us get to be a part of it.
Rakkaudella,
Vanhin Hamner
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