Feliz Navidad 2013

Merry Christmas everyone! 

I had a Pretty big switch up this week. I went from speaking English about 70 percent of the time to speaking English 5 percent hahah.

I guess that is what happens when your Companion is from Mexico and doesn't know much English. 

My new Companion is Elder Guzman, he is From de leon Mexico---yeah we got wrong info-- this is where it gets a little crazy, he is 25 years old!!! hahah he is 7 years older then me! I still don't know why It took him so long to go out on a mission but he sure does know the scriptures!! He showed me a picture of his license and he had crazy hair, it went down to his back!! He also was a bmx biker, he knows a lot of tricks on the bike.  He showed me some pictures of him doing flips and stuff like that!!  He is pretty cool.  

Well not a lot has happend this week,  just trying to make the transition of areas and companions for Elder Guzman.  

But it was pretty funny, last night we were riding back and Elder Guzman was just like "no have air!"  He was talking about how I live in a lower alttitude--I guess that would be a pretty big switchup--not that Mexico is much lower-- but that I don't need as much oxygen.  

He is quite a bit slower on the bike, but that will change because we use our bikes every day!!!  He didn't see some ice and slid out.... he got mad he said that he wanted to throw his bike because that is what he did when he crashed doing bmx.  

This last week was very humbling... we went to dinner with the Family Bentiez and they cooked us some really good food... you can usually see how a family is doing by what they give you to eat.  They asked us a question, "Who is more important Santa Clause, or Jesus".  Well as anyone would say "JESUS!".   They went on to tell us that Santa is coming to their house this year.   You could just see the stress of trying to please their kids on their faces.  Ahhh i am running out of time we are at the libary because the college is closed!!! ahhhhhhhh but this experience was very humbling for me.  And then intensified when I saw Elder Guzman looking for his packages three times, at our missionary Christmas party but he didn't get anything.  (So grateful we sent a stocking and several packages for Elder Guzman, I only wish we had done more!)

ahhhh I want to write more 

BUT LETS JUST BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE AND GIVE WHAT WE CAN TO HELP OTHERS!!!! 

MUCH LOVE TALK TO YOU SOON

ELDER FINLINSON

December 16, 2013 Week 23

How is it going???  I am getting ready for this Christmas thing to happen, it is really distracting, and it is hard to get missionary work because everyone is so busy!!!  But i love it!   A lot happened this week, I guess we will just start of with all of the fun stuff.  

Well Jesus Has another follower this week.  The sisters had an investigator named Jenny Lopez and she decided to be baptized.  I am not sure how much I have talked about her but she is from Spain and she is about 40 years old, she came here (in October).  The sisters ran into her( spiritually),  and well now she is baptized and she said that she wanted me to to the baptism and for Elder Pugmire to do the Holy Ghost.  It was a super cool experience once we figured out how to say the prayer in Spanish ahaha.  One of the witnesses wasn't really sure on some things so we had to do it again and he kept on saying that it should be another way but it isn't!!! Luckily it all worked out and she was baptized and it was a very cool experience.  

The is kinda interesting though, is she is a hippie.  Me and Elder Pugmire went over with the sisters the day before, to teach her how we were going to do the baptism and talk about the Holy Ghost.  We made sure that their was another male there at the house and she said that there was.  So we get there and she is like come in...  lets just say that we had a lesson in her bedroom. hahah it was super awkward both me and elder pugmire felt it.  but hahah she started talking a lot about virgin Mary and how that she should be prayed to.  It was supper weird but we just thought to our self that she will forget that once she goes to church a couple of times. hahaha, well this last Sunday at church we gave her the Holy Ghost.  Me, Elder Pugmire and President Barbosa, and she started falling asleep!!!  during the prayer it was crazy hahaha I thought that Elder Pugmire was pushing her head but no, she was falling asleep.  She was super tired or something i don't know but during Sunday school she was out dead tired- i guess she had a night shift.  but at the end of the class she was asked to say the prayer- so she stands up and gives THE PRAYER TO THE FATHER the catholic prayer that is the prayer that Jesus said in the new testament.  It was super funny.  Those are the things that happen in Gospel principles though#mishprobs#spanishbranch#gospprinciple... 

