Act in faith and you will be blessed

Last night I read this story and thought it was amazing. When we take little steps in faith and show that we have trust in our Heavenly Father, He will bless us with with so much more than what we sacrified. The blessings don´t always come when we want to, but they come.

Now here´s the story:

Yuri, a Russian Latter-day Saint, sacrificed and saved to take a long trip to the temple. On the train he noticed a beautiful woman with a bright countenance, and he felt that he should share the gospel with her. Not knowing what else to do, he began reading from his Book of Mormon, hoping that she might notice.
Yuri didn’t realize that the woman, Mariya, was already a Latter-day Saint. Not knowing that Yuri too was a member, and following a prompting she had to share the gospel with him, Mariya began reading in her Book of Mormon as well, hoping that he might notice.
Well, when they simultaneously looked up, Yuri and Mariya were astonished to see the Book of Mormon in each other’s hands—and yes, after falling in love, they were sealed in the temple. Today, Yuri and Mariya Kutepov of Voronezh, Russia, as eternal companions, contribute significantly to the growth of the Church in Russia.
The emphasis here is not only on this couple’s willingness to act in faith. It’s also about a second principle—the Lord more than matches our willingness to act in faith. Our willingness to take a step is not just met; it is exceeded by the Lord’s promised blessings.
Heavenly Father and our Savior are eager to bless us. After all, They ask only for one-tenth of what They bless us with and then promise that the windows of heaven will open!

This story also reminded me of this picture: 

I love you all so much! Have a good day and enjoy whatever you're doing!!

You're not alone

Elder Henry B. Eyring had an excellent talk in the last general conference. It was for the priesthood holders to remind them that they are not alone in Lord´s work and I think it´s an amazing talk for all the missionaries, no matter if they are elders or sisters.

I liked especially this story. It teaches how all we have to do is just have a little faith and show our love to those around us. It´s really inspiring, I hope you enjoy it :)

As you move from one priesthood service to another, you will see the Lord is in the work with you. I learned this from meeting an elders quorum president in a stake conference years ago. In the conference there were more than 40 names presented of men who were to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.
The stake president leaned over to me and whispered, “Those men were all less-active prospective elders.” In amazement, I asked the president what his program was to rescue these men.
He pointed to a young man in the back of the chapel. He said, “There he is. Most of these men have been brought back because of that elders quorum president.” He was on the back row, dressed casually, his legs stretched out with his battered boots crossed in front of him.
I asked the stake president to introduce me to him after the meeting. When we met, I told the young man I was surprised by what he had done and asked him how he did it. He shrugged his shoulders. He obviously didn’t think he deserved any credit.
Then he said softly, “I know every inactive guy in this town. Most of them have pickup trucks. I have a truck too. I wash my pickup where they wash theirs. In time, they become my friends.
“Then I wait until something goes wrong in their lives. It always does. They tell me about it. I listen and I don’t find fault. Then, when they say, ‘There is something wrong in my life. There just has to be something better than this,’ I tell them what is missing and where they can find it. Sometimes they believe me, and when they do, I take them with me.”
You can see why he was modest. It was because he knew he had done his small part and the Lord was doing the rest. It was the Lord who had touched the hearts of those men in their troubles. It was the Lord who had given them the feeling that there must be something better for them and a hope that they could find it.
The young man, who—like you—was a servant of the Lord, simply believed that if he did his small part, the Lord would help those men along the path to home and to the happiness only He could give them. This man also knew the Lord had called him as elders quorum president because he would do his part.

Have a good day everyone!!!

OLA

I love getting letters from missionaries! Even though my own mission experience was only 4 months, I'm so proud of all my friends who are dedicating their time to serve Lord. I have learned so much from missionaries, this is what my MTC companion Hermana Johnson wrote today:

"There is a lesson we teach a lot here that is known as "OLA." OLA is an acronym for Orar (pray), leer (read) and asistir a la capilla (go to church). I never really thought about the significance of this lesson until this week when we talked about it in district meeting. The word "ola" in Spanish means "wave." A wave starts small, a movement that's barely noticeable. But it gains energy and keeps growing. Waves can become massive. They have the power to change entire landscapes. A wave starts small, but in the end it makes big changes. Praying, reading, and going to church are the same way. They are the small and simple things we all know we ought to do, but sometimes we (or at least I) forget how important they really are. Doing these basic things consistently gives us great power and can eventually lead to great changes in our lives."

Winnie the Pooh quote

I hope these wise words of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet inspire you! On my mission every night I wrote on a post it note something exciting that´s going to happen tomorrow and then sticked it above my bed. In the morning if it was difficult to wake up, I looked at that note and I always had at least one reason to wake up!

Book of Mormon quote

Hey I read a talk from Ezra Taft Benson today about the Book of Mormon and I really liked it! This was my favorite part. I´ve been praying lately that I could be closer to my Heavenly Father because I feel kind of lonely and weak right now. This was an answer to my prayer: I just need yo read the Book of Mormon and it will help me through this time of my life :)

I love you all, have a good day today!!

Hermana Koivisto


"The third reason why the Book of Mormon is of such value to Latter-day Saints is given in the same statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith cited previously. He said, “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” That is the third reason for studying the book. It helps us draw nearer to God. Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book.
It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (see D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."

I'm grateful for priesthood

Heey I just wanted to share this story that President Monson told in a general conference April 2015. It might seem little bit long, but I promise it´s worth reading.

I´m so grateful for priesthood for many reasons. Without the ordinances of it I couldn´t be saved. I couldn´t become clean. Without priesthood my family wouldn´t be as strong as it is now. Priesthood blessings have given me a lot of comfort and power, especially during my mission. Many elders were amazing examples of selfless service and being worthy when giving those blessings. One of them traveled 45 minutes to our area just to give a blessing for my companion and me. Some of them I saw praying or studying the scriptures so that they could have the Spirit when giving a blessing. Many of them also showed their love in many other ways than just giving a blessing. 

