What A Week!

February 23, 2015:

Whew! What a week!!!!! Sooo this week we had the tour of the mission. Basically, a member of one of the quorums (Elder Dykes) came and spoke to the missionaries. So the missionaries from the islands were flown in and the missionaries from the north had to take the train down and whew! Just a ton to do! Because of the mission tour, leadership council, and "P"´S BAPTISM (WOOOOO!), it was a crazy week! We seriously only had two normal missionary days this week, so yesterday to make up for how crazy the week was we were able to accomplish our goal of 5 member lessons. Legit. Seriously. We had never had 5 member lessons before, but that was one thing we wanted to do on our transfer bucket list together. We were also able to visit a few menos activos as well. Hermana life;) hahah jk

Hmmm so "P" got baptized! I´m so excited for him! He is just the most wonderful man ever! (Sister Dykes spoke about the love we have for all our investigators. How we love each of them individually and then likened it to the President´s love for us. and our Savior´s love for us. It´s true. We are not just a number, we are "P" and McKenna and Rachel and Jeff. We are individuals to Him.) Anyways, yesterday in church he received the Holy Ghost.

It is so interesting to see the difference between a ward and a branch. I loved Alcalá will all of my heart, but it is so wonderful to see the interest and excitement and care every single member of the branch here has when an investigator attends church or when we have a baptism. Everybody knows and everybody loves them. And I love them for that. Having a branch makes it feel more like a family.

Love you all!!!!!!!!!! By the way Happy 8 Cumplemes to me!

Side Note:  Hermana McKenna didn't send any pics this week so I borrowed from Hermana Marsh's blog!

"P" 's Baptism:

Burgers at "B" and "E" 's:

P-Day:

Why Should People Go On Missions?

February 16, 2015

You know why people should go on missions? To gain appreciation for their families. My family is so normal and awesome. We meet so many people and families just...really messed up. It´s so nice to put into perspective how awesome your family is. Families that have the gospel have problems, but they aren't messed up. They can be fixed. The story behind that tangent is basically that the husband of one of the investigators invited us to his house for a FHE with his sister (our investigator). When we got to his house he came down and we started walking to his sisters house. Turns out his wife and daughter had left him 5 days earlier and boy was he wasted. Trying to hug us and he kept nudging us with his arm. Anyways you know how I am with touch. I don´t do it. So I moved behind him and yeah....just a messed up situation.  

Also "P" is GETTING BAPTIZED THIS WEEK! Wooo! And he´s pumped for it! I´m so excited for him! Honestly he is teaching us! Last Sunday he couldn't stay for all 3 hours of church and we kinda kept bugging him about why he couldn't stay. He finally broke and told us why. He was going to give hot chocolate to homeless people.....Tell me I don´t have the best investigator in the world. I´m mean I know it´s church, but ohhhh he´s so good! 

Also "J" GOT BAPTIZED YESTERDAY!!!! Even though "J" is back in Alcalá and I won't have any pictures with him. I will never forget when Hna Fowers and I first met him. I´m so glad that he feels prepared now...even though I wish he had felt that 4 weeks earlier so I could share that experience with him! 

Last week was great! We had an exchange with Hnas Kuhn and Davis last week and one with Hnas Valverde and Welcker this week so now I am done with exchanges unless something comes up! I love exchanges a ton, but boy I am so glad to work with Hna Marsh! Every time I come back from exchanges I am reminded how inspired our companionships are! We do work. 

Hmmma other news......We went to the temple this week! I. love. the. temple. Period. Best place ever! Also this week we have the tour of the mission and leadership training so I guess I lied! We'll have one more exchange cause I'll be going to the leadership thingy. With the baptism and tour and leadership thingy it's gonna make having lessons this week a little difficult, but we will overcome it! ;) Hahaha Just kidding I'm super pumped for what I'll be learning! Off to another adventure!

Besos!

Hna Finch

5 Questions:

Sorry about last week that was crazy! But now you´ll get some replies!

1.  In general what is the landscape like?  Desert, mountainous, green?

     Honestly when we went to Segovia the other day we had to travel over a mountain and it looked like we were traveling over bear valley except there were still houses. So all in all very similar to were we live just hotter. 

2.  How are your meal appointments in your new area?

     Meal appointments are about the same here. If we pass around a food calendar we get fed if not...nope! Hahaha I have a love hate relationship with getting fed at members houses. If we go, we get to enjoy great company and food, but if we stay at home I get to nap! Hahaha

3.  When will you be able to write a handwritten letter?  (Dad and Garrett's question)

     Have you guys not been getting my letters? I sent a big one for all of you, birthday notes for Kimber and Leighton, and a postcard for dad. I've been sending one every week. I'm trying to just write one member of the family each week so get ready for a little more love:)

(side note:  we did get a big letter to all the family last week!)

