May 6th, 2019 Letter #78

The mountain is in the zone, if that weren't the case then we wouldn't have gone. I feel like we had a good time, but I don't know how much it did or didn't change in the zone. Some of the missionaries right now are hitting their stride while others are waiting for changes already or passing through other trials. There's been a wide variety of attitudes in the zone. 

We battled a little this week to find time to teach people, but I was impressed and encouraged when almost all of our progressing investigators went to church even without having had frequent visits. Many of them are progressing well and I expect that many will be baptized. 

I haven't stayed very well in touch with people I taught in different areas to be honest. I'd like to, but I don't have a lot of time to communicate with them. 

One thing that I'm hoping to accomplish in the next 6 months is use the experience I've been given to raise the bar and baptize significantly more people. For a time I battled a little with thoughts that leaders in the mission focused too much on baptizing, thinking that it was a game of numbers. But as I've matured a little more in my vision and understanding of our missionary purpose I've come to understand better the importance of baptism and therefore my personal desire has grown to help other people make that step.

One miracle this week is that one of the district leaders in the zone who had been struggling found a family of 5 who accepted a baptismal date and went to church. I'm happy for him because he's one of the most honest guys I've met and it was high time for him to see some success. 

One thing that was kind of funny is that we organized a soccer tournament for members and investigators and we made a team of missionaries as well. We bought the trophy and ended up winning the tournament. So now we don't know what to do with the trophy that we bought. They were 8 minute games on a small court to not lose much time and one of the investigators that showed up accepted our visit and a baptismal date so we'll see what happens. 

One thing that I love about the area is that the church is in a convenient location so I feel like that's made it easier for the investigators to make the trip.

Something I battled with this last week was a feeling of detachment. I worked, but I kind of felt like a machine going through the motions. That being said, today I feel normal again so I think I'm good to go. One thing that you could pray for is that in these 6 months I can be a better missionary than in the first 18. 

For p-day we cleaned the house. It was time. In grand part I felt President's love more during the conference and the activity for little things that he did or said, but I also felt a witness from the Holy Ghost that he really does care about us and at the end of the day he just wants us to be the best we can be. Thanks for the support!

Love you,

Elder Finlinson

Natali is a 9 year old who has gone to church since she was little. Her story is pretty cool. She was always waiting for her dad to come back from the US so he could see her get baptized. When the prophet said that time is running out Elder Romero and I felt the need to go talk to the famliy. We conversed about what the prophet had said and Natali and her mom felt like it was indeed time so they called dad and told him that Natali was thinking about getting baptized already. He made the decision to come back immediately to see it. Now he's back with the family for good and they're looking at the possibility of getting sealed as a family in the temple.