O man but we had a good time this week the Oroxon family one of our less actives are really struggling right now.  They just moved into a really small house that is destroyed.  But we had a really good lesson with them and you can see their desire to change.  They are starting to see that they have no one else to turn to except for Jesus Christ.  It was a very cool experience to see.  We talked about enduring to the end in the doctrine of Christ!  They started Crying,  it was very cool,  I can see them in the coming time being strong members and sealed in the temple-  they were able to go to church this week for all three hours that is something that I haven't seen ever.  

There is a lot of work to do here with the members.  Most of them haven't been through the temple.  It is something that we are really starting to stress.  This isn't just the work of baptism it is the work of salvation!!!  Baptism is the first step.  Going to the temple and enduring to the end is the last!!!  It is just as important!  Well my mission father is leaving :(  he is going to Ardmore--I guessed that he was going there!!  I am getting a new Comp ELDER GUZMAN he is from guadalajera mexico!  He doesn't speak a lot of English is should be pretty fun hahaha it is going to be an interesting Christmas!!! Well I think that is all that is going on here, hear from you alll sooon!!!!!  

FELIS NAVIDAD 

ELDER FINDLSON ( FEE-LEE-SOON---that is how they say it)

December 9, 2013 Week 22

Wow... 5 months down..... it is crazy!!! time is going so fast!!  

Uhhhhh I really don't know what to write.  As far as this week goes with missionary work it was terrible,  the first of the week was very good the temperature was nice and warm and everyone was answering their doors..... then the great snow storm came... ready to hear the grand total.... wait for it, wait for it....2 inches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! crazy right.  

You would think it was a lot if you were from here.  The night before "the great blizzard" we were at a members house and they had the news going and they were telling everyone to go and get supplies and to get food storage!  hahaha it was comical and the Hispanics are the worst at it!!  They take it way to far.  

On Friday we went out and we knocked on all of our investigators doors but none of them answered!!!  They think that if they get out in the snow then they are going to get sick... I have no clue.  It kinda reminded me of when we went and built snow caves up little cottonwood...  it was Eduardos first camp out with us and he was so confused why we would do such a thing!!! hahaha yeah but it was a very slow week and not a lot happened...  

I guess one of my packages got ripped off and that makes me really mad (We sent Ethan a Lego Advent calendar--his package was tampered with, he received everything in the package but the advent calendar--really?  this is the US not South America? disappointing--the lego advent calendar was a very hot item this year--crazy huh?  I'm wrapping all his Christmas packages in duct tape!) but oh well what can you do!!  

Our branch canceled church because of the great snow storm!!!  So we went to and English ward and had the sacrament.   We then had dinner at one of the member's houses and it was good, they had to take off the duct tape of the door though-- they line the door with duct tape so it isn't as drafty...the only problem is that they can't open up the doors.... uhhhhh.  

I really don't have a lot to write this week.  It is terrible I will try to show it in pictures it will be a little easier.....

Not shown is a very graphic photo of Ethan's big toe nail destroyed--no camera prank-- I told him to take care of it so they don't have to chop it off, he said, "ok".  We also found out we get to talk with Ethan on Christmas for about an hour.  He is not allowed to skype.  Thanks for all your love, support and prayers for Elder Fin.   Please pray for his struggling Spanish branch--it seems they have been cancelling church every other week.

Monday, December 2, 2013 Week 21

Man what a hard week,  not only the passing of Grandpa but the lack of work here.  On Thursday we went up to Edmond to play in a turkey bowl.  it was a ton of fun.  After that we went to a McDonald's and got some powerade.  That is when I got the news.  Elder pugmire said that we missed a call from president... that is weird.  So he called and president wanted to talk to me, at that point I knew that it wasn't good news.  He said that my Grandpa Quilter had passed away.  

As I look back to the past weeks the Lord was preparing me for this event.  On the planners we use missionary's usually decorate them with pictures of Christ/ church stuff.. well 3 week ago I decided to put the picture of me and my Grandpa Quilter carving the angel moroni... I have no idea why I did that I just felt like I needed to do that. Also looking back to all of the personal studies I had before. 

some of my favorite..

  Elder Nelson

The aging process is also a gift from God, as is death. The eventual death of your mortal body is essential to God’s great plan of happiness.¹² Why? Because death will allow your spirit to return home to Him

Then the day I guess Grandpa died I read the words of our prophet, as he described the passing of his eternal companion...

Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before.

This should be our purpose—to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow. Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress toward our goal of eternal life. The poet expressed much the same thought in these words:

Good timber does not grow with ease,

The stronger wind, the stronger trees.

The further sky, the greater length.

