Elder Hancock's Mission in Finland: Week 14 - I've loved my time as a missionary!

Aaaaaannnndddd I continue to love it, just in case you thought I was leaving! I love to reflect on the last 14 weeks and think of how much I've grown, what a different person I am already, and how excited I am for the rest of my missionary service!

This week was awesome. We contacted a man on Saturday in the streets of Hakaniemi in Helsinki. We asked what brought joy to his life and he said that his wife did, but that she passed away seven years ago. He said that he's incredibly lonely. We said 'Well, would you like to know how you can be together with her again?' He said 'I want to be with her more than anything. I was married to her for 48 years.' He started to tear up and the Spirit that was with us was so strong. We were able to testify that he would be able to be with her again, and it was so special. That doesn't happen every day and it's something I treasure.

Sometimes I think we forget about our futures in order to live in the moment, which is fine in some situations, but we need to make sure we remember that the way we live right now determines how we'll feel in the future. Don't sacrifice your future for something right now. Share this gospel of happiness with somebody! I know for a fact that that man will see his wife again, but he didn't know it. Being able to share that fact with him was a privilege that I'll never deserve, but that I will always be immensely grateful for.

This week was Zone Conference! I was able to see my good friends Elders Krause and Viitanen again, from my MTC group, as well as meet some new friends! This week we have Return and Report at the mission home, which is why I'm emailing today instead of tomorrow. I'll be able to see half of my MTC group there as well!

This Gospel is pure happiness. We always have to sacrifice something in order to gain more, but sometimes people only look at the sacrifices, and not at what they will bring. I testify that this gospel is true. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel, however, is not stagnant. Our message is a message of stand up, and do something more, than dream of your mansions above! Christ says even as ye have done this unto the least of these your bretheren, ye have done it unto me. What are you going to do for someone else today? What are you going to do for Christ today?

I love you all and have a great week!

Elder Hancock