The Word of God  

(Finland – Week 22)  

   09 June 2015

I have compiled a list of a few things that if you do, you're probably a Finnish missionary:

·                         Your feet are so beat up they snag the sheets at night.

·                         You have forgotten hymn titles in English

·                         You have realized that mämmi and Oatly are up there with Belgian waffles

·                         You use Swedish on signs to figure out what the Finnish means

·                         You never know what time it is because the sun is always in the sky

·                         You recite Finnish in the shower (from a sheet that is laminated to the wall)

·                         You have mastered the use of rose salt and Indian sugar

·                         You live in the most crazy beautiful land, with the nicest people.

My goodness is my life a dream. The good kind of dream, not the weird ones where you lose your pants or whatever.

This past Sunday we got to watch an awesome broadcast for the Ireland-UK and Nordic Europe area. The conductor was Scottish (which made me think of one of my favorite families), several wonderful talks were given (including a prospective sister missionary who has been preparing to serve intently for years, so inspiring!), and the session concluded with a bold and powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon by Elder Holland. Wow, the meeting was one of those that you walk out of and want to watch immediately again. A man we have been teaching came to church with us (which was the first time he had been in a church in years) and afterwards he said, "I don't know if the Book of Mormon is true, but I know that man [Elder Holland] spoke with the power of God."

I don't have the eloquence of Elder Holland, but I want to add my testimony to his of the Book of Mormon. This book has stood under the harshest critics since it was first revealed to Joseph Smith, and it still stands. I read it everyday, I have read it several times, and I plan on continuing to do so for the rest of my life. Why? Because it is the word of God. It has helped me find myself, find my Savior, and find my Father in Heaven. It testifies of Christ and tells us exactly how to return to Him. Without this knowledge I would not be able to wake up everyday and follow the most intense schedule of my life (one that puts my feet in the aformentioned condition). I wouldn't be able to find pure joy in a work where I am mocked almost all the time. I have given 18 months of my life because of this book, and really those months cannot pay the debt I owe. I never can pay that debt. I am so grateful for my Savior's infinite mercy that allows me to just do my best, and He will make up what I lack. I know that this book, the Book of Mormon will change the life of any that honestly seek to know if it is true. I hope and pray that I will always stand by the Book of Mormon, that this gospel will always be my foundation, for if it is, "when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12) I know this book is true, and I love it. I hope you all do/will too.

This picture proves the last bullet above; it was taken on our walk home.

Wishing you all the best this week!

Love Sisar Mendenhall