Varnakonferenssi!

Waiting for our bus!

Moi! Mitä kuuluu?? I hope everyone is doing so amazing this week! 

This weeks is gonna be kinda short again, but hey, we are missionaries on the move :) 

Highlights of this week are:

1) One of our recent converts got married!!!!

2) It decided to be sunny and then randomly snow during the day! Gotta love Finnish weather! 

3) We were able to go to Tampere, a city about an hour and a half away and listen to Brother and Sister Charelson (?) from England for Stake Conference! It was amazing to see everyone come together to feel the spirit and learn more about how we can be better Latter Day Saints! One thing that really stuck out to me was that many of the talks were about being a member missionary. Ever since I became a missionary, I have seen that members are ESSENTIAL to helping move the work forward. I know it can be scary, and we may worry that we could lose relationships. But you have the help of the missionaries! We are here to help you and to be there. Please this week, if you have someone you know that would benefit from learning about the gospel (so....everyone) invite them to a church activity, or to meet with the missionaries in your home. INVITE! :) And I promise that not only will the people you invites knowledge and testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ grow, but your testimony will grow too.

When many of Christs disciples and followers decided to not follow Him, Christ turned to the 12 and asked if any of them would leave too, and Peter said to him (paraphrasing) Where can we go when we know what we know?" 

Where can we go? We can go and share this amazing message of hope and peace!

I love you all and I hope your week is filled with laughter and love.

Rakkaudellani,

Sisar Phipps

Because He Lives

It SNOWED on EASTER!

This week has been so amazing! Turku is definitely my favorite city so far and the people in it are amazing. Those we teach are so willing to come to know who Jesuse Christ is and to learn of the loving plan their Father in Heaven has for them! And the members here are FABULOUS! This week we were able to visit many of the members in our ward and share the Prince of Peace video with them. If you havent seen it, watch it. It perfectly describes and helps us see that Jesus Christ did all he did out of love, and that through Him, we receive peace, comfort and hope in the crazy things called our lives.

This week leading up to Easter, I have been studying about His life and His example and as I was studying a song came into my head. I sang this song back at home in church and I knew the words were true then, but as I have been on a mission and seen His hand in all that I do the words took on a different meaning.

Because he lives, because he rose in mighty triumph from the grave,

I put my trust in him, and seek to follow him in faith, because he lives

Because he lives, I shall find strength to stand against the tempter’s power

He is my refuge and defense in every troubled hour, Because he lives

Because he lives (Because he lives) I can bear whatever burden may be mine.

I am encircled in the arms of love divine, Because he lives.

Because he lives (Because he lives) He will banish every shadow of my pain,

Every sorrow will be swallowed up in him

For in his hand is healing for the weary soul.

This I know, because he lives

Because he lives, My heart is filled with peace amid a world of fear,

And through the blindness of the night, in him I rest secure, Because He lives,

Because He lives, There is no task so great that I cannot endure,

I bear no heart-ache that his tender mercy cannot cure, Because he lives.

Because he lives, I will fear no darkness; because he lives I will walk in light,

Because he lives, I will praise his kindness, because he lives, hope shines ever bright.

Because he lives, I will seek his righteousness,

Because he lives, I’ll follow where he leads,

Because he lives, I shall conquer even death,

And I shall live because he lives,

Because he lives I will glorify his name,

And with the willing voice of gratitude proclaim my Savior lives!

Because he live he will banish every shadow of my pain,

Every sorrow will be swallowed up on him,

For in his hand is healing for the weary soul.  This I know, This I know, because he lives.

My favorite line in this song is : Because he lives I will glorify his name,

And with the willing voice of gratitude proclaim my Savior lives!

I challenge you all to read 2 Nephi 22 and to share with someone this week your testimony of Jesus Christ. I promise that as you do it, Christ will be there to help you.

I love you all and pray for you always! 

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Phipps

Turku Week 2

The view from our apartment

One of the members made us a PIE!

After a long day.....

Hello Everyone! ok. I promise I will get better at writing bigger emails, but I am almost out of time :P 

Highlights:

-I gave my first lesson in Finnish this week! It was so fun and I loved using what I have learned! I actually understand a lot of what people say, It's just really hard for me to answer and speak back with the correct grammar. But hey. Grammar isn't that important right?? :P

- I bore my testimony and everyone after kept asking me if I have a Finnish parent because I sound a lot like a Finn!! :D I was very excited!

- Me and Sisar DuPaix got to help a member in his yard for 2 hours hauling wood and cleaning stuff up and it was so fun because it reminded me of all the work I did on the farm! I am grateful everyday for our farm and my parents because they taught me how to work hard and to be cheerful while doing the work :)

- Sister DuPaixs' bag broke as we ran for the bus! It sounds bad but it was SOOOOO funny!!!!'''

