the power of prayer☀️

 

This is gonna be a quick one! 

HENGELLINEN SANOMA 

spiritual thought 

"I have spoken over the years with many individuals who have told me, “I have so many problems, such real concerns. I’m overwhelmed with the challenges of life. What can I do?” I have offered to them, and I now offer to you, this specific suggestion: seek heavenly guidance one day at a time. Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it’s a cinch. Each of us can be true for just one day—and then one more and then one more after that—until we’ve lived a lifetime guided by the Spirit, a lifetime close to the Lord, a lifetime of good deeds and righteousness. The Savior promised, “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.”

-Believe, Obey, and Endure by President Thomas S Monson.

A friend of mine, a young finn, from Turku was visiting on Sunday, and with our recent convert going to the young women's class I had the pleasure of joining in on the lesson and it was just amazin'. The very important topic of taking things "asia kerralla" *one thing at a time*. I don't know about y'all but having a lot of things on your plate can get pretty overwhelming to where instead of taking the stack of "plates" and washing them we may feel tempted to tip them off the counter and in turn have created an even bigger mess to deal with. In other words, as Monson put it here, "Life by the yard is hard; by the inch it's a cinch." Something I've learned about Heavenly Father is He doesn't randomly give us these things on our "plates". He has a bigger plan in store for us, He wants us to reach our full potential and has specially picked the experiences we go through to help us become those people. My thought and message to y'all today is make improving your relationship with your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ your FIRST priority and watch out everything else in your life becomes organized. You got this! 

🐚🪸🐠 (these represent a friend) 

The miracles continue, and our friend was baptized this Friday! Her whole family came to support, along with many friends. I don't even know how to explain, I've seen so much change in her from the first time I met her, I can personally say the gospel of Jesus Christ changes people. She has so much light, so much joy! Not only that! We had a lesson with her yesterday with her two friends and when we asked questions she was so brave to answer and show that good example to her friends. Guys, crazy!! In our own personal lessons with her she was usually very shy to answer many questions. AND I've never had a lesson with her when she has prayed-UNTIL YESTERDAY! In front of these friends, I heard her say her first prayer since teaching her and the spirit in the room was so bright. I can only imagine how happy these kinds of things make Heavenly Father, because they bring me so much joy!! 

🐢🌳🐛

Another tender miracle. We had a super great lesson with our American (except full-Finnish by blood) friend and at the end I offered to say and was about to say the closing prayer when she stopped me and asked if she could say it-HÄ? So, she gave our closing prayer, her first time saying a prayer out-loud and it was-guys I need better words-nothing short of incredible. Her prayer almost became more sincere and natural to my ears, it just felt so right to hear her pray. 

🎂🥗🍰

Last but certainly not least, our friend who was baptized last Monday recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost and was confirmed a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints this Sunday! And we had a lesson with him and another recent covert and he also offered to give the prayer (again, crazy!) and I can't exactly explain how but his prayer just felt different to me. Like, somehow I could tell he's made this convenant with God and their relationship is closer? 

👀

So, as most of yall know I am coming to the final month of my mission. (CRAZY) We had a change of mission leaders, I love the Dovers already and look up to them a lot. And transfers come this week, the next time I send one of these I could be in a new place for just a few short weeks. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you, you've all been a great support to me while I've been here:) 

Asia kerralla,

Kaikki järjestyy, 

Sisar Dickson

these johns I will be adding to shortly: