March 5th, 2018 Letter #17

We taught the Plan of Salvation several times this week and we use the little wooden cutouts we got at Deseret Book before I left to teach. 

Elder Marquez is one of 7 kids and his parents are separated. He's a convert of 4 years and a couple of his family members also joined the church a little after. He gets good support from home. That being said, I won't be here in Vega anymore. I'm being part of a special transfer tomorrow because there is a missionary who has knee problems in a hilly area and I'm in a flat area so we're gonna trade. Funny thing is that I asked the Lord for a trial a couple nights ago, ( I really just started to think, "This is supposed to be harder so I can be more mature when I get home.") and now I'm being sent to a new area suddenly so I'm curious to see what awaits me. My zone will be Papantla and the area will be Xanath. I was starting to enjoy the oddities of a small branch but it will be nice to perhaps have a ward council or something in my new area.  My companion's name will be Elder Alor. The only thing I know about him is that is a convert to the church. Also fun fact we're supposed to have 3-4 baptisms in Vega this weekend. But it is all the same work regardless of who gets to witness it. 

I feel like I've been pretty protected primarily by your sister, Kristen. Have you ever wondered if it was coincidence that she passed away, seemingly without reason, shortly before I was born? I have.

The music is good. I'm used to having a lot of music so it's an adjustment to be limited.

Coco is pretty awesome. In regards to the street dogs... There is an abundance. They're seriously everywhere. One time an elder from another area came for a split and when we first left the house he remarked that he could see more dogs in that moment than he had seen in all of his area.

Zone conference was good. We had a focus on keeping temple covenants. The conference was in another zone (Teziutlan) and it's way pretty. Naturally, it was the hermanas that made the matching stuff. The tie cutting is for missionaries that are in their last change and will soon head home. I like several missionaries in my zone. The leaders are incredible (Hurtado and Dominguez), I also get along well with Elders Ricks, Cortes, Wilson, Miller, Escobar, and Andino. I get along well with all of them of course, but those are the ones I'm more comfortable with.

Shopping is fairly normal, but peanut butter is expensive and options are more limited.

Weather is warm, but not too bad. I'm gonna guess it's not rainy season because that hasn't really been a concern yet.

I keep forgetting the group, but I do write individuals who write me.

Love,
Elder Finlinson

The Hermana's in the zone made matching ties and dresses.