May 28th, 2018 Letter #29

Elder Shoemaker will simply be leaving the offices. He's still got plenty of time left in the mission. Elder Garity is the secretary of finances and Elder Vasquez is the secretary to the President so they're actually not in training right now. There's typically 3 secretaries that know what's going on and one that is being trained. I think I'll be able to enjoy the job, but there's definitely a lot to learn and a lot of responsibility that I'll be left with. I'm basically in charge of making sure that everything we do is recorded in some way (baptisms, house contracts, etc.) as well as making sure every missionary has what they need (clothes racks, mattresses, Books of Mormon, etc.). In regards to "better food" let's just say I had a good fresh carrot this week so I'm happy. I haven't had Birria de res. I've spent the majority of the mission in areas too poor for carne de res. We can talk chicken though.

I found out a little more about what I'll be doing as a missionary in this area. Basically I'm in Los Lagos right now. Natura is typically the secretary's area, but I'm pretty much purely in Los Lagos for now while Elder Garity and Elder Vasquez take care of Natura. My suitcases are in Natura though so I'm really in between the two for where I sleep. The good thing is that the house in Natura is close to the offices so it's not hard to run over there to get clothes while I'm around the office. We have a couple of families that we're teaching as well as several individuals. We baptized Diego this weekend and should have some more baptisms on the 9th, but we'll wait and see. Diego has a difficult story, but he's made some serious changes in his life. I wasn't here to see much of the change, but it's been neat getting to know the guy.

The weather here is kind. Not too hot, and it hasn't really rained much. The area is nice because the ward is super well organized and so it's easier to work with them in some ways. I guess the negative side of the area would be that we pay a lot more for taxis.

I didn't have time to get Jose Emiliano a real present because I didn't have a P-day between getting the news that I was leaving and actually leaving, but I gave him a tie. Today we climbed a mountain with the AP's and the President's son. Look up "Cofre de Perote". I should have pictures of it next week probably (The President's son has them and will send them later I'm sure).There wasn't snow, but I did get cold for the first time in ages. There are little shacks up top, but I think it´s just to take care of the power poles and what not.

I'll try to heed your challenge, but since becoming a secretary and living in different houses it's become difficult to write in the ol' journal. Keep looking for missionary opportunities. The members can have a huge impact on missionary work if they have the desire and motivation.

Elder Finlinson

May 21st, 2018 Letter #28

Alma will get baptized next weekend, but I'm going to be out of town. I got special changed again to Xalapa. I'll be working in two areas at the same time because we have our own area (Natura) and the area of the assistants (Los Lagos) because they're going to be at conferences for the next few weeks. The good thing is that for now there are four secretaries so we can split effectively. (There are 4 right now because Elder Shoemaker is training Connor to take his place and I assume one of the others is doing the same thing.) Elder Shoemaker and I will mainly be in Los Lagos and Elder Garity and Elder Vasquez will be mainly in Natura. That being said I will be in both fairly often. It's a lot of work, but also more investigators that I'll meet. As a secretary I'll be in charge of records and materials. It's a lot of stuff, but I'll get into more details another day.

The week was good. I did splits with Elder Cornia at the start of the week and we found several new people. I got the phone call from the assistants the morning after. The food here is gonna be really nice, I can tell you that much. And there's a Walmart kinda close to our house.

Also. Happy Birthday!! I'm actually gonna celebrate because there's a recent convert from here that has a birthday today haha. 

Love, Elder Finlinson

Saying Goodbye to Hermana Milagros and Jose Emiliano

They gave him a Charmander Pokemon as a going away gift

May 14th Letter #27

So we didn't end up going to El Tajin just yet due to a lack of money, but it's in the plans. I didn't even know there were prizes for clean houses. (The cleanest apartments receive a prize in their mission.) I think I forgot to say Happy Mother's day! I appreciate the sacrifice and patience it's taken to get me here

Love you,

Elder Finlinson

Some of the conversation during our Mother's Day Skype:

Xanath has a reputation with the missionaries...very few want to serve in that area because it is so hilly. Connor really enjoys the area but he did say that by the end of the day the hills can be wearying. His former companion was a professional soccer player and they walked at a good pace on those hills but his new companion and those who come on splits have a harder time with that pace so Connor says they have to take it slower or take little breaks. 

There are lots of lizards. When asked what kinds he said, "It's like a Dr. Suess book, big ones, small ones, thin one, tall ones etc... Too many to count. But they love the lizards because they eat the bugs. He said he always has bug bites on his legs. The repellent only repels so much. 

There are also lots of chickens, roosters and birds everywhere. He doesn't even notice their sounds anymore. We were amazed how at all the bird sounds when he was talking with us. 

He said it is very hot. It doesn't matter if you are in the sun or shade the temperature is the same because of the humidity. He takes a quick cold shower in the morning and a long cold shower at night...sometimes with a fan blowing on him through the parted curtain. When asked about rain he said it hasn't rained very much at all, only about 15 days since he arrived. (6 months)

He usually is served chicken, beans and rice each day but one day he was served pork and he said it was the best thing he ever ate because it was different. :) 

His goal is to speak with the correct accent when he speaks Spanish. He is fluent but wants to keep improving.

On p-days they normally go to the church and play street soccer, after washing clothes etc..

May 7th, 2018 Letter #26

Another nearly empty week in the church. Almareli came though and she's got a baptismal date for the 19. She's Alberto's daughter.

Elder Marines is from Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico and is the second of three kids. He's been a member since birth and has been in the mission for 9 or 10 months. I still feel like I don't know him super well because we did splits twice this week and our personalities are a little different, but I'll think we'll get along fine. He just has a humor that isn't similar to mine. It's not bad, but I don't find it funny so I don't know how I should react to his jokes. I offer a weak laugh, but it's just kinda awkward.

I heard the Gummy Bear song in the street. You hear a lot of things in the street without knowing the source. 

Jalapeños are found in a lot of meals and sometimes are sides as well.

The apostle talks have the same structure as missionary lessons are supposed to have. It works best that way. 

The splits I did this week were with Elder Cornia and Elder Almonte. Both times I stayed in Xanath because my companion doesn't know the area yet.

Get those new people to church. Every member a missionary.

Love, Elder Finlinson