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In trees and men good timbers grow.⁸

Only the Master knows the depths of our trials, our pain, and our suffering. He alone offers us eternal peace in times of adversity. He alone touches our tortured souls with His comforting words:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”⁹

Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us. He has promised that this will never change.

Thankfully I had a strengthening of my testimony, before this happened or this would have been a lot harder.  This is the 2nd death of a close family member.  But they were very different in how I reacted.  I spent a good 30 minutes during my personal study this morning just pondering this.. 

The first passing that I went through was my Dear Uncle Robert.  I received the news quite similar to the way i received the news about grandpa.  I was away from home on a mountain biking trip.  We had just finished a hard morning ride and were preparing for lunch.  The Bishop(Bishop Howes) then called me over, and gave me the news that my uncle had passed away.  At this point I broke down it was terrible.  I was mad at everyone, especially God.  I asked myself what God would take a father away from 3 kids?  This thought ran through my head as I rode another 20 miles back to the camp.  

That night i didn't sleep.  But that night changed my life.  I decided to sleep under the stars.  and I was just  pondering what had happened that day, for those who have seen the night sky it is..well Holy... As I looked into the sky that night I felt the Holy Ghost. This was my Enos experience.

my soul ^ahungered; and I ^bkneeled down before my Maker, and I ^ccried unto him in mighty^dprayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

 5 And there came a ^avoice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are ^bforgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

Now I didn't physically hear a voice... but I didn't need to.  I was comforted.  Heck I was converted that night.  That night I knew that God had a purpose in all things.  And that gave me a perspective that I hadn't seen before.  When the news came that Grandpa Quilter had passed away.  I was sad.  But my perspective didn't change.  Am I sad that I won't see my Grandpa after my mission? of course!  But when we look at it from a different perspective.  I will see my Grandpa and Uncle Robert very soon!  

The Psalmist wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” 

(Psalm 116:15);.

But this week was very good we moved!!! the new address is 

4200 N Meridian ave. 

APRT 939

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (and it is the same zip code)

-- i think

And we got a letter not to send anything to the office just send it right to the apartment address the new apartment is soo nice.  It is a lot bigger. For Christmas I thought of desk toys, Sharpie fine point pens and all of the colors, and yeah that is about it.

I think that that will be my letter for this week have a good week everyone!

Elder Finlinson

and I didn't even read through this so good luck if it doesn't make sense -- make up stuff

November 25, 2013 Week 20

Dang it is cold!  I think that is mostly cold just because that we are on bikes!  We about froze this week it was insane... Science is fake I don't know because it was definitely under 32 degrees and it was raining.  But it is all fun.  The people answer the doors more frequently or they are supposed to!  Thanks for the drugs (probiotic pills)  and the muscle milk I sure hope that they help out.  It was pretty intense we ran out of toilet paper in our apartment.  

That is sad news about the Bengals I did have a moment of silence for them on Friday.  But that is still way cool that they were able to go to the state championship... only 2 teams can do that!  

That is awesome that you are doing a service project.  I would love to do one of those it isn't really done a lot here because everyone is already struggling with life.  It is going to be a lot of fun this week though because we are having a Thanksgiving party this week in the branch.  This will be the first ward party on my mission and everyone is going to bring food from the different country that they are from.  That is the cool thing about serving in a Spanish branch up in the USA, because everyone is from a different country so they all cook differently, some like spicy food some don't.  It is also a problem because the cultures and life styles clash a lot and it is hard for them all to work together really well.  That is why we- missionaries- are here!!  Sometimes we feel like the therapists.  

I am happy that Grandpa Quilter is doing good. 

This week was very interesting we didn't have a ton happen.  But we did have a mission tour this week and we had Elder Cardon of the 70 come and it was super good.  But we didn't get facebook we were all kinda sad because they said by the end of 2013 we would be able to use facebook and well it is the end of 2013.  The main reason that we would want facebook is because there are not a lot of people home at 12 o clock in the afternoon.  Elder Cardon is pretty intense we had a really good conference.  

This week the thought came to me.  The work is hastening that is very true... but what does that really mean the work is hastening?  yes more people are HEARING the gospel but at the same time it seams like many aren't accepting the gospel...  we had a really cool/sad lesson with the DE LEONS.  We have taught them everything, they have heard the gospel!  So we went in and we kinda told them that we have taught them everything and we told them that they have to decide on their own.  I dont know... it is really sad when you feel the spirit and you know that they feel the spirit and then they deny that they felt anything but you can see it in their eyes that they did feel the spirit...aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh.  O well we do what we can.  

