Letter #12

* Elder Finlinson and his companion, Elder Marquez, were with Rosa (an investigator), Daniel, (her brother) and Ada (a neighbor) in the car that crashed. The following is a summary of the event.

We were working in Juan Martin (in the middle of nowhere) that day and we needed to get back to Rancho Nuevo. When we go to Juan Martin we always have to make a deal with the person that takes us there from Rancho Nuevo so that we can have somebody take us back (because taxis don't come through Juan Martin past a certain time). Unfortunately, when the driver showed up he was drunk. So I said a prayer in my heart that we'd be ok and off we went. I quickly realized that a crash was likely by the way he was driving, but he wasn't about to stop so I checked for a seatbelt. No dice. We crashed into a tree a short while later and I was fortunate enough to suffer little damage. Elder Marquez and I ran the rest of the way to Rancho Nuevo (we were still about 3-4km or so away at that point). On the way we saw a truck on it's way toward Juan Martin so we stopped them to let them know and ask for them to help the others. When we got to Rancho Nuevo we still didn't have reception to make a phone call, but fortunately the police were already there. Blessings.  I frankly couldn't tell you what the police did besides make calls, but I'm sure they were important. (*Side note: Elder Finlinson gave out pamphlets and other church material to the police officers.) Eventually the guy in the truck brought us all to Vega where 5 of us were dumped into an ambulance and the other (me) rode in the back of a different truck to the hospital in Cardel. (*Cardel is outside of Elder Finlinson's mission boundaries.) The others were transferred to Veracruz shortly thereafter while Elder Marquez and I stayed the night in Cardel, where the mission president met us and had us call home before being transferred to Xalapa.(Elder Finlinson was sore and a little banged up and bruised but that was it.) I was cleared to be free from the hospital and am now in tip top shape. Elder Marquez was released yesterday, but went back today because the pain in his head increased greatly overnight. I've spent the day on splits with other missionaries, but I'll be going to check on Elder Marquez after I write. The police have pictures, but I don't. I'd like to know how the others are, but have yet to here anything. Rosa was the one with a baptismal date. I gave Elder Marquez and Daniel blessings, but then we had to move to the next place so I didn't make it to everyone. I haven't received one, but I didn't get hurt nearly as badly as the others. We'll likely be staying with the Pres. until Friday or Saturday. They're super awesome and bought me new clothes to wear until we go back (which is especially good because my clothes got drenched in oil).

The other areas I have been on splits are Plaza Verde, Misantla, and San Rafael.

The zone conference was in Martinez (HQ for my zone). I don't have pictures, but I'm sure President posted plenty somewhere. I don't know which investigators we'll still have in a week because we're missing several appointments and couldn't inform all of them because we don't have everybody's numbers. 

Love,

Elder Finlinson

Letter #11

I've only stayed in my area once for splits, but I think it's fun working in other areas. The other missionaries have been from Arizona, Utah, and Costa Rica.

 The beach had nice sand, but also a lot of trash (typical). ( The beach where he played soccer.)

 I love love love the smell of the panaderías (Bakeries) and don't care for the smell of the bathrooms. 

My clothes are doing well and my shoes are holding up super well. I've been impressed.

Elder Marquez is good at not getting frustrated with me ever really so that's nice. 

I had a spiritual moment when we were teaching a lady named Maria Esther and I kind of just decided that I needed to take control of the lesson a little because I didn't feel right about where it was headed, so I did. I taught her about the need to always be progressing. (Ask Andrew about the escalator and let him know I used it in a lesson). And then the power of prayer using Enos and asking her to substitute her name into the scripture. Funny moments are hard to remember honestly, but I'll try to take note of one this next week.

We had a zone conference this week and it was a lot of fun to meet more missionaries and whatnot. We also had interviews with the President this week I I gotta tell you something. The President and his wife are SUPER awesome. At one point I walked out of a training at zone conference and I saw the President buying tacos in the street so I gained respect for him in that moment.

Missionary work is confusing sometimes. Investigators will seem super ready for baptism one day and then far from it the next. That's why patience is a beautiful thing to have as a missionary. We have a number of investigators who look like they might make it to the font sometime in February so stay tuned.

I've been thinking about diligence lately. If we're not consistent in what we do then it's much harder to benefit from it. Of course it's never a bad thing to eat healthy for a day, exercise for a few mornings, or read a little extra scriptures when you're having a trial. But how much more beneficial is it when you do it every day, every morning, in every moment? Excellence isn't an act, it's a habit (I think somebody famous said something like that once).

