First Week of Transfers

Everyone! I GOT A NEW COMPANION!!!! And she is a native...moved from Mexico to Utah at 6-years-old, and she almost bikes at the same pace I do.  She has been on her mission for about 7 months, and she has already made me such a better missionary in just one week.

The day of transfers was pretty weird though.  We didn't have a transfer meeting, so people just got picked up and dropped off in vans.  My old comp left at around noon, and I didn't see Sister Villatoro until about 7:30 that night.  I was able to go with the office sisters for a few hours, and they had dinner with a white family.  It was such a culture shock!! They had everything set on the table, there was vegetables (yes!!), and they actually ate with us. I kind of forgot about what it was like...Super weird.

We have been working so hard this week!! I absolutely love it.  I believe that's how you enjoy the mission--by working the hardest you can to bless a lot more lives. 

Sis. Villatoro and I are basically starting new in our area because there hasn't been a lot of success in finding people to get baptized, so I am now seeing neighborhoods and areas that I have never seen.  One particular neighborhood that we found is in the middle of nowhere in the middle of all this farm land with orange trees and a bunch of other crops.  Anyway, I am getting really good at looking at a map haha.  But anyway, over there the people are so humble and they always let you come in no matter what. 

We have seen so many miracles this week.  One girl that we talked to even asked if baptism is something we do in our church because her dad really wants to get baptized.  So many miracles!! I honestly think it is because we worked as hard as we possibly could, and then the miracles came.  I love the mission.  I love Sister Villatoro.  We laugh so much together!

Also, my district leader really knows how to have fun...This week, I have gone to Taco P, Whataburger, we've played soccer, and played a really fun dice game all together.

Love you all,

Sister Findlay

I forgot to mention:

I was sitting and teaching a member, and all the sudden her dog brings a rat near the circle, and all I could pay attention to were the crunching of the bones.  So gross!!

Jesus Christ first served, then taught

Dear all,

It's a super exciting time right now because we have transfers tomorrow!! Ahh! I think I am going to stay in my area, and that my trainer is going to leave because she has been here for 10 months! However, nobody really knows. Apparently, my zone leader likes to wait to tell people if they will move areas or stay, but we shall see.

This week, we had the opportunity to go to a member's house and do a service project.  They have next to nothing, and one of their sources of income is to burn trash and sell metal.  It's crazy how many people here have nothing, and the reason why they move from Mexico to here is to be safe.  They tell me what happens in Mexico, and I am so glad I am not there.  I love it here in South Texas, and the members are so nice!!  We ate at a member's house last night that has a super small house and they made us carne asada.  So good! I think it's my favorite dinner.  Afterwards they gave us a huge bag of oranges and some off their tree too!  At church, we got a bag of tangerines, and at a less active's house we got 4 of the biggest grapefruit I have ever seen.  I love the citrus here!!

This week, in our zone meeting, we had one of the members of the stake presidency talk to us, and he told us a story of how when he was new he had this trainer that had a method of looking at a map and praying and asking where to go.  He then said one day it was his turn, and he saw a row of three houses off a freeway, and was prompted to knock on the middle one.  At first, the lady slammed the door in their face because she was going through a hard time, but then she changed her mind.  Now, her son is a returned missionary. I love these stories, and I know that one day, I will find someone to enter the waters of baptism to have the fullness of joy in their lives, and know that God has a plan for them. 

Also, in our zone meeting, it was really funny because we got to have a "funeral" for all the dead people (people that are going home) and we all wore black.  Nobody told the people that are going home though, so they felt out of place. So funny!  Also, we got to celebrate a birthday in our zone, so some sisters made a cake, and then smashed his face in it.  Apparently it's a tradition.  The mission can be so fun if you keep a good attitude :)

Also, we had a missionary meeting by the quorum of the seventy, and Chris Waddell spoke! Isn't he in the Del Mar stake or something, Dad?  It was super good, and I learned a lot of good things about how to use less actives to find people.