But yes it was so stupid they cancelled church yesterday because there was a little bit of ice on the ground..  They also shut down the whole mission I don't really get it, I think that is mostly so all of the cars don't get wrecked.  But yeah 2 of the days last week we couldn't go out because of the weather..  It is true that bikes and ice don't really get along to well..  

We did have the opportunity this week to have 6 member presents but we had 4 of them cancel on us it was terrible, nothing is worse than when you take a member out of their house away from their family and your appointments don't even show up... it is really hard to get member presents here because we have 6 missionaries and 50 members.. and we can only go with hermanos that are over 16 years old... which isn't alot of people.  Both me and Elder pugmire are having some anger issues with our investigators I don't know #mishprobs...#spanishbranch

BUT that is pretty much what happened this week.  I will send the voice recordings of the mission conference it was really good.  Maybe it will help you in your calling!  

pero hasta le proxima semana!  (until next week)

ELDER FINLINSON 

November 18, 2013 Week 19

Hollly cow that is so sick about Brighton that is how we do it in the jungle baby!!!  

Sounds like everyone had fun last week... on both sides!  Mom and dad leave and go on a vacation and then the kids are left at the house.  That is just all around fun!  I got my patriarchal blessing in OAKEY language.  It was super cool.  Yeah we haven't moved yet, we still have 2 more weeks unfortunately  :(

....ahhhh this week i don't really want to write pero yo nececito 

We went to the Gomez's house for lunch and as always the food was amazing!  After that we went to one of our northern potentials.  And they were home!  We had an awesome lesson with them.  The only problem with them is that they are obsessed  with virgin Mary and they pray to her every night.  But we taught the last lesson and it went really good!  It was kinda cool they prayed at the end and we all stood up and held hands... it was different  but it was really cool.  They are very spiritual they play every night at peoples houses some weird music -- it was a different lesson.

So we had transfers on wed.  and nothing really changed the only thing that happened is that Elder Pierce left and Elder Curry came up hear... It was pretty cool because elder Curry was elder Barrett's trainer.  so we had a lot to relate about.  He is supper funny.. this week not much happened because of the transfer and we are trying to adjust.  But on Wednesday we had our FH class and it went super good.  We also finally had an appointment with Alma-- one of the investigators from the first transfer here!  We went in just going to ask the baptism questions and it went way good.  We were able to figure out the things we need to teach her.  Hermano Gomez bought Alma some stuff for her daughters baby it was really cool.  We also had a lesson with Carmelo and Esther.  We taught the 2nd lesson and it wet really well... EXCEPT that Carmelo also believes in Virgin Mary it is crazy.  

They were all decorated  for Christmas here, it is crazy how fast time is flying!  I figured out this week that I will see you all in 3 Christmas's!! haah that is crazy to think.  

This week was terrible food wise though.  I was completely wrecked -- I lost 10 pounds.  Elder pugmire said that the same thing happened to him... but he doesn't have any weight to loose!!  Oh well I think I am improving, at least I hope because I really want to enjoy some turkey!  

This is going to be a fun transfer though, it is only 5 weeks so it is going to go by really quick.  Sorry this one isn't too long but not  a lot happened this week and I honestly am tired of writing.  Have an awesome week and I will be praying for the Bengals on Friday~!!!  That is still so sick I wish them all the best of luck and well done in working hard for it and go kick some Bingam but that is all.  Happy to hear that grandpa is doing good I have been praying for him...  it is going good hear in the OKC.  It is going so quick though.

ELDER FINLINSON

Elder Finlinson also sent 4 mp3 files of his daily journal from the past week.  These are a few excerpts

"We had mole at the dinner, it starting to grow on me, the first time I had it I was about to puke"

"We had three youth come to our family history class and do indexing, so that was good"

"We cleaned our apartment yesterday--it is super clean"

"Hermano Gomez is the craziest driver, I felt like I died about a couple of time, he is the 78 year old that still goes out with the missionaries"

"We went to the Romolinda's Home....All the kids came out, said, 'Do you want to see our chickens?'... so we go in the back yard and there are seven chickens all tied up and they are all in a big  in a knot, so they can't move, It was terrible...but yeah one of the kids just started chucking them up in the air and they can't fly so they just land on their feet--it was terrible...but they are planning to eat them in a couple of week."