Best of wishes to all that made it to the bottom of the email,

Elder Finlinson

 P.S. Best of wishes to the other people too

Letter #10

Our investigators with a baptismal date are named Jose Manuel and Inocencia. They've been good about coming to church (which is a rare blessing) and they seem legitimately interested. Jose Manuel needs some serious help overcoming an alcohol addiction and Inocencia doesn't wan't to marry him unless he quits drinking so we'll have to have some patience working that one out, but they invite us over pretty much every day to teach a little more. They have three super funny kids ages 7,5,4. The kids call me their muñeco ( toy) because I always take a little time to play with them when we visit. 

I'll tell you what. I don't get how some people lose weight out here because around these parts we eat like kings even if we try not to because the people constantly ask if I want more. No = You don't like my food. A little more= A little more than the first serving. I'm gonna get large. That being said, I'm glad we're being taken care of by the people.

The missionaries in my Zone are super great and I've had three opportunities already to go on splits so that's been fun. One time I went with another guy who is still relatively new and white so we had a hay day talking to everyone in broken Spanish haha. It was actually super fun though because we both had to step up and take the lead at times instead of being able to have the comfort of a native speaker with us.

My area is a pretty calm town where people know each other and the simple life is embraced. I like it. It's the Mexican version of where I might like to live one day. Side note that that brings to mind: America is great. I absolutely love Mexico, but I'm glad I'll be able to raise my family, get an education, work, etc. in the US. 

My testimony of Christ has been the biggest thing that has grown while I've been serving a mission. I suppose when you're always teaching His Gospel one starts to appreciate Him more. Heavenly Father must really love us (John 3:16)

When asked about soccer last week: Nah we didn't play with other missionaries. We're way out in the boonies so we don't spend more time with other missionaries than is necessary. 

There are ruins near here, but I don't know exactly where or how to get there. 

 Gospel Principles has had inconsistent attendance between 4-10. English classes aren't happening much right now. My Spanish feels great sometimes and abhorrent at others. We'll have to keep waiting before I can say I'm comfortable with it. 

A lot of people around here just have their little stores with snacks or whatever else. Cigarettes are expensive here and they sell well if you were asking for business advice. 

Honestly the food is almost always fantastic, but I did have a weird octopus thing. It wasn't squid because I know the word for squid. But it had suckers. 

 Asked about writing in his journal and his health: Yes I'm using the journal like a good boy. Missionary work is rough on the back, but it's not unjustly difficult. You just gotta stay focused on what you're doing.  I myself have been in good health outside of my unsightly weight gain. I tell you what. I don't get how Andrew lost weight out here because around these parts we eat like kings.  I'm gonna get large.

 Anyway that ought to do for this week. 

- Elder Finlinson

 The gentleman in this picture new someone in our Stake and sent this picture of Elder Finlinson.

Elder Finlinson...not sure what he is doing, maybe just borrowed the other missionaries suit coat?

Letter #9

Unfortunately less time this week, long story. Today I played soccer on the Mexican beach with two guys from Argentina and Columbia. And I'm from the US. It was neat. Elder Marquez and I have a couple of great investigators in Jose Manuel and his wife, Inocencia. We think they're headed to the font. Elder Marquez and I both had little visions of Jose Manuel and his wife going to the temple so we have high hopes.

My companion and I gotta figure out how to manage p-day because I'm once again short on time this week, but just know that the Lord is in all things. God has an individual plan for each of us and if we trust in him we'll end up in the right spot.

Elder Marquez and I are doing fine. Typical days aren't really a thing. I teach the gospel principles class in church.  

Love Elder Finlinson

PS: Here are some pictures from the MTC

 Elder Finlinson with his first MTC district

 Elder Finlinson with Elder Castillo his second MTC companion

 Elder Finlinson and Elder Castillo

Letter #8

 We didn't go to the beach because it was raining, but we went to his house for a good meal still. (He and his companion were invited to go to the beach for some steaks for New Years.) 

The work has been a little tough with the holidays bringing people all over. They have lots of celebrations here, I don't always know what is what. 

I think we go to a font for baptisms, but I don't know. ( I asked if baptisms were done in the ocean or in a font in a church.) The building is super tiny for church, but that's life.

 Laundry is good enough, it all seems clean at least. ( He is hand washing everything and hanging it up to dry.) 

There are lots of stray dogs, but they're none too bothersome. 

The English classes are rough because some people have been to more classes than others so it's hard to know what to teach, but it's a mix between members and investigators.