- The weather here has been AMAZING! Spring is on it's way here in Turku! The birds are always up and singing :)

-One of the members in our ward gave us a pie!!! :D

- During personal study this week I re-read the story of the Strippling warrior and and the faith and courage they had. But what struck me was that each individual member of those 2,000 young men had to have their own testimony and strong faith. They all had to know for themselves. There was no piggybacking. On a mission you are surrounded by people with strong testimonies. Your companions, your Sister training leaders, and those in the ward. But it's SO important to have your own testimony. Strong enough to withstand wars and contentions and everything the adversary and life throws at you. 

I love this Gospel. I know without a doubt that Joseph Smith was a prophet directed by God to restore the true church, and that now, because of Joseph Smiths sacrifices and his testimony and faith, that we have the Book of Mormon and the eternal truths within it.

I love you all and pray for you each day! I challenge you to read more, ponder more, pray more and gain a stronger testimony each day. Never settle on anything. Continue with faith and you will have help from on high.

Smile and see the sun in everything :)

Rakkaudella,

Sisar Phipps

Turku (First Group Email)

A beautiful church near our bus stop.  A tender mercy this week was hearing the bells!

Hello Everyone! I hope all is well and that everyone got the chance to watch General Conference! I don't have much time but I just wanted to say that I know this Church is true! Hearing the words of the Prophets and apostles is the most amazing thing. Because God loves us, He has given us a plan and everything in that plan is perfect. But sadly we are not. I have definitely felt my inadequacies this week as I arrived in Finland and had to adjust to an entirely different but beautiful culture! 

The big thing I have seen and learned this week has been to always be real with yourself and to understand that you are not perfect. As I try and speak this language I learn each time I try that the spirit is there when truth is spoken. I may not say that truth in the right order, or with the correct conjugation or case ending, but it is still truth. I have also learned that the simpler I say something, the more powerful the impact. Saying things like, "God Loves his children" or "He has a plan for you" or "Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer." while simple, hold the most power.

I want to invite you all to share simply.  Don't get caught up in the crazy "pinteresty" ways to do something. Share a video, or invite a friend to church. Everyone deserves a chance to be invited, and to have the choice to accept or reject. Be brave my friends :)

That's all the time I have, but I want you all to know I love it here. Finland is beautiful and full of Gods children. I love the weather, the culture, my companion and most importantly I love my Savior Jesus Christ and His Atoning Sacrifice! 

Stay warm and smile :)

Sisar Phipps

Week One! Wow!

Some of the sisters watching General Conference

Sister Dupaix and I at lunch in our apartment

My first view of Finland!

The streets of Turku

Hello Momma and Dad and Family!! :D How is everyone!?? Im doing pretty good here in Turku! It is the oldest city in Finland and is absolutley stunning! I havent seen a ton of it yet but from what I have seen its gorgeous! It reminds me alot of Norway!

The plane ride was really fun! I got to talk to lots of people and eat Cafe Rio and SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Yeah! It was great! I still have some jet lag but its getting easier to get up in the morning so thats great! 

I have had some homesickness this week which was hard for me because I had none in the MTC but when people tell you the MTC is a kiddie pool they arnt kidding! I learned a lot and I can understand most of what people are saying if they talk slow and have a clear voice, so that's a HUGE tender mercy! I cant really answer yet but I will get there! 

Its been a little chilly the past week but Ive been doing great with my coat and tights and sweaters. 

We have about 6 investigators right now and I have met 3 I think. But because of Finlands heavy privacy policy I cant really tell you much about them or send pictures unless I have written consent that that is ok. With members as well. So sorry! You'll see plenty of Me and of the countryside :) 

Also, President Watson has said that chatting is not allowed and that means if you respond to this email I cant even look at it. until next week so please make it a little easier by waiting until next week to respond :P 

My companion is Sisar DuPaix and I love her! She is so kind and a great trainer! She is from wisconson and went to BYU for a year before coming on a mission. She has been here for 6 months and speaks SO well! I'm happy to be with her and she is very patient with me! 

My ward is probably the BEST WARD EVER! They are so kind and very helpful in the Work. Sister missionaries must have an adult sister with them if they teach a male investigator or member and many in the ward are willing and ready to teach with us and bear testimony on what is being taught! 

The food is a lot like Norway. Lots of open face sandwiches and healthy stuff! I have actually lost three pounds already ( Dont worry mom, Im still eating alot) I eat a potato at least twice a day and I don't think it will ever get old! So good. 

I wasnt able to make breakfast cake sadly but next time for sure! I made french toast though! That was yummy! Our apartment is small and cute and yes almost all Ikea! I love it though because that is where I sleep. Man I love sleep. You seriously cherish every second you are in bed! Its the best. I go home each day exhausted and sometimes not excited for the next day, but willing to get up and go :) 

General Conference was AMAZING! we watched it at our church building here and ate some yummy snacks. One of the families in our area is AMAZING! we already have several dinner appointments and they made us snacks for conference and even left me chocolate to welcome me to Turku! 

All in all I'm doing great! Sometimes I cry because I'm tired or I miss you all but I know Im doing the Lords work. I know He will strengthen me and help me if I just ask. I'm thankful to be here in Turku with an amazing companion, meeting amazing people and eating many potatoes! 

I love you all and I can't wait until next week!

Love lots,

Sisar Phipps