Dec. 24th,2018 Letter #59

The people that are still on date for the 5th are Dana, Karen, and Ariadne. Karen and Ariadne are cousins (22 and 13 years old). They're relatives of another member in the ward. Karen teaches English and Ariadne is chugging along in school. 

The area that we teach in was frustratingly small until this week. The Zone Leaders share the ward with us and they realized that the boundaries were really unfair so they offered to change them and we accepted. So now we have a lot more to work with. It's hard to say how big it is though. 

Mostly I just see that Elder Jimenez is making big strides in obedience and and see now in him a stronger desire to improve. The fruits of the increased desire are just getting started, but the important thing is that we're going in the right direction. I don't know exactly what has him motivated to be doing better. Perhaps I should ask him. 

Something I've reflected on quite a bit recently is the importance of living by faith over doubt. It's a simple decision that we all need to make. I would make a small example: In elementary school exists (existed?) the D.A.R.E. program which essentially gets kids to decide not to drink, smoke, or do drugs. They're just kids, but they make a simple decision to say no. As they grow up and see the effects of that decision their conviction grows stronger and stronger. That's how it is when we decide to live by faith. I saw that change my own life and I can personally testify that a decision to "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith" will determine your destiny (I just totally worked sayings from Pres. Monson and Elder Uchtdorf into the same sentence). I suggest this talk from then-President Uchtdorf: "Be Not Afraid, Only Believe" Oct. 2015. 

Elder Jimenez and I had a pretty rough day as a companionship on Thursday. But we had a no-more-beating-around-the-bush kind of conversation and set some new goals to get back on track. My favorite part of the week was probably the ward Christmas party. It wasn't anything huge, but it was good to see all the members in one place just trying to have a little bit of fun. 

Bro. Boring would have seen my email because I sent it to his address. I don't know why, but the emails from Pres. Price come through Bro. Boring. It's cool though haha. I didn't say much, I just thanked him for helping me make sure I was ready before coming on a mission. 

Merry Christmas!

Elder Finlinson

This is Olga. She is our biggest fan and requested this picture.