Elder Finch: December 7th

Serving a mission is amazing. The Spirit is so strong. Something cool, as a misisonary, I am an extension of the Quorum of the Twelve, and am able to recieve revelation for my investigator. It is really cool. Today, my companion and I had weekly planning. We started talking about each one of out investigators. While we did this, I was able to fell whether or not they would be getting baptized soon. The interesting part is, with Marcella, one of the investigators I told you about last time, at first, I did not feel the confirmation of the Spirit that she would be getting baptized soon, but then while we were trying to decide what to do for her, I felt prompted to do some things for her. After bringing that up and writing it down in our plans, the feeling I had about her changed to feeling sure she will get baptized. Of course, it is not for sure, I can still mess it up, but if my companion and I do the right things, she will be baptized.

Unfortunatenly, with Lesily, no matter what I thought of to do, I could not get the good feeling that comes when you are planning for an investigator who will be pabtized soon. I haven't lost hope. I will have to do everything I can.

Luckily, we have two other investigators that, I have been prompted, will be baptized.

Last week, we had a lot of bad luck with our car. Last Monday, we went to get out brake pads fixed, and apparently, they had worn the rotor down past the legal limit. We got permission to get that fized, along with getting two new tires and realignment. It took two hours and $700 (paid by the mission).

Then, on Wednesday, it rained a lot. My thick Mr. Mac coat was soaked all the way through. Anyway, the road was extra dark, and we ran over soemthing sharp that puctured the front right tire. We noticed it right away. Air was hissing out quickly. Apparently, we don't have a donut. We still had a lot of air in the tire, so we started to drive to the closest place that we knew was open. It was three miles away. After we went one mile, the ride was getting bumpy. We said a prayer that we would be able to make it. After two miles, smoke was rising up from the tire. We prayed harder. The ride was getting way bumpy. We got to the last intersection. There was so much smoke rising from the tire, I began to wonder if it was on fire. When we started to go, after the light turned green, the tire made a noisy flopping sound, and the car was rocking way bad. I then heard something flop off the tire and teh car started having a lot of trouble moving. We turned into Tire Kingdome and were barelt able to park sideways in the parking lot. The whole inside wall and the hubcap of the tire was gone. They had to bring a jack out, because, in the words of the mechanic, "there is no way we are getting that car in the garage." $98 and thrity minutes later, everything was better. I am hoping that I have had my share of car stories for a while.

Rebekah, I am so excited for your mission call, and think it is great that you are studying from Preach My Gospel. What I did, is read through Preach My Gospel quickly twice, and now I am going through it slowly and thoroughly. I have a notebook that I write the "consider this" questions. Then I go through one section per personal study and take nores on what sticks out, how I feel, and how that section answers the questions. I also look up all the scriptures, underline many things, and write lots of notes in the side margins. If you're taking 20-40 minutes per page, then it sounds like you're doing a good job. I love Preach My Gospel and teh feeling that comes when you read it. I know you will do great on your mission.

I have one hour for e-mail now, so don't worry about sending long e-mails. I love to read them.

If you guys send me a Christmas package, I would love some pictures, and a missionary can always use more ties. I love you guys a lot, and will write again next week. Bye.

Elder Daniel Finch