4.  How do you do your laundry?

     We have a washer and then...get this we hang out the window or we have a drying rack in our kitchen we use too. Nobody has driers, even the rich people. I just don´t think they believe in them.

 5.  What has been your most spiritual experience with Hermana Marsh?

      We got to go to the temple this week and when we were in the celestial room we just chatted about everything we knew. It was neat cause she told me everything her grandfather (Elder Nelson) told her about the temple. 

Dad-Have you gotten your postcard? Thank you for your mission story in one of your last letters! :)

Garrett- Wasssup my homie? Way to go at state! Now you know...next year I´ll be there cheering you on:) Time to win it all;) ¡si quieres!

Kimber-We're visiting a menos activa and she has a daughter your age. I feel like she is my you and I love talking with her. I can´t wait to talk with YOU when I get home!

Addy-I loved your prayer part mom told me about:) I too am grateful for teleportation. ;)

Leighton- You are forgetting me! I still love you though! And I do want to see you again and I miss you!

The aqueduct: 

The castle:

 

  

Shortest Email Yet!

February 9, 2015

Mom! I´m alive!!!! I'm so sorry! We went to Segovia today and got back late! I love you! I will email you a good long email next week! But just know that we are having miracles left and right. You guys must be saying some pretty powerful prayers! Hna Marsh and I are working harder than ever and "P" is getting baptized next week! I´m so grateful for you and Dad and your hardworking examples! I have never felt so rewarded for working so hard! I love you and am praying for you all! 

Seeing how that was the extent of Hermana McKenna's email this week, I pilfered some pics from google images of Segovia.  Beautiful!  No wonder she didn't have time to write more!  It's 94 km from Alcorcon and home to the Aquaduct of Segovia, the Alcazar of Segovia San Andres Gate and the Segovia Cathedral. 

Facebook Tags

February 2-8, 2014

Thanks to Megan Fowers (formerly known as Hermana) for these facebook tags of Hermana McKenna!  Aahhh!  Love that face!

Week of Miracles!

February 2, 2015

This week...was a week of miracles. And I know that every week we see miracles, but this week was a week of miracles in the way of: the miracles were basically walking up to us in neon colored shorts and smacking us on the face. Just wow!

FIRST MIRACLE: I had a hard time leaving Alcalá.  I was ready for something new, and I'm on a new adventure!  Haha BUT here´s what I learned!:

In Alcalá there was a member who was just incredible, basically like a mom to me and she just sent out her son to Ogden (keep an eye out for Elder Serano, peeps!) anyway. We had a few good cries together. She fed us the best food every week and then when I got my call to come to Alcorcón I told her and she told me that her mom lives in Alcorcón. "Yes! A definite in!" I thought. So I get here and I tell my companion and try to describe this member´s mom and she´s like "I´ve been here for 3 months and our branch is small. I have never seen anybody who fits that discription." What? Anyway, we got a ward list. Found Susi´s mom and went to her house. In the portal of the building we met Susi´s mom and her sister (who hasn´t been to church in 7 or 14 years (I know it´s one of the two I just can´t remember which one.)  So her sister set up an appointment to eat with us this week. And Susi´s mom fed us the next day. While she was feeding us she told us that she´s super sick so she hasn´t been able to attend for a while and that the afternoon we came she had said a prayer about how she felt forgotten and then that afternoon we showed up! Wow!

I know the Lord definitely had a part in this. Having Susi´s sister be there too so that we can help her. Coming the exact day her mom had been feeling forgotten. Serving in Alcorcón right after Alcalá so I could help this family. Wow. So many feelings.

SECOND MIRACLE: "P".  He met the sisters 3 transfers ago (a transfer is 6 weeks, do the math) and was never able to meet with them. Then last transfer he shows up to church. TWICE. The second Sunday they set up a meeting to meet with him and then I come in. Well anyways he is great and this week we were teaching the Plan of Salvation and invited him to be baptized on a certain date this month. He asked us if it could be earlier......"¿Mas temprano, pudiera ser?" COULD IT BE EARLIER?! Whhhhat?! Uhhh....Yes!!!!!

Then we taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well this week and at the end of the lesson we asked if he had any question, comments, or concerns. And he asked if there was a specific order to the lessons we teach. "It´s just, I´d really like to learn more about the Holy Ghost. I´ve been struggling with some feelings of loneliness and would like to know more about the comforter." Ummmm wow. He is so ready. So incredible. So we told him of course and also showed him how to use the guide to the scriptures for him to find the answers for himself. I love "P"!

