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...