October 2, 2017 - Week 111

 Hello there my friends and family! I had a nice long email written for you that was filled with such deep emotion and gratitude for you and all of your work, but it got deleted. Oh well, I guess you'll only get one filled with half the heart because I have half the time:)

Anyways, how about General Conference eh? Are we not all clear on what God's standards are for us and what he wants us to do now? I pray the we maybe doers of the word and not hearers only. I loved that the Prophets and Apostles of our day used the plain and simple language of Nephi! It was incridble, something that the spirit can relay to our hearts and minds. I loved the emphasis on 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World', studying sincerely the Book of Mormon (emphasizing President Monson's challenge to us) and on turning outwards and helping those around you! Inspired words from inspired men and women.

Finland has the joy and opportunity to welcome one of these inspired men in the next couple of weeks. Elder M. Russell Ballard will becoming in a few short weeks to give traing not only to the missionaries but also in a Finland wide Stake Conference. I feel it appropriate to use the Finnish saying "pettymysten pettymys" to describe my emotions for that. It is to mean "a disappointment of disappointments". Disappointed because I won't be here for that, but thrilled for the people of Finland and its participating missionaries!

Amongst the short week between P-days and General Conference we did get a lot of good missionary work done. We found a new investigator named Daniel, from Ghana. We met him tracting and taught him on Thursday. We had a good discussion on the Restoration but due too time restrictions we were cut short from finishing it all. Today we will go back to continue his teaching invite him to follow Jesus Christ in a more perfect way by being baptized.  Today is filled with lessons, so we are excited about that!

As we have noticed in life, all good things must come to an end. We saw that with General Conference, and we see that now with my mission. In 2 or 3 days I will be boarding a plane and heading out to Salt Lake City Utah. I would try to express my thoughts and feelings concerning my mission, but words can not express them. All in all, that which truely matters is that I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Prince of Peace and my personal savior and redeemer. He is the source of light and truth and has established his church on the earth for the accessing of his blessings. Joseph Smith was the one to restore it, and the Book of Mormon testifies of it. These doctrines have been set in my heart now and it is up to me to keep it there. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Vanhin Robison

September 27, 2017 ~ Week 110

 Yeah.. sorry my counting got very far off on my subject lines. I did the math this week and realized that it was Week 110 not 102 for this week. Anyways, despite however many weeks I have had on my mission it was still a good one. I don't think that i have had a bad week though, rough moments yes, but none to over power the outlook of my whole week.

This week we were confined to be indoors all of yesterday, hence P-day being today because my companion got a mini operation on his toe, but today we are back up and at it again. During all of our time inside we got a lot of book work done, updating records and reanalyzing whom we could talk to. I also developed a deep appreciation for my and my companions good health throughout my mission. Being inside all day is not my favorite activity. Yes I do take into consideration that some missionaries and companionships have no other option, but if you can be up and out, do it. We were able to go to a members home yesterday and have dinner with him. We had what is called "hot pot". I will include a picture, but anyways you have a  pot of boiling water flavored to your liking and then you put your meat and vegetables in there that you want with noodles and wait a minute or two to cook and then you eat it out of the pot. he trick is that you keep adding as you eat so that you don't have to wait for very long. It was good, really hot though as you might assume. This type of dish is popular among Asian cultures and so it's only appropriate that we ate it all with chopsticks. Of all the places to become skillful with chopsticks, i did not think Finland would be the one.

Earlier this week we taught one of our investigators who is very active in his own religion, which is good but makes him being open to new things a bit more difficult. It is fun to try and seek inspiration as to what specific piece of doctrine will grab his attention and open his eyes a little more. We found out this week that the Book of Mormon was not it haha. He loves his Bible and that has clouded his judgement in accepting another book of scripture, but we are working hard to help him see the need for it as well as the benefit that continued revelation has.

While following up with former investigators and potential investigators we met a woman that we will name Elen. Elen has faced very tough health problems throughout her life (now fighting her 3rd brain tumor), yet she has chosen to take a positive attitude. When she was really young and was diagnosed with it she was angry upset and frustrated. After some time she realized that those emotions do no good for her, let alone help other people. Since then she has taken it upon herself to seve others while she is in a state where she needs service. Elen may have been one of the most positive people that I have met on my mission, really choosing to see the good in everything and to help everyone she can. without her knowing she emulates and has take upon her the character of Christ, the ability to turn outwards instead of turning inwards. 

I look forward to an even better week this week! 

Love,

Vanhin Robison

    Elder Smith and I eat so healthily, look at all that color!

That is a weird thing to lock your bike with

Hot pot