THIRD MIRACLE: We found another menos activa who won´t let the missionaries into her house, but we set up another appointment to see her this week and we are going to be making cake...IN HER HOUSE! 

FOURTH MIRACLE: I had intercambios this week with Hna Spencer from Idaho. Annnnd I only got lost once! Pretty good for it only being my second week in Alcorcón! 

FIFTH MIRACLE: It´s also Hna Spencer´s second week in the mission field and it always amazes me to see people at the beginning of their missions not understanding or speaking anything. I marvel because that´s were I was. And now I can understand. Sooo weird!

BILLIONTH MIRACLE: Just this week. I loved this week. Working so hard. Having a great companion. Doing intercambios. Having a sleepover with a church movie and popcorn. Just everything. The mission is a miracle. I love this work. I love this gospel and I love YOU!

5 Questions:

1.  How often are you able to go to the temple.

     Technically once  a transfer, but I've only gone twice in my time in the field. :( Buuut we´re going to the temple next week! HALLELUJAH!

2.  When you go is it in English and then you wear headsets to translate into Spanish or the other way around?

     It´s in Spanish, but I just listen to it in Spanish. It´s a pain to wear the headsets and I can pretty much understand everything :D

3.  When was the last time you got your hair cut, how much was it and how often do you go?

     Last time I got my hair cut was last month. I just couldn't go any longer! My hair was so nasty! So I got it cut for like 20 Euros (about $22) and that is the only time I've gone. Everybody always has horror stories of cutting their hair on the mish, but I actually really like mine!

4.  What is your favorite food right now?

     Favorite food right now.....hmmmm right now I could really go for some papa de guan quiení. It´s this type of food from Peru that´s suuuper yummy! I´m not really sure how to spell it, but you should try making it! Also we´re totally making Spanish tortillas when I get home! Yum!

5.  What made you smile this week?

     This week we had miracles. Seriously. miracles dropped like manna from the heavens. I´m gonna write a big long story about this in my email. So I´m just gonna wait to answer this one.

Right before our sleep over last night. We hurried and planned for the next day and then used the rest of the time to watch our movie and paint our nails and eat popcorn. Girls night! 

Sister Training Leader Letter

February 2, 2015:

Received this letter from Hermana McKenna's Mission President early this morning!  Great way to start off the day!



Hermana McKenna Nicole Finch

1 February 2015
 
Dear Sister McKenna Nicole Finch,

Thank you for accepting the assignment to serve as a Sister Trainer Leader in the Spain Madrid Mission. Your duties are to be a faithful example and teach, encourage, lift, train, supervise, inspire and serve the sisters in your area of responsibility. You will accomplish this mainly through exchanges. Teach from and reference often the principles found in Preach My Gospel and the Scriptures.

You will be part of the Mission Leadership Council that will meet monthly. In this meeting, you will join me and my wife, along with the Assistants and Zone Leaders in counseling and training that will help direct the mission. Your input will be critical to achieve the purpose of this leadership council, which is to improve every aspect of missionary work in the mission.

Go forward with our love and confidence. We know you will bless the Sister Missionaries you serve, which will help lift the entire mission.

With Great Love,

President Scott T. Jackson

Spain, Madrid Mission

Sister Training Leader

January 26, 2015:

Wow! So I definitely did not think I would miss Alcalá, I mean I´m still in the same country for crying out loud! Not. True. Homesickness for Alcalá hit me like a ton of brinks on Tuesday. Don´t get me wrong, Alcorcón is gonna be great, but Alcalá is still my home. I wonder if that will ever change. I mean I´m sure I´ll love Alcorcón, but my ward, my area, my memories there were for a 1/3 of my mission. It's a long time! But I´m getting more used to Alcorcón and there is so much work here for us to do!

This week we spent a ton of time just trying to organize things. Missionaries aren't the cleanest so even though Hna Marsh had already done a ton, we´ve been deep cleaning this week. Our piso, the numbers in our phone (Hna Fowers I learned that from you!), and the next thing up is our area book! Oh yeah Alcorcón is a branch. There was about a total of 40 people at church yesterday so yep, a lot of work to do! :)  We also got a list from the president of the branch of all the members in the ward and there are at least 130 names on that list! It is gold! We are talking part member families, menos activos, and more! GOLD! So we've got our next project. Hna Marsh and Hna C. are already teaching a bunch of part member families, we've just got to make them realize that we're not just passing by to share a scripture, we're there to baptize them. Woo! Even though I´m super sad to leave Alcalá it is great to be in a new area and have so much to do. It´s like a breath of fresh air. A new area, a new companion, a new piso, a new me. Every transfer we have the chance to grow and to change everything....whew! Biggest opportunity ever!