 Elder Marquez was really excited about the stocking, (We sent a Christmas stocking full of presents to Elder Finlinson and his companion, Elder Marquez.) I don't think he has tried the warheads yet. I would say more, but I'm short on time...we couldn't find an open internet cafe.But I am safe and will write more next week. 

Love y'all,

Elder Finlinson

Letter #7

I'm in an area called Vega de Alatorre and I really like the place. It's a humble area and the people are super nice. My companion and I are learning each other's language a little at a time. I learn a lot when he speaks English because the grammar mistakes he makes are the ones that show me how to say things grammatically in Spanish most of the time. I think I'm making a lot of progress with the language, but it's hard sometimes to not fully be able to contribute to conversations with people yet. That being said, I know the Lord is helping me figure things out bit by bit. I know I don't address a lot of things in these emails because I forget what to write about while I'm at the keyboard so if any of you ever have questions you are more than welcome to write and I will answer. 

Christmas Skype summary:
Before Elder Finlinson left the CCM (MTC) he and two other missionaries sang, Lord I Would Follow Thee in a devotional. (Other missionaries were Elder Mardo and Elder Morgan).
He was able to see Coco and loved it. The area Presidency asked that all missionaries serving in Mexico see it and see what they could use with their investigators and to do Family History.
He had no idea where he was serving for the first few days. He said, "No one told me." So I asked him why he said El Campo blanco. To which he replied, "I was in the mission field, and referenced D&C 4, The field is white...". He now knows where he is but had no idea it was on the coast. He thought he was more inland. But later said, "That makes sense because we were invited to eat steaks on the beach for New Years, I was wondering how we were going to get there." 
He also said his area is in the boondocks. He is only in a small branch. They did have 30 people come to church but he said half of them were late and 5 of them were visitors. Not a Walmart in sight! :)
He is getting along with his companion but hasn't developed the close friendship like his first two companions in the CCM. But he thinks that will come in time. His other companions just set the bar really high.
He said the Zone Leaders were quite the partier's and was pretty sure they didn't keep all the mission rules. He feels like it is pretty lax in his zone. If they make it to an appointment great if not they will catch them tomorrow kind of mentality. (He was prepared and I think hoping for a little more structure.)
Elder Finlinson loves the food so far and feels like he actually may gain some weight instead of lose it. (We can hope!) He said he was weighing in at 69 kilos which is 152 pounds. He has had mostly chicken but someone fed them crab. He said it was an interesting experience trying to get it open but it was good. 
He said it is hard to feel clean because of the humidity and they shower using buckets of water. He also has to hand wash his clothes which has been an interesting experience. He said he had no idea what to do because we had never taught him how to hand wash. So he just put some soap on it , scrubbed, rinsed and hung it up to dry. He is learning lots of new skills! 
The Branch has been very sweet to the missionaries, one of the ladies bought them some cereal and sandwich stuff so they had food for the week, other than the member meals. The milk isn't like ours but he said it isn't as bad as every warned him it would be. 
He said the singing in church is horrible. They don't have a piano and everyone just picks their own key to sing it in and goes for it. 
He also teaches an English class on Tuesdays. 

Elder Marquez and Elder Finlinson

Letter #6 Made it to first area El Campo Blanco/ Vega de la Torre

 I made it to the field! My companion's name is Elder Marquez and he is from Argentina. It's pretty hot here. I haven't been here too long, but I know that I've still got a long way to go with Spanish. 

We just had lunch with a member a while ago and their house was nicer than I expected. Nice family too. We spent all day yesterday and today riding buses so I don't have a lot to say, but I have a couple pictures from this week and last. More should come eventually, but I don't know when.

My testimony of Christ:

Christ has performed countless acts of immeasurable love for us. Creating the Earth, Establishing His gospel here, Suffering for all that we've done wrong, and (clearly) more. Beyond that He is also our Brother. I know because of those examples as well as through the witness of the Holy Ghost that He loves us. He is, has been, and will always be ready to hear our cries and answer our prayers. That being said I also know that we have to trust in the timing of the Lord when we feel that we're struggling to receive his help. He knows exactly how to best help us because he has suffered it all. He suffered our pains, afflictions, temptations (Alma 7:11-12) so that he could know how to succor his people.

He is the perfect example, teacher, friend, healer, worker. This is because he has perfected the attributes that one needs to be such. Let us all take note of the life of the Savior of the world and strive to become more like Him. As a representative of His sacred name I bear testimony of these things and will continue to do so every day. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-Elder Finlinson

Elder Finlinson with his trainer, Elder Marquez

First meeting of Trainer and Companion

 Elder Finlinson with Pres. & Sis. Esquihaus

Some of the new missionaries