Also, in my study this morning, I was reading about how to find people, and there was a part about service.  I learned that Jesus Christ, during his ministry first served all, then taught.  I realized that I have been focusing too much on the key indicators thinking that I don't have time, but it's more important to fulfill my calling as a representative of Jesus Christ. 

Love You All,

Sister Findlay

I can do this mission life for a year and a half... I got this!

To Family and Friends,

This week I was given a commitment by my district leader to pray for 15 min on Monday and Tuesday and 30 minutes on Wednesday-Saturday before going to bed.   I was kind of surprised at the commitment, but it was cool to have that long of a conversation with my Heavenly Father.  Sometimes, I admit, I did fall asleep in the prayer, but most of the time I was able to think about what I needed to tell my Heavenly Father and what I needed or what others around me needed.

Also, we had zone exchanges this week.  So fun!! We had a goal of setting 64 baptismal dates, and I honestly didn't know if it was possible because we needed 4 BD's in 2 days, but we did it!! Sis. Moore and I asked everyone we talked to, and we got 4 BD's for my area!! We got lost a couple times because I am used to Sis. Messer knowing the directions to everything, but it was amazing.  Now, I just need to teach them lol.  Also, I read the talk the Challenging and Testifying missionary, and it talked about the importance of inviting everyone.  Nobody is even mean about it here even if they say no, they usually say how they respect me and my invitation.  Sister Moore is such a good missionary, and she taught me so many things.  She gave me a funny commitment to laugh at every door contact, so that has been fun :)

Also, this week I got to teach seminary and primary! The primary class is so wild, but I miss not being with kids!

Also, we were able to have a zone brunch all together, and I got to make the pancakes.  Soo fun!!

We also got to have fun bowling on Monday :)

This week I felt a feeling of peace, like I can do this mission life for a year and a half...I got this!  It was awesome.  I love it hear in Texas.

Love Hermana Findlay

El Dia De Reyes

Group Email:

I think I am finally adjusted to missionary life, although I still have those hard days, I am able to be myself more. Almost every time we go to a member's house, I am able to laugh and have a good time with them.  The members here are so great and are always willing to come to lessons with us or feed us or whatever else it may be.  There are only a few with specialized jobs, but it's crazy how many are working tons of hours, and just barely getting by on a close to minimum wage job.  The weather this week has been pretty perfect, so that's good :) My favorite days are when we get to bike. (We have to bike 2 days during the week) I enjoy them so much because, there are so many more people to talk to when you are on the bike. 

Yesterday, we went to this house, and a couple answered the door and they were so funny!! Every time he said something funny he would offer his hand to high five. 

Also, this week, there was a holiday called el dia de reyes (celebration of the three kings) but anyway, they stick fake little toys in a fruity bread called rosca, and if you get one of them you have to make tamales on Feb. 2nd. They had it when I helped out in English class.  Luckily I didn't get it.  It is a pretty funny story of how I found out about it actually.  We were eating at the Bishop's house and I was telling them how much I like Mexican food, and then they asked if I have ever had rosca, and then they were like if you get one of the boys, you have to make the tamales.  I thought it was a real kid, and I had a scared look, and then the bishop's wife had a pretty good laugh.

On a side note, almost nobody keeps appointments or commitments down here, but I know that if they do those things, they will receive more blessings.  This week my goal is to be exactly obedient (set by the district leaders), and I know that my mission life will be blessed, and also I will be able to find more of those people that are prepared to come unto Christ.  The mission is great.  I really can feel God's power here through being his servant. 

Love you all,

Sister Findlay

P.S. Don't be scared to write me.  I would love to hear from you!

Jesus and Susje

 I feel like I am finally getting used to being a missionary. I learned this week that if you work hard even if you're tired you are a lot happier.  Last night we started teaching a Catholic family.  We taught them about the restoration, and I am excited to teach them again.  They are a really nice family and have 2 kids ages 1 and 13.  It's funny because the kids names are Jesus (Hey Zeus) and Susje (zeus hay) so they just mixed up the letters!

