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

Pics 5/21/16

My companion took a selfie of us

Me in the streets of Culiacan

It's too hot (wiping the sweat off)

The Heat

Hello everyone!

This week has been really good and uplifting. We've seen lots of little miracles and blessings and some puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place with our area. So Monday was transfers, and my old companion, Elder Garcia left for La Paz, Baja California Sur, and I received Elder Paravicini. He's from Bolivia. As soon as he got to the offices Monday morning, I put him to work. I've been teaching him everything I know about being secretary of materials, references and records, and he's been learning quickly and well. After our time in the offices, we went to work. We've taught some really good lessons and I'm able to see how much progress I've made in my 7.5 months in the mission. I've been unofficially designated as the missionary leader in our ward, since we have two sets, but my companion and the other set are all new, so I'm the only familiar face in the ward. I'm showing the other set of missionaries some parts of the area, and I'm also the senior missionary in the offices. I have the most experience.

This week we were able to visit Perla and Francia three times, and on Tuesday, we reviewed the baptismal interview questions with them to measure their progress. Although their baptism dates fell, we used this lesson as an opportunity to put new dates for the 28th of this month. They accepted, and we're going to be working hard alongside of them to get them to church tomorrow and next Sunday so that they'll be ready for the 28th. We visited Abraham, and he still has a lot of desires to go to church. He told us that he'll meet us there Sunday morning. We've also been contacting a lot and we've received a bunch of references. The other elders in our ward, the new set, have been contacting a lot to get new investigators so they've passed a few contacts to us. We've been able to talk to these references and we've put a few appointments to visit again. When we talked to one of the contacts that the other elders gave us, we had a first lesson, and we were even able to challenge him with baptism and he accepted. He's proof that the Lord really does prepare people for baptism, and that we just need to go out, and the Lord will lead us to these people. 

This week has been pretty good overall. I've had the chance to talk to several new people and bear my testimony about the restoration of the gospel. Although they may not accept the missionaries, they are receiving their opportunity and I'm doing my part in the Lord's work. I've found happiness in this work, even though it gets difficult sometimes. 

I testify of the truthfulness of the Church and that this life is a time of preparation and testing for us. We must do everything that we can for the Lord and I promise that you all will be blessed for your dedication to the Lord. Have a great week and make sure to say your prayers and read the Book of Mormon.

Love,

Elder Finkner

Middle of May

Hello everyone!

This week has been really good and uplifting. We've seen lots of little miracles and blessings and some puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place with our area. So Monday was transfers, and my old companion, Elder Garcia left for La Paz, Baja California Sur, and I received Elder Paravicini. He's from Bolivia. As soon as he got to the offices Monday morning, I put him to work. I've been teaching him everything I know about being secretary of materials, references and records, and he's been learning quickly and well. After our time in the offices, we went to work. We've taught some really good lessons and I'm able to see how much progress I've made in my 7.5 months in the mission. I've been unofficially designated as the missionary leader in our ward, since we have two sets, but my companion and the other set are all new, so I'm the only familiar face in the ward. I'm showing the other set of missionaries some parts of the area, and I'm also the senior missionary in the offices. I have the most experience.

This week we were able to visit Perla and Francia three times, and on Tuesday, we reviewed the baptismal interview questions with them to measure their progress. Although their baptism dates fell, we used this lesson as an opportunity to put new dates for the 28th of this month. They accepted, and we're going to be working hard alongside of them to get them to church tomorrow and next Sunday so that they'll be ready for the 28th. We visited Abraham, and he still has a lot of desires to go to church. He told us that he'll meet us there Sunday morning. We've also been contacting a lot and we've received a bunch of references. The other elders in our ward, the new set, have been contacting a lot to get new investigators so they've passed a few contacts to us. We've been able to talk to these references and we've put a few appointments to visit again. When we talked to one of the contacts that the other elders gave us, we had a first lesson, and we were even able to challenge him with baptism and he accepted. He's proof that the Lord really does prepare people for baptism, and that we just need to go out, and the Lord will lead us to these people. 

This week has been pretty good overall. I've had the chance to talk to several new people and bear my testimony about the restoration of the gospel. Although they may not accept the missionaries, they are receiving their opportunity and I'm doing my part in the Lord's work. I've found happiness in this work, even though it gets difficult sometimes. 

I testify of the truthfulness of the Church and that this life is a time of preparation and testing for us. We must do everything that we can for the Lord and I promise that you all will be blessed for your dedication to the Lord. Have a great week and make sure to say your prayers and read the Book of Mormon.

Love,

Elder Finkner