Well, I'd better rephrase that. I'm still going to have great weeks buuuuuut four days from now we're heading out to the North Pole Helsinki Mission! I think Santa is a branch president up there, I'll let you know.
So anyway, this week has been, again, fantastic. I love my life here in the MTC and I can't wait to love it in Finland!
First awesome thing to note! I love the temple! My wonderful girlfriend took out her own endowment last week, which gave me time to reflect on the blessings that come from the House of the Lord. As I sat in the temple this morning I was so amazed at how much love God has for us to give us the ordinances that are in temples. Another principle I learned this week is that charity and love are endowments themselves! In Moroni 7, the prophet Moroni exhorts us to pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that we may receive this gift ourselves. I've done that numerous times here in the MTC and have definitely seen God's hand in my life, helping me to more perfectly love the people I meet.
The Gift of Tongues works in amazing ways. In Finnish, I know that the word 'meidan' means 'our', but as I listened to my companion give thanks for our investigator in his Finnish prayer last weekend, I heard it as 'your' investigator. I didn't realize that he had actually said 'meidan', not 'sinun' (the word for your) (the words sound completely different) for a few seconds, and then realized that God had just helped me understand a wonderful principle - these are not 'my' investigators, they are God's. They are investigating our God. I knew in my heart, I could feel it, that God had switched my understanding of the word 'meidan' for a couple seconds so I could learn something so valuable to me.
On Sunday a few interesting things happened: 1. Gary Crittenden's devotional helped me recognize some weaknesses of mine - namely, things I hadn't given up out of my past life that I still needed to! 2. I watched Jeffrey R. Holland's 'Missions Are Forever' talk, which was given here at the MTC a while back. It was amazing and taught me to consecrate these precious two years (now 22 months) of my life. 3. I got proclaimed as Most Likely To Be Seen On the News For Climbing Up Somewhere and Preaching About the Book of Mormon (a title I'm infinitely proud of, and definitely going to fulfill).
President Watson (the previous mission president for Finland that was serving while I got my call) came to our residence a couple days ago! I knew he was here serving in a Branch Presidency, and I've been praying for weeks that I would get to talk to him. It was amaaaaaazing and I'm so excited to serve in Finland! He talked to us about our questions/concerns and was an answer to most if not all of our prayers.
The Primary General President, Joy D. Jones, came and gave an amazing devotional this week! A couple takeaways - 1. Her husband said something really amazing. He was talking to a young man who said 'A mission isn't for me'. He replied 'I'm sorry, were you under the impression a mission if for you?' A mission is so not for us as individuals! It's to serve our God and His children! 2. Sister Jones brought up that the last three talks from President Monson have all focused on us being in war, having a last hope, and getting rescued by Priesthood power. I loved it and President Monson is the living prophet on the Earth!
Yesterday we watched a 'play' for In-field Orientation. In Ward Council, the Primary President gave the Bishop a gold star for being 'good', and Elder Sharp in the play immediately got up and shook his hand and said 'Congratulations, Bishop, what an honour!' and then sat back down with the straightest face ever. I laughed the hardest I have in weeks and you all probably think I'm crazy now! Oh well. That made the subject line!
We had our last lesson with Karina and we have one more with Miro. We have grown to love them so so so much and I'm so sad to leave them (even if they aren't 'real'). Love is the greatest thing we can have, my friends.
Keep being amazing, all of you! This Church is true. I know it with all my heart, and I can't wait to go proclaim the glad tidings of great joy in Finland next week.
Love and Godspeed!
Vanhin Hancock
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Elder Hancock
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| 1 - When it's November and there still isn't snow |
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| 2 - The Elders in our district |
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| 3 - our full district |
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