Carmelo and Esther made a commitment to be baptized.  It was weird they had all there Christmas presents wrapped and under the tree--and Carmelo had already opened one of his presents-- these super nice boots.

We went to Rioasco's home, Hermano Riosco wants to go to the temple.  It was cool, we gave him the Preparing to Enter The Temple pamphlet.  

We went to the Oraksons home, we dedicated their home, they want to go to the temple, it was really cool.

I thought Ethan hurt his wrist--come to find out He was just playing a joke on me...he did it with his camera setting--I almost called the mission home when I saw the photo and he said Elder Pugmire was doing treatments to help him....He didn't want me to miss his teasing I guess...

November 10, 2013, Week 18

Traannnnnnsfers and me and Elder Pugmire are staying!! boom done with the training!

LUNES: Had some fun playing soccer.  We then had dinner with the Delgados and we drank some gnarly drink that makes you even more thirsty... I felt like Dumbledore when he was drinking that witchcraft potion and every time he drank it he go even thirstier.. it was terrible!!  I was so thirsty after soccer and i forgot to drink water.  Got to love Mexican agua.  After dinner Brother Delgado showed us his songs that he mixed (I guess he is a DJ but he is so quiet so it is kinda weird)... but he really likes English music, but the only problem with that, is that he doesn't understand all of the words.  He had a couple of mixes that were kinda apostate!  That was pretty much all we did on p-day.

MARTES: WE had a lot of fun! We didn't have any appointments so we were not looking forward to the day really. But we went out with faith and we saw the reward.  It started really hard and we were not getting anyone answering the door.  But then we went to 11th street and we decided that we were just going to park the bikes and go knocking.  Lets just say that we found 4 families, it was so cool we set up 4 return appointments.  We then went to dinner at the Aquinos...  then when we were riding back we saw all of these cop cars, so we went to go see what was up and there was a car on fire and it was in the drive thru at Carls J-- we then saw the fire truck put it out, it was some cool entertainment...  usually when we see cop lights we go and see what happened because it is the closest thing we can get to a action movie.  We then had a really good lesson with the De loens about going to church but they are still struggling because of the the influence of their Dad.  It is sad.

MIERCOLES:  We had a supper good lunch at the Gomezes house, the only problem with them is that the food isn't hot because they are from Columbia, and I guess they don't really like hot food as much?  but she was a chef so her food is way good.. We then went to the library and did mormon. org -- my last one:)  we then had an early dinner at the Morales house she made some Mule Verde, it was really good we then went to the church and taught our family history class it went pretty good.

JUEVES:  Got another new family to teach,  the Montanez, it was a supper good lesson.  Then a whole bunch of no shows to appointments.

VIERNES:  We had some taco bell for lunch, i don't know why I am still suffering from that choice.  we had dinner with Hermana Olea. And then we went to the Riascos house and Hermano Riasco said that he wanted to go through the temple.. and to have his family sealed!! Boom!

SABADO:  Well I am short on time so I am going to have to haul!  So we had a really good lesson with Carmello and Esther we learned more about their lives.  Esther is only 18 years old and she has a 2 year old daughter, it was very cool to hear her story, she was able to graduate high school with a 3.6 and raise a child at the same time... Carmelo works up in Kansas during the week and then he comes home for the week ends.. he is about 23 years old.  It was an intense lesson they both want to go to church but they don't want to go to each others churches....PERFECT because they can come to ours!!!  It was super cool...  she then talked about how her sister who is only 15 is having a hard time and how she ran away from the house and they don't know where she is.  She said that they have found her with prostitutes and she is always on drugs.  It was very sad to hear this...a 15 year old daughter of god is going through these things..  We then testified about prayer and how  God loves all of his children and how there is always hope in this world... probably one of the coolest experiences in my mission.

DOMINGO:  We had a super good turn out at church.   I think that the branch in on an incline!  We had a really cool day, we then had dinner at the Ramirezes house and we had some tuna fish sand whiches I HATE TUNA... I would rather eat taco de ojos but o well I guess that is the life of a missionary..  luckily they always have hot sauce so I just put a ton of hot sauce on it so I couldn't even taste the flavor of tuna.  We then had a cool lesson with the De Leons we went in saying that we were going to just ask them the baptism questions and so we asked the first question and they failed!!!  We knew that their answer wasn't true,  because they have felt the spirit... we then talked about God for the next hour and half.. it was the most intense lesson I had ever been in... we watched the patterns of light Mormon messages and it was cool to see them learn from them.  I think that in the end that they learned that WE DO HAVE A GOD... uhhhh it is annoying... but after that I got my patriarchal blessing at Brother Huttos house it was way cool.. it said some pretty intense stuff in it!

buttt that is pretty much the week have fun editing this keyboard is super sticky!!

