Sisar McCammon on a Mission to Finland: To be transferred or not to be transferred that is the question!

Hello All,

This week was a lot better than last. I am fearing transfers quite a bit to be honest. We get calls on Friday. I am anticipating that I will be transferred though and I am really going to miss Sister Miller, but it's for the best I suppose. She keeps telling me that I am going to stay and we are just going to become a trio, but that doesn't seem quite right. It's alright though. I will miss everything about this place (except the difficulties that were shuffled as I was here), but I love Lappeenranta and the people here. I know that no place will be quite the same or hold the same place in my heart as did the people and places here. I remember when I was in Lohja and President told me to make memories in the places and remember who you contacted and what happened, and I can sure say that a lot of things happened. I can recall quite a few benches I cried on... And talking to quite a few people as I cried!! Not quite the best time to contact, but always a missionary!! But I really will miss this place. It will be hard to say goodbye to both Lappeenranta and Sister Miller, but I know I leave it in capable hands.

My studies have been quite peaceful. Lots of the happy light and lots of the Spirit. My transfer goal has been to become more virtuous, and I feel like I am more virtuous now than before. It really has helped to study that because I can control my thoughts much better now about home than I could in the beginning. I thought about home and how much I missed it a lot, and I couldn't stop. It is so much better now though. I still miss home and think about coming home, but I can stop myself and focus on something else. Even if I have to open the Book of Mormon for a second and read some verses. I am continually impressed with my Finnish ability when I read the Book of Mormon in Finnish. I have learned so much, and I realize just how much Sister Kristensen and Hansen knew when I was their companions. It seemed so unreachable when I was in training, but now I am right up there with them. Pretty amazing as I look back. The Book of Mormon has been a huge help too. I haven't quite started reading it from the start again, but just studying bits and pieces, and it is the most amazing book. I am grateful for how much power I have felt from it as I have been in Lappeenranta.

My health is good. Physically as always is fine. I am better this week than last week too. Although maybe that wasn't so hard, but it was a really good week. I use the happy light every day pretty much. Plus I think I allowed myself to be happy more. I realized this week that I was mentally at home. I had physically decided to stay, but I had mentally gone home (as characterized by going home dreams) and it wasn't helping. While I don't think I'm fully back or permanently here, I'm here now and working on staying. Now that I have realized this, I think the Savior can help me more. I know what I'm fighting against a little bit better. I have really felt the Savior a lot here and I truly know how much he saves us from. He is really a miracle worker and is working miracles inside of me everyday. I am grateful that I have learned a little bit better how to rely on Him.

Our friends are doing really well. E, I think is a little bit scared and backing off again, but she loves church. Plus, she was really excited to watch conference. She wants to watch it in peace because she was in Russia during the broadcasts. It was really fun to see how excited she was for it. Then our friend H. She is doing well too. Our miracle first lesson was great but the second lesson was less miraculous. We did get to show her the video Because of Him, and it went really well. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and she felt the Spirit. I think we are going to extend a baptismal date next time. We are excited for her as she progresses. Our friend R. in Imatra is doing well too. She really likes the Book of Mormon and has been reading quite regularly. I hope she can come to church and get to know some of the members though because I think she would really get along well with them, and they could help and encourage her. We will see though.

I think the biggest tender mercy is watching a returning member we have been working with go back to the temple. When we first started meeting with him, he didn't have any desire to read the Book of Mormon or pray or come to church, but after meeting and talking and inviting and influencing and asking, he found the desire within himself. It was amazing to watch that change in him. To have him go from thinking Heavenly Father hates him, to realizing that life is hard, but the Savior is with us helping us always, was amazing to witness. He has always had strong faith, but now he has decided to act on it. It has made such a change in his life too. He was always melancholy and sad before, but He's been really happy these past couple times we have seen him. It is simply wonderful.

I think another tender mercy has been to help a member friend as she has been dealing with the death of her beloved dog and grandmother. They passed away within two weeks of each other, and it has been really hard. Especially because she doesn't have family around just some close friends, and to have the missionaries with her and sharing scriptures and testimonies of love has really helped her. It has helped me to see that missionary work takes many forms because it isn't missionary work. It's serving and loving everyone. We emphasize helping those who aren't part of our faith but members need the help, love and contact too.

Last tender mercy was in church. So the member, E., who's dog passed away, gave a talk in church. She speaks only English though, so I had the opportunity to translate for her. Not only did I translate, but I offered support as she talked about the loss the has recently touched her life. It was a special moment for both of us. When we sat down, I translated the next talk for her, which was difficult a bit because the man who spoke talks really fast, so it wasn't perfect translation by any means, but it worked. Then I translated for her in Relief Society which wasn't too bad. The talk (President Nelson's from women's conference) was a big focus, so it wasn't too bad. But after church we were invited to a member's house for dinner, and E. was invited too. It was a blessing to her for the invitation because she appreciated the support. But these members only speak Finnish, so I translated there too. I really felt the Spirit because I know I couldn't have done it all by myself, but by the time we got home, i was exhausted. It drained my energy to do that, but it was a blessing and a tender mercy from the Lord that I was able to serve her in that way and I know the Lord was helping me SO MUCH!

I think that's all for this week. We were busy with trying to finish follow up and calling and inviting and working. We had a school presentation this morning at Lyseo again. They had a lot of questions and I'd say it was our best one yet. The teacher even seemed impressed by what we had to say, and R. has told us that in the past, she has been pretty aggressive, so it's nice that she has softened a little bit. I love you all!

Love,
Sister McCammon

I love this picture so much! Its gorgeous!

I have so much love for someone I don't even know! How is that possible?!?! Sisar Miller 💛

I have a really good idea! Donuts! Abbie and I were at Walmart once and we overheard a little girl tell her mom "I have a really good idea! We should get donuts!" Now that is a running line between us! Looks like she's carrying on the tradition!!!