Elder Finch: January 25th

I am really enjoying life as a missionary.

The spirit is always with me.

My Spanish is coming surprisingly quickly now. I have received quite a few complements on my Spanish this past week.

Right now, I don't know exactly how everything is going with Sonya. She wasn't at church again last week. She was at a baptism the day before. The other elders were getting someone baptized that day, so we invited her to see what it was like.

She looked just like a member while she was their. She was talking with the other members, and smiling, and everything. We’re going to try to find out later today why she wasn't at church. I wonder if she is getting nervous with the knowledge that after she is baptized, her life will be different.

That is kind of how I felt before my mission. I was nervous knowing that my life was about to be different, but I realize now that if the Lord is in it, you have nothing to worry about.

She moved into a different apartment than the one that Raul and Mariesol were in. She still lives in the same apartment complex as Raul and Mariesol.

We have another investigator that we found last week who is really cool. He is about 28 His name is Renee. He seems to know how important everything we teach him is.

Saturday we showed him the movie Together for Ever. This movie talks about the plan of salvation from a Family’s point of view. Normally we show this movie to people who don't understand the purpose of marriage. He understands completely the purpose of marriage and is getting an ID sent to him from El Salvador. So it surprised me when Elder Urry and I felt prompted to show this movie.

Towards the end of the movie, he started crying a little. We found out his only sister was killed about a year ago. He and his sister were really good friends. In the movie, there is a story were there's a family who's daughter died. The family was very sad about this. Then the movie talks about how families can be together again, and at the end of the movie, it shows this family, at a swing set with the little girl, and they are all very happy.

Renee said that it made him happy to know that he and his sister could be like this too. It is times when I help people like this that I really realize the purpose of being a missionary.

I am getting excited for when Rebekah goes on her mission. I feel like whenever I have done something new, I have always had a sibling right by me, doing it at the same side as me.

A little advice for Rebekah: Just let your mission happen. There is no reason to be nervous for it other than not knowing what to expect. Your first day in the MTC, they are going to throw you right into it. They don't ease it on. The first three days in the MTC are the busiest three days in the MTC. If you just let your mission come, and don’t think too much what is happening, it will be a lot easier and enjoyable. It's like a rollercoaster: When you were waiting for your call, you were in the line. Right now, you are going up the first hill. If you think a lot about it, you will get nervous, but if you just let it happen, it will be very enjoyable, and you will be a great missionary. Continue to pack and everything, but treat it how you treat it when you pack for anything else.

I loved all of your letters I got today. Receiving e-mails makes missionary work a lot more fun, and easier.

I want to hear everything about Lisa's kitten.

I'll write again next Monday.

I love and miss all of you.
Love Daniel