Tons of Transfers

August 10, 2009
Hola Familia,
It’s been another good old week. Lots and lots of preparations for the transfers that we announced yesterday. They will take place tomorrow.

As far as work in our area everything has been going well. Our investigator Soraira who had her baptism date for the 15th had to leave last minute this Sunday with her mom so she couldn’t go to church so we will have to see what happens this week. We have continued teaching the Pentecostal lady and it has been going well although it might be a long shot. We have had some great lessons teaching them about the plan of salvation which really really interested them. When we first started teaching they were completely opposed to even looking at scriptures that weren’t the Bible but the last lesson was another good one. She now has agreed to read the Book of Mormon and ask God if it is true or not. She told us that before we met them she had a dream that there were three people sitting at her table in black teaching her something important and a few days later two of us arrived so she feels it is something special. We really hope they will give it a chance and ask in faith. Really the goal is to find humble people who aren’t initially closed to our message but it really has been proof that if they give us a chance and we can teach with the spirit, anything is possible.

Like I said this week has been very busy so far with transfers. We had various meetings with President Hacking. He first told us that he had decided who was going to be my new companion. He is an Elder from Bolivia named Elder Gagliardi. He is an excellent Elder and he speaks basically perfect English. He is a great person and I know we will get along great. For the other transfers, President Hacking gave us all his ideas and we gave opinions and suggestions. One thing he wanted to accomplish was to change many Zone Leaders because a lot of them had been in a long, long time. So that he did. It is one of the biggest transfers that the mission has had. Elder Lee and Moen from my group are now Zone Leaders and many other missionaries will have their first opportunity to train or be a leader in some position. All the missionaries that were changed will travel to their new areas tomorrow. Six American Elders, 1 Latin and 4 Sisters will be arriving today and tomorrow. The gringos tonight and the latins tomorrow. Elder Adams that you told me about will be arriving tonight. So this starts maybe the most hectic week the mission has seen.

Transfer week is always especially crazy for the assistants and now that Elder Corro is gone I am left to organize it, so I’m excited. Tonight the American Elders land and we will be there with Pres Hacking to greet them and get them all to the houses they will be in for the night. Elder Corro's "son" will be one of them so he will stay with us tonight, have his welcome lunch and paperwork tomorrow and they will head to their new areas tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow we receive the new Latins from the MTC here, organize their interviews and welcome lunch etc and make sure they get sent to their areas. Wednesday, the missionaries who are leaving have their interviews and goodbye lunch and Thursday we take them all to the airport for their flights. Friday we will have the Zone Leader’s council here so in the meantime, as we manage all the traveling throughout the mission as well as those leaving and arriving, we also get to organize the 3 hour Zone Leader Council. We will be going to bed late and getting up early every day, lots of organizing and decisions to make and no free time but it’s all good and I love every minute.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago today I gave my "farewell" talk. I can’t believe how fast the time has passed. Its tough to tell when you’re in the mission if you are progressing like you want, but I know I am learning a ton, having amazing experiences and hopefully I am changing and progressing in the way I wish to. I hope everyone is fine at home. Hope all is going well with the Heavens and the new house and all the nieces’ n nephews. The Bates are in my prayers and especially the situation with Ben and the new Baby. Give my love to all my sobrinos!

Thanks again for everything, I know the church is true, Christ lives and answers our prayers. Be of good cheer always. Love Elder B