ELDER FINLINSON

Brother Gomez meal prepared by Sister Gomez, they are from Columbia, Sister Gomez was a chef.

November 4, 2013 Week 17

Wow time is flying on the 9th I hit 1/6 mark...  

Those are some awesome pumpkins!!! I could pick out who carved what just by the faces.  

Advice to Eli: I don't know what you should do Eli but I know that you could play up to the high.... wait you will be in high school....PLAY IN 9TH GRADE...  you will learn a lot more and get to know the coaches.  But it will take a lot more work.  So, you can do it!!!  Just start practicing right now run every day, go to the gym-downstairs, and become a disciplined player, if you can do all of these things you will be just fine in football in high school..but you can do what ever you want.  That is so exciting! little league coaches are mas o menos!

OK I am going to try a new format of writing now that I have my recorder.

LUNES:

Played soccer for p day!  We then went over to the Sossa family-  they are a part member family from BOLIVIA we have tried a ton of times to go over and teach them but they are never there.  But we finally got into their house!  the wife- not a member, cooked some really good chicken noodle soup.  We just talked about life and it was pretty hard to get to the gospel, but that is the way it goes with most 1st lessons.  We were about to get it back on subject but then their daughter in first grade started reading One Fish, Two Fish- by Doctor Suess--  It was actually a lot of fun to hear that book again, BUUUT,  it tooook for everrrrrrrr.  and we couldn't just leave that would be so mean!  But we invited them to family history on Wednesday.  We then went over to the DE la Cruz family -- they are a past investigator family who haven't been taught for a long time... this isn't he same De la Cruz family.  But we talked with them and set up a return appointment on Sunday night.

MARTES:

We got a new toilet! Our other one had a huge crack! and it pinched you every time you sat on it!

We had interviews with President,  it was pretty much just like a doctor check up but for your soul. President Walkenhorst is awesome, he is so cool.  After we went to our apartments, the housing missionary came and they said that they just got us a new BOX-apartment- it is 150 square feet bigger!  and it is in the same complex!  We are very excited!  We had dinner with the Riascos-members in our area, but it destroyed me!  got to love texmex!  

After, no one was really answering the doors, we then went over to the Beniez's house and helped them move Hispanic style (stack everything in a trailer a mile high and leave)--Tetris at its best.

MIERCOLES:

WE had fun at a rest home with a recent convert.... and then some drama from one of our investigators... I will just say that it involves our gospel doctrine teacher, a member and our investigator AND a casino:( yep pretty wierd conversation)

JUEVES:

I had probably the weirdest Halloweens' ever in my life!  

So we went with the other elders in our district to a translation for a court case for an investigator... but their wasn't enough room for all of us so we went on splits and me and Elder Cluff went and Tracked Downtown OKC, it was sooo sick we were able to talk to 2 people and share a message with both of them. One was a lady who lived on the streets so we prayed with her and gave her a Book of Mormon and told her that she always has some one looking over her--which is her Heavenly Father.  It was very cool experience... we were then grounded from our cars the rest of the night so we just stayed in the apartments and had fun.

VIERNES:

WE had exchanges and it was me and ELDER Cluff, he is on his first transfer..  we had a really good lesson with the De Leon kids about the Tree of Life then we watched, A Sure Foundation, a Mormon message for youth and it fit perfectly!!  It was a really good exchange even for 2 elders who don't really know what to do!

SABADO:

I got Elder Pugmire back.. had a correlation with HERMANO GARCIA our ward mission leader.  We talked to some random guy on a roof, and he was a preacher and invited us to his church.. he said that they were going to bring a guy with cancer and heal him right before our eyes...  I had to hold in the laughs!  and they were going to have food too (with the spiritual food)- I have no clue what that is!  

We had dinner with the Vireals who live in Edmond--and we got invited to a Thanksgiving Dinner!   Then no one was answering the doors-- typical Saturday night,  the mariachi music turns on and the booze comes out...I HATE MARIACHI MUSIC!

DOMINGO:

Fast Sunday + Spanish branch + Headache! 

