Pics 6/6/16

Bishop and family at my farewell from Barrio Mazatlan

Me at the beach

Elder Finkner

Companions at the beach

Crazy Week!

Hello everyone! So I'm sure most of you have all heard about what happened. Last monday when I hit my 8 month mark, President talked to me and sent me on an emergency transfer to La Paz, Baja California Sur. I'm now a district leader, a trainer, and a senior companion. My companion is Elder Antonio, who arrived to the mission about a month ago but because of some unseen circumstances, his companion or original trainer went home and I'm here to take his place. I have lots of responsibility now, and even more when both of us don't know the area well. 

So Monday was when I found out I was coming to La Paz. Tuesday morning was my flight. Monday night last week I was able to eat dinner and cake with the bishop. He threw a little party for me. Tuesday was weird when I was left without a companion in the airport and in the airplane. The plane was small, only one seat on one side of the aisle and two on the other side. So small that even carry- on suitcases don't fit in the overhead compartment. But good thing that almost no one was on the flight because I was able to put my suitcase in an empty seat.

I arrived safely to meet my new zone leaders and my companion. From there we went home and I unpacked for about an hour. Then we went to lunch and then we got to work! Every day this week we've been working a lot. We've been contacting in the street a lot...27 contacts and we've taught several first lessons to new investigators. We're practically opening the area and starting new with everything.

This week I had lots of work with the sister missionaries in my district. They were changing apartments and I had the responsibility of approving the house or telling them that it was unsuitable for missionaries. After visiting a few houses, we settled on one and we helped them move.

I'm learning everything really quickly and I'm working really hard to be a good example for my companion as he's going to learn a lot from me, more than his original trainer. I feel really good about my new area and this new opportunity to work. This area reminds me of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, so I'm not complaining. I'm really lucky and blessed.

Anyways, that's about it. We only have two investigators, Martin and Maria. Martin is excommunicated and Maria is a normal investigator. Both are on track for baptisms this month or the next, as soon as they get married. Last night we were able to have a spiritual experience with them and they already want to be baptized.

Have a great week, and enjoy the pictures!

Elder Finkner

Pics 5/28/16

"Big Fin" and "Little Fin"

Elder Andersen and I at the church, helping out with a ward activity.

8 Months Down, 16 to Go

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a good week. Mine was just slow and I don't have much to write about. So I've finished training my companion and we haven't been getting a lot of work. So I really haven't had anything to do for the last week. Nothing new to report on in the offices.

In our area, well we didn't have much time to work there either due to some special circumstances. We did have time to visit Perla and Francia twice this week. The first lesson, I was able to put a new baptism date for them, and I'm sure that this date won't fall or get pushed back again. It's for June 11th, so they'll need all the prayers that they can get. We've taught all the missionary lessons, so we just need to make sure that they keep saying their prayers and reading their scriptures. They have 4 attendances but our zone leaders said that it's possible to baptize with less than 5 attendances and if they have all the lessons. So that's our goal right now, just to wrap it up and get those two baptisms. After lots of hard work with them, I hope I get to see their baptisms before I leave the area. The second lesson we had with them, we went on divisions. Elder Finlayson came with me and we taught them the 10 commandments. It was a great lesson. One of the best I've had in the mission. And I was really glad that I was doing it with my best friend in the mission. Heck, even Perla and Francia said that they preferred Elder Finlayson over Elder Garcia and Elder Paravicini. Elder Finlayson is the man.

Other than that, there's not much else to write about but Presidente emailed me this week to tell me that after this transfer, I'm leaving to serve in another area. I asked him last week what my fate was and he gave me the answer. So I'm glad that I get to leave the offices because I feel like I can be a regular missionary again, working all day in the Lord's vineyard. 

So that's all folks, I love you all and have a great week.

Love,

Elder Finkner