Also, we taught this less active member's girlfriend this week, and she was really interested in our message.  The lesson was so spiritual and full of testimonies.  I love talking with people even if they only have a minute and sharing my testimony that this gospel can bring so much joy to their lives.

I also learned this week that you can have fun on the mission.  Like bowling on Preparation Day with the zone and laughing about the little things.  For example all the sisters went out to lunch together, and the waiter started singing in opera when he delivered our food. So funny!

I have been seeing lots of oranges and wildlife this week.  Here's all the wildlife that I have seen so far: cows, horses, chicken, scary dogs, cool birds. 

I am having fun in doing the work.  I am so grateful that I am here in Texas.  It took me a while to realize that, but I do know it now.  All the people are so nice, the food's great, and my bed is pretty comfy in a pretty nice apartment. 

Love Hermana Findlay

Feliz Navidad

Hello,

This week went by a lot faster than my first week, which is great.  There is so much adjusting to do on the mission.  Every transfer, every new area, every new mission president.  I am learning a lot. 

So this week we had a Christmas party with the whole mission!!! It was so great.  We had a devotional at the beginning with lots of testimonies from the people that are dying (missionaries that are going home) next transfer.  I am still getting used to the dialect of missionaries...It's pretty funny.

 Here is what I have learned from the missionary dialect so far...mom is trainer, grandma is trainer's mom, dying going home, greenie or verde in Spanish new on the mission, white wash is when two new missionaries go into a new area without anyone with experience.  That's all I can remember so far, but it's so hard to get used to people saying, "Oh! She is my mom!" Haha. 

But anyway, back to the Christmas party, I had a real American lunch full of stuffing, sweet potatoes, potatoes, green beans, turkey, rolls, and pumpkin pie!! It was so good.  In the CCM I guess you could call what I had American food, but it did not even come close to this meal.  They even gave us leftovers too! That was pretty much the only American thing I have had on the mission, but I think it was good enough to last me.  I love Mexican food even more!  It's pretty funny every time I go to a member's house to eat, they question the amount of salsa I put on my food. It's not even that spicy!! Haha. 

Anyway, after lunch, we got to perform 10 minute skits.  They were all so funny.  One was of a returned missionary and he called President Maluenda and asked how to hold a girl's hand, and President Maluenda answered the phone call and said, "Don't you remember from the last training we had?" It was interesting to see President Maluenda like that. He is pretty funny :).  Then we got to have a gift exchange from gifts that the mission parents sent.  We each got 2! Since it was the last Christmas of the Maluenda family, they made it special for all of us missionaries. 

The next day was exchanges. I found out that I was going to be in my area and I was basically going to be the Senior comp, so I was to drive.  That was pretty interesting because I usually just follow Sister Messer around, not knowing my way, but we had maps and we only got lost once! I was with Sis. Ingleby. She is featured in the picture with the chalk board that says Merry Christmas.  I learned so much from her, and we were able to work so hard and talk to so many people.  We each were able to give each other commitments.  Sis. Ingleby also lives in the apt. with us. I love her so much! 

The rest of the week was filled with lots and lots of tamales (yummm) and people being really busy, but I know that everyone has their agency. Even when people said they were busy I would be annoying and give them a little lesson on the restoration.  The people are so nice down here that they never shut the door if you just keep talking haha. 

Yesterday at church it was pretty strange because we didn't have a piano player for the opening song.  It was literally the worst song I have ever heard haha.  Latinos tend not to be very good singers at all haha that's why they always tell us to sing for them I guess.

I challenge all of you to read Alma 29 this week.  It talks about the reason we should be serving a mission.

Love you all,

Hermana Findlay

Pictures from McAllen Texas

Photo with President and Sister Maluenda

Christmas party 2015