Nothing really happened we didn't have a dinner appointment:(  but we did have a really good lesson with the De la Cruz father... we got a new investigator finally!!! and we then talked to our neighbor and she went to church but she went to one of the English ones,  we then said that it starts at 12 and she said that she would try to be there next week.

But yeah that is pretty much my Halloween week,

MUCH LOVE FROM OKC

ELDER FINN

 Omininous weather....

 Thank Tarali!!!

 Cheese Rolls made it!

 OKC Memorial?

 On Exchange with Elder Cluff, tracting in OKC

 An OKC Frieze

 Not a Banksy...

October 28, 2013 Week 16

I had an awesome week this week.  We had zone conference and President Walkenhorst had a lot of good words to share with the missionaries here!  

(In answer to, "How are you doing?")

I am doing great now that I have 20 pounds of granola...  it was pretty funny we were just doing our studies and then we heard UPS pull up and Elder Pugmire said, " I swear it, that is for you"  Then we heard a knock knock.... Booom just got a package!  1 day air shipping on a box of trailmix....  then 30 minutes later Fedex pulled up... knock knock.  Me and Elder Pugmire just starred at each other.... I just started laughing, it was so funny I then got like 5 bags of granola and 2 memory cards and gloves... it was pretty intense... It looks like you have found the grocery store on amazon!  The funny thing is that they are all 2 day shipping.  2 day shipping on a box of trail mix is pretty funny.  

(In answer to, "How is the Branch and the De Leons?")

The Branch is going up and down it is so wierd, it changes every week... I guess a lot of people are trying to work right now-- over-time -- to  get a good stash of money for the winter.  I guess we will see though.  The DeLeons are struggling they are having a really rough time trying to believe in the things and worst of all they don't have the support from their dad.  But the dad wants to baptize his kids... well he can't do that unless he is active!!  ahhh missionary problems you have to love them.  

But this Saturday we had a day of finding!  We were able to find 5 new families and one of them was really cool... well they were all really cool.  But for this one we were just riding our bikes down a road and I told Elder Pugmire we should go knock on this door.  There really weren't a lot of signs that it was a hispanic house but we went anyway..  So we knocked, and well they are hispanic ,and they were really interested in the church and they told us to come back next saturday at the same time because the father drives up to Kansas every week to go work, and he is only home on the week ends.  But we were able to share a prayer with them and it was very cool to see.. And then it happened 4 other times.   

I dont have much time to write, we went to the public library today. ahhhhh 8 minutes left....well that is crazy that Ryan is about to be born into his mission!  and yah I know Chandler Webb we had quite a few classes together and we knew each other pretty good, that is way sad he will definitely be in my prayers.  Tell Eli and Joel to start preparing for next season even though it seems like it is far away!!!  and tell them I am proud of them...THE BRIGHTON LEGACY CONTINUES!!!  that will be my mission present -- to see them playing when I get home!!!  

(In answer to, "How is the biking?" --funny thing Ethan rarely rode a bike pre-mission)

I love bike riding it is a good way to burn the frustration that comes from missionary life and the work is more deserving.. my bike is doing really good I did have some bike problems though,  but I took it to the bike shop and they fixed it up and I got a flat tire this week too at 9:30 the Sisters weren't that happy to come and pick us up...but what can you do... I am really happy that I bought a 29er size I can  get going a lot faster then on a 26er... but we will see how much I like bikes during the winter that is going to be fun!! and ice storms.. but right now the weather is really nice and it is pretty fun.  

That is awesome to hear about Nic and the Kip, and that the ward missionary work is going good!  It is awesome to hear that Bethany is still single,  and I guess she is a instapro right now?  That is pretty cool.  I told one of the youth going on a mission to follow me haha got to love insta!  I kinda wish that you could snapchat on a mission-:} OH well... I saw the new apple layout on the iphone it is sickkk we should be getting ipads one of these days here but I don't  know I guess all I can do is have faith.. 

(Response to the photos sent)

Those pictures are awesome pretty much everything that I love about utah--BLACK BEAR-ALTA-grampas chair-grandmas ice cream cake...I have no clue what joel is doing? (Joel was smiling with a cucumber slice covering his teeth)-football...man I miss mountains there is a little hill that we ride up every day and it is on UTAH SREET....and it makes me trunky!!  

Have and awesome week y'all 

Much love from flat OKC, OK

~elder finlinson~

Flat Tire

More pant repairs...

Good thing for Missionary Mall Warranty