Thank for all the wonderful elders for holding the priesthood worthy and thank you for you sisters for supporting those priesthood holders. I have a testimony that priesthood really is the authority given from God.

Okay now here´s the story:

As I approached my 18th birthday and prepared to enter the mandatory military service required of young men during World War II, I was recommended to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, but first I needed to telephone my stake president, Paul C. Child, for an interview. He was one who loved and understood the holy scriptures, and it was his intent that all others should similarly love and understand them. Having heard from some of my friends of his rather detailed and searching interviews, I desired minimum exposure of my scriptural knowledge; therefore, when I called him I suggested we meet the following Sunday at a time I knew was just an hour before his sacrament meeting time.

His response: “Oh, Brother Monson, that would not provide us sufficient time to peruse the scriptures.” He then suggested a time three hours before his sacrament meeting, and he instructed me to bring with me my personally marked and referenced set of scriptures.
When I arrived at his home on Sunday, I was greeted warmly, and then the interview began. President Child said, “Brother Monson, you hold the Aaronic Priesthood. Have you ever had angels minister to you?” I replied that I had not. When he asked if I knew I was entitled to such, I again replied that I had not known.

He instructed, “Brother Monson, repeat from memory the 13th section of the Doctrine and Covenants.”
I began, “‘Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels—’”
“Stop,” President Child directed. Then, in a calm, kindly tone, he counseled, “Brother Monson, never forget that as a holder of the Aaronic Priesthood you are entitled to the ministering of angels.”

It was almost as though an angel were in the room that day. I have never forgotten the interview. I yet feel the spirit of that solemn occasion as we together read of the responsibilities, the duties, and the blessings of the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood—blessings which come not only to us but also to our families and to others we will have the privilege to serve.
I was ordained an elder, and on the day of my departure for active duty with the navy, a member of my ward bishopric joined my family and friends at the train station to bid me farewell. Just before train time, he placed in my hand a small volume titled Missionary Handbook. I laughed and commented that I wasn’t going on a mission.

He answered, “Take it anyway. It may come in handy.”
It did. I needed a hard, rectangular object to place in the bottom of my seabag so that my clothing would stay more firm and would thus be less wrinkled. The Missionary Handbook was just what I needed, and it served well in my seabag for 12 weeks.

The night before our Christmas leave, our thoughts were of home. The barracks were quiet, but then the silence was broken by my buddy in the adjoining bunk—a Mormon boy, Leland Merrill—who began to moan in pain. I inquired concerning the reason, and he said he felt really sick. He did not want to go to the base dispensary, for he knew that doing such would prevent his going home the following day.

He seemed to grow worse as the hours passed. Finally, knowing that I was an elder, he asked me to give him a priesthood blessing.

I had never before given a priesthood blessing, I had never received a blessing, and I had never witnessed a blessing being given. As I prayed silently for help, I remembered the Missionary Handbook in the bottom of my seabag. I quickly emptied the bag and took the book to the night-light. There I read how one blesses the sick. With many curious sailors looking on, I proceeded with the blessing. Before I could put everything back into my bag, Leland Merrill was sleeping like a child. He awakened the following morning feeling fine. The gratitude each of us felt for the power of the priesthood was immense.

The years have brought me more opportunities to provide blessings to those in need than I could possibly count. Each opportunity has found me deeply grateful that God has entrusted to me this sacred gift. I revere the priesthood. I have witnessed its power time and time again. I have seen its strength. I have marveled at the miracles it has wrought.

9 Things You Can Do to Serve Your Companion

Your companion is the most important person to you on a mission. You are with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here are some ideas that I used to serve my companions on a mission. These tips don't only apply to the companionships, but to the all the relationships in life.

1. Write them a note
This was something I did a lot. Sometimes maybe too much. But writing a note is super easy, super quick and makes your companion smile immediately.

2. Give them a massage
Mission can be stressful, so show your love to your companion by giving them a short massage. Once one missionary asked me: "Hermana Koivisto, do you actually like giving a massage or do you just like being nice?" I laughed at her and told that I just like being nice.

3. Make a list of things you love about them - and then share it with them
I did this with all my companions and they all loved it. For example at the MTC I made a list of the good qualities of my companion in my journal - and I did it  in Finnish. When my companion had a hard day, I asked her to sit next to me and showed her the list and translated it to her.

4. Collect positive notes from the others
When I was at the MTC, I asked all the other missionaries to write something postivie about my companion. Then I made a big card of all the positive notes from the other missionaries and teahcers to my companion.

5. Ask them if there is anything specific you can pray for them
You should alwa pray for your companions, even better if there's something you can pray specifically about. Asking your companion about what is something that you can pray about, shows that you care about them.

6. Buy them a little gift
It can be a little chocolate bar or a bottle of hairspray. You don't have to use a lot of money, but buying a little gift to your companion shows that you really care. 

7. Ask your parents to write them a letter
At the MTC I received a letter from my companions parents! That was so super nice and showed me that my companion likes me so much that she has written good things about me to my parents. After that I told about it to my parents and told that if they want to be nice, my companions would be happy about receiving letter from them!

8. One of the day
This is a little tradition I learned from my mini mission companion Sisar B. She had had a tradition with all her companions to share one thing every night they liked about each other that day. I continued the tradition with all my companions in my real mission.

9. Do something extra in your apartment
Make her a meal, wash their dishes or clean your apartment. I always remember how good I felt one Sunday when we came home from the church and my companion said to me: "You can go and take a nap. I'll cook for us".