Not FINNISHed Yet: Joy in the Work

Rakkaat Ystävät!

It has been quite the week! Planning and praying and trusting in the Lord has really paid off, and we were finally able to teach 20 lessons this week. Talking to people on the street has been a struggle for me my whole mission so far. It's just so far outside of my normal comfort level! But when Sisar Ross and I found out that we would be staying together for another change in Turku, we decided that it was God telling us that we just needed to kick ourselves in the pants and get over our inhibitions and just do His work His way! So we decided that we just want to get over ourselves! This week was packed full of prayers for strength to be bold and outgoing, and lots of resolutions in our companionship to be better. We've made a lot of goals in areas we can improve, and by the end of this change we want to be the power team. And I know it is totally do-able with the help of the Lord and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

One particular thing we've been working on has been teaching 3 solid lessons every day, which in Finland is pretty difficult. People, at least here in Turku, aren't as open to just talk religion on the street, so we kind of have to be a bit sneaky about it and work into a conversation first. Also sometimes tough, because many Finns just don't talk openly with strangers. But our district leader had asked that we make it a goal to teach at least 3 lessons a day, so we did . . . and almost immediately fell behind. By Sunday, we would need to teach 6 lessons that day in order to hit 20 for the week. But luckily for us it was Fast Sunday, and that means miracles! In our companionship prayer that morning, we laid it all out on the table. We knew what we needed to do, i.e. talk to everyone on the street and the buses that we could, and asked the Lord to help us do our part, and we knew He would do His. We only had two appointments scheduled (which honestly is pretty good for us on a Sunday), and we still needed to get 4 more on top of that. But as the day went, we talked to people, and we taught a guy over the phone, and a potential showed up in church even though we had forgotten to take the bus with him. Then we had a dinner appointment with a member and did a member role-play. By the end of the day we had taught 5 lessons. We were one short! So instead of getting off the bus at the stop closest to our apartment, we decided to go one more stop to the Center in faith that we could teach one more lesson. And we did. There was a man standing on the corner on our way home, and we started talking to him. Turns out he has a Book of Mormon at home, and faith in Jesus Christ, and is super willing to meet. He didn't have his calendar on him so we couldn't set an official appointment, but he became a sweet potential and we're going to get in touch with him hopefully today to set something up. The Lord really puts people in our path who are prepared (I mean, where on earth did he get that Book of Mormon!?) and if we are doing our part and showing that we are willing to work for it, we will see miracles!

It was really a great week. I finally feel like I personally have found the Spirit of missionary work and that I am up to par, or at least, that I am starting to get to where I know I can be as a person and as a instrument in the Lord's hands. Sisar Ross and I have talked a lot about the progress we have already seen in our willingness to talk with everyone -- and it feels so good! It is so fun to do real missionary work! We've been a lot better at just stopping people and talking to them, no matter how awkward it is, and even if it involves going back and trying again to talk to the same person as the Spirit directs. It's only uphill from here, as long as we can stay humble and remember who leads the work: the God of Israel, the Lord of all, our Heavenly Father, and our Savior and Redeemer.

The Lord truly is at the head of this work. He numbers His children. He knows us all by name. He knows our struggles and He knows our trials, He knows our successes and He knows our triumphs, and He will be at our head and at our rear, and His angels will be round about us to bear us up (D&C 84:88). The Lord has not left us helpless if we do not live as faithless. There is happiness to be had in this life, for that is the purpose of our existence: that we might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25). I testify that true joy can be found only through Jesus Christ, and He has provided for us this gospel so that we can find that joy, and then share that joy with others. I can promise you all that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ's true church and full, restored Gospel on the earth today, and that Heavenly Father can speak that truth to your hearts, if you ask in faith. I have asked, and I have received. I love this work. I love this church. I love the Savior Jesus Christ, and because I love Him, I love that I have this opportunity to bring this joy and happiness to the Lord's children in Finland.

I love you all, and I wish you all the very best week. There is no greater time to be alive than right now.

Stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant