Letter #3

P-day was changed the last couple weeks because we had to go to immigration one week. The other week was because you don't have a pday your first week and it was the first week for our latino companions so we just got on quickly on Monday before they arrived. 

The CCM has a lot of cool things about it. Little everyday miracles with language and faith, the food, getting to know the other missionaries and teachers. The fire wasn't threatening for us, but it looked really close to some homes. It was kinda funny though because we were in a hurry to get to another building when some of us saw it and slowed down. Our teacher was wondering why in the world we were taking so long until I pointed it out to her. Then when we had watched it for a sec we continued to rush on.

 The language is coming ok, but it's a process. My companion is Elder Castillo (from Merida, Mexico) and everyone thinks that we're the same person, we just speak different languages.We get along really well, which is good.(Moses 7:18 And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.) We get along really well as a companionship as well as a district. The new Spanish district is actually pretty fun, although the first few days were a little overwhelming. The other members of our old district have a totally different schedule, but they have class in the same building as us so we see them sometimes. They also have church with us. The new members from my district are from Mexico, Chile, Honduras, and California. 

Yesterday we listened to a devotional given by Elder Holland about the Holy Ghost in Missionary work. If you think about church stuff you see a lot of threes. Three members in a presidency, three witnesses of the Book of Mormon, three members of the Godhead, etc. So when missionaries are teaching they ought to be in a group of three (each mortal companion and the Holy Ghost). D&C 42:14 actually teaches us in the same language as the commandments (using the word "Shall") that, "If ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach." I found that interesting.

My P-day schedule has been a little crazy lately, but it should become regular soon enough. We're going to the temple again today so that'll be good. We don't have a ton of time to take pictures, but I'll see if I can't get some today and send them later. McCade is a champ, he's on the right track. On fast Sunday we were in an all Spanish branch, but I still figured I'd let them hear my testimony in broken language. A couple other gringos from my old district decided it was ok to go up after that. I feel like there's more to say, but idk what. Maybe I'll send more in a bit.

P.S. Thanks for your testimony and for raising me in the Gospel. I know I took some extra patience, but I grateful for it.

Have a great week!
Elder Finlinson