Not FINNISHed Yet: Nothing Better Than Awkwardly Moving Forward

Rakkaat ystävät!

It's been a good week. We had lessons with most of our investigators, which went well. None of them are committed to baptism yet, but we're working with them to get to that point and we've been working to find people who will meet with us and who we can start fresh with.

Sisar Lafferty had a birthday this week, and we celebrated with missionary work! Also, I got her a little present and made her a giant cookie . . . from the dough we had made to give to our investigators. But she did get a treat, and I think she had a good day :)

We've been doing a little tracting to liven up some of the areas in which we had nothing, and it's actually been a lot of fun. You don't realize how awkward of a person you are until soemthing like this happens:

*we knock on door and woman answers*

Me: "Moi! I'm Sisar Hillebrant and this is Sisar Lafferty. What's your name?"

Woman: "[insert Finnish name here]"

Me "Nice to meet you! *shake hands* We're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Have you ever heard of our church?"

Woman: "Uh, yeah, a little."

Me: "Cool, what do you know about us?"

Woman: *obviously uncomfortable* "Not much, but, uh, I'm not really interested."

Me: "Hei, no worries. We just have a little video we'd like to share if you have a minute."

Woman: "Uh, no thanks."

Me: "OK, no problem. Maybe we could come back sometime in the future!"

Woman: ". . ."

Me: "Well, uh, I mean not in the near future or anything, but . . ."

Woman : *slowly shuts door*

Me: ". . . yeah, ok, bye . . ."

So that's how it goes. But luckily not all contacts have been so uncomfortable. We've actually found a bunch of cool potentials this way. Of course most of them aren't free until after Vappu . . . but alas, what can you do?

Awkward as we are, the work still moves forward. It's a good thing God is the one in charge, and not me or anyone else. I think that is the way to know whether or not the church is true - the fact that so many people are touched by the Spirit of it despite the awkward efforts of us kids out in the mission field. The Lord's work truly is His work, and we just get to help. I'm so grateful to be His missionary and to share the gospel with all who will hear.

Have a great week and stay shiny!

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Hillebrant