Speaking of opportunities... I got a call Thursday and it´s President Jackson and he´s like "Well, I´d just like to officially ask you to be a Sister Training Leader, but I assume you already know." Uhhhh....what? Me: "Nope, uh actually I didn't know, but I mean, sure, what do I have to do exactly?" Yep, so apparently I get to go on a bunch of intercambios and show people this new area of Alcorcón that I don´t know....This is gonna be great! Hahaha! And we have the tour of the mission this month so I don´t even get to go to the mission home for leadership training. Apparently we're going to be meeting with an area 70 (Elder Dyches or something) in Pavones so we will speak with him as the "leaders of the mission". All I´m saying is I better get Hna Jackson´s food ;)  BRING ON THE DESSERT! Wooo! 

CPdE: Sooo we have an investigator......He took the Divinci Code too seriously and now well....this was our conversation basically:

Us: "The Church of Jesus Christ is restored!"

Him: "And in the painting of the last super the virgin María is sitting by Jesus and this is the lost religion!" *virgin María? 

Us: "Yep well.....We would like to testify that..."

Him: "And you can tell it is her cause it forms a V!" 

Well everybody has their own time and one day he´s gonna realize what he lacking, but for now. I don´t really think he´s ready to listen, if you know what I mean. 

Annnnd I love you all and I hope that everything is going great!

5 Questions:

1.  How are you liking your new area?

      I didn´t think leaving Alcalá would be that big of deal...wrong! I started tearing up in a lesson, one day I missed Alcalá so much. I like Alcorcón, don´t get me wrong, but it´s no Alcalá. It´s different and instead of a ward we have a branch, but there´s a lot of work to do and we've been working really hard this week to get everything organized and cleaned (especially our apartment!)

2.  Do you live with just your companion or are you with another set - like in Alcala?

     There is only one sister companionship in Alcalá so it´s just Hna Marsh and I in our almost clean piso!

3.  What is your apartment like?

     Dirty. Missionaries suck at cleaning. Seriously. That´s what we've done for all our medio dias this week when we didn't have comidas and that´s what we´re doing today, but.....we´re almost done!

4.  Where do you email from?

     We email from locotorios. You should google them. I´ll take a picture of them. Basically just a shack that has computers...super glamorous I know ;)

5.  What is your favorite part or chapter from Preach My Gospel?

     My favorite part of Preach My Gospel....hmmmm Chapter 3 Lesson 1 the point about the Apostasy. There´s a red box that says key points or remember this or something. Basically it talks about the apostasy. Whew! Maybe it´s just because that's what I was studying this morning, but really! You can´t have a testimony about the restoration of the gospel unless you have a testimony about the apostasy. Study it. It´s incredible how fully the gospel was lost from the earth, just to have a complete and utter restoration of it begin in 1820.  This is so cool!

A new companion and McKenna is forwarding her emails to me!  Yeah for awesome companions!  We love to hear about her mission from a different perspective!  Here are some excerpts:

Hola Mi Familia :)

First off, I absolutely adore my companion.  It has only been 1 week and I already feel like we are best friends.  We laugh all day long, but also feel the spirit constantly. That is the greatest thing as a missionary! We are both pretty new on the mission, so we still have that fire and desire to give it our all and it is the greatest. We are working really hard and I am excited to see the miracles this transfer.  She´s great! I am a loser and didn't take pictures this week of us together, but there will be some next week!

As for our investigators, we made some progress this week! I want to start off with "C".  He received the Holy Ghost and is officially a member of the church! There is no greater feeling you guys.  I love that 13 year old boy so much! He is going to be a great example for his brother.  We were teaching them this week and "R" and without us asking, he said that he wanted to be baptized this summer.  In a perfect world it would be sooner seeing as it is January, but we can work with that! I was worried that he was closed to the idea and he isn't! So that made me happy :) They are great.  I really love those two boys so much they make being a missionary fun.

We met with "P" this week for the first time and he is just great.  At the first of the lesson he kept talking about his desire to know more about the church and hey, that´s our job :) He was attentive during the whole lesson and gave the greatest prayer at the end. I wish I could've recorded it! He is so prepared I am excited to continue to teach him.  He wasn't able to come to church yesterday so that was a little sad, but we have an appointment this week to see him again.  

We had interviews with the Jacksons this week and I can´t say enough good things about them.  I feel so blessed to have them as mission presidents! 

xoxo, 

Hermana Marsh