April 14, 2014 Week 40

I apologize for getting out Ethan's letter late this week.  Ethan sounds like he is doing great, he did mention he is getting tested for parasites--He has lost weight through his mission, thinks he picked up something in Mexico.  I received a call from a Dr. Office in Norman, OK this week saying, "little Ethan is here and he doesn't remember his Dad's birthdate"  I didn't get to talk to Ethan but it was fun to at least ask the receptionist to give him a hug from me.  Glad he finally went to the Dr.

Well Okie weather is starting to come I think!  

It was pretty much 80 all last week, then yesterday we had some cool thunderstorms and rain showers!! and it was snowing today-- just a little though!!  

It is crazy we were also on a tornado watch yesterday!!  but this week was fun!!  

I guess some crazy stuff that happened lately is that some false doctrine had been going over the pulpit.  Bishop talked about some very sensitive topics on wayward children.  This topic came up at random during a 3rd hour 5th Sunday that was being taught by the bishop.  He said that he heard a stake president talk about this subject to a family who just had a suicidal death.  In essence he said that families who are sealed and the parents are faithful BUT the children stray and die without the church  then those children can still receive celestial glory--after they pay for their sins they can then be upgraded to a higher kingdom!!  

Right when he said this me and my companion both looked at each other and questioned it.  Our bishop said that he read quotes on this subject, But he didn't share any of them!!!  which is where we both started questioning this doctrine... the only thing was that everyone in the congregation which included 1 ex stake president (who was released 3 months ago) and 3 bishops!! well after looking through lds.org for awhile i found it!!! 

Faithful Parents and Wayward Children: Sustaining Hope While Overcoming Misunderstanding by elder bednar addresses this problem!! 

The thing is though I don't think one person in the congregation didn't believe what bishop said!!!  So i am going to write to president this week and see what he thinks we should do!  Because this is a multi stake- doctrinal hiccup.  (Ethan and I had further discussion online on this doctrine, It was great to hear him say, "God is the Judge...DOCTRINE is great IT is a ton of fun! love yah", in the mail I sent him Elder Ballard's 1987 talk on Suicide Some Things Now and Some We Do Not.)

But this week Chris came to church!  he is the less active that we tracted into!  It seemed like he enjoyed it.  He looked a little brighter than the first day that we met him playing scream o!  But that was Cool to see the change in him!  

This week we started doing some service-- one of our members needed help pulling out ivy!!! fun stuff!!  It is kinda funny how on missions service is fun or i don't even know if it is service, Yard work on missions is fun!  I don't understand it??!?  But after helping we saw a old lady outside attempting to break sticks/branches.  So of course we helped her!  She was so thankful!  She said that so many people just drive by.  She said that we were the first people that she has talked to for some time.....  THAT was so sad!  

SO I challenge everyone to serve an elder--(the old ones) this week! 

SERVICE IS AWESOME
We also saw the musical LAMB OF GOD yesterday it was very good!!  I would try to find it on YouTube or something!  

A multi faith organization put it on at our stake center!
Well more things happenned but I cant remember.....
BUT MISSION LIFE IS AWESOME!!!  
ELDER FINLINSON

sorry i didnt even re read this email...........p - days are crazy!!  ---- AND WHY WAS JOEL DRIVING THE CARRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!! (Bethany taught Joel how to back out the mini van--a photo was sent to Ethan documenting the event.)