Letter #89

My favorite thing about the Mexican culture is that they are sooo nice. You can just barely get to know someone and they offer you a glass of water and a plate of food. They really do give all they have. Also it's cool that almost everyone can dance here.

Well this week is the start of a 2 week vacation here in Mexico, the holiday is their spring break and holy week. So lots of people are not home at all so that's just dandy. The week was a bit slower. A couple of interesting experiences. I don't know if you have seen the "Follow Him" video on the church website. It also has some pass-a-long cards that say, "Follow Him and find a new life #Hallelujah". The picture on the card just looks a lot like the catholic paintings and images that they worship here and being completely honest I am not a huge fan. I decided that I needed a testimony that the initiative was inspired by God so I contacted a person and gave her a card. I asked her what came to her mind when she sees that card. She paused for a second and then looked up at us confused and says, "Are you guys Catholics??" I about had a face-palm moment right there. 

Great experience. Alma went to church again this week. She is great!! As we were there singing a hymn she felt the spirit very strong and started to cry. Then as we taught about the life of Christ and we talked about stories of Christ that have had a significant meaning in our life, she also felt the spirit. She is loving everything and wants to be baptized. 

Something that I was thinking this Sunday as we learned about the Atonement was how we can come to understand better the Atonement in a personal way. Many times we think we have to repent or to get strengthened during a sickness to feel the power of the Atonement of Christ, but there is more. We are imperfect and need a lot of help from Christ and in those ways we can see it from the point of view of an imperfect person, but we are to be perfected in Christ. Become as he is. To do so we must see things through his point of view also. 

What motivated Christ to suffer and die for all of our sicknesses, weaknesses, sins, and afflictions was his love for all. To understand the Atonement and his sacrifice completely we must understand His Love for all and feel that love for others. We gain that love as we go about serving others always and obeying the commandments. 

I invite you to look for that unconditional love of Christ. Look at things from His point of view and act in a way that He may help you to become more like Him and bless the lives of others. 

Love you,

Elder Finlinson